Prognostic factors and clinical characteristics of patients with newly diagnosed non-secretory multiple myeloma in the era of new drugs in "real-world" study: Experiences of the Polish Myeloma Group.

Background: Non-secretory multiple myeloma (NSMM) accounts for approx. 2-3% of multiple myeloma (MM) cases. Due to the rare occurrence and ineligibility of patients with NSMM to participate in clinical trials, we have limited data on treatment efficacy and the clinical course in these patients.

Predicting chemotherapy toxicity in multiple myeloma: the prognostic value of pre-treatment serum cytokine levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor.

Introduction: Multiple Myeloma (MM), a prevalent hematological malignancy, poses significant treatment challenges due to varied patient responses and toxicities to chemotherapy. This study investigates the predictive value of pretreatment serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for chemotherapy-induced toxicities in newly diagnosed MM patients. We hypothesized that these cytokines, pivotal in the tumor microenvironment, might correlate with the incidence and severity of treatment-related adverse events.

Polymorphism (rs1143634) and IL-1β Plasma Concentration as Predictors of Nutritional Disorders and Prognostic Factors in Multiple Myeloma Patients.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological neoplasm of the early precursor of B-cells. The most characteristic symptoms observed during MM include hypocalcemia, anemia, bacterial infections, and renal damage. Nutritional disorders, especially malnutrition, are noted in about 35-71% of MM patients.

In Vitro Low-Bortezomib Doses Induce Apoptosis and Independently Decrease the Activities of Glutathione S-Transferase and Glutathione Peroxidase in Multiple Myeloma, Taking into Account the and Gene Variants.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy derived from plasma cells. Bortezomib affects the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activity of glutathione enzymes. The aim of our study was to analyze deletion (null/present) variants of and genes and their association with the levels of glutathione and its enzymes in bortezomib-treated cell cultures derived from MM patients.

Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Diagnosis, Prediction and Prognosis of Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy in the world and accounts for 15% of primary hemocytopathies, with an ever-increasing number of new cases. It is asymptomatic in 30% of instances; hence, the determination of highly sensitive and specific markers is necessary to make a proper diagnosis. In the last 20 years, miRNAs, involved in regulating the expression of genes responsible for cell proliferation and differentiation, including tumor cells, have been identified as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers.

The Clinical Relevance of Selected Cytokines in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological neoplasm. Cytokines, chemokines, and their receptors, induced by the microenvironment of MM, participate in tumor growth, the attraction of leukocytes, cell homing, and bone destruction. This study aimed to assess the correlation between the pretreatment serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), angiogenic chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the clinical outcomes and survival of patients newly diagnosed with MM.

Association of Chromosome 17 Aneuploidy, Deletion, Expression and Its rs1042522 Variant with Multiple Myeloma Risk and Response to Thalidomide/Bortezomib Treatment.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a multifactorial genetic disorder caused by interactive effects of environmental and genetic factors. The proper of the gene (17p13.1) and its protein is essential in genomic stability.

Pleural Neoplasms-What Could MRI Change?

The primary pleural neoplasms constitute around 10% of the pleural tumors. The currently recommended method for their imaging is CT which has been shown to have certain limitations. Strong development of the MRI within the last two decades has provided us with a number of sequences that could potentially be superior to CT when it comes to the pleural malignancies' detection and characterization.

The Relationship of and Variants with Response Rate and Survival Taking into Account Thalidomide/Bortezomib Treatment in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

(1) Background: Chemokines and chemokine receptors play an important role in tumor development. The aim of this study was to check the significance of and variants with response rate, survival, and the level of regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES/CCL5) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients; (2) Methods: Genomic DNA from 101 newly diagnosed MM patients and 100 healthy blood donors were analyzed by Real-time PCR method (for and genotyping). In a subgroup of 70 MM patients, serum samples were collected to determine the level of RANTES; (3) Results: multivariate Cox regression showed increased risk of disease relapse or progression (HR = 4.

MiRNA as a Potential Target for Multiple Myeloma Therapy-Current Knowledge and Perspectives.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy. Despite the huge therapeutic progress thanks to the introduction of novel therapies, MM remains an incurable disease. Extensive research is currently ongoing to find new options.

High Level of Irisin as a Marker of Malnutrition in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Subjected to Radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND Head and neck cancers (HNC) are the 7th most prevalent neoplasms in the world. In 50% of these patients, body weight loss and malnutrition are observed before the beginning of therapy. It is known that an important role in the pathomechanism of malnutrition and cachexia is played by the development of inflammation, degradation of muscle fibers, and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT).

Efficacy of ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone in high-molecular-risk relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma - case series and literature review.

Introduction And Objective: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable condition with variable clinical course. The study included a group of patients with especially poor-prognosis, individuals with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) and specific cytogenetic disorders. Among the currently used therapies the ixazomib-lenalidomid-dexamethasone (IRd) is considered as a candidate to improve outcomes.

Polymorphism of Baculoviral Inhibitor of Apoptosis Repeat-Containing 5 (BIRC5) Can Be Associated with Clinical Outcome of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprises about 85% of all lung cancers. Currently, NSCLC therapy is based on the analysis of specific predictors, whose presence qualifies patients for appropriate treatment. Baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing 5 (BIRC5), also known as "survivin", is a protein whose expression is characteristic for most malignant tumors and fetal tissue, while absent in mature cells.

Circulating Serum MiRNA-8074 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker for Multiple Myeloma.

MiRNA-8074 is a molecule with the potential to regulate the expression of key genes related to the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM), i.e., , , , and .

Methylation of and as a Biomarker for the Detection of Lung Cancer.

: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Early diagnosis may improve the prognosis. Using quantitative methylation-specific real-time PCR (qMSP-PCR), we assessed the methylation status of two genes (in two subsequent regions according to locations in their promoter sequences) related to carcinogenesis, and , in 101 plasma samples (obtained prior to the treatment) of lung cancer patients and 45 healthy volunteers.

The Relationship of and Variants with the Risk of Disease Development and Shortening of Overall Survival in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

(1) Background: The aim of our study was to analyze the possible relationship of and gene variants with susceptibility and outcome of multiple myeloma (MM); (2) Methods: Genomic DNA samples from 110 newly-diagnosed MM patients and 100 healthy blood donors were analyzed by methods-PCR-RFLP (for 3435C > T, 6235T > C-m1), automated DNA sequencing (for 1236C > T, 2677G > T/A) and allele-specific PCR (for 4889A > G-m2); (3) Results: The genotypic frequencies of 4889A > G variant were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for MM patients. The presence of m1 and m2 alleles decreased the risk of MM-OR = 0.49 ( = 0.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Factor Predicting Radiotherapy Induced Oral Mucositis in Head Neck Cancer Patients Treated with Radiotherapy.

Background: The objective of this research conducted in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients was the assessment of the relationship between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the incidence of severe radiotherapy (RT) induced oral mucositis (OM), as well as overall survival (OS).

Methods: The study involved 207 patients in advanced stages (III-IV) of HNC. RTOG/EORTC scale was used to assess OM.

Therapeutic Potential of Innate Lymphoid Cells for Multiple Myeloma Therapy.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a recently identified family of lymphocyte-like cells lacking a specific antigen receptor. They are part of the innate immune system. They play a key role in tissue homeostasis and also control inflammatory and neoplastic processes.

Chemotherapy-Related Differences in Cognitive Functioning and Their Biological Predictors in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

The paper presents a study on the changes in cognitive functioning in patients undergoing chemotherapy with diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of the study was to answer the following two main research questions: Does the treatment stage differentiate the functioning of cognitive processes in patients with diagnosed MM and to what extent? Is it possible to treat biological factors (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and BDNF) as predictors of patients' cognitive functioning? The patients were examined twice, before the treatment and after 4-6 cycles of chemotherapy. Selected neuropsychological research methods as well as experimental and clinical trials were employed to diagnose the patients' general cognitive state, attention, memory, and executive functions.

microRNAs as the biomarkers of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant, incurable neoplastic disease. The currently used treatment significantly improves the prognosis and extends the survival time of patients. Unfortunately, a common side effect of the therapy is peripheral neuropathy, which may lead to dose reduction or complete treatment discontinuation/modification.

Polymorphisms in the Gene Encoding Caspase 8 May Predict the Response to First-Line Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced or Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Caspase 8 is a protein involved in the process of cell apoptosis, which may affect the efficacy of anti-cancer treatment. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of polymorphisms in the gene encoding caspase 8 on the prognosis in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study involved 99 patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Real-World Efficacy of Midostaurin in Aggressive Systemic Mastocytosis.

In April 2017 midostaurin was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM). So far, very limited real world data on its efficacy is available. Thirteen patients aged from 48 to 79 years, who received midostaurin in the early access program, were included in the study.