Presence Of Monoclonal Gammopathy Research Articles

The challenge of omalizumab refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria and the relevance of suspecting Schnitzler syndrome without monoclonal gammopathy

Introduction: Schnitzler syndrome (SchS) is a rare autoinflammatory syndrome characterized by chronic urticaria and monoclonal gammopathy (MG). Clinical cases without monoclonal gammopathy have been recorded. Clinical Case: We report on the case of a 43-year-old female with chronic spontaneous urticaria refractory to omalizumab (OMZ) despite a dosage increase (600 mg/4 weeks). Additionally, she developed asthenia and episodes of arthralgias and fever predominantly in the evening. Laboratory re-evaluation revealed elevated inflammatory parameters and skin biopsy showed neutrophilic infiltration. Although MG was absent, SchS was the most likely diagnosis, as other differential diagnoses were excluded. Treatment was started with anakinra, with complete resolution of symptoms. Conclusion: We highlight the importance of specialized urticaria clinics and of reassessing the diagnosis in patients with refractory chronic urticaria. An autoinflammatory disease, such as SchS, could be the diagnosis, even without the presence of monoclonal gammopathy.

Retrospective analysis of serum free light chain reference intervals and risk for monoclonal gammopathy suggests different limits than those in international guidelines

ObjectivesRecent reference interval studies of the serum free light chain (FLC) test using contemporary instruments display divergence with the diagnostic range generally adopted as the international standard. In this study, we perform a retrospective reference interval analysis with risk predictions for monoclonal gammopathy. MethodsRetrospective laboratory and clinical data for 8,986 patients were included in the study. Reference intervals were generated against a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria for two time periods representing the use of different instruments. The presence of monoclonal gammopathy was established from diagnostic test interpretations and EHR diagnosis codes in the patient problem lists and medical history. ResultsThe 95% FLC ratio reference intervals were 0.76–2.38 for SPAPLUS®, and 0.68–1.82 for Optilite® instruments. These intervals varied considerably from the current diagnostic range of 0.26–1.65 and mapped approximately to the FLC ratios beyond which risk of monoclonal gammopathy substantially increased. ConclusionsThese findings corroborate recent reference interval studies and support recommendations for independent re-evaluation of intervals by institutions as well as an update of international guidelines.

#3597 MONOCLONAL GAMMOPATHY AS A RISK FACTOR FOR ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA PRIMARY FAILURE

Abstract Background and Aims Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis (HD) in most patients. However, postoperative complications such as primary failure (PF) with a reported incidence between 20-60% remain a major problem. Patients diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy (MG) are at increased risk of thrombotic events, either due to the disease itself or the chemotherapy used for its treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the presence of MG was associated with primary AVF failure. Method We performed a retrospective single-center case-control study including 103 patients observed in our vascular access consultation for planning their first HD access. Demographic and clinical data were collected, such as the presence of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and MG. Distal AVF was the access of choice when possible. Primary failure was defined as incapacity to use AVF for HD because of failure to mature or thrombosis. Univariate analysis was performed, and a logistic regression was applied to access predictors of PF. A p-value inferior to 0,05 indicated statistical significance. Results In total 14 (13.6%) patients had MG (11 multiple myeloma, 1 light-chain deposition disease, 1 proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits and 1 amyloid light-chain amyloidosis). Regarding the AVF location, 13 patients constructed a constructed a distal AVF and 1 patient a proximal AVF. When compared to the group of 89 patients who did not have MG, there were no significance differences in sex, age, prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease neither in AVF construction site. Arterial hypertension was more frequent in the group of patients without MG (93.2% versus 64.3%, p = 0.007). PF occurred in 57.1% (8/14) of patients with MG and in 27% (24/89) of those without MG (p = 0.032). In logistic regression, the presence of MG was the only predictor of primary AVF failure (OR 4.39 95% CI: 1.23-15.75). Conclusion In our study, we found that a patient with monoclonal gammopathy has a 4-fold increased risk for primary AVF failure comparing to the general chronic kidney disease patients. Therefore, a careful evaluation must be made when planning for AVF placement in these patients, balancing individual life's expectancies and monoclonal gammopathy prognosis.

C3 Glomerulopathy With Concurrent Thrombotic Microangiopathy: Clinical and Immunological Features

C3 glomerulopathy (C3GN) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) are 2 distinct rare kidney diseases caused by dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway. Patients with C3GN and concurrent kidney lesions of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) have been rarely reported. We characterized the clinical features and underlying immunological abnormalities in these patients. Case series. Patients with C3GN and concomitant TMA lesions on biopsy registered from 2009 to 2019 in the French National Registry of C3GN. Among 278 registered patients with C3GN, 16 (6%) had biopsy-proven glomerular and/or vascular TMA lesions. Their median age at diagnosis was 39 years (range, 7-76), and 59% were female. Fourteen of the 16 patients (88%) had an estimated glomerular filtration rate of<30mL/min/1.73m2 and 3 of 16 (19%) required dialysis. Twelve of the 14 evaluated patients (86%) showed evidence of mechanical hemolysis. Fifty percent of the patients had low C3 levels. Six of the 14 evaluated patients had a rare variant in complement genes, and 4 of the 16 patients (25%) had monoclonal gammopathy. Among the 16 patients, 10 (63%) received eculizumab, 5 (31%) received immunosuppressive therapy, and 4 (25%) received clone-targeted chemotherapy. Median kidney survival was 49 months. Small retrospective case series with a limited number of biopsies including electron microscopy. Concomitant C3GN and TMA is extremely rare and is associated with poor kidney outcomes. Genetic or acquired abnormalities of the alternative complement pathway are common as is the presence of monoclonal gammopathy, which may inform the selection of treatment approaches.

Where we are with acquired angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency: A systematic literature review

Acquired angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-AAE) is a rare disease characterized by adult-onset recurrent non-urticarial angioedema with low levels of C1-INH. It is associated with lymphoproliferative disorders, and treatments are off-label with variable success. We conducted a systematic literature review to include patients with C1-INH-AAE identified in PubMed and Embase databases between January 2006 and February 2021. Clinical features of these patients were summarized, and factors associated with disease remission were explored. A total of 121 patients were included in the current study with a median age at diagnosis of 64 years and 45.5% being male. An associated disease was recorded in 94 patients (77.7%), and lymphoproliferative disorder was the most reported (59/94, 62.8%). Anti-C1-INH autoantibodies were present in 45 of 71 patients (63.4%). Factors impacting disease remissions included age (odds ratio [OR] 0.951, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.909–0.994, p = 0.027), male (OR 0.327, 95% CI 0.124–0.866, p = 0.025), presence of monoclonal gammopathy (OR 0.133, 95% CI 0.041–0.429, p = 0.001), requirement of specific on-demand treatment (OR 0.216, 95% CI 0.066–0.709, p = 0.012) and rituximab use (OR 2.865, 95% CI 1.038–7.911, p = 0.042). A total of nine patients (7.4%) died at last follow up and most were unrelated to C1-INH-AAE. Our results imply that C1-INH-AAE is primarily associated with underlying B or plasma cell abnormalities, and clone-directed therapies could be promising options for its long-term management.

Detection of Monoclonal Immunoglobulin By Mass Spectrometry in Patients Evaluated for Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA)

INTRODUCTION: Autoantibody effects of monoclonal proteins have been described in multiple organ systems. We previously found a 5-fold higher prevalence than expected of monoclonal gammopathy (MG) in adults with TMA (21% versus 4.2%; Ravindran A et al, Kidney Int 2017). Here we investigated the prevalence of MG in patients undergoing evaluation for TMA with an ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) activity assay performed as part of routine clinical care to evaluate for a signal of possible autoantibody pathophysiology in patients with immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP). METHODS: WAfter IRB approval, waste plasma samples from patients who had ADAMTS13 activity and inhibitor assay (Lifecodes, ATS-13, Immucor) were archived. Eligible patients included those with the following: i) ADAMTS13 activity level &amp;lt; 30% (n=26), ii) ADAMTS13 activity level &amp;gt;30% but with prior documentation of a value &amp;lt; 30% (n=4). A control cohort (n=49) of patients with ADAMTS13 activity level &amp;gt;30% (and no prior samples with a level &amp;lt; 30% recorded) was also included. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry detection (MALDI-TOF) was used for MG assessment. Mass spectrometry findings of only an IgG kappa MG appearing consistent with rituximab were reviewed and considered negative for MG if the patients had received rituximab prior to sample collection. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed and the following patients were excluded: i) &amp;lt;18 years of age (n=4), ii) iTTP in remission (n=4) at the time of sample collection, and iii) absence of microangiopathy (n=11). RESULTS: Sixty patients met eligibility criteria with the following final diagnoses: iTTP (n=14), transplant-associated TMA (n=12), infection (n=11), malignancy (n=6), complement-mediated TMA (n=5), drug-induced TMA (DITMA; n=5), shock liver (n=2), pancreatitis (n=1), cryoglobulinemia (n=1), and multifactorial (n=3). The median age was 56.5 years (yr) (standard deviation 14.4, range18-81) and 58% of patients were female. The median age was similar among patients with (57 yr) and those without MG (56 yr). Median ADAMTS-13 activity of the whole study population was 52% (0-100%); 6/14 patients with an inhibitor screen performed on the same sample had a positive result; median titer was 1.2 Bethesda units (range &amp;lt;0.4 - 2.8). Treatments of the acute presentation included corticosteroids (n=32), plasma exchange (n=21), rituximab (n=9), and eculizumab (n=4). None of these patients received a multiple myeloma-type treatment regimen as part of their acute management. A MG was identified in 25 patients: monoclonal in 14 patients, biclonal in 10 patients, and triclonal in 1 pt. Among the 14 patients with a single monoclonal protein, the distribution of heavy and light chains was as follows: IgG (9; 64%), IgM (3; 21%), IgA (2; 14%), lambda (8; 57%), kappa (6; 43%). Receipt of immune-modifying treatment at the time of sample draw was identified in 24 patients (9/25 with a monoclonal protein, 15/35 without a monoclonal protein; not statistically significant by 2-tail Fisher's exact test [p=0.79]), including cancer-directed therapy (n=9), graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis (n=8), solid organ transplant anti-rejection therapy (n=5), and autoimmune disease treatment (n=2). Overall, the proportion of patients with monoclonal gammopathy was similar between iTTP and other diagnoses, detailed in Table 1. Among the 14 pt with iTTP, 4 had a monoclonal protein (IgG kappa [n=2], IgA lambda [n=2]). Additionally, 1 pt with iTTP had biclonal proteins (IgG kappa and IgA kappa), which was consistent with a known prior history of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. A monoclonal protein was present in 2 of the 6 pt with a detectable inhibitor titer (0.6 and &amp;lt;0.4 Bethesda units). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing evaluation for iTTP with ADAMTS-13 activity testing had a high prevalence of monoclonal proteins across variable underlying diagnoses. In this heterogeneous cohort there was no significant association between iTTP and the presence of MG to support an autoantibody pathophysiologic role. Disclosures Murray: The Binding Site: Patents &amp; Royalties: Patent Use of Mass Spec to identify monoclonal proteins licensed to The Binding Site. Pruthi:HEMA Biologics: Honoraria; Instrumentation Laboratory: Honoraria; Merck: Honoraria; CSL Behring: Honoraria; Genentech Inc.: Honoraria; Bayer Healthcare: Honoraria.

Association between non-malignant monoclonal gammopathy and adverse outcomes in chronic kidney disease: Acohort study.

In studies including the general population, the presence of non-malignant monoclonal gammopathy (MG) can be causally associated with kidney damage and shorter survival. We assessed whether the presence of an MG is associated with a higher risk of kidney failure or death in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Data were used from 3 prospective cohorts of individuals with CKD (not on dialysis or with a kidney transplant): (1) Renal Impairment in Secondary Care (RIISC, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK, N = 878), (2) Salford Kidney Study (SKS, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK, N = 861), and (3) Renal Risk in Derby (RRID, Derby, UK, N = 1,739). Participants were excluded if they had multiple myeloma or any other B cell lymphoproliferative disorder with end-organ damage. Median age was 71.0 years, 50.6% were male, median estimated glomerular filtration rate was 42.3 ml/min/1.73 m2, and median urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio was 3.4 mg/mmol. All non-malignant MG was identified in the baseline serum of participants of RIISC. Further, light chain MG (LC-MG) was identified and studied in participants of RIISC, SKS, and RRID. Participants were followed up for kidney failure (defined as the initiation of dialysis or kidney transplantation) and death. Associations with the risk of kidney failure were estimated by competing-risks regression (handling death as a competing risk), and associations with death were estimated by Cox proportional hazards regression. In total, 102 (11.6%) of the 878 RIISC participants had an MG. During a median follow-up time of 74.0 months, there were 327 kidney failure events and 202 deaths. The presence of MG was not associated with risk of kidney failure (univariable subhazard ratio [SHR] 0.97 [95% CI 0.68 to 1.38], P = 0.85; multivariable SHR 1.16 [95% CI 0.80 to 1.69], P = 0.43), and although there was a higher risk of death in univariable analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.13 [95% CI 1.49 to 3.02], P < 0.001), this was not significant in multivariable analysis (HR 1.37 [95% CI 0.93 to 2.00], P = 0.11). Fifty-five (1.6%) of the 3,478 participants from all 3 studies had LC-MG. During a median follow-up time of 62.5 months, 564 of the 3,478 participants progressed to kidney failure, and 803 died. LC-MG was not associated with risk of kidney failure (univariable SHR 1.07 [95% CI 0.58 to 1.96], P = 0.82; multivariable SHR 1.42 [95% CI 0.78 to 2.57], P = 0.26). There was a higher risk of death in those with LC-MG in the univariable model (HR 2.51 [95% CI 1.59 to 3.96], P < 0.001), but not in the multivariable model (HR 1.49 [95% CI 0.93 to 2.39], P = 0.10). An important limitation of this work was that only LC-MG, rather than any MG, could be identified in participants from SKS and RRID. The prevalence of MG was higher in this CKD cohort than that reported in the general population. However, the presence of an MG was not independently associated with a significantly higher risk of kidney failure or, unlike in the general population, risk of death.

Monoclonal immunoglobulin–mediated kidney disease: What is beyond amyloidosis in real practice?

Background:Monoclonal immunoglobulin–mediated kidney disease with various patterns of damage may occur in patients with B-cell malignancies and non-malignant monoclonal gammopathies, and the latter are actually merged under the umbrella of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance. Amyloidosis is the most well-known monoclonal immunoglobulin–related kidney damage. We focused on the rarer conditions and aimed to evaluate the non-amyloid spectrum of monoclonal immunoglobulin–mediated patterns of renal damage in real clinical practice.Methods:A single-center non-interventional retrospective study included 45 patients with pathology-proven non-amyloid monoclonal immunoglobulin–mediated kidney disease, followed during 2002–2018. Disease duration, proteinuria, serum creatinine, need for dialysis at the time of kidney biopsy, clinical diagnosis, and kidney pathology findings were analyzed.Results:No significant differences in the median age, disease duration at the time of biopsy, or main clinical presentation of kidney disease were found between patients with monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance and patients with B-cell malignancies. Pathology patterns like proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits, membranous nephropathy, C3 glomerulopathy, cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis, and combinations of light chain proximal tubulopathy with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease, and of C3 glomerulopathy with light chain proximal tubulopathy were found in monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance setting only. In contrast, light chain proximal tubulopathy alone, anti-glomerular basement glomerulonephritis, and combinations of cast nephropathy with light chain proximal tubulopathy, and cast nephropathy with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease were associated with multiple myeloma only. Monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease, intracapillary monoclonal immunoglobulin M deposits, and cast nephropathy alone were seen in both settings.Conclusion:The presence of monoclonal gammopathy in patients with proteinuria and/or impaired kidney function demands kidney biopsy. Neither duration of kidney disease nor its clinical presentation allows differentiating malignant and non-malignant causes of monoclonal immunoglobulin–mediated renal damage. Several pathology patterns, even cast nephropathy, can be found both in cases of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance and in cases of B-cell malignancies. Dual patterns of damage, including combinations of organized and non-organized deposits, or organized deposits with monoclonal immunoglobulin–induced damage without monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition, constitute up to 9%, mostly in multiple myeloma cases.

Generalized crystal-storing histiocytosis with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and monoclonal gammopathy in a Chinese elderly woman: a case report

BackgroundCrystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH) is a rare lesion characterized by sheets of crystal-laden non-neoplastic histiocytes. CSH shows a prominent association with lymphoproliferative disorders that express monoclonal immunoglobulins, mainly multiple myeloma (MM), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). However, no aggressive B cell lymphoma has been reported to be associated with CSH.Case presentationA 74-year-old Chinese woman presented with multiple subcutaneous masses, abdominal pain, and fever. An IgM kappa type of monoclonal gammopathy (MG) was noted by immunofixation performed on the patient’s serum. Computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed subcutaneous masses on the left upper arm and at the waist and multiple low-density lesions in the spleen. Microscopically, sections of subcutaneous masses revealed sheets of large polygonal and spindle cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, round to ovoid eccentric nuclei, reticulate chromatin, and median nucleoli. Massive needle-shaped crystals were confined to the cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, these crystal-containing cells were positive for CD68/PGM1, CD163, IgM, and Igκ. Meanwhile, the splenic tumour was diagnosed as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), non-germinal-centre B (non-GCB) subtype (Hans algorithm). Immunohistochemistry for IgM was positive in the cytoplasm of some neoplastic cells. Immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement was detected by PCR analysis of the subcutaneous mass and the splenic tumour.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of generalized CSH with DLBCL and MG. Although the rarity of CSH and separate locations of CSH and lymphoma led to a diagnostic dilemma, the presence of MG was a clue to appreciate the relation between CSH and DLBCL. This case stressed a full investigation into the underlying lymphoproliferative disorder for integrated diagnosis and correct treatments.

Monoclonal gammopathies regardless of subtypes are associated with poor prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A STROBE-compliant article.

Monoclonal gammopathy (MG), a positive result of serum immunofixation electrophoresis (SIFE), has been reported in cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We performed this study to further investigate the prognostic value of MG in DLBCL.We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with DLBCL between January 2007 and December 2014, and identified 37 patients with MG. The clinical characteristics of these patients were then reviewed. A 1:2 case-control analysis was conducted on 74 matched controls, who were patients with DLBCL and without MG. Both cases and controls were age-matched and were diagnosed within the same year.Among 37 DLBCL patients with MG, the monoclonal component of IgM was the most frequent compared to the other subtypes. Laboratory tests showed that the presence of MG was correlated with a decreased platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Survival analysis showed that MG-secreting DLBCL patients had an inferior overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), compared with MG-nonsecreting patients, regardless of MG subtype. However, treatment response analysis showed that MG was not a good indicator for tumor relapse. When patients with DLBCL were grouped by immunophenotype, we found that MG was associated with poor prognosis in the non-germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) type, rather than GCB type in OS analysis. Meanwhile, there was no statistical significance upon PFS analysis in both immunophenotypes. Furthermore, our study found that the appearance of MG during treatment did make prognostic sense compared to nonsecretors.Overall, MG can serve as a prognostic factor for DLBCL. We hypothesize that its presence in DLBCL may reflect the immune microenvironment in tumor progression and warrants further study to unveil the underlying molecular pathogenesis.

Monoclonal Gammopathy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Report and Review of its Literature

AbstractThe presence of monoclonal gammopathies in B-cell malignancies occurs frequently. Monoclonal proteins are present in a significant number of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which is a disorder of antigen-stimulated mature B-cells. The recognition of monoclonal proteins or light chains in the serum and/or urine is increased in the majority of CLL patients with the use of highly sensitive laboratory methods such as serum immunofixation studies. A different autoimmune phenomenon may explain the presence of some of these monoclonal proteins. Some reports indicate that the finding of monoclonal proteins has a negative impact on patients' survival. However, there is no clear evidence to suggest the prognostic significance of monoclonal proteins in patients with CLL. Although the presence of monoclonal proteins in CLL occurs usually at an incidence of 60%–80%, there are very few cases reported in literature. We report a case of CLL diagnosed in 2009 who developed disease progression along with the presence of immunoglobulin kappa monoclonal gammopathy. Although the presence of monoclonal gammopathy might be due to the use of highly sensitive methods, this can be due to autoimmune phenomenon or development from the same or different clone of B-cells.

Monoclonal gammopathy in rheumatic diseases.

To analyze the clinical spectrum, laboratory characteristics, and outcomes of monoclonal gammopathy (MG) in patients with rheumatic diseases. Screening for the presence of MG was performed in 872 inpatients with rheumatic diseases from January 2010 to July 2017. A total of 41 patients were enrolled. Their clinical and biological features in addition to outcomes were described. For each patient with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), 2 age- and sex-matched pSS patients without MG were selected as controls. Risk factors for the presence of MG and malignant hematological neoplasias were assessed. MG was observed in patients with SS, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, polymyositis, hypomyopathic dermatomyositis, psoriatic arthritis, ANCA-associated vasculitis, polyarteritis nodosa, and polymyalgia rheumatic, with SS the most frequent type. Serum M protein was detected in 37 patients. The monoclonal bands identified in serum were 16 IgG (5 κ, 11 λ), 11 IgA (6 κ, 5 λ), 6 IgM (5 κ, 1 λ), and 4 free λ chains. M components were observed in urine in the other 4 patients. High ESR, albumin/globulin inversion, rheumatoid factor positivity, hypergammaglobulinemia, and hypocomplementemia were common features, presented in more than half of the 41 patients. Patients with pSS, when complicated with MG, showed a higher rate of abnormal urine NAG (71.4 vs 15.8%, P = 0.025), higher levels of ESR [55.0 (53.5) mm/h vs 21.0 (31.8) mm/h, P = 0.001], ESSDAI [26.0 (25.0) vs 12.0 (9.0), P = 0.006], and ClinESSDAI scores [24.0 (25.0) vs 10.5 (10.0), P = 0.011]. Multivariate analysis revealed that the disease activity, assessed by either ESSDAI [adjusted OR 1.127 (95%CI 1.015-1.251), P = 0.025] or ClinESSDAI [adjusted OR 1.121 (95%CI 1.011-1.242), P = 0.030], was the only independent risk factor for the presence of MG. During the follow-up, 2 patients had transient serum M protein, 2 had isotype switch, 1 progressed to multiple myeloma (MM), and another 2 experienced renal injuries attributed by monoclonal or polyclonal plasma cell interstitial infiltration. Seven (17.1%) of the 41 MG patients presented hematological neoplasias, 4 with MM, 2 with smoldering multiple myeloma, and 1 with B cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type. The presence of light-chain MG was associated with the development of MM [OR 17.5 (95%CI 1.551-197.435), P = 0.041], but not with an increased risk of lymphoma or SMM. MG was observed in patients with various rheumatic disorders, with SS being the most common type. The presence of MG might be associated with higher disease activity. The development of hematological neoplasias including MM and lymphoma was seen in this setting. Therefore, we recommend the screening for MG and close monitoring for potential malignant transformation in patients with rheumatic diseases as needed.

Serum and Urine Free Light Chain Cut-off Detection for a Rational Employment of the Bence-Jones Proteinuria Test in Presence of Monoclonal Gammopathy

Serum and Urine Free Light Chain Cut-off Detection for a Rational Employment of the Bence-Jones Proteinuria Test in Presence of Monoclonal Gammopathy

Brief Report: Monoclonal Gammopathy and Risk of Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma in Patients With Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

To assess the link between monoclonal gammopathy (MG), disease activity, and incidence of malignant hematologic disorders (MHDs), including lymphoma and multiple myeloma (MM), in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Screening for the presence of MG was performed in 352 primary SS patients. Each patient with MG was paired with 2 age- and sex-matched primary SS controls without MG. Their characteristics were compared for the presence of risk factors for MG and for the relationship between MG and MHD. Twenty-six of the 352 primary SS patients (7.4%) had MG; 88% were women, with a median age of 62.7 years (interquartile range [IQR] 50.3-69.1 years) and a median disease duration of 7.8 years (IQR 3.6-12.8 years). The parameters associated with MG on multivariate analysis were higher disease activity, as measured by either the European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 9.7, P = 0.0002) or the Clinical ESSDAI (adjusted OR 6.7, P = 0.001), and low C4 level (adjusted OR 3.4, P = 0.04). After a median follow-up of 6.3 years (IQR 3.1-9.5 years), 10 patients with MG had developed an MHD (38.5%; 4 had lymphomas and 6 had MM), as compared with 4 patients in the control group (7.7%; all had lymphomas) (OR 7.5, P = 0.002). The only factor associated with the risk of MHDs was the presence of MG (adjusted OR 5.5, P = 0.02), which was principally associated with an increased risk of MM (23% versus 0%; P = 0.0009), but not lymphoma (15% versus 8%; P = 0.3). The presence of MG was associated with higher disease activity and an increased risk of MHD in primary SS. In the presence of MG, the risk of MM was even higher than the risk of lymphoma. These results suggest that regular monitoring of primary SS patients with MG for the emergence of both lymphoma and MM is necessary.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis recurrence after kidney transplantation: using the new classification.

BackgroundMembranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is an uncommon glomerular disorder that may lead to end stage renal disease (ESRD). With new understanding of the disease pathogenesis, the classical classification as MPGN types I, II, III has changed. Data on post-transplant MPGN, in particular with the newly refined classification, is limited. We present our center’s experience of MPGN after kidney transplantation using the new classification.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of 34 patients with ESRD due to MPGN who received 40 kidney transplants between 1994 and 2014. We reviewed the available biopsies’ data using the new classification. We assessed post transplantation recurrence rate, risk factors of recurrence, the response to therapy and allografts’ survival.ResultsMedian time of follow up was 5.3 years (range 0.5–14 years). Using the new classification, we found that pre-transplant MPGN disease was due to immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis (ICGN) in 89 % of cases and complement-mediated glomerulonephritis (CGN) in 11 %. Recurrence was detected in 18 transplants (45 %). Living related allografts (P = 0.045), preemptive transplantations (P = 0.018), low complement level (P = 0.006), and the presence of monoclonal gammopathy (P = 0.010) were associated with higher recurrence rate in ICGN cases. Half of the patients with recurrence lost their allografts. The use of ACEi/ARB was associated with a trend toward less allograft loss.ConclusionsMPGN recurs at a high rate after kidney transplantation. The risk of MPGN recurrence increases with preemptive transplantation, living related donation, low complement level, and the presence of monoclonal gammopathy. Recurrence of MPGN leads to allograft failure in half of the cases.

A Multicenter, Case-Control Study Evaluating the Characteristics and Outcome of ITP Patients Refractory to, Rituximab, Splenectomy and Both TPO Receptor Agonists

▪Introduction: Before the emergence of new treatments, refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) was defined as the failure to achieve a minimum response to splenectomy and the requirement of long-term treatments to reduce risk of significant bleeding events. These patients experience a significant morbidity and mortality rate (1). The first aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients with multirefractory ITP (multi-ref ITP) according to an updated definition, i.e., patients who failed to respond to splenectomy, monoclonal anti-CD20 antibodies (rituximab, RTX) and both thrombopoietin-receptor agonists (TPO-RAs), as well as to identify associated factors with this phenotype. The second aim was to examine the long-term outcome of these patients.Patients and Methods: We carried out a multicenter retrospective study in France. Inclusion criteria of patients with multi-ref ITP were failure to splenectomy, rituximab and the two marketed TPO-RAs, or presentation of an absolute contraindication to these treatments. Failure to treatment was defined according to standardized international criteria and bleeding score as described by Khellaf et al. Physicians were interviewed and patients' medical charts collected using the standardized form of the Referral Center for Adult ITP. In order to assess the variables associated with multirefractory occurrences, patients with multi-ref ITP were compared with non-multirefractory patients: for each case, 5 controls were randomly selected from the ITP clinical research database at Henri-Mondor Hospital, matched on the year of diagnosis. This database includes all ITP patients followed in the French national center for autoimmune cytopenias. Univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression models were performed (backward procedure, α=5%).Results: Thirty-seven patients (12 men/25 women) with multi-ref ITP and 183 controls were included in the study. Patients with multi-ref ITP have presented more initial bleeding symptoms than controls (75.6% vs 52.75%, p=.012)), had more frequently secondary ITP (35% vs 8.74%, p<.001), presented more clinical/biological auto-immune abnormalities (59.46% vs 28.42%, p=0008) and had more frequently a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance than controls (19% vs 2.89%, p<.001). Only 24 patients with multi-ref ITP (68.57%) achieved initial transient response to steroid therapy (CR: n=10, R: n=12), compared to 91.61% responders in controls (p<.0001). In multivariate analysis, 4 factors were found to be associated with multi-ref ITP occurrence: (1) secondary ITP (OR: 4.81, 95%CI [1.31-17.86], p=.018), (2) presence of monoclonal gammopathy (OR: 5.93, 95%CI [1.08-32.48], p<.04), (3) bleeding symptoms at diagnosis (OR: 3.54 95%CI [1.11-11.22], p=.032) and (4) no response to steroid therapy (OR: 0.38 95%CI [0.20-0.72], p= .003). After a median follow-up of 84 months (range: 12-455), patients with multi-ref ITP have received a median of 10.5 lines of treatments (range: 6-15) including splenectomy, TPO-RAs and RTX, 5 patients (14%) died (intracranial hemorrhage, n=2; sepsis, n=1; breast cancer, n=1; unknown, n=1). Throughout the course of ITP, all patients required hospitalization; 22 (60%) received platelet transfusion, and 6 red-blood cells transfusion, 9 (24%) were admitted to intensive care units, 15 (40%) presented at least one bacterial infection, and 9 experienced at least one thrombosis (arterial, n=3; venous, n=6). At the end of follow-up, 20 patients (54%) were still non responders. Nine patients achieved a complete response: one after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 2 after chemotherapy for hematological malignancy, and 5 after a combination of immunosuppressive therapy and TPO-RA.Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that multirefractory ITP is an extremely serious condition, associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Factors significantly associated with this phenotype were secondary ITP, association with autoimmune disorders, monoclonal gammopathy and no response to steroids. Most of these patients remained non-responsive to alternative lines of rescue treatment, but some successes has been obtained with the combination of immunosuppressive therapy and TPO-RA.(1) McMillan R, Durette C. Long-term outcomes in adults with chronic ITP after splenectomy failure. Blood 2004;104(4):956-60 DisclosuresSalles:Calistoga Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Celgene Corporation; Genentech, Inc.; Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P.; Roche: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation; Roche and Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Celgene Corporation; Roche: Speakers Bureau. Cheze:Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Michel:GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AMGEN: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Godeau:Roche: Research Funding; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.

Extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with monoclonal gammopathy: an aggressive and primary refractory disease responding to an immunomodulatory agent

BackgroundAlthough the clinical outcome of patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been improved by the addition of rituximab to standard chemotherapy, almost one-third fails or relapses after first line treatment. The presence of monoclonal gammopathy (MG) is a known adverse prognostic factor for DLBCL. Because this subset of patients does not benefit from R-CHOP, new therapeutic options are required. Herein, we report the first case of extranodal DBCL of the lung with a concomitant MG who achieved a long lasting complete remission with lenalidomide.Case presentationThe 73-year-old male patient presented with lateral cervical lymphadenopathy, B symptoms, lactate dehydrogenase and beta2-microglobulin elevation. Computed tomography (CT) showed mediastinal lymphadenopathy and bilateral lung involvement. Biopsy of both disease locations revealed the presence of DLBCL. Successive bone marrow trephine biopsy proved the presence of concordant DLBCL involvement. At the time of diagnosis, a MG was present as well. The patient did not respond to the standard treatments, and subsequently underwent lenalidomide 25 mg/m2 days 1–21 q28 plus dexamethasone 40 mg days 1–4, 9–12 e 17–20. This therapeutic regimen was efficacious and safe as salvage therapy in extranodal DBCL with a MG. Furthermore, we observed a close association between DLBCL response to therapy and MG levels, suggesting that the amount of M-protein might be a surrogate marker of disease response.ConclusionAlthough DLBCL associated with MG does not respond properly to the standard treatments, it is highly sensitive to lenalidomide, which is why we endorse its role as treatment of choice in this subset of patients. In addition, MG levels appear to correlate with tumor burden, suggesting that it might be a useful marker of disease response. Prospective trials to validate these observations are warranted.

Association of IgM monoclonal gammopathy with progressive muscular atrophy and multifocal motor neuropathy: a case-control study.

Monoclonal gammopathy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related disorders has been reported in small studies but the validity of the reported associations remains uncertain. Presence of monoclonal gammopathy may indicate specific pathogenic pathways and may facilitate the development of novel treatment strategies. The objective of this large case-control study was to determine the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy in motor neuron diseases (MND) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Monoclonal gammopathy was determined by immunoelectrophoresis and immunofixation in serum from 445 patients with ALS, 158 patients with progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), 60 patients with primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), 88 patients with MMN and in 430 matched healthy controls. Anti-ganglioside antibody titers were determined in sera from patients with MMN and PMA, and in ALS and PLS patients with monoclonal gammopathy. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate associations of monoclonal gammopathy with motor neuron diseases and clinical characteristics. Neither ALS nor PLS was associated with monoclonal gammopathy. IgM monoclonal gammopathy was more frequent in patients with PMA (8 %) (OR = 4.2; p = 0.001) and MMN (7 %) (OR = 5.8; p = 0.002) than in controls (2 %). High titers of anti-GM1 IgM antibodies were present in 43 % of MMN patients and 7 % of PMA patients. Patients with PMA and IgM monoclonal gammopathy or anti-GM1 antibodies had a higher age at onset, more often weakness of upper legs and more severe outcome than patients with MMN. PMA and MMN, but not ALS and PLS, are significantly associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy and anti-GM1 antibodies. These results may indicate that a subset of patients presenting with PMA share pathogenic mechanisms with MMN.

TACI expression and signaling in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

TACI is a membrane receptor of BAFF and APRIL, contributing to the differentiation and survival of normal B cells. Although malignant B cells are also subjected on TACI signaling, there is a remarkable intradisease and interindividual variability of TACI expression in B-cell malignancies. The aim of our study was to explore the possible role of TACI signaling in the biology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including its phenotypic and clinical characteristics and prognosis. Ninety-four patients and 19 healthy controls were studied. CLL patients exhibited variable TACI expression, with the majority of cases displaying low to undetectable TACI, along with low to undetectable BAFF and increased APRIL serum levels compared to healthy controls. CLL cells with high TACI expression displayed a better survival capacity in vitro, when cultured with BAFF and/or APRIL. Moreover, TACI expression was positively correlated with the presence of monoclonal gammopathy and inversely with CD11c expression. Therefore, our study provides further evidence for the contribution of BAFF/APRIL signaling to CLL biology, suggesting also that TACI detection might be useful in the selection of patients for novel targeting therapeutic approaches.

Dysregulation Of Cyclin D1 Or Activation Of KRAS Accelerate The Development Of Monoclonal Gammopathy and Cooperate To Cause Its Progression

We have previously proposed the dysregulation of the D type cyclins by chromosome translocations to the IgH locus or by not fully characterized mechanisms in hyperdyploid patients as a unifying genetic event in the pathogenesis of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Uncertain Significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma (MM). However, no experimental data are available to evaluate the direct consequences of cyclin Ds overexpression in plasma cells. Similarly, activating mutations of KRAS have been identified in 15% of MM patients, but never in MGUS, and have been proposed to contribute to the progression of MGUS to MM, but this hypothesis has never been experimentally validated. We evaluated the contribution of CyclinD1 and KRAS to the development and progression of monoclonal gammopathy (MG) that develops spontaneously in C57BL/6 mice. We aged a cohort of EuCCND1 mice, and lslKRASV12 mice crossed to three different CRE expressing mice: IgG1CRE, CD19CRE or Vk* CRE (KRAS/CRE). A cohort of Vk* MYC mice, Vk* MYC x EuCCND1 (MYC/CD1) and triple transgenic mice (CD1/KRAS/CRE) was also analyzed. Mice were bled every 10 weeks beginning at 30 weeks, and the presence of MG was evaluated by serum protein electrophoresis. The median Time To M-Spike (mTTS) detection was 97 weeks in C57Bl/6, 63w in EuCCND1, 54w in KRAS/CRE, 54w in Vk* MYC, 38w in CD1/KRAS/CRE and 36w in MYC/CD1 mice. This indicates that acceleration of the development of MG occurs in all these strain of mice. However, we noticed that the spontaneous MG in C57BL/6 wt, EuCCND1 or KRAS/CRE rarely progresses (as determined by detection of a M-spike >7 g/L), while in the other mouse strains it frequently progresses, with a mTTS >7 g/L around 65w. A clear progression of MGUS to MM was observed only in Vk* MYC mice, and was further accelerated in MYC/CD1 mice, which are characterized by extra-medullary disease and shorter overall survival.In conclusion, these data support our hypothesis that Cyclin Ds dysregulation in plasma cells is the initial transformation step leading to MGUS. Further oncogenic events, like activating mutations of KRAS are required to expand the monoclonal plasma cells. Among the oncogenes examined MYC provides the greatest acceleration of the MG in wildtype and EuCCND1 mice, and results in a disease with the malignant features of MM.▪ Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.