Multiparametric Flow Cytometry in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients: An Italian Monocentric Experience

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous malignancy characterized by the proliferation of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow. Multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) plays a role in the work-up of the disease in view of the aberrant expression of surface antigens. Our study aimed at describing the antigenic profile detected by MFC in a series of newly diagnosed MM patients to correlate the level of expression with other features of the disease. Between April 2018 and June 2022, 84 consecutive MM patients were studied at presentation. CD56 and CD117 were commonly detected, while CD45, CD28, CD20, CD19, CD13 and CD33 were less recurrent. CD20 expression was associated with the type of secretory MM (p=0.041) and with a higher disease burden (p=0.038). CD28 positivity correlated with a lower platelet count at baseline (p=0.005) and with a lower rate of complete response (p=0.038). Furthermore, CD28 positivity and a lower CD138 expression tended to associate with the high-risk chromosomal translocations t(14;16) and t(4;14). The results of this study indicate that in the diagnostic work-up of MM, MFC may help to identify different patient subsets and improve risk stratification. These observations need to be validated in larger series of patients with a longer follow-up

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients with multiple myeloma: where are we and where are we going?

Venous thromboembolism is a common complication of patients with hematologic malignancies, due both to release of procoagulant factors by tumor cells and to external factors, such us drugs. In multiple myeloma patients, the risk is increased by use of immunomodulants, especially when associated to multidrug therapy, during the induction phase. Prevention of venous thromboembolism in myeloma patients is highly recommended but specific guidelines are still lacking. The most common approach is to stratify the thrombotic risk according to individual, myeloma-related and therapy-related risk factors and to use aspirin for all patients, except those with two or more thrombotic risk factors who should be treated with traditional oral or parenteral anticoagulant. A more controversial approach indicates for prophylaxis either anticoagulant or aspirin, regardless of risk stratification. Recent trials investigate prophylaxis in myeloma patients with direct oral anticoagulants, based on studies showing efficacy and safety of this new class of drugs in the treatment and prophylaxis of thrombosis in patients with any malignancy. The results of these trials are encouraging but they need to be confirmed by larger studies. An international consensus about best prophylaxis to prevent venous thromboembolism in patients with multiple myeloma on treatment is still missing. Therefore, thrombosis in multiple myeloma remains an ongoing issue

mTOR as a target of everolimus in refractory/relapsed Hodgkin Lymphoma

Despite impressive treatment advances, few options for refractory or relapsed Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) are available and there is a need for new compounds development. A number of promising agents with multiple mechanisms of action are under investigation. Microenvironment and neoangiogenesis are acquiring a rising relevance in the pathophysiology and progression of HL. Everolimus (RAD001) is an oral antineoplastic agent derived from rapamycin, a macrocyclic lactone antibiotic, targeting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Although the importance of mTOR signaling in the deregulated cell growth of human neoplastic cells has been recognized, this pathway is also emerging as a key regulator of the tumor response to hypoxia, as well as endothelial and stromal cells function, thereby regulating neoangiogenesis. Furthermore, mTOR plays an important role in anticancer drug resistance. The actions of everolimus within the mTOR pathway in HL result in decreased protein synthesis and cell cycle arrest, as well as in decreased angiogenesis. Everolimus has shown preliminary evidence of efficacy as a single-agent in heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory HL, with an overall fair safety profile. The purpose of this review is to discuss the employment of everolimus as an antiproliferative and antiangiogenic agent in HL and to report the critical role of the mTOR pathway and angiogenesis in this malignancy

Polyostotic Fibrous Dysplasia Mimicking Bone Involvement in Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Pediatric Case and Literature Review

Bone involvement in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is rare. The differential diagnosis between HL bone localization and other malignant or benign skeletal diseases is challenging. We report the case of a girl affected by classic HL, initially staged IVA because of supradiaphragmatic lymph nodes and skeletal involvement. After 6 ABVD (adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) cycles, positron emission tomography (PET) showed a complete metabolic response of the nodal localizations and a persistent, high metabolic activity of bone lesions. Salvage treatment followed by autologous stem cell transplant was carried out. After the transplant, the bone lesions maintained a high metabolic activity at PET. A targeted bone biopsy led to the diagnosis of a fibrous dysplasia excluding the presence of HL. To our knowledge, the concomitant presence of HL and fibrous dysplasia has not been previously reported. An in-depth evaluation of disease response to frontline treatment with a biopsy of the PET-hypercaptant bone lesions could have avoided overtreatment in this patient

Incidence of cerebrovascular accidents in patients undergoing minimally invasive valve surgery

Objectives: Minimally invasive valve surgery has been associated with increased cerebrovascular complications. Our objective was to evaluate the incidence of cerebrovascular accidents in patients undergoing minimally invasive valve surgery. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all the minimally invasive valve surgery performed at our institution from January 2009 to June 2012. The operative times, lengths of stay, postoperative complications, and mortality were analyzed. Results: A total of 1501 consecutive patients were identified. The mean age was 73 +/- 13 years, and 808 patients (54%) were male. Of the 1501 patients, 206 (13.7%) had a history of a cerebrovascular accident, and 225 (15%) had undergone previous heart surgery. The procedures performed were 617 isolated aortic valve replacements (41.1%), 658 isolated mitral valve operations (43.8%), 6 tricuspid valve repairs (0.4%), 216 double valve surgery (14.4%), and 4 triple valve surgery (0.3%). Femoral cannulation was used in 1359 patients (90.5%) and central cannulation in 142 (9.5%). In 1392 patients (92.7%), the aorta was clamped, and in 109 (7.3%), the surgery was performed with the heart fibrillating. The median aortic crossclamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 86 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 70-107) minutes and 116 minutes (IQR, 96-143), respectively. The median intensive care unit length of stay was 47 hours (IQR, 29-74), and the median postoperative hospital length of stay was 7 days (IQR, 5-10). A total of 23 cerebrovascular accidents (1.53%) and 38 deaths (2.53%) had occurred at 30 days postoperatively. Conclusions: Minimally invasive valve surgery was associated with an acceptable stroke rate, regardless of the cannulation technique