Seminars in hematology
-
Monoclonal antibody therapy has emerged as a viable treatment option for patients with lymphoma and some leukemias. It is now beginning to be investigated for treatment of multiple myeloma. There are relatively few surface antigens on the plasma cells that are suitable for antibody-directed treatment. ⋯ Although CD20 is present only on 20% of myeloma cells, it may be present on myeloma precursor cells. This treatment has met with success in follicular lymphoma and is now being evaluated in clinical trials in both Europe and the United States for myeloma. Although these clinical trials are in very early stages, researchers are beginning to understand that antibody therapy can be used not only as a carrier molecule of radioisotopes and toxins, but also as molecules that can trigger tumor cells and promote growth arrest or apoptosis.
-
Seminars in hematology · Jan 1999
Plasmapheresis in the management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
This study investigated the role of plasmapheresis in the treatment of severe heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Patients diagnosed with HIT were divided into three experimental groups. Sixteen patients did not receive plasmapheresis (control). ⋯ Thus, plasmapheresis within 4 days of the onset of thrombocytopenia reduced mortality in HIT patients, whereas plasmapheresis after 4 days was not beneficial. There were no adverse events related to plasmapheresis. These findings suggest that plasmapheresis may be useful in the treatment of HIT when initiated within 4 days of onset of thrombocytopenia.