Hematological Malignancies and Fertility.

In the last decades, survival rate of hematological malignancies has been significantly improved and sparing reproductive potential after treatment has become one of the goals in both male and female patients. A comprehensive consultation with reproductive specialists before the onset of any kind of cancer treatment procedure is an essential issue which would increase the likelihood of parenting in survivors. In this context, cryopreservation of oocyte, embryo or ovarian tissue in reproductive aged women and sperm or testicular tissue cryopreservation in adult male are feasible approaches that must be considered before gonadotoxic therapy. Notably, all options should be regarded as experimental during pre-pubertal period. Herein, we aim to review the available literature with regard to safety, efficacy of fertility preservation methods and the pregnancy outcomes in patients with hematological malignancies.

Study for the diagnostic screening of paroxsymal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in Turkey: Prospective multicentric evaluation of suspected patients.

BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare disease presenting with variable and various clinical findings. PNH might be overlooked and diagnosis may be delayed due to low awareness about PNH. This is the first multicenter study in Turkey, investigating the efficiency of diagnostic screening of PNH by multiparameter flow cytometry (FCM) according to consensus guidelines. METHODS: We evaluate the efficiency of consensus clinical indications for PNH testing with FCM in 1689peripheral blood samples from 20 centers between January 2014 and December 2017. RESULTS: Overall, at the 20 centers contributing to this study, PNH clone were detected in 62/1689 samples (3.6%) by FCM test. 75.8% (n = 47) of patients with PNH clone had aplastic anemia, 3.2% (n = 2) had Coombs (-) hemolytic anemia, 6.5% (n = 4) had unexplained cytopenia, 3.2% (n = 2) had MDS with refractory anemia, 1.6% (n = 1) had hemoglobinuria and 9.7% (n = 6) had others (elevated LDH, splenomegaly, etc.). In contrast, we detect no PNH clone test in patients who were screened for unexplained thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that current clinical indications for PNH testing are highly efficient and diagnostic screening of suspected patients for PNH with FCM is recommended. However, advanced screening algorithms are required for patients presenting with unexplained thrombosis and normal complete blood count.

Graft failure after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Graft failure is a serious complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) defined as either lack of initial engraftment of donor cells (primary graft failure) or loss of donor cells after initial engraftment (secondary graft failure). Successful transplantation depends on the formation of engrafment, in which donor cells are integrated into the recipient's cell population. In this paper, we distinguish two different entities, graft failure (GF) and poor graft function (PGF), and review the current comprehensions of the interactions between the immune and hematopoietic compartments in these conditions. Factors associated with graft failure include histocompatibility locus antigen (HLA)-mismatched grafts, underlying disease, type of conditioning regimen and stem cell source employed, low stem cell dose, ex vivo T-cell depletion, major ABO incompatibility, female donor grafts for male recipients, disease status at transplantation. Although several approaches have been developed which aimed to prevent graft rejection, establish successful engraftment and treat graft failure, GF remains a major obstacle to the success of allo-HSCT. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) still remains to be the curative treatment option for various non-malignant and malignant hematopoietic diseases. The outcome of allo-HSCT primarily depends on the engraftment of the graft. Graft failure (GF), is a life-threatening complication which needs the preferential therapeutic manipulation. In this paper, we focused on the definitions of graft failure / poor graft function and also we reviewed the current understanding of the pathophysiology, risk factors and treatment approaches for these entities.

A novel differential diagnosis algorithm for chronic lymphocytic leukemia using immunophenotyping with flow cytometry.

INTRODUCTION: The availability of a clinical decision algorithm for diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may greatly contribute to the diagnosis of CLL, particularly in cases with ambiguous immunophenotypes. Herein we propose a novel differential diagnosis algorithm for the CLL diagnosis using immunophenotyping with flow cytometry. METHODS: The hierarchical logistic regression model (Backward LR) was used to build a predictive algorithm for the diagnosis of CLL, differentiated from other lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs). RESULTS: A total of 302 patients, of whom 220 (72.8%) had CLL and 82 (27.2%), B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders other than CLL, were included in the study. The Backward LR model comprised the variables CD5, CD43, CD81, ROR1, CD23, CD79b, FMC7, sIg and CD200 in the model development process. The weak expression of CD81 and increased intensity of expression in markers CD5, CD23 and CD200 increased the probability of CLL diagnosis, (p < 0.05). The odd ratio for CD5, C23, CD200 and CD81 was 1.088 (1.050 - 1.126), 1.044 (1.012 - 1.077), 1.039 (1.007 - 1.072) and 0.946 (0.921 - 0.970) [95% C.I.], respectively. Our model provided a novel diagnostic algorithm with 95.27% of sensitivity and 91.46% of specificity. The model prediction for 97.3% (214) of 220 patients diagnosed with CLL, was CLL and for 91.5% (75) of 82 patients diagnosed with an LPD other than CLL, was others. The cases were correctly classified as CLL and others with a 95.7% correctness rate. CONCLUSIONS: Our model highlighting 4 markers (CD81, CD5, CD23 and CD200) provided high sensitivity and specificity in the CLL diagnosis and in distinguishing of CLL among other LPDs.

Prognostic Significance of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

There are many studies on the biomarkers for the prognosis in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Neutrophil-lymphocyte radio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte radio (PLR) are of interest with studies revealing the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and cancer. Our study is a retrospective file study and the contribution of NLR and PLR to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) before first-line chemotherapy was investigated regardless of treatment. The cutoff values of NLR and PLR were determined using ROC curve analysis. NLR and PLR were divided into two groups according to the cut-off points. OS and PFS associated with NLR and PLR were performed by the Kaplan-Meier method. In our study, we could not demonstrate the prognostic potential of pre-treatment NLR and PLR in patients with mCRC treated with first-line chemotherapy. Our study showed that the use of these biomarkers in mCRC is limited. INTRODUCTION: There are many studies on the biomarkers for the prognosis in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Neutrophil-lymphocyte radio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte radio (PLR) are of interest with studies revealing the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Our study is a retrospective file study and the contribution of NLR and PLR to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) before first-line chemotherapy was investigated regardless of treatment. The cutoff values of NLR and PLR were determined using ROC curve analysis. NLR and PLR were divided into two groups according to the cut-off points. OS and PFS associated with NLR and PLR were performed by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULT: In our study, we could not demonstrate the prognostic potential of pre-treatment NLR and PLR in patients with mCRC treated with first-linechemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the use of these biomarkers in mCRC is limited.

Lipoprotein apheresis efficacy and challenges: single center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is an extracorporeal therapy which removes apolipoprotein B-containing particles from the circulation. We evaluated techniques and efficiency of lipoprotein apheresis procedures applied to patients with familial and non-familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) at our center. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 250 LA procedures applied to 27 patients with dyslipidemia between March 2011 and August 2019. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients, of whom 19 (70.4%) were male and 8 (29.6%), female, were included. Eighteen (66.7%), 6 (22.2%) and 3 (11.1%) patients were diagnosed with non-FH, homozygous FH (HoFH) and heterozygous FH (HeFH), respectively. Two different apheresis techniques, direct adsorption of lipoproteins (DALI) (48.8%) and double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) (51.2%), were used. The change in the serum total cholesterol (TC) level was the median 302 mg/dl (171-604 mg/dl) (60.4%) in HoFH patients, 305 mg/dl (194-393 mg/dl) (60.8%) in HeFH patients and 227 mg/dl (75-749 mg/dl) (65.3%) in non-FH patients. The change in the serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level was the median 275 mg/dl (109-519 mg/dl) (64.2%), 232 mg/dl (207-291 mg/dl) (64.5%) and 325 mg/dl (22-735 mg/dl) (70.9%) in patients with HoFH, HeFH and non-FH, respectively. A significantly effective reduction in serum lipid levels, including TC, LDL and triglycerides, was achieved in all patients, regardless of the technique, p < .001. The decrease in the serum TC and LDL levels was significantly higher in the DFPP, compared to the DALI, being 220 mg/dl (-300 to 771) vs 184 mg/dl (64-415), p < .001 and 196 mg/dl (11-712) vs 157 mg/dl (54-340), p < .001, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that LA is a highly effective treatment in reducing serum lipid levels and safe, without any major adverse event.

Pretransplant Consolidation Therapies Improve the Outcome of Myeloablative Allogeneic Transplantation in Adults with Ph-negative Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

BACKROUND AND AIM: The benefit of pre-transplant consolidation in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who achieved first complete remission (CR1) has not yet been clearly demonstrated. Here, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the treatments received before transplantation and transplant outcome in Ph-ALL patients who underwent myeloablative allo-HSCT in CR1. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 55, 32 (58.2%) men and 23 (41.8%) women, who underwent allo-HSCT with the diagnosis of Ph-ALL were evaluated retrospectively. All patients underwent to allo-HSCT with myeloablative conditioning regimen in the 1st CR from the available donor. RESULTS: In patients who received >2 consolidation, the 2-year and 3-year OS was 69% and 65%, respectively, while the 2-year and 3-year OS was 39% and 26%, respectively, in those who received < 2 consolidation (P =.03). RFS was similar in both groups (P = .8). One year- NRM was found 28% in patients who received ≥ 2 consolidations, and 37% in patients who received <2 consolidation (P =.06). L-asparaginase, high dose methotrexate, and cranial treatments given before transplantation had no effect on transplant outcomes (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Contrary to the belief that pre-transplant consolidation is not beneficial in ALL patients who proceed with allo-HCST in CR1, our results showed that consolidation treatments reduce NRM and improve the survival.

A novel differential diagnosis algorithm for chronic lymphocytic leukemia using immunophenotyping with flow cytometry

Abstract Introduction The availability of a clinical decision algorithm for diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may greatly contribute to the diagnosis of CLL, particularly in cases with ambiguous immunophenotypes. Herein we propose a novel differential diagnosis algorithm for the CLL diagnosis using immunophenotyping with flow cytometry. Methods The hierarchical logistic regression model (Backward LR) was used to build a predictive algorithm for the diagnosis of CLL, differentiated from other lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs). Results A total of 302 patients, of whom 220 (72.8%) had CLL and 82 (27.2%), B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders other than CLL, were included in the study. The Backward LR model comprised the variables CD5, CD43, CD81, ROR1, CD23, CD79b, FMC7, sIg and CD200 in the model development process. The weak expression of CD81 and increased intensity of expression in markers CD5, CD23 and CD200 increased the probability of CLL diagnosis, (p < 0.05). The odd ratio for CD5, C23, CD200 and CD81 was 1.088 (1.050 - 1.126), 1.044 (1.012 - 1.077), 1.039 (1.007 - 1.072) and 0.946 (0.921 - 0.970) [95% C.I.], respectively. Our model provided a novel diagnostic algorithm with 95.27% of sensitivity and 91.46% of specificity. The model prediction for 97.3% (214) of 220 patients diagnosed with CLL, was CLL and for 91.5% (75) of 82 patients diagnosed with an LPD other than CLL, was others. The cases were correctly classified as CLL and others with a 95.7% correctness rate. Conclusions Our model highlighting 4 markers (CD81, CD5, CD23 and CD200) provided high sensitivity and specificity in the CLL diagnosis and in distinguishing of CLL among other LPDs.