Prognostic value of TARC and quantitative PET parameters in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma patients treated with brentuximab vedotin and DHAP.

Risk-stratified treatment strategies have the potential to increase survival and lower toxicity in relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R cHL) patients. This study investigated the prognostic value of serum (s)TARC, vitamin D and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), TARC immunohistochemistry and quantitative PET parameters in 65 R/R cHL patients who were treated with brentuximab vedotin (BV) and DHAP followed by autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) within the Transplant BRaVE study (NCT02280993). At a median follow-up of 40 months, the 3-year progression free survival (PFS) was 77% (95% CI: 67-88%) and the overall survival was 95% (90-100%).

Combining Ixazomib With Subcutaneous Rituximab and Dexamethasone in Relapsed or Refractory Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia: Final Analysis of the Phase I/II HOVON124/ECWM-R2 Study.

Purpose: Proteasome inhibitors are effective in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) but require parenteral administration and are associated with polyneuropathy. We investigated efficacy and toxicity of the less neurotoxic oral proteasome inhibitor ixazomib combined with rituximab, in patients with relapsed WM.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter phase I/II trial with ixazomib, rituximab, and dexamethasone (IRD).

Combining brentuximab vedotin with dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine and cisplatin as salvage treatment in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma: the phase II HOVON/LLPC Transplant BRaVE study.

Achieving a metabolic complete response (mCR) before high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplant (auto-PBSCT) predicts progression free survival (PFS) in relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R cHL). We added brentuximab vedotin (BV) to DHAP to improve the mCR rate. In a Phase I dose-escalation part in 12 patients, we showed that BV-DHAP is feasible.

Randomized controlled trial on the effects of a supervised high intensity exercise program in patients with a hematologic malignancy treated with autologous stem cell transplantation: Results from the EXIST study.

Background: This single blind, multicenter randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a supervised high intensity exercise program on physical fitness and fatigue in patients with multiple myeloma or lymphoma recently treated with autologous stem cell transplantation.

Methods: 109 patients were randomly assigned to the 18-week exercise intervention or the usual care control group. The primary outcomes included physical fitness (VO2peak and Wpeak determined using a cardiopulmonary exercise test; grip strength and the 30s chair stand test) and fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory) and were assessed prior to randomization and after completion of the intervention or at similar time points for the control group.

Dasatinib in combination with fludarabine in patients with refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a multicenter phase 2 study.

Resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in CLL is associated with overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins induced by signals from the microenvironment. In vitro, dasatinib effectively inhibits expression of anti-apoptotic regulators and restores fludarabine sensitivity in activated CLL. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of one cycle of dasatinib monotherapy (100mg/day, days 1-28) followed by combination of dasatinib with fludarabine (40mg/m²/day, days 1-3 every 28 day) for a total of 6 cycles in fludarabine-refractory CLL.

Psychometric properties of two physical activity questionnaires, the AQuAA and the PASE, in cancer patients.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of two self-report physical activity (PA) questionnaires - the AQuAA (Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents) and PASE (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly) - in cancer patients.

Methods: Test-retest reliability was determined by administering the questionnaires twice within 5 days. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest detectable difference (SDD) were calculated.

Physical exercise interventions in haematological cancer patients, feasible to conduct but effectiveness to be established: a systematic literature review.

Purpose: To summarize and define the methodological quality of primary research findings obtained in exercise interventions, aimed at improving physical function or psychological well-being in patients treated for haematological malignancies.

Methods: Relevant trials were identified through a computerized Mesh-search in MEDLINE and PubMed up to September 2007. Two reviewers independently screened the trials for eligibility, rated their quality, and extracted data.