In B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia chromosome 17 abnormalities and not trisomy 12 are the single most important cytogenetic abnormalities for the prognosis: a cytogenetic and immunophenotypic study of 480 unselected newly diagnosed patients.

Of 560 consecutive, newly diagnosed untreated patients with B CLL submitted for chromosome study, G-banded karyotypes could be obtained in 480 cases (86%). Of these, 345 (72%) had normal karyotypes and 135 (28%) had clonal chromosome abnormalities: trisomy 12 (+12) was found in 40 cases, 20 as +12 alone (+12single), 20 as +12 with additional abnormalities (+12complex). Other frequent findings included abnormalities of 14q, chromosome 17, 13q and 6q.

The bone-marrow infiltration pattern in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia is not an important prognostic factor. Danish CLL Study Group.

In a multicentre study of 635 consecutive newly diagnosed patients with B-CLL, the histological bone marrow (BM) specimens were reviewed independently by each of 3 pathologists and found evaluable for BM infiltration pattern in 575 patients, 404 of whom had a CD5+, mainly FMC7-, faint surface-membrane immunoglobulin (SIg) fluorescence-intensity ppenotype. In these 404 patients the following BM infiltration patterns were found: mixed nodular-interstitial (30%), moderate interstitial (44%), heavy interstitial (20%) and diffuse packed (6%). In univariate survival analysis, significant differences were found according to BM pattern (p < 0.

Effect of various doses of intravenous polyclonal IgG on in vivo levels of 12 pneumococcal antibodies in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and multiple myeloma.

Polyclonal intravenous IgG (IVIG) was administered as an infusion 6 times every 3 weeks (week 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15) in doses of 0.1, 0.4 and 0.

Multiple myeloma treated with mitoxantrone in combination with vincristine and prednisolone (NOP regimen) versus melphalan and prednisolone: a phase III study. Nordic Myeloma Study Group (NMSG).

One-hundred-and-fifty-one patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma were allocated to treatment with either NOP regimen (mitoxantrone 16 mg/m2 and vincristine 2 mg day 1 and prednisolone 250 mg day 1-4 and 17-20) or M+P regimen (melphalan 0.25 mg/kg and prednisolone 100-200 mg/day day 1-4). Both regimens were repeated every 4 weeks and were scheduled for 1 year.

Mouse erythrocyte rosette formation with malignant human B-lymphocytes re-evaluated: still a useful marker for differentiating mature B-cell malignancies.

We have re-evaluated mouse rosette formation (MRF) as a marker for B-CLL by estimating the fraction of mouse rosette forming B-lymphocytes (identified by CD20 monoclonal antibodies) in normal donors and malignant CD20+ cell proliferations (ALL, AML, B-NHL, B-HCL and B-CLL). Whereas this ratio was increased in B-CLL, all other CD20 positive malignancies showed mean ratios of less than 0.1.

Aclarubicin plus cytosine arabinoside versus daunorubicin plus cytosine arabinoside in previously untreated patients with acute myeloid leukemia: a Danish national phase III trial. The Danish Society of Hematology Study Group on AML, Denmark.

A regimen of aclarubicin (ACR) of 75 mg/m2 daily for 3 days plus a continuous intravenous infusion of cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) of 100 mg/m2 per day for 7 days was compared with daunorubicin (DNR) 45 mg/m2/day for 3 days plus ara-C for 7 days as first-line chemotherapy of de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a randomized, nationwide Danish study. A total of 180 patients aged between 17 and 65 years were entered onto the protocol. Patients who achieved complete remission (CR) were given five courses of intensive consolidation therapy consisting of two courses of high dose ara-C, two courses of amsacrine plus etoposide, and one course of DNR plus ara-C.

Aberrations of chromosome 6 in 193 newly diagnosed untreated cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Aberrations of chromosome 6 were observed in 11 of 193 cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia diagnosed January 1, 1984-November 1, 1988 and investigated cytogenetically within 30 days after diagnosis. The 6p was rearranged in 5 cases: 4 balanced and 1 unbalanced translocation. The 6q was involved in 6 cases: 4 deletions and 2 balanced translocations.

Immune dysfunction in multiple myeloma. Reduced natural killer cell activity and increased levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by an increased susceptibility to infections and to other malignancies. Selected related immune functions were studied. Spontaneous and interleukin-2-stimulated natural killer (NK) cell activities were normal in 19 patients with MM compared with 62 controls.

The secretory erythropoietin response in patients with multiple myeloma and Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia.

Immunoreactive levels of serum erythropoietin (EPO) have been measured in 95 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and 12 patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia (MW). Of the MM patients 23% were uraemic (mostly light and moderate renal failure) and 61.7% were anaemic.

Decreased tetranectin in multiple myeloma.

Tetranectin, a recently described human protein widely distributed in the body and with possible importance for cell growth and differentiation, has previously been observed to be decreased in patients with solid malignant tumors. In patients with multiple myeloma, either untreated or previously treated, serum levels were found to be significantly reduced. A negligible interindividual variation was observed.

The effect of ranitidine on cellular immunity in patients with multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma is characterized by an increased susceptibility to infections and to other malignancies. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study the potential impact of immunomodulation by ranitidine was studied in 20 patients with multiple myeloma. Three patients were untreated, while 17 after previous cytotoxic therapy were in a stable phase of their disease.

B lymphocyte function in multiple myeloma: analysis of T cell- and monocyte-dependent antibody production.

T-cell and B-cell functions were studied in 35 patients with untreated multiple myeloma (MM) and in 16 patients with MM treated with prednisolone, melphalan and vincristine. The numbers of CD4+ T cells were normal in untreated MM patients, but markedly decreased in treated patients, whereas CD8+ cell numbers were normal in untreated and treated patients. Mitogen-induced as well as antigen-induced lymphocyte proliferative responses were reduced, but not further affected by treatment.

Occurrence and type of chromosomal abnormalities in consecutive malignant monoclonal gammopathies: correlation with survival.

Chromosome studies were done on 73 patients with multiple myeloma and three patients with plasma cell leukemia. Eighteen of 76 patients (24%) had chromosomally abnormal clones, including all three patients with PCL. The most common anomalous chromosomes were #1, #14, and #12.

The CLL2 study: preliminary results of flow cytometry immunophenotyping in the first 500 patients.

In the period 1984-1987, 500 consecutive, newly diagnosed patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) have been registered in the still open Danish CLL2-study. As part of patient work-up, the immunological phenotype was established in all patients by immunofluorescence microscopy, and in 458 patients also by flow cytometry, with a panel of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. The majority of cases exhibited a CD5-pos, SmIgMD-pos phenotype with faint SmIg-fluorescence, and there is as yet no significant difference in survival between SmIgD-pos and SmIgD-neg cases.

Non-Hodgkin malignant lymphomas and Hodgkin's disease in first-degree relatives. Evidence for a mutual genetic predisposition?

The occurrence of malignant lymphomas in 3 siblings is described. The cases include the first report of Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma in dizygotic twins. Another remarkable feature was the development of malignant lymphoma, when the siblings were at the same age.

Phase III study of intermittent 5-drug regimen (VBCMP) versus intermittent 3-drug regimen (VMP) versus intermittent melphalan and prednisone (MP) in myelomatosis.

A prospective randomized trial in 96 patients with previously untreated myelomatosis was performed comparing 3 regimens of chemotherapy: (i) Intermittent vincristine, BCNU, cyclophosphamide, melphalan, and prednisone (VBCMP) to (ii) intermittent vincristine, melphalan and prednisone (VMP) to (iii) intermittent melphalan and prednisone (MP). Induction response rates and survival were similar in all 3 regimens. An improvement in relapse-free survival was observed by adding vincristine to MP, but this did not achieve statistical difference (p = 0.

Development of acute nonlymphocytic leukaemia (ANLL) in myelomatosis.

On the basis of the literature, so-called secondary acute nonlymphocytic leukaemia (S-ANLL) in myelomatosis is reviewed. Using the banding technique, cytogenetic changes including hypodiploidy and partially or totally missing chromosomes # 5 and # 7 are recorded. The findings are in accordance with the cytogenetic changes seen in S-ANLL in other malignancies which have been treated with cytostatics, especially alkylating agents.

Aclarubicin in the treatment of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia refractory to treatment with daunorubicin and cytarabine: a phase II trial.

Aclarubicin (ACR) was administered in a prospective cooperative phase II trial to 44 patients with possibly refractory acute nonlymphocytic leukemia who were previously treated with daunorubicin and cytarabine. Induction treatment consisted of 80 mg/m2 of ACR iv daily for 3 days, followed by 80 mg/m2 iv daily for 2 days in patients not obtaining a complete remission (CR) after 2-4 weeks. CR was observed in eight patients (18%) and partial remission was observed in six (14%).

Current patterns of bacterial infection in myelomatosis.

Bacterial infections were registered in 39 patients with myelomatosis during 18 months in a prospective study. The infection incidence was 0.80 infections per patient year.

Antibody response to pneumococcal vaccination in patients with myelomatosis.

17 patients with myelomatosis were vaccinated with a 14-valent pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine. In comparison to 12 healthy controls, they had statistically significant lower combined geometric mean antibody concentrations (the geometric means of all 14 antigens), both before and 4 weeks after the immunization. Mean antibody increases, however, were remarkably similar in the 2 groups.

Renal plasma clearance: a valuable marker in myelomatosis.

Forty-two consecutive patients with untreated myelomatosis (MM) formed the basis of settling the validity of measuring the renal plasma clearance (RPC), either indirectly using the serum creatinine or directly using the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) when studying anaemia, calcium metabolism, proteins in serum and urine, and prognosis. Patients without light chain excretion in the urine had a higher GFR (P less than 0.01) than patients with light chain excretion.

Interrelationships between Vitamin B12 and folic acid in myelomatosis: cobalamin coenzyme and tetrahydrofolic acid function.

Cobalamin and folate metabolism was investigated in 43 patients with myelomatosis, in 8 control subjects of similar age and 22 younger controls. Plasma total cobalamin was lower in myeloma patients than in either of the control groups and methylcobalamin (Me-Cbl) was disproportionately reduced. Erythrocyte levels of total cobalamin were very similar in patients and elderly controls but were half the levels in younger controls.