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We analyzed the safety and efficacy of rituximab plus bendamustine (R-B) in elderly and frail patients with aggressive B-non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a-B-NHL). Few reports have as yet reported on R-B in a-B-NHL, albeit its value for indolent lymphoma vs. R-CHOP has impressively been shown. We assessed 20 consecutive patients with a-B-NHL receiving R-B as first-line or relapse treatment after (R)-CHOP in our department. Besides patient- and lymphoma-specific characteristics, comorbidity indices were determined. The median patient age was 72 years (51-86), the median Karnofsky performance status was 55 % (40-90 %), and according to the international prognostic index, 15 had high-intermediate or high-risk disease. The comorbidity indices revealed a median Kaplan-Feinstein index of 3 (range 1-3), Charlson comorbidity index of 4 (range 0-9), hematopoietic cell transplantation-specific comorbidity index of 3 (range 0-11), and Freiburg comorbidity index of 2 (range 0-2). Moreover, eight patients had echocardiographic and laboratory signs of cardiac insufficiency, all leading to R-B rather than R-CHOP treatment. The overall response rate was 55 %, with complete response and partial response rates of 20 and 35 %, respectively. In our frail and elderly patient cohort, R-B therapy was well-tolerated. Median progression free survival and overall survival were 8.3 months (95 % confidence interval [CI], 2.8--not reached [n.r.]) and 19.4 months (95 % CI, 4.6--n.r.), respectively. We conclude that R-B is a feasible and safe therapy option in a-B-NHL patients not qualifying for R-CHOP but needs to be further assessed in larger subsequent trials, these currently being under way.

Cartilage hair hypoplasia (CHH) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ribonuclease mitochondrial RNA-processing (RMRP) gene. Although its most constant feature is metaphyseal dysplasia with short stature, CHH is associated with extraskeletal defects such as thin hair, anemia, immunodeficiency, and increased incidence of lymphomas. The spectrum of immunologic phenotypes in CHH translates into clinical severity. Whereas T-cell deficiency may remain subclinical or may result in severe combined immunodeficiency or Omenn syndrome, humoral immunodeficiency has only rarely been noted in these patients. Here we report the diagnosis of CHH in a woman who presented with severe short stature and a full-blown antibody deficiency, clinically resembling common variable immunodeficiency. Sequencing of the RMRP gene revealed compound heterozygosity for two novel mutations (g.68_69delinsTT and g.76C>T). Despite the late onset of immunodeficiency in the patient, its clinical course was severe, and the patient died 3 years after the first diagnosis.

Tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC) play an important role in maintaining peripheral T cell tolerance in steady-state conditions through induction of anergic, IL-10-producing T cells with suppressive properties. ICOS, an activation-induced member of the CD28 family on T cells, is involved in the induction of IL-10, which itself could contribute to induction of anergy and development of suppressive T cells. Therefore, we analyzed the functional role of ICOS in the differentiation process of human CD4+ T cells upon their interaction with tolerogenic DC. We compared the functional properties of CD4+ T cells from healthy volunteers and ICOS-deficient patients after stimulation with tolerogenic DC. We report that induction of T cell anergy and suppressive capacity is completely blocked after knockdown of ICOS expression in T cells as well as after blocking of ICOS-ICOS ligand interaction in DC/T cell cocultures. Moreover, CD4+ T cells from ICOS-deficient patients were completely resistant to anergy induction and differentiation into suppressive T cells even after supplementation of IL-10. Furthermore, ICOS/ICOS ligand interaction stabilizes IL-10R expression on T cells and thus renders them sensitive to IL-10 effects. Taken together, these results indicate a crucial role for ICOS in the induction of peripheral tolerance maintained by tolerogenic DC mediated mostly via an IL-10-independent mechanism.

Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) patients who are seropositive for anti-IgA antibodies have a predisposition for anaphylactoid reactions to intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IVIG). Among 88 CVID patients, we identified eight with IgG anti-IgA antibodies (9%). All eight completely lacked IgA (

Background/Aims: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common primary immunodeficiency. With respect to underlying defects it comprises a heterogeneous group of deficiencies. For some patients, distinct phenotypical abnormalities have been described, e.g. partial CD40L deficiency or complete ICOS deficiency. For the diagnosis of CD40L deficiency, a rapid whole blood flow cytometric method has been described several years ago. We aimed to determine if the same method can be used to diagnose ICOS deficiency. Methods: Whole blood from 8 healthy volunteers was stimulated for 4 and 20 h with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin. Induction of ICOS expression was analyzed on CD8–CD3+ lymphocytes using three-color flow cytometry. Blood from a patient with diagnosed ICOS deficiency was also analyzed. Results: Whole-blood stimulation with PMA and ionomycin for 20 h resulted in a significant induction of ICOS expression on CD8–CD3+ lymphocytes in healthy volunteers. Four-hour incubation also demonstrated ICOS upregulation but to a much lower extent. In CD8–CD3+ lymphocytes from an ICOS-deficient patient, no ICOS expression could be induced following 20 h of stimulation. Conclusion: ICOS expression can be analyzed using a rapid whole blood flow cytometric test.

Abstract 4900 Introduction: Clinical studies have shown that Rituximab plus Bendamustin (R-B) in indolent lymphoma results in favourable responses, progression free survival (PFS) and lower toxicity as compared to R-CHOP. The aim of this analysis was to characterize response and tolerability of R-B in patients with LBCL, who were not qualifying for R-CHOP due to age, comorbidity and/or prior pretreatment (including anthracyclines). Methods: We retrospectively identified consecutive patients with LBCL receiving at least two cycles of R-B in our department between 2003 and 2010 using our electronic tumor documentation system. Patient characteristics, response to R-B, and toxicity were assessed. Results: We identified 9 caucasian patients (5 females, 4 males) with LBCL; their median age was 71 years (range; 51–82). Two presented with stage I/II, seven with stage III/IV disease at initial diagnosis and before R-B. Six patients had a low or intermediate IPI and three were high risk. Four patients received R-B as first-line therapy, and five were treated for relapsed or refractory disease. Main determinants for the R-B-selection were contraindications for anthracyclines in five patients and advanced age and/or poor performance status in four patients. A median of four R-B-cycles were applied (range; 2–6). Response with achievement of CR and PR was observed in 6/9 (CR: 2, PR: 4), two achieved SD. Only one pt showed PD after four R-B cycles. The response of R-B in first-line vs. relapsed appeared similar. Of note, one female patient with secondary LCBL, after initial Hodgkin's lymphoma and C-MOPP chemotherapy (CTx) and mediastinal irradiation - with excellent response to R-B- failed to successfully mobilize PBSC thereafter. However, she was effectively mobilized with R-Ara-C-thiotepa (peripheral blood CD34+ cells were 5.82 vs. 54/μl, obtaining no vs. 6.72 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg KG via leukapheresis, respectively). Clinical tolerance of R-B in all patients was excellent in a total of 31 R-B-cycles, only two major CTC-events occurred: one infection (CTC grade III) and one thromboembolism (grade IV). Median PFS and overall Survival (OS) were 16 (7- not reached) and 20 (11-21) months. Conclusions: If standard R-CHOP cannot be given due to age, comorbidity or CTx-contraindications (e.g. anthracyclines), R-B may represent an effective treatment in LBCL. Larger cohorts and prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm these promising results. Currently, patients with grade III/IV follicular lymphoma are additionally evaluated for response and tolerability under R-B, also being presented at the meeting. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.