Hematology
Article Abstract:
Hematology is the study of blood, virtually the only tissue in the body that can be regularly sampled in large amounts without causing the patient any harm. As a result, much is known about the chemistry of blood. This knowledge has been used to develop treatments for hemophilia, a genetic abnormality that results in the inability to produce a blood clotting factor. Affected individuals are missing either clotting factor VIII or IX. These factors can be artificially replaced via transfusion to treat hemophilia. However, for some patients, the AIDS virus has been transmitted along with the therapeutic clotting factors. Recently, clotting factor VIII has been produced through the use of gene cloning and molecular biology; obviating the need for a supply of blood donations for factor VIII, which may now be produced in large industrial fermentation vats. However, serious obstacles remain to the production of factor IX. While factor IX has been successfully produced in the laboratory, commercial-scale production has not yet been accomplished. Molecular biology is contributing to other aspects of hematology as well. The elucidation of numerous growth factors may profoundly affect the treatment of hematologic disease. These growth factors, which include erythropoietin, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, the interleukins, and related compounds, stimulate the growth and development of different types of blood cells. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1991
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Hematology
Article Abstract:
Research in molecular and cellular biology and protein biochemistry is leading to a better understanding of cell proliferation as it relates to hematology. Hematology is the study of blood and blood production. A protein produced by the bcl-2 gene has been implicated in apoptosis, a specific and regulated form of cell death. The bcl-2 gene is associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and appears to act by preventing cell death. Bcl-2 also appears to be an important factor in chemotherapeutic failure to kill tumor cells. More than 85% of patients treated with all-trans-retinoic acid achieve remission from acute promyelocytic leukemia. All-trans-retinoic acid causes leukemia cells to change into cells that age and undergo cell death normally. Bone marrow transplants are an effective treatment for leukemia but the difficulty in finding well-matched, and preferably related, donors limits its use. Umbilical and placental blood are providing new transplant possibilities. The blood can be typed for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility and then reconstituted for transplants.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
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Hematology
Article Abstract:
People who bleed easily should be tested for Von Willebrand disease (vWD). vWD is caused by a deficiency in von Willebrand factor (vWf) or the production of an abnormal form of the protein. Type 1 vWD accounts for 80% of all cases, with the remainder consisting of type 2 vWD. The best treatment for type 1 vWD is desmopressin acetate, which is available in a nasal spray. The nasal spray can be used just before events that carry a high risk of bleeding, including dental work and contact sports. However, the drug is an antidiuretic, so patients should be cautioned against drinking too much fluid after using it. The treatment for type 2 vWD is factor VIII concentrate. There are now synthetic forms of factor VIII that reduce the risk of contracting blood-borne diseases from naturally-produced factor VIII concentrates. Several trials have shown that the drug hydroxyurea can reduce the symptoms of sickle cell anemia by boosting the production of fetal hemoglobin.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
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