Perla R. Colunga-Pedraza

Obesity is associated with higher overall survival in patients undergoing an outpatient reduced-intensity conditioning hematopoietic stem cell transplant

BACKGROUND The impact of obesity on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) outcome remains controversial and has been considered a relative contraindication for the procedure. We investigated the influence of Body Mass Index (BMI) on the clinical course of adults undergoing an ambulatory HSCT after a non-myeloablative conditioning regimen. METHODS Adults with hematologic diseases undergoing an autologous or allogeneic HSCT after reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and supported exclusively with enteral nutrition (EN) were studied. BMI and body fat were sequentially determined. Patients were divided into three BMI subgroups: underweight; normal, and overweight/obese. RESULTS Seventy-seven patients with a median follow-up of 21months were evaluated. Fourteen (18.2%) were underweight, 21 (27.3%) had a normal weight, and 42 (54.5%) were overweight/obese. A significant weight loss was observed among all three weight groups after HSCT (P=0.014). No correlation was found between time to engraftment and BMI (P=0.91), serum albumin (P=0.387), and fasting glucose (P=0.64), nor between BMI and acute (P=0.456) or chronic (P=0.209) graft versus host disease (GVHD). On multivariate analysis a higher overall survival (OS) was documented for obese patients (P=0.037). DISCUSSION A BMI >30/kg/m(2) was independently associated with a higher survival rate after HSCT. Obese patients should not be excluded as transplant candidates based only on this parameter.

More about low-dose rituximab and plasma exchange as front-line therapy for patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Introduction: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by a reduction in the von Willebrand cleavage protein ADAMTS-13, mainly as a consequence of autoimmunity. Plasma exchange (PEx) is standard, achieving complete remission (CR) in 77–83% of cases, but rates are variable depending on ADAMTS-13 activity and relapse is frequent in patients with <10%. Thus, an effective front-line immunosuppressive treatment is needed. Materials and methods: We administered PEx daily until CR and rituximab 100 mg/dose/week for 4 consecutive weeks to 10 patients with a first TTP episode and 1 relapsed patient (8 females (72%) and 3 males (28%)). Median age was 34 years (15–46) and laboratory parameters at diagnosis were as follows: platelets 11 × 109/l (range 7–27.4 × 109/l), lactate dehydrogenase 1822 U/l (range 705–8220 U/l, normal 70–180 U/l), and haemoglobin 6 g/dl (range 4.2–11.8 g/dl). ADAMTS-13 activity was determined in eight patients and was <10% in all. ADAMTS-13 autoantibody titre was determined in seven patients and was >15 units/ml in all (ref: negative <12, undetermined 12–15, positive >15 units/ml); Shiga toxin was negative in all patients. The median number of PEx until CR was 7 (range 4–12); prednisone 1 mg/kg was administered to six patients. Results: The median follow-up was 22 months (range 4–49) and the estimated 2-year relapse-free survival was 89%; one HIV+ patient relapsed at 8 months follow-up. No complications related to PEx or rituximab were reported. Conclusions: Our study suggests that low-dose rituximab and PEx are effective as front-line treatment for acute TTP; however, a prospective trial is needed to demonstrate whether low-dose rituximab is as effective as the conventional dose.

Is the number of blood products transfused associated with lower survival in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Blood transfusion during acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) of childhood is scarcely documented. Children with ALL are immunosuppressed by both the disease and its therapy. Transfusion may contribute to the course of ALL through its transfusion‐related immunomodulation (TRIM) effect.

Clinical course of diabetic ketoacidosis in hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis.

Objectives Hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis (HP) is an uncommon condition accounting for 1% to 4% of cases of acute pancreatitis, mostly associated with poor glycemic control. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) may complicate the clinical course of HP. Our objective was to identify clinical and demographic differences between HP and DKA patients compared with those without DKA. Methods Fifty-five patients with HP were included. Diabetic ketoacidosis was diagnosed in 8 patients. We analyzed the severity, hospital stay, delay in oral intake, duration of insulin infusion, complete blood cell count, and triglyceride levels. Results Diabetic ketoacidosis was associated with a more severe HP. There were no differences in hospital stay, delay in oral intake, or duration of insulin treatment in both groups. Serum amylase, lipase, and triglyceride levels were similar. Previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, higher Ranson and APACHE II scores, and higher serum glucose level at admission were the only predictive risk factors for DKA and HP. Conclusions Coexistence of DKA does not modify the clinical course of HP, although a more severe episode of HP in DKA patients. Diabetic ketoacidosis was associated with higher insulin doses, without impact in triglyceride levels. Diabetic ketoacidosis and HP should be considered when a previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and a severe HP are present.

The mutation profile of JAK2, MPL and CALR in Mexican patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE By using molecular markers, it is possible to gain information on both the classification and etiopathogenesis of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasias (MPN). METHODS In a group of 27 Mexican mestizo patients with MPNs, we studied seven molecular markers: the BCR/ABL1 fusion gene, the JAK2 V617F mutation, the JAK2 exon 12 mutations, the MPL W515L mutation, the MPL W515K mutation, and the calreticulin (CALR) exon 9 deletion or insertion. Patients with the BCR/ABL1 fusion gene were excluded. We studied 14 patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET), eight with polycythemia vera (PV), four with primary myelofibrosis (MF), and one with undifferentiated MPN. RESULTS We found twelve individuals with the JAK2 V617F mutation; five of them had been clinically classified as PV, five as ET, and one as MF. One patient with the MPL W515L was identified with a clinical picture of ET. Five patients with the CALR mutation were identified, four ET and one MF. No individuals with either the MPL W515K mutation or the JAK2 exon 12 mutations were identified. The most consistent relationship was that between PV and the JAK2 V617F mutation (p=.01). CONCLUSIONS Despite its small size, the study shows much less prevalence of JAK2 mutation in PV, ET and MF, which does not match international data.

Efficacy of mitoxantrone as frontline anthracycline during induction therapy in adults with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a single-center experience

Remission induction regimens for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults induce complete remission (CR) in 60–90% and cure in 20-40%. A cohort study of newly diagnosed patients with ALL treated with mitoxantrone versus doxorubicin was conducted from 2005 to 2013. The primary endpoint was the proportion of CR. Eighty-five patients were included. Fifty-three received induction with doxorubicin and 32 with mitoxantrone. Median follow-up in the cohort was 40.2 months (range 2–95). Twenty-nine patients (90.6%) achieved CR in the mitoxantrone arm compared with 37 (69.8%) in the doxorubicin group (p = 0.032). There was no difference in death or relapse rate (p = 0.095 and 0.075), hematological recovery (p = 0.654), incidence of adverse events (p = 0.6), in-hospital days during induction (p = 0.456) or overall survival (p = 0.105). Induction toxicities were comparable. Mitoxantrone can be safely and effectively used as a frontline anthracycline in adults newly diagnosed with ALL.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with hematological diseases experience at a university hospital in northeast Mexico

Background Complementary and alternative medicine includes a diverse group of medical and healthcare systems, practices and products not considered part of conventional medicine. Although there is information on unconventional practices in oncological diseases, specific data regarding the use of complementary and alternative medicine by hematology patients is scarce. Objective The aim of this study is to document the prevalence of this modality of unconventional therapy in patients with malignant and benign hematological diseases, particularly children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Methods An observational study of adult patients and guardians of children with malignant or benign hematological diseases was carried out by applying a structured questionnaire detailing the use and results of the most prevalent complementary and alternative medicine practices. Results One hundred and twenty patients were included; 104 had malignant and 16 had benign hematological diseases. The use of complementary and alternative medicine was greater in benign diseases but the difference was not statistically significant (64.7% versus 41.7%; p-value = 0.08). Patients and guardians with high school or college educations used these alternative practices more than patients with less schooling (60.7% versus 54.7%; p-value = 0.032). The use of folk remedies was most prevalent followed by herbal preparations and spiritual healing. Sixty-four percent of patients that used these unconventional practices reported improvement in their symptoms and increased capacity to perform daily activities. Conclusion No significant difference was documented between patients with malignant or benign hematological diseases using these alternative practices. The majority of complementary and alternative medicine users reported improvement of the disease or chemotherapy-related symptoms.

Iron deficiency anemia referral to the hematologist. Real-world data from Mexico: the need for targeted teaching in primary care*

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the referral patterns and etiology of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) at an academic hematology center in northeast Mexico. Methods: We included all consecutive outpatients older than 16 years, non-pregnant, with IDA diagnosed in the Hematology Service of the Dr. José E. González University Hospital between January 2012 and May 2017. Appropriate data were collected retrospectively from the electronic medical record. Data regarding first medical contact (primary care physician or hematologist) were compared. Results: One hundred fifty-three patients were included in this study. The median age was 43 years (interquartile range, 35–51) and 85.6% were female; 128 (83.7%) patients were seen by a primary care physician before our evaluation. Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) was the cause of IDA in 76 patients (49.6%), gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in 31 (20.2%), H. pylori infection in 12 (7.8%), urinary tract bleeding in three (1.9%) and malabsorption-syndrome in two (1.3%). The etiology remained unknown in 29 (18.9%). The p value was <0.05 between groups according to the first medical contact, including frequency of at least one sign or symptom of IDA, previous use of iron supplementation and blood transfusion, comorbidities, complete blood count at diagnosis, and resolution rates of anemia. Conclusion: The majority of our IDA patients were referred by another physician. Nearly half of the patients with IDA had AUB. IDA remains a diagnostic challenge for first contact physicians requiring a targeted educational intervention to improve IDA awareness and diagnostic skills.

Acute maternal cytomegalovirus infection is associated with significantly decreased numbers of CD34+ cells in umbilical cord blood.

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND There is little information regarding the serologic status of umbilical cord blood (UCB) donors. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most frequent agent transmitted by blood products and studies have reported that CMV can inhibit myelopoiesis, however, its effects on the cellular content of UCB have not been documented. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We investigated, retrospectively, the prevalence of serological evidence of infection in 857 women donating their UCB at a public university hospital and studied the influence of acute CMV exposure on UCB content of CD34+ cells. The biological characteristics of UCB from serology positive-donors were compared with those of women with negative tests. RESULTS We found that 51 of 857 (6%) UCB units were positive for infectious disease markers; anti-CMV IgM was the most prevalent marker, 43 of 51 (86%) of cases with infectious markers. UCB collected from anti-CMV IgM-positive donors more frequently met rejection criteria for use as a transplanation product. The CD34+ cell count was the most often affected, 2.48×10(6) in anti-CMV IgM-positive donors compared to 1.48×10(6) in unaffecetd donors( p=0.006). The probability of a UCB meeting a CD34+ cell content≥2×10(6) was significantly lower in units from IgM anti-CMV+ women compared to unaffecetd donors [Odds ratio (OR)=0.428 (95% CI 0.182-0.632; p=0.015]; the total nucleated cell count (TNC) was lower but not statistically significant [p=0.068]. CONCLUSION UCB donated by anti-CMV IgM-positive women has a high probability of not meeting the criteria required for cryopreservation for future use as a transplantation product, because of the low number of CD34+ cells.

Geographic Hematology: Some Observations in Mexico

In 1963 Jean Bernard introduced the concept of “geographic hematology” and distinguished 2 branches, i.e., “ethnic hematology,” which deals with differences between populations, and “environmental hematology,” which considers factors such as food habits, infections, and others. Both of these branches have implications in the distribution of hematological diseases worldwide. In comparison with Caucasian populations, in Mexico a significantly higher prevalence of acute lymphoblastic, acute promyelocytic, and acute megakaryoblastic leukemias has been described. The rate of chronic myeloid leukemia seems to be as high as that reported in Caucasian populations, while other myeloproliferative neoplasias are significantly less frequent in Mexico. Significantly lower prevalences of hairy cell leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia have been reported from Mexico. Regrettably, the influence of drug companies interested in selling their new and expensive drugs has resulted in both overdiagnosis of some diseases and overidentification of the refractory forms of some of these conditions to justify the use of unnecessary drugs.