Occurrence of the t(2;5)(p23;q35) in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Primary CD30(Ki-1)-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is considered by some to be a distinct clinicopathologic entity associated with the t(2;5) (p23;q35). However, the specificity of t(2;5) for ALCL has not been carefully studied. Therefore, we performed a detailed analysis of all cases of ALCL with abnormal cytogenetics results in the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group registry, as well as all other cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with t(2;5) in the registry. We found the t(2;5) in only five of 10 cases of ALCL, four of whom were young patients. However, we also found the t(2;5) in 11 other cases of nonanaplastic lymphoma, including eight children with typical peripheral T-cell lymphomas of various types. The t(2;5) was also found in three older adults with B-cell lymphomas of various types. Thus, the t(2;5) was not specific for CD30+ ALCL. However, t(2;5) may define a clinicopathologic entity in children and young adults characterized by variable morphologies with a T-cell or indeterminate phenotype, CD30-positivity, nodal disease with frequent extranodal involvement, advanced stage, and an excellent response to therapy, including bone marrow transplantation for relapsed disease. The clinical relevance of the t(2;5) in older patients requires further study.     

In vitro studies of the antitumor effect of melphalan and analogous aniline mustard derivatives

Melphalan and analogous aniline mustard derivatives were tested on antitumor activity in vitro. All compounds showed similar antiproliferative effects against melanoma B16, sarcoma 180 and leukemia P388D1. Thus, the singular clinical efficiency of melphalan may not simply be explained by a selective uptake employing amino acid carrier systems of tumor cells.     

Prediction of Remission of Acute Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Motor Vehicle Accident Victims

One hundred forty five individuals who sought medical attention as a result of a motor vehicle accident (MVA), and who were initially assessed 1 to 4 months post-MVA, were followed up prospectively for 6 months to determine how many of the 55 with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the 43 with sub-syndromal PTSD would remit and what variables would predict remission. Thirty (55%) of those with initial PTSD had remitted at least in part by 6 months while 67% of those with sub-syndromal PTSD had remitted (and 5% had worsened). Four variables, including severity of initial symptoms, degree of initial physical injury, relative degree of physical recovery by 4 months and whether a close family member suffered a trauma during the follow-up interval, combined to classify 6-month clinical status of 84% of those with initial PTSD secondary to MVAs.