Early Toxicity and Efficacy of Four Different Conditioning Regimens for Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Patients With Lymphoma: Impact of Drug Shortages in a Resource-Constrained Country.

High-dose therapy followed by autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (AHCT) remains a viable consolidation strategy for a subset of patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) lymphomas. BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan) is widely recognized as the predominant conditioning regimen due to its satisfactory efficacy and tolerability. Nevertheless, shortages of carmustine and melphalan have compelled clinicians to explore alternative conditioning regimens. The aim of this study was to compare the toxicity and transplant outcomes following BEAM, CBV (carmustine, etoposide, cyclophosphamide), BuMel (busulfan, melphalan), and BendaEAM (bendamustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan). We retrospectively analyzed data from 213 patients (CBV 65, BuMel 42, BEAM 68, BendaEAM 38) with R/R lymphomas undergoing AHCT between 2014 and 2020. Multivariate models were employed to evaluate toxicity and transplant outcomes based on conditioning type. Among grade III to IV toxicities, oral mucositis was more frequently observed with BuMel (45%) and BendaEAM (24%) compared to BEAM (15%) and CVB (6%, P ≤ .001). Diarrhea was more common with BendaEAM (42%) and less frequent with BuMel (7%, P = .01). Acute kidney injury was only found after BendaEAM (11%). Febrile neutropenia and infectious complications were more frequent following BendaEAM. Frequencies of other treatment-related toxicities did not significantly differ according to conditioning type. BendaEAM (odds ratio [OR] 3.07, P = .014) and BuMel (OR 4.27, P = .002) were independently associated with higher grade III to IV toxicity up to D+100. However, there were no significant differences in relapse/progression, nonrelapse mortality, progression-free survival, or overall survival among the four regimens. BuMel and BendaEAM were associated with a higher rate of grade III to IV toxicity. Carmustine-based regimens appeared to be less toxic and safer; however, there were no significant differences in transplant outcomes. The utilization of alternative preparative regimens due to drug shortages may potentially lead to increased toxicity after AHCT for lymphoma.

Mycosis fungoides refractory to treatment - importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

We report a case of difficult-to-control mycosis fungoides (MF), where the role of the dental surgeon was crucial for the control and prognosis of the disease. A 62-year-old female patient diagnosed with MF had a previous record of red patches and small raised bumps on the face, along with a cancerous growth in the cervical and vulvar region. The patient was initially treated with methotrexate and local radiotherapy without resolution. Chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone was then started (CHOP protocol). The dental team of a reference hospital was consulted to evaluate swelling in the anterior region of the palate, which had been developing for two months, reporting discomfort when eating. The role of the dentistry team was fundamental in the differential diagnosis of oral lesions with dental infections, second neoplasia, or even a new site of disease manifestation, in addition to controlling mucosal changes resulting from chemotherapy. After ruling out dental infection, the dentistry team performed a lesion biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. The histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis showed atypical lymphoid infiltration of T cells (CD3+/CD4+/CD7-/CD8-), coexpression of CD25, and presence of CD30 cells, corresponding to the finding for MF. Identifying CD30 + allowed for a new chemotherapy protocol with brentuximab vedotin (BV) combined with gemcitabine. This protocol effectively controlled MF, which previous protocols had failed to do. The diagnosis by the dental team was essential for therapeutic change and improvement of the patient's clinical condition without the need for invasive medical procedures.

Description of therapeutic strategies in severe systemic lupus erythematosus-associated immune thrombocytopenia: a retrospective cohort study of response and relapse.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the response and relapse of severe thrombocytopenia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with different treatments. METHOD: We performed a retrospective cohort study, which included SLE patients who were hospitalized for thrombocytopenia of less than 30,000/µL platelets, from January 2012 to December 2021. Demographic and clinical information was obtained from clinical records. Kaplan-Meier and logrank test were performed. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients, mostly women (83%) with a median age of 31 years, were included in the study. Eight patients (17%) relapsed within a median period of 35.7 weeks. Initial acute treatment with prednisone at 1 mg/kg/day was as effective as glucocorticoid pulses. However, induction treatment with cyclophosphamide (CYC) had the lowest remission rate (43%, p = 0.034). There was no significant difference in relapse-free survival (RFS) among the acute glucocorticoid treatments. CYC induction was associated with lower RFS compared to rituximab (RTX) (CYC 43.6 weeks vs. RTX 51.8 weeks, p = 0.040) or azathioprine (AZA) (CYC 43.6 weeks vs. AZA 51.2 weeks, p = 0.024). Administration of antimalarials was associated with longer RFS (51.6 weeks vs. 45.0 weeks, p = 0.021). Factors such as antiphospholipid syndrome, IgG anti-ß2 glycoprotein I positivity, renal and additional hematologic SLE activity during follow-up significantly reduced RFS. CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar response of acute glucocorticoid regimens, induction therapy with AZA or RTX resulted in a longer RFS compared to CYC. Adding an antimalarial also improved RFS. Our study provides evidence that may help develop better treatment strategies for severe thrombocytopenia in SLE patients. Key Points • Induction therapy with azathioprine or rituximab provided longer relapse-free survival in SLE thrombocytopenia compared with cyclophosphamide. • Antimalarial administration was associated with longer relapse-free survival in SLE thrombocytopenia. • Antiphospholipid syndrome, IgG anti-ß2 glycoprotein I positivity, as well as renal and additional hematologic SLE activity during follow-up, decreased relapse-free survival.

II Brazilian Society of Rheumatology consensus for lupus nephritis diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To develop the second evidence-based Brazilian Society of Rheumatology consensus for diagnosis and treatment of lupus nephritis (LN). METHODS: Two methodologists and 20 rheumatologists from Lupus Comittee of Brazilian Society of Rheumatology participate in the development of this guideline. Fourteen PICO questions were defined and a systematic review was performed. Eligible randomized controlled trials were analyzed regarding complete renal remission, partial renal remission, serum creatinine, proteinuria, serum creatinine doubling, progression to end-stage renal disease, renal relapse, and severe adverse events (infections and mortality). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to develop these recommendations. Recommendations required ≥82% of agreement among the voting members and were classified as strongly in favor, weakly in favor, conditional, weakly against or strongly against a particular intervention. Other aspects of LN management (diagnosis, general principles of treatment, treatment of comorbidities and refractory cases) were evaluated through literature review and expert opinion. RESULTS: All SLE patients should undergo creatinine and urinalysis tests to assess renal involvement. Kidney biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing LN but, if it is not available or there is a contraindication to the procedure, therapeutic decisions should be based on clinical and laboratory parameters. Fourteen recommendations were developed. Target Renal response (TRR) was defined as improvement or maintenance of renal function (±10% at baseline of treatment) combined with a decrease in 24-h proteinuria or 24-h UPCR of 25% at 3 months, a decrease of 50% at 6 months, and proteinuria < 0.8 g/24 h at 12 months. Hydroxychloroquine should be prescribed to all SLE patients, except in cases of contraindication. Glucocorticoids should be used at the lowest dose and for the minimal necessary period. In class III or IV (±V), mycophenolate (MMF), cyclophosphamide, MMF plus tacrolimus (TAC), MMF plus belimumab or TAC can be used as induction therapy. For maintenance therapy, MMF or azathioprine (AZA) are the first choice and TAC or cyclosporin or leflunomide can be used in patients who cannot use MMF or AZA. Rituximab can be prescribed in cases of refractory disease. In cases of failure in achieving TRR, it is important to assess adherence, immunosuppressant dosage, adjuvant therapy, comorbidities, and consider biopsy/rebiopsy. CONCLUSION: This consensus provides evidence-based data to guide LN diagnosis and treatment, supporting the development of public and supplementary health policies in Brazil.

Position statement of the Brazilian society of Rheumatology on mesna use as a preventive therapy for bladder disease in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases and systemic vasculitis under cyclophosphamide treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To review current literature to support the use of mesna as a preventive therapy for hemorrhagic cystitis and bladder cancer in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases and systemic vasculitis treated with cyclophosphamide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search for articles was conducted systematically through MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. Only articles in English were selected. For available records, titles and abstracts were selected independently by two investigators. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were selected for analysis. The known adverse effects of cyclophosphamide were hematological toxicity, infections, gonadal toxicity, teratogenicity, increased risk for malignancy and hemorrhagic cystitis. Long-term toxicity was highly dependent on cyclophosphamide cumulative dose. The risk of bladder cancer is especially higher in long-term exposure and with cumulative doses above 36 g. The risk remains high for years after drug discontinuation. Hemorrhagic cystitis is highly correlated with cumulative dose and its incidence ranges between 12 and 41%, but it seems to be lower with new regimens with reduced cyclophosphamide dose. No randomized controlled trials were found to analyze the use of mesna in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases and systemic vasculitis. Retrospective studies yielded conflicting results. Uncontrolled prospective studies with positive results were considered at high risk of bias. No evidence was found to support the use of mesna during the treatment with cyclophosphamide for autoimmune diseases or systemic vasculitis to prevent hemorrhagic cystitis and bladder cancer. In the scenarios of high cumulative cyclophosphamide dose (i.e., > 30 g), patients with restricted fluid intake, neurogenic bladder, therapy with oral anticoagulants, and chronic kidney disease, mesna could be considered. CONCLUSION: The current evidence was found to be insufficient to support the routine use of mesna for the prophylaxis of hemorrhagic cystitis and bladder cancer in patients being treated for systemic autoimmune diseases and systemic vasculitis with cyclophosphamide. The use may be considered for selected cases.

Prevalence of anticipatory nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients undergoing highly emetogenic chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Anticipatory nausea and vomiting are unpleasant symptoms observed before undergoing chemotherapy sessions. Less is known about the occurrence of symptoms since the advent of the new neurokinin-1 antagonist. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was performed at a single Brazilian Institution. This study included breast cancer patients who received doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy and an appropriate antiemetic regimen (dexamethasone 10 mg, palonosetron 0.56 mg, and netupitant 300 mg in the D1 followed by dexamethasone 10 mg 12/12 h in D2 and D4). Patients used a diary to record nausea, vomiting, and use of rescue medication in the first two cycles of treatment. The prevalence of anticipatory nausea and vomiting was assessed before chemotherapy on day 1 of C2. RESULTS: From August 4, 2020, to August 12, 2021, 60 patients were screened, and 52 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 50.8 (28-69) years, most had stage III (53.8%), and most received chemotherapy with curative intent (94%). During the first cycle, the frequency of overall nausea and vomiting was 67.31%, and that of severe nausea and vomiting (defined as grade>4 on a 10-point visual scale or use of rescue medication) was 55.77%. Ten patients had anticipatory nausea and vomiting (19.23%). The occurrence of nausea and vomiting during C1 was the only statistically significant predictor of anticipatory nausea and vomiting (OR=16, 95%CI 2.4-670.9, p=0.0003). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anticipatory nausea is still high in the era of neurokinin-1 antagonists, and failure of antiemetic control in C1 remains the main risk factor. All efforts should be made to control chemotherapy-induced nausea or nausea and vomiting on C1 to avoid anticipatory nausea.

Induction treatment for lupus nephritis at a high-complexity hospital in Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) causes kidney compromise in up to 40% of patients, contributing significantly to morbidity. Lupus nephritis (LN), an early onset manifestation in most patients, is histologically classified into six types, with types III, IV, and V requiring treatment with induction therapies, usually glucocorticoids with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVC). However, up to 60% of patients fail to achieve complete remission, and 27%-66% have subsequent flares. There is scarce literature on the superiority of IVC or MMF in the Latin population. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort study of 72 LN patients at a high-complexity hospital in Chile between 2016 and 2021 was conducted. Demographics, urine studies, creatinine levels, complement levels, antibody profiles, biopsy results, and response to treatment were analysed. RESULTS: The median age of the cohort was 29 years, with women representing 90% of patients. At diagnosis, 87.5% of the patients presented with proteinuria, 55% had haematuria, and 49% had acute kidney injury. The most common LN type was type IV. For induction therapy, half of the patients were treated with IVC, and the other half with MMF. The response to treatment did not differ significantly between the two. DISCUSSION: This is one of the few studies to focus on the Latin American population, specifically Chile. These results are consistent with the current understanding of LN treatment. Despite its limitations, this study provides valuable insights into the treatment effectiveness of IVC and MMF in this population. CONCLUSION: This study did not find significant differences in the clinical response to IVC or MMF at 6 months. Future prospective studies are required to determine the optimal induction therapy for LN, especially in Latin populations.

The effect of metabolic syndrome on prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by insulin resistance, is closely associated with the prognosis of various cancer types, but has not been reported in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The aim of this study is to examine how other clinicopathological variables and the MetS influence the prognosis of DLBCL. METHODS: Clinical and pathological data were collected from 319 patients with DLBCL who were admitted to our hospital between January 2012 and December 2020. The data accessible with SPSS 27.0 enables the utilization of various statistical methods for clinical data analysis, including independent sample t test and univariate and multivariate COX regression. RESULTS: The presence of MetS was linked to both overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), in addition to other clinicopathological characteristics as age, IPI score, rituximab usage, and Ki-67 expression level. This link with OS and PFS indicated a poor prognosis, as shown by survival analysis. Subsequent univariate analysis identified IPI score, Ki-67 expression level, tumor staging, rituximab usage, lactate dehydrogenase expression level, and the presence or absence of MetS as factors linked with OS and PFS. Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed the independent risk factor status of IPI score, Ki-67 expression level, rituximab usage, and the presence of MetS in evaluating the prognosis of patients with DLBCL. CONCLUSION: This study's findings indicate that patients with pre-treatment MetS had a poor prognosis, with relatively shorter OS and PFS compared to those without pre-treatment MetS. Furthermore, the presence of MetS, IPI score, Ki-67 expression level, and rituximab usage were identified as independent risk factors significantly affecting the prognosis of DLBCL.

Linfoma de células B primario de mama en una paciente con sida. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Primary B-cell lymphoma of the breast in an AIDS patient. Case report and literature review

Los LNH constituyen la segunda neoplasia más frecuente en pacientes con VIH. Estas neoplasias están ligadas a la inmunodeficiencia, suelen ser de período de latencia prolongado y más frecuentes en hombres. Más del 95% de estas neoplasias son de fenotipo B, de alto grado de malignidad, extranodales y representan la causa de muerte en un 12% al 16% de los casos. El linfoma no Hodgkin primitivo de mama (LPM) es una entidad infrecuente, que representa el 2,2% de todos los linfomas extranodales y el 0,5% de todas las neoplasias malignas de la mama. Se presenta una mujer con sida y linfoma primario de mama. (AU)

NHL is the second most common neoplasm in patients with HIV. It is linked to immunodeficiency, tends to have a long latency period and is more common in men. More than 95% of these neoplasms are of phenotype B, high-grade, extranodal and are the cause of death in 12% to 16% of cases. Primitive non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the breast is a rare entity, accounting for 2.2% of all extranodal lymphomas and 0.5% of all breast malignancies. A woman with AIDS and primary breast lymphoma is presented. (AU)

Posttransplant cyclophosphamide beyond haploidentical transplantation.

Posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) has practically revolutionized haploidentical (Haplo) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Comparisons between Haplo with PTCy and unrelated donor (URD) with conventional graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis have shown comparable overall survival with lower incidences of GVHD with Haplo/PTCy and led to the following question: is it PTCy so good that can be successfully incorporated into matched related donor (MRD) and URD HCT? In this review, we discuss other ways of doing PTCy, PTCy in peripheral blood haploidentical transplants, PTCy in the context of matched related and matched unrelated donors, PTCy with mismatched unrelated donors, and PTCy following checkpoint inhibitor treatment. PTCy is emerging as a new standard GVHD prophylaxis in haploidentical, HLA-matched, and -mismatched HCT.

Favorable evolution of severe paraquat poisoning. Treatment with gastric lavage, activated charcoal, cyclophosphamide + corticoids, and conventional daily hemodialysis: case study at the Franck Joly Hospital Center in French Guiana / Évolution favorable d'une intoxication grave au paraquat. Traitement par lavage gastrique, charbon activé, cyclophosphamide + corticoïdes, et hémodialyse conventionnelle quotidienne : étude des cas au centre hospitalier Franck Joly en Guyane française

We report the observations of two patients, having voluntarily ingested lethal doses of paraquat with suicidal intent, with an unfavorable prognostic score. The treatment consisted of gastric lavage, administration of activated charcoal, n-acetylcysteine and cyclophosphamide + methylprednisolone + dexamethasone. The installation of acute renal failure motivated the initiation of daily conventional hemodialysis (HD) over 10 to 14 days, with a favorable evolution. The following complications were recorded: anemia, bacteremia and deep vein thrombosis. These observations raise three questions in the treatment of paraquat intoxication: the effectiveness of HD, the interest of its association with the above therapies in the prevention of pulmonary fibrosis, and the need for infectious prevention and thromboembolism. Furthermore, the absence of a paraquatemia assay cannot constitute a limitation for management, and hemoperfusion on an inaccessible charcoal column can be replaced by an HD usually available.

Nous rapportons les observations de deux patients ayant ingéré volontairement des doses létales du paraquat à but suicidaire, avec un score pronostic défavorable. Le traitement a consisté en un lavage gastrique, une administration du charbon activé, du n-acétylcystéine et du cyclophosphamide + méthylprednisolone + dexaméthasone. L'installation d'une insuffisance rénale aiguë a motivé l'initiation d'une hémodialyse conventionnelle quotidienne (HD) sur 10 à 14 jours, avec une évolution favorable. Les complications suivantes ont été enregistrées : anémie, bactériémie et thrombose veineuse profonde. Ces observations soulèvent trois questions dans le traitement d'une intoxication au paraquat : l'efficacité de l'HD, l'intérêt de son association avec les thérapeutiques supra dans la prévention de la fibrose pulmonaire, et la nécessité d'une prévention infectieuse et thrombo-embolique. Par ailleurs, l'absence d'un dosage de la paraquatémie ne peut constituer une limite pour la prise en charge, et l'hémoperfusion sur colonne de charbon non accessible peut être remplacée par une HD habituellement disponible.

Patients Age 40 Years and Younger With Multiple Myeloma Have the Same Prognosis as Older Patients: An Analysis of Real-World Patients' Evidence From Latin America.

PURPOSE: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a highly heterogeneous, incurable disease most frequently diagnosed in the elderly. Therefore, data on clinical characteristics and outcomes in the very young population are scarce. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed clinical characteristics, response to treatment, and survival in 103 patients with newly diagnosed MM age 40 years or younger compared with 256 patients age 41-50 years and 957 patients age 51 years or older. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in sex, isotype, International Scoring System, renal involvement, hypercalcemia, anemia, dialysis, bony lesions, extramedullary disease, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The most used regimen in young patients was cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, dexamethasone, followed by cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, dexamethasone and bortezomib, thalidomide, dexamethasone. Of the patients age 40 years or younger, only 53% received autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT) and 71.1% received maintenance. There were no differences in overall survival (OS) in the three patient cohorts. In the multivariate analysis, only high LDH, high cytogenetic risk, and ASCT were statistically associated with survival. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, younger patients with MM in Latin America have similar clinical characteristics, responses, and OS compared with the elderly.

[Non-Hodgkin large B-cell lymphoma of the bile duct mimicking a Klatskin tumor: case report]. / Linfoma no Hodgkin de células B grandes de la vía biliar simulando un tumor de Klatskin: relato de caso.

The obstruction of the bile duct secondary to non-Hodgkin lymphoma is extremely rare. That's why we present the case of a 63-year-old female patient who sought medical attention due to jaundice, dark urine, acholia, and weakness. Laboratory results showed a cholestatic pattern, and an ultrasound revealed dilation of the intra and extrahepatic bile ducts, for which a cholangio resonance was ordered. It showed an expansive formation with ill-defined borders compromising the common hepatic duct associated with its stenosis. The initial suspicion was a Klatskin tumor, for which a biopsy was performed, which reported infiltration of a double expressor large B-cell lymphoma as a primary neoplasm of the bile duct. The patient underwent chemotherapy treatment with R-CHOP regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) and went into remission. Due to continuous episodes of cholangitis, a Roux-en-Y hepatic jejunal anastomosis with biliary tract reconstruction was performed. Currently, she remains in remission, seven years after the diagnosis. This case highlights the rarity of large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the bile duct and emphasizes the importance of biopsy for effective treatment, combining chemotherapy for the underlying disease and surgery for obstructive complications.

La obstrucción de la vía biliar secundaria a un linfoma no hodgkin es extremadamente raro. Es por esto que presentamos el caso de una paciente femenina de 63 años que consulta por ictericia, coluria, acolia y astenia. Un laboratorio presentando un patrón colestásico y una ecografía con la vía biliar intra y extrahepática dilatadas llevaron a realizar una colangioresonancia de abdomen que evidenció una formación expansiva de limites mal definidos que comprometía el conducto hepático común asociado a estenosis del mismo. La sospecha inicial fue un tumor de klatskin y se llevó a cabo la toma de biopsia, cuyo resultado anatomopatológico informó infiltración de linfoma de células B de células grandes doble expresor como tumor primario de la vía biliar. Realizó tratamiento quimioterápico con esquema R CHOP (rituximab, ciclofosfamida, doxorrubicina, vincristina, prednisona) y entró en remisión. Por continuos episodios de colangitis se optó por realizar una hepático yeyuno anastomosis en Y de Roux con reconstrucción de la vía biliar. Actualmente continúa en remisión a 7 años del diagnóstico. El caso resalta la rareza del linfoma no hodgkin de células B grandes en la vía biliar, y destaca la importancia de la biopsia para un tratamiento eficaz que combina la quimioterapia para la enfermedad de base y la cirugía para las complicaciones obstructivas.

TP53 mutations predict for poor outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed aggressive B-cell lymphomas in the current era.

Genetic subgroups of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have been identified through comprehensive genomic analysis; however, it is unclear whether this can be applied in clinical practice. We assessed whether mutations detected by clinical laboratory mutation analysis (CLMA) were predictive of outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL/high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL). Patients diagnosed from 2018 to 2022 whose biopsy samples were subjected to CLMA and who received rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone or rituximab plus etoposide, prednisolone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin were analyzed for overall/complete response rate (ORR/CRR) and estimated progression-free/overall survival (PFS/OS). CLMA was successfully performed in 117 of 122 patient samples (96%), with a median turnaround time of 17 days. Median duration of follow-up was 31.3 months. Of the mutations detected in ≥10% of the samples, only TP53 was associated with both progression and death at 2 years. TP53 mutations were detected in 36% of tumors, and patients with TP53 mutations experienced significantly lower ORR (71% vs 90%; P = .009), CRR (55% vs 77%; P = .01), 2-year PFS (57% vs 77%; P = .006), 2-year OS (70% vs 91%; P = .001), and median OS after relapse (6.1 months vs not yet reached; P = .001) as than those without TP53 mutations. Furthermore, patients with TP53 loss-of-function (LOF) mutations experienced lower rates of 2-year PFS/OS than those with non-LOF mutations and inferior or near-inferior 2-year PFS if harboring high-risk clinicopathologic features. TP53 mutations identified through CLMA can predict for inferior outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL/HGBL. Results of CLMA can be used in real time to inform prognosis and/or identify candidates for clinical trials.

Controversies in immunotherapy for anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: a scoping review with a proposal of operational definitions.

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (NMDARE), an autoimmune encephalitis associated with autoantibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, affects predominantly young women and is associated with psychiatric symptoms, seizures, movement disorders, and autonomic instability. Traditional treatments of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis involve corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab. However, many controversies remain in the treatment for NMDA receptor encephalitis, such as optimal timing and combination of different immunotherapies, the role of newer strategies (e.g., bortezomib or tocilizumab) for severe and refractory patients, and the need or not for long-term immunosuppression. Our goal was to perform a scoping review to discuss the controversial topics of immunotherapy for NMDA receptor encephalitis and propose operational definitions to guide clinical practice and future research in the field.

Rituximabe associado à quimioterapia com fludarabina e ciclofosfamida para o tratamento de primeira linha da leucemia linfocítica crônica / Rituximab associated with chemotherapy with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for the first-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

INTRODUÇÃO: A leucemia linfocítica crônica (LLC) é uma desordem linfoproliferativa, composta por linfócitos B redondos monomórficos envolvendo sangue periférico, medula óssea e órgãos linfoides. A maioria dos pacientes é assintomática ao diagnóstico e não requer tratamento. Outros apresentam a doença em estado de progressão, com necessidade de tratamento logo após o diagnóstico. A apresentação clínica geralmente é caracterizada por linfadenopatias palpáveis e/ou esplenomegalia, anemia, trombocitopenia, fadiga, febre, perda de peso não intencional, sudorese noturna e plenitude abdominal com saciedade precoce. A LLC também aumenta a vulnerabilidade a infecções por meio de alterações na imunidade humoral e mediada por células. É mais frequentemente diagnosticada entre homens, caucasianos, com idade entre 65 e 74 anos. O diagnóstico é estabelecido por hemograma, esfregaço sanguíneo e imunofenotipagem. Na avaliação do estadiamento são utilizados os sistemas Rai e Binet, baseados em indicadores físicos (presença de linfonodos, baço e/ou fígado aumentados) e parâmetros sanguíneos (anemia ou trombocitopenia). Para pacientes em boas condições físicas e ausência de comorbidades ou presença de comorbidades leves, a combinação de fludarabina, ciclofosfamida e rituximabe (FCR) pode ser utilizada como tratamento de primeira linha. PERGUNTA: A associação entre rituximabe e quimioterapia (fludarabina e ciclofosfamida) é mais eficaz, segura e custoefetiva do que a quimioterapia isolada, em primeira linha de tratamento da leucemia linfocítica crônica (LLC)? EVIDÊNCIAS CLÍNICAS: Rituximabe associado à fludarabina e ciclofosfamida (FCR) apresentou redução de 41% no risco de óbito ou progressão da doença, quando comparado ao grupo que recebeu quimioterapia (FC) (HR: 0,59; IC 95% 0,50- 0,69). A mediana de sobrevida livre de progressão (SLP) foi de 51,8 meses (IC 95% 46,2-57,6) para os indivíduos que receberam FCR em comparação a 32,8 meses (IC 95% 29,6-36,0) para quem recebeu FC. O benefício da FCR na SLP foi observado tanto para pacientes com idade < 0,0001). Dez óbitos ocorreram no grupo que recebeu FC, sendo que seis casos (60%) foram causados por infecção. No grupo que recebeu FCR ocorreram oito óbitos, desses, cinco casos (62,5%) foram relacionados à infecção. Com maior tempo de observação, o grupo tratado com FCR apresentou maior frequência de neutropenia prolongada graus 3 e 4, pelo período ≤ 1 ano após o final do tratamento, em comparação ao grupo que recebeu FC [FCR= 67 pacientes (16,6%) versus FC= 34 pacientes (8,6%); p-valor= 0,007]. Um ano após o final do tratamento a diferença não foi mais observada [FCR= 16 pacientes (4%) versus FC= 14 pacientes (3,5%); p-valor= 0,75). Toxicidade hematológica (p-valor= 0,04) e infecção bacteriana (p-valor= 0,004) foram mais frequentes entre os pacientes com 65 anos ou mais do que nos mais jovens. AVALIAÇÃO ECONÔMICA: Foi realizada uma análise de custo-utilidade comparando o uso do FCR a FC, em tratamento de primeira linha para LLC, na perspectiva do SUS. O preço considerado para a tecnologia nessa análise foi de R$264,99. Por meio de uma análise de sobrevida particionada foi simulada uma coorte hipotética, com horizonte temporal de oito anos e taxa de desconto anual de 5%. O esquema de tratamento FCR apresentou custo de tratamento por paciente igual a R$ 29.106,99, um incremental de R$14.449,29, proporcionando ganho incremental de 0,5 QALYs (quality ajusted life years) e razão de custo-efetividade incremental (RCEI ou ICER) de R$28.564,07/QALY. As variáveis com maior impacto foram a utilidade da SLP e o custo do rituximabe a partir do segundo ciclo. Na análise de sensibilidade probabilística a maioria das simulações ficaram abaixo do limiar de R$40.000/QALY (1 PIB per capita). ANÁLISE DE IMPACTO ORÇAMENTÁRIO: O cálculo do impacto orçamentário (IO) foi realizado para um horizonte temporal de cinco anos e considera exclusivamente os custos dos esquemas terapêuticos. Foi considerado um market share de 60% do esquema de tratamento FCR no primeiro ano de incorporação, com aumento de 10% ao ano até o final do horizonte temporal. A população estimada a ser beneficiada pela incorporação da tecnologia foi de 7.098 pacientes por ano, número que corresponde ao número médio de Autorizações de Procedimentos de Alta Complexidade registradas por ano entre 2017 e 2021. Dessa forma o impacto orçamentário incremental variou de R$ 11.875.890,94 a R$ 26.776.069,32. RECOMENDAÇÕES INTERNACIONAIS: As quatro agências de ATS avaliadas (NICE, SMC, CADTH e PBAC) recomendam o uso de rituximabe em combinação com fludarabina e ciclofosfamida como uma opção para o tratamento de primeira linha de LLC. MONITORAMENTO DO HORIZONTE TECNOLÓGICO: Foram identificados sete medicamentos: dois da classe de inibidores de tirosina quinase de Bruton administrados por via oral (orelabrutinibe e pirtobrutinibe), dois anticorpos monoclonais administrados por via intravenosa (ublituximabe e lirilumabe), duas vacinas peptídicas subcutâneas derivadas de PD-L1 e PD-L2 (IO-103 e IO-120 + IO-103) e um inibidor beta da proteína quinase C (MS-553) administrado por via oral. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: A evidência clínica de eficácia e segurança apresentou superioridade do rituximabe em associação a fludarabina e ciclofosfamida, para indivíduos hígidos, mais jovens e sem comorbidades. Com relação a efetividade, o esquema FCR se mostrou custo-efetivo, com um ganho em QALY de 0,5 em comparação ao FC. A razão de custoefetividade incremental (RCEI ou ICER) foi de R$28.564,07/QALY (abaixo do limiar de 1 PIB per capita). PERSPECTIVA DO PACIENTE: A chamada pública de número 02/2023 para participar da Perspectiva do Paciente sobre o tema foi aberta de 13/02/2023 a 26/02/2023 e duas pessoas se inscreveram. O participante relatou que foi diagnosticado com LLC em 2009, quando tinha 50 anos de idade. O estágio da doença foi considerado Rai II e Binet B, com risco intermediário. Realizou o tratamento com FCR, em seis ciclos de aplicações. O primeiro foi realizado com o paciente internado, em dois dias de aplicação, o primeiro com rituximabe e o seguinte com a fludarabina e ciclofosfamida. Os ciclos seguintes foram realizados em ambulatório. Ele relatou que teve evento adverso, como a perda de neutrófilos, mas ao fim dos seis ciclos, que foi em junho de 2010, já estava estabilizado e com a LLC em remissão. RECOMENDAÇÃO PRELIMINAR DA CONITEC: Os membros do Comitê de Medicamentos, presentes na 117ª Reunião Ordinária da Conitec, realizada no dia 28 de março de 2023, deliberaram por unanimidade que a matéria fosse disponibilizada em consulta pública com recomendação preliminar favorável à incorporação ao SUS do rituximabe associado à quimioterapia com fludarabina e ciclofosfamida para o tratamento de primeira linha da leucemia linfocítica crônica. Para essa recomendação, a Conitec considerou a tecnologia eficaz, segura e custo-efetiva. CONSULTA PÚBLICA: Foi realizada entre 02/05/2023 e 22/05/2023 a Consulta Pública nº 15/2023. Foram recebidas 14 contribuições, sendo 10 pelo formulário para contribuições técnico-científicas e quatro pelo formulário para contribuições de experiência ou opinião de pacientes, familiares, amigos ou cuidadores de pacientes, profissionais de saúde ou pessoas interessadas no tema. Das 10 contribuições técnico-científicas, sete foram de pessoa física (profissionais de saúde) e três de pessoa jurídica (organização de sociedade civil). Além das contribuições descritas no próprio formulário, também foram anexados quatro documentos: dois ofícios da Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular ­ ABHH; um ofício da Associação Brasileira de Linfoma e Leucemia ­ ABRALE e uma nota da Secretaria Estadual de Saúde de Minas Gerais ­ SES-MG. Todas as contribuições e documentos apresentaram argumentações favoráveis à recomendação preliminar da Conitec. Sobre as contribuições de experiência e opinião, foram quatro no total, todas enviadas por pessoas físicas, sendo três concordantes com a recomendação preliminar e uma que declarava não ter opinião formada sobre o tema. Todas as contribuições foram descritas no próprio formulário, nenhum documento foi anexado. Não foram enviadas contribuições discordantes da recomendação preliminar relacionadas às informações sobre evidências clínicas, avaliação econômica e impacto orçamentário. RECOMENDAÇÃO FINAL DA CONITEC: Os membros do Comitê de Medicamentos, presentes na 120ª Reunião Ordinária da Conitec, no dia 29 de junho de 2023, deliberaram por unanimidade, recomendar a incorporação do rituximabe associado à quimioterapia com fludarabina e ciclofosfamida para o tratamento de primeira linha da leucemia linfocítica crônica. Não foram acrescentadas informações durante a consulta pública que pudessem modificar a recomendação preliminar da Conitec. Foi assinado o Registro de Deliberação nº 835/2023. DECISÃO: Incorporar, no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS, o rituximabe associado à quimioterapia com fludarabina e ciclofosfamida para o tratamento de primeira linha.

Primary Cutaneous Follicle Center Lymphoma of the Eyelid in a Young Man.

A 20-year-old male presented with a fast-growing nodule in his right inferior eyelid, no relevant history was obtained. Final histopathologic diagnosis of primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (CD20+, CD10+, bcl6+, bcl10+, mum1+, PAX5+, and bcl2-) was determined. The patient had a complete negative systemic work-up, and 3 cycles of consisting of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy were completed. The initial histopathologic diagnosis had been a non-Hodgkin diffuse large B-cell lymphoma which is an infrequent lymphoma type for this location too. To our knowledge, this is the youngest person reported presenting with an eyelid primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma.

Dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse therapy outcomes comparing pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus groups in a Brazilian cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse (DCP) and dexamethasone pulse (DP) have been successfully used to treat pemphigus, but DCP/DP outcomes comparing pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To compare DCP/DP outcomes in a Brazilian cohort of PV and PF patients according to demographic and clinical data. METHODS: Retrospective analytical cohort study, reviewing medical charts of PV and PF patients (for DCP/DP Phases I‒IV consult Pasricha et al.16‒18). RESULTS: 37 PV and 41 PF patients non responsive to usual treatments were included similarly for DCP or DP therapy. Disease duration was longer among PF before DCP/DP prescription (p < 0.001); PF required a higher number of monthly pulses to acquire remission in Phase I (median 10 and 6 pulses, respectively; p = 0.005). DCP/DP outcomes were similar in both groups: remission in 37.8% of PV and 34.1% of PF after completed DCP/DP cycles following a median of 13 months (1-56 months follow-up); failure occurred in 13.5% of PV and 14.6% of PF in Phase I; relapse in 13.5% of PV and 12.2% of PF, and dropout in 27% of PV and 24.4% of PF in Phases II to IV. Mild side effects were documented. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The severity of PV and PF disease was not assessed by score indexes. CONCLUSIONS: PV and PF patients presented similar DCP/DP outcomes. DCP/DP should be initiated earlier in PF patients due to the longer duration of their disease in order to decrease the number of pulses and the duration of Phase I to acquire remission.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus without systemic activity.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an uncommon subtype of peripheral neuropathy, especially in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a case of SLE presenting with CIDP successfully treated. The patient presented with bilateral, progressive, ascending, sensory, and motor neuropathy. Electrodiagnostic tests reported active motor and sensitive demyelinating polyneuropathy, and the diagnosis of CIDP was confirmed according to the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society criteria. Initial management with intravenous immunoglobulin and high-dose steroids was administered, then 6-month intravenous cyclophosphamide was initiated with improvement according to clinical scales. In conclusion, CIDP in SLE is rare, reported in just 0.2%. Immunosuppressive therapy should be considered whether initial improvement is not evidenced, as seen in our case requiring cyclophosphamide; interestingly, systemic activity was in remission as the peripheral nervous system is not part of neurological compromise, and we suggest evaluating this unusual presentation into rheumatological practice.

Management of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia in Limited-Resource Settings.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare, indolent, and currently incurable B-cell neoplasm characterized by monoclonal immunoglobulin M gammopathy, frequent nodal involvement, and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the bone marrow. The clinical pattern at diagnosis is similar to that reported in developed countries but, unfortunately, the tools for a complete diagnosis and access to novel therapies are suboptimal. Older drugs such as bendamustine, cyclophosphamide, and chlorambucil may still play a role in treating WM. Prospective studies in resource-limited regions are required to further evaluate these essential aspects of the disease. In this document, we issue recommendations based on our local reality.