Treatment and outcomes of high-risk neuroblastoma in Southeast Asia: a single-institution experience and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION@#In Europe and North America, the majority of children with high-risk neuroblastoma survive the disease. Elsewhere, the treatment outcomes are poor.@*METHODS@#A retrospective review of children treated for high-risk neuroblastoma in a single institution in Singapore from 2007 to 2019 was carried out. Treatment consisted of intensive chemotherapy, surgery aimed at gross total resection of residual disease after chemotherapy, consolidation with high-dose therapy followed by autologous stem cell rescue, and radiotherapy to the primary and metastatic sites followed by maintenance treatment with either cis-retinoic acid or anti-disialoganglioside monoclonal antibody therapy. Survival data were examined on certain clinical and laboratory factors.@*RESULTS@#There were 57 children (32 male) treated for high-risk neuroblastoma. Their mean age was 3.9 (range 0.7-14.9) years. The median follow-up time was 5.5 (range 1.8-13.0) years for the surviving patients. There were 31 survivors, with 27 patients surviving in first remission, and the five-year overall survival and event-free survival rates were 52.5% and 47.4%, respectively. On log-rank testing, only the group of 17 patients who were exclusively treated at our centre had a survival advantage. Their five-year overall survival rate compared to patients whose initial chemotherapy was done elsewhere was 81.6% versus 41.1% (P = 0.011), and that of event-free survival was 69.7% versus 36.1% (P = 0.032). Published treatment results were obtained from four countries in Southeast Asia with five-year overall survival rates from 13.5% to 28.2%.@*CONCLUSION@#Intensified medical and surgical treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma proved to be effective, with superior survival rates compared to previous data from Southeast Asia.

Clinical manifestations and gene mutation of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: case analysis / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

The clinical manifestations, biochemical parameters and imaging examination, genetic test results, and treatment of 3 cases of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy(X-ALD) patients were reviewed and analyzed, and the structure of adrenoleukodystrophy protein(ALDP) was analyzed. All 3 patients were male. Patients 1 and 2 were childhood cerebral ALD(CCALD), patients 3 was adrenomyeloneuropathy(AMN), and all of them were misdiagnosed at early stage. Brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and hematologic examinations showed the neurological demyelination of X-ALD, adrenocortical insufficiency, and accumulation of very long chain fatty acids(VLCFAs). Sequencing of ABCD1 gene revealed 3 new pathogenic mutations[c.910delins22(p.A304delins8), c. 887A>C(p.Y296S), and c. 1451_1481del(p.P484fs)], which affected the key structure of ALDP and led to the disease. Patients 1 and 2 received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and their condition continued to progress after surgery. Patient 3 was in stable condition. The misdiagnosis rate of X-ALD is high, clinicians should be vigilant. In this study, 3 new mutations were found, which expanded the ABCD1 gene mutation spectrum in patients with X-ALD. It is important to note that early identification and early diagnosis of X-ALD should be made to reduce misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

Implicaciones clínicas de las quimiocinas y sus receptores en la medicina transfusional y el trasplante / Clinical implications of chemokines and their receptors in transfusion medicine and transplantation

Introducción: Las quimiocinas son proteínas secretadas con tamaño en el rango de 8-10 kDa, con numerosas funciones en la fisiología normal y patológica. El término deriva de las palabras citocinas quimiotácticas, que refleja su importante participación en la quimioatracción de leucocitos. Sin embargo, las evidencias muestran que las quimiocinas tienen muchas otras funciones como la comunicación intercelular, la activación celular y la regulación del ciclo celular. Objetivo: Analizar los conocimientos actuales sobre las quimiocinas y sus receptores, y la significación clínica de estas en la medicina transfusional y el trasplante. Métodos: Se realizó revisión de la literatura, en inglés y español, a través del sitio web PubMed y el motor de búsqueda Google académico de artículos publicados en los últimos 10 años. Se efectuó análisis y resumen de la bibliografía revisada. Análisis y síntesis de la información: La transcripción de la mayoría de los genes de quimiocinas es inducible y se produce en respuesta a estímulos celulares específicos. Las quimiocinas son importantes en la movilización de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas para el trasplante y localización de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas trasplantadas. En los modelos de incompatibilidad ABO, las quimiocinas CXC y CC se producen en niveles elevados. Conclusiones: Muchas son las oportunidades de futuras investigaciones sobre las quimiocinas en la medicina transfusional por la considerable redundancia y superposición en la función biológica de estas moléculas y sus receptores. Son solo una parte de un proceso mucho más grande y complejo dentro de la red de citoquinas y otras moléculas del sistema inmune(AU)

Introduction: Chemokines are secreted proteins with size in the range of 8-10 kDa, with numerous functions in normal and pathological physiology. The term derives from the words chemotactic cytokines, reflecting its important role in the chemoattraction of leukocytes. However, the evidence shows that chemokines have many other functions such as intercellular communication, cell activation and cell cycle regulation. Objetive: To present current knowledge about chemokines and their receptors, and the clinical significance of these in transfusion medicine and transplantation. Method: A review of the literature was made, in English and Spanish, through the PubMed website and the Google academic search engine of articles published in the last 10 years. An analysis and summary of the revised bibliography was made. Developing: The transcription of most of the chemokine genes is inducible and occurs in response to specific cellular stimuli. Chemokines play an important role in the mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells for the transplantation and localization of transplanted hematopoietic progenitor cells. In the ABO incompatibility models, the CXC and CC chemokines are produced at high levels. Conclusions: There are many opportunities for future research on chemokines in transfusion medicine due to their considerable redundancy and superposition in the biological function of these molecules and their receptors. They are just one part of a much larger and more complex process within the network of cytokines and other molecules of the immune system(AU)

Bacteraemia in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients in a Single Tertiary Referral Centre

@#Bacteraemia is a common and one of the serious complications in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To date, there are no published data on antibiotic resistance and clinical outcome among HSCT recipients in Malaysia. The aims of the present study was to analyse the prevalence, antibiotic resistance and clinical outcome of bacteraemia in HSCT recipients within 100 days following transplantation. We retrospectively analysed the prevalence, antibiotic resistance pattern and mortality rate of early bacteraemia among HSCT recipients in a single centre over a 5-year period (2013-2017). Thirty patients of 85 HSCT recipients developed bacteraemia with 40 positive cultures resulting in prevalence of 47% (40/85). Gram negative bacteria (GNB) accounted for 60.5% of total isolates. Enterobacteriaceae and Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) were the commonest pathogens isolated. GNB showed a high resistance rate to ciprofloxacin. Only 30% of recipients responded to first line empirical antibiotics for febrile neutropenia (FN). The mortality rate was 13.3% (4/30), of which 50% was attributed to multi-drug resistance (MDR) Acinetobacter and 25% to extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Enterobacteriaceae. Bacteraemia is a frequent and life-threatening early complication among HSCT recipients with MDR GNB being the commonest cause of mortality. The high rate of resistance to ciprofloxacin and failure of the first line empirical antibiotics to treat FN calls for a thorough evaluation of the current antibiotic prophylaxis and empirical treatment protocols. These findings have important clinical implications regarding the use and selection of both prophylactic and empiric antibiotic regimens to treat FN.

Trasplante autólogo de células madre hematopoyéticas en pacientes con diagnóstico de mieloma múltiple, experiencia en 9 años / Autologous stem cell transplant in patients with multiple myeloma, experience of 9 years

Resumen Objetivo: El mieloma múltiple representa la primera causa de trasplante autólogo de células madre hematopoyéticas (TCMH). El objetivo del presente trabajo es describir los resultados del TCMH en pacientes con diagnóstico de mieloma múltiple en la Fundación Valle del Lili. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo de una cohorte retrospectiva, se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años con TCMH autólogo tratados entre 2008 y 2016. Los desenlaces fueron: supervivencia global, supervivencia libre de progresión y la respuesta de la enfermedad postrasplante. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo y el análisis de supervivencia se hizo con el método Kaplan-Meier. Resultados: Durante el periodo de estudio se trasplantaron 103 pacientes. La mediana de la edad fue 57 años. El subtipo de inmunoglobulina secretada fue: 75% de IgG, 18% de IgA, 5% no secretor y 2% oligosecretor. El estadio Durie Salmon en la mayoría fue IIIA (43,7%). Previo al trasplante la mayoría de los pacientes estaba en muy buena respuesta parcial (31%), seguido por respuesta completa (25,2%) y respuesta parcial (19,4%). La supervivencia global y libre de progresión a 5 años fue de 71% y de 40%, respectivamente. Posterior al trasplante: el 33% de los pacientes estaba en muy buena respuesta parcial, el 25% en respuesta completa estricta, el 22% en respuesta completa, el 12% en respuesta parcial y el 8% en enfermedad progresiva o recaída. Conclusión: El TCMH autólogo es una estrategia que se asocia a buenas tasas de supervivencia, baja toxicidad y adecuada respuesta de la enfermedad postrasplante.

Abstract Objective: Multiple myeloma in Colombia is the one of the main reasons for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The aim of this study is to describe the results of the HSCT in adult patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the Fundación Valle del Lili. Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive study of a retrospective cohort was carried out. Patients older than 18 years with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma with autologous HSCT between 2008 and 2016 were included. The outcomes were overall survival, progression-free survival, and post-transplant disease response. A descriptive statistical analysis was carried out for all the variables considered in the analysis. The survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: During the study period, transplants were performed on 103 patients with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. The median age was 57 years. The subtype of secreted immunoglobulin was 75% IgG, 18% IgA, 5% non-secretor, and 2% oligo-secretor. The majority of patients were in Durie Salmon stage was IIIA (43.7%). Prior to transplantation 31% had a very good partial response, 25.2% complete response, 19.4% partial response, 10.7% progressive disease, 6.8% stable disease, 2.9% complete strict response, and in 3.9% of the patients the report of the disease status was not found. The 5-year overall survival was 71% (95% CI: 53-83) and progression-free survival was 40% (95% CI 25-54). After transplantation 33% of the patients were in very good partial response, 25% in strict complete response, 22% in complete response, 12% partial response, and 8% progressive disease or relapse. Conclusion: Autologous HSCT is a strategy that is associated with good survival rates, low toxicity, and an adequate post-transplant disease response.

Trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas en pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico de neoplasias mieloides, experiencia en 15 años / Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in paediatric patients with myeloid malignancies; 15 years of experience

Resumen Objetivo: Describir la experiencia en términos de supervivencia y complicaciones de los pacientes llevados a trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticos (TCMH) en los últimos 15 años. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, tipo cohorte retrospectiva en el que se incluyeron pacientes menores de 18 años con diagnóstico de leucemia mieloide aguda (LMA), leucemia mieloide crónica (LMC) y síndrome mielodisplásico (SMD) llevados a TCMH entre enero de 2001 y diciembre de 2015. Los desenlaces fueron supervivencia global, supervivencia libre de evento y las complicaciones relacionadas con el trasplante. Resultados: Durante el periodo de estudio se trasplantaron: 43 pacientes con diagnóstico de neoplasias mieloides; 31 con LMA (72%); 4 con LMC (9%) y 8 con SMD (19%). Se realizaron 11 trasplantes de donante idéntico, 11 haploidénticos, 11 autólogos y 10 de sangre de cordón umbilical. De los pacientes con LMA (31 casos), el 58% fueron sometidos a trasplante en primera remisión completa y el 39% en segunda o subsecuente remisión completa. La supervivencia global y libre de evento a 5 años fue 56% y 38% respectivamente. La mortalidad relacionada al trasplante en el día 100 fue del 15%, la incidencia acumulada de enfermedad injerto contra huésped 59%, la infección por citomegalovirus 39%, las infecciones bacterianas 54% y la cistitis hemorrágica 14%. Conclusión: La baja tasa de mortalidad y complicaciones relacionadas al trasplante sugiere que el trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas es una alternativa factible como tratamiento para pacientes con neoplasias mieloides en nuestro medio.

Abstract Objective: To describe the experience, in terms of survival and complications, with patients that received a haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the last 15 years. Materials and methods: A descriptive, retrospective, cohort study was conducted on patients less than 18 years-old with a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and received HSCT between January 2001 and December 2015. The outcomes were, overall survival, event-free survival, and complications associated with the transplant. Results: During the study period, a total of 43 patients with myeloid neoplasms received a transplant, of which 31 (72%) had AML, 4 (9%) with CML, and 8 (19%) with MDS. A total of 11 identical donor transplants were performed, as well as 11 haploidentical, 11 autologous, and 10 with umbilical cord blood. Of the patients with AML (31 cases), 58% were subjected to a transplant in the first full remission, and 39% in the second or subsequent full remission. The overall and event-free survival at 5 years was 56% and 38%, respectively. The transplant-related mortality at day 100 was 15%, with an accumulated incidence of graft versus host disease of 59%, cytomegalovirus infection of 39%, with 54% bacterial infections, and 14% haemorrhagic cystitis. Conclusion: The low mortality and complications rate associated with the transplant suggests that haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a viable alternative as a treatment for patients with myeloid neoplasms in our country.

The clinical safety and efficacy of low dose rituximab regimen on patients with Epstein-Barr virus infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华内科杂志

To retrospectively analyze the safety and efficacy of low dose rituximab regimen in patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Among 12 cases, 11 achieved complete remission (CR), 1 with partial remission (PR). Patients received 15 infusions with a median of 2.5(1-4) in each. The EBV DNA negative transformation period was 5-25 days with median 12 days. Low dose rituximab could be an alternative choice in patients with EBV infection after allo-HSCT.

Trasplante autológo de células madre hematopoyéticas en pacientes con diagnóstico de neuroblastoma de alto riesgo en la Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali - Colombia / Autologous Haematopoietic Stem-cell Transplantation in Patients with High Risk Neuroblastoma in the Valle del Lili Foundation Hospital, Cali, Colombia

Resumen Objetivo: Describir la experiencia en el manejo de los pacientes con diagnóstico de neuroblastoma de alto riesgo manejados con trasplante autólogo de células madre hematopoyéticas en la Fundación Valle de Lili. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, tipo serie de casos de pacientes con diagnóstico de neuroblastoma de alto riesgo que recibieron trasplante autólogo de células madre hematopoyéticas entre 2001 y 2015. Los desenlaces de este estudio fueron: supervivencia global; supervivencia libre de evento; tiempo de injerto de plaquetas y neutrófilos, e incidencia acumulada de enfermedad veno oclusiva. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo para todas las variables consideradas en el análisis y para subgrupos seleccionados. El análisis de supervivencia se hizo con el método Kaplan-Meier. Resultados: Entre 2001 y 2015 quince pacientes con diagnóstico de neuroblastoma recibieron trasplante autólogo de células madre hematopoyéticas. La supervivencia globala3y5anos fue del 55% y la supervivencia libre de evento fue del 47%, donde 14 pacientes injertaron neutrófi los entre el día8y19 postrasplante e injerto de plaquetas entre los 9 y 91 días y 2 pacientes desarrollaron enfermedad venooclusiva hepatica como toxicidad a los fármacos quimioterapéuticos de acondicionamiento. Al momento del último seguimiento 10 pacientes permanecen vivos, de los cuales 8 no presentan evidencia clínica y/o paraclínica de la enfermedad. De los 5 pacientes que fallecieron, 2 fue por toxicidad al trasplante en los primeros 100 díasy3por progresión de la enfermedad. Conclusión: El trasplante autólogo de células madre hematopoyéticas es una alternativa facti ble como tratamiento en nuestro medio para pacientes con diagnóstico de neuroblastoma de alto riesgo, el cual ha contribuido a mejorar la supervivencia en este grupo de pacientes.

Abstract Objective: Describe the experience in the management of patients diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma treated with autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation at the Valle de Lili Foundation Hospital. Patients and Methods: A series of cases of patients with a diagnosis of high-risk neuroblastoma who received an autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation between 2001 and 2015. The endpoints of this study were: overall survival, event-free survival, platelet and neutrophil graft time and the cumulative incidence of venous-occlusive disease. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed for all the variables considered in the analysis and for the selected subgroups. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: A total of 15 patients diagnosed with high risk neuroblastoma received an autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation between 2001 and 2015. Overall survival at 3 and 5 years was 55%, and the event-free survival was 47%. 14/15 patients grafted Neutrophils grafted between day 8 and 19 post-transplant in 14/15 patients, with platelet graft between days 9 and 91 days. Hepatic venous-occlusive disease was observed in 2/15 patients as toxicity to conditioning chemotherapeutic drugs. At the time of the last follow-up, 10/15 patients remained alive, 8 of whom had no clinical and/or para-clinical evidence of the disease. Of the 5/15 patients that died, 2 were due to transplant toxicity in the first 100 days, and 3 due to disease progression. Conclusion: We conclude that autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a viable alternative as a treatment in our setting for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma, and has contributed to improve survival in this group of patients.

Recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of children with chronic granulomatous disease / 国际儿科学杂志

Chronic granulomatous disease is a primary immunodeficiency caused by abnormities in the NADPH oxidase.It is rare clinically and mortality is high.Most patients present with the repeated and fatal infections.Local granuloma can easily lead to local obstruction.At present,there are several specific diagnostic methods for chronic granulomatous disease,including p-nitro-blue tetrazolium chloride,dihydrorhodamine 123 and gene sequence analysis,etc.Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only radical method.Appropriate timing of transplantation is critical to improve the success rate of transplantation.Gene therapy still has a long way to clinical use due to effectiveness and safety.This review describes recent progress in the study of pathogenesis,early diagnosis,treatment of chronic granulo matous disease.

Detección precoz de infección por citomegalovirus en pacientes sometidos a trasplante alogéneico de precursores hematopoyéticos por reacción de polimerasa en cadena cuantitativa en tiempo real / Early detection of cytomegalovirus infection in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients by real time-quantitative PCR

Introduction: CMV pp65-antigenemia (antigenemia) has been used for monitoring CMV viremia in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (aHSCT) recipients. Recently, real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR ) has been used as a better approach than antigenemia for CMV diagnosis. The objective of this study was to assess the correlation of CMV viremia between RT-qPCR and antigenemia in aHSCT patients. Material and Methods: Observational prospective study of all aHSCT patients during 10 months in our center. CMV RT-qPCR in whole blood was performed weekly from day +7 to +100 after aHSCT. Simultaneous antigenemia was performed from engrafment to day +100. Concordance between both assays was evaluated. Results: Eighteen patients were included. In 120 simultaneous samples, 96 were concordant by both methods (80%). Kappa coefficient was 0.583. In 42% of cases without concordant results, patients were on antiviral therapy. Thirteen patients (72%) developed CMV infection (20 episodes). In 17 episodes, both the antigenemia and CMV RT-qPCR were positive. CMV RT-qPCR was detectable 1-2 weeks before antigenemia in 45% of the episodes. Conclusion: Both methods had a moderate concordance and CMV RT-qPCR detects CMV reactivations earlier than antigenemia, especially in neutropenic patients.

Introducción: La antigenemia pp65 (antigenemia) ha sido utilizada para monitorizar viremia de citomegalovirus (CMV) en pacientes sometidos a trasplantes alogeneicos de precursores hematopoiéticos (TPHa). Recientemente, la reacción de polimerasa en cadena cuantitativa en tiempo real (en inglés RT-qPCR) se ha usado como una mejor aproximación al diagnóstico de infección por CMV. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la correlación de viremia por CMV a través de RT-qPCR con antigenemia, en pacientes que han recibido TPHa. Material y Métodos: Estudio prospectivo, observacional, de los pacientes sometidos a TPHa durante 10 meses. Se realizó RT-qPCR de CMV en sangre total semanalmente desde el día +7 al+100 después del trasplante y antigenemia en forma simultánea desde el prendimiento hasta el día +100. Se evaluó la concordancia entre ambos ensayos. Resultados: Dieciocho pacientes fueron incluidos. En 120 muestras simultáneas, 96 fueron concordantes por ambos métodos (80%). El coeficiente Kappa fue 0,583. En los casos no concordantes, el 42% se encontraba en terapia antiviral. Trece pacientes (72%) desarrollaron infección por CMV (20 episodios). En 17 episodios, ambos ensayos fueron positivos. La carga viral fue detectable 1-2 semanas antes que la antigenemia en 45% de los episodios. Conclusión: Existe una buena correlación entre ambas técnicas y la RT-qPCR detecta más precozmente que la antigenemia las reactivaciones de CMV, especialmente en pacientes neutropénicos.

Treatment of infections in patients with primary immunodeficiency disease / 中国小儿急救医学

Primary immunodeficiency disease (PID) is a heterogeneous group of congenital disorders of the immune system.The impaired immune response is caused by defect of immune active cells and moleculars,which results in increased susceptibility to pathogens.Recurrent infection is the predominant presenting complaint for patients with PID.Early diagnosis,immunoglobulin replacement therapy,antimicrobial treatment,haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy,genetic conselling and prenatal diagnosis will help to prevent and control infections in patients with PID.In addition,we should strengthen the education of paediatricians,improve awareness about PID and collaboration across different centers to advance the diagnosis and management of PID in China and save the life of patients at the maximum limit.

The efficacy and safety of rituximab in treatment of Epstein-Barr virus disease post allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation / 中华内科杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of rituximab on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) disease post allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed based on clinical data of 26 patients diagnosed as EBV disease and received rituximab from June 2006 to March 2012 in People's Hospital,Beijing University.Eleven patients were diagnosed as posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) by histopathology and remaining 15 were diagnosed as probable EBV disease.Patients received a rituximab dose of 375 mg/m2 once a week.Efficacy was evaluated as revised response criteria for non-hodgkin lymphoma (NHL),and side effects during infusion were evaluated by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.Results Patients received 78 infusions with a median of 3 (1-6) infusions in each.There were no severe side effects during the infusion of rituximab.The 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,8th week cumulative complete remission (CR) were (11.5 ± 6.3)％,(42.2 ±10.2) ％,(64.4 ± 10.0) ％,(74.6 ± 9.4) ％,(87.3 ± 7.9) ％,respectively.The overall response rate was 84.5％,and the CR rate was 73.1％.The CR rate was higher among patients with single organ involved than those with multiple organs involved (10/10 vs 9/16,P =0.023).The CR rate was higher in patients with probable EBV disease than those with PTLD (13/15 vs 6/11,P =0.095),while there was no statistically significant difference.The incidence of one-year and two-year overall survival since onset of rituximab were (55.7 ± 10.2)％ and (39.6 ± 12.4)％,respectively.Survival rate was higher among the patients with single organ involved than those with multiple organ involved (8/10 vs 5/16,P =0.041).Survival rate was higher in patients with probable EBV disease than those with PTLD(11/15 vs 2/11,P =0.015).Conclusions Rituximab appears to be safe and effective for EBV disease.Due to a potential good response in probable EBV disease,we suggest rituxmab should be given based on probable EBV disease;meanwhile the pathological results should get early if possible.Prospective trial is needed to provide evidence so as to define optimal therapy of rituxmab.

Clinical and muscular pathological features with chronic graft-versus-host disease-related polymyositis: one case report / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To report the clinical and pathological features of chronic graft-versus-host disease-related polymyositis by summarizing the clinical data of the patient with chronic graft-versus-host disease-related polymyositis. Methods One patient with chronic graft-versus-host disease-related polymyositis was hospitalized in our hospital on December 29,2010.The patient,40 years old,female,underwent allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation because of acute granulocytic-monocytic leukemia.Fourteen months later she manifested as slowly progressive muscle weakness and myalgia in all limbs.Serum creatine kinase level was between 426-1948 U/L. Myositis antibody EJ was strongly positive.Electromyogram showed a neurogenic impairment and slow peripheral nerve conduction speed.Muscle biopsies were carried out in the left biceps brechii.In addition of standard histological and enzyme histochemical staining for the muscle sections,immunohistochemical workup was performed with mouse antiCDs,anti-CD20,anti-CD68 and anti major histocompatibility complex- Ⅰ ( MHC- Ⅰ ) monoclonal antibodies as first antibodies.Results The muscle biopsy showed large variation of fiber size,with muscle fiber necrosis,regeneration.Some angular fibers distributed in small cluster.The inflammatory cells infiltrated around the small vessel or in the endomysium,mainly CD8+ T-lymphocytes and CD6+8 macrophages.The most muscle fibers were MHC-Ⅰ positive. Conclusion The graft-versus-host disease-related polymyositis manifests as chronic myositis process with neurogenic lesions.

Indicações em transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas em pacientes adultos com leucemia linfoide aguda / Indications for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Na leucemia linfoide aguda (LLA), a proliferação, acúmulo e infiltração de células imaturas caracterizam uma entidade heterogênea, apresentando ampla diversidade de aspectos clínicos e biológicos. Na LLA do adulto, a concentração de fatores prognósticos de alto risco, como o imunofenótipo B, alterações cromossômicas e, principalmente, a presença do cromossomo Ph positivo. Considerações a respeito da alta morbidade e mortalidade relacionadas ao transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas (TCTH) têm gerado controvérsias quanto à indicação desta modalidade terapêutica, nos pacientes adultos com LLA em primeira remissão (1ª RC). Os resultados da terapia convencional com quimioterapia, diante dos diferentes grupos de risco em pacientes com LLA, têm sido utilizados para a indicação de TCTH. Apresentamos o algoritmo de indicações do transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas em pacientes adultos com LLA.

In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, accumulation and proliferation of immature cells infiltration characterise a heterogeneous entity, featuring a wide variety of clinical and biological aspects. In the adult LLA concentration of high-risk prognosis factors such as age, B-cell, chromosomic changes, and chiefly the presence of chromosome positive Ph. Considerations of high morbidity and mortality rates related to haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (TCTH) have generated controversy about this therapeutic modality in adult patients with LLA in first remission (1st RC). The results of conventional therapy with chemotherapy in contrast with different risk groups of patients with LLA, has been used for the indication of TCTH. Thus we present the algorithm indications of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adult patients with LLA.

Correlation of IL-6 and IL-10 production following bone marrow transplantation with donor cytokine gene polymorphisms / Correlação da produção de IL-6 e IL-10 seguindo o transplante de medula óssea com os polimorfismos de genes de citocinas do doador

Several candidate gene studies have demonstrated that genetic polymorphisms in cytokine genes contribute to variations in the levels of cytokines produced and this variation may influence the occurrence and severity of complications after stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In this work we compared the serum concentrations of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-β1 in 13 recipients following HSCT with the TNF-308, IFNG+874, IL6-174, IL10-1082,-819,-592, and TGFB1+869,+915 polymorphisms. Serum cytokine levels were assessed using commercial ELISA kits for TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-β1 (BioSource®, Nivelles, Belgium, Europe). Donor/recipient genotypes for these cytokine polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) with the Cytokine Genotyping Primers Kit (One Lambda , Canoga Park, CA, USA). We found correlation between the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations following HSCT and the IL6-174 and IL10-1082,-819,-592 polymorphisms, but not for other cytokines investigated in this study. Those with genotypes associated with low production of IL-6 and IL-10 produced lower levels of these cytokines than those with genotypes associated with high or intermediate production of these cytokines (P < 0.05).

Estudos de vários genes candidatos têm demonstrado que polimorfismos genéticos em genes de citocinas contribuem com variações nos níveis de citocinas produzidas e esta variação pode influenciar a ocorrência e gravidade de complicações após o transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas (TCTH). Neste trabalho comparamos as concentrações séricas de TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10 e TGF-β 1 em 13 receptores seguindo o TCTH com os polimorfismos TNF-308, IFNG+874, IL6-174, IL10-1082,-819,-592 e TGFB1+869,+915. Os níveis séricos de citocinas foram medidos usando-se kits comerciais de ELISA para TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10 e TGF-β 1 (BioSource®, Nivelles, Belgium, Europe). Os genótipos de doadores/receptores para estes polimorfismos de citocinas foram analisados pela reação em cadeia da polimerase com sequências específicas de primer (PCR-SSP) com o kit Cytokine Genotyping Primers (One Lambda, Canoga Park, CA, USA). Encontramos correlação entre os níveis de IL-6 e IL-10 seguindo o TCTH e os polimorfismos IL6-174 e IL10-1082,-819,-592, mas não para outras citocinas investigadas neste estudo. Aqueles com genótipos relativos à baixa produção de IL-6 e IL-10 produziram mais baixos níveis destas citocinas que aqueles com genótipos relativos à produção alta e/ou intermediária destas citocinas (P < 0,05).

Nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation followed by donor stem cell infusion for the treatment of nonmalignant haematologic diseases / 中国医师杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and complications of nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation(NST) for the treatment of nonmalignant haematologic diseases with high-risk rejection.Methods NST was performed for two patients with severe aplastic anemia(SAA) and one with beta-thalassemia major(TM).The protocal was designed on transplantation of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF) primed allogeneic bone marrow cells combined with perpheral blood stem cells(PBSCs) for two SAA patients,with conditioning regimen based on anti-lymphocyte globulin and reduced dose of cyclophosphamide(CTX).One TM patient was performed transplantation of PBSCs with conditioning regimen of anti-T-lymphocyte globulin(ATG),fludarabine and reduced dose of busulfan.Cyclosporin A combined with methylprednisone was used for graft-versus-host disease(GVHD) prophylaxis.Donor stem cells infusion(DSI) were underwent for three patients at 78,99 and 44 days post transplant respectively.Results Three patients achieved engraftment successfully with mixed chimera and the lowest white blood cell(WBC) of 0.26?10~9/L,0.5?10~9/L and 1.26?10~9/L respectively.The absolute neutrophil count achieved more than 0.5?10~9/L and platelet count achieved more than 20?10~9/L at days of 12d,3d,0d and 1d,5d,0d post transplant in three patients,respectively.The haematopoiesis and chimera were improved after DSI without complications of infection and GVHD in three patients.Conclusion The stem cells engraftment is achieved successfully with donor stem cell infusion followed NST for the treatment of nonmalignant haematologic disease patients with high-risk rejection.