Comparison of filgrastim, pegfilgrastim, and lipegfilgrastim added to chemotherapy for mobilization of CD34+ cells in non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Data are limited on the long-acting granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs) pegfilgrastim (PEG) and lipegfilgrastim (LIPEG) compared with filgrastim (FIL) regarding the mobilization efficiency of CD34+ cells, graft cellular composition, and engraftment. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this prospective nonrandomized study, 36 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma received FIL, 67 received PEG, and 16 patients received LIPEG as a cytokine after chemotherapy. We analyzed the mobilization and collection of CD34+ cells, cellular composition of blood grafts, and hematologic recovery after auto-SCT according to the type of G-CSF used. RESULTS: Patients in the LIPEG group had fewer apheresis sessions (1 vs. 2, p = 0.021 for FIL and p = 0.111 for PEG) as well as higher median blood CD34+ cell counts at the start of the first apheresis (LIPEG 74 × 106 /L vs. FIL 31 × 106 /L, p = 0.084 or PEG 27 × 106 /L, p = 0.021) and CD34+ yields of the first apheresis (FIL 5.1 × 106 /kg vs. FIL 2.3 × 106 /kg, p = 0.105 or PEG 1.8 × 106 /kg, p = 0.012). Also, the costs associated with G-CSF mobilization and apheresis were lower in the LIPEG group. The graft composition was comparable except for the higher infused CD34+ cell counts in the LIPEG group. The engraftment kinetics were significantly slower in the FIL group. CONCLUSION: LIPEG appears to be more efficient compared with PEG after chemotherapy to mobilize CD34+ cells for auto-SCT demonstrated as fewer sessions of aphereses needed as well as 2.8-fold CD34+ cell yields on the first apheresis day. Early hematologic recovery was more rapid in the LIPEG group. Thus further studies on LIPEG in the mobilization setting are warranted.

Preemptive plerixafor injection added to pegfilgrastim after chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients mobilizing poorly.

Filgrastim is usually combined with chemotherapy to mobilize hematopoietic progenitor cells in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients. Limited information is available on the efficacy of a preemptive plerixafor (PLER) injection in poor mobilizers after chemotherapy and pegfilgrastim. In this prospective study, 72 patients with NHL received chemotherapy plus pegfilgrastim, and 25 hard-to-mobilize patients received also PLER. The usefulness and efficacy of our previously developed algorithm for PLER use in pegfilgrastim-containing mobilization regimen were evaluated as well as the graft cellular composition, hematological recovery, and outcome after autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT) according to the PLER use. A median 3.4-fold increase in blood CD34+ cell counts was achieved after the first PLER dose. The minimum collection target was achieved in the first mobilization attempt in 66/72 patients (92%) and 68 patients (94%) proceeded to auto-SCT. An algorithm for PLER use was fulfilled in 76% of the poor mobilizers. Absolute numbers of T-lymphocytes and NK cells were significantly higher in the PLER group, whereas the number of CD34+ cells collected was significantly lower. Early neutrophil engraftment was slower in the PLER group, otherwise hematological recovery was comparable within 12 months from auto-SCT. No difference was observed in survival according to the PLER use. Chemotherapy plus pegfilgrastim combined with preemptive PLER injection is an effective and convenient approach to minimize collection failures in NHL patients intended for auto-SCT. A significant effect of PLER on the graft cellular composition was observed, but no difference in outcome after auto-SCT was detected.

Long-term outcome of patients with acute non-specific abdominal pain compared to acute appendicitis: prospective symptom audit after two decades.

BACKGROUND: Non-specific abdominal pain (NSAP) and acute appendicitis (AA) are the two most frequent diagnoses of acute abdomen in the emergency wards. The long-term morbidity, mortality and quality of life of the patients with NSAP compared to AA are unknown. METHODS: The study group consisted of 186 patients with acute NSAP compared to 147 patients with AA initially treated during 1985-1986. Medical history, social background, quality of life and abdominal symptoms were assessed with standardized questionnaires in both groups during 2006-2009. The patients who continued to have abdominal symptoms were invited to a check-up visit. RESULTS: During 1985-6, the NSAP group had more previous abdominal symptoms and operations than the AA group. Some 29% of patients with NSAP and 11% of patients with AA had still abdominal symptoms at long-term check-up (p < 0.0001). Chronic abdominal pain (38 vs 17) and peptic ulcer disease (18 vs 2) occurred more often in the NSAP group than in the controls, respectively (p = 0.001). After five years of follow-up, 11 patients in the NSAP group and 6 patients in the AA group had died (ns). During the twenty years of follow-up, mortality was higher (46/22, 25/15%) in the patients with NSAP than in controls (p = 0.013). Ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in both groups (18 NSAP vs 5 AA, p = 0.017). The quality of life scores were comparable in both study groups. CONCLUSION: Over 70% of NSAP- and almost 90% of AA-patients were free of symptoms after 20 years of follow-up. Mortality was higher and various alimentary track diseases were more frequent in patients with NSAP than in AA.

The effect of sodium cromoglycate eyedrops compared to the effect of terfenadine on acute symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.

A multicentre, group comparative open study was carried out on 68 patients to compare the effects of 2% sodium cromoglycate eyedrops and an oral antihistamine, terfenadine, on acute symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. The study was continued for one week after the onset of acute symptoms. Both medications were equally efficient in reducing symptoms during the first hour of observation. During the one-week follow-up both medications reduced symptoms to a low level, and both medications were equally effective for allergic symptoms, except that terfenadine was more effective in reducing the watering of eyes.

A psychiatric and psychodynamic investigation of LCO (Prurico Nodularis Hyde) patients.

Prurico Nodularis Hyde (LCO) is a rare dermatitis yielding with difficulty to treatment and often tends to be chronic. Its clinical manifestations are hard itching, verrucose nodes in areas of the skin only reached by the hands. The aetiology is unknown. It has been surmised that psychic factors are involved in the onset and the clinical course of the disease. Five psychotherapies were carried out during a five-year interview period with a group of 32 women and 9 men. Everyone interviewed described childhood environments and early developmental years as harsh and emotionally restricted. Nearly all had recollections of painful experiences of loneliness and longing for warm contact with another human being. Life-cycles bore the mark of practical activities and the majority had chosen a manual trade. The most significant common feature this study brought to light is the extraordinary propensity of these patients to suffer from psychic trauma. A distinct correlation exists between the outbreak of the disease and the preceding loss of a human relationship, detrimental to self-esteem. The concept "body image" was used in resolving the psychosomatic problems of LCO-patients. It appeared that the emotionally deprived and barren past and the choice of manual labor have tended to deprive the patients of all psychic means. This is evidenced by the inability to endure psychic stress. Psychic to them means physical and they attempt to solve problems with the aid of archaic bodily meaning schemata. Their regression has activated in them an inadequately worked-out separation from mother.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of the effects of physical exercise, cold acclimation and repeated injections of isoprenaline on rat muscle enzymes.

The metabolic effects on rat cardiac and skeletal muscle of a strenous program of swimming, of cold acclimation and of isoprenaline treatment (0.3 mg/kg daily for 5 five-day weeks) were compared. Exercised and cold-exposed rats gained less body weight than did controls or isoprenaline-treated rats. In all treated groups the heart and the intercapular brown adipose tissue hypertrophied. The size of the adrenals increased only in isoprenaline-treated animals. Cold-acclimation and physical training increased and isoprenaline treatment reduced or did not affect the activities of succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase of cardiac muscle. In the skeletal muscle all treatments resulted in increased activities of these enzymes. Of the anaerobic enzymes analysed, only the activity of hexokinase increased in response to the treatements used. This increase was the same in cardiac as in skeletal muscle, but it was significantly greater with isoprenaline-treatment than with training or with cold-acclimation. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase and phosphofructokinase did not differ significantly. All treatments improved cold resistance, but only swimming exercise and cold acclimation significantly increased tolerance to exercise. It is concluded that prolonged stimulation of adrenergic beta-receptors by catecholamines is responsible for the metabolic changes observed.

Thenar muscle blood flow and bone mineral in the forearms of lumberjacks.

Forty lumberjacks who had used a chain saw for 0-20 years and who had no general disease affecting the bones were studied by measuring the thenar muscle blood flow of both hands by the 133-Xe local clearance method. Bone mineral in the left forearm in the region of cancellous and cortical bone was assessed by the 241-Am gamma ray attenuation method. Virbration was found to decrease the blood flow in the saw-bearing left hand compared with the right hand of the lumberjacks. The bone mineral density (g/vm-3) was lower in the forearm bones of the lumberjacks than in controls of the same age with healthy bones. Moreover the poorer the thenar muscle blood flow, the greater was the decrease in the mineral density of the distal radius. Measurement of the mineral density of the forearm bones by the gramma ray attenuation method can be used for early detection of bone lesions in traumatic vasospastic disease.