Thalassemia among Chinese-Bostonians. Usefulness of the hemoglobin H preparation.

Microcytosis was noted in 14.7% of the complete blood cell count reports of Chinese subjects in a Boston Chinatown health center. One hundred forty-nine of these subjects' conditions were further evaluated by hemoglobin electrophoresis, Hb H inclusion bodies preparation, Hb A2 quantitation, and ferritin assay.

Comparison of intermediate-dose methotrexate with cranial irradiation for the post-induction treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia in children.

We compared two regimens with respect to their ability to prolong disease-free survival in 506 children and adolescents with acute lymphocytic leukemia. All responders to induction therapy were randomized to treatment with 2400 rad of cranial irradiation plus intrathecal methotrexate or to treatment with intermediate-dose methotrexate plus intrathecal methotrexate, as prophylaxis for involvement of the central nervous system and other "sanctuary" areas. Patients were then treated with a standard maintenance regimen.

Vindesine: a phase II study in childhood malignancies-a report for cancer and leukemia group B.

Vindesine, a semisynthetic derivative of vinblastine sulfate, was tested for antitumor activity and clinical toxicity in 36 children. The drug was administered to the initial 13 patients entered into the study a 2 mg/m2/day for five days by IV bolus. Because of severe neurotoxicity and life-threatening gastrointestinal toxicity, the regimen in 23 patients was modified to 4mg/m2 IV infusion over four hours, weekly.