Debbie Blamble, PharmD, BCOP

HPVs are double-stranded DNA viruses that affect epithelial cells. More than 100 strains of HPV have been detected. Approximately 40 strains are known to infect genital mucosa, of which about 15 strains are known to cause cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 are the most common cancer-causing strains, leading to about 70% of all cervical cancer cases worldwide. HPV types 6 and 11 are associated with about 90% of all cases of genital warts.

HPVs are double-stranded DNA viruses that affect epithelial cells. More than 100 strains of HPV have been detected. Approximately 40 strains are known to infect genital mucosa, of which about 15 strains are known to cause cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 are the most common cancer-causing strains, leading to about 70% of all cervical cancer cases worldwide. HPV types 6 and 11 are associated with about 90% of all cases of genital warts.

One of the most common supportive care challenges faced by the chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient is infectious complications. The increased risk for infectious complications compared with other malignancies arises from disease- and treatment-related factors. Patients with CLL have defects in immune function due to the accumulation of a clonal, dysfunctional lymphocyte population. In addition, these patients will often develop hypogammaglobulinemia, most commonly seen in patients with advanced stages of CLL.

One of the most common supportive care challenges faced by the chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient is infectious complications. The increased risk for infectious complications compared with other malignancies arises from disease- and treatment-related factors. Patients with CLL have defects in immune function due to the accumulation of a clonal, dysfunctional lymphocyte population. In addition, these patients will often develop hypogammaglobulinemia, most commonly seen in patients with advanced stages of CLL.

Myelodysplastic syndromes are a heterogeneous group of bone marrow disorders that result in progressive cytopenias and potentially acute myelogenous leukemia. MDS can cause cytopenias involving all three hematopoietic cell lines: platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells.

It has been eight years since imatinib was approved as the first oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia.