Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis of 1,000 Individuals with Intellectual Disability.

To identify genetic causes of intellectual disability (ID), we screened a cohort of 986 individuals with moderate to severe ID for variants in 565 known or candidate ID-associated genes using targeted next-generation sequencing. Likely pathogenic rare variants were found in ∼11% of the cases (113 variants in 107/986 individuals: ∼8% of the individuals had a likely pathogenic loss-of-function [LoF] variant, whereas ∼3% had a known pathogenic missense variant). Variants in SETD5, ATRX, CUL4B, MECP2, and ARID1B were the most common causes of ID. This study assessed the value of sequencing a cohort of probands to provide a molecular diagnosis of ID, without the availability of DNA from both parents for de novo sequence analysis. This modeling is clinically relevant as 28% of all UK families with dependent children are single parent households. In conclusion, to diagnose patients with ID in the absence of parental DNA, we recommend investigation of all LoF variants in known genes that cause ID and assessment of a limited list of proven pathogenic missense variants in these genes. This will provide 11% additional diagnostic yield beyond the 10%-15% yield from array CGH alone.Action Medical Research (SP4640); the Birth Defect Foundation (RG45448); the Cambridge National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre (RG64219); the NIHR Rare Diseases BioResource (RBAG163); Wellcome Trust award WT091310; The Cell lines and DNA bank of Rett Syndrome, X-linked mental retardation and other genetic diseases (member of the Telethon Network of Genetic Biobanks (project no. GTB12001); the Genetic Origins of Congenital Heart Disease Study (GO-CHD)- funded by British Heart Foundation (BHF)This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Wiley via http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/humu.2290

Intensified alemtuzumab-CHOP therapy for peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Background: The prognosis of T-cell lymphoma is poor. To explore the addition of the monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab, we studied the efficacy and tolerability of an intensified alemtuzumab-chemotherapy combination for aggressive T-cell lymphoma in a phase II study by Dutch-Belgian Hemato-Oncology Group (HOVON). Patients and methods: Patients (< 65 years) with newly diagnosed T-cell lymphoma received eight CHOP cycles (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) 2-weekly, each cycle with three doses of 30 mg alemtuzumab. Prophylaxis consisted of cotrimoxazole, fluconazole and valaciclovir. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) monitoring took place at least every fortnight. Results: Twenty patients from 10 centers, median age 50 years, were included. Eighty-five percent received six or more cycles. The overall response was 90% [12 complete remissions (CRs), 1 CR unconfirmed, 5 partial remissions]. Median duration of follow-up of patients still alive was 29 months (range 19-41 months). Median overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 27 and 10 months, with 55%/27% OS/EFS at 2 years. Adverse events consisted of neutropenic fever (n = 8) and CMV reactivation (n = 7), with one CMV disease. Three patients developed secondary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related lymphoma, all after end of treatment. Conclusions: Although intensified alemtuzumab-CHOP induces high responses, many patients relapse, and the scheme is associated with serious infection-related adverse events. EBV monitoring after end of treatment is required

Phase III Study of the Value of Thalidomide Added to Melphalan Plus Prednisone in Elderly Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: The HOVON 49 Study

Purpose For several decades, the treatment of elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM) has consisted of melphalan and prednisone (MP). The Dutch-Belgium Hemato-Oncology Cooperative Group (HOVON) investigated the efficacy of thalidomide added to MP (MP-T) in a randomized phase III trial. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy, toxicity, and effects on quality of life of MP-T. Patients and Methods A randomized phase III trial compared standard MP with MP-T (thalidomide 200 mg/d) in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma older than age 65 years. Maintenance therapy with thalidomide 50 mg/d was administered to patients after MP-T until relapse. The primary end point was event-free survival (EFS); response rate, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were secondary end points. Results An intent-to-treat analysis of 333 evaluable patients showed significantly higher response rates in MP-T-treated patients compared with MP-treated patients a response (>= partial response: 66% v 45%, respectively; P = very good partial response [VGPR]: 27% v 10%, respectively; P < .001). EFS was 13 months with MP-T versus 9 months with MP (P < .001). OS was 40 months with MP-T versus 31 months with MP (P = .05). Conclusion This study demonstrates that thalidomide improves the response rate and VGPR in elderly patients with newly diagnosed MM. MP-T also results in a better EFS, PFS, and OS