Real-world data on the effectiveness and safety of Ixazomib-Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone therapy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients: a multicenter experience in Turkey.

A multicenter, retrospective, observational study was conducted to explore effectiveness and safety of ixazomib plus lenalidomide with dexamethasone (IRd) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients following at least ≥ two lines of therapy. Patients' treatment responses, overall response rate, progression-free survival rate, and adverse events were recorded. Mean age of 54 patients was 66.5 ± 9.1 years. There were 20 patients (37.0%) with progression. Median progression-free survival was 13 months in patients who received a median of three therapy lines in a 7.5-month follow-up period. Overall response rate was 38.5%. Of 54 patients, 19 (40.4%) had at least one adverse event, and nine (19.1%) had an adverse event of at least grade 3 or more. Of 72 adverse events observed in 47 patients, 68% were grade 1 or 2. Treatment was not stopped in any patient due to adverse events. IRd combination therapy was effective and safe in heavily treated RRMM patients.

International Forum: The Turkish perspective on apheresis activity: The Turkish apheresis registry report.

Therapeutic apheresis is an extracorporeal treatment that selectively removes abnormal cells or harmful substances in the blood that are associated with or cause certain diseases. During the last decades the application of therapeutic apheresis has expanded to a broad spectrum of hematological and non-hematological diseases due to various studies on the clinical efficacy of this procedure. In this context there are more than 30 centers performing therapeutic apheresis and registered in the apheresis database in Turkey. Herein, we, The Turkish Apheresis Registry, aimed to analyze some key articles published so far from Turkey regarding the use of apheresis for various indications.

Real-Life Experience Regarding Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcome in Non-Cutaneous Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas: A Multicenter Study of the Turkish Hematology Research and Education Group (ThREG)

Objective: Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are an uncommon and quite heterogeneous group of disorders, representing only 10%-15% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Although both molecular and clinical studies have increased in recent years, we still have little knowledge regarding real-life practice with PTCLs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of a large population-based cohort of patients presenting with systemic non-cutaneous PTCL. Materials and Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis of 190 patients consecutively diagnosed and treated with non-cutaneous PTCLs between 2008 and 2016. Results: Considering all first-line treatment combinations, the overall response rate was 65.9% with 49.4% complete remission (n=81) and 16.5% partial response (n=27). The 5-year overall survival and event-free survival rates were significantly different between the transplant and non-transplant groups (p<0.01, and p=0.033, respectively). Conclusion: The retrospective analysis of a large volume of real-life data on the Turkish experience regarding non-cutaneous PTCL patients showed consistent results compared to other unselected PTCL cohorts with some minor differences in terms of survival and transplantation outcomes. The long-term outcome of patients who receive autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation as part of upfront consolidation or salvage therapy is favorable compared to patients who are unable to receive high-dose therapy.

Eltrombopag for Treatment of Thrombocytopenia Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of eltrombopag (ELT) in the treatment of thrombocytopenia following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Materials and Methods: Forty-eight patients treated with ELT for thrombocytopenia after allogeneic or autologous transplantation at the Erciyes University Bone Marrow Transplantation Center between July 2017 and July 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Forty-eight HSCT recipients were included in this study. Thirty (62.5%) patients were evaluated as having experienced delayed platelet recovery (DPR) and 18 (37.5%) patients as having experienced secondary failure of platelet recovery (SFPR). The median platelet count before ELT treatment was 13x109/L (range: 3-20x109/L). Twenty-three patients responded to treatment and the cumulative incidence of successful platelet recovery was 48%. Patients with both DPR and SFPR responded, but patients with DPR had a higher response rate (50% vs. 44%). The median platelet count of the 23 responding patients was 12x109/L (5-19x109/L) before treatment and 68x109/L (52-266x109/L) after treatment (p<0.0001). While the number of bone marrow megakaryocytes before treatment was adequate in 22 (46%) cases, it was decreased in 26 (54%) cases. Patients with adequate bone marrow megakaryocytes had a better response rate than those without (77% vs. 23%, p<0.0001). The group with adequate megakaryocytes responded to treatment at a median of 33 days (range: 9-174 days). Patients with decreased megakaryocytes responded at a median of 55 days (30-164 days) (p=0.002). No drug-related side effects were observed in any patients. Conclusion: This real-life experience demonstrates that ELT is an effective and safe treatment option for thrombocytopenia after HSCT. The adequacy of bone marrow megakaryocytes before ELT treatment was an important factor affecting response to treatment.

The Real-World Experience With Single Agent Ibrutinib in Relapsed/Refractory CLL.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: The emergence of novel agents targeting the B-cell receptor pathway and BCL-2 has significantly changed the therapeutic landscape of CLL. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of single-agent ibrutinib in relapsed/refractory CLL in real-world settings. PATIENTS/METHODS: A total of 200 relapsed/refractory CLL patients with a median age of 68 were included in this retrospective, multicenter, non-interventional study. Data of the study were captured from the patient charts of the participating centers. RESULTS: The median for lines of previous chemotherapy was 2 (1-6); 62 (31.8%) patients had del17p and/or p53 mutations (del17p+/p53mut). Of the study group, 146 (75%) patients achieved at least PR, while 16 (8.7%) patients discontinued ibrutinib due to TEA. The most common drug-related adverse events were neutropenia (n: 31; 17.4%) and thrombocytopenia (n: 40; 22.3%), which were ≥ grade 3 in 9 (5%) and 5 (3.9%) patients, respectively. Pneumonia (n: 42; 23.7%) was the most common nonhematologic TEA. Atrial fibrillation (n: 5; 2.8%) and bleeding (n: 11; 6.3%) were relatively rare during the study period. Within a median follow-up period of 17 (1-74) months, 42 (21%) patients died. The estimated median OS of the study cohort was 52 months. Only the response to ibrutinib (CR/PR vs. SD/PD) was significantly associated with OS. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate good safety and efficacy for single-agent ibrutinib in R/R CLL in daily practice.

Pralatrexate experience in PTCL: A multicenter retrospective study from Turkey.

PURPOSE: Pralatrexate is a new generation antifolate treatment agent used for the treatment of relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphomas. This study aims to determine the general characteristics of the patients receiving pralatrexate therapy in Turkey, contributing to the literature on the effectiveness of pralatrexate therapy in peripheral T-cell lymphomas by determining the response levels of such patients to the therapy. The study also attempts to clinically examine the major side effects observed in patients during treatment with pralatrexate. METHODS: The study included patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma followed up in the hematology units of several hospitals in Turkey. Overall, 20 patients aged 18 and over were included in the study. RESULTS: The median age at the time of diagnosis was 58.5 years. PTCL-NOS (Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified) subtype was in 40% of patients, making the PTCL-NOS the most common subtype in the study. In general, most patients were diagnosed with disease at an advanced stage. Pralatrexate therapy was given to the patients at a median treatment line of 3.5. Pralatrexate dose reduction was required in only 3 patients (15%). Response to pralatrexate therapy with partial remission (PR) and above was observed in 11 (55%) of the patients. CONCLUSION: Pralatrexate seemed to be a promising novel treatment in relapsed refractory PTCL patients. However, patients receiving pralatrexate should be followed up carefully for skin reactions, mucosal side effects, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia.

Apheresis in patients with sepsis: A multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To consider the effectiveness of apheresis, which is a supportive treatment method, in sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hundred and eleven adults with sepsis or septic shock were included in this retrospective study. The demographic characteristics of the patients, the focus and source of infection causing sepsis or septic shock, characteristics of the pathogen, Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Assessment (APACHE) II score, routine laboratory values, which apheresis method was used, the characteristics of the replacement fluids used during the apheresis procedure, the number of apheresis procedures, complications related to the apheresis procedure, the follow-up time after the procedure, and mortality were recorded. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. RESULTS: Sixty-nine (62.2 %) of the patients were male. The mean age of the patients was 47.7 ± 18.6 years. The most common source of sepsis was hospital-acquired (79.3 %), the most common pathogen causing sepsis was gram-negative bacteria (41.4 %), and the most common infection site was the respiratory tract (58.7 %). The median APACHE II score was 19 (13-24). 92 (82.9 %) of the patients had septic shock. Theropeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was performed in 11.7 % of the patients and immunoabsorbtion IA in 88.3 %. The median number of sessions was 3 (3-5). No procedure-related fatal complication was observed in the study. While 28-day mortality was 61.3 % in all patients, when the mortality according to the apheresis procedures was examined, it was 11.3 % and 88.2 % in the patients who underwent TPE and IA, respectively. The most common cause of mortality was multiorgan failure. CONCLUSIONS: Apheresis in sepsis can be considered as a salvage treatment. The indication for apheresis in sepsis is still at the level of patient-based individualized decision in line with the studies done so far, including our study. However, there is a need for a multicenter randomized controlled study with a large number of patients in order to give positive or negative recommendations about its effectiveness.

A multicenter retrospective analysis on therapeutic plasma exchange in immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by thrombocytopenia and skin and mucosal bleeding. In patients with an indication for treatment, corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and anti-D are recommended as the first line, while splenectomy, thrombopoietin receptor agonists or rituximab are recommended second line options. Approximately 10 % of adult patients with ITP fall into the chronic refractory ITP group. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has generally been tested in patients with refractory ITP, who have failed to respond to conventional treatments, in case of bleeding or prior to surgical interventions. It has been stated that elimination of the antibodies that are held responsible in the pathogenesis of the disease has an effective role in the treatment. In this article, we present the results of 17 patients, who underwent TPE for refractory ITP, together with the literature data.

Efficacy and safety of plasmapheresis in symptomatic hyperviscosity and cast nephropathy: A Multicenter Experience in Turkey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cast nephropathy (CN) and hyperviscosity (HV), which we encounter in plasma cell diseases, are serious clinical manifestations that increase mortality and morbidity if not managed well in the early period. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) procedures based on the removal of patient plasma is a frequently preferred treatment modality. TPE is recommended at varying levels of evidence for the treatment of CN and HV in plasma cell disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 61 patients, 50 with multipl myeloma (MM) and 10 with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), who underwent TPE for CN and HV, were included in our multicenter, and retrospective study. RESULTS: A statistically significant decrease was found in all disease-related biochemical markers, which were measured 1 week after the application of TPE added to standard medical treatment (IgG; p < 0.001, IgM; p = 0.004, IgA; p = 0.14, kappa light chain; p < 0.001, lambda light chain; p < 0.001, ß-2 microglobulin; p < 0.001, total protein; p < 0.001, albumin; p < 0.001, LDH; p = 0.02, creatine; p < 0.001, hemoglobin; p = 0.010). Clinically, all 11 patients who underwent TPE for HV responded. While a partial response (PR: 80 %) was obtained in 40 of 50 MM patients with CN, no response was obtained in 10 patients (non-response: 20 %). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it was observed that TPE reduced all biochemical markers related to HV and CN, while making a significant contribution to clinical improvement. We believe that adding TPE to the standard treatment in this patient group will reduce mortality and morbidity in the early period and have a positive effect on survival in the long term.

Flow cytometric analysis of platelet surface glycoproteins in the diagnosis of thirty-two Turkish patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia: a multicenter experience

Background/aim: Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare autosomal recessively inherited bleeding disorder characterized by the quantitative (type 1 and type 2) or qualitative (type 3) deficiency in platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa (CD41a/CD61) fibrinogen receptors. In type 1, 2, and 3, CD41a/CD61 expression is 5%, 5%­20% and above 20%, respectively. In this study, diagnosis of GT was confirmed and subgroups were identified in 32 Turkish patients by flow cytometry analysis. Materials and methods: CD41a/CD61 expression levels in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) obtained from peripheral venous EDTA blood samples were analyzed with a BD FACSCanto II flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA). GT subgroup analysis was performed by counting 50,000 events in the BD FACSDiva Software v6.1.3 program of the instrument. Results: In the present study, in blood samples of 32 patients from 23 families with GT and 22 healthy controls, co-expression levels of CD41a and CD61 in PRP was analyzed. 12 out of 23 families were consistent with type 1 GT (52.2%), 4 were consistent with type 2 GT (17.4%), and 7 were consistent with type 3 GT (30.4%). Conclusion: Especially due to consanguineous marriages, GT with various glycoprotein levels may be detected. As a result of the flow cytometry analysis of the present study with the highest GT patient population in Turkey, type 1 GT patients were the most common subgroup. In the determination of the GT subgroups; especially in the detection of type 3 GT, flow cytometry is the most sensitive glycoprotein analysis method. In addition to light transmission aggregometry, CD41a/CD61 study by flow cytometer confirms diagnosis when mutation analysis cannot be performed.

Clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria patients in Turkey: a multicenter experience.

The aim of this study is to collect paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patient data from hematology centers all over Turkey in order to identify clinical features and management of PNH patients. Patients with PNH were evaluated by a retrospective review of medical records from 19 different institutions around Turkey. Patient demographics, medical history, laboratory findings, and PNH-specific information, including symptoms at the diagnosis, complications, erythrocyte, and granulocyte clone size, treatment, and causes of death were recorded. Sixty patients (28 males, 32 females) were identified. The median age was 33 (range; 17-77) years. Forty-six patients were diagnosed as classic PNH and 14 as secondary PNH. Fatigue and abdominal pain were the most frequent presenting symptoms. After eculizumab became available in Turkey, most of the patients (n = 31/46, 67.4%) were switched to eculizumab. Three patients with classic PNH underwent stem cell transplantation. The median survival time was 42 (range; 7-183 months) months. This study is the first and most comprehensive review of PNH cases in Turkey. It provided us useful information to find out the differences between our patients and literature, which may help us understand the disease.

The use of high-flow nasal oxygen vs. standard oxygen therapy in hematological malignancy patients with acute respiratory failure in hematology wards

Background/aim: High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was mostly used in intensive care units (ICUs) with few studies in other departments. We hypothesized that HFNC applied at wards is beneficial for acute respiratory failure in hematological malignancy patients. Materials and methods: The study is a single center, randomized controlled study. Inclusion criteria were hypoxemic respiratory failure and hematological malignancy. Patients were randomized to either venturi mask/nasal cannula oxygen treatment or HFNC. Results: One hundred patients were included in the study. Median age was 58.5 (18­86) years and APACHE II score was 17 (5­29). HFNC group was 51 patients and the oxygen treatment group 49 patients. P/F ratios were similar between the groups throughout the study period. Endotracheal intubation was required in 10 (20.0%) patients in oxygen group and 17 (33.0%) patients in HFNC group (p = 0.14). A total of 17 (35.0%) patients in oxygen group and 17 (33.0%) patients in HFNC group received noninvasive mechanical ventilation (p = 0.97). Median VAS comfort scores at the 2nd and 24th hours were not different between groups. The 28-day mortality rate was 36.7% (18 deaths) in the standard group and 45.0% (23 deaths) in the HFNC group (p = 0.39). Conclusion: HFNC applied in wards is not superior to standard oxygen treatment for acute respiratory failure in hematological malignancy patients.

A Comparison of the BEAM and MITO/MEL Conditioning Regimens for Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Hodgkin Lymphoma: An Analysis of Efficiency and Treatment-Related Toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Approximately half of patients with relapsed chemosensitive disease achieve robust responses with BEAM (BCNU, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan) and autologous stem cell rescue. The scarcity of comparative studies further limits alternative treatment protocols, such as the MITO/MEL (mitoxantrone, melphalan) protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter study, we compared the BEAM and MITO/MEL regimens used before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in terms of efficacy and side effects in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. Data met international accreditation rules. Before ASCT, 108 patients received the MITO/MEL, and 34 patients received the BEAM. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 36 months in the MITO/MEL group (range, 3-178) and 23 months in the BEAM group (range, 4-99). After ASCT, the 3-year expected overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 86.1% and 86.1% for the MITO/MEL group and 91.3% and 76.5% for the BEAM group, respectively. Although 50% of patients developed febrile neutropenia attacks in the MITO/MEL group, this rate was 91.1% in the BEAM group. The grade II and higher rates of hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, and cardiac toxicities were similar in both groups. However, the rate of pulmonary toxicity was determined to be 1.9% in the MITO/MEL group and 29.4% in the BEAM group (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The MITO/MEL conditioning regimen seems to be as effective as the BEAM regimen but has better tolerability in terms of pulmonary toxicity and may be used as an alternative option if necessary, depending on the comorbidity status of the patient.

Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma in Turkey: Association with Hepatitis B Instead of Hepatitis C Virus as an Etiologic and Possible Prognostic Factor - A Multicenter Cohort Study

Objective: Chronic antigenic stimulation is frequently blamed in the pathogenesis of extranodal marginal zone lymphomas including splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL). Chronic hepatitis C is frequently observed in SMZL patients in some geographical regions. However, these reports are largely from North America and Europe, and data from other countries are insufficient. In this multicenter study we aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of SMZL patients in Turkey, including viral hepatitis status and treatment details. Materials and Methods: Data were gathered from participating centers from different regions of Turkey using IBM SPSS Statistics 23 for Windows. Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs antibody, anti-HB core antigen antibody (anti-HBcAg), HB viral load, anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, HCV viral load results were analyzed. Results: One hundred and four patients were reported. Hepatitis C virus positivity was observed in only one patient. However, hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity was observed in 11.2% and HBsAg and/or anti-HB core antigen antibody (anti-HBcAg) positivities were seen in 34.2% of the patients. The median age was 60 years (range=35-87). Median follow-up duration was 21.2 months (range=00.2-212; 23.2 months for surviving patients). Median overall survival was not reached. Estimated 3-year and 10-year survival rates were 84.8% and 68.9%, respectively. Older age, no splenectomy during follow-up, platelet count of <90x103/µL, lower albumin, higher lactate dehydrogenase, higher ß2-microglobulin, and HBsAg positivity were associated with increased risk of death. Only albumin remained significant in multivariable analysis. Conclusion: These results indicate that hepatitis B virus may be a possible risk factor for SMZL in our population. It may also be an indirect prognostic factor.

The Effect of Classical Turkish Music on Pain Severity and Anxiety Levels in Patients Undergoing Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow aspiration is a painful procedure. In addition, the anxiety experienced during the procedure can affect the pain felt during the procedure. This study was conducted as a randomized controlled study to determine the effect of classical Turkish music on pain severity and anxiety levels in patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed in an oncology hospital with a total of 30 patients, of whom 14 were in the intervention group and 16 were in the control group. All underwent bone marrow aspiration and biopsy for the first time. Ethics committee approval, institutional permission, and the study participants' written informed consent were obtained. Data were collected using patient information forms and follow-up charts, the Visual Analog Scale, and the State Anxiety Inventory. It was determined that the scores gathered from the State Anxiety Inventory during the first follow-up increased in the second follow-up in both the intervention and control groups, and this increase was statistically significant in the intervention group (p < .05). The mean pain severity scores of the patients undergoing the procedure were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p < .05). CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS: This study found that classical Turkish music reduced the severity of pain but increased the levels of anxiety in patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma in daily practice: A multicenter experience.

Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare subtype of Hodgkin's lymphoma. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical features and therapeutic outcomes of patients with NLPHL who were diagnosed at different institutes in Turkey. We retrospectively reviewed the records of the patients diagnosed with NLPHL. Adult patients who were diagnosed after 2005 with histological confirmation were selected for the study. Forty-three patients were included in the study. Median age of patients was 37.5 years (18-70) at the time of diagnosis. About 60.5% patients were diagnosed as stage I and II NLPHL, and remaining 39.5% had stage III and IV disease. Median follow-up was 46 months. During follow-up, none of the patients died. Seven patients relapsed or progressed after initial therapy at a median of 12 months. Five of 7 relapsed/refractory patients (71.4%) were salvaged with chemotherapy only (DHAP, ICE), and the remaining 2 (28.6%) were salvaged with chemoimmunotherapy. All of relapsed/refractory patients were able to achieve complete remission after salvage therapy. Lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly higher in patients with progressive disease compared with nonprogressive disease. Our study showed an excellent outcome with all patients alive at last contact with a median follow up of 46 months despite a wide range of different therapeutic approaches. All relapsed and refractory patients were successfully salvaged despite a low frequency of patients received immunotherapy in conjunction with chemotherapy. Our results suggest that immunotherapy may be reserved for further relapses.

A case of multiple myeloma with navicular bone involvement.

Multiple myeloma is a haematological disease caused by proliferation of malignant plasma cells in bone marrow. It frequently has lytic bone lesions. However, involvement of the small bones of the hands and feet is extremely rare. We report a unique multiple myeloma patient with first recurrence in navicular bone after allogenic stem cell transplantation.

Performance of Galactomannan Antigen, Beta-d-Glucan, and Aspergillus-Lateral-Flow Device for the Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis.

Aspergillus lateral-flow device (LFD) was recently introduced as a practical tool for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA). We investigated the performance of Aspergillus-LFD as a point-of-care test for the diagnosis of IA. Serum samples were collected twice weekly from patients who received intensive chemotherapy for acute leukemia, or recepients of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Aspergillus galactomannan (GM) antigen, 1,3-beta-d-glucan and Aspergillus-LFD tests were carried out according to manufacturers' recommendations. GM testing was repeated with a modified procedure which was proven to increase the sensitivity. Aspergillus-LFD was performed without applying any pretreatment procedure to allow the kit to fit as a point-of-care test. Fungal infections were categorized according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) criteria. A total of 75 neutropenia episodes in 64 patients were prospectively followed between February 2012 and January 2013. Probable IA was diagnosed in 11 patients, probable pulmonary fungal disease was diagnosed in one patient, and rhinocerebral aspergillosis was diagnosed in one patient. Fungemia was detected in two patients. Aspergillus-LFD was positive in serum of a patient with probable IA and in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of an other patient with probable IA. Aspergillus-LFD was false positive in serum of two patients. Although there was no radiological finding of IA or documented fungemia, fever resolved after empirical caspofungin therapy in one of these patients. The sensitivity of Aspergillus-LFD as a point-of-care test without any pretreatment of serum sample is low.

Effect of Terminal Patient Care Training on the Nurses' Attitudes Toward Death in an Oncology Hospital in Turkey.

This is an experimental research aiming at identifying the effect of terminal patient care training on the nurses' attitudes toward death. The sample of this study (n = 41) involves 20 nurses in the training group and 21 nurses in the control group. Nurses were offered terminal patient care training and their attitudes toward death were assessed before and after the intervention. The Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R) subscale mean scores for fear of death (3.9-4.6, p < .05) and approach acceptance (2.9-3.3, p < .05) were found to significantly increase at the end of training in the training group while mean scores in the control group displayed no significant change (p > .05) in any of the five DAP-R subscales. In accordance with these findings, this study suggests that terminal patient care training should be implemented in the nursing curriculum more extensively and should be frequently repeated as part of the nurses' in-service education.

TcRαß-depleted haploidentical transplantation results in adult acute leukemia patients.

INTRODUCTION: The use of αß+ T-cell-depleted grafts is a novel approach to prevent graft failure, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and non-relapse mortality (NRM) in patients undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. PATIENT AND METHOD: Thirty-four patients with acute leukemia and lacking a match donor were treated with αß T-cell-depleted allografts from haploidentical family donors. A total of 24 patients had acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 10 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 84.4% of patients were in the high-risk group, and 55.9% were not in remission. The preparative regimen included thiotepa, melphalan, fludarabine, and anti-thymocyte globulin-Fresenius. Grafts were peripheral blood stem cells engineered by TcR-alpha/beta depletion. RESULTS: Neutrophil and platelet engraftment was achieved on days +12 (range, 10.5-15) and +11 (range, 10-12). All but three patients were engrafted with full donor chimerism. Grade III-IV acute GVHD occurred in two (5.9%) patients and chronic GVHD in two (6.1%). Disease-free survival and overall survival were 42 and 54% at 1 year, respectively. AML as disease type (HR: 4.87, 95% CI: 1.50-15.87) and mother as donor (HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00-1.11) were found to be independent risk factors on patient survival. Mortality and NRM in the first 100 days were 5 of 34 (14.7%) and 4 of 34 (11.7%). Relapse was the main cause of death (56.3%). T-cell reconstitution appears to be faster than that reported in published data with CD3/CD19-depleted grafts. CONCLUSION: αß T-cell-depleted haploidentical transplantation may be a good alternative for high-risk patients if there are no human leukocyte antigen matched donors.