Prognostic factors and outcomes in metastatic uveal melanoma treated with programmed cell death-1 or combined PD-1/cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 inhibition.

Background: Uveal melanoma (UM) is an ocular malignancy with high potential for metastatic spread. In contrast to cutaneous melanoma, immunotherapy has not yet shown convincing efficacy in patients with UM. Combined immune checkpoint blockade with checkpoint programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and checkpoint cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) inhibition has not been systematically assessed for UM to date.

Incidence and risk factors of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in multiple myeloma patients having undergone autologous stem cell transplantation.

Background: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a severe complication of bisphosphonate therapy. Due to their long survival and subsequently high cumulative doses of bisphosphonates, multiple myeloma patients have the highest risk of developing BRONJ of all patients treated with bisphosphonates. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for BRONJ in multiple myeloma patients after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).

Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor A771726 (leflunomide) induces apoptosis and diminishes proliferation of multiple myeloma cells.

Multiple myeloma is still an incurable disease; therefore, new therapeutics are urgently needed. A771726 is the active metabolite of the immunosuppressive drug leflunomide, which is currently applied in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, BK virus nephropathy, and cytomegaly viremia. Here, we show that dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is commonly expressed in multiple myeloma cell lines and primary multiple myeloma cells.

Tumor patients in psychodynamic psychotherapy including daydreaming: can imagery enhance primary process and positive emotions?

This therapy process study investigates the use of guided affective imagery for tumor patients. The therapeutic access to tumor patients is generally described as complex and challenging because of a disturbed emotion regulation and a defensive focus on reality. After autologous blood stem cell transplantation, 29 patients were treated with psychotherapy, including two daydreaming imagery sessions.

Inhibition of lymphocyte function associated antigen 1 by LFA878 induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells and is associated with downregulation of the focal adhesion kinase/phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt pathway.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is still an incurable disease and adhesion of MM cells to bone marrow stromal cells is one of the hallmarks of the disease. Lymphocyte function associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) is an adhesion molecule that mediates lymphocyte adhesion, but its role in MM is only poorly understood. The aim of the presented study was to improve knowledge on LFA-1 and associated pathways in MM for the development of molecular targeted therapies.

First clinical experience with simvastatin to overcome drug resistance in refractory multiple myeloma.

In vitro statins overcome cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance at non-toxic concentrations that are achievable in humans by standard dose simvastatin. A pilot phase-II trial was initiated to determine feasibility and antimyeloma efficacy. In six myeloma patients refractory to two cycles of bortezomib or bendamustine simvastatin was concomitantly administered during further two cycles.

Social support and quality of life of patients prior to stem cell or bone marrow transplantation.

Objectives: To determine the positive and detrimental aspects of social support prior to allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation/stem cell transplantation.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Methods: Patients completed the German version of the Illness-specific Social Support Scale (ISSS) and the Quality of Life (QoL) Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30).

Social support, affectivity, and the quality of life of patients and their support-givers prior to stem cell transplantation.

Purpose: To determine differences and interdependencies between patients and their support-givers prior to PBSCT.

Method: Patients and their principal support-givers completed the Illness- Specific Social Support Scale (ISSS), the Profile of Mood States, and the EORTC QLQ-C30.

Results: One hundred fifty-five of 200 eligible patients replied.