Citations

AbstractObjectiveAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be subtyped based on recurrent cytogenetic and molecular genetic abnormalities with diagnostic and prognostic significance. Although cytogenetic characterization classically involves conventional chromosome and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays, limitations of these techniques include poor resolution and the inability to precisely identify breakpoints.MethodWe evaluated whether an NGS‐based methodology that detects structural abnormalities and copy number changes using mate pair sequencing (MPseq) can enhance the diagnostic yield for patients with AML.ResultsUsing 68 known abnormal and 20 karyotypically normal AML samples, each recurrent primary AML‐specific abnormality previously identified in the abnormal samples was confirmed using MPseq. Importantly, in eight cases with abnormalities that could not be resolved by conventional cytogenetic studies, MPseq was utilized to molecularly define eight recurrent AML‐fusion events. In addition, MPseq uncovered two cryptic abnormalities that were missed by conventional cytogenetic studies. Thus, MPseq improved the diagnostic yield in the detection of AML‐specific structural rearrangements in 10/88 (11%) of cases analyzed.ConclusionUtilization of MPseq represents a precise, molecular‐based technique that can be used as an alternative to conventional cytogenetic studies for newly diagnosed AML patients with the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of hematologic malignancies.

* Massive rotator cuff tears that are treated nonoperatively demonstrate increases in tear size, fatty infiltration, muscular atrophy, and arthritis. * The pooled retear rate following complete repair of massive rotator cuff tears is 79%. * Absorbable and nonabsorbable graft augmentation following rotator cuff repair can reduce the retear rate and improve functional outcomes. * Irreparable tears can be predicted preoperatively by evaluating the degree of fatty infiltration, muscular atrophy, and tendon length. * Latissimus dorsi transfer, lower trapezius transfer, and superior capsular reconstruction provide improvements in terms of pain, range of motion, and function in patients with irreparable tears.

Study ObjectiveHigh‐dose intravenous vitamin C is a potential treatment option for patients with sepsis and may interfere with point‐of‐care (POC) blood glucose (BG) testing. This study aimed to determine if vitamin C dosing used for sepsis affected POC BG level results.DesignProspective observational pilot study.SettingIntensive care unit in a large academic tertiary care medical center.PatientsFive consecutive critically ill adults hospitalized between April 1 and June 1, 2017, who received two or more doses of intravenous vitamin C 1500 mg for the treatment of sepsis and had at least two paired POC BG levels and laboratory venous BG levels measured within 1 hour of each other during vitamin C therapy.Measurements and Main ResultsThe performance of POC BG level measurement was compared with the reference method of laboratory BG level measurement. The concordance to minimum accuracy criteria for BG meters set forth by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15197:2013, the measurement of agreement between POC BG level and laboratory BG level using the Bland‐Altman method, and the clinical accuracy through Parkes error grid analysis were assessed. A total of 16 paired POC and laboratory BG level measurements from the five patients were included. The accuracy of POC BG with laboratory BG level measurements during vitamin C administration according to ISO 15197:2013 criteria was 81.3%, which did not meet the minimum accuracy criteria of 95%. The Bland‐Altman analysis showed a mean difference between POC and laboratory BG levels of 8.9 mg/dl, and the Parkes error grid analysis showed that the differences between POC and laboratory BG level measurements would not have resulted in a change in clinical action.ConclusionThe accuracy and agreement of POC and laboratory BG level measurements in critically ill patients receiving vitamin C were consistent with previously published reports in critically ill patients not receiving vitamin C and did not demonstrate clinically significant interference due to vitamin C dosing for sepsis.

Background Trastuzumab is life‐extending therapy for breast cancer patients overexpressing the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 ( HER 2+), but has known cardiotoxic risk. We sought to determine if trastuzumab can be administered to patients with reduced baseline cardiac function at no higher cardiotoxicity risk than in those with normal cardiac function at baseline. Methods and Results We performed a retrospective study of women treated with trastuzumab for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 breast cancer at Mayo Clinic Rochester between January 1, 2000 and August 31, 2015 with pre‐ and on‐therapy echocardiograms available for review. A left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <53% was considered abnormal, and a ≥10% decline in LVEF as evidence of cardiotoxicity based on the criteria of the American Society of Echocardiography. A total of 428 women were identified; 408 had a normal cardiac function ( LVEF 63.4±5%) and 20 had an impaired cardiac function ( LVEF 45.4±7%) before trastuzumab. Seven women (35%) with reduced LVEF at baseline had a ≥10% reduction in LVEF , compared with 179 (43.9%) of those with normal LVEF before trastuzumab initiation ( P = NS ). Symptomatic heart failure developed more often in patients with reduced versus normal baseline LVEF (25% versus 4.2%, P <0.05). After adjusting for patient age and breast cancer disease stage, survival rates over 5 years from time of diagnosis were found to be lower for patients with reduced baseline LVEF compared with patients with normal baseline LVEF ( P <0.001); the adjusted proportion of patients surviving at 5 years for those with low LVEF at baseline was 79% and for those with normal LVEF was 93%. Conclusions Women undergoing trastuzumab therapy for breast cancer with impaired baseline cardiac function experience no higher risk of LVEF decline, but more frequently develop symptomatic heart failure. While trastuzumab could be considered, these patients should be co‐managed by a cardiologist.

AbstractT‐lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T‐ALL/LBL) accounts for approximately 15% of pediatric and 25% of adult ALL. While the underlying frequency of KMT2A (MLL) gene rearrangements has been identified in approximately 4‐8% of T‐ALL/LBL cases, a paucity of literature is available to characterize further the KMT2A rearrangements in pediatric/young adult T‐ALL/LBL. A 10‐year retrospective review was performed to identify KMT2A rearrangements in specimens sent for T‐ALL/LBL fluorescence in situ hybridization studies in patients under the age of 30 years. Of 806 T‐ALL/LBL FISH studies performed on unique individuals, 27 (3.3%) harbored KMT2A rearrangements. Nineteen patients were male and eight were female (M:F ratio, 2.4:1) with ages ranging from 1 to 20 years (mean 12, median 12). Of the 27 cases, nine (33%) had KMT2A/MLLT1 fusions, eight (30%) had KMT2A/AFDN fusions, two (7%) had KMT2A/ELL fusions, and one (4%) had a KMT2A/MLLT10 fusion. In addition, five (19%) had KMT2A rearrangements with unidentified gene fusion partners and two (7%) had 3’KMT2A deletions. Our results indicate that MLLT1 and AFDN account for the majority (63%) of KMT2A gene partners in pediatric/young adult T‐ALL/LBL, while no KMT2A/AFF1 or KMT2A/MLLT3 fusions were observed despite their common identification in B‐ALL and acute myeloid leukemia, respectively. In addition to diagnostic and prognostic value, detecting specific KMT2A fusions may also be of clinical importance in the era of targeted therapies.