Bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Twenty patients have undergone bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Eighteen patients were in complete remission and two had less than 10% leukaemic blasts in the marrow aspirate in the week prior to transplantation. Eighteen patients were grafted from HLA/MLC compatible siblings. One identical twin and one fully compatible parent were also used as donors. Two patients died of graft-versus-host disease and one of radiation-induced pneumonitis. Four have subsequently relapsed. Thirteen patients remain well and in remission from 202 to 1126 d post transplantation. These results show that morbidity and mortality from the bone marrow transplantation procedure is low. However, the major obstacle to permanent success in marrow transplantation of patients with ALL is recurrence of the disease (35% actuarial disease free survival at 1126 d).

Response of graft versus host disease to high doses of methyl prednisolone

High dose methyl prednisolone (HDMP) was used to treat 25 episodes of graft versus host disease (GVHD) in 13 patients after bone marrow transplantation for aplastic anaemia or acute leukemia. All patients showed rapid improvement of GVHD following HDMP with resolutions of gut and skin manifestations over several days, but liver GVHD was less responsive to treatment. The major complication of treatment was infection and four patients died from infection following HDMP. The mode of action of HDMP may be a nonspecific anti-inflammatory effect but it appears to be rapidly effective in controlling GVH reactions.

Synthesis and diuretic profile of 3-(3-amino-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-5-chloro-2,6-pyrazinediamine, an amiloride-type diuretic

The synthesis of an analogue of amiloride in which the acylguanidine moiety has been replaced by a 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-amine unit is described. This substance (3, CGS 4270) exhibited a diuretic profile similar to that of amiloride when evaluated in the rat and the dog. In the rat, combination with hydrochlorothiazide increased diuresis and saluresis and returned potassium levels to control values. A series of 5-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-amines not directly related to amiloride was prepared, but these substances had no diuretic activity.

Aplastic anaemia and optic fundus haemorrhages due to traditional herbal remedies

Aplastic anaemia as a consequence of use of traditional African herbal remedies in Zambia is reported in 5 cases. Three patients died. A feature of the haemorrhagic tendency from severe thrombocytopenia was optic fundus and vitreous haemorrhage.

ABO blood group in relation to hypernephroma

The correlation of blood groups in adenocarcinoma of the kidney is attempted in 125 cases. It appears that there is an inherited element in the susceptibility or protection against the hypernephroma according to blood groups.