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Inherited Platelet GPIV Deficiency: First Description of a Series of Unrelated Patients with Bleeding Diathesis.

GPIV (CD36) is a multifunctional membrane protein expressed on various cells, including platelets, where it plays a role in adhesion and activation through the interaction with its ligands, including collagen types I and III and thrombospondin 1. Inherited GPIV deficiency, historically recognized in anti-Naka alloimmunized East Asian donors, is considered asymptomatic and associated with normal platelet aggregation, although impaired adhesion under high-flow conditions has been reported. Here, we reconsider the molecular basis, epidemiology and functional consequences of GPIV deficiency and report four unrelated patients in whom heterozygous CD36 variants are associated with markedly reduced platelet GPIV expression and a clinically relevant mucocutaneous bleeding diathesis. Patients suffered lifelong bleeding symptoms despite normal light-transmission aggregometry and platelet granule content and release and displayed decreased GPIV expression. Three of them showed slightly decreased VWF. Platelet adhesion to Type I collagen was reduced at high shear. These cases suggest for the first time an association between CD36 gene variants and bleeding and underscore the importance of including GPIV in the diagnostic workup of inherited platelet disorders, particularly when conventional assays do not reveal abnormalities.

Humans

Preemptive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in RUNX1 familial platelet disorder: a shared decision-making framework.

RUNX1 familial platelet disorder (RUNX1-FPD) is associated with a 35-50% lifetime risk of hematologic malignancy (HM). Like all germline HM predisposition syndromes, RUNX1-FPD can only be cured with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Current genetic screening techniques allow for early detection of germline predisposition and, consequently, the opportunity for HSCT before overt development of HM (i.e., preemptive HSCT). However, there is as yet no consensus on the use of preemptive HSCT for RUNX1-FPD. Described here is the case of an individual with RUNX1-FPD and a family history of HM who underwent preemptive HSCT. We introduce a shared decision-making framework designed to support individuals with RUNX1-FPD, their families, and their multidisciplinary clinical teams in evaluating whether and when to pursue preemptive HSCT versus continued surveillance. The framework reviews key medical factors that influence the decisions regarding timing of HSCT, including germline and somatic variants, clonal changes over time, familial history of HM, early morphologic or hematologic features, impacts on bleeding-related quality of life, and donor availability. The framework also summarizes the major risks and uncertainties potentially associated with preemptive HSCT while highlighting the associated ethical challenges. Together, the case and framework provide a structured, patient-centered approach for navigating the complex clinical decision of preemptive HSCT. Ongoing collaborative efforts to define cytogenetic and clonal changes preceding malignant transformation in RUNX1-FPD will refine the framework and bolster individualized treatment strategies aimed at preventing HM and improving the quality of life of individuals with RUNX1-FPD.

Humans

Inherited Predisposition to Increased Systemic Inflammation Predicts a Broad Class of Disease Phenotypes.

Chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation is a polygenic trait captured with the INFLA-score, a composite of C-reactive protein, platelet count, leukocyte count, and granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio. We derived a polygenic risk score from the INFLA-score (iPRS) in a multi-ancestry population from the UK Biobank (n=421,368), then evaluated and used it in a phenome-wide association study among participants in the All of Us Research Program (AoU). The multi-ancestry iPRS was tested for association with the INFLA-score in AoU (N=4,833 with biomarker data) via linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, and genetically-determined principal components (PCs) and with 2,821 phecodeX-defined phenotypes in AoU (N=265,068) via logistic regression, adjusting for sex, age, EHR length, race, ethnicity and PCs. The iPRS predicted the INFLA-score (R-squared=0.026, beta=0.980, p<2x10-16) and was associated with 47 phenotypes (Bonferroni-corrected p<0.05). The strongest associations were with blood-related phenotypes: elevated white blood cell count (OR=1.19, p=3.85x10-66), thrombocytopenia (OR=0.86, p=5.70x10-44), platelet defects (OR=0.86, p=2.47x10-43), neutropenia (OR= 0.86, p=5.52x10-18), myeloproliferative disorder (OR= 1.2, p=2.77x10-15). Others included celiac disease (OR=0.713, p=2.98x10-46), ankylosing spondylitis (OR=1.4, p=1.33 x 10-17), hypertension (OR=1.04, p=4.56x10-15), rheumatoid arthritis (OR=1.09, p=1.02x10-13), hematuria (OR=1.05, p=1.96x10-10). Removing major-histocompatibility-complex SNPs abolished associations with known autoimmune diseases, while all other associations remained. We replicated 17 (42.5%) of 40 significant phenotypes available in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center's BioVU. Our findings demonstrate that systemic inflammation can be predicted using the iPRS across multiple ancestries, and the iPRS is associated with numerous clinical endpoints. This multi-ancestry iPRS may have future utility in stratifying risk for inflammation-driven conditions across diverse populations.

Journal Article

Circulating miRNAs and inflammatory markers - Associations between miRNAs and cytokine levels point to miRNA-mediated sCD40L release from platelets.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are gaining increasing attention, particularly because of their involvement in immune-related signaling pathways. We investigated the association between 179 plasma-circulating miRNAs (Plasma Focus microRNA PCR Panel) and 47 cytokines ("MILLIPLEX&#xae; panel) in 692 participants of the population-based SHIP-TREND cohort (age range 21-79) and two additional cohorts to present a comprehensive map of miRNA-cytokine relations. Multivariate linear regression models identified Bonferroni-corrected significant associations between miRNAs and cytokines for EGF (pro-epidermal growth factor), PDGF-AA, PDGF-AB/BB (platelet-derived growth factor subunit A and B), VEGF-A (vascular endothelia growth factor A), and sCD40L (soluble CD40 ligand) with sCD40L showing the most robust pattern. These models were adjusted for age, sex, platelet count, BMI, smoking, and technical parameters. In the follow-up sample (N&#xa0;=&#xa0;191, 7&#xa0;years after initial sampling), we confirmed that the observed associations were stable over time and replicated our findings in an independent clinical cohort (N&#xa0;=&#xa0;74). Furthermore, the causal mediation results provide evidence for the involvement of platelet activity in the regulation of sCD40L mediated by five miRNAs in the range of 25&#xa0;%-69&#xa0;% of the effect being mediated (strongest mediation for hsa-miR-223-3p). Our study highlights a strong and stable miRNA-mediated modulation of sCD40L, at the stage of platelet activation with potential subsequent effects on the interaction of immune cells and haemostasis pointing to a complex regulatory mechanism. Future research is needed to determine the clinical relevance of our observations in the context of vascular thrombosis, immunological disorders, and neurodegeneration.

Humans

Design of a modified platelet immunofluorescence test to assess platelet-reactive antibody burden and its association with platelet functional exhaustion and clinical features in chronic immune thrombocytopenia.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by platelet destruction and dysfunction associated with anti-platelet antibodies. This study evaluated the relationship between total anti-platelet antibody burden, measured using a modified platelet immunofluorescence test (PIFT), platelet functional responses and clinical features in chronic ITP. Thirty-one patients with chronic ITP and 20 healthy controls were included. Bleeding severity was assessed, and platelet function was analysed in peripheral blood by measuring P-selectin expression, PAC-1 binding (antibody against active conformation of GPIIb/IIIa)&#xa0;and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation at baseline and following agonist stimulation. Relative platelet-reactive antibody burden was assessed using a ratio-based PIFT assay. ITP patients demonstrated significantly higher antibody burden compared with controls. Increased platelet-reactive immunoglobulin G (IgG) signals were associated with reduced platelet responsiveness to agonist stimulation. Antibody burden correlated with bleeding severity (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.01) but not with platelet count. Non-responders exhibited significantly higher antibody levels than responders. receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated discrimination between responder groups at a PIFT cut-off &#x2265;3.85 (area under the curve [AUC] 0.877, sensitivity 80%; specificity 87%). Patients above this threshold showed attenuated platelet functional responses. Taken together, this study concluded that quantitative assessment of total antibody burden against platelets using modified PIFT is associated with platelet dysfunction, bleeding severity and treatment response status in chronic ITP.

Humans

Neutrophil extracellular traps induced by a monoclonal anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibody activate platelets in vitro.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune thrombotic disorder characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, including anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT). While neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of APS, the role of aPS/PT in NET induction and its contribution to thrombosis remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the effects of NETs induced by a monoclonal aPS/PT antibody on platelet activation and their potential contribution to thrombo-inflammatory responses. NETs were induced by stimulating peripheral blood neutrophils from healthy donors with aPS/PT. Their morphology and platelet-activating capacity were compared with NETs induced by anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs). Proteomic analyses were conducted to comprehensively compare protein compositions of these NETs, and candidate proteins associated with platelet activation in aPS/PT-induced NETs were identified. Functional inhibition assays were then conducted to assess whether blocking these candidates would suppress aPS/PT-induced NET-mediated platelet activation. We found that binding of aPS/PT to neutrophils induced NET formation, with a larger and more fibrous morphology compared to ANCA-induced NETs. Platelets trapped in aPS/PT-induced NETs showed significantly higher activation compared to those trapped in ANCA-induced NETs. Proteomic analyses identified histone H3 as a potential mediator of platelet activation in aPS/PT-induced NETs. Correspondingly, plasma concentrations of H3.1 nucleosome were significantly higher in patients with APS than in healthy controls. Blockade of histone H3 using a neutralizing antibody significantly suppressed platelet activation mediated by aPS/PT-induced NETs. These findings suggest that aPS/PT-induced NETs contribute to platelet activation and may promote thrombo-inflammatory responses in APS. Targeting histone H3 within aPS/PT-induced NETs may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for thrombo-inflammatory processes in APS.

Humans

Ivonescimab plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with advanced EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer after disease progression on EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy (HARMONi): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Ivonescimab has shown clinical efficacy in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ivonescimab plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC whose disease progressed after third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. METHODS: HARMONi is a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 3 trial done at 114 cancer centres and hospitals across Asia, Europe, and North America. Eligible patients were aged at least 18 years (upper limit: 75 years in Asia) with stage IIIB/IIIC or IV non-squamous EGFR-mutated NSCLC, disease progression after treatment with a third-generation EGFR-TKI, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0 or 1. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) via a centralised interactive voice response system or interactive web response system to receive ivonescimab (20 mg/kg) or placebo plus pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) and carboplatin (target area under the curve 5 mg/mL per min) intravenously every 3 weeks. Randomisation was stratified by brain metastases status at enrolment and geographical region. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival by blinded independent radiology review committee and overall survival in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in patients who received at least one dose of trial treatment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06396065), has completed enrolment, and is ongoing for treatment and follow-up. FINDINGS: From Jan 25, 2022, to Oct 1, 2024, 660 individuals were screened for eligibility; of these, 438 were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive ivonescimab plus chemotherapy or placebo plus chemotherapy (219 per group). Of enrolled patients, 257 (59%) were female and 181 (41%) were male; 306 (70%) reported race as Asian, and 105 (24%) as White. At a median follow-up of 22&#xb7;3 months (95% CI 21&#xb7;5-23&#xb7;0), 275 progression or death events had occurred in 345 patients (129 events among 172 patients in the ivonescimab plus chemotherapy group and 146 events among 173 patients in the placebo plus chemotherapy group). Median progression-free survival was 6&#xb7;8 months (95% CI 5&#xb7;7-7&#xb7;1) in the ivonescimab plus chemotherapy group versus 4&#xb7;4 months (4&#xb7;1-5&#xb7;5) in the placebo plus chemotherapy group (hazard ratio [HR] 0&#xb7;52; 95% CI 0&#xb7;41-0&#xb7;66; p<0&#xb7;0001). At a median follow-up of 29&#xb7;7 months (95% CI 27&#xb7;7-31&#xb7;0), 262 deaths occurred in 438 patients (122 in the ivonescimab plus chemotherapy group and 140 in the placebo plus chemotherapy group). Median overall survival was 16&#xb7;8 months (14&#xb7;3-19&#xb7;0) in the ivonescimab plus chemotherapy group versus 14&#xb7;0 months (12&#xb7;8-15&#xb7;7) in the placebo plus chemotherapy group (HR 0&#xb7;79; 0&#xb7;62-1&#xb7;01). The most common grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events in the ivonescimab plus chemotherapy versus the placebo plus chemotherapy group were decreased neutrophil count (42 [19%] of 218 vs 36 [17%] of 218), decreased white blood cell count (28 [13%] vs 24 [11%]), decreased platelet count (27 [12%] vs 14 [6%]), and anaemia (22 [10%] vs 27 [12%]). Serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in 61 (28%) patients in the ivonescimab plus chemotherapy group and 33 (15%) patients in the placebo plus chemotherapy group. Treatment-related adverse events led to death in four patients (disease progression, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and hepatic failure, each in one patient; gastrointestinal haemorrhage and pulmonary embolism in one patient) in the ivonescimab plus chemotherapy group and five patients (pneumonitis, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, cognitive disorder, and embolic stroke, each in one patient) in the placebo plus chemotherapy group. INTERPRETATION: Ivonescimab plus chemotherapy showed a clinically meaningful and statistically significant progression-free survival benefit in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC after progression on EGFR-TKI therapy. The clinical benefit and lack of new safety signals of ivonescimab with chemotherapy support the potential for the combination as a new treatment option in this patient population. FUNDING: Summit Therapeutics.

Humans

Differential gene expression study in whole blood identifies candidate genes for psychosis in African American individuals.

Genome-wide association has identified regions of the genome that mediate risk for psychosis. It is possible that variants in these regions confer risk by altering gene expression. This work has predominantly been conducted in individuals of European descent and has focused narrowly on schizophrenia rather than psychosis as a syndrome. In the present study we investigated alterations in gene expression in African American individuals with a range of psychotic diagnoses to increase understanding of the etiology in an underserved population. We performed RNA-seq in whole bloody to survey the transcriptome in 126 patients with a psychosis-spectrum disorder and 217 healthy controls and applied differential gene expression analyses across the genome while controlling for age, sex, population stratification and batch. We found 18 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), some of the locations of the corresponding genes overlap with previously implicated regions for psychosis, but many of which were novel associations. Enrichment analysis of nominally significant genes (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05) revealed overrepresentation of biological processes relating to platelet, immune and cellular function, and sensory perception. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis, applied to identify modules of co-expressed genes associated with psychosis, revealed 10 modules, one of which was significantly associated with psychosis. This module was significantly enriched for DEGs, and for platelet function. These results support the potential role of immune function in the etiology of psychosis, identify novel candidate gene expression phenotypes that correspond to both established and new genomic regions, in individuals of African American ancestry.

Humans

Plasma Proteome Signatures in Sickle Cell Anemia and the Effect of Hydroxyurea Treatment.

Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) is a monogenic blood disorder caused by a mutation in the &#x3b2;-globin gene, yet it presents with marked clinical variability. Although hydroxyurea (HU) is an established therapy, its precise mechanism of action remains incompletely understood. Plasma proteins represent valuable biomarkers for elucidating disease mechanisms and treatment responses. In this study, plasma proteome profiling of 31 healthy controls and 76 SCA patients identified 43 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) that form a highly interconnected interaction network. Proteins with increased abundance in SCA were largely associated with immune and inflammatory responses, whereas those with reduced levels were linked to coagulation and proteolytic pathways. HU therapy was associated with elevated levels of haptoglobin (HP) and hemopexin (HPX), key mediators of free hemoglobin scavenging. We also identified several previously unreported plasma proteins altered in SCA, broadening the landscape of potential biomarkers and HU-responsive targets. Many DAPs significantly correlated with clinical indices, such as transfusion frequency, vaso-occlusive crises, white blood cell counts, and platelet counts, offering insights into disease mechanisms and potential utility in disease management. Notably, overlap with &#x3b2;-thalassemia-associated signatures suggests shared pathophysiological pathways between these hemoglobinopathies. Collectively, these findings provide a strong foundation for translational validation in larger, independent cohorts.

Humans

Systematic Proteome Profiling of Maternal Plasma for Development of Preeclampsia Biomarkers.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy with various clinical symptoms. However, traditional markers for the disease including high blood pressure and proteinuria are poor indicators of the related adverse outcomes. Here, we performed systematic proteome profiling of plasma samples obtained from pregnant women with PE to identify clinically effective diagnostic biomarkers. Proteome profiling was performed using TMT-based liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) followed by subsequent verification by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) analysis on normal and PE maternal plasma samples. Functional annotations of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in PE were predicted using bioinformatic tools. The diagnostic accuracies of the biomarkers for PE were estimated according to the area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC). A total of 1307 proteins were identified, and 870 proteins of them were quantified from plasma samples. Significant differences were evident in 138 DEPs, including 71 upregulated DEPs and 67 downregulated DEPs in the PE group, compared with those in the control group. Upregulated proteins were significantly associated with biological processes including platelet degranulation, proteolysis, lipoprotein metabolism, and cholesterol efflux. Biological processes including blood coagulation and acute-phase response were enriched for down-regulated proteins. Of these, 40 proteins were subsequently validated in an independent cohort of 26 PE patients and 29 healthy controls. APOM, LCN2, and QSOX1 showed high diagnostic accuracies for PE detection (AUC >0.9 and p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001, for all) as validated by MRM and ELISA. Our data demonstrate that three plasma biomarkers, identified by systematic proteomic profiling, present a possibility for the assessment of PE, independent of the clinical characteristics of pregnant women.

Humans

Clinical and genetic features of Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms with dual-driver gene positivity.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical laboratory characteristics and gene mutation features of dual-driver gene positivity in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm (Ph-negative MPN). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical data and genetic test results from 203 newly diagnosed patients with Ph-negative MPN. Of these, 194 had single-driver gene positivity and 9 had dual-driver gene positivity. High-throughput sequencing was used to detect mutations in JAK2, CALR, and MPL. Clinical characteristics and gene mutation profiles were compared between the two patient groups. RESULTS: The incidence of dual-driver gene positivity was 4.4% (9/203), with the most common combinations being JAK2 with CALR (4 patients) and JAK2 with MPL (4 patients). Compared with the single-driver group, the dual-driver group had a significantly higher risk of bleeding [4.1% (8/194) vs. 33.3% (3/9), P&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.008] and a higher proportion of uncommon mutations [3.6% (7/194) vs. 33.3% (3/9), P&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.006]. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding age, thrombosis incidence, splenomegaly, or routine blood test indicators. During follow-up, 1 patient in the dual-driver group died from cerebrovascular disease. No leukaemia transformation or disease-related deaths occurred among the remaining patients. DISCUSSION: The increased bleeding risk in dual-driver patients may be related to a higher proportion of CALR mutations, elevated platelet counts, and higher variant allele frequencies, though these findings require validation in larger cohorts due to the small sample size. The higher prevalence of uncommon mutations suggests a more complex mutational landscape in this subgroup. CONCLUSION: Patients with Ph-negative MPN and dual-driver gene positivity may have a higher risk of bleeding and a more complex gene mutation profile.

Humans

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Physiologic Pathways Implicated Through Clustering of Genetic Loci.

CONTEXT: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder, with disease loci identified from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) having largely unknown relationships to disease pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to group PCOS GWAS loci into genetic clusters associated with disease pathophysiology. METHODS: Cluster analysis was performed for 60 PCOS-associated genetic variants and 49 traits using GWAS summary statistics. Cluster-specific PCOS partitioned polygenic scores (pPS) were generated and tested for association with clinical phenotypes in the Mass General Brigham Biobank (MGBB, N = 62 252). Associations with clinical outcomes (type 2 diabetes [T2D], coronary artery disease [CAD], and female reproductive traits) were assessed using both GWAS-based pPS (DIAMANTE, N = 898,130, CARDIOGRAM/UKBB, N = 547 261) and individual-level pPS in MGBB. RESULTS: Four PCOS genetic clusters were identified with top loci indicated as following: (i) cluster 1/obesity/insulin resistance (FTO); (ii) cluster 2/hormonal/menstrual cycle changes (FSHB); (iii) cluster 3/blood markers/inflammation (ATXN2/SH2B3); (iv) cluster 4/metabolic changes (MAF, SLC38A11). Cluster pPS were associated with distinct clinical traits: Cluster 1 with increased body mass index (P = 6.6 &#xd7; 10-29); cluster 2 with increased age of menarche (P = 1.5 &#xd7; 10-4); cluster 3 with multiple decreased blood markers, including mean platelet volume (P = 3.1 &#xd7;10-5); and cluster 4 with increased alkaline phosphatase (P = .007). PCOS genetic clusters GWAS-pPSs were also associated with disease outcomes: cluster 1 pPS with increased T2D (odds ratio [OR] 1.07; P = 7.3 &#xd7; 10-50), with replication in MGBB all participants (OR 1.09, P = 2.7 &#xd7; 10-7) and females only (OR 1.11, 4.8 &#xd7; 10-5). CONCLUSION: Distinct genetic backgrounds in individuals with PCOS may underlie clinical heterogeneity and disease outcomes.

Humans

Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis Unmasking Concomitant Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) by Manifesting as Stroke.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a rare condition characterized by sterile platelet-fibrin vegetations on cardiac valves in the absence of systemic infection. The pathogenesis of marantic endocarditis is driven by endothelial dysfunction and a systemic hypercoagulable state. In contrast to infective endocarditis, vegetations in NBTE lack significant inflammatory infiltrates and do not yield positive blood cultures. NBTE typically comes to clinical attention via systemic embolic events, with cerebrovascular accidents serving as a clinical hallmark and constituting over 50% of cases. While NBTE is commonly associated with mucin-producing adenocarcinomas of the lung, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract, its occurrence secondary to hematological malignancies or precursor plasma cell dyscrasias like monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is exceedingly rare, particularly in young individuals. We report the case of a previously healthy 35-year-old woman who presented with acute-onset blurred vision. Neuroimaging via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an acute left occipital infarct along with multiple chronic infarcts, raising a strong suspicion of a recurrent embolic process. A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) demonstrated two vegetations on the aortic valve with moderate transvalvular regurgitation; in the context of persistent negative blood cultures, these findings supported the diagnosis of NBTE. The patient was managed with systemic anticoagulation. A comprehensive hypercoagulable and autoimmune workup revealed an elevated lambda free light chain level with a decreased kappa/lambda ratio. Subsequent bone marrow biopsy and cytogenetic analysis established a diagnosis of MGUS featuring high-risk genomic aberrations, specifically an immunoglobulin heavy chain/musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma (IGH/MAF) rearrangement and the loss of chromosome 13 in a polyploid (3n, 4n) background, findings consistent with plasma cell neoplasia. The prevalence of MGUS in individuals under the age of 40 is exceptionally low, estimated at less than 0.3%. This case underscores NBTE as a critical finding that can unmask underlying, atypical plasma cell neoplasms. It highlights the necessity of an exhaustive diagnostic evaluation for occult hematological disorders and high-risk cytogenetic features in young patients presenting with multi-territory embolic strokes.

igh/maf rearrangement