Fungal sinusitis due to mucormycosis in a diabetic immunosuppressed patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Introduction: Mucormycosis is an acute onset, invasive, fungal infection, characterized by organ involvement, and caused by Mucor, Rhizopus, or Absidia. Our aim was to present a case of mucormycotic infection and emphasize its importance in a diabetic immunosuppressed patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Case Presentation: A 68-year-old hypertensive and diabetic male patient with a diagnosis of AML developed respiratory failure and exhibited diffuse bilateral consolidation in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).

Unmet clinical needs and challenges in the management of acute leukemia in Turkey: a modified Delphi study.

To determine the unmet needs and challenges in management, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and patient-physician communication in acute leukemia (AL). The study was based on a modified Delphi approach. A questionnaire including the major potential obstacles was circulated twice among 13 hematologists.

Hepatitis B sero-prevalence among hematology patients: importance of Anti-HbcAb and efficiency of antiviral prophylaxis.

Objectives: Hepatitis B infection is an important problem in immune suppressed patients. Anti HbcAb is an important marker that shows past exposure to virus. In this study, we retrospectively searched HBV serology among the patients who had Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) or chemotherapies (CT) at Medicalpark Izmir Hospital Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit; changes in viral parameters throughout therapy; and tried to find the efficiency of antiviral prophylaxis.

International Forum: The Turkish perspective on apheresis activity: The Turkish apheresis registry report.

Therapeutic apheresis is an extracorporeal treatment that selectively removes abnormal cells or harmful substances in the blood that are associated with or cause certain diseases. During the last decades the application of therapeutic apheresis has expanded to a broad spectrum of hematological and non-hematological diseases due to various studies on the clinical efficacy of this procedure. In this context there are more than 30 centers performing therapeutic apheresis and registered in the apheresis database in Turkey.

The Effect of Cryotherapy on the Prevention of Oral Mucositis and on the Oral pH Value in Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cryotherapy on the prevention of oral mucositis (OM) and on the oral pH value in patients with multiple myeloma undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation.

Data Sources: This nonrandomized controlled clinical trial was carried out in Bone Marrow Transplant Centers of three hospitals with total 32 patients. In addition to standard oral care, a total of 80 minutes of cryotherapy was applied to the experimental group.

Early Access Program Results From Turkey and a Literature Review on Daratumumab Monotherapy Among Heavily Pretreated Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma.

Background: In countries where frontline drug approval is limited to first-generation proteasome inhibitors or immunomodulatory drugs, relapses have been both more frequent and less durable. We investigated real world data on the efficacy and safety of daratumumab monotherapy among patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) from Turkey using a prospective early access program.

Patients And Methods: A total of 42 patients with RRMM after a minimum of 3 previous lines of proteasome inhibitor/immunomodulatory drug-based treatments were included from 25 centers across Turkey.

The Turkish experience with therapeutic plasma exchange: A national survey.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is used to treat more than 60 diseases worldwide and has drawn growing interest. Little is known about the current situation of TPE activity in Turkey, so we developed a survey to obtain information about this timely topic. We collected data on TPE from 28 apheresis units throughout Turkey.

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.

Age does not matter: Mobilization and harvesting are safe and effective for elderly allogeneic peripheral hematopoietic stem cell donors.

It took several years to succeed safe hematopoietic stem cell transplantations. HLA-matched unrelated donors have become the most common donor source for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants worldwide. The sibling donor may have more comorbidity and decreased regenerative potential of stem and immune cells.

Autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization and collection in adult patients presenting with multiple myeloma and lymphoma: A position-statement from the Turkish Society of Apheresis (TSA).

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) is a routinely used procedure in the treatment of adult patients presenting with multiple myeloma (MM), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and various subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in upfront and relapsed/refractory settings. Successful hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization (HPCM) and collection are the rate limiting first steps for application of AHCT. In 2015, almost 1700 AHCT procedures have been performed for MM, HL and NHL in Turkey.

Current practice of autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization in adult patients with multiple myeloma and lymphoma: The results of a survey from Turkish hematology research and education group (ThREG).

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) is an established treatment option for adult patients presenting with multiple myeloma (MM), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and various subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in upfront and/or relapsed/refractory disease settings. Although there are recently published consensus guidelines addressing critical issues regarding autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization (HPCM), mobilization strategies of transplant centers show high variability in terms of routine practice. In order to understand the current institutional policies regarding HPCM in Turkey and to obtain the required basic data for preparation of a national positional statement on this issue, Turkish Hematology Research and Education Group (ThREG) conducted a web-based HPCM survey.

Extramedullary Relapse in a CML Patient after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Myeloid or granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a tumoral lesion consisting of immature granulocytic cells. It is a rare entity during the course of CML patients especially after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Relapse without bone marrow involvement is much rarer.

Effects of single-agent bortezomib as post-transplant consolidation therapy on multiple myeloma-related bone disease: a randomized phase II study.

This phase II study explored the effects of bortezomib consolidation versus observation on myeloma-related bone disease in patients who had a partial response or better after frontline high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. Patients were randomized to receive four 35-day cycles of bortezomib 1·6 mg/m intravenously on days 1, 8, 15 and 22, or an equivalent observation period, and followed up for disease status/survival. The modified intent-to-treat population included 104 patients (51 bortezomib, 53 observation).

FAS/FASL gene polymorphisms in Turkish patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders.

Introduction: Chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPD) are chronic myeloid hematological disorders, characterized by increased myeloid cell proliferation and fibrosis. Impaired apoptotic mechanisms, increased cell proliferation, uncontrolled hematopoietic cell proliferation and myeloaccumulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of CMPD. The aim of our study was to show the possible role of FAS/FASL gene polymorphisms in CMPD pathogenesis and investigate the association with clinical parameters and susceptibility to disease.

Autologous stem cell transplantation for adult acute myelocytic leukemia in first remission-Better outcomes after busulfan and melphalan compared with busulfan and cyclophosphamide: A retrospective study from the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT).

Background: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for adult acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a valid therapeutic option for patients with good-risk and intermediate-risk disease. The authors used the registry of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation to compare combined busulfan and melphalan (BUMEL) with combined busulfan and cyclophosphamide (BUCY) before transplantation.

Methods: From 2005 to 2013, 853 patients with available cytogenetics underwent ASCT in first remission, including 257 after receiving BUMEL and 596 after receiving BUCY.

Recommendations for Risk Categorization and Prophylaxis of Invasive Fungal Diseases in Hematological Malignancies: A Critical Review of Evidence and Expert Opinion (TEO-4).

This is the last of a series of articles on invasive fungal infections prepared by opinion leaders in Turkey. The aim of these articles is to guide clinicians in managing invasive fungal diseases in hematological malignancies and stem cell transplantation based on the available best evidence in this field. The previous articles summarized the diagnosis and treatment of invasive fungal disease and this article aims to explain the risk categorization and guide the antifungal prophylaxis in invasive fungal disease.

The loss of CD34+ cells in peripheral hematopoietic stem cell products cryopreserved by non-controlled rate freezing and stored at -80 °C after overnight storage.

Although peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) products cryopreserved by non-controlled rate freezing and stored at -80 °C after overnight storage are used frequently, data regarding the rate of loss of CD34+ cells in these products are limited. In this prospective study, CD34+ cells were counted at three (fresh, post-overnight and post-thaw) points in 83 PBSC products from 41 patients by flow cytometry. Compared to fresh products, the mean losses of post-overnight and post-thaw total CD34+ cells are 16.

The association between COX-2 expression and survival in myeloma patients.

Background: Increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression has been associated with poor prognosis in multiple myeloma (MM).

Aim: This study examined the relationship between COX-2 expression in bone marrow and prognosis in MM patients.

Patients And Methods: Bone marrow biopsy samples of 67 newly diagnosed MM patients were examined immunohistochemically for COX-2 expression.

Metastatic pulmonary calcinosis and leukocytoclastic vasculitis in a patient with multiple myeloma.

Unlabelled: Both leukocytoclastic vasculitis and metastatic pulmonary calcification are conditions that rarely occur during the course of multiple myeloma. We present a multiple myeloma patient that had severe dyspnea due to metastatic pulmonary calcinosis, and ulceronecrotic skin lesions caused by leukocytoclastic vasculitis. After 3 courses of standarddose chemotherapy all skin and pulmonary lesions disappeared.

CD31 expression on peripheral blood stem cells predicts both early neutrophil and platelet engraftments.

No detailed information currently exists about the immune phenotypic profiles of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) obtained by different mobilization regimens. The effects of these profiles on the outcome of transplantation are largely unknown. In this prospective study, the surface immune phenotypic features (CD11a, CD18, CD31, CD38, CD44, CD62e, CD62L, CD90, CD117, CD135 and CD184 expression) of sorted PBSCs that had been mobilized by growth factor with (group I and group II) or without (group III) disease-specific chemotherapies were investigated.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma of the elderly-experience of a single center from Turkey.

In the 2008 WHO lymphoma classification, 'EBV-positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the elderly is included as a new provisional entity. We aimed to evaluate the morphological, immunophenotypic, and clinical characteristics of the cases diagnosed as 'EBV-positive DLBCL of the elderly' in our center and compared them with the 'EBV-negative DLBCL' patients older than 50 years of age. EBV status was detected by Epstein-Barr early RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization analysis.

Multiple unrelated malignancies following renal transplantation: an evaluation of four cases.

The risk of de novo malignancy is significantly higher in patients who have undergone organ transplantation than in the general population. Long-term immunosuppressive treatment, in addition to age, genetic predisposition and infectious agents, plays a major role in the development of malignancy. Although skin and hemopoietic system cancers are common, atypical presentations of malignancies may occasionally be seen during long-term follow-up in patients with functioning allografts.

The clearance time of infused hematopoietic stem cell from the blood circulation.

There is no detailed information about the clearance time of infused hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) from the blood circulation in humans. In this prospective study, peripheral blood CD34+ cell counts were detected during the 4days period following autologous HSC transplantation in 20 patients by means of flow cytometry. The median CD34+ cells were at the highest level in the first hour and decreased below pre-infusion values on the first day after HSC infusion.

Molecular Evaluation of t(14;18)(bcl-2/IgH) Translocation in Follicular Lymphoma at Diagnosis Using Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Sections.

Objective: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is one of the most common lymphomas, and is characterized by t(14;18)(q32;q21) in more than 80% of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of t(14;18) positivity based onthe detection of mbr or mcr in paraffin-embedded tissue samples.

Material And Methods: The study included 32 paraffin-embedded tissue samples collected from 32 consecutive FL patients that were diagnosed and followed-up at our hospital between 1999 and 2006.

Determining Toxoplasma high-risk autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients by systematic pre-transplant PCR screening of stem cell originated buffy coat.

The diagnosis of Toxoplasma infection or disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients is achieved mainly by PCR screening; however screening did not find wide field of use in practice due to costly expenditures of PCR. This study aimed to determine patients at high risk of Toxoplasma infection or disease before transplantation by stem cell originated buffy coat PCR and subsequently to screen them. Buffy coats collected from 12 autologous and 18 allogeneic HSCT patients' donors were investigated by PCR before transplantation.