Piperacillin-tazobactam vs. imipenem-cilastatin as empirical therapy in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients with febrile neutropenia.

This randomized, dual-center study compared the efficacy and safety of piperacillin-tazobactam (PTZ) and imipenem-cilastatin (IMP) in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients with febrile neutropenia. HSCT recipients with febrile neutropenia were randomized into two groups receiving either PTZ or IMP as initial empiric antibiotic. Endpoints were defervescence rate after empiric antibiotic for 48 h, success at end of therapy, and side effects.

Epidemiology and treatment of invasive fungal diseases in patients with multiple myeloma: findings from a multicenter prospective study from China.

The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and risk factors of multiple myeloma patients with invasive fungi disease (IFD) in China. We analyzed multiple myeloma (MM) patients receiving chemotherapy in a prospective multicenter study. Basic characteristics, the diagnosis, and treatment of IFD were recorded.

[The value of chest computerized tomography in evaluation of bone disease and clinical prognosis of multiple myeloma].

Objective: To assess the status and severity of bone disease in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) by using chest computerized tomography (CT) and the relationship between clinical prognostic parameters and bone disease.

Methods: All 46 newly diagnosed MM in-patients received both imaging tests of chest CT and plain X ray. An experienced radiologist reviewed all the imaging data.

Comparison of Different Buffers for Protein Extraction from Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Specimens.

We determined the best extraction buffer for proteomic investigation using formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens. A Zwittergent 3-16 based buffer, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-containing buffer with/without polyethylene glycol 20000 (PEG20000), urea-containing buffer, and FFPE-FASP protein preparation kit were compared for protein extraction from different types of rat FFPE tissues, including the heart, brain, liver, lung, and kidney. All of the samples were divided into two groups of laser microdissected (LMD) and non-LMD specimens.

[Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma].

Objective: To investigate the characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma （PCNSL）.

Methods: A total of 37 patients with PCNSL treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from June 1999 to June 2012 were enrolled into this retrospective study. The clinical characteristics, results of treatment and prognostic factors were analyzed.

Prognostic value of serum heavy/light chain ratios in patients with POEMS syndrome.

POEMS syndrome is a rare plasma cell dyscrasia. Serum concentrations of the monoclonal protein in this disorder are typically low, and inapplicable to monitor disease activity in most cases, resulting in limited practical and prognostic values. Novel immunoassays measuring isotype-specific heavy/light chain (HLC) pairs showed its utility in disease monitoring and outcome prediction in several plasma cell dyscrasias.

Characterizing POEMS Syndrome with 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Unlabelled: POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein elevation, and skin changes) syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by an underlying plasma cell disorder. The patients usually present with multisystemic involvement. Thus, we performed a study to investigate the role of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in characterizing POEMS syndrome.

[Diagnostic value of three evaluation methods of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in detecting bone marrow infiltration in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma].

Objective: To evaluate three methods of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in detecting bone marrow infiltration in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Methods: Seventy-seven patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma from July 2012 to June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received both ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scan and bone marrow biopsy in the region of the posterior iliac crests.

Renal impairment in patients with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes syndrome: incidence, treatment and outcome.

Background: Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome is a multisystem disorder arising from underlying plasma cell dyscrasia. Renal impairment and related pathological changes have been reported, but data on its prevalence, response to therapy and impact on survival are still lacking.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 299 patients diagnosed with POEMS syndrome in a tertiary-care university hospital from 2000 until 2014.

[Clinical and cytogenetic characteristics of myeloma patients with overall survival less than 24 months].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of multiple myeloma (MM) patients with overall survival (OS) less than 24 months so as to stratify high-risk population.

Methods: A total of 177 newly diagnosed MM inpatients were recruited from July 2008 to July 2012. Clinical parameters at diagnosis of international staging system (ISS), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), serum calcium, extramedullary involvement and amyloidosis were collected and cytogenetic abnormalities were detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Long-term follow-up study of porcine anti-human thymocyte immunoglobulin therapy combined with cyclosporine for severe aplastic anemia.

Immunosuppressive therapy with antithymocyte immunoglobulin (ATG) and cyclosporine A is the first treatment option for severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients without transplantation. Horse ATG is not marketed in China. Because the price of porcine ATG (pATG) is only about one-third of the price of rabbit ATG (rATG), long-term follow-up studies of pATG's efficacy will help provide valuable insights into the treatment of SAA.

The Successful Diagnosis and Typing of Systemic Amyloidosis Using A Microwave-Assisted Filter-Aided Fast Sample Preparation Method and LC/MS/MS Analysis.

Laser microdissection followed by mass spectrometry has been successfully used for amyloid typing. However, sample contamination can interfere with proteomic analysis, and overnight digestion limits the analytical throughput. Moreover, current quantitative analysis methods are based on the spectrum count, which ignores differences in protein length and may lead to misdiagnoses.

[Safety of polyethylene glycol conjugated L-asparaginase in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma].

Objective: To evaluate the safety of polyethylene glycol conjugated L-asparaginase (PEG-Asp) for patients with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and T cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (T-NHL).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 101 young patients (≤40 years old) with ALL and T-NHL, diagnosed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2012 and June 2014.

Results: A total of 480 doses of PEG-Asp were administered in 44 cases with ALL and 57 patients with T-NHL.

Standardized fluorescence in situ hybridization testing based on an appropriate panel of probes more effectively identifies common cytogenetic abnormalities in myelodysplastic syndromes than conventional cytogenetic analysis: a multicenter prospective study of 2302 patients in China.

In an attempt to establish the advantages of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies over conventional cytogenetic (CC) analysis, a total of 2302 de novo MDS patients from 31 Chinese institutions were prospectively selected in the present study for both CC and standardized FISH analysis for +8, -7/7q-, -5/5q-, 20q- and-Y chromosomal abnormalities. CC analysis was successful in 94.0% of the patients; of these patients, 35.

[Classification of amyloidosis by laser micro-dissection and mass spectrometry based proteomic analysis].

Objective: To establish a novel method to determine specific type of amyloidosis through laser microdissection and mass spectrometry (LMD/MS) based proteomic analysis.

Methods: There were 138 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) biopsy samples of patients who were diagnosed as systemic amyloidosis used in this study. For each case, a 10 μm section stained with congo-red and positive amyloid deposits were identified under fluorescent light, followed by micro-dissection and mass spectrometry analysis.

Lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone in Chinese patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and renal impairment.

Lower starting doses of lenalidomide (LEN) are recommended for patients with renal impairment (RI). In the present study, we conducted a subgroup analysis of the MM-021 registration trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of LEN plus low-dose dexamethasone (LoDEX) in Chinese patients with advanced relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) based on levels of RI. Patients received LEN+LoDEX until disease progression or discontinuation.

[Diagnostic performance and clinical correlation of serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels in patients with newly diagnosed POEMS syndrome].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance and clinical correlation of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with newly diagnosed POEMS syndrome.

Methods: We recruited 104 patients with POEMS syndrome who diagnosed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital during October 2010 to April 2014 in the current study. Clinical data and serum samples were collected.

Efficacy and safety of low-dose lenalidomide plus dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory POEMS syndrome.

Although autologous stem cell transplantation or melphalan-based chemotherapy has significantly improved the prognosis of POEMS syndrome, a few patients will relapse or be refractory to primary therapy, and there is a lack of studies regarding these patients. In this study, we used low-dose lenalidomide (10 mg daily) and dexamethasone (40 mg, once weekly) to treat twelve patients with relapsed (n = 8) or refractory (n = 4) POEMS syndrome. After a median follow-up time of 20 months, the overall hematologic response rate was 77% with 44% having a complete response.

[Clinical analysis of 14 cases with primary breast lymphoma].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features, prognostic factors, diagnostic methods and treatment outcomes of primary breast lymphoma (PBL).

Methods: The clinical data of 14 patients diagnosed with PBL between 2000.1 and 2013.

Efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in Asian patients with myelofibrosis.

Myelofibrosis is characterized by progressive cytopenias, bone marrow fibrosis, splenomegaly and severe constitutional symptoms. In the phase 3 Controlled Myelofibrosis Study with Oral JAK Inhibitor Treatment (COMFORT) studies, ruxolitinib, a potent Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/JAK2 inhibitor, provided substantial improvements in splenomegaly, symptoms, quality-of-life measures and overall survival compared with placebo or best available therapy. No assessments of the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib have been conducted in Asian patients.

[Clinical characteristics of 104 patients with primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin lymphoma].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (PGI-NHL).

Methods: The pathological data of 104 PGI-NHL patients diagnosed in our hospital between 2003 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: 104 patients with PGI-NHL were enrolled, including 58 males and 46 females with a median age of 53 (range:15 to 83) years.