Hematology News and Research

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Hematology, also spelled haematology, is the branch of biology (physiology), pathology, clinical laboratory, internal medicine, and pediatrics that is concerned with the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases. Hematology includes the study of etiology, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention of blood diseases.

Combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone may be a promising treatment for multiple myeloma

The combination of two pills -- thalidomide and dexamethasone -- may be an effective alternative to the intravenous chemotherapy commonly prescribed to patients with multiple myeloma, according to a large collaborative study conducted by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and led by a Mayo Clinic investigator.

7 Dec 2004

New clues in understanding why group A streptococci (GAS) has a range of bacterial afflictions in humans

Researchers have unlocked new clues in understanding why group A streptococci (GAS) has a range of bacterial afflictions in humans. One of the keys to this species of bacteria is its production of streptokinase (SK), an enzyme that activates plasminogen, the blood clot-dissolving protein in humans.

6 Dec 2004

New insight into anticoagulation therapies

Anticoagulation therapies, or treatments that reduce the amount of clotting factors in the blood, are quite common and used for a variety of reasons.

6 Dec 2004

Novel mutagenesis screen used to identify genetic suppressors of thrombosis

Researchers using a novel sensitized ENU (N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, a carcinogen-induced animal tumor model established to grow malignant and benign tumors) mutagenesis (induction of mutation) screen in laboratory mice have developed a promising approach to genetic screening that can increase the likelihood of identifying dominant suppressors of thrombosis.

6 Dec 2004

Thalidomide shows promise in fighting myeloma

Thalidomide, a drug often used to treat symptoms of leprosy and in testing to fight HIV, is now demonstrating activity in fighting a common cancer that occurs in bone marrow, myeloma.

6 Dec 2004

New advances in sickle cell disease

Excruciating pain episodes, recurrent pneumonias, strokes, severe infections, chronic hemolytic anemia, and secondary pulmonary hypertension are common complications of sickle cell disease, a life-threatening inherited defect in blood that causes normally disc-shaped red blood cells to take on a sickle shape.

6 Dec 2004

Children with sickle cell disease who are at risk for a stroke need ongoing blood transfusions to reduce their risk

“This important study shows the value of continuing periodic blood transfusions in preventing the serious and debilitating consequences of stroke,” says NHLBI Acting Director Barbara Alving. “At the same time, there are risks of chronic transfusions and the decision to continue with this treatment must be made on a case-by-case basis.”

6 Dec 2004

Zevalin highly effective in first-line treatment of low-grade follicular lymphoma

Results from a clinical trial presented at the American Society of Hematology 46th Annual Meeting and Exposition (ASH) demonstrated that Zevalin (ibritumomab tiuxetan), administered as a first-line therapy, induced a 100 percent response rate in a small population of patients with low-grate follicular lymphoma (FL).

6 Dec 2004

Study shows long-term benefits for chronic myeloid leukemia patients receiving therapy with imatinib

CHU in Poitiers, France, yesterday announced results of a study showing that newly diagnosed patients with a certain form of leukemia who are treated early with imatinib are more likely to achieve complete cytogenetic responses (the elimination of leukemic cells, a major goal of therapy) and have improved long-term outcomes.

6 Dec 2004

New drug can successfully treat patients who have become resistant to Gleevec

A team of prominent researchers led by Charles Sawyers, M.D. and Moshe Talpaz, M.D., presented compelling clinical findings today showing that a new drug, BMS-354825, can successfully treat patients who have become resistant to Gleevec (the frontline therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia, CML).

5 Dec 2004

Genetic mutations and cellular modifications may provide clues to the associations between slight genetic abnormalities and often fatal diseases

Modern research is delving deep into the human genome to find the answers to medical mysteries and, hopefully, cures for the most deadly diseases. According to four new studies presented during the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology

5 Dec 2004

Researchers step closer to cure for common childhood cancer

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant disease caused by the abnormal growth and development of white blood cells (WBC) in the bone marrow and blood. ALL is the most common cancer occurring in children with an annual rate of approximately 30 to 40 new cases per million.

5 Dec 2004

Hydroxyurea plus aspirin best therapy in patients with essential thrombocythemia who are at high risk for vascular events

A new treatment for an incurable blood disorder proves a worse option for patients' health than an older treatment, according to a study to be presented today during the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

5 Dec 2004

Genetic target found for pediatric leukemia

A molecular target newly discovered by scientists at two prestigious research institutes may pave the way for new treatments that could combat an aggressive form of leukemia, according to a study to be presented today during the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

5 Dec 2004

Positive results from phase 2 trial of Telintra, drug candidate in myelodysplastic syndrome

Telik, Inc. reported positive interim data from a Phase 2 trial of its Telintra (TLK199) drug candidate in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The data were reported in two presentations at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Diego.

5 Dec 2004

Bcl-6 oncogene - genetic target for lymphoma treatment

Results from a pre-clinical study show that the gene designated Bcl-6 is an oncogene -- that is, one with the potential to cause a normal cell to become cancerous -- but that certain peptide inhibitors can in effect inactivate it, according to a study to be presented today during the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

5 Dec 2004

A new treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

A new treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) -- a disorder marked by an overproduction of white blood cells -- yields positive results in those who have relapsed on imatinib, the standard treatment for the disease, according to a Phase I study to be presented today at the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

5 Dec 2004

Genasense shown to enhance the anti-lymphoma activity of Velcade and Rituxan

Genta Incorporated announced that two new studies have shown that Genasense (oblimersen sodium) Injection, the Company's lead anticancer drug, showed synergistic activity with both bortezomib (Velcade; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) and rituximab (Rituxan; Genentech, Idec) in experimental models of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

5 Dec 2004

Data from phase II study of Trisenox (arsenic trioxide) injection in myelodysplasia

At the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) preliminary data were presented from a phase II study of Trisenox (arsenic trioxide) injection in myelodysplasia (MDS).

5 Dec 2004

Single dose phase I data on CG53135 for the prevention of oral mucositis

CuraGen Corporation has announced results presented from a Phase I clinical trial with CG53135 for the prevention of oral mucositis (OM) in patients receiving high dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) at the ASH 46th Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA.

5 Dec 2004

Hematology News and Research

Further Reading

Combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone may be a promising treatment for multiple myeloma

New clues in understanding why group A streptococci (GAS) has a range of bacterial afflictions in humans

New insight into anticoagulation therapies

Novel mutagenesis screen used to identify genetic suppressors of thrombosis

Thalidomide shows promise in fighting myeloma

New advances in sickle cell disease

Children with sickle cell disease who are at risk for a stroke need ongoing blood transfusions to reduce their risk

Zevalin highly effective in first-line treatment of low-grade follicular lymphoma

Study shows long-term benefits for chronic myeloid leukemia patients receiving therapy with imatinib

New drug can successfully treat patients who have become resistant to Gleevec

Genetic mutations and cellular modifications may provide clues to the associations between slight genetic abnormalities and often fatal diseases

Researchers step closer to cure for common childhood cancer

Hydroxyurea plus aspirin best therapy in patients with essential thrombocythemia who are at high risk for vascular events

Genetic target found for pediatric leukemia

Positive results from phase 2 trial of Telintra, drug candidate in myelodysplastic syndrome

Bcl-6 oncogene - genetic target for lymphoma treatment

A new treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

Genasense shown to enhance the anti-lymphoma activity of Velcade and Rituxan

Data from phase II study of Trisenox (arsenic trioxide) injection in myelodysplasia

Single dose phase I data on CG53135 for the prevention of oral mucositis

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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