Risk stratification of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients

Background: Multiple Myeloma is a neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells, associated with an M (monoclonal) protein in serum and/or urine and evidence of organ damage. Despite advances in treatment, the disease remains heterogeneous, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of its risk stratification. Risk-adapted initial therapy, maintenance therapy, refractory disease management and prognosis varies according to risk group. The aim of our study is to categorize the newly diagnosed MM patients according to their risk groups. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Haematology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from August 2019 to July 2020. A total of 31 newly diagnosed MM patients were enrolled based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Risk stratification was performed using ISS, R-ISS, mSMART criteria and Avets risk group categorization. Result: The majority of the patients were male (64.52%) and aged between 55-64 years (45.16%). Clinical features predominantly included low back pain (74.19%) and general weakness (38.71%). Cytogenetic abnormalities were noted in 38.7% of the patients, with del (13q) being the most common (32.30%). Most patients were in ISS Stage III (70.97%) and R-ISS Stage II (48.39%). According to mSMART criteria, 80.65% were at standard risk while Avet's risk stratification identifies 58.06% were at intermediate risk. Conclusion: The study reveals a high prevalence of patients in advanced ISS stages and intermediate to high-risk categories, emphasizing the need for early and personalized intervention strategies

Uncommon CD markers in acute myeloid leukemia

This study was done to assess the unusual CD expression in 100 cases of acute myeloid leukemia from October 2016 to April 2018. The age limit was from 3 to 50 years. Four color flow cytometry was used to diagnose the fresh aspirated bone marrow or peripheral blood sample of acute leukemia. The unusual lymphoid CD expression on myeloblasts was analyzed. Among the cases, 44% were acute myeloid leukemia, 52% of patients were of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and mixed phenotype acute leukemia was 4%. Aberrant CD expression was observed in 58% acute myeloid leukemia patients. Both aberrant CD5 and CD7 lymphoid markers expressed in acute myeloid leukemia patients were 4.2%. Aberrant CD7, CD5, cCD79a and cCD3 were in 45.8%, 33.3%, 8.3%, 8.3% of acute myeloid leukemia patients respectively. In acute myeloid leukemia, the frequency of aberrant CD expression was compared with recent international data