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Keywords = serum free light chains 2

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11 pages, 1462 KB  
Article
Kinetics of Serum-Free Light Chain Removal by High-Cutoff Hemodialysis in Patients with Multiple Myeloma and Acute Renal Failure
by Wilma A. Veldman, Debora J. Weerman, Saskia Molog, Adry Diepenbroek, Wilfried W. H. Roeloffzen, Coen A. Stegeman and Casper F. M. Franssen
Medicina 2025, 61(11), 1977; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61111977 - 4 Nov 2025
Viewed by 444
Abstract
Background and objectives: Cast nephropathy is the main cause of acute renal failure in patients with multiple myeloma. There are conflicting data on whether removal of serum free light chains (sFLCs) with a high-cutoff (HCO) dialyzer has a favorable effect on the [...] Read more.
Background and objectives: Cast nephropathy is the main cause of acute renal failure in patients with multiple myeloma. There are conflicting data on whether removal of serum free light chains (sFLCs) with a high-cutoff (HCO) dialyzer has a favorable effect on the recovery of renal function. This may in part be explained by differences in the efficacy of sFLC removal by HCO dialysis and treatment responses to anti-plasma cell therapy between studies. We studied the removal of sFLCs during HCO treatment in detail in relation to treatment response. Materials and methods: Pre-dialysis serum and dialysate levels of sFLCs were simultaneously and repeatedly measured during the first two HCO treatments in 10 patients with kappa (κ)- and 5 patients with lambda (λ)-producing myeloma that presented with dialysis-dependent renal failure at our institution between 2009 and 2024. Results: The average change in sFLCs during 6 h treatments was −57 ± 13%, but it varied widely between −29% and −77%. Mean reductions in sFLCs were comparable for κ and λ (−61.4 ± 19.1% and −55 ± 16.7%, respectively; p = 0.78). The average clearance of sFLCs at 15 min after the start of HCO dialysis was 42.1 ± 8.5 and 27.4 ± 15.6 mL/min for κ and λ, respectively (p < 0.01). Clearances decreased to 27.2 ± 11.3 for κ and 13.8 ± 7.9 mL/min for λ after 6 h of HCO treatment (p = 0.042). Renal function recovered in 11 patients (73%). In three of the four patients whose renal function did not recover, sFLC levels were >5 g/L at any time beyond 2 weeks after the start of HCO treatment. Conclusions: Although the clearance of κ was higher compared to λ, reductions in sFLCs were similar for κ and λ. We speculate that this discrepancy is explained by greater adherence of λ to the HCO membrane. Patients whose renal function did not recover had less of a reduction in sFLC levels during HCO treatment, probably due to a suboptimal hematological response to anti-plasma cell therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD))
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19 pages, 3062 KB  
Systematic Review
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Ameliorate Heart Failure through Reductions in Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Jayant Seth, Sohat Sharma, Cameron J. Leong and Simon W. Rabkin
Antioxidants 2024, 13(8), 955; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13080955 - 6 Aug 2024
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 8896
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to explore the role that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays in heart failure (HF), highlighting the potential connection to oxidative stress pathways. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted electronic searches of the literature in MEDLINE [...] Read more.
The objectives of this study were to explore the role that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays in heart failure (HF), highlighting the potential connection to oxidative stress pathways. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted electronic searches of the literature in MEDLINE and EMBASE focusing on serum EPA and/or DHA and EPA and/or DHA supplementation in adult patients with heart failure or who had heart failure as an outcome of this study. We screened 254 studies, encompassing RCTs, observational studies, and cohort studies that examined HF outcomes in relation to either serum concentrations or dietary supplementation of EPA and/or DHA. The exclusion criteria were pediatric patients, non-HF studies, abstracts, editorials, case reports, and reviews. Eleven studies met our criteria. In meta-analyses, high serum concentrations of DHA were associated with a lower rate of heart failure with a hazard ratio of 0.74 (CI = 0.59–0.94). High serum concentrations of EPA also were associated with an overall reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events with a hazard ratio of 0.60 (CI = 0.46–0.77). EPA and DHA, or n3-PUFA administration, were associated with an increased LVEF with a mean difference of 1.55 (CI = 0.07–3.03)%. A potential explanation for these findings is the ability of EPA and DHA to inhibit pathways by which oxidative stress damages the heart or impairs cardiac systolic or diastolic function producing heart failure. Specifically, EPA may lower oxidative stress within the heart by reducing the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cardiac tissue by (i) upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which increases the expression of antioxidant enzyme activity, including heme oxygenase-1, thioredoxin reductase 1, ferritin light chain, ferritin heavy chain, and manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD), (ii) increasing the expression of copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and glutathione peroxidase, (iii) targeting Free Fatty Acid Receptor 4 (Ffar4), (iv) upregulating expression of heme-oxygenase-1, (v) lowering arachidonic acid levels, and (vi) inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. DHA may lower oxidative stress within the heart by (i) reducing levels of mitochondrial-fission-related protein DRP-1(ser-63), (ii) promoting the incorporation of cardiolipin within the mitochondrial membrane, (iii) reducing myocardial fibrosis, which leads to diastolic heart failure, (iv) reducing the expression of genes such as Appa, Myh7, and Agtr1α, and (v) reducing inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α. In conclusion, EPA and/or DHA have the potential to improve heart failure, perhaps mediated by their ability to modulate oxidative stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs))
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7 pages, 407 KB  
Communication
Evidence for an Intrathecal Immunoglobulin Synthesis by Kappa Free Light Chains in Neurological Patients with an Isolated Band in Isoelectric Focusing
by Bastian Weiss, Alexander Pichler, Anna Damulina, Arabella Buchmann, Sonja Hochmeister, Thomas Seifert-Held, Christian Enzinger, Juan-Jose Archelos and Michael Khalil
Biomedicines 2022, 10(9), 2202; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10092202 - 6 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2602
Abstract
The gold standard for detecting intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis is the determination of the oligoclonal band (OCB) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using isoelectric focusing (IEF). Controversy still exists regarding the significance of an isolated band in the CSF. A highly promising alternative method [...] Read more.
The gold standard for detecting intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis is the determination of the oligoclonal band (OCB) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using isoelectric focusing (IEF). Controversy still exists regarding the significance of an isolated band in the CSF. A highly promising alternative method for the assessment of intrathecal inflammation is the quantification of kappa free light chains (k-FLC). Our aim was to evaluate the clinical significance of quantitative k-FLC in patients with an isolated band in the CSF. Using the Human Kappa Freelite Mx Kit on a turbidimetric Optilite®, we quantified the k-FLCs in paired CSF and serum samples in 47 patients with a single band in IEF. We classified patients into 27× inflammatory neurological disorders (IND), 2× peripheral inflammatory neurological disorders (PIND), 9× non-inflammatory neurological disorders (NIND) and 9× symptomatic controls (SC) based on their medical diagnosis. k-FLC were below the lower measurement limit of the analyser (LML) in all SC and PIND, as well as in 8 out of 9 NIND and 11 IND. Only 1 NIND and 16 IND were above the LML, and of these, only 14 IND were above the upper discrimination limit (Qlim). A neuroinflammatory nature of the diseases can be indicated in many cases by positive k-FLC in patients with an isolated band in IEF. The measurement of k-FLC can support the diagnosis of neurological diseases if they are included in the routine work-up. Full article
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13 pages, 1554 KB  
Article
Early Light Chains Removal and Albumin Levels with a Double Filter-Based Extracorporeal Treatment for Acute Myeloma Kidney
by Gabriele Donati, Fulvia Zappulo, Elisa Maietti, Anna Scrivo, Lorenzo Gasperoni, Elena Zamagni, Paola Tacchetti, Lucia Pantani, Olga Baraldi, Giorgia Comai, Maria Cappuccilli, Michele Cavo and Gaetano La Manna
Toxins 2022, 14(6), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14060391 - 5 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2830
Abstract
Renal impairment in Multiple Myeloma (MM) represents one of the most important factors that influences patient survival. In fact, before the introduction of modern chemotherapy, less than 25% of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and MM who required dialysis recovered sufficient renal [...] Read more.
Renal impairment in Multiple Myeloma (MM) represents one of the most important factors that influences patient survival. In fact, before the introduction of modern chemotherapy, less than 25% of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and MM who required dialysis recovered sufficient renal function to become independent from dialysis, with a median overall survival of less than 1 year. There are many other factors involved in determining patient survival. In this study we aimed to investigate the role of double filter-based extracorporeal treatment for removal of serum free light chains (sFLC) in acute myeloma kidney (AKI for MM) and to evaluate patient overall survival. All patients received Bortezomib-based chemotherapy and extracorporeal treatment for sFLC removal. For each session 2 dialyzers of the same kind were used. The dialytic dose was not related to the degree of renal function but to the removal of sFLC. The factors that have been found to be significantly associated with lower mortality were reduction of sFLC at day 12 and day 30, >50% reduction of sFLC at day 30, number of sessions and independence from dialysis. Among baseline characteristics, albumin level was statistically associated with the patients’ outcome. Our analysis highlights the importance of the early treatment for removal of sFLC in AKI for MM. These results indicate that the early removal of sFLC can improve patient’s outcome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Uremic Toxins)
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9 pages, 313 KB  
Article
Serum NfL in Alzheimer Dementia: Results of the Prospective Dementia Registry Austria
by Daniela Kern, Michael Khalil, Lukas Pirpamer, Arabella Buchmann, Edith Hofer, Peter Dal-Bianco, Elisabeth Stögmann, Christoph Scherfler, Thomas Benke, Gerhard Ransmayr and Reinhold Schmidt
Medicina 2022, 58(3), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58030433 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3862
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a biomarker for neuro-axonal injury in various acute and chronic neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We here investigated the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between baseline serum NfL (sNfL) levels and cognitive, behavioural [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: The neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a biomarker for neuro-axonal injury in various acute and chronic neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We here investigated the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between baseline serum NfL (sNfL) levels and cognitive, behavioural as well as MR volumetric findings in the Prospective Dementia Registry Austria (PRODEM-Austria). Materials and Methods: All participants were clinically diagnosed with AD according to NINCDS-ADRDA criteria and underwent a detailed clinical assessment, cognitive testing (including the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD)), the neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) and laboratory evaluation. A total of 237 patients were included in the study. Follow-up examinations were done at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years with 93.3% of patients undergoing at least one follow-up. We quantified sNfL by a single molecule array (Simoa). In a subgroup of 125 subjects, brain imaging data (1.5 or 3T MRI, with 1 mm isotropic resolution) were available. Brain volumetry was assessed using the FreeSurfer image analysis suite (v6.0). Results: Higher sNfL concentrations were associated with worse performance in cognitive tests at baseline, including CERAD (B = −10.084, SE = 2.999, p < 0.001) and MMSE (B = −3.014, SE = 1.293, p = 0.021). The sNfL levels also correlated with the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPI total score: r = 0.138, p = 0.041) and with smaller volumes of the temporal lobe (B = −0.012, SE = 0.003, p = 0.001), the hippocampus (B = −0.001, SE = 0.000201, p = 0.013), the entorhinal (B = −0.000308, SE = 0.000124, p = 0.014), and the parahippocampal cortex (B = −0.000316, SE = 0.000113, p = 0.006). The sNfL values predicted more pronounced cognitive decline over the mean follow-up period of 22 months, but there were no significant associations with respect to change in neuropsychiatric symptoms and brain volumetric measures. Conclusions: the sNfL levels relate to cognitive, behavioural, and imaging hallmarks of AD and predicts short term cognitive decline. Full article
16 pages, 2474 KB  
Review
Multimodal Imaging and Biomarkers in Cardiac Amyloidosis
by Mi-Hyang Jung, Suyon Chang, Eun Ji Han and Jong-Chan Youn
Diagnostics 2022, 12(3), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12030627 - 3 Mar 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6800
Abstract
Amyloidosis is a progressive infiltrative disease instigated by the extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils in various organs such as the heart, kidney, and peripheral nerves. Cardiac amyloid deposits cause restrictive cardiomyopathy, leading to a poor prognosis in systemic amyloidosis. The most common etiologies [...] Read more.
Amyloidosis is a progressive infiltrative disease instigated by the extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils in various organs such as the heart, kidney, and peripheral nerves. Cardiac amyloid deposits cause restrictive cardiomyopathy, leading to a poor prognosis in systemic amyloidosis. The most common etiologies of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) are immunoglobulin light chain deposits (AL-CA) and misfolded transthyretin deposits (ATTR-CA). In recent years, many developments have been accomplished in the field of diagnosis and treatment of CA. At present, ATTR-CA can be noninvasively diagnosed if the following two conditions are fulfilled in the setting of typical echocardiographic/cardiac MRI findings: (1) grade 2 or 3 myocardial uptake in bone scintigraphy confirmed by SPECT and (2) absence of monoclonal protein confirmed by serum-free light chain assay, and serum/urine protein electrophoresis with immunofixation test. Effective therapies are evolving in both types of CA (tafamidis for ATTR-CA and immunologic treatments for AL-CA). Thus, early suspicion and prompt diagnosis are crucial for achieving better outcomes. In this review, we have summarized the role of multimodal imaging (e.g., echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and bone scintigraphy) and biomarkers (e.g., troponin, BNP) in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment monitoring of CA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multimodal Imaging and Biomarkers in Diagnosis of Heart Failure)
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16 pages, 1389 KB  
Article
Renal Impairment Detectors: IGFBP-7 and NGAL as Tubular Injury Markers in Multiple Myeloma Patients
by Karolina Woziwodzka, Jolanta Małyszko, Ewa Koc-Żórawska, Marcin Żórawski, Paulina Dumnicka, Artur Jurczyszyn, Krzysztof Batko, Paulina Mazur, Małgorzata Banaszkiewicz, Marcin Krzanowski, Paulina Gołasa, Jacek A. Małyszko, Ryszard Drożdż and Katarzyna Krzanowska
Medicina 2021, 57(12), 1348; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57121348 - 10 Dec 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3865
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Urine insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) monomer are novel tubular kidney injury biomarkers. In multiple myeloma (MM), immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs) play an integral role [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Urine insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) monomer are novel tubular kidney injury biomarkers. In multiple myeloma (MM), immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs) play an integral role in renal impairment. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between new biomarkers and acclaimed parameters of renal failure, MM stage, and prognosis. Materials and Methods: The examined parameters included: urinary and serum cystatin-C, IGFBP-7, and TIMP-2, and urinary NGAL monomer in 124 enrolled patients. Results: Urinary and serum IGFBP-7 and urinary NGAL were higher among patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and positively correlated with urine light chains. Serum and urine IGFBP-7 and urine NGAL were greater among patients with a higher disease stage. In the whole study group, urinary concentrations of the studied markers were positively correlated with each other. In multiple linear regression, urinary IGFBP-7 and NGAL were associated with lower eGFR, independently of other urinary markers. Conclusions: Urinary IGFBP-7 and NGAL monomer may be useful markers of tubular renal damage in patients with MM. Biomarker-based diagnostics may contribute to earlier treatment that may improve renal outcomes and life expectancy in MM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Urology & Nephrology)
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18 pages, 3180 KB  
Article
Formulation and Evaluation of Kaempferol Loaded Nanoparticles against Experimentally Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies
by Imran Kazmi, Fahad A. Al-Abbasi, Muhammad Afzal, Hisham N. Altayb, Muhammad Shahid Nadeem and Gaurav Gupta
Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(12), 2086; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13122086 - 5 Dec 2021
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4098 | Correction
Abstract
The present study was designed to prepare Kaempferol loaded nanoparticles (KFP-Np) and evaluate hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects in hepatocellular carcinoma models. KFP was encapsulated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS) and Kollicoat MAE 30 DP polymers to prepare nanoparticles (Nps) by quasi-emulsion solvent [...] Read more.
The present study was designed to prepare Kaempferol loaded nanoparticles (KFP-Np) and evaluate hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects in hepatocellular carcinoma models. KFP was encapsulated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS) and Kollicoat MAE 30 DP polymers to prepare nanoparticles (Nps) by quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion technique (QESD). The prepared Nps were evaluated for different pharmaceutical characterization to select the optimum composition for the in vivo assessment. An animal model of cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in Male Sprague Dawley rats was used in vivo to test the antioxidant and hepatoprotective capacity of free and encapsulated KFP. The prepared Npsshowed nanometric size, low PDI, high drug load as well as encapsulation with a better drug release profile. There was a significant decrease in the increased serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBiL), and aspartate transaminase (AST), and the lipid peroxidation’s (MDA) level was attenuated, and levels of markers of the cell antioxidant defence system were restored including Glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) via oral pre-treatment with KFP-Np (50 mg/kg b.w. (body weight), 6 weeks). KFP-Np significantly declines an mRNA expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as well as decreased nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) protein expression. It also upregulated the mRNA expression and protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). While comparing the protective effects of KFP encapsulated in Kollicoat MAE 30 DP and HPMC-AS, Nps was found to be betterthan free KFP. Insummary, result indicate that encapsulation of KFP in NPs provides a potential platform for oxidative stress induce liver injury. Full article
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15 pages, 3819 KB  
Article
Role of Serum Free Light Chain Assay in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. A Real-Life Unicentric Retrospective Study
by Uros Markovic, Alessandra Romano, Claudia Bellofiore, Annalisa Condorelli, Bruno Garibaldi, Anna Bulla, Andrea Duminuco, Vittorio Del Fabro, Francesco Di Raimondo and Concetta Conticello
Cancers 2021, 13(23), 6017; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13236017 - 29 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3458
Abstract
Background: In the era of novel drugs a growing number of multiple myeloma (MM) patients are treated until disease progression. Serum free light chain (sFLC) assay is recommended for disease monitoring in oligo-secretory and micromolecular MM. Methods: In this real-life survey, a total [...] Read more.
Background: In the era of novel drugs a growing number of multiple myeloma (MM) patients are treated until disease progression. Serum free light chain (sFLC) assay is recommended for disease monitoring in oligo-secretory and micromolecular MM. Methods: In this real-life survey, a total of 130 relapsed/refractory MM patients treated at our center with at least three lines were investigated as a retrospective cohort. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 64 years and more than half of patients were male. A total of 24 patients (18%) had oligo-secretory/micromolecular disease at diagnosis. More than 20% of 106 normo-secretory patients had oligo-secretory/micromolecular escape. In order to evaluate potential role of sFLC assay before (“pre”) and after (“post”) every treatment line, involved serum free light chain values (iFLC) less than 138 mg/mL and serum free light chain ratios (FLCr) <25 were identified by using ROC curve analysis. The analysis of the entire cohort throughout four treatment lines demonstrated a statistically significant negative impact on progression-free survival (PFS) for both involved pre-sFLC and its ratio (respectively p = 0.0086 and p = 0.0065). Furthermore, both post-iFLC and post-FLCr greater than the pre-established values had a negative impact on PFS of the study cohort; respectively, p = 0.014 and p = 0.0079. Odds ratio analysis evidenced that patients with both involved post-sFLC greater than 138 mg/mL and post-FLCr above 25 at disease relapse had a higher probability of having clinical relapse (respectively p = 0.026 and p = 0.006). Conclusions: Alterations of sFLC values, namely iFLC and FLCr, both prior to treatment initiation and in the course of therapy at every treatment line, could be of aid in relapse evaluation and treatment outcome. We therefore suggest close periodical monitoring of sFLC assay, independently from secretory status. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signaling Pathways in Multiple Myeloma)
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14 pages, 3650 KB  
Review
Epidemiology, Staging, and Management of Multiple Myeloma
by Sandeep Anand Padala, Adam Barsouk, Alexander Barsouk, Prashanth Rawla, Anusha Vakiti, Ravindra Kolhe, Vamsi Kota and Germame Hailegiorgis Ajebo
Med. Sci. 2021, 9(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci9010003 - 20 Jan 2021
Cited by 261 | Viewed by 24529
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell disorder that is on the rise throughout the world, especially in the US, Australia, and Western Europe. In the US, MM accounts for almost 2% of cancer diagnoses and over 2% of cancer deaths (more than [...] Read more.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell disorder that is on the rise throughout the world, especially in the US, Australia, and Western Europe. In the US, MM accounts for almost 2% of cancer diagnoses and over 2% of cancer deaths (more than double the global proportion). Incidence has risen by 126% globally and over 40% in the US since 1990, while global mortality has risen by 94% and US mortality has fallen by 18%. The 5 year survival in the US has more than doubled over the past decades with the introduction of new targeted therapies and transplant techniques. Risk factors for MM include age (average age of diagnosis is 69), race (African Americans are over double as likely to be diagnosed), sex (men are at a 1.5× risk), and family history. Diagnosis includes serum or urine electrophoresis and free light-chain assay but requires bone marrow biopsy. It is distinguished from smoldering myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance by a high (>3 g/dL) level of M-protein (monoclonal light chains) and the presence of CRAB (Hypercalcemia, Renal failure, Anemia, Bone pain) symptoms, which include hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, and bone pain, suggesting an end-organ damage. International staging system staging involves beta 2 microglobulin and albumin levels, while the revised system considers prognostic factors such as lactate dehydrogenase levels and chromosomal abnormalities. Front-line management includes induction regimen, maintenance therapy and hematopoietic cell transplantation for eligible patients and bisphosphonates or bone-stimulating agents for the prevention of skeletal events. Treatment for relapsed disease includes newly approved monoclonal antibodies like the CD38-targeting daratumumab, proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulating agents, and investigational therapies such as B cell maturation antigen Chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer and Cancer-Related Research)
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27 pages, 11195 KB  
Article
Cell Bank Origin of MDCK Parental Cells Shapes Adaptation to Serum-Free Suspension Culture and Canine Adenoviral Vector Production
by Ana Filipa Rodrigues, Paulo Fernandes, Tanja Laske, Rute Castro, Paula Marques Alves, Yvonne Genzel and Ana Sofia Coroadinha
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(17), 6111; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21176111 - 25 Aug 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 7019
Abstract
Phenotypic variation in cultured mammalian cell lines is known to be induced by passaging and culture conditions. Yet, the effect these variations have on the production of viral vectors has been overlooked. In this work we evaluated the impact of using Madin–Darby canine [...] Read more.
Phenotypic variation in cultured mammalian cell lines is known to be induced by passaging and culture conditions. Yet, the effect these variations have on the production of viral vectors has been overlooked. In this work we evaluated the impact of using Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) parental cells from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) or European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC) cell bank repositories in both adherent and suspension cultures for the production of canine adenoviral vectors type 2 (CAV-2). To further explore the differences between cells, we conducted whole-genome transcriptome analysis. ECACC’s MDCK showed to be a less heterogeneous population, more difficult to adapt to suspension and serum-free culture conditions, but more permissive to CAV-2 replication progression, enabling higher yields. Transcriptome data indicated that this increased permissiveness is due to a general down-regulation of biological networks of innate immunity in ECACC cells, including apoptosis and death receptor signaling, Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling, toll-like receptors signaling and the canonical pathway of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling. These results show the impact of MDCK source on the outcome of viral-based production processes further elucidating transcriptome signatures underlying enhanced adenoviral replication. Following functional validation, the genes and networks identified herein can be targeted in future engineering approaches aiming at improving the production of CAV-2 gene therapy vectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adenovirus: Enduring Toolbox for Basic and Applied Research)
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10 pages, 1032 KB  
Article
Kappa Free Light Chains and IgG Combined in a Novel Algorithm for the Detection of Multiple Sclerosis
by Monika Gudowska-Sawczuk, Joanna Tarasiuk, Alina Kułakowska, Jan Kochanowicz and Barbara Mroczko
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(6), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10060324 - 27 May 2020
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4461
Abstract
Background: It is well known that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of free light chains (FLC) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) are elevated in multiple sclerosis patients (MS). Therefore, in this study we aimed to develop a model based on the concentrations of free [...] Read more.
Background: It is well known that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of free light chains (FLC) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) are elevated in multiple sclerosis patients (MS). Therefore, in this study we aimed to develop a model based on the concentrations of free light chains and IgG to predict multiple sclerosis. We tried to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of the novel κIgG index and λIgG index, here presented for the first time, and compare them with the κFLC index and the λFLC index in multiple sclerosis patients. Methods: CSF and serum samples were obtained from 76 subjects who underwent lumbar puncture for diagnostic purposes and, as a result, were divided into two groups: patients with multiple sclerosis (n = 34) and patients with other neurological disorders (control group; n = 42). The samples were analyzed using turbidimetry and isoelectric focusing. The κIgG index, λIgG index, κFLC index, and λFLC index were calculated using specific formulas. Results: The concentrations of CSF κFLC, CSF λFLC, and serum κFLC and the values of κFLC index, λFLC index, and κIgG index were significantly higher in patients with multiple sclerosis compared to controls. CSF κFLC concentration and the values of κFLC index, λFLC index, and κIgG index differed in patients depending on their pattern type of oligoclonal bands. κFLC concentration was significantly higher in patients with pattern type 2 and type 3 in comparison to those with pattern type 1 and type 4. The κFLC index, λFLC index, and κIgG index were significantly higher in patients with pattern type 2 in comparison to those with pattern type 4. The κFLC index and κIgG index were significantly higher in patients with pattern type 2 in comparison to those with pattern type 1, and in patients with pattern type 3 compared to those with pattern type 4. The κIgG index was markedly elevated in patients with pattern type 3 compared to those with pattern type 1. In the total study group, κFLC, λFLC, κFLC index, λFLC index, κIgG index, and λIgG index correlated with each other. The κIgG index showed the highest diagnostic power (area under the curve, AUC) in the detection of multiple sclerosis. The κFLC index and κIgG index showed the highest diagnostic sensitivity, and the κIgG index presented the highest ability to exclude multiple sclerosis. Conclusion: This study provides novel information about the diagnostic significance of four markers combined in the κIgG index. More investigations in larger study groups are needed to confirm that the κIgG index can reflect the intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins and may improve the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multiple Sclerosis Research—Series I)
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12 pages, 3919 KB  
Article
18F-FDG and 11C-Methionine PET/CT in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients: Comparison of Volume-Based PET Biomarkers
by Maria I Morales-Lozano, Oliver Viering, Samuel Samnick, Paula Rodriguez-Otero, Andreas K Buck, Maria Marcos-Jubilar, Leo Rasche, Elena Prieto, K Martin Kortüm, Jesus San-Miguel, Maria J. Garcia-Velloso and Constantin Lapa
Cancers 2020, 12(4), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12041042 - 23 Apr 2020
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5835
Abstract
11C-methionine (11C-MET) is a new positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for the assessment of disease activity in multiple myeloma (MM) patients, with preliminary data suggesting higher sensitivity and specificity than 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG). However, the value of tumor [...] Read more.
11C-methionine (11C-MET) is a new positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for the assessment of disease activity in multiple myeloma (MM) patients, with preliminary data suggesting higher sensitivity and specificity than 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG). However, the value of tumor burden biomarkers has yet to be investigated. Our goals were to corroborate the superiority of 11C-MET for MM staging and to compare its suitability for the assessment of metabolic tumor burden biomarkers in comparison to 18F-FDG. Twenty-two patients with newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve symptomatic MM who had undergone 11C-MET and 18F-FDG PET/CT were evaluated. Standardized uptake values (SUV) were determined and compared with total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) for both tracers: total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and total lesion 11C-MET uptake (TLMU). PET-derived values were compared to Revised International Staging System (R-ISS), cytogenetic, and serologic MM markers such as M component, beta 2 microglobulin (B2M), serum free light chains (FLC), albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In 11 patients (50%), 11C-MET detected more focal lesions (FL) than FDG (p < 0.01). SUVmax, SUVmean, SUVpeak, TMTV, and TLMU were also significantly higher in 11C-MET than in 18F-FDG (p < 0.05, respectively). 11C-MET PET biomarkers had a better correlation with tumor burden (bone marrow plasma cell infiltration, M component; p < 0.05 versus p = n.s. respectively). This pilot study suggests that 11C-MET PET/CT is a more sensitive marker for the assessment of myeloma tumor burden than 18F-FDG. Its implications for prognosis evaluation need further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PET/CT in Multiple Myeloma Patients)
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12 pages, 1793 KB  
Article
Circulating Brain Injury Exosomal Proteins following Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Temporal Profile, Outcome Prediction and Therapy Implications
by Stefania Mondello, Vivian A. Guedes, Chen Lai, Endre Czeiter, Krisztina Amrein, Firas Kobeissy, Yehia Mechref, Andreas Jeromin, Sara Mithani, Carina Martin, Chelsea L. Wagner, András Czigler, Luca Tóth, Bálint Fazekas, Andras Buki and Jessica Gill
Cells 2020, 9(4), 977; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9040977 - 15 Apr 2020
Cited by 62 | Viewed by 6559
Abstract
Brain injury exosomal proteins are promising blood biomarker candidates in traumatic brain injury (TBI). A better understanding of their role in the diagnosis, characterization, and management of TBI is essential for upcoming clinical implementation. In the current investigation, we aimed to explore longitudinal [...] Read more.
Brain injury exosomal proteins are promising blood biomarker candidates in traumatic brain injury (TBI). A better understanding of their role in the diagnosis, characterization, and management of TBI is essential for upcoming clinical implementation. In the current investigation, we aimed to explore longitudinal trajectories of brain injury exosomal proteins in blood of patients with moderate-to-severe TBI, and to evaluate the relation with the free-circulating counterpart and patient imaging and clinical parameters. Exosomal levels of glial (glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)) and neuronal/axonal (ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), neurofilament light chain (NFL), and total-tau (t-tau)) proteins were measured in serum of 21 patients for up 5 days after injury using single molecule array (Simoa) technology. Group-based trajectory analysis was used to generate distinct temporal exosomal biomarker profiles. We found altered profiles of serum brain injury exosomal proteins following injury. The dynamics and levels of exosomal and related free-circulating markers, although correlated, showed differences. Patients with diffuse injury displayed higher acute exosomal NFL and GFAP concentrations in serum than those with focal lesions. Exosomal UCH-L1 profile characterized by acutely elevated values and a secondary steep rise was associated with early mortality (n = 2) with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Serum brain injury exosomal proteins yielded important diagnostic and prognostic information and represent a novel means to unveil underlying pathophysiology in patients with moderate-to-severe TBI. Our findings support their utility as potential tools to improve patient phenotyping in clinical practice and therapeutic trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Intracellular and Plasma Membranes)
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21 pages, 281 KB  
Review
Towards Stratified Medicine in Plasma Cell Myeloma
by Philip Egan, Stephen Drain, Caroline Conway, Anthony J. Bjourson and H. Denis Alexander
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(10), 1760; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17101760 - 21 Oct 2016
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6989
Abstract
Plasma cell myeloma is a clinically heterogeneous malignancy accounting for approximately one to 2% of newly diagnosed cases of cancer worldwide. Treatment options, in addition to long-established cytotoxic drugs, include autologous stem cell transplant, immune modulators, proteasome inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, plus further [...] Read more.
Plasma cell myeloma is a clinically heterogeneous malignancy accounting for approximately one to 2% of newly diagnosed cases of cancer worldwide. Treatment options, in addition to long-established cytotoxic drugs, include autologous stem cell transplant, immune modulators, proteasome inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, plus further targeted therapies currently in clinical trials. Whilst treatment decisions are mostly based on a patient’s age, fitness, including the presence of co-morbidities, and tumour burden, significant scope exists for better risk stratification, sub-classification of disease, and predictors of response to specific therapies. Clinical staging, recurring acquired cytogenetic aberrations, and serum biomarkers such as β-2 microglobulin, and free light chains are in widespread use but often fail to predict the disease progression or inform treatment decision making. Recent scientific advances have provided considerable insight into the biology of myeloma. For example, gene expression profiling is already making a contribution to enhanced understanding of the biology of the disease whilst Next Generation Sequencing has revealed great genomic complexity and heterogeneity. Pathways involved in the oncogenesis, proliferation of the tumour and its resistance to apoptosis are being unravelled. Furthermore, knowledge of the tumour cell surface and its interactions with bystander cells and the bone marrow stroma enhance this understanding and provide novel targets for cell and antibody-based therapies. This review will discuss the development in understanding of the biology of the tumour cell and its environment in the bone marrow, the implementation of new therapeutic options contributing to significantly improved outcomes, and the progression towards more personalised medicine in this disorder. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Medicine—From Bench to Bedside)
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