Back to Authors

Swiecicki, Paul Loren

0000-0003-2286-3555

Mayo Clinic

U-M Rogel Cancer Center

Citations 10

Consensus Guidelines for Staging and Surveillance Imaging in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Kassamali, Bina , Schoenfeld, Jonathan D., Sethi, Rosh, Bakst, R H, Barker, C. A., Bradford, Carol R., Carr, David R., Chandra, Sunandana , Connolly, Karen L., Demer, Addison M. , Doonan, Bently, Emerick, Kevin, Friedman, Ben J. , Gali, Linna L., Galloway, Thomas J., Geiger, Jessica L., Kohen, Laurie, Koyfman, Shlomo, Kumar, Shweta Sharat, Learned, Kim O. , Leitenberger, Justin J., Lilley, Elizabeth J. , Lukens, John N. , Medina, Theresa , Mitra, Devarati , Ozog, David, Pashtan, Itai, Pham, Nancy , Powers, Molly, Srivastava, Divya, Taylor, Charlotte S., Witek, Matthew E. , Wysong, Ashley, Zander, David, Silk, Ann W., Jambusaria-Pahlajani, Anokhi, Ruiz, Emily S., Chen, Michelle , Kumar, Shweta S. , Schoenfeld, Jonathan D. , Barker, Christopher A. , Bhatt, Alok A. , Bradford, Carol R. , Bunch, Paul M. , Carr, David R., Carucci, John A. , Chen, Michelle , Connolly, Karen , Doonan, Bently P. , Emerick, Kevin S. , Friedman, Ben J. , Galloway, Thomas J. , Guenette, Jeffrey P. , Kelly, Hillary R. , Khushalani, Nikhil I. , Kohen, Laurie Linden, Leitenberger, Justin J. , Medina, Theresa M. , Pashtan, Itai , Patel, Vishal Anil , Srivastava, Divya , Swiecicki, Paul Loren , Wysong, Ashley, Silk, Ann Willman , Jambusaria‐Pahlajani, Anokhi , Ruiz, Emily S.

JAMA Dermatology | July 8, 2026 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.1001/jamadermatol.2026.2163 Get It

Importance There is no consensus on staging and surveillance imaging for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). Although imaging has been shown to affect management, broad recommendations from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network have led to variability in clinical practice. Objective To develop multidisciplinary consensus recommendations on the use of staging and surveillance imaging of localized CSCC. Evidence Review A multidisciplinary expert panel across academic and clinical practice settings convened a Delphi consensus, with 3 iterative survey rounds from January to June 2025. Data were analyzed from February 2025 to January 2026. Eligibility defined by at least 1 to 2 CSCC publications during the previous 5 years, involvement in a relevant clinical trial, experience treating at least 3 patients monthly with CSCC, and/or 5 years or longer of clinical practice. Fifty-four experts were invited and 45 (83%) completed all 3 rounds and were included in the final analysis. Structured Delphi surveys evaluated clinical scenarios, imaging modalities, and surveillance strategies for CSCC. Consensus and near-consensus recommendations were generated, defined as 80% or greater and 70% to 79% agreement, respectively. Findings The 45 participants (21 female individuals [47%] and 24 male individuals [53%]; 14 Asian individuals [31%], 1 multiracial individual [2%], and 30 White individuals [67%]) consisted of dermatology (15 [33%]), medical oncology (7 [16%]), radiation oncology (9 [20%]), radiology (9 [20%]), surgery (3 [7%]), and otolaryngology specialists (2 [4%]). The Delphi panel recommended staging and surveillance for CSCCs with at least a 15% risk of metastasis. Consensus or near consensus was reached to recommend staging and surveillance imaging for tumors with a concern for metastasis, bone invasion, invasion beyond subcutaneous fat, large-caliber nerve invasion, or a diameter of 4 cm or larger or the combination of tumors with poorly differentiated histology and any of the following: diameter of 2 cm or larger, lymphovascular invasion and subcutaneous fat invasion, or lymphovascular invasion and small-caliber perineural invasion. Computed tomography imaging was the preferred modality for nodal staging (38 [84%]) and surveillance (35 [78%]). For surveillance duration, consensus was reached to provide imaging for at least 2 years, and near consensus was reached for at least 3 years. Conclusions and Relevance This study provides an expert consensus–based framework to standardize imaging in localized CSCC that may inform future guidelines.
Phase II (Alliance A091802) Randomized Trial of Avelumab Plus Cetuximab Versus Avelumab Alone in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Zandberg, Dan P. , Allred, Jacob B., Rosenberg, Ari J. , Swiecicki, Paul , Julian, Ricklie , Poklepovic, Andrew , Bauman, Jessica R. , Saba, Nabil F. , Rivera, Edgardo, Rowland, Kendrith M. , Cordes, Julia, Münster, Pamela N. , Swiecicki, Paul Loren , Poklepovic, Andrew S , Bauman, Jessica R , Saba, Nabil F , Davar, Diwakar , Ho, Alan L , Berg, Stephanie A , Schwartz, Gary K , Munster, Pamela , Kaczmar, John M. , Phan, Minh D., Davar, Diwakar , Cordes, Julia, Ho, Alan L. , Zhang, Miao , Berg, Stephanie , Schwartz, Gary K.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 31, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2398-2408

10.1200/jco-25-00759 Get It

PURPOSE Continued improvement in outcomes is needed for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Methods Alliance A091802 is a randomized phase II trial of avelumab (800 mg IV once every 2 weeks) plus cetuximab (500 mg/m 2 IV once every 2 weeks) versus avelumab alone once every 2 weeks for up to 2 years. Cetuximab was given for 1 year in the avelumab + cetuximab arm. Crossover at progression to avelumab + cetuximab was allowed. Randomization was 1:1, stratified by PD-L1 and HIV status. Patients had distant metastatic or unresectable locally advanced cSCC, were anti–PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibody–naive, had no previous cetuximab in the advanced setting, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, and could be HIV+ (CD4 >200, viral load <200). Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, immunosuppression, or active autoimmune diseases were excluded. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS; null hypothesis: median = 12 months v alternative hypothesis: 21 months or a 75% improvement, power of 80% with one-sided alpha .2, n = 57, 37 PFS events required). Secondary end points were overall survival, objective response rates (ORRs), clinical benefit rate, and toxicity. RESULTS Sixty patients were enrolled; 57 patients were evaluable. The median age was 72 years, all were HIV–; 75.4% was PD-L1+, 84.2% had head/neck origin, 47.4% had distant metastasis, and there were no differences in baseline characteristics by arm. Avelumab + cetuximab significantly improved PFS versus avelumab (median, 11.1 [7.6-not reached (NR)] v 3.0 months [2.7-13.6] hazard ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.23 to 0.97], P = .018). Avelumab patients who crossed over (n = 9) to combination had a median PFS after crossover of 11.3 months (5.8-NR). The confirmed ORR was 27.6% with avelumab + cetuximab and 21.4% with avelumab. Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 48.3% and 21.5% of patients with avelumab + cetuximab (most common: rash [20.7%], infusion reaction [20.7%]) and avelumab, respectively. CONCLUSION Avelumab + cetuximab significantly improved PFS versus avelumab alone in patients with advanced cSCC. Alliance A091802 supports a larger confirmatory study with the combination of cetuximab and PD-1:PD-(L)1 blockade.
A phase II (Alliance/A091802) randomized trial of avelumab plus cetuximab vs. avelumab alone in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).
Zandberg, Dan P. , Allred, Jacob B., Julian, Ricklie , Bauman, Jessica R. , Phan, Minh , Ellerton, John , Ohr, James , Cordes, Julia, Münster, Pamela N. , Munster, Pamela , Rosenberg, Ari J. , Kaczmar, John M. , Swiecicki, Paul Loren , Poklepovic, Andrew , Saba, Nabil F. , Cordes, Julia, Ho, Alan L. , Berg, Stephanie , Schwartz, Gary K.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 6002-6002

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.6002 Get It

6002 Background: There is a need for continued improvement in outcomes with systemic therapy for advanced cSCC. Pre-clinical data suggest immunologic synergy between IgG1 mAb therapy targeting EGFR and PD-1:PD-(L)1 blockade. Methods: Alliance A091802 is a randomized phase II trial of avelumab (AV) (800 mg) plus cetuximab (C) (500 mg/m2) vs. AV alone every 2 weeks for up to 2 years (yrs). C was given for 1 yr in the AV+C arm. Crossover at progression to AV+C was allowed in the AV arm. Randomization was 1:1 and stratified by PD-L1 [+(>1%) vs. -] and HIV status (+ vs. -). Eligible patients (pts) had distant metastatic or unresectable locally advanced cSCC, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 mAb naive, no prior cetuximab in the advanced setting, ECOG PS 0-2, HIV+ if CD4 >200 and VL <200. Pts with CLL, immunosuppression, or active autoimmune diseases were excluded. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) (Ho: Median=12 mo vs Ha: 21 mo or a 75% improvement, power of 80% with one-sided alpha 0.2, n=57, 37 PFS events required). Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), confirmed response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate, and toxicity. After 31/37 events, an early unplanned analysis (along with sensitivity analyses) was performed because it became apparent that 37 events would not be reached. These results were submitted to the Alliance Data and Safety Monitoring Board, which recommended releasing the data. Data cutoff was 1/16/25. Results: 60 pts were enrolled between 2019-2023; 57 pts were evaluable. Median age was 72 yrs (41‒93), 96.5% were white, 91.2% male, all HIV-; 75.4% PD-L1+. 84.2% were head/neck origin, 47.1% had distant metastasis, and there were no differences in baseline characteristics by arm. AV+C significantly improved PFS compared to AV [median 11.1 months (mo) (7.6‒not reached (NR)) vs. 4.8 mo (2.8‒NR) hazard ratio (HR) 0.53 95% CI (0.26‒1.09), one-sided p=0.041]. The median OS of AV+C vs. AV was NR (25.2‒NR) vs. 35.8 mo (18.6‒NR) HR 0.77 (0.33‒1.78) p=0.267. ORR was 31.0% in the AV+C arm and 21.4% in the AV arm. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) of any grade (G) occurred in 93% and 78.6%, respectively, and were G>3 in 48.3% and 21.5% of pts in the AV+C [most common G3 TRAEs were rash (20.7%) and infusion-related reaction (20.7%)] and AV arms, respectively. There were no G5 events. Outcomes after crossover and by PD-L1 status will be presented subsequently. Conclusions: Avelumab plus cetuximab significantly improved PFS vs. avelumab alone in advanced cSCC pts, without unexpected toxicity. Alliance A091802 supports a larger confirmatory study with combination cetuximab and PD-1:PD-(L)1 blockade. Support: U10CA180821, U10CA180882, U24CA196171; U10CA180868 (NRG Oncology); U10CA180888 (SWOG); https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org . EMD Serono CrossRef Funder ID: 10.13039/100004755. Clinical trial information: NCT03944941 .
Abstract CT265: Phase 1 dose-escalation study of SGN-TGT monotherapy in patients with advanced malignancies
Garralda, Elena , Oberoi, H.K., Uboha, Nataliya V. , Keenan, Bridget K., Manda, Sudhir, Mehta, Amitkuma, Moskowitz, Alison J. , Ribrag, Vincent, Richards, Donald, Forero-Torres, Andres , Xu, Ping, Ansell, Stephen M. , Fontana, Elisa , Dumbrava, Ecaterina E. , Calvo, Emiliano , Curigliano, Giuseppe , Davar, Diwakar , Keenan, Bridget P. , Lam, Vincent K. L. , Minchom, Anna , Paluri, Ravi Kumar , Ribrag, Vincent , Siu, Lillian L. , Swiecicki, Paul Loren , Wise-Draper, Trisha Michel , Zain, Jasmine

Cancer Research | April 14, 2023 | Volume: 83 | Issue: 8_Supplement | Pages: CT265-CT265

10.1158/1538-7445.am2023-ct265 Get It

Abstract Background: T-cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domain (TIGIT) is an inhibitory immune checkpoint receptor expressed on subsets of T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells. TIGIT inhibits T and NK cell function by binding to CD155 and CD112. SEA-TGT is an investigational human, nonfucosylated monoclonal antibody directed against TIGIT, blocking TIGIT's interaction with CD155 and CD112. SGNTGT-001 (NCT04254107) is a phase 1, open-label, multicenter study of SEA-TGT in patients (pts) with advanced malignancies (solid tumors and lymphomas). In this abstract, we present data from the dose-escalation phase (Part A). Methods: Pts received SEA-TGT ranging from 0.01 to 6.0 mg/kg of body weight intravenously every 3 weeks (Q3W). The primary objectives were to evaluate the safety and tolerability of SEA-TGT and identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or the recommended dose and schedule of SEA-TGT. The optimal biological dose was defined using the Clinical Utility Index. Secondary objectives included the evaluation of antitumor activity, pharmacokinetics (PK) and immunogenicity. Antitumor activity was based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 or the Lugano classification criteria with Lymphoma Response to Immunomodulatory Therapy Criteria. Results: From June 12, 2020, to October 5, 2022, 41 pts were enrolled (2, 4, 5, 11, 12, and 7 pts in the 0.01, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, and 6 mg/kg cohorts, respectively). Among the 39 pts who were treated 23 pts had solid tumors and 16 had lymphomas. The median number of prior therapies across all cohorts was 5. Treatment emergent adverse events of any grade were reported in 100% of pts, and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of any grade were reported in 69.2%. TRAEs seen in ≥10% of the pts were infusion-related reaction (38.5%), chills (25.6%), pyrexia (17.9%), fatigue (12.8%), maculopapular rash (12.8%), and rash (10.3%). Seven pts (17.9%) reported TRAEs grade ≥3, and rash (5.1%) was the most frequently reported. No grade 4 or 5 TRAEs were reported. One dose-limiting toxicity, pruritic rash, was observed in 1 pt in the 6 mg/kg cohort, and MTD was not exceeded. Based on the PK and pharmacodynamic data, 1 mg/kg Q3W was selected as the optimal biological dose for the expansion cohorts. One partial response was observed in a pt with gastric cancer, and 2 partial metabolic responses were seen in a pt with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and a pt with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Conclusions: Overall, clinical data for SEA-TGT from the SGNTGT-001 trial suggest a manageable and tolerable safety profile. Preliminary antitumor activity warrants further clinical evaluation of SEA-TGT. SGNTGT-001 is ongoing and evaluating monotherapy and combination therapies. Citation Format: Elena Garralda Cabanas, Elisa Fontana, Honey Kumar Oberoi, Nataliya V. Uboha, Ecaterina E. Dumbrava, Emiliano Calvo, Giuseppe Curigliano, Diwakar Davar, Bridget K. Keenan, Vincent K. Lam, Sudhir Manda, Amitkuma Mehta, Anna Minchom, Alison Moskowitz, Ravi Paluri, Vincent Ribrag, Donald Richards, Lillian Siu, Paul Swiecicki, Trisha Wise-Draper, Jasmine Zain, Andres Forero-Torres, Ping Xu, Stephen Ansell. Phase 1 dose-escalation study of SGN-TGT monotherapy in patients with advanced malignancies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 2 (Clinical Trials and Late-Breaking Research); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(8_Suppl):Abstract nr CT265.
385 A first-in-human study of lemzoparlimab, a differentiated anti-CD47 antibody, in subjects with relapsed/refractory malignancy: initial monotherapy results
Harb, Wael A., Adjei, Alex A. , Xing, Yan , Seetharam, ­Mahesh , Nandagopal, Lakshminarayanan , Xu, Cong , Meng, Yuan, Lee, Linda , Zhao, Yonggang , Wang, Zhengyi, Shen, Joan Huaqiong, Berlin, Jordan D. , Swiecicki, Paul Loren , Gopal, Ajay K. , Meng, Yuan

Regular and young investigator award abstracts | November 9, 2020 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: A233.3-A234

10.1136/jitc-2020-sitc2020.0385 Get It

CYP3A inhibitors and adverse outcomes in patients treated with docetaxel chemotherapy.
Atherton, Pamela J. , Finnes, Heidi D. , Puttabasavaiah, Suneetha, Swiecicki, Paul Loren , Goetz, Matthew P.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 11, 2020 | Volume: 31 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 2596-2596

10.1200/jco.2013.31.15_suppl.2596 Get It

2596 Background: Docetaxel (D) is an anti-mitotic drug metabolized by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 enzyme. While case reports have demonstrated a potential association of CYP3A inhibitor use with severe toxicity in D treated patients (pts), there are no data whether co-administration of CYP3A inhibitors with D increases the rate of hospitalization and/or death. Methods: A retrospective cohort of pts treated with D at the Mayo Clinic Rochester from 1/1/09-10/1/11 was identified. Information regarding D and concomitant chemotherapy (starting dose and dose reductions), type of CYP3A inhibitor, growth factor use, hospitalizations and deaths was abstracted. Time to event analyses (either hospitalization or death) were conducted using Kaplan-Meier estimates and proportional hazards modeling. Results: 384 pts (median age 63, range 20-93) received D as monotherapy (48%) or as multi-agent chemotherapy (52%) for a median of 4 cycles. 56 pts were co-administered CYP3A inhibitors (45 moderate, 11 strong). 90 pts were hospitalized during D chemotherapy and 15 died. The mean time to hospitalization was significantly shorter in pts treated with a mod/strong CYP3A inhibitor (186 days) vs not treated (408 days) (p=0.02) . While time to death was not significantly different based on inhibitor use (111 vs. 177 days, p=0.49), time to first event (hospitalization or death) varied significantly according to those on inhibitors (187 days) versus not (397 days) (HR: 1.78, p=0.02). Time dependent analyses indicated that use of multiage chemotherapy (combination vs D monotherapy; HR 1.96, p= 0.002) and chemotherapy dose reduction of either D (HR 0.54, p<0.01) or other chemotherapy (HR 0.61, p=0.02) were significantly associated with the risk of an event. In a multivariate analysis, moderate/strong CYP3A inhibitor use was associated with a higher risk of any event (HR 1.79, p<0.02), independent of the use or dose of either multi-agent chemotherapy or D dose. Conclusions: These are the first data to demonstrate that co-administration of CYP3A inhibitors with D increases the risk of hospitalization and/or death. Oncologists should reconcile medications prior to D administration and mod/strong CYP3A inhibitors should be avoided or used with caution.
The Natural History of Cold Agglutinin Disease
Hegerova, Livia , Swiecicki, Paul Loren , Gertz, Morie A.

Blood | October 9, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 5152-5152

10.1182/blood.v120.21.5152.5152 Get It

Abstract Abstract 5152 Introduction: Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a rare and poorly understood disorder accounting for 15% of patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Treatment has been largely controversial with few studies addressing safety and efficacy of various treatment regimens. This study reports a single institution's experience with cold agglutinin disease, defines the clinical features, prognosis and management. Methods: A retrospective analysis of Mayo Clinic medical records since 1960 was performed to identify all cases of CAD. Initial appraisal identified 89 patients after which an in depth review of clinical notes, laboratory evaluations, and treatment regimens was performed. Statistical analysis was performed via descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival. Results: The median age at onset of symptoms was 65 years (range: 40, 82), while the median age at diagnosis was 72 (42, 91). The most common sign at presentation was anemia (38. 4%). The most common symptom during the course of disease was similarly finger discoloration (43. 8%). Over half of patients had symptoms that were triggered by a cold environment (52. 8%) and a minority (22. 5%) had exacerbations precipitated by other factors. The median time from onset of symptoms to time of disease diagnosis was 37 months (0, 374). The majority of patients had an underlying hematologic disorder (48. 3%) of which the most common was monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. At diagnosis the average hemoglobin was 10. 2 (6. 2, 17. 7) with positive coombs testing in 75% of patients. All patients had documented positive cold agglutinin titers. Approximately 40% of patients received transfusions at some point during their disease course and 83% needed drug therapy at some point. The most common reason to initiate drug treatment was progressive anemia (44. 9%). In 15% of patients, CAD was able to be managed with watchful waiting. The median duration between initial symptoms to initiation of treatment was 60 months. 56. 2% and 33. 7% of patients required second and third line therapy respectively. Treatment characteristics and responses are displayed in Table 1. Rituximab showed the longest duration of response and had the lowest percentage of patients needing further treatment, while 4 out of 5 patients on prednisone required additional therapies. Median survival in all patients with CAD was 127. 5 months and 76. 9% of patients were alive at 5-years after diagnosis (Figure 1). Conclusions: This is the largest study of patients with cold agglutinin disease to date. Symptoms were frequently ill-defined resulting in delay of diagnosis. Although drug therapy was frequently indicated, many patients were successfully observed. New treatment agents including Rituximab demonstrate promising response rates compared to traditional regimens, especially in patients with underlying hematologic abnormalities. These results support consideration of CAD as part of the differential diagnosis in the setting of new onset anemia and re-enforces the importance of evaluation for underlying B Cell abnormality in this patient population. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Rituximab, Cyclophosphomide, Chlorambucil, and Prednisone will be discussed as therapy modalatities for the treatment of cold agglutinin hemolytic anemia.
Outcomes of Patients With Familial Transthyretin Amyloidosis After Liver Transplantation
Banerjee, Dipti, Roeker, Lindsey E. , Grogan, Martha , Poterucha, John J., Zeldenrust, Steve R., Edwards, Brooks S., Daly, Richard C. , Klarich, Kyle W. , Poterucha, John, Zeldenrust, Steve, Edwards, Brooks, Daly, Richard , Swiecicki, Paul Loren , Heimbach, Julie K. , Zeldenrust, Steven R., Gertz, Morie A. , Dispenzieri, Angela , Roeker, Lindsey

Progress in Transplantation | August 3, 2017 | Volume: 27 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 246-250

10.1177/1526924817715463 Get It

Background: Familial transthyretin amyloidosis is a disease caused by misfolded transthyretin aggregates that can impair multiple organ systems. Liver transplantation is the first-line treatment for familial transthyretin amyloidosis. Research Question: Our objective is to study outcomes and survival among patients with familial transthyretin amyloidosis after transplantation. Design: All patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplant for familial transthyretin amyloidosis at Mayo Clinic between 1997 and 2012 were reviewed. Baseline clinical characteristics, organs transplanted, and posttransplant clinical course were assessed. Results: Of the 40 patients, 7 patients had the V30M mutation and 33 had other mutations. Nineteen patients received liver only, 19 liver and heart, and 2 combined liver, heart, and kidney transplants. The 5-year overall survival was 85% for those receiving multiple organ transplant and 52% for those receiving liver transplant only ( P = .057). There was no difference in overall survival based on mutation (V30M vs other mutations), but survival was confounded by varied disease involvement and organs transplanted. Those who had early death (≤24 months from liver transplant) had a higher incidence of baseline peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, lower modified BMI, and higher alkaline phosphatase. Discussion: Outcomes of orthotopic liver transplant in familial transthyretin amyloidosis are variable due to heterogeneity in mutations and patient status at the time of transplant. Familial transthyretin amyloidosis can progress, despite liver transplantation. Patients receiving combined liver, heart/kidney transplant demonstrated improved survival compared to liver transplant alone.
Frequencies and geographic distributions of genetic mutations in transthyretin‐ and non‐transthyretin‐related familial amyloidosis
Zhen, David B. , Zeldenrust, Steven R., Dispenzieri, Angela , Mauermann, Michelle L. , Swiecicki, Paul Loren , Gertz, Morie A. , Dispenzieri, Angela , Mauermann, Michelle L

Clinical Genetics | September 11, 2014 | Volume: 88 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 396-400

10.1111/cge.12500 Get It

Inherited forms of amyloidosis are rare; of these, transthyretin‐related (ATTR) is the most common, but non‐ATTR has been described as well. We studied a large case series of ATTR and a small series of non‐ATTR to better determine the mutation frequencies and geographic distributions of these inherited forms of amyloidosis in the United States. We performed a retrospective cross‐sectional study of 284 ATTR and non‐ATTR patients seen at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, from 1 January 1970 through 29 January 2013. Mutations were identified by DNA sequencing, restriction fragment length polymorphism, or mass spectroscopy. The genetic testing method was unknown for several patients, but a small proportion were identified by family history or by classical clinical presentation associated with a specific mutation. The most common ATTR mutations were Thr60Ala (24%), Val30Met (15%), Val122Ile (10%), and Ser77Tyr (5%). Non‐ATTR mutations included gelsolin (n = 3), apolipoprotein A‐I (n = 6), apolipoprotein A‐II (n = 1), fibrinogen A‐α (n = 9), and lysozyme (n = 1). Although rare, ATTR and, to a lesser extent, non‐ATTR are prevalent in the United States and should be considered for patients presenting in the appropriate clinical context.
Cold agglutinin disease
Hegerova, Livia , Swiecicki, Paul L, Swiecicki, Paul Loren , Gertz, Morie A.

Blood | June 11, 2013 | Volume: 122 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 1114-1121

10.1182/blood-2013-02-474437 Get It

Abstract Cold agglutinin disease is a rare and poorly understood disorder affecting 15% of patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. We reviewed the clinical and pathologic features, prognosis, and management in the literature and describe our institutional experience to improve strategies for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Retrospective analysis identified 89 patients from our institution with cold agglutinin disease from 1970 through 2012. Median age at symptom onset was 65 years (range, 41 to 83 years), whereas the median age at diagnosis was 72 years (range, 43 to 91 years). Median survival of all patients was 10.6 years, and 68 patients (76%) were alive 5 years after the diagnosis. The most common symptom was acrocyanosis (n = 39 [44%]), and many had symptoms triggered by cold (n = 35 [39%]) or other factors (n = 20 [22%]). An underlying hematologic disorder was detected in 69 patients (78%). Thirty-six patients (40%) received transfusions during their disease course, and 82% received drug therapy. Rituximab was associated with the longest response duration (median, 24 months) and the lowest proportion of patients needing further treatment (55%). Our institution’s experience and review of the literature confirms that early diagnostic evaluation and treatment improves outcomes in cold agglutinin disease.