Prophylaxis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection reactivation - recommendations of the Working Group for prevention of HBV reactivation.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the main causes of chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma. After infection the majority of HBV-infected patients achieve immune control leading to HBV-DNA stabilization at a low level. The risk of HBV reactivation rises significantly when HBV-infected patients receive immunosuppressive treatments.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation in second complete remission for core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia: a study from the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

Core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comprises two subtypes with distinct cytogenetic abnormalities of either t(8;21)(q22;q22) or inv(16)(p13q22)/t(16;16)(p13;q22). Since long-term response to chemotherapy in these leukemias is relatively good, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is considered in patients who relapse and achieve second complete remission. To evaluate the outcomes of allogeneic transplantation in this indication, we studied 631 patients reported to the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry between the years 2000 and 2014.

Alpha Globin Gene Mutation: A Major Determinant of Hydroxyurea Response in Transfusion-Dependent HbE-β-Thalassaemia.

Thalassaemias are the most common inherited autosomal recessive single gene disorders characterised by chronic hereditary haemolytic anaemia due to absence or reduced synthesis of one or more of the globin chains. Haemoglobin E (HbE)-β-thalassaemia is the genotype responsible for approximately one-half of all cases of severe β-thalassaemia worldwide. This study proposes to evaluate response of hydroxyurea in reducing transfusion requirements of severe HbE-β-thalassaemia patients, and its correlation with foetal haemoglobin (HbF) level and α-mutation.

47 Integrin Antagonist Vedolizumab for the Treatment of Refractory Ileitis.

Background And Aims: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a superficial diffuse inflammation restricted to the colon and rectum. Inflammation within the small bowel may occur several years after a pancolectomy. The pathogenesis is unknown and seems to be different from Crohn's disease or other causes of diseases of the small intestine, but an association with colectomy due to UC is very likely.

Kynurenic acid as the neglected ingredient of commercial baby formulas.

The global increase in resorting to artificial nutritional formulas replacing breastfeeding has been identified among the complex causes of the obesity epidemic in infants and children. One of the factors recently recognized to influence metabolism and weight gain is kynurenic acid (KYNA), an agonist of G protein-coupled receptor (GPR35). Therefore the aim of the study was to determine the concentration of KYNA in artificial nutritional formulas in comparison with its level in human breast milk and to evaluate developmental changes in rats exposed to KYNA enriched diet during the time of breastfeeding.

Preliminary outcome of Nellix-in-Nellix extensions in patients treated with failed endovascular aneurysm sealing.

Background: The 1-year results of the use of the Nellix (Endologix Inc, Irvine, Calif) endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS) device were initially promising. However, midterm complications including migration and aneurysm growth occurred more frequently than expected, which provided an incentive to refine the instructions for use. Strategies for the management of complications arising after endovascular aneurysm repair are often not applicable for EVAS, given the unique configuration of the Nellix device, and new techniques are needed.

Genetic determinants related to pharmacological induction of foetal haemoglobin in transfusion-dependent HbE-β thalassaemia.

Thalassaemia are the most common inherited autosomal recessive single gene disorders characterized by chronic hereditary haemolytic anaemia due to the absence or reduced synthesis of one or more of the globin chains. Haemoglobin E-β thalassaemia is the genotype responsible for approximately one half of all severe beta-thalassaemia worldwide. This study proposes to evaluate the effect of various molecular parameters on the response of hydroxyurea.

Inherited variation in the xenobiotic transporter pathway and survival of multiple myeloma patients.

Over the past four decades, remarkable progress has been made in the treatment and prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM), although it remains an incurable disease. Chemotherapy resistance is a major hurdle for treatment efficacy. Drug resistance can be innate and so driven by genes involved in the drug metabolism pathways.

Prospective study of the E-liac Stent Graft System in patients with common iliac artery aneurysms: 30-Day results.

Objectives: To study the safety and feasibility of the E-liac Stent Graft System® in patients with aorto/iliac aneurysms.

Methods: A prospective multicentric European registry of patients receiving the E-liac Stent Graft System® was conducted. Endpoints of the study included the technical success as well as periprocedural events and 30-day endoleaks, reinterventions, internal and external iliac artery patency and mortality.

BAY 81-8973, a full-length recombinant factor VIII for the treatment of hemophilia A: product review.

BAY 81-8973 (Kovaltry) is an unmodified, full-length recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) approved for the prevention and treatment of bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia A. The amino acid sequence for BAY 81-8973 is identical to that of sucrose-formulated rFVIII (rFVIII-FS; Kogenate FS/KOGENATE, Bayer), but the two products differ in their manufacturing approaches. The manufacture of BAY 81-8973 includes several modifications and enhancements, such as the introduction of the gene for human heat shock protein 70, a molecular chaperone protein that facilitates folding of proteins; no addition of human- or animal-derived proteins in the cell culture, purification process, or final formulation; and use of a 20-nm filter to remove any potential aggregates and pathogens.

Individual thrombin generation and spontaneous bleeding rate during personalized prophylaxis with Nuwiq (human-cl rhFVIII) in previously treated patients with severe haemophilia A.

Introduction: For individuals with haemophilia A, prophylaxis with factor VIII (FVIII) is typically directed towards trough activity >1 IU/dL; however, some patients still experience spontaneous bleeding events (sBEs).

Aim: Aims were to evaluate relationships of endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and FVIII:C with occurrence of clinical bleeding.

Methods: GENA-21 was a prospective, open-label, phase IIIb study investigating the safety and efficacy of Nuwiq (human-cl rhFVIII) in previously treated adults with severe haemophilia A.

Cartilage and bone damage in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is a chronic inflammatory disease with a multifactorial aetiology, leads to partial or permanent disability in the majority of patients. It is characterised by persistent synovitis and formation of pannus, i.e.

Interferon alpha as antiviral therapy in chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease with interstitial pneumonia - case report.

Background: Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) disease (CAEBV) is defined as a severe, progressive lymphoproliferative disorder associated with active EBV infection persisting longer than 6 months and developing in patients without recognised immunodeficiency. Rarely, interstitial pneumonitis (IP) occurs as a serious complication in CAEBV patients. The standard therapeutic regimen for IP in CAEBV has not yet been defined.

AlloHSCT for inv(3)(q21;q26)/t(3;3)(q21;q26) AML: a report from the acute leukemia working party of the European society for blood and marrow transplantation.

Acute myeloid leukemia with inv(3)(q21;q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2) (3q26 AML) is a rare disease with poor prognosis and median survival of <1 year.

Molecular and serological infection marker screening in blood donors indicates high endemicity of hepatitis E virus in Poland.

Background: Until now, markers of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection have not been studied in blood donors throughout Poland, and no acute case of HEV infection has been closely documented or confirmed by HEV RNA detection. The prevalence of HEV infection markers, including HEV RNA in Polish blood donors and virus genotypes was investigated.

Study Design And Methods: In total, 12,664 individual donations from 22 Polish blood transfusion centers were tested for HEV RNA by transcription-mediated amplification.

Intracellular iron overload leading to DNA damage of lymphocytes and immune dysfunction in thalassemia major patients.

Objectives: To investigate the cause and effects of intracellular iron overload in lymphocytes of thalassemia major patients.

Methods: Sixty-six thalassemia major patients having iron overload and 10 age-matched controls were chosen for the study. Blood sample was collected, and serum ferritin, oxidative stress; lymphocyte DNA damage were examined, and infective episodes were also counted.

PK-guided personalized prophylaxis with Nuwiq (human-cl rhFVIII) in adults with severe haemophilia A.

Introduction: Nuwiq (human-cl rhFVIII) is a 4 generation recombinant human FVIII, without chemical modification or protein fusion, produced in a human cell-line.

Aims/methods: This study (NuPreviq) was a prospective, open-label, multicentre, phase IIIb study of the efficacy and safety of personalized prophylaxis with Nuwiq in 66 previously treated adults with severe haemophilia A. NuPreviq had three phases: (i) a 72-h pharmacokinetic (PK) phase; (ii) a 1-3 month standard prophylaxis phase; and (iii) a 6-month personalized prophylaxis phase.

Case of lymphadenopathy with lytic bone lesions.

Plasmablastic lymphoma, a rare highly aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma subtype, often associated with HIV infection, is a close differential diagnosis of plasmablastic myeloma. The 2 conditions may be morphologically and immunophenotypically identical. However, differentiating between the 2 conditions is critical for adequate patient management.

Oral health of adult patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation. Pre-transplant assessment and care.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is now one of the frequent procedures used for treatment of malignant and non-malignant blood diseases, autoimmune disorders, and certain solid tumors. Despite improvements of therapeutic protocols, HCT still carries a high risk of non-relapse mortality due to early and late complications. Side effects of the therapy regimen frequently occur in the oral cavity and often significantly decrease the patients' quality of life.

Infections due to alphaherpesviruses in early post-transplant period after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Results of a 5-year survey.

Background: Infections caused by human α-herpesviruses usually have a benign course with recurrencies. However, they may become dangerous in immunocompromised hosts. In this case, molecular methods constitute a reliable diagnostic tool enabling rapid assessment of the efficacy of antiviral treatment strategies.

Randomized phase 2 study of otlertuzumab and bendamustine versus bendamustine in patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Otlertuzumab (TRU-016) is a humanized anti-CD37 protein therapeutic that triggers direct caspase-independent apoptosis of malignant B cells and induces antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) received either otlertuzumab (20 mg/kg) weekly by IV infusion for two 28-day cycles then every 14 days for four 28-day cycles and IV bendamustine (70 mg/m ) on Days 1 and 2 of each cycle for up to six 28-day cycles or bendamustine alone. Thirty-two patients were treated with otlertuzumab and bendamustine and 33 with bendamustine alone.