Therapeutic apheresis in the treatment of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome.

Catastrophic thrombotic syndrome is characterized by occurrence of several thromboembolic occlusions which affect a variety of vascular beds over a short period of time. Catastrophic Antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) (1%) is regarded as a rare but severe variant of Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Treatment with anticoagulants, steroids and therapeutic plasma exchange has been shown to give the best results. However, to treat CAPS, the best substitute for plasma is still a debatable issue because there are no standard methods.

Methylation of SOCS3 in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms and Secondary Erythrocytosis/Thrombocythemia.

OBJECTIVE: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) like essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) are acquired clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders and originate from a multipotent hematopoietic stem cell. The SOCS1 and SOCS3 genes are negative regulators of the JAK/STAT signal pathway. In this study we investigate the promoter methylation of these genes in the pathogenesis of MPNs and secondary erythrocytosis/thrombocythemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Promoter methylation of SOCS1 and SOCS3 genes was analyzed with methylation-specific PCR. PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: No disease-specific CpG island methylation of SOCS1 was observed. Hypermethylation of the SOCS3 promoter was identified in 5 out of 19 (26.3%) PV cases, 2 out of 21 (9.5%) ET cases, 1 out of 5 (20%) PMF cases, and 9 out of 42 (21.4%) cases of secondary erythrocytosis/thrombocythemia. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that promoter methylation of the SOCS3 gene suggests a possible role for SOCS3 methylation in the pathogenesis of MPNs and secondary erythrocytosis/thrombocythemia. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared.

Letter to Editor Regarding "Mean Platelet Volume-to-Lymphocyte Ratio is a Biomarker of 1-Year Mortality in Patients With Diabetic Foot Infections".

We read with great interest the prospective observational study of Aragón-Sánchez et al. They reported that the increase in the mean platelet volume (MPV) to lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR) value is a biomarker accompanying 1-year mortality in patients with a diabetic foot infection. We explained why the MPV value and associated MPVLR value may not be a prognostic biomarker of mortality in patients with diabetic foot infections.

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.