LiAl x Mn 1Ϫx O 2 and LiCr x Mn 1Ϫx O 2 compounds (x Յ 0.10) with an ␣-NaFeO 2 layer-type crystal structure have been prepared by a high temperature solid-state route. The compounds are well ordered with Al or Cr sharing the Mn sites and no detectable cation mixing between Mn and Li layers. Both Al-and Cr-substituted materials cycled between 4.4 and 2.0 V in Li cells at 55ЊC show high stability of capacity. However the Al-substituted materials undergo a structural transformation to a spinel-type phase, accompanied by evolution of the discharge voltage curve to a two-plateau profile. Materials modified with small amounts of Cr show a different evolution of the discharge voltage. X-ray diffraction data for cycled LiCr x Mn 1Ϫx O 2 cathodes show that these compounds do not undergo significant transformation to spinel on cycling, but retain a hexagonal structure established on first charge.

Cancer diagnostics and therapies have improved steadily over the last few decades, markedly increasing life expectancy for patients at all ages. However, conventional and newer anti-neoplastic therapies can cause short-and long-term cardiotoxicity. The clinical implications of this cardiotoxicity become more important with the increasing use of cardiotoxic drugs. The implications are especially serious among patients predisposed to adverse cardiac effects, such as youth, the elderly, those with cardiovascular comorbidities, and those receiving additional chemotherapies or thoracic radiation. However, the optimal strategy for preventing and managing chemotherapyinduced cardiotoxicity remains unknown. The routine use of neurohormonal antagonists for cardioprotection is not currently justified, given the marginal benefits and associated adverse events, particularly with long-term use. The only United States Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency approved treatment for preventing anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy is dexrazoxane. We advocate administering dexrazoxane during cancer treatment to limit the cardiotoxic effects of anthracycline chemotherapy.

We report a case of POEMS syndrome which relapsed six years after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. According to encouraging data published recently, we treated the patient with cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone and the VEGF-antibody bevacizumab. After an initial improvement, the subsequent course was complicated by severe adverse events leading to multiorgan failure and death. This dramatic decline highlights the need for further investigation before using bevacizumab in patients with POEMS syndrome.

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