Evaluation of an automated von Willebrand factor activity assay in von Willebrand disease.

We evaluated the use of the turbidimetric HemosIL von Willebrand Factor (VWF) Activity assay (VWF:Act) on the STA-R automated coagulometer (Stago, Asnières, France) for the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD). For this, we prospectively screened 268 patients. As a second part, we retrospectively assayed 111 patients with well-defined VWD subtype.

Wilms tumor 1 gene mutations are associated with a higher risk of recurrence in young adults with acute myeloid leukemia: a study from the Acute Leukemia French Association.

Background: Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) is a transcription factor that is overexpressed in most acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs). Recently, 2 groups reported that WT1 mutations occur in approximately 10% of normal karyotype AMLs and are an independent predictor of poor outcome in this subgroup of patients with AML.

Methods: The authors studied a cohort of 268 young adults (ages 15-50 years) with AML who were treated on the Acute Leukemia French Association 9802 trial.