Citations

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is one of the deadliest types of strokes with high rates of morbidity and permanent injury. Fluctuations in the levels of cerebral metabolites following SAH can be indicators of brain injury severity. Specifically, the changes in the levels of key metabolites involved in cellular metabolism, lactate and pyruvate, can be used as a biomarker for patient prognosis and tailor treatment to an individual’s needs. Here, clinical research is reviewed on the usefulness of cerebral lactate and pyruvate measurements as a predictive tool for SAH outcomes and their potential to guide a precision medicine approach to treatment.

Abstract Background: Clinical observations within our tertiary care setting suggested that atrial arrhythmia is common following hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (SCT). Yet little is known with regard to the incidence of such arrhythmia and factors contributing to its development. We assessed the frequency of first atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/flutter) development in multiple myeloma (MM) patients who underwent SCT at the Mayo Clinic over a 4 year period. Method: Using a case-control design, we compared 395 consecutive patients who underwent SCT at the Mayo Clinic during the period 2002–2005 to control subjects who did not have SCT (2:1 matched by age, gender, and date of MM diagnosis) in terms of the baseline risk factors and the frequency of new AF/flutter after MM diagnosis. Patients who had a prior history or evidence of atrial arrhythmia were excluded from analyses. Factors predictive of atrial arrhythmia in the cases were also determined. Results: First AF/Flutter developed in 38 of 395 cases (mean age 58 ± 9 years) and 47 of 790 controls subjects within 5 years of MM diagnosis (P=0.002). The 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of the risk of AF/flutter were 17% and 8% for cases and controls, respectively. Amongst the cases who developed new AF/flutter, the onset of the arrhythmia was within 21 days of SCT for the majority (94%). In multivariable analysis, body weight change of ≥3% in the first week post-transplant (HR 2.86; CI 1.13–7.24; P=0.026) and presence of diastolic dysfunction (HR 1.79; CI 0.99–3.23; p=0.054) at MM diagnosis were independent predictors of first AF/flutter in the cases, adjusting for age, sex, and well established clinical risk factors. Conclusion: The risk for new AF/flutter was remarkably high in the early post- SCT period in MM patients. In addition to established risk factors for atrial arrhythmia, a weight change ≥3% during the first 7 days after SCT, and the presence of diastolic dysfunction at baseline, were independent novel risk factors for new AF/flutter. These findings warrant further investigation, as modification of fluid management and diastolic filling may potentially lower the risk of post-SCT atrial arrhythmia.

Abstract Introduction: IgM-secreting myeloma is rare, encompassing about 1% of all the myeloma cases. Given its rarity, the characteristics and survival of these patients have not been extensively studied. Therefore, we carried out a multicenter retrospective study in patients with IgM myeloma. Methods: The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of each participating institution. Clinical data were gathered and included age, sex, hemoglobin, calcium, LDH, estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), presence of lytic bone lesions, International Staging System score, cytogenetic abnormalities, final outcome and overall survival (OS) time. OS was defined as the time in months from diagnosis to last follow-up or death. The Chi-square and the rank-sum tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate OS and the log-rank waas used to compare groups. The Cox proportional-hazard regression method was used to fit univariate and multivariate survival models, reported as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). All reported p-values are two-sided, and were considered significant if less than 0.05. Results: A total of 159 patients with IgM myeloma from 20 centers from Europe, USA and Latin America were included in this analysis. Patients were diagnosed between 1996 and 2015. The median age at diagnosis was 65 years (range 37-86 years) with a male predominance (68%). The median serum IgM level was 2510 mg/dl (range 27-12,100 mg/dl) with 25% of patients having a serum IgM within normal limits but an IgM monoclonal spike detectable in serum electrophoresis. Hemoglobin levels <10 g/dl were seen in 49 patients (32%), serum calcium was elevated in 24 (16%), estimated GFR of 60 ml/min or less in 56 (37%), lytic lesions were detected in 86 (58%), and serum LDH was elevated in 28 (24%). ISS scores of 1, 2 and 3 were seen in 53 (36%), 63 (43%) and 31 (21%) of patients, respectively. Although immunohistochemistry and/or flow cytometry data were limited, CD20 expression was seen in 15/26 (58%) and cyclin D1 in 10/15 (67%) patients. The most common cytogenetic abnormalities were t(11;14) in 26/67 (39%), del13q in 25/76 (33%) and del17p in 6/76 (8%) patients. 149 patients (94%) received at least one line of systemic therapy for myeloma of which 13 (9%) received rituximab as part of initial therapy. After a median follow-up of 47 months, 74 patients (47%) have died. The median OS was 62 months (95% CI 51-79 months). Cause of death was known in 38 patients, and the most common was myeloma progression (74%). IN the univariate analysis, prognostic factors associated with a worse OS were age (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.06; p=0.01) and ISS score (ISS 2: HR 1.43, 95% CI 0.83-2.48; p=0.2, and ISS 3: HR 3.03, 95% CI 1.54-5.98; p=0.001, using ISS 1 as reference group), while male sex was associated with a better OS (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.34-0.90; p=0.02). Hemoglobin, calcium, estimated GFR and lytic lesions were not associated with OS. In the multivariate analysis, male sex was associated with a better OS (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.35-0.95; p=0.03) and ISS with worse OS (ISS 2: HR 1.57, 95% CI 0.89-2.74; p=0.12, and ISS 3: HR 2.76, 95% CI 1.38-5.55; p=0.004, using ISS 1 as reference group). Conclusion: Patients with IgM myeloma apparently present with similar clinical characteristics as patients with non-IgM myeloma. Pathologically, CD20 and cyclin D1 expression is common. The most common cytogenetic abnormalities identified were t(11;14) and del13q. Survival does not appear shorter than non-IgM myeloma patients, and the ISS appears to have similar prognostic value. Disclosures Castillo: Millennium: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Otsuka: Consultancy; Biogen: Consultancy; Abbvie: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria. Ghobrial:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Noxxon: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Hájek:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy. Hungria:International Myeloma Foundation Latin America: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy; Bristol: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Niesvizky:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Reagan:Alexion: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Richardson:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Spicka:Janssen Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millenium: Honoraria. Gertz:Celgene: Honoraria; Med Learning Group: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Research to Practice: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Prothena Therapeutics: Research Funding; Ionis: Research Funding; NCI Frederick: Honoraria; Sandoz Inc: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Annexon Biosciences: Research Funding.

Abstract MAJIC is a phase II trial of Ruxolitinib (RUX) vs Best Available Therapy (BAT) in essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients with resistance/intolerance to Hydroxycarbamide (HC) per European LeukemiaNet (ELN) criteria. Primary outcome was rate of complete hematological response (CHR) within 1 year (ELN criteria); secondary outcomes included partial HR, safety, thrombosis, hemorrhage, progression free survival (including transformation), molecular response (MR), symptom & quality of life (QOL) assessment. We present new data concerning molecular, symptom & clinical responses. Patients were stratified by JAK2V617F status, patient-reported symptoms & QOL determined using EQ5D, MDASI & MPN Symptom Assessment Form (MPN10), & compared using linear mixed models of post-baseline scores through month 12 adjusting for baseline; response was defined as ≥50% reduction in MPN10 total symptom score (TSS). JAK2/CALR/MPL allele burdens were assessed at baseline & 4 monthly. 110 patients were eligible for the modified ITT analysis, 58 (52%) & 52 (48%) in RUX & BAT arms respectively, comprising 44 males, 66 females, mean age 64.2ys, & resistant (24.5%), intolerant (51.8%) or both (22.7%) to HC. CHR was achieved in 27 (46.6%) of RUX patients vs 23 (44.2%) BAT patients (χ2 test p= 0.81). PHR occurred in 26 (44.8%) & 27 (51.9%) of RUX & BAT treated respectively. Grade 3 or 4 anemia occurred in 19% & 0% for RUX arm vs 0% (both grades) for BAT arm, grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia in 5.2% & 1.7% of RUX vs 0% (both grades) of BAT patients respectively. Grade 3 or 4 infections occurred in 10.3% of RUX patients vs 3.6% BAT arm. 9 RUX treated patients had 10 thrombotic events & 1 RUX patient a hemorrhage; vs 5 thrombotic & 5 hemorrhagic events in BAT patients (adjusted following central review). Transformations to post-ET MF occurred in 8 RUX vs 3 BAT treated patients, 1 RUX patient developed AML. 2 non-treatment related deaths occurred in each arm. Mean MPN-10 TSS & individual symptoms of early satiety & itching during the first 12 months were all significantly lower for RUX vs BAT (all p<0.05). Patients who achieved CHR had significantly better TSS, fatigue, inactivity, concentration problems, & MDASI symptom interference (all p<0.05) at baseline vs those without; however, scores during treatment did not appear to differ between CHR & non CHR groups after adjusting for these baseline differences. Allele burden during study & MRs (per ELN-IWG criteria Barosi Blood 2013) are shown in Table 1. Assays for JAK2 V617F were performed independently in 3 centres using qPCR (Guy's), TSCA NGS (Oxford) & amplicon-based NGS (Salisbury) & revealed Mean (range): JAK2 (Guy's): 33.2 (0.1-94.6), N=52; JAK2 (Oxford): 38.0 (0.5-92.2), N=52; JAK2 (Sal): 38.3 (0-90.0), N=50 (limited to JAK2 positive only). With Interclass Correlation Coefficient as follows ICC (Guy's v Oxford): 0.92 (95% CI 0.86-0.95) ICC (Guy's v Sal): 0.92 (95% CI 0.86-0.95) ICC (Oxford v Sal): 0.997 (95% CI 0.994-0.998). Notably MRs (n=5) only occurred with RUX treatment. There was no pattern of MR or progression with C/PHR or transformation, but 1 patient who transformed to PET MF had a complete MR. In a separate analysis baseline symptoms & QOL were not associated with JAK2, CALR, nor MPL status. Within RUX, baseline symptoms & QOL did not predict MR; however, fatigue, early satiety & abdominal discomfort (all p<0.05, Table 1) were significantly lower among those with MR vs not during treatment with a descriptively higher symptom response rate (2/4 [50%] vs 9/30 [30%]). Three non pre-specified multivariate analyses were performed to assess baseline factors influencing CHR (modelled for: treatment received, HC resistance or intolerance, white cell count, platelets, Hb & JAK2/CALR status); occurrence of ≥ grade 3 anemia or thrombocytopenia (modelled for: Hb (≥ 100g/dl) JAK2/CALR status); & transformation to PET-MF (modelled for: treatment, Hb ≤100g/dl). Only baseline Hb ≤100g/dl was significant for grade 3+ anemia (OR [95% CI]=0.17 [0.04, 0.72]), & PET-MF only occurred in patients with baseline WBC <10x109/L. This updated analysis shows that HC resistant/intolerant ET is clinically & molecularly diverse. We confirm that these patients are at high risk of thrombosis & transformation as suggested in prior retrospective studies. Molecular responses were limited to RUX & for the first time we demonstrate such responses may correlate with symptom improvement but not always with progression events. Disclosures Harrison: Shire: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Corporation: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Baxaltra: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel, accommodations, expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Mead:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Aliman:Novartis: Other: Institutional funding and grant for international conference. . Chen:Novartis: Other: Advisory Board. Coppell:Novartis: Other: Travel, accommodation and conference attendance. Knapper:ONO pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Travel and expenses for international conferences. Ali:Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Conference sponsorship, advisory board meetings. Hamblin:Novartis: Other: Advisory Board. Dueck:Bayer: Honoraria. Cross:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Mesa:Celgene: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; CTI: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Galena: Consultancy; Ariad: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. McMullin:Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

➤ The term functionally irreparable rotator cuff tear (FIRCT) is intended to capture patients who would experience failure of an attempted primary rotator cuff repair because of the extent of cuff muscle and tendon damage and other patient-related factors. ➤ Debridement, biceps tenodesis, and/or partial repair of the torn rotator cuff may reduce pain and improve function for selected patients with a FIRCT. ➤ Static soft-tissue restraints to abnormal glenohumeral head translation, such as implantation of an absorbable balloon in the subacromial space or superior capsular reconstruction (SCR), appear to reduce pain and improve function, although some have reported a relatively high structural failure rate with SCR. ➤ When improvement of strength is the primary goal of treatment, tendon transfers provide a viable treatment alternative; most tendon transfers for management of a FIRCT are currently performed with arthroscopically assisted techniques. ➤ Transfer of the lower portion of the trapezius has emerged as a successful alternative to transfer of the latissimus dorsi, whereas transfer of the latissimus dorsi to the lesser tuberosity is being explored as an alternative to transfer of the pectoralis major for functionally irreparable subscapularis tears.

AbstractMisfolding and aggregation of alpha‐synuclein (α‐synuclein) with concomitant cytotoxicity is a hallmark of Lewy body related disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. Although it plays a pivotal role in pathogenesis and disease progression, the function of α‐synuclein and the molecular mechanisms underlying α‐synuclein‐induced neurotoxicity in these diseases are still elusive. Many in vitro and in vivo experimental models mimicking α‐synuclein pathology such as oligomerization, toxicity and more recently neuronal propagation have been generated over the years. In particular, cellular models have been crucial for our comprehension of the pathogenic process of the disease and are beneficial for screening of molecules capable of modulating α‐synuclein toxicity. Here, we review α‐synuclein based cell culture models that reproduce some features of the neuronal populations affected in patients, from basic unicellular organisms to mammalian cell lines and primary neurons, to the cutting edge models of patient‐specific cell lines. These reprogrammed cells known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have garnered attention because they closely reproduce the characteristics of neurons found in patients and provide a valuable tool for mechanistic studies. We also discuss how different cell models may constitute powerful tools for high‐throughput screening of molecules capable of modulating α‐synuclein toxicity and prevention of its propagation. image This article is part of the Special Issue “Synuclein”.