MedWorm: Lymphoma

Lifetime consumption of alcoholic beverages and risk of 13 types of cancer in men: Results from a case–control study in Montreal

Cancer Detection and Prevention — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:01:19 +0100

Conclusions: Our results support the hypothesis that moderate and high alcohol intake levels over the lifetime might increase cancer risk at several sites. (Source: Cancer Detection and Prevention)

MedWorm Supporter Message: The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is America's largest lymphoma-focused voluntary health organization devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and providing patients and health care professionals with critical information on the disease.

Melanoma metastasis to the breast: A diagnostic pitfall

Cancer Detection and Prevention — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:01:19 +0100

Conclusion: Although no strict clinical criteria exist to differentiate a melanoma metastasis to the breast from a primary breast carcinoma atypically rapid growth, normal Ca 15-3 level, and a history of prior melanoma may be helpful. However, it may be still misdiagnosed in some cases even histopathologically if the immunohistochemical staining is not performed. (Source: Cancer Detection and Prevention)

CytRx Reports Favorable Progress Update For Its Pivotal Phase 2 Trial With Tamibarotene As A Third-Line Treatment For Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:00:00 +0100

CytRx Corporation (NASDAQ: CYTR), a biopharmaceutical research and development company engaged in the development of high-value human therapeutics, provided a favorable progress update for its ongoing Phase 2 STAR-1 registration clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of orally administered tamibarotene as a third-line treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Breastfeeding Babies Boosts Academic Achievements, GPA

NaturalNews.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) Breastfeeding has long been known to be an important way mothers can help keep infants healthy. For example, according to the American College of Pediatrics, breastfeeding slashes the rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) during the first year of life (http://www.naturalnews.com/026239_SIDS_breastfeeding_natural_health.html) and it also reduces the risk of type-2 diabetes, leukemia, lymphomas and asthma in older children. Now there's another benefit to add to the list, this time for teens. A new study by American University (AU) professor Joseph Sabia and University of Colorado Denver professor Daniel Rees concludes breastfeeding leads to better academic achievement in high school and an increased likelihood of attending college.The research, just published in the Journ...

Cancer geneticist Janet Davison Rowley to receive $500,000 Gruber genetics prize

EurekAlert! - Cancer — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0100

(Robin Leedy & Associates, Inc.) Janet Davison Rowley, M.D., a founder in the field of cancer cytogenetics and a renowned leader in molecular oncology, will receive the 2009 Genetics Prize of the Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation. She is being honored with the prestigious international award for discoveries of recurrent chromosomal abnormalities in leukemias and lymphomas -- discoveries that have revolutionized how cancer is understood and treated. (Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer)

Vegetarians less likely to develop cancer

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:05:08 +0100

• Striking difference found in risk of disease in blood• Scientists acknowledge more research still neededFor years, they have boasted of the health benefits of their leafy diets, but now vegetarians have the proof that has so far eluded them: when it comes to cancer risks, they have the edge on carnivores.Fresh evidence from the largest study to date to investigate dietary habits and cancer has concluded that vegetarians are 45% less likely to develop cancer of the blood than meat eaters and are 12% less likely to develop cancer overall.Scientists said that while links between stomach cancer and eating meat had already been reported, they had uncovered a "striking difference" in the risk of blood cancers including leukaemia, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma between the groups...

Surgical resection of pulmonary malignant tumors after living donor liver transplantation.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a surgical resection of pulmonary malignancies including tumor recurrences or de novo malignancies after LDLT is a feasible procedure and may prolong survival in selected patients, even under immunosuppressive conditions. PMID: 19559227 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery)

Lymphopenia as a Prognostic Factor for Overall Survival in Advanced Carcinomas, Sarcomas, and Lymphomas

Cancer Research — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Lymphopenia is frequent in advanced cancers and predicts the toxicity of chemotherapy. Its effect on relapse and survival is uncertain. Its prognostic value for survival was analyzed in three databases of previously reported prospective multicenter studies: (a) FEC chemotherapy in metastatic breast carcinoma; (b) CYVADIC in advanced soft tissue sarcoma (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer–Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group 62791); and (c) prospective, consecutive phase III studies of aggressive diffuse large-cell non–Hodgkin's lymphomas conducted at Centre Léon Bérard between 1987 and 1993. Univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors for survival were performed. The incidence of lymphopenia of <1,000/µL before treatme...

Increased Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Expression or Treatment with Manganese Porphyrin Potentiates Dexamethasone-Induced Apoptosis in Lymphoma Cells

Cancer Research — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis is exploited for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Innate and acquired resistance limits treatment efficacy; however, resistance mechanisms are not well understood. Previously, using WEHI7.2 murine thymic lymphoma cells, we found that increasing the resistance to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by catalase transfection or selection for H2O2 resistance caused glucocorticoid resistance. This suggests the possibility that increasing H2O2 sensitivity could sensitize the cells to glucocorticoids. In other cell types, increasing manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) can increase intracellular H2O2. The current study showed that increased expression of MnSOD sensitized WEHI7.2 cells to glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis and H2O2. Treatment of WEHI7.2 cells with t...

Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Infection of IFN{gamma} Unresponsive Mice: A Small Animal Model for Gammaherpesvirus-Associated B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disease

Cancer Research — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Gammaherpesviruses are tightly controlled by the host immune response, with gammaherpesvirus-associated malignancies prevalent in immune-suppressed individuals. Previously, infection of IFN-unresponsive mice with gammaherpesvirus 68 (HV68) showed that IFN controlled chronic infection, limiting chronic diseases including arteritis and pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we show that HV68-infected IFN receptor–deficient (IFNR–/–) mice uniformly develop angiocentric inflammatory lesions in the lung. Prolonged infection revealed a range of outcomes, from spontaneous regression to pulmonary lymphoma. By 12 months of infection, 80% of mice had lymphoid hyperplasia or pulmonary lymphoma; 45% of infected mice developed frank tumors between 5 and 12 months postinfection, with some mice show...

Malignant B Cells Skew the Balance of Regulatory T Cells and TH17 Cells in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Cancer Research — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Using biopsy specimens from patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, we observed a significantly low frequency of TH17 cells, including several samples with no detectable amount of interleukin (IL)-17–producing cells present in the tumor microenvironment. We found that, in the absence of lymphoma B cells, treatment with IL-1β/IL-6 or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enhanced IL-17 expression in CD4+ T cells and this enhancement was attenuated when CD4+ T cells were cocultured with lymphoma B cells. Blockade of CD27-CD70 or CD28-CD80/86 interactions by anti-CD70 or anti-CD80/86 antibodies restored LPS-mediated induction of IL-17 expression in CD4+ T cells cocultured with lymphoma B cells. Because a subset of lymphoma B cells express IL-2 and given that IL-2 signaling is critically im...

Long-term survival and late relapse in 2-year survivors of autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation for Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma

British Journal of Haematology — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study described long-term outcomes of autologous haematopoietic-cell transplantation (HCT) for advanced Hodgkin (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The study included recipients of autologous HCT for HL (N = 407) and NHL (N = 960) from 1990[ndash]98 who were in continuous complete remission for at least 2 years post-HCT. Median follow-up was 104 months for HL and 107 months for NHL. Overall survival at 10-years was 77% (72[ndash]82%) for HL, 78% (73[ndash]82%) for diffuse large-cell NHL, 77% (71[ndash]83%) for follicular NHL, 85% (75[ndash]93%) for lymphoblastic/Burkitt NHL, 52% (37[ndash]67%) for mantle-cell NHL and 77% (67[ndash]85%) for other NHL. On multivariate analysis, mantle-cell NHL had the highest relative-risk for late mortality [2·87 (1·70[ndash]4·87)], while the risks...

Common genetic variants in candidate genes and risk of familial lymphoid malignancies

British Journal of Haematology — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Familial aggregation, linkage and case[ndash]control studies support the role of germline genes in the aetiology of lymphoid malignancies. To further examine the role of genetic variation underlying susceptibility, we analysed 1536 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 152 genes involved in apoptosis, DNA repair, immune response and oxidative stress pathways among a unique sample of 165 unrelated familial cases including patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and 107 spouse controls. We confirmed previous studies showing a polymorphism in the IL10 promoter (rs1800890/-3575T>A) to be associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as this allele was found to be associated with both CLL and WM. We also confirmed the role of IL6 v...

Castleman Disease: An Update on Classification and the Spectrum of Associated Lesions

Advances in Anatomic Pathology — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Since its initial description, researchers have expanded the spectrum of Castleman disease to include not only the classic and well-recognized hyaline-vascular type, but also the plasma cell type and multicentric types of broader histologic range, including human herpes virus-8-associated Castleman disease. These less common subtypes of Castleman disease are less familiar, and may be under-recognized. Also of practical importance, current authors are restructuring the classification of multicentric Castleman disease to accommodate the emerging pathogenic role of human herpes virus-8 and its association with the recently described plasmablastic variant. In addition to an increased risk of lymphoma, patients with Castleman disease also are at increased risk for other related neoplasms, inclu...

Diffuse Aggressive B-cell Lymphomas

Advances in Anatomic Pathology — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:50:19 +0100

Diffuse aggressive B-cell lymphomas comprise a relatively common and increasingly diverse group of neoplasms. Newer modalities including gene expression profiling and an increasing panel of immunohistochemical markers have contributed to greater accuracy in defining these entities. Attention is paid not only to the neoplastic cells but also to the cellular and stromal milieu in which they proliferate. These distinctions may have therapeutic implications as well, with improved outcome related to newer and sometimes targeted therapies. At the same time there is increasing understanding of the overlap, which occurs in the grey zone between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma as well as between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. This review aims to provide pract...

Personalized Anti-Cancer Vaccine, BiovaxID(R), Targeting B-Cell Lymphomas Available In Europe On A Named-Patient Basis

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Biovest International, Inc. (Other OTC:BVTI), a majority-owned subsidiary of Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Other OTC:ABPIQ), today announced that BiovaxID®, Biovest's personalized therapeutic anti-cancer vaccine, is available on a named-patient (compassionate-use) basis in Europe. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

88% Of Chronic Phase Patients With Ph+ CML Who Are Intolerant Or Resistant To Glivec Are Still Alive At 2 Years When Treated With Tasigna

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:00:00 +0100

New data show that at 24 months, patients in the chronic phase of Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) who are intolerant or resistant to current first-line therapy (Glivec) experienced a rapid response and significant reduction in leukaemia burden when treated with 400mg Tasigna twice-daily1. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

DNA Mutation That Occurs At Beginning Point Of T-cell Lymphoma Identified

ScienceDaily Headlines — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Researchers have identified a key mechanism that causes chromosomes within blood cells to break -- an occurrence that marks the first step in the development of human lymphoma. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Comedian Fred Travalena Dies After Battle with Cancer

About.com Cancer — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:57:10 +0100

Comedian Fred Travalena, who was famous for his celebrity impressions, has succumbed to cancer. The 66 year old Vegas performer died Sunday from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at his Encino, CA home.... (Source: About.com Cancer)

Yaupon Therapeutics Completes Patient Enrollment For Pivotal Phase 2 Study Of Clearazide For Treatment Of Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Yaupon Therapeutics, a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company, has announced it has completed enrollment for a pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial for Clearazide for the treatment of early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL - stages 1-2a). (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Clinical outcome of breast cancer occurring after treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma: case-control analysis

Radiation Oncology — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The previous history of HL does not appear to be a poor prognostic factor for BC occurring thereafter. (Source: Radiation Oncology)

Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors Have Increased Risk of Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack

JNCI — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: JNCI)

Increased Risk of Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack in 5-Year Survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma

JNCI — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Patients treated for Hodgkin lymphoma experience a substantially increased risk of stroke and TIA, associated with radiation to the neck and mediastinum. Physicians should consider appropriate risk-reducing strategies. (Source: JNCI)

Review and meta-analysis on vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and cancer risk

Carcinogenesis — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, this meta-analysis showed that VDR FokI and BsmI polymorphisms might modulate the risk of cancer of breast, skin and prostate and possibly affect cancer risk at any site in Caucasians. (Source: Carcinogenesis)

Therapeutic Approaches to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the Elderly Patient

Medscape Radiology Headlines — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:10:37 +0100

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma incidence, characteristics and treatment approaches that are specific to elderly patients are reviewed, as well as the impact of aging on the care of these patients. Expert Review of Hematology (Source: Medscape Radiology Headlines)

ASCO 2009: Expert Video Perspective on Lymphoma

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:53:13 +0100

In this video highlight, Dr. James Armitage shares his thoughts on the latest advances in lymphoma research from the 2009 ASCO annual meeting. Medscape Hematology-Oncology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

AIDS-related cancers

Medicine — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:17:31 +0100

Abstract: Immunodeficiency, regardless of the underlying cause, is associated with an increased risk of malignancy. In the case of HIV infection, the majority of these cancers are associated with oncogenic virus infection. Whilst the overall risk of all cancers is increased two to three times in people living with HIV infection, there are three AIDS-defining cancers whose relative risk is dramatically higher in this population. These are Kaposi sarcoma, high-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (including primary cerebral lymphoma) and invasive cervical cancer. Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy the incidence of the AIDS-defining malignancies has declined in populations with access to these medications, whilst the effects on the incidence of other cancers has been ...

AIDS and the lung

Medicine — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:17:31 +0100

Abstract: Respiratory problems continue to be a major burden of disease in HIV-infected patients, with more than 50% suffering at least one respiratory episode. In early HIV infection, respiratory infections are similar to those found in the general population, but more common. Progressive HIV-induced immunosuppression increases the risk of opportunistic infections and tumours. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has reduced the incidence of HIV-associated opportunistic infections and tumours, but has had less impact on the incidence of bacterial pneumonia, tuberculosis and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. HAART may trigger immune phenomena including over-exuberant and uncontrolled immune response to exogenous antigen most commonly seen in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, where two ‘syndromes�...

Neurological complications of HIV

Medicine — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:17:31 +0100

Abstract: HIV is a treatable condition and the physician should be alert to its varied neurological manifestations at all stages of the disease. Seroconversion can be associated with Guillain–Barré syndrome with characteristic cerebrospinal fluid changes. Tuberculosis can present at any CD4 count. Advanced HIV is associated with a variety of opportunistic infections, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, cerebral toxoplasmosis and cryptococcal meningitis, as well as primary central nervous system lymphoma associated with Epstein–Barr virus. HIV is neurotropic and causes a neurocognitive disorder as well as vacuolar myelopathy. Most neurological complications can respond favourably to highly active antiretroviral therapy. Treatment itself can be associated with neurolog...

HIV and the liver

Medicine — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:17:31 +0100

Abstract: HIV-related liver dysfunction can be categorized as three types: that related to the immunocompromised state, co-infection with hepatitis viruses or drug-related adverse events. A low CD4 lymphocyte count is linked to biliary tract disease caused by cytomegalovirus and cryptosporidia, granulomatous hepatitis with infections such as tuberculosis and leishmaniasis, and malignant hepatic infiltration including lymphoma, Kaposi sarcoma and hepatoma. HIV patients are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the prognosis is worse and treatment less effective than in HIV-uninfected individuals. Drug-related liver dysfunction is also common in HIV infection and includes hepatocellular dysfunction with antiretrovirals such as nevirapine...

Biology and Treatment of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Neurotherapeutics — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:32:20 +0100

Summary: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare variant of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is restricted in distribution to the brain, leptomeninges, spinal cord, and intraocular compartments. Although PCNSL shares overlapping features with systemic lymphoma, recent studies also reveal a unique pattern of gene and protein expression in PCNSL. These findings have yielded new insights into the pathophysiology of the disease, as well as the identification of novel prognostic biomarkers. Immune system compromise, such as is seen in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), is the best established known risk factor for PCNSL. Like other lesions of the brain, meninges, and eye, the presenting symptoms associated with PCNSL typically include focal neurological deficits r...

Current Perspectives on Neuro-Oncology

Neurotherapeutics — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:32:19 +0100

While the field of neuro-oncology has made some significant advances in the last several decades, effective treatments for the most aggressive central nervous system (CNS) tumors, particularly malignant glioma, have been elusive. However, as the rapid expansion in molecular biology is changing all areas of oncology at an unprecedented rate, updates such as this issue of Neurotherapeutics can provide a timely snapshot of the most current science and clinical management practices. We would like to formally thank the authors of these articles for contributing their expertise on various subtopics related to brain-tumor therapy, as well as the peer reviewers whose helpful insights served to round out the information presented here. This issue focuses primarily on glioma, but also includes artic...

Hematology: ASCT in follicular lymphoma

Nature Clinical Practice Oncology — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:02:57 +0100

Authors: Jennifer R. Brown & Arnold S. Freedman The use of autologous stem-cell transplantation in the treatment of follicular lymphoma remains controversial. Results from the GOELAMS trial show a higher progression-free survival rate in patients treated with autologous stem-cell transplantation compared to those treated with chemotherapy. (Source: Nature Clinical Practice Oncology)

Magnetic resonance imaging of primary breast lymphoma

La Radiologia Medica — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:04:53 +0100

Conclusions MRI features of primary breast lymphomas in this study cohort suggest that the occurrence of a PBNHL should be considered in the presence of large enhancing lesions of the breast, especially if associated with skin thickening. MRI may also have an important role in the assessment of response to therapy and diagnosis of recurrence. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Breast Radiology/SenologiaDOI 10.1007/s11547-009-0420-8Authors S. Rizzo, European Institute of Oncology Department of Radiology Via Ripamonti 435 20141 Milan ItalyL. Preda, European Institute of Oncology Department of Radiology Via Ripamonti 435 20141 Milan ItalyG. Villa, European Institute of Oncology Department of Radiology Via Ripamonti 435 20141 Milan ItalyS. Brambilla, University of Milan...

Laparoscopic management of an obstructing granulocytic sarcoma of the jejunum causing intussusception in a nonleukemic patient: Report of a case

Surgery Today — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:54:36 +0100

Abstract Granulocytic sarcoma is an extramedullary tumor of immature myeloid cells which is often a forerunner to the development of acute myelogenous leukemia. Granulocytic sarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract frequently involves the small intestine and often presents with abdominal pain and obstruction. Our patient presented with a proximal jejunal mass causing intussusception and obstruction. This type of manifestation has never before been reported. A laparoscopy-assisted resection of the affected portion of jejunum was performed for him. The initial pathological findings were high-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; immunohistochemistry confirmed a diagnosis of granulocytic sarcoma. After a follow-up of 14 months, there was no evidence of leukemia. This condition is ofte...

Commentary on the 2008 WHO classification of mature T- and NK-cell neoplasms

Journal of Hematopathology — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:30:36 +0100

Abstract In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a revised and updated edition of the classification of tumors of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues. The aims of the fourth edition of the WHO classification was to incorporate new scientific and clinical information in order to refine diagnostic criteria for previously described neoplasms and to introduce newly recognized disease entities. The recognition that T-cell lymphomas are related to the innate and adaptive immune system, as well as enhanced understanding of other T-cell subsets, such as the regulatory T-cell and follicular helper T-cells, has contributed to our understanding of the morphologic, histologic, and immunophenotypic features of T- and NK-cell neoplasms. The purpose of this review is to...

Commentary on the WHO classification of tumors of lymphoid tissues (2008): “Gray zone” lymphomas overlapping with Burkitt lymphoma or classical Hodgkin lymphoma

Journal of Hematopathology — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:30:30 +0100

Abstract The 2008 WHO Classification of Tumors of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues has introduced two new categories of high-grade B-cell lymphomas: entities in which features of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) overlap with Burkitt lymphoma (DLBCL/BL) or classical Hodgkin lymphoma (DLBCL/HL). The DLBCL/BL category encompasses cases that resemble Burkitt lymphoma morphologically, but have one or more immunophenotypic or molecular genetic deviations that would exclude it from the BL category; conversely, some cases have immunophenotypic and/or genetic features of BL, but display cytologic variability unacceptable for BL. Many of the cases in the DLBCL/BL category contain a translocation of MYC as well as either BCL2 or BCL6 (so-called double-hit lymphomas) and have a...

Clinicopathological features and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement findings of mycosis fungoides in patients younger than age 20 years

The Journal of Dermatology — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that usually arises in middle-aged or older people. The incidence of childhood MF is low, but studies in childhood MF suggests that the incidence is rising. The number of studies in childhood MF are few and there are currently no studies about childhood MF in Asians. We investigated the clinicopathological features, T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement findings, treatment and follow up in childhood MF. The retrospective study was performed on a population consisting of 23 MF patients aged 4[ndash]19 years. The duration of the disease ranged from 1 month to 10 years (mean, 2.7 years). In Tumor[ndash]Node[ndash]Metastasis classifications, all cases were confined to stage IA or IB. Histopathological findings revea...

[ORIGINAL ARTICLES: GENERAL THORACIC] Surgical Resection of Pulmonary Malignant Tumors After Living Donor Liver Transplantation

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions These results suggest a surgical resection of pulmonary malignancies including tumor recurrences or de novo malignancies after LDLT is a feasible procedure and may prolong survival in selected patients, even under immunosuppressive conditions. (Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery)

Infections in non-myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients with lymphoid malignancies: spectrum of infections, predictors of outcome and proposed guidelines for fungal infection prevention.

Cancer Control — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Safdar A, Rodriguez GH, Mihu CN, Mora-Ramos L, Mulanovich V, Chemaly RF, Champlin RE, Khouri I The overall risk of infections is lower in patients undergoing non-myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation (NST) than in conventional stem cell transplant recipients. We sought to evaluate conditions associated with increased risk of infections after NST. In 81 patients, 187 infection episodes were noted; chronic lymphocytic leukemia (138 episodes/100 person-years) and recipients of matched unrelated donor graft (128 episodes/100 person-years) had higher risk of infection. Only half of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections occurred 31-100 days after transplantation. Most patients with CMV infection were non-neutropenic (100%), had lymphoma (76%), were younger (<55 years;...

In vivo quantification of 18f-fdg uptake in human placenta during early pregnancy.

Health Physics — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:39:09 +0100

Authors: Zanotti-Fregonara P, Jan S, Champion C, Trébossen R, Maroy R, Devaux JY, Hindié E 18F-FDG is the most widely used PET radiopharmaceutical. Nevertheless, no data for 18F-FDG uptake in the human placenta have been reported. We recently reported on embryo dosimetry in a woman who underwent an 18F-FDG PET/CT scan during early pregnancy. In the present work we attempt an in vivo quantification of the 18F-FDG uptake by the placenta. The 27-y-old woman received 320 MBq of 18F-FDG for a follow-up study for Hodgkin's lymphoma and was later discovered to be pregnant (embryo age = 8 wk). Imaging started 1 h after injection. The maximum placental tissue uptake (SUVmax) was 2.5. This value was conservatively attributed to the entire placental volume, i.e., 45 mL, a value represen...

Targeting the G-quadruplex-forming region near the P1 promoter in the human BCL-2 gene with the cationic porphyrin TMPyP4 and with the complementary C-rich strand.

Biochimie — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:29:47 +0100

Authors: Del Toro M, Bucek P, Aviñó A, Jaumot J, González C, Eritja R, Gargallo R The B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) gene contains a region that has been implicated in the regulation of bcl-2 gene expression. This region can form G-quadruplex structures in solution [J.X. Dai, T.S. Dexheimer, D. Chen, M. Carver, A. Ambrus, R.A. Jones, D.Z. Yang, An intramolecular G-quadruplex structure with mixed parallel/antiparallel G-strands formed in the human BCL-2 promoter region in solution, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128 (2006) 1096-1098.]. Here, we examined the acid-base and conformational equilibria of this G-quadruplex-forming region (BCL2G), as well as its interaction with both the porphyrin TMPyP4 and with the complementary C-rich strand. We used molecular absorption and circular dichroism...

PKC-theta modulates the strength of T cell responses by targeting Cbl-b for ubiquitination and degradation.

Science Signaling — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:27:03 +0100

Authors: Gruber T, Hermann-Kleiter N, Hinterleitner R, Fresser F, Schneider R, Gastl G, Penninger JM, Baier G The E3 ubiquitin ligase Casitas B-lineage lymphoma (Cbl-b) is central to antigen-induced immune tolerance and regulates the CD28 dependence of T cell activation. Cbl-b undergoes ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation after adequate costimulation of T cells; however, the mechanism involved is unknown. Here, we identified protein kinase C-theta (PKC-theta) as the critical intermediary for the inactivation of Cbl-b in response to costimulation of T cells through CD28. PKC-theta associated with Cbl-b on stimulation of the T cell receptor. After costimulation of T cells through CD28, Cbl-b was ubiquitinated and degraded through a mechanism that depended on the kinase activity of...

Activation of T cells: releasing the brakes by proteolytic elimination of Cbl-b.

Science Signaling — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:27:03 +0100

Authors: Schmitz ML Activation of T lymphocytes relies on the simultaneous delivery of signals from the T cell receptor and co-receptors such as CD28. The absence of co-receptor signaling leads to a state of unresponsiveness called anergy, which prevents T cells from reacting against self antigens. The biochemical program that ensures the induction of anergy uses several mechanisms, including the synthesis of ubiquitin E3 ligases such as Cbl-b (Casitas B-lineage lymphoma). Because these E3 ligases function as gatekeepers to prevent the undesired activation of T cells, full and productive induction of the T cell response requires the restriction of these negative regulators by mechanisms that we are beginning to understand. PMID: 19549983 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Science Signa...

Novel drugs for chronic lymphoid leukemias: mechanism of action and therapeutic activity.

Current Medicinal Chemistry — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:08:03 +0100

Authors: Robak T Chronic lymphoid leukemias include well defined mature B-cell and T-cell neoplasms with diverse natural history and specific morphological, immunophenotypic and molecular characteristics. The most common adult leukemia in the Western world is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Rarer indolent lymphoid leukemias include prolymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, large granular lymphocyte leukemia and T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Recently, several new agents have been explored and have shown promise in CLL treatment. Novel therapies are being evaluated both in pre-clinical studies and in early clinical trials. These treatments include new purine nucleoside analogs, antisense oligonucleotides, agents targeting the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family of proteins, receptors involved...

Activation of the brain-specific neurogranin gene in murine T-cell lymphomas by proviral insertional mutagenesis.

Gene — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:35:59 +0100

We report here on retroviral activation of the Nrgn gene in tumors induced by the T-cell lymphomagenic SL3-3 murine leukemia virus. We have performed a systematic expression analysis of Nrgn in various mouse tissues and SL3-3 induced T-cell tumors. This demonstrated that insertional activation of Nrgn increased RNA and protein expression levels to that observed in brain. Furthermore, elevated Nrgn expression was also observed in some T-cell tumors with no detected provirus integrations into this genomic region. The presented data demonstrate that Nrgn can be produced at high levels outside the brain, and suggest a novel oncogenic role in T-cell lymphomas in mice. PMID: 19376211 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Gene)

Building an immune-mediated coagulopathy consensus: early recognition and evaluation to enhance post-surgical patient safety.

Patient Safety in Surgery — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:21:02 +0100

Authors: Ness P, Creer M, Rodgers GM, Naoum JJ, Renkens K, Voils SA, Alexander WA, ABSTRACT: Topical hemostats, fibrin sealants, and surgical adhesives are regularly used in a variety of surgical procedures involving multiple disciplines. Generally, these adjuncts to surgical hemostasis are valuable means for improving wound visualization, reducing blood loss or adding tissue adherence; however, some of these agents are responsible for under-recognized adverse reactions and outcomes. Bovine thrombin, for example, is a topical hemostat with a long history of clinical application that is widely used alone or in combination with other hemostatic agents. Hematologists and coagulation experts are aware that these agents can lead to development of an immune-mediated coagulopathy (IMC). A pa...

[Vasculopathy in Sjögren's syndrome.]

Zeitschrift fur Rheumatologie — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:55:02 +0100

[Vasculopathy in Sjögren's syndrome.] Z Rheumatol. 2009 Jul;68(4):305-11 Authors: Feist E, Hermann KG, Dankof A Sjögren's syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease with a predominant involvement of exocrine glands leading to sicca symptoms. Extraglandular involvement occurs in about 40% of patients with skin, musculoskeletal, neurological and organ manifestations. Systemic vasculitic manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome can be assumed in approximately 5%-10% of patients. Leukocytoclastic or cryoglobulinemic vasculitis represent classic vasculitic manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome. In the pathogenesis of vasculitis, B-cell-driven autoimmune processes play a major role by producing autoantibodies against the Ro/SS-A and La/SS-B antigens and cryoglobulins. I...

Lupus and cancer.

Lupus — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:51:06 +0100

Authors: Gayed M, Bernatsky S, Ramsey-Goldman R, Clarke A, Gordon C Individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased susceptibility to certain types of cancer. Of particular concern are haematologic malignancies, specifically non-Hodgkin lymphoma, where a three- to four-fold increased risk is seen in SLE, compared with the general population. There is some evidence that immunosuppressive exposures play a role, although there appear to be other factors driving the risk. Lupus disease activity, with resultant dysregulated lymphocyte proliferation, may itself be a mediator of the association between SLE and lymphoma. Aside from haematologic malignancy risk, lung cancer also is increased in SLE compared with the general population, and smoking likely drives this risk i...

Quantitative apparent diffusion coefficients in the characterization of brain tumors and associated peritumoral edema.

Acta Radiologica — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:47:18 +0100

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that ADC values and ADC ratios (minimum and mean of ADC tumor and ADC tumor ratio) may be helpful in the differentiation of metastases from high-grade gliomas. It cannot distinguish high-grade gliomas from lymphomas, and lymphomas from metastases. ADC values and ADC ratios in peritumoral edema cannot be used to differentiate edema with infiltration of tumor cells from vasogenic edema when measurements for high-grade gliomas, lymphomas, metastases, and meningiomas were compared. PMID: 19449234 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Acta Radiologica)