Weekly intravenous bortezomib is effective and well tolerated in relapsed/refractory myeloma.

OBJECTIVES: Bortezomib is an effective antimyeloma therapy, but clinical benefits can be limited by neurotoxicity. In newly diagnosed, older patients, modification of the biweekly dosing schedule to weekly regimens improves tolerability whilst maintaining efficacy. There is less information on the efficacy and tolerability of weekly bortezomib regimens in the relapsed/refractory setting. Here, we report our experience of weekly intravenous bortezomib in clinical practice in relapsed/refractory patients. METHODS: We analysed fifty-two patients who received weekly bortezomib for relapsed/refractory MM. RESULTS: Thirty-one per cent of patients received bortezomib beyond first relapse. Almost all (94%) also received steroids and 48% also received an alkylator. The median cumulative dose was 22.6 mg/m(2) , and median length of treatment was 164 d. Three patients reported grade 2 sensory neuropathy, and one reported grade 3 motor neuropathy. There were no grade 4 neurotoxicities. Eighty-three per cent achieved a PR or greater, and the median PFS for the whole group was 13 months. One-year PFS and OS were 53% (95% CI 39-66.6%) and 78% (95% CI 66.7-89.6%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly intravenous bortezomib when used in combination with steroids ± alkylator is effective in relapsed/refractory MM, producing outcomes comparable with biweekly regimens and with lower rates of peripheral neuropathy.

The management of peripheral blood cytopenias in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Haematological complications are frequently seen in SLE. Anaemia, leucopenias and thrombocytopenia may result from bone marrow failure or excessive peripheral cell destruction, both of which may be immune mediated. Drugs and infection are other common causes. In this review, we will focus on the diagnosis and management of immune-mediated leucopenias and thrombocytopenia in SLE. The roles of bone marrow examination and the measurement of antibodies against leucocytes and platelets are discussed. Although many patients do not require specific treatment for cytopenias in SLE, CSs remain the mainstay of treatment. Other conventional therapies include AZA, CYC and human normal immunoglobulin. More recently, MMF has found a role as a CS and CYC-sparing agent. We also review B-cell depletion in the management of thrombocytopenia associated with SLE and other novel therapies including thrombopoeitin receptor agonists.

A Case of Fulminant Hepatitis due to Echovirus 9 in a Patient on Maintenance Rituximab Therapy for Follicular Lymphoma.

Rituximab is a CD20 monoclonal antibody commonly used in the treatment of haematological malignancies. It causes lymphopenia with subsequent compromised humoral immunity resulting in an increased risk of infection. A number of infections and viral reactivations have been described as complicating Rituximab therapy. We report an apparently unique case of echovirus 9 (an enterovirus) infection causing an acute hepatitis and significant morbidity in an adult patient on maintenance treatment of Rituximab for follicular lymphoma. We also describe potential missed opportunities to employ more robust screening for viral infections which may have prevented delays in the appropriate treatment and thus may have altered the patient's clinical course. We also make suggestions for lowering the threshold of viral testing in similar patients in the future.