Soluble B-cell maturation antigen as a monitoring marker for multiple myeloma.

Response to treatment in multiple myeloma (MM) is routinely measured by serum and urine M-protein and free light chain (FLC), as described by the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) consensus statement. A non-negligible subgroup of patients however present without measurable biomarkers, others become oligo or non-secretory during recurrent relapses. The aim of our research was to evaluate soluble B-cell maturation antigen (sBCMA) as a monitoring marker measured concurrent with the standard monitoring in MM patients at diagnosis, at relapse and during follow up, in order to establish its potential usefulness in oligo and non-secretory disease.

Combined immunosuppression for acquired hemophilia A: CyDRi is a highly effective low-toxicity regimen.

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare severe autoimmune bleeding disorder with significant morbidity and mortality. Although critical for disease control, there is no consensus for the best immunosuppressive regimen. Most authors use steroids first line, followed by other agents for steroid failures.

Comparison of von Willebrand factor platelet-binding activity assays: ELISA overreads type 2B with loss of HMW multimers.

Background: A number of new assays with different measuring principles are available to measure von Willebrand factor (VWF) glycoprotein Ib (GPIb)-binding activity, but little is known about how these assays might behave differently for subtypes of von Willebrand disease (VWD).

Objectives: The Comparison of Assays to Measure VWF Activity (COMPASS-VWF) study was designed to compare all available VWF GPIb-binding activity assays for VWF. We specifically searched for particular assay behavior differences.

Identification of the best-suited donor for generating virus-specific T cells.

Background And Objectives: Administration of virus-specific T cells (VSTs) is a viable antiviral treatment strategy after allogeneic HSCT, even if conventional therapies fail. Third-party donors are often chosen for the generation of the VST product. The eligibility of the donor has to be tested in a rigorous donor screening procedure, since the isolation technology only targets pre-existing VSTs.

Platelet Count, ADAMTS13 Activity, von Willebrand Factor Level and Survival in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: 5-Year Follow-up Study.

Distant metastasis is a major cause of colorectal cancer-related death, but the mechanism of tumour progression is not fully understood. There is growing evidence of an interaction between tumour cells and platelets which may influence tumour progression and metastasis formation. Quality and quantity of von Willebrand factor may regulate the interaction between tumour cells and platelets.

Early Experience With CliniMACS Prodigy CCS (IFN-gamma) System in Selection of Virus-specific T Cells From Third-party Donors for Pediatric Patients With Severe Viral Infections After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Viral reactivation is a frequent complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation especially in children. For refractory cases, rapid virus-specific T-cell therapy would be ideally implemented within a few days. Over the course of a year in our pediatric cohort of 43 allogeneic transplantation, 9 patients fulfilled criteria for virus-specific T-cell therapy.