Conditioning with melphalan 200 mg/m2 and subsequent ASCT improves progression-free and overall survival in elderly myeloma patients compared to standard of care.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the effectiveness of newer drugs for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), the outcomes are further improved by subsequent autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Data on effectiveness in older patients are limited. We compared outcomes in patients aged 65-75 years depending on whether they were treated with ASCT or not and compared those to outcomes in patients <65 years. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center study. We compared progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for all MM patients below and above the age of 65 years treated ± ASCT at the Karolinska University Hospital between 2010 and 2020. PFS and OS were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Variables affecting PFS and OS were evaluated using Cox regression model. RESULTS: Both PFS and OS were improved in the group 65-75 years treated +ASCT compared to those treated pharmacologically (p = 0.008 and p < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences between patients <65 years and those 65-75 years treated with ASCT. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that even patients >65 years should be evaluated as candidates for ASCT. An individualized approach supported by a frailty/geriatric assessment score could assist clinicians to select the appropriate treatment for each patient.

Improved survival in multiple Myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation is entirely in the standard cytogenetic risk groups.

INTRODUCTION: Novel drugs and drug combinations have improved outcomes for multiple myeloma patients. However, subgroups of patients still have a poor progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In an attempt to identify how the novel drugs affect the outcome in standard-risk and high-risk patients, respectively, we have investigated 715 multiple myeloma (MM) patients who have undergone high dose treatment followed by autologous stem cell transplantation at our center during 1995 - 2020. Outcomes during three time periods, 1995-1999 (period I), 2000-2009 (period II), and 2010-2020 (period III), were compared separately for standard-risk and high-risk patients. Risk stratification was based on chromosome analysis for periods II and III. RESULTS: The whole cohort of patients showed significantly improved OS with time during the three periods being at a median of 5.8, 7.0, and 10.0 years, respectively. There is also a weak tendency for improved PFS, that is, a median of 2.4, 2.6, and 2.9 years, respectively, during the same periods. However, the separate analysis of standard-risk and high-risk patients showed that the overall improvement with time was due to improved standard-risk patients (median OS 8.4 years for the period I and not reached for period II and III). In contrast, no significant improvement was seen in high-risk patients. For patients with del17p, PFS was even worse during period III as compared to period II (median 1.6 vs 3.2 years respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results show that the dramatic improvement in outcome for MM patients during the last 20 years only applies for standard-risk patients, while high-risk MM patients still are doing poorly, indicating that the novel drugs developed during this time are preferentially effective in standard-risk patients. New treatment modalities like CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells, and/or bispecific antibodies should be tried in clinical studies early in the course of the disease, especially in patients with high-risk cytogenetics.

Bitemporal visual field defects mimicking chiasmal compression in eyes with tilted disc syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Tilted disc syndrome (TDS) is a congenital optic nerve coloboma occurring from embryonic dysgenesis. Several features characterize TDS, including an inferiorly located conus, situs inversus of the major retinal vessels, and an anomalous disc shape. Commensurate with axonal dysgenesis, visual field defects may often occur from TDS, the most common of which involve the temporal and superior temporal visual field. These visual field defects can mimic those seen in chiasmal compression from a mass lesion. CASES: Five patients from New South Wales, Australia, with distinct TDS and bitemporal visual field defects on frequency doubling threshold perimetry seemingly respecting the vertical hemianopic line are presented. Neuroimaging and medical evaluation of each failed to show intracranial chiasmal pathology in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: TDS can present with visual field loss resembling that seen in chiasmal disease. Although most cases of temporal visual field loss from TDS do not respect the vertical hemianopic line and are not true quadrantanopsias, there are instances in which this does occur, likely caused by the testing modality used. It is essential that patients with suspected intracranial pathology undergo immediate neuroimaging, even in the face of TDS.

Long-term changes in weight loss and obesity-related comorbidities after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a primary care experience.

BACKGROUND: Long-term results of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are nonexistent in the veterans affairs (VA) population. We compare excess weight loss (EWL) success and medical comorbidity changes between the VA and non-VA population after RYGB. METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutive subjects undergoing RYGB from 1997 to 2002 at the Los Angeles VA. Weight and comorbidity data were collected every 6 and 12 months, respectively. RESULTS: Fifty-nine subjects were included; 54%, 58%, 46.8%, and 44.1% of subjects achieved EWL >50% at years 1 to 4. Hypertension resolved in 23%, 30%, and 32% at months 12 to 36. Obstructive sleep apnea resolved in 37%, 48%, 48%, 44%, and 60% at months 12 to 60. Diabetes mellitus resolved in 86%, 84%, 79%, and 80% at months 12 to 48. Improvements in the lipid panel were observed by month 12 and maintained thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: EWL and proportion of subjects with resolved hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are inferior to the non-VA population. Nevertheless, improvements in measures of success are maintained in the VA population.