Increased serum B-cell maturation antigen levels evaluated with an Elecsys-based serum B-cell maturation antigen assay have a negative prognostic value in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Background: Serum B-cell maturation antigen (sBCMA) levels have emerged as a potential biomarker for disease monitoring in multiple myeloma (MM) with prognostic value.

Methods: Herein, we evaluated the sBCMA levels in 166 patients with newly diagnosed MM with an Elecsys-based sBCMA assay.

Results: Increased sBCMA levels at diagnosis were correlated with inferior survival outcomes in terms of both progression-free and overall survival.

From Biology to Clinical Practice: The Bone Marrow Microenvironment in Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a complex hematological malignancy characterized by the clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells within bone marrow (BM) [...

Effects of Exercise Training on the Bone Marrow Immune Microenvironment and Minimal Residual Disease in Multiple Myeloma Patients Following First-Line Treatment.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of exercise training on the bone marrow immune microenvironment and on minimal residual disease of multiple myeloma patients who completed first-line induction treatment. Eight multiple myeloma patients underwent 5 months of exercise training along with standard medical treatment. Eight age- and sex-matched patients who received medical treatment only, served as controls.

ciRS-7 circular RNA overexpression in plasma cells is a promising molecular biomarker of unfavorable prognosis in multiple myeloma.

Several non-coding RNAs are known to be associated with the pathobiology and progression of multiple myeloma (MM). ciRS-7 (also known as CDR1-AS), a key oncogenic circular RNA (circRNA) that sponges miR-7-5p and other cancer-related microRNAs, was recently found to be downregulated in malignant plasma cells resistant to immunomodulatory drugs. Considering that various circRNAs have a strong potential as molecular biomarkers, we aimed to investigate the expression of ciRS-7 in plasma cell disorders, assess its prognostic importance in MM, and compare these findings with those of individuals with smoldering MM (SMM) and monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS).

Low circulating tumor cell levels correlate with favorable outcomes and distinct biological features in multiple myeloma.

There is growing interest in multiple myeloma (MM) circulating tumor cells (CTCs), but their rareness in peripheral blood (PB) and inconsistency in cutoffs question their clinical utility. Herein, we applied next-generation flow cytometry in 550 bone marrow (BM) and matched PB samples to define an optimal CTC cutoff for both transplant-eligible and transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients. Deep phenotyping was performed to investigate unique microenvironmental features associated with CTC dissemination.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma After Exposure to Lenalidomide in First Line of Therapy: A Single Center Database Review in Greece.

Background: The increasing use of lenalidomide (Len) in first-line (1L) therapy of multiple myeloma (MM) has led to a significant proportion of patients becoming Len-refractory following 1L treatment. However, there are limited real-world data on treatment strategies and outcomes of patients who become Len-refractory following 1L therapy.

Patients And Methods: This real-world retrospective cohort study analyzed Len-refractory and non-Len-refractory patients who received 1L Len and initiated second-line (2L) therapy at a Greek MM center.

Association of Mediterranean diet adherence with disease progression, quality of life and physical activity, sociodemographic and anthropometric parameters, and serum biomarkers in community-dwelling older adults with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) constitutes a chronic inflammatory and degenerative demyelinating disease, which can progressively lead to a broad range of sensorimotor, cognitive, visual, and autonomic function symptoms, independently of patient' age. However, the clinical studies that examine the role of dietary patterns against disease progression and symptomatology remain extremely scarce, especially concerning Mediterranean diet (MD) in the subgroup age of older adults with MS.

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the potential impact of MD compliance in disease progression and symptoms severity as well as quality of life and physical activity of community-dwelling older adults with MS.

Exploring the molecular biomarker utility of circCCT3 in multiple myeloma: A favorable prognostic indicator, particularly for R-ISS II patients.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are associated with the pathobiology of multiple myeloma (MM). Recent findings regarding circCCT3 support its involvement in the development and progression of MM, through microRNA sponging. Thus, we aimed to examine the expression of circCCT3 in smoldering and symptomatic MM and to assess its clinical importance.

Associations between Mediterranean Diet Adherence, Quality of Life, and Mental Health in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MD) is well-known as a diet which may exert a protective effect against neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). To date, only a few clinical surveys have assessed the potential effects of the MD in patients with MS. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the potential effects of MD compliance on disease disability, quality of life, physical activity, depressive symptomatology, and blood biochemical parameters related to nutritional status in MS patients, considering several socio-demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle characteristics.

Belantamab mafodotin, lenalidomide and dexamethasone in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: part 1 results of a phase I/II study.

Preclinical and clinical data demonstrate synergy between belantamab mafodotin (belamaf) and immunomodulatory drugs with limited overlapping toxicities. We investigated the safety and efficacy of belamaf with lenalidomide 25 mg on days 1-21 every 28 days and dexamethasone 40 mg weekly (belamaf-Rd) in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Thirty-six patients (median age, 72.

Thrombotic and bleeding complications in patients with AL amyloidosis.

Haemostatic abnormalities and deregulated coagulation are common complications in AL amyloidosis. The relevant risks of thromboembolic and haemorrhagic events have not been thoroughly evaluated. To describe clinically significant thrombotic/haemorrhagic events in 450 consecutive patients with AL amyloidosis.

Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis against COVID-19 for Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Prospective Study in the Omicron Era.

tixagevimab/cilgavimab, distributed under the name "Evusheld", was the first available pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 other than vaccination. It received an EUA from the FDA after sufficient trial data showed efficacy in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections and subsequent severe disease. Its potential benefits for high-risk immunocompromised patients generated a lot of interest.

Impact of daratumumab on stem cell mobilization and collection, engraftment and early post-transplant complications among multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation.

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains a standard therapy for multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Our study aimed to assess the impact of daratumumab-containing induction on stem cell (SC) mobilization, apheresis and hospitalization. We evaluated 200 newly diagnosed MM patients that were mobilized for SC collection and which received induction with ( = 40) or without daratumumab ( = 160).

Real World Efficacy and Toxicity of Selinexor: Importance of Patient Characteristics, Dose Intensity and Post Progression Outcomes.

Backgound: Selinexor is an orally available selective inhibitor of exportin-1 that has offered a new treatment option in relapsed or refractory myeloma (RRMM) either in combination with dexamethasone (Sd) or with bortezomib and dexamethasone (SVd).

Patients-methods: We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of selinexor combinations in the real world, post progression therapies and their outcomes. The analysis included 44 patients with RRMM treated with Sd (N = 21, 48%) or SVd (N = 23, 52%).

Outcomes of patients with light chain (AL) amyloidosis after failure of daratumumab-based therapy.

As daratumumab use in AL amyloidosis increases, more patients will either relapse after or become refractory to daratumumab. We present the outcome of 33 patients with AL who failed on daratumumab (due to haematological relapse in 21 [64%] patients and inadequate haematological response in 12 [36%]) and received further treatment. Overall response rate in the post-daratumumab failure treatment was 55% (CR/VGPR: 14 [42%] and PR: 3 [9%] patients).

Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Belantamab Mafodotin Monotherapy in Triple-Class Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a promising therapeutic target for multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of monotherapy with the conjugated anti-BCMA monoclonal antibody belantamab mafodotin in triple-class refractory patients with MM in real-world practice. Patients refractory to at least one proteasome inhibitor, one immunomodulatory drug, and one anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody received belantamab mafodotin at 2.