The OHI index predicts early mortality from organ dysfunction and survival benefit from etoposide in lymphoma patients.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome that complicates hematologic malignancies. The Optimized HLH Inflammatory (OHI) index, based solely on the combined elevation of soluble CD25 (>3,900 U/mL) and ferritin (1,000 ng/mL) levels, predicts mortality more effectively than conventional HLH criteria. This study aimed to determine whether mortality in OHI+ patients is primarily due to lymphoma or inflammation-related causes.

Fedratinib for the treatment of myelofibrosis: a critical appraisal of clinical trial and "real-world" data.

Fedratinib is a predominantly JAK2 inhibitor that has shown efficacy in untreated and ruxolitinib-exposed patients with myelofibrosis (MF). Based on randomized clinical trial data, it is approved for use in patients with International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) or Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS) intermediate-2 or high-risk disease and is distinguished from ruxolitinib in that it can be administered without dose reduction in patients with thrombocytopenia, to a platelet count above 50,000/µL. In these trials, fedratinib achieved significant spleen volume reduction in ~30-45% of patients and improvement in total symptom scores in 35-40% with good tolerability.

Asciminib in Advanced-Line Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Objectives: Asciminib, a novel allosteric BCR::ABL1 inhibitor, targets the ABL1 myristoyl pocket to potentially reduce toxicity and enhance efficacy. It is approved for Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) in patients with resistance or intolerance to two or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or those with the T315I mutation.

Methods: This retrospective analysis evaluated patients with CML treated with asciminib under a managed-access program across eight Israeli centers from July 2019 to August 2022.

Outcomes of Fedratinib in Routine Treatment of Ruxolitinib-Resistant or -Refractory Patients with Primary and Post-Polycythemia Vera or Essential Thrombocythemia Myelofibrosis: A Nationwide Retrospective Study.

Introduction: In recent years, fedratinib, a selective JAK2 inhibitor, has emerged as a potential therapeutic option for patients who have failed or are intolerant to ruxolitinib. Despite the promising results observed in clinical studies, real-world evidence from the USA and Europe suggests that the efficacy of fedratinib may be less conclusive. We report the characteristics, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes of patients with myelofibrosis (MF) treated with fedratinib following ruxolitinib failure in Israel's clinical practice.

Clinical and Economic Implications of Hydroxyurea Intolerance in Polycythemia Vera in Routine Clinical Practice.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a chronic hematologic neoplasm commonly treated with hydroxyurea (HU). We utilized the advanced digitalized database of Maccabi Healthcare Services to retrospectively investigate the clinical and economic implications of HU intolerance in the routine clinical care of PV patients in Israel. We collected data on demographics, physician visits, hospitalizations, laboratory results, medication purchases, cardiovascular and thrombotic events, mental health, economic outcomes, and mortality.

The selenoenzyme type I iodothyronine deiodinase: a new tumor suppressor in ovarian cancer.

The selenoenzyme type I iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO1) catalyzes removal of iodine atoms from thyroid hormones. Although DIO1 action is reported to be disturbed in several malignancies, no work has been conducted in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), the most lethal gynecologic cancer. We studied DIO1 expression in HGSOC patients [The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and tumor tissues], human cell lines (ES-2 and Kuramochi), normal Chinese hamster ovarian cells (CHO-K1), and normal human fallopian tube cells (FT282 and FT109).

Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Special Patient Populations.

Anticoagulants are a cornerstone of treatment in atrial fibrillation. Nowadays, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are extensively used for this condition in developed countries. However, DOAC treatment may be inappropriate in certain patient populations, such as: patients with chronic kidney disease in whom DOAC concentrations may be dangerously elevated; frail elderly patients with an increased risk of falls; patients with significant drug-drug interactions (DDI) affecting either DOAC concentration or effect; patients at the extremes of body mass in whom an "abnormal" volume of distribution may result in inappropriate drug concentrations; patients with recurrent stroke reflecting an unusually high thromboembolic tendency; and, lastly, patients who experience major hemorrhage on an anticoagulant and in whom continued anticoagulation is deemed necessary.

Inpatient recognition and management of HLH.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is one of the life-threatening emergencies that a hematologist may be called upon to diagnose and manage. It is a hyperinflammatory process that develops in patients with genetic abnormalities, hematologic malignancies, chronic inflammatory states, or infections. The main clinical challenges are recognizing HLH, determining whether the immune response is aberrant or appropriate, and deciding upon therapy.

Challenges in Implementing Guideline on Integrative Oncology and Pain: The Israeli Perspective.

Context And Objectives: To explore the feasibility of implementing the joint guideline on integrative medicine for pain management in oncology, published by the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), for integrative oncology (IO) services in supportive and palliative care.

Methods: A qualitative research methodology was co-designed by the SIO-ASCO guideline committee, with the Society for Complementary Medicine, Israel Medical Association (IMA). A questionnaire with five open-ended questions exploring barriers and enablers to implementing the guideline was distributed to chairs and board members of nine IMA-affiliated medical societies; four deans of Israeli medical schools; and nurses from the Israeli Society for Oncology Nursing.

Thrombosis in multiple myeloma: mechanisms, risk assessment and management.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is associated with an increased risk of venous and arterial thrombosis. Pathophysiologic mechanisms include patient, disease and treatment related factors. Risk assessment models have been developed to determine whichpatients are at highest thrombotic risk and pursuant to this, risk adapted thrombosis prophylaxis has been suggested.

Heart valve disease in primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

Objectives: APS-associated heart valve disease (HVD) is well described. Nonetheless, limited data exist on clinical parameters associated with the course of primary APS (pAPS) patients with HVD. The goal of this study was to assess clinical features and related outcomes in patients with APS-associated HVD.

Low molecular weight heparin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in general Intensive Care Unit patients: an anti-factor Xa level-based approach.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality therefore prevention is imperative to reduce its burden. VTE prophylaxis in ICU patients is primarily pharmacological using low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Plasma anti-factor Xa (anti-FXa) levels may be used to measure LMWH activity.

Illustrated State-of-the-Art Capsules of the ISTH 2022 Congress.

The ISTH London 2022 Congress is the first held (mostly) face-to-face again since the COVID-19 pandemic took the world by surprise in 2020. For 2 years we met virtually, but this year's in-person format will allow the ever-so-important and quintessential creativity and networking to flow again. What a pleasure and joy to be able to see everyone! Importantly, all conference proceedings are also streamed (and available recorded) online for those unable to travel on this occasion.

Three-Dimensional Modeling of Thyroid Hormone Metabolites Binding to the Cancer-Relevant αvβ3 Integrin: Based Study.

Background: Thyroid hormones (TH), T4 and T3, mediate pro-mitogenic effects in cancer cells through binding the membrane receptor αvβ3 integrin. The deaminated analogue tetrac effectively blocks TH binding to this receptor and prevents their action. While computational data on TH binding to the αvβ3 integrin was published, a comprehensive analysis of additional TH metabolites is lacking.

Long Term Follow up of Patients With Primary Obstetric Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

Primary obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (OAPS) is defined by specific morbidities and/or losses of pregnancy in the presence of persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). This variant of APS is usually treated during pregnancy and the post-partum period. Data on occurrence of thrombotic event during long term follow-up of OAPS patients is limited.

Patterns of Recurrent Thrombosis in Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome-Multicenter, Real-Life Long-Term Follow-Up.

Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired hypercoagulable condition associated with antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) presence. Data on re-thrombosis following APS-diagnosis are limited.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of new thrombotic events among primary APS (pAPS) patients followed for up to 15 years in three medical centers in Israel.