The Evaluation of Iron Deficiency and Iron Overload.

Background: In the western world, 10-15% of women of child-bearing age suffer from iron-deficiency anemia. Iron overload due to chronic treatment with blood transfusions or hereditary hemochromatosis is much rarer.

Methods: This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search on the pathophysiology, clinical features, and diagnostic evaluation of iron deficiency and iron overload.

Fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy of unknown aetiology.

The clarification of enlarged lymph nodes is a common issue in clinical routine. By now, open surgery with complete lymph node extirpation, followed by histopathology, is considered as standard. We investigated the value of fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) when supporting the conventional morphology by immunotyping.

The role of zinc protoporphyrin measurement in the differentiation between primary myelofibrosis and essential thrombocythaemia.

The differentiation between primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and essential thrombocythaemia (ET) may be difficult especially in early-stage disease. In PMF, increased levels of inflammatory cytokines induce impaired iron utilisation and disturbed erythropoiesis. In conditions with impaired iron support to erythropoiesis, zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) is produced instead of heme.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma - review of the literature illustrated by a rare case originating in the peritoneal cavity.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAC) is a rare and aggressive extrahepatic tumour, morphologically mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, immunophenotype and location are heterogeneous. We report the case of a 21-year-old man with HAC of the peritoneal cavity and summarize data from the 261 HAC cases published so far.

The soluble transferrin receptor (TfR)-F-Index is not applicable as a test for iron status in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Background: The soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is established as a test for iron deficiency (ID). In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), sTfR is not reliable for screening for ID as the latter is strongly dependent on tumor burden.

Methods: We investigated whether the influence of the tumor load can be excluded or minimized using the sTfR/log ferritin ratio (TfR-F-Index) and the C-reactive protein (CRP)-adjusted TfR-F-Index in 87 patients with CLL.

Comparison of whole-body MR imaging and conventional X-ray examination in patients with multiple myeloma and implications for therapy.

Skeletal X-ray survey is the established method of diagnosis in patients with multiple myeloma; however, whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (wb-MRI) has become an important additional tool. The aim of this study was to compare the different patterns of infiltration on conventional X-ray examinations (X-ray survey) with findings from wb-MRI to subsequently determine the influence of wb-MRI on therapy changes. In 60 patients with a mean age of 65.

Deferasirox in MDS patients with transfusion-caused iron overload--a phase-II study.

Blood transfusions represent a main component of supportive care in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). To avoid organ damage caused by transfusion-dependent iron overload, an adequate iron chelation therapy is required. Recently, a new oral iron chelator deferasirox (ICL670, Exjade) has become available.

The soluble transferrin receptor reflects tumor load in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Background: The soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is a parameter of erythropoietic activity and iron deficiency. Increased levels have also been described in hematological malignancies, especially in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Methods: We investigated the value of sTfR in the assessment of tumor mass in 61 previously untreated CLL patients.

Reliable identification of small cell lung cancer in cytological specimens by immunocytology.

Background: A reliable diagnosis of small cell lung cancers (SCLC) is of high clinical relevance. We investigated whether immunocytology substantially improves the diagnostic accuracy of conventional cytology in diagnosing SCLC.

Patients And Methods: 162 carcinomatous specimens clinically suspected to originate from pulmonary neoplasms were investigated by cytology and immunocytology.

The soluble transferrin receptor in dysplastic erythropoiesis in myelodysplastic syndrome.

Objectives: In individuals without iron deficiency, the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) directly reflects the erythropoietic activity. This study investigated sTfR concentrations in ineffective, dysplastic erythropoiesis in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Methods: To exclude influences of other myeloid cells on sTfR, only patients with refractory anemia (RA), refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS) and 5q(-) syndrome were included.

Zinc protoporphyrin, a useful parameter to address hyperferritinemia.

Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) is produced instead of heme as soon as iron support to erythropoiesis becomes insufficient. In iron deficiency the intra-erythrocytic ZPP concentration is increased. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ZPP is influenced by increased iron levels in hereditary hemochromatosis (HE) and is useful in the clarification of hyperferritinemia.

Soluble transferrin receptor and zinc protoporphyrin--competitors or efficient partners?

Objectives: Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) are both parameters of iron deficient erythropoiesis (IDE), the sTfR measurement is commonly regarded to be the more sensitive test. sTfR also reflects erythropoietic activity, it is increased in enhanced erythropoiesis.

Methods: We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of sTfR in assessment of iron deficiency (ID) and compared it with ZPP.

Therapeutic efficacy and safety of photochemically treated apheresis platelets processed with an optimized integrated set.

Background: This multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-blind Phase III clinical study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and safety of apheresis platelets (PLTs) photochemically treated (PCT) with amotosalen and ultraviolet A light (INTERCEPT Blood System, Baxter Healthcare Corp.) compared with conventional apheresis PLTs (reference).

Study Design And Methods: Forty-three patients with transfusion-dependent thrombocytopenia were randomly assigned to receive either PCT or reference PLT transfusions for up to 28 days.