ABSTRACT
In recent years, the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in cancer treatment has rapidly expanded. In randomized clinical trials, these agents have demonstrated clinical efficacy in extending survival and increasing response rates. Immune-related adverse effects (irAEs) involving various organs have been frequently narrated. Herein, we present a case report of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) as a rare side effect of nivolumab, plus ipilimumab, in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A review of the literature for other case reports of TTP during treatment with ICIs was also performed. Our aim is to elucidate the significance of early recognition of this rare adverse effect in patients being treated with this relatively newer class of medications.
ABSTRACT
Multiple Myeloma (MM) is primarily a disease of old age with a median age of sixty-nine years at diagnosis. The development of novel therapies for induction and use of autologous stem cell transplantation has resulted in improved clinical outcomes and better quality of life for MM patients. Elderly patients, comprising the majority of MM population, have a higher incidence of age-related comorbidities, frailty and organ dysfunction which complicates the coordination of treatment and limits the selection of therapies. Even in the era of multiple chemotherapeutic options, the clinical heterogeneity of the myeloma patients' demands personalized treatments which often require dose-adjustments or dose delays. The use of reduced-dose regimens and various comorbidity indices has improved clinical outcome and regimen tolerability in MM patients with renal, neurological and bone abnormalities. We focus on advancements in the treatment of multiple myeloma with the goal to guide clinicians towards patient-specific management.
Subject(s)
Multiple Myeloma/therapy , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Comorbidity , Frailty/physiopathology , Humans , Middle Aged , Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy , Multiple Myeloma/physiopathology , Multiple Organ Failure/physiopathology , Precision Medicine/methods , Quality of Life , Stem Cell TransplantationABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chemotherapy remains the first-line therapy for aggressive lymphomas. However, 20-30% of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 15% with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) recur after initial therapy. We want to explore the role of high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) for these patients. RECENT FINDINGS: There is some utility of upfront consolidation for-high risk/high-grade B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and T-cell lymphoma, but there is no role of similar intervention for HL. New conditioning regimens are being investigated which have demonstrated an improved safety profile without compromising the myeloablative efficiency for relapsed or refractory HL. Salvage chemotherapy followed by HDT and rescue autologous stem cell transplant remains the standard of care for relapsed/refractory lymphoma. The role of novel agents to improve disease-related parameters remains to be elucidated in frontline induction, disease salvage, and high-dose consolidation or in the maintenance setting.
