No abstract

The purpose of our study was to determine the efficacy of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) administered in 2-hour intravenous infusions in previously treated patients with low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (LGNHL). We treated 94 LGNHL patients with 2-CdA at a dosage of 0.12 mg/kg/24h in 2-hour intravenous infusion for 5 consecutive days. The treatment consisted of from 1 to 7 courses (median 3), repeated usually at monthly intervals. All patients were refractory to or relapsed after standard chemotherapy. Of these 94 patients 78 (83%) had clinical stage IV of the disease. Complete response (CR) was obtained in 12 (12.8%) and partial response (PR) in 36 (38.3%) giving an overall response rate of 51.1%. In 12 (12.8%) grade 4 thrombocytopenia with haemorrhagic diathesis was noted, grade 4 neutropenia was observed in 12 (12.8%) and infections complicated the course of treatment in 38 (40.4%) patients. 2-CdA treatment was the cause of death of 3 patients. The results of our study show that 2-CdA given in 2-hour infusions is an effective agent in advanced, heavily pretreated patients with LGNHL.

No abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the application of vincristin or vinblastin in patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), resistant to corticosteroids or with partial contraindication to their application. Twenty-two patients were treated with vincristin or vinblastin in doses of 2 and 10 mg, respectively. Eight of these patients were additionally administered prednisone in an oral dose of 0.5 mg/kg body mass (bm). Two-hour intravenous infusions of drugs were made once a week, at least three times. In every patient, the platelet count was evaluated before and after the three infusions. A rise of the platelet count of at least 100 x 10(9)/l was assumed to signify improvement. Statistically significant improvement (P <0.01) was obtained in nine (41%) patients (including five (35%) patients treated with vinca alkaloids only and in four (50%) patients treated with vincristin and corticosteroids). On the average, 8 weeks after the termination of the treatment there was a 40% drop in the platelet. Patients with a shorter duration of the disease and without detectable platelet antibodies responded well to the treatment more frequently. Minor complications were observed in five patients (23%), notably in the form of paresthesia. Leukopenia was not present. Vinca alkaloids could find their application in clinical situations requiring short-term increase of the platelet count in chronically ill patients with ITP, resistant to corticosteroids or with counterindication to their application.

Epidemiological studies on myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in Middle-Eastern Europe are scarce. No data about the demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of Polish MDS patients have been published. The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological data and toxic exposure of Polish MDS patients and their association with hematological parameters and clinical outcomes. For 15 months, 966 living MDS patients were enrolled at 24 centers (12 university and 12 community hospitals). Follow-up was conducted for the next 55 months. The percentage of patients older than 80 years (16%) was between the values for Eastern and Western countries. In patients younger than 55 years, a female predominance was observed (male/female ratio 0.70:1 vs. 1.29:1; p < 0.001). Female patients had higher platelet counts (160 × 10⁹/l vs. 111 × 10⁹/l; p < 0.001). Patients exposed to chemicals were younger than patients without such exposure; their median age at MDS diagnosis was 66 vs. 70 years (p = 0.037). Smokers had significantly lower hemoglobin concentrations (8.6 vs. 9.1 g/dl; p = 0.032) and lower platelet counts (99 × 10⁹/l vs. 137 × 10⁹/l; p < 0.001) than nonsmokers. We provide the first description of the characteristics of Polish MDS patients. Females predominated in the group aged <60 years and they had higher platelet counts. The course of the disease is affected by toxic exposure and smoking.