Clinical outcome of chronic myeloid leukemia imatinib-resistant patients: do BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations affect patient survival? First multicenter Argentinean study.

In imatinib-treated patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), BCR-ABL mutations are the most common mechanism of resistance. Here we report the first multicenter Argentinean study investigating mutations in those patients with CML who fail or lose response to imatinib, with or without previous interferon treatment. Point mutations were detected in 36 of 154 patients by direct sequencing.

Molecular monitoring of imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia patients in complete cytogenetic remission: does achievement of a stable major molecular response at any time point identify a privileged group of patients? A multicenter experience in Argentina and Uruguay.

Background: Monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients is mandatory in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Achieving a major molecular response (MMR) at 12 and 18 months predicts a better progression and event-free survival.

Patients And Methods: The objective of this prospective, multicentric study was to evaluate MRD by standardized RT-PCR in 178 patients with chronic-phase CML who were treated with imatinib at different institutions in Argentina and Uruguay and to determine if achievement of a stable MMR (BCR-ABL transcript levels < 0.

[Prevention of infections in patients with lymphoproliferative syndromes and myeloma by nebulization of an IgA concentrate].

Infection of the upper respiratory tract is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with lymphoproliferative syndromes and multiple myeloma. Nebulizations with IgA tested in a randomized double blind trial to evaluate its efficacy to prevent respiratory infections in patients with lymphoproliferative syndromes and multiple myeloma. Forty nine patients were evaluated (chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, 22; multiple myeloma, 11; lymphoma, 8; HCL, 6; Waldenström and lymphoepiteliod tymoma, 1 patient each) were randomized to receive nebulizations every 12 hours during 3 months of IgA or placebo.

Treatment strategies for early-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia: can interferon-inducible MxA protein and tumor necrosis factor play a role as predictive markers for response to interferon therapy?

The potential benefit of interferon (IFN)-alpha therapy in early-stage B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients is still under discussion, and no assays are available to distinguish potential responders from nonresponders. Herein we analyzed the usefulness of serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF, a cytokine released by CLL cells) and MxA protein (an intracellular marker for biologic activity of endogenous IFN) concentrations as predictive measurements for evolution and response to IFN therapy in early-stage CLL patients. TNF levels and MxA expression were determined at diagnosis in 21 CLL patients.