Lipidomic profiling of plasma from patients with multiple myeloma receiving bortezomib: an exploratory biomarker study of JCOG1105 (JCOG1105A1).

Purpose: A comprehensive analysis of metabolites (metabolomics) has been proposed as a new strategy for analyzing liquid biopsies and has been applied to identify biomarkers predicting clinical responses or adverse events associated with specific treatments. Here, we aimed to identify metabolites associated with bortezomib (Btz)-related toxicities and response to treatment in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods: Fifty-four plasma samples from transplant-ineligible MM patients enrolled in a randomized phase II study comparing two less-intensive regimens of melphalan, prednisolone and Btz (MPB) were subjected to the lipidomic profiling analysis.

The real-world efficacy and safety of frontline therapy of obinutuzumab plus bendamustine for untreated high-tumor-burden follicular lymphoma.

Background: While R-CHOP has been one of the standard therapies for untreated high-tumor-burden (HTB) follicular lymphoma (FL) for over 2 decades, obinutuzumab plus bendamustine (OB) is also currently regarded as the standard of care since its approval in 2018 in Japan; however, the long-term efficacy and safety of OB in the daily clinical practice has not been thoroughly evaluated.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study for the clinical outcome of 53 patients with HTB FL treated by OB as the frontline therapy between 2018 and 2021 in the Kyoto Hematology Clinical Study Group (KOTOSG). All patients had at least 2-year follow-up period.

A case of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder complicated with aquaporin-4-antibody-associated organizing pneumonia.

An 80-year-old man with aquaporin-4-antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder presented with a 2-week history of cough and hiccups, followed by progressive bilateral lower limb weakness, a bandlike burning sensation in the upper body, and urinary retention. Magnetic resonance imaging showed area postrema and thoracic central medullary lesions. Thorax computed tomography showed bilateral upper lung lobe consolidations.

Dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MRI helps in differentiating double-expressor from non-double-expressor subtypes in primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Purpose: In the 2016 WHO Classification of Lymphoid Tissue Neoplasms, co-expression of MYC and BCL2 is newly designated as double expressor lymphoma. Patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma with double expressor (DE-PCNSL) have been reported to have a higher risk of recurrence and a worse prognosis than those with PCNSL without double expressor (non-DE-PCNSL). The aim of this study was to determine whether DE-PCNSL has characteristic clinical and MR imaging features compared to non-DE-PCNSL.

Role of versican in extracellular matrix formation: analysis in 3D culture.

Three-dimensional (3-D) cell culture creates an environment that allows cells to grow and interact with the surrounding extracellular framework. Versican plays a pivotal role in forming the provisional matrix, but it is still unclear how this proteoglycan affects the formation of the extracellular matrix. Here, we established a 3-D culture system using fibrin gel, which enables a long-term culture up to a month.

Development of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction in anthracycline-treated breast cancer patients: a retrospective study.

Purpose: Cardiac dysfunction as a result of anthracycline treatment is a major concern regarding the management of patient life after therapy. The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical characteristics of cancer patients at high risk of developing cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD), in order to improve the risk management for the appropriate treatment.

Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective study of patients with breast cancer who underwent anthracycline treatment and had regular consultations with cardiologists.

Drug-resistant F V600E-mutant recurrent pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, CNS WHO Grade 3 successfully resolved with incidental discontinuation of combined BRAF and MEK inhibitor therapy.

Background: Combination therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitor holds promise for treating gliomas harboring the V600E mutation; however, the development of acquired resistance remains a challenge.

Case Description: We describe a case of repeated recurrent mutant pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (central nervous system World Health Organization grade 3) treated with combination therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitor. The patient received dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and trametinib (MEK inhibitor); however, she developed resistance to the combination therapy.

Image-based Re-evaluation of the JCOG0911 Study Focusing on Tumor Volume and Survival, Disease Progression Diagnosis, and Radiomic Prognostication for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma.

Purpose: To re-evaluate images recovered from JCOG0911, a randomized phase 2 trial for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (nGBM) conducted by the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) Brain Tumor Study Group.

Methods: The correlation between tumor volumes and survival was evaluated, followed by progression-free survival (PFS) analysis by independent central review based on Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria using MRI recovered from 118 nGBM patients enrolled in the JCOG0911 trial. A radiomic analysis was also performed to identify radiomic features predictive of nGBM prognosis.

Evaluation of arterial spin labeling in the diagnosis and monitoring of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated cerebral cortical encephalitis.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-associated disorders are inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the CNS. Cerebral cortical encephalitis (CCE) is characterized by cortical fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensity with seizures and headaches. We report two cases of MOG antibody-associated CCE (MOG-CCE) evaluated using serial MRI sequences, including arterial spin labeling (ASL), pre- and posttreatment.

Robust anti-myeloma effect of TAS0612, an RSK/AKT/S6K inhibitor, with venetoclax regardless of cytogenetic abnormalities.

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains a difficult-to-treat disease even with the latest therapeutic advances due to the complex, overlapping, and heterogeneous cytogenetic, genetic, and molecular abnormalities. To address this challenging problem, we previously identified the universal and critical roles of RSK2 and AKT, the effector signaling molecules downstream of PDPK1, regardless of cytogenetic and genetic profiles. Based on this, in this study, we investigated the anti-myeloma potency of TAS0612, a triple inhibitor against RSK, including RSK2, AKT, and S6K.

Usefulness of urine dipstick test in the management of adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Purpose: The usefulness of urine dipstick tests (UDTs) in patients with diabetes has been reported. The aim of the present study was to investigate the utility of self-performed UDTs and patient diaries in the management of impaired glucose tolerance, one of the adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods: Patients receiving ICIs underwent self-checks with UDTs twice a week for up to 6 months.

Dynamics of actinotrichia, fibrous collagen structures in zebrafish fin tissues, unveiled by novel fluorescent probes.

Collagen fibers provide physical support to animal tissues by orienting in the correct position and at optimal density. Actinotrichia are thick collagen fibers that are present at the tips of fish fins and serve as scaffolds for bone formation. The arrangement and density of actinotrichia must be constantly maintained with a high degree of regularity to form spatial patterns in the fin bones, but the mechanisms of this process are largely unknown.

The impact of renal function on initial therapy in transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma patients.

The prognosis for multiple myeloma (MM) patients has improved with the advent of new drugs, but the prognosis with renal impairment (RI) is poor. The choice of treatment in such cases is critical, but there are no set criteria. We examined the impact of RI on initial therapy in transplant-ineligible MM patients.

Small cell pattern of ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma with double-hit rearrangements of and .

In ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), gene rearrangements of and are considered mutually exclusive. The former predicts a favorable prognosis, while the latter is generally unfavorable. We report the first case of ALK-negative ALCL in a leukemic phase with small cell pattern transformation, harboring double-hit rearrangements of the gene by inv(6)(p25q21) and gene by TBL1XR1-TP63 inversion.

An Autopsy Case of Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia Complicated by Intrapulmonary Thrombosis in Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Neoplasm With Ring Sideroblasts and Thrombocytosis.

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia are prone to intrapulmonary thrombosis owing to excessive inflammation and platelet activation. Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN) with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (RS-T) is a rare disease in MDS/MPN overlap entities. Patients with MDS/MPN RS-T are known to be at a high risk of thrombosis, and platelet count control with drug therapy does not necessarily reduce this risk.

Nirmatrelvir Resistance in an Immunocompromised Patient with Persistent Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Although the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is coming to an end, it still poses a threat to the immunocompromised and others with underlying diseases. Especially in cases of persistent COVID-19, new mutations conferring resistance to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) therapies have considerable clinical implications. We present a patient who independently acquired a T21I mutation in the 3CL protease after nirmatrelvir exposure.

The lymphocyte/monocyte ratio predicts the efficacy of isatuximab plus pomalidomide in multiple myeloma patients.

Background: Isatuximab, an anti-CD38 antibody, has been widely used in treatments for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Despite its high efficacy, not all patients achieve a lasting therapeutic response with isatuximab.

Objective: We tried to identify biomarkers to predict the effectiveness of isatuximab by focusing on the host's immune status before treatment.

Analyzing the risk factors for disease progression within 2 years and histological transformation in patients treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone as first-line treatment: A 15-year follow-up of patients with advanced follicular lymphoma in JCOG0203.

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent lymphoma that becomes aggressive due to histological transformation (HT), leading to reduced survival. Patients with FL have different clinical courses and various treatment options. Some patients exhibit shorter survival and experience disease progression within 24 months of diagnosis/treatment (POD24); the optimal treatment remains an unmet needs.

Primary analysis of a prospective cohort study of Japanese patients with plasma cell neoplasms in the novel drug era (2016-2021).

The emergence of novel drugs has significantly improved outcomes of patients with plasma cell neoplasms (PCN). The Japanese Society of Hematology conducted a prospective observational study in newly diagnosed PCN patients between 2016 and 2021. The analysis focused on 1385 patients diagnosed with symptomatic PCN between 2016 and 2018.