Plasma cell-directed therapies in monoclonal gammopathy-associated scleromyxedema.

Scleromyxedema is a rare skin and systemic mucinosis that is usually associated with monoclonal gammopathy (MG). In this French multicenter retrospective study of 33 patients, we investigated the clinical and therapeutic features of MG-associated scleromyxedema. Skin molecular signatures were analyzed using a transcriptomic approach. Skin symptoms included papular eruptions (100%), sclerodermoid features (91%), and leonine facies (39%). MG involved an immunoglobulin G isotype in all patients, with a predominant λ light chain (73%). Associated hematologic malignancies were diagnosed in 4 of 33 patients (12%) (smoldering myeloma, n = 2; chronic lymphoid leukemia, n = 1; and refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia, n = 1). Carpal tunnel syndrome (33%), arthralgia (25%), and dermato-neuro syndrome (DNS) (18%) were the most common systemic complications. One patient with mucinous cardiopathy died of acute heart failure. High-dose IV immunoglobulin (HDIVig), alone or in combination with steroids, appeared to be quite effective in nonsevere cases (clinical complete response achieved in 13/31 patients). Plasma cell-directed therapies using lenalidomide and/or bortezomib with dexamethasone and HDIVig led to a significant improvement in severe cases (HDIVig refractory or cases with central nervous system or cardiac involvement). The emergency treatment of DNS with combined plasmapheresis, HDIVig, and high-dose corticosteroids induced the complete remission of neurological symptoms in 4 of 5 patients. Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis of 6 scleromyxedema skin samples showed significantly higher profibrotic pathway levels (transforming growth factor ß and collagen-1) than in healthy skin. Prospective studies targeting plasma cell clones and/or fibrotic pathways are warranted for long-term scleromyxedema management.

[Acquired hemophilia A associated with bullous pemphigoid and multiple myeloma: a case report]. / Hémophilie A acquise associée à une pemphigoïde bulleuse et à un myélome multiple : à propos d'un cas.

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare and potentially severe bleeding disorder caused by circulating autoantibodies directed against factor (F) VIII. Apart from idiopathic cases, AHA is associated with autoimmune diseases, cancers, use of medications, pregnancy and the post-partum period. We report the case of a 78-year-old a male patient presenting with symptoms of a hematoma after a fall three days previously. He is medically followed for multiple myeloma and bullous pemphigoid. Laboratory investigations revealed isolated and recent increased of activated partial thromboplastin time (80,6/32,1s) and a markedly low FVIII activity (< 1%). The high-titer of FVIII inhibitor (19 Bethesda units/mL) confirmed the diagnosis of AHA diagnosis. The symptoms were noticeably alleviated following bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone therapy. This report describes a rare case of AHA associated with bullous pemphigoid and multiple myeloma. These pathologies induce an immunity modification that can predispose or be associated with the development of anti-FVIII inhibitors. This case illustrates two possible physiopathological hypotheses for the development of AHA, which will be discussed in this case report.