Dendritic cells of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) show increased capacity to present apoptotic platelets to T lymphocytes.

Objective: Altered self-antigen processing/presentation of apoptotic cells by DCs and/or modifications of autoantigens may lead to the development of autoantibodies. Increasing evidence indicates that platelets may undergo apoptosis. Therefore, in the present study we investigated whether platelet apoptosis and/or dendritic cells (DCs) may play a role in the stimulation of the immuno-mediated anti-platelet response in chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Phase II study of a single pegfilgrastim injection as an adjunct to chemotherapy to mobilize stem cells into the peripheral blood of pretreated lymphoma patients.

Background And Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pegfilgrastim, in combination with salvage chemotherapy, in mobilizing CD34(+) stem cells into the peripheral blood of pretreated lymphoma patients.

Design And Methods: This was an open-label phase II study including 25 pretreated patients (Hodgkin's disease=4; aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma=21). The primary end-point of the study was the successful mobilization of a target cell dose of 2x10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg in lymphoma patients receiving ifosfamide, epirubicin and etoposide (IEV) chemotherapy and a fixed dose (6 mg) of pegfilgrastim given as single subcutaneous injection.