Concurrent progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and central nervous system infiltration by multiple myeloma: A case report.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy rarely occurs in patients with multiple myeloma. Intracranial central nervous system invasion is also an uncommon event in multiple myeloma, occurring in less than 1% of cases. We describe herein an exceptional case of coexisting progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and intraparenchymal central nervous system myeloma infiltration. A 73-year-old woman with relapsed multiple myeloma was treated with 15 cycles of lenalidomide and dexamethasone, but therapy had to be stopped because of a hip fracture after a fall. During hospitalization, the patient developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy caused by John Cunningham virus, and a prominent intra-parenchymal CD138-positive infiltrate was detected. VDJ rearrangements of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene and the mutational profile of plasma cells in bone marrow at the time of diagnosis and in brain biopsy after progression were analyzed by next generation sequencing, showing genetic differences between medullary and extramedullary myeloma cells. The role of long-term treatment with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in the development progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or intraparenchymal central nervous system myeloma infiltration remains unknown. However, our results suggest that both events may have arisen as a consequence of treatment-related immunosuppression. Thus, an appropriate clinical approach compatible with the simultaneous treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and multiple myeloma should be developed.

Proteomic analysis reveals heat shock protein 70 has a key role in polycythemia Vera.

JAK-STAT signaling through the JAK2V617F mutation is central to the pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). However, other events could precede the JAK2 mutation. The aim of this study is to analyze the phenotypic divergence between polycytemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocytemia (ET) to find novel therapeutics targets by a proteomic and functional approach to identify alternative routes to JAK2 activation. Through 2D-DIGE and mass spectrometry of granulocyte protein from 20 MPN samples, showed differential expression of HSP70 in PV and ET besides other 60 proteins. Immunohistochemistry of 46 MPN bone marrow samples confirmed HSP70 expression. The median of positive granulocytes was 80% in PV (SD 35%) vs. 23% in ET (SD 34.25%). In an ex vivo model KNK437 was used as an inhibition model assay of HSP70, showed dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth and burst formation unit erythroid (BFU-E) in PV and ET, increased apoptosis in the erythroid lineage, and decreased pJAK2 signaling, as well as a specific siRNA for HSP70. These data suggest a key role for HSP70 in proliferation and survival of the erythroid lineage in PV, and may represent a potential therapeutic target in MPN, especially in PV.

Oxidative stress, macrophage infiltration and CD163 expression are determinants of long-term renal outcome in macrohematuria-induced acute kidney injury of IgA nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Macroscopic hematuria (MH) may cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in IgA nephropathy. Up to 25% of patients with MH-associated AKI do not recover baseline renal function. Our objective was to identify subjects at high risk for an adverse renal function. METHODS: We examined macrophages, oxidative stress markers (NADPH-p22 and HO-1) and the hemoglobin scavenger receptor (CD163) in renal biopsy specimens from 33 MH-AKI patients with complete recovery (CR, n = 17) or incomplete recovery (IR, n = 16) of renal function after 6.72 (range 0.5-21.5) years of follow-up. RESULTS: CD163-expressing macrophages, HO-1 and NADPH-p22 expression were located in areas surrounding tubules with iron deposits and filled with erythrocyte casts. CD163-positive macrophages score and HO-1- and p22-positive staining correlated positively with percentage of tubules with erythrocyte casts and tubular necrosis. Macrophage infiltration, CD163-positive macrophage score, NADPH-p22- and HO-1-positive staining areas were significantly greater in IR patients when compared with CR patients. The CD163-positive macrophage score and oxidative stress markers (p22 and HO-1) were negatively correlated with renal function outcome, as determined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria, at the end of the follow-up period. In multivariate analysis, the CD163-positive macrophage score remained significantly associated with final eGFR and proteinuria after adjustment by age, gender, duration of MH, initial eGFR and proteinuria. CONCLUSIONS: Increased macrophage infiltration, CD163 expression and oxidative stress are significant prognostic factors for an IR of renal function in patients with MH-associated AKI. These molecular pathways may be involved in the renal response to injury and could be useful to improve diagnosis and therapeutics.

IgA Nephropathy Is the Most Common Underlying Disease in Patients With Anticoagulant-Related Nephropathy.

Introduction: Anticoagulant-related nephropathy (ARN) is a relatively novel recognized entity characterized by hematuria-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) in the context of overanticoagulation. Preexisting or underlying kidney disease seems to be a predisposing factor; however, few studies have described histologic findings in patients with ARN. We aimed to evaluate underlying kidney pathology in patients on oral anticoagulation who presented an episode of AKI with hematuria in whom a kidney biopsy was performed. Methods: Retrospective observational multicenter case study in patients treated with oral anticoagulants who developed macroscopic or intense hematuria followed by AKI. Only patients with available kidney biopsy specimens were included. Histologic findings and clinical data throughout follow-up were analyzed. Results: A total of 26 patients were included with a median age of 75 years (62-80) and a follow-up period of 10.1 months. Of the patients, 80% were male, and most cases (92%) were on anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). At admission, median serum creatinine (SCr) level was 4.2 mg/dl (2.8-8.2), median international normalized ratio (INR) 2.4 (1.5-3.4), and 11 patients (42%) required acute dialysis during hospitalization. Kidney biopsy results revealed that all patients except 1 had an underlying nephropathy: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in 19, probable IgAN in 1, diabetic nephropathy in 3, nephrosclerosis in 1, and idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis in 1. At 12 weeks after discharge, only 6 subjects (24%) attained complete kidney recovery whereas 7 (28%) remained on chronic dialysis. Conclusion: IgAN was the most common underlying kidney disease in our biopsy-proven series of ARN, in which a significant percentage of patients did not achieve kidney function recovery.

A clinically compatible drug-screening platform based on organotypic cultures identifies vulnerabilities to prevent and treat brain metastasis.

We report a medium-throughput drug-screening platform (METPlatform) based on organotypic cultures that allows to evaluate inhibitors against metastases growing in situ. By applying this approach to the unmet clinical need of brain metastasis, we identified several vulnerabilities. Among them, a blood-brain barrier permeable HSP90 inhibitor showed high potency against mouse and human brain metastases at clinically relevant stages of the disease, including a novel model of local relapse after neurosurgery. Furthermore, in situ proteomic analysis applied to metastases treated with the chaperone inhibitor uncovered a novel molecular program in brain metastasis, which includes biomarkers of poor prognosis and actionable mechanisms of resistance. Our work validates METPlatform as a potent resource for metastasis research integrating drug-screening and unbiased omic approaches that is compatible with human samples. Thus, this clinically relevant strategy is aimed to personalize the management of metastatic disease in the brain and elsewhere.

[Childhood cancer in a tertiary care hospital in Madrid. Evolution of survival. Years 1999-2016]. / Cáncer en el Hospital 12 de Octubre de Madrid. Evolución en la supervivencia. Años 1999-2016.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is the leading cause of death from disease in children. Some epidemiological aspects of childhood cancer obtained from the Tumour Registry of a tertiary care hospital in Madrid are detailed, in order to provide useful information for the management of cancer in this group of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive and retrospective analysis of the data from the Hospital's Tumour Registry (period 1999-2016), with the aim of analysing the incidence (overall, and by diagnostic categories) and survival (overall, by diagnostic groups and cohorts of years of diagnosis) of childhood cancer. RESULTS: A total of 769 childhood tumours were registered between 1999 and 2016, 431 in boys and 338 in girls. The most common neoplasms were central nervous system tumours (32.5%), leukaemias, myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative syndromes (19%); lymphomas (15%), and neuroblastomas (7.5%). Overall 5-year survival was 78%. Five-year survival of these diagnostic categories was 74% (67-81%) for central nervous system tumours; 80% (72-88%) for leukaemias, myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative syndromes; 87% (80-95%) for lymphomas and reticuloendothelial neoplasms; and 68% (53-84%) for neuroblastomas and other peripheral nerve cells tumours. The comparison between two diagnostic cohorts (1999-2004 vs 2005-2010) showed an increase in survival in the most recent cohort, which was only statistically significant in central nervous system tumours. CONCLUSIONS: These results are similar to those of the Spanish Register of Childhood Tumours. The information provided by the Tumour Registries is necessary for greater knowledge of cancer and to ensure the quality of care for cancer patients.

True Dural Spinal Epidural Cysts: Report of 5 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Spinal arachnoid cysts are a rare cause of compressive myelopathy. Spinal extradural arachnoid cysts (SEACs) are even rarer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the SEACs operated on in our hospital between 2015 and 2019, according to their clinical and radiologic findings, treatments performed, and outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 5 cases (2 males and 3 females), ranging in age from 21 months to 78 years. Except for the pediatric case, all patients presented with pain and 3 had some grade of neurologic impairment. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed multiloculated cyst in 4 cases, and the communication with the dura was properly identified in only 1 case. The patients were operated through a laminectomy or laminoplasty and total removal of the cyst, and the communication with the dura was identified and repaired in all cases. In all cases, the defect was near the exit of a nerve root, and rootlets were seen through it, producing a ball-like valve mechanism. Histology of the cyst wall showed true dura in every case. One patient needed a reoperation for evacuation of a fluid collection (related to the dural sealant). Following Odom's criteria, 3 patients had an excellent outcome and 2 had a fair outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Total excision of a symptomatic SEAC through either laminectomy or laminoplasty is a safe and effective treatment option. Although isolated repair of the dural communication without cyst removal may seem appealing, we have found it very difficult to identify the point of communication preoperatively.

Autosomal dominant distal myopathy with nemaline rods due to p.Glu197Asp mutation in ACTA1.

In a previous report of a new phenotype with predominant scapulo-humeral-peroneal-distal myopathy associated with the Glu197Asp mutation in ACTA1, muscle biopsies did not show nemaline rods, nor could nemaline rods formation be demonstrated in an exhaustive functional in vivo or in vitro study. However, muscle biopsy in members of our family, carrying a similar clinical phenotype of some members of the original family and the same ACTA1 mutation, revealed the presence of numerous nemaline rods, suggesting that there must be other factors that explain the absence of nemaline rods.

Microthrombotic Renal Vascular Lesions Are Associated to Increased Renal Inflammatory Infiltration in Murine Lupus Nephritis.

Background: Vascular microthrombotic lesions in lupus nephritis with or without antiphospholipid antibodies may relate to worse renal outcomes. Whether microthrombotic lesions are a consequence of renal inflammation or independently contribute to renal damage is unclear. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between microthrombotic renal vascular lesions and nephritis progression in MRL/lpr mice. Methods: MRL/lpr mice were analyzed for the presence of renal microvascular, glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions and the effect of anti-aggregation (aspirin or clopidogrel) and dexamethasone on renal clinical and pathological manifestations was evaluated. Intravascular platelet aggregates (CD41), peri- (F4/80), and intraglomerular (Mac-2) macrophage infiltration, and C3 deposition were quantified by immunohistochemistry. Renal function was assessed by measuring proteinuria, and serum levels of creatinine and albumin. Anti-dsDNA and anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and thromboxane B2 levels were quantified by ELISA. Results: Frequency of microthrombotic renal lesions in MRL/lpr mice was high and was associated with immune-mediated renal damage. Proteinuria positively correlated with glomerular macrophage infiltration and was higher in mice with proliferative glomerular lesions. All mice had detectable anti-dsDNA and anti-cardiolipin IgG, regardless the presence of microthrombosis. Proteinuria and glomerular macrophage infiltration were significantly reduced in all treatment groups. Dexamethasone and platelet anti-aggregation similarly reduced glomerular damage and inflammation, but only platelet anti-aggregation significantly reduced anti-cardiolipin antibodies, renal complement deposition and thromboxane B2 levels. Conclusions: Platelet anti-aggregation reduced renal inflammatory damage, renal complement deposition, anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and thromboxane B2 levels and in MRL/lpr mice, suggesting that platelet activation has a pathogenic effect on immune-mediated nephritis. Our results point to MRL/lpr mice with lupus nephritis as an appropriate model to analyze the potential impact of anti-thrombotic intervention on renal inflammation.

Acquired and Innate Immunity Impairment and Severe Disseminated Mycobacterium genavense Infection in a Patient With a NF-κB1 Deficiency.

Background: NF-κB1 is a master regulator of both acquired and innate responses. NFKB1 loss-of-function mutations elicit a wide clinical phenotype with asymptomatic individuals at one end of the spectrum and patients with common variable immunodeficiency, combined immunodeficiency or autoinflammation at the other. Impairment of acquired and innate immunity and disseminated Mycobacterium genavense infection expands the clinical and immunological phenotype of NF-κB1 deficiency. Objective: Functional and molecular characterization of a patient with a novel phenotype of NF-κB1 deficiency. Methods: Circulating T, B, dendritic cell subsets and innate or unconventional T-cells were quantified. The cytokine production in stimulated whole blood samples was assessed and molecular characterization by next generation sequencing and gene expression assays were also performed. Results: We report a patient presenting with features of combined immunodeficiency (CID) and disseminated Mycobacterium genavense infection. Sequencing of genomic DNA identified a novel synonymous mutation (c.705G > A) in NFKB1 gene which resulted in exon 8 skipping and haploinsufficiency of the NF-κB1 subunit p50. The susceptibility to atypical mycobacterial infection has not been previously reported and may be the result of a dendritic cell deficiency. A selective deficiency of circulating follicular helper T (cTFH) cells responsible for mediating the differentiation of naive B cells into memory and plasma cells was also present in the patient. It could affect the maturation of innate or unconventional T cells where NF-κB1 could also be involved. Conclusion: These findings showed that the role of NF-κB1 in humans could be critical for the development of acquired and innate immunity and further highlights the role of human T cells in anti-mycobacterial immunity.

Intradural-Extramedullary Capillary Hemangioma with Acute Bleeding: Case Report and Literature Review.

OBJECTIVES: Capillary hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors. They are commonly founded in the vertebral bodies but very seldom in the spinal cord. The most common symptom at onset is long-lasting axial pain without neurologic deficit. In rare cases, the onset may be acute with neurological deficit due to an intratumoral hemorrhage. PATIENT AND METHODS: We report a case of a 58-year-old male with a history of 15 days upper back pain triggered by a mild traumatism that evolves acutely to paraplegia and urinary and fecal retention. An urgent MR showed an intradural lesion with signs of intratumoral haemorrhage. RESULTS: Urgent surgical intervention was performed and the anatomopathological results were capillary hemangioma. The symptoms of the patient improved after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Intradural capillary hemangioma with acute intratumoral hemorrhage is a rare pathology, but it must be kept in mind because early diagnosis and treatment are key to achieve a good outcome. As far as we know, this is the first case reported of an intradural-extramedular capillary hemangioma that presents sudden neurologic deficit due to intratumoral bleeding.

Angiogenesis-related biomarkers (sFlt-1/PlGF) in placental mesenchymal dysplasia.

Determination of the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 to placental growth factor ratio (sFlt-1/PlGF) in the maternal serum is expected to aid in the monitoring and decision-making process of women at risk for placental dysfunction. We report two cases of placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) with sFlt-1/PlGF correlation. The first case is a dichorionic twin pregnancy with one fetus affected by PMD and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome in which a high value of sFlt-1/PlGF was found, coinciding with acute maternal and fetal wellbeing decline at 31 weeks. The second case corresponds to a singleton pregnancy diagnosed of PMD with normal sFlt-1/PlGF and favorable outcome.

AKI associated with macroscopic glomerular hematuria: clinical and pathophysiologic consequences.

Hematuria is a common finding in various glomerular diseases. This article reviews the clinical data on glomerular hematuria and kidney injury, as well as the pathophysiology of hematuria-associated renal damage. Although glomerular hematuria has been considered a clinical manifestation of glomerular diseases without real consequences on renal function and long-term prognosis, many studies performed have shown a relationship between macroscopic glomerular hematuria and AKI and have suggested that macroscopic hematuria-associated AKI is related to adverse long-term outcomes. Thus, up to 25% of patients with macroscopic hematuria-associated AKI do not recover baseline renal function. Oral anticoagulation has been associated with glomerular macrohematuria-related kidney injury. Several pathophysiologic mechanisms may account for the tubular injury found on renal biopsy specimens. Mechanical obstruction by red blood cell casts was thought to play a role. More recent evidence points to cytotoxic effects of oxidative stress induced by hemoglobin, heme, or iron released from red blood cells. These mechanisms of injury may be shared with hemoglobinuria or myoglobinuria-induced AKI. Heme oxygenase catalyzes the conversion of heme to biliverdin and is protective in animal models of heme toxicity. CD163, the recently identified scavenger receptor for extracellular hemoglobin, promotes the activation of anti-inflammatory pathways, opening the gates for novel therapeutic approaches.

Clinicopathologic correlations of renal microthrombosis and inflammatory markers in proliferative lupus nephritis.

INTRODUCTION: Microthrombosis is often observed in lupus nephritis (LN) lesions, but its clinical significance is unknown. We evaluated the clinicopathologic correlations of renal microthrombosis and inflammatory markers in LN. METHODS: Kidney biopsies from 58 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) proliferative nephritis were analyzed with immunohistochemistry (IHC) for intravascular platelet aggregates (CD61), macrophagic infiltration (CD68), and activated complement deposition (C4d). Clinical data at the time of kidney biopsy and follow-up were analyzed with regard to pathologic IHC data. RESULTS: Microthrombosis was present in 52% of the tissues. It was significantly more prevalent in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) (62% versus 42%). The presence of microthrombosis significantly correlated with higher macrophagic infiltration. Macrophagic infiltration but not microthrombosis was significantly correlated with C4d deposition. Only macrophagic infiltration showed a correlation with SLE and renal activity (proteinuria and active sediment), whereas neither the presence of CD61+ microthrombi nor the extent of C4d deposition correlated with LN severity or outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Microthrombosis is associated with higher macrophagic infiltration in LN but does not seem to increase independently the severity of renal damage. Macrophagic infiltration was the best marker of SLE and renal activity in this LN series.

The use of P63 immunohistochemistry for the identification of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

INTRODUCTION: While some targeted agents should not be used in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), other agents might preferably target SCCs. In a previous microarray study, one of the top differentially expressed genes between adenocarcinomas (ACs) and SCCs is P63. It is a well-known marker of squamous differentiation, but surprisingly, its expression is not widely used for this purpose. Our goals in this study were (1) to further confirm our microarray data, (2) to analize the value of P63 immunohistochemistry (IHC) in reducing the number of large cell carcinoma (LCC) diagnoses in surgical specimens, and (3) to investigate the potential of P63 IHC to minimize the proportion of "carcinoma NOS (not otherwise specified)" in a prospective series of small tumor samples. METHODS: With these goals in mind, we studied (1) a tissue-microarray comprising 33 ACs and 99 SCCs on which we performed P63 IHC, (2) a series of 20 surgically resected LCCs studied for P63 and TTF-1 IHC, and (3) a prospective cohort of 66 small thoracic samples, including 32 carcinoma NOS, that were further classified by the result of P63 and TTF-1 IHC. RESULTS: The results in the three independent cohorts were as follows: (1) P63 IHC was differentially expressed in SCCs when compared to ACs (p<0.0001); (2) half of the 20 (50%) LCCs were positive for P63 and were reclassified as SCCs; and (3) all P63 positive cases (34%) were diagnosed as SCCs. CONCLUSIONS: P63 IHC is useful for the identification of lung SCCs.