Accuracy and precision of the Axis-Shield Afinion hemoglobin A1c measurement device.

Background: The Afinion HbA1c (Axis-Shield) is a newer point-of-care device for measurement of hemoglobin A1c (A1C) using a boronate affinity method unlike the more commonly used DCA immunoassay method (Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics). The Afinion's accuracy and precision, when compared with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and DCA methods, have not been established in pediatric practice settings.

Methods: Capillary blood was collected from 700 subjects with diabetes mellitus at seven Pediatric Diabetes Consortium sites.

Diet-induced obesity accelerates acute lymphoblastic leukemia progression in two murine models.

Obesity is associated with an increased incidence of many cancers, including leukemia, although it is unknown whether leukemia incidence is increased directly by obesity or rather by associated genetic, lifestyle, health, or socioeconomic factors. We developed animal models of obesity and leukemia to test whether obesity could directly accelerate acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) using BCR/ABL transgenic and AKR/J mice weaned onto a high-fat diet. Mice were observed until development of progressive ALL.

Diet-induced obesity alters vincristine pharmacokinetics in blood and tissues of mice.

Obesity is associated with poorer outcome from many cancers, including leukemia. One possible contributor to this could be suboptimal chemotherapy dosing in obese patients. We have previously found that vincristine (VCR) is less effective in obese compared to non-obese mice with leukemia, despite weight-based dosing.

Adipocytes impair leukemia treatment in mice.

Obesity is associated with increased cancer incidence and mortality. We have previously found that obesity in children is associated with a 50% increased recurrence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in high-risk patients. We have therefore developed novel in vivo and in vitro preclinical models to study the mechanism(s) of this association.