OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and genetic etiology in a child with Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) complicated by growth hormone deficiency. METHODS: A child presented at Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital in October 2014 for "short stature for over 4 years" was selected as the study subject. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the child and his parents for genomic DNA extraction and whole-exome sequencing (WES). The pathogenicity of the candidate variants was assessed by following the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: 2025-003). RESULTS: The patient, a 4-year-and-2-month-old male, presented with short stature and recurrent epistaxis since early childhood. Initial diagnosis of GHD was made via growth hormone stimulation testing. During follow-up, telangiectatic macules and polycythemia gradually appeared. WES revealed that he has harbored a heterozygous c.1807G>A (p.Gly603Arg) variant of the ENG gene, which was absent in both parents and classified as likely pathogenic based on ACMG guidelines. Sanger sequencing confirmed the candidate variant to be de novo. CONCLUSION Patients with HHT combined with GHD may exhibit clinical features such as short stature, telangiectasia, and arteriovenous malformations. The heterozygous c.1807G>A (p.Gly603Arg) variant of the ENG gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of the disease in the proband. Above finding has expanded the mutational spectrum of the ENG gene.
Humans ; Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic/complications* ; Male ; Child, Preschool ; Phenotype ; Endoglin/genetics* ; Mutation ; Human Growth Hormone/deficiency* ; Exome Sequencing

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic etiology of a child with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, spondylodysplastic type 2 (EDSSPD2). METHODS: A child who was admitted to the Children's Medical Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University in July 2024 for "delayed motor development for 1 and a half year" was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child was collected, including medical history, family history, and results of auxiliary examinations. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the child and his two brothers and both parents. Genomic DNA was extracted from the child and his family members and subjected to whole-exome sequencing (WES) and copy number variation (CNV) analysis. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the parental origin of the candidate variants. Multiple protein function prediction software tools, including SIFT, PolyPhen-2, and REVEL, were used to assess the impact of candidate variants on the protein function. Based on protein database information from UniProt, a two dimensional structural schematic of the target protein was generated. The pathogenicity of the variants was classified based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Relevant literature on the B3GALT6 gene variants leading to EDSSPD2 was retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and PubMed databases. The procedures followed in this study were reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University (Ethics No.：PJ2021-097). RESULTS: The proband was a 2-year-old male with an onset in infancy. The main clinical manifestations included loose skin, scoliosis and kyphosis, generalized hypermobility of joints, and motor developmental delay. WES has revealed two compound heterozygous variants of the B3GALT6 gene (NM_080605.4): c.766C>T (p.Arg256Trp) and c.962G>A (p.Cys321Tyr). Sanger sequencing verification showed that the c.766C>T and c.962G>A variants were respectively derived from his phenotypically normal father and mother. Bioinformatics analysis showed that for the c.766C>T (p.Arg256Trp) variant, the Arg256 site is located within the galactosyltransferase catalytic domain (GalT domain) of the β3GalT6 protein. According to the ACMG guidelines, the c.766C>T variant was classified as a likely pathogenic (PS3+PM2_supporting+PM3+PP3), and the c.962G>A was classified as a variant of unknown significance (PM2_Supporting+PM3+PP3). By following the pre-set literature retrieval strategy, a total of 12 articles related to B3GALT6 gene variants were identified (11 English and 1 Chinese), which involved a total of 71 patients. Among these, 4 reports (involving 20 patients) involved B3GALT6 gene variants leading to EDSSPD2. Among the 18 live-born EDSSPD2 patients (including the proband in this study), common clinical manifestations have included scoliosis (88.9%, 16/18), generalized hypotonia (83.3%, 15/18), and soft and lax skin (66.7%, 12/18). Some patients already showed skeletal abnormalities on prenatal ultrasound scan (22.2%, 4/18), while a few presented with cervical instability (16.7%, 3/18). One child had deceased at 18 months of age due to hypoxia caused by tracheomalacia and tracheal compression due to scoliosis. Among the 23 reported EDSSPD2 related B3GALT6 variant sites, missense variants were the most common (78.3%, 18/23), followed by nonsense variants (21.7%, 5/23). CONCLUSION Above finding has enriched the clinical and mutational spectra of EDSSPD2. Early genetic testing has important clinical value for the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and genetic counseling of this disease.
Humans ; Male ; Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome/genetics* ; Pedigree ; N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferases/genetics* ; Asian People/genetics* ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Exome Sequencing ; Female ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Phenotype ; Mutation ; China ; East Asian People ; Galactosyltransferases

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effects of pomalidomide-based regimen in the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). METHODS: 60 patients with RRMM in hematology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from November 2020 to January 2023 were selected. Among them, 15 cases were treated with PDD regimen (pomalidomide + daratumumab + dexamethasone), and 45 cases were treated with PCD regimen (pomalidomide + cyclophosphamide + dexamethasone). The clinical effects were evaluated. RESULTS: The median number of treatment cycles for the entire cohort was 5 (2-11), with an overall response rate (ORR) of 75.0%. The ORR of patients treated with PDD regimen was 73.3%, while the ORR of patients treated with PCD regimen was 75.6%. The ORR of 46 patients with non high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (non-HRCA) was 86.9%, significantly higher than the 35.7% of 14 patients with HRCA (χ² =15.031, P < 0.05). The median PFS for all patients was 8.0(95%CI : 6.8-9.1) months and the median OS was 14.0 (95%CI : 11.3-16.7) months. Among patients treated with PDD regimen, the PFS and OS of patients with non-HRCA were significantly higher than those of patients with HRCA [PFS: 7.0(95%CI : 4.6-9.3) months vs 4.0(95%CI : 3.1-4.8) months, χ² =5.120, P < 0.05; OS: not reached vs 6.0(95%CI : 1.1-10.9) months, χ² =9.870, P < 0.05]. Among patients treated with PCD regimen, the PFS and OS of patients with non-HRCA were significantly higher than those of patients with HRCA [PFS: 9.0(95%CI : 6.2-11.8) months vs 6.0(95%CI : 5.4-6.6) months, χ²=14.396, P < 0.05; OS: not reached vs 11.0(95%CI : 6.4-15.6) months, χ² =7.471, P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION The pomalidomide-based regimen has a good clinical effect and safety in the treatment of RRMM.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy* ; Thalidomide/administration & dosage* ; Dexamethasone/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Aged ; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome ; Antibodies, Monoclonal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with IgD multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: The clinical data of 8 patients with IgD MM admitted to Gansu Provincial Hospital from September 2013 to February 2023 were collected, and their clinical characteristics and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed and summarized. RESULTS: Among the 8 enrolled patients, there were 4 males and 4 females, with a median age of 60 (44-74) years. All patients had symptoms of renal insufficiency and anemia. There were 3 cases of bone invasion, 3 cases of splenomegaly, 7 cases of IgD-λ type, and 1 case of IgD-κ type. FISH examination was performed in 7 cases, and 6 of them were positive for 1q21 . There were 6 cases in DS stage III and 2 cases in DS stage II; According to ISS staging, there were 6 cases in stage III, 1 case in stage II, and 1 case in stage I; According to R-ISS staging, there were 5 cases in stage III and 3 cases in stage II. All patients received bortezomib-based combination chemotherapy, with 1 case undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and 2 cases receiving daratumumab in combination. The median treatment period was 6 (1-15) cycles. The short-term efficacy was evaluated after 4-6 courses of treatment. Among the 6 patients with assessable efficacy, 1 case experienced disease progression (PD), and 5 cases achieved complete remission (CR). The median follow-up time was 26 (11-33) months, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) and median overall survival (OS) of the patients were 11.25 (3-26) months and 18.5 (4-33) months, respectively. Among the 8 patients, 4 cases died. Among the deceased patients, 3 cases were in R-ISS stage III and 3 cases were 1q21 positive. 2 of the 5 patients with early CR died due to disease progression. CONCLUSION The incidence of IgD MM is low, the symptoms of early renal damage, blood system damage and bone erosion in IgD MM patients are obvious, and the median survival time is short. ASCT and / or daratumumab may bring lasting relief for IgD MM patients, but large-scale clinical studies are still needed.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Prognosis ; Immunoglobulin D ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of HALP score as a prognostic indicator for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: Clinical data of 62 newly diagnosed MM patients in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The difference in age, sex, DS stage, R-ISS stage, M protein type, serum creatinine (Scr), β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG), blood calcium, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hemoglobin (Hb), albumin (ALB), platelet count (PLT), and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) between patients with low and high HALP scores were analyzed. The prognostic value of the above indexes in newly diagnosed MM patients was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off value of HALP score was 41 determined by X-tile software. Based on this, 62 patients were divided into a high HALP group (HALP>41, n=25) and a low HALP group (HALP≤41, n=37). The proportion of patients with Hb≥100 g/L in the high HALP group was significantly higher than that in the low HALP group (P <0.05). The median overall survival (OS) time of patients in the high HALP group and low HALP group were 29 (9-39) months and 20 (4-29) months, respectively, with statistically significant difference between the two groups (P <0.01). Univariate analysis showed that R-ISS stage, ALB, Hb, ALC and HALP were closely related to the prognosis of patients (P <0.05). COX regression multivariate analysis showed that R-ISS stage Ⅲ (HR=4.443, 95%CI : 1.480-13.343，P =0.008) and HALP≤41(HR=8.823, 95%CI : 1.858-41.910，P =0.006) were independent risk factors for shortened OS in newly diagnosed MM patients. The median OS of patients with high HALP at R-ISS stage Ⅲ was significantly higher than that of patients with low HALP at the same stage, and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05). CONCLUSION HALP score can be used as a prognostic indicator for newly diagnosed MM patients.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/diagnosis* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; Lymphocyte Count

OBJECTIVE: To explore the immunophenotypic characteristics of bone marrow granulocytes (G) and their clinical significance in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: The granulocyte immunophenotypes of bone marrow in 70 MM patients (MM group) and 40 anemia patients (control group) were detected by flow cytometry, and its correlation with clinical characteristics was further analyzed. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were used to screen factors that affected prognosis. RESULTS: The CD56⁺G%, CD13⁺G%, CD22⁺G% and CD117⁺G% in MM group were higher than those in the control group (all P <0.05). CD56⁺G% and CD117⁺G% in CR⁺VGPR group were significantly lower than those in PR+MR+PD group (both P <0.05). The CD10⁺G% in RISS Ⅲ stage and Ca²⁺ ≥2.65 mmol/L groups were increased (both P <0.05). The CD56⁺G% in elevated lactate dehydrogenase, β₂-microglobulin≥5.5 mg/L and hemoglobin <85 g/L groups were increased (all P <0.05), while the CD117⁺G% in high-risk cytogenetic positive group was decreased (P <0.05). The expression rate of CD molecules on granulocytes was divided into low (L) and high (H) groups according to the median value. The overall survival (OS) of the LCD56⁺G%, LCD13⁺G% and LCD22⁺G% groups was significantly prolonged (all P <0.05). CD13⁺G% and CD22⁺G% were independent risk factors for OS in MM patients (HR=0.443, 0.410, both P <0.05). CONCLUSION The CD56⁺G%, CD10⁺G% and CD117⁺G% are closely correlated with clinical features in MM patients, while CD13⁺G% and CD22⁺G% are closely correlated with prognosis. Detection of CD molecules expression on granulocytes may be used to evaluate prognosis and guide treatment.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/immunology* ; Granulocytes/immunology* ; Prognosis ; Immunophenotyping ; Male ; Bone Marrow ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Clinical Relevance

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of COVID-19 infection on the mobilization and collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells in patients with multiple myeloma. METHODS: The general baseline data, treatment factors before mobilization collection, collection status, and treatment overview after collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from January 1, 2020 to July 15, 2023 were analyzed. RESULTS: 269 patients underwent mobilization and collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells. Among them, 32 cases with COVID-19 infection history (COVID-19 group) and 237 cases without COVID-19 infection history (non-COVID-19 group). In the COVID-19 group, 17 cases were treated with chemotherapy (etoposide)+G-CSF, and 15 cases were treated with plerixafor +G-CSF. In the non-COVID-19 group, 214 cases were treated with chemotherapy +G-CSF, 17 cases were treated with plerixafor +G-CSF, and 6 cases were treated with chemotherapy + plerixafor +G-CSF. The number of CD34⁺ cells, collection success rate, and excellence rate in the COVID-19 group and the non-COVID-19 group were ［5.52 (0.94-26.87) vs 4.80 (0.53-37.20)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.610), (93.8% vs 85.2%) (P =0.275), (62.5% vs 49.4%) (P =0.190), respectively. Among 113 patients mobilized with etoposide +G-CSF, the number of CD34⁺ cells, success rate, and excellence rate collected from COVID-19 infection (17 cases) and non-COVID-19 infection (96 cases) were ［7.54 (2.66-26.87) vs 7.78 (2.26-37.20)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.847), (100.0% vs 100.0%) (no P value), (82.4% vs 86.5%) (P =0.655), respectively. Among 32 patients mobilized by plerixafor +G-CSF, the number of CD34⁺ cells, success rate and excellence rate of COVID-19 infection (15 cases) and non-COVID-19 infection (17 cases) were ［3.82 (0.94-7.27) vs 4.11 (0.53-9.05)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.821), (86.7% vs 88.2%) (P =0.893), (40.0% vs 35.3%) (P =0.784), respectively. In 32 patients with COVID-19 infection, the number of CD34⁺ cells collected by etoposide +G-CSF (17 cases) and plerixafor +G-CSF (15 cases), as well as the success rate and excellence rate were ［7.54 (2.66-26.87) vs 3.82(0.94-7.27)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.004), (100.0% vs 86.7%) (P =0.120), (82.4% vs 40.0%) (P =0.014), respectively. By 2023.7.31, 232 patients (86.2%, 232/269) had received transplantation, including 24 patients in the COVID-19 group and 208 patients in the non-COVID-19 group. The median number of CD34⁺ cells infused in the two groups was ［3.67 (2.50-13.44) vs 3.11(1.12-19.89)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.058), the median days of neutrophil engraftment ［11(9-13) vs 11(9-17)］ (P =0.674), the median days of platelet engraftment ［11(0-23), 12(0-43)］ (P =0.279), respectively. CONCLUSION The history of COVID-19 infection did not affect the PBSC mobilization, collection and transplantation of patients with myeloma. In patients with COVID-19 infection, the results of chemotherapy mobilization with etoposide seems to be better than that of plerixafor mobilization, but further research is needed to clarify.
Humans ; COVID-19/complications* ; Multiple Myeloma/complications* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/therapeutic use* ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cells ; Male ; Female ; Cyclams ; Benzylamines

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of pomalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) with extramedullary disease (EMD). METHODS: The clinical data of 40 pomalidomide-based multiple myeloma patients with extramedullary disease admitted to the Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College from February 2019 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 40 patients, 8 were newly diagnosed with EMD and 32 were refractory/relapsed EMD. There were 21 cases with bone-related extramedullary disease (EM-B) and 19 cases with soft tissue-related extramedullary disease (EM-S). Compared with the EM-B group, the EM-S group exhibited lower LDH levels, an elevation in LDH and a shorter progression-free survival(PFS) (11 months vs 21.5 months, P =0.0363). 32 patients completed 3 courses of treatment, and the short-term efficacy was evaluated. There was no significant difference in the rate of use of 3 or more drugs and ASCT treatment between NDMM group and RRMM group (87.50% vs 93.75%, P >0.05; 25.00% vs 15.63%, P >0.05). Compared with the RRMM group, the overall response rate (ORR) of the NDMM patients was significantly higher (83.33% vs 57.70%, P < 0.05). The deep remission rate (VGPR+CR) of the NDMM group was better than that of the RRMM group (50.00% vs 29.62%, P < 0.05), and the non-response rate (SD+PD) of the NDMM group was significantly lower than that of the R/RMM group (33.33% vs 65.38%, P < 0.05), while the partial remission rate (PR) and mortality rate of the NDMM were not significantly different from those of the RRMM group(P >0.05). With a median follow-up of 26 months, the median PFS was 19 months. Univariate analysis showed that EM-S, high-risk genetic abnormalities, induction therapy did not achieve partial response(PR) or better, and more than 2 lines of treatment failure were associated with shorter PFS. Multivariate analysis showed that the best response to induction therapy did not achieve PR or better, EM-S were an independent adverses prognostic factor for PFS. The results of safety analysis showed that 16 cases had hematological adverse events, including 3 cases of grade 3/4 and 13 cases of grade 1/2. The most common non-hematological adverse events were nausea, vomiting, fatigue and abdominal distension, which were mild and tolerable. CONCLUSION Pomalidomide-based chemotherapy is effective and well tolerated in MM patients with extramedullary disease.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy* ; Thalidomide/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: To explore the significance of the plasma cell percentage and immature plasma cells in the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: The clinical data of 126 newly diagnosed MM patients in Gansu Provincial Hospital from June 2017 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The enrolled patients were divided into a higher plasma cell percentage group (group A) and a lower plasma cell percentage group (group B) according to the median plasma cell percentage (33.5%). The clinicopathological data of the two groups were compared, and the effect of plasma cell percentage on the prognosis of MM patients was analyzed using survival curves. On this basis, group A and group B were divided into subgroups with immature plasma cells (A1 group, B1 group) and subgroups without immature plasma cells (A2 group, B2 group), respectively, then the survival curves were used to analyze the effect of immature plasma cells on the prognosis of MM patients. RESULTS: Among the 126 patients with MM, the proportions of patients with ISS stage III, elevated β₂-microglobulin(β₂-MG) level, and immature plasma cells in Group A were significantly higher compared those in Group B ( P =0.015, P =0.028, P =0.010). The median overall survival(OS) and progression-free survival(PFS) of group A were 32 months and 10 months, respectively. The median OS of group B was not reached, and the median PFS was 32 months. The 3-year OS rates of patients in group A and group B were 46.7% and 62.2%, respectively ( P =0.021), and the 3-year PFS were 29.2% and 42.5%, respectively ( P =0.033). There were no significant differences in OS and PFS between group A1 and group A2, or between group B1 and group B2 ( P >0.05). Multivariate COX survival analysis showed that the plasma cell percentage ≥33.5%（HR=1.253, 95%CI : 0.580-2.889, P =0.018）, age ≥65 years (HR=2.206, 95%CI : 1.170-3.510, P =0.012), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) ≥250 U/L (HR=1.180, 95%CI : 0.621-2.398, P =0.048) and β₂-MG ≥3.5 mg/L (HR=1.507, 95%CI : 0.823-3.657, P =0.036) were independent risk factors affecting OS in MM patients. CONCLUSION MM patients with a higher plasma cell percentage (≥33.5%) at the initial diagnosis have a later disease stage, poorer OS and PFS, compared to the patients with a lower percentage(<33.5%) of plasma cells. The presence or absence of immature plasma cells has no significant impact on the survival of MM patients.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/pathology* ; Prognosis ; Plasma Cells/cytology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Bone Marrow

As an important trace element, iron is involved in a variety of physiological processes. In recent years, studies have found that the occurrence and development of tumors are closely related to abnormal iron metabolism, and the mode of action is obviously heterogeneous. Tumor cells need more iron to promote their survival and proliferation, but iron overload can also have adverse effects on tumor cells, such as ferroptosis. Ferroptosis is a special regulatory mechanism of cell death, which is different from other regulated cell death pathways. It mainly induces cell death through excessive accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recent studies have found that in the blood system, tumor cells of lymphoma and multiple myeloma (MM) are more sensitive to ferroptosis and affect disease progression through a variety of mechanisms. In this review, the mechanisms of ferroptosis in some subtypes of lymphoma and MM are described in detail, and the correlation between ferroptosis of hematological tumor cells and the occurrence and development of hematological tumors is revealed, aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of these hematological diseases.
Humans ; Iron/metabolism* ; Ferroptosis ; Multiple Myeloma/metabolism* ; Lymphoma/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Lymphocytes