Long-term survival in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia with isolated meningeal relapse

The meningeal involvement is rare in acute promyelocytic leukemia. We experienced a 39-year-old woman who achieved complete remission with all-trans retinoic acid, idarubicin and cytarabine therapy. Several months later, she complained of non-specific headache. Her complete blood cell count was normal, but magnetic resonance image of brain revealed focal meningeal enhancement and cerebrospinal fluid showed leukemic promyelocytes and PML/RARA rearrangement. Bone marrow study showed hematologic, cytogenetic and molecular remission. She was treated with intrathecal and systemic chemotherapy and whole brain radiotherapy. The patient has survived for 68 months since the last systemic chemotherapy

Rav Sadya Gaon : der ershter ydisher religyons-filosof

https://www.ester.ee/record=b5454712*es

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-like DNA sequences in the breast tumors of father, mother, and daughter

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The diagnosis of late onset breast cancer in a father, mother, and daughter living in the same house for decades suggested the possibility of an environmental agent as a common etiological factor. Both molecular and epidemiological data have indicated a possible role for the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), the etiological agent of breast cancer in mice, in a certain percentage of human breast tumors. The aim of this study was to determine if MMTV might be involved in the breast cancer of this cluster of three family members.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>MMTV-like envelope (<it>env</it>) and long terminal repeat (<it>LTR</it>) sequences containing the MMTV superantigen gene (<it>sag</it>) were detected in the malignant tissues of all three family members. The amplified <it>env </it>gene sequences were 98.0%–99.6% homologous to the MMTV <it>env </it>sequences found in the GR, C3H, and BR6 mouse strains. The amplified <it>LTR </it>sequences containing <it>sag </it>sequences segregated to specific branches of the MMTV phylogenetic tree and did not form a distinct branch of their own.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The presence of MMTV-like DNA sequences in the malignant tissues of all three family members suggests the possibility of MMTV as an etiological agent. Phylogenetic data suggest that the MMTV-like DNA sequences are mouse and not human derived and that the ultimate reservoir of MMTV is most likely the mouse. Although the route by which these family members came to be infected with MMTV is unknown, the possibility exists that such infection may have resulted from a shared exposure to mice.</p

Lenalidomide induced good clinical response in a patient with multiple relapsed and refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A 24-year-old female patient was diagnosed with classic Hodgkin's lymphoma in clinical stage II, and combination chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy was initiated. During the following 5 years, the disease progressed despite several standard therapeutic approaches, including autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Lenalidomide (25 mg daily) treatment was then initiated in a continuous dosing schedule. Positron emission tomography scans were performed before and during lenalidomide treatment. Hematologic and laboratory values, as well as physical condition were also assessed before and during lenalidomide treatment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Four months after continuous lenalidomide treatment, tumor load was significantly reduced, B symptoms had resolved, and the patient's physical condition had improved, allowing her to resume normal daily-living activities. Evaluations after 15 months of lenalidomide treatment indicated limited disease progression. Nevertheless, the patient was feeling well and maintaining a normal active life. Treatment was well tolerated, allowing the patient to remain on continuous dosing, which has now been maintained for 18 months.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Daily, long-term lenalidomide treatment provided clinical benefit and was well tolerated in a patient with relapsed, advanced classic Hodgkin's lymphoma.</p