Successful treatment with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in a VEXAS syndrome patient with associated myelodysplastic syndrome: a case report and systematic review.

Vacuoles, E1 syndrome, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects various organ systems. It is associated with hematologic malignancies and is generally refractory to therapies. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) may be considered for selected patients. We report a case wherein systemic and hematological manifestations completely resolved in a patient with VEXAS and associated myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), following the administration of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide as part of the preparation for allo-HSCT. We conducted a systematic literature review and included 86 patients with VEXAS syndrome and associated MDS. Most cases presented with musculoskeletal involvement (71%) and anemia (72%) with lower-risk MDS. Most patients responded to corticosteroids (CS) but had a recurrence of symptoms with CS taper and were refractory to other immunosuppressive agents. Hypomethylating agents and Janus kinase inhibitors achieved a complete response in some cases. Further research is needed to develop more effective treatment strategies.

Predictors of cytomegalovirus reactivation after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: Insights from a real-world experience.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate factors associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia and CMV disease and its impact on post-transplant outcomes including overall survival (OS) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT). METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study including 452 Allo-SCT recipients (matched unrelated donor, MUD 61%; haploidentical, haplo 39%) from 2016 to 2021. Data were analyzed using SPSS v28. Descriptive (chi-square and t-test), Kaplan-Meier and regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The median age was 57 years. Sixty-one percent were males and 84.3% were Caucasians. CMV serostatus was positive in 59.1% of recipients. The median follow-up was 24.4 months. CMV viremia and CMV disease were observed in 181 (40%) and 32 (7%) patients, respectively. Among CMV seropositive recipients, 65% developed CMV viremia and 11% were noted to have CMV disease compared to 4% and 1% in seronegative recipients, respectively (p < 0.001). Patients with CMV disease had significantly lower OS than those without CMV disease (median 14.1 months vs. not reached, p = 0.024); however, OS was not associated with CMV viremia (median not reached in both groups, p = 0.640). Letermovir prophylaxis was used in 66% (n = 176/267) of CMV seropositive recipients, but no impact was observed on the incidence of CMV viremia or CMV disease and OS. CONCLUSIONS: CMV disease leads to significantly inferior survival after an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Recipient CMV seropositive status was associated with the risk of CMV viremia and CMV disease, and this was not abrogated with the use of Letermovir prophylaxis.

Adverse Hematological and Non-Hematological Events in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma That Are Responsive to Daratumumab, Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone.

Background: Daratumumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (DPd) is an effective option for treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). In this study, we sought to analyze the risk of hematological and non-hematological toxicities in patients who responded to DPd treatment. Methods: We analyzed 97 patients with RRMM who were treated with DPd between January 2015 and June 2022. The patients and disease characteristics, as well as safety and efficacy outcomes were summarized as descriptive analysis. Results: The overall response rate for the entire group was 74% (n = 72). The most common grade III/IV hematological toxicities in those who responded to treatment were neutropenia (79%), leukopenia (65%), lymphopenia (56%), anemia (18%), and thrombocytopenia (8%). The most common grade III/IV non-hematological toxicities were pneumonia (17%) and peripheral neuropathy (8%). The incidence of dose reduction/interruption was 76% (55/72), which was due to hematological toxicity in 73% of the cases. The most common reason for discontinuing treatment was disease progression in 61% (44 out of 72 patients). Conclusions: Our study revealed that patients who respond to DPd are at high risk of dose reduction or treatment interruption because of hematological toxicity, typically due to neutropenia and leukopenia leading to increased risk of hospitalization and pneumonia.