Iqbal, Madiha

Objective Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease marked by immune dysregulation, leading to progressive fibrosis and multiorgan dysfunction. Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT) has demonstrated superiority over conventional immunosuppression in randomized trials yet remains underused in the United States. We report outcomes following implementation of autoHCT as a standard‐of‐care strategy at our institution. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with severe SSc undergoing autoHCT between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2023. Eligibility required progressive disease despite standard immunosuppressive therapy. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and event free survival (EFS). Secondary endpoints included cumulative incidence of relapse and nonrelapse mortality (NRM), organ‐specific outcomes, and transplant‐related complications. Results Twenty‐five patients underwent autoHCT. Median age was 46 years; 80% were female. At a median follow‐up of 23 (interquartile range 16.4–31.9) months, two‐year OS was 91.67% (95% confidence interval [CI] 81.25–100.0) and EFS was 74.51% (95% CI 58.78–94.45). Two‐year cumulative incidence of relapse was 23.93% (95% CI 4.27 –43.59), and NRM was 8.33% (95% CI 2.97–19.64). Significant improvement in Modified Rodnan Skin Score was observed at day +90 and +180 ( P < 0.05), whereas pulmonary function stabilized. Infectious complications occurred in 56% of patients, primarily viral reactivations. Conclusion Implementation of autoHCT for severe SSc in a multidisciplinary care model was associated with favorable survival and meaningful improvement in skin disease, with acceptable toxicity. Earlier referral and optimization of conditioning strategies may further reduce relapse and treatment‐related morbidity.

ABSTRACT The recently published BLAST clinical risk model for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and its molecular version (BLAST‐Mol) differentiate low, intermediate, and high‐risk groups. The objective of the current retrospective study was to examine the survival impact of allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) in a consecutive series of Mayo Clinic patients ( n = 775; 68% males, median age 71 years) with CMML, overall and adjusted for baseline BLAST/BLAST‐Mol risk categories. At a median follow‐up of 77 months, 151 (20%) patients underwent ASCT. Overall survival (OS) was longer in the ASCT compared to the non‐ASCT cohorts (median 77 vs. 28 months; p < 0.01). The significant difference in OS between the ASCT and non‐ASCT cohorts was retained after adjusting for BLAST clinical risk groups: high‐risk (median 50 vs. 14 months; p < 0.01), intermediate‐risk (81 vs. 28 months; p < 0.01), and low‐risk (111 vs. 65 months; p = 0.04), respectively. The same was mostly the case when OS comparison was adjusted for BLAST‐Mol with respective p values of < 0.01, < 0.01, and 0.08, respectively. Time‐dependent cox models confirmed the favorable survival impact of ASCT in the BLAST/BLAST‐Mol high‐ and intermediate‐risk groups. The current study highlights the benefit of ASCT for BLAST/BLAST‐Mol high‐ and intermediate‐risk groups in CMML and its potential to overcome the adverse impact of some high risk cytogenetic or molecular abnormalities. These observations support the early use of ASCT in CMML, ideally before BT and regardless of genetic characteristics.

ABSTRACT Transformed follicular lymphoma (tFL) is typically associated with chemotherapy resistance and a poor prognosis. There are limited data regarding outcomes after CD19‐directed chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell (CAR T) therapy in relapsed/refractory (R/R) tFL. A total of 923 adult patients with R/R tFL who received commercial CD19 CAR T therapy between 2017 and 2023 were identified in the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research registry. Median age was 64 years (range: 30–86) and median prior lines of therapy was 4 (range: 1–18). Most patients (78%) received axicabtagene ciloleucel, with 67% of patients having resistant disease at the time of CAR T infusion. At a median follow‐up of 25 months (range: 1–72) from CAR T infusion, the 2‐year overall survival (OS) was 57% (95% CI: 53–60) and progression‐free survival (PFS) was 43% (95% CI: 40–47). The 2‐year cumulative incidences of relapse or progression (rel/prog) and non‐relapse mortality (NRM) were 47% (95% CI: 44–51) and 9% (95% CI: 7–11), respectively. The overall response rate to CAR T was 76%, with a complete response rate of 63%. Grade ≥ 3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was observed in 7.1% and grade ≥ 3 immune effector cell–associated neurologic syndrome (ICANS) in 21.6% of patients. Multivariable analysis suggested that resistant disease status at the time of CAR T, use of bridging therapy, and high comorbidity index ≥ 3 were associated with inferior PFS and OS. Older age ≥ 60 significantly increased the risk of NRM. Our study suggests that CD19 CAR T is effective and safe for tFL.

Abstract Preclinical studies have shown augmented activity when combining Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) with inhibitors of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and immunomodulatory agents (IMiD). We conducted a phase 1, open‐label study at five centers in USA to evaluate the safety of triplet BTKi/mTOR/IMiD therapy. Eligible patients were adults aged 18 years or older with relapsed/refractory CLL, B cell NHL, or Hodgkin lymphoma. Our dose escalation study used an accelerated titration design and moved sequentially from single agent BTKi (DTRMWXHS‐12), doublet (DTRMWXHS‐12 + everolimus), and then to triplet therapy (DTRMWXHS‐12 + everolimus + pomalidomide). All drugs were dosed once daily on days 1–21 of each 28‐day cycle. The primary goal was to establish the recommended phase 2 dose of the triplet combination. Between September 27, 2016, and July 24, 2019, a total of 32 patients with a median age of 70 years (range 46 to 94 years) were enrolled. No MTD was identified for monotherapy and the doublet combination. The MTD for the triplet combination was determined to be DTRMWXHS‐12 200 mg + everolimus 5 mg + pomalidomide 2 mg. Responses across all studied cohorts were seen in 13 of 32 (41.9%). Combining DTRMWXHS‐12 with everolimus and pomalidomide is tolerable and shows clinical activity. Additional trials could confirm benefit of this all‐oral combination therapy for relapsed/refractory lymphomas.

Abstract Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare extranodal non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. We performed a retrospective analysis of 55 IVL patients who were treated at our institution 2003–2018. Median age at diagnosis was 68 years, and 64% were males. The most frequent presenting symptoms were skin rash 43% and weight loss 30%. MRI brain on IVL patients with CNS involvement (CNS‐IVL) showed multifocal involvement in 76% (13/17). 89% (17/19) of non‐CNS‐IVL patients with abnormal FDG‐PET had biopsy of an avid lesion resulting in definitive diagnosis. The top diagnostic biopsy site was the bone marrow (45%). 56% had multiorgan involvement. Based on CNS involvement, 36.5% (20/55) had CNS‐IVL and 63.5% (35/55) had non‐CNS‐IVL. CNS‐IVL group consists of clinically isolated CNS involvement (CNS‐only IVL) (22%;12/55) and mixed clinical CNS and peripheral site involvement (M‐IVL) (14.5%; 8/55). Non‐CNS‐IVL group consists of clinically isolated skin involvement (skin‐only IVL) (9%; 5/55) and peripheral IVL with or without skin involvement (P‐IVL); (54.5%; 30/55). Skin involvement was predominantly in the lower extremities. Pathologically, 89% (48/54) were B‐cell IVL. Rituximab + high‐dose methotrexate‐based regimen were used in 75% (12/16) of CNS‐IVL patients and RCHOP in 60% (17/28) of non‐CNS‐IVL patients. Estimated 5‐year progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort were 38.6% and 52%, respectively. Skin‐only IVL was associated with excellent survival. Platelet count <150x10 9 /L, age > 60Y, and treatment without Rituximab were poor prognostic factors. Further research is necessary to identify novel therapies.

Lysozyme amyloidosis (ALys) is an exceedingly rare autosomal dominant hereditary type of systemic amyloidosis that can be misdiagnosed as other common types of systemic amyloidosis. The gastrointestinal tract and the kidney are the most common sites of organ involvement. No specific treatment exists for ALys, and the management primarily consists of organ-directed supportive care. To our knowledge, this disorder has been previously reported only in European ancestries; here, we first report the occurrence of ALys in South Asian ancestry. This report highlights the need of awareness amongst physicians regarding the extension of this unique and challenging disorder to non-European ancestries.

Phlegmonous gastritis is an uncommon acute bacterial infection of the stomach that carries a fatal prognosis in spite of the advent of antibiotics. A high index of suspicion is required in patients with risk factors. An immunocompromised state is identified as one of the most important risk factors. We hereby report a case of successful antimicrobial treatment of phlegmonous gastritis in a patient who was receiving intensive chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia. We have also carried out a review of literature over the past ten years. Streptococcus pyogenes is identified as the most common causative organism, and patient presentation is usually nonspecific. Conservative treatment with prompt institution of antibiotics can lead to rapid resolution in the majority of patients.