Clinical therapeutics
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Clinical therapeutics · Nov 2007
Review Meta AnalysisMeta-analysis of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in medically Ill patients.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in medically ill patients has received a level 1A recommendation in previously published clinical guidelines. Pharmacologic prophylaxis for VTE includes unfractionated heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), and fondaparinux. Few direct comparisons between anticoagulants exist in medically ill patients. ⋯ This analysis suggests that VTE prophylaxis with an LMWH (including fondaparinux) or UFH is effective in reducing the rate of DVT, but this benefit did not extend to enhanced protection against PE. Additionally, LMWH and UFH had similar bleeding outcomes.
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Clinical therapeutics · Nov 2007
Review Meta AnalysisDasatinib: a tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
The Philadelphia chromosome is formed from a translocation of genetic material involving human chromosomes 9 and 22. The resulting gene product, BCR-ABL, encodes for an abnormal tyrosine kinase (TK) that is a factor in the pathology of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Use of targeted therapy that inhibits BCR-ABL kinase activity may lead to hematologic and cytogenetic responses in affected individuals. The oral TK inhibitor dasatinib was approved in 2006 for use in patients with CML or Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who are unable to tolerate or have not responded to other treatments. ⋯ Dasatinib has a wider spectrum of activity against a broader range of BCR-ABL forms than existing TK inhibitors. It has shown clinical benefit and tolerability in patients in all phases of CML, as well as in those with Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL. Dasatinib illustrates the potential for targeted drug development based on an understanding of the genetic alterations leading to CML and the development of resistance to treatment.
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Clinical therapeutics · Nov 2007
Review Meta AnalysisEffectiveness and tolerability of administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on left ventricular function in patients with myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Clinical studies suggest that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized stem cells are recruited to ischemic myocardium and differentiate into specialized cells such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, and may improve left ventricular function. ⋯ Based on the studies included in this meta-analysis, G-CSF treatment improved the LVEF in AMI (but not OMI) at 3 to 12 months follow-up. Treatment with G-CSF was generally well tolerated.