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16 pages, 1956 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Harmonization of Flow Cytometric Minimal Residual Disease Assessment in Multiple Myeloma in Centers of Polish Myeloma Consortium

by Agnieszka Krzywdzińska, Bartosz Puła, Anna Czyż, Beata Krzymieniewska, Jolanta Kiernicka-Parulska, Anna Mierzwa, Donata Szymczak, Aneta Milanowska, Aleksandra Kiraga, Iwona Kwiecień, Joanna Zaleska and Krzysztof Jamroziak

Diagnostics 2021, 11(10), 1872; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics11101872 - 11 Oct 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1941

Abstract

Minimal residual disease (MRD) status is now considered as one of the most relevant prognostic factors in multiple myeloma (MM) while MRD negativity became an important endpoint in clinical trials. Here, we report the results of the first study evaluating the reproducibility of [...] Read more.

Minimal residual disease (MRD) status is now considered as one of the most relevant prognostic factors in multiple myeloma (MM) while MRD negativity became an important endpoint in clinical trials. Here, we report the results of the first study evaluating the reproducibility of high-sensitivity flow cytometry MM MRD assessment in four laboratories in Poland. EuroFlow protocols for instrument setting standardization and sample preparation in MM MRD assessment were implemented in each laboratory. In the inter-laboratory reproducibility study, 12 bone marrow samples from MM patients were distributed and processed in participant laboratories. In the inter-operator concordance study, 13 raw data files from MM MRD measurements were analyzed by five independent operators. The inter-laboratory study showed high 95% overall concordance of results among laboratories. In the inter-operator study, 89% of MRD results reported were concordant, and the highest immunophenotype interpretation differences with regard to expression of CD27, CD45, CD81 were noticed. We confirmed the applicability and feasibility of the EuroFlow protocol as a highly sensitive method of MRD evaluation in MM. Results of our inter-center comparison study demonstrate that the standardization of MM MRD assessment protocols is highly desirable to improve quality and comparability of results within and between different clinical trials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hematological Neoplasms)

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11 pages, 844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adverse Impact of DNA Methylation Regulatory Gene Mutations on the Prognosis of AML Patients in the 2017 ELN Favorable Risk Group, Particularly Those Defined by NPM1 Mutation

by James Yu, Jingxin Sun, Yuan Du, Rushang Patel, Juan Carlos Varela, Shahram Mori and Chung-Che Chang

Diagnostics 2021, 11(6), 986; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics11060986 - 29 May 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2198

Abstract

The 2017 ELN risk stratification has been widely adopted, but some studies have suggested the outcomes are heterogenous within the ELN risk groups and may be affected by other co-existing genetic mutations. This study evaluated the impact of DNA methylation regulatory gene ( [...] Read more.

The 2017 ELN risk stratification has been widely adopted, but some studies have suggested the outcomes are heterogenous within the ELN risk groups and may be affected by other co-existing genetic mutations. This study evaluated the impact of DNA methylation regulatory gene (TET2, IDH1/2, DNMT3A, SETBP1) mutations (DMRGM) evaluated by NGS in the outcome of AML patients in each ELN risk group. A total of 114 patients were analyzed with a median follow-up of 12 months. Overall, 30.7% (35/114) of patients had DMRGM. DMRGM status had no impact on CR rate in each ELN risk group. The OS, however, was significantly shorter in patients with DMRGM compared to those without DMRGM (median OS: 12 vs. 33 months, p = 0.0053). Multivariate analysis showed DMRGM status was an independent unfavorable factor for OS (HR: 2.704, 95% CI: 1.451–5.041, p = 0.0017). The adverse OS impact of DMRGM was only observed in the ELN favorable group (7 months vs. not reached, p = 0.0001), but not in the intermediate or adverse group. Among the favorable group with DMRGM (n = 16), DMRGM occurred predominantly in cases with mutated NPM1 (15/16, or 93.8%). Our results suggest that DMRGM adversely impact the outcomes of ELN favorable group patients, particularly those with mutated NPM1. Further studies are warranted to confirm our observations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hematological Neoplasms)

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8 pages, 435 KiB

Open AccessArticle

BCL2 Expression at Post-Induction and Complete Remission Impact Outcome in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

by Cristina Bilbao-Sieyro, Carlos Rodríguez-Medina, Yanira Florido, Ruth Stuckey, María Nieves Sáez, Santiago Sánchez-Sosa, Jesús María González Martín, Guillermo Santana, Elena González-Pérez, Naylén Cruz-Cruz, Rosa Fernández, Teresa Molero Labarta and María Teresa Gomez-Casares

Diagnostics 2020, 10(12), 1048; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics10121048 - 4 Dec 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1729

Abstract

Advances in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) genomics and targeted therapies include the recently approved BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax. The association between BCL2 expression and patient outcome was analyzed in a series of 176 consecutive AML patients at diagnosis (Dx), post-induction (PI), complete remission (CR) [...] Read more.

Advances in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) genomics and targeted therapies include the recently approved BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax. The association between BCL2 expression and patient outcome was analyzed in a series of 176 consecutive AML patients at diagnosis (Dx), post-induction (PI), complete remission (CR) and relapse (RL). Levels increased significantly at relapse (mean 1.07 PI/0.96 CR vs. 2.17 RL, p = 0.05/p = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, high BCL2-Dx were marginally associated with worse progression-free survival, while high PI levels or at CR had an independent negative impact on outcome (PI: HR 1.58, p = 0.014; CR: HR 1.96, p = 0.008). This behavior of high PI or CR BCL2 levels and increased risk was maintained in a homogeneous patient subgroup of age <70 and intermediate cytogenetic risk (PI: HR 2.44, p = 0.037; CR: HR 2.71, p = 0.049). Finally, for this subgroup, high BCL2 at relapse indicated worse overall survival (OS, HR 1.15, p = 0.05). In conclusion, high BCL2 levels PI or at CR had an independent negative impact on patient outcome. Therefore, BCL2 expression is a dynamic marker that may be useful during AML patient follow up, and BCL2 levels at PI and/or CR may influence response to anti-BCL2 therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hematological Neoplasms)

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13 pages, 1846 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Genomic Analysis of Chromosomal Alterations and Mutations in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Reveals Distinct Genetic Profiles at Relapse

by Maribel Forero-Castro, Adrián Montaño, Cristina Robledo, Alfonso García de Coca, José Luis Fuster, Natalia de las Heras, José Antonio Queizán, María Hernández-Sánchez, Luis A. Corchete-Sánchez, Marta Martín-Izquierdo, Jordi Ribera, José-María Ribera, Rocío Benito and Jesús M. Hernández-Rivas

Diagnostics 2020, 10(7), 455; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics10070455 - 4 Jul 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3263

Abstract

The clonal basis of relapse in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) is complex and not fully understood. Next-generation sequencing (NGS), array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were carried out in matched diagnosis–relapse samples from 13 BCP-ALL patients [...] Read more.

The clonal basis of relapse in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) is complex and not fully understood. Next-generation sequencing (NGS), array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were carried out in matched diagnosis–relapse samples from 13 BCP-ALL patients to identify patterns of genetic evolution that could account for the phenotypic changes associated with disease relapse. The integrative genomic analysis of aCGH, MLPA and NGS revealed that 100% of the BCP-ALL patients showed at least one genetic alteration at diagnosis and relapse. In addition, there was a significant increase in the frequency of chromosomal lesions at the time of relapse (p = 0.019). MLPA and aCGH techniques showed that IKZF1 was the most frequently deleted gene. TP53 was the most frequently mutated gene at relapse. Two TP53 mutations were detected only at relapse, whereas the three others showed an increase in their mutational burden at relapse. Clonal evolution patterns were heterogeneous, involving the acquisition, loss and maintenance of lesions at relapse. Therefore, this study provides additional evidence that BCP-ALL is a genetically dynamic disease with distinct genetic profiles at diagnosis and relapse. Integrative NGS, aCGH and MLPA analysis enables better molecular characterization of the genetic profile in BCP-ALL patients during the evolution from diagnosis to relapse. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hematological Neoplasms)

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Review

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16 pages, 1144 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Current Role of the Heavy/Light Chain Assay in the Diagnosis, Prognosis and Monitoring of Multiple Myeloma: An Evidence-Based Approach

by Rafael Ríos-Tamayo, Noemí Puig, Macarena Algarín, José Luís García de Veas Silva, Nuno Barbosa, Cristina Encinas, José Ángel Hernández, Rafael Alonso, María Luisa Campos, Teresa Rodríguez, Alberto Leivas, María José Olivares, María José Sánchez, Bruno Paiva, Juan José Lahuerta and Joaquín Martínez-López

Diagnostics 2021, 11(11), 2020; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics11112020 - 30 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2985

Abstract

Despite tremendous progress being made in recent years, multiple myeloma (MM) remains a challenging disease. The laboratory plays a critical role in the overall management of patients. The diagnosis, prognosis, clinical monitoring and evaluation of the response are key moments in the clinical [...] Read more.

Despite tremendous progress being made in recent years, multiple myeloma (MM) remains a challenging disease. The laboratory plays a critical role in the overall management of patients. The diagnosis, prognosis, clinical monitoring and evaluation of the response are key moments in the clinical care process. Conventional laboratory methods have been and continue to be the basis of laboratory testing in monoclonal gammopathies, along with the serum free light chain test. However, more accurate methods are needed to achieve new and more stringent clinical goals. The heavy/light chain assay is a relatively new test which can overcome some of the limitations of the conventional methods for the evaluation of intact immunoglobulin MM patients. Here, we report an update of the evidence accumulated in recent years on this method regarding its use in MM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hematological Neoplasms)

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19 pages, 844 KiB

Open AccessReview

From Immune Dysregulations to Therapeutic Perspectives in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Review

by Thibault Comont, Emmanuel Treiner and François Vergez

Diagnostics 2021, 11(11), 1982; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics11111982 - 26 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2469

Abstract

The pathophysiology of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) is complex and often includes immune dysregulation of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Whereas clonal selection mainly involves smoldering inflammation, a cellular immunity dysfunction leads to increased apoptosis and blast proliferation. Addressing immune dysregulations in [...] Read more.

The pathophysiology of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) is complex and often includes immune dysregulation of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Whereas clonal selection mainly involves smoldering inflammation, a cellular immunity dysfunction leads to increased apoptosis and blast proliferation. Addressing immune dysregulations in MDS is a recent concept that has allowed the identification of new therapeutic targets. Several approaches targeting the different actors of the immune system have therefore been developed. However, the results are very heterogeneous, indicating the need to improve our understanding of the disease and interactions between chronic inflammation, adaptive dysfunction, and somatic mutations. This review highlights current knowledge of the role of immune dysregulation in MDS pathophysiology and the field of new drugs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hematological Neoplasms)

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20 pages, 1439 KiB

Open AccessReview

Clonal Evolution of Multiple Myeloma—Clinical and Diagnostic Implications

by Aleksander Salomon-Perzyński, Krzysztof Jamroziak and Eliza Głodkowska-Mrówka

Diagnostics 2021, 11(9), 1534; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics11091534 - 25 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3961

Abstract

Plasma cell dyscrasias are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the expansion of bone marrow plasma cells. Malignant transformation of plasma cells depends on the continuity of events resulting in a sequence of well-defined disease stages, from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance [...] Read more.

Plasma cell dyscrasias are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the expansion of bone marrow plasma cells. Malignant transformation of plasma cells depends on the continuity of events resulting in a sequence of well-defined disease stages, from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) through smoldering myeloma (SMM) to symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM). Evolution of a pre-malignant cell into a malignant cell, as well as further tumor progression, dissemination, and relapse, require development of multiple driver lesions conferring selective advantage of the dominant clone and allowing subsequent evolution under selective pressure of microenvironment and treatment. This process of natural selection facilitates tumor plasticity leading to the formation of genetically complex and heterogenous tumors that are notoriously difficult to treat. Better understanding of the mechanisms underlying tumor evolution in MM and identification of lesions driving the evolution from the premalignant clone is therefore a key to development of effective treatment and long-term disease control. Here, we review recent advances in clonal evolution patterns and genomic landscape dynamics of MM, focusing on their clinical implications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hematological Neoplasms)

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30 pages, 1907 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Evolving Landscape of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia on Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment

by Claudia Pérez-Carretero, Isabel González-Gascón-y-Marín, Ana E. Rodríguez-Vicente, Miguel Quijada-Álamo, José-Ángel Hernández-Rivas, María Hernández-Sánchez and Jesús María Hernández-Rivas

Diagnostics 2021, 11(5), 853; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics11050853 - 10 May 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 8161

Abstract

The knowledge of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has progressively deepened during the last forty years. Research activities and clinical studies have been remarkably fruitful in novel findings elucidating multiple aspects of the pathogenesis of the disease, improving CLL diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Whereas [...] Read more.

The knowledge of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has progressively deepened during the last forty years. Research activities and clinical studies have been remarkably fruitful in novel findings elucidating multiple aspects of the pathogenesis of the disease, improving CLL diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Whereas the diagnostic criteria for CLL have not substantially changed over time, prognostication has experienced an expansion with the identification of new biological and genetic biomarkers. Thanks to next-generation sequencing (NGS), an unprecedented number of gene mutations were identified with potential prognostic and predictive value in the 2010s, although significant work on their validation is still required before they can be used in a routine clinical setting. In terms of treatment, there has been an impressive explosion of new approaches based on targeted therapies for CLL patients during the last decade. In this current chemotherapy-free era, BCR and BCL2 inhibitors have changed the management of CLL patients and clearly improved their prognosis and quality of life. In this review, we provide an overview of these novel advances, as well as point out questions that should be further addressed to continue improving the outcomes of patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hematological Neoplasms)

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17 pages, 708 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chimerism Monitoring Techniques after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: An Overview of the Last 15 Years of Innovations

by Pamela Tozzo, Arianna Delicati, Renato Zambello and Luciana Caenazzo

Diagnostics 2021, 11(4), 621; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics11040621 - 30 Mar 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4210

Abstract

Chimerism analysis is a well-established method for monitoring the state of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) over time by analyzing peripheral blood or bone marrow samples of the recipient in several malignant and non-malignant hematologic diseases. From a clinical point of view, a [...] Read more.

Chimerism analysis is a well-established method for monitoring the state of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) over time by analyzing peripheral blood or bone marrow samples of the recipient in several malignant and non-malignant hematologic diseases. From a clinical point of view, a continuous monitoring is fundamental for an effective early therapeutic intervention. This paper provides a comparative overview of the main molecular biology techniques which can be used to study chimerism after bone marrow transplantation, focusing on their advantages and disadvantages. According to the examined literature, short tandem repeats (STR) analysis through simple PCR coupled with capillary electrophoresis (STR-PCR) is the most powerful method which guarantees a high power of differentiation between different individuals. However, other methods such as real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), digital PCR (dPCR), and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology were developed to overcome the technical limits of STR-PCR. In particular, these other techniques guarantee a higher sensitivity, which allows for the detection of chimerism at an earlier stage, hence expanding the window for therapeutic intervention. After a comparative evaluation of the various techniques, it seems clear that STR-PCR still remains the gold standard option for chimerism study, even if it is likely that both dPCR and NGS could supplement or even replace the common methods of STR analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hematological Neoplasms)

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