Temporal trends in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Argentina: regional differences that mirror the global reality

Introduction: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curative treatment for many disorders and international data shows a growing trend. Method: We aimed to evaluate the temporal trends in HSCT transplant rates in Argentina. A time-series analysis was performed for the period 2009 to 2018 using the national database from the National Central Coordinating Institute for Ablations and Implants. Crude and standardized transplant rates were calculated. A permutation joinpoint regression model analysis was used to identify significant changes over time. Results: Altogether, 8,474 transplants were reported to INCUCAI by 28 centers (autologous 67.5%); the main indication was multiple myeloma (30%). The WHO age-sex standardized HSCT rates for the entire country were 153.3 HSCT/10 million inhabitants (95% CI 141.7 −165.8) in 2009 and 260.1 HSCT/10 million inhabitants (95% CI 245.5−275.5) in 2018. There was a large gap in HSCT rates among the states and regions. The transplant rate was higher for autologous transplants throughout the years. Within the allogeneic group, the related donor transplant rate was higher than the unrelated donor transplant rate. The joinpoint regression analysis of HSCT rates for the whole country over time showed an observed annual percentage change of 6.3% (95% CI 5.4-7.3; p < 0.01). No changes were observed for unrelated donors during the study period. Conclusions: Age-sex standardized HSCT rates in Argentina are increasing, mainly due to autologous and family donor allogeneic transplants. A wide variation across the country was found, demonstrating differences in the access to transplantation among Argentine regions

Construction of living skin equivalents using mixed autologous and allogeneic skin cells for repairing scar contracture of the hand in a patient with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of living skin equivalents (LSE) constructed of mixed autologous and allogeneic skin cells and human amnion which served as a matrix on repairing scar contracture of the hand in a patient with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB).Methods Skin tissues were obtained from a patient with RDEB and her mother,and epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts were isolated from these tissues and cultured in vitro separately.Human amnion was obtained from the placenta of an unrelated healthy parturient undergoing cesarean delivery,and served as a matrix of the LSE.The autologous and allogeneic fibroblasts were mixed and seeded on the stromal side of the amnion,and then the autologous and allogeneic keratinocytes were mixed and seeded on the epithelial side of the amnion,so as to construct the human amnion-LSE (AM-LSE).Histological examination was performed to observe the structure of the skin tissues obtained from the patient and her mother,and immunofluorescence staining was conducted to detect the expression of type Ⅶ collagen in the skin tissues of the patient and her mother and in the AM-LSE.The AM-LSE was grafted on the skin defects of the patient after release of scar contracture of the hand.After grafting,the survival status of the AM-LSE graft and repairing effect on the wounds were evaluated.Results The constructed AM-LSE consisted of dermis,multilayered and fully differentiated epidermis and well-developed basement membrane.Immunofluorescence examination revealed that type Ⅶ collagen was linearly distributed along the basement membrane.Half a year after grafting,the AM-LSE survived well,and no obvious rejection reaction was observed.No blisters or ulcers occurred at the recipient sites,and the scar contracture was mild.The grafted area showed normal skin color with soft texture.The patient could grab and hold things,which had met self-care requirements of daily living.Conclusions The AM-LSE constructed of mixed autologous and allogeneic skin cells have good histological structures,and can be grafted on the wounds after resection of the scars in a RDEB patient.After grafting,no obvious rejection reaction was observed,and the skin was not liable to develop blisters,ulcers or scar contracture due to friction.