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The presence of a JAK2 V617F or JAK2 exon 12 mutation is one of the three major criteria listed for the diagnosis of polycythemia vera (PV) in the 2017 World Health Organization Classification. However, a nationwide study has not yet been conducted in Japan since the discovery of JAK2 mutations. Therefore, the Japanese Society of Hematology (JSH) retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of 596 Japanese patients with PV diagnosed between April 2005 and March 2018. Among the 473 patients with complete data on JAK2 mutations available, 446 (94.3%) and 10 (2.1%) were positive for the JAK2 V617F and JAK2 exon 12 mutations, respectively. During a median follow-up of 46 months (range: 0-179 months), 47 (7.9%) deaths occurred. The major causes of death were secondary malignancies (23.4%), acute leukemia (12.8%), non-leukemic progressive disease (10.6%) and thrombotic (6.4%) and hemorrhagic complications (6.4%). Thrombotic and hemorrhagic events occurred during the clinical course in 4.0% (n = 24) and 3.5% (n = 21) of patients, respectively. These results show that the international PV prognostic score (age, venous thrombosis and leukocytosis) is applicable to Japanese patients with PV.

Background The prognosis of Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms is relatively favorable, but the quality of life can be severely affected by myeloproliferative neoplasm-related symptoms such as fatigue, pruritus, night sweats, bone pain, fever and weight loss. In this study, we administered hochuekkito, a traditional herbal medicine, to patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms and investigated whether there was a reduction in myeloproliferative neoplasm-related symptoms. Methods We conducted a randomized parallel-group pilot study. Patients were assigned to a hochuekkito administration or non-hochuekkito administration group. Myeloproliferative neoplasm-related symptoms based on Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form total symptom score and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 were examined before hochuekkito administration and 4 and 8 weeks after administration. Results Among the 42 patients included in the analysis, 21 were assigned to the hochuekkito group and 21 were assigned to the control group. After administering hochuekkito, the median values of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Symptom Assessment Form total symptom score at 4 and 8 weeks in the hochuekkito group demonstrated a decreasing trend; however, the difference between the two groups was not significant. Conclusions In this study, we were unable to demonstrate significant differences between the hochuekkito and control groups in terms of the efficacy of hochuekkito in treating myeloproliferative neoplasm-related symptoms. However, there were cases that presented prominent improvement in symptoms in the hochuekkito group. The only reported adverse event was grade 1 impaired hepatic function. Therefore, hochuekkito might be a therapeutic option for patients with severely affected quality of life due to myeloproliferative neoplasm-related symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Although Abelson (ABL) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have demonstrated potency against chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), resistance to ABL TKIs can develop in CML patients after discontinuation of therapy. OBJECTIVE: Glucose metabolism may be altered in CML cells because glucose is a key metabolite used by tumor cells. We investigated whether D-mannose treatment induced metabolic changes in CML cells and reduced CML growth in the presence of ABL TKIs. METHODS: We investigated whether D-mannose treatment induced metabolic changes in CML cells and reduced CML growth in the presence of ABL TKIs. RESULTS: Treatment with D-mannose for 72 h inhibited the growth of K562 cells. Combined treatment using ABL TKIs and D-mannose induced a significantly higher level of cytotoxicity in Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive leukemia cells than in control cells. In the mouse model, severe toxicity was observed as evidenced by body weight loss in the ponatinib and D-mannose combination treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that metabolic reprogramming may be a useful strategy against Ph-positive leukemia cells. However, caution should be exercised during clinical applications.

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a novel, site-selective, monopegylated recombinant human interferon alfa-2b. Safety and efficacy of ropeginterferon alfa-2b for the treatment of polycythemia vera were demonstrated in clinical studies conducted in European countries, but clinical studies in Japanese patients are lacking. This phase 2, open-label, multicenter, single-arm study investigated the safety and efficacy of ropeginterferon alfa-2b in 29 Japanese patients with polycythemia vera including young patients and patients with low thrombosis risk who are difficult to receive guideline-based standard treatments. The primary outcome of durable complete hematologic response without phlebotomy at months 9 and 12 was achieved by 8/29 (27.6%) patients. The fastest complete hematologic response was observed at week 12. A corresponding reduction in the JAK2 V617F allele burden from baseline to 52 weeks was also observed (mean ± standard deviation = - 19.2% ± 22.6%). No new safety concerns were identified in Japanese patients when compared with previous studies of ropeginterferon alfa-2b in European populations; the most common treatment-related adverse events were alopecia (55.2%), fatigue (27.6%) and influenza-like illness (27.6%). Most treatment-related adverse events were mild or moderate, with none of grade ≥ 3. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a safe and efficacious treatment option in Japanese patients with polycythemia vera.

L-type neutral amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is a heterodimeric membrane transport protein involved in neutral amino acid transport. LAT1 is highly expressed in various malignant solid tumors and plays an essential role in cell proliferation. However, its role in malignant lymphoma remains unknown. Here, we evaluated LAT1 expression level in tissues from 138 patients with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Overexpression of LAT1 was confirmed in all types of NHL and we found that there is a significant correlation between the level of LAT1 expression and lymphoma grade. The LAT1 expression was higher in aggressive types of lymphomas when compared with static types of lymphomas, suggesting that active tumor proliferation requires nutrient uptake via LAT1. The expression level of LAT1 was inversely correlated with patients’ survival span. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of LAT1 by a specific inhibitor JPH203 inhibits lymphoma cell growth. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that LAT1 expression can be used as a prognostic marker for patients with NHL and targeting LAT1 by JPH203 can be a novel therapeutic modality for NHL.

Background Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal bone marrow disorder defined by cytopenia and is associated with an increased risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The outcome of MDS is poor, and as a result, alternative therapeutic approaches are needed to improve survival. The inhibition of the DNA damage response pathway, including poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), has been approved to treat several cancers, and WEE1 is overexpressed in many cancers. Therefore, a WEE1 inhibitor in combination with a PARP-1 inhibitor could inhibit the proliferation of MDS and AML. Methods We analyzed whether WEE1 was regulated in the progression of MDS and AML. We also evaluated the efficacy of MK-1775 (WEE1 inhibitor) and talazoparib (PARP-1 inhibitor). Results WEE1 expression was higher in the AML cells than in the MDS cells. However, PARP-1 expression remained unchanged. MK-1775 or talazoparib alone inhibited MDS and AML cells after 72 hours, and cellular cytotoxicity and caspase 3/7 activity were increased. The combined use of MK-1775 and talazoparib produced superior efficacy than either drug alone, and SKM-1 colony formation was reduced. Significant cell populations in the sub-G1 phase were shown in the cell-cycle analyses. Additionally, γ-H2AX expression and caspase 3 activity were increased. The combined treatment also changed the mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusions A combination of WEE1 and PARP-1 inhibition enhanced the efficacy and is proposed as a new therapeutic option for patients with MDS or AML. Our findings have clinical implications for a potential novel therapeutic strategy for MDS patients.

von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor (vWF activity) and platelet count (PLT) are negatively correlated in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). However, vWF activity does not always normalize upon controlling PLT in those patients. To address this issue, we investigated the correlation between vWF activity and PLT in PV and ET patients. The negative correlation between vWF activity and PLT was stronger in calreticulin mutation-positive (CALR+) ET than in Janus kinase 2 mutation-positive (JAK2+) PV or ET groups. When PLT were maintained at a certain level (600 × 10

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is defined as a lymphoma that occurs after solid-organ or hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), caused by immunosuppression and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation. It is an important post-transplant complication that can be fatal. After HSCT, most PTLD occurs within 2 years. Recent evidence suggests that tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are expected to be effective maintenance therapy after HSCT for Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia. However, it is unclear whether the use of TKIs might pose a risk of developing PTLD after HSCT. We present the first case of late-onset PTLD during dasatinib treatment, which occurred 10 years after umbilical cord blood transplantation (CBT). A 59-year-old man who received CBT for chronic myeloid leukemia blast phase needed long-term dasatinib therapy for molecular relapse. Ten years after CBT, he developed diffuse-large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We observed chimerism of the DLBCL sample, which indicated complete donor type and EBV-DNA, and the patient was diagnosed with PTLD. Because of treatment resistance, he died 6 months after PTLD onset. Although he received no long-term administration of immunosuppressive agents, he received long-term dasatinib treatment, which suggests that prolonged dasatinib use after CBT caused EBV reactivation and led to PTLD. Our case suggests that the potential contribution of molecular-targeted agents after HSCT to the development of PTLD should be carefully considered.

A 73-year-old woman was hospitalized with sudden chest pain and hematemesis. Chest computed tomography and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an idiopathic submucosal hematoma from the cervical esophagus to the esophagogastric mucosal junction. Idiopathic esophageal submucosal hematoma is often prone to a bleeding tendency of an underlying disorder. The patient had a history of essential thrombocythemia (ET) and was taking aspirin. She successfully recovered after aspirin discontinuation and conservative treatment; however, died of cardiopulmonary arrest in the ward on day 9 of hospitalization. The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was pulmonary thromboembolism. This is the first report of ET with submucosal hematoma of the esophagus. The possibility of an esophageal submucosal hematoma should be considered when patients with ET complain of chest pain since ET and treatment with aspirin are considered risk factors for bleeding. Additionally, close attention should be focused on the risk of developing thrombosis if a patient with myeloproliferative neoplasm is required to discontinue antithrombotic therapy due to a bleeding event.

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) mainly affects the elderly, but can also develop in women of childbearing age. The risk of miscarriage and other complications during pregnancy in ET patients are reported to be higher than that compared to the general population. Therefore, management of pregnancy in ET patients requires special considerations. Several groups recommend interferon (IFN) therapy for ET patients with high-risk pregnancies, but currently no guidelines are available in Japan. We report the outcomes of nine ET patients with ten consecutive high-risk pregnancies. All patients were successfully managed with IFN-α during their pregnancies. All patients also received aspirin and switched to unfractionated heparin around 36 weeks of gestation. As for the seven pregnancies in which IFN-α was started after detection of pregnancy, median platelet counts decreased from 910 to 573 × 109/L after 2 months of IFN-α therapy, and median platelet counts at the time of delivery for all ten pregnancies was 361 × 109/L. All patients gave birth to healthy children. IFN-α was well tolerated, safe, and effective as a cytoreductive therapy for all patients. Although evidence is limited and the use of IFN is not approved in Japan, we suggest considering IFN therapy for high-risk ET pregnancies.

Clinical studies of Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) have progressed greatly with the discovery of mutations in three driver genes: JAK2, MPL, and calreticulin. Other genes that may play important roles in pathogenesis and progression of MPN have also been identified. Several prognostic prediction systems based on various risk factors including these genetic factors have been developed and utilized in clinical practice. All mutations of the three driver genes result in JAK2 activation, and JAK inhibitors have indeed improved clinical outcomes for primary myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera. However, they have minimal ability to inhibit clonogenic growth, far below that of ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia. Therefore, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which still has a high mortality rate, remains the only curative treatment for MPN. Efforts are being made to advance the treatment of MPN by refining HSCT methods, combining JAK inhibitors with other molecularly targeted agents, and reviewing the safety and clonogenic inhibitory effects of interferon-alfa.

Desquamative esophagitis (DE) is a rare benign condition characterized by sheet-like shedding of esophageal squamous epithelial tissue. Although cases of drug-induced DE, such as those induced by direct oral anticoagulants, have been reported, cases of DE complicated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are rare. We herein report the case of a 52-year-old woman with FLT3-ITD mutation-positive acute myeloid leukemia who presented with DE immediately after HSCT. Allogeneic peripheral blood HSCT with FBM (fludarabine 180 mg/m

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid involved in cancer progression through its binding to S1P receptors (S1PRs). However, the association between multiple myeloma (MM) and S1P is unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the potential anti-cancer effects of fingolimod and sphingosine kinase (SK) inhibitors in myeloma cells and the effects of S1P-induced chemoresistance and neovascularization on MM cell proliferation. MM cell lines were treated with the S1PR1 antagonist fingolimod and the SK inhibitors ABC294640 and SK1-I, after which cell proliferation was measured. Protein expression was also assessed under each condition using immunoblotting. Serum S1P levels in patients with MM, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and healthy volunteers were assessed. Human umbilical vessel cells (HUVECs) were co-cultured with anti-S1P agents to assess the effect on cell migration. All treatments suppressed myeloma cell proliferation and caspase-3-mediated apoptosis by suppressing S1P activity. These findings suggest that S1P activation is associated with proliferation and survival for MM cells. S1P attenuated the proteosome inhibitor (PI) effect, while the anti-S1P agents recovered the effect. In addition, S1P promoted the migration and proliferation of HUVECs, whereas the S1P inhibitors reduced the influence of S1P. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of anti-S1P agents for MM treatment. Inhibition of S1P function may overcome resistance to PI developed by myeloma cells and inhibit the changes to the bone marrow microenvironment via neovascularization.

We conducted a large-scale, nationwide retrospective study of Japanese patients who were diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia based on the diagnostic criteria in the World Health Organization classification. We investigated clinical characteristics, survival rates, and the incidence of thrombohemorrhagic events as well as risk factors for these events. A total of 1152 patients were analyzed in the present study. Median age at diagnosis was 65 years, the median platelet count was 832 × 109/L, and the positive mutation rates of JAK2V617F, CALR, and MPL were 62.8, 25.1, and 4.1%, respectively. Compared with European and American patients, Japanese patients were more likely to have cardiovascular risk factors and less likely to have systemic symptoms including palpable splenomegaly. Thrombocytosis was identified as a risk factor for hemorrhagic events and prognosis, but not for thrombotic events. The prognostic factors and risk classifications reported in Europe and the United States were generally applicable to Japanese patients. Regarding transformations, secondary myelofibrosis progressed in a time-dependent manner, but progression to acute leukemia was low in "true" ET patients. Skin cancers were less common and gastrointestinal cancers more common as secondary malignancies in Japanese patients, suggesting ethnic differences.

Background and Methods: FLT3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) is a type of mutation present in approximately 20-30% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is associated with poor prognosis. We performed a comprehensive genome profiling assay in patients with relapsed and refractory (R/R) AML, using the Foundation One Heme (F1H) panel, as a part of hematologic malignancies (HM)-SCREEN-Japan 01 (UMIN000035233), an actionable mutation profiling multicenter study. In this study, we analyzed the high frequency of FLT3 mutations in patients with R/R AML and found several patients who were positive for FLT3-N676K, a subclonal gene without concurrent ITD. Moreover, clonal evolution was observed in most patients who received kinase inhibitors, suggesting that mutations in signaling pathways downstream of FLT3 and activation of alternative pathways contribute to resistance mechanisms after FLT3 inhibitor treatment. Upon treatment failure during gilteritinib or quizartinib monotherapy, we can switch to another FLT3 inhibitor treatment in Japan. However, few reports have investigated clonal evolution after multiple FLT3 inhibitor treatment failure, and the mutational resistance profile remains unknown. Thus, we extended our investigation to examine clonal evolution during the progression of leukemia harboring FLT3-ITD and tyrosine kinase domain mutation (TKD) mutations. In this study, we performed serial comprehensive genome profiling analyses to evaluate time-dependent changes in genomic profiles of patients receiving the FLT3 inhibitors gilteritinib, and quizartinib in AML. Results: This study was initiated in January 2019, and 91 patients were recruited by March 2020. The median turnaround time between sending specimens and receiving results was 15 days (9 to 56 days). In this study, a higher incidence of FLT3 mutations was observed in patients with AML (28.6%, 26/91), and those with relapse/refractory (R/R) AML (64.8%, 59/91), FLT3-ITD (20.3%, 12/59), and FLT3-TKD (15.3%, 9/59), than previously reported in newly diagnosed patients. Particularly, FLT3 mutations were much more frequently observed in patients with R/R AML (35.6 %, 21/59), whereas those with newly diagnosed AML unfit for standard treatment (15.6 %, 5/32). Furthermore, FLT3-TKD mutations were found in 10 patients, who were potential candidates for treatment with FLT3 inhibitors, such as gilteritinib. The N676K mutation within the FLT3 tyrosine kinase domain 1, which is not detectable through conventional mutational analyses, was observed using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction in 19.2% (5 of 26) of patients who were FLT3mutation-positive, including those with subclonal mutations. Moreover, patients with RUNX1 mutation were present in this cohort, and this finding supports previous reports showing the association between the core binding factor protein complex and FLT3 N676K mutation in leukemia. Interestingly, FLT3-ITD mutations usually occur in the juxtamembrane domain, but we found three patients with other abnormalities, including ITDs in the tyrosine kinase domain, which are associated with poor prognosis. Meanwhile, during FLT3 inhibitor treatment, the resistant clonal expansion was observed due to activation of alternative pathways such as NRAS pathway or acquired FLT3 mutation. Not only activating these alternative pathways, but the cases in which TKD point mutation was added to FLT3-ITD, or new mutations were acquired without the additional mutation site among the cases showing FLT3 inhibitor resistance as the treatment progressed. Conclusions: We conclude that F1H mutational analyses for R/R AML harboring FLT3-ITD/TKD mutations may reveal novel therapeutic targets that are sensitive to FLT3 inhibitors. Moreover, improved biomarker analysis methods for detecting additional FLT3 alternations, like FLT3 N676K, could guide patient selection for the most suitable anti-FLT3 therapies. Furthermore, serial comprehensive genome profiling analysis at the time of AML progression, especially after tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, will provide valuable information for clinical decision-making. Table Disclosures Shibayama: Fujimoto: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Otsuka: Honoraria; Kyowa Kirin: Honoraria; Chugai: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Nippon Shinyaku: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sumitomo Dainippon: Honoraria, Research Funding; Merck Sharp & Dohme: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ono: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Eisai: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Taiho: Research Funding; Shionogi: Research Funding; Teijin: Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Mundi Pharma: Honoraria. Yamauchi:Otsuka: Research Funding; Ono Pharmaceutical: Honoraria; Chugai: Honoraria; Abbie: Research Funding; Solasia Pharma: Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding. Gotoh:Eisai: Honoraria; Alexion pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Ono Pharmaceutical: Honoraria; Nippon Shinyaku: Honoraria; Takeda pharmaceutical: Honoraria; Taiho pharmaceutical: Honoraria; Chugai: Honoraria; Novartis: Research Funding. Yamamoto:Chugai: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Eisai: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; Sumitomo Dainippon: Honoraria; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; IQIVA/HUYA: Honoraria; HUYA: Consultancy; IQIVA/Incyte: Research Funding; Solasia Pharma: Research Funding; SymBio: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Yakult: Research Funding; Zenyaku: Research Funding; Astra-Zeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Aichi Cancer Center: Current Employment; Kyowa Kirin: Honoraria; Meiji Seika Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Mochida: Honoraria; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Nippon Shinyaku: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ono: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Fujishima:Pfizer: Speakers Bureau. Takahashi:Novartis Pharma KK: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer Japan Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Honoraria. Usuki:Apellis: Research Funding; Alexion: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Chugai: Research Funding. ONO:Astellas Pharma Inc.: Honoraria; TAIHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.: Research Funding; Mundipharma K.K.: Honoraria; Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Honoraria; Novartis Pharma KK: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Honoraria; Pfizer Japan Inc.: Honoraria; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Honoraria, Research Funding; ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.: Honoraria; Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.: Honoraria, Research Funding; DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED.: Honoraria; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K: Honoraria; Eisai Co., Ltd.: Honoraria. Kuroda:Sysmex: Research Funding; Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Ono Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Research Funding; Nippon Shinyaku: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Asahi Kasei: Research Funding; Shionogi: Research Funding; Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Kyowa Kirin: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K: Consultancy; Eisai: Honoraria, Research Funding; Fujimoto Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Research Funding; Taiho Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; Bristol-MyersSquibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Chugai Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Research Funding; MSD: Research Funding. Izutsu:Incyte: Research Funding; Eisai: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Abbvie pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Chugai: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Symbio: Research Funding; Solasia: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Yakult: Research Funding; HUYA Japan: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Bayer pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Ono Pharmaceutical: Research Funding. Minami:Novartis Pharma KK: Honoraria; Pfizer Japan Inc.: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Honoraria.

Vitamin B6 (VB6) deficiency contributes to oncogenesis and tumor progression in certain cancers, and is prevalent in cancer patients in general. VB6 is also an essential element of heme synthesis, and deficiency can lead to anemia. Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and secondary myelofibrosis (sMF) are myeloproliferative neoplasms often presenting with anemia along with other cytopenias. We performed a prospective study to determine whether PMF and sMF patients suffer from VB6 deficiency, and whether VB6-deficient patients show improvement of anemias with VB6 supplementation. Twelve PMF patients and 11 sMF patients were analyzed. A total of 16 of 23 patients (69.6%) were found to have VB6 deficiency, but VB6 supplementation with pyridoxal phosphate hydrate did not elevate hemoglobin levels in deficient patients. None of the patients presented with vitamin B12, iron, or copper deficiencies. Four patients showed serum folate levels below the lower limit of normal and eight patients showed serum zinc levels below the lower limit of normal; however, these deficiencies were marginal and unlikely to contribute to anemia. Compared to VB6-sufficient patients, VB6-deficient patients showed significantly lower serum folate levels and higher serum copper levels. Studies elucidating the relationship of VB6 deficiency and etiology of PMF/sMF are warranted.

Accurate staging and evaluation of therapeutic effects are important in managing plasma-cell neoplasms. Diffusion-weighted imaging with body signal suppression magnetic resonance imaging (DWIBS-MRI) allows for acquisition of whole-body volumetric data without radiation exposure. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of DWIBS-MRI in plasma-cell neoplasms. We retrospectively analyzed 29 and 8 Japanese patients with multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, respectively, who underwent DWIBS-MRI. We conducted a histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient values. The correlations between each histogram parameter and staging, cell maturation, prognosis, and treatment response were evaluated. We found that the apparent diffusion coefficient values in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance were lower than those in patients with multiple myeloma. Pretreatment apparent diffusion coefficient values of immature myeloma were lower than those of mature myeloma. Moreover, these values decreased in proportion to stage progression in Durie-Salmon classification system but showed no significant correlation with other staging systems or prognosis. Patients were stratified as responder, stable, and non-responder based on the International Myeloma Working Group criteria. The magnitude of changes in apparent diffusion coefficients differed significantly between responders and non-responders (0.154 ± 0.386 ×10–3 mm2/s vs. -0.307 ± 0.424 ×10–3 mm2/s, p = 0.003). Although its usefulness has yet to be established, DWIBS-MRI combined with apparent diffusion coefficient measurement allowed for excellent response evaluation in patients with multiple myeloma. Furthermore, apparent diffusion coefficient analysis using DWIBS-MRI may be useful in predicting cell maturation and total tumor volume.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease is a rare cause of neutropenic fever in patients with hematological malignancies. There are few studies on the optimal management for such patients with NTM. We report a case of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) treated by umbilical cord blood transplantation (CBT) after Mycobacterium kansasii (M. kansasii) pneumonia. A 38-year-old man diagnosed with MDS developed severe pneumonia during induction chemotherapy. Repeated sputum culture uncovered mycobacterium infection. Then, by the polymerase chain reaction of the bronchial lavage fluid, M. kansasii infection was proven. After 140 days of anti-NTM therapy, CBT was successfully carried out and the patient recovered without recurrence of NTM infection. This case provides valuable evidence that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is feasible after a reliable diagnosis and continuous anti-NTM therapy.

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a large B-cell lymphoma that only proliferates proliferating effusion in the body cavity. It is associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8).HHV8 negative effusion lymphoma, which is different from PEL in many ways, has also been reported and is referred to as HHV8-unrelated PEL-like lymphoma. This lymphoma is very rare and its clinical characteristics have not been fully clarified.A 79-year-old male developed HHV8-negative primary effusion lymphoma during treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome.Abdominal computed tomography revealed abdominal effusion, but did not show any evidence of a tumor mass or lymph node enlargement. A cytological analysis of his pleural effusion revealed atypical lymphoid cells that were negative for CD10, and positive for CD19 and CD20. Corticosteroids were administered to treat the abdominal effusion; however, the patient died of an exacerbation of lymphoma on the 20th day after the initiation of corticosteroid therapy. We herein report the case of an HIV seronegative elderly patient with HHV8-unrelated PEL-like lymphoma.

A 71-year-old woman presented to a clinic with the chief complaint of facial edema and dyspnea; chest radiography showed mediastinal mass shadow and right pleural effusion. Computed tomography guided biopsy of the mediastinal mass had been performed by her previous doctor, and she was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. She was referred to our hospital for chemotherapy. Electrocardiography performed before initiating chemotherapy showed sinus arrest for about 4 s, and Holter electrocardiography showed sinus arrest for up to about 7.4 s, which was repeatedly observed 6 times, indicating sick sinus syndrome (SSS). The mediastinal mass completely excluded the superior vena cava, and considering the risk of infection, an extracorporeal pacemaker was not inserted. We believed that the tumor effect was the cause of sinus arrest; hence, chemotherapy initiation was prioritized. R-CHOP therapy preceding vincristine and prednisolone was started, and sinus arrest was not observed after initial treatment. SSS may have been caused by carotid hypersensitivity syndrome that involved the exclusion of carotid artery pressure receptors by the tumor or the direct stimulation of the vagus nerve by microtumor infiltration.

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) reactivation is an important complication in patients receiving umbilical cord blood transplantation (CBT). Chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus-6 (ciHHV-6) is a condition in which the complete HHV-6 genome is integrated into the host germline genome and is transmitted in a Mendelian manner. The influence of ciHHV-6 in recipients or donors in cases of CBT is unknown. We report the first case with ciHHV-6 that received CBT twice for acute lymphoblastic T-cell leukemia. HHV-6 DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) was examined over time through two CBTs. After the first CBT, the HHV-6 viral load was significantly reduced by conversion to PBLs derived from the first donor. During the second CBT, an increase in HHV-6 DNA in PBLs and plasma were observed. However, HHV-6 mRNA was not detected in either the sample before 2nd CBT or at the time of HHV-6 DNA elevation. It is considered that the HHV-6 DNA detected in PBLs and plasma samples might be the HHV-6 genome released due to tissue damage. This case suggests that physicians should be aware of HHV-6 DNA variability during allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in ciHHV-6 patients.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) causes clonal expansion of hematopoietic stem cells with abnormal GPI-anchor biosynthesis. The major pathological condition of PNH is that the erythrocytes lacking the complement regulatory factors CD55 and CD59, which are GPI-anchored proteins, lead to intravascular hemolysis through complement activation. Clonal expansion has been assumed to be involved in an immunological attack on hematopoietic stem cells, and the bone marrow failure associated therewith modifies the pathology to varying degrees. The introduction of eculizumab made complement control possible; however, the problems associated with it became apparent as the treatment progressed. Additionally, the PNH Reference Guide was significantly revised in 2016, partly because PNH was designated as a Japanese medical subsidy. With the revised edition of 2020, minor revisions have been added to reflect further advances in treatment and understanding of the disease, while mainly dealing with the clinical introduction of eculizumab derivative, ravulizumab, which uses recycling antibody technology. This review outlines the points of the 2020 revision, including the important points of the previous revision.

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a type of hematological malignancy affecting the functions of plasma cells. The treatment of MM patients has changed dramatically with the use of new agents. However, unfortunately, it is still incurable. Therefore, a new approach for treating MM is still needed to improve patient outcomes. Methods Because the histone deacetylase (HDAC) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is a key signal in cancer cell biology, we investigated whether dual HDAC and PI3K inhibitors could suppress the myeloma cells. Results Gene expression of HDACs is high in myeloma cells. CUDC-907, a dual inhibitor of PI3K and HDAC, inhibits HDAC activity. Akt activity and expression of BCL-XL, MCL-1, and NF-κB p65 were reduced by CUDC-907 in a dose-dependent manner. The number of apoptotic and caspase 3/7-positive cells also increased in the myeloma cells. Combined treatment of myeloma cells with carfilzomib and CUDC-907 increased cytotoxicity compared to that observed with each drug alone. Conclusions Data from this study suggested that the administration of CUDC-907 might be a powerful strategy against myeloma cells, to enhance the cytotoxic effects of proteasome inhibitors.

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) mainly affects the elderly, but can also develop in women of childbearing age. The risk of miscarriage and other complications during pregnancy in ET patients are reported to be higher than that compared to the general population. Therefore, management of pregnancy in ET patients requires special considerations. Several groups recommend interferon (IFN) therapy for ET patients with high-risk pregnancies, but currently no guidelines are available in Japan. We report the outcomes of nine ET patients with ten consecutive high-risk pregnancies. All patients were successfully managed with IFN-α during their pregnancies. All patients also received aspirin and switched to unfractionated heparin around 36 weeks of gestation. As for the seven pregnancies in which IFN-α was started after detection of pregnancy, median platelet counts decreased from 910 to 573 × 10

A 72-year-old man with ileocecal lymphadenopathy was found to have Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma using open biopsy, and an ileostoma was created. R-CHOP-like chemotherapy was initiated, but his malnutrition did not improve. After 3 cycles of chemotherapy, a 2-m-long Cestoda was removed from the stoma and was identified as Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense using mitochondria cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 targeted polymerase chain reaction analysis. Although D. nihonkaiense infections are asymptomatic, the ileostomy was thought to have exacerbated the malabsorption in this patient. Parasitic infections are rare; however, they should be added to the differential diagnosis of malnutrition of unknown cause during chemotherapy for hematological malignancies.

A man in his 40s was diagnosed with CML. He and his partner expressed their desire to have a child. We recommended planning the pregnancy after the achievement of major molecular response and completion of TKI therapy because we could not promise complete safety of the fetus, However, he and his partner insisted on starting the TKI therapy immediately and planned the pregnancy during the therapy. The patient was started on nilotinib 600mg/body. CCyR, MMR, and CMR were achieved in 3, 8, and 12 months, respectively. The patient's partner got pregnant when he had been on TKI therapy for 15 months, and she gave birth to a healthy boy. Since many patients with CMLcan live for a long time after receiving TKI therapy, the quality of life of these patients is more important. Even if the percentage of patients with CML who are under 50 years of age is approximately 30%, the safety information of TKI with respect to pregnancy is unsatisfactory. Doctors struggle to address the problems of the patient's wish of childbearing, priority of TKI therapy, and fetal risks of the treatment. Although only a few cases of pregnancy and delivery of the partners of male patients with CML treated with TKI have been reported, all cases showed healthy childbirth and normal child growth. Our experience also showed that the partner of a male patient with CML treated with TKI became pregnant and delivered a healthy baby.

A 81-year-old female was diagnosed with symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM; IgG κ type, DS: IIB, ISS: 2) in August 2017. Although treatment with lenalidomide and dexamethasone was started, she developed deep venous thrombosis in the lower extremities as a complication; therefore, the treatment was changed to DBd. In February 2018, she required hospitalization due to general weakness and altered consciousness. Her IgG level and κ/λ ratio were elevated at 4,156 mg/dl and 605.56, respectively, revealing that MM was treatment-resistant. A protein-cell dissociation (cell blood count, 0/µl; protein, 100.6 mg/dl) was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid, whereas the ammonia level in serum was high (172 µg/dl). T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed a broad range of high-density area in deep cerebral white matter suggesting leukoencephalopathy, whereas the cerebrospinal fluid was negative for JC virus. No pathological conditions causing secondary hyperammonemia were found. Although the involvement of drug-induced leukoencephalopathy in altered consciousness could not be ruled out since the chromosome with the normal karyotype at the first visit had a complex chromosomal abnormality, an originally minor clone of MM cells with a chromosomal abnormality might have contributed to the ammonia production resulting in altered consciousness.