Haematologica
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Very little is known about the number and function of immunosuppressive CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) T regulatory cells (Treg) in the human bone marrow and it is unclear whether bone marrow-residing Treg are capable of regenerating following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. This is particularly surprising since the bone marrow represents a major priming site for T-cell responses and Treg play important roles in the prevention of T-cell-mediated graft-versus-host disease and in promoting tumor escape from T-cell-dependent immunosurveillance. ⋯ We suggest that allogeneic stem cell transplantation provides a short but significant window of opportunity for CD8(+) T cells before an exuberant regeneration of immunosuppressive Treg sets in. Later after transplantation, bone marrow-residing Treg probably contribute to suppressing graft-versus-host disease but may also undermine persistent immune control of multiple myeloma.
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beta-thalassemia is one of the most common genetic diseases in the world and requires extensive therapy. Lentiviral-mediated gene therapy has been successfully exploited in the treatment of beta-thalassemia and showed promise in clinical application. Using a human beta-globin transgenic mouse line in a beta-thalassemia diseased model generated with a lentiviral-mediated approach, we investigate the stable therapeutic effect on a common thalassemia syndrome. ⋯ The generation of human beta-globin transgenic mice in a beta(IVS-2-654)-thalassemia mouse mediated with lentiviral vectors provides a useful model and offers an attractive means to investigate the transgenic stable therapeutic effect in beta-thalassemia.
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Multicenter Study
Clinical characteristics and management of cancer-associated acute venous thromboembolism: findings from the MASTER Registry.
Clinical characteristics and management of acute deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE) have been reported to be different in patients with and without cancer. The aim of this paper was to provide information on clinical characteristics and management of acute venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer by means of a large prospective registry. ⋯ The clinical presentation of acute venous thromboembolism is different and often more extensive in cancer patients than in patients free from malignancy. Moreover, the management of the acute phase of venous thromboembolism is more problematic in cancer patients, especially because of a higher rate of major bleeding and the need for implantation of inferior vena cava filters.
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Multicenter Study
ADAMTS13 and anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies as markers for recurrence of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura during remission.
From 20 to 50% of patients who survive an acute episode of the acquired form of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura relapse but clinical and laboratory markers of recurrence are not well established. ⋯ Survivors of an acute episode of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with severely reduced levels of ADAMTS13 and/or with anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies during remission have an approximately three-fold greater likelihood of developing another episode of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura than patients with higher protease activity and no antibody.