Bendamustine in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>In patients with multiple myeloma, bendamustine monotherapy is effective as 1^stand 2^ndline therapy. However, data for patients with advanced multiple myeloma is rare.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this retrospective analysis we have identified 39 patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma by means of case research, who have been treated at our institution with bendamustine as salvage therapy. After in median 2 lines of prior therapy (range:1-5) patients received in median 3 (range: 1-10) cycles of bendamustine. Bendamustine dosage was 80-150 mg on day 1+2 of a monthly cycle. Bendamustine was administered as monotherapy in 39% of patients, whereas 61% received concomitant steroids.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Toxicity was mild to moderate. Response rates were as follows: 3% vgPR, 33% PR, 18% MR, 26% SD and 20% PD. The median event-free and overall survival were 7 and 17 months, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In conclusion, in patients with advanced multiple myeloma bendamustine is effective and associated with mild toxicity. Therefore, the role of bendamustine in patients with multiple myeloma should be investigated in further clinical trials.</p

Monocyte derived dendritic cells generated by IFN-α acquire mature dendritic and natural killer cell properties as shown by gene expression analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines can induce antitumor immune responses in patients with malignant diseases, while the most suitable DC culture conditions have not been established yet. In this study we compared monocyte derived human DC from conventional cultures containing GM-CSF and IL-4/TNF-α (IL-4/TNF-DC) with DC generated by the novel protocol using GM-CSF and IFN-α (IFN-DC).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To characterise the molecular differences of both DC preparations, gene expression profiling was performed using Affymetrix microarrays. The data were conformed on a protein level by immunophenotyping, and functional tests for T cell stimulation, migration and cytolytic activity were performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both methods resulted in CD11c+ CD86+ HLA-DR+ cells with a typical DC morphology that could efficiently stimulate T cells. But gene expression profiling revealed two distinct DC populations.</p> <p>Whereas IL-4/TNF-DC showed a higher expression of genes envolved in phagocytosis IFN-DC had higher RNA levels for markers of DC maturity and migration to the lymph nodes like DCLAMP, CCR7 and CD49d. This different orientation of both DC populations was confined by a 2.3 fold greater migration in transwell experiments (p = 0.01).</p> <p>Most interestingly, IFN-DC also showed higher RNA levels for markers of NK cells such as TRAIL, granzymes, KLRs and other NK cell receptors. On a protein level, intracytoplasmatic TRAIL and granzyme B were observed in 90% of IFN-DC. This translated into a cytolytic activity against K562 cells with a median specific lysis of 26% at high effector cell numbers as determined by propidium iodide uptake, whereas IL-4/TNF-DC did not induce any tumor cell lysis (p = 0.006). Thus, IFN-DC combined characteristics of mature DC and natural killer cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results suggest that IFN-DC not only stimulate adaptive but also mediate innate antitumor immune responses. Therefore, IFN-DC should be evaluated in clinical vaccination trials. In particular, this could be relevant for patients with diseases responsive to a treatment with IFN-α such as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma or chronic myeloid leukemia.</p

Corresponding Author Investigation on the values of International Parishan Lake&apos;s plants

ABSTRACT Parishan Lake has been selected by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve and was recorded as an international wetland in Ramsar convention in 1986. This region is located (29°31&apos;N 51°48&apos;E) at 820 m in Kazeroon, Fars province, south of Iran and is the largest freshwater lake in the country. Parishan Lake is extremely important for a wide variety of wintering waterfowl and also for breeding waterfowl, especially in wet years. It fed by permanent springs and seasonal watercourses, lies in an enclosed drainage basin in a broad valley and is brackish to saline, the salinity varying widely with the size of the lake. Unfortunately at the moment time this important lake endangers. In this research plant diversity of Parishan Lake was observed. In this way, the list of floristic was provided and determined values and uses of its plants. The results showed there are 70 plant families and 217 plant species in the region. Based on the results of this research, it seems that without regard to laws and without seriously support by global communities, the extinction would be sure. However, the state of biosphere reserves in world and specially Iran has many problems and that main reason for its incorrect management

Comparison of wishes in two groups of patients with life-threatening illnesses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the self-reported wishes of cancer and dialysis patients (3-19 years) and examine its possible association with patients' demographics and clinical characteristics. This is a cross-sectional study and included cancer undergoing chemotherapy and renal failure that were dialyzing during a period of 6 months. From a total of 46 patients that participated in this study, the majority of cancer patients are younger (<6 years) than the chronic renal failure patients (52% vs 13 %, p=0.01). The Cancer patients’ wish to buy staves is 4 times more in comparison to the other group. The current study provides valuable information for charity to adequately manage cancer patients’humanitarian aid and the better psychological health. © 2017 Shima Afshar et al