Annals of hematology
-
Annals of hematology · Jul 2010
ReviewMoving towards a new era in the management of chronic immune thrombocytopenia.
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease in which a low concentration of plasma thrombopoietin (TPO) contributes to the thrombocytopenia. Functional thrombopoietin deficiency in response to thrombocytopenia is central to the pathophysiology of chronic ITP. Decreased platelet production in ITP patients has been described only in recent years, however. ⋯ These novel drugs provide a noteworthy treatment option for patients with chronic ITP, in whom thrombocytopenia and bleeding risk have not been controlled by standard treatments. The first candidates for treatment in clinical practice are undoubtedly refractory patients with lack of response to other therapies or at continued risk for bleeding despite treatment. Appropriate inclusion of TPO mimetics into the treatment paradigm will most likely have a positive impact on the long-term outcome of ITP and allow carefully monitored patients to remain well controlled, with good tolerability for prolonged periods.
-
Annals of hematology · May 2010
Comparative StudyImpact of critical care reconfiguration and track-and-trigger outreach team intervention on outcomes of haematology patients requiring intensive care admission.
Patients with haematological disorders have previously been considered to have poor outcomes following admission to intensive care units. Although a number of haematology centres from outside the UK have now demonstrated improved outcomes, the continuing perception of poor outcomes in this patient group continues to adversely affect their chances of being admitted to some intensive care units (ICUs). Over the past 10 years, there have been many advances within the disciplines of both haematology and intensive care medicine. ⋯ This is despite an increase in mechanical ventilation in 2006-2008 (50%) as compared to 2004 (32%). The improvement in ICU survivorship was even more prominent in HSCT patients (37% in 2004 versus 56% in 2006-2008). There was a trend towards decreasing Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation scores with time, suggesting appropriate patients being identified earlier and having timely escalation of their treatment.
-
Annals of hematology · Apr 2010
Patients with del(5q) MDS who fail to achieve sustained erythroid or cytogenetic remission after treatment with lenalidomide have an increased risk for clonal evolution and AML progression.
Lenalidomide consistently induces transfusion independence and complete cytogenetic response in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes with 5q deletion. Only limited information on long-term outcome is currently available. We performed a long-term follow-up analysis of 42 patients with low or intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndromes and 5q deletion treated with lenalidomide. ⋯ Patients with del(5q) myelodysplastic syndromes without erythroid or cytogenetic remission after treatment with lenalidomide have a high risk for clonal evolution and acute myeloid leukaemia progression. In refractory, or relapsing, patients, genetic instability and clonal evolution seem to be the driving forces of leukaemic transformation. Regular follow-up investigations of del(5q) myelodysplastic syndrome patients treated with lenalidomide may help to identify patients requiring alternative treatment strategies.
-
Annals of hematology · Mar 2010
Reactivation of hepatitis B virus following rituximab-based regimens: a serious complication in both HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative patients.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is a well-known complication of lymphoma treatment in the pre-rituximab era. This complication has not been as well studied, however, since monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody became the standard regimen for B cell lymphoma. In this retrospective study, 115 B cell lymphoma patients who received rituximab-containing therapy were analyzed. ⋯ Eight of ten HBV carriers without lamivudine prophylaxis experienced HBV-related hepatitis, including one fatal hepatic failure. Four (4.2%) of 95 HBsAg-negative patients developed de novo HBV-related hepatitis and two died of fulminant hepatitis. In conclusion, rituximab-based therapy may cause serious HBV-related complications and even death in both HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative patients.