Disease Perception Is Correlated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Suffering from Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Results of the Belgian Be-QUALMS Study.

Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes suffer from an impaired quality of life that is only partially explained by physical symptoms. In an observational study, we aimed to investigate the impact of current MDS treatments and the influence of disease perception on quality of life. Serial measurement of health-related quality of life was performed by 'the QUALMS', a validated MDS-specific patient reported outcome tool. Disease perception was evaluated by means of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ). We prospectively collected data on 75 patients that started on a new treatment and could not demonstrate a significant change in QUALMS score or B-IPQ score during treatment. Six out of eight items evaluated in the B-IPQ correlated significantly with QUALMS score. In this small sample, no significant difference in QUALMS score was found between lower vs. higher risk MDS patients or other studied variables, e.g., targeted hemoglobin showed no correlation with QUALMS score. In daily practice attention must be paid to initial formation of disease perception as it correlates independently with health-related quality of life and does not change during treatment (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04053933).

Toxoplasmosis after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation: experience using a PCR-guided pre-emptive approach.

OBJECTIVES: Prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) is recommended in Toxoplasma-seropositive allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients to prevent reactivation, but it is associated with numerous side effects. We report our experience of a pre-emptive approach guided by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients not receiving prophylaxis. METHODS: In this retrospective, single-centre experience, seropositive recipients and seronegative recipients receiving a graft from a seropositive donor were screened by PCR for the presence of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in peripheral blood until at least 6 months after transplantation. Confirmed PCR positivity triggered a pre-emptive anti-Toxoplasma therapy. Cases of Toxoplasma reactivation (using the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation definitions) were compared with four controls (without reactivation), matched in time and recipient serostatus, to identify risk factors for reactivation by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: From November 2001 to August 2020, 1455 consecutive adult patients (59 cases and 1396 controls) were screened. The overall 1-year cumulative incidence of toxoplasmosis was 4.1% and the 1-year cumulative incidence in the seropositive recipients was 8.8%. Reactivation was associated with second transplant (OR 2.51, 95%CI 1.28-4.94, p 0.011), myeloablative conditioning (OR 2.24, 95%CI 1.17-4.41, p 0.011), total body irradiation (OR 2.29, 95%CI 1.17-4.44, p 0.010), acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) (OR 2.27, 95%CI 1.26-4.08, p 0.008) and use of high-dose corticosteroids (OR 2.08, 95%CI 1.14-3.78, p 0.018). In multivariate analysis only acute GvHD remained significant (adjusted OR 2.54, 95%CI 1.16-5.71, p 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: A PCR-based pre-emptive approach might serve as an acceptable alternative for patients unable to start with or to continue TMP-SMZ prophylaxis. Acute GvHD was identified as the single independent predictor for reactivation.

Case Report: VEXAS Syndrome: From Mild Symptoms to Life-Threatening Macrophage Activation Syndrome.

Recently, a novel disorder coined VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome was identified in patients with adult-onset inflammatory syndromes, often accompanied by myelodysplastic syndrome1. All patients had myeloid lineage-restricted somatic mutations in UBA1 affecting the Met41 residue of the protein and resulting in decreased cellular ubiquitylation activity and hyperinflammation. We here describe the clinical disease course of two VEXAS syndrome patients with somatic UBA1 mutations of which one with a mild phenotype characterized by recurrent rash and symmetric polyarthritis, and another who was initially diagnosed with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease and developed macrophage activation syndrome as a complication of the VEXAS syndrome. The latter patients was treated with anti-IL6 therapy (siltuximab) leading to a resolution of systemic symptoms and reduction of transfusion requirements.

Performance of 18F-fluorodesoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography for cancer screening in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism: Results from an individual patient data meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) may be the first manifestation of cancer. We aimed at evaluating the performance of 18F-Fluorodesoxyglucose Positron-Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG PET/CT) for occult cancer screening in patients with unprovoked VTE. METHODS: This was a pre-specified analysis of a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis including prospective studies assessing cancer screening in patients with unprovoked VTE. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of FDG PET/CT were calculated based on cancer diagnosis during a 1-year follow-up period. RESULTS: Four studies were identified as using FDG PET/CT as part of their extensive screening strategy. Out of the 332 patients who underwent FDG PET/CT, the scan was interpreted as positive in 67 (20.2%), as equivocal in 27 (8.1%), and as negative in 238 (71.7%). Seventeen (5.1%) patients were diagnosed with cancer at inclusion or during the 12-month follow up period. All cancers were diagnosed at initial screening. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and PPV were 87.3% (95% CI, 55.3 to 97.4), 70.2% (95% CI, 48.2 to 85.6), 98.9% (95% CI, 94.3 to 99.7), and 17.9% (95% CI, 8.5 to 33.6), respectively. CONCLUSION: FDG PET/CT appears to have satisfactory accuracy indices for cancer diagnosis in patients with unprovoked VTE. In particular, it exhibits a very high negative predictive value and could be used to rule out the presence of an underlying occult malignancy in this setting.

Advanced Doppler imaging and trucut biopsy of a late-stage cervical lymphoma.

Extranodal lymphomas of the cervix are rare entities that are often misdiagnosed. Imaging and tissue diagnosis are a key to early identification and differentiation from other types of cervical lesions. We report on a case of cervical lymphoma, assessed with three-dimensional Doppler-augmented Radiantflow™ technology and subjected to deep cervical sampling through trucut core needle biopsy.

Screening for Occult Cancer in Patients With Unprovoked Venous Thromboembolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Individual Patient Data.

BACKGROUND: Screening for cancer in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) often is considered, but clinicians need precise data on cancer prevalence, risk factors, and the effect of different types of screening strategies. PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of occult cancer in patients with unprovoked VTE, including in subgroups of different ages or those that have had different types of screening. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 19 January 2016. STUDY SELECTION: Prospective studies evaluating cancer screening strategies in adults with unprovoked VTE that began enrolling patients after 1 January 2000 and had at least 12 months of follow-up. DATA EXTRACTION: 2 investigators independently reviewed abstracts and full-text articles and independently assessed risk of bias. DATA SYNTHESIS: 10 eligible studies were identified. Individual data were obtained for all 2316 patients. Mean age was 60 years; 58% of patients received extensive screening. The 12-month period prevalence of cancer after VTE diagnosis was 5.2% (95% CI, 4.1% to 6.5%). The point prevalence of cancer was higher in patients who had extensive screening than in those who had more limited screening initially (odds ratio [OR], 2.0 [CI, 1.2 to 3.4]) but not at 12 months (OR, 1.4 [CI, 0.89 to 2.1]). Cancer prevalence increased linearly with age and was 7-fold higher in patients aged 50 years or older than in younger patients (OR, 7.1 [CI, 3.1 to 16]). LIMITATION: Variation in patient characteristics and extensive screening strategies; unavailability of long-term mortality data. CONCLUSION: Occult cancer is detected in 1 in 20 patients within a year of receiving a diagnosis of unprovoked VTE. Older age is associated with a higher cancer prevalence. Although an extensive screening strategy initially may detect more cancer cases than limited screening, whether this translates into improved patient outcomes remains unclear. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: None. (PROSPERO: CRD42016033371).

Screening for cancer in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism: protocol for a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Occult cancer is present in 4%-9% of patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE). Screening for cancer may be considered in these patients, with the aim to diagnose cancers in an early, potentially curable stage. Information is needed about the risk of occult cancer, overall and in specific subgroups, additional risk factors and on the performance of different screening strategies. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL databases were searched from November 2007 to January 2016 for prospective studies that had evaluated protocol-mandated screening for cancer in patients with unprovoked VTE and with at least 12 months' follow-up. Two reviewers independently assessed articles for eligibility. Ten eligible studies were identified and individual patient data were obtained from each of them. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool . Generalised linear mixed-effects models was used to calculate estimates in a one-stage meta-analytic approach, overall and in a number of subgroups, including patients undergoing limited screening only, elderly patients, patients with previous VTE, smokers and patients using oestrogens. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. Findings have been submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international conferences to provide clinicians and other decision-makers with valid and precise risk estimates of occult cancer, overall and in specific clinical subgroups, with risk factors for occult cancer, with estimates of the diagnostic performance of limited screening and with an exploration of the benefit of extensive screening strategies.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors improve long-term outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

This study aimed to determine the impact of tyrosine kinase inhibitors given pre- and post-allogeneic stem cell transplantation on long-term outcome of patients allografted for Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This retrospective analysis from the EBMT Acute Leukemia Working Party included 473 de novo Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients in first complete remission who underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplantation using a human leukocyte antigen-identical sibling or human leukocyte antigen-matched unrelated donor between 2000 and 2010. Three hundred and ninety patients received tyrosine kinase inhibitors before transplant, 329 at induction and 274 at consolidation. Kaplan-Meier estimates of leukemia-free survival, overall survival, cumulative incidences of relapse incidence, and non-relapse mortality at five years were 38%, 46%, 36% and 26%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, tyrosine-kinase inhibitors given before allogeneic stem cell transplantation was associated with a better overall survival (HR=0.68; P=0.04) and was associated with lower relapse incidence (HR=0.5; P=0.01). In the post-transplant period, multivariate analysis identified prophylactic tyrosine-kinase inhibitor administration to be a significant factor for improved leukemia-free survival (HR=0.44; P=0.002) and overall survival (HR=0.42; P=0.004), and a lower relapse incidence (HR=0.40; P=0.01). Over the past decade, administration of tyrosine kinase inhibitors before allogeneic stem cell transplantation has significantly improved the long-term allogeneic stem cell transplantation outcome of adult Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Prospective studies will be of great interest to further confirm the potential benefit of the prophylactic use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the post-transplant setting.

Dasatinib in combination with fludarabine in patients with refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a multicenter phase 2 study.

Resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in CLL is associated with overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins induced by signals from the microenvironment. In vitro, dasatinib effectively inhibits expression of anti-apoptotic regulators and restores fludarabine sensitivity in activated CLL. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of one cycle of dasatinib monotherapy (100mg/day, days 1-28) followed by combination of dasatinib with fludarabine (40mg/m²/day, days 1-3 every 28 day) for a total of 6 cycles in fludarabine-refractory CLL. The primary endpoint was overall response rate according to the IWCLL'08 criteria. 20 patients were enrolled: 18 completed at least one cycle of treatment of which 67% finished at least 2 cycles of combination treatment. 3 of these 18 patients reached a formal PR (16.7%). Majority of patients obtained some reduction in lymph node (LN) size. Most frequent toxicity was related to myelosuppression. NF-κB RNA expression levels of circulating CLL cells decreased whereas the levels of pro-apoptotic NOXA increased during treatment. In conclusion, dasatinib/fludarabine combination has modest clinical efficacy in fludarabine-refractory patients.

Therapy refractory angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in complete remission with lenalidomide.

The prognosis of therapy refractory angioimmunoblastic lymphoma (AITL) is very poor. In this report we describe a patient with AITL refractory to 2 lines of chemotherapy. He was treated with lenalidomide 15 mg continuously and prednisone. After 2 yr follow-up, the patient has no detectable disease. Lenalidomide was well tolerated without side-effects. Lenalidomide even in lower dosed combined with steroids can induce complete responses in patients with refractory AITL.

How to improve the implementation of guidelines on cancer-related thrombosis.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE; defined by deep-vein thrombosis, central venous catheter-related thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) is a major therapeutic issue in cancer patients. VTE is reported in 15-20% of patients with cancer and is an independent prognostic factor and a leading cause of death. In this population, low-molecular-weight heparins have been shown to be superior to vitamin K antagonists. The Italian Association of Medical Oncology, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the French 'Institut National du Cancer', the European Society of Medical Oncology and the American College of Chest Physicians have all published specific guidelines, but their implementation is still low in clinical practice. Methodological assessment of these guidelines was performed using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research & Evaluation Instrument. None of the guidelines on thrombosis and cancer have sought for patients' preferences, nor were they tested among target users. VTE in cancer patients requires a multidisciplinary approach but downstream of the guidelines publication, the potential organisational barriers in applying the recommendations have not been discussed. Tolerance and cost-effectiveness of long-term use of low-molecular-weight heparin may account for the large heterogeneity seen in daily clinical practice. Homogenization of guidelines in international consensus working groups followed by educational and active implementation strategies would be very valuable in order to improve the care of VTE in cancer patients.

[Autologous stem cell transplantation in haematological disorders,1980-2002]. / Autologe stamceltransplantatie bij hematologische aandoeningen, 1980-2002.

OBJECTIVE: To describe activities in the field of autologous stem cell transplantation in haematological disorders in the Netherlands in the periods before and after 1993 (at that time blood was introduced as source of stem cells). DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective cohort study. METHOD: Data were collected from the Netherlands Stem Cell Transplantation Registry TYPHON. Details of all transplant patients were reported to TYPHON by the individual transplantation centres. In this overview we describe the changes in transplantation-related mortality, relapse rates and survival in the periods 1 January 1980-31 December 1992 and 1 January 1980-31 December 2002. RESULTS: The number of autologous stem cell transplantations increased almost five-fold in the period 1993-2002. Since 1993 the main indications for transplantation were multiple myeloma (MM) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), as well as acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), which was the main indication in the period before 1993. In the period before 1993 most relapses were observed in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and MM, which resulted in low survival rates. After 1993 no great differences in relapse or survival rates were observed between the different disorders. The survival rates for patients with ALL improved during the last research period, especially among younger patients (< 45 years). CONCLUSION: The number of autologous stem cell transplantations has increased considerably since 1993, especially in patients with MM and NHL.

The predictive value of D-dimer measurement for cancer in patients with deep vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Venous thromboembolism can be related to malignancy, but routine screening for cancer in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is not a recommended practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of D-dimer concentration in predicting cancer in patients with DVT. DESIGN AND METHODS: D-dimer levels were measured in outpatients presenting with DVT. In a proportion of patients, D-dimer levels were measured daily for 4 days. The occurrence of malignancy was documented. RESULTS: Patients were followed for a median of 34 months. Fifty (23%) of 218 patients with thrombosis had cancer in the study period including 14 who developed cancer during the follow-up. High initial D-dimer levels (levels > 4000 mg/L) were associated with more cancer during follow-up than were lower D-dimer levels: 13% versus 4% (p=0.048). High D-dimer levels after 4 days of treatment were associated with a 15% prevalence of cancer whereas the prevalence in patients with lower D-dimer levels was 5% (p=0.1). The total cancer prevalence (including cancer diagnosed before thrombosis) in patients with initial D-dimer levels < 4000 mg/L was 16% compared to 32% in patients with higher levels (p=0.009, RR=2.0). After 4 days of treatment, total cancer prevalences were 14% and 46%, respectively (p=0.02, RR=3.4). In patients aged < 60 years, initial D-dimer levels of < 4000 mg/L were associated with a cancer prevalence of 3% whereas higher levels were associated with a prevalence of 23% (p=0.001, RR=8.6). After 4 days of treatment, the prevalences associated with lower and higher levels of D-dimer were 0% and 100%, respectively (p=0.003). There was no difference in older patients. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: High D-dimer concentrations at presentation or during the first days of treatment are indicators of an increased probability of overt or occult forms of cancer, especially in patients under 60 years old.