Gastrointestinal and hepatic complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Recognition and management of gastrointestinal and hepatic complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has gained increasing importance as indications and techniques of transplantation have expanded in the last few years. The transplant recipient is at risk for several complications including conditioning chemotherapy related toxicities, infections, bleeding, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) as well as other long-term problems. The severity and the incidence of many complications have improved in the past several years as the intensity of conditioning regimens has diminished and better supportive care and GVHD prevention strategies have been implemented.

HIV-negative plasmablastic lymphoma: not in the mouth.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive variant of non-Hodgkin lymphoma initially reported in the oral cavity of HIV-positive individuals. Since its original description, several cases have been reported in patients who do not have HIV infection. However, despite its recognition as a distinct subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma several years ago, comprehensive reviews of this entity are lacking.

Clinical and pathological differences between human immunodeficiency virus-positive and human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients with plasmablastic lymphoma.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a distinct variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma initially described in HIV-positive patients. Several studies have reported the occurrence of PBL in HIV-negative patients, but comparative data are lacking. The goal of this study was to compare the characteristics of HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with PBL.

Prognostic factors in chemotherapy-treated patients with HIV-associated Plasmablastic lymphoma.

Background: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma commonly seen in the oral cavity of HIV-infected individuals. PBL has a poor prognosis, but prognostic factors in patients who have received chemotherapy have not been adequately evaluated.

Methods: An extensive literature search rendered 248 cases of PBL, from which 157 were HIV(+).

Thromboembolic complications of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in an immunocompromised patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: a case report.

Introduction: Infectious complications represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The etiology is postulated to be secondary to aberrations in cell-mediated immunity, as well as to therapy-related immunosuppression. Hypogammaglobulinemia, which occurs in virtually all patients with CLL, may be profound and correlates with disease duration and stage.

Ofatumumab, a second-generation anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of lymphoproliferative and autoimmune disorders.

Background: Lymphoproliferative and autoimmune disorders share monoclonal dysregulation and survival advantage of B-lymphocytes. Thus, therapies directed towards eliminating B-cells will play an important role as CD20 is exclusively expressed in B-lymphocytes and its modulation by monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab has improved outcomes in lymphoproliferative and autoimmune disorders. Ofatumumab is a new, fully human anti-CD20 antibody and has been shown to be effective and safe, but its role in these conditions is still unclear.

Veltuzumab, an anti-CD20 mAb for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Veltuzumab is a humanized, second-generation anti-CD20 mAb currently under development by Immunomedics Inc for the potential treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Licensee Nycomed is developing veltuzumab for the potential treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Veltuzumab contains 90 to 95% human antibody sequences with identical antigen framework regions to epratuzumab (a humanized anti-CD22 mAb) and similar antigen-binding determinants to rituximab (chimeric, anti-CD20 mAb and the first-line treatment of aggressive and indolent NHL).

Left sided inferior vena cava duplication and venous thromboembolism: case report and review of literature.

The etiology of venous thromboembolism in young patients is frequently associated with hereditary coagulation abnormalities, immunologic diseases, and neoplasia. The advent of radiological advances, namely Computed Tomography (CT) scans and venography has identified vena cava malformations as a new etiologic factor worthy of consideration. In this case report, we describe the unusual occurrence of venous thromboembolism in association with a duplicated inferior vena cava.