ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Cryopreservation of grafts is not common practice in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. However, our center had to use cryopreserved cells for allogeneic HSCT during the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid delays in transplantation due to uncertainty regarding patient and donor exposures. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively evaluated post-transplant engraftment and survival outcomes of adult patients who received cryopreserved versus fresh allografts during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients with hematologic malignancies received either cryopreserved (n = 34) or fresh (n = 21) allogeneic HSCT using peripheral blood stem cells between January 2020 and December 2020. At a median follow-up time of 15 months, cryopreserved allograft recipients had significantly lower overall survival (OS) (p = 0.02). They also experienced significantly delayed neutrophil (p = 0.01) and platelet engraftments (p < 0.0001), as well as higher red blood cell transfusion-dependence after day + 60 (67.6% vs. 28.6%; p = 0.01). Significantly more cryopreserved allograft recipients received donor lymphocyte infusion than fresh allograft recipients (35.3% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.01). Neither relapse-free survival nor non-relapse mortality differed significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Cryopreservation of allografts in combination with post-transplant cyclophosphamide may negatively affect engraftment and OS outcomes in HSCT recipients.
ABSTRACT
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue “The Entrepreneurship Challenges in Latin America”.Design/methodology/approachLatin America and the Caribbean is a region with many potentialities. Like one of the largest markets in the world, entrepreneurship activities can constitute a key element to enhance regional competitiveness.FindingsThis study makes a general overview of entrepreneurship dynamics in Latin America and its contexts. This study presents the eight manuscripts that constitute the special issue.Originality/valueThis study contributes to current academic conversations and highlights the relevance of continuing inquiring about the entrepreneurship phenomena at the regional level.Contribution to impactThis study expects that this special issue will help the region’s scholarly entrepreneurship community and others interested in Latin America. This study also believes that this special issue manuscript makes a relevant contribution to policy and practice.