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Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common childhood malignancy. One of the drugs used in the treatment is Asparaginase, and monitoring of its activity levels enables better outcomes. Since 2018, our laboratory has been working to establish a regular analysis of activity. This implementation allowed to qualify care by detecting silent inactivation and also establishing desensitization as a safe way to overcome the lack of Erwinia. We were able to monitor children aged 0 to 18 years who were being treated with PEG-ASNase. The activity was assessed on days 7 (90 samples) and 14 (52 samples) after ASNase infusions. 142 samples were analyzed. 95.7% reached an adequate activity level (≥ 0.1 IU/mL). Patients treated with ASNase can develop allergic reactions. With the activity monitoring, is possible to circumvent situations like these and implement desensitization protocols for patients who had clinical hypersensitivity without inactivation. Desensitization induces temporary unresponsiveness to drug antigens, allowing the patients to proceed with the prescribed chemotherapy. We have received samples from four patients being treated with different desensitization protocols. Patients tolerated the protocols well. Only one had a grade 2 reaction during the infusion and activity Erwinia. The dose adaptation is a possible and more recent use of ASNase monitoring and we were able to confirm the feasibility of PEG-ASNase desensitization protocols.

The treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has evolved in recent decades, reaching an overall survival rate close to 90%. Currently, approximately 4% of patients with ALL die from secondary complications of chemotherapy. Among these complications, the most frequent is febrile neutropenia (FN). The treatment of acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) is even more aggressive, being consequently related to a considerable amount of treatment-related toxicity with a high risk of severe infection and death.In order to reduce the infection-related risks in these groups of patients, systemic antibacterial prophylaxis has emerged as a possible approach.Antibiotic prophylaxis during neutropenia periods in those undergoing chemotherapy have .already been proven in adults with acute leukemias (ALs). Among the possible available therapeutic options for bacterial prophylaxis in children with cancer, fluoroquinolones emerged with the most amount of evidence. Within this class, levofloxacin became the best choice.Therefore, the use of levofloxacin seems to be indicated in very specific situations: in children who are known to be neutropenic for a long time, secondary to intensive chemotherapy; in children with AL undergoing chemotherapy to induce remission; or in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This article aims to describe recent evidence focusing on antibiotic prophylaxis in children with ALs.

Haploidentical hematopoietic-cell transplantation using post-transplant cyclophosphamide(Haplo-PTCy) is a feasible procedure in children with haematologic malignancies. However, data of a large series of children with acute leukaemia(AL) in this setting is missing. We analysed 144 AL Haplo-PTCy paediatric recipients; median age was 10 years. Patients had acute lymphoblastic(ALL; n = 86) or myeloblastic leukaemia(AML; n = 58) and were transplanted in remission(CR1: n = 40; CR2: n = 57; CR3+: n = 27) or relapse (n = 20). Bone marrow was the graft source in 57%; donors were father (54%), mother (35%), or sibling (11%). Myeloablative conditioning was used in 87%. Median follow-up was 31 months. At day +100, cumulative incidence (CI) of neutrophil recovery and acute GVHD (II-IV) were 94% and 40%, respectively. At 2-years, CI of chronic GVHD and relapse, were 31%, 40%, and estimated 2-year overall survival (OS), leukaemia-free survival (LFS) and graft-versus-host-relapse-free survival (GRFS) were 52%, 44% and 34% respectively. For patients transplanted in remission, positive measurable residual disease (MRD) prior to transplant was associated with decreased LFS (p = 0.05) and GRFS (p = 0.003) and increased risk of relapse (p = 0.02). Mother donor was associated with increased risk of chronic GVHD (p = 0.001), decreased OS (p = 0.03) and GRFS (p = 0.004). Use of PBSC was associated with increased risk of chronic GVHD (p = 0.04). In conclusion, achieving MRD negativity pre-transplant, avoiding use of mother donors and PBSC as graft source may improve outcomes of Haplo-PTCy in children with AL.

Severe aplastic anemia (SAA) is a life-threatening disease that can be cured with allogeneic cell transplantation (HCT). Haploidentical donor transplantation with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (haplo-PTCy) is an option for patients lacking an HLA-matched donor. We analyzed 87 patients who underwent haplo-PTCy between 2010 and 2019. The median patient age was 14 years (range, 1 to 69 years), most were heavily transfused, and all received previous immunosuppression (25% without antithymocyte globulin). Almost two-thirds (63%) received standard fludarabine (Flu)/cyclophosphamide (Cy) 29/total body irradiation (TBI) 200 cGy conditioning, and the remaining patients received an augmented conditioning: Flu/Cy29/TBI 300-400 (16%), Flu/Cy50/TBI 200 (10%), or Flu/Cy50/TBI 400 (10%). All patients received PTCy-based graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Most grafts (93%) were bone marrow (BM). The median duration of follow-up was 2 years and 2 months. The median time to neutrophil recovery was 17 days. Primary graft failure occurred in 15% of the patients, and secondary or poor graft function occurred in 5%. The incidences of grade II-IV acute GVHD was 14%, and that of chronic GVHD was 9%. Two-year overall survival and event-free survival (EFS) were 79% and 70%, respectively. EFS was higher for patients who received augmented Flu/Cy/TBI (hazard ratio [HR], .28; P = .02), and those who received higher BM CD34 cell doses (3.2 × 10E6/kg) (HR, .29; P = .004). The presence of donor-specific antibodies before HSCT was associated with lower EFS (HR, 3.92; P = .01). Graft failure (HR, 7.20; P.0001) was associated with an elevated risk of death. Cytomegalovirus reactivation was frequent (62%). Haploidentical HCT for SAA is a feasible procedure; outcomes are improved with augmented conditioning regimens and BM grafts with higher CD34 cell doses.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) can cure primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID). When a HLA-matched donor is not available, a haploidentical family donor may be considered. The use of T cell-replete haploidentical HCT with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (haplo-PTCy) in children with PID has been reported in few case series. A donor is usually readily available, and haplo-PTCy can be used in urgent cases. We studied the outcomes of 73 patients with PID who underwent haplo-PTCy, including 55 patients who did so as a first transplantation and 18 who did so as a salvage transplantation after graft failure of previous HCT. The median patient age was 1.6 years. Most of the children were male (n = 54) and had active infection at the time of transplantation (n = 50); 10 children had severe organ damage. The diagnosis was severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in 34 patients and non-SCID in 39 (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome; n = 14; chronic granulomatous disease, n = 10; other PID, n = 15). The median duration of follow-up of survivors was 2 years. The cumulative incidence of neutrophil recovery was 88% in the SCID group and 84% in non-SCID group and was 81% for first transplantations and 83% after a salvage graft. At 100 days, the cumulative incidence of acute GVHD grade II-IV and III-IV was 33% and 14%, respectively. The majority of patients reached 200/μL CD4+ and 1000/μL CD3+ cell counts between 3 and 6 months. The estimated 2-year overall survival was 66%; it was 64% for SCID patients and 65% for non-SCID patients and 63% for first HCT and 77% for salvage transplantations. Twenty-five patients died, most of them due to infection early after transplantation (before 100 days). In conclusion, haplo-PTCy is a feasible procedure, can cure two-thirds of children with PID, and can be used as rescue treatment for previous graft failure. © 2020 American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc.

HSCT is performed in Brazil since the 70’s, most of them in public centers. Transplant numbers are regularly reported by most centers to the Brazilian Transplant Registry/ Brazilian Solid Organ Association (ABTO/RBT), Latin American Bone Marrow Transplant Group/ Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (LABMT/WBMT), but transplant outcomes are not available in our country. The objective of this work is to understand HSCT activity and outcomes of Brazilian children. Methods The Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy (SBTMO) has developed the initiative to collaborate with the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) to receive back deidentified aggregate nationwide data reported by Brazilian transplant centers. This was approved by the national central IRB in 2019 (Conep CAAE: 65575317.5.1001.0071, principal investigator Dr. Nelson Hamerschlak) as a research project, including data from 2008 through 2027. This is the first report of the Brazilian Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant activity prepared by the SBTMO Data Managers Working Group with the data reported to the CIBMTR and returned to the country as an enhanced Data Back to Center file. Results Between 2008 and 2019, 16 of the 19 institutions reporting to the CIBMTR also reported pediatric transplants. A total of 1,929 transplants were reported in children younger than 18 years of age and, different from the adult experience, most of them are allogeneic transplants. Within the past three years, the number of allogeneic transplants from unrelated and mismatched donors have increased and are now performed more often than transplants from matched sibling donors. Unrelated cord blood grafts were rarely used. Marrow was the preferred graft source for all allogeneic transplants. Acute leukemias and severe aplastic anemia were the most common indications for HSCT. Infections were the first cause of death within 100 days post HSCT. The 2-year overall survival after HSCT with HLA-identical sibling, unrelated donors and mismatched related donors for acute lymphoblastic leukemia was 56%, 60% and 37% (p = 0.2) and for acute myelogenous leukemia, 57%, 55% and 62% (p = 0.8), respectively. Pediatric myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myelogenous leukemia had overall survival over 80%. Severe aplastic anemia was the most common non-malignant HSCT indication and the results with matched related and unrelated transplants are excellent, > 85% survival. In conclusion, this is the first report on transplant outcomes in Brazilian children. The collaboration with the CIBMTR may be a feasible way for Latin American countries to know their transplant outcomes using a mature registry structure with several tools already in place to enhance the collaboration. We would like to acknowledge Dr Nelson Hamerschlak, principal investigator of the National protocol, Dr. Marcelo Pasquini, for his help with the collaboration between CIBMTR and SBTMO, the Brazilian institutions reporting their data, the Data Manager Working Group and the Pediatric Working Group of the SBTMO and SOBOPE.

Background Strategies to mitigate the impact of COVID‐19 in special populations are complex and challenging. Few studies have addressed the impact of COVID‐19 on pediatric patients with cancer in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Methods Multicenter observational cohort study with prospective records and retrospective analyses starting in April 2020 in 21 pediatric oncology centers distributed throughout Brazil. Participants: Patients under 18 years of age who are infected by the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus (confirmed diagnosis through reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction [RT‐PCR]) while under treatment at pediatric oncology centers. The variables of interest included clinical symptoms, diagnostic and therapeutic measures. The repercussions of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on cancer treatment and general prognosis were monitored. Results One hundred seventy‐nine patients were included (median age 6 [4–13] years, 58% male). Of these, 55.9% had acute leukemia and 34.1% had solid tumors. The presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 was diagnosed by RT‐PCR. Various laboratory markers were analyzed, but showed no correlation with outcome. Children with low or high BMI for age had lower overall survival (71.4% and 82.6%, respectively) than those with age‐appropriate BMI (92.7%) (p = .007). The severity of presentation at diagnosis was significantly associated with outcome (p

Background: The minimal residual disease (MRD) is the most important prognostic factor for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. This study aimed to investigate the influence of detecting the MRD by the multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) at day 15 (D15) of the induction on the analysis of the risk group classifications of the different childhood ALL treatment protocols used in a referral hospital in southern Brazil. Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with B-cell ALL, aged 1 to 18 years, treated at a hospital from January 2013 to April 2017. Main results: Seventy-five patients were analyzed. Regarding the MRD by the MFC at D15, the analyses showed statistical significance when the MRD was grouped into three categories, < 0.1%, 0.1–10%, and > 10%, with the following distribution: 30.7%, 52.0%, and 17.3%, respectively. There was a significant association between D15 MRD-MFC < 0.1% and the likelihood of dying or relapsing and between D15 MRD-MFC > 10% and the likelihood of dying or relapsing. The cumulative hazard ratio for the relapse of patients with D15 MRD-MFC < 0.1%, 0.1–10%, and > 10% was 19.2%, 59.8%, and 80.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Our analysis suggests D15 MRD-MFC < 0.1% as a cut-off point for patients with more favorable outcomes and that the MRD at D15 in risk classifications is particularly useful for the stratification of patients with a more favorable prognosis.

Busulfan (Bu) is a key component of conditioning regimens used before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in children. Different predictive methods have been used to calculate the first dose of Bu. To evaluate the necessity of further improvements, we retrospectively analyzed the currently available weight- and age-based guidelines to calculate the first doses in 101 children who underwent allogenic SCT in CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, after an intravenous Bu-containing conditioning regimen according to genetic and clinical factors. The measured areas under the curve (AUCs) were within target (900 to 1500 µM/min) in 38.7% of patients after the administration of the first dose calculated based on age and weight, as locally recommended. GSTA1 diplotypes linked to poor Bu metabolism (G3) and fludarabine-containing regimens were the only factors associated with AUC within target (OR, 4.7 [95% CI, 1.1 to 19.8, P = .04]; and OR, 9.9 [95% CI, 1.6 to 61.7, P = .01], respectively). From the 11 methods selected for dose calculation, the percentage of AUCs within the target varied between 16% and 74%. In some models G3 was associated with AUCs within the therapeutic and the toxic range, whereas rapid metabolizers (G1) were correlated with subtherapeutic AUCs when different methods were used. These associations were confirmed by clearance-prediction analysis, in which GSTA1 diplotypes consistently influenced the prediction errors of the methods. These findings suggest that these factors should be considered in Bu dose prediction in addition to the anthropometric data from patients. Furthermore, our data indicated that GSTA1 diplotypes was a factor that should be included in future population pharmacokinetic models, including similar conditioning regiments, to improve the prediction of Bu exposure after its initial dose.

The long-term outcome of acute lymphoblastic leukemia has improved dramatically due to the development of more effective treatment strategies. L-asparaginase (ASNase) is one of the main drugs used and causes death of leukemic cells by systematically depleting the non-essential amino acid asparagine. Three main types of ASNase have been used so far: native ASNase derived from Escherichia coli, an enzyme isolated from Erwinia chrysanthemi and a pegylated form of the native E. coli ASNase, the ASNase PEG. Hypersensitivity reactions are the main complication related to this drug. Although clinical allergies may be important, a major concern is that antibodies produced in response to ASNase may cause rapid inactivation of ASNase, leading to a worse prognosis. This reaction is commonly referred to as "silent hypersensitivity" or "silent inactivation". We are able to analyze hypersensitivity and inactivation processes by the measurement of the ASNase activity. The ability to individualize the ASNase therapy in patients, adjusting the dose or switching patients with silent inactivation to an alternate ASNase preparation may help improve outcomes in those patients. This review article aims to describe the pathophysiology of the inactivation process, how to diagnose it and finally how to manage it.

High levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) reduce sickle cell anemia (SCA) morbidity and mortality. HbF levels vary considerably and there is a strong genetic component that influences HbF production. Genetic polymorphisms at three quantitative trait loci (QTL): Xmn1-HBG2, HMIP-2 and BCL11A, have been shown to influence HbF levels and disease severity in SCA. Hydroxyurea (HU) is a drug that increases HbF. We investigated the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the Xmn1-HBG2 (rs7482144); BCL11A (rs1427407, rs4671393 and rs11886868); and HMIP-2 (rs9399137 and rs9402686) loci on baseline and HU-induced HbF levels in 111 HbSS patients. We found that both BCL11A and HMIP-2 were associated with increased endogenous levels of HbF. Interestingly, we also found that BCL11A was associated with higher induction of HbF with HU. This effect was independent of the effect of BCL11A on baseline HbF levels. Additional studies will be needed to validate these findings and explain the ample inter-individual variations in HbF levels at baseline and HU-induced in patients with SCA.

Introduction Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative treatment for several primary immunodeficiencies. In the absence of a matched sibling or a well matched unrelated donor, the use of an haploidentical family donor can be considered. Historically, most part of haploidentical HSCT were performed with in vitro T-cell depletion techniques that aren't worldwide available, especially in middle or low income countries. The use of T-cell replete haploidentical HSCT with PTCy in children with PID has been described in only a few case-series. Objectives To report the outcomes of haploidentical HSCT with PTCy for children with severe PID Methods Retrospective chart review of 73 patients with PID who underwent haploidentical HSCT with PTCy from July 2012 to May 2019 at 9 centers in Brazil. Results Fifty-five patients received first allogeneic transplants, and 18 were rescued after graft failure of a previous transplant. Median age was 1.6 years (2 months to 19 years). Most patients were male (n=54) and had active infection at the time of transplant (n=50). Diagnoses were: severe combined immunodeficiency (n=34), Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (n=14), chronic granulomatous disease (n=10) and other PID (n=15). Donors were father (N=46), mother (N=24), or siblings (N=3); and cell source was predominantly bone marrow (94% of patients). Conditioning regimen was non-myeloablative (fludarabine 150mg/m2 + cyclophosphamide 29mg/Kg + TBI 200cGy) in 35 patients; and myeloblative in 38 patients (most part receiving: bussulfan + fludarabine 160mg/m2 + ATG 4-7,5 mg/Kg or alemtuzumab 0,5-1mg/Kg). GVHD prophylaxis was PT-Cy, CsA or Tacrolimus and MMF. The median follow-up of surviving patients was 24 months. Four patients died before 28 days and were not evaluable for engraftment. Sixty-one patients engrafted in a median of 15 days. The 100-day incidence of acute GVHD grades II–IV was 33% and grades III–IV, 14%. The incidence of Chronic GVHD at 1 year was 16%. Twenty-two patients died, most of them due to infection (n=15). The two-year overall survival was 66%. There was no difference in OS between patients receiving first allogeneic or rescue transplants, suggesting survival bias. Patients transplanted for WAS or SCID had a better OS compared to those transplanted for CGD (p=0,02). Conclusion In conclusion, 66% of Brazilian children with severe PID and no matched donor could be cured with haploidentical HSCT with PTCy. The high proportion of patients in our cohort transplanted with an active infection (70%) may have had a major impact in our results. The optimal conditioning regimen for these patients and long term follow up data are the objective of our ongoing studies.

Severe aplastic anemia is a life-threatening disease usually treated with immunosuppression or HSCT. This is a multicenter retrospective study that included 78 patients who have undergone haploidentical HSCT with PTCy for severe aplastic anemia in Brazil between 2010 and 2019. Median age was 14 y/o (range: 1-69), and most patients had been heavily transfused. Conditioning regimen was FluCyTBI-based, and GVHD prophylaxis consisted of PTCy, MMF, and tacrolimus (13%) or cyclosporine (87%). Most grafts (92%) were bone marrow. One-year OS was 81%, and it was lower in females (HR=4.6; P=0.007) and in those who had graft failure or poor graft function (HR=10.3; P 30 y/o and lower TNC dose. In conclusion, we have shown that haploidentical transplantation for SAA is feasible. The incidence of graft failure/poor graft function was high, and increasing the TBI dose to 300-400 cGy or Cy to 50 mg/kg in the conditioning regimen may overcome graft failure, but not the addition of ATG. Patients who had not been previously exposed to ATG or alemtuzumab might be at high risk of graft failure. High cellular bone marrow grafts should be pursued.

Objective: To assess clinical outcomes of intolerant, relapsed or refractory patients who could not be treated with new tyrosine kinase inhibitors or experimental therapies. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 90 chronic myeloid leukemia patients in all phases of the disease treated with imatinib mesylate as their first TKI therapy, and with dasatinib or nilotinib as the next line of therapy. We evaluated clinical outcomes of these patients, with special focus on the group that needed more than two therapy lines. Results: Thirty-nine percent of patients were refractory or intolerant to imatinib. An 8-year overall survival rate of the patients who went through three or more lines of treatment was significantly lower, compared to those who were able to maintain imatinib as their first-line therapy (83% and 22%, respectively p

Increased destruction of erythrocytes in patients with sickle cell disease results in chronic hyperbilirubinemia and leads to the formation of gallstones. The objective of this study was to determine the combined influence of alpha thalassemia, fetal hemoglobin, and the UGT1A1 polymorphism on serum bilirubin levels and cholelithiasis in patients with sickle cell disease. We analyzed 72 patients treated in the outpatient hematology unit of the Clinical Hospital of Porto Alegre. The alpha thalassemia trait was determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction and the polymorphisms of UGT1A1 by capillary electrophoresis with tagged primers. Total and indirect bilirubin levels differed significantly between genotypes TA7/TA7 and TA6/TA6 (p

Background: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a curative treatment for many patients with hematological disorders. Donor–recipient genetic disparity, especially involving the human leukocyte antigen system is a critical factor for transplant outcome. Objective: To evaluate retrospectively donor characteristics and correlations with the occurrence of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, disease-free survival and overall survival in a Brazilian population submitted to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation between 1994 and 2012 in a single center. Results: Three hundred and forty-seven consecutive transplantations were included. Related transplants (81.2%) were significantly more common than unrelated transplants (18.7%); donor and recipient median ages were 34 (range: 1–61) and 33 (range: 3–65) years respectively with donor HLAs being matched for 333 (95.9%) patients. Donor gender, cytomegalovirus status and ABO incompatibility did not influence the five-year overall survival. In univariate analyses, overall survival was negatively influenced by the presence of acute graft-versus-host disease (33% vs. 47%, respectively; p-value = 0.04), unrelated transplant (41.5% vs. 50.9%, respectively; p-value = 0.045) and donors aged over 40 years (41% vs. 52%, respectively; p-value = 0.03). Older donors were associated with a higher rate of acute (52% vs. 65.8%; p-value = 0.03) and chronic graft-versus-host disease (60% vs. 43%, respectively; p-value = 0.015). In multivariate analyses, acute graft-versus-host disease [relative risk (RR): 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–29; p-value = 0.008] and older donors (RR: 1.6; 95% CI 1.11–2.24; p-value = 0.013) were associated with higher transplant-related mortality. Conclusions: In transplant patients, to have a donor older than 40 years of age seems to significantly increase the incidence of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease and transplant-related mortality with no impact on disease-free survival and overall survival. In spite of the rather small cohort of patients, these findings are similar to what is described in the literature suggesting that a younger donor should be chosen whenever possible. Keywords: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, HSCT, Graft-versus-host disease, GVHD

SUMMARY Introduction: Engraftment is a critical milestone of the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) process. The immature platelet fraction (IPF) and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) are consid- ered early indicators of bone marrow recovery. The objective of this study was to assess these parameters as predictors of HSCT engraftment. Methods: Neutrophil and platelet engraftment were defined as the first of three consecutive days with an absolute neutrophil count >0.5 9 10 9 /L or platelet count >20 9 10 9 /L, respectively. The IRF cutoff was 12%. Two IPF cutoffs were used: >6.2% and >10%. Results: The study sample comprised 44 patients, of whom 24 had undergone autologous HSCT and 20 had undergone allogeneic HSCT. Absolute neutrophil counts >0.5 9 10 9 /L were preceded by IRF >12% in 86% of patients (38 of 44). Platelet counts >20 9 10 9 /L were preceded by an IPF >6.2% in 90% of patients (37 of 41) and by an IPF >10% in 63% of patients (26 of 41). Conclusion: The results show that IRF and IPF are engraftment pre- dictors. Peak in IPF was observed before rise in platelet count, while IRF rises before absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and persists increased. This indicates that IRF and IPF can be considered as new tools for hematopoietic assessment after HSCT.

A Sociedade Brasileira de Transplante de Medula (SBTMO) promoveu o I Encontro de Diretrizes do Transplante de Medula Ossea em 2009. Para revisao das indicacoes de transplante em Pediatria baseadas em evidencias foi constituido grupo de trabalho com oncologistas e hematologistas com experiencia em pediatria. Os artigos cientificos foram cuidadosamente avaliados e, para cada doenca, foram definidas as evidencias para recomendacao dos transplantes (de A a C) e a qualidade destas evidencias (de 1 a 3). As recomendacoes incluem doencas hematologicas malignas e nao malignas, tumores solidos, imunodeficiencias e doencas de deposito tratadas com transplantes de celulas-tronco hematopoeticas, quer autologos, alogenicos de irmao HLA compativel ou nao aparentados (doadores adultos ou sangue de cordao umbilical). Como nao existem recomendacoes uniformemente aceitas em pediatria, nao foram incluidas recomendacoes para transplantes de intensidade reduzida, com manipulacao do enxerto e nem parcialmente compativeis. E importante ressaltar que todas as indicacoes sao baseadas no conhecimento atual e podem modificar-se com o tempo. Assim, esta revisao nao deve ser utilizada para aplicacao direta no cuidado do paciente sem levar em conta caracteristicas da doenca, do doador e fatores de risco do proprio paciente. Este trabalho nao deve ainda ser utilizado como documento que limite o acesso do paciente ao transplante adequadamente indicado. Ressaltamos ainda, nesta revisao, diferencas entre transplantes em criancas e em adultos, com algumas recomendacoes especificas para os transplantes em pediatria.

Background: Early recognition of infectious processes in neutropenic patients is hampered by the fact that these processes may have dissimilar and non-specific clinical presentations. CD64 is a neutrophil surface marker that is not expressed in non-sensitized neutrophils. When the neutrophil is exposed to tumor necrosis factor-alpha it is activated and is measured via the CD64 index. Methods: This paper evaluated the relationship between the index value of CD64 on the first day of febrile neutropenia and a positive blood culture. The correlations with white blood count, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were also evaluated. This case-control, prospective, diagnostic study included 64 episodes of neutropenia. Case group (n = 14) comprised positive blood cultures, and the control group (n = 50), negative blood cultures. Results: The median rates of CD64 were 2.1 (a ± 3.9) in the case group and 1.76 (a ± 5.02) in the control group. There was no correlation between the value of the CD64 index and blood cultures. The CD64 index was also not correlated with C-reactive protein positivity. Further- more, the CD64 index was not able to predict blood culture positivity. The sensitivity was 64.3%, the specificity was 42%, the positive predictive value was 23.7% and the negative predictive value was 80%. For C-reactive protein, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 71.4%, 32%, 22.7%, and 80%, respectively. Conclusion: The CD64 index is not suitable for predicting the positivity of blood cultures in this specific population of patients with febrile neutropenia.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the curative option for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome; however, it requires a long post-transplantation follow-up. A 53-year-old woman with a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome underwent related donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in July 2006. Three months after transplantation, a comparative short tandem repeat analysis between donor and recipient revealed full chimerism, indicating complete, healthy bone marrow reconstitution. Three years and ten months after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the patient developed leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Another short tandem repeat analysis was carried out which showed mixed chimerism (52.62%), indicating relapsed disease. A donor lymphocyte infusion was administered. The purpose of donor lymphocyte infusion is to induce a graft-versus-leukemia effect; in fact, this donor's lymphocyte infusion induced full chimerism. Successive short tandem repeat analyses were performed as part of post-transplantation follow-up, and in July 2010, one such analysis again showed mixed chimerism (64.25%). Based on this finding, a second donor lymphocyte infusion was administered, but failed to eradicate the disease. In September 2011, the patient presented with relapsed disease, and a second related donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was performed. Subsequent short tandem repeat analyses revealed full chimerism, indicating complete bone marrow reconstitution. We conclude that quantitative detection of mixed chimerism is an important diagnostic tool that can guide early therapeutic intervention.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AlloSCT) is the treatment of choice for many malignant and non-malignant hematological disorders [1]. However, this treatment is frequently complicate...

This population-based study was designed to detect the prevalence of anemia in a healthy population of children (18 months to 7 years) and women (14 to 30 years) tested in 2006–2007 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil as part of an effort to tackle this massive problem that still affects so many people in the XXI century. Anemia was defined according to the WHO. Capillary blood was measured and socioeconomic status was determined according to the Brazilian Association of Market Research Agencies. The median prevalence of anemia in 2198 children was 45.4% and in 1999 women 36.4%. Anemia decreased with age during childhood; although significantly more prevalent in lower classes individuals, it was also high in the upper classes. There are indirect evidences that the lack of iron supplementation and/or iron fortified food may play a role in it. Professionals and society wise measures of education have to be implemented in order to address possible biologic factors involved in childhood psychosocial development in southern Brazil.

Background. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is still associated with a high transplant-related mortality rate. In 2009, the EBMT risk score was validated as a simple tool to predict the outcome after allogeneic HSCT for acquired hematological disorders. Objectives. The aim of this study was to validate the applicability of the EBMT risk score for allogeneic HSCT on South Brazilian patients. Methods. A retrospective observational study was performed based on patients' records and data base at http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003810 Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, including all allogeneic transplants for malignant and severe aplastic anemia from 1994 to 2010. Patients were categorized according to EBMT risk score and overall survival (OS). Nonrelapse mortality (NRM) and relapse rate (RR) were analyzed. Results. There were 278 evaluable patients. OS, NRM, and RR at five years median followup were 48.7%, 40.7%, and 30.7%, respectively. The OS was 81.8% for risk score 0 and 0% for score 6 (P<0.001), and NRM was 13.6% and 80% for risk scores 0 and 6, respectively (P=0.001). Conclusion. The EBMT risk score can be utilized as a tool for clinical decision making before allogeneic HSCT for malignant hematological diseases and severe aplastic anemia at a single center in Brazil.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex and heterogeneous hematopoietic tissue neoplasm. Several molecular markers have been described that help to classify AML patients into risk groups. DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) gene mutations have been recently identified in about 22% of AML patients and associated with poor prognosis as an independent risk factor. Our aims were to determine the frequency of somatic mutations in the geneDNMT3Aand major chromosomal translocations in a sample of patients with AML. We investigated in 82 samples of bone marrow from patients with AML for somatic mutations inDNMT3Agene by sequencing and sought major fusion transcripts by RT-PCR. We found mutations in theDNMT3Agene in 6 patients (8%); 3 were type R882H. We found fusion transcripts in 19 patients, namely, AML1/ETO (n=5; 6.1%), PML/RARα(n=12; 14.6%), MLL/AF9 (0; 0%), and CBFβ/MYH11 (n=2; 2.4%). The identification of recurrent mutations in theDNMT3Agene and their possible prognostic implications can be a valuable tool for making treatment decisions. This is the first study on the presence of somatic mutations of theDNMT3Agene in patients with AML in Brazil. The frequency of these mutations suggests a possible ethnogeographic variation.Erratum to “DNMT3AMutations in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in South Brazil”

O risco aumentado de desenvolvimento de leucemia apresentado pelos indivíduos portadores de síndrome de Down (SD) já é bem conhecido. Entretanto, a contribuição do cromossomo 21 extraconstitucional ao processo de leucemogênese, ainda não está bem estabelecida. A fusão TEL/AML1 é a anomalia estrutural mais frequentemente encontrada em leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA) da infância, mas a sua associação com a LLA em pacientes com SD não é bem clara. Nós investigamos uma amostra de quatro pacientes com LLA e SD (LLA-SD) quanto à sua evolução clínica e seus aspectos citogenéticos, inclusive com pesquisa da fusão TEL/AML1. A idade do diagnóstico variou de 5 anos e 7 meses a 13 anos e 7 meses, o número de leucócitos em sangue periférico de 7.200 a 208.000/mm3 e a porcentagem de blastos na medula óssea de 20% a 95%. Apenas um paciente foi positivo para a fusão TEL/AML1. Todos os pacientes entraram em remissão completa e nenhum apresentou comprometimento extramedular ou recidiva. O tempo de sobrevida variou de 67 a 82 meses e não ocorreu nenhum óbito. Em nossa série de crianças com LLA-SD, os aspectos citogenéticos e a boa evolução clínica observados estão de acordo com o relatado na literatura. The increased risk of developing leukemia found in Down syndrome (DS) patients is already well-known. However, the contribution of the extra copy of chromosome 21 to this leukemogenesis is still not well established. The TEL/AML1 fusion is the most frequently found structural anomaly in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in childhood, but its association with ALL in DS patients is not very clear. We investigated a sample of four patients with ALL and DS (ALL-DS) in terms of their clinical evolution and cytogenetic aspects, including a study of the TEL/AML1 fusion. The ages of the patients ranged from 5 years and 7 months to 13 years and 7 months, the number of leukocytes in peripheral blood was 7,200 to 208,000 x 106 and the percentage of blasts in the bone marrow was 20 to 95%. Only one patient tested positive for the TEL/AML1 fusion. All patients achieved complete remission and none presented extramedullary involvement or relapse. The survival period ranged from 67 to 82 months and there was no death. In our series of children with ALL-DS, the cytogenetic aspects and the good clinical evolution observed are in agreement with the literature.

The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of socioeconomic status (SeS) on the outcome of allo-SCT at a Brazilian SCT center. In total, 201 patients receiving HLA-identical related allo-SCTs were studied. The median age was 30 years. Overall, 163 patients had malignancies (CML 68, ALL/AML 63, myelodysplastic syndrome 12 and others 20). SeS was defined according to the Brazilian Association of Market Research Agencies classification, where people are clustered in groups A-E (richest to poorest). In total, 146 patients (72%) were classified as richest (A+B+C) and 55 (28%) as poorest (D+E). The D+E SeS group was associated with a higher incidence of chronic GVHD and acute GVHD (hazard ratio (HR)=2.61; P=0.001 and HR=2.62; P=0.001, respectively), better platelet and neutrophil engraftment (HR=1.94; P=

Introduction: The advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors has changed the natural history of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), promoting molecular remission in a high number of patients. In 40-60% of the patients that reach deep molecular responses (RM4.5 or more) and are using imatinib mesylate for 24 months or longer, a molecular response can be maintained after the cessation of the drug. Besides improving life quality in those patients, to withdraw the medication could have a great economic impact in the health system, what is extremely important in third world countries. Objective: To estimate the economic impact of stopping imatinib mesylate in CML chronic phase patients, receiving treatment for at least 36 months and presenting deep molecular response, determinate by BCR-ABL transcripts with quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR), in the last 24 months. Patients and methods: A single center observational retrospective study, including all patients diagnosed with chronic phase CML, confirmed by cytogenetic or molecular exams receiving treatment at a tertiary hospital in Brazil. All patients received imatinib mesylate either in first or second line therapy. Patients presenting deep molecular response for at least 24 months, under imatinib mesylate for 36 months or more were considered eligible for discontinuation the drug. The annual coast with the treatment was estimated considering the coasts of the medication and the QRT-PCR molecular exams in the Brazilian public health system. Results: In this study, 169 patients date were analyzed, the median follow up time is 5 years (range 1-13 years), 26 (15%) of those patients are eligible for stopping imatinib mesylate according to the criteria previously mentioned. Considering the requirement of QRT-PCR exams every month in the first year of discotinuating the drug, these patients would coast proximally 1.550,00 dollars/ patients year for the public health system. This coast could be reduced to 800,00 and 520 dollars/patients year, after the second and third year of the medication withdraw, when monitoring molecular response can be done every 2 and 3 months respectively. The patients receiving imatinib mesylate, and having QTR-PCR exams every six months, in the other hand, would coast the Brazilian public health system over 31.000, 00dollars /patients year. Stopping imatinib mesylate could reduce CML chronic phase treatment coasts in up to 95%. Discussion: Discontinuating imatinib mesylate is something that must be done only in clinical trial. The economic impact projection shown in this study observed the eligibility criteria described in the literature. If stopping imatinib mesylate proves to be a safe option, studies promoting it should be done in Brazil and other third world countries, as a manner of saving resources in the health system. Furthermore, the impact in life quality free of adverse effects and the possibility of gestation in young woman is not to be ignored. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction: Imatinibe, a target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, have revolutionized CP-CML treatment. Considering that it is being discussed imatinibe treatment interruption in patients with MR ≥ 4.5 lasting two years or more, we believe to be important to establish predictors of major molecular response (MMR) loss. Fluctuations in BCR-ABL transcripts are being advocated to be able to predict MMR loss, although the real impact of small fluctuations among patients with in MR ≥ 4.5 is uncertain. Objective: Correlate BCR-ABL fluctuations and MMR loss in patients considered to be in MR ≥ 4.5, as well as to recognize possible factors associated with these small fluctuations. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis in CP-CML patients receiving imatinibe (as first or second treatment line) that achieved MR ≥ 4.5 (defined as a 4.5 log reduction on an international scale) and surveyed for BCR-ABL fluctuations. We considered a fluctuation to be a rise of at least 0.5 log of BCR-ABL transcripts. Treatment interruptions were considered only when imatinibe was not taken for 15 or more consecutive days. The presence of comorbities was evaluated by applying the Charlson Index. Results: Fifty-eight patients were evaluated between with a median follow-up 7 years. Fifty-five percent were men and 28 were women, with a median age of 46 (18 - 93) years-old, most of the patients were older than 60 yo (75,9%). Among 32 patients evaluated by the Sokal risk score 97,5% were estimated to be low or intermediate. Twenty six patients presented at least one fluctuation. Regarding the number of fluctuations per patient, 18 presented only 1 fluctuation, 5 presented 2 fluctuations and 3 patients presented 3 fluctuations. Among those patients with at least one fluctuation 3 (11%) presented MMR loss, while there was none among patients without documented fluctuations (p=0,15). Among these three patients considered to have MMR loss, two presented fluctuations that reached MR 3.0, while the other patient presented a history of long treatment suspension. More patients that interrupted treatment presented BCR-ABL fluctuations, although this difference was not statically significant (78% vs 50% p=0,11). Conclusion: Small fluctuations among patients with MR ≥ 4.5 didn't seem to correlate with MMR loss, however we do believe that our population is underpowered to rule out this difference. We considered that it very interesting that patients which reached MR 3.0 presented MMR loss (considering that the other patient had to abandon treatment during pregnancy). Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Although the graft-versus-leukemia effect of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is of paramount importance in the maintenance of disease remission, the role played by the autologous T-cell response in antitumor immune surveillance is less defined. We evaluated the emergence of antileukemia cytotoxic T-lymphocyte precursors (CTLp's) and the correlation of this phenomenon with maintenance of hematologic remission in 16 children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), treated with either chemotherapy alone (5 patients) or with autologous BMT (A-BMT, 11 patients). Antileukemia CTLp's were detectable in 8 patients in remission after induction chemotherapy; none of them subsequently had a relapse. Of the 8 patients who did not show detectable CTLp frequency while in remission after induction chemotherapy, 7 subsequently experienced leukemia relapse. In patients undergoing A-BMT, molecular fingerprinting of the TCR-Vβ repertoire, performed on antileukemia lines, demonstrated that selected antileukemia T-cell clonotypes, detectable in bone marrow before transplantation, survived ex vivo pharmacologic purging and were found in the recipient after A-BMT. These data provide evidence for an active role of autologous T cells in the maintenance of hematologic remission and also suggest that quantification of antileukemia CTLp frequency may be a useful tool to identify patients at high risk for relapse, thus potentially benefiting from an allogeneic antitumor effect.

The purpose of this note is to correct both the analysis and typographical errors. The typos are as follows. The abstract, line 6: In “in 6 patients (8%)” should read “in 5 patients (6%)”. Page 4, line 12: In “8% (6) of the samples, being 5 missens” should read “6% (5) of the samples, being 4 missense”. Page 4, line 19: In “Of the 6 cases” should read “Of the 5 cases”. Page 4, line 20: In “(5, or 83.3%)” should read “(4, or 80%)”. Page 4, second column, line 8: In “OS for patients with wild DNMT3A gene was 41.4% and for patients with mutated DNMT3A was 44.4% (P = 0.59)” should read “OS for patients with wild DNMT3A gene was 45.7% and for patients with mutated DNMT3A was 60.0% (P = 0.47)”. Page 6, line 4: In “found in 8%” should read “found in 6%”. Page 6, second column, line 13: In “3 of 6 mutations” should read “3 of 5 mutations”. Page 6, second column, line 16: In “Five, or 80%,” should read “Four, or 80%,”. Page 6, second column, line 18: In “(P = 0.28)” should read “(P = 0.34)”. Page 6, second column, line 20: In “(20.7 × 109/L)” should read “(15.6 × 109/L)”. Table 4, column 2, line 6: In “H896*” should read “P896*”. Table 4 Description of somatic mutations found in gene DNMT3A. Table 4: Entire line 7 was excluded. Table 5, line 2: In “40.2, 44.8 and 0.56” should read “47.4, 40.4 and 0.42”. Table 5 Clinical characteristics of patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia with or without DNMT3A mutations. Table 5, line 4: In “50% (3), 59.3% (45) and 0.68” should read “60% (3), 57.9% (44) and 0.92”. Table 5, line 5: In “50% (3), 40.7% (31)” should read “40% (2), 42.1% (32)”. Table 5, line 19: In “50% (3), 51.4% (37) and 1.000” should read “40% (2), 52.7% (39) and 0.66”. Table 5, line 20: In “50% (2), 30.9% (17) and 0.58” should read “40% (2), 29.2% (21) and 0.63”. We changed Figure 3 as shown above. Figure 3

Nos últimos vinte anos, nosso serviço recebeu os pacientes com a suspeita de Leucemia Mielóide Aguda (LMA) provenientes de todas as regiões do estado. Entre março de 1980 e dezembro de 1999 analisamos 195 pacientes com idades superior a 12 e inferior a 70 anos, apresentando LMA "de novo" excetuando o subtipo M3. Na década de 80 foram registrados 102 pacientes: 47 homens e 55 mulheres. Destes, 84 receberam quimioterapia de indução com Citarabina e Daunorrubicina (esquema "7+3"), resultando no índice de remissão de 51% (43/84). As médias de sobrevidas livre de doença e global foram dez meses em 35% e 12 meses em 13% respectivamente. De jan/90 a dez/93 houve 41 novos diagnósticos e todos foram submetidos à quimioterapia com esquema "7+3" atingindo a taxa de 66% de remissão. As sobrevidas livre de doença e global foram estatisticamente (p

Background Monitoring response to TKI therapy is one of the key management strategies of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Early molecular response to first-line TKI therapy is emerging as an effective prognostic factor indicator of long-term durable response and survival. Objectives We conducted a study to evaluate the importance of the early molecular response (EMR) at 3, 6 and 12 months (mo), and 3-year event free survival (EFS). Methods This is a retrospective study in a cohort of pts with chronic myeloid leukemia chronic phase (CP) enrolled in 14 Hematology centers in South Brazil. All pts received imatinib 400mg as first or second-line therapy. Patient evaluation and response criteria followed the ELN recommendations. EFS was measured from the start of imatinib to the date of any of the following events while on therapy: death from any cause, loss of complete hematologic response, loss of complete cytogenetic response, discontinuation of therapy for toxicity or lack of efficacy, or progression to accelerated phase or blastic phase. Results We analyzed data from 517 pts with CML-CP diagnosed since 1990. After a median observation time of 46 months, 5-year overall survival (OS) was 86% and 5-year event-free-survival was 53%. At 3 mo, EFS was 72,5% for 46 pts with BCR-ABLIS ≤10% compared to 58% for 14 pts with BCR-ABLIS >10% (p1% (p0,1% (p Conclusions A significant proportion of pts achieve ERM after 3,6 and 12 mo of imatinib therapy with better 3-year EFS. ERM may could identify those pts more likely to have a favorable outcome. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Sustained deep molecular response (MR4.5) after imatinib treatment defines a subgroup of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with better outcome and that probably would be able to stop treatment in the future, according to results of clinical TKI discontinuation trials. Most of these trials showed that patients with a long-term imatinib treatment and low Sokal risk have a higher probability of maintain a deep molecular remission after stopping treatment. OBJECTIVES The main objective is to review the molecular responses, overall survival and event free survival of CP CML patients that have been treated with imatinib in 14 hematology centers in South Brazil. Using our data basis we also would like to see how many of them present long-term imatinib treatment, sustained deep molecular remission and correlate these findings with the Sokal risk groups. These data would allow us to predict patient profile that could be able to discontinue the treatment in the future in a prospective clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a retrospective study in a cohort of pts with chronic myeloid leukemia chronic phase (CP) that have been treated in 14 hematology centers in South Brazil. All pts received imatinib 400mg as first or second-line therapy. Patient evaluation and response criteria followed the ELN recommendations. MR(4.5) was defined as ≥ 4.5 log reduction of BCR-ABL on the international scale (IS) and determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. All tests were performed at a central standardized according to ELN. Event-free-survival (EFS) was measured from the start of imatinib to the date of any of the following events while on therapy: death from any cause, loss of complete hematologic response, loss of complete cytogenetic response, discontinuation of therapy for toxicity or lack of efficacy, or progression to accelerated phase or blastic phase. Overall survival (OS) was measured from the start of imatinib until death of any cause or to the date patient was last known to be alive. RESULTS Data from 474 patients was analyzed. After a median observation time of 46 months, 5-year overall survival (OS) was 86%, 5-year event-free-survival was 53%. Of the 474 patients, 258 had adequate PCR evaluations during treatment. 118 of 258 (45,7%) patients achieved MR(4.5) and 69 of 258 (27%) had sustained response for at least two years after a minimum time of treatment of 3 years. The cumulative incidence of MR(4.5) after 9 years was 76% (median, 3 years). In the group that achieved MR(4.5), there was only 1 (0,8%) death and 1 (1,1%) progression compared to 8 deaths (5,7%) and 8 progressions (7,5%) in the group without MR(4.5); these differences were significant with p=0,03 and 0,02 respectively. In the subgroup of 69 patients that had had been treated with imatinib for 3 year or more and sustained deep response (RM4,5) for at least two years, 21 pts had low Sokal risk, 7 pts intermediate Sokal risk and only 4 pts a high Sokal risk. Unfortunately, in 37 pts the Sokal risk could not be accessed due to missing information. CONCLUSION In our series MR(4.5) is reached in the majority of patients with long-term imatinib treatment. MR(4.5) is a predictor of outcome with only one disease progression and one death due to CML in this group of patients. Unfortunatly PCR are not available for all patients in our clinical practice, but this situation are improving. Regarding the 69 patients with TKI discontinuation trial criteria, we find out that 21 patients fulfill such criteria. In the future, according to the results of current stop trials it could be possible include this selected group of CP CML patients in a prospective clinical trial. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Background Polycythemia vera (PV) is a subgroup of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) BCL-ABL1 negative. The current therapy of PV should be aimed at preventing vascular complications and avoid increasing the risk of leukemic transformation. The therapy response monitoring is based in the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) unified definition of clinical resistance and intolerance to hydroxycarbamide in polycythaemia vera consensus process, published by Barbui T et al in Br J Haematol 2010;148(6):961-963. Objectives We conducted a study to assess in our clinical practice the aplicability of the standard criteria for resistance and intolerance proposed by ELN in patients (pts) with PV that have been treated with hydroxycarbamida (HU). Methods This is a retrospective study in a cohort of pts with PV enrolled in a single Hematology University center in South Brazil. All pts were treated according to PV guidelines, and the response monitoring was based on clinical practice. All database was compared to standard criteria proposed by ELN. Intolerance /resistance was defined by: a) need for phlebotomy to keep hematocrit < 45% after 3 months of at least 2 g/d of HU or b) uncontrolled myeloproliferation (ie, platelet count > 400 x109/L and white blood count (WBC) > 10 x109/L) after 3 months of at least 2g/d of HU or c) failure to reduce massive splenomegaly by 50% as measured by palpation or failure to completely relieve symptoms related to splenomegaly after 3 months of at least 2 g/d of HU or d) absolute neutrophil count < 1.0 x109/L or platelet count < 100 x109/L or hemoglobin < 10 g/dL at the lowest dose of HU required to achieve a complete or partial clinicohematologic response or e) presence of leg ulcers or other unacceptable HU related nonhematologic toxicities, such as mucocutaneous manifestations, GI symptoms, pneumonitis or fever at any dose of HU. Results We analyzed data from 33 patients with PV assisted in the last five years in our outpatient clinical data. The ELN criteria for resistance and intolerance were accessed in these patients. At diagnosis, 42,4% of pts were younger than 61yo, and 54,5 were male. Arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were identified on 21, 2 and 7 pts, respectively. Only one patient was tobacco smoker at diagnosis. Total of 5 pts showed WBC > 15 x109/L, and 7 pts showed platelets > 450 x109/L. Massive splenomegaly is a rare PV manifestation in our series, occurring in 2 pts. Five patients complained of symptoms related to PV as pruritus and vasomotor phenomena at diagnosis. Less than 5% of patients had been treated with 2 g of HU for more than 3 months. In daily practice, when the patient presented hematologic toxicity, the HU was decreased and, if the hematocrit was over 45%, an occasional phlebotomy was performed. In relation to platelets (less than 400 x 109/L) and leucocyte (less than 10 x109/L) counts, these targets were not used exclusively in the clinical practice to change treatment. The intolerance was easily discriminated in patients with leg ulcers and other non-hematological events. Conclusion These criteria were done based on an expertise consensus for international criteria standardization for clinical studies. Its application in a retrospective study, using clinical daily practice data is not adequate. The reason is that in the last years the main target to treat patients was the hematocrit above 45%, the exact number of platelets and leucocytes is still not a consensus to define resistance, so different counts had been used to guide treatment, we rarely used HU doses above 1500 mg/daily to treat our patients and massive splenomegaly was observed in very few patients. These criteria should be used most for prospective studies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Background Treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia with imatinib leads to disease remission in a majority of patients (pts), but in a subgroup of pts controlling the disease remains a challenge. One of the proposed prognostic factors for identifying this subset of pts is the treatment response in the first months of imatinib therapy. The definitions of response, warning signs and failure to treatment, with the identification of pts at greater risk of progression or failure, were revised and published in 2013 by the European Leukemia Net group. Aims To apply the new recomendations of ELN2013 in order to verify the evolution of the patients according to the response criteria at 12 months (mo) of imatinib therapy. Methods Retrospective study in a cohort of patients with CP-CML from a southern Brazilian database. All patients received imatinib 400mg as first or second-line therapy. Patient evaluation and response criteria followed the ELN2013 criteria and were classified in 3 groups according to the cytogenetic and molecular responses at 12 mo: optimal, warning and failure. An event was defined as any of the following while on therapy: death from any cause, loss of complete hematologic response, loss of complete cytogenetic response, discontinuation of therapy for toxicity or lack of efficacy, or progression to accelerated phase or blastic phase. Results Data from 98 pts with a median follow-up (FU) time of 40 mo was analysed. At 12 mo of imatinib therapy, 35 pts (36%) had optimal response according to the ELN2013 criteria. 26 (26,5%) were classified as warning and 37 (37,5%) as failure. Within the pts with optimal response, only 4 (11%) have had any event, with a median time-to-event (TTE) of 36 mo; in the warning group the event rate and TTE were 3 (12%) and 28 mo, respectively. There were no significant differences in the results between these two groups. On the other hand, within the pts with failure, 24 (65%) presented an event during FU with a TTE of 19 mo. This difference was significant compared to the two previous groups. Interestingly, within the warning group, 12 pts (46%) developed major molecular response (MMR) at any point during FU, while only 12 (32%) pts achieved RMM in the failure group. Conclusion In this cohort of CP-CML pts is established the diference in the event rate between the pts who achieve optimal or warning responses at 12 mo of imatinib treatment when compared with those with failure criteria, according to the new ELN2013 recomendations. Despite having some late responders, atention must be paid in pts in the failure group as they are in greater risk of progression or failure. As demonstrated in this analysis, the ELN2013 criteria can be applied in this population in the clinical practice. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 4394 Introduction and objectives: Studies with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown its benefits in hematology, mainly for Graft-versus-host disease (Lancet 371:1579–86, 2008), with three unsettled matters: (1)MSCs expansion in medium supplemented with Fetal Calf Serum (FCS) and its risk of xenoreaction (Blood 89:776–9, 1997); (2)The optimal number of cells needed for therapy is not yet defined, but there is an empirical indication for 2×106células/Kg with the need to optimize expansion, number and time wise; and (3)the utilization of third party donors. This study was designed to determine the superiority or no-inferiority of the Platelet Lysates (PL) over FCS on the expansion of MSC, the optimal cell plating density and days between each pass, and to investigate if in our conditions total nucleated cells (TNC) obtained from the washouts of HSCT explants can expand to be used at clinical grade. Methods and Results: TNC were removed from the filters and bags used in the HSCT (Cytotherapy 11:403–13, 2009) and after the first passage were plated in different concentrations (2000/cm2, 3000/cm2, 4000/cm2, 5000/cm2, 6000/cm2 and 7000/cm2) with 10% FBS or 10% PL, and the number of days reach 80% of confluence was observe (Transfusion, 49:2680–5, 2009). Next, cultures with the same plating density were fed either with 10% PL or 10% FCS and were trypsinized after seven days and counted to analyze how much they have grown in that time period. And finally, cultures were allowed to growth up to Passage 3 (P3) to test the ability to obtain clinical grade number of cells. The proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells in the presence of PL and SFB was averaged 11.88 and 2.5 times, respectively, in a period of 7 days (p = 0.005). The highest concentration of plating cells using PL, took less time (6 days) to reach confluence as compared with the three lower (7.55 to 8.55 days) (p = 0.005), and at P3 with PL we obtained from 10×109 up to 10 × 1011 cells. Conclusion: This study suggests that the PL is the best choice as a supplement to expand MSC, and allow the proliferation of a sufficient number of MSC at P3 for clinical use obtained from the washouts of HSCT explants. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 4423 Background Treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia with imatinib leads to disease remission in a majority of patient, but in some patients (pts) controlling the disease remains a challenge. One of the proposed prognostic factors for identifying this subset of pts is the treatment response in the first months of therapy. Objectives We conducted a study to evaluate the importance of the early complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and the factors associated with its achievement. Methods This is a retrospective study in a cohort of pts with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) enrolled in 14 Hematology centers in South Brazil. All pts received imatinib 400mg as first or second-line therapy. Early-imatinib treatment was considered when imatinib started before 12 months (mo) from diagnosis. Patient evaluation and response criteria followed the ELN recommendations. The ACE-27 (Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27) is a 27 item comorbidity index for patients with cancer and assign weights from 1 to 3 based on the dysfunction grade of each condition (mild, moderate and severe, respectively). An ACE-27 score was applied to each patient. Imatinib suspensions were considered if superior to 20 days at any point during therapy. EFS was measured from the start of imatinib to the date of any of the following events while on therapy: death from any cause, loss of complete hematologic response, loss of complete cytogenetic response, discontinuation of therapy for toxicity or lack of efficacy, or progression to accelerated phase or blastic phase. Results We analyzed data from 450 pts with CP-CML diagnosed since 1990. The median age at diagnosis was 48 yr (4 – 85) and 55% were male. The median time from diagnosis to imatinib was 7 mo (0 – 178) and 71% pts were early-imatinib treated. Prior therapy with interferon was used in 60% pts. The median of follow-up was 47 mo. With 6 months of imatinib therapy, 198 pts (44%) achieved CCyR. In this group, the four year cumulative incidence of events was 33 (17%) and the EFS was 75,5%. 252 (56%) were not in CCyR at 6 months of therapy. In this group, a greater proportion of cumulative of events was observed: 86 (34%), and the EFS was 62,3%. This difference was significant (P=0,03; Figure 1). In this group of pts, 63% achieved CCyR after 6 months any time during follow up and the median time for CCyR in these pts was 17 months. The chance of achieving major molecular response (MMR) during follow up was 79% for the pts with CCyR at 6 months compared to 53% for the group with no CCyR at 6 months (P Conclusions A great proportion of pts achieve CCyR after 6 months of imatinib therapy, nevertheless, the pts who achieve CCyR by 6 months of therapy have greater proportion of major molecular response and event-free survival. Imatinib therapy should be started as soon as possible and additional efforts must be taken to avoid nonadherence. Finally, special attention should be given to pts with comorbidities as their results tend to be worse. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 4425 Adherence to imatinib therapy has proven to be a major determinant of treatment results, but the degree of impact and the determinants of nonadherence are still contradictory. There is no information regarding adherence to imatinib therapy in the Brazilian public health system. The aims of this study were to identify the characteristics related to treatment interruptions and nonadherence and to examine how these interruptions affect treatment responses and survival. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective study in a cohort of patients (pts) with CP-CML enrolled in 14 Hematology centers in South Brazil. All pts received imatinib 400mg as first or second-line therapy. Early-imatinib treatment was considered when imatinib started before 12 months (mo) from diagnosis. Patient evaluation and response criteria followed the ELN recommendations. The ACE-27 (Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27) is a 27 item comorbidity index for patients with cancer and assign weights from 1 to 3 based on the dysfunction grade of each condition (mild, moderate and severe, respectively). An ACE-27 score was applied to each patient. Imatinib suspensions were considered if superior to 20 days at any point during therapy. Two levels of analysis were performed: all kinds of interruptions (nonadherence and toxicity) and only nonadherence ones. Information for nonadherence was taken from medical and pharmacy registers (pt self-report, missing scheduled appointments and pill counts). Results We analyzed data from 185 pts with CP-CML diagnosed since 1990. The median age at diagnosis was 48 yr (4 – 85) and 55% were male. The median time from diagnosis to imatinib was 7 mo (0 – 178) and 71% pts were early-imatinib treated. Prior therapy with interferon was used in 70% pts. The median of follow-up was 47 mo. Treatment interruption was observed in 63/185 patients (34%) and was related to toxicities in 35/63 pts (55%) and to nonadherence in 28/63 pts (45%). The adherence rate was 85%. In a multivariate analysis, only late-onset imatinib treatment (Odds Ratio [OR]=36,05; p Conclusions In this cohort, a substantial proportion of pts failed to take imatinib properly, decreasing the chances of disease control. The late onset of imatinib therapy correlates with lower adherence, so front-line imatinib therapy should be started as soon as possible. Special attention should be given to pts with severe comorbidities, as they are more prone to suffer side effects or to lack adherence. Finally, pts who interrupted treatment had lower CCyR, MMR and EFS. Clinical and patient characteristics related to nonadherence Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 4487 Background: Imatinib treatment for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) was first introduced in Brazil in 2001, initially used as second line therapy for patients resistant or intolerant to interferon (IFN). In 2008 imatinib was adopted as front-line therapy for chronic-phase (CP-CML) and clinical experience is improving since then, but little is known about the result of its introduction in our clinical practice. Aims: To evaluate the impact of imatinib treatment in the outcomes of a cohort of CP-CML and the prognostic significance of Sokal and Hasford scores and late-onset treatment. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in a cohort of patients with CP-CML from a south Brazilian database. All patients received imatinib 400mg as first or second-line therapy. Patient evaluation and response criteria followed the European LeukemiaNet. The outcomes were response to treatment, event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: We analyzed data from 185 pts with CP-CML diagnosed since 1990. The median age at diagnosis was 48 years (4 – 85). The median time from diagnosis to imatinib was 7 months (0 – 178) and 29% of pts had more than 12 months lapse. Prior therapy with IFN was used in 70% pts. All pts had a minimum follow-up of 12 months. At baseline, 57 pts (31%) were in complete hematological response (CHR) due to the use of previous treatment. Of the 127 pts not in CHR at baseline, 98% achieved CHR early during imatinib treatment. 177 pts had cytogenetic evaluation during treatment and 9 pts were in complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) due to the use of previous IFN. Of the 168 pts not in CCyR at baseline, 86,4% achieved a major cytogenetic response (MCyR) during imatinib treatment (84% had a CCyR and 2,4% had a partial cytogenetic response). The rate of pts achieving MCyR any point during treatment differed significantly in the low, intermediate and high risk Sokal score groups (97%, 81% and 78% respectively, P=0,04), but not in the Hasford score groups (90%, 85% and 72%, P=0,22). Minor cytogenetic response was seen in 3,6% of pts, minimal cytogenetic response in 6% and 9,5% had no cytogenetic response. The median time to a MCyR was 9 months, with 62% of pts achieving MCyR at 12 months. The rate of pts achieving MCyR in 12 months differed significantly between pts who start imatinib before 12 months from diagnosis (68%) and those late treated (47%, P=0,02). Evaluation of minimal residual disease at the molecular level was available for 155 pts: 25,5% of pts had a complete molecular response (CMR), 43% had a major molecular response (MMR) and 2 pts were in MMR at baseline due to previous IFN. The projected EFS and OS rates at 4 years were, respectively, 68% and 92% after a median follow-up time of 4 years. The rate of EFS differed significantly in the low, intermediate and high risk Sokal score groups (80%, 66% and 52% respectively, P=0,04), but not in the Hasford score groups (78%, 62% and 44%, P=0,09). During treatment with imatinib, 120 pts (65%) had a register of any grade hematologic adverse event (21% being grades 3 or 4) and 165 pts (90%) had a register of any grade nonhematologic adverse event (9,3% being grades 3 or 4). Of the 185 pts who received treatment, 134 (72%) continue to receive imatinib and 51 (28%) discontinued treatment. The reasons for discontinuation were: 11 (6%) pts had drug-related adverse events (3 [1,6%] hematologic and 8 [4,3%] nonhematologic), 17 (9,2%) had disease progression (5 [2,7%] loss of CHR, 10 [5,4%] loss of CCyR, 2 [1%] had progression to accelerate or blastic phase), 22 (11,9%) had treatment failure (3 [1,6%] had no CHR, 13 [7%] had no CCyR and 6 [3,2%] had no MMR), 1 pt (0,5%) discontinued due to comorbidity. For the 51 (100%) pts that discontinued imatinib, 31 (61%) switched to dasatinib, 17 (33%) to nilotinib, 1 (2%) to hydroxyurea, 1 (2%) to other treatment and 1 (2%) remained without treatment. Sixteen pts (8,6%) died during imatinib treatment or during long-term follow-up after discontinuation of imatinib. Conclusions: In our population of CP-CML pts treated with imatinib, a majority of patients achieved complete cytogenetic and major molecular responses, with a prolonged of OS and EFS and good safety profile. Sokal score showed better prognosis prediction than Hasford. Early onset of imatinib therapy led to better outcomes and justifies imatinib as front-line treatment of our patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.