The transplant iron score as a predictor of stem cell transplant survival.

Recent studies have suggested that the presence of iron overload prior to stem cell transplantation is associated with decreased survival. Within these studies, the criteria used to define iron overload have varied considerably. Given the lack of consensus regarding the definition of iron overload in the transplant setting, we sought to methodically examine iron status among transplant patients.

Ferritin for the clinician.

Ferritin, a major iron storage protein, is essential to iron homeostasis and is involved in a wide range of physiologic and pathologic processes. In clinical medicine, ferritin is predominantly utilized as a serum marker of total body iron stores. In cases of iron deficiency and overload, serum ferritin serves a critical role in both diagnosis and management.

Bone metastases in prostate cancer: a targeted approach.

Purpose Of Review: New therapies are needed for hormone refractory prostate cancer. Promising new treatments specifically target metastatic disease in the bone, the predominant site of spread in prostate cancer. Recent advances in the understanding of the biology of the tumor-bone microenvironment are leading to the development of new bone-targeted therapies.