Publications by authors named "Jean El-Cheikh"

Article Synopsis
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose significant health risks for immunocompromised patients, particularly those undergoing treatment for haematological malignancies, due to weakened immune systems from chemotherapy and stem-cell transplants.
  • The paper focuses on specific STIs such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, herpes, HPV, and hepatitis B, highlighting their increased incidence and severity in patients with blood cancers.
  • The authors call for more comprehensive research to better understand and address the impact of STIs on these patients, while also discussing necessary protective measures and the importance of vaccines.
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Purpose Of Review: The past two decades have witnessed an impressive expansion in the treatment landscape of multiple myeloma, leading to significant improvements in progression-free; as well as overall survival. However, almost all patients still experience multiple relapses during their disease course, with biological and cytogenetic heterogeneity affecting response to subsequent treatments. The purpose of this review is to provide a historical background regarding the role of alkylating agents and an updated data regarding the use of peptide-drug conjugates such as melflufen for patients with multiple myeloma.

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Management of acquired aplastic anemia (AA) in emerging countries depends on the means of prognostic stratification, treatment and logistics available. During the 13th annual harmonization workshop of the francophone Society of bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy (SFGM-TC), a designated working group reviewed the literature in order to elaborate unified guidelines for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (Allo-HCT) in this disease. In terms of practice, the conclusions are as follows; The use of anti-tymocyte globuline (ATG) is mainly from rabbit and very little from horse.

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Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) constitutes a distinctive cytogenetic entity associated with challenging outcomes, particularly in adult patients. Current upfront chemotherapy-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-based therapies include first, second and third-generation TKIs that have revolutionized patient outcomes including molecular remission and overall survival. Chemotherapy-free regimens such as blinatumomab-dasatinib or blinatumomab-ponatinib offer exciting possibilities, yet challenges arise, particularly in preventing central nervous system relapse.

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T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) predominantly affects individuals in late childhood and young adulthood. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a curative modality particularly in the setting of poor risk genetics and/or persistent minimal residual disease. Limited studies have directly explored the impact of patient- and transplant-related factors on post-transplant outcomes in T-ALL.

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Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disorder characterized by monoclonal differentiated plasma cells. While it is more commonly diagnosed in elderly individuals, it can also affect younger populations, though with a lower incidence.

Case Presentation: Here, we present the case of a 32-year-old woman diagnosed with IgA lambda MM.

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Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are a new group of targeted therapies that are revolutionizing the treatment landscape of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL). In the relapsed/refractory setting, salvage chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation are capable of curing 50% of patients, whereas the other half will have a dismal outcome with a median overall survival of less than 12 months. This unmet need reinforced the importance of innovative therapies like the BsAbs and CAR-T cell therapies.

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Article Synopsis
  • Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is recommended for younger patients (ages 60 and below) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and a specific mutation (FLT3-ITD) when they are in their first complete remission.
  • A study analyzed data from 1,827 patients who underwent transplantation between 2012 and 2021, finding that the majority (72%) had a common additional mutation (NPM1).
  • There was a notable improvement in leukemia-free and overall survival rates for patients with wild-type NPM1 over the years, attributed to advancements in treatment options like FLT-3 inhibitors, while those with NPM1 mutations did not show similar improvements.
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Objectives: Illustration of a case of systemic mastocytosis mimicking reactive arthritis in the absence of an infectious etiology.

Methods: Review of the patient's medical records.

Results: We report a case of systemic mastocytosis relapse, presenting with pancytopenia accompanied by knee monoarthritis, cystitis, and bilateral conjunctivitis occurring simultaneously at the same time interval within 2-4 days, mimicking reactive arthritis in the absence of an infectious etiology.

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During immune reconstitution following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), (re)vaccination of allo-HSCT recipients is recommended. Herein, we propose an update of practical recommendations regarding vaccination of allo-HSCT recipients. These recommendations, based on data from the literature, national and international guidelines and the consensus of the participants when no formally proven data are available, were elaborated during the workshop of practice harmonization organized by the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC) in Lille in September 2022.

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Article Synopsis
  • B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) treatments have gotten better thanks to new medicines and advanced chemotherapy, helping more patients get transplants that could cure them.
  • However, many patients still face relapses, which means the cancer comes back after treatment, and this is a big problem.
  • This review talks about new ways to prevent and handle relapses after transplants, like using special medicines and therapies to help those battling B-ALL, especially for a specific group called Philadelphia chromosome positive B-ALL.
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This letter describes the experience of the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon with haploidentical stem cell transplant (haplo-SCT) for hematological malignancies in adult patients. Haplo-SCT made it possible through universal and rapid donor availability for most of the adult patients with leukemia or lymphoma not only in the Middle East but also globally. Moreover, the use of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens when indicated improved the outcome and decreased the toxicity of haploidentical stem cell transplant.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cancer treatments are getting better, helping people with multiple myeloma, but these patients, especially older ones, may have a higher chance of heart problems.
  • About 7.5% of multiple myeloma patients experience heart issues, and some treatments can make these problems worse.
  • Doctors suggest checking heart health regularly before, during, and after treatment to catch any issues early, and teamwork between different types of doctors is important for the best care.
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Background: Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) are two closely related blood cancers that are more frequent in older adults. AML is the most common type of adult acute leukemia, and MDS is characterized by ineffective blood cell production and abnormalities in the bone marrow and blood. Both can be resistant to treatment, often due to dysfunction in the process of apoptosis, the body's natural mechanism for cell death.

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Clofarabine (Clo) is an immunosuppressive purine analog that may have better anti-leukemic activity than fludarabine (Flu). The addition of total body irradiation (TBI) to conditioning regimens has been widely investigated. However, the use of single agent Clo in combination with intermediate doses of TBI ranging from 4 to 8 Gy has not been studied yet.

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Background: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has become the mainstay treatment for many hematological malignancies and solid tumors. An adequate number of stem cells must be collected for better ASCT outcomes, which is challenging in 5%-30% of patients. To improve mobilization, plerixafor is used along with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).

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For acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients, total body irradiation (TBI)- based conditioning regimens are the first choice specially in young population. However, several studies have shown an equivalence in clinical outcomes with thiotepa-based conditioning regimen. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate the outcome of adult ALL patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) with a thiotepa-busulfan-fludarabine (TBF) myeloablative conditioning regimen with reduced toxicity.

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Multiple myeloma (MM) is a prevalent hematological malignancy. Resource-constrained settings such as the Middle East are particularly burdened by the increasing trends in MM morbidity and mortality in addition to challenges in the management of MM. It thus becomes necessary to identify and address debatable areas of current practice and gaps in the management of MM in the Middle East.

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The treatment of newly diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with nilotinib has resulted in a higher rate of major molecular (MMR) and complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) at 12 months compared to imatinib but at a higher cumulative cost and increased risk of serious adverse events. To maintain long-term efficacy and minimize both toxicity and costs, we aimed at evaluating in a prospective single-center trial the efficacy and safety of a response-directed switch from nilotinib to imatinib after 12 months in patients newly diagnosed with chronic phase CML. Thirteen adult patients were enrolled.

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Article Synopsis
  • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can come back even after treatment with a special stem cell transplant, which is a big problem.
  • Doctors are exploring ways to prevent this relapse by using different treatments, including special medicines and donor cells.
  • Some newer medicines, like IDH inhibitors and FLT3 inhibitors, are showing good results in helping patients stay healthy after their transplant.
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