Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with cardiac dysfunction: feasibility and reversibility of ventricular and valvular dysfunction with transplant-induced remission.

Patients with cardiac dysfunction may be at increased risk of cardiac toxicity when undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which may preclude them from receiving this therapy. Cardiac dysfunction is, however, common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. While autologous HSCT (auto-HSCT) has been performed increasingly for SLE, its impact on cardiac function has not previously been evaluated. We, therefore, performed a retrospective analysis of SLE patients who had undergone auto-HSCT in our center to determine the prevalence of significant cardiac involvement, and the impact of transplantation on this. The records of 55 patients were reviewed, of which 13 were found to have abnormal cardiac findings on pre-transplant two-dimensional echocardiography or multi-gated acquisition scan: impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (n = 6), pulmonary hypertension (n = 5), mitral valve dysfunction (n = 3) and large pericardial effusion (n = 1). At a median follow-up of 24 months (8-105 months), there were no transplant-related or cardiac deaths. With transplant-induced disease remission, all patients with impaired LVEF remained stable or improved; while three with symptomatic mitral valve disease similarly improved. Elevated pulmonary pressures paralleled activity of underlying lupus. These data suggest that auto-HSCT is feasible in selected patients with lupus-related cardiac dysfunction, and with control of disease activity, may improve.

Mobilization, harvesting and selection of peripheral blood stem cells in patients with autoimmune diseases undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were mobilized in 130 patients with autoimmune diseases undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using cyclophosphamide 2 g/m(2) and either granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) 5 mcg/kg/day (for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, SPMS) or G-CSF 10 mcg/kg/day (for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), Crohn's disease (CD), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and other immune-mediated disorders). Mobilization-related mortality was 0.8% (one of 130) secondary to infection. Circulating peripheral blood (PB) CD34(+) cells/microl differed significantly by disease. Collected CD34(+) cells/kg/apheresis and overall collection efficiency was significantly better using Spectra apheresis device compared to the Fenwall CS3000 instrument. Patients with SLE and RRMS achieved the lowest and the highest CD34(+) cell yields, respectively. Ex vivo CD34(+) cell selection employing Isolex 300iv2.5 apparatus was significantly more efficient compared to CEPRATE CS device. Circulating PB CD34(+) cells/microl correlated positively with initial CD34(+) cells/kg/apheresis and enriched product CD34(+) cells/kg. Mean WBC and platelet engraftment (ANC>0.5 x 10(9)/l and platelet count >20 x 10(9)/l) occurred on days 9 and 11, respectively. Infused CD34(+) cell/kg dose showed significant direct correlation with faster white blood cell (WBC) and platelet engraftment. When adjusted for CD34(+) cell/kg dose, patients treated with a myeloablative regimen had significantly slower WBC and platelet recovery compared to non-myeloablative regimens.