Multiple myeloma patients are at increased risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome or acute leukemia after maintenance lenalidomide or thalidomide treatment, according to a new study. More »
This management guide of endocrine malignancies covers the risk factors, diagnosis, screening, and treatment of both thyroid and parathyroid cancers. More »
Although the overall prognosis for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) associated with unfavorable, complex, or monosomal karyotypes is poor, some patients can be cured. More »
Prognostic factors in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) may be subdivided into those related to patient characteristics and general health condition, and those related to characteristics of the tumor. More »
The article by Drs. Stein and Tallman is an excellent summary indicating that several different approaches may lead to the cure of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). More »
The management of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has been transformed over the course of the last two decades following the introduction of successful molecularly targeted therapies—all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO)— which act in concert to induce degradation of the PMLRARα oncoprotein formed by the chromosomal translocation t(15;17)(q22;q21). More »
The management of leukemias and lymphomas now includes the use of many targeted therapies. Nurses need to have an understanding of the targeted therapies and their side effects so they can appropriately manage the side effects that their patients with leukemias and lymphomas may experience. More »
Preliminary findings of a phase I/II randomized clinical trial indicate that SGI-110, a novel DNA methylation inhibitor, is safe, well tolerated and efficacious in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. More »
Almost every witnessed mosquito bite resulted in either a swollen, pruritic nodule or a substantial blister. This patient most likely has what underlying disease? More »
Recently, we showed that increased miR-181a expression was associated with improved outcomes in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML). Interestingly, miR-181a expression was increased in CN-AML patients harboring CEBPA mutations, which are usually biallelic and associate with better prognosis. CEBPA encodes the C/EBP transcription factor. We demonstrate here that the presence of N-terminal CEBPA mutations and miR-181a expression are linked. Indeed, the truncated C/EBP-p30 isoform, which is produced from the N-terminal mutant CEBPA gene or from the differential translation of wild-type CEBPA mRNA and is commonly believed to have no transactivation activity, binds to the miR-181a-1 promoter and up-regulates the microRNA expression. Furthermore, we show that lenalidomide, a drug approved for myelodysplasticsyndromes and multiple myeloma, enhances translation of the C/EBP-p30 isoform, resulting in higher miR-181a levels. In xenograft mouse models, ectopic miR-181a
23061809 2012 12 17 2013 02 06 1600-0609 90 1 Jan Eur. J. Haematol. 79-80 10.1111/ejh.12024 Matsuda Akira A Germing Ulrich U Miyazaki Yasushi Y eng Letter 2012 11 22 England Eur J Haematol 8703985 0902-4441 IM pathology classification diagnosis.
Treatment of relapse after allogenic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is challenging. The efficacy of donor leukocyte infusions (DLI) is excellent in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia but limited in other disorders. We present a patient who relapsed 10 months after reduced intensity conditioning allo-SCT for a myelodysplastic/ myeloproliferative neoplasm with myelofibrosis despite receiving escalating doses of DLI for incomplete chimerism. He finally achieved complete remission with full whole blood and T-cell donor chimerism after DLI preceded by lymphodepletion chemotherapy. This case demonstrates that chemotherapy prior to DLI is a useful approach for treating relapses of relatively slowly progressive diseases, such as myeloproliferative diseases or myelodysplasticsyndromes.
23258901 2012 12 21 2013 02 15 1528-0020 120 26 Dec 20 Blood 5247-9 10.1182/blood-2012-09-457945 Churpek Jane E JE Nickels Eric E Marquez Rafael R Rojek Katarzyna K Liu Bohao B Lorenz Rachelle R Lepore Janet J Madzo Jozef J Wickrema Amittha A Artz
Myelodysplasticsyndromes (MDS) are malignant clonal disorders of haematopoietic stem cells and their microenvironment, affecting older individuals (median age 70 years). Unique features that are associated with MDS - but which are not necessarily present in every patient with MDS - include excessive apoptosis in maturing clonal cells, a pro-inflammatory bone marrow microenvironment, specific chromosomal abnormalities, abnormal ribosomal protein biogenesis, the presence of uniparental disomy, and mutations affecting genes involved in proliferation, methylation and epigenetic modifications. Although emerging insights establish an association between molecular abnormalities and the phenotypic heterogeneity of MDS, their origin and progression remain enigmatic.
Five Steps to Improving Patient Access Judy Capko, May 21, 2013 Patient access is getting increased attention through reform initiatives. Here are five steps you can take to make sure patients get appropriate access to care in your office.
Growing HIPAA Threat – Ignore Windows XP at Your Own Peril Marion K. Jenkins, May 21, 2013 Chances are good that you have some major ticking software time bombs lurking in your medical practice's computer environment, namely Windows XP and Server 2003.
Three Areas to Reduce Costs at Your Medical Practice Greg Mertz, May 19, 2013 By taking a hard look at reducing costs for staffing, overhead, and technology at your medical practice, you may see increased physician compensation.
Dos and Don’ts for Starting a Physician Blog Michael Woo-Ming, MD, May 18, 2013 Starting a physician blog can provide your medical practice with marketing benefits, but it's important to do it right.
