Hematology/oncology clinics of North America
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Hematol. Oncol. Clin. North Am. · Oct 1994
Clinical application of recombinant erythropoietin in anemic cancer patients.
Anemia is common in cancer patients and may require treatment for symptomatic palliation. Transfusion has been the mainstay of therapy, but is not without risk. Because erythropoietin levels in cancer-related anemia are inadequate for the degree of anemia, recombinant human erythropoietin has been studied to treat the anemia. Results from these studies are encouraging.
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Hematol. Oncol. Clin. North Am. · Aug 1994
ReviewLaboratory diagnosis of hemorrhagic and thrombotic disorders.
The study of hemostasis is a rapidly expanding field. Not only are new disorders being elucidated almost monthly, but also new proteins and interrelationships between known proteins are being reported continuously. These factors make the study of hemostatic disorders at once both exhilarating and challenging. ⋯ Additionally, continued advances in genetic testing will eventually allow us a detailed molecular view of a patient's hemostatic system previously unthinkable. This review has attempted to synthesize a very broad range of hemostatic physiology, laboratory testing, and pathologic disorders into a brief synopsis. Many details have unfortunately been excluded, but it is hoped that the nucleus of information presented on the recognition and diagnosis of hemostatic disorders will be valuable in the evaluation of patients with both simple and complex bleeding and thrombotic disorders.
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Hematol. Oncol. Clin. North Am. · Apr 1994
ReviewTopoisomerase I inhibitors. An overview of the camptothecin analogs.
The topoisomerase I inhibitors are an exciting new class of antineoplastic agents currently under clinical development. Analogues of camptothecin with improved toxicity profiles and antitumor activity included CPT-11 and topotecan. ⋯ Early results with topotecan against ovarian and lung cancer are also encouraging. Combination trials with other antineoplastic agents including cisplatin and etoposide, and early clinical trials with new topoisomerase I inhibitors, such as 9-aminocamptothecin, are underway.
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Hematol. Oncol. Clin. North Am. · Feb 1993
ReviewThe discovery and development of new antileukemic drugs.
Despite the major advances that have been made over the past few decades in the management of adult acute leukemia, a substantial number of the patients still die from the underlying disease. Therefore, it is essential that we vigorously pursue efforts to discover and develop novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of leukemia.
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Hemostasis is intimately related to liver function, because most coagulation factors are synthesized by liver parenchymal cells and the liver's reticuloendothelial system serves an important role in the clearance of activation products. The extent of coagulation abnormalities depends upon the degree of disturbed liver function. Acute or chronic hepatocellular diseases may display decreases in the vitamin K-dependent factors (prothrombin; factors VII, IX, and X; proteins C and S), whereas other parameters remain normal. ⋯ This is especially noted during the anhepatic phase and when the donor liver is perfused by the recipient's blood. Postoperative recovery is quick, provided the graft is not rejected. Postoperatively, there may be an initial hypercoagulable state, which could be related to the thrombosis occasionally encountered.