[Comparison of the effectiveness of idarubicin (Zavedos) and mitoxantrone (Refador) in induction therapy of acute myeloid leukemia in elderly patients (55-75) (a prospective multicenter randomized study conducted 1998-2000].

The presented study compares the efficacy and the toxicity of idarubicine and mitoxantrone in combination with cytosar (3 + 7) in induction treatment of the patients with AML aged 55-75. 31 patients at the age of 55-75 (median 62) were evaluated in the arm with idarubicine and 29 patients at the age of 57-74 (median 64) in the arm with mithoxantrone. Complete haematological remission was achieved in 13 patients (41.

[Collection of peripheral hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation from volunteer donors--siblings of the patients].

Peripheral stem cells obtained by stimulation of haematopoiesis by administration of so-called growth factors are used for allogenic transplantations of haematopoietic cells only since the mid-nineties of the 20th century. So far however not all potential undesirable effects of growth factor administration to healthy subjects are known. The authors present the results of a programme of allogene transplantation of peripheral blood stem cells from related donors which was started in their department in 1996.

[Lymphocytosis with large granular lymphocytes: case report].

Lymphoproliferative disorders of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) can arise from either CD3+ T cells or CD3- natural killer cells. Polyclonal proliferation of LG lymphocytes is called LGL lymphocytosis, monoclonal proliferation of LG lymphocytes is LGL leukaemia. Prominent clinical manifestations of LGL lymphocytosis and leukaemia are bacterial infections, splenomegaly, and may be connected with rheumatic or autoimmune disorders.

[Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection with the polymerase chain reaction and antigenemia in patients after allogenic peripheral stem cell transplantation--comparison of 318 paired samples].

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) represents a serious infectious complication in patients after allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Timely initiation of the therapy at the time of incipient active CMV infection (preemptive therapy) is an important prevention of CMV disease. It is not clear, what is the best indicator of this incipient CMV infection.

[Treatment of multiple myeloma].

A new era of multiple myeloma management includes new approaches such as genetic marking and gene therapy, immunotherapy, stimulation of graft versus myeloma effect, etc. Intensive clinical research is also focused on the detection of minimal residual disease and bone marrow purging. Clinical trials have begun and the first results are promising, though preliminary.