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One hundred and ten patients with multiple myeloma were treated with bendamustine as part of a French compassionate use program. To receive bendamustine, patients had to present with relapsed or refractory disease after prior therapies that had to include alkylators, steroids, IMiDs and bortezomib. The median number of bendamustine cycles administered was 4 (1-13). The overall response rate (≥ partial response) was 30%, including 2% complete responses. The median progression-free and overall survival for the entire cohort were 9.3 and 12.4 months, respectively. In this series of patients with advanced disease, both the response rate and the duration of response are encouraging and indicate that bendamustine presents a feasible option, which should be considered for the treatment of relapsed/refractory patients.

From March 1982 to September 1988, 108 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were conditioned before allogeneic (57 patients of whom 16 T-depleted) or before autologous (51 patients) bone marrow transplantation (BMT). BMT was realized in 66 patients (31 allogeneic and 35 autologous) in first complete remission (CR) and in 42 patients (26 allogeneic and 16 autologous) in second CR or greater or in relapse. All patients received high doses of alkylating agents prior to a low-dose fractionated total body irradiation of 11 Gy in 5 fractions and 5 days. Rejection and relapse rate are described in relation to the three BMT types, allogeneic non T-depleted, allogeneic T-depleted, and autologous, and to the status of the patient at the time of the transplantation. Leukemic deaths are detailed according to the same parameters. Non-leukemic deaths and complications are determined. For the allogeneic population, the 4-year disease-free survival (DFS) is 47%; it is 68.5% in first CR patients, 23.5% in second or subsequent CR patients, and 50% in T-depleted BMT. For the autologous population, 4-year DFS is 35.7%; it is 52% in first CR patients and 30% in patients in second CR or greater. The conditioning regimen appears to be efficient in terms of disease control with a low rate of complications for the non T-depleted population, transplanted in first CR, but has to be improved for the other patients.

Low-dose chemotherapy in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) gives overall limited results in high-risk MDS [1–3]. Intensive chemotherapy in MDS and secondary leukemias (i.e., acute myeloid leukemia, AML, following de novo or therapy-related MDS) gives lower complete remission (CR) rates and shorter CR duration than in de novo AML [4–11]. This may be due in part to a higher incidence of mdr gene expression in MDS than in de novo AML as mdr gene expression is associated in our experience, with very low CR rates with intensive chemotherapy [12]. These recent results suggested that the use of agents capable of reverting mdr gene expression could improve the CR rate in MDS and secondary leukemias.

The authors report the case of a 67-year-old man who presented with stage IIIAa Hodgkin’s disease (HD) almost 17 years after developing CD30+ type A lymphomatoid papulosis (LP). Combination chemotherapy resulted in a complete remission of the HD for 2 years, although the LP continued relentlessly as before. A possible link between HD and LP is discussed in the light of similar cases reported in the literature.

One hundred and six patients with standard risk leukaemia were given fractionated TBI prior to allogeneic (72 cases, 27 of whom were T-depleted) or autologous (34 cases) bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Disease free survival at 5 years is 68% for allogeneic non T-depleted BMT and 33% for T-depleted BMT. Deaths are related to relapse, GVHD, infections, pneumonitis, encephalitis, VOD, AIDS, rejection.

From March 1982 to December 1986, 32 patients with standard risk leukaemia were conditioned for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with low dose fractionated total body irradiation (TBI) after infusion of alkylating agents. This series includes six children and 26 adults. Minimal follow-up was 24 months. The total dose of 11 Gy, given in 5 daily fractions of 2.20 Gy, was given in the lateral position, following chemotherapy with either melphalan or cyclophosphamide. Lungs were shielded for 2 out of the 5 fractions. All patients had in vivo dosimetry. The death rate is 25% without relapse or rejection. Disease-free survival is 73% at 5 years. Toxic deaths are detailed: 2 from sepsis and veino-occlusive disease of the liver, 3 from severe graft versus host disease (GVHD), 2 from GVHD associated with virus pneumonitis and one from HIV infection. Fractionated low dose rate TBI is discussed regarding its decreased toxicity and its efficiency for disease control.