COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Patients with Multiple Myeloma and AL Amyloidosis: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study from India.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake has been comparable, if not higher, in LMICs (Low- and Middle-Income Countries) than in developed nations. Patients with plasma cell disorders are at a higher risk for developing COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality due to impaired immune responses. We report the outcome of active counselling for COVID-19 vaccines in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and AL amyloidosis and the reasons for hesitancy in those unvaccinated.

Relevance of flow cytometric categorization and end-of-induction measurable residual disease assessment in pediatric and adult T-lymphoblastic leukemia patients.

Background: T-lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients expressing myeloid/stem cell antigens are classified as early T-cell precursor lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL) or near-ETP-ALL.

Methods: Clinico-laboratory profiles, flow cytometric end-of-induction measurable residual disease (EOI-MRD), and survival of treatment naïve T-ALL patients were analyzed according to their immunophenotypic subtypes.

Results: Among 81 consecutive T-ALL patients diagnosed, 21% (N=17) were ETP-ALL and 19% (N=15) were near-ETP-ALL.

Therapeutic Outcomes in High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma, NOS: Retrospective Analysis.

The nomenclature high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was repurposed in the World Health Organization (WHO) 2016 update as high-grade B cell lymphoma (HGBL). However, among the HGBL entities HGBL, not otherwise specified (NOS) remains a poorly described entity with a lack of literature regarding its treatment and prognosis. The baseline characteristics, treatment, and outcome of HGBL, NOS cases were analyzed.

High Counts in Hematologic Malignancies Predict Low Metaphase Yield for Cytogenetic Analysis.

Objectives: This study examined the impact of various preanalytical variables on metaphase yield in hematologic malignancies.

Methods: Marrow samples from patients with hematologic malignancies that were subjected to cytogenetic analysis were categorized into two groups: one with samples that yielded an adequate number of metaphases, defined as at least 20, and a second with a low number of metaphases (LNM), having fewer than 20 metaphases. Age, sex, bone marrow nucleated cell (MNC) count, and peripheral blood counts (hemoglobin, total WBC count, and platelet count) were analyzed for an association with LNM.

Cost Effectiveness of Ribociclib and Palbociclib in the Second-Line Treatment of Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer in Post-Menopausal Indian Women.

Background: In this study, we evaluate the cost and outcomes of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) plus fulvestrant, fulvestrant alone, and conventional chemotherapy as the second-line therapy for hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in India.

Methods: Using a Markov model, the clinical effectiveness of managing HR+, HER2- MBC in postmenopausal women with either a CDK4/6i (either ribociclib or palbociclib) and fulvestrant, fulvestrant alone, and chemotherapy (single-agent paclitaxel or capecitabine) was measured in terms of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). The costs were estimated from two different points of view: scenario I, as per the prevailing market prices of the drugs; and scenario II, as per the reimbursement rates set up by the publicly financed national health insurance scheme.