TACTUM: Trends in Access to Cellular Therapies in Multiple Myeloma, Perspectives of Treating Versus Referring Physicians.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T) and bispecific T cell engagers (TCE) for multiple myeloma (MM) are readily available at many large US medical centers. However, many potentially eligible patients may not be referred to the specialized centers administering these therapies. Perspectives regarding potential barriers for MM cellular therapy from referring-center oncologists (ROs) versus treating-center oncologists (TOs) have not been reported previously.

Efficacy and Safety of Daratumumab, Pomalidomide, and Dexamethasone (DPd) Compared to Daratumumab, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone (DVd) in Daratumumab-Naïve Relapsed Multiple Myeloma.

Daratumumab-based combinations with pomalidomide/dexamethasone (DPd), or bortezomib/dexamethasone (DVd), have shown activity in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients. However, no direct comparisons of safety or efficacy of the two regimens have been published to date. We conducted a retrospective study to compare the safety and efficacy of DPd and DVd in daratumumab-naïve RRMM patients.

The adherence to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases 2018 guidelines in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma and its impact on survival.

Introduction: In two Korean and Italian studies, the adherence rate (AR) to ASSLD 2005 guidelines in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was 60%. In a US study, the AR to American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) 2005 guidelines was 73.3%, 26.

Outcomes of Penta-Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with or without BCMA-Directed Therapy.

Despite advances in treatment, outcomes remain poor for patients with penta-relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated the survival outcomes of penta-RRMM patients treated with (BCMA)- directed therapy (BDT). We identified 78 patients with penta-RRMM.

Adverse Hematological and Non-Hematological Events in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma That Are Responsive to Daratumumab, Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone.

Background: Daratumumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (DPd) is an effective option for treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). In this study, we sought to analyze the risk of hematological and non-hematological toxicities in patients who responded to DPd treatment.

Methods: We analyzed 97 patients with RRMM who were treated with DPd between January 2015 and June 2022.

Clinical efficacy of retreatment of daratumumab-based therapy (D2) in daratumumab-refractory multiple myeloma.

Daratumumab demonstrates activity as a single agent and in combination with either immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs) or proteasome inhibitors (PIs) in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, little is known about the benefit of daratumumab retreatment in daratumumab-refractory MM. This study aimed to analyze the clinical efficacy of daratumumab-based retreatment (D2) in patients who are daratumumab refractory MM.

The Mediating Effect of Fatigue on the Nature Element, Organisational Culture and Task Performance in Central Taiwan.

In the current dynamic business environment, managing the physical working environment of the workforce has become an important part of the company. This study seeks to investigate the effects of the nature element and organisational culture on the task performance of employees with fatigue as a mediator, based on a sample of 103 white-collar employees who work in the central district of Taichung City during the spring and using a purposive sampling method. The data were collected through a self-administered subjective measurement instrument questionnaire and were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) path analysis.

Small Molecule 20S Proteasome Enhancer Regulates MYC Protein Stability and Exhibits Antitumor Activity in Multiple Myeloma.

Despite the addition of several new agents to the armamentarium for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) in the last decade and improvements in outcomes, the refractory and relapsing disease continues to take a great toll, limiting overall survival. Therefore, additional novel approaches are needed to improve outcomes for MM patients. The oncogenic transcription factor MYC drives cell growth, differentiation and tumor development in many cancers.

Checkpoint Inhibitors in Multiple Myeloma: Intriguing Potential and Unfulfilled Promises.

Immune dysregulation and alteration of the bone marrow microenvironment allowing plasma cells to escape immune surveillance are well-known factors associated with the proliferation of clonal plasma cells and development of multiple myeloma (MM). Whilst immunotherapeutic approaches are now commonplace in a wide spectrum of malignancies, this aberration of myeloma development gives rise to the biological rationale for the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in MM. However, the initial experience with these agents has been challenging with limited single agent efficacy, significant toxicity, and side effects.

The impact of neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation on exosomal markers (CD63 and CD9) expression and their prognostic significance in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: Exosomes have pivotal roles in cancer development. The impact of neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation (NCCR) on exosomal markers (CD63 and CD9) expression and their prognostic significance in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma are yet to be explored.

Materials And Methods: Between 2015 and 2018, 33 patients had rectal adenocarcinoma treated with NCCR and had pre-NCCR biopsy and post-NCCR resected rectum.

Clinical and Hematological Predictors of High-Grade Immune-Related Adverse Events Associated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Background: Life-threatening immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that require hospital admission are not uncommon in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The clinical and hematological parameters are attractive biomarkers as potential predictors of irAE.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with melanoma and lung cancer treated with ICIs between 2015 and 2019 at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute.

Cerebral Invasive Aspergillosis in a Case of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia with Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor.

Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have become an important therapy for untreated and previously treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Despite improved outcomes, rare adverse events, such as invasive fungal infections, have been reported with the use of first-generation BTK inhibitors. Invasive fungal infections carry a high morbidity and mortality risk.

Usefulness of Restaging Pelvis Magnetic Resonance Imaging After Neoadjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

Introduction: In patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, restaging pelvis magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy is recommended despite its limited accuracy in predicting pathologic T (ypT) and N (ypN) stage. Neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score is a novel short-term surrogate endpoint for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). We tested the agreement between restaging MRI T (yT) and N (yN) with ypT and ypN stages, respectively, and explored the prognostic significance of restaging MRI NAR (mNAR) score.

Impact of marrow blasts percentage on high-grade myelodysplastic syndrome assessed using revised international prognostic scoring system.

Clinical trials and treatment guidelines for myelodysplastic syndrome depend on several prognostic scoring systems to stratify patients by risk. These include different variables: the degree of cytopenia, percentage of bone marrow blasts, and cytogenetics. Little is known about the impact of bone marrow blasts in patients with adverse cytogenetics.

Vitamin B12 deficiency presenting as pseudo-thrombotic microangiopathy: a case report and literature review.

Pseudo-thrombotic microangiopathy (pseudo-TMA) is a recognized, yet uncommon, clinical presentation of vitamin B12 deficiency. Patients with pseudo-TMA present with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), thrombocytopenia and schistocytes. They are often misdiagnosed as thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) and receive unnecessary therapy.

The Human Microbiota in Multiple Myeloma and Proteasome Inhibitors.

The gut microbiota plays a significant role in health and disease, including cancer development and treatment. The importance of the gut microbiota in the efficacy and toxicity of novel therapies and immunotherapy is increasingly recognized. Plasma cells in multiple myeloma have the potential to survive in the gastrointestinal tract for long periods of time.

Clinical Activity and Tolerability of SL-401 (Tagraxofusp): Recombinant Diphtheria Toxin and Interleukin-3 in Hematologic Malignancies.

Overcoming the leukemia stem cell resistance to intensive chemotherapy has been an area of extensive research over the last two decades. Advances and greater understanding of the molecular biology of leukemia stem cells are in rapid progress. Targeted therapies are currently being used in clinical practice with reasonable response rates, but a cure is being achieved in only a small percentage of patients, most likely due to tumor mutational heterogeneity.

Frequency of venous thrombotic events in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and 5q deletion syndrome during lenalidomide therapy.

Lenalidomide is known to increase the risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with hematologic malignancies. The role of antithrombotic prophylaxis in patients receiving lenalidomide is well established in multiple myeloma. However, when used in patients with a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)-in particular, del(5q) patients-the risk of venous thromboembolism and the need for anticoagulation are unknown.

An overview of the toxicities of checkpoint inhibitors in older patients with cancer.

Checkpoint inhibitors offer an exciting new option for treatment of a wide variety of cancers. By binding to surface receptors or their associated ligands on T cells, this class of drugs enhances immune activation and response to cancer cells. In available studies, the drugs are well tolerated, although toxicity involving skin, gastrointestinal tract, liver, lungs, and endocrine organs has been observed.

Metformin and Angiogenesis in Cancer - Revisited.

Several clinical studies demonstrated that diabetic patients treated with metformin were less likely to develop vascular complications, independent of glycemic control. It was also demonstrated that the large variety of metformin's vascular actions can be seen in nondiabetic conditions. Metformin has an interesting potential to treat vascular dysfunction and tumor angiogenesis in conditions beyond diabetes.