The tumor microenvironment is essential for tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis by providing survival signals and a sanctuary site for tumor cells, by secretion of growth factors, pro-angiogenesis factors and direct adhesion molecule interactions. Our knowledge of microenvironment is only now beginning to unfold. In this review, the morphological and molecular chara...

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of hematological malignancies at Al-Gamhouria Teaching Hospital from 2008 to 2010. Material and Methods: Hematological malignancies diagnosed at Al-Gamhouria Teaching Hospital, Department of Hematology-Oncology from January 2008 to December 2010 based on available hematological laboratory methods and histological examination were ret...

The B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 11B (BCL11B) gene is a member of the BCL family which plays a crucial role in the development, proliferation, differentiation and subsequent survival of T cells. BCL11B gene alterations are related to malignant T cell transformation that occurs in hematological malignancies. Remarkably, the BCL11B gene is responsible for the regulation of the apoptotic process and c...

Patients with inactive or occult hepatitis B virus infection and onco-hematological malignancies are at risk of hepatitis flare, hepatic failure and death due to chemotherapy-mediated reactivation. Nucleot(s)ide analogues can reduce reactivation risks and/or hepatitis. However, immuno-mediated phenomena combine to determine liver damage and clinical outcome. We describe in this report two patie...

Inactivation of the wild-type p53 gene (TP53) by various genetic alterations is a major event in human tumorigenesis. More than 60% of human primary tumors exhibit a mutation in the p53 gene. Hematological malignancies present a rather low incidence of genetic alterations in this gene (10-20%). Nevertheless, epidemiological studies of the hematological malignancies indicate that the prognosis o...

New blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) is not only essential for the growth of solid tumors but there is also emerging evidence that progression of hematological malignancies like multiple myeloma, acute leukemias, and myeloproliferative neoplasms, also depends on new blood vessel formation. Anti-angiogenic strategies have become an important therapeutic modality for solid tumors. Several an...

OBJECTIVE The cytotoxic effects of 4 ATG preparations (Thymoglobulin, ATG-Fresenius, Lymphoglobulin and ATGAM) in hematological malignancies were compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS Myeloma, myeloid leukaemia and lymphoma cell lines as well as primary CLL and T-cell samples were used. Cells were incubated at 1x10 (6)/mL with 50-500 microg/mL of various ATG preparations with or without complement....

BACKGROUND Pulmonary aspergillosis (PA) is one of the most serious complications in immunocompromised patients, in particular among hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) and patients with hematological malignancies. OBJECTIVES The current study aimed to evaluate the incidence of PA and utility of molecular methods in HSCT and patients with hematological malignancies, four methods includi...

BACKGROUND Patients treated for hematological malignancies have an increased risk of serious infections. Diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapy are essential. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a well-established investigation for identifying the cause of pulmonary infiltrates in immunocompromised patients. The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic yield of BAL in patients treated f...