Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0038002 (splenomegaly)
 9,873 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We performed a multi-institutional retrospective analysis of the morphologic features, immunophenotype, cytogenetics, and BCR-ABL transcript characterization of cases of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myeloid leukemia (Ph+ AML). We compared these cases with cases of documented chronic myelogenous leukemia in myeloid blast crisis (CML-MBC). Patients with Ph+ AML were less likely to have splenomegaly or peripheral basophilia and had lower bone marrow cellularity and myeloid/erythroid ratios than patients with CML-MBC. Additional specific cytogenetic abnormalities that typically occur in CML-MBC were less common in Ph+ AML. Of 7 patients with Ph+ AML treated with imatinib mesylate, 6 showed at least a partial hematologic response, but the responses were of a short duration (median, 2.5 months). The median survival of patients with Ph+ AML was 9 months, similar to that of patients with CML-MBC (7 months). Ph+ AML is a rare aggressive acute leukemia with some features distinct from CML-MBC.
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PMID:Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myeloid leukemia: a rare aggressive leukemia with clinicopathologic features distinct from chronic myeloid leukemia in myeloid blast crisis. 1736 42

Constitutive activation of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) by internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations is one of the most common molecular alterations known in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To investigate the role FLT3/ITD mutations play in the development of leukemia, we generated a FLT3/ITD knock-in mouse model by inserting an ITD mutation into the juxtamembrane domain of murine Flt3. FLT3wt/ITD mice developed myeloproliferative disease, characterized by splenomegaly, leukocytosis, and myeloid hypercellularity, which progressed to mortality by 6 to 20 months. Bone marrow (BM) and spleen from FLT3wt/ITD mice had an increased fraction of granulocytes/monocytes and dendritic cells, and a decreased fraction of B-lymphocytes. No sign of acute leukemia was observed over the lifetime of these mice. BM from FLT3wt/ITD mice showed enhanced potential to generate myeloid colonies in vitro. BM from FLT3wt/ITD mice also produced more spleen colonies in the in vivo colony-forming unit (CFU)-spleen assay. In the long-term competitive repopulation assay, BM cells from FLT3wt/ITD mice outgrew the wild-type competitor cells and showed increased myeloid and reduced lymphoid expansion activity. In summary, our data indicate that expression of FLT3/ITD mutations alone is capable of conferring normal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) with enhanced myeloid expansion. It also appears to suppress B lymphoid maturation. Additional cooperative events appear to be required to progress to acute leukemia.
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PMID:Knock-in of an internal tandem duplication mutation into murine FLT3 confers myeloproliferative disease in a mouse model. 1824 64

The delineation of the hematological malignancies began near the end of the first third of the 19th century with the recognition of the similarity among cases with lymph node tumors and an enlarged spleen (Hodgkin's disease). Descriptions of chronic and acute leukemia and myeloma followed thereafter. In the first years of the 20th century the discovery of x-radiation permitted palliative orthovoltage radiation therapy of Hodgkin's disease. Following World War II, legitimate drug therapy for the hematological malignancies was introduced: nitrogen mustard, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisone acetate, and anti-folic acid derivatives, initially aminopterin. Today, about 14 classes of drugs (different mechanisms of action) and >50 individual agents are being used, with others under study. Several examples of agents targeting specific transcription factors or oncoproteins have been introduced. Despite remarkable progress, including the ability to cure acute leukemia in about 70% of children, cure several genetic variants of acute myelogenous leukemia in younger adults, cure some cases of lymphoma in children and younger adults, and induce prolonged remission in many affected persons, the majority of patients face an uncertain outcome and shortened life. Thus, we have much to do in the next several decades. The significant hurdles we must overcome include: the apparent infrequency of an exogenous cause that can be avoided, the exponential increase in incidence rates with age and the dramatic negative effect of aging on the results of treatment, the challenge of one trillion or more disseminated cancer cells among which are a smaller population of cancer stem cells, the profound genetic diversity of the hematological malignancies (apparently hundreds of unique genetic primary lesions), the redundant growth and survival pathways defining the cancer phenotype, the decreasing market for pharmaceutical companies as therapy becomes more specific (fewer target patients) and drug development costs become more expensive, and the significant negative long-term effects of current therapy on both children and adults. These challenges will be gradually overcome, if we (a) develop new models of cooperation among academia, industry, and government, (b) continue the growth of international participation in cancer research (more keen minds to the task), and (c) convince the governments of the world, including that of the U.S., that an investment in minimizing the effects of cancer is as important as defending against other threats to the welfare and longevity of their citizens.
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PMID:Battling the hematological malignancies: the 200 years' war. 1830 57

To evaluate the liver function, splenomegaly and related factors in the newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients. One hundred of fifty eight acute leukemia patients admitted in our hospital from March 2003 to April 2006 were studied. The related factors such as peripheral WBC count, bone marrow blasts, peripheral blasts, sex, age, AML, ALL affecting the liver function and splenomegaly were evaluated. Sixty two (39.24%) patients presented with splenomegaly. Twelve (7.59%) patients presented with hepatomegaly. Serum ALT was elevated in 54 (34.17%) patients. Similarly, serum AST, GGT, ALP, and Direct bilirubin were elevated in 26 (16.45%), 32 (20.25%), 20 (12.65%), and 22 (13.92%) patients, respectively. Low serum albumin was found in 40 (25.31%) patients. PT was prolonged in 62 (39.24%) patients. Statistical study shows that there is a relation between high WBC counts and elevated serum ALT (P<0.05) and high WBC counts and splenomegaly (P<0.05). Acute leukemia patients with leukocytosis are more prone to develop abnormal liver function and splenomegaly.
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PMID:Abnormal hepatic function and splenomegaly on the newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients. 1834 Mar 67

Basic and therapeutic trial results obtained in the spontaneous AK leukemia (lymphoma) model have been brought together for comparison with available information on the much used transplanted murine leukemia models and human leukemias and lymphomas. The etiologic agent for "spontaneous" AK lymphoma is an RNA virus present at birth in AKR mice. Lymphoma cells first appear in the thymuses of animals at 5-->12 months of age. The time lapse between the first appearance of viable lymphoma cells in the thymus and clinical diagnosis (eg, with about 10(9) widely disseminated viable plus nonviable lymphoma cells in the host) is about 1 month. Thus, the overall doubling time of lymphoma cells before diagnosis is about 1 day. This estimate is compatible with the doubling time of relatively small numbers of first-passage lymphoma cells, assay data on the rate of repopulation of viable lymphoma cells after therapeutic reduction, and the median intermitotic time of dividing lymphoma cells (ie, 0.6 day). In general, the cytokinetic parameters of advanced spontaneous AK lymphoma cell populations are more like those observed in advanced human leukemias than are those of early L1210 leukemia. This paper presents assay data on the reduction in viable spontaneous AK lymphoma cells after treatment with a variety of agents, and the rate of cell repopulation after cessation of treatment. Extensive therapeutic trial data indicate that cyclophosphamide is presently the most effective single agent against spontaneous AK lymphoma, with arabinosylcytosine or palmO-ara-C a close second. Daunomycin, 5-fluorouracil, the nitrosoureas, vincristine, methotrexate, and dexamethasone provided moderate increases in host survival time. The combination of vincristine plus prednisone was a good remission inducer but the median survival time after cessation of treatment was shorter than that observed for cyclophosphamide or palmO-araC. The best responses observed to date with two-drug combinations appear better on several scores than the best that have been observed with single drugs. The best overall responses observed to date with two-drug combinations were with palmO-ara-C plus methyl-CCNU, cyclophosphamide plus methyl-CCNU, and palmO-ara-C plus cyclophosphamide. Some three- and four-drug combinations have provided better therapeutic responses than have been observed with single agents but not significantly better than those obtained with two-drug combinations. Splenomegaly assays carried out immediately after cessation of treatment and 60 days and longer after cessation of treatment, suggest that eradication of all viable lymphoma cells is being achieved in some animals by combination chemotherapy; however, such animals eventually die of lymphoma, presumably as a result of the reinduction of a second lymphoma cell population. The requirements for permanent "cure" of spontaneous lymphoma in AKR mice include eradication of all viable lymphoma cells and prevention of reinduction. Two major differences between early L1210 leukemia and clinically diagnosed spontaneous AK lymphoma are the degree of disease advancement at the time therapy is usually started (and associated cytokinetic differences) and the reinduction problem in AKR mice. Spontaneous AK lymphoma is relatively more advanced at diagnosis than is acute leukemia in man (ie, with respect to nearness of the host to death), and it is presumed that the reinduction problem in AKR mice is more acute and more prevalent than in human neoplastic disease.
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PMID:Basic and therapeutic trial results obtained in the spontaneous AK leukemia (lymphoma) model-end of 1971. 1905 88

This study evaluates the clinical and laboratory data of children with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) related to malignancy. Charts of patients who met the diagnostic criteria for sHLH associated with malignancy between January 2000-2006 at six different hospitals in Turkey were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnosis of HLH had been established by bone marrow aspiration in 27 patients, cerebrospinal fluid and bone marrow aspiration in one patient and lung-liver biopsy in another. Twenty-nine children were diagnosed as having sHLH related to malignancy. Twenty cases (18 ALL and 2 AML) with acute leukemia (10 girls/10 boys, median age: 8 years [3-14 years]) were found to have sHLH. Five patients with acute leukemia had HLH at the time of diagnosis (Group 1a), and 15 patients with acute leukemia were diagnosed as having sHLH during therapy (Group 1b), namely reactive sHLH associated with the chemotherapy. Nine patients, including two cases each of rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, Hodgkin disease, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and one case with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, were diagnosed as having concomitant hemophagocytosis at the initial evaluation of the tumor (Group 2). Fever, anemia, and hypertriglyceridemia were present in all sHLH cases of all three groups. Hepatomegaly was detected in 60.0%, 73.3%, and 88.8% of the three groups, respectively. Splenomegaly was more frequent in patients of Groups 1a (60.0%) and 2 (88.8%) than in those of Group 1b, the reactive ones (13.3%). Hypofibrinogenemia was detected in all patients of Group 1a and Group 2. Low level of fibrinogen was present in 91.6% of patients in Group 1b. All patients in Group 1b (100%) had neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Neutropenia was found at rates of 60.0% and 55.5% in Group 1a and Group 2, respectively. Thrombocytopenia was detected in 80.0% of patients in Group 1a and 77.7% in Group 2. The overall mortality rate was 34.4% (10 cases) in our series of 29 children with sHLH; 50% of deaths were directly attributable to HLH. Pediatric malignancy-associated HLH patients have been commonly described as case presentations or in a review of the literature. We believe that our cohort, compiling 29 children regarding the association between malignancy and HLH, will be useful for pediatricians who are interested in this still mysterious topic.
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PMID:Malignancy-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in pediatric cases: a multicenter study from Turkey. 1981 62

The myeloproliferative disorders polycythemia vera, essential thrombocytosis, and primary myelofibrosis are clonal disorders arising in a pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell, causing an unregulated increase in the number of erythrocytes, leukocytes, or platelets, alone or in combination; eventual marrow dominance by the progeny of the involved stem cell; and a tendency to arterial or venous thrombosis, marrow fibrosis, splenomegaly, or transformation to acute leukemia, albeit at widely varying frequencies. The discovery of an activating mutation (V617F) in the gene for JAK2 (Janus kinase 2), a tyrosine kinase utilized by hematopoietic cell receptors for erythropoietin, thrombopoietin, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, provided an explanation for the shared clinical features of these 3 disorders. Constitutive JAK2 activation provides a growth and survival advantage to the hematopoietic cells of the affected clone. Because signaling by the mutated kinase utilizes normal pathways, the result is overproduction of morphologically normal blood cells, an often indolent course, and (in essential thrombocytosis) usually a normal life span. Because the erythropoietin, thrombopoietin, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptors are all constitutively activated, polycythemia vera is the potential ultimate clinical phenotype of the JAK2 V617F mutation and, as a corollary, is the most common of the 3 disorders. The number of cells expressing the JAK2 V617F mutation (the allele burden) seems to correlate with the clinical phenotype. Preliminary results of clinical trials with agents that inhibit the mutated kinase indicate a reduction in splenomegaly and alleviation of night sweats, fatigue, and pruritus.
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PMID:Narrative review: Thrombocytosis, polycythemia vera, and JAK2 mutations: The phenotypic mimicry of chronic myeloproliferation. 2019 36

Thrombocytopenia is usually acquired. The laboratory artefact of pseudothrombocytopenia should always be excluded. Bone marrow insufficiency with impaired platelet production results from infiltrating tumor cells or from a myelodsplastic syndrome. In patients with splenomegaly, platelets are trapped by the spleen. An increased platelet turnover is caused by activation of the clotting cascade, e.g. due to sepsis or malignancy. Platelet binding antibodies cause thrombocytopenia by increased platelet clearance. Important differential diagnoses in patients with severe thrombocytopenia are: acute leukemia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune thrombocytopenia and drug-dependent thrombocytopenia. Multifactorial causes are thrombocytopenia associated with pregnancy, chronic alcohol abuse, and liver cirrhosis. Treatment should focus on the underlying disease. In regard to low platelet counts only clinical bleeding and not platelet count numbers should be treated.
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PMID:[Differential diagnosis and treatment of thrombocytopenia]. 2094 73

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disease characterized by the overproduction of granulocytes, which leads to high white blood cell counts and splenomegaly in patients. Based on clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, CML is classified into three clinical phases, often starting with a chronic phase, progressing to an accelerated phase and ultimately ending in a terminal phase called blast crisis. Blast crisis phase of CML is clinically similar to an acute leukemia; in particular, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is a severe form of acute leukemia in blast crisis, and there is no effective therapy for it yet. CML is induced by the BCR-ABL oncogene, whose gene product is a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase. Currently, inhibition of BCR-ABL kinase activity by its kinase inhibitor such as imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) is a major therapeutic strategy for CML. However, the inability of BCR-ABL kinase inhibitors to completely kill leukemia stem cells (LSCs) indicates that these kinase inhibitors are unlikely to cure CML. In addition, drug resistance due to the development of BCRABL mutations occurs before and during treatment of CML with kinase inhibitors. A critical issue to resolve this problem is to fully understand the biology of LSCs, and to identify key genes that play significant roles in survival and self-renewal of LSCs. In this review, we will focus on LSCs in CML by summarizing and discussing available experimental results, including the original studies from our own laboratory.
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PMID:Molecular and cellular bases of chronic myeloid leukemia. 2120 82

In 2009, the recommendations of the Czech Collaborative Group for Ph- Myeloproliferative Diseases (CZEMP) for diagnosis and treatment of BCR/ABL-negative myeloproliferative diseases (MPD), i.e., essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythaemia vera (PV) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) were updated and extended. The present article gives the rationale of the recommendations in full detail. The CZEMP diagnostic criteria for ET and PMF are based on histopathological (HP) findings, which must unconditionally be in line with the given clinical and laboratory characteristics of ET or of a certain stage of PMF, respectively. The platelet count is not decisive for diagnosis. In cases lacking an adequately taken and read HP finding, the Polycythemia Vera Study Group (PVSG) criteria are recommended. The diagnosis of typical PV is based on demonstration of the V617F mutation of the JAK2 gene along with a significant increase of red cell parameters. If these are close to borderline, the demonstration of increased total red cell mass (RCM) is required. In atypical cases lacking polyglobulia or elevated RCM, the HP picture of PV (in accordance with WHO description) plus JAK2 V617F mutation is satisfactory for diagnosis, or, in cases lacking JAK2 V617F mutation, the HP picture of PV along with polyglobulia (or increased RCM) is sufficient. The treatment principles of ET and other MPDs with thrombocythemia (MPD-T; i.e., the early stages of PMF and PV) are identical. The patients are stratified by their thrombotic risk (preceding thrombosis, another thrombophilic state, jAK2 mutation), presence of disease symptoms (mainly microcirculatory), platelet count and age. Only patients up to 65 years lacking the above mentioned risks with a platelet count < 1000 x 10(9)/l are considered as low-risk and do not demand cytoreducing therapy. The others are high-risk ones and have an indication for thromboreduction. In patients older than 65 years, the potentially leukemogenic drug hydroxyurea (HU) may be used. In the younger ones, the choice is between anagrelide (ANG) or interferon-alpha (IFN). In high-risk patients, the treatment goal is to maintain platelet counts below 400, and in low-risk ones, below 600 x 10(9)/l. In PV, polycythemia itself is another thrombotic risk factor. The condition is treated by bloodletting or erythrocytaphereses. If hematocrit levels < or =45 are not achieved, cytoreductive therapy using HU in patients over 65 years, or IFN in younger individuals is required. All patients with thrombocythemia in PV are high-risk and have an indication for cytoreduction. Acetylsalicylic acid is given to all patients with MPD-T with platelets < 1000 x 10(9)/l (at higher counts, hemorrhage is imminent), and to all individuals with PV, unless contraindication is present. In case of platelet count normalization, it may be withdrawn in cases of low-risk ET or PMF, not in JAK2+ PV. The treatment of advanced stages of PMF is symptomatic, with substitution of blood derivatives being the basis. The only curative treatment is allogeneic stem cell transplantation, which should not be indicated too early seeing to its risks, but also not too late--we must not allow transition into acute leukemia, which is heralded by blasts in the blood picture. The indication is the presence of any of the following criteria: values of hemoglobin < 10 g/dl, WBC < 4 x 10(9)/l and platelets < 100 x 10(9)/l, any percentage of blasts or > or = 10% immature granulocytes in the differential picture, >1 erythroblast per 100 cells--all at repeated examinations within at least a 2-month interval, and in addition, rapid progression of hepato-/splenomegaly, presence of general symptoms of the disease, portal hypertension and extensive swellings.
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PMID:[Diagnosis and treatment of BCR/ABL-negative myeloproliferative diseases--principles and rationale of CZEMP recommendations]. 2141 52


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