Syed Bilgrami

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Easing patients' fear and discomfort with effective antiemetic regimens

Preview Modem chemotherapy provides meaningful palliation for cancer and even cures some forms. Unfortunately, it causes numerous adverse reactions. Nausea and vomiting are the most feared and debilitating for many patients; in fact, some patients refuse potentially beneficial chemotherapy to avoid these side effects. The authors discuss antiemetic drugs that are often effective in alleviating discomfort, especially when used in combination.

Erythropoietin : biology and clinical applications

Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein hormone that plays a vital role in erythropoiesis. It is mainly produced in the fetal liver till the third trimester of pregnancy. At that point, the kidney interstitium takes over this function and becomes the main source of erythropoietin. Hypoxia stimulates erythropoietin production by a mechanism that may require a heme protein as a second messenger. Erythropoietin stimulates the maturation of erythroid precursors (colony-forming unit-erythroid and burst-forming unit-erythroid) via at least two types of cell surface receptors. The higher-affinity receptors appear to be more important in modulating the effects of erythropoietin in vivo. Changes in intracellular calcium may ultimately mediate the action of erythropoietin on erythroid precursors. A specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay is now available for accurately measuring erythropoietin levels. All forms of erythrocytosis except polycythemia vera are associated with elevated erythropoietin levels. Levels are also high in cord blood obtained following fetal asphyxia. Reduced levels are seen in patients with anemia due to renal diseases. The response of erythropoietin to the degree of anemia appears to be attenuated in patients with cancer, chronic diseases, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Erythropoietin has been successfully used for treating patients with anemia due to renal failure. Its use has also been approved for the treatment of anemia patients receiving zidovudine for HIV infection. Encouraging results have been observed when erythropoietin was used to treat anemia due to rheumatoid arthritis, hematological malignancies, and prematurity. It has also been used to increase the yield of autologous blood collected prior to an elective surgical procedure. However, it has not proved to be useful in sickle cell anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.

Treatment of Synchronous Mantle Cell Lymphoma and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma with Bendamustine and Rituximab

Herein, we describe a case of a female patient in whom B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) were diagnosed simultaneously. She presented with anemia, thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly. Flow cytometry demonstrated two immunophenotypically distinct CD5-positive monoclonal B cell populations. Peripheral blood fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was positive for IGH/CCND1, consistent with t(11;14) translocation. She received 6 cycles of bendamustine 70 mg/m2/day for 2 days and rituximab on the first day every 4 weeks along with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. She had an excellent response, and repeat computed tomography after her third cycle of chemotherapy revealed no organomegaly or lymphadenopathy. Her peripheral blood lymphocytosis also resolved. Bone marrow examination revealed no detectable flow-cytometric evidence of MCL or CLL. Repeat cytogenetic and FISH analysis were also normal. The patient remains in complete remission 20 months after her initial diagnosis and is receiving maintenance rituximab 375 mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks every 6 months for 2 years.

Management of Hemosiderosis Complicated by Coexistent Anemia with Recombinant Human Erythropoietin and Phlebotomy

Patients with hemosiderosis who also suffer from coexistent anemia may be unable to tolerate frequent phlebotomies needed for depletion of body iron stores. Chelation therapy, an alternative approach, may be unsuitable for some patients due to allergic reactions, poor response or intolerance of long-duration subcutaneous administration. The use of recombinant human erythropoietin in such patients could increase the hematocrit and improve exercise tolerance allowing for more frequent phlebotomies. We report the successful use of this combined approach in two such patients.

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gall Bladder: Role of Adjuvant Chemotherapy

IntroductionSmall cell cancer of the gallbladder is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis. There is limited information in the literature on the best therapeutic approach towards this cancer with anecdotal therapy extrapolated from experience in small cell cancer of the lung.Case ReportWe are presenting a 70-year-old woman with this cancer who is undergoing multimodality treatment, along with a review of literature on previously reported cases.