Citations

Key Points An international panel established the first ever diagnostic criteria for iMCD based on review of 244 clinical cases and 88 tissue samples. The criteria require multicentric lymphadenopathy with defined histopathology, ≥2 clinical/laboratory changes, and exclusion of iMCD mimics.

Lysozyme amyloidosis (ALys) is a rare form of hereditary amyloidosis that typically manifests with renal impairment, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, and sicca syndrome, whereas cardiac involvement is exceedingly rare and neuropathy has not been reported. Here, we describe a 40-year-old man with renal impairment, cardiac and GI symptoms, and peripheral neuropathy. Renal biopsy specimen analysis revealed amyloidosis with extensive involvement of glomeruli, vessels, and medulla. Amyloid was also detected in the GI tract. Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings were consistent with cardiac involvement. Proteomic analysis of Congo red–positive renal and GI amyloid deposits detected abundant lysozyme C protein. DNA sequencing of the lysozyme gene in the patient and his mother detected a heterozygous c.305T>C alteration in exon 3, which causes a leucine to serine substitution at codon 102 (Human Genome Variation Society nomenclature: p.Leu102Ser; legacy designation: L84S). We also detected the mutant peptide in the proband’s renal and GI amyloid deposits. PolyPhen analysis predicted that the mutation damages the encoded protein. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that the pathogenesis of ALys p.Leu102Ser is mediated by shifting the position of the central β -hairpin coordinated with an antiparallel motion of the C-terminal helix, which may alter the native-state structural ensemble of the molecule, leading to aggregation-prone intermediates.

AbstractAlthough there have been many definitions for high-risk (HR) myeloma, most recent consensus for classifying risk in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NMM) comes from the International Myeloma Working Group. This recently published revised International Staging System includes del(17p) or t(4;14) by fluorescence in situ hybridization, β-2 microglobulin, albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase. These elements should be captured in all NMM patients. The optimal treatments for HR myeloma have not been fully worked out; therefore, these patients should be considered for clinical trials. Outside of the trial setting for those patients who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), a regimen with bortezomib, but not thalidomide, should be considered, with a duration of therapy of at least 1 year. The regimen with the best results to date is bortezomib, melphalan, and predisone. A nonthalidomide maintenance could also be considered. In patients who are eligible for ASCT, an induction regimen with bortezomib and an immunomodulatory drug should be administered for 3 to 6 months followed by 2 ASCTs. Finally, a consolidation/maintenance regimen containing at least 1 year of bortezomib should be administered followed by maintenance thereafter. For patient convenience, an oral agent that is not thalidomide could be prescribed as maintenance. Finally, in patients with HR myeloma, allogeneic SCT may be associated with reasonable outcomes, but this too will require further research.

Key Points Mass spectrometry is a high-throughput, low-resource technique that can identify immunoglobulin variable region gene from tissue specimens. IGVL gene usage is restricted and different between systemic and localized AL and only partially explains organ tropism in this disease.

A preclinical study demonstrated anti‐proliferative and apoptotic effect of propranolol on multiple myeloma (MM) cell. Clinical studies suggested that beta‐blocker (BB) might impact the prognosis of breast, prostate, colorectal, ovarian, lung, and skin cancer. This retrospective study evaluated the effect of BB in MM disease‐specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS). Among 1,971 newly diagnosed MM patients seen at Mayo Clinic between 1995 and 2010, usage of BB and other cardiac (or antihypertensive) medications were abstracted. Cumulative incidence function and Kaplan–Meier method were used to estimate 5‐year cumulative incidence rate (CIR) of MM death and OS rate, respectively. Nine hundred and thirty (47.2%) patients had no intake of cardiac medications; 260 (13.2%) used BB alone; 343 (17.4%) used both BB/non‐BB cardiac medications; and 438 (22.2%) had non‐BB cardiac drugs. Superior MM DSS was observed in BB only users, compared to patients without any cardiac drugs ( , 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42–0.67, Padj.<0.0001) and non‐BB cardiac drugs users ( , 0.49, 95% CI, 0.38–0.63, Padj.<0.0001). Patients on both BB and other cardiac drugs showed superior DSS than non‐cardiac drugs users ( , 0.54, 95% CI, 0.44–0.67, Padj.<0.0001) and non‐BB cardiac drug users. ( , 0.50, 95% CI, 0.40–0.62, Padj.<0.0001). MM DSS did not differ between BB users with and without other cardiac drugs (Padj.=0.90). Multivariable analysis showed the same pattern for OS. In patients with MM, BB intake is associated with a reduced risk of disease‐specific death and overall mortality in comparison to non‐BB or no use of cardiac drugs. Am. J. Hematol. 92:50–55, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Key PointsThe monotypic and polytypic PC compartments assessed by MFC are prognostic in AL amyloidosis. MFC may play a role in the definition of hematologic response to treatment.

Key Points The combination of ixazomib and dexamethasone has clinical activity in patients with relapsed and or refractory multiple myeloma. Higher dose of ixazomib leads to improved response rates but with higher rates of treatment related adverse events.