Summary:Three different types of anti-T cell antibody were used in patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with an HLA-A, -B and -DR compatible unrelated donor: ATG-Fresenius (ATG-F) (n = 26), Thymoglobuline (TMG) (n = 61) and OKT-3 (n = 45). The groups were comparable regarding diagnosis, stage, age, conditioning and GVHD prophylaxis, Adverse events were less frequent after ATG-F treatment. Levels of IL-2, IL-6, IFN-␥, TNF-␣ and GM-CSF were increased after OKT-3 infusion. In multivariate analysis OKT-3 treatment (P = 0.01), G-CSF treatment (P = 0.02) and a cell dose у2.7 ؋ 10 8 /kg (P = 0.03) gave a faster engraftment. Acute GVHD grades II-IV occurred in 25% of the ATG-F patients, 12% of the TMGpatients and 43% (P Ͻ 0.001 vs TMG) of the OKT-3 patients. OKT-3 was associated with acute GVHD in multivariate analysis. TRM was 26% using TMG as compared to 43% in the OKT-3 group (P = 0.03). Patient survival at 4 years was 63%, 50% and 45% in the ATG-F, TMG and OKT-3-treated patients, respectively (NS). Relapses were 8%, 49% and 34%, respectively (ATG-F vs TMG, P = 0.03). Relapse-free survivals were 61%, 40% and 37% (NS). Among CML patients the probability of relapse was 61% in TMG-treated patients, while no patients relapsed in the other two groups. To conclude, the type of anti-T cell antibody affects GVHD and relapse after HSCT using unrelated donors.

Correspondence: Lucien.Noens@uzgent.be BCR-ABL inhibitors for treating chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase have transformed a previously incurable malignancy into a manageable condition. However, suboptimal medication adherence has been observed with these agents affecting clinical outcomes and healthcare costs. In order to raise awareness of the problem of adherence, and before developing pragmatic strategies to enhance medication adherence, a deep understanding of the best approaches for measuring adherence in chronic myeloid leukemia patients and identifying non-adherence is required. A systematic literature review on the prevalence, measurement methods, consequences and risk factors for non-adherence to BCR-ABL inhibitors and adherence-enhancing interventions was performed and critically appraised. Of the 19 included articles, 9 were retrospective. Average adherence varied from 19% to almost 100% of the proportion of prescribed drug taken, but it was measured through various different methods and within different study groups. Suboptimal adherence was associated with a negative impact on both clinical and economic outcomes. There is a lack of supportive evidence demonstrating a difference in adherence across BCR-ABL inhibitors and even contradictory results between the 2 nd generation inhibitors. Drug-related adverse events and forgetfulness were common reasons for intentional and unintentional non-adherence, respectively, but further research is required to identify additional reasons behind non-adherence or patients at risk of non-adherence. Non-adherence in chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with BCR-ABL inhibitors is common and associated with critical outcomes. However, this review highlights important existing gaps, reveals inconsistent definitions, and a lack of standardized methods for measuring adherence in chronic myeloid leukemia. All require further investigation. ABSTRACT © F e r r a t a S t o r t i F o u n d a t i o nAnalyses statement for systematic reviews. 16 Publication database (EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library) specific search terms consisted of both single and MeSH terms for the disease, adherence and BCR-ABL inhibitor therapy (Online Supplementary Table S1). The last search was conducted on December 20 th , 2011. Full-text references were provided for the eligible abstracts that were published after completion of the search process and the analyses. In addition, and due to the lack of existing evidence of adherence in CML, clinical and economic conference proceedings were also searched with a time limit of three years. Preliminary inclusion (or exclusion) of a specific study or conference abstract was based on review of the title and abstract by 2 independent reviewers against pre-specified criteria (Table 1). Final inclusion of the study was based on an in-depth review of the full manuscript. Multiple variables were extracted from the articles to answer study objectives (Online Supplementary Table S2). The analysis was descriptive only. Since abstracts in conference pr...

No consistent evidence supports the efficacy of laser treatment as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment in adults with chronic periodontitis. More randomized controlled clinical trials are needed.

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Summary. Cladribine has single-drug activity in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and may enhance the formation of the active metabolite (ara-CTP) of cytosine arabinoside (ara-C). To evaluate the feasibility of adding intermittent cladribine to intermediate-dose ara-C (1 g/m 2 /2 h) b.i.d. for 4 d with idarubicin (CCI), we performed a 2:1 randomized phase II trial in AML patients aged over 60 years. Primary endpoints were time to recovery from cytopenia and need for supportive care following the first course. Sixty-three patients (median 71 years, range 60-84 years) were included, constituting 72% of all eligible patients. Toxicity was limited, with no differences between the treatment arms. The early toxic death rate was 11%. The median time to recovery from neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was 22 and 17 d from the start of course no. 1, respectively, and the requirement for platelet and red cell transfusions was four and eight units respectively. Patients had a median of 8 d with fever over 38°C, and 17 d with intravenous antibiotic treatment. The overall complete remission (CR) rate was 62%, with 51% CR from one course of CCI in comparison with 35% for the two-drug therapy (P ¼ 0AE014). The median survival with a 2-year follow-up was 14 months, and the 2-year survival was over 30%, with no differences between the treatment arms. Considering the median age and our population-based approach, the overall results are encouraging.

Heparin coated circuits did lead to a decreased neutrophil response and MDA level. The correlations between CK-MB and neutrophil and MDA levels suggest neutrophil activation leading to lipid peroxidation that may influence myocardial damage. Heparin coating improved biocompatibility and was associated with less occult myocardial ischemic damage in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

ObjectiveTo estimate survival in Swedish and Norwegian myelofibrosis (MF) patients who received ruxolitinib.MethodsSwedish and Norwegian patients with MF diagnosis in the National Cancer Registries (Sweden: 2001‐2015; Norway: 2002‐2016) and ≥1 record of ruxolitinib in the Prescribed Drug Registries (2013‐2017) were included. Patients were followed from ruxolitinib initiation until death or end of follow‐up; those who discontinued ruxolitinib were followed from ruxolitinib discontinuation. Relative survival (RS) and excess mortality rate ratios (EMRRs) were calculated vs a matched general population. Average loss in life expectancy (LEL) was predicted using flexible parametric models.ResultsAmong patients who initiated ruxolitinib (n = 190), 1‐ and 4‐year RS were 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74, 0.86) and 0.52 (95% CI: 0.42, 0.64), respectively, and LEL was 11 years. EMRR was greater in patients aged >70 vs <60 years (3.16; 95% CI: 1.34‐7.40). Among patients who discontinued ruxolitinib (n = 71), median RS was 16.0 months (95% CI: 6.3, NE), and LEL was 12 years. After ruxolitinib treatment discontinuation, Swedish patients (n = 37) received glucocorticoids, hydroxyurea, busulfan, danazol and lenalidomide.ConclusionSwedish and Norwegian MF patients who discontinued ruxolitinib had dismal survival outcomes and limited subsequent treatment options, highlighting the need for improved therapies.

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