The role of immune checkpoint inhibitors: Variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the second exon of the P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) gene polymorphism in multiple myeloma.

Somatic mutations and polymorphisms may play a role in multiple myeloma (MM) susceptibility and survival. One of the immune checkpoint inhibitors is P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1); the majority of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes express PSGL-1, causing T cell and immune inhibition via PSGL-1 mediator molecules. We aimed to investigate the effect of variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the second exon of the PSGL-1 gene on MM susceptibility, response to treatment and survival in our patient group. A total of 238 patients diagnosed with MM between January 2010 and January 2021 and 162 healthy individuals as a control group were included in this cross-sectional study. The genotypes of the VNTR polymorphism in the second exon of the PSGL-1 gene were statistically compared between patients and healthy controls; the statistically significant effects of the genotypes on response to first-line treatment and survival were examined. The AC genotype was significantly higher in healthy controls compared to patients diagnosed with MM (p < 0.001). The median PFS in patients with AA/AB/AC was 56 months, while it was 100 months in patients with BB/CC. The hazard ratio of 1.34 for PFS was found to be clinically significant and having the BB/CC genotype could provide a longer PFS compared to others, but it was not statistically significant due to the sample size. Our study results will shed light on new study plans in terms of immune checkpoint target therapies among conventional treatment preferences in MM.

Lymphocyte Level at Diagnosis in Hodgkin lymphoma: Could It be an Indicator of the Stage at Initial Diagnosis?

Background: Despite the existence of standard risk classification systems and effective treatment approaches, 34% to 37% of advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphomas (HLs) either relapse or progress. Our goal in our study was to show the relationship between initial lymphocyte count and stage while examining their effects on prognosis. The initial lymphocyte count, which is proven in advanced-stage patients, could be an important factor in terms of showing the prognosis in the early stage. Materials and Methods: Our study included 190 patients diagnosed with HL in our hospital between January 2010 and September 2020. HL subtypes, diagnosis stages, presence of bulky or mediastinal masses, lymphadenopathy areas, and demographic data of patients, such as age and sex. The aim was to obtain a cutoff in the statistical analysis performed to explore the relationship between lymphocyte level and stage, which is the main hypothesis of the study. Results: Of the 190 patients evaluated, 77 were female (40.5%) and 113 were male (59.5%). To obtain a cutoff in terms of lymphocyte level and stage relationship, a value of 2380/mm3 and below was found to be associated with stage 3-4 disease with a sensitivity of 86.44% and a specificity of 33.3% (AUC: 0.613 (0.539-0.682), p<0.007). Conclusion: This result can be improved in combination with conventional imaging methods used for staging purposes. Further studies may shed light on staging and especially the diagnosis of advanced-stage disease with high sensitivity.

A COVID-19 mystery: multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) associated with splenic rupture.

Severe inflammation and one or more extrapulmonary organ dysfunctions have been observed in those who had recently developed COVID-19, except for a macrophage activation syndrome-like picture. A 50-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department with fever and a history of COVID-19 infection. More than one area of hemophagocytosis was found in the bone marrow aspiration. The HLH-2004 protocol was started with neurological involvement and she underwent splenectomy due to massive intra-abdominal bleeding secondary to splenic laceration on the 3rd day. Multiple microthrombosis and infarcts were observed in the splenectomy specimen. At the 4th week of the treatment, she was discharged with oral agents. Splenic microthrombosis and splenic rupture due to "multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults" are the most important findings of this report.

Lateral flow assay (LFA) in the diagnosis of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA): a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is seen during coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), has been reported in different incidences, and is defined as COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). Detection of galactomannan antigen is an important diagnostic step in diagnosing IPA. Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) is the most frequently used method, and lateral flow assay (LFA) is increasingly used with high sensitivity and specificity for rapid diagnosis. The present study aimed to compare the sensitivity of LFA and ELISA in the diagnosis of CAPA in COVID-19 patients followed in our hospital's ICU for pandemic (ICU-P). METHODS: This study included patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 cases confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and were followed up in ICU-P between August 2021 and February 2022 with acute respiratory failure. The diagnosis of CAPA was based on the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) and the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology 2020 (ECMM/ ISHAM) guideline. Galactomannan levels were determined using LFA and ELISA in serum samples taken simultaneously from the patients. RESULTS: Out of the 174 patients followed in the ICU-P, 56 did not meet any criteria for CAPA and were excluded from the analysis. The rate of patients diagnosed with proven CAPA was 5.7% (10 patients). A statistically significant result was obtained with LFA for the cut-off value of 0.5 ODI in the diagnosis of CAPA (p < 0.001). The same significant statistical relationship was found for the cut-off value of 1.0 ODI for the ELISA (p < 0.01). The sensitivity of LFA was 80% (95% CI: 0.55-1.05, p < 0.05), specificity 94% (95% CI: 0.89-0.98, p < 0.05); PPV 53% (95% CI: 0.28-0.79, p > 0.05) and NPV was 98% (95% CI: 0.95-1.01, p < 0.05). The risk of death was 1.66 (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.02-2.86, p < 0.05) times higher in patients with an LFA result of ≥ 0.5 ODI than those with < 0.5 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is reckoned that LFA can be used in future clinical practice, particularly given its effectiveness in patients with hematological malignancies and accuracy in diagnosing CAPA.

Serum albumin and ferritin levels: a practical indicator of prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia over 50 years of age?

BACKGROUND: Low albumin and high ferritin levels have negative effects on survival in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this study, the aim is to determine the role of these factors on survival in patients over 50 years of age with AML. METHODS: Eighty patients followed up between January 2014 and July 2019 were included in the study. Patients were categorised into three subgroups: The favorable, intermediate and high-risk groups. RESULTS: The overall survival of the favorable group was found to be longer in a statistically significant way. CONCLUSION: In this study, it has been shown that serum albumin and ferritin values are useful and simple laboratory values to show prognosis in AML over 50 years of age.

A new approach in acute myeloid leukemia (AML): Samatya-predicting score.

We aimed to examine the efficiency for prediction of prognosis and response in non-APL AML cases of the "Samatya-predicting score". A total of 213 patients diagnosed between January 2010-December 2020 were examined. Of the 158 patients included in the study, the median value of risk score was determined as 2,5. The sensitivity for mortality was 88% and the specificity was 42%. In terms of being non-responder to induction therapy, the sensitivity was 90,1%, the specificity was 25,3%. OS was shorter in those with high risk scores. This study makes an important contribution to the literature in terms of creating a different perspective to predict prognosis in AML.

Enigma of COVID-19: is "multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults" (MIS-A) predictable?

BACKGROUND: Severe inflammation and one or more extrapulmonary organ dysfunctions have been reported and this clinical picture is defined as "multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults" (MIS-A) in severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to determine the effect of LDH/lymphocyte ratio (LLR) on the development of MIS-A. METHODS: The data of 2333 patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: MIS-A rate was found to be 9.9% and MIS-A related mortality was 35.3%. LRR level above 0.24 was found to predict MIS-A development with 70% sensitivity and 65.2% specificity. The risk of MIS-A development was found to be 3.64 times higher in those with LRR levels above 0.24 compared to those with 0.24 and below. In patients with MIS-A, LRR level above 0.32 predicts mortality with 78% sensitivity and 70% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection of MIS-A with high sensitivity and specificity in a practical ratio is very important in terms new studies.

Comparison of Mitoxantrone-Melphalan and BEAM Conditioning Regimens in Patients with Lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Lymphoma is seen as a highly treatable and curable malignancy with aggressive treatment methods. Efficacy is often limited by toxicity and many patients need alternative treatment strategies as they cannot tolerate existing high cytotoxic approaches. Our aim is to compare BEAM [carmustine (BCNU), etoposide, cytarabine (ARA-C, cytosine arabinoside), and melphalan] and mitoxantrone-melphalan (Mx-Mel) regimens utilized in our patients with a diagnosis of lymphoma who underwent autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and to demonstrate that the Mx-Mel regimen has similar but less toxic results than the BEAM regimen we have been using frequently as standard conditioning regimen. METHODS: A total of 101 patients with lymphoma who underwent ASCT were included in our study. The BEAM regimen included BCNU, etoposide, ARA-C, and melphalan. The Mx-Mel regimen included mitoxantrone and melphalan. RESULTS: Of 101 patients included in the study, 60 (59.4%) received BEAM and 41 (40.6%) received Mx-Mel (40.6%) conditioning regimen. The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 10 (range: 9-20) days and 12 (range: 9-12) days in the BEAM and Mx-Mel arms, respectively; it was statistically significantly shorter in the BEAM arm (p = .001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the Mx-Mel regimen has similar efficacy and toxicity compared with the BEAM regimen. Although time to neutrophil engraftment was shorter in the BEAM arm, it did not result as significant transplant-related complications between the two regimens. The Mx-Mel regimen is seen as a good alternative with low toxicity and high efficacy.

Iron overload during the treatment of acute leukemia: pretransplant transfusion experience.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown the increased risk of mortality in cases with acute leukemia and iron overload. We aimed to determine the status of iron overload in patients with acute leukemia. MATERIALS & METHODS: Patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) between January 2015 and December 2019 were included in the study. RESULTS: At 6 months, there were statistically more patients with serum ferritin >1000 in the AML group compared to the ALL group (p = 0,011). CONCLUSION: Iron overload occurs earlier in patients with AML; the difference disappears after 6 months of treatment. It is the correct point to emphasize that iron overload is an important factor of pretransplant morbidity, especially in AML cases.