Fungal infection frequency in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia patients treated with venetoclax plus azacitidine with or without antifungal prophylaxis.

Our observational study analysed fungal infection frequency within cohorts with versus without antifungal prophylaxis (AFP) among newly diagnosed first-line venetoclax and azacitidine (VEN + AZA)-treated acute myeloid leukaemias in Czech, Austrian and Slovak haematology centres. Among 186 patients, 85 (46%) received antifungal prophylaxis, while 101 (54%) received no prophylaxis. Fungal infections occurred in 1/85 patients with prophylaxis (1%) and 5/101 patients without prophylaxis (5%) (p = 0.222). No significant difference was recorded between cohorts with and without AFP in terms of death rate (p = 0.296) and overall survival (p = 0.844). In conclusion, most infections were not severe, developing during the first treatment-cycle and did not affect patients' overall outcome.

Quizartinib plus chemotherapy in newly diagnosed patients with FLT3-internal-tandem-duplication-positive acute myeloid leukaemia (QuANTUM-First): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) positive for internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations of FLT3 have poor outcomes. Quizartinib, an oral, highly potent, selective, type 2 FLT3 inhibitor, plus chemotherapy showed antitumour activity with an acceptable safety profile in patients with FLT3-ITD-positive newly diagnosed AML. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of quizartinib versus placebo on overall survival in patients with FLT3-ITD-positive newly diagnosed AML aged 18-75 years. METHODS: We conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial comparing quizartinib and placebo in combination with chemotherapy in induction and consolidation, followed by quizartinib or placebo single-agent continuation, in patients with FLT3-ITD-positive newly diagnosed AML at 193 hospitals and clinics in 26 countries in Europe; North America; and Asia, Australia, and South America. Patients aged 18-75 years were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to the quizartinib group or the placebo group by an independent biostatistician through an interactive web and voice response system, stratified by region, age, and white blood cell count at diagnosis. Patients, investigators, funders, and contract research organisations were masked to treatments assigned. Induction therapy comprised a standard 7 + 3 induction regimen of cytarabine 100 mg/m2 per day (or 200 mg/m2 per day allowed if institutional or local standard) by continuous intravenous infusion from day 1 to day 7 and anthracycline (daunorubicin 60 mg/m2 per day or idarubicin 12 mg/m2 per day) by intravenous infusion on days 1, 2, and 3, then quizartinib 40 mg orally or placebo once per day, starting on day 8, for 14 days. Patients with complete remission or complete remission with incomplete neutrophil or platelet recovery received standard consolidation with high-dose cytarabine plus quizartinib (40 mg per day orally) or placebo, allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), or both as consolidation therapy, followed by continuation of single-agent quizartinib or placebo for up to 3 years. The primary outcome was overall survival, defined as time from randomisation until death from any cause and assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was evaluated in all patients who received at least one dose of quizartinib or placebo. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02668653). FINDINGS: Between Sept 27, 2016, and Aug 14, 2019, 3468 patients with AML were screened and 539 patients (294 [55%] male patients and 245 [45%] female patients) with FLT3-ITD-positive AML were included and randomly assigned to the quizartinib group (n=268) or placebo group (n=271). 148 (55%) of 268 patients in the quizartinib group and 168 (62%) of 271 patients in the placebo group discontinued the study, primarily because of death (133 [90%] of 148 in the quizartinib group vs 158 [94%] of 168 in the placebo group) or withdrawal of consent (13 [9%] of 148 in the quizartinib group vs 9 [5%] of 168 in the placebo group). Median age was 56 years (range 20-75, IQR 46·0-65·0). At a median follow-up of 39·2 months (IQR 31·9-45·8), median overall survival was 31·9 months (95% CI 21·0-not estimable) for quizartinib versus 15·1 months (13·2-26·2) for placebo (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·62-0·98, p=0·032). Similar proportions of patients in the quizartinib and placebo groups had at least one adverse event (264 [100%] of 265 in the quizartinib group and 265 [99%] of 268 in the placebo group) and one grade 3 or higher adverse event (244 [92%] of 265 in the quizartinib group and 240 [90%] of 268 in the placebo group). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were febrile neutropenia, hypokalaemia, and pneumonia in both groups and neutropenia in the quizartinib group. INTERPRETATION: The addition of quizartinib to standard chemotherapy with or without allo-HCT, followed by continuation monotherapy for up to 3 years, resulted in improved overall survival in adults aged 18-75 years with FLT3-ITD-positive newly diagnosed AML. Based on the results from the QuANTUM-First trial, quizartinib provides a new, effective, and generally well tolerated treatment option for adult patients with FLT3-ITD-positive newly diagnosed AML. FUNDING: Daiichi Sankyo.

Real-world data on diagnostics, treatment and outcomes of patients with hairy cell leukemia: The HCL-CLLEAR study.

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and HCL-like disorders have to be distinguished because of their different biology and treatment response. Thus, we conducted a retrospective study on patients with HCL and hairy cell leukemia variant (HCLv) to assess diagnostic algorithms and treatment outcomes in a real-world setting. We analyzed 225 HCL and 26 HCLv patients with median follow-up of 67.9 months (HCL) and 20.1 months (HCLv). Median age at diagnosis was 56.2 (HCL) and 69.5 years (HCLv), male predominance was observed in both groups (76.0% vs. 73.1%). Diagnostics was mostly based on morphological evidence of hairy cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow. At diagnosis, BRAF V600E mutation was detected in 94.7% of examined HCL patients and in no HCLv patient. Front-line treatment was indicated in 205 (91.1%) HCL and 18 (69.2%) HCLv patients. The majority of HCL patients were administered a cladribine-based regimen (91.2%). Overall response rate (ORR) was higher in cladribine-treated patients compared to those given other treatments (97.7% vs. 81.3%), the same applied with achieving Complete remission (CR) (91.2% vs. 62.5%). HCLv treatment was heterogeneous, but cladribine remained the most frequent option (44.4%) with ORR 81.3% and CR rates 43.8%. Second-line treatment was indicated in 52 HCL and 8 HCLv patients, 25.4% and 44.4% of those treated in first-line. In the whole HCL group, median time to next treatment (TTNT) was not reached and 10-year TTNT was estimated at 74.1%. HCLv patients who underwent first-line treatment had a median TTNT of 56 months. The median overall survival (OS) in HCL patients was not reached compared to HCLv with a median OS of 9.5 years. These data confirm an excellent prognosis for HCL patients treated with cladribine-based therapy. On the contrary, HCLv with its aggressive behavior represents a group of patients in whom novel treatment approaches are needed.

De novo accelerated phase of chronic myeloid leukemia should be recognized even in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Overall survival of patients classified according to the European LeukemiaNet 2020 classification. Chronic phase (CP), accelerated phase (AP), blast crisis (BC), low risk (LR), intermediate risk (IR), high risk (HR).

COVID-19 in adult acute myeloid leukemia patients: a long-term follow-up study from the European Hematology Association survey (EPICOVIDEHA).

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are at high risk of dying from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The optimal management of AML patients with COVID-19 has not been established. Our multicenter study included 388 adult AML patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 2020 and October 2021. The vast majority were receiving or had received AML treatment in the preceding 3 months. COVID-19 was severe in 41.2% and critical in 21.1% of cases. The chemotherapeutic schedule was modified in 174 patients (44.8%), delayed in 68 and permanently discontinued in 106. After a median follow-up of 325 days, 180 patients (46.4%) had died; death was attributed to COVID-19 (43.3%), AML (26.1%) or to a combination of both (26.7%), whereas in 3.9% of cases the reason was unknown. Active disease, older age, and treatment discontinuation were associated with death, whereas AML treatment delay was protective. Seventy-nine patients had a simultaneous AML and COVID-19 diagnosis, with better survival when AML treatment could be delayed (80%; P<0.001). Overall survival in patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 between January 2020 and August 2020 was significantly lower than that in patients diagnosed between September 2020 and February 2021 and between March 2021 and September 2021 (39.8% vs. 60% vs. 61.9%, respectively; P=0.006). COVID-19 in AML patients was associated with a high mortality rate and modifications of therapeutic algorithms. The best approach to improve survival was to delay AML treatment, whenever possible.

Superiority of ceftazidime off-label high-dose regimen in PK/PD target attainment during treatment of extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in cancer patients.

AIM: The objective of this study was to evaluate off-label high-dose ceftazidime population pharmacokinetics in cancer patients with suspected or proven extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and then to compare the achievement of the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) target after standard and off-label high-dose regimens using population model-based simulations. A further aim was to clinically observe the occurrence of adverse effects during the off-label high-dose ceftazidime treatment. METHODS: In patients treated with off-label high-dose ceftazidime (3 g every 6 h), blood samples were collected and ceftazidime serum levels measured using LC-MS/MS. A pharmacokinetic population model was developed using a nonlinear mixed-effects modelling approach and Monte Carlo simulations were then used to compare standard and high-dose regimens for PK/PD target attainment. RESULTS: A total of 14 cancer patients with serious infection suspected of XDR P. aeruginosa aetiology were eligible for PK analysis. XDR P. aeruginosa was confirmed in 10 patients as the causative pathogen. Population ceftazidime volume of distribution was 13.23 L, while clearance started at the baseline of 1.48 L/h and increased by 0.0076 L/h with each 1 mL/min/1.73 m2 of eGFR. High-dose regimen showed significantly higher probability of target attainment (i.e., 86% vs. 56% at MIC of 32 mg/L). This was translated into a very low mortality rate of 20%. Only one case of reversible neurological impairment was observed. CONCLUSION: We proved the superiority of the ceftazidime off-label high-dose regimen in PK/PD target attainment with very low occurrence of adverse effects. The off-label high-dose regimen should be used to optimize treatment of XDR P. aeruginosa infections.

Successful early use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal neutralizing antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 infected hematological patients - A Czech multicenter experience.

COVID-19 significantly impairs survival rates among hematological patients when compared to the general population. Our prospective multicentre project analyzed early administration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (NmAbs) - bamlanivimab (72%) and casirivimab/imdevimab (28%) - efficacy among hematological patients with early-stage COVID-19. Mortality rate was compared to a control cohort of 575 SARS-CoV-2 positive hematological patients untreated with any specific anti-COVID-19 therapy. 88 hematological patients with lymphomas, acute leukemias, and myeloma as their most frequent underlying diagnoses (72%) were evaluated with a 97 days median follow-up after NmAb administration. One third of patients (32%) were treated with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody before COVID-19 diagnosis. Median time between first COVID-19 symptom and NmAb administration was 2 days. When administering NmAb, 29%, 57%, 11%, 2%, and 1% of our patients had asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe, and critical degrees of COVID-19, respectively. 80% of baseline asymptomatic patients remained asymptomatic following NmAb administration. Median duration of COVID-19 symptoms after NmAb administration was 2.5 days. Progression to severe/critical COVID-19 occurred among a total of 17% (15/88) of our cases and numerically higher with bamlanivimab versus casirivimab/imdevimab (21% vs. 8%; p = 0.215), and myelomas (29%), lymphomas (17%) and acute leukemias (18%), respectively. During final follow-up, nine deaths (10%) were recorded - all after bamlanivimab (p = 0.056) with 8% attributed to COVID-19. Regarding "remdesivir/convalescent plasma naïve" patients, COVID-19 mortality rates were significantly lower in our NmAbs treated cohort compared to the control cohort of untreated SARS-CoV-2 positive hematological patients (6% vs. 16%, p = 0.020), respectively. Our study validated the safety and efficacy of NmAbs early use among hematological patients with newly diagnosed early-stage COVID-19 in terms of alleviating infection course and decreasing mortality. Results confirmed a more positive effect of a casirivimab/imdevimab combination versus bamlanivimab monotherapy.

Characteristics and outcome of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and t(8;16)(p11;p13): results from an International Collaborative Study.

In acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) t(8;16)(p11;p13)/MYST3-CREBBP is a very rare abnormality. Previous small series suggested poor outcome. We report on 59 patients with t(8;16) within an international, collaborative study. Median age was 52 (range: 16-75) years. AML was de novo in 58%, therapy-related (t-AML) in 37% and secondary after myelodysplastic syndrome (s-AML) in 5%. Cytogenetics revealed a complex karyotype in 43%. Besides MYST3-CREBBP, whole-genome sequencing on a subset of 10 patients revealed recurrent mutations in ASXL1, BRD3, FLT3, MLH1, POLG, TP53, SAMD4B (n = 3, each), EYS, KRTAP9-1 SPTBN5 (n = 4, each), RUNX1 and TET2 (n = 2, each). Complete remission after intensive chemotherapy was achieved in 84%. Median follow-up was 5·48 years; five-year survival rate was 17%. Patients with s-/t-AML (P = 0·01) and those with complex karyotype (P = 0·04) had an inferior prognosis. Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) was performed in 21 (36%) patients, including 15 in first complete remission (CR1). Allo-HCT in CR1 significantly improved survival (P = 0·04); multivariable analysis revealed that allo-HCT in CR1 was effective in de novo AML but not in patients with s-AML/t-AML and less in patients exhibiting a complex karyotype. In summary, outcomes of patients with t(8;16) are dismal with chemotherapy, and may be substantially improved with allo-HCT performed in CR1.

Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide and Dexamethasone (RCD) Chemoimmunotherapy for Relapsed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia.

High doses of corticosteroids in combination with rituximab remain an alternative in the treatment in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in the current era of targeted therapies. This study retrospectively evaluates the efficacy of an RCD (rituximab, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone) regimen in the treatment of 51 patients with relapsed CLL (median age, 72 years). Unfavourable prognostic features, such as Rai stage III/IV, unmutated IGHV, del11q, TP53 mutation/deletion, complex karyotype and bulky lymphadenopathy, were frequent. The overall response or complete remission was of 57% and 7%, respectively, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was of 12.3 months, median time to next treatment 23.1 months and median overall survival 39.2 months. Significant independent predictors of shorter PFS were TP53 deletion/mutation, advanced Rai stage and ≥2 previous lines of treatment. The incidence of neutropenia grade ≥ 3 was of 13%. Serious (CTCAE grade 3-5) infections were found in 20% of patients. Steroid-induced diabetes or diabetes decompensation occurred in 20% patients. Treatment-related adverse events resulted in RCD dose reduction in 35% of patients. In comparison with a historical R-Dex patient group, the treatment response and/or toxicity in our group was largely similar. However, the substantial differences in the baseline clinical characteristics of the groups may affect this comparison. In conclusion, the RCD regimen is an active, time-limited therapeutic strategy for elderly patients with relapsed CLL. Further, the results of our analysis indicate that the addition of cyclophosphamide to the R-Dex regimen maintains a similar efficacy, even after 50% reduction in the dexamethasone dose.

Serum levels of selected cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules in acute myeloid leukemia: Soluble receptor for interleukin-2 predicts overall survival.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells are highly resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs. Cytokines and adhesion molecules may contribute to this resistance and affect treatment outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the independence and additional prognostic information of baseline serum levels of selected cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules, included in analyses with standard prognostic indicators. METHODS: We used biochip array technology to measure levels of selected cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules in serum samples of 80 newly diagnosed AML patients. The markers of tumour microenvironment were analysed against high risk karyotype, hyperleucocytosis, higher age, lactic dehydrogenase levels and presence of FLT3-ITD and NPM-1 mutation. RESULTS: All evaluated analytes were independent of standard prognostic indicators. Fifteen were associated with overall and eight with progression-free survival in univariate analysis. After correction for multiple testing, we identified soluble interleukin-2 receptor-α as an independent indicator of overall survival. Further, the soluble type I TNF-α receptor was close to statistical significance for both overall and progression-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor-α predict overall survival in newly diagnosed AML. The TNF-α type I soluble receptor is a candidate prognostic marker in AML and is worth of further investigation.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation improves outcome of adults with t(6;9) acute myeloid leukemia: results from an international collaborative study.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(6;9)(p22;q34) is a distinct entity accounting for 1-2% of AML cases. A substantial proportion of these patients have a concomitant FLT3-ITD. While outcomes are dismal with intensive chemotherapy, limited evidence suggests allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) may improve survival if performed early during first complete remission. We report on a cohort of 178 patients with t(6;9)(p22;q34) within an international, multicenter collaboration. Median age was 46 years (range: 16-76), AML was de novo in 88%, FLT3-ITD was present in 62%, and additional cytogenetic abnormalities in 21%. Complete remission was achieved in 81% (n=144), including 14 patients who received high-dose cytarabine after initial induction failure. With a median follow up of 5.43 years, estimated overall survival at five years was 38% (95%CI: 31-47%). Allo-HCT was performed in 117 (66%) patients, including 89 in first complete remission. Allo-HCT in first complete remission was associated with higher 5-year relapse-free and overall survival as compared to consolidation chemotherapy: 45% (95%CI: 35-59%) and 53% (95%CI: 42-66%) versus 7% (95%CI: 3-19%) and 23% (95%CI: 13-38%), respectively. For patients undergoing allo-HCT, there was no difference in overall survival rates at five years according to whether it was performed in first [53% (95%CI: 42-66%)], or second [58% (95%CI: 31-100%); n=10] complete remission or with active disease/relapse [54% (95%CI: 34-84%); n=18] (P=0.67). Neither FLT3-ITD nor additional chromosomal abnormalities impacted survival. In conclusion, outcomes of t(6;9)(p22;q34) AML are poor with chemotherapy, and can be substantially improved with allo-HCT.

Scintigraphic evaluation of salivary gland function in thyroid cancer patients after radioiodine remnant ablation.

Radioiodine (131 I, RAI) has traditionally been used in thyroid cancer treatment but its benefit should be balanced against possible risks. Among them, salivary gland dysfunction has often been discussed, although the reported data have been inconsistent. The aim of our prospective study was to evaluate salivary gland function in 31 thyroidectomised patients (6 men, 25 women; median age 52 yr) before and 4-6 months after RAI remnant ablation (RRA), using activity of 3.7 GBq 131 I-NaI. Salivary gland uptake and excretion fractions were quantitatively assessed with 99m Tc - pertechnetate salivary gland scintigraphy. Pre- and post-treatment values were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank test. No statistically significant difference in the pre- and post-treatment values was observed in parotid or submandibular glands uptake, or in the parotid or submandibular excretion fractions. The calculated power for minimum relevant difference of 25% with the sample size of 31 ranged between 86% and 96% for the individual variables, making our negative results reasonably reliable. The results suggest that RRA with the most commonly used activity of 3.7 GBq has no important impact on salivary gland function. Therefore, the concerns about putative salivary gland functional deterioration following RRA are probably unjustified.

Improved laboratory diagnostics of Streptococcus pneumoniae in respiratory tract samples through qPCR.

The aim of this study was to test the detection performance of the cpsA, lytA and ply genes through qPCR in the identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae in respiratory tract samples. Specificity was tested on a panel of 128 streptococci and other bacteria DNA samples. The qPCR assay was tested on a total of 51 respiratory tract samples from patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The specificity of the cpsA, lytA and ply genes was 100%, 100%, and 86%, respectively. The quantitative assessment, based on lytA, determined a cutoff value of ~2x104, 4x102 and 4x102 DNA copies per 1 mL of valid sputum, tracheal aspirate and bronchial aspirate samples, respectively. The results from the present study suggest that qPCR detection of all three genes would be optimal in the accurate detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Prognostic significance of mutation profile at diagnosis and mutation persistence during disease remission in adult acute myeloid leukaemia patients.

In this multi-centre study, we analysed the prognostic impact of mutations in 19 genes associated with myeloid malignancies in 258 newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia patients (aged 19-70 years) undergoing intensive therapy. We identified five patient groups with different prognostic risks and different benefits from allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) within the intermediate cytogenetic risk group patients (n = 184). The most adverse prognosis was observed in patients with DNMT3A and FLT3-ITD co-mutation, whose survival could be significantly improved with alloHSCT. In contrast, the most favourable prognosis without any further benefit from alloHSCT was identified in patients with mutations in NPM1 or CEBPA, after exclusion of the unfavourable prognostic groups defined by mutations in DNMT3A, RUNX1 or genes from chromatin/spliceosome group. An additional analysis of 113 diagnosis-remission paired samples revealed that persistence of non-DNMT3A mutations (above 2% VAF) represented a further negative prognostic factor. The proposed model offers a possible molecular stratification and treatment guidance for intermediate cytogenetic risk group patients.

Inactivated varicella zoster vaccine in autologous haemopoietic stem-cell transplant recipients: an international, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Recipients of autologous haemopoietic stem-cell transplants (auto-HSCT) have an increased risk of herpes zoster and herpes zoster-related complications. The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy and safety of an inactivated varicella zoster vaccine for the prevention of herpes zoster after auto-HSCT. METHODS: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial, participants were recruited from 135 medical centres (ie, stem-cell transplant centres and hospitals) in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Patients were eligible if they were aged 18 years or older, scheduled to receive an auto-HSCT within 60 days of enrolment, and had a history of varicella infection or were seropositive for antibodies to varicella zoster virus, or both. Exclusion criteria included a history of herpes zoster within the previous year of enrolment, and intended antiviral prophylaxis for longer than 6 months after transplantation. Participants were randomly assigned according to a central randomisation schedule generated by the trial statistician, to receive either the inactivated-virus vaccine from one of three consistency lots, a high-antigen lot, or placebo, stratified by age (<50 vs ≥50 years) and intended duration of antiviral prophylaxis after transplantation (≤3 months vs >3 to ≤6 months). Participants, investigators, trial staff, and the funder's clinical and laboratory personnel were masked to group assignment. Participants were given four doses of inactivated vaccine or placebo, with the first dose 5-60 days before auto-HSCT, and the second, third, and fourth doses at about 30, 60, and 90 days after transplantation. The primary efficacy endpoint was the incidence of herpes zoster, confirmed by PCR or adjudication by a masked clinical committee, or both, assessed in all participants randomly assigned to the vaccine consistency lot group or placebo group who received at least one dose of vaccine and had auto-HSCT. Safety was assessed in all randomised participants who received at least one dose of vaccine and had follow-up data. A prespecified vaccine efficacy success criterion required the lower bound of the 95% CI be higher than 25% for the relative reduction of the hazard ratio of herpes zoster infection in participants given the vaccine from one of the consistency lots compared with those given placebo. This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01229267) and EudraCT (2010-020150-34). FINDINGS: Between Dec 7, 2010, and April 25, 2013, 560 participants were randomly assigned to the vaccine consistency lot group, 106 to the high-antigen lot group, and 564 to the placebo group. 249 (44%) of patients in the vaccine consistency lot group, 35 (33%) in the high-antigen lot group, and 220 (39%) in the placebo group discontinued before study end, mostly because of death or withdrawal. 51 participants were excluded from the primary efficacy endpoint analyses because they did not undergo auto-HSCT or were not vaccinated, or both (22 [4%] in the vaccine consistency lot group, and 29 [5%] in the placebo group). Mean follow-up for efficacy was 2·4 years (SD 1·3) in the vaccine consistency lot group and 2·3 years (SD 1·3) in the placebo group. 42 (8%) of 538 participants in the vaccine consistency lot group (32·9 per 1000 person-years) and 113 (21%) of 535 in the placebo group (91·9 per 1000 person-years) had a confirmed case of herpes zoster. The estimated vaccine efficacy was 63·8% (95% CI 48·4-74·6), meeting the pre-specified success criterion. For the combined vaccine groups versus the placebo group, the proportion of patients with serious adverse events (216 [33%] of 657 vs 181 [33%] of 554; risk difference 0·2%, 95% CI -5·1 to 5·5) and serious vaccine-related adverse events (five [1%] vs five [1%]; risk difference 0·1%, -1·4 to 1·1) were similar. Vaccine-related injection-site adverse events occurred more frequently in participants given vaccine than those given placebo (191 [29%] vs 36 [7%]; risk difference 22·6%, 95% CI 18·5-26·6; p<0·0001). INTERPRETATION: This study shows for the first time in a large phase 3 trial that early vaccination of auto-HSCT recipients during the peri-transplant period can be effective for the prevention of an opportunistic infection like herpes zoster and that the vaccine is well tolerated. FUNDING: Merck & Co., Inc.

[The role of PCSK9-inhibitors and of lipoprotein apheresis in the treatment of homozygous and severe heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: A rivalry, or are things quite different?] / Postavení inhibitoru PCSK9 a lipoproteinové aferézy v lécbe homozygotní a závazné heterozygotní familiární hypercholesterolemie: Kdo z koho, nebo je to jinak?

PCSK9-inhibitors belong to the new class of hypolipidemic agents. They enhance catabolism of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) through inhibiting activity of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). They are monoclonal antibodies (alirocumab, evolocumab etc). Under clinical development are also other types of PCSK9-inhibitors which act at a subcellular level. The treatment with PCSK9-inhibitors can be beneficially combined with lipoprotein apheresis (LA). If such treatment using PCSK9-inhibitors is possible with regard to an individual patients genotype, the combination of LA and PCSK9-inhibitors leads to slowing the space of LDL-C increase between individual procedures of apheresis and enables attaining of the lowest possible values of LDL-cholesterolemia for the longest possible period of time. Due to high efficiency of PCSK9-inhibitors lowering LDL-C, but also their lower cost as compared to therapeutic LA, PCSK9-inhibitors now take precedence over the use of extracorporeal lipoprotein apheresis which, nonetheless, still remains the final method for hypolipidemic treatment of patients with severe hypercholesterolemia, who are resistant to conventional therapy while not reaching the target lipid values and at high cardiovascular risk. They belong to extracorporeal elimination methodologies which remove low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from circulating blood. LA in combination with higher doses of statins and ezetimib currently represents the most efficient method of treatment of homozygous and statin-refractory heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Residual cardiovascular risk in these patients still remains high, in particular because, despite the aforementioned treatment, the target values for lipids according to present recommendations cannot be reached. The combination of LA with the new drugs is promising, primarily due to its potential for further lowering of LDL-cholesterolemia between the individual apheresis procedures. Preliminary results of the ongoing studies indicate that the new hypolipidemic drugs in combination with LA, or when used separately, will substantially enrich and improve the treatment of refractory FH.Key words: alirocumab - atherosclerosis - evolocumab - hypercholesterolemia - cardiovascular disease - lipoprotein apheresis.

Treatment of Multifocal Multisystem BRAF Positive Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with Cladribine, Surgery and Allogenic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a very rare disease in adults and as well a very rare cause of sellar expansion. The clinical presentation can be heterogeneous, from a single bone lesion to potentially fatal, widespread disease. We describe the difficulties with the diagnosis and treatment of LCH as well as successful treatment with cladribine chemotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

[Primary testicular lymphoma]. / Primární testikulární lymfomy.

Primary testicular lymphoma (PTL) is a rare form of extranodal lymphoma and accounts for approximately 1 to 2 % of all non-Hodgkins lymphoma and 5 % of testicular malignancies. PTL typically affects patients older than 60 years. The most common clinical symptom is painless scrotal swelling. The ultrasound of testicles followed by orchiectomy and histological and imunohistochemical examinations are the most important tools for diagnostic assessment. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common histological type of PTL. Orchiectomy is an important part of the treatment, which includes the combination of systemic imunochemotherapy and prophylactic modalities such as radiotherapy of contralateral testis and central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis. This combined treatment approach improved the outcome of patients with PTL, however, the high frequency of extranodal relapses including CNS involvement represents a significant problem. The prognosis of PTL still remains less favorable in comparison to the some subtypes of non-Hodgkins lymphomas.Key words: central nervous system lymphoma involvement prophylaxis - primary testicular lymphoma - prognosis - radiotherapy - relapse.