Relapse after stem cell transplantation for Philadelphia chromosomeÀpositive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains a significant challenge. In this systematic review, we compare survival outcomes of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) nilotinib and dasatinib with first-generation TKI imatinib when these agents are used after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in Ph+ ALL. In addition, we review the literature on TKI use to prevent relapse in patients who proceed to allo-HSCT beyond first complete response (>CR1). We performed database searches (inception to January 2018) using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. After exclusions, 17 articles were included in this analysis. Imatinib was used post-transplant either prophylactically or preemptively in 12 studies, 7 prospective studies and 5 retrospective studies. Overall survival (OS) for most prospective studies at 1.5 to 3 and 5 years ranged between 62% to 92% and 74.5% to 86.7%. Disease-free survival at 1.5 to 5 years was 60.4% to 92%. Additionally, imatinib failed to show survival benefit in patients who were >CR1 at the time of allo-HSCT. The cumulative OS for most retrospective studies using imatinib at 1 to 2 and 3 to 5 years was 42% to 100% and 33% to 40% respectively. Event-free survival at 1 to 2 and 3 to 5 years was 33.3% to 67% and 20% to 31% respectively. Dasatinib was used as maintenance treatment in 3 retrospective studies (n = 34). The OS for patients with Ph+ ALL using dasatinib as maintenance regimen after allo-HSCT at 1.4 to 3 years was 87% to 100% and disease-free survival at 1.4 to 3 years was 89% to 100%. Ninety-three percent of patients with minimal residual disease (MRD) positive status after allo-HSCT became MRD negative. Three prospective studies used nilotinib. In 2 studies where investigators studied patients with advanced chronic myeloid leukemia and Ph+ ALL, the cumulative OS and event-free survival at 7.5 months to 2 years were 69% to 84% and 56% to 84%, respectively. In the third study (n = 5) in patients with Ph+ ALL, nilotinib use resulted in OS at 5 years of 60%. Our review showed that use of TKIs (all generations) after allo-HSCT for patients in CR1 improved OS when given as a prophylactic or preemptive regimen. Limited data suggest that second-generation TKIs (ie, dasatinib) have a better OS, especially in patients with MRD-positive status. Imatinib did not improve OS in patients who were >CR1 at the time of allo-HSCT; for this population, no data were available with newer generation TKIs. The evaluation of survival benefit with newer generation TKIs and their efficacy in patients in >CR1 needs further study in large randomized clinical trials.

Background Relapsed Ewing's sarcoma (RES) is an aggressive malignancy with poor survival. Although high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) given after conventional chemotherapy (CC) has shown survival benefits, it is not generally used in the United States for RES. We performed a systemic review to evaluate the benefits of HDCT for RES. Methods Literature search involved Medline, Embase, and Cochrane database. We included studies with RES patients treated with HDCT/ASCT. Results Twenty-four studies with total of 345 reported RES patients that got HDCT were included in final analysis. Seventeen studies had patients with multiple malignancies including RES, while seven had only RES patients. At 2 and 3–5 years, event-free survival (EFS) in studies with only RES patients ranged 42–47% and 20–61% and overall survival (OS) ranged 50–66% and 33–77%, respectively. In studies with combined patients that reported outcomes of RES separately, the EFS at 1–3 and 4 years was 36–66% and 17–50%, respectively. The OS at 1-2 and 3-4 years was 40–60% and 50–70%. Conclusions Most studies using HDCT/ASCT as consolidation regimen showed improved survival benefits compared to CC. Randomized controlled studies are needed to determine true clinical benefits of HDCT followed by ASCT in patients with RES.

We reviewed emerging immune strategies for multiple myeloma (MM) therapy excluding US FDA approved drugs. In relapsed refractory MM, isatuximab (anti-CD38) monotherapy achieved overall response (OR) of 24%. Other monoclonal antibodies that have shown efficacy in combination therapy include siltuximab (OR: 66%), indatuximab (OR: 78%), isatuximab (OR: 64.5%), pembrolizumab (OR: 60%), bevacizumab (OR: 70%), dacetuzumab (OR: 39%) and lorvotuzumab (OR: 56.4%). No OR was observed with monotherapy using BI-505, siltuximab, bevacizumab, AVE-1642, figitumumab, atacicept, milatuzumab, dacetuzumab, lucatumumab, IPH2101, lorvotuzumab, BT062 and nivolumab. We included seven clinical trials on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. CAR T-cell targets include BCMA, CD19, KLC and CD138. A recent experience of CAR T-cell (B-cell maturation antigen) therapy in advanced MM has shown global response of 100%. The future of monoclonal antibodies and adoptive T cells for MM treatment seems promising.

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Multiple Myeloma (MM) is primarily a disease of old age with a median age of sixty-nine years at diagnosis. The development of novel therapies for induction and use of autologous stem cell transplantation has resulted in improved clinical outcomes and better quality of life for MM patients. Elderly patients, comprising the majority of MM population, have a higher incidence of age-related comorbidities, frailty and organ dysfunction which complicates the coordination of treatment and limits the selection of therapies. Even in the era of multiple chemotherapeutic options, the clinical heterogeneity of the myeloma patients' demands personalized treatments which often require dose-adjustments or dose delays. The use of reduced-dose regimens and various comorbidity indices has improved clinical outcome and regimen tolerability in MM patients with renal, neurological and bone abnormalities. We focus on advancements in the treatment of multiple myeloma with the goal to guide clinicians towards patient-specific management.