Citations

Kidney failure is a common sequela of multiple myeloma. Tremendous progress in this disease over the past two decades has resulted in more than doubling of the median survival. Despite that, patients with irreversible kidney failure still have inferior outcomes as compared to those with intact kidney function. Kidney transplantation in these patients remains controversial. In this issue of Journal of Onco-Nephrology, two groups of clinicians caring for these patients debate the pros and cons of kidney transplantation in this population. The improvement of overall survival to 7.7 years in patients under the age of 65 years is a strong arg for kidney transplantation. In addition, the use of fluorescent in situ hybridization in risk assessment and minimal residual disease assessment for hematologic response could substantially improve patient selection for kidney transplantation. On the other hand, myeloma remains incurable and kidney failure itself is a high-risk feature. Despite advances, kidney transplantation in myeloma patients continues to present challenges with multiple myeloma relapse, rejection, and infection resulting in higher number of graft loss and death. Whether kidney transplant should be performed in patients with multiple myeloma currently remains debatable, but it may not be long before overall survival and disease control improve to the point where withholding kidney transplantation would be unethical. The questions in preparation for that day are should myeloma patients be held to the same metrics as patients without myeloma and if no, then what would be an acceptable overall and graft survival? Once the answers have been agreed upon by the experts and the governing bodies for transplantation, then proper clinical trials can be designed so that benefits can be optimized and precious resources not be wasted.

Abstract: Vascular tumors in infants present a diagnostic and treatment dilemma for both clinicians and pathologists. Infantile hemangioma, the most common vascular tumor in infants, can be confused for other less common vascular tumors in infants. Correct and timely diagnosis is important, as some vascular tumors can be associated with life-threatening coagulopathy. We present the cases of 5 vascular tumors that have clinical and histologic overlap: infantile hemangioma, pyogenic granuloma, noninvoluting congenital hemangioma, tufted angioma, and kaposiform hemangioendothelioma. Typical clinical and histopathologic features of each lesion are summarized. We review the utility and characteristic immunohistochemistry including CD31, CD34, GLUT-1, D2-40, LYVE-1, Prox-1, and WT-1. Collaboration between the clinician and the dermatopathologist correlating the clinical history and histopathologic features can lead to the correct diagnosis, whereas the utility of immunohistochemistry remains in question.

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is a progressive disease that is thought to result from multiple genetic insults to the precursor plasma cell that ultimately affords the tumor cell with proliferative potential despite its differentiated phenotype and resistance to undergoing apoptosis. Altered expression of antiapoptotic factors as well as growth factors have been described in a significant number of patients. However, the key regulatory elements that control myeloma development and progression remain largely undefined. Because of the knowledge that B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family member shown to be critical for maintenance of normal B-cell development and homeostasis, promotes the survival of malignant B cells, we began a coordinated study of BLyS and its receptors in MM. All MM cells studied expressed one or more of 3 known receptors (B-cell maturation antigen [BCMA], transmembrane activator and CAML interactor [TACI], and B-cell activating factor receptor [BAFF-R]) for BLyS; however, the pattern of expression was variable. Additionally, we provide evidence that BLyS can modulate the proliferative capacity and survival of MM cells. Finally, we provide evidence that BLyS is expressed by MM cells and is present in the bone marrow of patients with MM. Expression of BCMA, TACI, and BAFF-R by MM taken together with the ability of BLyS to support MM cell growth and survival has exciting implications because they may be potential therapeutic targets.