[Rinshō ketsueki] The Japanese journal of clinical hematology
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Standard treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comprises (1) induction therapy with both cytarabine and anthracycline and (2) consolidation therapy that is modified according to patients' conditions, including prognostic factors. However, this strategy is not satisfactory, especially for elderly patients. Novel technologies have revealed several driver mutations of numerous critical genes in AML, which can be targeted by novel drugs; the discovery of such targetable genes and the development of novel drugs have evolved the treatment strategy for AML. ⋯ In the United States, the FDA has already approved several new drugs for AML, including FLT3 inhibitors and IDH neoenzyme inhibitors. In Japan, gilteritinib, an FLT3 inhibitor, was also approved at the end of 2018. These promising drugs will facilitate performing "precision medicine" on patients with AML soon.
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Graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) is a major complication and leading cause of non-relapse mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Corticosteroids remain the standard initial therapy for GvHD; however, patients frequently become steroid-refractory (SR) or remain steroid dependent. Cytokine inhibition appears to be a potential option; however, blockade of any single cytokine may not be sufficient probably because of the redundant effects of multiple cytokines. ⋯ A prompt and sustained ruxolitinib response contributes to the steroid-sparing effect; however, accumulating evidence showed that ruxolitinib exerts substantial myelosuppression and immunosuppressive activity in patients with myelofibrosis (MF). Additionally, serious adverse events following discontinuation of ruxolitinib treatment, characterized by acute relapse of the disease and/or GvHD, have been recognized. Herein we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of ruxolitinib as treatment for GvHD in patients with MF.
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Inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS) are caused by mutations in genes associated with DNA repair and telomere maintenance. In addition, mutations in ribosome-related genes cause defective hematopoiesis. Patients with IBMFS exhibit a predisposition to developing hematological malignancy or solid tumor because of the defect in cellular and molecular hemostasis. ⋯ Recently, monocytopenia and mycobacterial infection (MonoMAC) syndrome with the GATA2 gene mutation have been reported as PID related to bone marrow failure. Patients with MonoMAC syndrome often develop MDS and acute myeloid leukemia. Here, we present the pediatric-onset IBMFS and/or PID with cancer predisposition and briefly discuss the tumorigenesis in each monogenic disease.
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Imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, and ponatinib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and target concentration intervention (TCI) are novel strategies that use concentration-controlled dosing (CCD) to attain a faster and more profound clinical response in patients with CML. The target plasma trough concentration (C0) of imatinib is 1,000 ng/ml to obtain a higher major molecular response (MMR) rate. ⋯ Approaches for these four TKIs involve the use of TCI with specific target concentrations rather than TDM with a therapeutic range. Conversely, for dasatinib, a lower C0 of <4.33 ng/ml is the maximum toxic concentration recommended to avoid pleural effusion. Therefore, precision dosing using CCD of TKIs for CML could maximize the clinical benefit and minimize toxicity.
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Although immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) appear similar, their symptoms differ. The number of domestic patients diagnosed with ITP and TTP annually has been estimated to be around 24,000 and 400, respectively. Moreover, no major differences in the incidence rate, age of onset, and prognosis have been observed between Europe, the United States (US), and Japan. ⋯ Meanwhile, TTP was designated as an intractable disease in Japan in 2015, and the first clinical practice guidelines were published in 2017. A single-arm study involving rituximab was conducted on high-risk patients in whom treatment with five plasma exchanges was ineffective or ADAMTS13 inhibitor was >2 BU/ml. Approval for the new indication of rituximab for acquired TTP is expected in 2019.