We conducted a retrospective analysis of 50 lymphoma patients (Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) who had an 18 F-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan after at least two cycles of salvage chemotherapy and before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) at our institution. The patients were categorized into FDG-PET negative (N ¼ 32) and positive (N ¼ 18) groups. The median follow-up after ASCT was 19 months (range: 3-59). In the FDG-PET-negative group, the median progressionfree survival (PFS) was 19 months (range: 2-59) with 15 (54%) patients without progression at 12 months after ASCT. The median overall survival (OS) for this group was not reached. In the FDG-PET-positive group, the median PFS was 5 months (range: 1-19) with only one (7%) patient without progression at 12 months after ASCT. The median OS was 19 months (range: 1-34). In the FDG-PET-negative group, chemotherapy-resistant patients by CT-based criteria had a comparable outcome to those with chemotherapy-sensitive disease. A positive FDG-PET scan after salvage chemotherapy and prior ASCT indicates an extremely poor chance of durable response after ASCT.

To evaluate the sensitivity of 18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. A total of 32 patients with a histological diagnosis of extra-nodal MALT lymphoma were referred to the PET Centers in the last 2 years (2003 - 2004) and scanned with 18F-FDG-PET following standard procedures. Overall, the results of 50 18F-FDG-PET scans performed in either active disease state or in complete remission were reviewed. Sites of primary disease included stomach, lung, parotid, skin, orbit, mandible, esophagus and uterus. This study retrospectively enrolled 26 patients with known active disease. 18F-FDG-PET was true positive (TP) in 21/26 patients and false negative (FN) in 5/26. Sensitivity of 18F FDG-PET for extra-nodal MALT was 81%. The data show that 18FDG-PET is a useful diagnostic tool in order to stage, restage or monitor disease in patients with extra-nodal MALT lymphoma.

The results of this analysis demonstrate that measurement of WBMB may prove to be superior to the existing methods in assessing and managing patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This index may be the best way to monitor the changes in WBMB as a patient is undergoing treatment.

Bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy (BIPN) often is difficult to manage or reverse once it occurs. Treatment usually involves dose-reduction, interruption, or cessation of therapy, as no other interventions have been proven effective. Oncology nurses must be vigilant and recognize BIPN early to prevent patients from experiencing symptoms and complications that may interfere with their quality of life.

Background Circulating plasma cells (PCs) have been identified as a prognostic factor in patients with myeloma precursor states (MGUS and SMM) and active multiple myeloma (MM). Enumeration of circulating PCs by available methods is not suitable for widespread use and does not provide molecular characterization. We developed and evaluated a novel method for enumeration and molecular characterization of circulating PCs (circulating multiple myeloma cells, “CMMC”), based on the CELLSEARCH® System (Janssen Diagnostics LLC, Raritan, NJ), an automated technology for the capture, enumeration and characterization of rare cells in the peripheral blood. Methods We are performing a prospective study of patients with MGUS and SMM to evaluate CMMCs as biomarker for progression to active MM. Utilizing the CELLSEARCH® System CMMCs were captured by CD138 ferrofluid magnetic particles and identification was defined as CD38+ and CD19-, CD45-. Nonviable cells were excluded by DAPI. Isolated CMMCs were stored and FISH for t(4:14), t(14;16) and del17 was performed. Results We have enrolled 16 patients, MGUS = 3, SMM = 11, and newly diagnosed MM = 2. The Mayo Risk stratification for MGUS patients was: low risk = 2, low-intermediate = 1. All SMM patients were low risk by Mayo Model incorporating serum free light chains. The median number of bone marrow plasma cells for MGUS patients was 7 (range 7-9) and for SMM patients was 15 (range 10-40). The median CMMCs for MGUS = 6 (range 2-55), median CMMCs for SMM = 31 (5-1918). The two patients with NDMM had 5870 and 5 CMMCs, respectively. A single patient with SMM progressed with a symptomatic solitary lumbar plasmacytoma and had CMMCs of 5 and 3 at baseline and progression, respectively. Abnormalities by FISH were detected in both bone marrow and CMMCs. Accrual is ongoing and additional data will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions The CELLSEARCH® CMMC assay can detect, quantify and provide molecular characterization of circulating PCs in MGUS/SMM/MM; longer prospective follow-up is needed to test the prognostic value of CMMCs. Disclosures Weiss: Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Sasser:Janssen: Employment. Rao:Janssen: Employment, Equity Ownership. Foulk:Janssen: Employment. Gross:Johnson & Johnson: Employment, Equity Ownership. Cohen:Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Vogl:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Millennium/Takeda: Research Funding; GSK: Research Funding; Acetylon: Research Funding. Stadtmauer:Janssen: Consultancy.