Pegylated interferon alfa-2a for polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia resistant or intolerant to hydroxyurea

Prior studies have reported high response rates with recombinant interferon-a (rIFN-a) therapy in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV). To further define the role of rIFN-a,we investigated the outcomes of pegylated-rIFN-a2a (PEG) therapy in ET and PV patients previously treated with hydroxyurea (HU). The Myeloproliferative Disorders Research Consortium (MPD-RC)-111 study was an investigator-initiated, international, multicenter, phase 2 trial evaluating the ability of PEG therapy to induce complete (CR) and partial (PR) hematologic responses in patients with high-risk ET or PVwho were either refractory or intolerant to HU. The study included 65 patients with ET and 50 patients with PV. The overall response rates (ORRs; CR/PR) at 12 monthswere 69.2%(43.1% and 26.2%) in ET patients and 60% (22% and 38%) in PV patients. CR rates were higher in CALR-mutated ET patients (56.5% vs 28.0%; P 5 .01), compared with those in subjects lacking a CALR mutation. The median absolute reduction in JAK2V617F variant allele fraction was 26% (range, 284%to 47%) in patients achieving a CR vs 14%(range, 218% to 56%) in patients with PR or nonresponse (NR). Therapy was associated with a significant rate of adverse events (AEs); most were manageable, and PEG discontinuation related to AEs occurred in only 13.9% of subjects. We conclude that PEG is an effective therapy for patients with ET or PV who were previously refractory and/or intolerant of HU

The influence of protein malnutrition on the production of GM-CSF and M-CSF by macrophages

ABSTRACT It is well established that protein malnutrition (PM) impairs immune defenses and increases susceptibility to infection. Macrophages are cells that play a central role in innate immunity, constituting one of the first barriers against infections. Macrophages produce several soluble factors, including cytokines and growth factors, important to the immune response. Among those growth factors, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). GM-CSF and M-CSF are important to monocyte and macrophage development and stimulation of the immune response process. Knowing the importance of GM-CSF and M-CSF, we sought to investigate the influence of PM on macrophage production of these growth factors. Two-month-old male BALB/c mice were subjected to PM with a low-protein diet (2%) and compared to a control diet (12%) mouse group. Nutritional status, hemogram and the number of peritoneal cells were evaluated. Additionally, peritoneal macrophages were cultured and the production of GM-CSF and M-CSF and mRNA expression were evaluated. To determine if PM altered macrophage production of GM-CSF and M-CSF, they were stimulated with TNF-α. The PM animals had anemia, leukopenia and a reduced number of peritoneal cells. The production of M-CSF was not different between groups; however, cells from PM animals, stimulated with or without TNF-α, presented reduced capability to produce GM-CSF. These data imply that PM interferes with the production of GM-CSF, and consequently would affect the production and maturation of hematopoietic cells and the immune response

Effect of short-term protein deprivation on hemopoietic functions of healthy volunteers

To ascertain the effects of protein deprivation on hemopoietic parameters in otherwise healthy subjects, three volunteers were placed on diets containing 0.15 g protein/kg body weight for 8 days followed in 2 mo by another 8-day study period during which they ingested their usual diets containing more than 0.9 g protein/kg body weight. Complete blood counts, serum protein determinations, and tests of in vitro and in vivo leukocyte chemotaxis were performed prior to and at the conclusion of each study period. Subjects were phlebotomized of 500 ml on day 7 of each study period. Twenty-four-hour urinary erythropoietin excretion rates were assayed just prior to and again postphlebotomy. Reticulocyte counts were performed at intervals up to 1 wk postphlebotomy. Some of these determinations were replicated during a subsequent study. The hemoglobin and hematocrits decrased slightly but significantly after 8 days on low protein diets. Erythropoietin excretion rates and reticulocyte responses to phlebotomy were also less marked while subjects were on protein depleted diets. Leukocyte chemotaxis, measured both in vitro and in vivo, was also markedly reduced while subjects were on protein-depleted diets. We conclude that 8 days of moderately severe protein deprivation significantly impairs erythropoiesis and leukocyte function in otherwise healthy individuals.</jats:p

Effect of ethyl alcohol on erythropoietic (cfue) and granulo- poietic (cfuc) progenitors of mouse bone marrow. Abstr.

Тема работы актуальна. В ВКР представлена организация деятельности педагога по формированию звуковой культуры речи у детей младшего дошкольного возраста. Работа имеет практическую значимость

Effect of short-term protein deprivation on hemopoietic functions of healthy volunteers

Abstract To ascertain the effects of protein deprivation on hemopoietic parameters in otherwise healthy subjects, three volunteers were placed on diets containing 0.15 g protein/kg body weight for 8 days followed in 2 mo by another 8-day study period during which they ingested their usual diets containing more than 0.9 g protein/kg body weight. Complete blood counts, serum protein determinations, and tests of in vitro and in vivo leukocyte chemotaxis were performed prior to and at the conclusion of each study period. Subjects were phlebotomized of 500 ml on day 7 of each study period. Twenty-four-hour urinary erythropoietin excretion rates were assayed just prior to and again postphlebotomy. Reticulocyte counts were performed at intervals up to 1 wk postphlebotomy. Some of these determinations were replicated during a subsequent study. The hemoglobin and hematocrits decrased slightly but significantly after 8 days on low protein diets. Erythropoietin excretion rates and reticulocyte responses to phlebotomy were also less marked while subjects were on protein depleted diets. Leukocyte chemotaxis, measured both in vitro and in vivo, was also markedly reduced while subjects were on protein-depleted diets. We conclude that 8 days of moderately severe protein deprivation significantly impairs erythropoiesis and leukocyte function in otherwise healthy individuals.</jats:p

Risk Profile, Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Minority Cohort with Long Term Follow up

Abstract Background: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is a common hematological disorder. We sort to characterize the risk profiles and efficacy of rituximab in relapsed or refractory ITP in a largely minority cohort. Methods: 23 patients (pts) with relapsed or refractory ITP treated with Rituximab were identified and studied as a retrospective cohort. Demographics, presentation, dosage schedule, tolerability and response were analyzed. Continuous data were analyzed via Student’s T test, categorical data via Fisher’s exact test and time to progression data was analyzed via Kaplan Meier life table analysis and log rank test. Results: Of the 23 patients, 20 female (87%), 3 male (13%). median age at diagnosis was 45 yr (range 20–66).9 pt were African American (39%), 9 Hispanics (39%), 4 Asian (17.4%), 1 Caucasian(4.3%), 9 (39.6%) had more than one co morbidities, 17 (73.8%) had received 3 or more treatment regimens. All pt received steroids, 18 (78.3%) received IVIg, 13 (56.6%) Anti D immunoglobulin, 5 (21.7%) Vincristine, 3 (13%) Azathioprine, 2(8.7%) Cyclophosamide, 6 (26.1%) underwent a Splenectomy before Rituximab therapy. The median time from diagnosis to rituximab therapy was 15 months (range 1 to 269). Median platelet count before rituximab therapy was 11 (range 3 to 200). Rituximab was administered at the dose of 375mg/m2 IV once a week for 4 weeks. The response rate was 47.8%. Response was defined as Complete response, platelet count of &amp;gt; 100 × 109/L, Partial response &amp;gt;50 × 109/L. 9 pt (39%) achieved complete response, 2 pt (8.7%) achieved partial response. 12 pt (52.2%) did not respond. Median time to response was 13.5 days (range 1–30). There was no statistically significant difference in the response when compared by gender (p=0.64), race (p= 0.398), prior splenectomy (p=0.64), prior anti D immunoglobulin (p=1.0), prior Vincristine (p=1.0), prior cyclophosamide (p=.45), prior azathioprine (p=1.0). Four pt (17.4%) had a serious adverse reaction to rituximab. One pt had diffuse hives after infusion, three pt developed diffuse pancytopenia, two pts had gram negative sepsis and died. The median follow up after rituximab therapy was 18 months (range 1–60). The median time to relapse was 7 months (range of 1 to 59). There was no statistically significant difference in time to relapse among gender (p=0.19), race (p= 0.45), Prior splenectomy (p=0.86), prior Anti D immunoglobulin (p=0.32), prior vincristine (p=0.75). Conclusion: In this primarily minority based cohort the response rate to Rituximab (48% vs. 62%) and duration of response (7 months vs. 10.5 months) was lower than other published data but the rate of serious adverse events (17% vs. 7%) was higher. Rituximab must be used cautiously in this sub group of patients. There is need for a randomized controlled clinical trail to assess the efficacy of Rituximab in this population and further studies are warranted in minority populations.</jats:p

Benzocaine Induced Methemoglobinemia a Potentially Life Threatening Complication after Transesophageal Echocardiogram

Abstract Methemoglobinemia is a potentially life threatening medical condition that occurs due to increased methemoglobin production or decreased elimination. Methemoglobin is a derivative of hemoglobin in which the normal ferrous (Fe2+) iron state is oxidized to the ferric (Fe3+) state. This oxidized hemoglobin is unable to bind oxygen, hence reducing he oxygen carrying capacity of blood. The clinically presentation is characterized by cyanosis, low pulse oximeter reading and normal arterial PO2. Topical use of benzocaine a local anesthetic widely used in endoscopic procedures is one of the incriminated causes of acquired methemoglobinemia. We present two cases of patients (pts) who developed methemoglobinemia after benzocaine spray for a transoesophageal echocardiogram. One pt was 50 year old male and other 30 year old female. Both had a methacilline resistant Staphylococcus Aureus bacteremia secondary to septic arthritis, they under went a transesophageal echocardiogram to rule out endocarditis. Topical local anesthesia used was benzocaine 20%. About 10–15 min after local anesthesia they desaturated to the mid 80’s and they developed cynosis, they were intubated. On Blood gas analysis methemoglobin. was elevated 38.4% (male pt) and 18.9% (Female pt). They were given methylene blue at the dose of 2mg/kg intravenously over 10 minutes. Cyanosis corrected with in an hour. Methemoglobin level corrected to normal after 3 hours after administration of methylene blue. There were no adverse events with administration. The Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase enzyme level was tested and was negative. In conclusion benzocaine induced methemoglobinemia should be considered in pts under going Transesophageal Echocardiogram when cyanosis develops that is unresponsive to oxygen. Diagnosis can be confirmed by arterial blood gas analysis. If identified early this potentially life threatening condition can be treated with methylene blue with minimal complications and good outcomes.</jats:p

Clinical characteristics and course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with the combination favorable and unfavorable cytogenetics

8086 Background: Patients with CLL have a highly variable clinical course. Genomic aberrations detected by FISH have been shown to correlate with survival and treatment free interval (TFI). Patients with the presence of 17p or 11q deletions (del) either alone or in combination with other cytogenetic abnormalities have the worst prognosis while patients with 13q del as a sole abnormality have the best prognosis. Our objective was to further investigate poor prognosis CLL patients with either del 17p or 11q to determine if the addition of the favorable 13q del influences the predicted clinical course and survival. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review on 22 patients (pts) who had been identified by FISH as having either the combination of del 17p and 13q or del 11q and 13q. Results: 128 CLL FISH panels were performed from April of 2003 through October of 2006. Twenty-two pts (17%) had either del 17p and 13q (9%) or del 11q and 13q (9%). Historical data notes a frequency of 7% and 8% for deletions 17p and 11q, respectively, and 55% for 13q as a sole aberration. The median age was 66 yrs, the majority of whom were male (73%). Two of 22 pts (9%) presented with advanced stage disease. Splenomegaly was seen more often in the 17p/13q pts (36%) vs 11q/13q pts (9%). With a median follow up of 46 months since diagnosis, the median TFI for all patients (20 known) was 56 months. TFI was 13 months for patients with 17p/13q del; whereas TFI was not reached for patients with 11q/13q. Historical data noted a TFI for patients with deletions 17p, 11q, and 13q (as a sole aberration) as 9, 13, and 92 months respectively. The median survival from diagnosis was not reached for the group overall or for either combination of genetic abnormalities. Historical data noted, with 70 months follow up, a median survival of 108 months overall and 32, 79, and 133 months for 17p, 11q, and 13q (as a sole aberration) respectively. Conclusions: The addition of favorable cytogenetics, del 13q, in a CLL patient with an unfavorable cytogenetic pattern (either del 17p or del 11q) appears to improve the predicted clinical outcome and survival. Additional follow up and prospective studies are needed to further define which genetic subgroups help to prognosticate CLL patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose. </jats:p