PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Jack H Lichy

Publications and source records attributed to Jack H Lichy.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Activity of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor PKC412 in a patient with mast cell leukemia with the D816V KIT mutation.

The majority of patients with systemic mast cell disease express the imatinib-resistant Asp816Val (D816V) mutation in the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase. Limited treatment options exist for aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM) and mast cell leukemia (MCL). We evaluated whether PKC412, a small-molecule inhibitor of KIT with a different chemical structure from imatinib, may have therapeutic use in advanced SM with the D816V KIT mutation. We treated a patient with MCL (with an associated myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/myeloproliferative disorder [MPD]) based on in vitro studies demonstrating that PKC412 could inhibit D816V KIT-transformed Ba/F3 cell growth with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 30 nM to 40 nM. The patient exhibited a partial response with significant resolution of liver function abnormalities. In addition, PKC412 treatment resulted in a significant decline in the percentage of peripheral blood mast cells and serum histamine level and was associated with a decrease in KIT phosphorylation and D816V KIT mutation frequency. The patient died after 3 months of therapy due to progression of her MDS/MPD to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This case indicates that KIT tyrosine kinase inhibition is a feasible approach in SM, but single-agent clinical efficacy may be limited by clonal evolution in the advanced leukemic phase of this disease.

Aspartic Acid↗

Time-motion analysis of 6 cystic fibrosis mutation detection systems.

BACKGROUND: A dramatic increase in requests for routine cystic fibrosis (CF) carrier screening prompted us to conduct a time-motion analysis comparing commercially available CF testing platforms. Questions addressed in the study included: (a) How much time is required to perform each step involved in carrying out the assay procedure? (b) Which system requires the minimum number of manual manipulations to complete a typical run? (c) What workflow benefits can be achieved by automation? METHODS: We used a 96-sample run for comparisons and analyzed each of the 6 methods to determine the number of pipetting steps and manual manipulations, the labor and instrument time, and the total time required to perform the assay. The survey participants included a staff of 4 technologists who perform complex molecular assays regularly. Time required for each procedure was determined by direct observation and from work logs completed by the technologists. RESULTS: The total number of pipetting motions varied from 78 to 344. Labor time ranged from 2.6 to 8.4 h, and total assay time from 7.6 to 13.7 h. CONCLUSION: Time-motion analysis allowed identification of a method that minimized pipetting motions and thus reduced the risk of repetitive stress injury.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗

Detection of SYT-SSX fusion transcripts in archival synovial sarcomas by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Synovial sarcomas comprise approximately 5% of soft tissue sarcomas and occur primarily in young adults. The t(X;18) (p11.2;q11.2) has been demonstrated to be highly characteristic of synovial sarcomas, and the resulting SYT-SSX fusion transcripts have been shown to be useful diagnostic markers. We have developed a real-time, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) multiplex assay for the identification of the primary fusion transcript types (SYT-SSX1 and SYT-SSX2) from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Twenty-nine of 30 (96.7%) histologically diagnosed FFPE synovial sarcomas were positive for the presence of either the SYT-SSX1 or SYT-SSX2 fusion transcripts. Ten of 16 (62.5%) and five of 16 (31.25%) monophasic fibrous synovial sarcomas were positive for SYT-SSX1 and SYT-SSX2, respectively. One of 16 (6.25%) monophasic fibrous synovial sarcomas was negative for either SYT-SSX fusion transcript. Twelve of 14 (85.7%) and 2 of 14 (14.3%) biphasic synovial sarcomas were positive for SYT-SSX1 and SYT-SSX2, respectively. All 13 non-synovial sarcomas tested were negative for SYT-SSX1 and SYT-SSX2 fusion transcripts. This method is a relatively simple and rapid procedure for the detection of the t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2).

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Molecular testing for hereditary hemochromatosis.

Recent molecular genetic testing methods for hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) and single nucleotide polymorphisms are summarized. Comparisons of various sample preparation and detection instrumentation are made in terms of automation, cost, high-throughput and feasibility of implementation in a clinical laboratory. Examples are given for the analysis of the two mutations associated with hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) by high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry based on single nucleotide extension. The trends for developing better genetic testing are discussed.

Genetic Testing↗

Ewing sarcoma family of tumors in unusual sites: confirmation by rt-PCR.

Ewing sarcoma family tumors originating in the palate or adrenal gland are extremely rare and may cause difficulty in diagnosis. More common tumors primary to these sites need to be excluded before one arrives at the correct diagnosis. We have recently diagnosed 2 such cases. The 1st case was that of a 24-year-old woman who presented with a swelling in the right side of the hard palate. The 2nd case was diagnosed in a 28-year-old woman who presented with a mass in the right adrenal gland. In both cases, the diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma family of tumors was confirmed by immunohistochemical studies and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The hard palate case is the 1st and the adrenal gland the 3rd case of Ewing sarcoma family of tumors arising in these sites, in which the diagnosis was confirmed by RT-PCR and/or cytogenetics. Accurate diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma family of tumors is crucial for the management of patients, and when found in such rare locations, diagnosis should be supported by immunohistochemical and/or molecular genetic studies.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗