Real-world effectiveness of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis in the UK.

Background: Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is increasingly used as a one-off disease-modifying therapy for aggressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). We report real-world effectiveness of AHSCT for MS in the UK.

Methods: This retrospective open-label study included patients with (pw)MS treated with AHSCT between 2002 and 2023 in 14 UK centres.

Olorofim for the treatment of invasive fungal diseases in patients with few or no therapeutic options: a single-arm, open-label, phase 2b study.

Background: Only a small number of antifungal therapies for invasive fungal disease (IFD) are currently available, and many pathogens are resistant to one or more of these therapies. Olorofim, the first orotomide antifungal agent to be developed, is active against fungi that are resistant to registered therapies. It impairs fungal pyrimidine biosynthesis, leading to cell death.

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis in the UK: A 20-year retrospective analysis of activity and haematological outcomes from the British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (BSBMTCT).

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) has been developed as a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) since 1995. The United Kingdom is one of the most active countries performing AHSCT for MS in Europe. We report the UK experience of AHSCT for MS in 364 patients with MS treated with AHSCT between 2002 and 2023.

Post-pandemic recommendations for the management of COVID-19 in patients with haematological malignancies or undergoing cellular therapy, from the European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL-10).

In the post-pandemic years, SARS-CoV-2 morbidity and mortality declined due to less pathogenic variants, active and passive immunization, and antiviral therapies. However, patients with hematological malignancies and/or undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remain at increased risk for poor outcomes. Therefore, adherence to contact and droplet precautions is essential to avoid transmission, especially during epidemic waves.

Effectiveness of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation versus Alemtuzumab and Ocrelizumab in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: A Single Center Cohort Study.

Objective: To compare clinical and radiological outcomes among relapsing multiple sclerosis patients treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), alemtuzumab (ATZ), and ocrelizumab (OCR).

Methods: From a London (UK) hospital-based observational cohort, modeled data were obtained from 621 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients, who were treated with AHSCT (n = 103), ATZ (n = 204), and OCR (n = 314), and were followed up for 43, 43, and 32 median months, respectively. The annualized relapse rate, new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions, and disability progression on Expanded Disability Status Scale were assessed.

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for treatment of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder - recommendations from ECTRIMS and the EBMT.

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is a treatment option for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that are refractory to disease-modifying therapy (DMT). AHSCT after failure of high-efficacy DMT in aggressive forms of relapsing-remitting MS is a generally accepted indication, yet the optimal placement of this approach in the treatment sequence is not universally agreed upon. Uncertainties also remain with respect to other indications, such as in rapidly evolving, severe, treatment-naive MS, progressive MS, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Insights into the photocatalytic removal of malachite green organic pollutant by highly efficient hard responsive BaCoDyFeO catalysts.

The widespread discharge of organic dyes into the wastewater from various industrial processes has develop a major environmental apprehension in the modern world. To tackle such environmental issues, we are synthesizing a novel catalyst of composition, BaCoDyFeO (x = y = 0.02-0.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Extracorporeal Photopheresis for the Treatment of Steroid-Refractory Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease.

The objective of this meta-analysis (MA) was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) for the treatment of steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (SR-cGvHD). A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, followed by a feasibility assessment (FA) to assess potential between-study heterogeneity in the meta-analysis (MA). Random-effects MAs were performed for overall survival (OS), failure-free survival (FFS), overall response rate (ORR) and skin-specific response.

Radiotracers for in situ infection imaging: Experimental considerations for in vitro microbial uptake of gallium-68-labeled siderophores.

In vitro screening of gallium-68(Ga)-siderophores in pathogens relevant to infections is valuable for determining species specificity, their effect on cell viability, and potential clinical applications. As the recognition and internalization of siderophores relies on the presence of receptor- and/or siderophore-binding proteins, the level of uptake can vary between species. Here, we report in vitro uptake validation in Escherichia coli with its native siderophore, enterobactin (ENT) ([Ga]Ga-ENT), considering different experimental factors.

Aspergillus calidoustus and Talaromyces columbinus infections in chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Advancements in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) procedures have improved patient outcomes over the last two decades, though invasive fungal infections (IFIs) remain a significant risk. The incidence of IFIs in alloHSCT recipients is estimated at 6%, with a mortality rate of 13%, and Aspergillus species are the most common pathogens involved. Posaconazole is effective in preventing IFIs post-transplant and is standard care during neutropenia or when managing graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) with high-dose steroids.

Disseminated Mucormycosis and T-Cell-Depleted Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: An Unusual Case Study.

Introduction: Invasive fungal infections are a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with haematological malignancies.

Case Presentation: We describe an unusual clinical and radiological presentation of invasive mucormycosis (IM) in a 69-year-old patient with relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia. The patient was diagnosed with disseminated IM with involvement of the central nervous system in an atypical location, lung, spleen, muscle, bone, and heart, after having completed induction and bridging chemotherapy to allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).

The Impact of the Fungal Priority Pathogens List on Medical Mycology: A Northern European Perspective.

Fungal diseases represent a considerable global health concern, affecting >1 billion people annually. In response to this growing challenge, the World Health Organization introduced the pivotal fungal priority pathogens list (FPPL) in late 2022. The FPPL highlights the challenges in estimating the global burden of fungal diseases and antifungal resistance (AFR), as well as limited surveillance capabilities and lack of routine AFR testing.

[Ga]Ga-Schizokinen, a Potential Radiotracer for Selective Bacterial Infection Imaging.

Gallium-68-labeled siderophores as radiotracers have gained interest for the development of infection-specific imaging diagnostics. Here, we report radiolabeling, screening, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of gallium-68-labeled schizokinen ([Ga]Ga-SKN) as a new potential radiotracer for imaging bacterial infections. We radiolabeled SKN with ≥95% radiochemical purity.

Haploidentical Transplant with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes Patients: The Role of Previous Lines of Therapy.

Background: Allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplant is an option, potentially curative, for high-risk acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. Post-transplant cyclophosphamide administration allows for the selection of haploidentical donors in patients who are eligible for the procedure but do not have a fully matched donor since it can overcome the HLA barrier. There is still an active debate on whether intensifying the conditioning regimen is necessary with haploidentical donors when peripheral blood stem cells are used as the graft source.

Guidelines for the management of Toxoplasma gondii infection and disease in patients with haematological malignancies and after haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation: guidelines from the 9th European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia, 2022.

Patients with haematological malignancies might develop life-threatening toxoplasmosis, especially after allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Reactivation of latent cysts is the primary mechanism of toxoplasmosis following HSCT; hence, patients at high risk are those who were seropositive before transplantation. The lack of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis and various immune status parameters of the patient are other associated risk factors.

Fludarabine-Melphalan-Campath, Followed by Unmanipulated Peripheral-Blood Haematopoietic Stem Cells, Can Still Cure Lymphoma.

Background: The second decade of this millennium was characterized by a widespread availability of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies to treat relapsed and refractory lymphomas. As expected, the role and indication of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) in the management of lymphoma changed. Currently, a non-neglectable proportion of patients will be considered candidate for an allo-HSCT, and the debate of which transplant platform should be offered is still active.

Radiometal chelators for infection diagnostics.

Infection of native tissues or implanted devices is common, but clinical diagnosis is frequently difficult and currently available noninvasive tests perform poorly. Immunocompromised individuals (for example transplant recipients, or those with cancer) are at increased risk. No imaging test in clinical use can specifically identify infection, or accurately differentiate bacterial from fungal infections.

Rising incidence of Pneumocystis pneumonia: A population-level descriptive ecological study in England.

Objectives: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection that causes significant morbidity and mortality in the immunocompromised population. This population is growing and diversifying, yet contemporary epidemiology is lacking. We investigated the population-level incidence of PCP over the past decade.

Effect of customized vibratory device on orthodontic tooth movement: A prospective randomized control trial.

Aims: The primary purpose of the present trial was to evaluate the effect of low-frequency (30Hz) vibrations on the rate of canine retraction.

Setting And Design: Single-center, split mouth prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.

Methods And Material: 100 screened subjects (aged18-25 years) were selected; out of which 30 subjects having Class I bimaxillary protrusion or Class II div 1 malocclusion, requiring upper 1 premolar therapeutic extractions, were selected for the study.

Recommendations for the management of COVID-19 in patients with haematological malignancies or haematopoietic cell transplantation, from the 2021 European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL 9).

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel virus that spread worldwide from 2019 causing the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 infection is characterised by an initial viral phase followed in some patients by a severe inflammatory phase. Importantly, immunocompromised patients may have a prolonged viral phase, shedding infectious viral particles for months, and absent or dysfunctional inflammatory phase.