PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Joseph J Mazza

Publications and source records attributed to Joseph J Mazza.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A phase II trial of arsenic trioxide for relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We designed a phase II trial of arsenic trioxide (AT) for the treatment of relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The dose administered was 0.25 mg/kg/day intravenously for 5-7 days per week for up to 60 days. Of 11 patients eligible, eight had B-cell and three T-cell ALL and two were Philadelphia chromosome-positive. The median duration of therapy was 21 days (range 7-28). One patient died of an infection. There were no responses. Ten patients have died. The median survival was 3.2 months (range 1.2-4.1). We conclude that AT is not active in the treatment of ALL.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2005

Disorders of flushing.

Disorders of flushing encompass a broad spectrum of diverse acquired and inherited conditions. Chemical mediators involved in the flushing response are incompletely understood. Flushing episodes rarely can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The goal of the physician is to separate benign from potentially life-threatening conditions. Accurate diagnosis requires a thorough history and physical examination emphasizing the age of the patient, temporal association of flushing with occupation, environmental, stress, food, or drug exposure, and the duration of the episode. In some cases, despite a thorough evaluation, the etiology for flushing remains unknown. Understanding the distinct mechanisms that lead to flushing helps provide a rational approach to treatment.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2005

Efficacy of the influenza vaccine in patients with malignant lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: The benefits and efficacy of the influenza vaccine have been controversial and have had mixed reviews in the recent literature. Immunosuppressed patients and those receiving chemotherapy are particularly at risk for infectious complications and are therefore given high priority to receiving prophylactic vaccines. METHOD: We administered the influenza vaccine to 29 patients with malignant lymphoma who were receiving chemotherapy or had recently completed therapy during the flu season of 2003-2004. An aged-matched control group received the same vaccine during the same period. The ability of both groups to mount a protective titer of antibodies to the antigens in the vaccine was measured. RESULTS: Three of 29 patients (10%) in the lymphoma group were able to mount a 4-fold titer to at least one of the influenza A antigens. One patient developed a protective titer to both influenza A and B antigens and 3 of 29 responded to the influenza B antigen. In the control group 13 of 29 (45%) responded to an influenza A antigen and 14 of 29 (48%) had a 4-fold response to the B antigen. Seven of 29 controls (24%) had a 4-fold increase in their titers to both the A and B antigens. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the low incidence of response or efficacy to the influenza vaccine reported in previous studies. Only a small percentage (10%) of immunosuppressed patients with malignant lymphoma responded with a 4-fold increase in their antibody titer to the major antigens of the 2003 influenza vaccine. Most interestingly, less than 50% of the aged-matched control population studied responded with a 4-fold increase in their antibody titer. Additional studies are needed to determine methods for improving the efficacy of the vaccine and the effectiveness of the influenza vaccination program in preventing influenza infections in the United States.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Hematologic and metabolic abnormalities in a patient with anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa is a common problem in young adults that may present with a variety of metabolic and hematologic abnormalities, as well as weight loss and psychological disturbances. We present a young man with a long history of anorexia nervosa who developed pancytopenia associated with decreased bone marrow cellularity and abnormal architecture and marrow infiltration with an amorphous, gelatinous substance characteristic of anorexia nervosa. The patient also developed osteopenia with evidence of excessive calcium excretion. The pancytopenia and marrow function reverted to normal with therapeutic and dietary intervention. The effects of eating disorders can result in serious consequences with respect to an individual's health and well-being. A host of hematologic abnormalities that are associated with anorexia nervosa have the potential of increasing the risk of infection and bleeding. Additionally, because of the insidious development of anemia in some patients, decreased performance status and chronic fatigue can pose significant compromises in one's daily activities and work effort. Anorexia nervosa is a chronic illness that is distinctly more common in females than in males (ratio of 10 to 1), but can affect males in an equally debilitating manner, requiring multiple modalities of therapeutic intervention and consultation. We present the case of a male referred to the hematology department because of pancytopenia, chronic fatigue, and back pain. A diagnosis of anorexia nervosa had been made 10 years prior at the age of 18 years.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Hypercoagulability and venous thromboembolism: a review.

This review addresses the numerous factors that predispose individuals for venous thromboembolic events (VTE). Both acquired and genetically inherited factors are reviewed with their approximate relative risk of developing VTE. Oral contraceptive use and hormone replacement therapy, as well as the prevalence of VTE associated with pregnancy, are also addressed. Particular attention is directed to the frequency of more than 1 predisposing factor being present, further increasing the risk of VTE or its recurrence.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) following fludarabine therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): case report and review of the literature.

Adenosine deaminase inhibitors have proven superior to alkylating agent-based therapies in inducing clinical and hematologic remissions in treated and previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, and they have become increasingly accepted as a standard for therapy. We report the case of a 66-year-old patient with a 7-year history of CLL who had been previously treated with alkylating agents. Upon presentation with abdominal lymphadenopathy, a 5-day course of the nucleoside analogue, fludarabine, was administered. Two days after completion, the patient developed acute tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) that induced renal failure with hyperkalemia and hyperuricemia. This resulted in critical, life-threatening complications requiring hospitalization, aggressive hemodialysis and fluid replacement therapy. While only 5 other cases of TLS associated with fludarabine therapy have been reported since 1989, we recommend that adenosine deaminase inhibitor therapy be initiated with the addition of allopurinol, and that hydration with copious amounts of oral fluids during therapy be encouraged in order to help protect against the renal effects of potential TLS induced by these agents.

Aged↗