Administration of teclistamab in four patients with multiple myeloma requiring hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) has poor outcomes, especially in heavily pretreated patients. Limited data exists on the use of novel therapies in MM patients with renal dysfunction. This case series describes the successful initiation of teclistamab in four patients with heavily pre-treated MM on hemodialysis (HD). DATA SOURCES: The medical records of four adult MM patients on HD who received teclistamab were retrospectively reviewed. DATA SUMMARY: All patients completed teclistamab step-up dosing and received at least one full dose. HD runs were administered irrespective of teclistamab initiation. Patients tolerated therapy well, with only one patient experiencing grade 1 CRS, which was managed with supportive care. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the complexity of this patient population, close monitoring and multidisciplinary care are crucial. This approach is essential for effectively managing MM patients with renal dysfunction and for exploring novel treatment options.

Tumor lysis syndrome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated with venetoclax and hypomethylating agents with or without dose ramp-up.

Venetoclax with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) is an important treatment for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who cannot tolerate intensive chemotherapy. However, there is limited data on the safety of venetoclax without a dose ramp-up in patients with AML. A retrospective cohort analysis of patients with AML treated with HMA/venetoclax (HMA/Ven) with or without a dose ramp-up, or HMA alone from 6/30/2014-8/22/2022 was conducted. The primary endpoint was the incidence of laboratory and/or clinical tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) by day 10. Of 225 patients, 111 patients received HMA alone or HMA/Ven with a dose ramp-up and 114 received HMA/Ven with no dose ramp-up. The incidence of TLS was similar between the control and no dose ramp-up groups, with rates of 5.4% and 5.3% respectively (p = 0.962). TLS incidence was comparable in patients with and without a dose ramp-up, suggesting that a dose ramp-up may not be mandatory in patients with AML.

Impact of a 10-week disability elective on health professions students' attitudes towards disabled persons.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Disability is overlooked in health provider training despite the growing number of patients and providers with a disability. In-depth training on delivering outstanding care is provided as part of training for health professions, however little guidance is provided on how to interact with patients with disabilities. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: Students enrolled in a 10-week interdisciplinary elective at the University of California, San Francisco were asked to participate in the study. Students who consented to participate completed a pre-intervention assessment that incorporated the Interaction with Disabled Persons Scale (IDP) and Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale Short Form C (MC). At the conclusion of the elective, participating students retook both surveys as part of a post-intervention assessment. FINDINGS: There was a significant difference in IDP score and non-significant difference in MC score following the elective. There was a positive but non-significant correlation between the paired results for the IDP and MC surveys. SUMMARY: Following completion of a 10-week disability awareness curriculum, there was a significant improvement in health professions students' perceptions towards persons with disabilities.