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Ostateczny wynik leczenia większości nowotworowych i nienowotworowych chorób krwi zależy od ich wczesnego wykrycia i szybkiego skierowania do hematologa. Oznacza to, że wstępna diagnostyka hematologiczna musi się odbywać na poziomie lekarza rodzinnego lub innego lekarza, który w trakcie diagnostyki innego schorzenia wykryje zaburzenia mogące sugerować chorobę krwi. Obecny artykuł dotyczy wykorzystania do tego celu triady badań: morfologii krwi, OB. i badania ogólnego moczu. Podano progi ilościowe zaburzeń, które powinny skutkować skierowaniem do hematologa, oraz wyjaśniono, dlaczego takie właśnie wartości przyjęto. Powszechne wykorzystanie tych informacji powinno skrócić czas od wystąpienia objawów chorób krwi do rozpoczęcia leczenia.

Secondary immunodeficiencies are frequently observed after allo-HSCT. The efficacy of subcutaneous IgG preparations in this population is unknown. A retrospective single-institution study involved 126 adult patients transplanted in 2012–2019 for hematological malignancies. Patients were tested every 2–3 weeks for plasma IgG concentration during the 1st year after transplantation and supplemented with facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin when they either had IgG concentration

Leukaemia cutis (LC) describes infiltration of the skin by leukaemia cells, resulting in clinically identifiable cutaneous lesions. LC has a wide range of clinical manifestations, which can make it difficult to distinguish LC from other skin changes. In a group of patients, LC can be the first manifestation of leukaemia, therefore skin biopsy is crucial for the diagnosis. In this mini review, we discuss various types of leukaemia most frequently represented in leukaemia cutis, in both children and adults and skin changes in multiple myeloma, focusing on the clinical presentation of LC and prognosis in patients.

Bing-Neel syndrome (BNS) is a rare presentation of Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). BNS is a consequence of the central nervous system (CNS) involvement by lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) and, rarely, the peripheral nervous system. The data on BNS are extremely scarce. Therefore, we performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of BNS patients diagnosed and treated in centers aligned with the Polish Lymphoma Research Group. The analysis covers the years 2014–2021. Eleven patients were included, 55% females and the median age at BNS diagnosis was 61 years. The median time from WM to BNS was 3.5 years; 27% of patients did have a diagnosis of WM and BNS made simultaneously or within 30 days from each other. Isolated parenchymal involvement was the least frequent (20%). Patients were treated with different regimens, mostly able to cross the blood-brain barrier, including 18% treated with ibrutinib first line. The cumulative objective response to treatment was 73%. With the median follow-up of 20 months (95% CI, 2–32), the 36-month estimates were: overall survival (OS) 47%, progression-free survival (PFS) 33%, and cumulative incidence of BNS-associated death 41%. The performance status according to ECOG was significant for PFS (HR = 7.79) and the hemoglobin concentration below 11 g/dL was correlated with PFS. To conclude, BNS is a very rare manifestation of WM. It is associated with a poor outcome with most patients succumbing to BNS.

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare mature T-cell lymphoma. The diagnosis of T-PLL is made based on the criteria proposed in 2019 by the T-PLL International Study Group (TPLL-ISG). T-PLL may be diagnosed in an ‘active’ or an ‘inactive’ form. While T-PLL is most often characterized by an aggressive clinical course, approximately 20–30% of patients may have a stable or slowly progressive disease in the initial period. Only the active form requires treatment. The treatment initiation criteria were defined in the consensus proposed by the TPLL-ISG. Data on the effectiveness of various therapeutic approaches comes from small, non-randomized studies. No drug is approved for the treatment of T-PLL. The standard of care in the first line of treatment is intravenous alemtuzumab. Consolidation therapy in eligible patients consists of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, preferably after TBI-based conditioning. In the remaining patients, neither maintenance nor consolidation treatment is recommended. There is no standard therapy for the relapse, although, based on genome studies, many drugs may be potentially effective, including histone deacetylase inhibitors and BCL2 inhibitors.

In Poland, 800–900 new cases of classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cHL) are diagnosed annually. Despite relatively good results of first-line treatment, 20–25% of patients relapse and the chances of their cure become much smaller. The paper presents the consensus of the Polish experts on the management of patients with relapsed and refractory cHL in 2020, taking into account generally accepted international recommendations, approved indications and the Polish reimbursement conditions. The proposed recommendations were voted by all authors. The recommendations that were agreed by the majority are presented in the paper. For each recommendation, the most important information supporting its legitimacy and information justifying the dissenting opinions of the authors of the consensus were quoted.

The number of newly diagnosed haematological malignancies in Polish adults and children is about 9,000 a year, which constitutes about 5.5% of all malignancies in the country. Adult patients with haematological malignancies are diagnosed and treated in 42 institutions in Poland. The scientific and educational support for this activity is provided under the umbrella of the Polish Society of Haematologists and Transfusiologists (PTHiT, Polskie Towarzystwo Hematologow i Transfuzjologow ), the Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG), the Polish Lymphoma Research Group (PLRG), the Polish Myeloma Study Group (PMSG), the Polish Myeloma Consortium (PMC), and consultants in haematology. The aim of this position paper is to present the current status and progress in therapy of haematological malignancies in Polish haematology adult centres, focusing on the activity of PALG, PLRG, and PMSG. The achievements of Polish haemato-oncology at the beginning of the third decade of the 21 st century are set out in this paper. Polish haemato-oncology today has an important international position based on contributions to the development of knowledge, international cooperation, and a high quality of patient care. In many instances, clinical trials run by Polish collaborative groups have influenced international standards. Polish haematologists have been the authors of treatment recommendations, and their research has indicated areas for further research.

Cancer-related microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is rarely recognized as a paraneoplastic syndrome with a very poor prognosis in cancer patients. The treatment and prognosis are significantly different from that in other thrombotic microangiopathies, such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome. The case of described patient demonstrates the diagnostic difficulties in diagnosing the causes of hemolytic anemia in patient with breast cancer and appropriate treatment.

Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) below 1.5 G/l or 1 G/l is commonly used as a factor to determine the decision to administer antineoplastic treatment including chemotherapy and novel agents to cancer patients. This practice is based on observations that below this ANC, there is an increased risk of bacterial and fungal infection. This is further based on the assumption that this parameter always correctly reflects the true shortage of these germ-fighting cells in patients. In reality, the circulating pool of neutrophils is only one of four reservoirs (bone marrow, circulating, marginal and tissue pools) and its size is influenced not only by shortage but also by transient shift of cells between these reservoirs. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether repeated blood collection affects ANC in the patient. We retrospectively analysed the medical records of cancer patients with 0.8 G/l ≤ ANC < 1.5 G/l in whom CBC was repeated based on the physician’s decision, which was done on the same day roughly 2 h after the first one. The patients at the time of repeating CBC had consumed breakfast. In 31 out of 32 patients, ANC exceeded 1 G/l or 1.5 G/l and antineoplastic treatment was administered as originally planned. There were no infectious complications observed. Cancer patients should not be fasting prior to blood collection, with the exception of special and rare situations. To achieve the maximum clinical benefit, delays and/or reductions of antineoplastic treatment should be avoided wherever possible. Pseudoneutropenia is an unnecessary reason for postponing chemotherapy.

Renal impairment (RI) is one of the multiple myeloma (MM)-defining events for initiating therapy. After induction therapy, high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant (ASCT) remains the standard of care for transplant-eligible patients with MM. According to the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), the organ criterion for kidney damage is defined by a serum creatinine concentration (CrC)2 mg/dL or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 40 mL/min. In this long-term study, we evaluated the impact of CrC and eGFR calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation on progression-free and overall survival using a lower threshold than the IMWG criteria.We studied the longitudinal outcomes as measured by progression-free survival and overall survival in 59 transplant-eligible patients with MM: 38 patients with normal renal function and 21 patients with RI defined as a CrC higher than upper limit of normal (≥ 1.1 mg/dL), eGFR 60 mL/min, treated with ASCT from 1998 to 2004.The risk of disease progression and death following ASCT increased by 16.5% (P = .005) and 19% (P .0009) per 1 mg/dL of CrC, respectively. The thresholds for the association of renal insufficiency and negative outcomes were CrC1.4 mg/dL and eGFR 55mL/min.We observed a negative correlation between minimal renal insufficiency and long-term outcomes. Management of patients with even marginally increased CrC and/or decreased eGFR not fulfilling IMWG RI criteria requires more concentrated effort to reverse even minimal renal insufficiency.

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) has become a chronic disease in majority of patients, and remission consolidation with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (ASCT) remains the backbone of treatment in transplant-eligible patients. Objective The aim of this multicenter cross-sectional nationwide retrospective study was to evaluate the epidemiology, etiology, and outcome of infections in patients with MM undergoing ASCT in 13 Polish transplant centers, carried out on behalf of the Infectious Complications Study Group of the Polish Adult Leukemia Group. Methods A total number of consecutive 1374 patients with MM treated in Polish adult transplant centers from 2012 to 2014 were followed for infectious complications up to day +100 after ASCT in nationwide study. Results Altogether 490 infection episodes in 336 patients (49% male, aged 21-72 years) were reported, including 145 episodes of neutropenic fever (103 patients) and 34 episodes of clinically documented infections (CDIs) (27 patients). Among microbiologically confirmed infections there were 251 episodes of bacterial infections (180 patients), 42 episodes of fungal infections (38 patients), and 18 episodes of viral infections (17 patients). The overall incidence of infections reached 13.1% for bacterial, 3.6% for fungal, and 1.3% for viral infections. There were 16 cases of infection-related deaths after ASCT (1.2%). The mortality risk factors included multidrug-resistant bacteria etiology (odds ratio [OR], 3.5; P = .033), coexistence of bacterial and fungal infection (OR, 6.3; P = .002), and CDI (OR, 5.5; P = .007). Conclusion ASCT in patients with MM was connected with low risk of life-threatening infections. However, multidrug-resistant bacteria bacterial etiology, mixed etiology, and CDI increased the risk of fatal outcome.

Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most frequent adverse events of high-dose conditioning chemotherapy with melphalan prior to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT). It significantly reduces the patients’ quality of life. One of the preventive strategies for OM is cryotherapy. We retrospectively analyzed whether commercially available ice-cream could prevent OM during the melphalan infusion. We retrospectively analyzed 74 patients after AHSCT to see whether there is any correlation between OM and cryotherapy (ice-cream), melphalan dose (140 mg/m2 or 200 mg/m2). The incidence of OM in our study inversely correlated with cryotherapy in the form of ice-cream. Out of 74 patients receiving conditioning chemotherapy with high-dose melphalan, 52 received cryotherapy. Fifteen patients in the cryotherapy group (28.84%) developed OM, whereas 13 patients (59.09%) developed it in the group without cryotherapy. In a multiple linear regression test cryotherapy remained a significant protective factor against OM (p = 0.02) We have also seen the relationship between melphalan dose with OM (p

Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) genes occur in about 20% patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leading to DNA hypermethylation and epigenetic deregulation. We assessed the prognostic significance of IDH1/2 mutations (IDH1/2+) in 398 AML patients with normal karyotype (NK-AML), treated with daunorubicine + cytarabine (DA), DA + cladribine (DAC), or DA + fludarabine. IDH2 mutation was an independent favorable prognostic factor for 4-year overall survival (OS) in total NK-AML population (p = 0.03, censoring at allotransplant). We next evaluated the effect of addition of cladribine to induction regimen on the patients’ outcome according to IDH1/2 mutation status. In DAC group, 4-year OS was increased in IDH2+ patients, compared to IDH-wild type group (54% vs 33%; p = 0.0087, censoring at allotransplant), while no difference was observed for DA-treated subjects. In multivariate analysis, DAC independently improved the survival of IDH2+ patients (HR = 0.6 [0.37–0.93]; p = 0.024; censored at transplant), indicating that this group specifically benefits from cladribine-containing therapy. In AML cells with R140Q or R172K IDH2 mutations, cladribine restrained mutations-related DNA hypermethylation. Altogether, DAC regimen produces better outcomes in IDH2+ NK-AML patients than DA, and this likely results from the hypomethylating activity of cladribine. Our observations warrant further investigations of induction protocols combining cladribine with IDH1/2 inhibitors in IDH2-mutant.

StreszczenieLiczba chorych na szpiczaka plazmocytowego zwiększa się, co jest skutkiem zarówno skuteczniejszej diagnostyki, jak również istotnego przedłużania przeżycia chorych. Zawdzięczamy to dostępności nowych leków w pierwszej i kolejnych liniach leczenia, zmianie koncepcji leczenia i przedłużaniu czasu trwania leczenia, stosując leczenie konsolidujące oraz podtrzymujące do progresji choroby. Poza zmianą koncepcji leczenia, zmienia się obecnie również kryterium czasu rozpoczęcia terapii uwzględniające biomarkery aktywności choroby oraz dużą uwagę przywiązuje się optymalizacji leczenia w oparciu o dowody pochodzące z badań klinicznych. W artykule tym przedstawiono także zalecenia dotyczące rozpoznania i leczenia makroglobulinemii Waldenströma i innych dyskrazji plazmocytowych.

There is a need for efficacious, convenient treatments with long-term tolerability for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). This phase 2 study evaluated the all-oral combination of ixazomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (ICd). Patients with RRMM received ixazomib 4 mg and cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15, and dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 in 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Seventy-eight patients were enrolled (median age 63·5 years). At data cut-off, patients had received a median of 12 treatment cycles; 31% remained on treatment. ORR was 48% [16% very good partial response or better (≥VGPR)]. ORR was 64% and 32% in patients aged ≥65 and

Malignancies of the hematopoietic system frequently are associated with severe cytopenias requiring transfusions of blood components. Refusal of blood components by Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) produces challenges to treatment. In this report we describe the outcome of hematological malignancies of JW patients treated without transfusions. Altogether, eight JW, diagnosed 1994-2015, 6 (75%) females, the median age at diagnosis 40 years (range, 20-78), were included into the analysis. The diagnoses were: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (2, 25%), acute myeloid leukemia (2, 25%), non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (4, 50%). One patient died without treatment while the remaining 7 patients received treatment, including imatinib in 1 patient with BCR-ABL1+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Five (62.5%) patients received erythropoiesis stimulating agents. Median hemoglobin concentration at diagnosis was 8.7 g/dL (range, 6.3-13.1), and it decreased to 3.2 g/dL (range, 2.6-9.3) during first-line treatment. Median platelet count at diagnosis was 52 × 109/L (range, 15-392). All patients became thrombocytopenic upon treatment reaching median platelet count 8 × 109/L (range, 2-85). Five patients developed respiratory failure. Anemia contributed substantially to the death of 3 out of 6 patients (50%). One patient (17%) developed central nervous system bleeding in the course of thrombocytopenia. Objective response rate was 43%, with 29% complete remissions after first-line treatment. Despite the median overall survival of 15.3 months (95% CI, 0.2-52.2), all but one acute leukemia patients succumbed shortly after the diagnosis. To conclude, the outcome of JW treated because of hematological malignancies without blood transfusions is very dismal, nevertheless, selected patients can obtain complete remissions. Anemia contributes significantly to the death of JW.

PURPOSE Secondary immunodeficiencies are frequently observed after allo-HSCT. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and management of hypogammaglobulinemia requiring immunoglobulin.METHODS A retrospective single-institution study involved 126 adult patients transplanted in 2012–2019 for hematological malignancies. Patients were tested every 2–3 weeks for plasma IgG concentration during the 1st year after transplantation and supplemented with facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin when they met pre-defined criteria.RESULTS The IgG concentration CONCLUSION Over 40% of the adult recipients may require at least incidental immunoglobulin supplementation during the first year after allo-HSCT. Low IgG concentrations are associated with inferior outcomes. The subcutaneous route of IgG administration appeared to be safe and may allow for long persistence.

Light-chain (AL) amyloidosis (ALA) is a rare but fatal monoclonal gammopathy (MG) causing organ and tissue damage resulting from the deposition of misfolded immunoglobulin free light chains in the form of amyloid fibrils.1 In some cases, ALA coexists with multiple myeloma (MM) (ALA+MM), which is the second most common blood cancer and is caused by the proliferation of clonal plasma cells (PC).2 Due to insufficient knowledge of ALA and ALA+MM biology, therapeutic options have mirrored treatment regimens of MM, which focus on the elimination of clonal PC.3,4 We investigated the mutation and gene expression profiles in clonal aberrant PC (aPC) in order to better understand ALA and ALA+MM etiology and to clarify the molecular differences between individual MG diagnoses.

During recent years considerable progress has been made in the treatment of multiple myeloma. However, despite the current improvements in the prognosis of this malignancy, it always ends with relapse, and therefore new therapy approaches for destroying resistant cancer cells are needed. Presently, there is great hope being placed in the use of immunotherapy against refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma which is unresponsive to any other currently known drugs. The most promising one is CAR-T cell therapy which has already shown tremendous success in treating other malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and could potentially be administered to multiple myeloma patients. CAR-T cells equipped with receptors against BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen), which is a surface antigen that is highly expressed on malignant cells, are now of great interest in this field with significant results in clinical trials. Furthermore, CAR-T cells with other receptors and combinations of different strategies are being intensively studied. However, even with CAR-T cell therapy, the majority of patients eventually relapse, which is the greatest limitation of this therapy. Serious adverse events such as cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity should also be considered as possible side effects of CAR-T cell therapy. Here, we discuss the results of CAR-T cell therapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma, where we describe its main advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, we also describe the current results that have been obtained on using combinations of CAR-T cell therapies with other drugs for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

IntroductionThe prognostic factors in autotransplanted multiple myeloma (MM) patients with concomitant advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) are poorly understood, limited, and controversial.Material and methodsWe retrospectively analysed 44 patients with MM and CKD (eGFR < 40 ml/min), present both at diagnosis and at autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), with no improvement of renal function in-between.ResultsPatients exhibiting deeper paraprotein responses to pre-transplant treatment predicted better response post ASCT (odds ratio (OR) = 11.6, p = 0.028) and longer progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.23, p = 0.017). Higher albumin concentration (per increase of 1 g/dl) (HR = 0.41, p = 0.03) and melphalan 140 mg/m2 versus higher melphalan doses (HR = 0.86, p = 0.008) were associated with longer PFS. Performance status (ECOG 0-1 versus ≥ 2) (HR = 0.28, p = 0.0036), higher albumin concentration (HR = 0.43, p < 0.037), and melphalan 140 mg/m2 versus higher melphalan doses (HR = 0.48, p = 0.081) decreased the risk of death. Three of 32 dialysis-dependent patients became dialysis independent (DID), and 5 of 12 in the DID group had eGFR improvement post ASCT. The median PFS was 2.3 years, which was shorter for DID compared to DD patients (0.7 vs. 3.3 years, respectively). The median overall survival (OS) was 3.6 years, there was no difference in median OS between the groups (4.0 vs. 3.5 years, respectively).ConclusionsOptimal patient selection including good performance status and higher albumin concentration (with every increase of 1 g/dl), chemotherapy-responsive disease pre-ASCT, melphalan dose adjusted to CKD, and intensive post-transplant supportive care are crucial to achieve acceptable results of treatment of MM patients with CKD.

IntroductionMultiple myeloma is the third most common blood cancer in Europe and accounts for approx. 10–15% of these cancers. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, prevalence, mortality and survival in multiple myeloma (ICD code: C90.0) patients in Poland in the years 2008–2017.Material and methodsThe analysis used the data on healthcare services provided to patients with multiple myeloma defined with the ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) code C90.0 and reported by healthcare entities to the National Health Fund (NFZ).ResultsIn 2009, the C90.0 incidence per 100,000 inhabitants was 6.4, while in 2017 it was 8.3. The prevalence in the same period increased by 76%, from 13.6/100,000 to 23.9/100,000. The mortality to prevalence ratio gradually decreased from 78% in 2008 to 22.8% in 2017. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates in patients with this diagnosis made in the years 2009 and 2013 were 70.5%, 51.5% and 40.2% versus 78.4%, 60.3% and 48.3%, respectively.ConclusionsThe incidence and prevalence of multiple myeloma and survival rates in Poland were continuously increasing in the studied period. These trends may result from the aging of Polish society, better recognisability of multiple myeloma and/or improved access to increasingly more effective therapies in Poland. The impact of these factors on the epidemiology of multiple myeloma requires further studies.

At present, secondary immune deficiencies have become a clinical problem, recognized in different specialties. The aim of this paper was to increase awareness and support the need for screening at-risk populations. Secondary immune deficiencies result in variety of conditions, but not all of them require immunoglobulin replacement therapy, as specific antibody response might be preserved. Moreover, the management of secondary immune deficiencies vary between countries and different medical disciplines. This literature review presents the most common causes and clinical presentation of secondary immunodeficiencies with predominant impaired antibody production. We present diagnostic guidelines for patients at-risk, with an emphasis on the role of prophylactic vaccination as a treatment and diagnostic tool. This review considers the specificity and disparities of the Polish healthcare system and ultimately, suggests that management teams should include a clinical immunologist experienced in the treatment of humoral immunodeficiencies.

Background Bone marrow harvest (BMH) for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a well-established procedure. The guidelines of World Marrow Donor Association provide information on donor selection. However, some of the guidelines regarding donors with anaemia prior to harvest lack in supporting data from clinical studies. With this study, we aimed to provide such data. Material and methods In this retrospective, single-centre study, we analysed the interplay between haemoglobin levels and BMH and BMH impact on haemoglobin levels in a cohort of 149 unrelated BM donors, including 13 subjects with mild anaemia. Results The BMH led to significantly lower decrease in haemoglobin levels in donors with anaemia than in control group (1·79 g/dl vs. 2·56 g/dl, P 0·05). Median BM volume harvested from anaemic donors was 16·34 ml/kg; none of them required blood transfusion after BMH. Conclusion Mild anaemia prior to BMH does not significantly impact the collection results. The BMH is safe and feasible in donors with mild anaemia.

Termin gammapatia monoklonalna o znaczeniu nerkowym (MGRS) w akronimie różni się jedynie jedną literą od gammapatii monoklonalnej o nieokreślonym znaczeniu (MGUS), jednakże w znaczeniu klinicznym jest to zupełnie inna jednostka. W przebiegu MGRS białko produkowane przez klon komórek uszkadza nerki, przez co może prowadzić do ich niewydolności. W niniejszym artykule dokonano przeglądu piśmiennictwa dotyczącego jednostek chorobowych zaliczanych do grupy MGRS, ich podziału ze względu na typ uszkodzenia nerek i charakterystykę deponowanych w nich złogów. W pracy omówiono także współczesne możliwości leczenia w poszczególnych jednostkach chorobowych zaliczanych do MGRS.

Serious risks in unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) including graft versus host disease (GvHD) and mortality are associated with HLA disparity between donor and recipient. The increased risks might be dependent on disparity in not-routinely-tested multiple polymorphisms in genetically dense MHC region, being organized in combinations of two extended MHC haplotypes (Ehp). We assessed the clinical role of donor-recipient Ehp disparity levels in N = 889 patients by the population-based detection of HLA allele phase mismatch. We found increased GvHD incidences and mortality rates with increasing Ehp mismatch level even with the same HLA mismatch level. In multivariate analysis HLA mismatch levels were excluded from models and Ehp disparity level remained independent prognostic factor for high grade acute GvHD (p = 0.000037, HR = 10.68, 95%CI 5.50-32.5) and extended chronic GvHD (p 0.000001, HR = 15.51, CI95% 5.36-44.8). In group with single HLA mismatch, patients with double Ehp disparity had worse 5-year overall survival (45% vs. 56%, p = 0.00065, HR = 4.05, CI95% 1.69-9.71) and non-relapse mortality (40% vs. 31%, p = 0.00037, HR = 5.63, CI95% 2.04-15.5) than patients with single Ehp disparity. We conclude that Ehp-linked factors contribute to the high morbidity and mortality in recipients given HLA-mismatched unrelated transplant and Ehp matching should be considered in clinical HSCT.

Purpose Human adenoviruses (HAdV) from species A, B and C are commonly recognized as pathogens causing severe morbidity and mortality in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. The purpose of the present study was to determine HAdV types responsible for viremia in HSCT recipients at a large tertiary hospital in Poland. Methods Analysis of partial nucleotide sequences of HAdV hexon gene was used to type 40 clinical isolates of HAdV obtained from 40 HSCT recipients. Results We identified six different HAdV serotypes belonging to species B, C and E. We demonstrated high variability in sequences of detected HAdV types, and patients infected with the same HAdV types were not hospitalized at the same time, which suggests the low possibility of cross-infection. In almost all patients, anti-HAdV antibodies in IgG class were detected, which indicates a history of HAdV infection in the past. Clinical symptoms accompanying HAdV viremia were in 89%, and in 61.5% of individuals, HAdV was a sole pathogen detected. There were no cases with high-level HAdV viremia and severe systemic or organ infections. Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) was present in patients infected with species B and C, but grade II of GvHD was observed only in patients infected with HAdV-B. Conclusions The predominance of HAdV-C and common presence of anti-HAdV antibodies in IgG class may strongly suggest that most infections in the present study were reactivations of HAdV persisting into the patient's mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues. Variability of HAdV sequences suggests that cross-infections between patients were very rare. Abbreviations GvHD: graft-versus-host disease; HAdV: human adenoviruses; HSCT: hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background Despite progress in diagnostic procedures, clinical diagnosis is not always confirmed by an autopsy. An autopsy is a valuable tool in evaluating diagnostic accuracy. Objectives The aim of the study was to compare clinical diagnoses of immediate causes of death with autopsy findings in patients with hematological malignancies or aplastic anemia. Material and methods In this study, the results of 154 autopsies (1993-2004) of patients with hematological diseases were reviewed and compared with clinical data. The most probable causes of death in the case of particular hematological diseases as well as the discordances between clinical and autopsy diagnoses and their relation to the clinical characteristic were identified in the studied cohort, which primarily included patients whose death at that particular time was not explained by the clinical course, and in 50% of cases was sudden. Results Although various combined infections have been found to be responsible for the largest number of deaths (26.6%), the most common single cause was myocardial infarction (29 patients, 18.8%). The discordance between clinical and post-mortem diagnoses of immediate causes of death was found in 55 patients (35.7%; 95% CI 28.2-42.8%), with 50.9% of cases considered class I discrepancies according to Goldman's criteria. The myocardial infarction was found to be clinically undiagnosed in 69% of cases. In 41% of cases, it was a class I discrepant diagnosis. Conclusions This data suggests that hematological patients require special attention and probably preventive measures concerning coronary heart disease, particularly during the initiation of antineoplastic therapy.

The introduction of biosimilars can increase the availability of effective and life-saving therapies, while reducing their costs. Biosimilar and reference biological drugs are functionally the same molecules, identical in quality, biological activity, safety profile, immunogenicity and therapeutic efficacy. Recently, two pivotal registration studies for rituximab biosimilars have been summarized. In patients with follicular lymphoma (FL), the efficacy and safety of rituximab GP2013 was assessed in ASSIST-FL phase III clinical trial. At median follow-up of 11.6 months, the primary endpoint was achieved, in the GP2013 group overall response was 87% (271/311 patients) and 88% (274 /313 patients) in the reference arm). The incidence of adverse events and severe toxicities was similar in both groups. In the second study of 140 patients with FL, the overall response was 97.0% (64 of the 66 patients) in the CT-P10 group and 92.6% (63 of the 68 patients) in the group treated with rituximab. Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported for 83% (58 of 70 patients) in the CT-P10 treatment group and 80% (56 of 70) in the reference rituximab treatment group. Results of these studies indicate similar activity and toxicity profile of GP2013 and CT-P10 to the original rituximab.

Background Patients cured from hematological malignancies should be subject to long-life routine medical supervision. Patients who did not complete their therapy during childhood require further therapy when reaching adulthood (18 years). Objective Determination of guidelines and suggestions on proceeding with pediatric patients with hematological malignancies undergoing transition to adult hematology centers, with respect to Polish conditions of national medical health-care system. Methods Panel of experts in the field of pediatric and adult hematology analyzed current situation in Polish pediatric and adult hematology centers and reviewed the literature on transition process of minor patients from pediatric to adult setting. Results Factors determining problems of patient transition and models of care of patient in pediatric and adult hematology settings were analyzed. Existing models of transition in Poland as well as experience from international models were presented: model of direct transition, model of adolescence medicine, sequential model and consultation model. Suggestions of changes facilitating process of patient transition, and guidelines on proceeding with patients with respect to diagnosis of malignancy and phase of oncological therapy were presented, involving cooperation of pediatric and adult centers, specialists in pediatric hematology and adult hematology, as well as the payer and scientific societies. Conclusions Process of transition of patients requires coordination and cooperation, preferably at the level of medical institutions. This should ensure optimal medical care to patients cured from malignancy and facilitate long-term medical supervision and gathering data on treatment efficacy and side effects.

Very few reports have been published to date on the bloodstream infections caused by Saccharomyces spp. in oncohaematological patients, and there are no guidelines on the use of this probiotic microorganism in this population. We describe the use of probiotic preparation containing Saccharomyces boulardii in a large group of oncohaematological patients. We retrospectively analysed the data from 32,000 patient hospitalisations at the haematological centre during 2011–2013 (including 196 haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients) in a tertiary care university-affiliated hospital. During the study period, 2270 doses of Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic were administered to the oncohaematological patients. In total, 2816 mycological cultures were performed, out of which 772 (27.4%) were positive, with 52 indicating digestive tract colonisation by Saccharomyces spp., mainly in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or multiple myeloma (MM). While colonised, they were hospitalised for 1683 days and 416 microbiological cultures of their clinical samples were performed. In the studied group of patients, there were six blood cultures positive for fungi; however, they comprised Candida species: two C. glabrata, one C. albicans, one C. krusei, one C. tropicalis and one C. parapsilosis. There was no blood culture positive for Saccharomyces spp. Our study indicates that despite colonisation of many oncohaematological patients with Saccharomyces spp., there were no cases of fungal sepsis caused by this species.

In Poland, there is a shortage of statistical data regarding neoplasia of hematopoietic system. There is an unmet demand for epidemiological data concerning such cancers stemming from both scientific and health care management reasons. As all medical services for patients with these disorders are reported to the National Health Fund (NFZ) the aim of this study was to use NFZ data for determining incidence and prevalence of neoplasia of myelopoietic part of hematopoietic system in Poland, as well as defining the overall survival (OS) in affected patients. This work was performed under the project ‘Map of healthcare needs — database of systemic and implementation analyses’ co-funded by the European Union Social Fund from the Operational Programme for the Development of Knowledge and Education. The incidence rate in 2014 for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) was 4.1/100,000 whilst the registered disease prevalence rate was 10.9/100,000. The median OS during 2009–2015 for AML — reported patients was 6 months and the 3- and 5-year OS was estimated as respectively being 26.5% and 23.4%. For chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) the incidence and disease prevalence rates were 1.0/100,000 and 7.2/100,000 respectively, and those for Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN Ph–) were 8.9/100,000 and 55.9/100,000 respectively, whilst those for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) were 3.8/100,000 and 11.5/100,000 respectively. In patients reported as having CML, the 3- and 5-year OS was 76.2% and 68.1% respectively. In patients reported as having MPN Ph(–), the 3- and 5-year OS was 86.6% and 78.6% respectively. The median OS for patients reported as having MDS was 30 months and the probability of patients achieving 3- and 5-year OS was 45.8% and 36.1% respectively. Data reported to the NFZ for reimbursement of medical services provided seem to be the most reliable concerning such large patient population. Yet, there are still prone to errors arising from the mis-coding of cancers and to limited compatibility of the ICD-10th Revision (International Classification of Diseases) to current World Health Organization classification, Nevertheless, our data are similar to the European and USA registers regarding AML and MDS. However, in the case of MPNs (CML excluding) they require further verification.

Ixazomib is a new agent registered in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. The drug is the first oral proteasome inhibitor. Registration data show improvement in progression-free survival time (20.6 vs 14.7 months, p = 0.01) but recent analysis in Asian population also in overall survival (25.8 vs 15.8 months, HR = 0.419, p = 0.001) what placed with lack of ixazomib incremental toxicity may implicate clinical importance of the treatment in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Oral dosing of the triplet regimen may decrease the number and duration of hospitalizations that allows for better social functioning and occupational performance, and thus impacts daily disease perception.

Panobinostat in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone demonstrated a significant and clinically meaningful progression-free survival benefit compared with placebo, bortezomib and dexamethasone in the phase 3 PANORAMA 1 (Panobinostat Oral in Multiple Myeloma 1) trial. Despite this benefit, patients in the panobinostat arm experienced higher rates of adverse events (AEs) and higher rates of discontinuation due to AEs. This PANORAMA 1 subanalysis examined AEs between 2 treatment phases of the study (TP1 and TP2), in which administration frequency of bortezomib and dexamethasone differed per protocol. The incidences of several key AEs were lower in both arms following the planned reduction of bortezomib dosing frequency in TP2. In the panobinostat arm, rates of thrombocytopenia (grade 3/4: TP1, 56·7%; TP2, 6·0%), diarrhoea (grade 3/4: TP1, 24·1%; TP2, 7·1%), and fatigue (grade 3/4: TP1, 16·3%; TP2, 1·8%) were lower in TP2 compared with TP1. Dose intensity analysis of panobinostat and bortezomib by cycle in the panobinostat arm showed reductions of both agent doses during cycles 1-4 due to dose adjustments for AEs. Exposure-adjusted analysis demonstrated a reduction in thrombocytopenia frequency in TP1 following dose adjustment. These results suggest that optimization of dosing with this regimen could improve tolerability, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes.

Background Single positive staphylococcal blood culture in a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipient is generally regarded as contamination. Such a blood culture (BC) does not fill the criteria for Laboratory-Confirmed Bloodstream Infection (LCBI) and could be described as Single Positive Commensal Blood Culture. The aim of this retrospective cohort analysis was to determine the clinical significance of SPCBC in HSCT recipients. Methods 206 patients transplanted between 2007 and 2013 were followed until January 2015. Results The 100-day survival for patients without positive BC was 99.6% compared with 83.9% for LCBI and 82.8% for SPCBC (p = 0.0036). The 5-year overall survival (5yOS) was 67.1% for patients without positive BC, 44.9% for LCBI, 34.0% for SPCBC (p Conclusion To our knowledge this is the first report that specifically shows that short- and long-term survival after HSCT is significantly lower in patients who experience an episode of SPCBC with Staphylococcus spp. during HSCT hospitalization.

Septic shock is one of the major direct causes of death in patients in hematology departments.The knowledge about clinical outcomes and factors associated with negative outcome in these patients can be important and useful for physicians to identify the patients who are most likely to benefit from ICU therapy.We retrospectively analyzed records of 214 episodes of septic shock in patients with different blood diseases hospitalized between 1998 and 2011 in the Department of Hematology, Oncology and Internal Medicine, the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.Direct survival with resolution of septic shock was 46%. Among these survivors, 75% continued to live at 30 days, 49% at 6 months, and 12% at 5 years after shock resolution. It was found that the most important prognostic factors for direct (short-term) mortality were multiorgan failure, lack of concordance of empiric antibiotic treatment with results of in vitro sensitivity testing, the Karnofsky score below 60%, presence of more than two comorbidities. Long-term prognosis (3-year follow-up) was affected by multiple factors with the most significant being Karnofsky score, higher organ failure score, hematologic disease relapse or resistance to treatment.Septic shock in patients with blood disorders treated in the hematology ward was associated with very high risk of mortality in all periods after its completion. However, although the results of treatment of septic shock in patients with blood diseases are poor, they were comparable to the results of treatment of septic shock in mixed populations treated in intensive care units.

Summary Background Panobinostat plus bortezomib and dexamethasone significantly increased median progression-free survival compared with placebo plus bortezomib and dexamethasone in the phase 3 PANORAMA 1 trial. Here, we present the final overall survival analysis for this trial. Methods PANORAMA 1 is a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 3 trial of patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma with one to three previous treatments. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive panobinostat (20 mg orally) or placebo, with bortezomib (1·3 mg/m 2 intravenously) and dexamethasone (20 mg orally), over two distinct treatment phases. In treatment phase 1 (eight 3-week cycles), patients received: panobinostat or placebo on days 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 12; bortezomib on days 1, 4, 8, and 11; and dexamethasone on days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12. During treatment phase 2 (four 6-week cycles with a 2 weeks on, 1 week off schedule), panobinostat or placebo was given three times a week, bortezomib was administered once a week, and dexamethasone was given on the days of and following bortezomib administration. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival; overall survival was a key secondary endpoint. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01023308. Findings Between Jan 21, 2010, and Feb 29, 2012, 768 patients were enrolled into the study and randomly assigned to receive either panobinostat (n=387) or placebo (n=381), plus bortezomib and dexamethasone. At data cutoff (June 29, 2015), 415 patients had died. Median overall survival was 40·3 months (95% CI 35·0–44·8) in those who received panobinostat, bortezomib, and dexamethasone versus 35·8 months (29·0–40·6) in those who received placebo, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (hazard ratio [HR] 0·94, 95% CI 0·78–1·14; p=0·54). Of patients who had received at least two previous regimens including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory drug, median overall survival was 25·5 months (95% CI 19·6–34·3) in 73 patients who received panobinostat, bortezomib, and dexamethasone versus 19·5 months (14·1–32·5) in 74 who received placebo (HR 1·01, 95% CI 0·68–1·50). Interpretation The overall survival benefit with panobinostat over placebo with bortezomib and dexamethasone was modest. However, optimisation of the regimen could potentially prolong treatment duration and improve patients' outcomes, although further trials will be required to confirm this. Funding Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Introduction: Central Nervous System involvement (CNSi) in patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) rarely occurs. It is not well characterized clinically and lacks standardized treatments. Patients and methods: A retrospective analysis of 77 consecutive AML patients with primary and secondary CNSi during 2004-2016 was performed in eight Polish haematological centres. Results: 77 patients (38 with primary CNSi-AML) were included. Median age was 44 years in both groups. Elevated lactate dehydrogenase activity was found in the majority of subjects. Patients in primary CNSi-AML group more often had myelomonocytic and monoblastic AML subtypes (68.4%) compared to secondary CNSi AML (43.5%) (p=0.039). There were no differences between both groups in the number of leukocytes or the proportion of blast cells rates in peripheral blood or bone marrow at AML diagnosis. There were also no statistically significant differences between both groups in the incidence of cytogenetic or molecular abnormalities. In both groups, CNSi was most frequently found in the cerebrospinal fluid and the most common neurological symptom was headache. The following manifestations were more frequent in secondary than in primary CNSi-AML: lower extremity weakness (38.46% vs. 13.16%; p=0.023), paraesthesia (38.46% vs. 13.16%; p=0.023), motor deficits (31.58% vs. 10.53%; p=0.047), and asymmetry of reflexes (26.32% vs. 2.7%; p=0.007). Median pleocytosis was also significantly higher in secondary than in primary CNSi-AML: 27 (IQR 2-146) vs. 2 (IQR: 1-12; p=0.004). Both groups had rather short Overall Survival (OS), with a median of 16.6 months (9.9-NA) for patients with primary CNSi-AML and 15.4 months (10.1-21.1) for patients with secondary CNSi. Conclusion: Patients with CNSi AML were relatively young, having high lactate dehydrogenase activity and high rates of the myelomonocytic and monoblastic/monocytic AML subtypes. The advisability of undertaking CNS examination and prophylaxis in patients with such characteristics thus merits further reassessment.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is increasingly diagnosed in high-risk patients. The lesions are usually located in the lungs and/or sinuses, and the fungus may spread haematogenously to different organs; however, involvement of the heart during IA is very rare. We describe a unique case of invasive aspergillosis of the heart septum and the lungs in the allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient.

Background Infections with human β-herpesviruses are common worldwide and are still frequent in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Some data suggest that HHV-6 and HHV-7 could take part in CMV reactivation from latency and/or progression of CMV disease in immunosupressed patients. Objectives The aims of this study were: (1) to summarise retrospectively the results of β-herpesviruses DNA detection in a large group of adult allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients; and (2) to find a potential correlation between viruses belonging to this subfamily. Study design AlloHSCT recipients ( N =142) were examined in the early post-transplant period (median=89 days). The presence of CMV, HHV-6 and HHV-7 was confirmed through detection and quantification of viral DNA, isolated from 1679 sera samples. Results CMV DNA alone was detected in 23.9% of patients, while single HHV-6 and HHV-7 were detected in 14.8% and 9.9% of individuals, respectively. The reactivation of more than one virus was identified in 31% of analysed patients. In cases of concurrent infection, HHV-7 was detected at the same time as HHV-6, and both of them were usually reactivated before CMV. The kinetics of virus reactivation and measured viral load may suggest a potential role of HHV-6 and HHV-7 as co-factors in CMV reactivation. Conclusions The observed kinetics of virus reactivation may strongly suggest a potential role of HHV-6 and/or HHV-7 as co-factors of CMV reactivation. The co-infection with these β-herpesviruses could predispose patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to a longer and more severe CMV infection.