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Evidence on volume outcome associations for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in multiple myeloma (MM) is limited. We investigated ASCT utilization patterns and volume outcome associations in the German National Registry for Stem Cell Transplants (DRST). MM patients with an upfront ASCT between 1998 and 2014 registered in the DRST were included. ASCT utilization increased strongly from 6% to 17% between 1999 and 2013 with the largest increase for patients aged 60–64 years (8–34%). The mean number of ASCTs conducted in the hospitals per year varied (quintiles, Q1:0.0–8.2 to Q5:31.0–102.7). Center volume was not associated with survival after upfront ASCT (lowest vs. highest center volume, hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals: 0.95 (0.76–1.18), p = 0.92). Our findings may reflect a high standard of care and degree of specialization of centers performing ASCT for MM in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SLAMF7 expression in pretreatment formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded mastocytosis bone marrow biopsies derived from five patients with histologically proven SM was evaluated by immuno-histochemical (IHC) staining with SLAMF7-specific antibodies. Bone marrow infiltration of MCs of 60% prior to therapy fell to <5% after therapy (Supplementary Figure 1d/e, Supplemental Data). Cytoreductive therapy in 108 adults with systemic mastocytosis: outcome analysis and response prediction during treatment with interferon-alpha, hydroxyurea, imatinib mesylate or 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine. International Working Group-Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research and Treatment (IWG-MRT) & European Competence Network on Mastocytosis (ECNM) consensus response criteria in advanced systemic mastocytosis. [Extracted from the article]

The patient granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) response is represented by the leukocyte peak in the blood induced by a single dose of G-CSF after chemotherapy, and is correlated with subsequent neutropenic infection risk. General patterns for a meaningful risk group stratification, have not yet been determined. Two independent data sets including a total of 306 cases with myeloma or lymphoma and autologous blood stem cell transplant were available. An infection susceptibility curve plotted according to ranked G-CSF responses from a multicenter study reproduced and validated a curve from the previous single center. Two trend changes were seen within these curves at around 11 000 and 22 000 leukocytes/μL, which separated three groups with a high, medium and low risk of infection. While G-CSF response is related to the consecutive duration of neutropenia, it retains additional independent predictive information for infection risk ( p < 0.0001) and, more important, is a tool available before the onset of the critical period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]