Accuracy and prognostic impact of FDG PET/CT and biopsy in bone marrow assessment of follicular lymphoma at diagnosis: A Nation-Wide cohort study.

Backgound: In the workup of follicular lymphoma (FL), bone marrow biopsy (BMB) assessment is a key component of FLIPI and FLIPI2, the most widely used outcome scores. During the previous decade, several studies explored the role of FDG-PET/CT for detecting nodal and extranodal disease, with only one large study comparing both techniques.

Methods: The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and the prognostic impact of both procedures in a retrospective cohort of 299 FL patients with both tests performed at diagnosis.

IBRORS-MCL study: a Spanish retrospective and observational study of relapsed/refractory mantle-cell lymphoma treated with ibrutinib in routine clinical practice.

This retrospective study evaluated 66 patients diagnosed with relapsed and/or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (R/R MCL) treated with ibrutinib in Spain in routine clinical practice. At diagnosis, patients had a median age of 64.5 years, 63.

SEGHI Study: Defining the Best Surveillance Strategy in Hodgkin Lymphoma after First-Line Treatment.

The optimal strategy for early surveillance after first complete response is unclear in Hodgkin lymphoma. Thus, we compared the various follow-up strategies in a multicenter study. All the included patients had a negative positron emission tomography/computed tomography at the end of induction therapy.

Bone marrow biopsy superiority over PET/CT in predicting progression-free survival in a homogeneously-treated cohort of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Several studies have reported uneven results when evaluating the prognostic value of bone marrow biopsy (BMB) and PET/CT as part of the staging of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The heterogeneity of the inclusion criteria and not taking into account selection and collinearity biases in the analysis models might explain part of these discrepancies. To address this issue we have carried a retrospective multicenter study including 268 DLBCL patients with a BMB and a PET/CT available at diagnosis where we estimated both the prognosis impact and the diagnostic accuracy of each technique.

Rituximab response in follicular lymphoma is associated with the rs20575 polymorphism in TRAILR1 extrinsic apoptosis trigger.

Objective: Rituximab in combination with chemotherapy has been proven to increase progression-free and overall survival in follicular lymphoma (FL), but there is considerable interindividual variability in the response. Extrinsic pathway apoptosis triggered by death receptors seems to be involved in the mechanism of action of monoclonal antibodies. This study aimed to assess the association between TRAILR1/TRAIL polymorphisms (rs20575, rs20576, rs2230229, rs12488654) and rituximab response and the relationship with FASL rs763110, previously found to be associated with rituximab response.

Phase II trial of ofatumumab plus ESHAP (O-ESHAP) as salvage treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after first-line chemotherapy.

The management of recurrent/refractory (R/R) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) remains challenging. Previously published data have shown some efficacy of rituximab in this setting. The purpose of this phase II trial was to investigate the activity of ofatumumab in combination with etoposide, steroids, cytarabine and cisplatin (O-ESHAP) in 62 patients with R/R classical HL.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm frequently shows occult central nervous system involvement at diagnosis and benefits from intrathecal therapy.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare aggressive myeloid neoplasm which shows a high rate of central nervous system (CNS) recurrence and overall survival (OS) of <1 year. Despite this, screening for CNS involvement is not routinely performed at diagnosis and intrathecal (IT) prophylaxis is not regularly administered in BPDCN. Here, we prospectively evaluated 13 consecutive BPDCN patients for the presence of CNS involvement by flow cytometry.

Recommendations on the clinical use of bendamustine in lymphoproliferative syndromes and multiple myeloma.

Bendamustine is an increasingly used hybrid alkylating agent that is active in lymphoid neoplasias via a novel mechanism of action. There are some pending questions about its use in clinical practice because of its developmental features. A consensus panel of several leading Spanish hematologists with broad experience in the clinical use of bendamustine has established recommendations for the management and treatment of hematological patients with bendamustine based on available clinical data and the experience of the participants.

The role of bone marrow biopsy and FDG-PET/CT in identifying bone marrow infiltration in the initial diagnosis of high grade non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. Accuracy in a multicenter series of 372 patients.

Bone marrow infiltration (BMI), categorized as an extra-nodal site, affects stage and is associated with poor prognosis in newly diagnosed lymphoma patients. We have evaluated the accuracy of PET/CT and bone marrow biopsy (BMB) to assess BMI in 372 lymphoma patients [140 Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) and 232 High Grade B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (HG B-NHL), among them 155 Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLCL)]. For HL cases, and taking into account PET/CT, sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy were 96.

Intensification treatment based on early FDG-PET in patients with high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a phase II GELTAMO trial.

We conducted a multicentre, phase II study of interim positron emission tomography (PET) as a guide to risk-adapted therapy in high-risk patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Patients achieving negative fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET after three courses of R-MegaCHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) received three additional courses, whereas PET-positive patients received two courses of R-IFE (rituximab, ifosfamide, etoposide) followed by BEAM (BCNU, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) and autologous stem-cell transplantation. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).

Association of polymorphisms in TRAIL1 and TRAILR1 genes with susceptibility to lymphomas.

The TRAILR1/TRAIL system is implicated in the induction of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway and constitutes an emerging target in cancer therapeutics. The objective of this study is to assess lymphoma risk associated with certain polymorphisms in TRAILR1 and TRAIL1 genes. DNA was extracted from 381 subjects (190 lymphoma cases and 191 matched controls) and genotyped for polymorphisms rs20576, rs2230229 and rs20575 in TRAILR1 and rs12488654 in TRAIL gene.

Polymorphisms in xenobiotic metabolizing genes (EPHX1, NQO1 and PON1) in lymphoma susceptibility: a case control study.

Background: The interplay between genetic susceptibility and carcinogenic exposure is important in the development of haematopoietic malignancies. EPHX1, NQO1 and PON1 are three genes encoding proteins directly involved in the detoxification of potential carcinogens.

Methods: We have studied the prevalence of three functional polymorphisms affecting these genes rs1051740 EPHX1, rs1800566 NQO1 and rs662 PON1 in 215 patients with lymphoma and 214 healthy controls.

Role of GSTT1 and M1 null genotypes as risk factors for B-cell lymphoma: influence of geographical factors and occupational exposure.

The interrelationship between genetic susceptibility and carcinogenic exposure is important in the development of haematopoietic malignancies. Both factors need to be considered to enable assessment of disease risk associated with a given individual under certain environmental conditions. GSTT1 and GSTM1 are two genes whose proteins are involved in the detoxification of potential carcinogens.

Clinical significance of occult cerebrospinal fluid involvement assessed by flow cytometry in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients at high risk of central nervous system disease in the rituximab era.

Background And Aim: Flow cytometry (FCM) analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is more sensitive than conventional cytology (CC) for diagnosis of lymphomatous meningeosis, but the clinical significance of occult central nervous system (CNS) disease (positive FCM with negative CC) remains unknown.

Patients And Methods: CSF samples from 105 patients with newly diagnosed aggressive lymphomas at high risk of CNS involvement were prospectively studied by both CC and FCM, and results were correlated with cumulative incidence of CNS relapse and overall survival (OS). Patients were divided into three groups: 1) patients without CNS involvement (CC-/FCM-; n=83); 2) individuals with occult CNS disease (FCM+/CC-; n=15); and 3) cases with CNS disease (CC+/FCM+; n=7).

[Hepatitis B reactivation in an HbsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive patient with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma receiving chemotherapy with rituximab].

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection in patients with resolved infection is rare and is usually associated with immunosuppressive therapy. Morbidity and mortality are high. Some cases of hepatitis B reactivation associated with the use of rituximab have previously been published.

Inhibition of proteasome by bortezomib causes intracellular aggregation of hepatic serpins and increases the latent circulating form of antithrombin.

Conformational diseases include heterogeneous disorders sharing a similar pathological mechanism, leading to intracellular aggregation of proteins with toxic effects. Serpins are commonly involved in these diseases. These are structurally sensitive molecules that modify their folding under even minor genetic or environmental variations.

Fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and mitoxantrone as initial therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: high response rate and disease eradication.

Purpose: Fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and mitoxantrone (FCM) results in a high response rate in previously treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The aim of this study was to investigate FCM as frontline therapy in CLL.

Experimental Design: Sixty-nine patients under the age of 65 years with active CLL were treated.

Evaluation of four rapid methods for hemoglobin screening of whole blood donors in mobile collection settings.

Introduction: Predonation hemoglobin measurement is a problematic requirement in mobile donation settings, where accurate determination of venous hemoglobin by hematology analyzers is not available.

Objective: We have evaluated hemoglobin screening in prospective donors by the semiquantitative copper sulphate test and by capillary blood samples analyzed by three portable photometers, HemoCue, STAT-Site MHgb, and the CompoLab HB system.

Methods: Capillary blood samples were obtained from 380 donors and tested by the copper sulphate test and by at least one of the named portable photometers.

Antithrombin Cambridge II (A384S): an underestimated genetic risk factor for venous thrombosis.

The antithrombin A384S mutation has a relatively high frequency in the British population but has not been identified in other populations. This variant has been associated with cases of thrombotic disease, but its clinical relevance in venous thrombosis remained unclear. We have conducted a secondary analysis of the prevalence of the mutation in a large case-control study, including 1018 consecutive Spanish patients with venous thromboembolism.

L-asparaginase-induced antithrombin type I deficiency: implications for conformational diseases.

Serpinopathies, a group of diseases caused by mutations that disrupt the structurally sensitive serpins, have no known acquired cause. Interestingly, l-asparaginase treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients causes severe deficiency in the serpin antithrombin. We studied the consequences of this drug on antithrombin levels, activity, conformation, and immunohistological and ultrastructural features in plasma from acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients, HepG2 cells, and plasma and livers from mice treated with this drug.

A nonsense polymorphism in the protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor increases the risk for venous thrombosis.

The protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI) is a hemostatic serpin with anticoagulant activity. As for antithrombin, deficiency of ZPI could have relevant thrombotic consequences. We have studied 6 genetic modifications affecting the ZPI gene, identifying 5 haplotypes.

Evaluation of a new whole-blood filter that allows preparation of platelet concentrates by platelet-rich plasma methods.

Background: A novel WBC-reduction in-line whole-blood (WB) filter that does not retain platelets was evaluated to assess the filtration performance and, after processing WB by the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) method, to analyze the storage quality of filtered platelet concentrate (PC) units.

Study Design And Methods: To analyze the filter retention, blood was collected from random donors into quadruple blood packs with an integral in-line filter (Imuflex WB-SP, Terumo; n = 25) or in standard triple bag systems (n = 30). To assess the in vitro storage characteristics of platelets, 26 WB units were pooled in pairs and redistributed into 13 units that underwent WBC reduction and 13 units that were not WBC reduced.

Prothrombin A19911G and G20210A polymorphisms' role in thrombosis.

The prothrombin G20210A polymorphism, which correlates with the plasmatic prothombin levels, is the second genetic risk factor for deep venous thrombosis (DVT), although its prothrombotic role is mild. Recently, the prothrombin A19911G polymorphism, also associated with slight variations of the prothrombin level, has been suggested to modulate the thrombotic risk of the G20210A polymorphism in a preliminary study including few patients and controls. Our study evaluated the effect of the A19911G polymorphism in the arterial and venous thrombotic risk of the prothrombin 20210G/A genotype, analysing 204 consecutive DVT patients and 204 matched controls.