Search

Despite bortezomib dose reduction, seven patients (29%) developed neuropathic toxicity (G1-2), one patient had grade 4 neuropathy (4%), and no grade 3 cases were observed (Table S3). Bortezomib cumulative dose, efficacy, and tolerability with three different bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone regimens in previously untreated myeloma patients ineligible for high-dose therapy. Keywords: bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone; dose intensity reduction; elderly; multiple myeloma EN bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone dose intensity reduction elderly multiple myeloma 532 535 4 05/16/22 20220601 NES 220601 Funding information No funding was received. Velcadito: Low dose of bortezomib with melphalan and prednisone for >=75-year-olds newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: Aim: Studies in some countries suggest that cancer pain is often not adequately controlled, but little is known about the situation in Spain. The objective of this study was to identify medical oncologists’ perceptions about pain management in their patients. Methods: Two-round Delphi survey of 24 medical oncologists from 22 large, geographically diverse hospitals in Spain. Physicians rated each of 150 statements on a Likert scale (1=strongly disagree; 5=strongly agree). The mean, standard deviation and frequency of replies in three agreement categories were calculated for each item. Statements allowing comparison of oncologists’ perceptions of how pain is managed in routine clinical practice with how it should be managed were grouped together and analyzed. Results: The most notable discrepancies between the real and the ideal occurred in the failure to provide written information or to confirm that patients understand what they are told, the lack of comprehensive and systematic evaluation of pain, and the lack of use of non-pharmacological treatments (NPTs) for cancer pain. Conclusions: Medical oncologists need to improve their communication skills, providing patients with both written and verbal information about their disease and the plan for pain management. Pain should be evaluated at each patient visit using validated scales, and greater attention should be paid to the possible use of NPTs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Incubation of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells in high K+ (38 mM) during 24-48 h enhanced 2.5 to five times the expression of SNAP-25 protein and mRNA, respectively. This increase was reduced 86% by furnidipine (an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker) but was unaffected by either ω-conotoxin GVIA (an N-type Ca2+ channel blocker) or ω-agatoxin IVA (a P/Q-type Ca2+ channel blocker). Combined blockade of N and P/Q channels with ω-conotoxin MVIIC did, however, block by 76% the protein expression. The inhibitory effects of furnidipine were partially reversed when the external Ca2+ concentration was raised from 1.6 to 5 mM. These findings, together with the fact that nicotinic receptor activation or Ca2+ release from internal stores also enhanced SNAP-25 protein expression, suggest that an increment of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), rather than its source or Ca2+ entry pathway, is the critical signal to induce the protein expression. The greater coupling between L-type Ca2+ channels and protein expression might be due to two facts: (a) L channels contributed 50% to the global [Ca2+]i rise induced by 38 mM K+ in indo-1-loaded chromaffin cells and (b) L channels undergo less inactivation than N or P/Q channels on sustained stimulation of these cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary plasma cell leukaemia presenting with flower-shaped nuclei On admission, a full blood count showed a haemoglobin concentration of 120 g/l, a platelet count of 98 × 10 SP 9 sp /l and a leukocyte count of 44 × 10 SP 9 sp /l. A peripheral blood film showed 80% atypical lymphoid cells. Plasma cell leukaemia rarely presents with flower-shaped nuclei. [Extracted from the article]