The Value of IgM Memory B-Cells in the Assessment of Splenic Function in Childhood Cancer Survivors at Risk for Splenic Dysfunction: A DCCSS-LATER Study.

Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) who received radiotherapy involving the spleen or total body irradiation (TBI) might be at risk for splenic dysfunction. A comprehensive screening test for examining splenic dysfunction is lacking.

Objective: We investigated whether IgM memory B-cells could be used to assess splenic dysfunction in CCS who received a splenectomy, radiotherapy involving the spleen, or TBI.

Effects of dalteparin on anti-Xa activities cannot be predicted in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Critically ill COVID-19 patients are at high risk of thromboembolic events despite routine-dosed low-molecular-weight heparin thromboprophylaxis. However, in recent randomized trials increased-intensity thromboprophylaxis seemed futile and possibly even harmful. In this explorative pharmacokinetic (PK) study we measured anti-Xa activities on frequent timepoints in 15 critically ill COVID-19 patients receiving dalteparin and performed PK analysis by nonlinear mixed-effect modelling.

For Debate: Personalized Health Care: As Exemplified by Home Sodium Measurements in a Child with Central Diabetes Insipidus and Impaired Thirst Perception.

Background: We describe a 6-year old boy with central diabetes insipidus (CDI) caused by destruction of the pituitary gland due to treatment of an optical pathway glioma. He has been treated with chemotherapy and has had several debulking operations over the past years and consequently developed central hypocortisolism, hypothyroidism and CDI. The treatment of CDI was gravely complicated by an impaired thirst perception and compulsive drinking behavior.

Strategies to reduce wastage of red blood cell units.

Background And Objectives: Wastage of red blood cell units (RBCs) due to their inappropriate storage at the clinical ward has become both a financial and ethical challenge in the daily hospital practice. This study was aimed at identifying the extent of RBC wastage and evaluating the effects of various interventions in reducing this wastage.

Materials And Methods: From January 2011 to March 2011, baseline wastage level was evaluated using temperature-sensitive labels.

ABCB1 modulation does not circumvent drug extrusion from primitive leukemic progenitor cells and may preferentially target residual normal cells in acute myelogenous leukemia.

Purpose: Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a disease originating from normal hematopoietic CD34+ CD38- progenitor cells. Modulation of the multidrug ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCB1 has not resulted in improved outcome in AML, raising the question whether leukemic CD34+ CD38- cells are targeted by this strategy.

Experimental Design: ABCB1-mediated transport in leukemic CD34+ CD38- cells compared with their normal counterparts was assessed by quantitating the effect of specific ABCB1 modulators (verapamil and PSC-833) on mitoxantrone retention [defined as efflux index (EI), intracellular mitoxantrone fluorescence intensity in the presence/absence of inhibitor].

Impaired breast cancer resistance protein mediated drug transport in plasma cells in multiple myeloma.

The breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) is an ATP-binding-cassette transporter involved in the transport of drugs used in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Its expression, function and clinical significance in MM, however, are unknown. We report that BCRP is preferentially expressed and functionally active in normal plasma cells but that its function is significantly impaired in plasma cells in newly diagnosed MM.

Breast cancer resistance protein in drug resistance of primitive CD34+38- cells in acute myeloid leukemia.

Purpose: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is considered a stem cell disease. Incomplete chemotherapeutic eradication of leukemic CD34+38- stem cells is likely to result in disease relapse. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G, member 2) in drug resistance of leukemic stem cells and the effect of its modulation on stem cell eradication in AML.