Variability in the perception of palliative care and end-of-life care among hematology professionals from the same reference center in Bahia, Brazil: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Background: There are several illness-specific cultural and system-based barriers to palliative care (PC) integration and end-of-life (EOL) care in the field of oncohematology.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the variability in the perceptions of PC and EOL care.

Design And Setting: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Hematology Division of our University Hospital in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

COVID-19 in multiple myeloma patients: frequencies and risk factors for hospitalization, ventilatory support, intensive care admission and mortality -cooperative registry from the Grupo Brasileiro de Mieloma Multiplo (GBRAM).

Introduction: This study evaluated outcomes and risk factors for COVID-19 in 91 Brazilian multiple myeloma (MM) patients between April 2020 and January 2022.

Results: Of the 91 MM patients diagnosed with COVID-19, 64% had comorbidities and 66% required hospitalization due to COVID-19, with 44% needing ventilatory support and 37% intensive care. Age (OR 2.

Impact of the lactate dehydrogenase in association with the International Staging System prognostic score in multiple myeloma patients treated in real life.

Introduction: Multiple myeloma is characterized by proliferation of clonal plasma cells. The identification of prognostics factors to identify patient's risk is important. Among the studied factors, it was identified of relevant importance the lactic dehydrogenase.

Lambda light chain-induced monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance, manifesting with Fanconi Syndrome and osteomalacia.

Background: Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) encompasses a heterogeneous group of kidney diseases in which a monoclonal immunoglobulin secreted by a clone of B cells or plasma cells causes kidney damage without meeting the hematological criteria for malignancy. Among the various forms of involvement, MGRS can manifest as a proximal tubule disorder, such as Fanconi syndrome (FS), characterized by urinary loss of phosphate, glucose, amino acids, uric acid and bicarbonate. Few cases of MGRS have been described in the literature, manifesting as FS and monoclonal production of lambda light chains, almost all of which are secondary to the production of kappa light chains.

POEMS Syndrome: Real World Experience in Diagnosis and Systemic Therapy - 108 Patients Multicenter Analysis.

POEMS syndrome, a rare plasma cell disorder, is challenging both in the diagnostic and therapeutic management. We present real word retrospective analysis of 108 cases analyzing clinical features and therapeutic modes. We compare our results with the available literature.

Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular Consensus on genetically modified cells. IV: CAR-T cell therapy for multiple myeloma patients.

Extraordinary progress has been made over the last decade in the treatment of multiple myeloma with the incorporation of new drugs, particularly proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators, and monoclonal antibodies. The combined use of innovative drugs, already in the first lines of treatment, has led to an expressive increase in the survival of these patients. However, the approach to relapse remains a great challenge, and the disease continues to be incurable.

Results of the daratumumab monotherapy early access treatment protocol in patients from Brazil with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Introduction: Daratumumab is a CD38-targeting monoclonal antibody with established efficacy and safety in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We report results of an early access protocol (EAP) of daratumumab monotherapy for RRMM in a cohort of Brazilian patients.

Methods: Patients with RRMM and ≥3 prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD), or who were double refractory to both a PI and IMiD received daratumumab, 16 mg/kg, intravenously weekly for 8 weeks, biweekly for 16 weeks, and every 4 weeks thereafter until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, loss of clinical benefit, or study conclusion or if daratumumab became available with reimbursement.

Managing patients with multiple myeloma during the COVID-19 pandemic: recommendations from an expert panel - ABHH monoclonal gammopathies committe.

Since the World has been facing the COVID-19 pandemic, special attention has been taken concerning cancer patients; related to their immunosuppression status, adding risk for more aggressive COVID-19 and mortality, but also concerns about the access and the quality of care in cancer therapy. The COVID-19 pandemic impacts the number of infected, its related mortality, as well as the care of cancer patients. Multiple myeloma patients are a particular group with several important aspects to be considered during pandemic times.

Superiority of the triple combination of bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone versus cyclophosphamide, thalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, eligible for transplantation.

Background: The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has evolved significantly in the past decade, and new drug combinations have improved the response rates and prolonged survival. Studies comparing different induction chemotherapy regimens have shown that triple combinations have better results than double combinations. However, comparisons among different triple combinations are rare in the literature.

Effect of thalidomide on bone marrow angiogenesis in multiple myeloma patients.

Background: Bone marrow angiogenesis is increased in multiple myeloma (MM) patients, prompting the rationale for using antiangiogenic drugs in the treatment of these patients.

Objective: To assess angiogenesis in patients with MM at diagnosis and following treatment with an antiangiogenic drug.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-three patients with newly diagnosed MM were treated with thalidomide-based regimens.

New proteasome inhibitors in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

The treatment of patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma has improved considerably in the last 15 years, after the introduction of proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs. The first clinical trials with new proteasome inhibitors have produced exciting results, particularly those comparing triplet regimens with standard doublet regimens, with a gain in progression-free survival accompanied by an acceptable safety profile and either similar or better health-related quality of life. New proteasome inhibitors hold the potential to fill unmet needs in multiple myeloma management regarding improvement of clinical outcomes, including delayed progression of disease in high-risk patients.

Survival differences in multiple myeloma in Latin America and Asia: a comparison involving 3664 patients from regional registries.

In previous observational studies, we have separately characterized patients with multiple myeloma (MM) both from Latin America (LA) and from Asia. Here, we analyze these two datasets jointly, in order to assess the overall survival (OS) in these two world regions. Data were available from 3664 patients (1968 from LA and 1696 from Asia); all of whom diagnosed between 1998 and 2007.

Multiple myeloma and central nervous system involvement: experience of a Brazilian center.

Introduction: The estimated involvement of the central nervous system in patients with multiple myeloma is rare at about 1%. The infiltration can be identified at the time multiple myeloma is diagnosed or during its progression. However, it is more common in refractory disease or during relapse.

For survival, the emergence of oligoclonal bands after multiple myeloma treatment is less important than achieving complete remission.

Background: The emergence of oligoclonal bands, proteins differing from those originally identified at diagnosis, has been reported in multiple myeloma patients after high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation and after successful conventional chemotherapy. The clinical relevance of oligoclonal bands remains unclear, but their emergence has been associated with better prognosis. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics and prognostic impact of the presence of oligoclonal bands in multiple myeloma patients.

Is it feasible to use granulocyte-colony stimulating factor alone to mobilize progenitor cells in multiple myeloma patients induced with a cyclophosphamide, thalidomide and dexamethasone regimen?

Background: Cyclophosphamide plus thalidomide as induction for multiple myeloma patients eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation may be a limiting factor for cell mobilization. The minimum acceptable mobilized peripheral blood stem cell count to prevent deleterious effects during transplantation is 2.0×10 CD34 cells/kg.

Outcomes of autologous transplantation for multiple myeloma according to different induction regimens.

Background: Induction therapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous transplantation is the standard treatment for suitable patients with multiple myeloma.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether induction therapy with thalidomidecontaining regimens was associated with improved results compared to vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone, and whether cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, and dexamethasone were associated with better results than thalidomide and dexamethasone.

Methods: The records of 152 patients who underwent autologous transplantation at this institution from August of 2004 to January of 2012 were reviewed, selecting those with at least partial response to a maximum of eight cycles of induction therapy and sufficient follow-up information for analysis.

Transcriptomic rationale for the synergy observed with dasatinib + bortezomib + dexamethasone in multiple myeloma.

Despite the advantage observed with novel drugs such as bortezomib, thalidomide, or lenalidomide, multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable and there is a clear need for new drugs or combinations based on the pathogenetic mechanism of MM. One of the proposed mechanisms in MM pathogenesis is the involvement of kinase molecules in the growth and survival of myelomatous cells. In this study, we have explored the optimal combination for dasatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in MM cells.