Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL), the presence in the blood of monoclonal B cells in numbers below 5000 per cubic millimeter with no other features of a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, occurs in 3 to 5% of the population over the age of 50 years. In some instances, MBL can evolve into chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but whether CLL is always preceded by MBL is unknown. This study of a unique population found monoclonal B-cell clones in the blood for up to 6.4 years before the diagnosis of CLL in 44 of 45 patients.

The antiarrhythmic drug dronedarone was compared with placebo in 4628 patients with atrial fibrillation. At a mean follow-up of 21 months, the rate of first hospitalization due to cardiovascular events or death was significantly lower with dronedarone than with placebo. The dronedarone group had higher rates of bradycardia, QT-interval prolongation, nausea, diarrhea, rash, and increase in the serum creatinine level.

This large trial tested the effect of adding zoledronic acid to adjuvant endocrine treatment (goserelin plus tamoxifen or anastrozole) in premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. The results show that adding zoledronic acid to adjuvant endocrine therapy prolongs disease-free survival in these patients without adding substantially to the burden of adverse events.

To infect cells, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) binds the CD4 receptor and a chemokine coreceptor, CCR5 or CXCR4. In an HIV-infected patient with acute myelogenous leukemia, an allogeneic stem-cell transplantation was performed using a matched donor with a CCR5 variant that is resistant to HIV acquisition. Twenty months after successful transplantation, HIV remains undetectable in this patient, who has not been receiving antiretroviral therapy.