Turkish Hematologists’ Preferences for Related Donor Selection: Results of a Multicenter Survey.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a widely utilized treatment for various hematological diseases. While selection criteria for unrelated donors are well established, there is a lack of consistency and standardization in the selection of related donors. This study investigated the current approach of hematologists to the selection of related donors at Turkish HSCT centers.

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms and Aspirin: Does Increased Platelet Turnover Matter?

Objective: Platelet aggregation tests and the analysis of thromboxane A2 metabolites [serum thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and urine 11-dehydro TXB2] are used to evaluate the efficacy of aspirin. In myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), the immature platelet fraction (IPF) rises due to enhanced platelet turnover, and this has been thought to reduce the efficacy of aspirin. This phenomenon is overcome by the recommendation of aspirin intake in divided doses.

Management of Spinal Lymphomas: Spinal Instability Assessment Using the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score and a Proposed Treatment Algorithm.

Aim: To propose a treatment algorithm, and to assess spinal instability in patients diagnosed with spinal lymphoma.

Material And Methods: Demographics, symptoms, tumor level and location, and presence of spinal instability were reviewed in 22 patients with spinal lymphomas. Each patient's neurological state was reviewed using the American Spinal Injury Association and modified McCormick scale scores, and spinal instability was assessed using the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS).

Management of thrombotic microangiopathy after hematopoietic cell transplantation: A position statement of ThREG (Turkish Hematology Research and Education Group).

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation associated-thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-HCT) is one of the early complications of endothelial origin in the course of HCT. Endothelial damage to the microvascular structure and the platelet-rich microthrombi, which are formed as a result of accompanying complement activation, constitute the main pathological conditions resulting TA-TMA. Early diagnosis and management are of utmost importance to prevent multi-organ failure and death.

The effect of high-dose cytarabine followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on the outcome of patients with mantle cell lymphoma.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of high-dose cytosine arabinoside (HDAC)-containing treatments followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on the survival of patients with mantle cell lymphoma.

Material And Methods: The data of 27 MCL patients who were followed-up between January 2009 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: The median age of the patients was 63 (range, 45-82) with 22 (81.

Impacts of post-transplantation cyclophosphamide treatment after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia.

Post-transplant cyclophosphamide has become a promising medical option after allogeneic HSCT. In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cyclophosphamide and cyclosporine combination in acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases scheduled for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Retrospective analysis of data from 40 cases who underwent allogeneic HSCT under GvHD prophylaxis with cyclophosphamide and cyclosporine combination between April 2016 and August 2017 was made.

Impact of Guideline-Driven Approach in Follow-Up of Long-Term Complications After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant: Single Center Experience.

Objectives: After allogeneic stem cell transplant, patients may experience psychiatric, endocrinologic, pulmonary, and cardiovascular problems, as well as secondary malignancies and chronic graft-versus-host disease over the long-term follow-up. These long-term complications not only increase mortality and morbidity of transplant survivors but also decrease their quality of life. In this study, we shared our experiences with our guideline-driven approach for follow-up of long-term complications.

Risk factors for bloodstream infections due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae in cancer patients.

Introduction: Bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by Enterobacteriaceae is associated with mortality in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors and outcomes related to BSIs caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in cancer patients.

Methodology: Hematology/oncology patients, who were diagnosed with BSIs caused by Enterobacteriaceae by positive blood cultures were evaluated retrospectively.

A multicenter experience of thrombotic microangiopathies in Turkey: The Turkish Hematology Research and Education Group (ThREG)-TMA01 study.

Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) are rare, but life-threatening disorders characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia (MAHAT) associated with multiorgan dysfunction as a result of microvascular thrombosis and tissue ischemia. The differentiation of the etiology is of utmost importance as the pathophysiological basis will dictate the choice of appropriate treatment. We retrospectively evaluated 154 (99 females and 55 males) patients who received therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) due to a presumptive diagnosis of TMA, who had serum ADAMTS13 activity/anti-ADAMTS13 antibody analysis at the time of hospital admission.

Biosimilar filgrastim (leucostim®) have similar efficacy in steady-state hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization compared to original filgrastim (neupogen®) and lenograstim (granocyte®): A retrospective multicenter study.

Biosimilar filgrastim (Leucostim) was shown to be similar in terms of efficacy and safety in hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization (HPCM) compared to originator filgrastim (Neupogen) and lenograstim (Granocyte) in healthy donors and chemomobilization settings. Here we report our retrospective experience with Leucostim (n: 43) compared to Neupogen (n: 71) and Granocyte (n: 32) in steady-state mobilization of patients presenting with Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma. The median age of patients on Leucostim (56) arm was significantly higher compared to patients who received Neupogen (50) and Granocyte (49) (p: 0.

Autologous stem cell transplantation and stem cell mobilization kinetics in elderly patients with B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

As known, the world population is aging and as the life span increases the number of advanced-age lymphomas also shows an upward trend. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the standard treatment modality in chemotherapy-sensitive relapsed or refractory aggressive lymphomas. Increased morbidity and mortality related to both the transplant itself and comorbid diseases can be observed in elderly lymphoma patients.

Efficacy of CLARA in recurrent/refractory acute myeloid leukaemia patients unresponsive to FLAG chemotherapy.

We hereby report our multicentre, retrospective experience with CLARA in patients with fludarabine/cytarabine/G-CSF (FLAG) refractory AML. The study included all consecutive R/R AML patients, who received CLARA salvage during October 2010-October 2015 period. All patients were unresponsive to FLAG salvage chemotherapy regimen and did not undergo previous allo-HCT.

Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma in daily practice: A multicenter experience.

Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare subtype of Hodgkin's lymphoma. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical features and therapeutic outcomes of patients with NLPHL who were diagnosed at different institutes in Turkey. We retrospectively reviewed the records of the patients diagnosed with NLPHL.

Coexistence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma, do the roots of these entities originate from the same place?

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell disease, whereas CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) affects mature B-cell lymphocytes. Even though the coexistence of those two conditions is extremely rare, as both cell types differentiate from the same multipotent stem cells, the clinician should evaluate patients carefully not to misdiagnose such a concomitancy.

Risk Adapted Management of Febrile Neutrepenia and Early Cessation of Empirical Antibiotherapy in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Setting.

Background: Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a curative treatment option for many haematological disorders. Infection following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is one of the major causes of mortality.

Aims: To investigate the outcomes of early cessation of empirical antibiotic treatment per protocol in febrile neutropenia patients who have undergone haematopoietic stem cell transplantation at our clinic.

Does microbial contamination influence the success of the hematopoietic cell transplantation outcomes?

Introduction: Microbial contamination can be a marker for faulty process and is assumed to play an important role in the collection of hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) and infusion procedure. We aimed to determine the microbial contamination rates and evaluate the success of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients who received contaminated products.

Patients-methods: We analyzed microbial contamination records of HPC grafts between 2012 and 2015, retrospectively.

Does defibrotide prophylaxis decrease the risk of acute graft versus host disease following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation?

There is some preliminary evidence, that veno-occlusive disease prophylaxis with defibrotide (DF) may also have a role in decreasing risk of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) by preventing tissue damage. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of DF prophylaxis on the development of aGvHD at D+180. One hundred ninety-five consecutive adult patients receiving allogeneic HCT were retrospectively evaluated in 3 groups: no DF, DF/post-HCT (DF D+1 to D+14) and DF/pre-HCT (DF for 14 days concurrently with conditioning).

Retrospective analysis of adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: A multicenter experience of daily practice.

Compared to pediatric age group, the prognosis of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is still dismal even in patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT). We retrospectively analyzed 205 adults (male: 122; female: 83) with ALL who underwent AHCT. Median age of patients was 28 (18-59).

Does the preference of peripheral versus central venous access in peripheral blood stem cell collection/yield change stem cell kinetics in autologous stem cell transplantation?

Central venous access is often used during apheresis procedure in stem cell collection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether central or peripheral venous access has an effect on stem cell yield and the kinetics of the procedure and the product in patients undergoing ASCT after high dose therapy. A total of 327 patients were retrospectively reviewed.

The relationship between FGF-23 and ghrelin levels in CKD patients: preliminary data.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 is a recently discovered phosphaturic hormone that increases in chronic kidney disease (CKD). It has been accepted as a determinant of mortality and a therapeutic target in these patients. Ghrelin is a hormone that has roles in energy and nutrient metabolism.