Background Kidney diseases associated with immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal gammopathy are poorly described, with few data for patient outcomes and renal response. Study Design Case series. Setting ...& Participants 35 patients from 8 French departments of nephrology were retrospectively studied. Inclusion criteria were: (1) detectable serum monoclonal IgM, (2) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or proteinuria with protein excretion > 0.5 g/d and/or microscopic hematuria, and (3) kidney biopsy showing monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits and/or lymphomatous B-cell renal infiltration. All patients received chemotherapy, including rituximab-based regimens in 8 cases. Predictors Patients were classified into 3 groups according to renal pathology: glomerular AL amyloidosis (group 1; n = 11), nonamyloid glomerulopathies (group 2; n = 15, including 9 patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis), and tubulointerstitial nephropathies (group 3; n = 9, including cast nephropathy in 5, light-chain Fanconi syndrome in 3, and isolated tumor infiltration in 1). Outcomes Posttreatment hematologic response (≥50% reduction in serum monoclonal IgM and/or free light chain level) and renal response (≥50% reduction in 24-hour proteinuria or eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 in patients with glomerular and tubulointerstitial disorders, respectively). Results Nephrotic syndrome was observed in 11 and 6 patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Patients in group 3 presented with acute kidney injury (n = 7) and/or proximal tubular dysfunction (n = 3). Waldenström macroglobulinemia was present in 26 patients (8, 12, and 6 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Significant lymphomatous interstitial infiltration was observed in 18 patients (4, 9, and 5 patients, respectively). Only 9 of 29 evaluable patients had systemic signs of symptomatic hematologic disease (2, 5, and 2, respectively). In groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, hematologic response was achieved after first-line treatment in 3 of 9, 9 of 10, and 5 of 6 evaluable patients, while renal response occurred in 5 of 10, 9 of 15, and 5 of 8 evaluable patients. Limitations Retrospective study; insufficient population to establish the impact of chemotherapy. Conclusions IgM monoclonal gammopathy is associated with a wide spectrum of renal manifestations, with an under-recognized frequency of tubulointerstitial disorders.
Background Neutrophilic dermatoses refer to a group of cutaneous inflammatory disorders characterized by neutrophilic infiltration of the skin. Neutrophilic dermatoses have been reported in ...association with various conditions including autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and neoplasia. In the later condition, myeloproliferative disorders and monoclonal gammopathy (monoclonal immunoglobulin MIg) are the most frequent. Only few data are available in case of neutrophilic dermatoses associated with MIg regarding the pathophysiology and the clinical outcome. Objective We sought to gain further insight into clinical and biological aspects of neutrophilic dermatoses associated with MIg. Methods We report a retrospective series of 26 patients with neutrophilic dermatoses associated with MIg focusing on clinical and biological aspects, with a study of a large panel of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. Results This study reveals an association between MIg IgA isotype and neutrophilic dermatoses, and a specific inflammatory pattern including elevated interleukin 6, vascular endothelial growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, epidermal growth factor, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Limitations This is a retrospective study from a single institution with a limited number of participants. Conclusion Our data highlight a strong association between IgA isotype and neutrophilic dermatoses, and the existence of a specific inflammatory profile involving several molecules.
Summary Background Intravenous injection is the standard administration route of bortezomib; however, subcutaneous administration is an important alternative. We compared the efficacy and safety of ...subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib at the approved 1·3 mg/m2 dose and twice per week schedule in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. Methods This randomised, phase 3 study was undertaken at 53 centres in ten countries in Europe, Asia, and South America. Patients aged 18 years and older with relapsed multiple myeloma after one to three previous lines of therapy were randomly assigned to receive up to eight 21-day cycles of bortezomib 1·3 mg/m2 , on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, by subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion. Randomisation was by an interactive voice response system based on a computer-generated randomisation schedule, stratified by number of previous lines and disease stage. Patients and treating physicians were not masked to treatment allocation. The primary objective was to show non-inferiority of subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib in terms of overall response rate (ORR) after four cycles in all patients with a diagnosis of measurable, secretory multiple myeloma who received one or more dose of drug (response-evaluable population). Non-inferiority was defined as retaining 60% of the intravenous treatment effect. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT00722566 , and is ongoing for long-term follow-up. Findings 222 patients were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous (n=148) or intravenous (n=74) bortezomib. The response-evaluable population consisted of 145 patients in the subcutaneous group and 73 in the intravenous group. Patients received a median of eight cycles (range one to ten) in both groups. ORR after four cycles was 42% in both groups (61 patients in subcutaneous group and 31 in intravenous group; ORR difference −0·4%, 95% CI −14·3 to 13·5), showing non-inferiority (p=0·002). After a median follow-up of 11·8 months (IQR 7·9–16·8) in the subcutaneous group and 12·0 months (8·1–15·6) in the intravenous group, there were no significant differences in time to progression (median 10·4 months, 95% CI 8·5–11·7, vs 9·4 months, 7·6–10·6; p=0·387) and 1-year overall survival (72·6%, 95% CI 63·1–80·0, vs 76·7%, 64·1–85·4; p=0·504) with subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib. Grade 3 or worse adverse events were reported in 84 (57%) patients in the subcutaneous group versus 52 (70%) in the intravenous group; the most common were thrombocytopenia (19 13% vs 14 19%), neutropenia (26 18% vs 13 18%), and anaemia (18 12% vs six 8%). Peripheral neuropathy of any grade (56 38% vs 39 53%; p=0·044), grade 2 or worse (35 24% vs 30 41%; p=0·012), and grade 3 or worse (nine 6% vs 12 16%; p=0·026) was significantly less common with subcutaneous than with intravenous administration. Subcutaneous administration was locally well tolerated. Interpretation Subcutaneous bortezomib offers non-inferior efficacy to standard intravenous administration, with an improved safety profile. Funding Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, and Millennium Pharmaceuticals.
Summary Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in men and the worldwide burden of this disease is rising. Lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation, exercise, and weight control offer ...opportunities to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Early detection of prostate cancer by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening is controversial, but changes in the PSA threshold, frequency of screening, and the use of other biomarkers have the potential to minimise the overdiagnosis associated with PSA screening. Several new biomarkers for individuals with raised PSA concentrations or those diagnosed with prostate cancer are likely to identify individuals who can be spared aggressive treatment. Several pharmacological agents such as 5α-reductase inhibitors and aspirin could prevent development of prostate cancer. In this Review, we discuss the present evidence and research questions regarding prevention, early detection of prostate cancer, and management of men either at high risk of prostate cancer or diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer.
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