Unmodified phosphodiester antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to the BCR-ABL junction do not suppress Philadelphia-positive clonogenic cells.

The BCR-ABL fusion gene is directly involved in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Specific inhibition of the BCR-ABL gene expression with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides has been shown to have profound effects on cell growth in vitro. We examined antisense phosphodiester oligonucleotides (16-mers at a concentration of 60 micrograms/ml) spanning the two possible junction sites K28 (b3a2) and L6 (b2a2) in a clonogenic assay.

Prognostic factors in COPP-treated patients with Hodgkin's disease.

In a recently published review of the literature [40] we came to the conclusion that the Ann-Arbor staging classification is of limited prognostic value for chemotherapy of Hodgkin's disease (Table 2). Four risk factors accounted for impaired complete remission rates: stage IVB, lymphocyte depletion or not classifiable histologic type, previous chemotherapy, and older age. Fifty-eight evaluable patients were treated with COPP; 23 reached a complete remission (40%).

[Results of treatment with ABVD in C-MOPP-resistant Hodgkin's disease (author's transl)].

22 Patients were treated with ABVD, 19 (18 stage IV B 1 stage III B) could be evaluated. No patient with impaired but 7 of 13 patients with intact bone-marrow function achieved a complete remission. A complete remission was also achieved by all 4 patients with a treatment- and disease-free interval but only by 3 of 15 without a free interval.