Anticancer effects of Artemisia campestris extract on acute myeloid leukemia cells: an ex vivo study.

Cure rates for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain suboptimal; thus, new treatment strategies are needed for this deadly disease. Artemisia campestris leaves hold significant value in traditional medicine. Despite extensive research conducted on this plant globally, the specific anti-AML properties of the leaves have received limited investigation. This study aims to explore the potential anti-leukemic activities of the ethyl acetate extract derived from Artemisia campestris (EAEAC), using mononuclear cells from bone marrow of thirteen AML patients. To this end, cytotoxic effects were evaluated using the MTT assay, and the mechanisms of cell death were investigated through various methods, including propidium iodide staining, annexin V/propidium iodide double staining, mitochondrial depolarization, and caspase-3/7 activation assays. Results demonstrated that EAEAC induced cell apoptosis by increasing DNA fragmentation, causing mitochondrial depolarization, and activating caspases 3/7. On the other hand, we assessed EAEAC's effect on two leukemia stem cell subpopulations, with results suggesting a potential decrease in their frequencies (three/five patients).

Plasma exchange in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpuras.

INTRODUCTION: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare but potentially fatal hematological disorder that requires urgent treatment. Once the diagnosis has been made, plasma exchange (PE) must be started immediately and until a response is obtained. AIM: Evaluate PE in terms of responses and complications in the treatment of TTP. METHODS: This was a monocentric, descriptive, retrospective study including patients in whom TTP was diagnosed and treated with plasmapheresis in the clinical hematology department at Aziza Othmana Hospital, between January 2010 and December 2020. RESULTS: Our study included 26 patients. PE was initiated within a median of 1 day. The rhythm of exchanges was daily in 22 patients. Twenty PE-related complications were noted, hypocalcemia being the most frequent (30%). CR was achieved in 15 patients after PE alone. Nine patients were refractory, and six received 2nd-line treatment, with CR achieved in five patients. Relapse was noted in six patients (40%). They were treated by PE and only one patient received rituximab. Four patients had a response. The overall response rate was 69% and overall mortality was 30%. OS at 2 years was 68,3% and RFS was 84,4%. Factors associated with the achievement of CR were the fall in LDH at D5 of treatment (p=0,027,OR=0,59 ;IC 95%[0,32-1,08]) and the daily rhythm of PE (p=0,005, OR=0,35; IC 95%[0,14-0,91]). CONCLUSION: Our results were comparable to those of the literature, but the rate of refractory disease was higher. Rituximab may enhance our results.