Phase 2 studies of lenalidomide, subcutaneous bortezomib, and dexamethasone as induction therapy in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

There are limited prospective data on lenalidomide, subcutaneous bortezomib, and dexamethasone (RsqVd) in transplant-eligible/transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Reliable biomarkers for efficacy and toxicity are required to better tailor therapy. Two parallel studies were conducted by Cancer Trials Ireland (CTI; NCT02219178) and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI; NCT02441686).

Protracted Clonal Trajectory of a V617F-Positive Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Developing during Long-Term Remission from Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Although transformation of the myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is well documented, development of an MPN in patients previously treated for, and in remission from, AML is exceedingly rare. A case is described in which a patient was successfully treated for AML and in whom a V617F-positive MPN was diagnosed after seven years in remission. Retrospective evaluation of the V617F detected a low allele burden at AML diagnosis and following one course of induction chemotherapy.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia with e19a2 BCR-ABL1 Transcripts and Marked Thrombocytosis: The Role of Molecular Monitoring.

While most patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) express either e13a2 or e14a2 BCR-ABL1 transcripts, a significant minority expresses variant transcripts, of which e19a2 is the most common. Although considered to have a relatively favourable outcome, reported responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy are variable with molecular monitoring in CML patients with e19a2 BCR-ABL1 transcripts rarely reported. A case of e19a2 BCR-ABL1 CML with marked thrombocytosis is described in which the value of molecular monitoring is emphasised during treatment interruptions, dose reductions, and changes.

Thalidomide induced impotence in male hematology patients: a common but ignored complication?

Thalidomide has become an important agent in the treatment of myeloma. However, thalidomide induced erectile dysfunction is a serious complication which has received very little attention. In our hematology department, 6 out of 11 male patients developed erectile dysfunction (grade 3 in 5/6) within 4 weeks of starting thalidomide.

Remission of transfusion-dependent myelodysplastic syndrome in association with respiratory tract infection.

We describe a case of blood transfusion-dependent myelodysplastic syndrome (refractory anaemia), associated with macrocytosis and elevated percentage of hypochromic cells. Following an acute hospital admission with a respiratory tract infection, the patient entered a complete and sustained remission.