A surprising advance in the treatment of viral leukemia
Article Abstract:
Two 1995 studies found that combined therapy with zidovudine and interferon alfa may be effective in treating adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma. Although much is known about this disease, it has been very difficult to treat. Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma is caused by infection by the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1). The disease is transmitted through mother's milk, blood transfusions, and sexual intercourse. As a result it is common in certain families and geographical regions. It is probably transmitted by infected cells, rather than by free-floating virus. Approximately 2% to 5% of infected people develop T-cell leukemia-lymphoma 20 to 40 years after infection. HTLV-1 may cause tumor growth by producing proteins that alter the genes of the host. The most effective ways of preventing the disease may be by screening donated blood and advising against breast feeding in areas where the disease is common.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Viral entry denied
Article Abstract:
The advances in antiviral drugs offer exciting opportunities for the development of agents that block viral transmission and treat viral infections, as well as for vaccine development. With the licensing of one entry inhibitor and others being tested in clinical trials, these agents have passed the proof-of-principle stage, a bench-mark that is testimony to the value of biochemical and structural studies designed to provide the molecular details of how a virus enters a cell.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2004
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Detection of Epstein-Barr viral genomes in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease. Graves' disease
- Abstracts: Enhanced local production of complement components in the small intestines of patients with Crohn's disease. Complement, part 1
- Abstracts: A comparison of visual and automated methods of analyzing fetal heart rate tests. Fetal loss rate associated with cordocentesis at midgestation
- Abstracts: The care and treatment of lung cancer. Use of cognitive assessment with Alzheimer's disease. Diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD)
- Abstracts: The role of statin therapy in preventing recurrent stroke. Standard principles for preventing HAIs. Guidelines for preventing hospital-acquired infections