Objective

Low-levels of gamma globulin are associated with a risk of infection, and complications of hypogammaglobulinemia are often observed in hematologic malignancies. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), IgG≤600 mg/dL is reportedly associated with higher risks of infection. The objective was to determine the risks of hypogammaglobulinemia and infection in malignant lymphomas for which rituximab that targets B-cells is used.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of data from medical records of patients with malignant lymphomas treated with rituximab-containing therapy at our hospital between April 2014 and March 2016 was performed to assess the risks of infections through an evaluation of IgG levels and hospitalizations for and deaths due to infections in patients hospitalized with infections during this period.

Results

From April 2014 to March 2016, 128 patients with malignant lymphomas received rituximab-containing therapy at our hospital, and 94 (61%) of these patients had IgG levels measured. These 94 patients were included in the analysis. The histological types were as follows: 30 had follicular lymphoma (FL), 17 had indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (iNHL), 42 had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and 5 had mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The mean minimum immunoglobulin G (IgG) level in patients hospitalized for infection was 546 mg/dL and was 628 mg/dL in those not hospitalized (p=0.6). Although a significant difference was not observed, IgG levels tended to be low in hospitalized patients with infection. In addition, there were 4 patients with mean IgG levels that were 600 mg/dL or less in the 6-months immediately prior to hospitalization. Among these 2 died of infection.

Conclusion

Low-levels of gamma globulin are associated with a risk of mortality due to infections in malignant lymphomas.

Keywords

Hypogammaglobulinemia; Malignant lymphoma; Rituximab.

Abbreviations

CLL: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; FL: Follicular lymphoma; iNHL: Indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; DLBCL: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; MCL: Mantle cell lymphoma; FN: Febrile neutropenia.

Object

It is difficult for the elderly, those with complications, and those who live in remote areas to visit the hospital, and as a result, there are limits on the drugs they are able to use. It is therefore effective to prescribe such patients oral medications that have few adverse effects and in regimens that require few hospital visits. Clarithromycin can induce cell death by autophagy and it has a direct antitumor effect. There have been reports of the outcomes of Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone therapy with Clarithromycin which is administered orally and is safe on multiple myeloma. However, in Japan, there have been few studies. Here, we report on Clarithromycin, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone therapy in our hospital.

Method

We analyzed 7 patients with relapsed refractory or refractory multiple myeloma who were treated at this hospital between January 2012 and December 2014. The Clarithromycin, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone therapy were administered in a 28-day cycle as follows: Clarithromycin 400 mg/day for 28-days, Lenalidomide 15 mg/day for 21-days, and Dexamethasone was administered in a dose of 20 mg once per week. The response criteria used were standard International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Uniform Response Criteria. and adverse events were graded according to the national cancer institute-common terminology criteria for adverse events (NCI-CTCAE) Ver. 4. Statistical analysis was performed using Easy R (EZR).

Result

The response to Clarithromycin, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone therapy were selective catalytic reduction (sCR) in 2 patients, CR in 1 patient, per rectum (PR) in 3 patients, and standard deviation (SD) in 1 patient. Response rates of PR or better were observed in 86% of the patients. Duration of response was median 316-days (range, 160-522-days). Median oculus sinister (OS) period was 1,907 days. Median OS following discontinuation of the study was 1,385 days. Hematological adverse events were G1-2 anemia in 3 patients and G3-4 anemia in 1 patient. G1-2 thrombocytopenia was observed in 1 patient and G3-4 thrombocytopenia was observed in 1 patient. Leukopenia of G1-2 was observed in 6 patients but G3 was not observed. Non-hematological adverse events were G1-2 liver disorder in 6 patients, G1-2 skin rash in 3 patients, and G1-2 constipation in 2 patients. G4 adverse events were fainting and duodenal ulcer in 1 patient each.

Conclusion

Clarithromycin, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone can be safely and effectively administered in the relapsed refractory multiple myeloma

Keywords

Multiple myeloma; Bird; Clarithromycin, lethal dose (Ld).

One of the most common sphingolipidosis, Gaucher disease (GD) remains rare till date. A case report of a 56-year-old patient diagnosed with GD is presented herein. Her sister was known to have Gaucher disease. Her personal medical record consisted of splenectomy, anemia, recurrent infections, and bone lesions at a young age. Taking into consideration her personal and familial history, the clinical and paraclinical examinations, she was diagnosed with Gaucher disease which was confirmed with enzyme and gene testing. Upon introduction of specific enzyme replacement treatment for Gaucher patients,much evidence demonstrated the substantial improvement of hematological and visceral parameters. However, it has been observed that the bone tissue does not respond equally to the treatment.
Learning Points
• The physician should always investigate the splenomegaly of unknown etiology before deciding to do a splenectomy
• Bone lesions in Gaucher disease are sometimes irreversible, hence the importance of early diagnosis of this rare disease
Keywords
Gaucher disease; Bone lesion; Splenomeagly.
Acronyms
GD: Gaucher disease; Hb: Hemoglobin; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; ERT: Enzyme replacement therapy.