Effect of Eltrombopag on Response to Immunosuppressive Therapy in Patients with Transfusion-Dependent Non-Severe Aplastic Anemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the efficacy of eltrombopag combined with cyclosporine A (CsA) and CsA alone in patients with transfusion-dependent non-severe aplastic anemia (TD-NSAA).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 76 patients with treatment-naive TD-NSAA in Ningde Municipal Hospital of Ningde Normal University and Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from December 2017 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 45 cases were treated with eltrombopag combined with CsA, and 31 patients with compatible baseline characters were treated with CsA alone. The efficacy of patients between the two groups was compared, and the factors affecting the curative effects were also analyzed.@*RESULTS@#There were significant differences in hematological response (HR) and complete response(CR) rates between the two groups at 3, 6, 12 months, and follow-up endpoint of treatment (P<0.05). With the prolongation of eltrombopag treatment time, the curative effect increased gradually, and the patients achieved more CR and HR rates by the end of the follow-up period. Simultaneously, with the increase in the maximum stable dose of eltrombopag, the HR rate increased gradually. The megakaryocyte count in eltrombopag group was higher than that in control at 6 and 12 months (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the median time of platelet transfusion independence in eltrombopag group was more shorter (P=0.018), and the median platelets transfusion volume was lower (P=0.009). At 3, 6, 12 months after eltrombopag, the change of platelet in eltrombopag group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Analysis of related factors affecting the efficacy showed that sex, age, iron overload, platelet count before treatment had no effect on the efficacy, and the median maximum stable dosage and the administration period for eltrombopag were related to the curative effect. The patients of eltrombopag group experienced adverse events of varying degrees, but the reactions were mild and mostly tolerated.@*CONCLUSION@#Eltrombopag can effectively improve the hematopoietic response and promote platelet recovery for TD-NSAA patients with relatively more residual hematopoietic cells, and it is safe and well tolerated.

The Characteristics of T Lymphocyte Reconstitution after Haploid Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in SAA and Its Relationship with aGVHD / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the recovery characteristics of T cell subsets in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) who received haploid hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT) and its relationship with acute graft-versus-host disease(aGVHD).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 29 SAA patients who received haploid hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the department of hematology, Shanxi Bethune Hospital from June 2018 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The absolute counts of CD3+T, CD4+T, CD8+T lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4+T/CD8+T lymphocytes in all patients before transplantation, 14, 21, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after transplantation were analyzed. The proportion of T lymphocytes was compared in the non-aGVHD group, the grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ aGVHD group and the grade III-IV aGVHD group.@*RESULTS@#The counts of all T cells in 27 patients were far below the normal level at 14 and 21 days after transplantation, but there was obvious heterogeneity. There was a certain relationship between T cell immune reconstitution and conditioning regimen, age, and immunosuppressive treatment before transplantation. CD3+T cells showed a steady upward trend at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after transplantation, and returned to the normal levels at 120 days after transplantation; faster recovery of CD4+T cells was closely related to aGVHD, which was at 30, 60, 90, 120 days after transplantation showed a slow upward trend, and which was still far below the normal level of 120 days after transplantation. CD8+T cell counts began to recover at 14 and 21 days after transplantation, and the recovery was earlier than the CD4+T cells, and its recovery speed was rapid 30 and 60 days after transptantation, which showed an upward trend and exceeded the normal levels 90 days after transplantation. Since CD8+ T cells reconstituted quickly, while the CD4+ T cells reconstitution was slowly, which made the long-term CD4+T/CD8+T cell ratio after transplantation was inverted . Compared with the non-aGVHD group, the absolute counts of CD3+T, CD4+T, and CD8+T cells in the aGVHD group were significantly higher than those in the non-aGVHD group at each time period after transplantation. In the aGVHD group, grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ aGVHD occurred more frequently in the early post-transplantation period (within 14-21 days), the grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ aGVHD group mostly occurred within 30-90 days after transplantation, and CD3+T, CD4+T, CD8+T cell counts in the grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ aGVHD group were significantly higher than those in the grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ aGVHD group; and the greater the proportion of CD4+T, the more severe the degree of aGVHD.@*CONCLUSION@#The speed of T cell immune reconstitution after SAA haploid transplantation is different, which is related to the conditioning regimen, age, and immunosuppressive therapy before transplantation. The rapid recovery of CD4+ T cells is closely related to the occurrence of aGVHD.

Efficacy and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of 28 patients with hepatitis-related aplastic anemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for hepatitis-related aplastic anemia (HRAA) patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia patients who received haplo-HSCT at our center between January 2012 and June 2022. October 30, 2022 was the final date of follow-up. Results: This study included 28 HRAA patients receiving allo-HSCT, including 18 males (64.3% ) and 10 females (35.7% ), with a median age of 25.5 (9-44) years. About 17 cases of severe aplastic anemia (SAA), 10 cases of very severe aplastic anemia (VSAA), and 1 case of transfusion-dependent aplastic anemia (TD-NSAA) were identified. Among 28 patients, 15 patients received haplo-HSCT, and 13 received MSD-HSCT. The 2-year overall survival (OS) rate, the 2-year failure-free survival (FFS) rate, the 2-year transplant-related mortality (TRM) rate, the 100-day grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) cumulative incidence rate, and the 2-year chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) cumulative incidence rate were 81.4%, 81.4% (95% CI 10.5% -20.6% ), 14.6% (95% CI 5.7% -34.3% ), 25.0% (95% CI 12.8% -45.4% ), and 4.2% (95% CI 0.6% -25.4% ), respectively. After transplantation, all patients had no significant liver function damage. Compared with the MSD-HSCT group, only the incidence of cytomegaloviremia was significantly higher in the haplo-HSCT group [60.0% (95% CI 35.2% -84.8% ) vs 7.7% (95% CI 0-22.2% ), P=0.004]. No statistically significant difference in the Epstein-Barr virus was found in the 2-year OS, 2-year FFS, 2-year TRM, and 100-day grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD cumulative incidence rates and 2-year cGVHD cumulative incidence rate. Conclusion: Allo-HSCT is safe and effective for HRAA, and haplo-HSCT can be used as a safe and effective alternative for newly diagnosed HRAA patients who cannot obtain HLA-matched sibling donors.

Clinical Study of Haploid Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Combined with Post-transplant Cyclophosphamide in Severe Aplastic Anemia Patients / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical effect of haploid allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(haplo-HSCT) in the treatment of severe aplastic anemia (SAA), and to explore the efficacy different between post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PT/Cy) and standard-dose ATG.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 38 patients with SAA in our hospital from January 2012 to December 2019 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The efficacy was evaluated. The patients with haplo-HSCT were divided into low-dose ATG combined with PT/Cy group and standard-dose ATG group, and the blood cell hematopoietic reconstruction time, GVHD incidence, mortality and survival time of the patients in the two groups was compared.@*RESULTS@#Among the 32 patients, hematopoietic reconstitution were detected in 9375%(30/32) recipients. The median time of neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 15(10-22) days and 13(7-30) days, respectively. The incidence of GVHD was 21.89%, the incidence of infection was 93.75%, and the 2-year overall survival rate was 84.38%. The hematopoietic reconstitution time, incidence of GVHD, mortality rate and survival time were no statistical differences between the patients in the two groups(all P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Haplo-HSCT is an effective method for the treatment of SAA，low-dose ATG combined with PT/Cy can lighten the economic burden on patients, it would be a feasible treatment plan for SAA with light side effect.

Outcomes of haploidentical bone marrow transplantation in patients with severe aplastic anemia-II that progressed from non-severe acquired aplastic anemia / 医学前沿

Severe aplastic anemia II (SAA-II) progresses from non-severe aplastic anemia (NSAA). The unavailability of efficacious treatment has prompted the need for haploidentical bone marrow transplantation (haplo-BMT) in patients lacking a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched donor. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of haplo-BMT for patients with SAA-II. Twenty-two patients were included and followed up, and FLU/BU/CY/ATG was used as conditioning regimen. Among these patients, 21 were successfully engrafted, 19 of whom survived after haplo-BMT. Four patients experienced grade II-IV aGvHD, including two with grade III-IV aGvHD. Six patients experienced chronic GvHD, among whom four were mild and two were moderate. Twelve patients experienced infections during BMT. One was diagnosed with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder and one with probable EBV disease, and both recovered after rituximab infusion. Haplo-BMT achieved 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival rate of 86.4% ± 0.73% after a median follow-up of 42 months, indicating its effectiveness as a salvage therapy. These promising outcomes may support haplo-BMT as an alternative treatment strategy for patients with SAA-II lacking HLA-matched donors.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), and preliminarily explore the role of an improved post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) based conditioning regimen in PNH patients receiving transplantation.@*METHODS@#Clinical related data of PNH sufferers receiving allo-HSCT in Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology were collected, and hematopoietic reconstitution, chimerism, PNH cloning, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), infection, and survival were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Totally five PNH patients receiving allo-HSCT were enrolled, including 1 case with classic PNH, 3 cases with aplastic anemia-PNH syndrome, 1 case with myelodysplastic syndrome, three of them (case 1-3) received the improved PTCy based conditioning regimen before HSCT. All sufferers engrafted successfully within 28 days, the median time of neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 11 days and 12 days, respectively, no patient occurred acute or chronic GVHD, after a median follow-up of 16 months, all recipients survived and completely eliminated PNH cloning.@*CONCLUSION@#Allo-HSCT can completely clear PNH cloning and restore hematopoietic function with controllable complications, and the improved PTCy based conditioning regimen is proved to be effective in PNH transplantation.

Research advances on haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of severe aplastic anemia in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a recommended alternative therapy for children with severe aplastic anemia who lack a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling donor and do not respond well to immunosuppressive therapy; however, due to non-identical HLA, the patients may have donor-specific anti-HLA antibody, which may lead to a relatively high incidence rate of poor graft function. Compared with HLA-identical transplantation, conditioning regimen for haploidentical transplantation still needs to be explored. This article reviews the detection and treatment of donor-specific anti-HLA antibody, the selection of conditioning regimen, and the mechanism and treatment of poor graft function in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

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)

The role of mesenchymal stem cells in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with refractory severe aplastic anemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with refractory severe aplastic anemia (R-SAA) . Method: The clinical data of 25 R-SAA patients receiving co-transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells combined with peripheral blood stem cells from sibling donors (10 cases) and unrelated donors (15 cases) from March 2010 to July 2018 in Zhengzhou University Affiliated Tumor Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) treatment was ineffective/relapsed in 11 cases, and cyclosporine (CsA) treatment ineffective/relapsed in 14 cases. Results: There were 13 male and 12 female among these patients. One patient had a primary graft failure, one patient had a poorly engraftment of platelets, and the remaining 23 patients achieved hematopoietic engraftment. The median time of granulocyte engraftment was 12.5 (10-23) days and 15 (11-25) days for megakaryocyte. Incidences of grade Ⅰ/Ⅱ acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) were 37.5% (9/24) and 21.7% (5/23) , respectively. There was no severe GVHD and no severe complications that related to transplantation. 21 of 25 (84%) patients were alive with a median follow-up of 22.9 (1.6-107.8) months. The 5-year overall survival rate after transplantation was (83.6±7.5) %. Conclusion: The combination of mesenchymal stem cells is reliable and safe in the treatment of R-SAA in peripheral blood stem cell transplantation of unrelated donors and sibling donors, which could significantly reduce the incidence of GVHD and severe transplantation-related complications.

Outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria compared to paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria-aplastic anemia syndrome / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To compare the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria-aplastic anemia (PNH-AA) syndrome. Methods: The outcomes of 46 patients who received allo-HSCT (16 PNH patients, 30 PNH-AA patients) from July 10, 2007 to June 2, 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The conditioning regimen was busulfan, cyclophosphoramide, and ATG in haploidentical donors and unrelated donors. Patients with matched sibling donors were treated with the fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and ATG regimen. Results: There were no differences of baseline data between the 2 groups except gender distribution and the numbers of haploidentical donor transplantation. The median values of absolute nucleated cell counts were 10.58 (3.83-13.83) ×10(8)/kg in the PNH group and 10.81 (3.96-33.40) ×10(8)/kg in the PNH-AA group (P=0.668) . The median doses of CD34(+) cells infused were 5.00 (3.14-8.42) ×10(6)/kg and 3.57 (1.97-6.17) ×10(6)/kg (P=0.002) , respectively. All patients obtained complete engraftment. The median time for myeloid engraftment were 11 (7-14) days in the PNH group and 12 (10-26) days in the PNH-AA group (P=0.003) . The median time for platelet engraftment were 13 (11-16) days and 18 (12-75) days (P=0.002) , respectively, after a median follow-up of 36 (4-132) months in the PNH group and 26 (4-75) months in the PNH-AA group (P=0.428) . There were no differences of incidence rates of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) , chronic GVHD and infection between PNH and PNH-AA groups (P>0.05) . No patient occurred early death and relapse. The estimated 3-year overall survival (OS) of PNH and PNH-AA groups were (100.0±0.0) % and (85.7± 6.6) % (P=0.141) , GVHD-free and failure-free survival (GFFS) were (100.0±0.0) %, (78.7±7.7) % (P=0.067) . Conclusions: allo-HSCT is effective for patients with PNH and PNH-AA syndrome. The preliminary results indicate that myeloid and platelet engraftment in PNH group were faster than PNH-AA group. There were no differences in OS and GFFS between PNH group and PNH-AA group.

Aplasia medular adquirida y embarazo. caso clínico / Acquired aplastic anemia during pregnancy. report of one case

Aplastic anemia (AA) or acquired aplastic anemia is an uncommon and potentially fatal disease. It is defined as reduction of at least two peripheral blood series, associated with persistent bone marrow hypocellularity. It's association with pregnancy is even more uncommon, and it may result in high mortality for the mother and the child. We report an adolescent female with aplastic anemia, which worsened during pregnancy. Her hemoglobin was 5.2 g/dl, her leukocytes were 1,833/ul and her platelets were 19,000/ul. She was initially treated with cyclosporine and horse antithymocyte globulin without hematologic improvement. At 36 weeks of pregnancy methylprednisolone and platelet transfusions were used and a cesarean section was performed. Six month later she continues to require red blood cell and platelet transfusions.

Outcome of combination of HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic SCT with an unrelated cord blood unit for 127 patients with acquired severe aplastic anemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of combination of haploidentical donor (HID) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with an unrelated cord blood unit for severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Methods: The clinical data of 127 SAA patients [including 74 male and 53 female patients, 65 very severe aplastic anemia (vSAA), the median age as 23.5(3-54) years] received HID-HSCT from September 2011 to April 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The median interval from SAA diagnosis to transplantation was 2 (0.5-180) months. The conditioning was modified Bu/Cy+ATG/ALG-based (Busulfan + cyclophosphamide + antithymocyte immunoglobulin/antilymphocyte immunoglobulin) regimen. Cord blood units were selected based on the results of HLA typing and cell doses evaluated before freezing. Units with at least 4/6 matched HLA loci became the candidates. Prophylaxis for graft-versus host disease (GVHD) was by cyclosporine (CsA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) plus short-term methotrexate (MTX). Results: The median values of absolute nucleated cell counts were 10.87 (3.61-24.00)×10(8)/kg in the haploidentical grafts and 2.22 (1.10-7.30)×10(7)/kg in the cord blood units, respectively. The median doses of CD34(+) cells infused were 3.49(1.02-8.89) ×10(6)/kg in the haploidentical grafts and 0.56 (0.16-2.27) ×10(5)/kg in the cord blood units, respectively. Of the 127 patients, 5 patients occurred early death, one patient occurred primary graft failure. All 121 surviving patients attained complete haploidentical engraftment. The median durations of myeloid engraftment were 11 (9-28) days and 15 (9-330) days for platelets, with a cumulative platelet engraftment incidence of 96.1%. The incidence of infection was 58.27% (74/127). During a median follow-up of 20.5 (4-60) months, the incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute GVHD was 24.79% (30/121), moderate-severe chronic GVHD was 14.15% (15/106), 4-year estimated overall survival was (78.5±4.3) %, 4-year estimated failure-free survival was (77.4±4.3) %, respectively. Conclusion: Combination of HID-HSCT and an unrelated umbilical cord blood unit was a feasible choice with favorable outcome for SAA patients without matched donors.

Impact on platelet recovery of recombinant human thrombopoietin in severe aplastic anemia patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To investigate and analyze the impact on PLT recovery of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) in severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods: A retrospective analysis of Hematology Division of General Hospital of Jinan Military Command was conducted in the 85 SAA cases who treated with allo-HSCT from January 2010 to March 2017. According to the administration of medicines for platelets, 85 patients were divided into rhTPO group (n=29), rhIL-11 group (n=27) and blank group (n=29), respectively. The median time of PLT ≥20×109/L, PLT ≥50×109/L, and PLT ≥100×109/L, the numbers of megakaryocytes in marrow smear (25±5) days after transplantation and the quantities of platelet transfusion were analyzed retrospectively. The adverse events of rhTPO and rhIL-11 groups were observed. Results: There were no significant differences in the recovery of granulocytes and PLT ≥20×109/L among the three groups (P>0.05). The time of PLT ≥50×109/L in rhTPO group was shorter than that in blank group [16.5 (11-39) d vs 22 (14-66) d, P<0.05], as well as the time of PLT ≥100×109/L [rhTPO: 23 (12-51) d; rhIL-11: 28 (12-80) d; blank group: 35 (18-86) d, P<0.05]. Platelet transfusions were also less in rhTPO group than in rhIL-11 and blank groups [20 (10-30) U, 30 (10-50) U, 35 (10-70) U, P<0.05]. The counts of megakaryocyte in rhTPO group, rhIL-11 group and blank group were 31.5 (0-200), 12 (0-142) and 11(0-187) (P<0.05), respectively. The difference between rhTPO group and rhIL-11 group was statistically significant (P<0.05), but no difference between rhIL-11 group and blank group (P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that rhTPO was an independent factor for platelet recovery [HR=4.01 (95%CI 1.81-9.97), P=0.010]. The rhTPO group had no obvious adverse events. Conclusion: rhTPO can promote platelet recovery of SAA patients after allo-HSCT, reduce platelet transfusion with safety.

Comparison of different styles of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as first-line treatment treated with severe aplastic anemia in children and adolescents / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from different donors as first-line treatment for children and adolescents with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) . Methods: The clinical data of 79 children and adolescents with SAA diagnosed from January 2013 to December 2016 in Henan Province were retrospectively analyzed. There were 50 males and 29 females, with a median age of 14(4-18) years. 40 cases received matched sibling transplantation (MSD-HSCT), 17 with unrelated donor transplantation (UD-HSCT), and 22 with haploidentical transplantation (haplo-HSCT). Results: The comparison of MSD-HSCT, UD-HSCT, haplo-HSCT groups was conducted and the median times of neutrophils engraftment were statistically significant [12(9-25) d, 14(10-22) d, 16(11-26) d, respectively (χ2=13.302, P=0.001)], but no difference in+30 d engraftment rate [97.3%(36/37), 100%(15/15), 100%(20/20), χ2=0.959, P=0.619]. The median times of PLT engraftment were not statistically significant [14(6-34)d, 16(7-32)d, 19(10-34)d, respectively, χ2=5.892, P=0.053], and the +30 d engraftment rate had no difference [97.3%(36/37), 100%(15/15), 100%(20/20), χ2=0.959, P=0.619]. The post-transplant infection rate showed no statistically significance [35.0% (14/40), 29.4% (5/17), 45.5% (10/22), χ2=1.158, P=0.560], as well as the incidences of aGVHD, grade III/IV aGVHD and cGVHD(χ2=0.230, P=0.891; χ2=2.628, P=0.269; χ2=3.187, P=0.203). The two-years OS rate was not statistically significant respectively [(77.1±6.7)%, (70.6±11.1)%, (77.3±8.9)%, χ2=0.330, P=0.845]. Severe post-transplant infection (RR=4.617, P=0.009), grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ aGVHD (RR=2.707, P=0.048) were independent risk factors for OS. Conclusion: The overall efficacy of MSD-HSCT, UD-HSCT and haplo-HSCT as first-line therapy for children and adolescents with SAA/VSAA is comparable.

Clinical efficacy and safety of porcine antihuman lymphocyte immunoglobulin in alternative donor allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for severe aplastic anemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To compare eficacy and safety of porcine antihuman lymphocyte immunoglobulin (pALG) and rabbit antithymocyte immunoglobulin (rATG) as a part of alternative donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AD allo-HSCT) for severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Methods: The clinical data of 46 SAA patients received AD allo-HSCT from January 2006 to November 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The cohort of patients were divided into two groups based on rATG or pALG as a part of conditioning regimen to compare implantation rate, transplantation related complications and outcome. Results: In rATG group 30 patients achieved ANC reconstitution, 27 patients achieved PLT reconstitution. In pALG group all 16 patients achieved ANC and PLT reconstitutions. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) (P=0.475), Ⅲ-Ⅳ grade aGVHD (P=0.876), chronic GVHD (cGVHD) (P=0.309), extensive cGVHD (P=0.687), graft rejection (GR) (P=0.928), bloodstream infection (P=0.443), invasive fungal disease (P=0.829), cytomegalovirus viremia (P=0.095) respectively. Prospective 5-year overall survival (OS) in rATG and pALG groups were (75.1±8.2)% and (53.6±13.3)% with median follow-up of 14(2-102) and 23(4-63) months, respectively (P=0.190). Conclusion: As a part of conditioning regimen, pALG could achieve similar efficacy as rATG, without increasing the incidences of transplantation complications such as GVHD, GR and infection, in the setting of AD allo-HSCT for SAA patients.

Aplastic Anemia and Severe Myelosuppression with Boceprevir or Simeprevir-Containing Hepatitis C Virus Treatment

ABSTRACT The addition of the new protease inhibitors (PIs) to peg-interferon (IFN) and ribavirin (RBV), approved for chronic hepatitis C, has clearly improved sustained virological response (SVR) rates although several adverse events have been reported with this regimens, including mild hematological toxicity. Moreover, severe pancytopenia and aplastic anemia during triple therapy with telaprevir has recently been described in seven patients. We report here two cases of severe agranulocytosis/aplastic anemia using boceprevir or simeprevir in interferon-based combination and 2 additional cases of severe myelosupression in IFN-free therapy with sofosbuvir and simeprevir plus RBV. Our observations suggest that PIs could have a sort of class-effect in developing severe hematologic toxicity or, at least, an additive interaction with other potentially myelotoxic agents such as IFN or RBV that are used in the classical regimens against HCV. Unfortunately, the mechanisms behind this phenomenon are currently unknown. In conclusion, given the lifethreatening character of these complications, close monitoring is mandatory in patients under PIs based therapy to promptly detect serious hematological toxicities and to carefully evaluate treatment discontinuation. Prospective studies assessing the usefulness of RBV in the era of new IFN-free combinations are needed.

Aplasies médullaires de l'enfant au CHU de Brazzaville

Introduction : L'Aplasie Médullaire (AM) est une insuffisance quantitative de l'hématopoïèse responsable d'une pancytopénie avec une moelle osseuse pauvre. Elle peut être constitutionnelle ou acquise (toxique, infectieuse, idiopathique). Si le traitement est bien codifié dans les pays riches avec l'amélioration du pronostic à long terme depuis plusieurs années, cette maladie demeure hautement mortelle dans les pays en voie de développement.Objectif : Etudier les caractéristiques cliniques, thérapeutiques et évolutives de l'AM chez l'enfant au CHU de Brazzaville.Matériels et méthodes : Il s'est agi d'une cohorte historique, réalisée sur la base des dossiers d'enfants hospitalisés pour une AM sur une période de 15 ans (2001- 2015). La classification de CAMITTA avait été utilisée.Résultats : 22 dossiers avaient été retenus. La moyenne d'âge était de 12,16 ans. Le sex-ratio garçon/fille était de 0,8. Les AM étaient toutes idiopathiques. Le syndrome anémique était le principal motif d'admission. Le taux moyen d'hémoglobine était de 4,3 g/dL, celui des polynucléaires neutrophiles de 0,340 Giga/l et celui des plaquettes de 13,2 Giga/l. Seize patients sur 22 (72,72%) souffraient de la forme sévère. Dans 90,90% des cas le traitement était symptomatique (concentrés érythrocytaires et plaquettaires, antibiothérapie) parfois associé à la corticothérapie ; 2 patients/22 (9,10%) ont reçu de la ciclosporine. Le taux de mortalité était de 94,73% après un suivi moyen de 9 semaines.Conclusion : L'AM de l'enfant au CHU de Brazzaville est essentiellement idiopathique et de pronostic redoutable

Efectividad y seguridad de los regímenes de tratamiento que incluyen inmunoglobulina antitimocítica comparados con ciclofosfamida, ciclosporina, danazol y terapia de soporte / Effectiveness and safety of treatment regimens including antithymocyte immunoglobulin compared to cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, danazol and supportive therapy

Introducción: La anemia aplásica es una enfermedad poco común que afecta a 2 de cada 1´000.000 de personas anualmente con igual distribución en hombres y mujeres. Se caracteriza por la sustitución del tejido hematopoyético de la medula ósea por grasa causando una pancitopenia periférica, con diferentes niveles de gravedad, originando un síndrome anémico, hemorragias e infecciones graves que pueden llevar a desenlaces fatales de no recibir tratamiento oportuno. La primera opción de tratamiento en pacientes no compatibles para trasplante de progenitores hematopoyeticos es la terapia inmunosupresora. La evidencia actual sugiere la efectividad del tratamiento con inmunoglobulina antitimocítica en los esquemas de tratamiento. Objetivo: Examinar los beneficios y riesgos del uso de la inmunoglobulina antitimocítica en pacientes con anemia aplásica no hereditaria severa a muy severa. Metodología: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de estudios clinicos incluyendo utilizando las bases de datos MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations y Daily Update) EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects ­ DARE, LILACS y la revisión de publicaciones obtenidas por otros medios comparando el uso de inmunoglobulina antitimocitica en pacientes con anemia aplasica no hereditaria, no candidatos a trasplante de prognitores hematopoyéticos con otros tratamientos inmunosupresores, considerando los resultados en cuanto a tasa de respuesta, sobrevida, recaída y transformación clonal. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 103 publicaciones, 24 fueron tamizadas para valoración de los criterios de inclusión. Tres cumplieron con estos y se evaluaron con las herramientas de la colaboración Cochrane. Todas las referencias reportaron alto riesgo de sesgo. Un ensayo clinico controlado no reportó diferencias significativas para ninguno de los desenlaces evaluados comparando CTX más CsA frente a ATGr más CsA. Uno de los estudios de cohorte reportó una efectividad de 77.8% y sobrevida a 5 años fue de 74.1%. La segunda cohorte reportó respuesta completa (17.7%), respuesta parcial (37.9%) y tasa de respuesta global (55.6%). La recaida fue de 3.2%, la transformacion clonal 0.8% y la sobrevida a 5 años fue 74.7%. Conclusiones: La evidencia sobre la efectividad y seguridad de la inmunoglobulina antitimocitica es limitada y de baja calidad. Con los hallazgos obtenidos en esta revision no es posible determinar la superioridad de esta tecnología frente a otras opciones de tratamiento disponibles.(AU)

Outcome of children with severe acquired aplastic anemia treated with rabbit antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporine A, / Resultado de crianças com anemia aplástica grave adquirida tratadas com globulina antitimocítica de coelho e ciclosporina A,

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of children with severe acquired aplastic anemia treated with rabbit antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporine as first-line treatment at this institution. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 26 pediatric patients with aplastic anemia, treated between 1996 and 2011 with rabbit antithymocyte globulin plus cyclosporine. Results: The overall response rate at six months was 34.6% (9/26), and the cumulative incidence of relapse was 26.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4%-66%) at 5 years. The cumulative incidence of clonal evolution after immunosuppressive therapy was 8.3% (95% CI: 0.001%-53.7%) at five years with both clonal evolutions in non-responders who acquired monosomy 7 karyotype. The overall survival at five years was 73.6% (95% CI: 49.2%-87.5%). Conclusions: The present results confirm the poor response rate with rabbit antithymocyte globulin as first therapy in pediatrics patients, similar to what has been reported for patients of all ages. This confirmation is problematic in Brazil, given the lack of horse antithymocyte globulin in many markets outside the United States. .

Objetivo: Avaliar o resultado de crianças com anemia aplástica grave adquirida tratadas com globulina antitimocítica de coelho e ciclosporina como tratamento inicial em nosso instituto. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva de 26 pacientes pediátricos com anemia aplástica tratados entre 1996 e 2011 com globulina antitimocítica de coelho e ciclosporina. Resultados: A taxa de resposta geral em seis meses foi de 34,6% (9/26), e a incidência acumulada de recorrência foi de 26,5% (intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95%,1,4%-66%) em cinco anos. A incidência acumulada de evolução clonal após a terapia imunossupressora foi de 8,3% (IC 95%, 0,001%-53,7%) em cinco anos, com ambas as evoluções clonais em pacientes sem resposta que adquiriram o cariótipo com monossomia 7. A sobrevida geral em cinco anos foi de 73,6% (IC 95%, 49,2%-87,5%). Conclusões: Nossos resultados confirmam a baixa taxa de resposta com globulina antitimocítica de coelho como terapia inicial em pacientes pediátricos, da mesma forma como relatado para pacientes de todas as idades. Essa confirmação é problemática em nosso país devido à falta de globulina antitimocítica de cavalo em muitos mercados fora dos Estados Unidos, incluindo o Brasil. .