R Stasi

..The aim of the present review is to illustrate the biology of TPO and its receptor, and to describe the structure and function of the new thrombopoietic agents...

..Ongoing studies will reveal the potential of this agent in the management of immune thrombocytopenia for long-term maintenance therapy, as well as its relative benefit compared with standard-of-care treatment...

..To investigate the relation between Helicobacter pylori infection and the clinical features of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and to examine the effects of H. pylori eradication on platelet counts...

..Further studies are currently underway and should provide useful information to define the more responsive subtypes of MDS, the patient characteristics, and the proper dosing regimen...

..A stronger methodology for clinical studies and the design of new, randomized, clinical trials is a major priority...

..The hematological and quality of life (QoL) changes associated with darbepoetin alfa (DA) therapy were assessed in anemic patients with previously untreated low- and intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)...

..The long-term outcome of individuals with mild degrees of thrombocytopenia is unknown...

..We prospectively studied the long-term effects of rituximab in 10 patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive vasculitis refractory to conventional therapy (n=3) or in second or subsequent relapse (n=7)...

..Our findings indicate that in patients with ITP, response to B-cell depletion induced by rituximab is associated with significant changes of the T-cell compartment...

..Combinations of GO with chemotherapy as induction or post-remission therapy are promising, and phase III trials are ongoing...

..This review will focus on the pathophysiology and treatment of ITP in adults, highlighting recent advances in both fields...

..Gemtuzumab ozogamicin consists of a semisynthetic derivative of calicheamicin, a potent cytotoxic antibiotic, linked to a humanized anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody...

..These results indicate that patients with active ITP have a defective T regulatory cell compartment that can be modulated by a B cell-targeted therapy...

..Ongoing phase III clinical trials will reveal the potential of these agents in the management of ITP prior to splenectomy and for long-term maintenance therapy, as well as their relative benefit compared with standard of care treatment...

..We conclude that differential therapeutic strategies based on the risk of relapse associated with the International Prognostic Index (IPI) are a reasonable way to approach PBL, and can avoid undue toxicity deriving from treatment...

..We performed a clinical trial to evaluate the effects of this new dosing regimen in patients with MDS who were unresponsive to the conventional three-times-weekly schedule...

..A reinforcement of therapy with other agents seems to be required to achieve a full and durable response in those patients with high inhibitor levels...

..These findings suggest that the detection and eradication of H pylori infection should be considered in the work-up of patients with seemingly typical ITP...

..These data suggest that rhEPO has a role in the treatment of certain patients with MDS, particularly in those with a high erythroid index and detectable circulating erythroid burst-forming units...

..We conclude that high-dose DXM has a limited effect in patients with chronic ITP. Novel approaches and controlled multicenter trials may help identify new therapeutic strategies for this disease...

..However, in vivo synergy between these growth factors for the production of erythroid precursors is not supported by our data...

..In view of its mild toxicity and the lack of effective alternative treatments, its use in the setting of chronic refractory ITP is warranted. (Blood. 2001;98:952-957)..

..We describe a logical and structured approach to the clinical management of ITP in adults, based on a literature review and our personal experience...

..We conclude that subcutaneous human leukocyte interferon-alpha is an effective and well-tolerated therapy in the management of polycythemia vera-associated myeloproliferation and pruritus in patients less than 60 years old...

..In this article we review the laboratory data acquired from various sources and suggest a partial modification of diagnostic criteria...

..Laboratory studies indicated a remarkable decrease in the percentage of apoptotic stem cells in the bone marrow. This preliminary report indicates that infliximab may have an application as MDS therapy and warrants further investigation...

..05). We conclude that the dose/schedule of gemtuzumab ozogamicin used in this trial is too toxic in the age group over 75 years. For these patients, additional studies with reduced doses of the immunotoxin are warranted...

..Further insights into the relationships between hemoglobin levels, patient well-being and symptoms may lead to a refinement of current strategies of approaching the treatment of anemia...

..The day 1 + 8 schedule, which was associated with the highest rate of DnP, met the statistical criteria to be selected as the preferred regimen for phase III comparison with best supportive care...

..The optimal ATRA and EPO schedule and the role of maintenance treatment remain to be determined and warrant further investigation...

..In other regions where these infections are not prevalent, such testing is controversial...

..The lack of a standard of care for the assessment or treatment of fatigue in patients with cancer has limited research in this field. A critical appraisal of these issues is presented in this review...

..To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and clinical benefits of percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) in patients with unresectable primary and metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC)...

..Positive selection of CD34+ cells seems to be related to the quality of the apheresis products, particularly to the initial CD34+ cell and PLT content...

..To identify the factors that affect the achievement of tumor necrosis with percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and tumor size no larger than 4.0 cm...

..Percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) has been proposed as an active treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, large multicenter studies using this technique have not been reported...

..To compare the antitumor efficacy of three different anthracyclines in combination with cytarabine and etoposide in adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML)...

..35 subset showed a very high CR rate (96%), very long OS (P = 0.00005) and disease-free survival (P = 0.004). The favourable prognosis of NPM1-mt/FLT3-ITD negative patients might be explained by a higher bax/bcl-2 ratio...

..This review addresses use of monoclonal antibodies and immunoconjugates to treat acute myeloid leukemia...

..No changes in immunoglobulin levels or infectious complications were seen. In summary, rituximab was well tolerated with no immediate complications and induced a lasting, substantial response in 32% of adults with chronic ITP...

..Available data thus indicate that rituximab can be an effective therapy in a wide range of CD20+ lymphoid disorders...

..In conclusion, we confirm that rituximab can induce long-lasting responses in patients with chronic ITP and has a favorable side effect profile. Therefore, we suggest its use in refractory ITP cases...

..This review discusses whether the optimal timing for this therapy is before splenectomy, or after failure of splenectomy...

..The guidelines did not address thrombocytopenia resulting from autoimmune disorders or chronic infections such as Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis C virus or HIV...

..Whether or not monoclonal antibody therapy will improve disease outcome compared with conventional treatment regimens remains to be demonstrated by well-designed clinical trials...

..2 vs 29.7 days; P < .001). We conclude that although priming with G-CSF can improve the CR rate, the use of G-CSF during and/or after chemotherapy has no effect on the long-term outcome of AML in older patients...

..The immunotherapy had no effect in 1 patient with pure red cell aplasia or in 1 patient with autoimmune neutropenia. No infusion-related or delayed toxicities attributable to rituximab were experienced by any of the patients...