Abdulkerim Yıldız

High-dose dexamethasone (HDD) is widely used as first-line therapy for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and is administered at a fixed dose regardless of body weight. The impact of body mass index (BMI) on treatment response to HDD remains unclear. This retrospective, two-center study included 60 adult patients with newly diagnosed ITP who received HDD as first-line therapy. Demographic characteristics, BMI, baseline laboratory values, and treatment responses at 1, 6, and 12 months were analyzed. BMI was evaluated using cut-off values of 25, 27, and 30. The median number of HDD cycles administered was 1 (range: 1–4), and the median BMI at diagnosis was 27.0 kg/m ² (range: 18.0–44.0). No significant differences were observed between BMI categories with regard to treatment responses at months 1 and 6 ( p > 0.05 for both). However, at month 12, a complete response (CR) was more likely in patients with BMI < 30, and a partial response (PR) in those with BMI ≥ 30 ( p = 0.023). Across all time points, no other demographic or clinical variable emerged as an independent predictor of treatment response ( p > 0.05). The results of this study indicate that in newly diagnosed ITP patients receiving HDD as first-line treatment, BMI does not influence early or durable treatment responses, although it may have a modest adverse effect on late response. Larger prospective studies are needed to clarify underlying mechanisms and assess whether obesity-related factors should inform individualized treatment.

Transfusion medicine has made significant advances in safety in recent years, driven by scientific and technological advances. Despite these advances, blood transfusion remains a treatment modality with significant risks. This review evaluates current standards and future perspectives in transfusion safety, including donor selection, laboratory screening, hemovigilance systems, and emerging technologies. The review concludes that while transfusion medicine is safer than ever, complete safety has not yet been achieved. To achieve optimal transfusion safety in the future, continuous surveillance, global standardization, integration of advanced technologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential.

Background/Objectives: Eltrombopag, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, is widely used in the treatment of relapsed or refractory (R/R) immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). This study aimed to compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of generic eltrombopag (Rompag^®) with original eltrombopag (Revolade^®) in adult patients with R/R ITP. Methods: In this prospective, multicenter study conducted at 10 centers, 104 adult ITP patients were followed for at least 3 months. A total of 35 (33.7%) patients received Rompag^® and 69 (66.3%) received Revolade^®. The primary endpoint was platelet (PLT) response, defined as achieving a PLT count ≥50 × 10⁹/L and at least a twofold increase from baseline, without the need for rescue therapy or transfusion. Secondary endpoints included bleeding rates, fatigue-related quality of life, adverse events (AEs), and rescue therapy requirements. Results: PLT response was achieved in 94.2% of patients in the Revolade^® group and 85.7% in the Rompag^® group (p = 0.16). Bleeding rates decreased significantly in both groups (Revolade^®: 56.5% to 2.9%, p < 0.001; Rompag^®: 62.9% to 2.9%, p < 0.001). Although overall AE rates were similar (30.4% in the Revolade^® group and 42.9% in the Rompag^® group; p = 0.22), arthralgia (28.6% vs. 7.2%, p = 0.01) and vomiting (11.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.008) were more frequent with Rompag^®. Conclusions: Both generic and original eltrombopag demonstrated no statistically significant difference in efficacy in achieving PLT response, reducing bleeding, and improving fatigue-related quality of life in adult patients with R/R ITP. Although minor differences in AE profiles were observed, particularly arthralgia and vomiting, both formulations showed acceptable safety and tolerability.

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (pITP) is an acquired bleeding disorder related with mainly decreased number of platelets due to destruction or impaired production of platelets. Clinical presentation of pITP can be multifaceted, and thrombotic events may rarely manifest. Thrombosis can develop with treatment or during the untreated period. The primary objective of the study was to examine the frequency of arterial thromboembolism (ATE) in patients with pITP. We also aimed to evaluate the risk factors in these patients and the effect of ITP treatments on ATE. The study was designed as a retrospective, multicenter, conducted under the Turkish Society of Hematology's Scientific Subcommittee on Hemostasis-Thrombosis. Patients over the age of 18 with pITP and who subsequently developed ATE while undergoing follow-up for pITP were evaluated. A total of 2,178 patients with pITP were screened, and 37 patients (1.7%) were observed to have ATE. The mean age was 62 years. Fifteen (40.5%) of the patients who developed ATE were not receiving pITP treatment at the time of thromboembolism. The patients receiving pITP treatment at the time of ATE, 9 patients (24.3%) were receiving eltrombopag and 10 patients (27%) were receiving corticosteroids. Compared to patients who did not develop ATE, multivariate analysis revealed that presence of hypertension, comorbidity, and the history of venous thromboembolism statistically significantly increased the risk of developing ATE (p: 0.008, 0.018, 0.038). It should be noted that the risk of ATE may increase in pITP patients both during and without treatment. It is important to inquire thoroughly about the presence of comorbidities, atherosclerotic risk factors, hypertension and history of thrombosis in patients at the initiation of treatment. Correctable risk factors should be addressed to minimize the number of risk factors present. The treatment of pITP shall be individualized and incorporate age-related disorders.

Objective: Blood product transfusion is one of the most commonly used medical interventions worldwide. However, transfusion-related adverse events (TRAEs) can cause morbidity and rarely even mortality. For this reason, hemovigilance studies have recently gained importance in terms of safe and effective implementation of transfusion. Material and Method: Transfusion practices issued in the period of 2016-2023 were analyzed retrospectively. All TRAE including adverse reactions (AR) and adverse events (AE) were recorded. The impact of hemovigilance practices on the incidence of TRAE was analyzed by comparing the numbers and types of events between years. Results: In the 8-year period between 2016 and 2023, a total of 135,506 blood products belonging to 45,571 patients were used. 172 adverse reactions (AR) were reported in 170 patients. The overall AR incidence was found to be 126.8 (/100000). The highest yearly AR rate was reported in 2018 with 168.04 (/100000). Since hemovigilance measures were tightened, a statistically significant decrease was recorded in ARs from the beginning of 2020 to date (p

Background and Aim: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) incidence has recently increased in younger individuals. With time, given the nature of the disease and available therapies, as well as the existing paucity and inconsistency of advice, worries about fertility have surfaced. With all these clear unknowns, we designed this study to raise awareness among both physicians and CML patients about whether male and female patients of childbearing age were using contraception at the time of diagnosis, and if so, which methods they were using. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the contraception methods in patients with CML. Materials and Methods: Eighteen centres from Turkey participated in the study. Male and female patients of childbearing age diagnosed with chronic and accelerated phase CML between the years 2000 and 2024 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Of the two hundred and thirty-two patients included, one hundred and twenty-five (53.9%) of these patients were female and 107 (46.1%) were male. At diagnosis, all female patients were in the childbearing age, and male patients were sexually active. The median age at diagnosis of the patients was 38 (range, 18–77) years. Eighty-six (68.8%) female patients were using any contraception method, while this was 53.2% (n = 57) among male patients. Conclusion: In conclusion, since CML patients are diagnosed at an earlier age and the desire of these patients to have children, adequate information and evaluation should be provided regarding fertility and contraception issues, especially in female patients, from the moment of diagnosis.

Background Non-hemolytic acute transfusion reactions (ATRs) are generally not fatal, but they can cause serious increases in workload and costs as a result of blood product wastage. Methods A retrospective analysis was made of the data of the 7-year period between January 2016 and December 2022 to identify the possible associations between patient and product characteristics and the development of ATRs. Results A total of 113,666 blood products were transfused during the study period. There were 146 ATRs with an estimated rate of 1.28 per 1000 blood products administered. The most common ATR was mild allergic reactions (n = 84, 57.6%). No statistically significant relationship was found in blood group distribution between patients who had and did not develop ATR (p = 0.797). Febrile Non-hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (FNHTR) was more common in patients receiving erythrocyte suspension (ES) transfusion, and Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) was mostly used in those with mild allergic reactions (p < 0.001). Patient age was determined as > 60 years in those who developed FNHTR or 'others,' and < 60 years in patients with mild allergic reactions (p = 0.046). Conclusion The results of the current study demonstrated that regardless of blood group, the probability of developing FNHTR is high when ES is transfused in elderly patients, and the probability of developing mild allergic reaction is high when FFP is used. While recognizing that ATRs are difficult to prevent, it can be emphasized that prediction and management may become easier if clinicians keep these possibilities in mind when making transfusion decisions.

Objective: The discovery of imatinib was a milestone for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). As the life expectancy of CML patients has approached that of the general population, research has shifted towards improving quality of life and economic considerations. After 2010, it was shown that some patients could maintain molecular response even after discontinuing imatinib. This national multicenter prospective cohort study aimed to observe the long-term consequences of discontinuing imatinib therapy in adult chronic-phase CML patients. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 41 CML patients from 4 different centers in this non-randomized single-arm trial. Molecular responses of all patients were re-evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction at a single center. The median follow-up time after imatinib discontinuation was 48 months (minimum-maximum: 6-81 months). Results: The rate of molecular relapse-free survival at 48 months was 33.2% (confidence interval: 48.2-18.2). Twenty-seven of 41 patients lost their major molecular response, treatment was started again, and deep molecular response was re-achieved with imatinib in all cases. There was no significant relationship between molecular relapse and clinical factors such as duration of treatment or molecular response status. Discontinuing imatinib resulted in savings of approximately 4,392,000 Turkish lira or 245,150 US dollars. Conclusion: Tyrosine kinase inhibitor discontinuation with close molecular monitoring is a safe option and provides important national economic benefits for chronic phase CML patients. This approach should be considered for all eligible patients. This is the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor discontinuation study from Turkiye.

Objective: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening disorder characterized by a hyperimmune response. Although HLH is well described in the pediatric population, less is known about the appropriate management in adults. Despite the inclusion of etoposide in HLH society protocols, some clinicians refrain from using it due to its cytotoxicity and potential adverse effects. Case: We report here the case of a 43-year-old male presenting with fever and pancytopenia, who was diagnosed with HLH following further evaluation. The patient immediately started the HLH-2004 initial protocol, which consisted of dexamethasone, etoposide, cyclosporine, and IVIG. Symptoms improved after 2 weeks of treatment. Subsequent bone marrow biopsy showed normal results, and the patient achieved complete remission, leading to the termination of treatment in the 12th week of the protocol. At 8 months post-treatment, the patient remained recurrence-free with normal hematological and biochemical test results. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of considering etoposide-containing regimens, particularly for medically fit patients.