Oncology and Hematology: Archives

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Pruritus in Myeloproliferative Disorders

• July 21, 2009
• David Green, MD, PhD

Mast cell abnormalities led to pruritogenesis in MPD patients.

• Reviewing:
• Ishii T et al., Blood 2009 Jun 4; 113:5942

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

A Prodrome for Multiple Myeloma

• July 7, 2009
• Michael E. Williams, MD

Preexisting monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance was identified in virtually all MM patients.

• Reviewing:
• Landgren O et al., Blood 2009 May 28; 113:5412 Weiss BM et al., Blood 2009 May 28; 113:5418 Bladé J et al., Blood 2009 May 28; 113:5370

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

JAK2 and Venous Thrombosis

• July 7, 2009
• David Green, MD, PhD

Screening for JAK2V617F mutations in patients with splanchnic venous thromboses might lead to early diagnosis of myeloproliferative disorders.

• Reviewing:
• Dentali F et al., Blood 2009 May 28; 113:5617

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Nab-Paclitaxel for Metastatic Breast Cancer

• July 7, 2009
• Virginia Kaklamani, MD

Patients who received nab-paclitaxel achieved longer progression-free survival than did those who received docetaxel.

• Reviewing:
• Gradishar WJ et al., J Clin Oncol 2009 May 26

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Preoperative Staging for Lung Cancer

• July 1, 2009
• Lin-Chi Chen, MD, PhD

Integrating PET data with CT scan results reduced futile thoracotomies but not mortality.

• Reviewing:
• Fischer B et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jul 2; 361:32

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Rituximab and Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

• June 30, 2009
• Michael E. Williams, MD

New evidence of an association supports the need for caution among clinicians who prescribe rituximab.

• Reviewing:
• Carson KR et al., Blood 2009 May 14; 113:4834

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Cetuximab for Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

• June 30, 2009
• Lin-Chi Chen, MD, PhD

Patients who received cetuximab plus chemotherapy achieved modestly longer survival than those who received chemotherapy alone.

• Reviewing:
• Pirker R et al., Lancet 2009 May 2; 373:1525 Herbst RS and Hirsch FR., Lancet 2009 May 2; 373:1497

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Screening for Thrombophilia

• June 30, 2009
• David Green, MD, PhD

Study results suggest that immediate relatives of patients with specific thrombophilic defects be considered for testing.

• Reviewing:
• Lijfering WM et al., Blood 2009 May 21; 113:5314

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Childhood Leukemia Treatment: Is Cranial Irradiation Necessary?

• June 24, 2009
• Michael G. Douvas, MD

With intensified intrathecal and systemic chemotherapy, omission of prophylactic irradiation did not compromise survival.

• Reviewing:
• Pui C-H et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 25; 360:2730

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Diagnosis and Management of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism

• June 23, 2009
• David Green, MD, PhD

Evidence-based data provides much-needed guidance.

• Reviewing:
• Le Gal G et al., J Thromb Haemost 2009 May; 7:752 Carrier M et al., J Thromb Haemost 2009 May; 7:760