The Role of the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale in Predicting Adverse Events and Outcomes of R-CHOP Treatment in Elderly Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas (DLBCLs) or Mantle Cell Lymphomas (MCLs): A Prospective Single-Center Study.

Background: The prognostic value of the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is recognized by many in hematology. However, there is no consensus on the utilization of alternative abbreviated methods to assess disabilities in elderly patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHLs).

Aim: The aim of this study was to prospectively analyze the prognostic value of selected CGA tools in predicting adverse events (AEs) and outcomes of R-CHOP or R-CHOP-like treatment in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) or mantle cell lymphomas (MCLs).

Novel Variant of the Gene Associated with Hereditary Spherocytosis.

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) refers to the group of the most frequently occurring non-immune hereditary hemolytic anemia in people of Caucasian central or northern European ancestry. HS is mainly associated with pathogenic variants of genes encoding defects in five membrane proteins, including anion exchanger 1 encoded by the gene. In this study, in a family affected with HS, we identified a hitherto unreported AE1 defect, variant p.

Fluorescent Activity-Based Probe To Image and Inhibit Factor XIa Activity in Human Plasma.

Anticoagulation therapy is a mainstay of the treatment of thrombotic disorders; however, conventional anticoagulants trade antithrombotic benefits for bleeding risk. Factor (f) XI deficiency, known as hemophilia C, rarely causes spontaneous bleeding, suggesting that fXI plays a limited role in hemostasis. In contrast, individuals with congenital fXI deficiency display a reduced incidence of ischemic stroke and venous thromboembolism, indicating that fXI plays a role in thrombosis.

Parallel imaging of coagulation pathway proteases activated protein C, thrombin, and factor Xa in human plasma.

Activated protein C (APC), thrombin, and factor (f) Xa are vitamin K-dependent serine proteases that are key factors in blood coagulation. Moreover, they play important roles in inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and viral infections. Abnormal activity of these coagulation factors has been related to multiple conditions, such as bleeding and thrombosis, Alzheimer's disease, sepsis, multiple sclerosis, and COVID-19.

St. Thomas Modified Cardioplegia Effects on Myoblasts' Viability and Morphology.

: The cardioplegic arrest of the heart during cardiosurgical procedures is the crucial element of a cardioprotection strategy. Numerous clinical trials compare different cardioplegic solutions and cardioprotective protocols, but a relatively small number of papers apply to in vitro conditions using cultured cells. This work aimed to analyze whether it is possible to use the rat heart myocardium cells as an in vitro model to study the protective properties of St.

Curcumin Loaded Nanocarriers with Varying Charges Augmented with Electroporation Designed for Colon Cancer Therapy.

(1) Background: The size and surface charge are the most significant parameters of nanocarriers that determine their efficiency and potential application. The poor cell uptake of encapsulated drugs is the main limitation in anticancer treatment. The well-defined properties of nanocarriers will enable to target specific tissue and deliver an active cargo.

Identification of a Novel Mutation of β-Spectrin in Hereditary Spherocytosis Using Whole Exome Sequencing.

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS), the most commonly inherited hemolytic anemia in northern Europeans, comprises a group of diseases whose heterogeneous genetic basis results in a variable clinical presentation. High-throughput genome sequencing methods have made a leading contribution to the recent progress in research on and diagnostics of inherited diseases and inspired us to apply whole exome sequencing (WES) to identify potential mutations in HS. The data presented here reveal a novel mutation probably responsible for HS in a single Polish family.

Germline mutations among Polish patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: A small but important proportion of patients (4-10 %) with AML have germline mutations. They can cause the development of AML at an earlier age, confer a higher risk of relapse or predispose to secondary leukemias, including therapy-related leukemias. The analysis of germline mutations in a patient and his/her family is also critical for the selection of suitable family donors if the patient is a candidate for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

What factors determine the pregnancy outcome in patients with essential thrombocythemia?

Treatment of essential thrombocythemia (ET) is particularly challenging in pregnancy due to the increased risk of thromboembolic complications. Therefore, the use of antithrombotic regimens are recommended in pregnant women with ET. The study included 52 pregnancies in 27 patients diagnosed with ET, who were treated in Department of Haematology.

Searching for germline mutations in the gene among Polish patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

The aim of the study was the identification of constitutional mutations among AML patients. The study group included 100 patients of Polish origin, diagnosed with AML. 14 out of 100 AML patients had together 17 mutations, three of which were found to be germline changes.

Primary refractory multiple myeloma: a real-world experience with 85 cases.

This study determined whether 85 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) double-refractory to primary induction therapy with triplet regimens had a homogenous prognosis. The overall response rate (ORR) after the second-line therapy was 51%. Patients who proceeded to immediate autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) had better ORR than those who received conventional therapies (62% vs.

Safety and Efficacy of Bendamustine Monotherapy in the First-Line Treatment of Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Polish Lymphoma Research Group Real-Life Analysis.

Bendamustine is a cytostatic drug with a unique structure, combining the features of purine nucleoside analogs and alkylating agents. In patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) it is commonly used in combination with rituximab (BR protocol) both in the first-line as well as subsequent lines of therapy, and in clinical trials it is often combined with new targeted therapies. Therefore, the data on its real-life safety and efficacy are of clinical significance.

Expression of the PIM2 gene is associated with more aggressive clinical course in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Background: The PIM2 gene belongs to the PIM family, which encodes serine/threonine kinases involved in cell survival and apoptosis. The relation between the expression of the PIM2 gene and the course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has not been fully determined.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of the PIM2 gene as a marker of CLL malignancy and its importance as a predictive and prognostic factor.

Primary Intraocular Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma: Diagnostic Difficulties in Deep Retinal Infiltrations with Vitritis.

Purpose: Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is a rare malignancy with an aggressive clinical course. It is usually considered as a subset of primary central nervous system lymphoma. Differential diagnosis should include infectious and non-infectious aetiologies, particularly the common masqueraders sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, viral retinitis and syphilis.

Case-adjusted bortezomib-based strategy in routine therapy of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma shown to be highly effective--a report by Polish Myeloma Study Group.

The observational study was aimed at evaluating response, survival and toxicity of bortezomib-based, case-adjusted regimens in real-life therapy of 708 relapsed/refractory MM patients. Bortezomib was combined with anthracyclines, steroids, thalidomide, alkylators or given in monotherapy. The ORR was 67.

Interesting coincidence of atypical TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Thyrotropin-secreting adenomas (TSH-oma) are very rare pituitary tumours. They are macroadenomas usually presenting with signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism, and mass effects. They can co-secrete other hormones such as growth hormone or prolactin.

Long-term results of the Polish Adult Leukemia Group PALG-CLL2 phase III randomized study comparing cladribine-based combinations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Long-term outcomes following newer therapies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have rarely been reported. This article presents the results of the final analysis of the Polish Adult Leukemia Group PALG-CLL2 study performed 10 years from final patient enrollment. With the extended follow-up time, it was found that cladribine (2-CdA)-based combinations CMC (2-CdA, cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone) and CC (2-CdA, cyclophosphamide) administered as first-line treatment of progressive CLL resulted in significantly longer progression-free survival, but similar overall survival compared to 2-CdA monotherapy.

Immune thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with cladribine-based regiments or chlorambucil--follow-up of PALG-CLL randomized trials.

Objectives: The relationship between treatments of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with cladribine (2-CdA) or chlorambucil and immune thrombocytopenia (IT) has not been yet determined.

Methods: The records of 777 patients in two randomized Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG)-CLL programs treated with these agents were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Immune thrombocytopenia occurred in 55 of 777 (7.

[Thalidomide-induced sensory neuropaty in patients with multiple myeloma].

Unlabelled: Chemotherapy-induced sensory neuropathies differ in clinical picture. There is predominance of paresthesiae in some of them while in others pain or deep sensation failure can dominate.

The Aim Of The Study: To perform the clinical and electrophysiological assessment of peripheral sensory nerves in patients with multiple myeloma (m.

Variations in suppressor molecule ctla-4 gene are related to susceptibility to multiple myeloma in a polish population.

Various phenotype and functional T-cell abnormalities are observed in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between polymorphisms in the gene encoding cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), a negative regulator of the T-lymphocyte immune response and susceptibility to multiple myeloma in a Polish population. Two hundred MM patients and 380 healthy subjects were genotyped for the following polymorphisms: CTLA-4c.

Comparison of cladribine plus cyclophosphamide with fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide as first-line therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a phase III randomized study by the Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG-CLL3 Study).

PURPOSE Little is known about comparison of the activity of different purine nucleoside analogs in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We conducted a randomized phase III trial to compare efficacy and safety of cladribine and fludarabine, each combined with cyclophosphamide, in previously untreated progressive CLL. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients received cladribine at 0.

High intracellular content of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) in early- and intermediate stage B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes predicts rapid progression of the disease.

Previous studies showed that peripheral blood lymphocytes of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) displayed a high intracellular level of cell cycle inhibitory protein p27(Kip1). It has been suggested that its' high expression may confer them survival advantage and lead to unfavorable prognosis, but the prognostic significance of p27(Kip1) expression for previously untreated, non-advanced stage B-CLL was not established. We studied a relationship between the intracellular level of p27(Kip1) of lymphocytes of early- and intermediate stage B-CLL patients and their spontaneous apoptosis in vitro, as well as prognostic significance of p27(Kip1) in B-CLL lymphocytes for the risk of disease progression.

The significance of Treg cells in defective tumor immunity.

Regulatory T cells (Treg) enriched in FoxP3+, glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor+, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4+ exert a potential to suppress effector T cells in the periphery. These cells exist in markedly higher proportions within tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, peripheral blood lymphocytes, and/or regional lymph node lymphocytes of patients with cancer and their frequencies are suggested to be strongly related to tumor progression and inversely correlated with the efficacy of treatment. Tumor-specific Treg cells require ligand-specific activation and cell-to-cell contact to exert their suppressive activity on tumor-specific effector cells (CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and CD4+ Th cells), which includes decreased cytotoxity, proliferation, and Th1 cytokine secrection.

Alterations in the expression of signal-transducing CD3 zeta chain in T cells from patients with chronic inflammatory/autoimmune diseases.

The CD3 zeta chain, a component of the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex, is considered to be a limiting factor in the assembly and transport of the TCR/CD3 complex to the cell surface and is crucial to receptor signaling function. Recent studies have demonstrated altered expression and function of this signal transduction molecule in T and natural killer cells in patients with chronic inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. In this review, current knowledge concerning the expression of CD3 zeta chain as well as the mechanisms responsible for abnormal expression of this molecule in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome are summarized.

Circulating sCD138 and some angiogenesis-involved cytokines help to anticipate the disease progression of early-stage B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Syndecan-1 (CD138) is a transmembrane heparin sulfate proteoglycan expressed on distinct stages of differentiation of B-lymphoid cells. Its prognostic value in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) has not been evaluated so far. The serum concentration of sCD138 and some angiogenesis-involved cytokines: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basis fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and endostatin were studied in 52 previously untreated patients with B-CLL.