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Controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, based on three indexes including serum albumin (ALB), total cholesterol (CHO), and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), has been closely associated with the prognosis of cancer patients. Multiple studies revealed the significance of CONUT score in hematological malignancies, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), multiple myeloma (MM), and leukemia. This review aimed to explore the prognostic role of CONUT score in hematological malignancies. We conducted this review through Pubmed to summarize the published studies on the CONUT score in hematological malignancies, using the terms: Controlling nutritional status, CONUT score, hematological malignancy, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukemia. CONUT score can reflect not only the nutritional status but also the inflammatory status of patients with hematological malignancies. It can assist in predicting the survival of patients with DLBCL, PTCL, MM, adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia related changes (AML-MRC). CONUT score plays an important role in predicting the prognosis of patients with hematological malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Extramedullary multiple myeloma (EMM) is a relatively less frequent subentity of multiple myeloma (MM) and is generally considered to be a poor prognostic factor. Novel agents and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have led to a significant improvement in the progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with MM, but outcomes of EMM remain dismal. Little is known regarding the role of novel therapies in this setting. This review summarizes the current available data regarding the roles of proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators, monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy and HSCT in EMM. Methods: A systematic literature review through PubMed was conducted to summarize the published evidence on the therapeutic developments of novel agents and HSCT in EMM. Literature sources published in English were searched, using the terms multiple myeloma, extramedullary and treatment. Results: Long-term outcomes of EMM patients remain dismal despite the utilization of novel agents and HSCT. The standard therapy of EMM has not been established. EMM should be managed as high-risk disease and treated accordingly. Discussion and conclusion: This review will provide an insight on the current and emerging treatment strategies as well as their efficacy in EMM. Further subgroup analyses in large prospective trials focusing on EMM is needed to help optimize the therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy and safety of low-dose lenalidomide combined with dexamethasone in elderly patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: Thirty-two elderly patients with refractory and recurrent MM (median age: 64 years) were treated with low-dose lenalidomide (LD-R) combined with dexamethasone (D). LD-R (10 mg/d) was administered orally for 21 days and D (40 mg/d) was administered twice a day on days 1–4, 9–12, and 17–20. The treatment lasted 2–8 28-day cycles. Results: After two cycles, the complete, very good partial, and partial remission rates were 12.5% (4/32), 25.0% (8/32), and 34.4% (11/32), respectively. The overall response rate was 71.9% (23/32). After a 24-month follow-up, 23 patients responded to therapy, three were in complete remission, four were stable, and 16 exhibited disease progression. In addition, median time-to-progression was 13 months. Observed side effects were hypodynamia, gastrointestinal reaction, peripheral neuritis, and mild hypocytosis. Conclusion: Low-dose lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone is an effective and safe treatment for relapsed and refractory MM in elderly patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]