Effects of taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy on hand dexterity impairment: evaluation of quantitative and subjective assessments.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) commonly involves hand dexterity impairment. However, the factors affecting hand dexterity impairment are unknown and there is currently no established treatment. The purpose of the current study was to clarify factors influencing hand dexterity impairment in taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy using subjective and objective assessments. METHODS: We assessed patient characteristics, treatment-related factors, subjective symptoms of CIPN (Patient Neurotoxicity Questionnaire [PNQ]), psychological symptoms, and upper limb dysfunction (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [Quick DASH]). Quantitative assessments were pinch strength, sensory threshold, hand dexterity impairment, and grip force control. Multiple regression analysis was performed using hand dexterity impairment as the dependent variable and age and PNQ, Quick DASH, and control of grip force as independent variables. RESULTS: Forty-three breast cancer patients were included in the analysis. Hand dexterity impairment in taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy patients was significantly correlated with age, grip force control, and PNQ sensory scores (p < 0.008). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that PNQ sensory scores and grip force control were significantly associated with hand dexterity impairment (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Subjective symptoms (numbness and pain) and grip force control contributed to impaired hand dexterity in taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Predictors of persistent post-surgical pain intensity and interference at 1 year after breast cancer surgery: assessing central sensitization, central sensitivity symptoms, and psychological factors.

BACKGROUND: Persistent post-surgical pain (PPSP) is associated with upper limb dysfunction and decreased quality of life and causes long-term suffering for breast cancer survivors after surgery. However, the predictors of PPSP remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of PPSP intensity and interference at 1 year postoperatively, focusing on treatment-related factors, pre- and postoperative central sensitization (CS), CS-related symptoms (e.g., muscle stiffness, fatigue, sleep disturbances), and psychological factors. METHODS: Eighty-eight women with planned unilateral breast cancer surgery were included in this longitudinal study. CS, CS-related symptoms, and psychological factors were assessed preoperatively, 1 month postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the groups with and without PPSP, accounting for treatment-related factors. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of PPSP intensity and interference at 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Even after adjusting for covariates, preoperative and 1-month postoperative Central Sensitization Inventory scores in the PPSP group were significantly higher than scores in the group without PPSP. Multiple regression analysis showed that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and 1-month postoperative CS-related symptoms were independent predictors of PPSP intensity and interference at 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: We found that ALND and 1-month postoperative CS-related symptoms were predictors of PPSP intensity and interference at 1 year postoperatively.

[Granulocyte transfusion for the treatment of prolonged pneumonia in a patient with MDS-RAEB-2 at allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

We report that granulocyte transfusion (GTX) was effective for prolonged pneumonia at allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. A 58-year-old man with MDS-RAEB-2 was admitted to our hospital for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. He was complicated with pneumonia, which was not improved with G-CSF and antibiotics. We therefore decided to perform a GTX transplantation. During the period of neutropenia, pneumonia did not deteriorate. A combination of allogeneic stem cell transplantation and GTX is expected not only to improve transplantation results but also to expand the adaptation for transplantation. However, detailed investigation of the effect of GTX in allogeneic stem cell transplantation should be performed, and more cases should be accumulated.

Withdrawal symptoms from transdermal fentanyl (TDF) after an allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT).

A 47-year-old woman who underwent allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transplant developed withdrawal symptoms soon after Fentanyl 25 mcg/h patch was stopped, which has not been reported at this dose. Possible causes, such as the inhibition of CYP3A4 induced by cyclosporine causing elevations of serum fentanyl, are discussed.

Delayed reduction in left ventricular function following treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with chemotherapy and rituximab, unrelated to acute infusion reaction.

We report 3 cases of reduced cardiac function with complications in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients who were treated with rituximab. Patients experienced reduced cardiac functions after the administration of rituximab; there was no evidence of any preceding infusion reactions. Reticulin fiber was observed diffusely in cardiac muscles. Transforming growth factor-beta levels were elevated after the administration of rituximab. We believe that continuous elevation of transforming growth factor-beta may promote the growth of reticulin fiber in cardiac muscles. Reduction in cardiac functions is a severe complication that must be considered when rituximab is administered.

Randomized study of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy and proton pump inhibitor monotherapy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication therapy is a useful treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Some investigators have also reported the effects of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) monotherapy on ITP. We performed a randomized study of HP eradication therapy and PPI monotherapy on ITP. Four of nine patients achieved complete remission (CR), two of nine achieved partial remission (PR) in HP eradication therapy, three of eight achieved CR, and two of eight achieved PR in PPI monotherapy. No significant differences were observed in the CR + PR of these patients between HP eradication therapy and PPI monotherapy. As for cost comparisons, HP eradication therapy is cheaper than PPI monotherapy, but it is less effective.

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus with rituximab.

Rituximab has become a useful drug for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and such autoimmune diseases as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and rheumatoid arthritis. When combined with cytotoxic agents, rituximab showed synergistic effects for the treatment of NHL. In such treatment, hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is a crucial complication when patients are treated with immunosuppressive or chemotherapeutic agents. Despite its treatment efficacy, several studies have pointed out unusual viral infections after its administration that resulted in fatal hepatitis due to HBV reactivation. In the cases at the authors' institute, the authors analysed the kinetics of HBV antibodies, HBV-reactivation timing, and the prophylactic efficacy of lamivudine. The authors reviewed their cases and the previous literature to clarify the characteristics of HBV-reactivated patients who were administered rituximab.

Successful treatment of lymphoma with fludarabine combined with rituximab after immune thrombocytopenia induced by fludarabine.

A 47-year-old man was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) follicular B-cell type (stage IVB). Although partial remission was observed after the administration of several combination chemotherapeutic agents, no more improvement was observed. After we finished the FND (fludarabine, mitoxantrone, dexamethasone) regimen, the patient's status improved. After the administration of the FND regimen, thrombocytopenia developed, and the platelet count did not recover to previous levels. After rituximab was administered for the treatment of thrombocytopenia, the platelet count recovered. Then we combined fludarabine and rituximab for the treatment of NHL. Although fludarabine was administered, the platelet count did not decrease when combined with rituximab. In the discussion, we analyze the characteristics and the treatment outcome of the thrombocytopenia induced by fludarabine reviewed in the literature.

Aleukemic leukemia cutis in a patient with Philadelphia chromosome-positive biphenotypic leukemia.

Aleukemic leukemia cutis is a rare condition characterized by the invasion of leukemic blasts into the skin before their appearance in the peripheral blood. Leukemia cutis usually occurs in patients with myeloid leukemia, especially the myelomonocytic and monocytic types of acute myeloblastic leukemia. We describe the case of a 62-year-old woman with aleukemic leukemia cutis who developed Philadelphia-positive acute leukemia 1 month after skin involvement. Leukemic cells expressed both myeloid and B-cell lineage surface markers, and monoclonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain was detected by Southern blot analysis. This report is the first of a case of aleukemic leukemia cutis preceding Philadelphia-positive biphenotypic leukemia.

Effectiveness of propagermanium treatment in multiple myeloma patients.

Interferon (IFN) is one of several drugs effective in treating multiple myeloma (MM), and propagermanium is an IFN inducer. We report on 10 MM patients who were treated with propagermanium at doses from 10 to 40 mg. Two patients achieved complete remission (CR), two patients achieved partial remission (PR), and the condition of four patients was stable (stable disease, SD). After discontinuation of propagermanium, the status of MM progressed in two patients who were in SD and in two patients who had achieved PR. The administration of propagermanium was restarted in one patient resulting in a decrease in her paraprotein.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation in a case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with chemotherapy and rituximab: necessity of prophylaxis for hepatitis B virus reactivation in rituximab therapy.

A patient with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is reported, in which reactivation of the hepatitis B virus was achieved from treatment with rituximab. The patient's HBs antigens were positive on admission, and she tested positive for HBs, HBe, and HBc antibodies, and negative for the HBe antigens. She was treated with a regimen of three courses of rituximab-containing anti-cancer drugs and one course of combined anti-cancer drugs. Throughout these chemotherapy courses, prednisolone was not given. After the fourth course of chemotherapy with the third rituximab she developed hepatic dysfunction, and the serum titers of HBs and HBc antibodies suddenly decreased. After administration of lamivudine, however, she gradually recovered from liver failure.