Profile of Toll-Like Receptors on Peripheral Blood Cells in Relation to Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

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Effetti clinici e biologici della terapia epigenetica nelle sindromi mielodisplastiche a basso rischio

Background: Nucleoside 5-Azacitidine (5-Aza) in high risk MDS patients (pts) at a dose of 75mg/mq/day subcutaneously for 7 days, every 28 days, induces high hematologic response rates (hematologic improvement (HI) 50-60%, complete remission (CR) 10-30%) and prolongation of survival (at 2 years 50,8%). Aim: The role of 5-Aza in low-risk MDS patients is not well defined but its use in the earlier phases of disease could be more effective and useful to control the expansion of MDS clone and disease progression. In our phase II, prospective, multicentric trial a low-dose schedule of 5-Aza (75 mg/mq daily for 5 consecutive days every 28 days) was given to low-risk MDS pts in order to evaluate its efficacy and tolerability and to identify biological markers to predict the response. Methods: From September 2008 to February 2010, 34 patients were enrolled into the study. Fifteen patients had refractory anemia (RA), 5 patients refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), 7 patients refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia (RCMD) and 7 patients refractory anemia with excess blasts-1 (RAEB-1). All patients failed previously EPO therapy and were in chronic red blood cell (RBC) supportive care with a median transfusions requirement of 4 units/monthly. The response treatment criteria was according to IWG 2006. Results: At present time 31 out of 34 pts are evaluable: 12/31 pts (39%) completed the treatment plan (8 courses), 7/31 pts (22%) performed the first 4 courses, 8/31 (26%) made 1 to 3 courses and 4/31 (13%) died during the treatment period. Out of 12 pts who completed the 8 courses of therapy 10 (83%) obtained an HI, 2/12 (17%) maintained a stable disease. Out of 10 pts who obtained HI, 4 pts (40%) achieved a CR. Generally the drug was very well tolerated. The most commonly reported hematologic toxicities were neutropenia (55%) and thrombocytopenia (19%) but they were transitory and usually no delay of treatment was necessary. 2/4 pts died early after the 1th cycle for septic shock and gastrointestinal hemorrage respectively whereas 2/4 pts died in a condition of stable disease after the 4th cycle for pneumonia and respiratory distress. Samples for biologic studies have been collected from the pts before starting the therapy and at the end of 4th and 8th course. Preliminary data on the lipid signalling pathways suggested a direct correlation between PI-PLC-β1 gene expression and 5-Aza responsiveness. Conclusion: Interim analysis of our study based on the small number of cases who completed the treatment program, shows that 83% of pts obtain an HI and 40% obtain a CR. 4 patients died during the treatment and even if the causes were reported as no related to the therapy it has been considered that caution has to be reserved in given 5-Aza in these pts who are elderly and frail. Preliminary data of PI-PLC-β1 gene expression suggest that this and probably other biological markers could help us to know a priori who are the patients who have more chances to respond

Population Pharmacokinetics of Continuous-Infusion Meropenem in Febrile Neutropenic Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: Dosing Strategies for Optimizing Empirical Treatment against Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa

A population pharmacokinetic analysis of continuous infusion (CI) meropenem was conducted in a prospective cohort of febrile neutropenic (FN) patients with hematologic malignancies. A non-parametric approach with Pmetrics was used for pharmacokinetic analysis and covariate evaluation. Monte Carlo simulations were performed for identifying the most appropriate dosages for empirical treatment against common Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa. The probability of target attainment (PTA) of steady-state meropenem concentration (Css)-to-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio (Css/MIC) ≥1 and ≥4 at the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) clinical breakpoint of 2 mg/L were calculated. Cumulative fraction of response (CFR) against Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa were assessed as well. PTAs and CFRs ≥ 90% were considered optimal. A total of 61 patients with 178 meropenem Css were included. Creatinine clearance (CLCR) was the only covariate associated with meropenem clearance. Monte Carlo simulations showed that dosages of meropenem ranging between 1 g q8h and 1.25 g q6h by CI may grant optimal PTAs of Css/MIC ≥4 at the EUCAST clinical breakpoint. Optimal CFRs may be granted with these dosages against the Enterobacterales at Css/MIC ≥ 4 and against P. aeruginosa at Css/MIC ≥ 1. When dealing against P. aeruginosa at Css/MIC ≥ 4, only a dosage of 1.5 g q6h by CI may grant quasi-optimal CFR (around 80–87%). In conclusion, our findings suggest that dosages of meropenem ranging between 1 g q8h and 1.25 g q6h by CI may maximize empirical treatment against Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa among FN patients with hematologic malignancies having different degree of renal function

Clinical characteristics and outcome of 125 polymicrobial bloodstream infections in hematological patients: an 11-year epidemiologic survey

Background Polymicrobial bloodstream infections (pBSI) occurring in hematological patients are still poorly understood, and specifc information are very limited. Objectives and methods In this epidemiologic survey, we describe clinical characteristics and outcome of 125 consecutive pBSI occurred in oncohematological patients. Polymicrobial bloodstream infections (pBSI) were defned with the isolation of 2 or more bacteria from blood culture specimens obtained within 72 h. Results Over an 11-year period, we documented 500 bacterial bloodstream infections (BSI) in 4542 hospital admissions and 25% (125) of these were pBSI. Most common underlying hematological disease was acute myeloid leukemia and 89% of patients had severe neutropenia. Fifty pBSI (40%) occurred in patients undergoing a stem cell transplantation (SCT), mostly within 30 days from transplant (42/50–84%). Principal bacterial association was Gram-positive plus Gram-negative (57%). Resolution rate of pBSI was 82%, without diferences between SCT and non-SCT cases. pBSI-related mortality was 15% (6% in SCT cases). Septic shock occurred in 16% of cases and septic shock–related mortality was 65% (75% in SCT cases and 63% in non-SCT cases; p=0.6). Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria were involved in 22% of pBSI and the MDRpBSI–related mortality was signifcantly higher in SCT patients (p=0.007). Conclusions This observational study highlights that pBSI is not a rare bloodstream infectious complication in oncohematological patients. pBSI-related mortality is lower than 20%, but, if septic shock occurs, mortality reaches 65%. MDR bacteria were involved in 22% of cases and pBSI-MDR–related mortality was signifcantly higher in SCT patients

Effect of heparin treatment on pulmonary embolism and in-hospital death in unvaccinated COVID-19 patients without overt deep vein thrombosis

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) without overt deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was common in hospitalized coronavirus-induced disease (COVID)-19 patients and represented a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic challenge. The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic role of PE on mortality and the preventive effect of heparin on PE and mortality in unvaccinated COVID-19 patients without overt DVT. Methods: Data from 401 unvaccinated patients (age 68 ± 13 years, 33% females) consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit or the medical ward were included in a retrospective longitudinal study. PE was documented by computed tomography scan and DVT by compressive venous ultrasound. The effect of PE diagnosis and any heparin use on in-hospital death (primary outcome) was analyzed by a classical survival model. The preventive effect of heparin on either PE diagnosis or in-hospital death (secondary outcome) was analyzed by a multi-state model after having reclassified patients who started heparin after PE diagnosis as not treated. Results: Median follow-up time was 8 days (range 1-40 days). PE cumulative incidence and in-hospital mortality were 27% and 20%, respectively. PE was predicted by increased D-dimer levels and COVID-19 severity. Independent predictors of in-hospital death were age (hazards ratio (HR) 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.08, p < 0.001), body mass index (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.98, p = 0.004), COVID-19 severity (severe versus mild/moderate HR 3.67, 95% CI 1.30-10.4, p = 0.014, critical versus mild/moderate HR 12.1, 95% CI 4.57-32.2, p < 0.001), active neoplasia (HR 2.58, 95% CI 1.48-4.50, p < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR 2.47; 95% CI 1.15-5.27, p = 0.020), respiratory rate (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.11, p = 0.008), heart rate (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.04, p < 0.001), and any heparin treatment (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.18-0.67, p = 0.001). In the multi-state model, preventive heparin at prophylactic or intermediate/therapeutic dose, compared with no treatment, reduced PE risk and in-hospital death, but it did not influence mortality of patients with a PE diagnosis. Conclusions: PE was common during the first waves pandemic in unvaccinated patients, but it was not a negative prognostic factor for in-hospital death. Heparin treatment at any dose prevented mortality independently of PE diagnosis, D-dimer levels, and disease severity