Multiple myeloma treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in the Latin America Haemato-Oncology (HOLA) Observational Study, 2008-2016.

Limited data are available regarding contemporary multiple myeloma (MM) treatment practices in Latin America. In this retrospective cohort study, medical records were reviewed for a multinational cohort of 1103 Latin American MM patients (median age, 61 years) diagnosed in 2008-2015 who initiated first-line therapy (LOT1). Of these patients, 33·9% underwent autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). During follow-up, 501 (45·4%) and 129 (11·7%) patients initiated second- (LOT2) and third-line therapy (LOT3), respectively. In the LOT1 setting, from 2008 to 2015, there was a decrease in the use of thalidomide-based therapy, from 66·7% to 42·6%, and chemotherapy from, 20·2% to 5·9%, whereas use of bortezomib-based therapy or bortezomib + thalidomide increased from 10·7% to 45·5%. Bortezomib-based therapy and bortezomib + thalidomide were more commonly used in ASCT patients and in private clinics. In non-ASCT and ASCT patients, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 15·0 and 31·1 months following LOT1 and 10·9 and 9·5 months following LOT2, respectively. PFS was generally longer in patients treated with bortezomib-based or thalidomide-based therapy versus chemotherapy. These data shed light on recent trends in the management of MM in Latin America. Slower uptake of newer therapies in public clinics and poor PFS among patients with relapsed MM point to areas of unmet therapeutic need in Latin America.

Thalidomide and Dexamethasone Induction Therapy Until Best Response in Recently Diagnosed Patients with Multiple Myeloma: Results From a Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Novel therapies for multiple myeloma are not affordable for all healthcare systems. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the response rates, overall survival, event-free survival, and toxicity of thalidomide and dexamethasone administered until best response in recently diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma. METHODS: All recently diagnosed multiple myeloma patients meeting the inclusion criteria received the same treatment with thalidomide and dexamethasone. RESULTS: We studied 28 patients. Overall response rate was 75%. Complete response, partial response, and very good partial response were 25.0, 32.1, and 17.9%, respectively. The most frequent adverse event related to therapy was neuropathy. Median overall survival was 66 months, and median event-free survival was 39 months (range, 27.6-50.4). Variables that negatively affected overall survival on multivariate analysis included the presence of extramedullary disease, t(14;16), and chromosome 13 deletion. CONCLUSIONS: Induction therapy with thalidomide and dexamethasone until obtaining the best response in patients with recently diagnosed multiple myeloma was a useful and safe strategy. It represents an alternative for patients with limited access to costly drugs.

Impact of Socioeconomic Characteristics and Comorbidities on Therapy Initiation and Outcomes of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Real-World Data From a Resource-Constrained Setting.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) in developing regions have not paralleled those in developed settings. Economic disadvantage, comorbidities, and aggressive disease behavior play competing roles on defining outcomes. Our aim was to analyze the impact of socioeconomic characteristics and comorbidities on therapy initiation, drug selection, and survival outcomes of NDMM in a resource-constrained setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective single-center cohort included ≥ 18-year-old NDMM patients from January 2006 to December 2018. RESULTS: A total of 245 patients were included with a median age of 62 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 2 in 70.2%, International Staging System score ≥ 2 in 89.4%, and high-risk disease in 31.6%. Comorbidities were reported in 69.4%, and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was ≥ 2 in 64.1%. A total of 87.4% (n = 214) received thalidomide-, alkylating-, and bortezomib-based induction in 67.8%, 18.2%, and 13.1%. Patient-related factors including performance status, comorbidities, and CCI, but not myeloma-related factors, were associated with a decreased likelihood of initiating induction therapy. On multivariate analysis, CCI ≥ 2 remained statistically significant (odds ratio, 5.81; P = .005). Overall survival was 44 months. Although both patient- and myeloma-related factors were associated with a decreased overall survival, only International Staging System score > 2 (hazard ratio, 3.53; P = .004) and induction without bortezomib-based regimens (hazard ratio, 4.45; P < .001) were statistically significant on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Myeloma- and treatment-related factors are the main determinants of survival in NDMM induction-eligible patients. Patient-related factors play a pivotal role determining access to therapy and survival outcomes. Comorbidity index and performance status were determinant on defining therapy initiation in this real-world population, which emphasizes the need to improve health baseline conditions in resource-constrained settings.

Daratumumab Plus Bortezomib, Melphalan, and Prednisone Versus Standard of Care in Latin America for Transplant-Ineligible Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The phase 3 ALCYONE study demonstrated significantly longer progression-free and overall survival (PFS/OS) and higher overall response rates (ORR) with daratumumab plus bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone (D-VMP) versus VMP alone in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). In Latin America, bortezomib- or thalidomide-based regimens remain standard of care (SoC) for this population. No head-to-head trials have compared D-VMP with SoC regimens used in Latin America. METHODS: Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control for baseline differences between patient populations and compare outcomes for D-VMP versus SoC regimens used in Latin America. Data for the D-VMP cohort were from the D-VMP arm of the ALCYONE trial (n = 350). Data for the SoC cohort were from the retrospective, observational Hemato-Oncology Latin America (HOLA) study, which included patients with NDMM who did not receive a transplant (n = 729). Propensity scores were estimated using logistic regression. Exact, optimal, and nearest-neighbor PSM were applied to pick the best-performing method. Doubly robust estimation was the base case, since some baseline imbalances persisted. RESULTS: All 350 patients from the D-VMP arm of ALCYONE were included in OS/PFS analyses and 338 in ORR analysis; 478 and 324 patients, respectively, from HOLA were included in these analyses. Naïve comparison revealed important differences in baseline characteristics (age, chronic kidney disease, hypercalcemia, and International Staging System [ISS] stage). After nearest-neighbor matching, baseline characteristics, except ISS stage, were well balanced; comparisons favored D-VMP over SoC for OS (hazard ratio = 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-0.66; P = 0.002) and PFS (hazard ratio = 0.48; 95% CI 0.35-0.67; P < 0.001). After exact matching, imbalances remained in age and ISS stage; comparisons favored D-VMP over SoC for ORR (odds ratio = 5.44; 95% CI 2.65-11.82; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In transplant-ineligible patients with NDMM, D-VMP showed superior effectiveness versus bortezomib- and thalidomide-based regimens, supporting adoption of daratumumab-containing regimens in Latin America.

Prophylactic low-dose aspirin is effective antithrombotic therapy for combination treatments of thalidomide or lenalidomide in myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) patients have a propensity for thromboembolic events (TE), and treatment with thalidomide/dexamethasone or lenalidomide/dexamethasone increases this risk. This report describes the use of low-dose aspirin (81 mg) as primary thromboprophylaxis in three series of MM patients receiving thalidomide or lenalidomide with other drugs. In the first regimen (clarithromycin, thalidomide, dexamethasone), initiation of low-dose aspirin negated the occurrence of any further TE. In a second study, prophylactic aspirin given with thalidomide/dexamethasone resulted in a rate of TE similar to that seen with dexamethasone alone (without aspirin). A third study (n = 72) evaluated thrombosis rates with aspirin and a lenalidomide-containing regimen (clarithromycin, lenalidomide, dexamethasone). Of nine occurrences of thromboembolism, five were associated with aspirin interruption or poor compliance. Low-dose aspirin appears to reduce the incidence of thrombosis with these regimens. Routine use of aspirin as antithrombotic prophylaxis in MM patients receiving immunomodulatory drugs with corticosteroids is warranted.

Global methylation and promoter-specific methylation of the P16, SOCS-1, E-cadherin, P73 and SHP-1 genes and their expression in patients with multiple myeloma during active disease and remission.

Tumor suppressor gene promoter CpG island methylation is a well-recognized mechanism in cancer pathogenesis, but its role in multiple myeloma (MM) is controversial. The present study investigated the methylation status and expression of P16, suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1), P73, E-cadherin and Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1), as well as global methylation in patients with MM during active disease and remission. Bone marrow samples were obtained from 43 patients at the Multiple Myeloma Clinic, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (Mexico City, Mexico) during active disease and remission. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and ELISA were performed on bisulfite-treated or untreated DNA to determine promoter-specific or genomic methylation, respectively. Gene expression was measured using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that SOCS-1 methylation occurred more frequently during active disease than remission [29 vs. 3.2% (P=0.021)] and was associated with more advanced forms of the disease [international staging system (ISS) 3, 16.67% vs. ISS 1, 8.3% (P=0.037)]. SHP-1 methylation during active disease was associated with a lower probability of survival at 39-month follow up (median), 52.5 vs. 87.5% (P=0.025). The percentage of methylation was associated with active disease at remission, but this was not significant. Global hypomethylation at remission was a negative predictor factor for overall survival (OS). The results indicated that methylated P16, SOCS-1 and SHP-1 were associated with clinical variables of poor prognosis in MM, likewise the persistence of global hypomethylation at remission. The negative impact on OS of global hypomethylation at remission must be confirmed in a larger sample. Future studies are necessary to investigate whether patients with global hypermethylation at remission should receive more aggressive treatments to improve their OS.

Adult-onset Still disease as the cause of fever of unknown origin.

We conducted the current study to evaluate the cases of fever of unknown origin (FUO) admitted in our institution during the 10 years between 1991 and 2001 and to compare the patients diagnosed as having adult-onset Still disease (AOSD) with the patients with FUO due to other diagnoses. We performed a case-control study and analyzed 26 patients with AOSD and 135 patients with FUO due to other diseases. Controls were classified into 1 of 4 groups: 1. Infectious diseases; 2. Malignant conditions; 3. Autoimmune diseases; 4. No diagnosis. Differences between groups were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Odds ratios (OR) were calculated by multiple logistic regression analyses. Patients with AOSD were younger than controls. Arthritis (OR, 8.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-49.1; p = 0.014), pharyngitis (OR, 6.9; 95% CI, 1.5-30.2; p = 0.010), splenomegaly (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.1-26.7; p = 0.039), and neutrophilic leukocytosis (OR, 18.1; 95% CI, 3.5-93.6; p = 0.001) were significantly more common in patients with AOSD than in the control groups. A clinical scale that identifies patients with AOSD was designed. It proved to be highly specific ( approximately 98%), with predictive values greater than 90%.AOSD is a defined clinical entity. In most cases, it is clinically distinguishable from other causes of FUO. We propose a clinical scale as a tool to identify patients whose disease can be diagnosed based on clinical grounds without the need of long, costly diagnostic procedures.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the larynx: a case report of subglottic localization.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare neoplasm of plasma cells, described in soft tissue outside the bone marrow. EMP of the larynx represents 0.04 to 0.45% of malignant tumors of the larynx. A male of 57 years old presented with hoarseness, dyspnea, and biphasic stridor of 2 months. The indirect laryngoscopy (IL) revealed severe edema of the posterior commissure and a polypoid mass in the right posterior lateral subglottic wall. A biopsy of the subglottic mass was performed by a direct laryngoscopy (DL). The histopathologic diagnosis was EMP CD138+, therefore radiotherapy was given at 54 Gy in 30 sessions. The patient had an adequate postoperative clinical course and a new biopsy was performed having tumor-free margins. All laryngeal lesions should be biopsied prior to treatment to determine an accurate diagnosis to guide a proper management of the condition. Radiation therapy to the EMP is considered the treatment of choice, having local control rates of 80% to 100%. The subglottis is the least accessible area of view and the least frequent location of a laryngeal mass, nevertheless the otolaryngologist should always do a complete and systematic exam of the larynx when a tumor is suspected, to detect diagnoses such as a subglottic plasmacytoma.

Familial amyloidosis with polyneuropathy associated with TTR Ser50Arg mutation.

BACKGROUND: The phenotypic heterogeneity of transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) familial polyneuropathy may be linked to the type of mutation and to the environmental factors. A gender difference in relation to the severity of the disease has been suspected. More than 100 different pathogenic variants of hereditary transthyretin (TTR) mutations have been reported. OBJECTIVE: To describe 32 patients with confirmed TTR Ser50Arg mutation from the same geographical origin. METHODS: Seven families with up to four affected generations underwent genetic testing and prospective clinical and laboratory evaluations. RESULTS: The mutation was confirmed in seven patients from different families with clinical symptoms compatible with ATTR amyloidosis, and in 25 (62%) of the 40 direct relatives tested. Of the 32 patients with positive test results, 18 (56%) were men. Only 5 (16%) subjects were disease-free at the time of the genetic test (mean age: 20, range: 18-30-year-old). The rest developed symptoms at a young age, between ages 36 and 41. Symptomatic, histologically positive patients were older than carriers and symptomatic patients without a confirmatory biopsy. The later generation displayed symptoms at a younger age. Initial manifestations in the 27 symptomatic patients were neuropathic in 19 (70%), gastrointestinal in 6 (22%) and autonomic in 1 (4%). Significant differences were demonstrated among genders, where men had a considerably worse outcome. CONCLUSION: ATTR Ser50Arg mutation was associated with an early onset, an unbalanced male to female ratio, a more aggressive course in males and possibly displayed anticipation.

Pharmacotherapy options for locally advanced and advanced cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer continues to be a significant health burden worldwide. Globally, the majority of cancers are locally advanced at diagnosis; hence, radiation remains the most frequently used therapeutic modality. Currently, the value of adding cisplatin or cisplatin-based chemotherapy to radiation for the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer is strongly supported by randomized studies and meta-analyses. Nevertheless, despite these significant achievements, therapeutic results are far from optimal; thus, novel therapies need to be investigated. A recent, randomized, phase III trial has shown for the first time that combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine concurrently with radiation improves parameters of survival over cisplatin alone and establishes a new standard for the management of locally advanced cervical cancer. On the other hand, advanced disease, presenting either as an International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IVB or as persistent or recurrent to primary therapy without local curative options, remains a devastating group of diseases with no options other than palliative chemotherapy. Recent results from the GOG (Gynecologic and Oncologic Group)-204 study demonstrate that cisplatin-doublets with paclitaxel, vinorelbine, gemcitabine or topotecan only produce small improvements in survival, although with different toxicity patterns; hence, patient-related factors are important when choosing any one of these regimens. The role of targeted therapies both in locally advanced and advanced disease is promising, but still at an investigational stage.

Response to hydralazine-valproate in a patient with mycosis fungoides.

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have shown significant activity in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL). The epigenetic alterations of CTCL not only are limited to altered histone acetylation but also include aberrant DNA gene methylation hence, the combination of an HDAC inhibitor with a DNA demethylating agent is a promising therapy to be tested. Here we report a mycosis fungoides patient having a dramatic response to hydralazine and valproate, two repositioned drugs as HDAC and DNA methylation inhibitors, respectively.

Arteritis de Takayasu en México: una serie de 65 casos consecutivos / Takayasu arteritis in Mexico: sixty-five consecutive cases

Dentro de las vasculitis primarias, las que afectan grandes arterias son raras. Una, la arteritis inespecífica llamada "Takayasu", parece ser común en México. Dada su morbilidad cardiovascular se ha estudiado con predilección en nuestro hospital. Objetivo. Reseña de las condiciones habituales de diagnóstico en 65 casos consecutivos con panaortografía definitiva. Material y métodos. Serie de casos, estudio retrolectivo, descriptivo, observacional. Estadística descriptiva. Resultados. La morbilidad de la enfermedad es cardiovascular y neurooftálmica, solo un cuarto de los casos tiene datos que sugieren inicio sistémico, la enfermedad crónica provoca hipertensión arterial sistémica, isquemia en distintos territorios y obvias deficiencias de pulsos, diferencia en la tensión arterial e insuficiencia cardiorrenal. En el laboratorio son útiles la biometría hemática, la eritrosedimentación, y la determinación de fibrinógeno y PCR. No hay tratamiento definido. Conclusión. Es necesario un índice de sospecha y maniobras diagnósticas específicas para reconocer la Arteritis de Takayasu. Se requiere un estudio multicéntrico para definir la terapéutica médico-quirúrgica en esta arteritis primaria