Are mesenchymal stem cells still effective in acute GvHD management?

Objective: Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a common and serious complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), significantly impacting transplant efficacy. In the treatment of GvHD, numerous therapeutic approaches have been explored, with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) emerging as a prominent immunomodulatory option. We aimed to evaluate efficacy and outcomes of using MSCs for steroid refractory acute GVHD (SR-aGvHD) management.

Identification of HLA alleles involved in immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura patients from Turkey.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is one of the rare group disorders classified as thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs). Approximately 90% of TTP developed immune-mediation by the formation of antibodies against the enzyme ADAMTS-13. The exact cause is unknown.

Evaluation of the prognostic significance of clinical features of tumoral lesions in an extensive series of mycosis fungoides.

Background: Tumors indicating the advanced stage of mycosis fungoides (MF) have a rich clinical spectrum. Although it is known that the prognosis of MF generally worsens following the development of tumors, some cases may have a relatively indolent course, and the role of clinical characteristics regarding prognosis has still not been well understood.

Methods: MF patients were retrospectively evaluated regarding the development of tumors.

Germline genetic variants in Turkish familial multiple myeloma/monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance cases.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological malignancy primarily affecting the elderly, with a striking male predilection and ethnic disparities in incidence. Familial predisposition to MM has long been recognized, but the genetic underpinnings remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate germline variants in Turkish families with recurrent MM cases.

Baseline inflammation indexes and neutrophil-to-LDH ratio for prediction of the first mobilization failure without plerixafor-based regimens in multiple myeloma and lymphoma patients: A single-center retrospective study.

Background: Many factors were identified for mobilization failure (MF) in autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the efficacy of baseline inflammation indexes and neutrophil-to-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ratio to predict MF in multiple myeloma (MM) and lymphoma.

Methods: A total of 240 patients with lymphoma or MM hospitalized between January 2014 and June 2022 for the first stem cell mobilization were included in this retrospective single-center study.

An atypical case of refractory passenger lymphocyte syndrome after renal transplantation.

Background: Passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS) causes immune-mediated hemolysis in solid and bone marrow transplant recipients. Donor-derived antibodies against the recipient erythrocyte drive the pathogenesis. It is a rare entity in kidney transplantation, and most of the cases are self-limited.

Polatuzumab vedotin, rituximab, and bendamustine combination in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a real-world data from Turkey.

Polatuzumab vedotin (Pola) with bendamustine and rituximab (BR) is a promising option for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We analyzed the data of 71 R/R DLBCL patients who had been treated with Pola-BR in the named patient program from March 2018 to April 2021 from 32 centers in Turkey. All patients received up to six cycles of Pola 1.

Salvage Intrapartum Splenectomy for the Treatment of Transfusion-refractory Anaemia in a ß-thalassemia Intermedia Patient.

Thalassemia intermedia (TI) patients may need a transfusion during physiological stress conditions, such as pregnancy. We present a case of a female TI patient with emerging transfusion-refractory anaemia during pregnancy, which resolved after splenectomy performed simultaneously with cesarean delivery. A 26-year pregnant woman at 29th gestational weeks was referred with a diagnosis of TI due to emerging anaemia which was refractory to transfusion.

A comparison of methods of plasmapheresis for the treatment of late antibody mediated rejection in kidney transplant recipients.

Introduction: We compared the outcomes associated with plasma exchange (PE), double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP), or immunoadsorption (IA) in the treatment of late antibody mediated rejection (AMR).

Methods: Sixty-nine kidney transplantation (KTx) recipients with late AMR were retrospectively categorized according to management with PE (n = 30), DFPP (n = 22) or IA (n = 17). Allograft loss was compared across treatment groups by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression.

Immune modulation as a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Erroneous immune responses in COVID-19 could have detrimental effects, which makes investigation of immune network underlying COVID-19 pathogenesis a requisite. This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 related alterations within the frame of innate and adaptive immunity. Thirty-four patients clinically diagnosed with mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 disease were enrolled in this study.

Salvage for Postpartum Massive Haemorrhage in a Jehovah's Witness with Intravenous Iron Therapy and Cell Saver System.

Intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) system performs autologous transfusion by filtering and reinfusing the shed blood into corporeal circulation during the surgery. Especially for pregnant Jehovah's Witnesses, the ICS system could be a life-saving intervention. This report describes the successful use of intravenous iron therapy and ICS during the cesarean delivery of a Jehovah's Witness diagnosed with placenta previa totalis who refused to receive any type of blood or blood product transfusion.

Extracorporeal photopheresis in steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease: A retrospective multicenter study.

Background And Objectives: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a treatment strategy in steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD). In this study, we aimed to share our multicenter experience using ECP in our steroid-refractory cGvHD patients.

Materials And Methods: In this multicenter observational retrospective study with the participation of four Turkish transplant centers, 100 patients with the diagnosis of steroid-refractory cGvHD who underwent ECP were analyzed.

Recombination frequencies of human leukocyte antigen loci in hematological malignancies among Turkish population.

Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a treatment option with growing performance for leukaemia, aplastic anaemia and genetic disorders. The frequency of MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex) gene locus recombination is increased at loci close to the telomeres and in the female gender. The aim of the present study is to document the recombination events by pedigree diagrams with the primary goal to determine the frequency of recombination in a different ethnic population from mostly reported studies.

Prognostic Value of Antithrombin Levels in COVID-19 Patients and Impact of Fresh Frozen Plasma Treatment: A Retrospective Study.

Objective: The defective interplay between coagulation and inflammation may be the leading cause of intravascular coagulation and organ dysfunction in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients. Abnormal coagulation profiles were reported to be associated with poor outcomes. In this study, we assessed the prognostic values of antithrombin (AT) activity levels and the impact of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) treatment on outcome.

Frequency of RHD variants in serologically weak D Turkish blood donors.

Background: RhD typing has remained of primary importance, as being the leading cause of hemolytic disease of the newborn. Among Rh system's 55 blood group antigens, RhD is the most immunogenic. We aimed with this study to determine weak D/partial D variant frequency in blood donors who were admitted to our blood center and have serologically designated blood group weak D.

Incidence and risk factors for hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A retrospective multicenter study of Turkish hematology research and education group (ThREG).

Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) is a potentially life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We retrospectively evaluated the incidence, risk factors, treatment and survival for HSOS after allo-HSCT in Turkey. We also reported our experience of defibrotide (DF) for HSOS prophylaxis in high-risk (HR) patients.

Early Access Program Results From Turkey and a Literature Review on Daratumumab Monotherapy Among Heavily Pretreated Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma.

Background: In countries where frontline drug approval is limited to first-generation proteasome inhibitors or immunomodulatory drugs, relapses have been both more frequent and less durable. We investigated real world data on the efficacy and safety of daratumumab monotherapy among patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) from Turkey using a prospective early access program.

Patients And Methods: A total of 42 patients with RRMM after a minimum of 3 previous lines of proteasome inhibitor/immunomodulatory drug-based treatments were included from 25 centers across Turkey.

Investigation of Gene Expressions of Myeloma Cells in the Bone Marrow of Multiple Myeloma Patients by Transcriptome Analysis.

Background: Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell dyscrasia characterized by transformation of B cells into malignant cells. Although there are data regarding the molecular pathology of multiple myeloma, the molecular mechanisms of the disease have not been fully elucidated.

Aims: To investigate the gene expression profiles in bone marrow myeloma cells via RNA-sequencing technology.

Current practice of autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization in adult patients with multiple myeloma and lymphoma: The results of a survey from Turkish hematology research and education group (ThREG).

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) is an established treatment option for adult patients presenting with multiple myeloma (MM), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and various subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in upfront and/or relapsed/refractory disease settings. Although there are recently published consensus guidelines addressing critical issues regarding autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization (HPCM), mobilization strategies of transplant centers show high variability in terms of routine practice. In order to understand the current institutional policies regarding HPCM in Turkey and to obtain the required basic data for preparation of a national positional statement on this issue, Turkish Hematology Research and Education Group (ThREG) conducted a web-based HPCM survey.

Severe thrombocytopenia and alveolar hemorrhage represent two types of bleeding tendency during tirofiban treatment: case report and literature review.

Tirofiban is a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist used in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Thrombocytopenia is a well-known complication of GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors. Life-threatening complications such as alveolar and gastrointestinal system hemorrhages may occur in the course of thrombocytopenia.