Oral therapy adherence and satisfaction in patients with multiple myeloma.

The transition to oral therapies in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) offers potential benefits to patients; however, they must self-manage their medication and adherence plays an important role in patient care. It has been shown that patient satisfaction with their medication has a strong positive correlation with adherence in chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate adherence rate of oral antimyeloma therapies and to identify risk factors for medication non-adherence. This observational, prospective, and multicentre survey based on a self-report questionnaire enrolled MM patients with at least 3 months of oral therapy. The 6-item Girerd scale and the medication possession ratio (MPR) were used for measuring medication adherence and the SATMED-Q® questionnaire was used for measuring satisfaction. An analysis of risk factors for non-adherence to oral therapy was performed using univariate analysis. A total of 101 patients participated in the survey, yielding a response rate of 87%. The prevalence of adherence to oral antimyeloma therapy was estimated at 51.5% using the Girerd questionnaire. According to the MPR, adherence was evaluated at 96% (i.e. MPR ≥ 0.80). Both methods combined, adherence was estimated at 50.5%. One risk factor for medication non-adherence was identified: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status > 2 (p = 0.007). One predictive factor for high medication adherence was identified: high satisfaction with treatment (p = 0.01). Identifying patients at higher risk for non-adherence allows clinical pharmacists to personalise therapeutic information and education and to improve the quality of healthcare overall.

Atypical paronychia: don't forget herpesvirus.

Paronychia is usually caused by bacterial infections. Herpetic whitlow is an acute infection of the fingers or toes caused by herpes simplex viruses and it typically presents with vesicles. We report the case of a 78-year-old woman with gingivostomatitis and atypical paronychia in several fingers without blisters.

Localized ecthyma gangrenosum without sepsis in a neutropenic patient with a myelodysplastic syndrome-Refractory anemia with excess blasts type 2.

The diagnosis of ecthyma gangrenosum should be evoked in front of maculopapular lesions rapidly evolving to necroting ulcers, particularly in the presence of prolonged neutropaenia or other hematological malignancies.

Toward Simplified Electrochromic Devices Using Silver as Counter Electrode Material.

Novel design of electrochromic devices (ECDs) known for their ability to modify optical properties under an applied voltage, based on a minimization of the number of layers is reported. The use of a metallic electrode, playing the role of both the conductive layer and the counter electrode, allows us to simplify the assembly of a commonly five-layer battery-type device to four-layer ECD. Further minimization of the number of layers is achieved using a conductive and electrochromic material. The novelty of the device configuration is illustrated using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-based materials as EC layer, lithium-based ionic liquid as electrolyte, and Ag as counter electrode. Such a four- or three-layer ECD deposited on paper substrate switches from light to deep blue in a narrow 0.7 V voltage window. Preliminary investigations of the mechanism indicate traces of Ag on the PEDOT layer upon cycling. Finally, the printed ECD is successfully activated using a mobile phone.

CML Hematopoietic Stem Cells Expressing IL1RAP Can Be Targeted by Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Engineered T Cells.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a chronic disease resulting in myeloid cell expansion through expression of the BCR-ABL1 fusion transcript. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have significantly increased survival of patients with CML, and deep responders may consider stopping the treatment. However, more than 50% of patients relapse and restart TKI, subsequently suffering unknown toxicity. Because CML is a model immune system-sensitive disease, we hypothesize that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting IL1 receptor-associated protein (IL1RAP) in quiescent CML stem cells may offer an opportunity for a permanent cure. In this study, we produced and molecularly characterized a specific monoclonal anti-IL1RAP antibody from which fragment antigen-binding nucleotide coding sequences were cloned as a single chain into a lentiviral backbone and secured with the suicide gene iCASP9/rimiducid system. Our CAR T-cell therapy exhibited cytotoxicity against both leukemic stem cells and, to a lesser extent, monocytes expressing IL1RAP, with no apparent effect on the hematopoietic system, including CD34+ stem cells. This suggests IL1RAP as a tumor-associated antigen for immunotherapy cell targeting. IL1RAP CAR T cells were activated in the presence of IL1RAP+ cell lines or primary CML cells, resulting in secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and specifically killing in vitro and in a xenograft murine model. Overall, we demonstrate the proof of concept of a CAR T-cell immunotherapy approach in the context of CML that is applicable for young patients and primary TKI-resistant, intolerant, or allograft candidate patients. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings present the first characterization and proof of concept of a chimeric antigen receptor directed against IL1RAP expressed by leukemic stem cells in the context of CML.

Light-assisted delithiation of lithium iron phosphate nanocrystals towards photo-rechargeable lithium ion batteries.

Recently, intensive efforts are dedicated to convert and store the solar energy in a single device. Herein, dye-synthesized solar cell technology is combined with lithium-ion materials to investigate light-assisted battery charging. In particular we report the direct photo-oxidation of lithium iron phosphate nanocrystals in the presence of a dye as a hybrid photo-cathode in a two-electrode system, with lithium metal as anode and lithium hexafluorophosphate in carbonate-based electrolyte; a configuration corresponding to lithium ion battery charging. Dye-sensitization generates electron-hole pairs with the holes aiding the delithiation of lithium iron phosphate at the cathode and electrons utilized in the formation of a solid electrolyte interface at the anode via oxygen reduction. Lithium iron phosphate acts effectively as a reversible redox agent for the regeneration of the dye. Our findings provide possibilities in advancing the design principles for photo-rechargeable lithium ion batteries.