American journal of clinical pathology
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The recent clinical and commercial success of anticancer antibodies such as rituximab and trastuzumab has created great interest in antibody-based therapeutics for hematopoietic malignant neoplasms and solid tumors. Given the likelihood of lower toxic effects of antibodies that target tumor cells and have limited impact on nonmalignant bystander organs vs small molecules, the potential increased efficacy by conjugation to radioisotopes and other cellular toxins, and the ability to characterize the target with clinical laboratory diagnostics to improve the drug's clinical performance, current and future antibody therapeutics are likely to find substantial roles alone and in combination therapeutic strategies for treating patients with cancer. ⋯ Efficacy and toxic effects, conjugation with isotopes and toxins, and validation of the antibody targets also are discussed. Antibodies approved by the Food and Drug Administration are described in detail, as are antibodies in late and early stages of clinical development.
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Am. J. Clin. Pathol. · Apr 2003
The timing of a positive test result for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia relative to the platelet count and anticoagulant therapy in 43 consecutive cases.
We studied the timing of a positive heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) test result relative to changes in platelet count and anticoagulant use. We obtained platelet counts in 100 consecutive HIT+ cases before, during, and after heparin therapy; 43 cases met study criteria and were included in study part 1. In part 2, platelet counts at the time of the HIT test in 2 groups (100 each HIT+ and HIT- cases) were compared. ⋯ In study part 2, the mean platelet counts for the HIT+ and HIT- groups were almost identical. HIT should be suspected in any thrombotic patient who had a previous decline in platelet count, has a low platelet count, or has a rising platelet count after a previous decline in association with heparin exposure. In study part 2, 1 platelet count value at the time of the HIT test did not provide useful information.