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MUC1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein, api-cally expressed in most epithelial cells, used in the differential diagnosis of carcinomas and for discrimination of tumors of non-epithelial ori-gin showing epithelioid features. Little atten-tion has been paid so far though, on its possible significance in embryonic tissues. A prelimi-nary study from our group revealed MUC1 expression in the cap mesenchymal cells during human nephrogenesis, suggesting a role for MUC1 in the process of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. This study aimed at inves-tigating the expression pattern of MUC1 in var-ious developing structures of human fetal kid-ney. Expression of MUC1 was examined in kid-neys of 5 human fetuses. MUC1 immunoreac-tivity was detected in ureteric bud tips, in col-lecting tubules, in cap mesenchymal cells undergoing the initial phases of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, in renal vesicles, comma-bodies, and S-shaped bodies. Our previ-ous preliminary report suggested a role for MUC1 in the initial phases of the process of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. The pres-ent data suggest that MUC1 expression charac-terizes multiple structures during human nephrogenesis, from the ureteric bud, to the initial phases of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and that MUC1 should be added to the genes activated during the process of mes-enchymal-to-epithelial transition in the cap mesenchyme of human kidney. Non. © D. Fanni et al., 2012.

Background: In this study we investigated whether administering CEOP (cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine [Oncovin], and prednisone) every 2 weeks (CEOP-14) instead of every 3 weeks (the standard CEOP-21 regimen) improves outcomes in patients with previously untreated aggressive lymphomas. In a secondary analysis we evaluated the impact of adding rituximab to CEOP-14/CEOP-21 chemotherapy. Study Design: The trial opened in March 1999, and patients were randomly assigned to either CEOP-14 or CEOP-21. All patients enrolled from May 2002 onward received rituximab with each chemotherapy cycle, and those attaining a complete response received rituximab consolidation. Results: Complete and overall response rates in the CEOP-21 ± rituximab (N ≤ 114) and CEOP-14 ± rituximab (N ≤ 103) arms were similar, as were the overall survival (P ≤ 0.769) and time to progression distributions (P ≤ 0.969). Rituximab was shown to have a beneficial effect both on the overall survival and on the time to progression. Conclusions: Thus far, no significant improvement in outcome has been demonstrated with CEOP-14 ± rituximab versus CEOP-21 ± rituximab. However, with addition of rituximab to CEOP-21/CEOP-14, significant improvements in time to progression and overall survival were achieved. © 2007 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Background and Objectives: High-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation is currently the treatment of choice for selected patients with AL amyloidosis; however, new treatments are needed for patients who are ineligible for or relapse after this procedure. Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor with proven activity in multiple myeloma, and the addition of dexamethasone results in superior outcome. We evaluated the activity and feasibility of the combination of bortezomib and dexamethasone (BD) in patients with AL amyloidosis. Design and Methods: Consecutive patients with histologically proven, symptomatic AL amyloidosis were treated with BD. Results: Eighteen patients, including seven who had relapsed or progressed after previous therapies were treated with BD. Eleven (61%) patients had two or more organs involved; kidneys and heart were affected in 14 and 15 patients, respectively. The majority of patients had impaired performance status and high brain natriuretic peptide values; serum creatinine was elevated in six patients. Among evaluable patients, 94% had a hematologic response and 44% a hematologic complete response, including all five patients who had not responded to prior high dose dexamethasone-based treatment and one patient under dialysis. Five patients (28%) had a response in at least one affected organ. Hematologic responses were rapid (median 0.9 months) and median time to organ response was 4 months. Neurotoxicity, fatigue, peripheral edema, constipation and exacerbation of postural hypotension were manageable although necessitated dose adjustment or treatment discontinuation in 11 patients. Interpretation and Conclusions: The combination of BD is feasible in patients with AL amyloidosis. Patients achieve a rapid hematologic response and toxicity can be managed with close follow-up and appropriate dose adjustment. This treatment may be a valid option for patients with severe heart or kidney impairment. ©2007 Ferrata Storti Foundation.

Background: In this study we investigated whether administering CEOP (cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine [Oncovin], and prednisone) every 2 weeks (CEOP-14) instead of every 3 weeks (the standard CEOP-21 regimen) improves outcomes in patients with previously untreated aggressive lymphomas. In a secondary analysis we evaluated the impact of adding rituximab to CEOP-14/CEOP-21 chemotherapy. Study Design: The trial opened in March 1999, and patients were randomly assigned to either CEOP-14 or CEOP-21. All patients enrolled from May 2002 onward received rituximab with each chemotherapy cycle, and those attaining a complete response received rituximab consolidation. Results: Complete and overall response rates in the CEOP-21 ± rituximab (N ≤ 114) and CEOP-14 ± rituximab (N ≤ 103) arms were similar, as were the overall survival (P ≤ 0.769) and time to progression distributions (P ≤ 0.969). Rituximab was shown to have a beneficial effect both on the overall survival and on the time to progression. Conclusions: Thus far, no significant improvement in outcome has been demonstrated with CEOP-14 ± rituximab versus CEOP-21 ± rituximab. However, with addition of rituximab to CEOP-21/CEOP-14, significant improvements in time to progression and overall survival were achieved. © 2007 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 13 5 327 334

INTRODUCTION: During the last few years epirubicin (E) and mitoxantrone (M) (Novantrone) have been used in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), because of their favorable principal profile. In particular, M has less severe non-hematological toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized multicenter phase III study was conducted in order to compare the efficacy and toxicity of CEOP and CNOP in intermediate- and high-grade NHL. CEOP (arm A) consisted of cyclophosphamide 1000mg m(-2), vincristine 2mg, E 70mg m(-2) on day 1 and prednisone 60mg on days 1-7. The CNOP regimen (arm B) was identical to CEOP except for replacement of E by M at a dose of 12mg m(-2). Randomization was stratified according to stages I-IV. From September 1993 to March 1999, 249 patients registered for the trial. Patient characteristics were equally distributed in the two arms, except for age and International Prognostic Index (IPI) groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in the rates of complete (CR) and partial response (PR). The overall response rate was 78% in arm A (57% CR, 21% PR) and 82% in arm B (60% CR, 22% PR). With a median follow-up time of 47.3 months, the median survival was not reached in arm A, while it was 39.5 months in arm B (P=0.09). Three-year survival rates were 62.5% for CEOP and 51.5% for CNOP. There was no significant difference regarding the time to progression between the two groups (29.7 vs. 18.5 months); furthermore the median duration of CRs was 71.6 and 49 months for CEOP and CNOP, respectively (P=0.07). The therapeutic efficacies of both regimens were equivalent among the four IPI groups. More alopecia was observed in arm A. WHO grade >2 neutropenia was more frequent in arm B. Supportive treatment with G-CSF was given to 22 and 24 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in terms of overall response rates, overall survival and time to progression between CEOP and CNOP in the treatment of intermediate- and high-grade NHL. Patients with low or low intermediate IPI risk treated with either CEOP or CNOP showed significantly better survival, response rates and time to progression than those with high intermediate or high IPI risk. Therefore, new improved therapeutic approaches should be developed for the treatment of high IPI risk patients. Eur J Haematol

Introduction: During the last few years epirubicin (E) and mitoxantrone (M) (Novantrone) have been used in the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), because of their favorable principal profile. In particular, M has less severe non-hematological toxicity. Patients and methods: A randomized multicenter phase III study was conducted in order to compare the efficacy and toxicity of CEOP (arm A) consisted of cyclophosphamide 1000 mg m(-2), vincristine 2 mg, E 70 mg m(-2) on day 1 and prednisone 60 mg on days 1-7. The CNOP regimen (arm B) General Hospital, Athens, Greece was identical to CEOP except for replacement of E by M at a dose of 12 Mg m(-2). Randomization was stratified according to stages I-IV. From September 1993 to March 1999, 249 patients registered for the trial. Patient characteristics were equally distributed in the two arms, except for age and International Prognostic Index (IPI) groups. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in the rates of complete (CR) and partial response (PR). The overall response rate was 78% in arm A (57% CR, 2 1 % PR) and 82% in arm B (60% CR, 22% PR). With a median follow-up time of 47.3 months, the median survival was not reached in arm A, while it was 39.5 months in arm B (P=0.09). Three-year survival rates were 62.5% for CEOP and 51.5% for CNOP. There was no significant difference regarding the time to progression between the two groups (29.7 vs. 18.5 months); furthermore the median duration of CRs was 71.6 and 49 months for CEOP and CNOP, respectively (P = 0.07). The therapeutic efficacies of both regimens were equivalent among the four IPI groups. More alopecia was observed in arm A. WHO grade >2 neutropenia was more frequent in arm B. Supportive treatment with G-CSF was given to 22 and 24 patients respectively. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in terms of CEOP, CNOP overall response rates, overall survival and time to progression between CEOP and CNOP in the treatment of intermediate- and high-grade NHL.Patients with low or low intermediate IPI risk treated with either Hospital, Athens 106 76, Greece CEOP or CNOP showed significantly better survival, response rates and time to progressionthan those with high intermediate or high IPI risk. Therefore, new improved therapeutic approaches should be developed for the treatment of high IPI risk patients.

The thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS) is a rare disorder characterized by microangiopathic hemolysis and thrombocytopenia. We have undertaken a retrospective analysis of the clinical characteristics, treatment outcome, and prognosis of 48 patients diagnosed and treated in our institution during a 13-year period. Among our patients 22 (46%) had fever, 35 (73%) neurological abnormalities, and 22 (46%) renal impairment at presentation of the syndrome. All patients were treated with a multimodality regimen including plasma exchange, steroids, antiplatelet agents, and IgG infusion. Of the 48 patients, 41 achieved complete remission, two had a partial response, and five had no response and died of progressive disease. Within a median follow-up period of 40 months, ten of the 41 patients who had achieved remission relapsed, most of them within the first 2 years, and nine of these responded promptly to plasma exchange therapy. Eight deaths were observed, seven of refractory disease and one in fourth relapse. The analysis of prognostic factors revealed advanced age and severe renal impairment (creatinine levels above 2 mg%) as the only parameters associated with treatment failure and poor outcome. However, none of the pretreatment characteristics proved to be of prognostic value regarding the probability of relapse. In conclusion, TTP/HUS represent a syndrome of variable clinical expression and aggressiveness. The use of a multimodality regimen in our series produced a high response rate. Nevertheless, the early identification, based on clinical characteristics, of poor-prognosis cases that probably need more or alternative forms of treatment is an issue that remains to be elucidated in prospective trials.

Splenectomy in patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is performed for either diagnostic or therapeutic reasons. We report on a series of 29 patients with NHL and splenomegaly who underwent splenectomy during the years 1979-1998 in our hospital. According to the indication for splenectomy our patients were categorized in three groups. Group A: In 20 patients splenectomy was performed for diagnostic reasons. Group B: Three patients were splenectomized for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). Group C: Six patients underwent splenectomy because of hypersplenism. A definitive histopathological diagnosis of NHL was obtained in all patients of group A. Hypersplenism and AIHA were resolved in all patients after splenectomy. One (3.5%) patient died postoperatively because of septicemia complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation. Six postoperative complications were observed in 4 (14%) patients. Splenectomy, with an acceptable surgical risk, has the potential to establish the diagnosis of NHL in patients with splenomegaly without lymphadenopathy and negative bone marrow findings. Moreover, splenectomy has the capacity to modify the disease course in patients with NHL complicated by AIHA or hypersplenism.

The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether treatment with a combination of GM-CSF and erythropoietin (rhEpo) can improve the anemia associated with low risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), namely refractory anemia (RA), RA with ring sideroblasts (RAS), and RA with excess of blasts (RAEB) with bone marrow blasts less than 10%. Eligibility criteria included an Hb level of less than 10.5 g/dl for newly diagnosed patients, or symptomatic anemia. GM-CSF was given at a dose of 3 mu g/kg s.c. on days 1-2, rhEpo at a dose of 60 U/kg s.c. on days 3-5. No treatment was given on days 6-7. Patients were followed-up with full blood count on a weekly basis. The treatment was repeated for a total of 6 weeks. At that time, if a rise in Hb above 1.5 g/dl had not been achieved, the dose of rhEpo increased to 120 U/kg. Post-treatment evaluation was performed at the completion of 12 weeks. Erythroid response was defined as good (GR), if an increase in untransfused Hb values above 2 g/dl or a 100% decrease in red blood cell transfusion requirements, over the treatment period was observed, while an increase in untransfused Hb values 1-2 g/dl or a >50% decrease in transfusion requirements, were considered as partial response. Responders continued to receive the same treatment until disease progression. Nineteen patients (13 male and six female) with a median age of 69 years were enrolled in the study. The FAB subtypes were: RA one case, RAS eight cases and RAEB 10 cases. Ten of 19 patients (52.6%) responded to the treatment: 7/19 (36.8%) achieved a GR and 3/19 (15.8%) a PR. Six of eight (75%) patients with RAS, one case with RA and 3/10 (30%) of cases with RAEB responded to treatment. Pretreatment serum epo levels were generally low (less than 200 Mu/ml) in responding patients. At the completion of the initial 12 weeks, 8/12 responding patients (5 RAS, 2 RAEB and 1 RA) continued to receive the same treatment. All responding patients with RAS continued to show an erythroid response in a time period from 3 to 24 months, whilst one patient with RA and two with RAEB did not have a continuing response at 2, 4 and 12 months, respectively. The above data suggest that the combination of rhEpo and GM-CSF should be recommended in all cases with RARS. However, the clear indication of this combination for other patients with MDS remains to be determined.

Primary extranodal NHL of the head and neck (HN-NHL) accounts for 10-20% of all cases of NHL. Despite their frequency, the natural history and biological behaviour of these lymphomas is poorly understood. In this study we analysed the data 116 cases of HN-NHL. There were 65 males and 51 females with a median age of 56 years. The distribution among different anatomical sites was: tonsils 56 cases (48.3%), nasopharynx 15 (12.9%), mandible/gingiva 9 (7.8%), hard palate 7 (6%), parotis 6 (5.2%), thyroid 5 (4.3%), ocular adnexa 4 (3.5%), paranasal sinuses 2 (1.7%). The patients were treated with radiotherapy alone (14 cases), combined chemotherapy (52 cases) and combined modality (50 cases). According to the WF historical classification 73 cases (62.9%) had intermediate, 32 (27.6%) high and 11 (9.5%) low grade. Patients were separated in two groups: Tonsillar NHL (56 cases) and NHL of all other sites (non-tonsillar group - 60 cases). A comparison between the two groups showed that there was no statistically significant difference with respect to age, sex, and histological subtypes. Also treatment reponse was similar (82.1% for the tonsillar vs 83.3% for the non-tonsillar). The two groups differed in stage distribution, survival and pattern of relapse. Stage I was more frequent in the non-tonsillar NHL (60%) in contrast to tonsillar NHL where stage II was more prominent (51.8%). Median survival was 86 months for the tonsillar while it has not been reached yet for the non-tonsillar group had better survival compared to stages I and II of the tonsillar patients. Finally GI tract was a common site of relapse in the tonsillar group while a considerable number in CNS relapses were observed in the non-tonsillar group. We concluded that HN-NHL constitutes a heterogeneous group of patients. Tonsillar lymphomas represent a distinct group with some special clinicopathological findings. 18 6 B 4655 4660

MUC1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein, apically expressed in most epithelial cells, used in the differential diagnosis of carcinomas and for discrimination of tumors of non-epithelial origin showing epithelioid features. Little attention has been paid so far though, on its possible significance in embryonic tissues. A preliminary study from our group revealed MUC1 expression in the cap mesenchymal cells during human nephrogenesis, suggesting a role for MUC1 in the process of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. This study aimed at investigating the expression pattern of MUC1 in various developing structures of human fetal kidney. Expression of MUC1 was examined in kidneys of 5 human fetuses. MUC1 immunoreactivity was detected in ureteric bud tips, in collecting tubules, in cap mesenchymal cells undergoing the initial phases of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, in renal vesicles, comma-bodies, and S-shaped bodies. Our previous preliminary report suggested a role for MUC1 in the initial phases of the process of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. The present data suggest that MUC1 expression characterizes multiple structures during human nephrogenesis, from the ureteric bud, to the initial phases of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and that MUC1 should be added to the genes activated during the process of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in the cap mesenchyme of human kidney.