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The European LeukemiaNet (ELN), workpackage 10 (WP10) was designed to deal with diagnosis matters using morphology and immunophenotyping. This group aimed at establishing a consensus on the required reagents for proper immunophenotyping of acute leukemia and lymphoproliferative disorders. Animated discussions within WP10, together with the application of the Delphi method of proposals circulation, quickly led to post-consensual immunophenotyping panels for disorders on the ELN website. In this report, we established a comprehensive description of these panels, both mandatory and complementary, for both types of clinical conditions. The reason for using each marker, sustained by relevant literature information, is provided in detail. With the constant development of immunophenotyping techniques in flow cytometry and related software, this work aims at providing useful guidelines to perform the most pertinent exploration at diagnosis and for follow-up, with the best cost benefit in diseases, the treatment of which has a strong impact on health systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly fluorescent reticulocyte (HFR) counts were evaluated in 13 consecutive patients affected by hematological malignancies and submitted to autologous selected CD34+ peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation. Results were compared with a historical group of patients comparable for age, disease and conditioning regimen submitted to unfractionated PBPC transplantation. HFR counts of the CD34+ group declined to an undetectable level from day +4 to day +10 when they became detectable and reached 5% of total reticulocyte count by day +12. In the historical group, the nadir was identical but the recovery was faster (day +9). Total reticulocyte count >1% was achieved at days +17 and +11, respectively. The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery was identical in both groups, achieving a value >0.5 × 109/l at day +13 after reinfusion. Hence, in the historical group, HFR count gave advance notice of complete and stable hemopoietic engraftment while in the CD34+ group HFR and ANC count showed almost simultaneous recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by the stromal layer plays a key role in the regulation of commitment and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Long-term bone marrow culture (LTBMC) allows analysis of the stromal microenvironment. Recently, serum-free LTBMC has been described, but the formation of a classical adherent layer was never observed under these conditions. We have evaluated the effect(s) of a chemically well defined ECM on serum-free and serum-dependent LTBMC. In serum-dependent cultures ECM did not induce a significant increase of hematopoiesis. In serum-free conditions, a marked improvement of hematopoiesis was observed, both in terms of CFU-GM and BFU-E yield and in duration of cultures. A confluent stromal layer was observed only in the presence of ECM. The present results indicate that the addition of ECM to serum-free cultures provides a standardized culture condition, while improving progenitor cell recovery and allowing formation of a confluent stromal layer. Moreover, ECM+LTBMC may provide a model to study the effect(s) of adhesive proteins and hematopoietic growth factors normally present in serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disposition of [14-14C]4-demethoxydaunorubicin HCl ([14-14C]idarubicin HCl, [14C]IDR) and of [14-14C]daunorubicin HCl ([14C]DNR) was studied in male Sprague Dawley rats. [14C]IDR was administered either IV at 0.25 mg/kg body weight or PO at 1 mg/kg body weight, whereas [14C]DNR was dosed IV at 1 mg/kg body weight. The main elimination route for both compounds was the bile, fecal excretion representing 0.75-0.8 times the total dose at 72 h. Radioactivity due to [14C]IDR-derived species is released by the tissues at a slower rate than activity derived from [14C]DNR. After IV treatment comparable plasma levels are obtained, but tissue radioactivity is markedly lower with [14C]IDR, in keeping with the lower dosage. The ratio of plasma to tissue radioactivity is even higher in animals treated PO with [14C]IDR, because of the more extensive metabolism after this route of administration. The 13-dihydro derivatives of both [14C]IDR and [14C]DNR are the main metabolites in tissues, but in the case of the former, products of phase II reactions become more important at later times in liver and kidney and in excreta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disposition of 4'-epi-[14-14C]doxorubicinHCl (4'-epi-[14C]DXR) and [14-14C]doxorubicinHCl [( 14C]DXR) was studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats given 1 mg/kg body weight IV. Most of the radioactivity administered was recovered in the faeces (two-thirds of the dose within 6 days after administration), urine accounting for 15% of the 14C given during the same period. A significant amount of radioactivity was also found in expired air. Significantly higher levels of radioactivity were recorded in the plasma (40 min and 4 h) and liver (40 min) in [14C]DXR-treated animals, whereas in animals treated with 4'-epi-[14C]DXR a higher specific radioactivity was found in the kidneys (40 min and 4 h) and bone marrow (40 min). The total tissue residual radioactivity was greater (P less than 0.05) at 24 h for [14C]DXR (45.8%) than for 4'-epi-[14C]DXR (38.6%). The main radioactive species in urines were the unchanged drugs. Minor metabolites were represented by a polar fraction, 13-dihydroderivatives, and aglycones. Whereas aglycones represent an important fraction of extractable tissue radioactivity in liver samples of many of the treated animals, the unchanged drug was invariably the major radioactive component in spleen, lung, and kidney. Liver extraction studies showed the presence of significant amounts of bound radioactivity that could be recovered in soluble form only after incubation with deoxyribonuclease. The main radioactive species present in the bile were the unchanged drug and a polar fraction. The amount of the former was higher in [14C]DXR-treated than in 4'-epi-[14C]DXR-treated animals. On the other hand, partial glucuronidation of 4'-epi-[14C]DXR was deduced on the basis of results of enzymic hydrolysis of bile samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When an elastic shear stress and a cyclical magnetic field, parallel to each other, are applied in the plane of a ferromagnetic sheet, magnetization changes perpendicular to the field are induced in the sample. 'Transverse' hysteresis loops, i.e. transverse magnetization plotted as a function of the longitudinal field, were studied in various materials. The characteristic shape of the loop and the differences in sign and magnitude of the 'transverse' magnetization have been qualitatively explained in terms of magnetic domain theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presenting with bulky adenopathy are reported. Both patients were febrile at admission and showed massive and diffuse lymph node involvement, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly. Erythematopapular leukemic skin lesions were present in one case at the onset and developed in the other at the time of relapse. Anemia, thrombocytopenia, and moderate leukocytosis were present in both. The presence of immature cells in peripheral blood and bone marrow allowed a rapid diagnosis of AML, FAB M1, in one patient. In the other case, owing to the paucity of immature cells in peripheral blood and bone marrow, lymph node biopsy with histology, imprint cytology, and immunocytochemistry were essential for the diagnosis (AML, FAB M2, with trilineage dysplasia and basophilic involvement). Both patients achieved complete remission (CR), followed by an early relapse 3 months later. They underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from HLA identical siblings. One patient is actually alive and in CR at 6 months after BMT; the other patient showed a leukemic regrowth after transplantation and died 4 months later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[14-14C]N-Trifluoroacetyldoxorubicin-14-valerate [( 14C]AD 32) was synthesized and administered IV to male rats at 9.09 mg/kg. Urinary radioactivity excreted in the 0-24 h interval was only 2.3% of the dose, N-trifluoroacetyldoxorubicin (AD 41), 13-dihydro-N-trifluoroacetyldoxorubicin (AD 92), and doxorubicin being the major urinary metabolites identified. Doxorubicin and AD 32 were the main radioactive species extracted from tissues at 24 h after treatment. The amount of doxorubicin present in the analysed tissue samples is in agreement with the relatively low toxicity of AD 32 compared with doxorubicin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on an article dealing with the diagnosis of secondary myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) following peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Information on morphological, cytogenetic and clonality evaluation and the limitation of FAB criteria. Confirmation on the statement that the application of FAB criteria for diagnosis of MDS after autologous transplant is questionable; Opinion on dysplastic changes abd cytogenetic clonality alterations.

Leukemia has rarely been reported as a late complication of 131I therapy, occurring mostly after cumulative doses of 800 mCi. We observed two cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after 131I therapy for hyperthyroidism and thyroid carcinoma, respectively. The first patient was a 45-year-old woman treated with a single dose of 27 mCi 131I for hyperthyroidism. She developed AML (FAB M2) 14 months after receiving 131I; the second patient was a 44-year-old man affected by refractory thyroid carcinoma who received a total dose of 1 Ci 131I plus radiotherapy and developed AML (FAB M6) 8 years after the first exposure to 131I. Although it is a very rare event, the occurrence of leukemia after 131I treatment should be kept in mind, considering the widespread use of 131I, particularly in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, and the unfavorable outcome of secondary leukemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of Brucella septicemia presenting at the onset as a severe microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with coexisting dramatic hemorrhagic syndrome (severe epistaxis, gross hematuria, and skin purpura) is reported. A hemogram showed severe thrombocytopenia, anemia, and leukopenia. Bone marrow morphology showed the typical features associated with Brucella infection: numerous histiocytes with signs of activation, multiple granulomata, giant cells, and hemophagocytosis. After appropriate antimicrobial therapy, the clinical and hematological status of the patient improved, and he is alive and well 1 year later with disappearance of all hematological abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of Brucella septicemia presenting at the onset as a severe microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with coexisting dramatic hemorrhagic syndrome (severe epistaxis, gross hematuria, and skin purpura) is reported. A hemogram showed severe thrombocytopenia, anemia, and leukopenia. Bone marrow morphology showed the typical features associated with Brucella infection: numerous histiocytes with signs of activation, multiple granulomata, giant cells, and hemophagocytosis. After appropriate antimicrobial therapy, the clinical and hematological status of the patient improved, and he is alive and well 1 year later with disappearance of all hematological abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]