Seminars in hematology
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Seminars in hematology · Jan 2013
Review Historical ArticleAdvanced and relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma: what has been achieved during the last 50 years.
During the last 50 years there has been great progress in understanding the biology of Hodgkin disease, which is now called Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), since it has been definitely shown to be a lymphoid neoplasm and its B-cell origin has been documented in the vast majority of cases. Progress in biology has also resulted in the identification of numerous biological prognostic factors, which may facilitate the definition of high-risk groups of patients and provide guidance for individualized therapy. Unfortunately, biological prognostic factors have not been incorporated in prognostic models applicable in everyday practice and need prospective validation. ⋯ Furthermore, better understanding of the biology of HL has permitted the development of targeted therapy. Anti-CD30 targeting with brentuximab vedotin (BV) was the first targeted therapy to be approved for relapsed/refractory HL, either after autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCF) failure or after failure of two regimens in patients who were not candidates for transplant. Hopefully, the determination of the optimal role and timing of BV treatment and the development and approval of other targeted compounds will further improve the outcome of advanced stage as well as relapsed/refractory HL.
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Seminars in hematology · Jan 2013
ReviewIndividualized treatment for immune thrombocytopenia: predicting bleeding risk.
Treatment of patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is often directed at increasing the platelet count and preventing significant hemorrhage even when there is minimal bleeding present. This approach, however, requires that a large number of patients receive prophylactic treatment to prevent major bleeding events. Identification of initial risk factors for development of severe bleeding would allow for more directed and personalized therapy. This review provides a summary of the current literature with the intent to explore various clinical and laboratory risk factors for severe bleeding including mucosal bleeding, platelet count, and aspects of platelet function.