Case reports of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in three patients with haematological malignancies.

Strongyloidiasis is a parasitic nematode infection mainly caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. Immunocompromised conditions, particularly cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and corticosteroids, have a significant risk of developing Strongyloides hyperinfection. The lack of a gold standard laboratory method to rule out this infection and the insensitivity of microscopic stool examination due to low and intermittent larvae output in stool contribute to the low detection rate of this infection.

Interleukin-17A and Interleukin-17F Gene Polymorphisms in Egyptian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C and Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objective: Interleukin IL-17A and IL-17F are critical cytokines involved in inflammatory processes. Genetic variations in IL-17A and IL-17F might be linked to chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a cancer associated with long-term inflammation. This study aims to examine the relationship between specific polymorphisms in IL-17A (rs2275913) and IL-17F (rs763780) and their association with HCV-related HCC in an Egyptian population.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Carrying Viral Fusogenic Protein p14 to Treat Solid Tumors by Inducing Cell-Cell Fusion and Immune Activation.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based immune cell therapies attack neighboring cancer cells after receptor recognition but are unable to directly affect distant tumor cells. This limitation may contribute to their inefficiency in treating solid tumors, given the restricted intratumoral infiltration and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Therefore, cell-cell fusion as a cell-killing mechanism might develop a novel cytotherapy aimed at improving the efficacy against solid tumors.

Identification of Novel MICB Alleles in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Donors of Indian Origin.

Novel MICB alleles MICB*004:01:31, MICB*004:01:32, MICB*004:01:33 and MICB*005:02:59, were identified using next generation sequencing.

Relationship between neutropenia caused by nanoliposomal irinotecan/fluorouracil/leucovorin and treatment outcomes in the NAPOLEON-2 study (NN-2301).

The relationship between nanoliposomal irinotecan/fluorouracil/leucovorin (NFF) treatment outcomes and neutropenia in patients with pancreatic cancer has not been thoroughly examined. Thus, we conducted a retrospective analysis of data from patients with pancreatic cancer who were treated with NFF to investigate this relationship. Neutropenia was assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events across three cutoffs: A (grade 0 versus grade 1-4), B (grades 0-1 versus 2-4), and C (grades 0-2 versus 3-4).

VEXAS, Chediak-Higashi syndrome and Danon disease: myeloid cell endo-lysosomal pathway dysfunction as a common denominator?

Vacuolization of hematopoietic precursors cells is a common future of several otherwise non-related clinical settings such as VEXAS, Chediak-Higashi syndrome and Danon disease. Although these disorders have a priori nothing to do with one other from a clinical point of view, all share abnormal vacuolization in different cell types including cells of the erythroid/myeloid lineage that is likely the consequence of moderate to drastic dysfunctions in the ubiquitin proteasome system and/or the endo-lysosomal pathway. Indeed, the genes affected in these three diseases UBA1, LYST or LAMP2 are known to be direct or indirect regulators of lysosome trafficking and function and/or of different modes of autophagy.

Biogenic Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles With Cyanobacterium Oscillatoria salina Using Against MDR Pathogenic Bacteria and Their Antiproliferative and Toxicity Study.

The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using cyanobacteria has gained significant attention due to its cost-effective and eco-friendly advantages in green synthesis. Additionally, biogenic AgNPs show great potential for biological applications, particularly in combating infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria and fungi. This study synthesized using the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria salina (Os-AgNPs).

Somatic mutations and DNA methylation identify a subgroup of poor prognosis within lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

Lower risk (LR) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous hematopoietic stem and progenitor disorders caused by the accumulation of somatic mutations in various genes including epigenetic regulators that may produce convergent DNA methylation patterns driving specific gene expression profiles. The integration of genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic profiling has the potential to spotlight distinct LR-MDS categories on the basis of pathophysiological mechanisms. We performed a comprehensive study of somatic mutations and DNA methylation in a large and clinically well-annotated cohort of treatment-naive patients with LR-MDS at diagnosis from the EUMDS registry (ClinicalTrials.

Romiplostim Reduces Platelet Transfusion Needs in Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation.

Background: There is no standard treatment to accelerate recovery from melphalan-induced thrombocytopenia in multiple myeloma (MM) patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Romiplostim, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, has been developed to upregulate platelet production.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of romiplostim in reducing platelet transfusions post-ASCT in MM patients.

Documentation of International Staging System (ISS) and Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) for Multiple Myeloma at a Tertiary Care Center: A Clinical Audit.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a highly heterogeneous disease characterised by neoplastic clonal plasma cell proliferation and a wide range of clinical manifestations including skeletal destruction, hypercalcemia, anaemia, renal failure, and immune suppression. Currently accepted and widely used staging criteria for MM patients are the International staging system (ISS) and the Revised International staging system (R-ISS). In order to anticipate outcomes for these patients and to select a risk-adapted therapy, a staging approach that can classify MM patients based on risk at the time of diagnosis itself may be helpful.

Macroscopic Hematuria Revealing Bladder Myeloid Sarcoma in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be presented with extramedullary manifestations, more frequently involving skin and rarely other sites, such as the urinary tract. We report the case of a 37-year-old male patient with a history of testicular cancer who presented to the emergency department with cytopenias and hematuria. Bone marrow analysis diagnosed AML (French-American-British(FAB) classificationM4 subtype, karyotype showing inv16).

Acquired factor XIII deficiency in myeloid neoplasms: case series and review of literature.

Acquired factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency is a rare disorder that could be associated with autoimmune and malignant disorders with a high risk of bleeding. In acute leukemias, acquired FXIII deficiency has been reported and replacement of FXIII helped to control significant bleeding. Here, we report four cases of myeloid neoplasms to have acquired FXIII deficiency with interesting concomitant RUNX1 mutation in the molecular background of two patients.

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD): Pathophysiology and management (contrasted and compared).

Transfusion of blood products is a common lifesaving medical procedure in clinical practice. However, it poses the risk of potential adverse reactions for the recipient. Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host-disease (TA-GVHD) is a rare adverse event, fatal in >90% of cases.

Tissue factor-bearing extracellular vesicles, procoagulant phospholipids and D-dimer as potential biomarkers for venous thromboembolism in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: A comprehensive analysis.

Background: Candidate biomarkers to improve venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk prediction in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) undergoing anti-myeloma therapy include tissue factor-bearing microvesicles (MV-TF), procoagulant phospholipids (procoag-PPL), and D-dimer.

Objective: We aimed to determine the levels of MV-TF, procoag-PPL, and D-dimer at baseline and during initial anti-myeloma therapy and their association with the risk of VTE.

Methods: This prospective, longitudinal, observational study included 71 patients with newly diagnosed MM who were eligible for anti-myeloma therapy.

Influence of blood transfusion during induction chemotherapy on treatment outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: Transfusion is an integral part of supportive care in patients undergoing aggressive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). As transfusion induces immune modulation, the objective of the study was to assess whether the intensity of red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) transfusion during induction chemotherapy influences complete remission (CR) and overall survival (OS) in newly diagnosed AML patients.

Methods: Details of the number of RBC units and PLT events transfused from diagnosis till completion of induction chemotherapy were collected.

Automated red cell exchange in sickle cell disease patients: Retrospective analysis of series of cases in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India.

Red cell exchange is important to treat acutely ill sickle cell patients, but it is time-consuming. An automated red cell exchange technique using cell separators developed by different manufacturers helps in removal of sickled hemoglobin and improving blood viscosity. The use of these cell separators permits automated red cell exchange to be performed safely and smoothly with the isovolemic hemodilution.

Improving UTI Diagnostics in Oncology: Reliability of Reflex Urine Culture in Immunosuppressed Neutropenic and Non-neutropenic Cancer Patients.

Background: Urinary tract infections are prone to overdiagnosis, and reflex urine culture protocols offer a valuable opportunity for diagnostic stewardship in this arena. However, there is no recommended standard testing approach. Cancer patients are often excluded from reflex urine culture protocols, especially if severely immunosuppressed or neutropenic.

MicroRNA Profiling of Bone Marrow Plasma Extracellular Vesicles in Multiple Myeloma, Extramedullary Disease, and Plasma Cell Leukemia.

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy characterized by an abnormal increase in monoclonal immunoglobulins. Despite significant advances in treatment, some patients progress to more aggressive forms of multiple myeloma, including extramedullary disease or plasma cell leukemia. Although the exact molecular mechanisms are not known, several studies have confirmed the involvement of small extracellular vesicle-enriched microRNAs in multiple myeloma progression.

Using flow-cytometry in measuring platelet activity in type 2 diabetes and predicting macrovascular complications.

Platelets are hyperactive in patients with type2 diabetes (T2DM), they adhere to vascular endothelium and play a key role in macrovascular complications. Platelets activity can be measured by flow-cytometry (cluster of differentiation (CD) 41, CD 42, CD 62, CD 63), which allows detection of surface antigens in a sensitive and specific manner. This study aimed to describe platelets activity in T2DM in association with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications in relation to duration of diabetes (DM).

Long-term complications, survival and mortality in splenectomised adult transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients.

Background: Splenectomy is frequently performed in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients to lower blood transfusion needs but is associated with significant long-term complications, including sepsis, thrombosis, and pulmonary hypertension. This study examines the long-term complications, survival rates, and causes of mortality among adult patients with TDT who have undergone splenectomy in a low and middle-income country (LMIC).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 103 adult TDT patients (≥18 years) who underwent splenectomy between July 2013 and March 2024.

T cell malignancies after CAR T cell therapy in the DESCAR-T registry.

The risk of T cell malignancies after chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a concern, although the true incidence remains unclear. Here we analyzed the DESCAR-T registry database, encompassing all pediatric and adult patients with hematologic malignancies who received CAR T cell therapy in France since 1 July 2018. Of the 3,066 patients included (2,536 B cell lymphoma, 162 B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 368 multiple myeloma), 1,680 (54.

Experience With Dabigatran on Rate of Portal Vein Thrombosis Recanalization, Disease Progression and Survival.

Background And Aims: We assessed clinical, procoagulant and genetic risk factors and clinical outcomes in dabigatran-treated patients with non-tumoural acute and acute-on-chronic portal vein thrombosis (PVT).

Methods: Patients with a new diagnosis of non-tumoural acute and acute-on-chronic PVT between January 2021 and January 2024 (aged ≥ 18 years) in those without/with cirrhosis (Child-Pugh (CP)-A/B/C ≤ 10) were started on dabigatran and followed and compared with those on vitamin K antagonist (VKA) and untreated individuals.

Results: Dabigatran was prescribed in 119 patients with PVT type 1 (61, 51.