2-CDA had a high activity even in heavily pretreated and refractory patients with low-grade lymphoproliferative disorders. In contrast to previously published studies, infections, mainly opportunistic, were a serious side effect in our study. In patients with severe lymphopenia at therapy initiation, the value of prophylactic anti-infective treatment should be studied.

We conclude that 'high' levels of DRP in tumor tissue of breast cancer patients are part of the initial phenotype of the malignant cells. Due to its high prevalence (83% in EBC, 100% in primarily metastatic breast cancer), PGP did not add to prognostic information. High levels of GSH, GST and GPx were associated with favorable clinical characteristics and good prognosis, whereas low levels of GSH and GST activity were associated with more aggressive or more advanced disease.

One course of CDA given by subcutaneous bolus injections is very effective in HCL. The subcutaneous administration is more convenient for patients and care providers, and has a similar toxicity profile to continuous intravenous infusion. The subcutaneous administration of CDA is a substantial improvement and should be offered to every patient with HCL requiring treatment with CDA.

Objective: To study cross-reactions to Echinococcus granulosus hydatid fluid antigen (EgHF) in ELISA tests on serum from patients with malignancies. Methods:The study was based on the use of different ELlSAs and a subsequent Western blot test for the confirmation of positive ELISA results.Results: We found that cross-reactions with the EgHF ELISA were unusually high (6.3%) in patients with malignancies as compared with sera from healthy subjects (0.5%. p<0.05). Seropositive patients suffered significantly less frequently from advanced, consuming malignancy as compared with patients with a negative EgHF ELISA (24% versus 55%, p<0.05). The Western blot test remained negative with respect t o the diagnostically relevant 8-kDa band in all patients with a positive EgHF ELSA reaction. Conclusions:The screening EgHF ELISA for E. granulosus is associated with relatively frequent false-positive reactions in tumor patients, whereas the Western blot test is a specific immunodiagnostic tool enabling discrimination between malignancy and parasitic hydatid disease.

Overall there is confirming evidence for the hypothesised structure of the SELT-M, especially for the newly developed module on spiritual QL. This module may be used as a module together with other cancer specific QL questionnaires.