Minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukemia (FAB AML-M0): prognostic factors and treatment effects on survival--a retrospective study of 42 adult cases.

Data from 42 adult patients with newly diagnosed minimally differentiated (M0) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were reported. Clinical and biological characteristics at diagnosis were heterogenous. All patients received induction chemotherapy combining an anthracycline with cytarabine.

[Therapeutic alternatives to native L-asparaginase in the treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

L-asparaginase is an effective antineoplastic agent, which is an integral part of combination chemotherapy protocols for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Its antitumor effect results from the depletion of asparagine, an amino acid essential to leukemia cells, and subsequent inhibition of protein synthesis leading to cytotoxicity. However, its use has been limited by a high rate of hypersensitivity reactions and development of neutrolizing anti-asparaginase antibodies, and by the need of frequent administration.

[Mitochondrial toxicity: a case of palpebral ptosis in a woman infected by HIV and treated with HAART including zidovudine].

The usual clinical feature of mitochondrial toxicity is proximal myopathy. We present the report case of palpebral ptosis which occurred under zidovudine therapy The symptom remission was obtained by stopping the antiretroviral therapy. This involves an important vigilance from both doctor and patient.

Incidence of lipodystrophy and metabolic disorders in patients starting non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in Benin.

Background: The incidence and risk factors for lipodystrophy and metabolic disorders among patients in Africa on first-line combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) mostly containing non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors is poorly documented.

Methods: This prospective cohort study recruited 88 HIV-infected patients initiating cART between October 2004 and June 2005 in Cotonou, Benin. Patients were followed for 24 months.