Editorials and Perspectives:

Chaim Hershko, Julian Patz

Ironing out the mechanism of anemia in celiac disease
Haematologica 2008 93: 1761-1765. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Several factors may be responsible for anemia in celiac disease. In this perspective article, Drs. Hershko and Patz examine the pathophysiology of this condition which may be considered as a paradigm of anemia in gastrointestinal disease. See related article on page 1785.

R. Hehlmann, S. Saussele

Treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis
Haematologica 2008 93: 1765-1769. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Blast crisis is the Damocle’s sword hanging over every patient with chronic myeloid leukemia. In this perspective article, Drs. Hehlmann and Saussele discuss the current therapeutic options for this aggressive condition. See related article on page 1792.

Mikkael A. Sekeres

Treatment of older adults with acute myeloid leukemia: state of the art and current perspectives
Haematologica 2008 93: 1769-1772. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Acute myeloid leukemia of the elderly shows distinctive biological characteristics and poorer outcome compared with the condition in younger adults. In this perspective article, Dr. Sekeres analyzes the current treatment approaches to this condition. See related article on page 1806.

German Ott, Andreas Rosenwald

Molecular pathogenesis of follicular lymphoma
Haematologica 2008 93: 1773-1776. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Follicular lymphoma accounts for 20–30% of all lymphoid tumors with its incidence being highest in Western countries. In this perspective article, Drs. Ott and Rosenwald examine the molecular pathogenesis of this disorder. See related article on page 1882.

Rohit Sud, Jonathan W. Friedberg

Salvage therapy for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: impact of prior rituximab
Haematologica 2008 93: 1776-1780. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Western countries. In this perspective article, Drs. Sud and Friedberg discuss salvage therapy for patients who relapse or are primarily refractory to conventional therapy. See related article on page 1829.

Emanuele Angelucci, Donatella Baronciani

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for thalassemia major
Haematologica 2008 93: 1780-1784. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation represents the only curative treatment for thalassemia major. In this perspective article, Drs. Angelucci and Baronciani, who pioneered this therapeutic approach collaborating with Guido Lucarelli in Pesaro, Italy, discuss how allogeneic stem cell transplantation has changed the natural history of thalassemia major. See related article on page 1859.

Original Articles:

Anemia of Chronic Disease:

Gaetano Bergamaschi, Konstantinos Markopoulos, Riccardo Albertini, Antonio Di Sabatino, Federico Biagi, Rachele Ciccocioppo, Eloisa Arbustini, Gino Roberto Corazza

Anemia of chronic disease and defective erythropoietin production in patients with celiac disease
Haematologica 2008 93: 1785-1791. Published online September 24, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13255 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Anemia due to hematinic deficiencies is common in paients with untreated celiac disease. This study shows that, in addition to iron and vitamin deficiencies, anemia of chronic disease has a significant role in some patients with celiac disease. See related perspective article on page 1761.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia:

Francesca Palandri, Fausto Castagnetti, Nicoletta Testoni, Simona Luatti, Giulia Marzocchi, Simona Bassi, Massimo Breccia, Giuliana Alimena, Ester Pungolino, Giovanna Rege-Cambrin, Riccardo Varaldo, Maurizio Miglino, Giorgina Specchia, Eliana Zuffa, Felicetto Ferrara, Monica Bocchia, Giuseppe Saglio, Fabrizio Pane, Daniele Alberti, Giovanni Martinelli, Michele Baccarani, Gianantonio Rosti on behalf of the GIMEMA Working Party on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis treated with imatinib 600 mg: outcome of the patients alive after a 6-year follow-up
Haematologica 2008 93: 1792-1796. Published online October 6, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13068 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

The findings of this study suggest that imatinib mesylate at a daily dose of 600 mg is effective and safe in the short-term treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis, but does not significantly modify longer-term outcome of this condition. See related perspective article on page 1765.

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia:

Carlos Santamaría, María Carmen Chillón, Ramón García-Sanz, Ana Balanzategui, María Eugenia Sarasquete, Miguel Alcoceba, Fernando Ramos, Teresa Bernal, José Antonio Queizán, María Jesús Peñarrubia, Pilar Giraldo, Jesús F. San Miguel, Marcos Gonzalez

The relevance of preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) as a marker of disease activity and prognosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia
Haematologica 2008 93: 1797-1805. Published online September 24, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13214 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Previous studies showed that the gene for preferentially expressed antigen (PRAME) is over-expressed in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). This study suggests that low PRAME expression defines a subgroup of APL patients with a short relapse-free survival.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia:

Jean-Valère Malfuson, Anne Etienne, Pascal Turlure, Thierry de Revel, Xavier Thomas, Nathalie Contentin, Christine Terré, Sophie Rigaudeau, Dominique Bordessoule, Norbert Vey, Claude Gardin, Hervé Dombret, for the Acute Leukemia French Association (ALFA)

Risk factors and decision criteria for intensive chemotherapy in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Haematologica 2008 93: 1806-1813. Published online October 6, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13309 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

There is a need to define the therapeutic strategy in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia. This study suggests that cytogenetics is of fundamental importance in decision making: patients with unfavorable cytogenetics should not be considered for standard induction chemotherapy. See related perspective article on page 1769.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia:

Ilaria Iacobucci, Annalisa Lonetti, Daniela Cilloni, Francesca Messa, Anna Ferrari, Roberta Zuntini, Simona Ferrari, Emanuela Ottaviani, Francesca Arruga, Stefania Paolini, Cristina Papayannidis, Pier Paolo Piccaluga, Simona Soverini, Giuseppe Saglio, Fabrizio Pane, Anna Baruzzi, Marco Vignetti, Giorgio Berton, Antonella Vitale, Sabina Chiaretti, Markus Müschen, Robin Foà, Michele Baccarani, Giovanni Martinelli

Identification of different Ikaros cDNA transcripts in Philadelphia-positive adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia by a high-throughput capillary electrophoresis sizing method
Haematologica 2008 93: 1814-1821. Published online October 6, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13260 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Iacobucci et al. - Supplementary Appendix]  

Ikaros is a member of the Kruppel family of zinc finger DNA-binding proteins. The findings of this study demonstrated that both aberrant splicing and genomic deletion leading to different non-DNA-binding transcripts are common features of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Malignant Lymphomas:

Éva Gagyi, Zsófia Balogh, Csaba Bödör, Botond Timár, Lilla Reiniger, Linda Deák, Judit Csomor, Balázs Csernus, Ágota Szepesi, András Matolcsy

Somatic hypermutation of IGVH genes and aberrant somatic hypermutation in follicular lymphoma without BCL-2 gene rearrangement and expression
Haematologica 2008 93: 1822-1828. Published online October 22, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13239 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

The findings of this study suggest that follicular lymphoma with typical morphological and immunophenotypic features may develop even without the involvement of the BCL-2 gene. See related perspective article on page 1773.

Alejandro Martín, Eulogio Conde, Montserrat Arnan, Miguel A. Canales, Guillermo Deben, Juan M. Sancho, Rafael Andreu, Antonio Salar, Pedro García-Sanchez, Lourdes Vázquez, Sara Nistal, María-José Requena, Eva M. Donato, José A. González, Ángel León, Concepción Ruiz, Carlos Grande, Eva González-Barca, María-Dolores Caballero on behalf of the ‘Grupo Español de Linfomas/Trasplante Autólogo de Médula Ósea’ (GEL/TAMO cooperative group)

R-ESHAP as salvage therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: the influence of prior exposure to rituximab on outcome. A GEL/TAMO study
Haematologica 2008 93: 1829-1836. Published online October 22, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13440 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

The findings of this study suggest that combined therapy wih rituximab, etoposide, cytarabine, cisplatinum and methylprednisolone may be effective prior to autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with refractory or relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. See related perspective article on page 1776.

Esa Jantunen, Carmen Canals, Alessandro Rambaldi, Gert Ossenkoppele, Bernardino Allione, Didier Blaise, Eulogio Conde, Hervè Tilly, Gordon Cook, Fiona Clark, Andrea Gallamini, Andrew Haynes, Nicolas Mounier, Peter Dreger, Michael Pfreundschuh, Anna Sureda, for the EBMT Lymphoma Working Party

Autologous stem cell transplantation in elderly patients (60 years) with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: an analysis based on data in the European Blood and Marrow Transplantation registry
Haematologica 2008 93: 1837-1842. Published online October 6, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13273 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

This registry study suggests that autologous stem cell transplantation is feasible in selected elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia:

Mónica López-Guerra, Laia Trigueros-Motos, Miriam Molina-Arcas, Neus Villamor, F. Javier Casado, Emili Montserrat, Elias Campo, Dolors Colomer, Marçal Pastor-Anglada

Identification of TIGAR in the equilibrative nucleoside transporter 2-mediated response to fludarabine in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells
Haematologica 2008 93: 1843-1851. Published online October 22, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13186 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

This study demonstrates a correlation between the recently described p53-inducible apoptosis gene and sensitivity to fludarabine in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.

Stem Cell Transplantation:

Erin M. Dunbar, Mathew P. Buzzeo, Jeff B. Levine, Jesse D. Schold, Herwig-Ulf Meier-Kriesche, Vijay Reddy

The relationship between circulating natural killer cells after reduced intensity conditioning hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and relapse-free survival and graft-versus-host disease
Haematologica 2008 93: 1852-1858. Published online October 22, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13033 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

The findings of this study indicate that high natural killer cell reconstitution is associated with decreased relapse and death following reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Daniela Lisini, Marco Zecca, Giovanna Giorgiani, Daniela Montagna, Rosaria Cristantielli, Massimo Labirio, Pierangela Grignani, Carlo Previderè, Alessandra Di Cesare-Merlone, Giovanni Amendola, Elena Bergami, Angela Mastronuzzi, Rita Maccario, Franco Locatelli

Donor/recipient mixed chimerism does not predict graft failure in children with β-thalassemia given an allogeneic cord blood transplant from an HLA-identical sibling
Haematologica 2008 93: 1859-1867. Published online October 22, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13248 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

This study indicates that mixed chimerism is a frequent event and does not predict the occurrence of graft failure in children with thalassemia major given a cord blood transplant from an HLA-identical sibling. See related perspective article on page 1780.

Progress in Hematology:

Thalassemia Syndrome:

Hsiao Phin Joanna Voon, Jim Vadolas

Controlling -globin: a review of -globin expression and its impact on β-thalassemia
Haematologica 2008 93: 1868-1876. Published online September 2, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13490 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

In this review article, Drs. Voon and Vadolas examine -globin expression and its impact of phenotypic manifestations of β-thalassemia.

Decision Making and Problem Solving:

Supportive Care in Hematology:

Patrizia Tosi, Giovanni Barosi, Carlo Lazzaro, Vincenzo Liso, Monia Marchetti, Enrica Morra, Andrea Pession, Giovanni Rosti, Antonio Santoro, Pier Luigi Zinzani, Sante Tura

Consensus conference on the management of tumor lysis syndrome
Haematologica 2008 93: 1877-1885. Published online October 6, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13290 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

In this consensus paper, Dr. Tosi and co-workers define rational criteria for the management of tumor lysis syndrome.

Brief Report:

Bone Marrow Failure:

Terry J. Gaymes, Sydney Shall, Farzin Farzaneh, Ghulam J. Mufti

Chromosomal instability syndromes are sensitive to poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors
Haematologica 2008 93: 1886-1889. Published online October 6, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13201 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Gaymes et al. - Supplementary Appendix]  

The findings of this study suggest that chromosomal instability disorders that have DNA repair defects and increased propensity to transform to leukemia are potential targets for poly ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors.

Myeloproliferative Disorders:

Alexandre Theocharides, Jakob R. Passweg, Michael Medinger, Renate Looser, Sai Li, Hui Hao-Shen, Andreas S. Buser, Alois Gratwohl, André Tichelli, Radek C. Skoda

The allele burden of JAK2 mutations remains stable over several years in patients with myeloproliferative disorders
Haematologica 2008 93: 1890-1893. Published online September 11, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13074 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

This study shows that mutant allele burden remains stable overall several years in patients with JAK2 (V617F)-positive myeloproliferative disorders.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia:

Martine E.D. Chamuleau, Arjan A. van de Loosdrecht, Corine J. Hess, Jeroen J.W.M. Janssen, Adri Zevenbergen, Ruud Delwel, Peter J.M. Valk, Bob Löwenberg, Gert J. Ossenkoppele

High INDO (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) mRNA level in blasts of acute myeloid leukemic patients predicts poor clinical outcome
Haematologica 2008 93: 1894-1898. Published online September 2, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13112 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

In this study on patients with acute myeloid leukemia, a high INDO expression in leukemic blasts was associated with a poor outcome.

Désirée Bonci, Maria Musumeci, Valeria Coppola, Antonio Addario, Concetta Conticello, Michael Hahne, Massimo Gulisano, Francesco Grignani, Ruggero De Maria

Blocking the APRIL circuit enhances acute myeloid leukemia cell chemosensitivity
Haematologica 2008 93: 1899-1902. Published online October 6, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13035 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Bonci et al. - Supplementary Appendix]  

The findings of this study suggest that APRIL acts in an autocrine fashion to protect acute myeloid leukemia cells from drug-induced death.

An De Weer, Frank Speleman, Barbara Cauwelier, Nadine Van Roy, Nurten Yigit, Bruno Verhasselt, Barbara De Moerloose, Yves Benoit, Lucien Noens, Dominik Selleslag, Eric Lippert, Stephanie Struski, Christian Bastard, Anne De Paepe, Peter Vandenberghe, Anne Hagemeijer, Nicole Dastugue, Bruce Poppe on behalf of the Groupe Français de Cytogénétique Hématologique (GFCH)

EVI1 overexpression in t(3;17) positive myeloid malignancies results from juxtaposition of EVI1 to the MSI2 locus at 17q22
Haematologica 2008 93: 1903-1907. Published online September 24, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13192 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

In this study, overexpression of the EVl1 gene was found to be a major contributor to leukemogenesis in patients with myeloid malignancies associated with a t(3;17).

Multiple Myeloma:

Philippe Moreau, Valerie Coiteux, Cyrille Hulin, Xavier Leleu, Helgi van de Velde, Milin Acharya, Jean-Luc Harousseau

Prospective comparison of subcutaneous versus intravenous administration of bortezomib in patients with multiple myeloma
Haematologica 2008 93: 1908-1911. Published online September 2, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13285 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Moreau et al.- Supplementary Appendix]  

This study shows that subcutaneous administration of bortezombib offers an alternative option to intravenous injection in patients with multiple myeloma.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia:

Katrina Vanura, Trang Le, Harald Esterbauer, Florentin Späth, Edit Porpaczy, Medhat Shehata, Karin Eigenberger, Alexander Hauswirth, Cathrin Skrabs, Elisabeth Krömer, Ilse Schwarzinger, Berthold Streubel, Christoph Steininger, Christa Fonatsch, Stephan Stilgenbauer, Oswald Wagner, Alexander Gaiger, Ulrich Jäger

Autoimmune conditions and chronic infections in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients at diagnosis are associated with unmutated IgV_H genes
Haematologica 2008 93: 1912-1916. Published online October 6, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.12955 [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Vanura et al. - Supplementary Appendix]  

This study suggests that patients suffering from chronic conditions at the time of diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia are likely to have poor prognostic markers.

Letters to the Editor:

Red Cell Disorders:

Francoise Bernaudin, Robert C. Strunk, Annie Kamdem, Cecile Arnaud, Ping An, Martine Torres, Christophe Delacourt, Michael R. DeBaun

Asthma is associated with acute chest syndrome, but not with an increased rate of hospitalization for pain among children in France with sickle cell anemia: a retrospective cohort study
Haematologica 2008 93: 1917-1918. Published online September 24, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13090 [Full Text] [PDF]  

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia:

Massimo Breccia, Roberto Latagliata, Ida Carmosino, Laura Cannella, Daniela Diverio, Anna Guarini, Maria Stefania De Propris, Maria Concetta Petti, Giuseppe Avvisati, Giuseppe Cimino, Franco Mandelli, Francesco Lo-Coco

Clinical and biological features of acute promyelocytic leukemia patients developing retinoic acid syndrome during induction treatment with all-trans retinoic acid and idarubicin
Haematologica 2008 93: 1918-1920. Published online October 22, 2008; doi:10.3324/haematol.13510 [Full Text] [PDF]  

To see an article, click its [Full Text] or [PDF] link. To review many abstracts, check the boxes to the left of the titles you want, and click the 'Get All Checked Abstract(s)' button. To see one abstract at a time, click its [Abstract] link.