Search

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) are effective induction therapy for acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). However, early thrombo-haemorrhagic complications and mortality remain high. We aimed to investigate how the timing of ATRA initiation and the inclusion of ATO influence patient outcomes. Clinical records were retrospectively reviewed for all patients treated for APL in a single, tertiary centre during 2000-2017. Among 70 patients with APL, 36 (51.4%) presented with thrombo-haemorrhagic complications, and four (5.8%) died within 30 days. The median time to ATRA initiation was 11.2 (range 0-104) h from the time of admission. Patients requiring more transfusions started on ATRA sooner (P = 0.04). Patients with adverse early events did not start ATRA later (P = 0.99). Nevertheless, patients that required additional tests for diagnosis (PML immunofluorescence or molecular) started on ATRA later (28.5 versus 5.3 h; P 0.0001), and had more thrombo-haemorrhagic complications (P = 0.04). Long-term survival was actually better in patients who started ATRA later (P = 0.03), which is likely explained by higher proportion of low risk patients in this group. Patients treated with ATO (n = 23) maintained higher fibrinogen levels and required less transfusions during induction (P 0.05), with no disease-related deaths in this group over a median follow-up time of 37.8 months (interquartile range 44.9 months). In summary, fast ATRA initiation reduces early but not late adverse events in APL patients, and the inclusion of ATO helps further improve both early and late outcomes in APL.

PURPOSE The BRIGHT study ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00877006) was initiated to compare the efficacy and safety of bendamustine plus rituximab (BR) with either rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) or rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CVP) for treatment-naive patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma or mantle-cell lymphoma. This publication provides long-term follow-up data. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were monitored for a minimum of 5 years after completion of study treatment for the time-to-event end points of progression-free survival (PFS), event-free survival, duration of response, and overall survival per investigator assessment. Data on the number of patients who received second-line anticancer treatment and the occurrence of other malignancies were also collected. RESULTS The medians were not reached for any of the time-to event end points for either the BR or R-CHOP/R-CVP study treatment groups by study completion. PFS rates at 5 years were 65.5% in the BR treatment group and 55.8% in the R-CHOP/R-CVP group. The difference in PFS was considered significant with a hazard ratio of 0.61 (95% CI, 0.45 to 0.85; P = .0025). The hazard ratio for event-free survival and duration of response ( P = .0020 and .0134, respectively) also favored the BR regimen over R-CHOP/R-CVP. However, no significant difference in overall survival was observed. The overall safety profiles of BR, R-CHOP, and R-CVP were as expected; no new safety data were collected during long-term follow-up. A higher number of secondary malignancies was noted in the BR treatment group. CONCLUSION Overall, BR demonstrated better long-term disease control than R-CHOP/R-CVP and should be considered as a first-line treatment option for patients with indolent and mantle-cell lymphoma.

As part of the UK NCRI AML17 trial, adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia in remission could be randomized to receive the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus, sequentially with post-induction chemotherapy. Three hundred and thirty-nine patients were randomised (2:1) to receive everolimus or not for a maximum of 84 days between chemotherapy courses. The primary endpoint was relapse-free survival. At 5 years there was no difference in relapse-free survival [29% versus 40%; odds ratio 1.19 (0.9-1.59) P=0.2], cumulative incidence of relapse [60% versus 54%: odds ratio 1.12 (0.82-1.52): P=0.5] or overall survival [45% versus 58%: odds ratio 1.3 (0.94-1.81): P=0.11]. The independent Data Monitoring Committee advised study termination after randomization of 339 of the intended 600 patients because of excess mortality in the everolimus arm without any evidence of beneficial disease control. The delivery of the everolimus dose was variable, but there was no evidence of clinical benefit in patients with adequate dose delivery compared with no treatment. This study suggests that the addition of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition to chemotherapy provides no benefit.

The chicken DT40 pre-B-cell line is becoming a potent experimental tool in the elucidation of higher organism cellular functions due to its unique genetic tractability. While several publications have described the effects of disruption of a range of genes in DT40 cells on calcium signalling, there has been no general overview of Ca2+ responses in wild-type cells. Here, we present experimental data comparing and contrasting the calcium responses to a range of agonists, such as alphaIgM, H2O2 and thapsigargin, applied singly or consecutively in the presence or absence of extracellular calcium. Briefly, we show that calcium release is from thapsigargin-sensitive and also -insensitive stores. This release results in, or is concomitant with, calcium entry across the plasma membrane through store-operated, receptor-operated and possibly L-type like Ca2+ channels. The agonists activate these pathways differentially producing a wide range of different sized and shaped Ca2+ signals. Furthermore, we report that Ca2+ responses in DT40 cells are dependent on the growth conditions. The presence of 1% chicken serum in the growth medium increased amplitudes of calcium responses and enhanced the sustained phase of the alphaIgM response, while 10 microM beta-mercaptoethanol in the medium (not, however, present during calcium measurements) resulted in more transient H2O2 responses and larger amplitude alphaIgM responses while failing to affect thapsigargin responses. The possible causes of these effects and their importance in comparing data from different studies on DT40 cells is discussed.

This randomized, noninferiority (NI), global, phase 3 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of bendamustine plus rituximab (BR) vs a standard rituximab-chemotherapy regimen (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone [R-CHOP] or rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone [R-CVP]) for treatment-naive patients with indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or mantle cell lymphoma. Investigators preassigned the standard treatment regimen they considered most appropriate for each patient; patients were randomized to receive BR (n = 224) or standard therapy (R-CHOP/R-CVP, n = 223) for 6 cycles; 2 additional cycles were permitted at investigator discretion. Response was assessed by a blinded independent review committee. BR was noninferior to R-CHOP/R-CVP, as assessed by the primary end point of complete response rate (31% vs 25%, respectively; P = .0225 for NI [0.88 margin]). The overall response rates for BR and R-CHOP/R-CVP were 97% and 91%, respectively (P = .0102). Incidences of vomiting and drug-hypersensitivity reactions were significantly higher in patients treated with BR (P < .05), and incidences of peripheral neuropathy/paresthesia and alopecia were significantly higher in patients treated with standard-therapy regimens (P < .05). These data indicate BR is noninferior to standard therapy with regard to clinical response with an acceptable safety profile. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00877006.

Annexin 6 is one of a widely expressed family of calcium-binding proteins found in most mammalian tissues, including the heart. Several studies have implicated annexin 6 in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ signaling, and it has been shown in vitro to act as a modulator of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-release channel, cardiac L-type calcium channel, and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. To investigate the role of annexin 6 in intact cardiomyocytes, we used mice containing a targeted disruption of the annexin 6 gene. Compared with controls, the myocytes of annexin 6 null-mutant mice demonstrated a significant increase in the rates of shortening and relengthening. Intracellular Ca2+ transients in fura-2-loaded cardiomyocytes induced by caffeine showed a normal baseline and amplitude, whereas the rate of decay was doubled in annexin 6-/- myocytes compared with control mice. These results show that annexin 6 knockout in the mouse leads to an increase in myocyte contractility and faster diastolic Ca2+ removal from the cytoplasm. In light of published findings showing annexin 6 to be down-regulated in end-stage heart failure, these results are consistent with a role for annexin 6 as a negative inotropic factor in the regulation of cardiomyocyte mechanics.

Annexins are widely expressed Ca 2+ -dependent phospholipid-binding proteins with poorly understood physiological roles. Proposed functions include Ca 2+ channel activity and vesicle trafficking, but neither have been proven in vivo . Here we used targeted gene disruption to generate B-lymphocytes lacking annexin 5 (Anx5) expression and show that this results in reduced susceptibility to a range of apoptotic stimuli. By comparison B-lymphocytes lacking annexin 2 (Anx2) showed no such resistance, providing evidence that this effect is specific to loss of Anx5. The defect in the ANX5 −/− cells occurs early in the apoptotic program before nuclear condensation, caspase 3 activation, and cell shrinkage, but downstream of an initial Ca 2+ influx. Only UVA/B irradiation induced similar levels of apoptosis in wild-type and ANX5 −/− cells. Unexpectedly, ANX5 −/− cells permeabilized in vitro also failed to release mitochondrial cytochrome C, suggesting a possible mechanism for their resistance to apoptosis. These findings demonstrate a role for Anx5 in determining the susceptibility of B-lymphocytes to apoptosis.

The annexins, are a family of calcium ion (Ca2+)-binding proteins whose physiological functions are poorly understood. Although many diverse functions have been proposed for these proteins, such as in vesicle trafficking, this review focuses on their proposed roles as Ca2+ or other ion channels, or as intracellular ion channel regulators. Such ideas are founded mainly on in vitro and structural analyses, but there is increasing evidence that at least some members of this protein family may indeed play a part in intracellular Ca2+ signaling by acting both as atypical ion channels and as modulators of ion channel activity. This review first introduces the annexin family, then discusses intracellular localization, developmental regulation, and modes of membrane association of annexins, which suggest roles in Ca2+ homeostasis. Finally, it examines the structural and electrophysiological data that argue for key roles for annexins in the control of ion fluxes.

Annexins are calcium-binding proteins of unknown function but which are implicated in important cellular processes, including anticoagulation, ion flux regulation, calcium homeostasis, and endocytosis. To gain insight into the function of annexin VI, we performed targeted disruption of its gene in mice. Matings between heterozygous mice produced offspring with a normal Mendelian pattern of inheritance, indicating that the loss of annexin VI did not interfere with viability in utero. Mice lacking annexin VI reached sexual maturity at the same age as their normal littermates, and both males and females were fertile. Because of interest in the role of annexin VI in cardiovascular function, we examined heart rate and blood pressure in knockout and wild-type mice and found these to be identical in the two groups. Similarly, the cardiovascular responses of both sets of mice to septic shock were indistinguishable. We also examined components of the immune system and found no differences in thymic, splenic, or bone marrow lymphocyte levels between knockout and wild-type mice. This is the first study of annexin knockout mice, and the lack of a clear phenotype has broad implications for current views of annexin function.

Mammalian genomes contain numerous fragments of DNA that are derived from inactivated transposable elements. The accumulation and persistence of these elements is generally attributed to transposase activity rather than through possession or acquisition of a function of value to the host genome. Here we describe such a repetitive element, named ALF (for annexin VI LINE-2 fragment), comprising 130 bp of DNA derived from a LINE-2 sequence, which functions as a potent T-cell-specific silencer. The expansion of the DNA database arising as a result of the human genome sequencing project enabled us to identify ALF in, or close to, several well characterized genes including those for annexin VI, interleukin-4 and protein kinase C-beta. A systematic analysis of the entire LINE-2 sequence revealed that ALF, and not other regions of the LINE-2 sequence, was especially highly represented in the human genome. Acquisition of a function by this repetitive element may explain its abundance. These data show that a conserved fragment of an interspersed nuclear element has the potential to modulate gene expression, a discovery that has broad implications for the way in which we view so-called 'junk' DNA and our understanding of eukaryotic gene regulation.

The cystic fibrosis (Cftr and multidrug resistance (Mdr1) genes encode structurally similar proteins which are members of the ABC transporter superfamily. These genes exhibit complementary patterns of expression in vivo, suggesting that the regulation of their expression may be co-ordinated. We have tested this hypothesis in vivo by examining Cftr and Mdr1 expression in cystic fibrosis knockout transgenic mice (Cftr(tm1CAM)). Cftr mRNA expression in Cftr(tm1CAM)/Cftr(tm1CAM) mice was 4-fold reduced in the intestine, as compared with littermate wild-type mice. All other Cftr(tm1CAM)/Cftr(tm1CAM) mouse tissues examined showed similar reductions in Cftr expression. In contrast, we observed a 4-fold increase in Mdr1 mRNA expression in the intestines of neonatal and 3- to 4-week-old Cftr(tm1CAM)/Cftr(tm1CAM) mice, as compared with age-matched +/+ mice, and an intermediate level of Mdr1 mRNA in heterozygous Cftr(tm1CAM) mice. In 10-week-old, Cftr(tm1CAM)/Cftr(tm1CAM) mice and in contrast to the younger mice, Mdr1 mRNA expression was reduced, by 3-fold. The expression of two control genes, Pgk-1 and Mdr2, was similar in all genotypes, suggesting that the changes in Mdr1 mRNA levels observed in the Cftr(tm1CAM)/Cftr(tm1CAM) mice are specific to the loss of Cftr expression and/or function. These data provide further evidence supporting the hypothesis that the regulation Cftr and Mdr1 expression is co-ordinated in vivo, and that this co-ordinate regulation is influenced by temporal factors.

8537 Background: BR was previously reported to be statistically noninferior to R-CVP/R-CHOP for complete response rate in the treatment of patients with indolent NHL or MCL. Evaluation of time-to-event outcomes is immature. This subanalysis reports response by histology. Methods: Indolent NHL or MCL was histologically confirmed 2 on days 1 and 2, rituximab 375 mg/m2on day 1) or standard treatment (21-day cycles at standard doses) for 6-8 cycles. Responses were assessed by a blinded independent review committee. The primary efficacy measure was noninferiority of BR complete response (CR) rate for evaluable patients with ≥1 postbaseline efficacy assessment. If the noninferiority threshold was met, superiority was assessed. Secondary measures included tolerability. Results: Of 447 patients enrolled in the study, 213 receiving BR and 206 receiving R-CHOP/R-CVP were evaluable with postbaseline data (Table). BR achieved a statistically noninferior CR rate compared with R-CHOP/R-CVP in patients with indolent NHL and MCL. Conclusions: In patients with treatment-naïve indolent NHL and MCL, BR achieved the primary endpoint of noninferior CR rate. Most CR rates were numerically, but not significantly, higher with BR. Small subgroup results should be interpreted with caution. Support: Teva BPP R&D, Inc. Clinical trial information: NCT00877006. [Table: see text]

Abstract 902 Background Bendamustine (B) is an active agent for relapsed and refractory indolent NHL, both as monotherapy and combined with rituximab (R), results recently updated by the StiL study group. This study compared efficacy and safety of BR with standard treatment regimens of R-CHOP and R-CVP as first-line treatment for indolent NHL or MCL. Methods Patients were randomized to 6–8 cycles of BR or R-CHOP/R-CVP (R-CHOP or R-CVP determined by investigator prior to randomization). BR regimen was B 90 mg/m2/day on days 1 and 2 plus R 375 mg/m2on day 1 of a 28-day cycle. Standard dosing and 21 day cycles were used for R-CHOP and R-CVP. Primary objective was to demonstrate noninferiority of complete response (CR) rate of BR vs standard treatment (noninferiority margin [ratio] 0.88). Secondary measures included overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival, and overall survival. Tumor response was determined by a blinded independent review committee (IRC) using International Working Group revised response criteria for malignant lymphoma. Investigator assessments were compared with those of the IRC. Results Of 447 randomized patients, 436 received treatment (BR n=221; R-CHOP/R-CVP n=215 [R-CHOP n=99; R-CVP n=116]) and were evaluable for safety. Of these, 419 patients (BR n=213; R-CHOP/R-CVP n=206 [R-CHOP 97; R-CVP n=109]) were evaluable for efficacy. The randomized groups were well matched for age (median 60 and 58 years), sex (male, 61% and 59%), ECOG status (64% performance status 0, both groups), lymphoma type (83% indolent NHL, both groups), and Ann Arbor stage (62% stage IV, both groups). Among randomized patients and efficacy evaluable patients, the IRC-assessed CR rate was numerically higher for BR than R-CHOP/R-CVP and statistically noninferior (Table). In the randomized groups, CR rates for indolent NHL were numerically similar between BR and R-CHOP/R-CVP; however, in MCL, BR was statistically superior (P=0.018) (Table). Investigator-assessed response in randomized patients found superiority of BR vs R-CHOP/R-CVP (P=0.0013). IRC and investigator assessments differed mainly in quality of response (CR vs partial) rather than in whether a patient was a responder. For randomized patients, the ORR was 94% for BR and 84% for R-CHOP/R-CVP. Time-to-event data are immature and will be analyzed later. At time of data cut-off, 8% of the BR group had progressed, relapsed, or died, compared with 4% of R-CHOP/R-CVP group. Most patients completed 6 cycles (92% for BR and 91% for R-CHOP/R-CVP), with high relative dose intensity (>96%). Dose delays were more common for BR-treated patients (35% vs 19%), and dose reductions were less common (22% vs 29%). Most common AEs for BR and R-CHOP/R-CVP, respectively, were nausea (139 vs 102 patients), fatigue (113 vs 107), neutropenia (76 vs 85), constipation (65 vs 90), and alopecia (8 vs 74). Laboratory grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities for BR and R-CHOP/R-CVP were lymphopenia (137 vs 64), neutropenia (98 vs 151), leukopenia (84 vs 116), thrombocytopenia (16 vs 15), and anemia (6 vs 9), respectively. The most frequent investigator-reported nonhematologic grade 3/4 AEs for BR and R-CHOP/R-CVP were infusion-related reaction (13 vs 8 patients). Granulocyte colony stimulating factors were given at investigator discretion (per ASCO recommendations) to 29% of the BR group and 43% of the R-CHOP/R-CVP group. Fatal AEs occurred in 6 BR patients (pneumonia, respiratory failure, and sepsis; acute respiratory failure; cardiac arrest; pneumonia; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; lung cancer) and 1 R-CHOP/R-CVP patient (sepsis). Conclusion In patients with advanced indolent NHL and MCL, BR produces a CR rate that is noninferior to that of R-CHOP/R-CVP. In the subgroup of patients with MCL, BR produces a significantly higher CR rate (51% vs 24%). High ORRs were attained in both treatment groups. The AE profile of BR was distinct from that of R-CHOP/R-CVP. Support: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Disclosures: Flinn: Teva Pharmaceuticals : Research Funding. Off Label Use: Bendamustine is FDA-approved for adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that has progressed during or within six months of treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen. Van der Jagt:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Sponsorship Other; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding, sponsorship, sponsorship Other; Roche: Consultancy, sponsorship, sponsorship Other; Cephalon: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Xanthus: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb : Consultancy. Kahl:Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Teva Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. MacDonald:Lundbeck: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Munteanu:Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.: Employment. Clementi:Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.: Employment. Chen:Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.: Employment. Burke:Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy.

Abstract 155 Background Bendamustine is a unique alkylating agent, active as monotherapy and in combination with rituximab for relapsed and refractory indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). This study compared efficacy and safety of bendamustine-rituximab (BR) with standard treatment regimens of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) and rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CVP) in first-line treatment of patients with indolent NHL or mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The primary objective was to determine whether the complete response rate for BR was noninferior to R-CHOP/R-CVP (presented separately). The present analysis reports results for quality of life (QOL) as measured by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30). Methods Previously untreated patients with indolent NHL or MCL were randomized to receive BR (bendamustine 90 mg/m2/day on days 1 and 2; rituximab 375 mg/m2 on day 1 of each 28-day cycle) or R-CHOP/R-CVP (rituximab 375 mg/m2 and vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 (up to maximum 2 mg) on day 1 and prednisone at 100 mg on days 1–5 (of a 21-day cycle), plus either [1] cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 and doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 on day 1 or [2] cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 or 1000 mg/m2(investigator choice) on day 1. QLQ-C30 was administered at screening (baseline); after cycles 1, 3, 6, 8; and at the end-of-treatment visit. Linear transformation to standardize raw scores was performed. The QLQ-C30 is composed of 5 multi-item functional scales, 1 global health status (GHS)/QOL scale, 3 symptom scales, and 6 single-item measures; all scores could range from 0 to 100. Rising scores for functional scales and GHS/QOL indicate improvement. Rising scores for symptom scales/single items indicate worsening. GHS/QOL score change at last QLQ-C30 administration postbaseline was interpreted using analysis of covariance. Data from the last observation (end-of-treatment visit) were analyzed. Results The 447 enrolled patients were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 treatments; 224 to BR (NHL n=187, MCL n=36, missing n=1) and 223 to R-CHOP/R-CVP (NHL n=184, MCL n=38, missing n=1). Treatment groups were well matched for demographic and clinical characteristics. Among all randomized patients, mean change in GHS/QOL score from baseline to final visit was significantly higher (indicating relative improvement) for patients treated with BR than those treated with R-CHOP/R-CVP (3.6 vs −5.1 respectively, P=0.0005). For patients with indolent NHL, mean change in GHS/QOL score by final visit was significantly higher in patients treated with BR than those receiving R-CHOP/R-CVP (2.1 vs −6.3, respectively, P=0.0021); in patients with MCL, mean change in GHS/QOL score was numerically higher in the BR group, but the difference was not statistically significant (10.9 vs 1.6, P=0.0654). All randomized patients receiving BR showed greater improvement in QLQ-C30 Emotional Functioning (from baseline to final visit), compared with patients receiving R-CHOP/R-CVP. Mean change from baseline scores (± SEM) for QLQ-C30 for Cognitive, Physical, Role, and Social Functioning scales of the QLQ-C30 decreased (signifying deteriorating effect) in both treatment groups, with patients treated with BR deteriorating less than patients treated with R-CHOP/R-CVP (Figure). For symptom scales/item measures, patients treated with BR showed larger reductions in mean scores from elevated baseline levels (signifying greater improvement), compared with R-CHOP/R-CVP for Appetite Loss (−2.9 for BR vs −1.1 for R-CHOP/R-CVP), Pain (−5.6 vs −1.7), and Constipation (−0.7 vs 1.8). For symptom scales/item measures of Dyspnea, Fatigue, and Financial Difficulties, both treatments showed deteriorating effects, with BR showing less than R-CHOP/R-CVP: Dyspnea (0.8 vs 4.8), Fatigue (0.5 vs 7.2), and Financial Difficulties (0.9 vs 1.3). Patients receiving R-CHOP/R-CVP had larger reductions in mean scores for Insomnia (−2.1 for BR vs −6.7 for R-CHOP/R-CVP), Diarrhea (0.5 vs −1.3), and Nausea and Vomiting (1.8 vs 0.9). Conclusions In this study, BR significantly improved GHS/QOL, compared with R-CHOP/R-CVP treatment, in previously untreated patients with indolent NHL or MCL. In addition, BR provided improved patient QOL scores for most aspects of functioning and symptoms, as measured by the QLQ-C30. Support: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Disclosures: Burke: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Off Label Use: Bendamustine is FDA-approved for adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that has progressed during or within six months of treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen. Van der Jagt:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Sponsorship Other; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding, Sponsorship, Sponsorship Other; Roche: Consultancy, Sponsorship, Sponsorship Other; Teva: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Xanthus: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy. Kahl:Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Teva: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. MacDonald:Lundbeck: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. White:Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.: Employment. Munteanu:Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.: Employment. Clementi:Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.: Employment. Chen:Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.: Employment. Flinn:Teva: Research Funding.

Randomized studies after conventional allografting showed that in combination with methotrexate TAC was superior to cyclosporine for prevention of acute GVHD. Using the Seattle conditioning regimen of FLU/low-dose TBI we evaluated TAC/MMF as a substitute for cyclosporine/MMF as post-grafting immunosuppression after MSD PBPC NST. Thirty-two patients (median age 57, range 32–68 years), who were poor candidates for a conventional myeloablative transplant, were enrolled. Patient diagnoses included lymphoma (N=12) (7 follicular, 2 transformed, 1 mantle-cell, 1 diffuse large cell, 1 NK), myeloma (N=12), high-grade MDS (N=5), AML (N=2), Hodgkin’s (N=1). Patients were conditioned with FLU (30 mg/m2/d x 3), TBI (200 cGy), were infused donor PBPCs on day 0, and received GVHD prophylaxis with TAC (0.06 mg/kg PO b.i.d. from day −3), targeting initially 10–20 ng/mL, and MMF (15 mg/kg PO b.i.d., from day 0 to +27, discontinued without taper). TAC was tapered from day +100 to +180 and from day +35 to +56, in those patients with indolent (N=25) and aggressive malignancies (N=7), respectively. Regimen toxicities and myelosuppression were mild, allowing 75% of patients to have entirely outpatient transplantations. One patient (3%) experienced a non-fatal graft rejection. The % patients with mixed/donor T-cell chimerism were as follows: 1 month: 77%/23%, 3 mo: 86%/14%, and 1 yr: 20%/80%. Five patients (15.6%) experienced stage II–IV acute GVHD, presenting at median day +61. Eleven patients (34%) experienced chronic GVHD (1 limited, 10 extensive) at median onset day +190. In 6 of those patients (22%), chronic CVHD was not elicited by immunosuppression withdrawal or DLI upon tumor progression. Day+100 transplant-related mortality (TRM) was 0%. Overall TRM was 9%, with 3 deaths from GVHD-related multiorgan failure on days +105, +343, and +354, respectively. At median follow-up of 19 (2–41) months, 20 patients (62.5%) were alive, 17 patients (53%) remained progression-free, 13 of them (41%) in complete remission. Median progression-free and overall survival times were 21 and 33 months, respectively. Conclusion: TAC/MMF after a MSD NST provides effective acute GVHD prophylaxis, and is associated with an excellent early safety profile. As compared to reported outcomes with cyclosporine/MMF, acute GVHD incidence appeared lower and onset was delayed.

Annexin 5 is a Ca 2+ -binding protein, the function of which is poorly understood. Structural and electrophysiological studies have shown that annexin 5 can mediate Ca 2+ fluxes across phospholipid membranes in vitro [1]. There is, however, no direct evidence for the existence of annexin 5 Ca 2+ channels in living cells. Here, we show that annexin 5 inserts into phospholipid vesicle membranes at neutral pH in the presence of peroxide. We then used targeted gene disruption to explore the role of annexin 5 in peroxide-induced Ca 2+ signaling in DT40 pre-B cells. DT40 clones lacking annexin 5 exhibited normal Ca 2+ responses to both thapsigargin and B-cell receptor stimulation, but lacked the sustained phase of the response to peroxide. This late phase was due to Ca 2+ influx from the extracellular space, demonstrating that annexin 5 mediates a peroxide-induced Ca 2+ influx. Thus, peroxide induces annexin 5 membrane insertion in vitro , and peroxide-induced Ca 2+ entry in vivo in DT40 cells requires annexin 5. Our results are consistent with a role for annexin 5 either as a Ca 2+ channel, or as a signaling intermediate in the peroxide-induced Ca 2+ -influx pathway.

Background We previously reported results of the phase III, randomized, noninferiority trial comparing bendamustine-rituximab (BR) with standard R-CHOP (rituximab/cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone)/R-CVP (rituximab/cyclophosphamide/vincristine/prednisone) in previously untreated advanced indolent non-Hodgkin and mantle cell lymphomas. Here we report health-related quality of life (HRQOL) results from the trial. Methods HRQOL, as measured by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), was a secondary end point. Differences between group means in global health status (GHS), 5-item functioning, and 9 symptoms/single-item measures at week 1 of cycle 1 and end-of- cycles 3 and 6 were examined using the screening (baseline) score as a covariate in analysis of covariance. Results Overall EORTC QLQ-C30 compliance was 75.2%, 89.5%, and 89.9% at week 1 of cycle 1 and end-of-cycles 3 and 6, respectively. Patients treated with BR reported improvements in Cognitive Functioning, Physical Functioning, Social Functioning, Emotional Functioning, and GHS as well as reduction in dyspnea, constipation, and fatigue at some, but not all, time points. Patients treated with standard therapy reported less nausea/vomiting at one time point. Conclusion Compared with patients treated with standard therapy, patients treated with BR reported better quality of life in several areas.