Examining the immunological responses to COVID-19 vaccination in multiple myeloma patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Impaired immune response in multiple myeloma renders the patients vulnerable to infections, such as COVID-19, and may cause worse response to vaccines. Researchers should analyze this issue to enable the planning for special preventive measures, such as increased booster doses. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the response and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with multiple myeloma. METHODS: This meta-analysis followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines, conducting a comprehensive database search using specified keywords. Study selection involved a two-phase title/abstract and full-text screening process. Data extraction was performed by two researchers, and statistical analysis involved meta-analysis, subgroup analysis based on vaccine dosage and study time, random effects meta-regression, and heterogeneity testing using the Q test. RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed that patients with multiple myeloma (MM) had a lower likelihood of developing detectable antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination compared to healthy controls (Log odds ratio with 95% CI: -3.34 [-4.08, -2.60]). The analysis of antibody response after different doses showed consistent lower seropositivity in MM patients (after first dose: -2.09, [-3.49, -0.69], second: -3.80, 95%CI [-4.71, -3.01], a booster dose: -3.03, [-5.91, -0.15]). However, there was no significant difference in the mean level of anti-S antibodies between MM patients and controls (Cohen's d -0.72, [-1.86, 0.43]). Evaluation of T-cell responses indicated diminished T-cell-mediated immunity in MM patients compared to controls. Seven studies reported clinical response, with breakthrough infections observed in vaccinated MM patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the impaired humoral and cellular immune responses in MM patients after COVID-19 vaccination, suggesting the need for further investigation and potential interventions.

A potential misdiagnosis in the COVID-19 pandemic era: a case report of superimposed thrombosis or tumor recurrence.

BACKGROUND: The clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) overlap with those of other disorders, especially cardiovascular disease. CASE PRESENTATION: We herein describe a 58-year-old woman who presented with syncopal episodes and dyspnea on exertion with a left atrial (LA) mass, scheduled for surgical removal and mitral valve replacement. Nearly 3 months later, the patient developed dyspnea, fever, and a sore throat, resulting in hospital admission with suspected COVID-19. During the diagnostic evaluation, a larger LA mass was detected. The mass seemed to be a COVID-19-induced organized thrombus with prosthetic mitral valve malfunction. Resection was, therefore, planned. An immunohistochemistry study revealed a liposarcoma. CONCLUSIONS: The unusual early recurrence of liposarcomas and the misdiagnosis with COVID-19-induced thrombosis are the hallmark of the present case.

Isolated tricuspid valve surgery; long-term outcomes based on Tehran Heart Center data bank report.

BACKGROUND: Given that isolated tricuspid valve (TV) repair or replacement is performed relatively rarely, we sought to evaluate the rate of long-term mortality and readmission following this surgery. METHODS: The current study was conducted in Tehran Heart Center on patients who underwent isolated TV repair or replacement between 2010 and 2018. Totally, 197 patients (repair = 150 vs replacement = 47) were included in our study and were then followed right after surgery for a median of 8 years to assess the incidence of postoperative events, readmission, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The final analysis was conducted on 197 patients at a mean age of 44.4 ± 13.8 years. Most of the patients were female (56.9%). Ejection fraction, TAPSE, and right ventricular function improved in both groups after TV surgery. Length of stay in the intensive care unit per hour and hospitalization per day were higher in the replacement group and compared to the repair group (158.34 vs. 55.11 and 18.21 vs. 9.34, respectively). In-hospital mortality occurred in 20 patients, of whom 15 had TV replacement. Readmission occurred in five (2.5%) patients,all were in the repair group. CONCLUSIONS: The result of this single-center study showed that TV replacement is associated with a higher rate of postoperative events and all-cause mortality compared to TV repair. Whereas, repair group had a higher rate of readmission. Therefore, the overwhelming tendency is toward repair; nonetheless, no hesitation is permissible if a replacement is adjudged to confer a better outcome for the patient.

Reinforcing the primary immunotherapy modulators against acute leukemia; monoclonal antibodies in AML.

Recent therapeutic advances in cancer treatment recruit immune system potentiation against malignant cells. Numerous ongoing clinical trials on immunotherapy methods, either monotherapy or combination therapy, are investigating the impeding factors on the way of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment. Due to the genetic diversity in AML progenitors, combining various strategies is more likely to be useful for improving patient outcomes. This review describes the details of applying monoclonal antibodies against AML, focusing on CD33, CD123, FLT3, CD45 and CD66 targeting. Furthermore, it clarifies the importance of immunotoxins, bispecific antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and T cell receptor-modified cells as reinforcing agents for monoclonal antibodies.