Real-life experience with plasmapheresis in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma accompanied by acute kidney injury.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effect of plasmapheresis treatment concomitant with chemotherapy and the number of sessions on renal improvement and survival in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) presenting with acute kidney injury (AKI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on 55 newly diagnosed MM patients who were presented with AKI to the Hematology Clinic of University of the Health Sciences Antalya Training and Research Hospital between 2013 and 2021. RESULTS: The study included 55 patients between 39 and 91 years of age and comprised 22 (40%) women and 33 (60%) men. Forty-eight (87.3%) patients were treated with plasmapheresis and chemotherapy. Based on the median number of plasmapheresis sessions, the patients were grouped as ≤ 3 and > 3. A significant difference was observed in both groups between the mean values of repeated measurements at the time of diagnosis, after completion of plasmapheresis treatment, and at 1 month of plasmapheresis, when statistics of differences were evaluated for urea, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (ml/min), total protein, albumin, and globulin (p < 0.05); however, there was no difference between these parameters and the number of plasmapheresis sessions. The 1.16 (0.56-2.38) fold higher risk of ex found in patients with ≤ 3 plasmapheresis sessions compared to those with > 3 was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was observed that plasmapheresis is beneficial in the short term for renal recovery in the treatment of MM with AKI and that > 3 plasmapheresis sessions have no superior effectiveness in renal improvement or survival.

Successful use of split-dose intravenous daratumumab in a multiple myeloma patient after a first-dose life-threatening infusion-related reaction.

INTRODUCTION: Daratumumab is a humanized IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody directed against CD38 used to treat myeloma. The recommended dose of daratumumab is 16 mg/kg, with no lower or upper threshold. Here, we present the first split-dose daratumumab infusion experience in a myeloma patient with morbid obesity in whom daratumumab was interrupted because of grade 3 infusion-related reaction. CASE REPORT: A female myeloma patient with morbid obesity received a combination of chemotherapy with daratumumab because of disease relapse. The calculated dose for the first intravenous daratumumab infusion was 1840 mg/day based on the weight of the patient, which was measured as 115 kilograms. Daratumumab infusion was initiated as appropriate but needed to be stopped because of a severe sudden presentation of shortness of breath and hypoxemia. MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME: After daratumumab was stopped, premedication was repeated, and oxygen, intravenous and inhaler steroids, inhaler ß2 agonists and intravenous diphenhydramine were given in repeated doses. She was monitored and followed up in the emergency critical care unit. Daratumumab treatment with a split-dose schedule was planned after she fully recovered from all signs and symptoms. The total dose was divided into two doses and was given without any complications on two consecutive days. After that, she was also able to tolerate once a week 1840 mg of daratumumab in a single day. DISCUSSION: There is a paucity of data regarding the best practice for instituting intravenous daratumumab in patients with morbid obesity regarding the infusion rate and duration, optimal dosing, and ideal way to cope with infusion-related reactions. Our case suggests a potential role for a split-dose schedule for patients with obesity and potential dose reductions and infusion-related reactions.

Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibody Interference in Monoclonal Gammopathy Monitoring: a Denosumab Experience.

A 73-year-old woman was diagnosed with a lambda light chain myeloma. A follow-up immunofixation electrophoresis showed a monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig)G kappa in addition to the regular lambda band. A monoclonal antibody therapy interference was suspected but her VRD (bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone) regimen did not include such a medication. Later it was learned that she was prescribed denosumab, a monoclonal human antibody agent to treat bone lesions. The IgG kappa band disappeared 7 months after the first and 4 months after the last dose of denosumab, confirming a case of interference. This case once again emphasizes the importance of delta check and close communication between clinicians to avoid a false result in electrophoresis. It also describes the migration pattern of denosumab. As therapeutic antibodies gain approval and enter into common clinical practice, drug interference will complicate electrophoresis testing in diagnosis and patient follow-up.

Metachronous bilateral breast cancer diagnosed with primary breast lymphoma and mucinous carcinoma: The first case in the literature.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and 2-11% of the cases are bilateral. Bilateral breast cancer frequently emerges as a second primary cancer. Lymphoma and mucinous carcinoma of breast are very rare. Here we present a case, of bilateral breast cancer with metachronous lymphoma and mucinous carcinoma. Case History: 57-year old female had received chemotherapy and radiotherapy for stage IA Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) located in right breast. At 14th month of her breast DLBCL diagnosis, a diagnosis of mucinous carcinoma was determined in her left breast. After surgery, adjuvant anastrozole was initiated. The patient is still in follow-up with remission at her sixth year of DLBCL diagnosis and fifth year of mucinous carcinoma diagnosis. Conclusions: The evaluation of unilateral breast cancer patients in terms of bilateral breast cancer occurrence risk has become important.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Cases and Consumption of Large Quantities of Energy Drink: Related or Coincidence?

The vast majority of cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are the result of acquired antibodies which inhibit the activity of the ADAMTS13 enzyme. Acquired TTP is more frequently seen in young females or in individuals with autoimmune disease. The development of antibodies against ADAMTS13 may also result from the administration or consumption of drugs and other substances. However, specific laboratory tests to identify the pathogenic mechanism of a particular drug may not be available, and the role of a potentially implicated drug or other ingested substance may not be clear. In this report we present 2 acquired TTP cases involving the consumption of a large amount of energy drink.

Are the blood groups of women with preeclampsia a risk factor for the development of hypertension postpartum?

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related disorder characterized by hypertension (HT) and proteinuria noticeable after 20 weeks of gestation. PE is now considered as a cardiovascular disease risk factor and a number of studies have shown that experiencing PE increases the prevalence of various cardiovascular risk factors, such as metabolic syndrome and HT. In this study, we aimed to investigate any possible relationship between the ABO/Rh blood group system and PE in Turkey. In the second part of the study, we examined the relationship between the ABO blood group system and development of HT after PE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 250 patients with PE from Kayseri Training and Research Hospital between 2002 and 2012 were included in the study. Patients were classified according to blood groups (A, B, AB, and O) and Rh status (+/-). RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the patients with PE and the control group in terms of distribution of ABO blood groups and the percentage of group AB was found to be higher in patients with PE compared to the control group (P=0.029). The risk of developing PE was significantly higher in group AB than other blood groups (P=0.006). The risk of developing HT after PE was significantly higher in group O than other blood groups (P=0.004). DISCUSSION: In this study, we found that the patients with blood group AB have a higher risk for PE. The patients with PE of blood group O are at high risk of developing HT, and Rh factor was identified as another risk at this point and these patients should be closely followed postpartum.

Persistence of cardiovascular risk factors in women with previous preeclampsia: a long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a cardiovascular (CV) disease risk factor, and lifestyle modifications are recommended. It was suggested that preeclampsia may increase the prevalence of various CV disease risk factors such as metabolic syndrome, hypertension, insulin resistance, microalbuminuria, and endothelial dysfunction, among others. Here, we investigate the role of serum uric acid in preeclampsia in the development of CV complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational case-control study that compared women with history of preeclampsia (n = 25) with age-matched controls with uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 20) who were followed for at least 5 years. Measurements included clinical and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, ultrasound-measured flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), microalbuminuria, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and serum uric acid, as well as clinical and demographic features. Cardiovascular disease risk factors were compared in women with and without previous preeclampsia. RESULTS: At the time of index gestation, preeclamptic women had higher serum uric acid values (4.36 ± 0.61 vs 2.27 ± 0.38 mg/dL, P < 0.001). Five years after pregnancy, the patients who had preeclampsia were more likely to have hypertension and had higher serum uric acid levels, higher microalbuminuria and CIMT levels, and lower FMD values than did the patients who did not have preeclampsia. The 2 groups were similar with regard to various ambulatory blood pressure parameters. Univariate associates of FMD were history of preeclampsia and the current hypertension status. Microalbuminuria correlated with gestational uric acid levels (coefficient of correlation of 0.40, P = 0.01 for FMD and coefficient of correlation of 0.37, P = 0.01 for CIMT, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Preeclampsia might be a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular risk factors at least 5 years after index pregnancy. Serum uric acid and microalbuminuria may be mechanistic mediators of heightened risk, along with impaired endothelial function in preeclampsia.

Hepatitis B and C seroprevalence in solid tumors - necessity for screening during chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B and C are the leading causes of liver diseases worldwide. For hematological and solid malignancy patients undergoing chemotherapy, increases in HBV DNA and HCV RNA levels can be detected which may result in reactivation and hepatitis-related morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Hbs ag and Anti HCV positivity in patients with solid malignancies undergoing chemotherapy and consequences during follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The files of 914 patients with solid malignancies whose hepatitis markers were determined serologically at diagnosis were reviewed retrospectively. All underwent adjuvant/palliative chemotherapy. For the cases with HBV and/or HCV positivity, HBV DNA and HCV RNA levels, liver function tests at diagnosis and during follow-up and the treatment modalities that were chosen were determined. RESULTS: Of 914 cases, Hbs Ag, anti Hbs and anti HCV positivity were detected in 40 (4.4%), 336 (36.8%) and 26 (2.8%) of the cases respectively. All of the Hbs ag positive patients received prophylactic lamuvidine before the start of chemotherapy. In the Hbs ag and anti HCV positive cases, liver failure was not detected during chemotherapy and a delay in chemotherapy courses because of hepatitis was not encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Just as with hematological malignancies, screening for HBV and HCV should also be considered for patients with solid tumors undergoing chemotherapy. Prophylactic antiviral therapy for HBV reduces both the reactivation rates and HBV related mortality and morbidity. The clinical impact of HCV infection on patients undergoing chemotherapy is still not well characterized.

Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy caused by Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease resulting in death: first case report in Turkey.

Kikuchi disease, also called Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease or Kikuchi's histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare, benign condition of unknown cause, usually characterized by cervical lymphadenopathy and fever. The diagnosis is based on histopathology. Our patient was a woman with bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy, fever, chest and abdominal pain, fatigue, maculopapular rash on her face, trunk, and upper and lower extremities. Immunological and rheumatological tests were negative. We took a cervical lymph node biopsy that showed a proliferative and necrotizing process centered in the paracortex characterized by patchy circumscribed or confluent areas of necrosis associated with karyorrhexis, and was remarkable by the absence of granulocytes and the paucity of plasma cells. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of Kikuchi's disease. The patient's hemoglobin values decreased, and the peripheral blood smear revealed schistocytes. Blood tests showed raised D-dimer, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and international normalized ratio with decreased fibrinogen. The patient's condition quickly worsened and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy eventually developed. Her initial management consisted of a corticosteroid and hydroxychloroquine.

Colchicine intoxication: a report of two suicide cases.

Colchicine, an old and well-known drug, is an alkaloid extracted from Colchicum autumnale and related species. Colchicine inhibits the deposition of uric acid crystals and is an inhibitor of mitosis. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, with a massive loss of fluid and electrolytes are the first clinical symptoms of colchicine poisoning. Stomach lavage and rapid gastric decontamination with activated charcoal are crucial. An acute dose of about 0.8 mg/kg of colchicine is presumed to be fatal. We report the clinical outcomes of two different cases of colchicine intoxication for attempted suicide. The dose required for morbidity or mortality varies significantly. The dose of 1 mg/kg in the first case was directly related with mortality, while the dose of 0.2 mg/kg in the second was related with survival. The other difference between the patients was the time of arrival to hospital after ingestion. This period was 4 hours for case 1 and only 1, hour for case 2. The initiation of treatment later than 2 hours after ingestion of colchicine may significantly impair treatment because the absorption time for colchicine after oral administration is about 30-120 minutes. The rising lactate level and high anion gap metabolic acidosis in our patient (case 1) were attributed to lactic acidosis, so hemodialysis was performed, and the duration of hemodialysis was prolonged. Lactic acidosis in the first case was one of the reasons for mortality. The most important parameters which define the chance of survival are the dose of ingested drugs and the arrival time to hospital after ingestion. The patients must be monitored closely for lactic acidosis and the decision to start hemodialysis must be made promptly for patients who develop lactic acidosis.

Season of diagnosis and survival of advanced lung cancer cases--any correlation?

INTRODUCTION: The influence of season at diagnosis on cancer survival has been an intriguing issue for many years. Most studies have shown a possible correlation in between the seasonality and some cancer type survival. With short expected survival, lung cancer is an arena that still is in need of new prognostic factors and models. We aimed to investigate the effect of season of diagnosis on 3 months, 1 and 2 years survival rates and overall survival of non small cell lung cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The files of non small cell lung cancer patients that were stages IIIB and IV at diagnosis were reviewed retrospectively. According to diagnosis date, the patients were grouped into 4 season groups, autumn, winter, spring and summer. RESULTS: A total of 279 advanced non small cell lung cancer patients' files were reviewed. Median overall survival was 15 months in the entire population. Overall 3 months, 1 and 2 years survival rates were 91.0%, 58.2% and 31.2% respectively. The season of diagnosis was significantly correlated with 3 months survival rates, being diagnosed in spring being associated with better survival . Also the season was significantly correlated with T stage of the disease. For 1 and 2 years survival rates and overall survival, the season of diagnosis was not significantly correlated. There was no correlation detected between season and overall survivals according to histological subtypes of non small cell lung cancer. CONCLUSION: As a new finding in advanced non small cell lung cancer patients, it can be concluded that being diagnosed in spring can be a favorable prognostic factor for short term survival.

Lack of any association between blood groups and lung cancer, independent of histology.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths, is divided into 2 main classes based on its biology, therapy and prognosis: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Many cases are at an advanced stage at diagnosis, which is a major obstacle to improving outcomes. It is important to define the high risk group patients for early diagnosis and chance of cure. Blood group antigens are chemical components on erythrocyte membranes but they are also expressed on a variety of epithelial cells. Links between ABO blood groups with benign or malignant diseases, such as gastric and pancreas cancers, have been observed for a long time. In this study, we aimed to investigate any possible relationship between lung cancer histological subtypes and ABO-Rh blood groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The files of 307 pathologically confirmed lung cancer patients were were reviewed retrospectively. Cases with a serologically determined blood group and Rh factor were included and those with a history of another primary cancer were excluded, leaving a total of 221. The distribution of blood groups of the lung cancer patients were compared with the distribution of blood groups of healthy donors admitted to the Turkish Red Crescent Blood Service in our city in the year 2012. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between patients with lung cancer of either type and the control group in terms of distribution of ABO blood groups and Rh factor (p: 0.073). There was also no relationship with non small cell cancer histological subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found no relationship between the ABO-Rhesus blood groups and NSCLC and SCLC groups. To our knowledge this is the first analysis of ABO blood groups in SCLC patients.

An acute edematous pancreatitis case developed on the basis of hypertriglyceridemia.

Hypertriglyceridemia is an important and under-diagnosed etiology of acute non-biliary pancreatitis. There has been no standardized protocol to treat these patients. Our patient is a case of an uncontrolled diabetes mellitus using oral antidiabetic and fenofibrate with a history of dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patient was performed a treatment protocol consisting a combination of insulin and heparin for to stimulate lipoprotein-lipase activity. All the values of the patient recovered at the end of the treatment. Our goal is to present a case of acute pancreatitis secondary to hypertriglyceridemia, differential diagnosis and treatment approach.