Evaluation of erythrocytapheresis compared to phlebotomy in polycythaemia vera patients.

Introduction: Polycythaemia vera patients can present with arterial or venous vascular occlusive events such as thrombosis or cardiovascular disease; disease-related symptoms may significantly impact on the quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of erythrocytapheresis compared to phlebotomy in the treatment of polycythaemia patients.

Methods: This study reports the findings of a retrospective analysis of 40 polycythaemia vera patients diagnosed according to published guidelines and treated either with erythrocytapheresis or phlebotomy over a four-year period.

Chronic red blood cell exchange to prevent clinical complications in sickle cell disease.

We tracked the results of 394 manual or automatic red blood cell exchanges done with a cell separator in 20 sickle cell patients at high risk for recurrent complications. Over an average of 6 years, none of the patients developed complications related to the procedure or to the increased blood use. It was safe and effective in preventing complications of sickle cell disease, and if done automatically, reduced iron overload.

Alternation of epirubicin and mitoxantrone in CHOP-like regimens retains efficacy and reduces overall toxicity in elderly patients with high and intermediate grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Mitoxantrone and Epirubicin are active agents in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). These drugs have reduced cardiotoxicity and therefore are indicated in treatment of elderly patients. Cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, vincristine and methylprednisone (CNOP) and cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine and methylprednisone (CEOP) are combination chemotherapy and contain Mitoxantrone and Epirubicin that have been shown to be effective in treatment of NHL of intermediate and highgrade of malignancy in the elderly.