Biologic and clinical observations suggest that combining imatinib with IFN-␣ may improve treatment outcome in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We randomized newly diagnosed chronic-phase CML patients with a low or intermediate Sokal risk score and in imatinib-induced complete hematologic remission either to receive a combination of pegylated IFN␣2b (Peg-IFN-␣2b) 50 g weekly and imatinib 400 mg daily (n ‫؍‬ 56) or to receive imatinib 400 mg daily monotherapy (n ‫؍‬ 56). The primary endpoint was the major molecular response (MMR) rate at 12 months after randomization. In both arms, 4 patients (7%) discontinued imatinib treatment (1 because of blastic transformation in imatinib arm). In addition, in the combination arm, 34 patients (61%) discontinued Peg-IFN-␣2b, most because of toxicity. The MMR rate at 12 months was significantly higher in the imatinib plus Peg-IFN-␣2b arm (82%) compared with the imatinib monotherapy arm (54%; intention-to-treat, P ‫؍‬ .002). The MMR rate increased with the duration of Peg-IFN␣2b treatment (< 12-week MMR rate 67%, > 12-week MMR rate 91%). Thus, the addition of even relatively short periods of Peg-IFN-␣2b to imatinib markedly increased the MMR rate at 12 months of therapy. Lower doses of Peg-IFN-␣2b may enhance tolerability while retaining efficacy and could be considered in future protocols with curative intent. (Blood. 2011;118(12):3228-3235)

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have dramatically improved survival in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with a high proportion of patients reaching deep molecular responses (DMR). The effectiveness of stopping TKI treatment is a key question regarding the management of CML. Actually, in several studies, it has been proven that a substantial part of patients in DMR can safely and successfully stop TKI therapy. However, the exact preconditions for stopping CML treatments are not yet defined. This is the aim of the European stop TKI (EURO-SKI) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov numbers: NCT01596114). Methods: Chronic phase CML patients without prior TKI failure, treated with either imatinib, nilotinib or dasatinib, in DMR (BCR-ABL <0.01% on the international scale, MR4) for the duration of at least one year were proposed to stop TKI treatment. Molecular recurrence (MR) was defined by the loss of the major molecular response (MMR, BCR-ABL <0.1% IS) at any one point. We estimated molecular recurrence-free survival (MRFS) with the Kaplan-Meier method. The potential prognostic values for MR were tested by univariate and multivariable analyses and the cut-off was identified with the minimal p-value approach. Results: From June 2012 to December 2014, 821 CP CML patients were included in 11 European countries belonging to the European Leukemia Net (ELN). 750 patients had assessable molecular data (European standardization according to Cross et al, Leukemia 2012) for the estimation of MRFS. Of these patients, 348 lost MMR and 5 died in remission ; MRFS was 62% (95% confidence interval (CI): 59% - 67%) at 6 months (m), 56% (CI: 52% - 59%) at 12 m and 52% (CI: 48% - 56%) at 24 m on an "Intention to Treat Basis ". At the time of evaluation most patients regained DMR, and importantly, no progression to advanced disease phase was noted. A prognostic modelling was performed based on 448 patients treated with imatinib. Univariate analysis showed no significant association between age, gender, depth of molecular response (MR4.5 vs. no MR4.5) or any variable part of the Sokal, EURO, EUTOS, or ELTS scores and MMR status at 6 months after treatment stop. Treatment duration with imatinib and MR4duration prior to the stop were significantly (p<0.001) correlated with MMR status at 6 months. The odds ratio for treatment duration was 1.16 (95%-CI: 1.08-1.25), meaning that one additional year of treatment increases the odds to stay in MMR at 6 months by 16%. Molecular relapse-free survival at 6 months was 65.5% for imatinib treatment > 5.8 years and 42.6% for treatment ≤ 5.8 years. This cut-off was identified with the minimal p-value approach. A true pharmaco-economic study will be necessary but taking into account the number of months without treatment in 603 patients, Imatinib front line (with a median observation time of 24 m for patients still off treatment) and the cost of imatinib in each of the 11 European countries (range: 1.734-3.370 Euro per month) the total estimated savings amounted to 27.85 million Euro. Conclusion: Using standardized molecular monitoring, stopping TKI therapy in a very large cohort of CML-patients appears feasible and safe and high MRFS rates are achievable. Longer duration of imatinib-therapy (optimal ≥ 5.8 years) prior to TKI-stop is associated with a higher probability of MRFS. Taking into account the long follow-up without molecular relapse in the historical studies such as STIM1 (Etienne et al; JCO 2016) the "operational" cure of CML with oral TKI is an up-to-date issue. Disclosures Mahon: NOVARTIS PHARMA: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; PFIZER: Honoraria; ARIAD: Honoraria. Richter:Ariad: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding. Almeida:BMS: Speakers Bureau; Shire: Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Berger:NOVARTIS PHARMA: Honoraria. Machova Polakova:Bristol Myers-Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Mustjoki:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ariad: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Hochhaus:BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; ARIAD: Honoraria, Research Funding. Saussele:NOVARTIS PHARMA: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria.

Our results though hampered by the limited number of patients and the lack of a control group suggest AHSCT to be efficacious in therapy-refractory CIDP, with a manageable complication profile. Confirmation of these results is necessary through randomised controlled trials.

A total of 44 roots with periradicular inflammation, induced by inoculation of Streptococcus faecalis, were treated endodontically. All root canals were prepared with K‐reamers using 0.5% solution of sodium hypochlorite for irrigation. Bacteriological specimens demonstrated growth in all teeth when the root‐canal fillings were made. In all, 22 roots were filled with gutta‐percha, 11 roots with a calcium hydroxide preparation (Cala‐sept®) and 11 roots with Calasept®+ Dionosil®, an iodinized radio‐graphic contrast medium. The addition of Dionosil® improved the possibility of evaluating the placement of the calcium hydroxide paste. Dressings with calcium hydroxide are recommended in the treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis.

Background: The tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have dramatically changed the natural history of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) leading to significant improvement in clinical outcome and survival rates. The option of treatment cessation has recently become of utmost importance. Indeed, prospective trials suggest that imatinib therapy may be safely and successfully discontinued in CML pts with deep and sustained molecular responses (Mahon Lancet Oncol 2010, Ross Blood 2013). The major aim of the EURO-SKI study (European Leukemia Net Stop TKI study) was to define prognostic markers to increase the rate of patients in durable deep MR after stopping TKI. Further aims were the evaluation of harmonized methods of molecular monitoring, assessment of quality of life, and calculation of saved treatment costs per country. Methods: Adult CML patients in chronic phase CML on TKI treatment in confirmed deep molecular response (MR4, BCR-ABL <0.01%) for at least one year (>4 log reduction on TKI therapy for >12 months confirmed by three consecutive PCR tests) and under TKI treatment for at least 3 years were eligible. MR4confirmation was performed in a standardized laboratory (n=6). Primary endpoint was the assessment of the duration of MR (defined by continuous MMR) after stopping TKI. Patients (pts) after a prior TKI failure were excluded. According to protocol, an interim analysis was planned after 200 patients with eligible molecular results at month (mo) 6 were available to test the null hypothesis that relapse-free survival at 6 mo is less or equal 40%. Results: From June 2012 to June 2014, 498 CML pts in chronic phase from 10 countries were enrolled and included in the trial. From June 2012 to July 2013, 254 pts from 8 countries were registered; 54 were excluded (consent withdrawal n=1, protocol violation n=1, not eligible n=34, restart of TKI without relapse n=4, atypical or unknown transcript n=6, missing data n=8). Of the eligible 200 pts, 41.5% were female. Median age at diagnosis was 53.3 years (range, 13.8 to 85.5). In assessable pts 8.7% and 18.2 % were high-risk according to EUTOS and Sokal Scores. 103 pts were treated prior to the start TKI therapy, mostly with hydroxyurea or interferon. 1st-line TKI was imatinib in 97%, dasatinib in 1.5%, and nilotinib in 1.5% of pts. Twenty-four pts switched to second-line TKI therapy due to intolerance, 16 to dasatinib, 2 to imatinib, and 6 to nilotinib. The median time from diagnosis of CML to TKI cessation was 8 years (range, 3-19 years). TKI treatment duration was less than 5 years in 16%, 5-8 years in 36% and > 8 years in 48% of pts. Median duration of TKI treatment was 8 years (range, 3-12.6 years) and median duration of MR4 before TKI cessation was 5.4 years (range, 1-11.7 years). MR4duration was less than 2 years in 8%, 2-5 years in 37%, 5-8 years in 39% and >8 years in 16% of pts. For all eligible pts, a standardized European laboratory confirmed MR4 assessment. Since 123 of the 200 pts (61.5%, 95% CI: [54.4%; 68.3%]) remained without relapse the first 6 mo, the null hypothesis could be discarded (p<0.0001). Recurrence of CML, defined as loss of MMR, was observed in 43/92 pts (47%) treated <8 years, as compared to 23/87 pts (26%) treated for >8 years (p= 0.005). So far, there was a trend for prognostic significance of MR4 duration: 33/71 pts with MR4 <5 years (46%) lost MMR within 6 mo as compared to 28/87 pts (32%) with MR4duration >5 years (p=0.07). No significant difference was observed for relapse within 6 mo according to depth of molecular response at discontinuation (MR4 vs MR4.5 vs MR5). TKI cessation was a safe procedure but a substantial proportion of pts reported transitory musculoskeletal pain starting within weeks after imatinib discontinuation. The phenomenon was described in 30% of Swedish patients as a “TKI withdrawal syndrome” (Richter JCO 2014). Taking into account the cost of imatinib in Europe and time without treatment in the total study population at the most recent analysis, total savings for the community within the EURO-SKI trial were estimated at 7 million Euros. Conclusion: Employing a standardized molecular testing for patient selection within a TKI cessation trial in CML the chance to stay in treatment-free remission could be higher than previously reported. The EURO-SKI trial will further elucidate the prognostic factors but the preliminary results confirm (as reported in the STIM Study) the prognostic impact of the duration of TKI therapy before stopping. Disclosures Mahon: NOVARTIS PHARMA: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; ARIAD: Honoraria; PFIZER: Honoraria. Porkka:BMS: Honoraria; BMS: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Novartis: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding. Hjorth-Hansen:Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol-myers Squibb: Honoraria; Ariad: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria. Mayer:Janssen Research & Development: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Almeida:Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Shire: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Meyer Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Berger:Genzyme/Sanofi and Shire: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Mustjoki:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Hochhaus:ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Saussele:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Travel Other; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding, Travel, Travel Other; Pfizer: Honoraria, Travel, Travel Other.