Improved Screening of Monoclonal Gammopathy Patients by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Monoclonal gammopathies are a group of blood diseases characterized by presence of abnormal immunoglobulins in peripheral blood and/or urine of patients. Multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia are monoclonal gammopathies with unclear etiology, caused by malignant transformation of bone marrow plasma cells. Mass spectrometry with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and time-of-flight detection is commonly used for investigation of the peptidome and small proteome of blood plasma with high accuracy, robustness, and cost-effectivity. In addition, mass spectrometry coupled with advanced statistics can be used for molecular profiling, classification, and diagnosis of liquid biopsies and tissue specimens in various malignancies. Despite the fact there have been fully optimized protocols for mass spectrometry of normal blood plasma available for decades, in monoclonal gammopathy patients, the massive alterations of biophysical and biochemical parameters of peripheral blood plasma often limit the mass spectrometry measurements. In this paper, we present a new two-step extraction protocol and demonstrated the enhanced resolution and intensity (>50×) of mass spectra obtained from extracts of peripheral blood plasma from monoclonal gammopathy patients. When coupled with advanced statistics and machine learning, the mass spectra profiles enabled the direct identification, classification, and discrimination of multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia patients with high accuracy and precision. A model based on PLS-DA achieved the best performance with 71.5% accuracy (95% confidence interval, CI = 57.1-83.3%) when the 10× repeated 5-fold CV was performed. In summary, the two-step extraction protocol improved the analysis of monoclonal gammopathy peripheral blood plasma samples by mass spectrometry and provided a tool for addressing the complex molecular etiology of monoclonal gammopathies.

The endoplasmic reticulum and its signaling pathways - a novel target for multiple myeloma treatment

BACKGROUND

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), an organelle composed of a system of cisternae and tubules, is essential for many cellular processes, including protein synthesis and transport. When misfolded proteins accumulate in the ER lumen, ER stress is induced, and the subsequent response to the disruption of homeostasis is the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). The purpose of this process is to restore homeostasis by increasing the capacity of the ER and its ability to fold proteins. Activation of the homeostatic UPR occurs via one of three transmembrane proteins, inositol-requiring enzyme 1a (IRE1a), protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK) and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). Failure of the attempt to restore homeostasis, on the other hand, leads to the development of terminal UPR and apoptosis via hyperactivation of the same proteins. Activation of UPR has been described in many malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM), which is characterized by malignant transformation of plasma cells and increased monoclonal immunoglobulin synthesis, where the role of the ER is of particular importance. Despite advances in the treatment of MM, the disease remains difficult to treat and targeting signaling pathways associated with the UPR could, for example, enhance the effect of proteasome inhibitors.

PURPOSE

This review intends to present the molecular response to ER stress under physiological circumstances and in the context of cancer, particularly with regard to potential therapeutic targets in MM.

Real-world evidence of efficacy and safety of pomalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients: Czech registry data

We assessed the outcomes of pomalidomide and dexamethasone treatment in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients with ≥1 prior line of therapy. We analyzed the data of all RRMM patients treated with pomalidomide and dexamethasone at nine Czech centers between 2013 and 2018. The source of the data was the Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies of the Czech Republic. Primary endpoints included response rates based on International Myeloma Working Group criteria and survival measures, including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints were toxicities and previous treatment patterns, including refractory to lenalidomide, and their impact on final outcomes. The overall response rate was 51.8% and the clinical benefit rate (including patients with minimal response) was 67.1%, with 0.6% of complete responses, 8.5% of very good partial responses, and 42.1% of partial responses (PR). Overall, 16.5% of patients had a minimal response, and 32.3% had stable disease /progression. Median PFS was 8.8 months and the median OS was 14.2 months. In patients who achieved ≥PR, the median PFS and OS were significantly longer compared to non-responders (median PFS (12.1 vs. 4.5 months, p≤0.001 respectively), median OS (22.1 vs. 7.7 months, p≤0.001, respectively). The most frequent adverse events (AEs) were neutropenia (29.9%) and anemia (18.9%), non-hematological AEs included infections (14.6%) and fatigue (7.3%). Our analysis confirmed the effectiveness of pomalidomide and dexamethasone in a real-world setting. This therapy achieved reasonable outcomes comparable to the data from clinical trials even though this was an unbiased cohort of patients.

Involvement of Small Non-Coding RNA and Cell Antigens in Pathogenesis of Extramedullary Multiple Myeloma

Extramedullary multiple myeloma (EMD) is an aggressive disease; malignant plasma cells lose their dependence in the bone marrow microenvironment and migrate into tissues. EMD is a negative prognostic factor of survival. Using flow cytometry and next-generation sequencing, we aimed to identify antigens and microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in EMD pathogenesis. Flow cytometry analysis revealed significant differences in the level of clonal plasma cells between MM and EMD patients, while the expression of CD markers was comparable between these two groups. Further, miR-26a-5p and miR-30e-5p were found to be significantly down-regulated in EMD compared to MM. Based on the expression of miR-26a-5p, we were able to distinguish these two groups of patients with high sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the involvement of deregulated miRNAs in cell cycle regulation, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and signaling pathways associated with infections or neurological disorders was observed using GO and KEGG pathways enrichment analysis. Subsequently, a correlation between the expression of analyzed miRNAs and the levels of CD molecules was observed. Finally, clinicopathological characteristics as well as CD antigens associated with the prognosis of MM and EMD patients were identified. Altogether, we identified several molecules possibly involved in the transformation of MM into EMD.

Immunomodulatory Agents for Multiple Myeloma

The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has undergone a significant paradigm shift in the last 20 years, from conventional chemotherapy to more tumor-specific treatments, based on the interference with pathogenesis of the malignant clone as well as the bone microenvironment [...].

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Overview of symptoms of LCH, which may lead the patients to any of these medical specialists

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare condition with incidence in adults 1-2/1 million, wherein Langerhans cells proliferate abnormally, adversely impacting organs including most frequently bones, skin, lungs, pituitary gland, lymph nodes, gums and other organs. The LCH course varies widely among patients from a self-limiting condition, to one that progresses. But LCH only very rarely culminates in death. To aim of this text is to review all possible symptoms and manifestations of this disease.

Multicentric Castlemans disease. Symptoms, diagnostics and therapy

Castleman disease (CD) describes a group of heterogeneous hematologic disorders with characteristic histopathological features. CD can present with unicentric (UCD) or multicentric (MCD) regions of lymph node enlargement. Some cases of MCD are caused by human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8), whereas others are HHV-8-negative/idiopathic (iMCD). Treatment of iMCD is challenging, and outcomes can be poor. In this paper, we briefly report about symptoms of iMCD and about the International, evidencebased consensus diagnostic criteria for HHV-8-negative/idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease and International evidence based consensus treatment guidelines for idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease.

IgG4-related disease. Clinical manifestation differential diagnosis and recent International Diagnostic Criteria for IgG4-related disease

Immunoglobulin G4- related disease (IgG4-RD) is a rare systemic fibro-inflammatory disorder. Autoimmune pancreatitis is the most frequent manifestation of IgG4-RD. However, IgG4-RD can affect any organ such as salivary glands, orbits, retroperitoneum, prostate and many others. Recent research enabled a clear clinical and histopathological description of IgG4-RD and in 2019 four Clinical phenotypes of IgG4-related disease were described. Diagnosis is based on morphological examination with typical findings of lymphoplasmocellular inflammation, storiform fibrosis and obliterative phlebitis in IgG4-RD biopsies and the tissue invading plasma cells largely produce IgG4. Elevated serum IgG4 levels are found in many but not all patients. New diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RD have been published recently in 2019 and 2021. This review summarizes current knowledge on pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of IgG4-RD from the point of view 2022 and in next article brings overview of the IgG4-RD therapy.

Bortezomib-based therapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation: Czech Registry Data

OBJECTIVES

This study compared the use of bortezomib in different combination regimens in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients who were transplant ineligible.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed data from the Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG) of the Czech Myeloma Group (CMG) to provide real-world evidence of outcome for 794 newly diagnosed MM transplant ineligible patients. The most frequently used regimen was VCd (bortezomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone) (47.5%) over VMP (bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone) (21.7%), BDd (bortezomib-doxorubicin-dexamethasone) (9.8%), and VTd (bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone) (2.9%).

RESULTS

The overall response rate (ORR) was 69.2% (478/691), including 12.6% (≥ CR); 34.7% very good partial responses (VGPR); and 21.9% partial responses (PR). Among triplet regimens, VMP was the most effective regimen compared to VCd, BDd, and VTd. Median PFS was 22.3 vs. 18.5 vs. 13.7 vs. 13.8 mo, (P = .275), respectively, and median OS was 49 vs. 41.7 vs. 37.9 vs. 32.2 mo (P = .004), respectively. The most common grade 3-4 toxicities were anemia in 17.4% and infections in 18% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirmed that bortezomib-based treatment is effective and safe in NDMM transplant ineligible patients, especially VMP, which was identified as superior between bortezomib-based induction regimens not only in clinical trials, but also in real clinical practice.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia

BACKGROUND

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a hematological malignancy; it is a monoclonal gammopathy, a disease characterized by presence of a monoclonal immunoglobulin in serum and/or urine. The median age at dia-gnosis is 71 years. WM is not an aggres-sive disease and patients with this dia-gnosis can live for several years. Infiltration of the bone marrow with lymphoplasmacytoid cells causes anemia, leading to various problems, mainly fatigue. Hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy can also occur. Hyperviscosity syndrome can appear and is caused by excessive production of immunoglobulin M. A mutation in MYD88 gene is detected in almost every WM patient, and in almost one third of them, a mutation in CXCR4 gene is detected. The detection of MYD88 mutation is important for a correct therapeutic strategy, since a Brutons tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ibrutinib, is most effective in patients with mutated MYD88 and wt CXCR4. The therapy is started when first symptoms occur.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to summarize current knowledge about this disease, its dia-g-nostics, molecular basis and treatment.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome) Part I. Pathophysiology, clinical symptoms and recommend screening for vascular malformations

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, is an autosomal dominant disorder that causes abnormal blood vessel formation. Patients with HHT may have telangiectasias and later may develop arteriovenous malformations in various organs. Pacients suffer from many complications caused by the malformations and therefore by patients with HHT must by performed screening of this arteriovenous malformations. Optimal treatment of this malformations is best delivered throught a multidisciplinary approach. Farmacological treatment is described in next paper.

Unicentric Castlemans disease. Symptoms, diagnostics and therapy

Castleman disease (CD) includes a group of rare and heterogeneous disorders with characteristic lymph node histopathological abnormalities. CD can occur in a single lymph node station, which is referred to as unicentric CD (UCD). CD can also involve multicentric lymphadenopathy and inflammatory symptoms - multicentric Castleman disease. The first-ever diagnostic and treatment guidelines were recently developed for UCD and published 2020. Complete surgical resection is often curative and is therefore the preferred first-line therapy, if possible. The management of unresectable UCD is more challenging. Existing evidence supports that asymptomatic unresectable UCD may be observed. The anti-interleukin-6 monoclonal antibody siltuximab should be considered for unresectable UCD patients with an inflammatory syndrome. Unresectable UCD that is symptomatic because of compression of vital neighbouring structures may be rendered amenable to resection by medical therapy (rituximab, steroids), radiotherapy, or embolization. In this article, we report about the symptoms of this disease and about the diagnostics recommendation published in the International, evidence-based consensus diagnostic criteria for HHV-8-negative/ idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease and about the therapeutic recommendation published in International evidence-based consensus diagnostic and treatment guidelines for unicentric Castleman disease published in the year 2020.

Erdheim-Chester disease

Erdheim-Chester disease is a rare inflammatory myeloid clonal disease which is classified into histiocytoses. It is characterized by excessive production and accumulation of foamy histiocytes and Touton giant cells in various tissues and organs. Foamy histiocytes and Touton giant cells produce proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and contain somatic mutations in genes activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, but also in genes activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. BRAFV600E is the most common somatic mutation. Furthermore, somatic mutations in the MAP2K1, KRAS, NRAS, ARAF or PIK3CA genes are abundant. Erdheim-Chester dis-ease is a multisystemic disease in which any organ can be affected, especially the long bones of the lower extremities, but also the cardiovascular system, retroperitoneum, endocrine system, central nervous system, lungs, skin or orbit. The dia-gnosis is difficult because of the various manifestations of this disease. The disease occurs mainly in adults and is more common in men than in women. Targeted treatment by kinase inhibitors, interferon a, cytokine blockers or cladribine is used for the treatment.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (OslerWeberRendu syndrome) - Part II. Pharmacological therapy and international guidelines for the therapy 2020

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, is an disorder that causes abnormal blood vessel formation with bleeding. Inhibition of angiogenesis amelioretes bleeding complication. Anti-angiogenic agents such as bevacizumab, aflibercept, thalidomid, lenadomid and other new anti-angiogenic thyrosinkinase inhibitors, as well as sirolimus and takrolimus have emerged as a promising systemic or local therapy in reducing bleeding complications but are not curative. Other pharmacological agents include iron supplementation, antifibrinolytics and hormonal treatment. This review concentrates on new anti-agioproliferative drugs with effect in HHT- discusses the new biology of HHT, management issues that face the practising hematologist, and considerations of future directions in HHT treatment.

Transformation of IgM-MGUS into Waldenström´s macroglobulinemia in two of six patients treated for Schnitzler´s syndrome

Transformation of IgM-MGUS into Waldenström´s macroglobulinemia in two of six patients treated for Schnitzler´s syndrome Schnitzler´s syndrome is a very rare, adult-onset, apparently acquired autoinflammatory disease. Chronic urticarial rash and symptoms of systemic inflammation including fever, arthralgia and bone pain with the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM), rarely IgG, are among hallmarks of the disease. We performed a retrospective study of 6 patients (5 men, 1 woman) diagnosed with Schnitzler´s syndrome fulfilling the Strasbourg criteria who had been treated at our centre in the University Hospital Brno from 2007 to 2021. Median age at diagnosis was 54 (45-67) years, median follow up was 8 (3-14) years. All 6 patients had IgM κ monoclonal gammopathy, increased CRP and/or erythrocyte sedimentation rate and arthralgia or bone pain, 4 patients suffered from fever, three had leucocytosis 10 × 109/L and lymphadenopathy was found in one patient. 18FDG-PET/CT scan with low-dose total body CT became a part of the initial baseline assessment in 5 patients with suspected Schnitzler´s syndrome, while Na18F-PET/CT was used in one patient to confirm the presence of osteosclerotic leasions as a criterion of the disease. All patients had osteosclerotic or hyperostotic bone lesions detected by low-dose CT examination, with increased 18FDG uptake in illiac and femoral bone marrow. The patient with Na18F-PET/CT scan revealed intensive abnormal tracer uptake with Na18F-PET/CT being more sensitive for detection of osteosclerotic lesions in Schnitzler´s syndrome than 18FDG-PET/CT. All patients were treated with daily subcutaneous anakinra without any adverse events, with excellent clinical results. We observed complete disappearance of urticaria and other symptoms persisting during years of anakinra administration. IgM-MGUS transformed into Waldenström´s macroglobulinemia in two of six patients, but only one patient developed symptoms requiring RBD (Rituximab, Bendamustin, and Dexamethasone) treatment, which induced almost complete remission of the disease. Successful RBD therapy enabled to prolong intervals of maintenance anakinra from 24 to 48 hours with almost complete control of urticarial rash and other symptoms. We suggest close monitoring of patients with Schnitzler´s syndrome to early capture potential transformation into Waldenström´s macroglobulinemia with succesful treatment of both conditions.

Therapy of 3 patients with Erdhiem-Chester disease with cladribin or cladribin in combination with cyclophosphamide. Case report and review of the therapy

Three adult patients with confirmed Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) are followed at our department. Cladribine in monotherapy or in combination with cyclophosphamide were used for first line therapy. The median number of cycles of cladribine or cladribine and cyclophosphamide was 7 (range 6-8). In two cases complete response was achieved, in one case this therapy achieved no response. The duration of response is in one case 11 years, in second case the follow up is too short for evaluation of response duration. In case of no-response to cladribine and cyclophosphamide stabilisation of disease was achieved with anakinra. The tolerance was good without any toxicity grade II and higher. Cladribin and cyclophosphamide is one option for treatment of Erdheim-Chester disease.

Role of exosomes in malignancies

BACKGROUND

Extracellular vesicles are closed structured surrounded by a lipid membrane that are secreted by almost all types of cells; their function is information delivery during cell-to-cell communication. They are most commonly divided into three categories - exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic bodies. Exosomes are small vesicles with the size of 30-100 nm, and they are found in almost all body fluids, including peripheral blood, urine, breast milk, saliva and others. They are able to deliver their content to target cells and change their behavior. Cancer cells are able to secrete more exosomes and also contain different proteins and RNA species than the exosomes from healthy cells. Due to their specific composition that is connected to the cell of origin, exosomes could be used as bio-markers of various diseases in the future.

PURPOSE

The aim of this work is to summarize current knowledge about exosomes and their role in various processes connected to resistance in tumors. This work was supported by grant of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic AZV 17-29343A. The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.

Identification of patients with smouldering multiple myeloma at ultra-high risk of progression using serum parameters: the Czech Myeloma Group model

Smouldering multiple myeloma (SMM) presents without MM defining symptoms. We aimed to identify patients with SMM with an 80% risk of progression within 2 years using only serum parameters. In total, 527 patients with SMM were included and divided into a training group (287 patients from the Czech Myeloma Group [CMG]) and an independent validation group (240 patients from Heidelberg). The median follow-up was 2·4 and 2·5 years, respectively. Progression to MM occurred in 51·9% of the CMG and 38·8% of the Heidelberg patients, respectively. The median risk of progression was 11·0% (CMG) and 9·7% (Heidelberg) per year, during the 5 years after diagnosis. A serum involved/uninvolved free light-chain ratio of >30, immunoparesis, and serum monoclonal (M) protein of ≥2·3 g/dl emerged as powerful predictors of 2-year progression rate with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2·49 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1·49-4·17), HR of 2·01 (95% CI 1·36-2·96) and HR of 2·00 (95% CI 1·44-2·79) (P < 0·001) in univariate Cox regression analysis, respectively. Based on this, the CMG model identified patients with SMM with a 2-year risk of progression of 78·7% (95% CI 53·1-95·7; HR 6·8; P < 0·001, CMG) and 81·3% (95% CI 47·1-98·8; HR 38·63; P < 0·001, Heidelberg). Serum parameters in the CMG model allow identification of patients with SMM with an 80% risk of progression to symptomatic MM within 2 years.

Plasma Cell Leukemia – the Forgotten Dis­ease

BACKGROUND

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare dis-ease and possibly the most aggressive form of monoclonal gammopathy. It is classified into two forms -&#8202; primary PCL that occurs without a previously identifiable multiple myeloma stage, and secondary PCL that develops from previously dia-gnosed multiple myeloma. These two forms have different cytogenetic and molecular profiles, but both forms have an aggressive clinical course. Combinations of different therapeutic approaches includ-ing autologous stem cell transplantation and currently proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs are used to treat PCL. Current dia-gnostic criteria, developed in the 1970s, may underestimate PCL prevalence; thus, prospective re-evaluation is be-ing considered.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to review all available information about PCL with an emphasis on dia-gnostics, treatment, and circulat-ing plasma cells features.

CONCLUSION

Although PCL is rare, it is quite a severe dis-ease. Current treatments us-ing the latest therapeutics have prolonged patient survival. However, due to the low incidence of PCL, information about the dis-ease is very limited and comes mostly from small retrospective studies. Further studies of PCL are needed, because new information could increase in patient survival and our understand-ing of its pathogenesis. Key words plasma cell leukemia -&#8202; multiple myeloma -&#8202; plasma cells -&#8202; cytogenetics -&#8202; treatment This work was supported by grant NV18-03-00203. The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers. Submited: 2. 11. 2018 Accepted: 18. 11. 2018.

[MicroRNA Analysis for Extramedullary Multiple Myeloma Relapse]

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematooncological disease. Patient survival has been greatly improved by the introduction of new drugs into clinical practice, but survival is negatively affected by the so-called extramedullary relapse (EM), caused by the loss of plasma cell dependence on the bone marrow microenvironment and their migration out of the bone marrow. The nature and causes of this process are currently unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNA molecules involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Their significance in the pathogenesis of MM has been demonstrated by several studies. We assume that they are also involved in the development of the EM. The aim of this study was to analyze different miRNA expression between MM and EM patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Using next generation sequencing, we analyzed 39 samples of bone marrow cells from MM patients at diagnosis and 9 bone marrow plasma samples of EM patients.

RESULTS

In total, 2,278 miRNA were sequenced, but only 658 miRNAs were analyzed as they were expressed in all samples and had at least 20 reads. Expression data were generated using the Chimira tool from fastq data. All sequences were mapped using miRBase v20. Further analyses were performed using the R/Bioconductor package. The Bayesian procedure was used for normalization of expression. P values were adjusted using the Benjamini-Hochberg method. Analysis found 10 miRNA (p < 0.0005) that are statistically significantly expressed in EM vs. MM patients - these are miR-26a-5p, miR-26b-5p, miR-30e-5p, miR-424-3p, miR-503-5p, miR-767-5p, miR-105-5p, miR-5695-5p, miR-450b-5p and miR-92b-3p. These miRNAs will be further verified by qPCR method on a larger set of MM and EM patients.

CONCLUSION

Our pilot study has shown that there are differentially expressed miRNAs between MM and EM patients.Key words: multiple myeloma - microRNA - carcinogenesis - next generation sequencing The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papersThis work was supported by grant MZ ČR AZV 17- 29343A. Submitted: 17. 3. 2018Accepted: 20. 3. 2018.

A first Czech analysis of 1887 cases with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

INTRODUCTION

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant condition with a risk of malignant conversion.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

With the aim to estimate the cumulative risk MGUS progression to hematologic malignancies, we analyzed a nationwide population-based cohort of 1887 MGUS patients from the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG) between 2007 and 2013.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period (median 4 years; range 0.6-34.8), progression to hematologic malignancies was observed in 8.6% (162 of 1887) of patients. Factors associated with progression were as follows: M-protein concentration ≥1.5 g/dL, pathological sFLC (<0.26 or >1.65) ratio, bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs) in cytology >5%, immunoparesis, age ≥69 years, and the level of serum hemoglobin at baseline <12.0 g/dL. Combining these factors, we propose a new risk model (CMG model). The risk of progression at 10 years was 1.6%, 16.9%, 22.9%, 39.4%, and 52.3%, respectively, if 0 (reference group), one, two, three, or four to five risk factors are present (P<.001) with HR 63 times higher compared to the reference MGUS group.

CONCLUSION

The new CMG model was established with an advantage for better identification of MGUS patients at low risk.

[Treatment of 14 cases of Castlemans disease: the experience of one centre and an overview of literature]

Castlemans disease is the term for reactive lymphocytary and plasmocytary proliferation which occurs in the unicentric (localized) form, usually without systemic symptoms, or in the generalized/multicentric form, typically with systemic symptoms (www.vzacne-diagnozy.cz). Over the past 25 years we diagnosed, treated and followed 14 histologically proven cases of Castlemans diseases. Seven patients had the localised form of the disease. In 5 of 7 cases the pathological lesion was located intrathoracically or intraabdominally and in only 2 cases it was on the surface of the body. No clinical symptoms were present in any of the patients with the unicentric form of the disease and surgical treatment led to the total removing of the disease in all of them. As opposed to that, all 7 patients with the multicentric form of Castlemans disease experienced febrile or subfebrile temperatures. Three of the 7 patients complained of severe troubling night sweats. Clinical expressions of vasculitis which was the cause of stroke, were present in 1 of 7 patients. Osteosclerotic changes on the skeleton were detected in 1 patient, who also suffered from fluid retention likely associated with this disease. Polyclonal propagation of immunoglobulins, predominantly immunoglobulin IgG type, was present in 5 of 7 patients with the multicentric form. In one case there was one complete molecule of monoclonal imunoglobuline present and in one case loose light chains κ were increased More than 1 sampling of material for histological examination of enlarged lymph nodes were needed in 6 of 7 patients for diagnosing the multicentric form of the disease. It has turned out beneficial with respect to diagnosing the disease to carry out surgical removal and histological examination of the nodes which accumulated the most fluorodeoxyglucose within PET-CT examination. The text describes experience of the treatment. In recent years the basis for the treatment has been the monoclonal antibody antiCD20 rituximab, or thalidomide and lenalidomide, or possibly their combination. The new medicine for these patients is interleukin-6 antibody called siltuximab (Sylvant), of which we have no own experience so far. Five of our seven patients with the multicentric form received treatment, 1 patient refused treatment and in one patient the signs of the disease activity are not expressed to such extent that would require treatment. The therapy containing rituximab reached complete remission in 2 patients and the therapy containing thalidomide and lenalidomide achieved the complete remission of the disease in 3 patients. In one of the above described cases the disease did not respond to the initial treatment with rituximab and remission was reached by thalidomide and lenalidomide and in one case the disease did not respond to the initial treatment with thalidomide and complete remission was reached with rituximab. Following the treatment, no patient with the multicentric form of Castlemans disease has had a relapse until now.

[The patient complains of spinal pain or fatigue and weakness. How do I recognize whether their cause is spondylarthrosis, the patients age or multiple myeloma?]

Multiple myeloma has varied manifestations which resemble common patient complaints and that is why this disease is typically not diagnosed until it reaches an advanced stage. Spinal pains can be an expression of deformative and discogenous changes, but also a symptom of multiple myeloma. Pains in the long bones may result from the pain radiating from an arthrotic joint, but also from a large myelomatic osteolytic lesion which makes the bone prone to a spontaneous fracture. Pathological weariness may have many causes, multiple myeloma being one of them. Anemia may have a large number of causes and multiple myeloma is one of them. Raised creatinine levels and renal failure can also be due to many causes and again, multiple myeloma is one of them. Weakened immunity and frequent infections can also have many causes, among them multiple myeloma. Confusion and sleepiness may be due to psychiatric diagnosis, but also may result from hypercalcemia associated with multiple myeloma. The following text which is designed for non-hematology physicians therefore describes in detail the symptoms of multiple myeloma and diagnostic steps leading to establishing the diagnosis and it only briefly outlines the treatment related information. You can also visit www.myeloma.cz for details. This text aims to summarize the symptoms of multiple myeloma for physicians not specializing in hematology in order to facilitate earlier diagnosing of the disease.

[Changes in the prognosis and treatment of Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Literature overview and own experience]

Waldenström macroglobulinemia is defined by the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin IgM type (M-IgM) and evidence of lymphoplasmacytic bone marrow infiltration. The disease has an indolent course, the treatment is only initiated when the disease has begun to damage its carrier. The following symptoms are regarded as proven indications for initiating therapy: B symptoms, symptomatic lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, anemia with hemoglobin below 100 g / l or thrombocytopenia < 100 × 10(9)/l, caused by lymphoplasmacytic bone marrow infiltration. Frequent indications for initiating treatment include clinical evidence of hyperviscosity or cryoglobulinemia. M-IgM tends to have a character of autoantibody reaching up to 50 %, which may harm the organism, and therefore any proven damage to the organism by an autoimmune activity of M-IgM is also an indication for treatment. The text includes an overview of rare and very rare types of damage to the organism by M-IgM autoimmune activity. A combination of rituximab, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (RCD) is recommended for the initial treatment, possibly extended to R-CHOP regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin and prednisone). In our cohort of 43 patients the therapy involving a combination of R-CHOP achieved 3 (8.1 %) complete remissions and 31 (83.8 %) partial remissions. The remission in 75 % of the patients lasted more than 3 years. In case of recurrence after > 2 years, the same therapy can be used, in case of a relapse within a shorter period of time different treatment schedules are recommended. High-dose chemotherapy with an autologous transplant of stem cells obtained from peripheral blood is only recommended after the first recurrence for people under 65 years of age without contraindications. The text analyses the benefits of the new drugs for the treatment of Waldenström macroglobulinemia (bendamustine, thalidomide, lenalidomide, ibrutinib and high-dose chemotherapy).

[Gene mutations connected to Waldenstöm macroglobulinemia]

Waldenstöm macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder, currently classified as a monoclonal gammopathy, with incidence rate of 3 per million. The disease is characterized by presence of clonal B lymphocytes in the bone marrow and by presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin IgM in serum. It is mostly an indolent disorder, with median overall survival 6 years. Molecular pathogenesis of WM remains unclear, but deletion of 6q and 13q, trisomy of chromosomes 4 and 8 seem to be typical. Mutations of MYD88(L265P) and CXCR4(WHIM) are very common for WM and affect growth and survival of malignant cells. This work is aimed at the current knowledge of chromosomal aberrations and gene mutations connected to the pathophysiology of WM.

[Pomalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma - own experience and overview of literature]

In the Czech Republic, pomalidomide is covered for patients with multiple myeloma (in combination with dexamethasone), in the treatment of patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, who underwent at least 2 previous treatment schedules including both lenalidomide and bortezomibe, with disease progression despite the last therapy (i.e. during the therapy or within 60 days of its end), for whom the only remaining alternative of treatment (apart from pomalidomide) is that using high-dose dexamethasone, and who are not indicated for myeloablative treatment followed by a transplant of stem cells. At our centre pomalidomide was used in 53 patients at a median age of 66 years based on this indication. Pomalidomide was administered in 1 daily dose over 21 days in 28-day cycles. Considering the risk of thromboembolism occurring in this therapy, all patients were administered a prophylactic dose of low-molecular-weight heparin. No patient achieved complete remission (Czech Republic), 5 patients (9.4 %) achieved very good partial remission (VGPR), partial remission (PR) was achieved by 16 (30.2 %) patients, a minimum therapeutic response (MR) was recorded for 6 (11.3 %) patients. The median number of administered cycles was 4.4 (1-22). 16 (28.5 %) patients received treatment for more than 6 months. The overall survival median cannot be evaluated so far due to a short follow-up period. Nonetheless it was possible to evaluate a median time interval to progression (TTP) for the patients, which amounted to 7.0 (3.8-8.2) months. These results are consistent with large registration studies where therapeutic response (at least PR) is reached by 1/3 of the patients and medians of therapeutic response range between 7-10 months. Pomalidomide is a medicine with very good tolerance which is efficient in patients with a progressing multiple myeloma.Key words: lenalidomide - multiple myeloma - pomalidomide - thalidomide.

[Schnitzlers SyndromeDifferential diagnostics, an overview of therapeutic options and description of 5 cases treated with anakinra]

Schnitzlers syndrome is an acquired auto-inflammatory disease of still unclear origin. The Strasbourg criteria were adopted (non-infectious fever, chronic urticaria, changes in the bone structure, leukocytosis and higher values of inflammatory markers - CRP and presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin mostly of type IgM, very rarely of IgG) to establish this diagnosis. The first-choice therapy for this disease is the blocking of interleukin-1 effects. In practice, the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, anakinra, is the most commonly used. Currently reports also appear of the use of other medicines blocking the effect of interleukin-1, namely canakinumab and rilonacept. We have been treating 5 patients with anakinra (108, 72, 33, 32 and 1 months) on a long-term basis. In all the patients, we commenced administration of anakinra in a dose of 100 mg once a day. As a result of 100 mg being administered once a day, all symptoms went away completely in 4 patients, while they receded by about 75 % in 1 patient, without disappearing completely. This patient needs an increased dose of 2 ampoules per day on the days of spontaneously intensified medical ailments. After one year of treatment it turned out for one of the four patients whose symptoms had completely disappeared when administered the 100mg daily dose, that he only needed the respective dose of anakinra at 48-hour intervals. However this patient does not tolerate further extension of the intervals between dose administrations. We have not recorded any adverse effects of anakinra in the course of the treatment, and no decline in the efficiency of anakinra has been observed: it acts as effectively now as it did at the beginning of the treatment. The text discusses the differential diagnostics of the Schnitzler syndrome.Key words: anakinra - auto-inflammatory diseases - canakinumab - fever of unknown origin - FUO - interleukin 1 - cryopyrin-associated autoinflammatory syndrome (CAPS) - monoclonal gammopathy - rilonacept - Schnitzlers Syndrome - Adult Stills disease.

[Evaluation of five years of treatment of Erdheim-Chester disease with anakinra: case report and overview of literature]

Erdheim-Chester disease is a histiocytic neoplasm of diseases from the group of non-Langerhans-cell histiocytoses, formed by infiltrates of foamy histiocytes. These pathological histiocytes produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore Erdheim-Chester disease is called inflammatory histiocytary neoplasm. The disease is accompanied by clinical symptoms of systemic inflammatory response, i.e. B symptoms. Imaging examinations detect typical osteosclerotic changes affecting diaphyses and metaphyses of the lower long bones and fibrotic changes which affect the aorta wall and the vessels leading from it. Also characteristic are perirenal fibrotic changes spreading in the retroperitoneum. They can cause serious complications - hydronephrosis with all its consequences. The therapy for this disease was not satisfactory in the previous years. Conventional chemotherapy or glucocorticoids do not bring any substantial and long-term improvement. Considering cytostatic drugs, only 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (cladribine) is effective, though not in all patients. We have only reached complete remission through 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine in one of our two patients, which now lasts more than 5 years, while cladribine in the same patient did effect the reduction of infiltrates into the CNS, but it did not achieve abatement of the disease activity in other locations as shown by PET/CT with the application of the radio-pharmaceutical fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Another effective medicine for patients with Erdheim-Chester disease is interferon α. However its long-term administration is associated with multiple adverse effects and so we did not test it in the described patient. The introduction of anakinra, the interleukin-1 receptor blocker, to therapy brought a new hope for these patients. We are describing the patient who has been treated with anakinra for more than 5 years. The patient applies 1 ampoule of 100 mg subcutaneously per day. This treatment completely removed systemic B symptoms, relieved bone pains and attained normalization of all findings that signalled systemic inflammatory response. The treatment effect is regularly checked by CT imaging of the abdomen and by FDG-PET/CT examinations. The retroperitoneal fibrotic changes gradually regressed during the 5 years of anakinra treatment, as documented by the pictures in the text. Low-dose CT imaging which was part of the PET/CT examination, identified many osteosclerotic lesions in the skeleton, mainly in the legs, with an increased accumulation of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Osteosclerotic lesions remain well visible at repeated examinations. Still during the course of the 5-year period the FDG accumulation in them decreased, as shown by the pictures in the text. Anakinra treatment has a character of maintenance therapy. The BRAFV600E mutation was not proven in the described patient, therefore we did not test vemurafenib treatment.

CONCLUSION

anakinra effected regression of fibrotic changes in the retroperitoneum and disappearance of B symptoms as well as decrease in FDG accumulation at FDG-PET/CT examination.Key words: anakinra - Erdheim-Chester disease - cladribine - retroperitoneal fibrosis - vemurafenib.

[Potential of Long Non- coding RNA Molecules in Diagnosis of Tumors]

Long non-coding RNA molecules (lncRNA) are defined as molecules over 200 nucleotides long that are localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells. Although function of most lnRNA is not known, it is obvious that they are involved in various biological processes. LncRNA play a key role in transcriptional as well as posttranscriptional regulatory pathways and are involved in important cell processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis but also pathogenesis of various diseases. Their dysregulation is important in steps of tumor transformation. In this review, we will describe the nature, function and molecular basis of these molecules as well as their diagnostic potential. The main focus of this review is the usage of these molecules in the most often diagnosed tumors in the Czech population--colorectal carcinoma, breast and prostate carcinomas.

[Hypercalcemia, symptoms, differential diagnostics and treatment, or importance of calcium investigation]

The concentration of calcium is carefully maintained under physiological conditions with parathormone, calcitonin and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D at appropriate levels. There are multiple causes that may bring about increased concentrations of calcium which exceed physiological values. Increased production of parathormone in parathyroid glands is only one of the possible causes. Malignant diseases are a very frequent cause of hypercalcemia, due to their creating mediators which stimulate osteoclasts and thereby osteolysis. A less frequent cause is represented by granulomatous processes, a typical example of which is sarcoidosis, whose cells increasingly (independently of parathormone) hydroxylate 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. However there are also hereditary forms of hypercalcemia. One of the causes of the hereditary form of hypercalcemia is mutations of the calcium sensing receptor. In order to locate the adenoma of parathyroid glands, essential apart from sonographic imaging is scintigraphy 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) and even more exact is PET-CT examination with a radio-pharmaceutical 18F-fluorocholine. PET-CT examinations are beneficial with regard to detecting a malignant cause of hypercalcemia in until then undetected malignancy or an undetected granulomatous process. The essential treatment procedures for malignant hypercalcemia include appropriate hydratation of ionic solutions without calcium, administering of bisphosphonates or denosumab. The text describes in detail the symptoms of hypercalcemia and diagnostics of causes of hypercalcemia.

KEY WORDS

bisphosphonates - cinacalcet - denosumab - granulomatous diseases - hereditary hypercalcemia - hypercalcemia - hypercalciuria - hyperparathyreosis - calcimimetics - calcitonin - multiple myeloma - malignant hypercalcemia - parathormone - sarcoidosis - 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

[Monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-Ig) and skin diseases from the group of mucinoses--scleredema adultorum Buschke and scleromyxedema. Description of four cases and an overview of therapies]

INTRODUCTION

The mucinoses of the type of scleredema and scleromyxedema are diseases marked by excessive production of mucin deposits in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, which causes skin hardening. The skin and subcutaneous deposits hamper the movement of limbs, the thorax as well as mouth. The same mechanism also damages other organs (the heart, lungs, oesophagus). It is probably caused by the stimulation of mucin production in fibroblasts by immunoglobulins, frequently monoclonal immunoglobulin. Therefore these diseases are typically associated with monoclonal gammopathy.

CASE REPORTS

We describe a cohort of 4 patients, skin manifestations were twice identified as scleredema and twice as scleromyxedema. All the four patients had type IgG monoclonal immunoglobulin and had clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow proven by histologic examination and flow cytometry. Therefore we commenced chemotherapy in all of them. In one case this chemotherapy was ended by a high-dose chemotherapy with transplanting of autologous red blood cells. This therapy attained the complete disappearance of monoclonal immunoglobulin as well as cutaneous and extracutaneous manifestations of scleredema (obstipation). In one case chemotherapy led to partial hematologic remission and partial improvement of skin manifestations. The other two patients did not respond to standard chemotherapy. The condition of one of them resulted in dermato-neuro syndrome (confusion, somnolence passing into coma and grand mal seizure) and improved following an intensive treatment including also intravenous application of immunoglobulins in a dose of 2 g/per 1 kg weight. This patient has now been under long-term treatment with these immunoglobulins, during which the skin symptoms have significantly diminished, but the concentration of monoclonal immunoglobulin has not changed. The fourth patient not responding to standard chemotherapy was treated with intravenous immunoglobulins also in a dose of 2 g/per 1 kg of weight 1× in a month. After 4 applications the thickening of skin and subcutaneous tissue moderately diminished, so the range of possible movement of the upper limbs and neck became larger and the itchy skin morphs which accompanied the disease disappeared completely.

CONCLUSION

It is possible to use chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy in the treatment of mucinosis associated with monoclonal gammopathy, as in the treatment of multiple myeloma. If such treatment is not possible or it has not attained disappearance of monoclonal immunoglobulin, improvement can be achieved through repeated application of intravenous immunoglobulins. The treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins in an immunomodulation dose of 2 g/per 1 kg of weight effects the moderation of skin manifestations, but it does not lead to the decrease in monoclonal immunoglobulin.

MicroRNAs in urine are not biomarkers of multiple myeloma

Background

In this study, we aimed to identify microRNA from urine of multiple myeloma patients that could serve as a biomarker for the disease.

Results

Analysis of urine samples was performed using Serum/Plasma Focus PCR MicroRNA Panel (Exiqon) and verified using individual TaqMan miRNA assays for qPCR. We found 20 deregulated microRNA (p < 0.05); for further validation, we chose 8 of them. Nevertheless, only differences in expression levels of miR-22-3p remained close to statistical significance.

Conclusions

Our preliminary results did not confirm urine microRNA as a potential biomarker for multiple myeloma.

[Potential of Cell-free Circulating DNA in Diagnosis of Cancer]

Circulating cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) is characterized as extracellular DNA that may be present in the blood of healthy individuals in low concentrations. Cf-DNA is released by apoptosis or necrosis into the bloodstream. Increased levels are found in pathological conditions, such as inflammation, autoimmune diseases, or stress. Significant increase of cf-DNA is particularly evident in patients with malignancies, especially in the advanced stages of the disease. In this case, the tumor specific cf-DNA is released by necrosis from the cells of primary tumor and metastases. Recently, many studies concentrate on the so-called 'liquid biopsies' that allow detection of circulating tumor cells and circulating nucleic acids from peripheral blood for tumor diagnostics. Quantitative methods and detection of genetic and epigenetic alternations of cf-DNA in patients with different malignancies have potential applications in molecular diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring of disease progression and response to treatment. This review focuses on potential utility of cf-DNA as a blood biomarker in selected solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.

[Cyclins D in regulation and dysregulation of the cell cycle in multiple myeloma]

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematooncological disease characterized by clonal proliferation of plasma cells and monoclonal immunoglobulin production. It is a heterogenous disease; however, dysregulation of cyclins D seems to be an early unifying pathogenic event in multiple myeloma. In almost all patients, there is increased expression level of at least one of the cyclins D. Nevertheless, the mechanism of this increase is unknown in many cases. Next to wellknown roles of cyclins D in the cell cycle, they have many other functions contributing to tumor cell progression. Cyclins D are prognostic markers and are also used for subclassification of multiple myeloma. In this review, we focus on significance of cyclins D in multiple myeloma.