Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Commons^™

Exploring Intracellular Signaling Responses To Ks18, A Potent Mcl-1 Inhibitor, In Multiple Myeloma, Emily Nelson, Omar S Al-Odat, Dhruti A. Brahmbhatt, Tulin Budak-Alpdogan, Subash Jonnalagadda, Manoj Kumar Pandey

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Multiple myeloma (MM), a cancer of plasma B cells, is a hematological malignancy in which patients inevitably relapse and develop drug resistance. Mcl-1, a member of the anti-apoptotic subgroup of Bcl-2 family proteins, plays a critical role in the progression of multiple myeloma and contributes significantly to drug resistance. Elevated Mcl-1 expression is observed in approximately 52% of MM patients at diagnosis, increasing to 81% at relapse. Given its driving role in disease progression and therapy resistance, Mcl-1 inhibition has emerged as a promising therapeutic target, prompting ongoing research into the development and clinical evaluation of Mcl-1 inhibitors, particularly for …

Reviewing The Effect Of Antiplatelet Therapy On Lumbar Puncture Complications, John Andre Socci

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Reviewing The Effect of Antiplatelet Therapy on Lumbar Puncture Complications aims to assess literature that discusses the possible risks of undergoing lumbar puncture while on antiplatelet therapy. Lumbar punctures offer vital information that can help guide making accurate diagnosis and creating appropriate treatment plans. However, a large portion of the population is on antiplatelet therapy for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease prevention. While there are many benefits to being on these medicines, patients are at increased risk for bleeding. Thus the clinical question as to whether or not proceed with lumbar puncture on patients taking antiplatelet therapy involves weighing risks and …

Side Effect Profiles In Immunotherapy Vs Chemotherapy In The Treatment Of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Chloe Triolo, Mariana Sales, Amy Nguyen, Jaclyn Schultz, Melissa Crisci

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children and also one of the most curable, with current cure rates surpassing 90%. Immunotherapy using biologics is an emerging cancer treatment approach that shows significant promise and is generally less toxic than traditional chemotherapy. Due to its lower toxicity compared to chemotherapy, standalone immunotherapy may represent a promising treatment option for pediatric ALL patients.

Hypothesis: This review aims to compare acute side effect profiles and chronic complications in chemotherapy versus immunotherapy treatment modalities for pediatric patients with ALL. Immunotherapy is hypothesized to have a more tolerable side effect …

A Case Report Of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Presenting With Diabetes Insipidus, Lan Ngo, Adam Kandil

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is characterized by decreased secretion or action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), resulting in polyuria, polydipsia, and potential electrolyte disturbances. Severe hypernatremia secondary to uncontrolled DI can manifest with neurologic symptoms including seizure-like activity. This case report discusses a case of central DI arising from damage to the pituitary gland as the first presentation of a brain tumor, in the context of a 56-year-old patient who presented with seizure-like activity and sensory changes.

Prospective Clinical Trials Of Venetoclax And Hypomethylating Agents For Relapsed Bpdcn, Naveen Pemmaraju, Luan Hai Phan, Geoffrey Fell, Marlise R Luskin, Mahesh Swaminathan, Sherry Pierce, Courtney Dinardo, Abhishek Maiti, Marina Konopleva, Andrew A Lane

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Long Term Results Of Venetoclax Combined With Flag-Ida Induction And Consolidation For Newly Diagnosed And Relapsed Or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Courtney D Dinardo, Wei-Ying Jen, Koichi Takahashi, Tapan M Kadia, Sanam Loghavi, Naval G Daver, Lianchun Xiao, Patrick K Reville, Ghayas C Issa, Nicholas J Short, Koji Sasaki, Sa A Wang, Jillian K Mullin, Sherry Pierce, Corey Bradley, Gautam Borthakur, Abhishek Maiti, Yesid Alvarado, Naveen Pemmaraju, Alessandra Ferrajoli, Mahesh Swaminathan, Maro Ohanian, Hussein A Abbas, Danielle Hammond, Jan Burger, Fadi Haddad, Guillermo Montalban-Bravo, Kelly Chien, Lucia Masarova, Musa Yilmaz, Nitin Jain, Michael Andreeff, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Steven Kornblau, Farhad Ravandi, Elias Jabbour, Marina Y Konopleva, Hagop M Kantarjian

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Intensive chemotherapy remains the standard for newly diagnosed (ND) acute myeloid leukemia (AML); however, relapse risk remains high. Additionally, most patients with relapsed/refractory (RR) AML have poor outcomes. We report the long-term experience of 138 patients, 77 ND and 61 RR, treated with FLAG-IDA in combination with venetoclax. In the ND cohort, the overall response rate (ORR) was 97%, with a composite complete remission (CRc) rate of 95% and undetectable measurable residual disease (MRD) status by flow cytometry in 90%. The 3-year OS and EFS rates were 66 and 64%, respectively. Outcomes were similar across European LeukemiaNet (ELN) 2022 risk …

Oral Decitabine Cedazuridine With And Without Venetoclax In Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes Or Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia: A Propensity Score-Matched Study, Alex Bataller, Koji Sasaki, Samuel Urrutia, Guillermo Montalban-Bravo, Alexandre Bazinet, Kelly Chien, Danielle Hammond, Ian M Bouligny, Mahesh Swaminathan, Ghayas Issa, Nicholas Short, Naval Daver, Courtney D Dinardo, Tapan Kadia, Elias Jabbour, Farhad Ravandi, Gail J Roboz, Michael Savona, Elizabeth A Griffiths, James Mccloskey, Olatoyosi Odenike, Aram Oganesian, Harold N Keer, Mohammad Azab, Hagop Kantarjian, Guillermo Garcia-Manero

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Hypomethylating agents (HMA) are indicated in the treatment of higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). The combination of hypomethylating agents with venetoclax (Ven) has demonstrated promising results in these diseases, although randomized clinical trials are needed for validation. In this retrospective study, we compared two matched cohorts of patients with MDS or CMML: one receiving oral decitabine-cedazuridine (DEC-C, n = 73) and one receiving DEC-C and Ven (DEC-C-Ven, n = 51), in three contemporary clinical trials. The aim is to determine the impact of the addition of Ven to HMA in MDS and CMML. Individuals were matched …

Outcomes In Patients With Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma Refractory Or Intolerant To Brentuximab Vedotin And Anti-Pd-1 Therapy: A Real World Analysis From 15 U.S. Academic Centers, Timothy J. Voorhees, Eric M. Mclaughlin, Pallawi Torka, Jorge Florindez, Na Hyun Kim, Tamara K. Moyo, Heather Reves, Nuttavut Sumransub, Saarang Deshpande, Ashley Rose, Cassandra Duarte, Muhammad Salman Faisal, Showkat Hamid, Suki Subbiah, Sabarish Ayyappan, Lauren Shea, Matt Cortese, Krish Patel, Ajay Major, Hayder Saeed, Jakub Svoboda, Sanjal Desai, Praveen Ramakrishnan Geethakumari, Mehdi Hamadani, Natalie Grover, Narendranath Epperla

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Anti-PD-1 based therapies and brentuximab vedotin (BV) have significantly improved survival in patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and have been incorporated into earlier lines of therapy. However, there is insufficient data regarding the clinical outcomes in patients who develop refractory disease or who become intolerant of BV and anti-PD-1 therapies (double refractory/intolerant; DR/INT). Here, we evaluated outcomes in patients with DR/INT cHL from 15 US academic medical centers. A total of 173 patients were identified as DR/INT. The median overall survival from the time of cHL diagnosis (OS-1) was 14.8 years (95% CI: 10.9–20.9 years) and the 10-year OS-1 …

Cryptic Kmt2a::Afdn Fusion Due To Afdn Insertion Into Kmt2a In A Patient With Acute Monoblastic Leukemia, Qing Wei, Gokce A Toruner, Beenu Thakral, Keyur P Patel, Naveen Pemmaraju, Sa A Wang, Rashmi Kanagal-Shamanna, Guilin Tang, Ghayas C Issa, Sanam Loghavi, L Jeffrey Medeiros, Courtney Dinardo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: KMT2A rearrangements occur in ~10% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases and are critical for classification, risk stratification, and use of targeted therapy. However, insertions involving the KMT2A gene can evade detection using chromosomal analysis and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Methods: We present a case of a 22-year-old woman with acute monoblastic leukemia harboring a cryptic KMT2A::AFDN fusion identified by RNA sequencing. Initial FISH showed a 3' KMT2A deletion, while conventional karyotyping and the automated bioinformatic pipeline for optical genome mapping (OGM) did not identify the canonical translocation.

Results: To resolve these discrepancies, metaphase KMT2A FISH (break-apart fusion …

Atypical Dengue Fever With Severe Hematological Manifestations: A Case From The Rio Grande Valley, Elias Arellano Villanueva, Alhasan Asaad, Jose Campo Maldonado

Research Symposium

Background: Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral illness, is endemic in tropical regions, including border regions like the Rio Grande Valley while often self-limited, severe presentations such as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome highlight its challenges and complexities. This report describes an atypical dengue case with severe hematological manifestations, underscoring the diagnostic challenges and the importance of early recognition, multidisciplinary evaluation, and evidence-based management.

Case Presentation: A 22-year-old Hispanic female with no significant past medical history presented to the ED with hematemesis and fever following her travel to Monterrey, Mexico. Initial symptoms included high fever (107.6°F), chills, diarrhea, vomiting, …

Hypoalbuminemia And Postoperative Outcomes Following Major Salivary Gland Resection, Praneet C. Kaki, Aman M. Patel, Jason A. Brant, Steven B. Cannady, Karthik Rajasekaran, Robert M. Brody, Ryan M. Carey

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

OBJECTIVE: Hypoalbuminemia (HA) is a proxy for malnutrition that has been associated with postoperative complications in several surgical subspecialties. This study investigates the association between pre-operative HA and complications following major salivary gland (MSG) resection.

METHODS: Patients undergoing outpatient, elective MSG resection were extracted from the 2005 to 2020 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Demographics and comorbidities were compared between HA (preoperative serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL) and non-HA cohorts. To determine associations between albumin status and postoperative complications, univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS: A total of 5774 patients undergoing MSG resection were included, of which 321 (5.6%) had preoperative HA. HA was associated with older age on univariate analysis (65.2 vs. 60.2 years,

CONCLUSION: Preoperative HA may …

An Atypical Case Of Epec-Hus In An Adult, Rabia S. Mahfooz, Annmary Behanan, Babivigasan Gunasegaran, Amita J. Dsouza

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Atypical Presentation Of Cd4+ Small/Medium T-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorder, Rafael Do Valle, Reem Ayoub, Marshall Hall, Henry Lim, Christian Scheufele, Garrett Furth, Michael Carletti, Stepehen E. Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (PCSM-LPD) is a rare cutaneous disorder that until 2016, was classified as a primary cutaneous lymphoma. PCSM-LPD histopathologically consists of a localized proliferation of small to medium-sized T lymphocytes. Clinically there is minimal to no systemic involvement. It typically presents as an asymptomatic, solitary red-purple nodule, papule, or plaque on the face. PCSM-LPD has an indolent course and an excellent prognosis. It is important to recognize PCSM-LPD as a distinct entity from primary cutaneous lymphoma to avoid treatments with side effects. Case Presentation: A 68-year-old female with a history of insulin-dependent type …

Fatal Streptococcal Pneumonia Bacteremia Complicated By Purpura Fulminans In An Asplenic Patient, Farigol Hakem Zadeh, Nikita Shah, Vidya S. Kollu

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Acute Respiratory Compromise Secondary To Superior Vena Cava Syndrome In A Sickle Cell Patient. Vaso-Occlusion Triggered By Steroids?, Ashley Diaz, Priya Mohan, Abhishek Sharma, David Zarabanda, Raiko Diaz

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Effective Managment Of Relapsing Henoch-Schonlein Purpura With Nephropathy In An Adult With Long-Term Use Of Azathioprine, Rabia S. Mahfooz, Neil Maithel, Loiacono Agostina, Minha Aslam, Naser Elkhalili

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

A Rare Presentation Of Prothrombin G20210a Mutation As A Right Ventricular Thrombus, Amelia Mellor, Abedayo Olusanya, Daniel Ortiz

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

When Leukemia Takes A Bite: Unusual Gastric Involvement In B-All, Supritha Chintamaneni, Bilal Ashraf, Sushovan Guha

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Mechanical Ground Level Fall With Incidental Findings Of Suspected Multiple Myeloma: A Case Report, Mohammed Irfan Khan, Jeffrey Lesser, Shuchita Jhaveri, Neethu George, Shai Ring, Kaylah Perez, Julian Nguyen

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Opioid Selection For Vaso-Occlusive Crisis: Identifying The Best Option To Reduce Hospital Length Of Stay, Benjamin H. Bridges, Laura Strom, Eric Belcher, Winston Daniels, Ansley Connelly, Joshua Ferrell

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

When Osteoporosis Masks Multiple Myeloma: A Diagnostic Pitfall, Neil Maithel, Rabia Mahfooz, Easlie Chen, Ali Asghar, Aftab Mahmood

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Phentermine Induced Thrombocytopenia, Claudia Thornton, Jack Demirjian, Jason Pereira, Juan Nunez Rodriguez

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Emerging Nanotechnology Approaches For Blood Disorders: A Comprehensive Review Of Nano-Hematinics And Plant-Based Nanomedicines, Hassan Abdulsalam Adewuyi, Khairat Shamsudeen, Fatima Mahmoud Muhammad, Adeola Kolawole Victor, Sakariyau Adio Waheed, Adepeju Matilda Adekoya, Kashim Ibrahim Muhammad, Blessing Temitayo Longe, Abdulgaffar Abdulquddus

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Background: Disorders affecting blood components, such as anemia, coagulopathies, and hematologic malignancies, continue to pose significant global health burdens. Traditional therapies often fall short due to adverse effects, limited bioavailability, and insufficient targeting of disease sites.

Objective: This review synthesizes current advances in nano-hematinics and plant-based nanomedicines (phyto-nanomedicines) as innovative strategies for managing blood-related conditions. These nanoscale interventions are designed to enhance therapeutic precision, bioactivity, and safety.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using major scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. Search terms were carefully selected to retrieve literature published between 2015 and 2024 that discussed …

Case Report: Disseminated Herpes Simplex Virus Complicated By Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis In A Neonate, Nicholas Tadros, Nihal Godiwala

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection carries a high mortality rate due to its potential to cause disseminated disease involving multiple organ systems, which can rapidly progress to shock and death if not promptly treated. In rare cases, neonates may mount an uncontrolled inflammatory response leading to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome. We present a case of neonatal HSV infection complicated by HLH, highlighting the challenges of managing both conditions concurrently. Our therapeutic approach demonstrated a reduction in systemic inflammation and viral load; however, despite these efforts, the patient developed multiorgan failure and ultimately died from the initial …

Recombinant Factor Viia: New Insights Into The Mechanism Of Action Through Product Innovation, Miguel A Escobar, Maureane Hoffman, Giancarlo Castaman, Cedric Hermans, Johnny Mahlangu, Johannes Oldenburg, Charles L Percy, Mark T Reding, Amy D Shapiro, Steven W Pipe

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Management of bleeding in persons with hemophilia and inhibitors involves treatment with bypassing agents, including recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa). Two rFVIIa products are commercially approved for use in the United States and the European Union. Eptacog alfa and eptacog beta share the same amino acid sequence but differ in posttranslational modifications. Although rFVIIa has been used to manage bleeding in persons with hemophilia and inhibitors for over 30 years, its mechanisms of action is still being studied. In vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that rFVIIa could promote hemostasis by (1) increasing tissue factor-dependent activation of factor (F)X …

Pancytopenia, A Rare Case Associated With Influenza A, Aida Sarita Gonzalez, Ajith Vivek, Gabriela Salazar, Joseph Maslak

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Tissue Kallikrein 1 Cleaves Complement Factor C3 And Activates The Alternative Complement Pathway, Sarah E. Sartain, Andrew Yee, Paula Jacobi

Research Data

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (HSCT-TMA), characterized by microvascular endothelial damage and severe renal injury, negatively affects HSCT survivorship with high mortality and long-term renal morbidity. After HSCT, innate immunity and inflammation are often dysregulated. The alternative complement pathway (AP) of the innate immune system is overactivated in HSCT-TMA, but the mechanisms of its initiation are poorly described. Complement component C3 of the AP can be cleaved by proteases outside of the AP. Because mRNA expression of tissue kallikrein 1 (KLK1), an inflammatory serine protease that produces kinins, has been found to be markedly elevated in the renal endothelium …

E. Coli Sepsis And Cholangitis In A Patient With Sickle-Cell Disease: A Case Report, Madeline Pham, Kristen Stovall, Marvin Sineath Jr.

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Preliminary Validity Of A Daily Functional Status Pain Assessment Tool, Wally R. Smith, Rehan Qayyum, Alexandra Ulbing, Margaret S. Guy, Daniel M. Sop, Yue May Zhang

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives: Readiness for discharge for a sickle cell disease vaso-occlusive crisis is dictated by factors far beyond pain control, including physical function/activity. We therefore designed and tested a functional status-based pain assessment questionnaire in SCD patients hospitalized with vaso-occlusive crises.

Methods: Sickle cell disease patients on a preselected nursing unit rated 10 draft Functional status-Based Pain Assessment items of activities of daily living on a 5 point Likert scale (0-5) from “very easy” to “very difficult” daily on each day of their admission until discharge, at approximately the same time. Concurrently, they reported Numeric Rating Scale (0-10) pain intensity. …

Prevalence Of Electrocardiographic Changes And Risk Factors For Qtc Prolongation Among Steady State Sickle Cell Disease Patients: Cooperative Study Of Sickle Cell Disease, Mohammed B. Nawaiseh, Rund R. Haddadin, Yara B. Nawaiseh, Mohammad Z. Salameh, Abdallah A. Shurman, Osama Abu-Shawer, Asma I. Aljesrawi, Ibrahim A. Abuelbeh, Allaa Roto, Hadil Zureigat, Lana Mango, Munir Q. Zaqqa, Hanna K. Al-Makhamreh, Nakhleh Abu-Yaghi

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with several cardiovascular adverse events. Corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation is one of the potential life-threatening complications that predispose patients to sudden cardiac death. This study aims to assess the prevalence of electrocardiogram (ECG) changes and to investigate risk factors associated with increased propensity of QTc prolongation. Methods: This study utilized data from the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease Cardiac Ancillary Study. QT intervals were corrected using the Bazett formula, and prolongation was defined using sex-specific thresholds. The study population included African American patients with steady-state SCD across four clinical centers located …