Nelarabine-combined chemotherapy improves outcome of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia but shows more severe neurotoxicity: JALSG T-ALL213-O.

We investigated the effectiveness and safety of nelarabine (NEL)-combined chemotherapy for newly diagnosed adult T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients. We conducted a phase II trial, T-ALL213-O, where adult T-ALL patients aged 25 to 64 were treated by a regimen based on that used in our previous study, ALL202-O. The main modifications from ALL202-O to T-ALL213-O were as follows: (1) NEL-combined chemotherapy, instead of consolidation (C)1, was used for non-complete remission (CR) patients after induction therapy (IND)1 as IND2; (2) NEL treatments were inserted into C3 and C5 on day 29.

[Board-certified "hematologist" and "clinical laboratory physician": double jobbing-flow with the tide].

The Women Doctors Career Symposium entitled "Dreams: Female Hematologists' Talk" was held at the 84th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Hematology. I would like to share my experience as a board-certified "hematologist" and "clinical laboratory physician." Certified clinical laboratory physician is one of the 19 fundamental areas in the Japanese Medical Specialty board, but the number is small, and it is also an area where hematologists can easily face challenges.

Clinical and genetic features of Japanese cases of MDS associated with VEXAS syndrome.

VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome is a new disease entity with autoinflammatory disorders (AID) driven by somatic variants in UBA1 that frequently co-exists with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Clinicopathological and molecular features of Japanese cases with VEXAS-associated MDS remain elusive. We previously reported high prevalence of UBA1 variants in Japanese patients with relapsing polychondritis, in which 5 cases co-occurred with MDS.

[Treatment strategy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adolescent and young adults].

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adolescents and young adults (AYA) is a relatively new concept that refers to patients aged 15-39 years with unique pathophysiology and requiring specific clinical care. Many clinical studies have revealed that treatment with the pediatric protocol has better disease-free and overall survival than the adult protocol for AYA-ALL. AYA-ALL survival was significantly improved from 30% with the adult regimen to 60-70% with the pediatric regimen.

Vaccine-induced humoral response against SARS-CoV-2 dramatically declined but cellular immunity possibly remained at 6 months post BNT162b2 vaccination.

To evaluate vaccine-induced humoral and cell-mediated immunity at 6 months after completion of two doses of BNT162b2 vaccination, immunoglobulin G against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP IgG), 50% neutralizing antibody (NT), and spot-forming cell (SFC) counts were evaluated by interferon-γ releasing ELISpot assay of 98 healthy subjects (median age, 43 years). The geometric mean titers of SP IgG and NT decreased from 95.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 79.

Two novel high-risk adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia subtypes with high expression of CDX2 and IDH1/2 mutations.

The genetic basis of leukemogenesis in adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is largely unclear, and its clinical outcome remains unsatisfactory. This study aimed to advance the understanding of biological characteristics, improve disease stratification, and identify molecular targets of adult B-ALL. Adolescents and young adults (AYA) (15 to 39 years old, n = 193) and adults (40 to 64 years old, n = 161) with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) B-ALL were included in this study.

Passenger lymphocyte syndrome after ABO-incompatible allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; dynamics of ABO allo-antibody and blood type conversion.

Passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS) is a specific subtype of graft versus host disease (GVHD) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) characterized by an immune-mediated hemolysis caused by donor-derived B cells. However, precise nature of PLS has not been well characterized due to its rarity. We herein report two cases of PLS following ABO-incompatible HSCT whose clinical course and dynamics of anti-ABO allo-antibody and blood type conversion were closely examined.

Highly specific monoclonal antibodies and epitope identification against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein for antigen detection tests.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major global public health concern. Although rapid point-of-care testing for detecting viral antigen is important for management of the outbreak, the current antigen tests are less sensitive than nucleic acid testing. In our current study, we produce monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that exclusively react with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and exhibit no cross-reactivity with other human coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for culture-negative periprosthetic joint infections.

Background: Culture-negative periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) can complicate diagnosis and management of PJI. This study aimed to identify risk factors for culture-negative PJI and differences in clinical characteristics between culture-positive and culture-negative PJI group.

Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study evaluated PJI cases obtained between January 2013 and October 2019 at our institution.

Combination of clofarabine, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide in adult relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a phase 1/2 dose-escalation study by the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group.

This phase 1/2 study aimed to identify the maximum tolerated dose, the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), and efficacy of the clofarabine, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide combination regimen in adult patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients aged ≥ 15 years with relapsed/refractory ALL were enrolled. Escalating doses of clofarabine (20-30 mg/m/day × 5 days), etoposide (50-100 mg/m/day × 5 days), and cyclophosphamide (200-440 mg/m/day × 5 days) were administered.

Establishment of a High-risk MDS/AML Cell Line YCU-AML1 and its Xenograft Model Harboring t(3;3) and Monosomy 7.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with both inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2) and monosomy 7 defines an extremely aggressive myeloid cancer whose molecular pathogenesis and optimal therapeutic strategy still remain unclear.

Computed tomography-defined sarcopenia: prognostic predictor of nonrelapse mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a multicenter retrospective study.

We analyzed clinical cutoffs for defining computed tomography (CT) methods for sarcopenia and examined the prognostic value of CT for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCST) outcomes of patients with myeloid malignancy. One hundred twenty-five adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome who underwent first allo-HSCT between 2000 and 2017 were included. Sarcopenia was assessed using CT-based skeletal muscle index (SMI) and mean muscle attenuation at L3.

Clinical application of a new latex photometric immunoassay reagent, LPIA-GENESIS D-dimer, and its performance in patient-derived plasma samples.

Introduction: We previously reported an antibody MIF-220 that recognizes a specific structure induced on the surface of thrombin-activated E-domain of one fibrin molecule bound with the D-domains of other fibrinogen/fibrin molecules. Utilizing MIF-220, we produced a test kit for cross-linked fibrin degradation products (XDP), LPIA-GENESIS D-dimer (LG-DD), and evaluated basic performance characteristics for clinical application. We then attempted to apply LG-DD to see its eligibility in clinical plasma samples.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for aplastic anemia with pre-transplant conditioning using fludarabine, reduced-dose cyclophosphamide, and low-dose thymoglobulin: A KSGCT prospective study.

The optimal pre-transplant conditioning for aplastic anemia (AA) remains unclear. We performed a prospective study on allogeneic transplantation from a related or unrelated donor for adult patients with AA. We assessed whether reduced-dose cyclophosphamide (CY) could decrease toxicity while maintaining engraftment, and low-dose thymoglobulin could safely prevent graft-vs-host disease (GVHD).

Differences in Diagnostic Properties Between Standard and Enrichment Culture Techniques Used in Periprosthetic Joint Infections.

Background: Culture-negative infections can complicate the diagnosis and management of orthopedic infections, particularly periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). This study aimed to identify differences in rate of detection of infection and organisms between cultured using standard and enriched methods.

Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study evaluated PJI samples obtained between January 2013 and December 2017 at Yokohama City University Hospital.

Impact of treatment-related weight changes from diagnosis to hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation on clinical outcome of acute myeloid leukemia.

We hypothesized that treatment-related weight loss is associated with worse outcomes following HSCT. Overall, 184 patients with AML who underwent induction therapy were classified according to d-BMI (BMI at transplant minus BMI at diagnosis) (kg/m) as < -2, - 2 to + 2, and > + 2. At 1 year, OS was 67.

Septicemia from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, from a Probiotic Enriched Yogurt, in a Patient with Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation.

Probiotic-rich foods are consumed without much restriction. We report here, a case of septic shock caused by yogurt derived Lactobacillus species in a 54-year-old male patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia, in second complete remission, and who was an autologous stem cell transplantation recipient. He received high dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

A multi-center prospective study randomizing the use of fat emulsion in intensive glucose control after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using a myeloablative conditioning regimen.

Background & Aims: Although parenteral nutrition (PN) is often used after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), there is controversy regarding PN management, for instance in the use of fat emulsion and glucose control (GC). To clarify these issues, we conducted a multi-center prospective study with intensive GC, randomizing the use of fat emulsion after allo-HSCT using a myeloablative conditioning regimen.

Methods: The primary endpoint was the cumulative incidence of documented infectious disease, namely bacterial and fungal infection, at day 100 after allo-HSCT.