Azacitidine followed by R-GDP in transplant-ineligible relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: preliminary results from a multicenter, phase II study.

Background: Epigenetic priming prior to chemotherapy represents a promising treatment strategy for refractory or relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL). We conducted a phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of azacitidine in combination with R-GDP (rituximab/gemcitabine/dexamethasone/cisplatin) in transplant-ineligible R/R DLBCL.

Methods: Fifteen patients were enrolled and treated with azacitidine and R-GDP regimen (NCT03719989).

Real-World Comparison of Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone Versus Ixazomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: KMM2004 Study.

Background: Lenalidomide-based triplet regimens, specifically carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) and ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (IRd), are recognized as effective treatments for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Since 2020, South Korea's National Health Insurance Service has covered these combinations, prompting a need for real-world comparisons of their efficacy and safety.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 182 RRMM patients treated with KRd (112) or IRd (70) at 17 South Korean centers from May 2020 to April 2021 was conducted.

Serial next-generation sequencing for detecting germline predisposition in acute myeloid leukemia.

Not available.

Real-world effectiveness of ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone in Asians with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Randomized clinical trials have shown ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRd) to be efficacious and safe in Asian patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM); however, real-world data are limited. The APEX study was a multicenter, observational cohort study of IRd conducted at 16 sites across South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. Overall, 104 patients treated with IRd during 2016-2023 were enrolled; data were collected by retrospective chart review and 6-month prospective follow-up.

Validating the Korean Geriatric Assessment Tool in Elderly Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Multicenter Study.

Purpose: This study evaluates the Korean Cancer Study Group Geriatric Score-7 (KG-7) frailty screening tool's effectiveness in elderly multiple myeloma (MM) patients to prevent under and over-treatment.

Materials And Methods: This prospective pilot cohort study included 100 elderly patients aged 70 and older with newly diagnosed MM who had not undergone transplantation from August 2020 to January 2022.

Results: The median age was 77 years, and 73% of patients were classified at International Staging System (ISS) stages 2 or 3.

Evidence-based Korean guidelines for the clinical management of multiple myeloma: addressing 12 key clinical questions.

Multiple myeloma (MM), a hematological malignancy, is characterized by malignant plasma cell proliferation in the bone marrow. Recent treatment advances have significantly improved patient outcomes associated with MM. In this study, we aimed to develop comprehensive, evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of MM.

Reduced-intensity chemotherapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitor followed by allogeneic transplantation is effective in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background/aims: To determine the effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) plus reduced-intensity therapy in adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-positive ALL), this retrospective study compared treatment outcomes and induction mortality according to backbone regimen intensity.

Methods: The data of 132 patients diagnosed with Ph-positive ALL were retrospectively collected from five centers. Patients received imatinib plus intensive chemotherapy (modified VPD, KALLA1407, or hyper-CVAD) or reduced-intensity chemotherapy (EWALL) for curative purposes.

The characteristics of Korean elderly multiple myeloma patients aged 80 years or over.

Background/aims: Multiple myeloma (MM) predominantly affects elderly individuals, but studies on older patients with MM are limited. The clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with MM aged 80 years or over were retrospectively analyzed.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study was conducted to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and survival outcomes of patients aged 80 years or over who were newly diagnosed with MM at five academic hospitals in Daegu, Korea, between 2010 and 2019.

Comparative analysis of single versus tandem autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma in Korea: the KMM2102 study.

Tandem autologous stem cell transplantation can improve the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma. However, the precise role of tandem transplantation remains debatable. We evaluated the clinical benefits of tandem transplantation retrospectively.

Combination of rituximab and methotrexate followed by rituximab and cytarabine in elderly patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.

The optimal treatment strategy for newly diagnosed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) has yet to be established, especially in the elderly. In the current study, we conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab plus high-dose MTX followed by rituximab plus cytarabine in patients aged ≥60 years newly diagnosed with PCNSL. Patients received an induction treatment of high-dose methotrexate plus rituximab followed by two cycles of a consolidation treatment of cytarabine plus rituximab.

Early dose reduction of dasatinib does not compromise clinical outcomes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: A comparative analysis of two prospective trials.

Dasatinib is a potent second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) used as a first-line treatment option for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Currently, dose modification due to adverse events (AEs) is common in patients treated with dasatinib. This study compared the outcomes of two sequential prospective trials that enrolled patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase of CML (CP-CML) and initiated dasatinib at a starting dose of 100 mg daily.

Clinical efficacy of prophylactic intravenous immunoglobulin for elderly DLBCL patients with hypogammaglobulinemia in the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Background: Elderly patients diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) undergoing reduced intensity R-CHOP therapy are at a heightened risk of acquiring infections, notably coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as prophylaxis against COVID-19 in this vulnerable population.

Methods: A total of 125 elderly patients with DLBCL undergoing reduced intensity R-CHOP therapy were analyzed in this prospective, multicenter study.

Clinical significance of bone marrow involvement by immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Bone marrow (BM) involvement is an indicator of a poor prognosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); however, few studies have evaluated the role of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement (IgR) in detecting BM involvement.

Methods: We evaluated the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with DLBCL based on histological BM involvement or positive BM IgR using polymerase chain reaction or next-generation sequencing. We also investigated the role of consolidative upfront autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with DLBCL and BM involvement.

Geriatric risk model for older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (GERIAD): a prospective multicenter cohort study.

Background/aims: Optimal risk stratification based on simplified geriatric assessment to predict treatment-related toxicity and survival needs to be clarified in older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Methods: This multicenter prospective cohort study enrolled newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL (≥ 65 yr) between September 2015 and April 2018. A simplified geriatric assessment was performed at baseline using Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental ADL (IADL), and Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI).

Open-labeled, multicenter phase II study of prophylactic administration of pegylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who received pomalidomide-based regimens (KMM170).

Introduction: Pegylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been widely used for preventing febrile neutropenia in various types of cancer treatment. In the present study, we prospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of pegfilgrastim as a primary prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia and infection among patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) treated with pomalidomide-based regimens.

Methods: Thirty-three patients with RRMM who received pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd) with or without cyclophosphamide (PCd) were enrolled in this study.

Pembrolizumab for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma in Korea.

Purpose: Programmed death-1 blockade with pembrolizumab has shown promising activity in relapsed/refractory (R/R) extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL), but studies are limited, with small patient numbers.

Materials And Methods: Thirteen institutes involved with the Consortium for Improving Survival of Lymphoma, a Korean lymphoma study group, collected the clinical data of 59 patients treated with pembrolizumab as salvage therapy between 2016 and 2022.

Results: The median age of the patients was 60 years (range, 22 to 87 years), and 76.

Lupenone attenuates thapsigargin-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in pancreatic beta cells possibly through inhibition of protein tyrosine kinase 2 activity.

Aims: Prolonged high levels of cytokines, glucose, or free fatty acids are associated with diabetes, elevation of cytosolic Ca concentration ([Ca]), and depletion of Ca concentration in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of pancreatic beta cells. This Ca imbalance induces ER stress and apoptosis. Lupenone, a lupan-type triterpenoid, is beneficial in diabetes; however, its mechanism of action is yet to be clarified.

Comparison of first-line treatment with CHOP versus ICED in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma eligible for upfront autologous stem cell transplantation.

Introduction: Upfront autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been recommended for patients who are newly diagnosed with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), and CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), an anthracycline-based chemotherapy has been the frontline chemotherapy for PTCL. However, it is not clear whether anthracycline-based chemotherapies such as CHOP could be standard induction therapy for PTCL.

Methods: We conducted a randomized phase II study to compare CHOP with fractionated ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide, and dexamethasone (ICED) for patients eligible for ASCT.