RNA-seq of newly diagnosed patients in the PADIMAC study leads to a bortezomib/lenalidomide decision signature.

Improving outcomes in multiple myeloma will involve not only development of new therapies but also better use of existing treatments. We performed RNA sequencing on samples from newly diagnosed patients enrolled in the phase 2 PADIMAC (Bortezomib, Adriamycin, and Dexamethasone Therapy for Previously Untreated Patients with Multiple Myeloma: Impact of Minimal Residual Disease in Patients with Deferred ASCT) study. Using synthetic annealing and the large margin nearest neighbor algorithm, we developed and trained a 7-gene signature to predict treatment outcome.

Autologous stem cell transplantation for follicular lymphoma is of most benefit early in the disease course and can result in durable remissions, irrespective of prior rituximab exposure.

The role of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and the optimal timing of such transplants in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) remains contentious. We present a single-centre experience documenting the outcomes of 70 FL patients who underwent BEAM (carmustine, cytarabine, etopside, melphalan)-conditioned ASCT between 1988 and 2009. With a median follow-up of 6·8 years (0·1-19·2), the 7-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) from the date of ASCT was 76% and 60%, respectively.

Actions of the selective protein kinase C inhibitor PKC412 on B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells in vitro.

Background And Objectives: The staurosporine derivative PKC412 (CGP41251) is a more selective inhibitor of the conventional isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC) than is the parent compound. In addition to its growth inhibitory properties, PKC412 reverses the efflux function of the multidrug resistance (MDR)-1 gene product, P-glycoprotein (P-gp).

Design And Methods: The in vitro actions of PKC412 were investigated in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 4 normal volunteers, B-cell isolates from 3 normal tonsils and 31 patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL).