Perifoveal exudative vascular anomalous complex (PEVAC) resembling lesion in a patient with multiple myeloma.

Purpose: To report a case of a perifoveal exudative vascular anomalous complex (PEVAC) resembling lesion in a patient with multiple myeloma.

Observations: A 56-year-old male with multiple myeloma presented with sudden moderate vision loss in the right eye. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in his right eye.

Epidemiological Characteristics and Outcome of Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in the First Year After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Adverse outcomes of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs) have been reported in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Using a laboratory-developed multiparameter polymerase chain reaction in a consecutive series of 242 patients, we found the highest incidence of viral RTI in the preengraftment phase. The occurrence of multiple episodes of viral RTI or viral pneumonia was significantly associated with a higher hazard of nonrelapse mortality in the first year after transplantation.

Evaluation of AQUIOS STEM, a novel method for automated CD34+ stem cell enumeration using flow cytometry.

Objectives: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment for various diseases. The measurement of CD34+ cells is crucial to schedule the peripheral blood stem cell collection and assess the engraftment potential of the apheresis product. The AQUIOS STEM system has been introduced as a novel application on the AQUIOS CL, a fully automated flow cytometer, for the enumeration of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) in accordance with the The International Society for Hematotherapy and Graft Engineering guidelines.

Infectious diarrhea after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation assessed by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of infectious diarrhea after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay and assess risk factors for developing infectious diarrhea.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study of 140 consecutive allogeneic HCT recipients. Infectious diarrhea was assessed using a laboratory-developed multiplex polymerase chain reaction the first year after transplantation.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as an inguinal hernia - case report.

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) masquerading as a recurrent inguinal hernia is rare. We report the case of a 73-year-old male patient who presented with a symptomatic bulge in his left groin. Medical history revealed bilateral preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair, osteoporosis and atrial fibrillation.

Serum free light chain analysis: persisting limitations with new kids on the block.

Objectives: Serum free light chain (sFLC) measurements have inherent analytical limitations impacting sFLC clinical interpretation. We evaluated analytical and diagnostic performance of three polyclonal sFLC assays on four analytical platforms.

Methods: sFLC concentration was measured using Diazyme FLC assays (Diazyme) on cobas c501/c503 analyzer (Roche); Freelite assays (The Binding Site) on Optilite analyzer (The Binding Site) and cobas c501 analyzer and Sebia FLC ELISA assays (Sebia) on AP22 ELITE analyzer (DAS).

Trends in diagnosis, referral, red flag onset, patient profiles and natural outcome of de novo cardiac amyloidosis and their multidisciplinary implications.

Background: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Effects of growing disease awareness, diagnostic ameliorations and novel treatment options on CA diagnosis and management are scarcely reported.

Objective: To report trends in diagnosis, referral routes, clinical presentation, early onset diagnostic red flags and outcome in de novo CA subjects.

Hepatitis E virus-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

We report the first documented case of hepatitis E virus-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. This case emphasizes the fact that infectious agents other than those classically described should be taken into consideration as a potential trigger of virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome. Prompt recognition is crucial to start early treatment of the underlying infection and possibly improve the outcome of this frequently fatal syndrome.

A predictive model for risk of early grade ≥ 3 infection in patients with multiple myeloma not eligible for transplant: analysis of the FIRST trial.

Infections are a major cause of death in patients with multiple myeloma. A post hoc analysis of the phase 3 FIRST trial was conducted to characterize treatment-emergent (TE) infections and study risk factors for TE grade ≥ 3 infection. The number of TE infections/month was highest during the first 4 months of treatment (defined as early infection).

A systematic literature review and network meta-analysis of treatments for patients with untreated multiple myeloma not eligible for stem cell transplantation.

In newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM), patients ineligible for front-line autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), melphalan and prednisone (MP) with thalidomide (MPT) or bortezomib (VMP) are standard first-line therapeutic options. Despite new treatment regimens incorporating bortezomib or lenalidomide, MM remains incurable. The FIRST study demonstrated significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the combination of lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone (Rd) until progression vs.

A Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of Antibody BI-505 in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

Purpose: This multicenter, first-in-human study evaluated safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of BI-505, a human anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody, in advanced relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients.

Experimental Design: BI-505 was given intravenously, every 2 weeks, at escalating doses from 0.0004 to 20 mg/kg, with extension of therapy until disease progression for responding or stable patients receiving 0.

Outcome and management of pregnancies in severe chronic neutropenia patients by the European Branch of the Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry.

Long-term granulocyte-colony stimulating factor treatment has been shown to be safe and effective in severe chronic neutropenia patients. However, data on its use during pregnancy are limited. To address this issue, we analyzed all pregnancies reported to the European branch of the Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry since 1994.

Diagnosis and follow-up of monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance; information for referring physicians.

The prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is generally estimated at 3.4% in the general population over 50 years, and its incidence increases with age. MGUS represents a preneoplastic entity that can transform into multiple myeloma or other lymphoproliferative disorders.

Dasatinib or imatinib in newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia: 2-year follow-up from a randomized phase 3 trial (DASISION).

Dasatinib is a highly potent BCR-ABL inhibitor with established efficacy and safety in imatinib-resistant/-intolerant patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In the phase 3 DASISION trial, patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase (CP) CML were randomized to receive dasatinib 100 mg (n = 259) or imatinib 400 mg (n = 260) once daily. Primary data showed superior efficacy for dasatinib compared with imatinib after 12 months, including significantly higher rates of complete cytogenetic response (CCyR), confirmed CCyR (primary end point), and major molecular response (MMR).

Recommendations for the management of the haematological and onco-haematological aspects of Gaucher disease.

Current knowledge of the haematological and onco-haematological complications of type 1 Gaucher disease has been reviewed with the aim of identifying best clinical practice for treatment and disease management. It was concluded that: (i) Awareness of typical patterns of cytopenia can help clinicians distinguish haematological co-morbidities. (ii) Red blood cell studies and complete iron metabolism evaluation at baseline are recommended.

Phase II multicenter study of arsenic trioxide, ascorbic acid and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Arsenic trioxide induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in multiple myeloma cell lines. Reducing glutathione by ascorbic acid may enhance the efficacy of arsenic trioxide. Here we report the results of an international multi-center study of arsenic trioxide in combination with ascorbic acid and dexamethasone as treatment for patients with advanced multiple myeloma.