Frequency and specificity of red blood cell alloimmunization in chilean transfused patients.

Background: Alloimmunization is an adverse effect of blood transfusions. In Chile, alloimmunization frequency is not established, and for this reason the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and specificity of red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies in Chilean transfused subjects.

Methods: Records from 4,716 multi-transfused patients were analyzed.

Fecal calprotectin and alpha-1 antitrypsin predict severity and response to corticosteroids in gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease.

Diagnosis of gastrointestinal GVHD (GI-GVHD) is based on clinical symptoms and histologic findings. No biomarkers predicting responses to treatment are routinely available even though 30% to 50% of patients will not respond to corticosteroids. In this study, we aimed to evaluate fecal calprotectin, α-1-antitrypsin (α(1)-AT), and elastase at the time of first symptoms as diagnostic and prognostic tools for GI-GVHD in 72 consecutive patients, of whom 51 developed GI-GVHD.

Dose dense (CEOP-14) vs dose dense and rituximab (CEOP-14 +R) in high-risk diffuse large cell lymphoma.

To assess efficacy and toxicity of rituximab and dose chemotherapy in high-risk diffuse large cell lymphoma, we conducted a controlled clinical trial to assess efficacy and toxicity of a dose-dense regimen CEOP- 14 (cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine, and prednisone every 14 d) compared to CEOP-14 plus rituximab. One hundred and ninety-six patients were randomized to received CEOP-rituximab (cyclophosphamide 1500 mg/m2, epirubicin 120 mg/m2, vincristine, and prednisone at standard dose and rituximab at 375 mg/m2) compared with the same chemotherapy administered every 14 d (CEOP-14). In an intent-to-treat analysis all patients were available for efficacy and toxicity.

Rituximab and escalated chemotherapy in elderly patients with aggressive diffuse large-cell lymphoma: a controlled clinical trial.

The treatment of elderly patients with aggressive malignant lymphoma has not been defined. The addition of rituximab to conventional chemotherapy has been reported to improve the outcome, but most patients have good prognostic factors (performance status < 2, no severe associated diseases, low or low-intermediate clinical risk). Thus, we developed a combined regimen, including escalated doses of anthracycline and rituximab.

Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase activity of human lymphocytes after oral administration of Oltipraz.

Several preclinical studies indicated that Oltipraz appears to be one of the most potent cancer chemopreventive agents. Pharmacological studies in humans provided substantial amounts of information related to doses and schedules. Oltipraz has been reported to induce phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes.