New insights into neuropeptides regulation of immune system and hemopoiesis: effects on hematologic malignancies

: Several neurotransmitters and neuropeptides were reported to join to or to cooperate with different cells of the immune system, bone marrow, and peripheral cells and numerous data support that neuroactive molecules might control immune system activity and hemopoiesis operating on lymphoid organs, and the primary hematopoietic unit, the hematopoietic niche. Furthermore, many compounds seem to be able to take part to the leukemogenesis and lymphomagenesis process, and in the onset of multiple myeloma. In this review, we will assess the possibility that neurotransmitters and neuropeptides may have a role in the onset of haematological neoplasms, may affect the response to treatment or may represent a useful starting point for a new therapeutic approach. More in vivo investigations are needed to evaluate neuropeptide’s role in haematological malignancies and the possible utilization as an antitumor therapeutic target. Comprehending the effect of the pharmacological administration of neuropeptide modulators on hematologic malignancies opens up new possibilities in curing clonal hematologic diseases to achieve more satisfactory outcomes.

Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Secondary to Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells: A New Therapeutic Targeting of Haematological Malignancies

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a set of immature myeloid lineage cells that include macrophages, granulocytes, and dendritic cell precursors. This subpopulation has been described in relation to the tumour processes at different levels, including resistance to immunotherapy, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Currently, multiple studies at the preclinical and clinical levels seek to use this cell population for the treatment of different haematological neoplasms, together with ICIs. This review addresses the different points in ongoing studies of MDSCs and ICIs in haematological malignancies and their future significance in routine clinical practice.

Multicenter Study of the Seroprevalence of Antibodies against Covid-19 in Patients with Lymphoma: An Analysis of the Oncological Group for the Treatment and Study of Lymphomas (Gotel)

The new Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) coronavirus has generated a pandemic, in which there are population groups at higher risk and who are potentially fatal victims of the disease. Cancer patients have been considered a group with special susceptibility, particularly patients with lung tumour involvement and haematological neoplasms. The Spanish Lymphoma Oncology Group (GOTEL) carried out a multicenter study of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in patients with lymphoma. Results: A total of 150 patients were included between 22 May and 11 June 2020. The mean age was 65 years (range 17–89), 70 women (46.5%) and 80 men (53, 5%). At the time of diagnosis of lymphoma, 13 cases were stage I (9%), 27 (18%) stage II, 37 (24.5%) stage III, and 73 (48.5%) stage IV, while 6.6% had a primary extranodal origin. A total of 10 cases with positive serology for SARS-CoV-2 were identified, which is a prevalence of 6% in this population. None of the patients required intensive care unit management and all fully recovered from the infection. Conclusion: IgG antibody seroprevalence in lymphoma patients appears similar to that of the general population and does not show greater aggressiveness.

Histopathological Profile of Non-Haematological Paediatric Neoplasms in Hadoti Region of Rajasthan

BACKGROUND Malignancy is a major cause of childhood death in developed countries. In developing countries like India, paediatric tumours are rising day by day. Proper management of paediatric tumours needs epidemiological data in various geographical areas. The present study was carried out to classify and find out the histopathological profile of solid tumours of childhood and infancy in 0 - 14 years age group from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2017. METHODS We studied histopathology reports of 173 paediatric tumours over a period of 3 years. All the biopsy cases of solid neoplasms in the age group 0 - 14 years were included. RESULTS In our study of 173 paediatric tumours, 133 (76.87 %) were benign and 40 (23.12 %) were malignant. Maximum incidence of malignant paediatric tumours was seen in the age group of 0 - 14 years [12.13 % (21 out of 173)], with male to female ratio of (1:1.3). Amongst the benign tumours, vascular tumours were most common [27.74 % (48 of 173 cases)], with highest incidence of haemangioma [68.75 % (33 of 48 cases)]. Amongst the malignant tumours, most common were bone tumours [6.35 % (11 of 173 cases)] and amongst bone tumours, Ewing’s sarcoma accounted for 63.63 % cases (7 of 11 cases). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of paediatric neoplasms in Hadoti region of Rajasthan is 0.75 % and the majority (54.33 %) of neoplasms occurred in 10 - 14 yrs. age group. KEYWORDS Histopathology, Paediatric, Non-Haematological Neoplasms

B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia presenting with isolated soft tissue tumours: the non-myeloid sarcoma

Soft tissue leukaemic masses are a well-described clinical feature of myeloid haematological neoplasms. In paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), such soft tissue leukaemic sarcomas have not been reported as a presenting feature. Here we report a 3-year-old boy with ALL who presented to us with isolated soft tissue swellings for a duration of 9 months. The significance of these ‘non-myeloid’ sarcomas in paediatric ALL is uncertain.