The addition of the farnesyl transferase inhibitor, tipifarnib, to low dose cytarabine does not improve outcome for older patients with AML.

The AML16 trial evaluated the combination of the farnesyltransferase inhibitor, tipifarnib, and low dose cytarabine (LDAC) in older acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients in a 'Pick a Winner' design. The aim was to double remission rates compared to LDAC, with initial evaluation after 100 patients. Failure to improve remission would result in discontinuation.

An unusual case of myocardial infarction.

POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, skin changes) syndrome is a rare haematological condition with a constellation of clinical features that can present to the clinician in a variety of ways. This case highlights how a seemingly uncomplicated myocardial infarction can herald the development of this rare haematological disorder. While knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms that underpin POEMS syndrome is developing, so too are the diagnostic and treatment strategies available to the clinician.

Collection of peripheral blood stem cells in new patients with myeloma receiving minimal or no prior cytoreductive therapy.

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether adequate stem cells (CD34+) could be harvested at presentation in myeloma patients such that high dose melphalan (HDM) with autologous stem cell rescue can be offered as primary therapy. The regimes either involved no prior cytoreductive chemotherapy (steroids only, n = 31) or a single course of VAD (n = 22). The median number of CD34 cells collected with steroids was 1.