Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (allogeneic + haematopoietic_stem_cell_transplantation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Many faces of graft- versus -host disease

AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Pablo F Peñas
ABSTRACT Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is increasingly used in the treatment of malignant and non-malignant disorders. Despite ongoing advances in the field, morbidity and mortality related to graft- versus -host disease remains a major barrier to its application. Graft- versus -host disease is a difficult-to-diagnose disease. Dermatologists are involved due to its diverse cutaneous expression. In order to appropriately diagnose, classify and treat this complex disease, knowledge of its expanding cutaneous expression is required. This review provides a synopsis of the clinical manifestations of acute, lichenoid and sclerodermatous phases of graft- versus -host disease with a look at the current evidence surrounding its differential diagnosis. [source]


Association of IL-6 gene polymorphism with the outcome of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Czech patients

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS, Issue 4-5 2008
Z. Ambruzova
Summary Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important pro-inflammatory mediator implicated in immune-mediated complications of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT). In accord with previous reports, this preliminary study on 56 donor,recipient pairs revealed IL-6-174 single nucleotide polymorphisms as a risk factor for the development of acute graft-versus-host disease and decreased survival after aHSCT. [source]


A case of tongue carcinoma associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

AUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010
K Noguchi
Abstract Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) can occur at various sites, including the oral mucosa, where it is associated with a high risk of head and neck cancer. We report the case of a 46-year-old woman with tongue cancer that developed following Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic GVHD, and we discuss the possible causes of cancer development. [source]


Nailfold capillary abnormalities are prevalent in sclerodermoid graft-versus-host disease and readily detected with dermatoscopy

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2010
B.N. Akay
Summary Background, Well-recognized videocapillaroscopic patterns have been described in systemic sclerosis (SS). However, no studies have described the capillary abnormalities of sclerodermoid chronic graft-versus-host disease (Scl GVHD) developed after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Objectives, The aims of this study were to find the characteristics of nailfold capillary changes in Scl GVHD after allo-HSCT. Patients and methods, Eighteen patients affected by Scl GVHD and a control group of 15 patients with lichenoid GVHD were evaluated. Duration and type of sclerodermoid GVHD, Raynaud phenomenon (RP), dysphagia, joint contractures, antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-Scl-70 and anticentromere (ACA) antibodies were investigated parameters. A nailfold capillary examination using a standard dermatoscope was performed on all fingers of each subject. Results, Twelve patients were male and six were female with a mean age of 37 ± 11·6 years. Joint retractions and dysphagia developed in 27·8% and 38·9% of the patients, respectively. Three (16·7%) patients had RP. Autoimmune markers like anti-Scl-70 and ACA were negative in all. Capillaroscopy was abnormal in 15 patients with Scl GVHD. A regular disposition of the capillary loops along with avascular whitish linear areas at the level of the last row, neovascularization with reticular pattern, capillary disorganization, haemorrhages, enlarged capillaries and avascular areas were the main features. No capillary abnormalities were observed in patients with lichenoid GVHD. There was no statistically significant correlation between ANA positivity, RP, joint retractions, dysphagia, extensiveness of Scl GVHD, duration of sclerodermoid lesions and nailfold capillaroscopy analysis. Conclusions, This study shows the identification of distinct nailfold capillaroscopy patterns in patients with Scl GVHD but it does not confer special risk for any other specific clinical symptoms of the disease. [source]


correspondence: Splenectomy after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with primary myelofibrosis

BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2010
Marie Robin
First page of article [source]


Alternative haematopoietic stem cell sources for transplantation: place of umbilical cord blood

BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Angela R. Smith
Summary Umbilical cord blood has rapidly become a valuable alternative stem cell source for allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Extensive research over the last 20 years has established the safety and efficacy of umbilical cord blood transplantation in both children and adults with a variety of malignant and non-malignant diseases. This research has clearly shown that this stem cell source has several unique characteristics resulting in distinct advantages and disadvantages when compared to transplantation with unrelated bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells. This article reviews the most recent literature comparing the outcomes after umbilical cord blood transplantation with other alternative stem cell sources. [source]


Impact of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the outcome of Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated with an imatinib-containing regimen

BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2009
Luciano J. Costa
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Prospective monitoring of BCR-ABL1 transcript levels in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia undergoing imatinib-combined chemotherapy

BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
Masamitsu Yanada
Summary The clinical significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) is uncertain in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ ALL) treated with imatinib-combined chemotherapy. Here we report the results of prospective MRD monitoring in 100 adult patients. Three hundred and sixty-seven follow-up bone marrow samples, collected at predefined time points during a uniform treatment protocol, were analysed for BCR-ABL1 transcripts by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Ninety-seven patients (97%) achieved complete remission (CR), and the relapse-free survival (RFS) rate was 46% at 3 years. Negative MRD at the end of induction therapy was not associated with longer RFS or a lower relapse rate (P = 0·800 and P = 0·964 respectively). Twenty-nine patients showed MRD elevation during haematological CR. Of these, 10 of the 16 who had undergone allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in first CR were alive without relapse at a median of 2·9 years after transplantation, whereas 12 of the 13 who had not undergone allogeneic HSCT experienced a relapse. These results demonstrate that, in Ph+ ALL patients treated with imatinib-combined chemotherapy, rapid molecular response is not associated with a favourable prognosis, and that a single observation of elevated MRD is predictive of subsequent relapse, but allogeneic HSCT can override its adverse effect. [source]


Influence of bone marrow nucleated red blood cell dose on outcome after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2008
Marie Robin
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Haematological malignancies developing in previously healthy individuals who received haematopoietic growth factors: report from the Research on Adverse Drug Events and Reports (RADAR) project

BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
Charles L. Bennett
Summary Pegylated recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor (PEG-rHuMGDF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) promote haematopoietic progenitor cell maturation. We reviewed the findings for healthy volunteers/donors who developed haematological malignancies following PEG-rHuMGDF or G-CSF administration. Information was reviewed for three of 538 volunteers who received PEG-rHuMGDF in clinical trials and two of 200 donors who underwent G-CSF mobilised stem cell harvesting procedures for sibling stem cell transplants. Mantle cell, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia were diagnosed 1,5 years after PEG-rHuMGDF exposure among three volunteers. For one patient, thrombocytopenia due to autoantibodies to PEG-rHuMGDF developed shortly after PEG-rHuMGDF administration and persisted until chemotherapy was administered. All three achieved complete remission, although one patient relapsed. Acute myeloid leukaemia was diagnosed 4 and 5 years after G-CSF mobilisation in two donors who underwent peripheral blood stem cell donation for sibling allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Following intensive chemotherapy, one died from acute leukaemia and the second is in complete remission. Controversy exists over the appropriateness of administering haematopoietic growth factors to healthy individuals. While a causal relationship with haematological malignancies cannot be demonstrated, long-term follow-up among healthy individuals who receive haematopoietic growth factors is needed. [source]


Evaluation of cytomegalovirus-specific T-cell reconstitution in patients after various allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation using interferon- , -enzyme-linked immunospot and human leucocyte antigen tetramer assays with an immunodominant T-cell epitope

BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
Mutsuko Ohnishi
Summary Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major complication for patients who received allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Accurate monitoring of CMV-specific T-cell reconstitution is required for appropriate decision on treatment, such as anti-viral drugs, which have adverse effects. Although human leucocyte antigen (HLA) tetramer and interferon- , -enzyme-linked immunospot (IFN- , -ELISPOT) assays have been used to measure CMV-specific T cells, detailed comparison of these assays and kinetics of anti-CMV T-cell reconstitution between reduced-intensity transplantation (RIST) and conventional HSCT has not yet been performed. In this study, we performed prospective comparative monitoring of CMV-specific T cells using HLA tetramer and IFN- , -ELISPOT assays with a single immunodominant CMV495 peptide in 28 HLA-A*0201 and 9 HLA-A*0206 patients after various allogeneic HSCTs. The IFN- , -ELISPOT assay was more sensitive for evaluation of functional T cells than the HLA tetramer assay, and CMV-specific T cells were reconstituted earlier in patients who received RIST without anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) than those receiving RIST with ATG or conventional HSCT. The threshold level for protection from CMV reactivation was estimated as over 1 × 106 cells/l peripheral blood with the IFN- , -ELISPOT assay. These results demonstrate that the IFN- , -ELISPOT assay with CMV495 provides more accurate evaluation on CMV immunity in HLA-A*0201 and -A*0206 patients, and may be useful for determining timing of various treatments. [source]


A UGT2B17-positive donor is a risk factor for higher transplant-related mortality and lower survival after bone marrow transplantation

BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2005
Seitaro Terakura
Summary We recently identified a human minor histocompatibility (H) antigen, encoded by UDP glycosyltransferase 2 family, polypeptide B17 (UGT2B17), whose immunogenicity results from differential expression in donor and recipient cells as a consequence of a homozygous deletion of the UGT2B17 gene. UGT2B17 is highly expressed in the liver and colon, which are major targets for graft- versus -host disease (GVHD). To assess the significance of homozygous UGT2B17 gene deletion in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), we analysed DNA from 435 stem cell transplant recipients with a haematological malignancy and their human leucocyte antigen-identical unrelated bone marrow donors using sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction. Homozygous deletion of the UGT2B17 gene was observed in 85% of normal donors and in 82% of patients. The analysis showed no significant association between UGT2B17 mismatch in the GVHD direction and the incidence of acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, relapse, or survival. However, the use of a UGT2B17-positive donor was an independent risk factor for higher transplant-related mortality and lower survival after transplantation. UGT2B17 is a metabolic enzyme for hormones, drugs, and potentially toxic exogenous compounds and is expressed in subsets of haematopoietic cells. Thus, the enzyme function of UGT2B17 in donor cells may affect the outcome of allogeneic HSCT. [source]


The impact of retroviral suicide gene transduction procedures on T cells

BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2003
Waseem Qasim
Summary., Retroviral vectors encoding the herpes simplex thymidine kinase gene have been used to render T cells sensitive to the prodrug ganciclovir. Such genetically modified T cells have been used in clinical trials for their graft-versus-leukaemia effects following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the event of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) the cells were susceptible to elimination through exposure to ganciclovir. We have investigated the impact of T-cell activation, required for successful retrovirus-mediated gene transfer, on T-cell receptor repertoire profile, subset distribution and antiviral potential. Using a combination of antibodies against CD3 and CD28, T cells were transduced at high efficiency when exposed to retrovirus between 48 and 72 h later. Lymphocytes had undergone up to seven cycles of cell division by the end of the procedure. Although the T-cell receptor V, repertoire was not altered after retroviral transduction, there were notable shifts in subset profiles with an increased proportion of CD45RO cells in transduced populations. T cells continued to proliferate for several days after transduction and were difficult to sustain under the extended culture conditions required to generate virus-specific T cells. These observations may explain the lower than expected levels of GVHD and poor antiviral immunity reported in recent trials. [source]