Frequent reduction or absence of detection of the JAK2-mutated clone in JAK2V617F-positive patients within the first years of hydroxyurea therapy.

We analyzed the effect of hydroxyurea on the JAK2V617F allelic ratio (%JAK2V617F), measured in purified blood granulocytes, of patients with polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia. Thirty-six patients were examined sequentially prior to and after start of hydroxy-urea therapy (8 polycythemia vera, 17 essential thrombocythemia), or while remaining untreated (2 polycythemia vera, 9 essential thrombocythemia). Hydroxyurea therapy (median duration: 15 months) reduced the %JAK2V617F by >30% in 13/25 patients (4 polycythemia vera, 9 essential thrombocythemia).

[Palifermin in the preventive treatment of oral mucositis in autograft patients: data on efficacy and tolerance following marketing approval].

Background: Few data are available on the efficacy of and tolerance to palifermin in the preventive treatment of oral mucositis in autograft patients treated with conditioning protocols usually used in France.

Methods: Our retrospective study bears on the first five candidates for autograft who benefited from prophylactic treatment with palifermin (60 microg/kg/day) between December 2005 and March 2006.

Results: Despite the prophylactic treatment, 3 patients developed severe oral mucositis.