Methods: Serum levels of cytokines related to the metabolism of bone tissue [osteocalcin and parathyroid hormone (PTH)], adipose selleck chemicals llc tissue (adiponectin, leptin and ghrelin) and glucose [insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)] were determined in 72 patients suffering from MDS, mostly of the low-risk group according to FAB classification, and 41 healthy individuals (controls). Results: Adiponectin and osteocalcin serum levels were significantly elevated in the MDS patients. Leptin, insulin and IGF-1 serum levels were reduced. No difference was found in the serum levels of PTH and ghrelin. Leptin levels were reversibly associated with patient blast count. Conclusion: Increased serum levels of adiponectin and low levels of IGF-1 in MDS patients may counterbalance the increased rate of apoptosis in the pool of hematopoietic progenitors.
Osteocalcin secreted by osteoblasts regulates the renewal and proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells. Hormones and cytokines either secreted by the cells of the bone marrow stroma or transferred by the microcirculation act on hematopoietic progenitors and may regulate their differentiation, apoptosis and proliferation rate in MDS. Copyright (C) 20135. Karger AG, Basel
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a severe complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, with a substantial impact on the quality of life and survival, still lacking with regard to an optimal therapeutic strategy. Corticosteroids are considered the standard of care for first-line treatment of chronic GVHD, but only a minority of the patients responds to them durably.
Management of steroid-refractory chronic GVHD is not well defined. This review surveys novel treatment strategies, such as therapies that expand regulatory T cells, target B cells or target the processes implicated in fibrosis that may allow more effective control of chronic GVHD in the future. Most therapies are based solely on phase II trials or on retrospective analyses GSK-3 with a wide range of overall responses. Large, well-designed prospective studies are eagerly needed to establish better treatments, as well as valid biomarkers to identify the likelihood of the response to a drug in advance. Copyright (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel
Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is a rare type of leukemia characterized by a proliferation mainly of mature neutrophils, elevated neutrophil-alkaline phosphatase activity, and no presence of the Philadelphia chromosome.
The prognosis is generally poor and there is no consensus therapeutic strategy for the treatment of this disease. The JAK2 V617F mutation has been detected in patients with classical myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) including polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia and idiopathic Dovitinib solubility myelofibrosis.