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

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

THE IMPORTANCE OF 99m-Tc DMSA RENAL SCINTIGRAPHY IN EVALUATION OF RENAL LESIONS IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE PYELONEPHRITIS

&quot;nUrinary tract infection (UTI) may lead to irreversible changes in renal parenchyma. Early diagnosis using scintigraphy with technetium-99m-labeled dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan and early treatment may decrease or prevent development of renal parenchymal lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of renal parenchymal lesion in children admitted with a first-time symptomatic UTI and to evaluate the relation between renal parenchymal damage and severity of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). A total of 102 children with first time acute pyelonephritis (APN) were enrolled in the study. All children studied with DMSA scan and ultrasonography (US). Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) was performed in 98 children when urine culture became negative. Changes on the DMSA scan and US were found in 178 (88%) and 5 (2.4%) out of 203 renal units during the acute phase, respectively. All abnormal renal units on US showed severe parenchymal involvement on DMSA. We also found significant correlation between severity of VUR and abnormal US results on kidneys. Of 40 kidneys with reflux, 38 (95%) were found to have abnormal renal scan. Among 155 kidneys with non-refluxing ureters 132 (85.2%) revealed parenchymal changes on renal cortical scintigraphy. Kidneys with moderate to severe reflux were more likely to have severe renal involvement. We found a high incidence of renal parenchymal changes in children with APN. Additionally, renal involvement was significantly higher in children with moderate to severe reflux. When there are high-grade VUR and female gender, the risk of renal parenchymal involvement is higher

AC220 is a uniquely potent and selective inhibitor of FLT3 for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Activating mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3 are present in up to approximately 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, implicating FLT3 as a driver of the disease and therefore as a target for therapy. We report the characterization of AC220, a second-generation FLT3 inhibitor, and a comparison of AC220 with the first-generation FLT3 inhibitors CEP-701, MLN-518, PKC-412, sorafenib, and sunitinib. AC220 exhibits low nanomolar potency in biochemical and cellular assays and exceptional kinase selectivity, and in animal models is efficacious at doses as low as 1 mg/kg given orally once daily. The data reveal that the combination of excellent potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties is unique to AC220, which therefore is the first drug candidate with a profile that matches the characteristics desirable for a clinical FLT3 inhibitor