An effective treatment in Erdheim Chester disease: vemurafenib: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Erdheim Chester disease (ECD) is a rare disease with multisystemic involvement in the group of non-langerhans cell histiocytosis. Although nearly 100 years have passed since its definition, the number of cases reported all over the world is below 1000. In addition to the rarity of the disease, low awareness seems to play a role in this. CASE PRESENTATION: 47-year-old white caucasian women patient who presented to our clinic with symptoms of weakness-fatigue as well as increasing pain in the knees and ptosis in the left eye. Result of the patient's bone biopsy, ECD was considered pathologically and BRAF V600E mutation was shown molecularly. After presenting the clinical, laboratory and other examination results of the case, the dramatic response seen with targeted therapy will be discussed. CONCLUSIONS: BRAF V600E mutation is frequently seen in ECD. Vemurafenib plays an active role in targeted therapy.

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.

The effect of pre-conditioning immunoglobulin and absolute lymphocyte count on the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The prevention of mortality and morbidity related to the increasingly used allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), along with the effects of pre- and post-transplant immune status on transplant outcomes, have become the focus of the studies conducted on this subject in recent years. In parallel, this study was designed to investigate the effects of pre-conditioning immunoglobulin (pre-conditioning-Ig) and pre-conditioning absolute lymphocyte count (pre-conditioning-ALC) levels on transplant outcomes. METHODS: This study was designed as a retrospective, observational and cross-sectional study. The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of pre-conditioning-Ig and ALC levels primarily on the rate of patients with febrile neutropenia (FEN) and the duration of FEN and length of hospital stay (LoS), and secondarily on acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia, and mortality in the acute leukemia patients who underwent allo-HCT. RESULTS: A total of 104 acute leukemia patients, of whom 55 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 49 had acute myeloid leukemia (AML), were included in the study. Compared to the AML group, the median pre-conditioning-IgG, IgA, and IgM levels were found to be significantly lower in the ALL group (11.3 vs. 6.6, p < 0.001; 1.8 vs. 0.9, p < 0.001; and 0.7 vs. 0.4, p < 0.001; respectively). But, there was no significant difference between the groups in pre-conditioning-Ig and ALC levels and transplant outcomes. However, subgroup analysis revealed that high pre-conditioning-ALC levels were significantly correlated with aGVHD levels (Odds Ratio: 1.02; p = 0.034) and low pre-conditioning-IgM levels were significantly correlated with increased mortality rate (Hazard Ratio: 0.08; p = 0.042) in AML patients. CONCLUSION: The significant difference determined between the ALL and AML groups in pre-conditioning-Ig levels was not reflected on the effects of pre-conditioning-Ig and ALC levels on transplant outcomes. However, we observed that pre-conditioning-IgM and ALC levels have an impact on transplant outcomes in AML patients.

Could blood groups have prognostic significance on survival in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma?

The prognostic importance of the ABO blood group in non-Hodgkin lymphoma is largely unknown. We aim to investigate the prognostic significance of blood groups on the survival in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. 412 people (206 DLBCL patients and 206 healthy donors) were included. The blood group types of patients treated at our center from 2009 to 2019 were analyzed retrospectively and compared to the results from healthy thrombocyte donors. The distribution of the ABO blood groups was as follows: blood type A (45.2%), B (9.7%), O (38.8%), and AB (6.3%). We found no statistically significant difference between patients and the control group in terms of ABO and Rhesus blood group distribution (p = 0.27 and p = 0.45, respectively). The median follow-up time was 18 months (0-116). In the Cox regression analysis ABO blood groups, and Rh group were not significant predictors of survival in patients with DLBCL, whereas ECOG score, IPI score, Ann-Arbor stage, and LDH level were found significant. Receiving R-CHOP as the first-line treatment was associated with better survival in the multivariate analysis. No statistically significant difference was found between the control and DLBCL patient groups regarding the distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups.

Skin ulcers caused by ruxolitinib in a patient with chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease.

INTRODUCTION: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In the treatment of chronic GVHD, skin directed therapy, systemic corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors (such as cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus), rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) and ruxolitinib are used. CASE REPORT: We present an 18 year old male with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute B lymphoblastic leukemia, treated with allogeneic HCT from a full matched sibling donor. The patient had grade 2 chronic cutaneous GVHD resistant to corticosteroids, CsA, MMF, and ECP treatment. Three months after initiation of ruxolitinib therapy, the patient developed skin ulcers on his lower extremities. MANAGEMENT & OUTCOME: The biopsy revealed that the changes were caused by the drug reactions. We suspected ruxolitinib as the likely cause of these ulcerative lesions after evaluating the adverse drug reaction probability scale. The adverse drug score was 4, therefore, ruxolitinib treatment was discontinued. Ulcerative lesions fully recovered after 4 weeks of follow-up. DISCUSSION: Ruxolitinib is used in the treatment of chronic GVHD that has been resistant to steroids and other salvage therapies. In our case, ruxolitinib was used as a salvage therapy in a patient who had refractory chronic skin GVHD. Ruxolitinib-related skin lesions with ulcers of lower extremities and whole body erythematous skin lesions were reported previously in patients with myelofibrosis. The pathophysiology of ruxolitinib related skin ulcers is unknown. Skin changes of patients using ruxolitinib should be closely monitored, and newly developing lesions should be suspected of being drug-related and biopsied.

Non hemorrhagic pericardial effusion from ibrutinib In a patient without comorbidities.

INTRODUCTION: The most common kind of leukemia in adults is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CLL is treated with ibrutinib. During the course of ibrutinib therapy, bleeding and cardiac arrhythmias may occur. Non-hemorrhagic adverse events are extremely infrequent in individuals using ibrutinib. CASE REPORT: A 64 year-old man was diagnosed with CLL in June 2016. He was treated with 6 courses of FCR, he stayed in remission for 3 years and then relapsed. He achieved partial remission after two months of therapy with ibrutinib. The patient was admitted to the hospital with fever and shortness of breath. Pericardial tamponade and effusion was diagnosed during his evaluation. MANAGEMENT & OUTCOME: Non-hemorrhagic exudative effusion was drained by pericardiocentesis and a pericardial catheter was inserted to drain pericardial effusion. In all pleural and pericardial effusion samples, pathological and flow cytometric examination revealed no atypical malignant cells for malignancy, including CLL. Infections, both bacterial and viral, were also undetectable in the samples, as were rheumatological markers of collagen vascular disease. Ibrutinib therapy was discontinued. The pericardial effusion and tamponade were linked to ibrutinib treatment after evaluating the adverse drug reaction probability scale with a total score of 6. Colchicine was administered to reduce the pericardial effusion. The catheter was removed; pericardial effusion did not reoccur during follow up visits. DISCUSSION: Serious adverse events of ibrutinib are seen when treating CLL patients. This group of individuals should be closely monitored for potentially serious complications such as pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade.

Brentuximab vedotin and bendamustine: an effective salvage therapy for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma patients.

The prognosis is poor for relapsed or refractory (R/R) classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) patients. The brentuximab vedotin (Bv) and bendamustine (B) combination has been used as a preferable salvage regimen in R/R cHL patient trials. We retrospectively evaluated response rates, toxicities, and the survival in R/R cHL patients treated with the BvB combination. In a multi-centre real-life study, 61 R/R HL patients received intravenous doses of 1.8 mg/kg Bv on the first day plus 90 mg/m2 B on the first and second days of a 21-day cycle as a second-line or beyond-salvage regimen. Patients' median age at BvB initiation was 33 (range: 18-76 years). BvB was given as median third-line treatment for a median of four cycles (range: 2-11). The overall and complete response rates were 82% and 68.9%, respectively. After BvB initiation, the median follow-up was 14 months, and one- and two-year overall survival rates were 85% and 72%, respectively. Grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (24.6%), lymphopenia (40%), thrombocytopenia (13%), anaemia (13%), infusion reactions (8.2%), neuropathy (6.5%), and others. The BvB combination could be given as salvage regimen aiming a bridge to autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), in patients relapse after ASCT or to transplant-ineligible patients with manageable toxicity profiles.

Patients with hematologic cancers are more vulnerable to COVID-19 compared to patients with solid cancers.

Previous studies reported that COVID-19 patients with cancer had higher rates of severe events such as intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation (MV) assistance, and death during the COVID-19 course compared to the general population. However, no randomized study compared the clinical course of COVID-19 in patients with hematologic cancers to patients with solid cancers. Thus, in this study, we intend to reveal the outcome of COVID-19 in hematologic cancer patients and compare their outcomes with COVID-19 patients with solid cancers. The data of 926 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients, including 463 hematologic cancer patients and an age-gender paired cohort of 463 solid cancer patients, were investigated retrospectively. The frequencies of severe and critical disease, hospital and ICU admission, MV assistance were significantly higher in hematologic cancer patients compared with the solid cancer patients (p = 0.001, p = 0.045, p = 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively). The hospital stay was longer in patients with hematologic cancers (p = 0.001); however, the median ICU stay was 6 days in both groups. The case fatality rate (CFR) was 14.9% in patients with hematologic cancers, and it was 4.8% in patients with solid cancers, and there was a statistically significant difference regarding CFR between groups (p = 0.001). Our study revealed that COVID-19 patients with hematologic cancers have a more aggressive course of COVID-19 and have higher CFR compared to COVID-19 patients with solid cancers and support the increased susceptibility of patients with hematologic cancers during the outbreak.

Single-Dose Rasburicase Might Be Adequate To Overcome Tumor Lysis Syndrome In Hematological Malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a commonly observed oncological emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Rasburicase is a recombinant urate oxidase endorsed in TLS for the treatment of hyperuricemia. The effect of single-dose 7.5 mg rasburicase at longer follow-ups was not widely investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-two patients included in the study with clinical TLS and laboratory TLS. The primary endpoint was the normalization of uric acid (<6mg/dL) within 24 hours of rasburicase administration, which was described as treatment success. The secondary endpoint was defined as having sustained response at the first week. The third endpoint was defined as the reaching the baseline renal function before TLS. RESULTS: We found that the use of a 7.5 mg dose of rasburicase controlled uric acid in 74 of 82 (90,2%) patients at the 24th hour. In the first week, uric acid remained at normal levels in 69 of 82 (84,1%) patients. At 24 hours, the TLS risk group was the only predictor for failing uric acid normalization; at the end of the first week, no predictive factor was identified for failing uric acid normalization. CONCLUSION: Rasburicase at 7.5 mg dose is an important agent for controlling laboratory and clinical TLS at 24 hours and extending its effect to the first week.

Does Total Body Irradiation Have a Favorable Impact on Thrombocyte Engraftment as per Neutrophil Engraftment in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation?

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aim to analyze the effect of total body irradiation (TBI) on neutrophil and thrombocyte engraftment durations in acute leukemia (AL) patients who achieved allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT) at our center. METHODS: The data of 193 acute leukemia patients who were performed Allo-SCT from matched-related donors were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Thrombocyte engraftment duration was statistically shorter (12 days) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients who received TBI-based conditioning when compared to ALL patients who received non-TBI-based conditioning (14 days; p=0.037). On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was observed between acute leukemia patients who received TBI or non-TBI-based conditioning regarding neutrophil engraftment duration. CONCLUSION: We found that TBI had a favorable impact on thrombocyte engraftment (TE) rather than neutrophil engraftment (NE) in Allo-SCT in patients with acute leukemia. TBI might have an impact on the engraftment of thrombocytes as per than neutrophils may be attributed to immune mechanisms and microenvironment in the patient's bone marrow (BM).

Molecular evaluation of mutations in acute myeloid leukemia patients from Turkey: A single-center study.

ABSTRACT: Certain genetic mutations could have a role in the etiology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Hereby, in this study, we primarily aimed to investigate the distribution of genetic mutations in AML patients. We also attempted to analyze the incidence of genetic mutations in AML patients from Turkey.This retrospective study included a total of 126 patients diagnosed with AML, who had molecular mutation test results or records in their patient files. The patients who were not citizens of the Republic of Turkey were not included in the study.It was observed that analyses for at least 1 c-kit exon mutation had been carried out on 76 patients, which detected no c-kit mutation among the types of genetic mutations investigated in all of those 76 patients. We found the frequency of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication mutation as 25%. The prevalence of translocation(15;17) was approximately 11% and the prevalence of translocation(8;21) was % 6.25. In addition, we also showed that the frequency of inversion16 was nearly 3.7%.Lastly, the possibility of c-kit mutation in AML patients from Turkey might actually be low.

Factors affecting survival in elderly patients with diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma.

INTRODUCTION: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has an increasing incidence in elderly patients with poorer prognosis than in younger patients. Clinicians should clearly identify the characteristics and prognostic factors of elderly patients. We analyzed the outcome of elderly DLBCL patients, especially factors affecting survival in real-life clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 330 DLBCL patients at our center were retrospectively evaluated by dividing three groups; younger than 65 years, between 65-79 years, and 80 years and older. We examined the factors affecting survival in DLBCL patients ≥ 65 years old. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 61 years (range 16-87). 192 (58.2 %) of our patients were younger than 65 years old, 112 (33.9 %) were between 65-79 years, and 26 (7.9 %) patients were 80 years old or older. The median follow-up was 15 (1-120) months. Median PFS was 38 months in the 65-79 years group, ten months in the ≥ 80 years group; meanwhile, median OS was 43 months in the 65-79 years group, 25 months in the ≥80 years group. The number of patients who relapsed within 12 months of the first-line treatment was 69 (35.9 %) in the <65 years group, it was 60 (53.6 %) in 65-79 years group, and 22 (84.6 %) in ≥80 years group (p < 0.001). The median OS was 9 (7.1-10.9) months in DLBCL patients older than 65 years old who relapsed within 12 months. Early relapse, failure to achieve CR after first-line chemotherapy, and high IPI score were associated with poor survival in patients ≥ 65 years old (p:0.001). CONCLUSION: Advancing age was a poor prognostic factor for survival of DLBCL. Relapsing within the first year, or failure to achieve complete remission were associated with poorer survival of the elderly DLBCL patients. R-CHOP is the standard treatment in DLBCL, and the best responses are obtained regardless of age. Due to difficulty in receiving standard treatments, novel treatment modalities are needed for better outcomes in elderly patients with DLBCL.

Does myeloma genetic have an effect on stem cell mobilization?

BACKGROUND: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) after induction treatment is the standard of care. Our understanding of myeloma genetics has been very limited and its effect to stem cell mobilization is not widely investigated. We aimed to investigate the effect of genetic abnormalities on stem cell mobilization in myeloma. METHODS: The data of 150 MM patients who underwent stem cell mobilization at our center between 2009-2020 were included and analyzed retrospectively. Pre-treatment bone marrow cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization tests were performed for each patient. RESULTS: Groups were divided into two as patients with normal cytogenetic and abnormal cytogenetic. No difference observed between groups regarding age, gender and ECOG (p = 0.4; p = 0.2; p = 0.3). Groups were similar concerning myeloma characteristics, received treatment and treatment response. Median CD34+ cells/kg harvested was 444(2-11.29) in normal cytogenetic group whereas it was 4,8(2.4-8.6) in abnormal cytogenetic group(p = 0.2). Optimal CD34+ cells level achievement was 73 (67 %) in normal cytogenetic group while it was 25(71.4 %) in abnormal cytogenetic group(p = 0.6). Neutrophil and platelet engraftment durations were similar among cytogenetic groups (p = 0.7; p = 0.9). R-ISS based groups were also did not differ regarding harvested CD34+ cells and achievement optimal CD34 level (p = 0.79, p = 0.74). Engraftment durations for neutrophil and platelet were comparable between R-ISS based groups (p = 0.59, p = 0.65) CONCLUSIONS: Here we were not able to find any impact of genetic abnormalities on stem cell mobilization in myeloma patients. Expanded studies can aid to identify the effect of particular genetic anomalies on the stem cell mobilization.

Mesenchymal stem cell transfusion: Possible beneficial effects in COVID-19 patients.

SARS-CoV-2 attaches to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor on human cells. The virus causes hypercytokinemia, capillary leak, pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute cardiac injury, and leads to death. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are ACE-2 negative cells; therefore, can escape from SARS-CoV-2. MSCs prevent hypercytokinemia and help the resolution of the pulmonary edema and other damages occurred during the course of COVID-19. In addition, MSCs enhance the regeneration of the lung and other tissues affected by SARS-CoV-2. The case series reported beneficial effect of MSCs in COVID-19 treatment. However, there are some concerns about the safety of MSCs, particularly referring to the increased risk of disseminated intravascular coagulation, and thromboembolism due to the expression of TF/CD142. Prospective, randomized, large scale studies are needed to reveal the optimum dose, administration way, time, efficacy, and safety of MSCs in the COVID-19 treatment.

Brentuximab vedotin consolidation therapy after autologous stem-cell transplantation in patients with high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma: Multicenter retrospective study.

The AETHERA trial reported an increased progression-free survival (PFS) when brentuximab vedotin (BV) was used as maintenance therapy in high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Thus, we aimed to determine the impact and safety of BV as maintenance after ASCT in real-world patients. Seventy-five patients with relapsed/refractory HL started on BV consolidation therapy after ASCT due to high risk of relapse, between January 2016 and July 2019, from 25 institutions, were included in the study. The median follow-up time was 26 months. The most common high-risk features were primary refractory or relapsed disease <12 months (n = 61), lack of complete response (CR) to the last salvage regimen (n = 51), and having had at least two salvage regimens (n = 29). At the time of analysis, 42 patients completed consolidation courses, and BV was discontinued in 33 patients. Fifty patients had an ongoing response (CR in 41, PR in 6, and SD in 3 patients), 25 had progressed. Ten died in the follow-up, eight with progressive disease and two due to infection while in CR. The 2-year PFS and OS rates were 67.75% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.55-0.77) and 87.61% (95% CI: 0.76-0.94), respectively. Seventeen patients (23%) received BV in the pre-ASCT treatment lines, and there was no survival difference between the BV-naïve and BV-exposed groups. The most common adverse events were neutropenia (27%) and peripheral neuropathy (21%). Sixteen patients (21.3%) experienced grade 3 or 4 toxicity. BV was discontinued due to adverse event in 12 patients. Consolidation with BV after ASCT can achieve a 2-year PFS of 67.75% (95% CI: 0.55-0.75) with an acceptable toxicity profile.

COVID-19 clinical course and blood groups: Turkish population-based study

Background/aim: SARS-CoV-2 enters the cell through the binding of the S glycoprotein on the surface of the virus to the angiotensin- converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) in the host cells and also SARS-CoV S protein binding to ACE-2 was inhibited by anti-A antibodies. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between blood groups and the course of COVID-19 in Turkey. Materials and methods: Laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients aged 18 and over (n = 39.850) were randomized in age and sex- matched groups according to blood groups. Results: Advanced age, male sex and blood group A were found to be related with increased rate of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (OR = 1.089, 95% CI: 1.085­1.093 for age; OR = 1.963, 95% CI: 1.737­2.218 for male sex; OR = 1.216, 95% CI: 1.023­1.446 for blood group A). When blood group O individuals were compared to non-O individuals, no significant difference was observed regarding the rate of hospital and ICU admission, mechanical ventilation (MV) support, length of hospital and ICU stay, and case fatality rate (CFR). The CFR in patients with blood group A, B, O, and AB were 2.6%, 2.2%, 3.1%, and 2.3%, respectively. There were no significant differences between Rh-negative and positive patients regarding the rate of hospital and ICU admission (p = 0.280 and p = 0.741, respectively), also the rate of MV support and CFR was similar (p = 0.933 and p = 0.417). Conclusion: Our study revealed that ABO and Rh blood groups do not have any impact on the rate of hospital admission, hospital and ICU stay, MV support, and CFR.

Recovery of Symmetrical Peripheral Gangrene of Limbs in a Patient After Performing Hemoadsorption in Septic Shock.

We report a 42-year-old patient who had Hodgkin lymphoma and developed bilateral symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) in the feet and hands, which occurred during septic shock after autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. SPG is a rare but severe complication of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and is frequently associated with sepsis. The pathophysiology of SPG includes DIC-mediated intravascular thrombosis and thrombotic occlusion of microcirculation, resulting in low blood flow. Sepsis-induced hypotension has been suspected as one of the other causes of SPG, and it is thought to be aggravated by vasopressor treatments given for hypotension. Our patient first experienced coldness, paleness, and cyanosis in his body's acral parts, and then SPG later developed in both his feet and hands. Septic shock management was performed with cytokine hemoadsorption, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and massive fluid replacement rapidly. The patient fully recovered without the need for amputation. Hemoadsorption is an extracorporeal cytokine-adsorption method for removing excess cytokines. Prompt management of septic shock and early monitoring of peripheral ischemia are essential to avoid SPG.

The effect of bulky mass on prognosis in diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma: still poor?

The introduction of rituximab to the CHOP protocol has demonstrated an improvement in PFS and OS in DLBCL patients with both early and advanced stages. Most studies in the pre-rituximab period indicated that bulky disease has an unfavorable impact on clinical outcomes of DLBCL. The effect of bulky mass on the outcome of DLBCL patients undergoing R-CHOP therapy remained uncertain. One-hundred-twelve newly diagnosed DLBCL patients aged 18 and older were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into groups-based presence of bulky disease. 56 patients with bulky disease and their age, gender, ECOG score, Ann Arbor stage, immunohistochemical origin, treatment, radiotherapy and comorbidity 1:1 matched 56 control patients with non-bulky disease included. Overall response rate at end of treatment was similar among groups (p = 0.1). Patients with bulky disease and non-bulky disease were comparable regarding overall survival (p = 0,9). All cohort investigated for predictors for survival, after multivariate analysis, ECOG score, Ann arbor stage, IPI score and LDH level were found significant. Here, we found no impact of bulky disease on remission and survival. We believe, with increasing available data, poor prognostic value of bulky disease will be weakening in the rituximab era.

COVID-19 in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.

In this study, we aim to report the outcome of COVID-19 in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. HCT recipients (n = 32) with hematological disease and hospitalized for COVID-19 were included in the study. A cohort of age and comorbid disease-matched hospitalized COVID-19 patients with hematological malignancy but not underwent HCT (n = 465), and another cohort of age and comorbid disease-matched hospitalized COVID-19 patients without cancer (n = 497) were also included in the study for comparison. Case fatality rate (CFR) was 5.6% in patients without cancer, 11.8 in patients with hematological malignancy and 15.6% in HCT recipients. The CFR in HCT recipients who were not receiving immunosuppressive agents at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis was 11.5%, whereas it was 33% in HCT recipients who were receiving an immunosuppressive agent at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis. In conclusion, our study reveals that for the current pandemic, HCT recipients, especially those receiving immunosuppressive drugs, constitute a special population of cancer patients.