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.

Efficacy and prognostic analysis of orthopedic surgery in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma / 中华内科杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of orthopedic surgical resection surgery in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Methods: This retrospective cohort study collected clinical data of patients with NDMM who underwent surgery due to spinal cord compression or pathological long-bone fractures at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2021. Patients who received biopsy or vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty were excluded and patients with the same degree of bone disease and who did not undergo any surgical intervention were selected as controls. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and physical status (ECOG) scores, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared. Statistical analysis included the χ2-test, t-test, and Kaplan-Meier methods. Results: Baseline data were compared between the surgical group (n=40 with 43 interventions) and the non-surgical group (n=80), and included sex, age, paraprotein type, International Staging System (ISS), number of lytic lesions, cytogenetic abnormalities, first-line treatment, and the proportion of patients receiving autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) (all P>0.05). Serum M protein levels in the surgical group were significantly lower than those of the non-surgical group [(21.95±16.44) g/L vs. (36.18±20.85) g/L, P=0.005]. The surgical lesions involved the axial skeleton (79.1%, 34/43) or the extremities (20.9%, 9/43). VAS and ECOG scores improved significantly after surgery (VAS: 2.30±0.80 vs. 6.60±1.50, P<0.001; ECOG: 2.09±0.59 vs. 3.09±0.73, P<0.001). The median follow-up time was 51 months. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis suggested that the median PFS (25 vs. 29 months) and OS (46 vs. 60 months) were comparable between the surgical and non-surgical intervention groups (both P>0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that among patients with ISS Ⅰ or those who had received ASCT, PFS in the surgical group was similar to that of the non-surgical intervention group (both P>0.05), while OS was worse (P=0.005, 0.017). Patients with ISS Ⅱ/Ⅲ scores or without ASCT had similar PFS and OS between the surgical and non-surgical intervention groups (all P>0.05). Cox multivariate analysis suggested that ISS and ASCT were independent prognostic factors for OS (ISS: HR=0.42, 95%CI 0.19-0.93, P=0.031; ASCT: HR=0.41, 95%CI 0.18-0.97, P=0.041), while orthopedic surgery did not influence survival (P=0.233). Conclusion: For patients with NDMM, orthopedic surgical resection decreased bone-related complications and improved quality of life, but did not affect survival.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acute leukemia patients with the SET-NUP214 fusion gene: Efficacy and survival analysis / 中华内科杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for patients with acute leukemia who are positive for the SET-NUP214 fusion gene (SET-NUP214+AL). Methods: This was a retrospective case series study. Clinical data of 18 patients with SET-NUP214+AL who received allo-HSCT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and Soochow Hongci Hematology Hospital from December 2014 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed to investigate treatment efficacy and prognosis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results: Of the 18 patients, 12 were male and 6 were female, and the median age was 29 years (range, 13-55 years). There were six cases of mixed phenotype acute leukemia (three cases of myeloid/T, two cases of B/T, one case of myeloid/B/T), nine cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (one case of B-ALL and eight cases of T-ALL), and three cases of acute myeloid leukemia. All patients received induction chemotherapy after diagnosis, and 17 patients achieved complete remission (CR) after chemotherapy. All patients subsequently received allo-HSCT. Pre-transplantation status: 15 patients were in the first CR, 1 patient was in the second CR, 1 was in partial remission, and 1 patient did not reach CR. All patients were successfully implanted with stem cells. The median time of granulocyte and platelet reconstitution was +12 and +13 days, respectively. With a median follow-up of 23 (4-80) months, 15 patients survived, while 3 patients died. The cause of death was recurrence of SET-NUP214+AL after transplantation. After allo-HSCT, 5 patients relapsed. The estimated 3-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rates were 83.3%±15.2% and 55.4%±20.7%, respectively. Among the 15 patients who achieved CR before transplantation, there was no significant difference in OS and RFS between haploidentical HSCT and matched sibling donor HSCT (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Allo-HSCT can improve the prognosis and long-term survival rate of patients with SET-NUP214+AL. Disease recurrence is the most important factor affecting long-term survival.

Therapeutic efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome in 60 children / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), and to analyze the factors related to the outcomes. Methods: The clinical data of 60 children with WAS received HSCT in Shanghai Children's Medical Center from January 2006 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. All cases were treated with a myeloablative conditioning regimen with busulfan and cyclophosphamide, and a graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prevention regimen based on cyclosporine and methotrexate. Implantation, GVHD, transplant-related complications, immune reconstitution and survival rate were observed. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, and Log-Rank method was used for univariate comparison. Results: The 60 male patients had main clinical features as infection and bleeding. The age at diagnosis was 0.4 (0.3, 0.8) years, and the age at transplantation was 1.1 (0.6, 2.1) years. There were 20 cases of human leukocyte antigen matched transplantation and 40 mismatched transplantation; 35 patients received peripheral blood HSCT, and 25 cord blood HSCT. All cases were fully implanted. The incidence of acute GVHD (aGVHD) was 48% (29/60) and only 2 (7%) developed aGVHD of grade Ⅲ; the incidence of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was 23% (13/56), and all cases were limited. The incidence of CMV and EBV infection was 35% (21/60) and 33% (20/60) respectively; and 7 patients developed CMV retinitis. The incidence of sinus obstruction syndrome was 8% (5/60), of whom 2 patients died. There were 7 cases (12%) of autoimmune hemocytopenia after transplantation. Natural killer cells were the earliest to recover after transplantation, and B cells and CD4+T cells returned to normal at about 180 days post HSCT. The 5-year overall survival rate (OS) of this group was 93% (95%CI 86%-99%), and the event free survial rate (EFS) was 87% (95%CI 78%-95%). EFS of non-CMV reactivation group is higher than that of CMV reactivation group (95% (37/39) vs.71% (15/21), χ2=5.22, P=0.022). Conclusions: The therapeutic efficacy of HSCT for WAS is satisfying, and the early application of HSCT in typical cases can achieve better outcome. CMV infection is the main factor affecting disease-free survival rate, which can be improved by strengthening the management of complications.

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of kidney injury in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华预防医学杂志

To summarize the clinicopathological features and prognosis of kidney injury after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), to provide basis for preventing its occurrence and development. By using a retrospective cohort study method, we collected the clinical and renal biopsy pathological data of all the patients who hospitalized in the Department of Nephrology of Peking University First Hospital from June 2011 to June 2021 with renal injury after HSCT and underwent renal biopsy, and prognosis was followed up by telephone. The clinical laboratory characteristics, renal pathology and prognosis, and their association were analyzed. The results showed that the most common clinical phenotype was chronic kidney disease (CKD,69.2%, 18/26), in this term 13/18 patients received stem cells from haploidentical donors, and 11/18 patients experienced with extrarenal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The most common pathologic phenotype was thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA, 61.5%, 16/26). Renal function returned to baseline level in 6 patients, and the kidney survival at 2 years and 5 years were 95.7% (22/23) and 87.5% (14/16), respectively. In conclusion, the clinical phenotype of renal injury after HSCT were mainly CKD, and the most common pathologic phenotype was TMA, the long-term prognosis was favourable.

Clinical effect of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with hyper-IgM syndrome / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate the clinical effect of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children with hyper-IgM syndrome (HIGM).@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 17 children with HIGM who received allo-HSCT. The Kaplan Meier method was used for the survival analysis of the children with HIGM after allo-HSCT.@*RESULTS@#After allo-HSCT, 16 children were diagnosed with sepsis; 14 tested positive for virus within 100 days after allo-HSCT, among whom 11 were positive for Epstein-Barr virus, 7 were positive for cytomegalovirus, and 2 were positive for JC virus; 9 children were found to have invasive fungal disease. There were 6 children with acute graft-versus-host disease and 3 children with chronic graft-versus-host disease. The median follow-up time was about 2 years, and 3 children died in the early stage after allo-HSCT. The children had an overall survival (OS) rate of 82.35%, an event-free survival (EFS) rate of 70.59%, and a disease-free survival (DFS) rate of 76.47%. The univariate analysis showed that the children receiving HLA-matched allo-HSCT had a significantly higher EFS rate than those receiving HLA-mismatched allo-HSCT (P=0.019) and that the children receiving HLA-matched unrelated allo-HSCT had significantly higher OS, EFS, and DFS rates than those receiving HLA-mismatched unrelated allo-HSCT (P<0.05). Compared with the children with fungal infection after allo-HSCT, the children without fungal infection had significantly higher EFS rate (P=0.02) and DFS rate (P=0.04).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Allo-HSCT is an effective treatment method for children with HIGM. HLA-matched allo-HSCT and active prevention and treatment of fungal infection and opportunistic infection may help to improve the prognosis of such children.

Trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos alogénico haploidéntico en aplasia medular, reporte del primer caso en Cuba / Allogenic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in marrow aplasia: the first case report in cuba

Introducción: La aplasia medular adquirida grave es una enfermedad hematológica infrecuente caracterizada por una disminución o ausencia de precursores hematopoyéticos en la médula ósea, lo cual se expresa con distintos grados de citopenias. Varios factores, infecciosos o no, pueden incidir en su origen. Su manejo es complejo y puede incluir tratamiento inmunosupresor y trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos alogénico. Objetivo: Demostrar la utilidad de la realización del trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos alogénico haploidéntico en pacientes con aplasia medular grave. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino de 21 años de edad, con antecedentes de salud, que en octubre del 2018 debutó con íctero, pancitopenia, lesiones purpúrico hemorrágicas en piel y mucosas, en el curso de una hepatitis aguda seronegativa. La biopsia de médula ósea mostró aplasia medular severa. Se inició tratamiento inmunosupresor con globulina antitimocίtica, ciclosporina A y metilprednisolona. Al cabo de los 6 meses mantenía trombocitopenia severa con necesidades transfusionales y en octubre de 2019 se decide realizar trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos alogénico con donante haploidéntico y empleando como tratamiento acondicionante globulina antitimocίtica, fludarabina, ciclofosfamida y bajas dosis de irradiación corporal total. En evaluación clίnica de julio de 2020 (dίa + 280 del trasplante) el paciente estaba asintomático y con parámetros hematológicos normales. Conclusiones: Se demostró que el trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos alogénico haploidéntico es un proceder realizable y útil en pacientes con aplasia medular grave, lo cual corrobora el beneficio clínico que puede aportar su ejecución en pacientes con esta enfermedad(AU)

Introduction: Acquired severe marrow aplasia is a rare hematological disease characterized by decrease or absence of hematopoietic precursors in bone marrow, which is expressed with different degrees of cytopenias. Several factors, infectious or not, can influence its origin. Its management is complex and may include immunosuppressive treatment and allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. Objective: To demonstrate the usefulness of performing haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in patients with severe medullary aplasia. Clinical case: A 21-year-old male patient, with medical history, who first presented, in October 2018, with icterus, pancytopenia, as well as purpuric hemorrhagic lesions on the skin and mucosa, in the course of acute seronegative hepatitis. The bone marrow biopsy showed severe marrow aplasia. Immunosuppressive treatment was started with antithymocytic globulin, cyclosporine A, and methylprednisolone. After six months, he maintained severe thrombocytopenia under transfusion requirements and, in October 2019, the decision was to perform allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation with a haploidentical donor and using antithymocyte globulin, fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and low doses of total body irradiation as conditioning treatment. In the clinical assessment carried out in July 2020 (day +280 after transplantation), the patient was asymptomatic and with normal hematological parameters. Conclusions: Transplantation of haploidentic allogeneic hematopoietic progenitors was shown to be a feasible and useful procedure in patients with severe marrow aplasia, which corroborates the clinical benefit that its execution can bring in patients with this disease(AU)

Reconstitución de células natural killer después del trasplante de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas en niños / Natural killer cell reconstitution after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in children

Resumen Introducción: Después de un trasplante de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas (TCPH), la reconstitución de las células natural killer (NK) es la principal barrera contra las infecciones virales. Objetivo: Determinar que el conocimiento sobre la cinética de la reconstitución de las células NK posterior al TCPH contribuye a un eficiente monitoreo del trasplante, lo que incrementa la posibilidad de éxito de este. Método: Se incluyeron 21 pacientes sometidos a TCPH, así como un grupo control de individuos clínicamente sanos. En diferentes momentos después del trasplante (intervalo de 21 a 670 días), mediante citometría de flujo se cuantificaron las células NK CD3− CD16+ CD56+ en muestras de sangre periférica. Resultados: La recuperación de las células NK ocurre entre los tres y seis meses y entre los 10 y 12 meses postrasplante; su número fue significativamente menor (en comparación con el grupo control) en el tiempo restante del monitoreo. Conclusiones: El primer periodo de recuperación de las células NK ocurre entre los tres y seis meses posteriores al trasplante. La reconstitución es transitoria y el número de células NK varía en los primeros años.

Abstract Introduction: After hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), natural killer (NK) cells reconstitution is the main barrier against viral infections. Objective: To determine that the knowledge on the kinetics of NK cell reconstitution after HSCT contributes to transplant efficient monitoring, which increases the possibility of its success. Method: Twenty-one patients undergoing HSCT were included, as well as a control group of clinically healthy individuals. At different time points after transplantation (range of 21 to 670 days), CD3- CD16+ CD56+ NK cells were quantified by flow cytometry in peripheral blood samples. Results: NK cell recovery occurs at three to six months and 10 to 12 months post-transplantation; their number was significantly lower (in comparison with the control group) in the rest of the monitoring time. Conclusions: The first period of NK cell recovery occurs between three and six months after transplantation. Reconstitution is transient and the number of NK cells varies in the first years.

Impact of hHLA-DPB1 matching on clinical outcomes after haploidentical-related hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

ABSTRACT Background: The impact of HLA-DPB1 compatibility and its role as a transplantation antigen in haploidentical-related hematopoietic stem cell transplant (haplo-R-HSCT) have not been established, and a negative effect on survival has been suggested. Objective: The objective of the determine was to study the frequency and clinical effects of incompatibility at the HLA-DPB1 locus in the haplo-R-HSCT setting. Methods: Clinical records and electronic files of 91 patients with a hematological disease who underwent haplo-HSCT from January 2009 to October 2017 in a university medical center were scrutinized. Overall survival (OS) was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method; the cumulative incidence of transplant-related mortality (TRM) and relapse rates was determined. Acute graft-versus-host disease was assessed by binary logistic regression. Cox regression model with a 95% confidence interval was used to examine the association between the different variables and their effect on OS. Results: Of the 91 donor-recipient pairs, 24 (26.37%) shared complete DPB1 identity, 60 (65.93%) had a mismatch at one allele, and 7 (7.70%) were mismatched at two alleles. Twenty-four different HLA-DPB1 alleles were found; the most frequent were DPB1*04:01 (34.1%) and DPB1*04:02 (27.5%). Two-year OS, the cumulative incidence of TRM and relapse was 51.3 ± 6.8%, 28 ± 6% and 60 ± 7.8% for all haplo-related transplants, respectively, with no statistical difference between HLA-DPB1 matched and partially matched patients. In Cox regression analysis, no risk factors associated with OS, TRM, or relapses were identified. Conclusion: HLA-DPB1 mismatching in the haplo-R-HSCT setting did not influence transplant outcomes and was clinically tolerable. A high degree of homozygosity was found.

Donación dirigida de sangre de Cordón Umbilical de Hermano Compatible en el Sistema de Salud Público de Chile / Directed sibling donor cord blood donation in the Chilean Public Health System

Resumen: Introducción: La sangre de cordón umbilical (SCU) como fuente para trasplante de células proge- nitoras hematopoyéticas (TPH) está bien establecida. Internacionalmente, menos del 10% de los TPH de SCU corresponde a donantes hermanos compatibles. Dentro de la red del Programa Infantil Nacional de Drogas Antineoplásicas (PINDA), existe desde enero 2004 un programa de donación dirigida de SCU para TPH. Pacientes y Método: Se diseñó un estudio observacional, retrospectivo, descriptivo, se revisaron el número y características de las unidades de SCU recolectadas en el PINDA y el número, características y evolución de los pacientes trasplantados con esas unidades entre enero de 2004 y octubre de 2018. Resultados: Sesenta unidades de SCU han sido recolectadas, de ellas 55 con registro completo. La mediana de volumen de las unidades almacenadas fue 74,8 ml (30,0-170,8), la mediana de células nucleadas totales 7,6 x 10e8 (2,0-21,1), mediana de células CD34+ 1,6 x 10e6 (0,2-11,6). Cuatro pacientes con leucemias de alto riesgo fueron trasplantados; mediana de segui miento es de 8 años. Todos desarrollaron complicaciones severas post TPH, uno de ellos falleció de recaída y los tres actualmente vivos presentan un Karnofsky/Lansky 100%. Conclusión: El programa ha permitido el trasplante de 4 pacientes que de otro modo no habrían tenido acceso a un donante. Este programa de donación dirigida puede ser considerado una primera etapa para el desarrollo de un banco público de sangre de cordón umbilical en Chile.

Abstract: Introduction: Cord blood (CB) as a source of Hematopoietic Stem Cells for Transplantation (HSCT) is well established. Worldwide, nonetheless, less than 10% of the CB HSCTs are performed with a match sibling donor. Since 2004, the Chilean National Childhood Cancer Program (PINDA) net work, has established a CB directed donation program for HSCT. Patients and Method: An obser vational, descriptive and retrospective study was designed to assess the number and characteristics of the CB units collected in the program as well as the number, clinical characteristics and follow-up of the patients who received an HSCT from those CB units between January 2004 and October 2018. Results: Sixty CB units have been collected; 55 of them with full records and stored. The median volume collected was 74.8 ml (30.0-170.8), the median number of total nucleated cells was 7.6 x 10e8 (2.0-21.1), and the median of CD34+ cells was 1.6 x 10e6 (0.2-11.6). Four high-risk leukemia patients received HSCT, all of them developed severe complications after transplantation and one patient died due to relapse. Those patients currently alive have a 100% Karnofsky/Lansky score. The median follow-up time was 8 years. Conclusion: The PINDA program has allowed 4 patients to be transplan ted who otherwise would not have had access to a donor. This directed donation program could be seen as a model for the development of a public cord blood bank in Chile.

Polimorfismo de los antígenos leucocitarios humanos en receptores cubanos de trasplante relacionado de progenitores hematopoyéticas / Polymorphism of human leukocyte antigens in Cuban recipients of related hematopoietic stem cell transplants

Introducción: El trasplante relacionado de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas (TCPH) es una alternativa terapéutica curativa para los pacientes con ciertos tipos de hemopatías o de inmunodeficiencias, en la que se selecciona como donante a un familiar del receptor. Objetivo: Caracterizar el sistema de antígenos leucocitarios humanos (HLA) en receptores de TCPH relacionado. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal en el departamento de Histocompatibilidad del Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología desde enero 2013 hasta diciembre de 2015. Se tipificaron 75 genes HLA mediante la técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con cebadores de secuencia específico, de baja resolución a 117 pacientes con criterio de TCPH. Para el análisis inmunogenético se empleó el programa Arlequín 3.5.2.2. Resultados: Fueron más frecuentes los genes HLA-A*02, HLA-B*35, HLA-DQB1*03, HLA-DRB1*03 y HLA-DRB1*04, los haplotipos de dos loci HLA-A*02 B*35, HLA-DQB1*03 DRB1*04 y el haplotipo extendido HLA-A*03 B*07 DQB1*06 DRB1*15. Conclusiones: Los genes del sistema HLA en pacientes cubanos candidatos a TCPH relacionado presentaron frecuencias similares a las descritas en poblaciones generales de Cuba y el mundo, aunque con características distintivas en algunos genes y haplotipos(AU)

Introduction: Related hematopoietic progenitor cell (TCPH) transplantation is a curative therapeutic alternative for patients with certain types of hemopathies or immunodeficiencies, in which a recipient family member is selected as a donor. Objective: To characterize the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system in related TCPH receptors. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in the Histocompatibility department of the Institute of Hematology and Immunology from January 2013 to December 2015. 75 HLA genes were typed using the polymerase chain reaction technique with specific sequence primers, from Low resolution to 117 patients with TCPH criteria. For the immunogenetic analysis, the Harlequin 3.5.2.2 program was used. Results: The genes HLA-A * 02, HLA-B * 35, HLA-DQB1 * 03, HLA-DRB1 * 03 and HLA-DRB1 * 04, the haplotypes of two HLA-A * 02 B * 35 loci were more frequent , HLA-DQB1 * 03 DRB1 * 04 and the extended haplotype HLA-A * 03 B * 07 DQB1 * 06 DRB1 * 15. Conclusions: The genes of the HLA system in Cuban patients related to TCPH presented frequencies similar to those described in general populations of Cuba and the world, although with distinctive characteristics in some genes and haplotypes(AU)

Trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos autólogo en gammapatías monoclonales: primeros resultados del Hospital "Hermanos Ameijeiras" / Autologous stem cell transplantation in monoclonal gammopathies: first results from the "Hermanos Ameijeiras" Hospital

Introducción: Los avances en el manejo del mieloma múltiple (MM) durante los últimos años incluyen la incorporación del trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos autólogo (TPHa) a la estrategia de tratamiento de estos pacientes. Objetivo: Dar a conocer los primeros resultados en el hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras (HHA) con la aplicación del TPHa en pacientes con gammapatías monoclonales (GM), empleando las altas dosis de melfalán (AD-Mel) como tratamiento acondicionante (TA) y su impacto en la sobrevida global (SG). Métodos: Se hizo un estudio retrospectivo de todos los pacientes con GM sometidos a TPHa en el Servicio de Hematología del HHA en el período comprendido entre 2009 y 2018. La muestra final comprendió 14 casos. Resultados: La edad promedio fue de 53,5 años; la mayoría tenía como diagnóstico MM (85,7 por ciento) y todos ellos debutaron en estadio III de Durie-Salmon; como TA el 64,2 por ciento recibió AD-mel, en dosis de 200 mg/m2. La recuperación de las cifras de neutrófilos y plaquetas ocurrieron como promedio a los 11,4 y 12 días, respectivamente. La mortalidad relacionada con el trasplante (MRT) al día +30 fue del 7,1 por ciento. La probabilidad de SG a los 2 años fue superior al 90 por ciento y a los 5 años del 68 por ciento. Conclusiones: Se comprobó que la realización del TPHa con el empleo de AD-Mel como TA en pacientes con GM es un proceder realizable en nuestro país con una MRT relativamente baja. Se logró demostrar que la inclusión del TPH en el tratamiento mejora considerablemente las expectativas de sobrevida de estos pacientes(AU)

Introduction: The recent advances in the management of multiple myeloma (MM) during the last years have included the autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) to the treatment strategy of these patients. Objective: To present the first results in the Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital (HAH) with the application of auto-HSCT in patients with monoclonal gammopathies (MG) using high doses of melphalan (HD-Mel) as conditioning regimen (CR) and its impacton overall survival (OS). Methods: A retrospective study of all patients with MG who underwent auto-HSCT in the Hematology Service of the HAH in the period between 2009 and 2018 wasmade. The final sample comprised 14 cases. Results: The average age was 53.5 years; the majority had diagnosis of MM (85.7percent) and all of them were diagnosed in stage III of Durie-Salmon; as CR 64.2 percent received HD-mel, at 200 mg/m2. The recovery of neutrophil and platelet counts occurred on average at 11.4 and 12 days respectively. Transplant related mortality (TRM) at day +30 was 7.1 percent. The probability of OS at 2 years was higher than 90 percent and at 5 years of 68 percent. Conclusions: It was verified that the performance of auto-HSCT with the use of HD-Mel as CR in patients with MG is a feasible procedure in our country with a relatively low TRM. It was possible to demonstrate that the inclusion of auto-HSCT in the treatment considerably improves the survival expectations of these patients(AU)

Mieloma múltiple en Chile: Respuesta a tratamiento en pacientes con mieloma múltiple elegibles para trasplante autólogo de progenitores hematopoyéticos / Response rates to first-line treatment in eligible patients to autologous stem transplantation in Chile

Background The treatment of choice of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) is an induction with proteasome inhibitors followed autologous stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Since 2013, the treatment of these patients in the public system is based on CTD (cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, and dexamethasone). Aim To evaluate the response rates achieved with CTD, and the results of HSCT in patients with NDMM in the public setting. Material and Methods Data from patients considered as candidates for HSCT from different centers of the National Adult Antineoplastic Drug Program (PANDA, for its acronym in Spanish), diagnosed between 2013 and 2017, was analyzed. The response to treatment of first and second lines of treatment was evaluated, in addition to the results of HSCT. An optimal Response was defined as the sum of strict complete remission, complete remission and very good partial response (sCR, CR and VGPR). Results One hundred and seventy-seven patients were analyzed, 54% women, and 53% with IgG multiple myeloma. Information about the international staging system was retrieved in 127 patients (71%). Seventeen percent were ISS I, 22% in ISS II and 32% ISS III. CTD was used as first treatment in 106 patients (60%), and cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (CyBorD) in 13 (7%). As first line, CTD had an overall response of 50.9%, and CyBorD of 76.9%. Thirty patients were treated with bortezomib as second line treatment. Forty patients (22%) underwent HSCT. The 5-year Overall Survival (OS) in transplanted patients and non-transplanted patients was 100 and 62% respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusions The response rate achieved by CTD in these patients is suboptimal. The response to CyBorD was better.

Nueva tecnología sanitaria para el desarrollo de la medicina regenerativa en Santiago de Cuba / New health technology for the development of regenerative medicine in Santiago de Cuba

En Cuba, desde en que el año 2004 se realizaron con éxito los primeros implantes de células madre hematopoyéticas adultas autólogas, se ha ido incrementando progresivamente su uso y ya se ha extendido a todo el país. En Santiago de Cuba no se disponía de un área con condiciones adecuadas para desarrollar la medicina regenerativa, lo que motivó la creación del Servicio Ambulatorio de Medicina Regenerativa (SAMERSAC) en el Banco de Sangre Provincial, donde se realiza la obtención y procesamiento de las células y la atención de los pacientes seleccionados, según los criterios de inclusión establecidos en los proyectos de investigación registrados. El SAMERSAC es un Servicio Científico Tecnológico que integra a las unidades de salud de la provincia en lo referente a líneas de investigación relacionadas con la medicina regenerativa. La creación de este nuevo servicio permitió la introducción y el inicio del desarrollo de la medicina regenerativa en Santiago de Cuba, donde se continua trabajando e investigando constantemente con la aplicación de los novedosos procedimientos que aporta esta nueva disciplina médica(AU)

In Cuba, since 2004, when the first implants of autologous adult hematopoietic stem cells were successfully performed, their use has been progressively increasing, that has already spread throughout the country. In Santiago de Cuba there was no area with adequate conditions to develop regenerative medicine, which led to the creation of the Regenerative Medicine Outpatient Service (SAMERSAC) in the Provincial Blood Bank, where it is carried out the obtaining and prosecution of the cells and the attention of the selected patients, according to the established inclusion approaches in the registered investigation projects. The SAMERSAC is a Technological Scientific Service that integrates to the units of health of the county regarding investigation lines related with the regenerative medicine. The creation of this new service allowed the introduction and the beginning of the development of the regenerative medicine in Santiago from Cuba, where you continuous working and constantly investigating with the application of the novel procedures that contributes this new discipline doctor(AU)

Virtual learning object in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for autoimmune diseases / Objeto virtual de aprendizaje en el trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas para enfermedades autoinmunes / Objeto virtual de aprendizagem no transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas para doenças autoimunes

ABSTRACT Objective: describe the development of a virtual learning object to provide information about autologous transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells to autoimmune diseases. Methods: methodological study of a website development, using the instructional design model that includes Analysis, Design, Development and Implementation. Results: the virtual object, available at http://www.transplantardai.com.br, was developed in a web platform, in the Hypertext Markup Language, using the software WebAcappella - Responsive Website Creator (Intuisphere, France 2016). The content was structured in the modules: History, Transplant, Autoimmune Diseases, Links, Guidelines, Speech Team and Doubts. The icons and menus were created in order to attract the user, facilitating the search for information and allowing maximum use of the resources available on the website. Conclusion: the methodology used allowed the development of the virtual learning object, which can be used as a tool to guide and disseminate knowledge about this treatment.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir el desarrollo de un objeto de aprendizaje virtual para proporcionar información sobre el trasplante autólogo de células madre hematopoyéticas en las enfermedades autoinmunes. Métodos: estudio metodológico del desarrollo del sitio web, utilizando el modelo de diseño instruccional (Análisis, Diseño, Desarrollo e Implementación). Resultados: el objeto virtual, disponible en http://www.transplantardai.com.br, fue desarrollado en una plataforma web, en el lenguaje de marcación Hypertext Markup Language, utilizando el software WebAcappella - Responsive Website Creator (Intuisphere, Francia 2016). El contenido se estructuró en los módulos: Historia, Trasplante, Enfermedades Autoinmunes, Links, Guías, Habla Equipo y Dudas. Los iconos y menús fueron creados para atraer al usuario, facilitando la búsqueda de información y permitiendo el máximo aprovechamiento de los recursos disponibles en el sitio web. Conclusión: la metodología utilizada permitió el desarrollo del objeto de aprendizaje virtual, que puede ser utilizado como una herramienta para guiar y difundir el conocimiento sobre este tratamiento.

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever o desenvolvimento de um objeto virtual de aprendizagem para disponibilização de informações sobre transplante autólogo de células-tronco hematopoéticas para doenças autoimunes. Métodos: estudo metodológico de desenvolvimento de um website, empregando o modelo de design instrucional que envolve Análise, Design, Desenvolvimento e Implementação. Resultados: o objeto virtual, disponível no endereço eletrônico http://www.transplantardai.com.br, foi desenvolvido em plataforma web, na linguagem de marcação Hypertext Markup Language, utilizando-se o software WebAcappella - Responsive Website Creator (Intuisphere, França 2016). O conteúdo foi estruturado nos seguintes módulos: História, Transplante, Doenças Autoimunes, Links, Orientações, Fala Equipe e Dúvidas. Os ícones e menus foram criados de modo a atrair o usuário, facilitando a busca de informações e permitindo máximo uso dos recursos disponíveis no website. Conclusão: a metodologia empregada permitiu o desenvolvimento do objeto virtual de aprendizagem, que poderá ser utilizado como ferramenta para orientar e disseminar o conhecimento sobre esse tratamento.

Osteopetrosis infantil maligna / Malignant Infantile osteopetrosis

INTRODUCCIÓN: Osteopetrosis Infantil Maligna (OIM) es un grave e inusual desorden genético debi do a una actividad osteoclástica anormal. OBJETIVO: Reportar lactante en quien se documentó una Osteopetrosis Infantil Maligna, revisando aspectos diagnósticos y terapéuticos más relevantes. CASO CLÍNICO: Reportamos un lactante de 10 meses de sexo masculino en quien se confirmó OIM tras presentar plaquetopenia y visceromegalias. En su historial destacó ser primer hijo de padres no consanguíneos, y entre sus hallazgos presentó hepatoesplenomegalia, plaquetopenia y anemia graves, compromiso sensorial visual y auditivo e infecciones a repetición. El diagnóstico fue confirmado mediante estudio genético, el cual identificó 2 mutaciones heterocigotas en el gen TCIRG1. Se rea lizó trasplante de precursores hematopoyéticos, sin haber presentado recuperación hematológica, falleciendo por enfermedad veno oclusiva. DISCUSIÓN: La OIM es una enfermedad inusual, grave y de inicio temprano, siendo necesario un elevado índice de sospecha ante hepatoesplenomegalia y falla medular. El diagnóstico temprano y el trasplante de precursores hematopoyéticos son las únicas intervenciones potencialmente curativas de esta entidad letal.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Malignant Infantile Osteopetrosis (MIOP) is a rare and severe genetic disorder due to abnormal osteoclast activity. OBJECTIVE: To report an infant who presented Malignant Infantile Osteopetrosis, reviewing the most relevant diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. CLINICAL CASE: A ten- month-old male infant with diagnosis of MIOP confirmed after presenting thrombocytopenia and visceromegaly. He was the first child of non-consanguineous parents, and among the findings, he presented severe hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, and anemia; visual and hearing impairment, and repeated infections. The diagnosis was confirmed by genetic study, which identified two heterozygous mutations in the TCIRG1 gene. Hematopoietic stem cells were transplanted without hematological recovery. The patient died due to occlusive venous disease. DISCUSSION: MIOP is a rare, severe, and early-onset disease, with a high rate of suspicion necessary in the presence of hepatosplenomegaly and bone marrow failure. Early diagnosis and hematopoietic stem cells transplanta tion are the only potentially therapeutic interventions of this lethal entity.

Nine-year follow up after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in five multiple sclerosis patients / Nove anos de seguimento após transplante autólogo de células tronco hematopoiéticas em cinco pacientes com esclerose múltipla

ABSTRACT Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system. Its treatment has focused on inflammation control as early as possible to avoid disability. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) has been used for treating MS since 1996, with recent decisive results regarding benefits in long-term efficacy. Five patients followed up at an MS center in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, who had relapsing-remitting MS with high disease activity, underwent AHSCT between 2009 and 2011. They were evaluated clinically, with magnetic resonance imaging, and by the EDSS every six months after transplantation, up to July 2018. The patients were four women and one man, with ages ranging from 25-50 years, and time since disease onset ranging from 4-17 years at the time of the procedure. Four patients improved, one patient was stabilized, and all patients were free of disease activity after 5-9 years. Through improving patient selection and decreasing the time from disease onset, AHSCT could stop epitope spreading and disease progression. Despite multiple other therapeutic choices being approved for relapsing-remitting MS, AHSCT continues to be a treatment to consider for aggressive MS disease.

RESUMO A esclerose múltipla é uma doença imunomediada do sistema nervoso central. Seu tratamento tem sido focado no controle da inflamação o mais cedo possível para evitar incapacidade. O transplante autólogo de células tronco hematopoiéticas (TACTH) vem sendo usado para tratar esclerose múltipla desde 1996, e recentes resultados foram decisivos a respeito do benefício na eficácia a longo prazo. Cinco pacientes seguidos num centro de esclerose múltipla de Belo Horizonte, Brasil, que apresentavam forma clínica remitente recorrente com alta atividade de doença foram submetidos a esse tratamento de 2009 a 2011. Após o transplante foram avaliados clinicamente e com ressonância magnética, e escala de EDSS, a cada seis meses até julho de 2018. Os pacientes eram quatro mulheres e um homem, com idade entre 25 e 50 anos e tempo de doença variando de 4 a 17 anos na época do procedimento. Quatro pacientes melhoraram após a primeira avaliação e um manteve-se estável. Todos os pacientes permaneceram sem evidência de doença clínica ou radiológica de 5 a 9 anos após. Com uma seleção cada vez mais criteriosa de pacientes o TACTH pode interromper a disseminação do epítopo e controlar a progressão da doença. Apesar de várias outras opções terapêuticas aprovadas para esclerose múltipla o TACTH continua a ser uma forma de tratamento a ser considerada em casos de doença muito agressiva.

Evaluación del tratamiento de linfoma de Hodgkin con esquema ABVD en Chile / Treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma: analysis of 915 patients

Background: Hodgkin lymphoma has a high rate of curability, even in advanced stages. Aim: To assess the results of Hodgkin lymphoma treatment using the ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) chemotherapy regimen. Material and Methods: Analysis of a database held by the Chilean Ministry of Health, including all patients treated at accredited cancer treatment centers. Results: Data for 915 patients, median age 35 years (range 15-86 years) and followed for a median of 97 months (range 1-347 months) were analyzed. Forty-one percent had localized disease. Overall survival at five years for localized and advanced stages was 92% and 74%, respectively. The figures for progression free survival were 87% and 64%, respectively. Patients with relapse who received autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) had a five year overall survival of 92%, compared to 64% among those who did not undergo this procedure (p < 0.01). The Guarantees in Health Program set up by the Ministry of Health, was associated with earlier stage disease at diagnosis. Conclusions: The ABVD regimen achieves high rates of cure in localized stages of the disease but the results in advanced stages are not optimal. ASCT significantly improves survival in patients with relapse. The Guarantees in Health Program is associated with earlier diagnosis of the disease.

First - line, non - cryopreserved autologous stem cell transplant for poor - risk germ - cell tumors: Experience in a developing country

ABSTRACT Purpose: The current first - line treatment for non - seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) consists of four cycles of cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin (BEP), which results in 5 - year overall survival < 60% in patients with poor - risk features. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto - HSCT) as a method for overcoming high toxicity after high dose chemotherapy (HDC) has been explored in different solid tumors, but has remained standard practice only for NSGCT. Our objective was to describe outcomes of patients with poor - risk NSGCT who underwent first - line autologous HSCT in a tertiary center in Mexico. Patients and Methods: Twenty nine consecutive patients with NSGCT who received first - line, non - cryopreserved autologous HSCT at the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubiran in Mexico City, Mexico, from November 1998 to June 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The median age at transplantation was 23 (15 - 39) years. Most patients (n = 18, 62%) had testicular primary tumor, and 23 had metastases (79%). Complete response after auto - HSCT was observed in 45%. Non - relapse mortality was 0. Five - year relapse / progression free and overall survival were 67% and 69%, respectively. Conclusions: This small single limited - resource institution study demonstrated that patients with poor - risk NSGCT are curable by first - line HDC plus autologous HSCT and that this procedure is feasible and affordable to perform using non - cryopreserved hematopoietic stem cells.