Cytotoxic effects of high concentrations of sodium ascorbate on human myeloid cell lines.

The effect of high doses of intravenous (sodium) ascorbate (ASC) in the treatment of cancer has been controversial although there is growing evidence that ASC in high (pharmacologic) concentrations induces dose-dependent pro-apoptotic death of tumor cells, in vitro. Very few data are available on the role of ASC in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Ascorbate behaves as an antioxidant at low (physiologic), and as pro-oxidant at pharmacologic, concentrations, and this may account for the differences reported in different experimental settings, when human myeloid cell lines, such as HL60, were treated with ASC.

Cell therapy: cGMP facilities and manufacturing.

Advanced therapies constitute one of the most complex, organizational, and regulatory areas currently approached by clinical researchers in order to explore new therapeutic applications. Basic scientists and clinicians trying to implement cell therapies into clinical practice, may feel overwhelmed by the apparently endless regulatory requirements that apply. However, regulatory agencies have primary responsibility on patient safety and law enforcement are, and should be, their main considerations.

A multiple regression analysis on factors influencing haematopoietic progenitor cell collection for autologous transplantation.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation today is the standard treatment for a wide variety of haematological and oncological diseases. HSC are collected from peripheral blood by leukapheresis (HPC-A) following chemotherapy and/or growth factor-mediated mobilization. The ideal HPC-A collection allows to reach the CD34(+) target dose through a single, tailored leukapheresis.

Survey of current practice for monitoring and management of platelet refractoriness in Italy.

Platelet transfusion failure is a common phenomenon affecting from 7% to 34% of haematology-oncology patients. Monitoring the efficacy of platelet transfusion through the evaluation of a post-transfusion platelet count and clinical response represent an important guide for subsequent transfusions and for the detection of refractoriness. The aim of this survey was to investigate physicians' attitudes and practices regarding the monitoring of platelet response and the management of platelet refractoriness.