Hypercalcaemia, parathyroid hormone-related protein and malignancy.

Hypercalcaemia is the most common serious metabolic complication of malignancy. Recent advances have significantly increased our understanding of the pathophysiology of hypercalcaemia of malignancy and revealed the importance of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. This review examines the pathophysiology of hypercalcaemia of malignancy, focusing on the role of PTHrP before discussing further pathological and physiological processes in which PTHrP may be implicated, and the impact of this knowledge on the management of malignant disease.

Antibody therapy of lymphoma.

The availability of rituximab and the possible imminent availability of two new radiolabelled monoclonal anti-CD20 antibodies (Yttrium-90 (90Y)-ibritumomab and Iodine-131(131I)-tositumomab) have captured much attention in the treatment of lymphoma. The chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody, rituximab has truly heralded a new era for the treatment of lymphoma and human malignancies. The full potential of antibody-based therapy to improve the outcome in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has yet to be defined, but recent data suggests that the combination of chemotherapy plus rituximab may significantly improve outcome for patients with aggressive lymphoma over chemotherapy alone. Highly promising data are also emerging for the use of rituximab in combination with chemotherapy in other types of lymphoma. New advances in antibody therapy, driven by new technologies and defining novel antigen targets, offer the promise of more effective tumour specific therapies. Combinations of antibodies, either conjugated with radioisotopes or unlabelled, used with chemotherapy are likely to provide definitive advances in the treatment of lymphoma in the immediate future.