Hematopathologic and cytogenetic findings in imatinib mesylate-treated chronic myelogenous leukemia patients: 14 months' experience.

Imatinib mesylate, an Abl kinase inhibitor, produces sustained complete hematologic responses (CHRs) in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients, but the sequence and timing of morphologic and cytogenetic changes in CML patients during prolonged imatinib mesylate treatment has not been described. In this report, we document sequential hematologic and bone marrow findings in 19 interferon-refractory/interferon-intolerant chronic phase CML patients on imatinib mesylate for at least 14 months. Patients treated at an effective oral dose (300 to 600 mg per day) were followed with peripheral blood (PB) counts, marrow examination, and cytogenetic studies at 0, 2, 5, 8, 11, and 14 months.

Successful treatment of aggressive post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder using rituximab.

A 52 year -old female developed a histologically aggressive, Epstein-Barr virus positive, lymphoproliferative disorder involving the brain and liver 4 months following a combined kidney/pancreas transplant. Following a brief trial of reduced immunosuppression, she was treated with rituximab. Despite subsequent re-intensification of immunosuppression, the lesions showed continued regression with almost complete disappearance by 5 months.

Hyperthyroidism due to lymphoma involving the thyroid gland in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: case report and review of the literature.

A 31-year old woman with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a history of lymphoma presented with a 2-week history of severe hyperthyroid symptoms and new-onset neck swelling. On physical examination, she was found to be clinically hyperthyroid, with a markedly enlarged, diffuse, tender goiter. Thyroid function testing confirmed hyperthyroidism.

Lymphoid-associated antigen expression by acute myeloid leukemia.

The expression of lymphoid-associated antigens (LAA) on blasts in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myeloproliferative disorders in myeloid blast crisis (MPD/MBC) has often been used to establish a diagnosis of acute mixed lineage leukemia (AMLL). The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of LAA expression in AML and MPD/MBC (Ly + AML); to assess lymphoid differentiation at the genomic level in Ly + AML; and to compare features of Ly + AML with AML and MPD/MBC lacking these antigens (Ly-AML). Seventy-four consecutive cases of AML and MPD/MBC were reviewed for blast morphology, TdT reactivity, and cytochemistry results.

The isolation and characterization of enriched microvascular endothelial cells from mouse adipose tissue. The induction of class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).

Collagenase digestion and selective filtration have been used to establish primary cultures from mouse omentum of cells enriched for microvascular endothelium. In culture these cells exhibit a cobblestone morphology characteristic of endothelial cells, metabolize an acetylated low-density lipoprotein, and exhibit trace levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity. In primary cultures, the cells are negative for class II molecules (Ia) of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) but can be induced to express these molecules by exposure to a supernatant from concanavalin A (ConA)-treated rat spleen cells or by recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma).