NanoString can serve as a reliable and alternative molecular method to multiplexed RT-PCR for diagnosis of de novo AML with the perspective of screening/quantitation of a large number of leukemogenic fusion transcripts and prognostic genes. However, NanoString may not be an alternative method for monitoring minimal residual disease in AML.

BackgroundMultiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignant plasma cell tumor. Whole blood cell count (WBCC) derived indexes are widely used as a predictive biomarker for various types of solid and hematological malignant tumors. Our study is to evaluate its effectiveness in MM by meta-analysis.MethodsRelevant literatures were retrieved from PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases according to PRISMA guideline. All relevant parameters were extracted and combined for statistical analysis.ResultsNineteen studies incorporating 3818 MM patients were eventually included in this meta-analysis. 13 studies evaluated that elevated NLR was significantly associated with poor survival outcomes (OS: HR=2.04, P<0.001; PFS: HR=1.96, P=0.003). Elevated NLR was revealed to correlate with ISS stage (ISS III VS I-II, OR=2.23, P=0.003). A total of 7 studies have shown that elevated LMR predicts a better prognosis in MM patients (OS: HR=0.57, P<0.001; PFS: HR=0.49, P<0.05), and two other studies demonstrated that increased MLR was related to poor OS/PFS (OS: HR=1.58, P<0.05; PFS: HR=1.60, P<0.05). However, in the other 6 studies including 1560 patients, the prognostic value of PLR had not been confirmed (OS: HR=0.89, P>0.05; PFS: HR=0.87, P>0.05).ConclusionsThe indexes NLR and LMR/MLR derived from WBCC were validated to be useful biomarkers to predict the prognosis in MM patients, but the evidence of PLR was insufficient.

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a prognostic marker in various diseases, solid tumors, and hematologic neoplasms, but its prognostic significance in MM is controversial. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between RDW and the clinical prognosis of MM patients through a meta-analysis. Methods Relevant literature were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases according to PRISMA guideline. All relevant parameters were extracted and combined for statistical analysis. The effect size was presented as hazard ratio (HR)/odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). HR/OR > 1 in MM patients with high RDW suggested a worse prognosis. Heterogeneity test evaluation was performed using Cochran's Q test and I2 statistics. A Pheterogeneity < 0.10 or I2 > 50% suggested significant heterogeneity. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 12.0 software. Results 8 articles involving 9 studies with 1165 patients were included in our meta-analysis. Our results suggested that elevated RDW is significantly associated with poor prognosis in MM (OS: HR = 1.91, 95%CI: 1.48–2.46; PFS: HR = 2.87, 95% CI: 2.02–4.07). A significant correlation was not found between RDW and International Staging System (ISS) staging (ISS III VS ISS I-II: OR:1.53; 95%CI:0.97–2.42). Conclusion Our results suggested that RDW is a robust predictor of newly diagnosed MM outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most malignant hematopoietic system diseases. Interferon stimulated exonuclease gene 20 (ISG20) is a protein induced by interferons or double-stranded RNA, which is associated with poor prognosis in several malignant tumors. However its expression in AML is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of ISG20 in AML and its prognostic significance. METHODS: The expression of ISG20 in AML patients was analyzed by GEPIA database, detected by qRT-PCR and their prognosis was followed-up. Chi-square test was used to identify the association between ISG20 expression and clinical characteristics of the patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to draw survival curves and Cox regression analysis to confirm the independent prognostic factors of AML patients. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that whether to receive treatment, Karyotype, and ISG20 expression were related to overall survival time of AML patients (P< 0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that whether to receive treatment (HR = 0.248, 95% CI = 0.076–0.808, P= 0.021) and high expression of ISG20 (HR = 4.266, 95% CI = 1.118–16.285, P= 0.034) were independent unfavorable prognostic factors for AML patients. CONCLUSION: The high expression of ISG20 acts as a poor prognosis indicator in AML patients.

A total number of 339 patients who received a pacemaker implantation between June 2012 and June 2014 at Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College (Wuhan, China) were investigated in the present study. The aims of the present study were to explore the risk factors of pocket hematoma following pacemaker implantation, and to analyze the effect of anti-allergy treatment on pocket-related complications following pacemaker implantation. Predictors of hematoma occurrence were determined and analyzed via a Chi-square test. Patients suffering from pocket hematoma, which were indicated to be partially caused by an allergic reaction to the pacemaker component, were distinguished by routine blood parameters. Furthermore, the pacemaker component was distinguished by histopathological examinations in one patient. Promethazine (25 mg/day) was used to treat allergic patients. The results demonstrated that in patients with a history of allergies, the rate of pocket hematoma was significantly higher when compared with patients without a history of allergies (22.00 vs. 7.61%; P=0.027). A significantly increased incidence of hematoma was indicated in patients with a lower body mass index when compared with patients of normal weight (15.79 vs. 7.38%; P=0.042). Furthermore, implantation of larger-sized devices, such as an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy, were significantly predictive of hematoma development (29.63 vs. 8.01%; P=0.015). Patients with diabetes were also identified to exhibit a significantly high incidence of hematoma (22.22 vs. 8.25%; P=0.023). Promethazine administration significantly decreased the incidence of re-operating (P=0.017) and the duration of hospital stay (P=0.038) in patients whose pocket hematoma was caused by an allergy. In conclusion, promethazine may be a beneficial agent to treat pocket hematoma caused by allergic reactions following pacemaker surgery.