elevated Lp(a) concentration is a stable risk factor for VTE at any time; data to support this are yet to be generated. Although our patient sample was small, it was large enough to demonstrate that Lp(a) concentrations can be modulated during asparaginasecontaining therapy, as also shown by others. Disease processes and pharmacological interventions can modify Lp(a) levels and, thus, the risk for VTE related to Lp(a) levels. This needs to be taken into account when risk stratification for VTE on the basis of Lp(a) concentrations is performed.

Leukaemic infiltration of the lungs may occur in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Pulmonary infiltrates are usually microscopic and invariably associated with hyperleucocytosis. Four AML patients with respiratory symptoms and low leucocyte counts underwent standard chest radiography, bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) of the lungs. HRCT scans showed pulmonary infiltrates with alveolar, interstitial, mixed and peribronchial/perivascular patterns in all patients, including one with negative standard radiographic findings. Infectious agents were excluded. Histology of the lung biopsy/autopsy specimens showed leukaemic infiltrates. Pulmonary leukaemia may be the cause of pulmonary infiltrates, even in non-hyperleucocytosic AML patients with low blast counts

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

No abstract

<p>The interferons are cytokines with a wide array of biological properties. In hematological malignancies the most used IFN class is -ex; it has been used for thirty years but the mode of action is still not absolutely clear. Nevertheless, the benefits of IFN-cx for the treatment of CMD have been described in particular for CML and less for PV, ET and MMM. </p><p> IFN-cx is presently considered the golden standard of therapy for CML patients not eligible for SCT; the antileukemic effect has been well documented by hematological and cytogenetic response. The survival . advantage for IFN treated patients is remarkable in comparison with patients treated with conventional chemotherapy. Recently, the combination IFN-cx plus Ara-C has demonstrated to increase the rate of major cytogenetic response and to prolong survival. </p><p> To date, there is not a generally accepted treatment for ET, PV and MMM, which can reduce the risk of thromboembolism and/or hemorragic events. In several subsets of ET and PV patients, IFN-cx can be considered as first line therapy. </p><p> IFN-cx is usually associated with the development of early and later side effects, that reduce the enthusiasm for its use. In the future PEG-IFN-cx would improve the quality of life of IFN-treated CMD patients.</p>