Performance evaluation of the new Sysmex XR-Series haematology analyser.

Background: The new XR-Series haematology analyser from Sysmex provides increased throughput and automation, along with a new reagent in WDF channel for optimised WBC differential. Methods: An analytical performance study for the XR analyser was conducted to evaluate the WDF channel parameters in comparison to the instrument specifications. Additionally, 7460 samples were measured on XR and XN analysers to compare selected parameters and flags, and 930 randomly selected samples were further evaluated with microscopy. Results: All investigated aspects of the analytical performance study for the XR fell within the manufacturer specifications. The correlation coefficients between the two systems for the parameters tested were greater than 0.983 for the main CBC and DIFF parameters, greater than 0.909 for the Extended Inflammation Parameters, and greater than 0.932 for the parameters used in the workflow rulesets of the Extended IPU. Similarly high sensitivities for the detection of abnormal cells were observed for the 'Blasts/Abn Lympho?' flag (XN: 100%, XR: 99.0%) and WPC abnormal flags ('Blasts?' or 'Abn Lympho?') (XN: 97.0%, XR: 96.0%). XN with WPC channel had a 26% reduction of false positive smears compared to XR with 22% reduction, a statistically non-significant difference. Conclusion: The XR analyser had very good analytical performance, and highly comparable results to the predecessor XN analyser in all investigated parameters, flags and workflow aspects.

[Efficacy of AboundTM for hand-foot syndrome caused by capecitabine].

Hand-foot syndrome( HFS) has been reported to be the most common adverse effect of capecitabine, with an incidence of more than 50%. AboundTM, containing ß-hydroxy-ß-methyl butyric acid( HMB), L-glutamine, and L-arginine is effective in the treatment of decubitus ulcers and in wound healing; however, whether AboundTM is efficacious for HFS caused by capecitabine is not clear. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of AboundTM in the recovery from HFS caused by capecitabine. Capecitabine administration was discontinued in 6 patients with more than grade 2 HFS, and AboundTM was administered. The time to recovery was examined. The median time to recovery to less than grade 1 HFS was 10 days( range, 4-14 days). The grade of HFS decreased following the administration of AboundTM. The findings of this study suggest that AboundTM is effective against HFS caused by capecitabine.

[Assessment of nausea and vomiting during FEC regimen for breast cancer after the novel antiemetic agent - introduction using MASCC antiemesis tool].

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting(CINV)is one of the side effects causing significant psychological and physical suffering in patients receiving chemotherapy. Because CINV often impairs patients' quality of life and leads to discontinuation of treatments, antiemetic therapy has been considered important. The MASCC Antiemesis Tool(MAT)was proposed for the assessment of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting after, we evaluated the actual situation of nausea and vomiting for Japanese patients. In a previous investigation, even conventional antiemesis therapy was a highly effective treatment during the acute phase, but the control of nausea and vomiting during the delayed phase proved difficult. Recently, a new5 -HT3 receptor blocker(palonosetron)and an NK1 receptor blocker(aprepitant) were introduced, and an effective treatment of nausea and vomiting for the delayed phase is non expected. In this examination, we evaluated the usefulness of the new antiemetic drugs(palonosetron and aprepitant)in 12 prospective patients with breast cancer(40-69 years old, median age 53 years old)for whom FEC therapy was given as an ambulant treatment using MAT. No vomiting occurred in the acute and delayed phase. Nausea during the acute phase was controlled, and was mild during the delayed phase, also. It was confirmed that the onset of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting were relieved by the newantiemetic agents compared with the previous MAT evaluation.