Telomerase RNA deficiency in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in X-linked dyskeratosis congenita.

Compromised renewal and eventual failure of the hematopoietic system in dyskeratosis congenita (DC) have been proposed to arise from a deficiency in telomerase function. Previously, cultured cell lines from patients with X-linked DC were shown to accumulate less telomerase RNA than cell lines from unaffected family members. Here, we report that telomerase RNA deficiency is also present in the circulating lymphocytes of DC patients.

Veterans with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) have a markedly increased rate of second malignancy, which is the most common cause of death.

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) have an increased incidence of high-grade lymphoid malignancy. The risk of non-lymphoid second malignancy in this population is not well-defined to date. To test the hypothesis that patients with CLL/SLL have an increased risk of second malignancy, we studied the rate of second malignancy in 132 CLL/SLL patients and compared it to the rate of malignancy (excluding non-melanomatous skin cancer) in the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System population of approximately 38,000 veterans over a period of 11.

Autoimmune cytopenia does not predict poor prognosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is characterized by an acquired immune defect that can cause autoimmune complications, including anemia and thrombocytopenia. We conducted an observational study of the epidemiology, clinical presentation and significance of autoimmune complications of CLL/SLL in 132 patients from a large population (>45,000 veterans), in which at least 90% of patients with CLL/SLL have been previously identified. Over a period of 12.

Prolonged administration of infusional cisplatin and oral etoposide in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

We conducted a phase I/II trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the efficacy of prolonged infusion of cisplatin and oral etoposide in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cisplatin was given via an infuser in escalating doses of 5, 6.5, 8, 9 and 10 mg/m(2)/day for 14 days along with etoposide at a fixed dose of 50 mg/m(2)/day orally followed by a 2-week rest period.