BCSH/BSBMT/UK clinical virology network guideline: diagnosis and management of common respiratory viral infections in patients undergoing treatment for haematological malignancies or stem cell transplantation.

A joint working group established by the Haemato-oncology subgroup of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology, the British Society for Bone Marrow Transplantation and the UK Clinical Virology Network has reviewed the available literature and made recommendations for the diagnosis and management of respiratory viral infections in patients with haematological malignancies or those undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This guideline includes recommendations for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of respiratory viral infections in adults and children. The suggestions and recommendations are primarily intended for physicians practising in the United Kingdom.

Using 2(nd) generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors in frontline management of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia.

Choices in medicine come with responsibility. With several TKI's (Tyrosine kinase inhibitors) available for front-line management of CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia), an astute clinician has to personalise, rationalise and take a pragmatic approach towards selection of the best drug for the 'patient in question'. Though it is hotly debated as to which TKI will triumph, the truth of this debate lies in individualising treatment rather than a general 'all size fits all' approach with imatinib. I personally believe that the second generation TKI's will suit most patient clinical profiles rather than prescribing imatinib to all and I have strived to make a strong case for them in front line treatment of CML. Though Imatinib may remain the first line choice for some patients, my efforts in this debate are mainly geared towards breaking the myth that imatinib is the sole 'block buster' on the CML landscape.

Chronic myeloid leukemia: In pursuit of perfection.

The resounding success of imatinib (IM) as front line treatment in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has certainly made a paradigm shift in the therapeutic algorithm of this disorder. The precise targeting of the BCR-ABL oncogene in CML has entitled it to be the poster child of translational medicine with a well-deserved Oscar ovation from the oncology community. Clinicians are now empowered with first-, second- and third-generation tyrosine kinases, as well as advanced molecular tools to monitor disease and characterize resistance. We have come a long way in successfully managing these patients, but there are still a significant few unmet clinical needs which need addressing and targeting to optimize clinical outcomes. This review focuses on 4 such pertinent and relevant clinical issues, which still need ironing out to fulfill our ambition of achieving 'perfection' in this patient cohort.