Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL): a good practice guide, pictorial review, and new perspectives.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare but emerging T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It has two distinct subtypes, "effusion-only" or "mass-forming" disease, arising around implants in patients with in situ or previous history of textured-surface breast implants. The clinical, histopathological and imaging features are unique and nuanced as compared to primary breast malignancy and other lymphoma categories. Prompt recognition and diagnosis triggers referral to appropriate BIA-ALCL centres and initiation of treatment, with potential for excellent prognosis. Definitive management of both subtypes involves implant and capsule removal; systemic therapy is reserved for mass-forming disease and advanced-stage disease. There have been recent crucial advances in the diagnostic pathway, with publication of national and international guidelines: from the UK Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Expert Advisory Group (PRASEAG), and the United States National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). This review provides a practical guide to the clinical work-up of BIA-ALCL, enabling optimisation of the diagnostic imaging pathway, with representative cases.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of plasma-derived factor XIII concentrate (human) in patients with congenital factor XIII deficiency.

UNLABELLED: Congenital factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency is a rare condition with substantial risk for life-threatening bleeding. Replacement of deficient FXIII with plasma-derived FXIII concentrate is a treatment option. The current 12-week study evaluated the steady-state pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety profile of prophylactic infusions of FXIII concentrate (human) in patients with congenital FXIII deficiency. Patients received FXIII concentrate (human) 40 IU kg(-1) on Days 0, 28, and 56. FXIII levels were assessed before and after each infusion; steady-state PK parameters were assessed up to 28 days after the infusion on Day 56. Treatment effectiveness in maintaining trough FXIII activity levels ≥ 5% over 28 days and safety parameters were also assessed. Fourteen patients received FXIII concentrate (human) and 13 completed the study. Post-infusion, FXIII activity levels increased to within the range found in patients without congenital FXIII deficiency without reaching supra-therapeutic levels. Non-baseline-adjusted trough FXIII activity levels were maintained at or above 10% at all post-baseline visits in all patients. Steady-state PK parameters were baseline-adjusted; maximum FXIII activity was 87.7% at 1.72 h post-infusion, subsequently declining to a minimum of 5.0%. The half-life was 6.6 days. FXIII concentrate (human) was generally well tolerated. Two patients had possibly treatment-related adverse events. There were no reports of thromboembolism, viral transmission, bleeding events or treatment-related hypersensitivity. These findings support use of FXIII concentrate (human) 40 IU kg(-1) every 28 days as an appropriate regimen for routine, long-term prophylaxis in children and adults with congenital FXIII deficiency. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00883090.