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Cytopenia commonly occurs in case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It can either precede the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia or appear at any time during the disease. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenia, and partial red cell aplasia are most often found among cytopenias in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. At the same time, the development of cytopenia may be associated with the displacement of normal hematopoiesis cells by tumor lymphocytes. It is very important to accurately diagnose and identify the cause of cytopenia in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, since the prognosis and therapy differ significantly.

Aim of the issue was to compare clinical characteristics and treatment results of patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) with translocations involving loci of c-MYC/8q24, BCL2/18q21 and/or BCL6/3q27 genes and patients with high - grade B-cell lymphoma [High - grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL), double - hit (DH)]. Materials and methods. Since 2004 to 2017 years in National Research Center for Hematology 12 patients with high - grade B-cell lymphoma double - hit (HGBL DH) and 6 FL patients with translocations involving c-MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 had been treated. We performed a comparative analysis of clinical characterisctics in both groups. As primary endpoints was assessed frequency of complete remission (CR) or progressive disease (PD); as secondary endpoints - overall (OS) and event - free survival (EFS). Results. 5 patients with HGBL DH had c-MYC/BCL6, 7 - c-MYC/BCL2 rearrangements; 2 patients with FL had c-MYC/BCL2, 3 - c-MYC/BCL6, 1 - c-MYC/BCL2/BCL6 rearrangements. FL was represented by grade 3A in 2, grade 3B - in 4 cases, 3 of them had large - cell transformation. In HGBL DH and FL patients had no significant differences in clinical characteristics. The majority of patients had a widespread tumour, increased LDH activity, high frequency of extranodal and bone marrow involvement. Ki-67 expression level was lower in patients with FL (p.Цель работы: сопоставить клинические характеристики и результаты терапии больных фолликулярной лимфомой (ФЛ) с транслокациями с участием локусов генов с-MYC/8q24, BCL2/18q21 и/или BCL6/3q27 и больных В-клеточной лимфомой высокой степени злокачественности [high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL)], double-hit (DH). Материалы и методы. С 2004 по 2017 г. в ФГБУ «НМИЦ гематологии» Минздрава России наблюдались 12 больных с диагнозом HGBL DH и 6 больных ФЛ с транслокациями с участием локусов генов c-MYC, BCL2 и/или BCL6. Мы выполнили сравнительный ретроспективный анализ клинических характеристик в обеих группах пациентов. В качестве первичных конечных точек оценена частота полных ремиссий (ПР) и прогрессирования заболевания (Прогр), в качестве вторичных - общая (ОВ) и бессобытийная выживаемость (БСВ). Результаты. У 5 больных с HGBL DH выявлены транслокации с участием локусов генов c-MYC/BCL6, у 7 - c-MYC/BCL2; у 2 с диагнозом ФЛ - c-MYC/BCL2, у 3 - c-MYC/BCL6, у 1 - c-MYC/BCL2/BCL6. Цитологический тип ФЛ представлен ФЛ 3А с бластоидной морфологической картиной в 2 случаях, ФЛ 3В в 4 случаях, 3 из которых имели признаки гистологической трансформации. Больные HGBL DH и ФЛ не имели значимых различий по клиническим характеристикам. Так, большинство из них имели распространенную стадию заболевания, повышенную активность лактатдегидрогеназы, высокую частоту вовлечения экстранодальных областей и костного мозга. Уровень пролиферативной активности Ki-67 был значимо выше у больных HGBL DH (p.

Background. T-cell lymphomas (T-CL) represent a heterogeneous group of malignant lymphoproliferative disorders characterized by unfavorable prognosis. The cancer-testis PRAME gene is notable for its spontaneous expression in transformed cells as observed in solid tumors, B-cell lymphoproliferative and chronic myeloproliferative diseases. Activity and clinical significance of PRAME in T-CL was not studied before, which determines the relevance and provides ground for the present trial. Aim. To assess the clinical significance of the PRAME gene expression in T-CL. Materials & Methods. PRAME gene expression level was measured in samples of lymph nodes, blood, and bone marrow from 35 T-CL patients. Among them 3 patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and 6 patients received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A correlation was established between the PRAME expression in bone marrow and peripheral blood with morphological markers of disseminated disease with bone marrow lesions and leukemic blood. PRAME expression level was correlated with survival parameters and tumor proliferative activity (Ki-67). Results. PRAME activity was observed in 21 (60 %) patients. PRAME hyperexpression is associated with advanced stages of disease (p = 0.0734), bone marrow lesions (p = 0.0289), leukemic blood (p = 0.0187), worsening of the overall survival (OS) (p = 0.0787) and event-free survival (EFS) (p = 0.7185), also after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (p = 0.2661 for OS and p = 0.0452 for EFS), and with a high Ki-67 expression level (p = 0.0155). Conclusion. PRAME expression in T-CL is often observed and related with unfavorable clinical prognosis.

Background. Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common type of indolent lymphomas and accounts for 20–30 % of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas detected. High risk of recurrence and elderly patients make it difficult to choose induction therapy for FL. The R–B course in comparison with the R–CHOP course increases the progressive free survival (PFS) of FL patients and is less toxic. International studies have not studied the efficacy and toxicity of the R–B course due to various cytological types of FL. Aim of the study – assessment of the effectiveness and toxicity of the R–B course (with R support) in general and depending on the different cytological types of FL, the assessment of overall survival (OS) and PFS (adverse events: progression, relapse, death); identification of risk factors for an adverse event in general and death, in particular. The main endpoint of this study is selected BPV. Materials and methods. We performed a prospective, multicenter, open-label trial in Russia since June 1, 2013 till June 1, 2018. The study included 74 patients with FL. Median age of patients was 59 years (from 30 to 78 years). Treatment was completed in 66 patients, so this group of patients was analyzed. Ratio between men and women was 1:2. 32/66 of patients (48 %) were older than 60 years old. Patients received rituximab 375 mg/m2 on day 1 and bendamustine 90 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2 of a 4-week cycle (6 cycles). 49/66 (74 %) of patients were diagnosed with FL grade 1, 10/66 (15 %) – grade 2, 7/66 (11 %) – grade 3A. 34/66 (52 %) patients had nodular tumor growth type, 28/66 (42 %) – nodular-diffuse, 4/66 (6 %) – diffuse. High risk according to FLIPI had 25/59 (42 %) of patients with cytologic grade of FL 1–2 and 7/7 (100 %) of patients with FL grade 3A. Extranodal lesions were revealed in 26/66 (39 %) of cases: in 4/66 of cases – orbit, in 2/66 – parotid gland, in 5/66 – lungs, in 4/66 – intestines, in 2/66 – stomach, 2/66 – pancreas, 2/66 – uterus, 2/66 – skin, 1/66 – subcutaneous tissue, 3/66 – vertebrae, in 1/66 – latticed maze and nasal passages, 1/66 – kidneys, 1/66 – root of the tongue. In 23/26 (88 %) of cases extranodal lesion was revealed in generalized stage of FL (including lymph nodes and bone marrow). Extranodal lesions were found in 37 % of patients with FL grade 1–2, and 57 % with FL grade 3A. Bulky also was observed more frequently in pts with FL grade 3 3/7 (43 %) than in patients with FL grade 1–2 20/59 (34 %). (The risk factors of an adverse event are also its predictors in this study.) Results. Complete remission of disease was achieved in 40/66 (61 %) patients, partial remission – 13/66 (19 %) patients. Tumor progression observed in 11/66 (17 %) cases, patients were withdrawn from the protocol. А partial tumor response was achieved in 2/66 cases (3 %) and patients received high-dose therapy after 4 courses of R–B. Five-year (as well as the 3-year) overall survival (OS) of all patients (n = 66) in R–B was 90 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) 78–96), 5-year PFS – 70 % (95 % CI 55–85) and a 3-year PFS – 75 % (95 % CI 60–89). The cumulative incidence of relapse (considering competing risks of progression and death) at the 3th year after initiation of treatment was 11 % (95 % CI 3–19). The following independent statistically significant (p ≤0.05) predictors of PFS (measured in the onset of the disease) were determined (as a result of a stepwise multivariate cox regression analysis): 1) cytological type of tumor (only type 3A is significant); 2) involvement of nodal zones (more than 4); 3) presence of a conglomerate of tumor lymph nodes larger than 6 cm (bulky); 4) Ki-67 protein expression (more than 35 %). The first 3 characteristics (as well as the sign «presence of extranodal foci», close to the level of significance) are independent statistically significant predictors of OS. In the single factor analysis the following characteristics (besides the above) were significant: index FLIPI (significant only 5 points against all others), bone marrow damage, β2-microglobulin (more than 2.2 mg/L), age (over 68 years) and hemoglobin (less than 110 g/dL). Conclusion 1. The independent negative predictors of OS and PFS in follicular lymphoma were determined. 2. Of the predictors of an adverse event identified, the greatest risk (as a result of a multivariate analysis) is associated with a 3A cytological type of tumor. 3. The FLIPI index has a predictive value not only for the determination of OS, but also for the PFS (moreover, in reduced dichotomous form: 5 points against all the others combined). 4. An increase in the time interval between the first manifestations of follicular lymphoma (lymph node enlargement / appearance of a tumor formation) and the start of therapy beyond a certain threshold value (estimated to be approximately 22 months) is associated (according to the results of univariate analysis) with an increased risk of an adverse event. One of the reasons for the increase in this time interval is associated with expectant medical tactics adopted during the slow development of the clinical picture of the disease. The obtained result shows that the low rate of development of the clinical picture of the disease does not correlate with the low risk of adverse events, and, therefore, cannot be a determining factor when deciding whether to start treatment. 5. The morphology of the tumor is the determining factor in the choice of induction therapy. 6. After achieving full/partial remission of FL, there is a constant risk of recurrence of the disease (by the age of 3 from the termination of treatment, the risk is 11 % (95 % CI 3–19)). 7. The R–B course effectively sanitizes the bone marrow. 8. The R–B allows performing stem cells mobilization and autoSCT that is actual in FL patients with bone marrow involvement. 9. The treatment regimen of R–B is effective and has a relatively low toxicity, so it is advisable in the treatment of elderly patients.

Background. Grade 3 follicular lymphoma (FL) is a heterogenetic group of tumors. The selections of patients with similar characteristics of the tumor process is important for classification 3 grade forms of FL and risk stratification, as well as for the development of new therapeutic approaches. Different morphological, immunohistochemical and cytogenetical characteristics of the tumor result in different clinical forms of the disease. Aim. To describe the clinical, morphological, immunohistochemical and cytogenetical characteristics of grade 3 FL and evaluate their prognostic value for R-CHOP-21 chemotherapy. Materials & Methods. We performed retrospective and prospective analysis of morphological, immunohistochemical and genetical characteristics of 93 primary patients with grade 3 FL (21-78 years, median 53 years, women to men - 1:1.4) admitted to National Medical Hematology Research Center from years 2001 to 2016. Morphological and immunohistochemical assessment of the affected lymph nodes and bone marrow biopsy material was performed. Data obtained from the standard cytogenetic and FISH assessment were compared to identify the BCL2 rearrangement. Results. We proposed an algorithm for differential diagnosis of the 2 types of grade 3 FL: de novo FL (n = 22) and transformed FL (n = 21). De novo grade 3 FL had the immunophenotype of CD10- in 19 (86 %) cases, MUM1++ (monomorphically) in 19 (90 %), and BCL-2 in 5 (22 %). It was characterized by the absence of the BCL2 rearrangement (n = 22, 100 %) and bone marrow involvement (n = 14, 67 %) and/or bone marrow involvement (n = 7, 100 %). Third grade FL transformed from grades 1 or 2 had was CD10+ (n = 19, 90 %), MUM1+ (heterogeneously, n = 16, 76 %) or MUM1-(n = 4, 19 %), BCL-2+ (n = 20, 95 %) and had BCL2 rearrangement (n = 19, 90 %). Small cell bone marrow involvement was observed in 71 % of cases, whereas large cell involvement was seen predominantly in de novo FL (p = 0.06). The analysis showed that 5-year relapse-free survival in patients with grade 3 de novo FL after R-CHOP-21 therapy was 87 % compared to 16 % with transformed FL (p = 0.06) for the median 41 months of follow up. Conclusion. We described the morphological, immunohistochemical and cytogenetical characteristics of grade 3 de novo FL and grade 3 FL, transformed from grades 1 or 2. The described variants show different sensitivity to immunochemotherapy.

Aim. Pathomorphological, immunophenotypical and clinical characteristics of a new clinico-morphological form of pediatric-type follicular lymphoma (FL) in young adults discovered in 2008 (WHO classification). Background. FL is a heterogeneous disease according to its morphological, immunophenotypical and molecular-genetic characteristics. FL de novo includes transformed FL, FL without t(14;18), FL with diffuse growth associated with del(1p.36) and TNFRSF14 mutation. Pediatric-type FL in young adults is poorly studied; and it is especially interesting because of its clinical diversity and molecular-genetic heterogeneity of FL, in general. Methods. Biopsy materials taken from 5 patients (aged 18-25 years; median age: 22 years; the female/male ratio 3:2) were included in the study; all patients were examined, diagnosed and treated in the Hematology Research Center over the period from 2012 to 2016. Clinical stage I with isolated involvement a palatine tonsil or an inguinal lymph node was diagnosed in 4/5 patients; clinical stage II with involvement of a palatine tonsil and cervical lymph node was diagnosed in 1/5 patients. Morphological, immunophenotypical and FISH tests were performed with paraffin blocks. Results. The morphological pattern was typical for FL 3B (n = 2) and FL 3 with blastoid nucleus morphology (n = 3). Immunophenotypical features demonstrated an intermediate position between FL 3 de novo and transformed FL 3. No BCL-2 rearrangement was detected in any observation. Conclusion. The comparison of our data on characteristics of pediatric-type FL with those published in the literature demonstrated that lack or weak expression (< 30 % of tumor substrate cells) of MUM1 was the key feature of the experimental group of young adults with pediatric-type FL. This, in turn, indicates the absence of IRF4 rearrangements and possible presence of other genetic abnormalities. The clinical, morphological, and immunophenotypical characteristics broaden the FL heterogeneity spectrum in young adults.

To characterize a group of patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) with leukemization and to evaluate the efficiency of different therapy options (R-CHOP/R-FMC/high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT)).18 (7.2%) out of 250 patients diagnosed with FL, who were examined and treated at the National Research Center for Hematology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, were found to have leukemic FL (tumor cells in the peripheral blood smears were detected by cytology and flow cytofluorometry. Eight of the 18 patients had extranodal foci of involvement: lung, stomach, spleen, lumbar muscles, upper jaw, and vertebrae. Bone marrow was involved in 17 of the 18 patients. Tumor biopsy specimens displayed a morphological pattern of indolent FL in the majority of patients (10 of the 18 patients had cytological grade 1-2 tumors and 14 patients had a nodular or nodular-diffuse tumor growth pattern). The patients underwent R-CHOP/R-FMC) or HDCT cycles as first-line therapy, followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT).The median follow-up was 66 months (range 12-217 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 70% (10% SEM) and 35% (15% SEM), respectively. The median OS was not reached; the median PFS was 3 years.Leukemic FL is characterized by low OS and PFS rates. The most effective chemotherapy regimens were R-CHOP, followed by HDCT and auto-SCT in first remission or R-FMC. These cycles can to a greater extent achieve a complete eradication of the bone marrow tumor clone. Due to the relapsing course of FL and the aggressiveness of leukemic FL, it is expedient to carry out auto-SCT in first remission.Цель исследования. Охарактеризовать группу больных фолликулярной лимфомой (ФЛ) с лейкемизацией и оценить эффективность разных вариантов терапии (R-CHOP/R-FMC/высокодозной химиотерапии - ВХТ). Материалы и методы. Из 250 пациентов с диагнозом ФЛ, которые обследовались и получали терапию в ФГБУ ГНЦ МЗ РФ, у 18 (7,2%) выявлен лейкемический вариант ФЛ (обнаружены опухолевые клетки в мазках периферической крови цитологически и методом проточной цитофлюориметрии - ПЦФМ). У 8 из 18 пациентов определялись экстранодальные очаги поражения: вовлечение легких, желудка, селезенки, поясничных мышц, верхней челюсти, позвонков. В 17 из 18 случаев вовлечен костный мозг. Морфологически в биоптате опухолей у большинства пациентов отмечалась картина индолентной ФЛ (у 10 из 18 I-II цитологический тип опухоли, у 14 из 18 нодулярный и нодулярно-диффузный характер опухолевого роста). В качестве терапии первой линии пациентам проводились курсы R-CHOP/R-FMC или ВХТ с последующей трансплантацией аутологичных стволовых клеток крови (ауто-ТСКК). Результаты. Медиана наблюдения составила 66 мес (12-217 мес). Пятилетняя общая выживаемость (ОВ) и выживаемость без прогрессирования (БПВ) составили 70% (стандартная ошибка 10%) и 35% (15%) соответственно. Медиана общей продолжительности жизни не достигнута, медиана продолжительности жизни без прогрессирования составила 3 года. Заключение. Лейкемический вариант ФЛ характеризуется низкими ОВ и БПВ. Наиболее эффективными оказались следующие химиотерапевтические режимы: R-CHOP c последующей ВХТ и ауто-ТСКК в первой ремиссии или R-FMC. Данные курсы позволяют в большей степени добиться полной эрадикации опухолевого клона в костном мозге. В связи с рецидивирующим течением ФЛ, а также агрессивностью лейкемического варианта ФЛ в первой ремиссии целесообразно проводить ауто-ТСКК.

to evaluate the efficiency of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with further autologous blood stem cell transplantation (auto-BSCT) in the first-line therapy of patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) and poor prognostic factors.In 2000 to 2015, the National Research Center for Hematology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, performed therapy in 39 patients with FL and poor prognostic factors (a total of 215 patients with FL). The R-CHOP treatment was done as induction therapy. Sequential HCT and further auto-BSCT were performed in 29 (74%) of the 39 patients, who had shown a partial tumor response to the induction therapy or achieved partial remission after 4-6 cycles of CT, but had poor prognostic factors. 22 of the 29 patients underwent auto-BSCT in first-line therapy after induction R-CHOP regimens. Among them, there were 17 men with a median age of 46 years (31-68 years). 21 of the 22 patients were recorded to have Stage IV by the Ann Arbor staging classification. Bulky peritoneal and retroperitoneal tumors larger than 7 cm were detectable at disease onset in 14 of the 22 cases. Two patients were noted to have phenomena of leukemization. 16 patients had bone marrow (BM) involvement. According to the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index-1 (FLIPI-1), the patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) a low risk (n=5); 2) an intermediate risk (n=3); a high risk (n=14). B-symptoms were observed in 16 cases. 16 patients were diagnosed with cytological grade I-II FL and 6 had grade IIIA. According to the tumor proliferative pattern, the distribution turned out to be as follows: nodular (n=6), nodular-diffuse (n=13), and diffuse (n=3). The proliferative activity index averaged 30% (8-90%). Serum and urine proteins were immmunochemically assayed in 18 cases, out of them 8 patients were diagnosed as having serum β2-microglobulin concentrations above normal as a poor prognostic factor. In 14 of the 22 patients, the activity of lactate dehydrogenase was greater than normal (266-7806 U/l).Out of the 22 patients, 20 who have undergone auto-BSCT in first-line therapy are survivors and have remission of the underlying disease: 18 and 2 patients achieved complete and partial remission, respectively. The follow-up period was 7 to 178 months (median, 32 months). After auto-BSCT in the first remission, 2 patients developed disease recurrences: an early recurrence after 9 months in one case and a late recurrence 6 years after completion of therapy in the other.The first prospective study of intensive therapy for FL in Russia has demonstrated that HDCT with further auto-BSCT in first-line therapy allows complete remission in patients with poor prognostic factors and higher overall and progression-free survival rates.Цель исследования. Оценить эффективность высокодозной химиотерапии (ХТ) с последующей трансплантацией аутологичных стволовых клеток крови (ауто-ТСКК) в терапии первой линии у больных с фолликулярной лимфомой (ФЛ) и факторами неблагоприятного прогноза. Материалы и методы. В период с 2000 по 2015 г. в ФГБУ Гематологический научный центр МЗ РФ проводилась терапия 39 пациентам с ФЛ и факторами неблагоприятного прогноза (всего 215 больных с ФЛ). В качестве индукционной терапии проведено лечение по программе R-CHOP. У 29 (74%) из 39 пациентов в случае частичного ответа опухоли на индукционную терапию или достижения частичной ремиссии после 4-6 курсов ХТ, но при наличии факторов неблагоприятного прогноза, выполнена последовательная высокодозная химиотерапия (ПВХТ) с последующей ауто-ТСКК. Из 29 больных ауто-ТСКК в терапии первой линии после индукционных режимов по программе R-CHOP выполнена 22 больным. Из них 17 мужчин с медианой возраста 46 (31-68) лет. У 21 из 22 больных констатирована IV стадия заболевания по классификации Ann Arbor. В 14 из 22 случаев в дебюте заболевания определялись опухолевые конгломераты более 7 см внутрибрюшной или забрюшинной локализаций (bulky). У 2 больных отмечались явления лейкемизации. У 16 пациентов имелось поражение костного мозга (КМ). По критериям FLIPI-1 пациентов разделили на 3 группы: в 1-й группе риска было 5 больных, во 2-й - 3, в 3-4-й - 14. В 16 случаях наблюдалось наличие В-симптомов. У 16 пациентов диагностирован I-II цитологический тип ФЛ, у 6 - IIIА. По характеру пролиферации опухоли распределение оказалось следующим: нодулярный у 6 больных, нодулярно-диффузный - у 13, диффузный - у 3. Индекс пролиферативной активности в среднем составил 30% (8-90%). Иммунохимическое исследование белков сыворотки крови и мочи проведено в 18 случаях, из них концентрация β2-микроглобулина в сыворотке выше нормы, как фактор неблагоприятного прогноза, диагностирована у 8 из 18 больных. Активность лактатдегидрогеназы превышала норму (266-7806 ед/л) у 14 из 22 пациентов. Результаты. Из 22 пациентов 20, перенесшие ауто-ТСКК в терапии первой линии, живы и находятся в ремиссии по основному заболеванию: полная ремиссия достигнута у 18, частичная - у 2. Период наблюдения составляет от 7 до 178 (медиана 32) мес. У 2 пациентов после ауто-ТСКК в первой ремиссии развились рецидивы заболевания: в одном случае - ранний спустя 9 мес, во втором случае - поздний спустя 6 лет от окончания терапии. Заключение. Результаты первого проспективного исследования интенсивной терапии у больных ФЛ в России демонстрируют, что ПВХТ с последующей ауто-ТСКК в терапии первой линии позволяет достичь полной ремиссии заболевания у пациентов с факторами неблагоприятного прогноза, а также увеличить общую и беспрогрессивную выживаемость.