Since SARS-CoV-2 infection heavily affects vulnerable populations including those with immune suppression, it is of special value to study clinical course, treatment outcomes, and immunity in patients (pts) with hematological (hem) malignancies. CHRONOS19 is an ongoing observational study in adult pts (≥18 years) with hem diseases (malignant or non-malignant) and COVID-19 in Russia. This web-based registry collected de-identified data from 15 centers all over the country at 30, 90, and 180 days after lab-confirmed or suspected (based on CT and/or clinical symptoms) COVID-19 diagnosis. The primary endpoint was 30-day all-cause mortality. As of data cut-off on April 14, 2021, 626 pts were enrolled in the study; 562 were eligible for primary endpoint assessment, n (%): M/F 271 (48%) / 291 (52%), median age 56 [18-90] years, malignant disease in 516 (92%) pts, among them induction phase / relapse or refractory / remission / NA in 180 (35%) / 120 (23%) / 187 (36%) / 29 (6%) pts. Thirty-day all-cause mortality in pts with hem malignancies was 19%; 83% of deaths were due to COVID-19 complications. No increase of hem disease relapse rate after COVID-19 was observed at Day 90 or Day 180, although 180-day data was still not mature at the time of analysis. IgG to SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 84% of pts with hem malignancies (167/199). The highest rate of detected antibody immunity was found in pts with chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (100%; 13/13), HL (100%; 12/12), and multiple myeloma (97%; 34/35), the lowest – in pts with CLL (62%; 8/13) and NHL (60%; 6/10 and 56%; 10/18 for low-grade and high-grade lymphoma, respectively). igG detection rate in CD20+ lymphoma (60%) was significantly lower than in HL or T-cell lymphoma (p=0.004). Pts with ECOG 0-2 throughout the disease had a high rate of antibody immunity (90%; 104/116) vs. those with ECOG 3-4 at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis (77.5%; 31/40) or with worsening of ECOG to 3-4 during the disease (78%; 36/46). Five cases of SARS-CoV-2 re-infection were described. Pts with hem malignancies and COVID-19 have higher mortality than the general population. Low post-disease antibody immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and cases of re-infection may justify vaccination of these pts and warrant further research.

Background: Patients (pts) with acute leukemia (AL) are at high risk of COVID-19 severe and lethal course. Intensive chemotherapy and immunosuppression in these patients are the possible causes of high mortality. Emerging data on risk factors and outcomes in this vulnerable patient population is aimed to support strategies of their medical care. Aims: To evaluate treatment outcomes and risk factors in pts with AL and COVID-19 in a real-world setting. Methods: CHRONOS19 [NCT04422470] is an ongoing nationwide observational cohort study of adult (≥18 y) pts with hematologic disease (both malignant and non-malignant) and lab-confirmed or suspected (based on clinical and/or CT findings) COVID-19. We performed a subgroup analysis of pts with AL and COVID-19. Primary objective was to evaluate treatment outcomes and identify risk factors associated with higher mortality in this group of pts. Primary endpoint was 30-day all-cause mortality. Long-term follow-up was performed at 90 and 180 days. Data from 14 centers was collected on a web-based platform and managed in a deidentified manner. Results: As of data cutoff on January 27, 2021, 575 pts were included in the registry, 132 of them with AL were eligible for primary endpoint assessment n(%): AML - 86(65%), ALL - 37(28%), APL - 9(7%);M/F 55(42%)/77(58%), median age 45 [18-79] years, induction phase/R/R/ treatment in remission 49(37%)/27(21%)/ 54(42%), agranulocytosis in 55(42%) pts, 68(53%) pts were transfusion dependent, comorbidities - in 58(45%) pts. Complications developed in 98(74%) pts: pneumonia (71%), sepsis (9%), CRS (8%), ARDS (6%). One-third of pts had severe COVID-19, 30% were admitted to ICU, 26% required mechanical ventilation. We performed comparative analysis of characteristics between a group of pts with AL and other hematologic diseases (lymphomas, chronic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and other malignant and non-malignant diseases): pts with AL had significantly more frequent agranulocytosis (42% vs 20%, p 60 years HR, 3.340 (1.08-10.9) were the most significant risk factors of death. Overall, AL were associated with a higher risk of death, HR, 2.40 (1.28-4.51), compared to less aggressive diseases (CML, CLL, MM, lymphomas, non-malignant), HR, 0.54 (0.37-0.80). COVID-19 affected treatment of AL in 65% of pts, 58% experienced treatment delay for a median of 4 [1-10] weeks. In 11 of 103 (10,7%) pts with AL early relapse/refractory disease was detected, but the association of relapses with affected treatment is unknown. COVID-19 re-infection was described in 2 patients. Summary/Conclusion: Thirty-day all-cause mortality was significantly higher in SARS-CoV-2-infected pts with AL than in those with other hematologic diseases. Longer-term follow-up (180 days) for AL outcomes and OS will be presented.

National Hematological Society initiated in 2013 the epidemiological study of acute leukemia (AL) in five regions of the Russian Federation. For this purpose, Web-System of data collection has been created for the registration of new cases of herpes zoster by SSC coordination. The aim of the study was to estimate the incidence, distribution of AL types and their dependence on the major demographic indices. Results. On-line registration of all de novo AL cases was executed from April 01, 2013 to December 2016, with signing of the necessary informed consent of the patient. There were included 334 AL patients (185 women and 149 men) aged of from 16 to 85 years (median age 57 years) from Ryazan, Kirov,Tambov, Kaluga Region, Republic of Mordovia. Standardized incidence rates ranged from 1.39 to 2.43 per 100 000 population. Conclusion. The recorded incidence of AL remains low. This incidence does not differ from the AL incidence (2.71) according to the Russian Cancer Register (RR) in 2008. However, this incidence significantly lower than incidences in European and US registers (4-5 cases per 100 000 inhabitants per year).

Background. Much attention has been paid to molecule-genetic diagnostics of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and its treatment using new highly effective methods of therapy. The baseline characteristics of patients at primary CML diagnosis are hardly discussed in literature. Aim. To provide clinical, hematological, molecular genetic and demographic characteristics of patients obtained at primary diagnosis of CML. Patients & Methods. Characteristics of CML patients are based on data gathered by the Russian Investigational Group for CML within the international project European Treatment and Outcome Study of CML in Europe (EUTOS, the European Treatment and Outcomes Study). The study included 197 patients with newly diagnosed CML in 6 regions of the Russian Federation (Mordovia, Kirov, Perm (2 sites), Bryansk, Irkutsk, and Chita) over the period from 2009 till 2012. Results. The study demonstrated that 94 % of CML cases were diagnosed in the chronic phase (CP) and 6 % of cases in the acceleration phase (AP) and the blast crisis phase (BC). In 40 % of patients there were no clinical symptoms, and CML was suspected only due to changes in the CBC test. Fatigue was the main subjective complaint presented by 77 % of patients in the CP and 100 % of patients with the AP and BC. Peripheral blood leukocytosis, left shift to immature myeloid cells and increased granulocytic lineage in bone marrow were typical for the patients. In all patients, the CML diagnosis was confirmed by cytogenetic or molecular tests. The social and demographic characteristics of CML patients and comorbidities at diagnosis were analyzed. Conclusion. Based on the results of the study, a modern «portrait of a CML patient» was obtained. The study demonstrated that cytogenetic and molecular methods allow to diagnose CML in most patients at early stages of the disease in the absence of clinical signs of progression. The data on comorbidities require a special attention while choosing a therapy considering its duration. Demographic and social characteristics of CML patients demonstrate that they are socially active, particularly interested in retaining the working capacity and quality of life.

National Hematological Society initiated in 2013 the epidemiological study of acute leukemia (AL) in five regions of the Russian Federation. For this purpose, Web-System of data collection has been created for the registration of new cases of herpes zoster by SSC coordination. The aim of the study was to estimate the incidence, distribution of AL types and their dependence on the major demographic indices. Results. On-line registration of all de novo AL cases was executed from April 01, 2013 to December 2016, with signing of the necessary informed consent of the patient. There were included 334 AL patients (185 women and 149 men) aged of from 16 to 85 years (median age 57 years) from Ryazan, Kirov, Tambov, Kaluga Region, Republic of Mordovia. Standardized incidence rates ranged from 1.39 to 2.43 per 100 000 population. Conclusion. The recorded incidence of AL remains low. This incidence does not differ from the AL incidence (2.71) according to the Russian Cancer Register (RR) in 2008. However, this incidence significantly lower than incidences in European and US registers (4–5 cases per 100 000 inhabitants per year).

Aim. To analyze the efficiency and reproducibility of the ALL-2009 protocol within the Russian prospective multicenter study based on different principles of cytostatic effects (non-intensive, but continuous cytotoxic treatment and a small number of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells). Subjects and methods. The ALL-2009 (NCT01193933) study conducted in April 2009 to December 2016 included 194 patients (95 males and 99 females) aged 15 to 55 years (median age 28 years) with Ph-negative B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). There was early pre-B-cell ALL in 54 patients, common ALL in 101, pre-B ALL in 39, initial leukocytosis in 9.4·109/l (0.4-899.0), lactate dehydrogenase in 901 IU (31-13 059), an initial central nervous system lesion in 17 (8.7%), mediastinal injury in 3 (1.5%), and splenomegaly in 111 (57.2%). The results of standard cytogenetic analysis are known in 113 (60.4%) patients. Normal karyotypes were detected in 49 (54.5%) out of the patients; t(4;11) in 9 (5.4%), t(1;19) in 2 (1.2%), and other karyotypic abnormalities in 53 (46.9%). Thirteen (7.8%) patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in first complete remission (CR); their proportion did not differ in the federal and regional centers. Results. The frequency of CR achievement was the same in the federal and regional centers and generally amounted to 87.5%. Early (8.8%) and CR (9.6%) mortality rates remained high despite the low aggressiveness of cytotoxic action, necessitating the improvement of auxiliary treatment. The five-year overall survival (OS) rates vary considerably in the federal and regional centers (72.6 and 43.8%), the relapse-free survival (RFS) (70.2 and 53.4%) and recurrence risk (23.1 and 36.5%) are comparable. This suggests that the non-intensive, but continuous exposure principle built in the ALL-2009 protocol makes it possible to reproduce the envisaged treatment program and to achieve satisfactory results. Conclusion. The ALL-2009 protocol allows both the federal and regional centers to obtain the long-term results comparable with those of current foreign studies: OS (54.2%), RFS (56.5%); and relapse risk (35.4%). Multivariate analysis has identified age (over 30 years), initial leukocytosis (30·109/l and more) and t(4;11) among the main clinical prognostic factors. Gene mutation detection evaluated in a small number of patients (8/36) is not a poor prognostic sign. There is a need for further investigations with centralized evaluation of the mutation status of leukemic cells and the clearance of minimal residual disease.

Aim. To analyze well-known risk factors (RFs), such as age, immunophenotype, baseline leukocytosis, enhanced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, time to achieve complete remission, a risk group, and cytogenetic abnormalities) in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the use of the ALL-2009 protocol. Subjects and methods. The protocol covered 298 patients (137 women (including 13 pregnant women) and 161 men) aged 15 to 55 years (median age 28 years) with Ph-negative ALL. The phenotype was unknown in 6 patients. Three (1%) were ascertained to have a biphenotypic variant. 182 (62.4%) patients were found to have B-cell ALL (early pre-B ALL (n=51); common ALL (n=92), and pre-B ALL (n=39); 107 (36.6%) patients had T-cell ALL (early T-ALL (n=56); thymic T-ALL (n=41), and mature T-ALL (n=10). According to the baseline clinical and laboratory parameters (leukocytosis of 30·109/l and more for B-ALL; and that of 100·109/l and more for T-ALL; phenotype В-I for B-ALL, phenotype Т-I-II-IV for T-ALL; LDH activity was more than twice the normal values; the presence of translocation t(4;11)), the high-risk group included most patients with B-ALL (n=110 (72.8%)) and T-ALL (n=76 (76%)). Thirty-five patients with T-ALL underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Allogeneic BMT was performed in 18 (7%) of the 258 patients who had undergone an induction phase. Results. Five-year overall survival for all the patients included in the investigation was 59%; relapse-free survival was 65%, which was significantly different in the patients with B-ALL and in those with T-ALL: the overall survival rates were 53.3 and 67.5% (p=0.1); the relapse-free survival was 56 and 79% (p=0.005), respectively. Multivariate analysis including the well-known RFs demonstrated that the latter for T-ALL were of no independent prognostic value and only the patient’s age was identified for B-ALL (p=0.013). Conclusion. A lower chemotherapeutic load and a small number of allogeneic BMTs did not affect total positive treatment results in adult patients with ALL, by complying with the principle achieving the continuity of cytostatic effects and by preserving the total cytostatic loading dose. The results of the Russian investigation casts some doubt on the necessity of using very intensive consolidation cycles and performing a large number of allogeneic BMTs in adult patients with ALL.

AIM:To analyze the efficiency of the ALL-2009 protocol (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01 193933) in patients with T-cell leukemias, particularly the role of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) after non-myeloablative BEAM conditioning, followed by maintenance therapy.SUBJECTS AND METHODS:Since 2009, the ALL-2009 study has enrolled 90 patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), the treatment results were assessed in 86 patients: 6 and 28 patients underwent allogeneic HSCT and auto-HSCT, respectively. A landmark analysis was used to compare survival rates in patients who had undergone auto-HSCT and in those who had not. For this, the median time from complete remission to the date of auto-HSCT was determined (the median was 6 months). Then to compare with the auto-HSCT group, only 27 patients who had been in complete remission for 6 months or more were included in a chemotherapy group.RESULTS:The achievement of complete remission in patients with thymic T-ALL (100%) was significantly higher than in those with early (85.7%) or mature (70%) variants. The patients with early and mature T-ALL as compared to those with thymic T-ALL showed high death rates in the remission induction (7.4 and 10% versus 0) and the patients with mature T-ALL had a.higher proportion of refractory forms (20% versus 0). The 5-year overall and relapse-free survival rates in all the T-ALL patients were 66 and 76%, respectively. After auto-HSCT, the risk of recurrence was 0% versus 21% after chemotherapy (p=0.03). The relapse-free survival rates significantly differed in the auto-HSCT and non-auto-HSCT groups: 100 and 66%, respectively (p=0.047).CONCLUSION:The long-term survival rates obtained during this multicenter study in the T-ALL patients treated according to the ALL-2009 protocol, the basis for which is the principle of continuity of cytostatic effects, are exclusively optimistic. Late consolidation with auto-HSCT following non-myeloablative BEAM conditioning, followed by maintenance therapy, considerably reduces the risk of recurrence.

An interim analysis of long-term treatment results for 202 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), aged 15–60 years, received therapy according protocol ALL-2009 was shown. The basic principle of ALL-2009 was non-aggressive, but continued cytostatic exposure, as well as the reproducibility in a regional hematology centers. Long-term treatment results of ALL-2009 are 2 times higher than the previously obtained in adult ALL patients within the Russian clinical multicenter studies of adult ALL. The 5‑year overall survival of patients younger than 30 years was 73.6 %, relapse-free survival (RFS) – 71.5 %, compared with 52.7 % and 61.8 % in patients aged 30 years and older, respectively. In patients with B-precursor ALL with normal karyotype of blast cells significantly higher 5‑year RFS (82.1 %) compared to patients with abnormal karyotype (58.8 %) was registered. For T-ALL cytogenetic characteristics of blast cells had no prognostic significance. For patients with T-ALL important to perform autologous stem cell transplantation as a later consolidation, as this significantly reducerelapse rate (from 33 to 0 %).

AIM:To assess the main epidemiological characteristics of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in the Russian Federation.SUBJECTS AND METHODS:A planned epidemiological prospective study was conducted in 2009-2012 in 6 Russian regions with the total number of 10.1 million inhabitants, which notified all new CML cases.RESULTS:The unstandardized (unnormalized, baseline) recorded incidence of CML in the examined regions was 0.58 per 100,000 annually. Its standardized (normalized) incidence was 0.70 for the WHO standard population and 0.72 for the European standard population. The regional variations in the incidence were 0.44 to 0.69. The structural analysis of the incidence in the age strata indicated that the overall morbidity was less due to the decreased rate of registration in old age groups. The morbidity rates in patients aged less than 60 years were nearly similar to the European rates; those in patients aged over 70 years were almost 10 times lower. The lower rate of detection and screening diagnosis of CML in pensioners in primary health care is discussed.CONCLUSION:The data obtained in this study may serve as the starting point for monitoring the CML epidemiological situation.

AIM:To present the results of treatment in adult patients with acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) according to the ALL-2009 protocol of the Russian Acute Leukemia Study Group, the basic principle of which is continuation of cytostatic treatment, early switch from prednisolone to dexamethasone, and long-term use of L-asparaginase.SUBJECTS AND METHODS:The results of diagnosis and treatment were analyzed in 70 patients with different immunological variants of T-ALL treated in the Russian multicenter trial.RESULTS:Out of the 70 patients with T-ALL, its early immunotype was determined in 32 (45.7%) cases, the thymic and mature immunotypes were found in 31 (44.3%) and 7 (10%) cases, respectively. The median age of the patients with T-ALL was 28 (ranged from 15 to 54) years; men were twice more than women (48 and 22, respectively). Bone marrow lesion was noted in all the patients with early T-ALL and in 80% of the patients with thymic and mature T-ALL. The enlarged mediastinum was significantly more frequently detected in mature T-ALL (100%) than in its early (53.4%) and thymic (60.7%) variants. Therapeutic effectiveness was evaluated in 58 patients. An analysis was made in January 2013. Induction therapy resulted in complete remission in 49 (84.5%) patients. The refractory course of the disease was recorded in 5 (8.6%) cases; early death was in 4 (6.9%). The rate of complete remission in thymic T-ALL, unlike in the early (72%) and mature (71.4%) variants, was significantly higher (100%) due to the absence of resistant forms and early mortality. Moreover, it should be noted that only the patients with early T-ALL (16%) died during the induction phase. In the patients with different variants of T-ALL, the overall and relapse-free survival rates were not significantly different, accounting for 67.2 and 76.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed no prognostically unfavorable factors that determined long-term results.CONCLUSION:The ALL-2009 protocol is reproducible in any regions of the Russian Federation and highly efficient in treating patients with T-ALL.

The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the role of high doses Ara-C consolidation, maintenance chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation (BMT) by assessing the long-term results of adult patients (pts) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) according to AML-06.06 treatment protocol. During the period 2006-2009, 216 AML pts (except M3 and secondary AML) were included in this study. 143 of them were randomized in 2 groups. Chemotherapy consisted of conventional dose Ara-C + daunorubicin as the first induction course «7+3», High dose Ara-C + Mitoxantrone (HAM) as the second induction/consolidation course, HAM as the third course was applied if no complete remission (CR) after the first course has been achieved or High dose Ara-C (HiDAC) as the third course if CR was obtained after the first course, the fourth and the fifth courses with HiDAC, and two randomized arms of maintenance: «5+2» (AraC + Mercaptopurine) versus stop chemotherapy (randomization was performed before the treatment start). BMT was performed after 3, or 4, or 5 consolidation courses (26 AlloBMT, 10 AutoBMT). CR was obtained in 155 pts (72 %). If CR was obtained during the first 60 days of treatment then 5-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 38 %, if later 18 % (p = 0,0244). OS was similar. 5-year LFS in cytogenetic low and intermediate risk groups was 37 %, and in high risk groups 8 % (p = 0,0044). In cytogenetic low risk group 5-year overall survival was 100 % in inv(16) pts and 20 % in t(8;21) pts (p = 0736). If lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was 1500 U/l and higher, 5-year LFS was 8 %, if lower 23 %, p = 0,0011). 5-year LFS in AutoBMT pts was 40 %, in AlloBMT pts 32 %, in chemotherapy pts 25 % (p = 0,4464). Relapse probability was 83 % in no-maintenance randomization group and 50 % in maintenance group (p = 0,0667). Dose intensification and maintenance chemotherapy have shown high antileukemic efficacy in limited groups of AML pts (low LDH, inv(16), WBC < 40 x 10 9/l). High LDH activity at the diagnosis, high risk cytogenetic group should be managed with other treatment approaches. Introducing BMT technologies may provide some benefit in some groups of AML pts. We have to emphasize that there were some differences in the results in t(8;21) pts comparing with published data.