0000000000199325
AUTHOR
Valeria Calafiore
Glucosylsphingosine (Lyso-Gb1) as a reliable biomarker in Gaucher disease: a narrative review
Abstract Background Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare, inherited, autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme, acid β-glucosidase. Its diagnosis is achieved via measurements of acid β-glucosidase activity in either fresh peripheral blood leukocytes or dried blood spots, and confirmed by identifying characteristic mutations in the GBA1 gene. Currently, several biomarkers are available for disease monitoring. Chitotriosidase has been used over the last 20 years to assess the severity of GD, but lacks specificity in GD patients. Conversely, the deacylated form of glucosylceramide, glucosylsphingosine (also known as lyso-Gb1), represents a more reliable biomarker ch…
Tailoring haemophilia A prophylaxis with BAY 81-8973: A case series
BAY 81-8973 is an unmodified, full-length third generation recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) which offers a more favorable pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, compared to its predecessor sucrose-formulated rFVIII (rFVIII-FS). We here report on a retrospective case series of nine patients affected by hemophilia A (HA), with variable disease severity, bleeding phenotype and comorbidities, to underline our clinical practice on prophylaxis with a recently introduced standard hall-life recombinant Factor VIII. The current case series highlights how the current clinical management of hemophilia is able to personalize treatment in several specific conditions like concomitant illnesses with thrombotic ris…
Feasibility, Tolerability and Efficacy of Carfilzomib in Combination with Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone in Relapsed Refractory Myeloma Patients: A Retrospective Real-Life Survey of the Sicilian Myeloma Network
Background: The ASPIRE (NCT01080391) phase 3 trial showed the efficacy of carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRd) triplet for relapse and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, little is known about safety and efficacy of KRd outside a clinical trial context. Methods: Herein we report real life results of KRd given to 130 RRMM patients from 12 Sicilian Centers. Results: Median age was 62 years
Impact of Cumulative Dose of Carfilzomib in Combination with Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone in Relapsed Refractory Myeloma Patients: A Retrospective Real Life Survey of the Sicilian Myeloma Network
Abstract Background: Triplet-based lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (Rd) combinations have become the new standard of care for early relapse and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Carfilzomib is a novel selective proteasome inhibitor (PI) with high efficacy in RRMM. The ASPIRE phase 3 trial showed the superiority of carfilzomib-based triplet (KRd compared to Rd), leading to approval of K for RRMM. However, little is known about safety and efficacy of KRd outside a clinical trial context. Experimental design and aims: In 11 Sicilian Centers belonging to the Sicilian Myeloma Network, from November 2016, when KRd regimen was approved in Italy, to June 2018, 103 consecutive RRMM patients (previ…
Status of Recombinant Factor VIII Concentrate Treatment for Hemophilia A in Italy: Characteristics and Clinical Benefits
The current interest in recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) products stems from the fact that they offer a technological solution to prolonging the half-life of and reducing the risk of formation of alloantibodies (inhibitors) against FVIII in treated patients with hemophilia A (HA). The Italian health care system has authorized the use of a wide range of rFVIII concentrates of the first, second, and third generation, as well as new innovative rFVIII preparates with an extended half-life (EHL) (Kogenate FS®-Bayer, belonging to the second generation and replaced since 2017 by a product consisting of the same modified molecule; because it is only available until the end of the current year, it w…
Prognostic assessment and treatment of primary gastric lymphomas: how endoscopic ultrasonography can help in tailoring patient management.
Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has recently gained a pivotal role in the management of gastric lymphomas, especially in the diagnostic workup. Its accuracy and reliability have overcome those of other imaging techniques, such that it represents an invaluable tool for the management of gastric lymphomas. Although this technique is operator dependent, its application in large series has proved its reliability. Thus, it has generally been considered a useful tool for providing information crucial in deciding the treatment program, especially for mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas, for which EUS can provide an accurate evaluation of disease extension and treatment response pro…
Peripheral circulating cells with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria phenotype after a first episode of cerebral sinus vein thrombosis: Results from a multicentre cross-sectional study
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, potentially fatal disorder of haematopoietic stem cells caused by mutations in an X-linked gene called phosphatidylinositol glycan class A, characterised by intravascular haemolysis, bone marrow failure and thrombotic events. The disease can occur at any age, although preferentially it affects young adults; its estimated prevalence is about 1/500,000 [1]. Clinical symptoms are variable and can include haemolytic anaemia, moderate to severe impairment of haematopoiesis and, in approximately 40% of patients, thrombosis of the vessels of the abdomen, brain and skin [2]. Rare, atypical site thrombosis of the splanchnic veins or cerebral sinu…