Phase II open label trial of imatinib in polycythemia rubra vera.

Polycythemia rubra vera is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder characterized by panmyelosis with the resultant potential for thrombosis, myelofibrosis, and acute leukemia. Treatment has rested on phlebotomy and hydroxyurea. In 2002, we reported two patients who were unable to tolerate hydroxyurea but responded to imatinib mesylate (Gleevec).

Innovative solutions: leading the way: an innovative approach to support nurses on general care units with an early nursing intervention team.

In an effort to improve patient outcomes, there has been a global initiative to prevent avoidable adverse events. The rapid response team or medical emergency team concept has been in existence for the past several years and there has been a significant improvement in patient outcomes. This article will describe one institution's success in taking this concept even further by rounding on general care units before patient problems are evident.

Polycythemia vera responds to imatinib mesylate.

We report 2 patients with polycythemia vera who were demonstrated to be -negative and were unable to tolerate either hydroxyurea or interferon-alpha but who had excellent clinical responses to imatinib mesylate (STI-571). This effect is consistent with the inhibitory effect of imatinib mesylate on c-kit's tyrosine kinase activity as demonstrated by its effectiveness in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors.