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Biomedical subjects

F R Rickles

Publications and source records attributed to F R Rickles.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Recurrent venous thrombosis as the presenting manifestation of acute lymphocytic leukemia: leukemic cell procoagulant activity is not responsible for the hypercoagulable state.

The association of cancer with clinical abnormalities of blood coagulation, including superficial thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is well-known, particularly in patients with solid tumors and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Less commonly appreciated is the potential for the development of venous thromboembolic disease (TED) in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Multiple mechanisms have been implicated for the activation of coagulation in these patients, with an emphasis on the contribution made by the procoagulant properties of the tumor cells themselves. We present two cases of patients with pre-B cell ALL, both of whom developed recurrent TED as the presenting manifestation of their leukemia and/or heralding relapse. The blast cells from one of the patients were studied for the presence of procoagulant activity (PCA) and by Northern blot analysis for tissue factor (TF) messenger RNA (mRNA). Neither PCA nor TF mRNA could be identified in highly purified populations of the lymphoblast cells. We conclude that recurrent TED can be a manifestation of ALL and that mechanisms other than the release of tumor cell procoagulants should be sought to explain the pathogenesis of thrombosis in some patients.

Adult↗

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy: successful treatment with plasma exchange. Case report and review of the literature.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare syndrome which presents typically with thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, central nervous system symptoms, fever, and renal abnormalities. The diagnosis of TTP in pregnancy previously carried a poor prognosis and a high fetal mortality when presenting early in gestation. This case report describes the earliest presentation of TTP in pregnancy (6 weeks of gestation) we could identify in the literature treated successfully with a prolonged course of plasma exchange. The differential diagnosis and the pathogenesis of TTP in pregnancy are reviewed. Therapeutic options and data regarding the removal of pregnancy-related hormones by plasma exchange are presented.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Comparison of six commercial plasma references for factor VIII, factor IX and von Willebrand factor. On behalf of the Subcommittee for Factor VIII and IX of the Scientific and Standardization Committee of the ISTH.

Six brands of normal reference plasma produced in the United States, with assigned assay values for factor VII and IX and, in four instances, ristocetin cofactor and van Willebrand antigen, were assayed in nine coagulation laboratories in academic institutions in the same country. Differences in mean assays of reference plasmas, as a percent of labelled potency, were significant and were greater than differences among laboratories. Standard methods of assigning potency to commercial reference plasmas are recommended.

Antigens↗

Tissue factor expression in human leukocytes and tumor cells.

Tissue factor (TF) exists in a cryptic form [i.e. without procoagulant activity (PCA)] in peripheral blood monocytes and quiescent tissue macrophages but is expressed constitutively in most human tumor cells. Induction and cell surface expression of TF in these cells in vivo is associated with activation of intravascular and extravascular coagulation in patients with a variety of inflammatory or malignant diseases. The regulation of TF synthesis in cells is complex and new information from transfection studies suggests that changes in cellular glycosylation pathways impair cell surface expression of functional TF. Such dysregulation may also characterize the lineage-unfaithful expression of TF in leukemic cells and perhaps explain some of the thrombohemorrhagic complications in patients with acute progranulocytic leukemia. The importance of carbohydrate modification of TF is reviewed.

Acute Disease↗

In situ characterization of antigenic and functional tissue factor expression in human tumors utilizing monoclonal antibodies and recombinant factor VIIa as probes.

Tissue factor (TF), the primary initiator of blood coagulation in vivo, is expressed in vitro by a variety of cells. Previous efforts to localize TF in tissue and cells have been limited principally to the use of immunological techniques. In the present study, we describe a novel functional probe for TF expression, which can be utilized to localize functional TF in situ in human cells and tissues. This probe, a biotinylated phe-pro-arg-chloro-methyl-ketone-labeled rVIIa (FPR-ck-VIIa), interacts with TF via high-affinity binding sites. The binding of FPR-ck-VIIa, therefore, can be correlated with the ability of TF to activate clotting. In the described studies, TF antigen (TF:Ag) expression was examined immunohistochemically with various TF-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and was correlated with functional TF expression using our novel TF-binding probe (eg, FPR-ck-VIIa). Initial results indicate that TF:Ag expression correlates with the expression of functional TF (TF:VIIa), and the specificity of both types of probes was confirmed. Parallel antigenic and functional TF expression in situ was demonstrated in various human tumors. We believe this to be the first demonstration of functional TF in situ in human cells and tissues. We suggest that FPR-ck-VIIa should prove a useful reagent for studying the role of TF in the pathogenesis of clotting complications of human disease.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

The use of intermediate and high purity factor VIII products in the treatment of von Willebrand disease.

Since 1985, viral-attenuated blood products have been available for the treatment of patients with hemophilia. Unfortunately, similar viral-attenuated blood products, enriched for von Willebrand factor (vWF), have not been readily available for the treatment of patients with von Willebrand disease (vWD). In the current study, we examined the clinical efficacy and in vivo properties of two viral-attenuated factor VIII products, Koate-HS and Koate-HP, in the treatment of patients with vWD. Twenty-one (21) infusions were evaluated in 17 different vWD patients (4 with type IA; 8 with Type IIA; 1 with Type IID; 4 with type III). Seven (7) patients received Koate-HS and 12 patients received Koate-HP (2 patients received both products; 1 patient was studied three times). Von Willebrand factor antigen, ristocetin cofactor, bleeding time, and the multimeric composition of vWF were determined pre- and post-infusion. Complete or partial correction of prolonged bleeding times was observed in 2 of the 6 patients tested following treatment with Koate-HS and in 7 out of 11 patients tested following treatment with Koate-HP. Surgery was performed on five of these patients, two of whom were treated with Koate-HS and three of whom were treated with Koate-HP. In the surgical patients, clinical hemostasis was achieved regardless of whether the bleeding time was corrected. We conclude that both Koate-HS and Koate-HP can be utilized successfully in the treatment of patients with vWD in spite of the lack of high molecular weight multimers of vWF in these products.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Management of hemosiderosis complicated by coexistent anemia with recombinant human erythropoietin and phlebotomy.

Patients with hemosiderosis who also suffer from coexistent anemia may be unable to tolerate frequent phlebotomies needed for depletion of body iron stores. Chelation therapy, an alternative approach, may be unsuitable for some patients due to allergic reactions, poor response or intolerance of long-duration subcutaneous administration. The use of recombinant human erythropoietin in such patients could increase the hematocrit and improve exercise tolerance allowing for more frequent phlebotomies. We report the successful use of this combined approach in two such patients.

Aged↗

New insights into the pathogenesis of coagulation dysfunction in acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) are at high risk for the development of life-threatening thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications, particularly during induction chemotherapy. This propensity has been attributed to the release of tissue factor (TF)-like procoagulants from the leukemic cells leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). However, recent data suggest that the pathogenesis of the coagulopathy is more complicated and may involve activation of the generalized proteolytic cascade resulting in either clotting and/or excessive fibrinolysis. Furthermore, controversy exists regarding the mechanism(s) responsible for the activation of either clotting or fibrinolysis. The malignant promyelocyte may act directly to activate coagulation and/or fibrinolysis. Alternatively, reactive inflammatory cells, which express procoagulant and/or profibrinolytic activities may play an essential role. A third possibility may involve endothelial cell expression of mediators with procoagulant/profibrinolytic properties. Putative profibrinolytic mechanisms include the release of urokinase-type and tissue-type plasminogen activators, decreases in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and 2, and decreases in alpha-2 plasmin inhibitor. Putative procoagulant mechanisms include the release of tissue factor, Cancer Procoagulant, or cytokines such as interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor and vascular permeability factor. Putative anticoagulant mediators include annexins, a group of proteins in human tissue which bind phospholipids and have anticoagulant activity, which have been reported in patients with APL. The current treatment of APL is rapidly evolving because of the efficacy of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). All-trans retinoic acid promotes terminal differentiation of leukemic promyelocytes leading to complete remission in the majority of patients with APL with rapid resolution of the coagulopathy. Although the mechanism by which this occurs has not been established, preliminary data suggest that ATRA blocks the downregulation of the thrombomodulin gene and the up-regulation of the tissue factor gene induced by tumor necrosis factor. Since APL is a relatively uncommon disorder, the collaboration of cooperative oncology groups will be important to study patients receiving ATRA or conventional chemotherapy to further elucidate the mechanism(s) of the coagulopathy.

Blood Coagulation↗

N epsilon(gamma-glutamyl)lysine crosslinks in the blood clot of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus.

Clots were allowed to form in samples of whole blood taken from the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, in the absence and presence of dansylcadaverine (16), and were analyzed for their contents of N epsilon(gamma-glutamyl)lysine and gamma-glutamyl-dansylcadaverine. Clots obtained without dansylcadaverine yielded significant amounts of N epsilon(gamma-glutamyl)lysine product. Clots formed in the presence of dansylcadaverine yielded only gamma-glutamyl-dansylcadaverine. Formation of these products reflects on the activity of transglutaminase released from the blood cells during coagulation.

Animals↗

The first epidermal growth factor domain of human coagulation factor VII is essential for binding with tissue factor.

The intrinsic pathway of coagulation is initiated when zymogen factor VII binds to its cell surface receptor tissue factor to form a catalytic binary complex. Both the activation of factor VIIa and the expression of serine protease activity of factor VIIa are dependent on factor VII binding to tissue factor lipoprotein. To better understand the molecular basis of these rate-limiting events, the interaction of zymogen factor VII and tissue factor was investigated using as probes both a murine monoclonal antibody and a monospecific rabbit antiserum to human factor VII. To measure factor VIIa functional activity, a two-stage chromogenic assay was used; an assay which measures the factor Xa generated by the activation of factor VII to factor VIIa. Purified immunoglobulin from murine monoclonal antibody 231-7, which was shown to be reactive with amino acid residues 51-88 of the first epidermal growth factor-like (EGF) domain of human factor VII, inhibited the activation of factor VII to factor VIIa in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism of this inhibition was demonstrated using a novel solid-phase ELISA which quantitatively measured the binding of purified factor VII zymogen to tissue factor adsorbed onto microtiter wells. Thus, the binding of factor VII zymogen to immobilized tissue factor was inhibited by antibody 231-7, again in a dose-dependent manner. Similar results were obtained using a monospecific rabbit antiserum to human factor VII which also reacted with the beta-galactosidase fusion proteins containing amino acid residues 51-88 (exon 4) of human factor VII. We conclude therefore that the exon 4-encoded amino acids of the first EGF domain of human factor VII constitute an essential domain participating in the binding of factor VII to tissue factor.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Hemostatic alterations in cancer patients.

Nearly all patients with cancer manifest laboratory evidence of hypercoagulability and some develop clinical thromboembolic disease (TED). Routine laboratory studies of blood coagulation have been performed in several large, prospective trials of the use of anticoagulant drugs in cancer treatment. The results of these studies, as well as data from several smaller studies of more sensitive tests of hypercoagulability [e.g. fibrinopeptide A (FPA); thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complexes; prothrombin fragment F1 + 2)], indicate that the levels of some clotting proteins parallel disease activity. However, no studies of sound methodologic design have yet been performed to indicate that any of these tests of blood coagulation can serve as adequate predictors of TED in patients with cancer. In addition to the important role played by tumor-related procoagulants, several other mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of thromboembolic events in patients with cancer, including stasis and endothelial damage. Considerable variability in the relative importance of these mechanisms in the pathogenesis of TED may exist among patients with different types of cancer. The risk for TED associated with surgical procedures in cancer patients is substantial and prophylactic antithrombotic therapy should be considered for most of these patients. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy of cancer probably increases the likelihood of TED, particularly in those subjects with indwelling venous catheters. This risk has been particularly well-studied in patients with breast cancer treated with tamoxifen plus cytotoxic drugs. The pathogenic mechanisms may be complex but vascular injury is likely as a proximate cause of venous access catheter thrombosis and can be prevented with low dose coumadin therapy. The utility of low dose coumadin anticoagulation in reducing the risk for TED during breast cancer treatment is unknown but is currently being tested in a large, multiinstitutional study. Since chronic coumadin anticoagulation of cancer patients, and single pulse dose heparin prior to intravenous chemotherapy, both prevent thrombin generation, these agents may be of use in reducing the risk of chemotherapy-associated thrombosis. Prophylactic anticoagulation should be considered for high risk patients.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Prognostic significance of blood coagulation tests in carcinoma of the lung and colon.

Blood coagulation test results were collected prospectively in patients with previously untreated, advanced lung or colon cancer who entered into a clinical trial. In patients with colon cancer, reduced survival was associated (in univariate analysis) with higher values obtained at entry to the study for fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) split products, antiplasmin, and fibrinopeptide A and accelerated euglobulin lysis times. In patients with non-small cell lung cancer, reduced survival was associated (in univariate analysis) with higher fibrinogen and fibrin(ogen) split products, platelet counts and activated partial thromboplastin times. In patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung, only higher activated partial thromboplastin times were associated (in univariate analysis) with reduced survival in patients with disseminated disease. In multivariate analysis, higher activated partial thromboplastin times were a significant independent predictor of survival for patients with non-small cell lung cancer limited to one hemithorax and with disseminated small cell carcinoma of the lung. Fibrin(ogen) split product levels were an independent predictor of survival for patients with disseminated non-small cell lung cancer as were both the fibrinogen and fibrinopeptide A levels for patients with disseminated colon cancer. These results suggest that certain tests of blood coagulation may be indicative of prognosis in lung and colon cancer. The heterogeneity of these results suggests that the mechanism(s), intensity, and pathophysiological significance of coagulation activation in cancer may differ between tumour types.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗