Biomedical subjects

M Aglietta

Publications and source records attributed to M Aglietta.

129 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

High prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 in Italian patients with chronic liver disease.

The prevalence of different genotypes of Hepatitis C virus may vary between geographic areas and it is possible that various genotypes have different pathogenic characteristics. Therefore, 90 consecutive Italian patients anti-Hepatitis C Virus positive with a broad spectrum of chronic liver disease, have been analysed to observe prevalence of various genotypes of Hepatitis C Virus. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction with a set of nested biotinylated primers, located in 5'UTR region. Genotype 1b and genotype 2a were the most commonly encountered (respectively, 50% and 37%) whereas other genotypes were rare. The unexpected high prevalence of genotype 2a allowed direct comparison of clinical characteristics and response to therapy between patients with genotype 2a and those with 1b. Genotype 1b was more prevalent than 2a in patients over 60 years (29 vs 12) and in those with more severe liver disease (34 vs 16). In a univariate analysis, genotype 2a was associated with less severe liver disease (p = 0.02) and younger age (p = 0.018), in comparison with genotype 1b. Patients with genotype 2a responded to interferon alpha therapy better than those with 1b (p = 0.007). In a multivariate analysis, only younger age was associated with genotype 2a. Genotype 2a (in comparison with 1b) and absence of cirrhosis were independent predictors of response to interferon alpha. In conclusion, genotype 2a is playing an emerging role in younger Italian patients and seems more sensitive than 1b to interferon alpha therapy.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cytokine receptors, growth factors and cell cycle in human bone marrow and peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: An increasing number of growth factors have been shown to be responsible for the proliferation, survival and enhanced function of many cell types within the hemopoietic system. The action of these hemopoietic growth factors in stimulating cell growth and survival applies both to cells within the progenitor compartment and mature cells. Whether a specific cytokine influences in vivo hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation or survival depends on cytokine-mediated modulation or target cell cytokine receptors, cell proliferation, and cell death regulator genes and other pathways. To address these issues, particularly in view of the current and future clinical use of hemopoietic growth factors, the Italian Society of Experimental Hematology organized a Meeting in Florence on July 4th, 1996. INFORMATION SOURCES: The material examined in the present review includes full papers and abstracts published in journals covered by the Science Citation Index and Medline. All the participants to the Meeting in Florence have been actively working in the field of biology and clinical application of hemopoietic growth factors. Summaries of their oral presentations at the Florence Meeting are reported in the Appendix to this article. STATE OF ART AND PERSPECTIVES: Myelopoietic growth factors particularly granulocyte (G-) colony-stimulating factor (CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF, have been available for clinical use for only a few years but they have already markedly changed the management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, the use of dose-intensive chemotherapy regimens and the practice and safety of autologous stem cell transplantation. While these growth factors have been rapidly introduced as routine agents in the management of cancer patients, they have continued to generate a considerable amount of fundamental research into the biology of hematopoiesis as well as the growth regulation of normal and cancer cells. For instance, one goal of cancer treatment is to protect hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from the damaging effects of chemotherapy, while maintaining their anticancer action. Any means of preferentially and reversibly suppressing the proliferation of normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells while leaving the proliferation of tumor cells and their susceptibility to chemotherapy unmodified, could potentially optimize treatment efficacy. In this field, the possibility of using colony-stimulating factors as myeloprotective agents in dose-intensive chemotherapy to enhance anticancer activity could be an attractive goal of current anti-cancer treatment modalities.

Bone Marrow Cells↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Diagnostic approach to the anemic cancer patient].

The anemia of the neoplastic patient can be: the first sign of a yet unknown neoplasia; a sign of progressive disease; an effect of therapy. The hemochromocytometric will define if the anemia is normocytic, microcytic or macrocytic. The reticulocyte counts will define the degree of marrow erythrocyte production. Thus specific algorithms could be used for trying to define the origin of the anemia. On the basis of the patient history, physical examination and other ad hoc exams it will be possible to determine the origin of the anemia keeping into mind the types of anemia of the neoplastic patients: anemia due to damage of the erythron as a consequence of chemotherapy; anemia of chronic disorders with a multiple pathogenesis. A decreased EPO production is often relevant; anemia due to renal damage (platinum compounds, anfotericin B) with decreased EPO production. A correct approach will allow the identification of the cause of the anemia and a correct treatment. Serum EPO determination can be useful to decide for EPO administration.

Algorithms↗