Blood transfusion, Side effects

Long-term complications such as cardiomyopathy (e.g., doxorubicin), leukemia (i.e., mechlorethamine), and infertility (alkylating agents) can also occur. Amelioration of certain side effects can be achieved with the judicious use of antiemetics and blood transfusions (or erythropoietin). 

Which of the following is/are most likely to be used to treat side effects from anticancer drugs a aspirin b antiemetics c emetics d blood transfusion e b and d. 

Whatever the level of risk associated with a unit of blood, this risk is cumulative with the number of units transfused conversely, each unit spared to a patient reduces the risk of transfusion-related side effects. 

IL-2, with or without leukapheresis and reinfusion of lymphokine-activafed killer cells, has been used in the treatment of solid fumors such as metastatic melanoma, metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and colorectal carcinoma. Unless bacterial or viral contamination is inadvertently introduced at the time of cell culfure, lymphokine activated killer cell infusion is associated with only minor side effects of mild chills and fever and occasional dyspnea or bronchospasm similar to that seen with granulocyte transfusion reactions [35]. IL-2 infusions are associated with significant dose-de-pendent toxicity characterized by fevers, malaise, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hepatic dysfunction, pulmonary edema, somnolence, confusion, dysrhythmias, myocardial infarction, hematopoietic suppression, and renal insufficiency [35]. IL-2 appears to cause a generalized increase in capillary permeability, reduced systemic vascular resistance, fluid shifts and low effective circulating blood volume. It is not known if fhe vascular effects are a direct effect of IL-2 or due to IL-2 induced release of other mediators such as interferon (IFN), IL-1, TNF-a, and lymphofoxin [36, 37]. 

Leukocyte-depleted blood products, particularly red blood cell concentrates, are clinically used to avoid negative side effects in recipients after transfusion. Possible leukocyte-associated post-transfusion complications include human leukocyte antigen alloimmunization, graft-versus-host disease, platelet refractoriness, and transmission of viruses. Amongst the various existing techniques for the selective removal of leukocytes from blood, filtration has become a popular method, because of its convenience and lowcosts. Leukocyte filters have been specially developed for the purpose they generally consist of fibrous materials made of Nylon, PAN, cotton wool, cellulose acetate,or polyester. Currendy available filters... 

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