Current opinion in hematology
-
Curr. Opin. Hematol. · Nov 2015
ReviewMassive transfusion: red blood cell to plasma and platelet unit ratios for resuscitation of massive hemorrhage.
The aim of this short study is to review recently published data bearing on how to resuscitate massive uncontrolled hemorrhage. ⋯ The bulk of currently available data support the use of a 1 : 1 : 1 ratio for the resuscitation of patients with severe injury, shock, and uncontrolled hemorrhage. The application of this formulaic approach to massive blood product-based resuscitation in other clinical situations is less well supported in the literature.
-
Modern immunotherapies, most notably in the form of anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, have produced significant clinical responses in otherwise refractory pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients. Several groups have simultaneously reported robust response rates in children and adults alike. These early studies indicate an impending shift in paradigm for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Incorporating CD19 CAR T-cell therapy into upfront or salvage regimens has its challenges and opportunities. ⋯ CD19 CAR T-cell therapy is a powerful new tool in the oncologist's arsenal. How it is incorporated into standard practice and how it will shift survival curves are the exciting questions that are waiting to be answered.
-
Curr. Opin. Hematol. · Nov 2015
ReviewThe use of convalescent plasma to treat emerging infectious diseases: focus on Ebola virus disease.
The purpose of this review is to discuss the use of convalescent plasma for the treatment of emerging infectious diseases, focusing on the recent use for the treatment of Ebola virus disease (EVD). ⋯ Although the first reports of successful treatment with passive immune therapy date back to the early 1900s, convalescent plasma has materialized as a possible therapy for patients who develop infection from one of the emerging infectious diseases such as EVD or MERS-CoV, although the efficacy of such therapy has yet to be proven in clinical trials.