Efficacy of basiliximab in the treatment of 87 cases of steroid-refractory or steroid-dependent acute graft-versus-host disease / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of basiliximab in the treatment of steroid-refractory or steroid-dependent acute graft-versus-host disease (SR/SD-aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: Clinical data of 87 patients with SR/SD-aGVHD in the skin, intestine, and liver after allo-HSCT at the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital Transplantation Center from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The administration plan of basiliximab was as follows: 20 mg for adults and children weighing ≥35 kg and 10 mg for children weighing<35 kg. The drug was administered once on the 1st, 4th, and 8th days, respectively, and then once weekly. The efficacy was evaluated on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days after basiliximab treatment. Results: ①There were 51 males (58.6%) and 36 females (41.4%) , with a median (range) age of 34 (4-63) years. There were 54 cases of classic aGVHD, 33 of late aGVHD, 49 of steroid-refractory aGVHD, and 38 of steroid-dependent aGVHD. ②Thirty-five patients (40.2%) achieved complete remission (CR) , 23 (26.4%) achieved partial remission (PR) , and 29 had no remission (NR) . The total effective rate[overall response rate (ORR) ] was 66.7% (58/87) . ③The ORR of the classic and late aGVHD groups was 77.8% (42/54) and 48.5% (16/33) , respectively. ④The median (range) follow-up time was 154 (4-1813) days, the 6-month overall survival (OS) rate of the 87 patients was 44.8% (95% CI 39.5%-50.1%) and the 1-year OS was 39.4% (95%CI 34.2%-44.3%) . ⑤After treatment with basiliximab, the 6-month OS in the CR (35 cases) , PR (23 cases) , and NR (29 cases) groups was 80.0% (95%CI 73.2%-86.8%) , 39.1% (95%CI 28.9%-49.3%) , and 6.9% (95%CI 2.2%-11.6%) , respectively (χ(2)=34.679, P<0.001) , and the 1-year OS was 74.3% (95%CI 66.9%-81.7%) , 30.4% (95%CI 20.8%-40.0%) , and 3.4% (95%CI 0%-6.8%) , respectively (χ(2)=43.339, P<0.001) . The OS of the classic and late aGVHD groups was 57.4% (95%CI 50.7%-64.1%) and 24.2% (95%CI 16.7%-31.7%) , respectively (χ(2)=9.109, P=0.004) , and the 1-year OS was 51.9% (95%CI 45.1%-58.7%) and 18.2% (95%CI 11.5%-24.9%) , respectively (χ(2)=9.753, P=0.003) . ⑥Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that late aGVHD (OR=3.121, 95%CI 1.770-5.503, P<0.001) , Minnesota score high-risk group before medication (OR=3.591, 95%CI 1.931-6.679, P<0.001) , active infection before medication (OR=1.881, 95%CI 1.029-3.438, P=0.040) , and impairment of important organ function caused by non-GVHD (OR=3.100, 95%CI 1.570-6.121, P=0.001) were independent risk factors affecting the efficacy of basiliximab. Conclusion: Basiliximab has good efficacy and safety for SR/SD-aGVHD, but not in patients with late aGVHD, high-risk group of Minnesota score, and infection or impaired function of important organs.

Clinical Efficacy of Haplo-HSCT of ATG Combined with PTCy for Children with Myelodysplastic Syndrome / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the efficacy and safety of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) in combination of ATG and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) -induced immune tolerance after transplantation in treatment of childhood myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS）.@*METHODS@#From July 2016 to November 2020, a total of 8 children with MDS receiving the haploidentical allo-HSCT combined with ATG and PTCy-induced immune tolerance after transplantation in our hospital were enrolled, whose clinical data were retrospected and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Median age at diagnosis of the 8 children (1 male and 7 females) was 6.4 (range, 10 months to 15 years) years old. The median medical history of MDS was 2.7 years (range, 3 months to 8 years). Among the 8 patients, 7 cases were diagnosed with refractory cytopenia of childhood and one with refractory anemia with excess of blasts. The HSC donors were father, mother or brother of patients and HLA matching in 6-9/12 loci were identical. All the donors were healthy and didn't carry the same pathogenic genes as the recipients. The median age of donors was 36.4 (range, 25 to 49) years old. The median mononuclear cell (MNC) number of the graft was 19.8, ranging in (13.2-47.3)×108/kg, and the median CD34+ cell number was 11.8×106/kg, ranging in (5.0-18.3)×106/kg. Graft-versus-host disease prophylactic regimen was started on day 3 and 4 after transplantation, in which cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg·d) was administered by intravenous infusion. From day 5 after transplantation, low-dose tacrolimus was administered by intravenous infusion and mycophenolate mofetil was administered orally. The median time of neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 12.6 (rang, 11 to 15) days and 13.3 (rang, 11 to 18) days, respectively. All the patients achieved full donor chimerism on neutrophil engraftment after transplantation. The median follow-up time was 1 032 (rang, 747 to 1 536) days. Both overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate were 100%.@*CONCLUSION@#Haplo-HSCT combined with ATG and PTCy-induced immune tolerance after transplantation is a safe and effective treatment for children with MDS.

A real life use of ruxolitinib in patients with acute and chronic graft versus host disease refractory to corticosteroid treatment in Latin American patients

Abstract Introduction: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication in allogeneic transplantation. The first-line treatment is high doses of corticosteroids. In the absence of response to corticosteroids, several immunosuppressive drugs can be used, but they entail an elevated risk of severe infections. Added to this, there are patients who do not improve on any immunosuppressive treatment, with subsequent deteriorated quality of life and high mortality. Ruxolitinib has been shown to induce responses in refractory patients. In this study we have presented our real-life experience. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with severe GVHD refractory to corticosteroids. Demographic, previous treatment, response and mortality data were collected. Results: Since 2014, seventeen patients with GVHD were treated with ruxolitinib due to refractoriness to corticosteroids and immunosuppressants and a few to extracorporeal photopheresis, 8 with acute GVHD (1 pulmonary, 4 cutaneous grade IV and 3 digestive grade IV) and 9 with chronic GHVD (5 cutaneous sclerodermiform, 2 pulmonary and 1 multisystemic). The overall response to ruxolitinib treatment for acute GVHD was 80%, 40% with partial response and 40% with complete remission. Global response in chronic GVHD was 79%. The GVHD mortality was only seen in acute disease and was 40%. Causes of mortality in those patients were severe viral pneumonia, post-transplantation hemophagocytic syndrome and meningeal GVHD refractory to ruxolitinib. Conclusions: In our series, the use of ruxolitinib as a rescue strategy in acute or chronic GVHD was satisfactory. Ruxolitinib treatment in patients with a very poor prognosis showed encouraging results. However, the GVHD mortality remains high in refractory patients, showing that better therapeutic strategies are needed.

Enfermedad de injerto contra huésped cutánea frente a necrólisis epidérmica tóxica en un receptor de trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas / Cutaneous graft-versus-host disease versus toxic epidermal necrolysis in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient

El diagnóstico diferencial entre la enfermedad de injerto contra huésped aguda grave (estadio IV) y la necrólisis epidérmica tóxica pude resultar difícil en el contexto de un paciente trasplantado, ya que ambas tienen presentaciones clínicas similares. Sin embargo, la distinción entre ellas es fundamental porque ocasionan una gran morbimortalidad, y su manejo y pronóstico difieren. Algunas pequeñas diferencias clínicas e histopatológicas son de gran ayuda para el diagnóstico diferencial y el dermatólogo deberá reconocerlas para tomar una conducta correcta y oportuna. Se comunica el caso de un paciente que presentó ampollas y epidermólisis después del trasplante de células hematopoyéticas y en el que se planteó la dificultad diagnóstica para diferenciar entre ambas afecciones.

The differental diagnosis between severe graft-versus-host disease (stage IV) and toxic epidermal necrolysis can be difficult in the context of a transplant patient, since both conditions have similar clinical presentations. However, the distinction between these two entities is critical because they produce great morbidity and mortality and their management and prognosis differ. Some small clinical and histopathological differences are of great help for the differential diagnosis, and the dermatologist must recognize them in order to take a correct and timely conduct. We present the case of a patient who developed blisters and epidermolysis after hematopoietic cell transplantation, and in whom the diagnostic difficulty to differentiate between the two entities was raised.

Treatment of oral chronic graft-versus-host disease: a retrospective cohort study / Tratamento da doença do enxerto contra hospedeiro crônica oral: um estudo de coorte retrospectivo

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with complete response of oral chronic graft-versus-host disease to immunosuppressive treatment. Methods A total of 29 patients submitted to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with oral chronic graft-versus-host disease, were enrolled in this retrospective study, from September 2012 to February 2018. Patients were treated with combined topical dexamethasone solution and topical tacrolimus ointment, combined topical dexamethasone and topical tacrolimus, systemic immunosuppressive medication, and topical dexamethasone only. Results The mean time of complete response of lichenoid lesions, erythema, and ulcers using dexamethasone and systemic immunosuppressive medication was of 105, 42 and 42 days, respectively (p=0.013).When we associated dexamethasone, tacrolimus and systemic immunosuppressive medication, the mean time of complete response of lichenoid lesions, erythema and ulcers was of 91,84 and 77 days (p=0.011). When dexamethasone was used alone, the mean time of complete response of lichenoid lesions, erythema and ulcers was 182, 140, 21 days, respectively (p=0.042). Conclusion Our study shows that lichenoid lesions require more time to heal. Notably, lichenoid lesions tend to respond better to dexamethasone combined with tacrolimus and systemic immunosuppressive medication, whereas erythema and ulcers respond better to dexamethasone combined with systemic immunosuppressive medication and dexamethasone only, respectively.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar os pacientes com resposta completa da doença do enxerto contra hospedeiro crônica oral ao tratamento com imunossupressor. Métodos Vinte e nove pacientes submetidos ao transplante alogênico de células tronco hematopoiéticas, com doença do enxerto contra hospedeiro crônica oral, foram incluídos neste estudo retrospectivo, de setembro de 2012 a fevereiro de 2018. Os pacientes foram tratados com dexametasona para bochecho associada ao tacrolimo pomada, dexametasona para bochecho associada ao tacrolimo tópico, tratamento imunossupressor sistêmico, e dexametasona tópica apenas. Resultados O tempo médio para resposta completa das lesões liquenoides, eritema e ulcerações usando dexametasona e imunossupressor sistêmico foi de 105, 42 e 42 dias, respectivamente (p=0,013). Quando a dexametasona estava associada ao tacrolimo e a medicação imunossupressora sistêmica, o tempo médio para resposta completa das lesões liquenóides, eritema e ulcerações foi de 91, 84 e 77 dias (p=0,011). Quando foi utilizada apenas dexametasona, o tempo médio para resposta completa das lesões liquenoides, eritema e ulcerações foi de 182, 140 e 21 dias, respectivamente (p=0,042). Conclusão Nosso estudo mostra que as lesões liquenoides requerem mais tempo para cicatrização completa. É notável que as lesões liquenoides tendem a responder melhor ao tratamento da dexametasona combinada com o tacrolimo e o imunossupressor sistêmico. Já o eritema e as ulcerações respondem melhor à dexametasona combinada com medicação imunossupressora sistêmica, e dexametasona apenas, respectivamente.

Eficacia y seguridad de ibrutinib para el tratamiento de pacientes adultos con enfermedad de injerto contra huésped crónica post-trasplante alogénico de progenitores hematopoyéticos refractaria a corticoides / Efficacy and safety of ibrutinib for the treatment of adult patients with chronic allograft refractory hematopoietic progenitor graft-versus-host disease

INTRODUCCIÓN: El presente dictamen expone la evaluación de la eficacia y seguridad del esquema ibrutinib + corticoides, comparado con los esquemas basados en corticoides + inmunosupresores, para el tratamiento de pacientes adultos con enfermedad de injerto contra huésped crónica (cGVHD) post-trasplante alogénico de progenitores hematopoyéticos (TACPH) refractaria a corticoides. La enfermedad de injerto contra huésped (GVHD, por sus siglas en inglés) es un desorden inflamatorio multisistémico, potencialmente mortal, que puede ocurrir tras el trasplante de un órgano o tejido. La GVHD ocurre porque las células T del donante fallan en reconocer los antígenos de histocompatibilidad principales del receptor y, por lo tanto, empiezan a atacarlo; produciendo una reacción inflamatoria exagerada. Durante el trasplante alogénico de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas (TACPH) se transfiere una mayor cantidad de células T maduras e inmunocompetentes. Por este motivo, el GVHD es más frecuente en pacientes post-TACPH que en pacientes con trasplante de órganos sólidos o de médula ósea. TECNOLOGÍA SANITARIA DE INTERÉS: Ibrutinib: Ibrutinib es un inhibidor irreversible de la tirosina quinasa de Bruton y la quinasa inducible por interleucina 2, las cuales activan las vías de señalización de los receptores de células B y células T, respectivamente (Ramachandran, Kolli, y Strowd 2019). Al inhibir estas vías, la activación, diferenciación y proliferación de células B y células T no se producirá; y en consecuencia se podrá manejar la respuesta anti-inflamatoria, la vía pro-fibrótica y la producción de anticuerpos anti-receptor (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 2012; Jaglowski y Blazar 2018). METODOLOGÍA: Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura con respecto a la eficacia y seguridad del esquema ibrutinib + corticoides en el tratamiento de pacientes adultos con cGVHD post-TACPH refractaria a corticoides. Se realizó tanto una búsqueda sistemática como una búsqueda manual en las páginas web de grupos dedicados a la investigación y educación en salud que elaboran guías de práctica clínica (GPC) y evaluaciones de tecnologías sanitarias (ETS). RESULTADOS: La presente evaluación de tecnología sanitaria muestra la evidencia encontrada luego de una búsqueda sistemática, con respecto a la eficacia y seguridad del esquema ibrutinib + corticoides, en términos de: sobrevida global, tasa de respuesta total, calidad de vida, reducción/descontinuación de corticoides e incidencia de eventos adversos, en comparación con tratamientos basados en corticoides e inmunosupresores en pacientes adultos con cGVHD post-TACPH refractaria a corticoides. Al respecto, se identificó una guía de práctica clínica (GPC) sobre el manejo de cGVHD y un ensayo clínico (EC) fase Ib/II, sin grupo de comparación, que evalúa la eficacia y seguridad de ibrutinib en el tratamiento de pacientes con cGVHD y falla al tratamiento con corticoides. La GPC publicada por la Sociedad Francófona de Trasplante de Médula Ósea y Terapia Celular (SFGM-TC, por sus siglas en francés) señala que en pacientes con cGVHD no existe un tratamiento de segunda línea de referencia, pero presenta una lista de 20 alternativas de tratamiento, entre medicamentos y otros procedimientos. Aunque el grado de recomendación de estas alternativas es bajo (grado C), muchas de estas alternativas también han sido recomendadas por otras dos GPC publicadas antes de la aprobación de ibrutinib para el tratamiento de cGVHD. La GPC de la SFGM-TC no presenta una descripción detallada de la metodología utilizada para selección de la evidencia y la formulación de las recomendaciones; sin embargo, la consistencia con las recomendaciones de otras GPC internacionales les confiere cierto grado de confianza. CONCLUSIONES: El equipo técnico del IETSI valoró los siguientes aspectos: i) La cGVHD es una condición relativamente frecuente que puede ser mortal si no es tratada ii) La evidencia disponible es escasa e insuficiente para disipar la incertidumbre sobre la eficacia de ibrutinib en el tratamiento de pacientes con cGVHD refractaria a corticoides, iii) Aproximadamente, la mitad de pacientes del único EC disponible a la fecha descontinuó el tratamiento por eventos adversos, muerte o progresión de la enfermedad, iv) La ausencia de estudios que comparen el esquema ibrutinib + corticoides con otros esquemas de tratamiento impiden formular conclusiones sobre la superioridad de ibrutinib en eficacia y seguridad y v) Actualmente, existen otras alternativas disponibles en ESSALUD que también son recomendadas por las GPC internacionales. El Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación - IETSI no aprueba el uso de ibrutinib para el tratamiento de pacientes adultos con cGVHD, post-TACPH refractaria a corticoides.

Perfil de Utilização de Imunossupressores para Profilaxia de Doença Enxerto versus Hospedeiro em Pacientes Submetidos ao Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoiéticas / Utilization Profile of Immunosuppressants for Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis in Patients Submitted to Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Perfil de Uso de Inmunosupresores para Profilaxis de Enfermedad Injerto versus Huésped en Pacientes Sometidos al Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas

Introdução: Imunossupressores apresentam alta toxicidade associada à estreita faixa terapêutica, devendo-se ter controle de níveis séricos. Assim, é necessário o estudo de utilização de medicamentos em clínicas que os utilizam, fornecendo uma visão geral de seu consumo e uso racional em uma dada população. Objetivo: Identificar o perfil de utilização de imunossupressores para profilaxia de doença enxerto versus hospedeiro em pacientes submetidos a transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas, em um centro de transplante de medula óssea. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado em um centro de transplante de medula óssea brasileiro. Os imunossupressores utilizados em 2017 foram classificados segundo um sistema de classificação internacional; seu consumo, expresso em dose diária definida; e seus protocolos, analisados segundo as Diretrizes para profilaxia de doença do enxerto contra hospedeiro do Consenso da Sociedade Brasileira de Transplante de Medula Óssea de 2015. Resultados: O regime de condicionamento mieloablativo foi o mais frequente (51,7%). O protocolo de imunossupressão mais prescrito foi ciclosporina com metotrexato (37,9%). Dos 29 pacientes elegíveis, 23 (79,3%) tiveram protocolos seguindo as recomendações do Consenso de 2015. Metotrexato, ciclosporina intravenosa e micofenolato foram responsáveis por 85,64% do consumo. Conclusão: Neste trabalho, só foi possível identificar um perfil de uso de imunossupressores e realizar comparações dentro da instituição, em virtude da escassez de estudos de utilização desses medicamentos. Portanto, novos estudos devem ser realizados, a fim de promover seu uso racional e elaborar políticas públicas com acesso a esses medicamentos.

Introduction: Immunosuppressants have high toxicity associated to a narrow therapeutic range, and serum levels should be controlled. Thus, it is necessary to study the use of drugs in clinics that use them, providing an overview of their intake and rational use in a given population. Objective: Identify the profile of the use of immunosuppressants for prophylaxis of graft versus host disease in patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a bone marrow transplant center. Method: It is a cross-sectional study performed at a Brazilian bone marrow transplant facility. The immunosuppressants used in 2017 were classified according to an international classification system, their intake expressed in defined daily dose and their protocols analyzed according to the "Consenso da Sociedade Brasileira de Transplante de Medula Óssea" of 2015. Results:The myeloablative conditioning regimen was the most frequent (51.7%). The most prescribed immunosuppressive protocol was cyclosporine with methotrexate (37.9%). Of the 29 eligible patients, 23 (79.3%) had protocols following the 2015 "Consenso" recommendations. Methotrexate, intravenous cyclosporine and mycophenolate were responsible for 85.64% of the intake. Conclusion: In this study, it was only possible to identify a profile of use of immunosuppressants and compare within the institution due to the scarcity of studies about the use of these drugs. Therefore, new studies should be conducted to promote their rational use and to develop public policies with access to these drugs.

Introducción: Inmunosupresores presentan una alta toxicidad asociada a la estrecha banda terapéutica, debiendo tener control de niveles séricos y alta vigilancia en cuanto a toxicidad y efectividad. Así, es necesario el estudio de uso de medicamentos en clínicas que los utilizan, proporcionando una visión general de su consumo en una determinada población. Objetivo: Identificar el perfil de uso de Inmunosupresores para profilaxia de enfermedad injerto contra huésped en pacientes sometidos al trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas en un centro de trasplante de médula ósea. Método: Se trata de un estudio transversal realizado en un centro brasileño de trasplante de médula ósea. Los Inmunosupresores utilizados en 2017 se clasificaron según un sistema de clasificación internacional, su consumo expresado en Dosis Diaria Definida y sus protocolos analizados según el consenso de la sociedad brasileña de trasplante de médula ósea de 2015. Resultados: El régimen de condicionamiento mieloablativo fue el más frecuente (51,7%). El protocolo de inmunosupresión más prescrito fue ciclosporina con metotrexato (37,9%). De 29 pacientes elegibles, 23 (79,3%) tuvieron protocolos siguiendo recomendaciones del consenso de 2015. Metotrexato, ciclosporina intravenosa y micofenolato fueron responsables del 85,64% del consumo. Conclusión: En este trabajo, sólo fue posible identificar un perfil de uso de Inmunosupresores y realizar comparaciones dentro de la institución debido a la escasez de estudios de utilización de esos medicamentos. Por lo tanto, nuevos estudios deben ser realizados a fin de promover su uso racional y elaborar políticas públicas con acceso a esos medicamentos.

Desafíos terapéuticos en la enfermedad injerto contra huésped / Therapeutic challenges in graft versus host disease

La enfermedad injerto contra huésped es una entidad en la cual las células inmunológicas competentes de un tejido injertado reconocen y dañan antígenos presentes en el receptor del trasplante, que es incapaz de defenderse de ellas. Es una complicación frecuente del trasplante alogénico de médula ósea, y con menor frecuencia se produce luego de trasplantes de órganos sólidos o transfusiones de hemoderivados no irradiados. Se comunica el caso de una paciente de sexo femenino de 23 años, con leucemia linfoblástica aguda.y trasplante alogénico de médula ósea, que presentó una enfermedad injerto contra huésped con compromiso cutáneo y gastrointestinal dependiente de corticoides, con mejoría de los signos y síntomas cutáneos luego del tratamiento con infliximab y fotoféresis extracorpórea. (AU)

Graft versus host disease is an entity in which competent grafted immune cells recognize and damage tissue antigens present in the transplant recipient, who is unable to defend from them. It is one of the most serious complications in patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, although less frequently it may be associated with solid organ transplants or transfusions of not irradiated blood products. We report the case of a 23 year-old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, that presented graft versus host disease with skin and gastrointestinal involvement, dependent on corticosteroids, that showed improvement in signs and skin symptoms after treatment with infliximab and extracorporeal photopheresis. (AU)

Bacteriemia recurrente por Bordetella bronchiseptica en un paciente con trasplante de medula ósea / Bordetella bronchiseptica recurrent bacteraemia in a patient with bone marrow transplantation

Se reporta un caso de bacteriemia recurrente por Bordetella bronchiseptica en un paciente inmunocomprometido con antecedentes de trasplante alogénico de medula ósea por síndrome mielodisplásico, quien ingresó al hospital por síndrome febril. Bordetella bronchiseptica es un agente patógeno veterinario poco común en humanos que afecta principalmente a pacientes inmunocomprometidos y es causa poco frecuente de bacteriemia.

We report a case of recurrent bacteraemia caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica in an immunocompromised patient with a history of allogenic bone marrow transplantation for myelodysplastic syndrome, who was admitted to hospital with febrile syndrome. Bordetella bronchiseptica is an uncommon human pathogen which mainly affects immunocompromised patients, being a rare cause of bacteraemia.

Factors Related to Decreased Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Cancer Survivors

The risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia is known to increase after childhood cancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patterns of bone mineral density (BMD) and to identify factors related to the decreased BMD in childhood cancer survivors. We studied 78 patients (34 boys, 44 girls) treated for childhood cancer. Twenty (25.7%) patients had lumbar BMD (LBMD) standard deviation score (SDS) lower than -2. Nineteen (24.4%) patients had femur neck BMD (FNBMD) SDS lower than -2. The patients treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation had lower LBMD SDS (-1.17 +/- 1.39 vs -0.43 +/- 1.33, P = 0.025). The risk of having LBMD SDS < -2 was higher in the patients treated with glucocorticoid (GC) for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (36.6% vs 13.5%; odds ratio [OR], 3.7; P = 0.020). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, longer duration of GC treatment for GVHD (OR, 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.20) and lower body mass index (BMI) SDS (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.95) were associated with decreased LBMD SDS. These findings suggest that prolonged GC use and reduction in BMI are risk factors for decreased BMD in childhood cancer survivors. Anticipatory follow-up and appropriate treatment are necessary, especially for the patients with risk factors.

Soporte nutricional en el niño con enfermedad de injerto contra huésped / Nutritional support in children with graft versus host disease

La enfermedad injerto contra huésped, generalmente ocurre luego del trasplante de médula ósea alogénico.Puede ser aguda, en dos fases, aferente y eferente; y crónica, que semeja una enfermedad autoinmune. Lasmanifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes son enterocólicas. La prevención es la clave del tratamiento. Su evolución depende de la severidad de las lesiones. El soporte nutricional comprende el aporte adecuado deenergía, macro y micronutrimentos y la interacción fármaco nutrimento. Los beneficios de la inmunonutrición incluyen la disminución del riesgo de infección, el menor tiempo de estancia hospitalaria, y en cuidados intensivos.

Graft versus host disease, usually occurs after bone marrow trasnplantation, allgeneic. It may be acute, intwo phases, afferent and efferent, and chronic, which resembles an autoinmune disease. The most frequentclinical manifestations are enterocolic. Prevention is the key to treatment. Its evolution depends on the severity of injuries. Nutritional support includes adequate intake of energy, macro and micronutrients and nutrient drug interaction. Immunonutrition benefits include reduced risk of infecion, shorter hospital stay, and intensive care.

Enfermedad de injerto contra huésped cutánea en el trasplante alogénico de médula ósea / Cutaneous graft versus host disease after allogenic hematopoyetic stem cell transplantation

Debido al incremento en la utilización del trasplante alogénico de médula ósea como terapéutica, es cada vez más frecuente observar la enfermedad injerto contra huésped como una de sus complicaciones de mayor relevancia. Ésta suele ser una causa importante de morbimortalidad en los pacientes trasplantados. Las manifestaciones cutáneas generalmente son las primeras en aparecer, y tanto su forma aguda como crónica presentan una gran variedad clínica. El objetivo de este trabajo es revisar la etiología, las características clínicas e histopatológicas, el diagnóstico y la terapéutica de la enfermedad de injerto contra huésped cutánea.

Defecation of a "colon cast" as a rare presentation of acute graft-versus-host disease

Diffuse involvement of the gastrointestinal tract by graft versus host disease [GVHD] is a common complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant [HSCT]. Gastrointestinal GVHD usually presents 3 or more weeks after HSCT and is characterized by profuse diarrhea, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a case of a 23-year-old male who had undergone allogeneic HSCT and presented with bloody diarrhea on the 90th day post-HSCT. On the fourth day of admission, the patient passed per rectum a 27-cm long pinkish colored fleshy material recognized as a "colon cast". Sigmoidoscopy showed a congested and erythematous rectum with the remaining portion of the "colon cast" attached to the proximal part of the sigmoid colon. A biopsy from the rectal wall was suggestive of grade IV GVHD. The patient was treated with methylprednisolone, cyclosporin and mycophenolate mofetil, with a partial response [diarrhea and abdominal pain improved], but then he developed multiple other medical complications and died after 3 months

Enfermedad injerto contra huésped (EICH): caso clínico con expresión en mucosa bucal / Gran versus host disease with oral involvement: report of one case

Gran versus Host Disease (GVHD) is a common complication in allogenic bone marrow transplants and in some cases, it involves the oral mucosa. Therefore, the appropriate diagnosis and timely treatment is essential to prevent ¡ocal complications which interfere with normal oral functions and facilitate infection spread. We report a 17 years old woman with GVHD associated to ¡ichenoid and ulcerative ¡essions in the oral mucosa, which responded to the topical administration of a 0.1 percent tacrolimus ointment.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-a for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation has been increasingly performed for a variety of hematologic diseases. Clinically significant acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurs in 9 to 50 percent of patients who receive allogeneic grafts, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. There is no standard therapy for patients with acute GVHD who do not respond to steroids. Studies have shown a possible benefit of anti-TNF-a (infliximab)for the treatment of acute GVHD. We report here on the outcomes of 10 recipients of related or unrelated stem cell transplants who received 10 mg/kg infliximab, iv, once weekly for a median of 3.5 doses (range: 1-6) for the treatment of severe acute GVHD and who were not responsive to standard therapy. All patients had acute GVHD grades II to IV (II = 2, III = 3, IV = 5). Overall, 9 patients responded and 1 patient had progressive disease. Among the responders, 3 had complete responses and 6 partial responses. All patients with cutaneous or gastrointestinal involvement responded, while only 2 of 6 patients with liver disease showed any response. None of the 10 patients had any kind of immediate toxicity. Four patients died, all of them with sepsis. Six patients are still alive after a median follow-up time of 544 days (92-600) after transplantation. Considering the severity of the cases and the bad prognosis associated with advanced acute GVHD, we find our results encouraging. Anti-TNF-a seems to be a useful agent for the treatment of acute GVHD.

Extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease of skin successfully treated with thalidomide.

Thirty years female underwent allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for chronic myeloid leukaemia--chronic phase. She developed grade II acute skin graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) which was treated with cyclosporine and a short course of steroids. She developed extensive chronic GVHD of the skin and liver three hundred days post-transplant. She was managed with the standard immunosuppressants with partial response of liver dysfunction but no response of skin lesions. She showed a good response to therapy with resolution of skin lesions after treatment with thalidomide.

Enfermedad injerto contra huésped crónica / Chronic graft versus host disease

Antecedentes: La enfermedad injerto contra huésped (EIVH) se produce cuando las células inmunocompetentes del donante generan una reacción inflamatoria contra un tejido del huésped inmunodeprimido, la cual compromete la piel, el hígado, la mucosa oral y ocular, y el tracto gastrointestinal. En la piel las manifestaciones son múltiples, secuenciales e indicadoras del pronóstico de la enfermedad. Objetivo: presentar la evolución clínica completa, durante dos años de control evolutivo, de una enfermedad injerto contra huésped crónica desarrollada en una paciente de sexo masculino, de 17 años, con trasplante de médula ósea (stem cells) alogénico periférico, HLA idéntico emparentado (hermana), para que las lesiones sean reconocidas y diagnosticadas por los dermatólogos. Diseño: se registraron día a día, durante dos años, todas las manifestaciones dermatológicas que fueron surgiendo a lo largo del tiempo, como también las transformaciones de las lesiones típicas de la fase temprana o liquenoide de la enfermedad, en lesiones esclerodermiformes características de la fase tardía.Materiales y métodos: las lesiones fueron confirmadas con estudios histopatológicos. Se realizaron exámenes complementarios específicos que demostraron el compromiso sistemático en el paciente. Resultados: se registró la evolución completa de una enfermedad injerto contra huésped crónica; se confirmó afección en la piel, hepática, ocular y de la mucosa oral. Conclusiones: destacamos la importancia para los médicos dermatólogos de conocer las múltiples manifestaciones cutáneas en las distintas etapas de la enfermedad injerto contra huésped crónica, ya que sus manifestaciones en piel son prioritarias e indicadoras del pronóstico de la enfermedad

Membranous Glomerulopathy as a Manifestation of Chronic Graft-versus-Host-Disease After Non-myeloablative Stem Cell Transplantation in a Patient with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) using related or unrelated donor could eradicate paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) clones and may cure the disease. Chronic graft-versus host disease (GVHD) is a major complication of patients who have undergone allo-SCT. Nephrotic syndrome has been described as one of the rare manifestations of chronic GVHD following the usual myeloablative allo-SCT. We report a case of nephrotic syndrome that developed 25 months after non-myeloablative allo-SCT for PNH. The patient had grade II acute GVHD and extensive chronic GVHD after non-myeloablative allo-SCT. Typically the patient presented with preserved renal function and full nephrotic syndrome including generalized edema, proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and hypercholesterolemia. Renal biopsy revealed findings of membranous glomerulopathy (MG). The patient is alive with a stable engraftment and full donor chimerism under the administration of tacrolimus for control of chronic GVHD and MG without refractory hemolysis and cytopenia.