Toxicity and side effects of hydroxyurea used for primary thrombocythemia.

Over the last 20 years a vast array of data has been accumulated on the efficacy of hydroxyurea (HU) in patients with Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative disorders (MPD). However, several side effects have been described as well. Besides many anecdotal reports, no evaluation of their prevalence and type exists in large series of treated patients.

Safety profile of hydroxyurea in the treatment of patients with Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders.

The efficacy of hydroxyurea (HU) in myeloproliferative disorders is well documented. HU controls thrombocytosis both in polycythemia vera (PV) and in essential thrombocythemia (ET), while reducing the risk of thrombosis.1 Despite many anectodal reports, no evaluation of the prevalence and type of side effects of HU exists in large series of patients.

Platelet-associated autoantibodies as detected by a solid-phase modified antigen capture ELISA test (MACE) are a useful prognostic factor in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

There were 50 consecutive idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) adult patients (platelet count < 100 x 10(9)/L) grouped according to positivity or negativity of a solid-phase modified antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test (MACE) against glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa), Ib/IX, and IIa/IIIa. Observation started on the day of MACE assay and lasted at least 6 months. Clinical worsening was defined as the need for starting or modifying therapy because of thrombocytopenia lower than 20 x 10(9)/L or patient admission due to bleeding symptoms.

Thrombocytosis and recurrent hepatic outflow obstruction (Budd-Chiari syndrome) after successful thrombolysis: case report and literature review.

Approximately two thirds of cases of hepatic flow obstruction are due to myeloproliferative disorders. Restoration of hepatic blood flow is the essential goal of treatment. Thrombolytic therapy seems to achieve good results at least in selected cases.

Markers of endothelial function in pediatric stem cell transplantation for acute leukemia.

Background: Endothelial cells and leukocytes intimately interact in inflammation and coagulation processes, so that dysregulation of their function may lead to both cellular damage and thrombosis, which may occur as complications of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Partially conflicting evidence about endothelial markers and their relationships with clinical complications after BMT has been reported in the literature. Since almost all studies were carried out in adults, we evaluated some recent available markers of endothelial cell function in pediatric patients undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT) for acute leukemia.

Attempt to improve the diagnosis of immune thrombocytopenia by combined use of two different platelet autoantibodies assays (PAIgG and MACE).

Background And Objectives: Despite an extensive search for a definitive diagnostic assay for platelet autoantibodies, the laboratory diagnosis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) still remains a clinical challenge. Data in the literature have so far demonstrated that measurement of platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) is sensitive, especially when flow cytometry is employed, but lacks adequate specificity. Measuring specific autoantibodies by antigen capture techniques increases specificity, but a large part of patients escape autoantibodies detection by such means too.