The Changing Treatment Paradigm in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Implications for Nursing

Effect of multidisciplinary cooperative continuous nursing and psychological nursing on multiple myeloma with a peripherally inserted central catheter

Objective: This study was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of multidisciplinary cooperative continuous nursing combined with psychological nursing intervention in multiple myeloma (MM) patients undergoing peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). Methods: The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Anxiety Self-Assessment Scale (SAS), Depression Self-Assessment Scale (SDS) and Revised Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS-R), Self-Care Ability Scale (ESCA), Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (QLQ-C30), incidence of unplanned extubation of PICC, total incidence of catheter-related complications and satisfaction with nursing were compared between the two groups of patients in a prospective study. Results: Patients in the observation group had reduced NPRS, SAS, SDS and PFS-R scores, total incidence of unplanned extubation of PICC and the total incidence of catheter-related complications, and a higher nursing satisfaction rate in comparison to those in the control group. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary cooperative continuous nursing combined with psychological nursing interventions can relieve pain in MM patients.

[A description and consensus on the role of the professional in the integral management of the haematology patient: Results of a national multicentre Delphi study]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The Haematology Service has undergone significant advances in recent years. Given the vital part played by the nurse in the care of the haematology patient, ensuring optimal management by adapting their role to meet the current healthcare needs is a priority. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of agreement among professionals of the Haematology Service regarding the role of the nursing professional and their importance in the comprehensive management of these patients in a multidisciplinary work setting.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

A national multicentre Delphi study with haematology specialists and nursing professionals. A two-round questionnaire was used, and consensus was reached when > 75% of the panellists scored on the same tertile (1-3: disagreement, 7-9: agreement), and the interquartile range of the median of the responses was ≤4.

RESULTS

A total of 33 professionals from the Haematology Department were invited to participate, of whom 19 were haematology specialists and 14 were nursing professionals. In the first round, 25 panellists responded (14 haematology specialists and 11 nursing professionals), and in the second round, 22 panellists responded (12 haematology specialists and 10 nursing professionals). The panel of experts agreed that haematology nurses should have specific training in haematology (96%) and on the definition of the role of nursing in the care process of the haematology patient, except in the possible participation in decision-making with regard to the most appropriate oncological treatment for a patient (58%). The role of the nursing professional as a reference for the patient throughout the healthcare process and their involvement in the process at the time of diagnosis were agreed upon in the second round (72.7% and 68.2%). Their role in the control of nutritional status (100%), visit compliance (96%), and health education for the patient and the family (96%) were included in the highly agreed upon aspects. The panel considered the improvement of adherence to treatment (96%), and the role as consultant for specific care of the haematology patient within the hospital (96%) as important aspects. Together with health education and patient follow-up, a total of 88% of the panellists considered that the haematology nurse reduces patient visits to the emergency department as well as physical visits to the outpatient clinics of the health centre.

CONCLUSIONS

The current profile of the haematology nursing professional implies a high level of specialisation. The competencies of the haematology nursing professional are aimed at guaranteeing an integral management of these patients; with important healthcare functions, as well as a key element in the flow of information, and are framed within a multidisciplinary work setting.

Multiple Myeloma Genomics: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

This integrative review describes the genomic variants that have been found to be associated with poor prognosis in patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM). Second, it identifies MM genetic and genomic changes using next-generation sequencing, specifically whole-genome sequencing or exome sequencing.

DATA SOURCE

A search for peer-reviewed articles through PubMed, EBSCOhost, and DePaul WorldCat Libraries Worldwide yielded 33 articles that were included in the final analysis.

CONCLUSION

The most commonly reported genetic changes were KRAS, NRAS, TP53, FAM46C, BRAF, DIS3, ATM, and CCND1. These genetic changes play a role in the pathogenesis of MM, prognostication, and therapeutic targets for novel therapies.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

MM genetics and genomics are expanding rapidly; oncology nurse clinicians must have basic competencies in genetics and genomics to help patients understand the complexities of genetic and genomic alterations and be able to refer patients to appropriate genomic professionals if needed.

Trace determination of lenalidomide in plasma by non-extractive HPLC procedures with fluorescence detection after pre-column derivatization with fluorescamine

BACKGROUND

Lenalidomide (LND) is a new potent drug used for treatment of multiple myeloma. For its pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic monitoring, a proper analytical method was required.

RESULTS

In this study, a non extractive and simple pre-column derivatization procedures have been proposed, for the for trace determination of lenalidomide (LND) in human plasma by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Plasma samples were treated with acetonitrile for protein precipitation then treated with copper acetate to form stable complexes with the biogenic amines and mask their interference with the derivatization reaction of LND. Treated plasma samples containing LND was derivatized with fluorescamine (FLC) in aqueous media at ambient temperature. Separation of the derivatized LND was performed on Hypersil BDS C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm particle size) using a mobile phase consisting of phosphate buffer (pH 4):methanol: tetrahydrofuran (70:10:20, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The derivatized samples were monitored at an emission wavelength of 495 nm after excitation at a wavelength of 382 nm. Under the optimum chromatographic conditions, a linear relationship with good correlation coefficient (r = 0.9997, n = 9) was found between the peak area and LND concentrations in the range of 2-100 ng/mL. The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.8 and 2.30 ng/mL, respectively. The intra- and inter-assay precisions were satisfactory and the accuracy of the method was proved. The recovery of LND from the spiked human plasma was 99.30 ± 2.88.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed method had high throughput as the analysis involved simple sample pre-treatment procedure and a relatively short run-time (< 15 min). The results demonstrated that the method would have a great value when it is applied in the therapeutic monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies for LND.

Synthesis of hapten and preparation of specific polyclonal antibody with high affinity for lenalidomide, the potent drug for treatment of multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND

For therapeutic monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies of lenalidomide (LND), the potent drug for treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), a specific antibody was required for the development of a sensitive immunoassay system for the accurate determination of LND in plasma.

RESULTS

In this study, a hapten of LND (N-glutaryl-LND) was synthesized by introducing the glutaryl moiety, as a spacer, into the primary aromatic amine site of the LND molecular structure. The structure of the hapten (G-LND) was confirmed by mass, 1H-NMR, and 13C spectrometric techniques. G-LND was coupled to each of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) proteins by ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide as a coupling reagent. LND-KLH conjugate was used as an immunogen. Four female 2-3 months old New Zealand white rabbits were immunized with an emulsion of LND-KLH with Freund`s adjuvant. The immune response of the rabbits was monitored by direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using LND-BSA immobilized onto microwell plates as a solid phase. The rabbit that showed the highest antibody titer and affinity to LND was scarified and its sera were collected. The IgG fraction was isolated and purified by affinity chromatography on protein A column. The specificity of the purified antibody for LND was evaluated by indirect competitive ELISA using dexamethasone as a competitor as it is used with LND in a combination therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The high affinity of the antibody (IC50 = 10 ng/mL) will be useful in the development of an immunoassay system for the determination of plasma LND concentrations. Current research is going to optimize the assay conditions and validate the procedures for the routine application in clinical laboratories.

Maintaining bone health in patients with multiple myeloma: survivorship care plan of the International Myeloma Foundation Nurse Leadership Board

About 90% of individuals with multiple myeloma will develop osteolytic bone lesions from increased osteoclastic and decreased osteoblastic activity. Severe morbidities from pathologic fractures and other skeletal events can lead to poor circulation, blood clots, muscle wasting, compromised performance status, and overall poor survival. Supportive care targeting bone disease is an essential adjunct to antimyeloma therapy. In addition, the maintenance of bone health in patients with multiple myeloma can significantly improve quality of life. Oncology nurses and other healthcare providers play a central role in the management of bone disease and maintenance throughout the course of treatment. Safe administration of bisphosphonates, promotion of exercise, maintenance of adequate nutrition, vitamin and mineral supplementation, scheduled radiographic examinations, and monitoring of bone complications are among the important functions that oncology nurses and healthcare providers perform in clinical practice.

Lenalidomide: A New Agent for Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Lenalidomide is a potent, novel thalidomide analog that has demonstrated promising clinical activity in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). It is a lead immunomodulatory drug currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and thromboembolic events are common adverse effects associated with lenalidomide therapy in patients with MM. Careful monitoring of those known serious adverse effects is essential to prevent life-threatening complications. This article discusses lenalidomide's mechanisms of action, clinical trial results, and the management of common adverse effects in patients with MM.

The role of high-dose chemotherapy supported by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma: implications for nursing

Multiple myeloma (MM), a neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells originating from the B-cell line, is associated with deleterious complications and poor outcomes. The failure of conventional combination chemotherapies to improve the overall survival of patients with MM has led to the use of high-dose chemotherapy supported by stem cell transplantation (SCT). Although several novel therapies have emerged since the late 1990s, their survival benefits are undetermined. High-dose chemotherapy with SCT provides better response rates compared to conventional chemotherapy and yields a trend toward greater survival benefits, especially with the use of a tandem (two successive) transplantation strategy. This article discusses standard SCT in patients with MM and some of the new transplantation strategies, including tandem autologous SCTs and reduced-intensity nonmyeloablative allogeneic SCT, and their implications for nursing.