[Decitabine treatment in myelodysplastic syndromes--results of a compassionate patient program in Israel].

Introduction: Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) has been recognized as an important factor in the pathogenesis of malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Decitabine (trade name Dacogen; 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine) is a cytosine analog which inhibits the enzyme DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), inducing hypomethylation and activates TSG, leading to tumor cell growth inhibition. In clinical trials with hypomethylating agents in advanced MDS, a total response rate of 30-73% has been observed, with a complete response (CR) of 9-37%, partial response (PR] of similar rate and a hematologic improvement (HI] in 20-48% of the patients.

[The new anticoagulants].

Anticoagulant therapy is based on two veteran drugs, which have been in use for over 60 years: heparin and warfarin. Due to the limitations of these agents, new parenteral anticoagulants have been introduced, mainly the low molecular weight heparins, fondaparinux and direct thrombin inhibitors. The need to develop new drugs has led to major efforts by the pharmaceutical industry and many promising anticoagulant oral agents are being tested.

Enhancing the action of rituximab in chronic lymphocytic leukemia by adding fresh frozen plasma: complement/rituximab interactions & clinical results in refractory CLL.

Many patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) develop progressive treatment-resistant disease. Rituximab (RTX), a monoclonal antibody targeting CD20 on B lymphocytes and widely used in other indolent B-cell neoplasms is less efficacious in CLL, possibly because of associated complement deficiencies. Initial in vitro and in vivo observations support the central role of complement in rituximab-mediated loss of CD20(+) cells in CLL.

Evaluation of arterial compliance in polycythemia vera patients: short and long-term influence of phlebotomy.

Background: Thrombosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in polycythemia vera. Hypercoagulability is principally due to hyperviscosity of the whole blood, an exponential function of the hematocrit. PV is also associated with endothelial dysfunction that can predispose to arterial disease.

Chronic paraneoplastic cutaneous syndrome preceding an indolent variant of mantle cell lymphoma: favorable response to rituximab.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive type of malignant lymphoma with short median survival despite conventional therapy. We describe the unusual case of a 66-year-old man with a chronic skin rash which preceded the occurrence of an indolent MCL by 2 years. Repeated skin biopsies did not show involvement by the lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and residential proximity to toxic industrial waste in southern Israel.

Environmental exposure has been linked to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Toxic volatile compounds were found in groundwater downstream of an industrial site in southern Israel. The risk of NHL and clinical characteristics of NHL patients were analyzed in relation to their proximity to the site.

Complement profile in childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura: a prospective pilot study.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a frequent, usually acute hematologic complication of viral diseases in children. Its evolution is usually benign with spontaneous resolution. Some authors have raised the hypothesis of a possible role of the complement system in the pathogenesis of ITP.

Human CTL epitopes prostatic acid phosphatase-3 and six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate-3 as candidates for prostate cancer immunotherapy.

Specific immunotherapy of prostate cancer may be an alternative or be complementary to other approaches for treatment of recurrent or metastasized disease. This study aims at identifying and characterizing prostate cancer-associated peptides capable of eliciting specific CTL responses in vivo. Evaluation of peptide-induced CTL activity in vitro was done following immunization of HLA-A2 transgenic (HHD) mice.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura due to alcohol binge drinking.

Binge alcohol drinking is a pattern of alcohol abuse that is common among young males worldwide. It has been found to be associated with an increased likelihood of injury as a cause of death. Chronic alcohol abuse is known to cause some common hematological manifestations such as macrocytosis, thrombocytopenia, sideroblastic anemia, global marrow suppression, and folic acid deficiency anemia.

Severe enoxaparin-induced thrombocytopenia complicated by pulmonary emboli.

Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) have been widely used in the last decade, especially for prophylaxis of deep venous thrombophlebitis. Enoxaparin-induced thrombocytopenia is rarely encountered, in contrast to its high prevalence among patients treated with unfractionated heparin. We report a case of a patient who was admitted because of a pulmonary embolus due to proximal deep vein thrombophlebitis 2 weeks after surgery, despite prophylaxis with low-dose enoxaparin after prostatectomy.

Conventional dose fludarabine-based regimens are effective but have excessive toxicity in elderly patients with refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The best approach to elderly patients with relapsing chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or disease refractory to conventional therapy with alkylating agents has not yet been established. Fludarabine and its combination with mitoxantrone and/or cyclophosphamide, which is the most effective treatment in younger patients, has not been extensively utilized in the elderly CLL. Here we report our results with fludarabine-based chemotherapy in 32 previously treated patients over the age of 65 years.

Novel role of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in induction of erythroid progenitor cell proliferation.

Objective: Burst-forming unit erythroid and colony-forming unit erythroid growth in vitro is lower in studies of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients than healthy controls. Burst-forming unit erythroid growth was potentiated by addition of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] and normalized by erythropoietin (Epo) therapy, suggesting an interaction between Epo and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) at the stem cell level. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism by which 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) enhances the stimulatory effect of Epo on the growth of erythroid precursor cells.