Outcome of patients older than 80 years with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with "standard" immunochemotherapy: A large retrospective study from 4 institutions.

Little information is available on the very elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We performed a retrospective analysis of 281 patients >80 years old with newly diagnosed DLBCL treated in 4 referral institutions in Switzerland and Northern Italy. Primary end points were overall survival, progression-free survival, and cause-specific survival. Systemic chemotherapy was given to 239 patients, and 119 of them received rituximab in their initial treatment. At a median follow-up of 5.5 years, 5-year progression-free survival was 26% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20-32%), 5-year overall survival was 31% (95% CI, 25-37%), and 5-year cause-specific survival was 48% (95% CI, 41-55%) for the entire cohort. Rituximab and/or anthracyclines as part of initial treatment were associated with improved outcome. Cause-specific survival in patients receiving both agents approximated 60% at 5 years. At multivariate analysis, rituximab use maintained a significant prognostic impact after controlling for age, performance status, stage, haemoglobin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels. The International Prognostic Index as well as the more recently proposed revised-International Prognostic Index and National Comprehensive Cancer Center Network-International Prognostic Index could discriminate patients with significantly different outcomes. Albeit very elderly and potentially frail, there may be a potential for cure in fit DLBCL patients ≥80 years old. Accurate selection of patients able to tolerate proper immunochemotherapy is crucial.

Anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody for the management of chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation secondary to a urothelial carcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia is often considered a risk factor for bleeding, but conversely may be associated with an increased thrombotic risk in several clinical situations. Here we present a patient with arterial thrombosis and chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation caused by metastatic urothelial carcinoma. As the treatment for a disseminated intravascular coagulation caused by a neoplasia is the treatment of the underlying disease itself, our case highlights a new therapeutic approach-immunotherapy-in a patient prone to hematological complications due to conventional chemotherapy. CLINICAL CASE: A 74-year-old Caucasian male patient with a history of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and moderate thrombocytopenia had multiple arterial thrombotic events despite antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation. A diagnosis of chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation in the setting of a metastatic bladder urothelial carcinoma was made. The patient was treated with an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, and achieved a rapid response with subsequent reversal of the disseminated intravascular coagulation. CONCLUSION: Unexplained arterial or venous thrombosis despite adequate thromboprophylaxis should be investigated, especially in the setting of thrombocytopenia. Chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation is a possible, life-threatening reason for this clinical picture, and should prompt rapid identification of the underlying disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case of chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation due to neoplastic disease treated with immunotherapy.

[Gliomas ­ What I Have to Know in ten Questions]. / Gliome - was ich wissen muss in zehn Fragen.

Gliomas are the most common primary tumors involving the central nervous system. They can manifest with diverse and non-specific general and neurological symptoms. The diagnostic gold standard is cerebral magnetic resonance imaging and subsequent histological confirmation of the diagnosis. Steroids, especially dexamethasone, are used in case of focal symptoms and of symptoms caused by increased intracranial pressure, and antiepileptic drugs are used to manage epileptic seizures. Non-enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs are preferable. Glioma patients have an inherently elevated thromboembolic risk, and therapeutic anticoagulation is indicated following a thromboembolic event. Surgery, radiotherapy and systemic therapy are used as tumor-specific therapy modalities in gliomas. Molecular markers play an increasing role in the prognosis and selection of therapy in daily oncological routine.