No abstract

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a neoplasm of immature granulocytes, monocytes, or both involving any extramedullary site. Twenty one patients with MS at diagnosis who were treated at King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan were included in this retrospective study with a male to female ratio of 2 : 1. The most common site was the reticuloendothelial system. The most common morphology subtype was M2 (38%) and the most frequent chromosomal abnormality was trisomy 8. Twenty patients received induction chemotherapy; only 14 (70%) achieved complete remission. Median survival time was 24.7 months for the whole group and 58.6 months for patients who underwent allogenic bone marrow transplant. This paper showed that MS has frequent M2 morphology, carries chromosomal aberrations other than t(8;21), and requires aggressive therapy as a front line approach.

Eleven prognostic factors were retrospectively analyzed in 270 newly diagnosed patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer including age, sex, performance status, histology, stage, smoking status, hemoglobin level, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), weight loss >5% in 3 months preceding therapy, number of involved organs, and type of first-line chemotherapy. Response rate was 35.6%, and median survival was 8.2 months (95% CI, 7.8 to 8.7) for the whole group. Age ≤60 years (P = .016), FEV1 ≥ 2L (P = .03), and the use of platinum/docetaxel (P < .0001) were significantly associated with an improved survival. Histology did not affect outcome in the absence of targeted therapies.

Capecitabine and temozolomide regimen is an effective and well-tolerated salvage option for well-differentiated NETs.

ObjectivesAccurate data about adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are lacking. We aim to assess demographics, prognostic factors, and outcome of ALL therapy at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) in Jordan, and to compare the efficacy of two protocols.MethodsWe reviewed medical records of adults diagnosed and treated for ALL at KHCC from January, 2007 to December, 2011.ResultsOver a 5-year period, 108 patients with ALL were treated (66 with the Hyper-CVAD regimen, and 42 with the CALGB 8811 regimen). Median age at diagnosis was 33 years, with 63% males. The most common immunophenotype was CD10-positive common ALL, and 16% have BCR-ABL translocation. Complete response (CR) rate was 88%. After a median follow-up of 32 months (range, 10–72 months), the median survival (MS) was 30 months, and CR duration (CRD) was 28 months. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of BCR-ABL translocation was the only poor prognostic factor with lower MS of 23 months (p<0.01). There was no difference in MS or CRD between the two used regimens.ConclusionInternational protocols for adult ALL were successfully applied to our patients. There is no difference in efficacy between Hyper-CVAD and CALGB 8811 regimens. Future protocols for adult ALL should incorporate new targeted agents and minimal residual disease monitoring to improve outcome.