BACKGROUND: Presensitized patients with circulating donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) before transplantation are at risk for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Peritransplant desensitization mitigates but does not eliminate the alloimmune response. We examined the possibility that subthreshold AMR activity undetected by histology could be operating in some early biopsies. METHODS: Transcriptome of kidney allograft biopsies performed within the first month in presensitized patients (DSA+) who had received desensitization and did not develop active/probable AMR by histology (R-) was compared with biopsies showing active/probable AMR (R+/DSA+). As negative controls, biopsies without rejection by histology in patients without DSA at transplantation were used (R-/DSA-). RNA sequencing from biopsies selected from the biobank was used in cohort 1 (n = 32) and microarray, including the molecular microscope (Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System [MMDx]) algorithm, in recent cohort 2 (n = 30). RESULTS: The transcriptome of R-/DSA+ was similar to R+/DSA+ as these groups differed in 14 transcripts only. Contrarily, large differences were found between both DSA+ groups and negative controls. Fast gene set enrichment analyses showed upregulation of the immune system in both DSA+ groups (gene ontology terms: adaptive immune response, humoral immune response, antigen receptor-mediated signaling, and B-cell receptor signaling or complement activation) when compared with negative controls. MMDx assessment in cohort 2 classified 50% of R-/DSA+ samples as AMR and found no differences in AMR molecular scores between R+ and R- DSA+ groups. In imlifidase desensitization, MMDx series showed a gradual increase in AMR scores over time. CONCLUSIONS: Presensitized kidney transplant recipients exhibited frequent molecular calls of AMR in biopsy-based transcript diagnostics despite desensitization therapy and negative histology.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: Vaccination against 5 prominent meningococcal serogroups (A/B/C/W/Y) is necessary for broad disease protection. We report immunopersistence through 4 years after a 2-dose (6-month interval) pentavalent MenABCWY primary vaccine series and safety and immunogenicity of a booster administered 4 years after primary vaccination. METHODS: This randomized, active-controlled, observer-blinded study was conducted in the United States and Europe. In stage 1, healthy MenACWY vaccine-naive or -experienced 10- to 25-year-olds were randomized 1:2 to receive MenABCWY and placebo or MenB-fHbp and MenACWY-CRM. Eligible participants were randomly selected to participate in stage 2, which was an open-label immunopersistence and booster extension. Immunogenicity was assessed through serum bactericidal antibody using human complement (hSBA) assays with serogroups A/C/W/Y (MenA/C/W/Y) and 4 primary serogroup B (MenB) test strains. Immunogenicity endpoints included hSBA seroprotection rates through 48 months after primary vaccination and 1 month after the booster. Safety endpoints included booster reactogenicity events and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: Of 1379 eligible participants, 353 entered stage 2; 242 completed the 48-month blood draw after primary vaccination and 240 completed the booster vaccination phase. MenA/C/W/Y seroprotection rates remained high for 4 years following a 2-dose MenABCWY primary series (MenACWY-naive, 62.0 %-100.0 %; MenACWY-experienced, 98.7 %-100.0 %) and trended higher than those after a single MenACWY-CRM dose (MenACWY-naive, 38.1 %-95.2 %; MenACWY-experienced, 89.7 %-100.0 %). Corresponding seroprotection rates against MenB remained stable and generally higher than baseline (MenABCWY, 18.2 %-36.6 %; MenB-fHbp, 16.2 %-31.9 % across strains). Following a booster, seroprotection rates against all 5 serogroups were ≥ 93.8 % across groups. Most booster dose reactogenicity events were mild or moderate in severity, and AEs were infrequent. CONCLUSIONS: Immune responses remained high for MenA/C/W/Y and above baseline for MenB through 4 years after the MenABCWY primary series, with robust responses for all 5 serogroups observed following a booster. The MenABCWY booster had an acceptable safety and tolerability profile consistent with the primary series. NCT03135834.

• MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Immunogenicity, Vaccine MeSH
• Complement System Proteins immunology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Meningococcal Infections * prevention & control   immunology   MeSH
• Meningococcal Vaccines * immunology   adverse effects   administration & dosage   MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Neisseria meningitidis immunology   MeSH
• Antibodies, Bacterial * blood   MeSH
• Immunization, Secondary * methods   MeSH
• Serogroup MeSH
• Vaccines, Conjugate immunology   administration & dosage   adverse effects   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH
• United States MeSH

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Prospective, randomized, controlled trials of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) maintenance therapy in myasthenia gravis (MG) are lacking. In this trial, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of caprylate/chromatography-purified IVIG; (IGIV-C) in patients with generalized MG undergoing standard care. METHODS: Sixty-two patients enrolled in this phase 2, multicenter, international, randomized trial (1:1 IGIV-C [2 g/kg loading dose; 1 g/kg every 3 weeks through week 21] or placebo). Efficacy was assessed by changes in Quantitative MG (QMG) score at week 24 versus baseline (primary endpoint) and percentage of patients with clinical improvement in QMG, MG Composite (MGC), and MG-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scores (secondary endpoints). Safety assessments reported all adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: The change in QMG at 24 weeks was -5.1 for IGIV-C and -3.1 for placebo (p = .187). Seventy percent of patients in the IGIV-C group had improvement in MG-ADL (≥2-point decrease) versus 40.6% in the placebo group (p = .025). Patients showing clinical improvement in QMG and MGC (≥3-point decrease) were 70.0% for IGIV-C versus 59.4% for placebo (p = .442) and 60.0% for IGIV-C versus 53.1% for placebo (p = .610). IGIV-C was well tolerated; serious AEs were similar between arms. Three of four MG exacerbations requiring hospitalizations occurred in the IGIV-C arm with one death. DISCUSSION: Several efficacy parameters showed numerical results greater than those seen in the placebo group. This was a small study and may have been underpowered to see significant differences. Additional studies may be warranted to fully determine the efficacy of IVIG maintenance therapy in MG.

• MeSH
• Autoantibodies blood   MeSH
• Activities of Daily Living MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Double-Blind Method MeSH
• Immunologic Factors therapeutic use   adverse effects   administration & dosage   MeSH
• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous * therapeutic use   adverse effects   administration & dosage   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Myasthenia Gravis * drug therapy   MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Receptors, Cholinergic * immunology   MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Clinical Trial, Phase II MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH

Despite the lower virulence of current SARS-CoV-2 variants and high rates of vaccinated and previously infected subjects, COVID-19 remains a persistent threat in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). This study evaluated the parameters of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody production in 120 KTRs. The production of neutralizing antibodies in KTRs, following booster vaccination with the mRNA vaccine BNT162b2, was significantly decreased and their decline was faster than in healthy subjects. Factors predisposing to the downregulation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies included age, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, and a full dose of mycophenolate mofetil. Neutralizing antibodies correlated with those targeting the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD), SARS-CoV-2 Spike trimmer, total SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein, as well as with antibodies to the deadly SARS-CoV-1 virus. No cross-reactivity was found with antibodies against seasonal coronaviruses. KTRs exhibited lower postvaccination production of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2; however, the specificity of their humoral response did not differ compared to healthy subjects.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * immunology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus immunology   MeSH
• Immunity, Humoral MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Antibodies, Neutralizing * blood   immunology   MeSH
• Transplant Recipients * MeSH
• Antibodies, Viral * blood   immunology   MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 * immunology   MeSH
• Immunization, Secondary MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Kidney Transplantation * adverse effects   MeSH
• BNT162 Vaccine immunology   administration & dosage   MeSH
• COVID-19 Vaccines immunology   administration & dosage   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

UNLABELLED: Methotrexate is used to manage moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Methotrexate acts by inhibiting the enzymes involved in nucleotide synthesis. Methotrexate polyglutamates (MTXPGs) have a higher potency to inhibit Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide transformylase (ATIC), and thymidylate synthase (TS), compared to naïve methotrexate. Among all the MTXPGs, methotrexate polyglutamate three (MTXPG-3) is a more potent inhibitor of DHFR, ATIC, and TS enzymes. MTXPG-3 is anticipated to allow therapeutic drug monitoring in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. We aim to study MTXPG-3 levels as a biomarker for both efficacy and adverse events among psoriatic patients treated with methotrexate monotherapy. We used the LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometry) system for measuring erythrocyte MTXPG-3. We recruited 106 patients with psoriasis who were treated with methotrexate. Sixty-one of them had psoriatic arthritis (concomitant or in the past). The mean age was 45.08 ± 13.04 years. After twenty-four weeks of methotrexate treatment, 73(69%) were responders, and 33(31%) were non-responders. Thirty-nine (36%) experienced adverse effects, and 67(64%) did not experience any adverse effects. We observed a significant positive correlation between erythrocyte MTXPG-3 and methotrexate dose per week at weeks 12 and 16 but not at week 24. Erythrocyte MTXPG-3 did not correlate with response or adverse effects. It can be used as a marker of compliance. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12291-024-01269-x.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The small-molecule alkaloid halofuginone (HF) is obtained from febrifugine. Recent studies on HF have aroused widespread attention owing to its universal range of noteworthy biological activities and therapeutic functions, which range from parasite infections and fibrosis to autoimmune diseases. In particular, HF is believed to play an excellent anticancer role by suppressing the proliferation, adhesion, metastasis, and invasion of cancers. This review supports the goal of demonstrating various anticancer effects and molecular mechanisms of HF. In the studies covered in this review, the anticancer molecular mechanisms of HF mainly included transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad-3/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), serine/threonine kinase proteins (Akt)/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1(mTORC1)/wingless/integrated (Wnt)/β-catenin, the exosomal microRNA-31 (miR-31)/histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) signaling pathway, and the interaction of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and immune cells. Notably, HF, as a novel type of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent inhibitor that is often combined with prolyl transfer RNA synthetase (ProRS) and amino acid starvation therapy (AAS) to suppress the formation of ribosome, further exerts a significant effect on the tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, the combination of HF with other drugs or therapies obtained universal attention. Our results showed that HF has significant potential for clinical cancer treatment.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

ALDH7A1 deficiency is an epileptic encephalopathy whose seizures respond to treatment with supraphysiological doses of pyridoxine. It arises as a result of damaging variants in ALDH7A1, a gene in the lysine catabolism pathway. α-Aminoadipic semialdehyde (α-AASA) and Δ1-piperideine-6-carboxylate (P6C), which accumulate because of the block in the lysine pathway, are diagnostic biomarkers for this disorder. Recently, it has been reported that 6-oxo-pipecolic acid (6-oxo-PIP) also accumulates in the urine, CSF and plasma of ALDH7A1-deficient individuals and that, given its improved stability, it may be a more suitable biomarker for this disorder. This study measured 6-oxo-PIP in urine from a cohort of 30 patients where α-AASA was elevated and showed that it was above the normal range in all those above 6 months of age. However, 6-oxo-PIP levels were within the normal range in 33% of the patients below 6 months of age. Levels increased with age and correlated with a decrease in α-AASA levels. Longitudinal analysis of urine samples from ALDH7A1-deficient patients who were on a lysine restricted diet whilst receiving supraphysiological doses of pyridoxine showed that levels of 6-oxo-PIP remained elevated whilst α-AASA decreased. Similar to α-AASA, we found that elevated urinary excretion of 6-oxo-PIP can also occur in individuals with molybdenum cofactor deficiency. This study demonstrates that urinary 6-oxo-PIP may not be a suitable biomarker for ALDH7A1 deficiency in neonates. However, further studies are needed to understand the biochemistry leading to its accumulation and its potential long-term side effects.

• MeSH
• Aldehyde Dehydrogenase deficiency   genetics   MeSH
• Biomarkers * urine   MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Epilepsy urine   MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• 2-Aminoadipic Acid urine   analogs & derivatives   MeSH
• Pipecolic Acids * urine   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lysine deficiency   urine   MeSH
• Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial deficiency   genetics   MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Pyridoxine deficiency   urine   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH

Terapie bispecifickými protilátkami se v hematoonkologii dostává do popředí zájmu, a to zejména u B lymfoproliferací. Jedná se o léčbu využívající imunitní systém pacienta k eliminaci nádorových buněk. Epkoritamab je podkožně podávaná anti-CD20/CD3 bispecifická protilátka, která prokázala významnou účinnost v léčbě relabujících nemocných s difuzním velkobuněčným B lymfomem po selhání dvou a více linií léčby. Na základě výsledků registrační studie fáze 1b/2 EPCORE NHL-1 byla prokázána léčebná odpověď u 63,1 % pacientů, z toho 38,9 % dosáhlo kompletní remise. Medián doby do dosažení kompletní remise byl 2,7 měsíce. Medián doby do progrese onemocnění byl 4,4 měsíce. Toxicita léku je přijatelná, dobře predikovatelná a při dodržení preventivních opatření není při podávání léku problémem. Epkoritamab je podáván do progrese nemoci a/nebo toxicity. Epkoritamab je aktuálně registrován v USA a EU, v rámci České republiky je očekávána úhrada pro nemocné po dvou a více předchozích liniích léčby na přelomu roku 2024/2025. Do budoucna bude zajímavé sledovat, zda se lék posune do časnějších linií léčby difuzního velkobuněčného B lymfomu nemocných - je nutno vyčkat výsledků klinických studií, které v této oblasti probíhají, a to i v celé řadě center v České republice. Zkušenosti, které jsme dosud nabyli s tímto lékem v rámci klinických studií, jsou velmi slibné.

Therapy with bispecific antibodies is gaining prominence in hemato-oncology, particularly in B-lymphoproliferative disorders. This treatment utilizes the patient’s immune system to eliminate cancer cells. Epcoritamab is a subcutaneously administered anti-CD20/CD3 bispecific antibody that has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating relapsed patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after the failure of two or more lines of therapy. Based on the results of the phase 1b/2 registration trial, EPCORE NHL-1, a therapeutic response was observed in 63.1% of patients, with 38.9% achieving complete remission. The median time to complete remission was 2.7 months. The median time to progression was 4.4 months. The drug’s toxicity is acceptable, well predictable, and, with proper preventive measures, is not a challenge during administration. Epcoritamab is administered until disease progression and/or toxicity. It is currently approved in the USA and the EU, and in the Czech Republic, reimbursement for patients after two or more prior lines of therapy is expected around the turn of the year 2024/2025. In the future, it will be interesting to see if the drug moves into earlier lines of treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients, though the results of ongoing clinical trials, including those at many centers in the Czech Republic, will need to be awaited. The experience we have gained so far with this drug in clinical trials is very promising.

Vitamin D je skupina steroidních hormonů. Většina v těle vzniká za pomoci UV záření ze slunce, ale je obsažen v různých potravinách, jako jsou oleje z mořských ryb apod. V těle je postupně hydroxylován na účinný metabolit v játrech a ledvinách. V krvi je transportován bílkovinou VDBP (vitamin D binding protein). Váže se v jádře buňky na receptor VDR (vitamin D Rreceptor). Na koncentraci vitaminu D má vliv mnoho faktorů jako zeměpisná poloha, sezóna (délka slunečního svitu), pigmentace kůže i množství tukové a svalové tkáně. Jeho nejznámější funkcí je regulace kalcio-fosfátového metabolizmu, avšak podílí se rovněž na regulaci buněčného cyklu, indukci apoptózy a také hraje roli v regulaci imunitního systému. Obecně lze říci, že jeho působení vede spíše k imunotoleranci. Nedostatek vitaminu D se v populaci projevuje stále častěji, dnes jím trpí až téměř 50 % evropské populace. Deficience se spojuje s vyšší agresivitou nádorů vč. Nehodgkinových lymfomů a je prokázáno, že pacienti s vyššími hladinami vitaminu D vykazují lepší celkové přežití i dobu do progrese. Nabízí se tedy otázka, zda by suplementace vitaminem D mohla příznivě ovlivnit prognózu pacienta s lymfomy. Výsledky publikovaných studií jsou v tomto ohledu dosud rozporuplné. Navzdory ne zcela jednoznačným výsledkům se uvádí, že suplementace by měla být zvážena u pacientů s insuficientními hladinami vitaminu D.

Vitamin D is a group of steroid hormones, produced with the help of UV radiation of the sun in the skin. It is also contained in various foods such as marine fish oils etc. In the body, it is subsequently transformed into its active form in the liver and kidneys. In the blood, it is transported by the VDBP (vitamin D binding protein). In the cell nucleus, it is bound to the VDR receptor (vitamin D receptor). The concentration of vitamin D in plasma is influenced by many factors: geographical latitude, season (length of sunshine), skin pigmentation, amount of fat, and muscle tissue. The best-known function of vitamin D is the regulation of calcium-phosphate metabolism, but it is involved in many processes such as the regulation of the cell cycle and the induction of apoptosis. It plays a role in the regulation of the immune system as well. Its immunomodulatory action is required for adequate anti-infectious and anti-tumoral immune response. It prevents an exaggerated inflammatory reaction and leads to immunotolerance. Deficiency has become more common in our population, affecting up to 50% of Europeans. Deficiency is also associated with a higher aggressiveness of tumours, including non-Hodgkin lymphomas. It has been shown that higher levels of vitamin D are associated with better overall survival and time to progression. The question is, whether vitamin D supplementation could impact and improve prognosis. Despite the ambiguous results of published studies, vitamin D supplementation should be considered in patients with diagnosed deficiency.

Chronická zápalová demyelinizačná polyneuropatia (CIDP) je získaná, imunitne sprostredkovaná neuropatia, spôsobená zápalom periférnych nervov a nervových koreňov. Jedná sa o najčastejšiu chronickú autoimunitnú polyneuropatiu, ktorá je stále poddiagnostikovaným ochorením. Ak sa dlhodobo nelieči alebo je liečená nesprávne, môže viesť k závažnému zneschopneniu s narušením jemnej motoriky, chôdze a celkovej mobility pacienta. CIDP býva asociovaná s viacerými ochoreniami ako sú diabetes mellitus, monoklonálne gamapatie, infekcia HIV, malignity či viaceré systémové ochorenia. V poslednej dobe pribúda referencií, že prevalencia CIDP má tendenciu byť vyššia u diabetikov, najmä u pacientov vo vyššom veku. Diagnostika CIDP u pacienta s diabetom je náročná, pretože superponované axonálne poškodenie pri možnej diabetickej neuropatii môže zakryť typické demyelinizačné elektrofyziologické nálezy. Na druhej strane diabetická polyneuropatia môže spôsobiť zvýšenie hladiny proteínov v likvore. Vo vysvetlení asociácie týchto dvoch ochorení existuje stále viacero kontroverzií. Stále nemáme adekvátny diagnostický nástroj pre jasné definovanie CIDP u diabetika. Výzvou pre neurológov je práve identifikácia potenciálnych biomarkerov CIDP u diabetického pacienta, pretože CIDP je liečiteľné ochorenie.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired, immune-mediated neuropathy caused by inflammation of peripheral nerves and nerve roots. It is the most common chronic autoimmune polyneuropathy, which is still considered underdiagnosed. If it remains untreated or improperly treated for a long time, it can lead to severe disability with impairment of the patient‘s fine motor skills, walking, and general mobility. CIDP may be associated with several diseases such as diabetes mellitus, monoclonal gammopathy, HIV infection, malignancies, or several systemic diseases. Recently, there have been several references that the prevalence of CIDP tends to be higher in diabetics, especially in older patients. Diagnosing CIDP in a patient with diabetes is challenging, because superimposed axonal damage in possible diabetic neuropathy can obscure typical demyelinating electrophysiological findings. On the other hand, diabetic polyneuropathy can cause elevated protein in cerebrospinal fluid. There are still many controversies in explaining the association of these two diseases. We still do not have an adequate diagnostic tool to clearly define CIDP in diabetic patients. The identifying a potential biomarkers of CIDP in diabetic patients is a challenge for neurologists, as CIDP is a treatable disease.