Malignant and cardiovascular disorders are the top causes of mortality worldwide. This article reviews the main literature data and mechanisms linking hematologic malignancies and arterial stiffness, focusing on recent experimental and clinical results. Several links were found in hematologic malignancies between complete blood count and arterial stiffness. Chemotherapy, especially anthracyclines, cyclophosphamide and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, as well as radiotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are the main known causes of arterial stiffness increase in hematologic malignancies. The mechanisms of arterial stiffness elevation in hematologic malignancies include an increased oxidative stress, impaired vascular wall homeostasis, endothelial dysfunction and apoptosis of endothelial cells, overexpression of inflammatory cytokines, accelerated atherosclerosis, increased blood viscosity and unstable platelet aggregates. Guidelines regarding cardiovascular health screening and cardiovascular risk scores are necessary for hematologic cancer survivors in order to improve prognosis and quality of life of the patients.

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Healthy subjects with higher PWV may benefit from consistent aerobic exercise training to improve arterial stiffness. Our eating behavior study shows that healthy eating may improve vascular function and therefore can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

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The present available data on the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes (EC) is inconsistent and contradicting. Even though EC is considered a healthier alternative to the traditional cigarettes, several studies reported a large range of toxic compounds. The objective of this study is to determine whether the mercury found in the solutions used for electronic cigarettes is involved in the initiation and aggravation of endothelial dysfunction found in smoking persons with coronary artery disease (CAD). Endothelial function was evaluated by performing organ bath studies of vascular rings from patients with CAD, and was determined as a response to cumulative doses of endothelial-dependent/independent vasodilators, in the presence of Hg2+. Hg2+ extraction was realised using ion exchanging resin PUROLITE S920 from the liquid solution used in EC. The results of this study suggests that Hg2+ may be responsible for the aggravation of the endothelial dysfunction found in smoker of EC patients with CAD.

e19065 Background: G-CSF is used in patients at significant risk for developing severe neutropenia (neutrophil count < 0.5 × 109/L or grade 4 neutropenia) following myelosuppresive chemotherapy. GX-G3, human G-CSF fused to hyFc is a proposed alternative to Neulasta. Methods: An open-label, randomized, phase II study was designed to compare the effects of subcutaneous (SC) injection of GX-G3 (a long-acting G-CSF) at doses of 150, 250 and 350 μg/kg with Neulasta 6 mg administered SC in patients receiving R-CHOP for advanced NHL (n = 65). The primary objective was to assess the duration of severe neutropenia after 1st cycle of chemotherapy with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (R-CHOP). The following parameters were also assessed: duration of severe neutropenia after 2nd cycle of chemotherapy, optimal time for GX-G3 intervention (two GX-G3 250 μg/kg cohorts; administered 24 and 72 hours after R-CHOP), incidence of severe neutropenia and febrile neutropenia post R-CHOP, pharmacokinetics, and safety. Patients were randomly assigned to receive GX-G3 or reference drug, Neulasta, one dose after 1st and 2nd cycle of R-CHOP for a total of 2 doses. Results: The mean duration of severe neutropenia after 1st cycle was shortest in GX-G3 350 μg/kg group [GX-G3 150, 250 (24h, 72h), 350 μg/kg and Neulasta®; 3.2, 2.3, 2.0, 1.3 and 2.4 days, respectively]. The results of all GX-G3 groups and Neulasta were not significantly different for duration of severe neutropenia after 2nd cycle of R-CHOP, incidence of severe neutropenia and febrile neutropenia, or toxicity profile. The elimination half-life of GX-G3 and Neulasta ranged from 29.8 to 66 hours and 19.2 to 76.8 hours, respectively. Conclusions: GX-G3, in all tested dosage regimen, was safe and well tolerated in this patient population. A single injection of GX-G3 per chemotherapy cycle provided neutrophil support with safety and efficacy similar to that provided by Neulasta. GX-G3 administration after 24 hours, compared to 72 hours post R-CHOP treatment resulted in relatively shorter duration of severe neutropenia. Clinical trial information: 2015-002693-20.

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