Histone H4 acetylation by immunohistochemistry and prognosis in relapsed acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL).

Histone H4 acetylation was examined by immunohistochemistry in patients with acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) in first relapse. Univariate and multivariate models identified correlates of complete remission (CR) and overall survival (OS). No variables were associated with achievement of CR.

Histone H4 acetylation by immunohistochemistry and prognosis in newly diagnosed adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients.

Background: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are a novel anti-tumor therapy. To determine whether HDAC inhibitors may be useful in the treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we examined the acetylation of histone H4 by immunohistochemistry in newly diagnosed ALL patients and evaluated the impact of acetylation on complete remission (CR) rate, relapse-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS).

Methods: Patients > or = 18 years of age and an available diagnostic bone marrow biopsy were evaluated.

A prognostic scoring system for adult patients less than 60 years of age with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first relapse.

The outcome of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first relapse is poor. We retrospectively evaluated patients with ALL in first relapse, 18-60 years of age, to define a prognostic score. For all patients, a scoring system of 0-3 was developed with 1 point for each of the following: age at diagnosis >or=45 years, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) at the time of relapse >or=1.

Time to post-remission therapy is an independent prognostic factor in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We evaluated patients with newly diagnosed ALL treated at the Cleveland Clinic during the years 1996 through 2005. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to identify univariate and multivariate correlates of complete remission, overall survival and progression-free survival. On univariate analysis, significant prognostic factors included: age at diagnosis (per 10-year increase), poor risk cytogenetics, time to white blood count recovery, and time from induction chemotherapy (IC) to post-remission therapy (PRT).