Epidemiological Characteristics and Outcome of Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in the First Year After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Adverse outcomes of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs) have been reported in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Using a laboratory-developed multiparameter polymerase chain reaction in a consecutive series of 242 patients, we found the highest incidence of viral RTI in the preengraftment phase. The occurrence of multiple episodes of viral RTI or viral pneumonia was significantly associated with a higher hazard of nonrelapse mortality in the first year after transplantation. We observed a 90-day mortality of 19.7% after viral RTI, which was significantly different between patient groups stratified according to the immunodeficiency scoring index.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as an inguinal hernia - case report.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) masquerading as a recurrent inguinal hernia is rare. We report the case of a 73-year-old male patient who presented with a symptomatic bulge in his left groin. Medical history revealed bilateral preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair, osteoporosis and atrial fibrillation. The patient's further history was not significant. METHODS: Sonography revealed recurrence of an indirect inguinal hernia (4.5 cm × 2.3 cm) on the left, with bilateral subcutaneous lymph nodes that were deemed unremarkable. We planned an elective left-sided anterior inguinal repair. Apixaban was stopped two days prior to surgery. RESULTS: During surgery we identified the bulge as a lump attached to the spermatic cord. No hernial sac was present. Together with the consulting urologist, we concluded a possible malignant etiology and performed an orchiectomy along with resection of the lump. CONCLUSION: Microscopic and immunohistochemical analysis revealed a DLBCL with non-germinal center phenotype and c-MYC rearrangement. Further staging confirmed stage IE disease with extranodal paratesticular involvement. The patient was subsequently treated with rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and showed complete metabolic remission after two cycles. This case illustrates the broad differential diagnosis of inguinal swelling and (para)testicular tumors.

Serum free light chain analysis: persisting limitations with new kids on the block.

OBJECTIVES: Serum free light chain (sFLC) measurements have inherent analytical limitations impacting sFLC clinical interpretation. We evaluated analytical and diagnostic performance of three polyclonal sFLC assays on four analytical platforms. METHODS: sFLC concentration was measured using Diazyme FLC assays (Diazyme) on cobas c501/c503 analyzer (Roche); Freelite assays (The Binding Site) on Optilite analyzer (The Binding Site) and cobas c501 analyzer and Sebia FLC ELISA assays (Sebia) on AP22 ELITE analyzer (DAS). Imprecision, linearity, method comparison vs. Freelite/Optilite, antigen excess detection and reference value verification were assessed. Diagnostic performance was compared on 120 serum samples and on follow-up samples of five patients with κ and λ monoclonal gammopathy. RESULTS: Method comparison showed excellent correlation with Freelite/Optilite method for all assays. A large proportional negative bias was shown for both Sebia κ and λ ELISA and a significant positive proportional bias for λ in the low (<10 mg/L) Freelite/cobas c501 method. Clinically relevant underestimation of κ sFLC levels due to antigen excess was shown for 7% of each Diazyme/cobas application and for 11 and 32.1% of λ sFLC assay of respectively Diazyme/cobas and Sebia/AP22. sFLC reference values revealed application specific. Cohen's κ values were (very) good for κ sFLC but only moderate to good for λ sFLC. In 4/10 follow-up patients, significant differences in clinical interpretation between sFLC assays were noticed. CONCLUSIONS: Important analytical limitations remain for all sFLC applications. Differences in reference values and diagnostic performance hamper interchangeability of sFLC assays. Assay specific sFLC decision guidelines are warranted.

Dasatinib or imatinib in newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia: 2-year follow-up from a randomized phase 3 trial (DASISION).

Dasatinib is a highly potent BCR-ABL inhibitor with established efficacy and safety in imatinib-resistant/-intolerant patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In the phase 3 DASISION trial, patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase (CP) CML were randomized to receive dasatinib 100 mg (n = 259) or imatinib 400 mg (n = 260) once daily. Primary data showed superior efficacy for dasatinib compared with imatinib after 12 months, including significantly higher rates of complete cytogenetic response (CCyR), confirmed CCyR (primary end point), and major molecular response (MMR). Here, 24-month data are presented. Cumulative response rates by 24 months in dasatinib and imatinib arms were: CCyR in 86% versus 82%, MMR in 64% versus 46%, and BCR-ABL reduction to ≤ 0.0032% (4.5-log reduction) in 17% versus 8%. Transformation to accelerated-/ blast-phase CML on study occurred in 2.3% with dasatinib versus 5.0% with imatinib. BCR-ABL mutations, assessed after discontinuation, were detected in 10 patients in each arm. In safety analyses, fluid retention, superficial edema, myalgia, vomiting, and rash were less frequent with dasatinib compared with imatinib, whereas pleural effusion and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia were more frequent with dasatinib. Overall, dasatinib continues to show faster and deeper responses compared with imatinib, supporting first-line use of dasatinib in patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00481247.

Outcome and management of pregnancies in severe chronic neutropenia patients by the European Branch of the Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry.

Long-term granulocyte-colony stimulating factor treatment has been shown to be safe and effective in severe chronic neutropenia patients. However, data on its use during pregnancy are limited. To address this issue, we analyzed all pregnancies reported to the European branch of the Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry since 1994. A total of 38 pregnancies in 21 women with chronic neutropenia (16 pregnancies in 10 women with congenital, 10 in 6 women with cyclic, 12 in 5 women with idiopathic neutropenia) were reported. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was administered throughout pregnancy in 16 women and for at least one trimester in a further 5 women. No major differences were seen between treated and untreated women with respect to pregnancy outcome, newborn complications and infections. In addition, we evaluated the genetic transmission of known or suspected genetic defects in 16 mothers having 22 newborns as well as in 8 men fathering 15 children. As a proof of inheritance, neutropenia was passed on to the newborn in 58% from female and in 62% from male patients with ELANE mutations, but also to some newborns from parents with unknown gene mutation. Based on our results, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor therapy has been shown to be safe for mothers throughout pregnancies and for newborns without any signs of teratogenicity. With an increasing number of adult patients, genetic counseling prior to conception and supportive care of mothers during pregnancy are crucial. The acceptance of having affected children may reflect the high quality of life obtained due to this treatment.

Perifoveal exudative vascular anomalous complex (PEVAC) resembling lesion in a patient with multiple myeloma.

Purpose: To report a case of a perifoveal exudative vascular anomalous complex (PEVAC) resembling lesion in a patient with multiple myeloma. Observations: A 56-year-old male with multiple myeloma presented with sudden moderate vision loss in the right eye. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in his right eye. Fundus examination showed a vascular irregularity in the perifoveal region. Fluorescein angiography (FA) revealed an isolated perifoveal aneurysmal lesion with minimal leakage. On optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination, a large oval structure with a hyperreflective wall and exudation was visualised. Three weeks later, spontaneous improvement of the intraretinal fluid was observed on OCT without treatment. However, 3 months later the macular edema recurred. The appearance of the aneurysmal lesion is similar to a PEVAC lesion, which is an isolated well-defined perifoveal intraretinal vascular abnormality presenting on OCT as a round hyperreflective structure with a dark lumen containing variably reflective material and is commonly associated with cystic intraretinal fluid. Conclusions and Importance: PEVAC was originally described as occurring in healthy patients, but recent observations suggest that it also appears in association with other retinal/choroidal vascular abnormalities or underlying cardiovascular abnormalities. Our case supports this hypothesis by demonstrating a PEVAC resembling lesion in a patient with multiple myeloma.

Evaluation of AQUIOS STEM, a novel method for automated CD34+ stem cell enumeration using flow cytometry.

OBJECTIVES: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment for various diseases. The measurement of CD34+ cells is crucial to schedule the peripheral blood stem cell collection and assess the engraftment potential of the apheresis product. The AQUIOS STEM system has been introduced as a novel application on the AQUIOS CL, a fully automated flow cytometer, for the enumeration of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) in accordance with the The International Society for Hematotherapy and Graft Engineering guidelines. This study aimed to assess the potential of the novel AQUIOS STEM system versus currently used systems including the FACSCanto-II and the FACS Lyric flow cytometer in a multicenter study. METHODS: A total of 91 samples were used for the validation of the AQUOIS STEM system, including an analytical performance evaluation by means of assessing precision, sample stability, intersample carryover, and linearity and a method comparison with the present FACS systems in use to assess analytical and clinical decision agreement. RESULTS: Results showed excellent precision, with coefficient of variations <15% for dedicated quality control material and patient samples. There was no significant carry over. The fresh apheresis samples were stable when stored overnight at room temperature and at 4°C. Analytical comparison with the current systems demonstrated good correlation in peripheral blood, and minimal, clinically neglectable systematic and proportional bias in fresh apheresis products but a low correlation coefficient in cryopreserved products. CONCLUSIONS: The STEM system on AQUIOS CL allows automated enumeration of CD34+ stem cells, demonstrating good analytical performance and promising overall outcomes in peripheral blood and fresh apheresis products.

Infectious diarrhea after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation assessed by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of infectious diarrhea after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay and assess risk factors for developing infectious diarrhea. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study of 140 consecutive allogeneic HCT recipients. Infectious diarrhea was assessed using a laboratory-developed multiplex polymerase chain reaction the first year after transplantation. RESULTS: The incidence rate of infectious diarrhea episodes was 47 per 100 person-years, with the highest rate observed in the pre-engraftment phase. Most episodes were seen as nosocomial infections (38%) and most affected patients (82%) had only one episode of infectious diarrhea. The cumulative incidence of at least one episode of infectious diarrhea was 32% after 1 year. Nonrelapse mortality was higher in transplant recipients with at least one episode of infectious diarrhea (hazard ratio (HR) 2.02, 95% CI = 1.07-3.80). The most frequently observed pathogens were Clostridium difficile, adenovirus, Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter jejuni. Patients with acute lower gastrointestinal graft-vs-host disease stage 3 or 4 (HR 3.68, 95% CI = 1.57-8.63) conferred a higher risk for a first infectious diarrhea episode. CONCLUSION: Infectious diarrhea after allogeneic HCT was seen in about one-third of the patients, mostly as nosocomial infection in the pre-engraftment phase.

Trends in diagnosis, referral, red flag onset, patient profiles and natural outcome of de novo cardiac amyloidosis and their multidisciplinary implications.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Effects of growing disease awareness, diagnostic ameliorations and novel treatment options on CA diagnosis and management are scarcely reported. OBJECTIVE: To report trends in diagnosis, referral routes, clinical presentation, early onset diagnostic red flags and outcome in de novo CA subjects. METHODS: An unselected cohort of 139 de novo CA patients over an 8-year period in a tertiary referral hospital was recruited. RESULTS: Transthyretin (ATTR, 82%, n = 114) was the most common CA form; Light-chain (AL, 15%, n = 21) and secondary (AA, 3%, n = 4) are less prevalent. Increased awareness over time led to a marked ATTR diagnostic surge, steep non-invasive diagnostic approach increment and increased nuclear medicine and external cardiologist referrals (all p < 0.001). A total of 41% (n = 57/139) of patients were referred by non-cardiology specialist disciplines. Specific referral to rule out CA (24-36%) and diagnostic time lag from symptom onset (9 ± 12 to 8 ± 14 months), however, did not improve (all p > 0.050). Multiple early red flag events preceded CA diagnose several years in ATTR: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH, 60%, 4.9 ± 4.3 y), heart failure (54%, 2.5 ± 3.5 y), atrial fibrillation (47%, 5.9 ± 6.7 y), bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (43%, 9.5 ± 5.7 y) and spinal stenosis (40%, 7.4 ± 6.5 y). LVH ≥ 12 mm was absent in 11% ATTR (n = 13/114) and 5% AL (n = 1/21) patients. Hypertension was common in both ATTR (n = 70/114, 62%) and AL (n = 10/21, 48%). 56% (n = 78/139) of CA presented with heart failure. Cumulative 1 and 5-year mortality of 10%/66%, 40%/52% and 75%/75% for ATTR, AL, and AA, respectively, remains high. CONCLUSIONS: Although CA diagnostic uptake and referral improve, specialist-specific disease and diagnostic red flag ignorance result in non-timely diagnosis and unfavourable outcome.

Hepatitis E virus-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

We report the first documented case of hepatitis E virus-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. This case emphasizes the fact that infectious agents other than those classically described should be taken into consideration as a potential trigger of virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome. Prompt recognition is crucial to start early treatment of the underlying infection and possibly improve the outcome of this frequently fatal syndrome.

Safety and efficacy findings from the open-label, multicenter, phase 3b, expanded treatment protocol study of ruxolitinib for treatment of patients with polycythemia vera who are resistant/intolerant to hydroxyurea and for whom no alternative treatments are available.

Ruxolitinib was recently approved for the treatment of patients with polycythemia vera who are resistant/intolerant to hydroxyurea based on data from the RESPONSE studies. This phase 3b, Expanded Treatment Protocol study (NCT02292446) of ruxolitinib for hydroxyurea-resistant/intolerant patients with polycythemia vera (N = 161: median exposure = 25.1 weeks) further evaluated the safety of ruxolitinib. Adverse events (AEs) led to dose adjustment/interruption in 37.9% of patients and study drug discontinuation in 8.7% of patients. The most common hematologic AEs included anemia and thrombocytosis; while headache and diarrhea were the most frequent nonhematologic AEs. At week 24, 45.3% of patients achieved hematocrit control; hematologic remission was seen in 18% of patients. At least, 50% of reduction in spleen length was achieved in 86.7% of patients from baseline at any time. The observed safety profile of ruxolitinib was consistent and the efficacy results were similar to the observed values in the RESPONSE studies.

A predictive model for risk of early grade ≥ 3 infection in patients with multiple myeloma not eligible for transplant: analysis of the FIRST trial.

Infections are a major cause of death in patients with multiple myeloma. A post hoc analysis of the phase 3 FIRST trial was conducted to characterize treatment-emergent (TE) infections and study risk factors for TE grade ≥ 3 infection. The number of TE infections/month was highest during the first 4 months of treatment (defined as early infection). Of 1613 treated patients, 340 (21.1%) experienced TE grade ≥ 3 infections in the first 18 months and 56.2% of these patients experienced their first grade ≥ 3 infection in the first 4 months. Risk of early infection was similar regardless of treatment. Based on the analyses of data in 1378 patients through multivariate logistic regression, a predictive model of first TE grade ≥ 3 infection in the first 4 months retained Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and serum ß2-microglobulin, lactate dehydrogenase, and hemoglobin levels to define high- and low-risk groups showing significantly different rates of infection (24.0% vs. 7.0%, respectively; P < 0.0001). The predictive model was validated with data from three clinical trials. This predictive model of early TE grade ≥ 3 infection may be applied in the clinical setting to guide infection monitoring and strategies for infection prevention.

A systematic literature review and network meta-analysis of treatments for patients with untreated multiple myeloma not eligible for stem cell transplantation.

In newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM), patients ineligible for front-line autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), melphalan and prednisone (MP) with thalidomide (MPT) or bortezomib (VMP) are standard first-line therapeutic options. Despite new treatment regimens incorporating bortezomib or lenalidomide, MM remains incurable. The FIRST study demonstrated significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the combination of lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone (Rd) until progression vs. MPT in transplant-ineligible ndMM patients. However, to date no head-to-head randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have compared Rd or MPT versus VMP. We conducted a network meta-analysis using RCTs identified through a systematic literature review to evaluate the relative efficacy of Rd versus other regimens on survival endpoints in previously untreated MM patients ineligible for ASCT. In this analysis, Rd was associated with a significant PFS and survival advantage versus other first-line treatments (VMP, MPT, MP), challenging the role of alkylators in this setting.

Phase II multicenter study of arsenic trioxide, ascorbic acid and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Arsenic trioxide induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in multiple myeloma cell lines. Reducing glutathione by ascorbic acid may enhance the efficacy of arsenic trioxide. Here we report the results of an international multi-center study of arsenic trioxide in combination with ascorbic acid and dexamethasone as treatment for patients with advanced multiple myeloma.

A Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of Antibody BI-505 in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

PURPOSE: This multicenter, first-in-human study evaluated safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of BI-505, a human anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody, in advanced relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: BI-505 was given intravenously, every 2 weeks, at escalating doses from 0.0004 to 20 mg/kg, with extension of therapy until disease progression for responding or stable patients receiving 0.09 mg/kg or higher doses. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients were enrolled. The most common adverse events were fatigue, pyrexia, headache, and nausea. Adverse events were generally mild to moderate, and those attributed to study medication were mostly limited to the first dose and manageable with premedication and slower infusion. No maximum tolerated dose was identified. BI-505's half-life increased with dose while clearance decreased, suggesting target-mediated clearance. The ICAM-1 epitopes on patient bone marrow myeloma were completely saturated at 10 mg/kg doses. Using the International Myeloma Working Group criteria, 7 patients on extended therapy had stable disease for more than 2 months. CONCLUSIONS: BI-505 can be safely administered at doses that saturate myeloma cell ICAM-1 receptors in patients. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01025206).

Diagnosis and follow-up of monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance; information for referring physicians.

The prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is generally estimated at 3.4% in the general population over 50 years, and its incidence increases with age. MGUS represents a preneoplastic entity that can transform into multiple myeloma or other lymphoproliferative disorders. The risk of malignant transformation is estimated at 1% per year and persists over time. Predictors of malignant transformation have been identified such as the heavy chain isotype, The level of monoclonal proteins, increasing levels of the monoclonal component during the first years off follow-up, the percentage of bone marrow plasmocytosis, the dosage of serum free light chains, the presence of immunophenotypically abnormal plasma cells, aneuploidy, and the presence of circulating plasma cells. Prognostic scores that combine certain of these factors have been proposed and allow the identification of high-risk patients. Their use could assist in tailoring the care for each patient, based on his/her risk profile.

Recommendations for the management of the haematological and onco-haematological aspects of Gaucher disease.

Current knowledge of the haematological and onco-haematological complications of type 1 Gaucher disease has been reviewed with the aim of identifying best clinical practice for treatment and disease management. It was concluded that: (i) Awareness of typical patterns of cytopenia can help clinicians distinguish haematological co-morbidities. (ii) Red blood cell studies and complete iron metabolism evaluation at baseline are recommended. (iii) Haemoglobin levels defining anaemia should be raised and used in Gaucher disease treatment and monitoring. (iv) Surgeons should be aware of potential bleeding complications during surgery in Gaucher patients. The higher incidence of multiple myeloma in Gaucher disease suggests that Gaucher patients should have their immunoglobulin profile determined at diagnosis and monitored every 2 years (patients <50 years) or every year (patients >50 years). If monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is found, general MGUS guidelines should be followed. Future studies should focus on the utility of early treatment to prevent immunoglobulin abnormalities and multiple myeloma.