Uric acid plasma levels are associated with C-reactive protein concentrations and the extent of coronary artery lesions in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Many studies have pointed out that inflammation plays a pivotal role in pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) because several inflammatory molecules impair the endothelial functions in the coronary circulation and promote atherothrombotic events. Recently, many clinical/experimental evidences indicate that elevated plasma levels of uric acid (UA) might be considered a risk factor for developing ACS. It has been reported that elevated UA doses impair physiologic functions of endothelial cells, shifting them toward a pro atherothrombotic phenotype. In the present manuscript, we investigated the relationship between UA plasma levels, inflammatory burden, and extension of coronary atherosclerotic disease in patients with ACS. Patients with a clinical presentation of ACS (ST-elevated and non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction) admitted to the Vanvitelli Catheterization Laboratory at Monaldi Hospital in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemia, were retrospectively analyzed. Biochemical profile, type of ACS presentation, as well as extension of coronary atherosclerosis were assessed. A total of 132 ACS patients were included in the analysis, and grouped into 3 tertiles according to the UA values (UA < 4.72 mg/dl, UA between 4.72 and 6.15 mg/dl, and UA > 6.15 mg/dl). Patients with UA plasma levels ≥ 6.15 mg/dL showed higher levels of C-reactive protein (mean of 5.1 mg/dL) as compared to patients with lower UA plasma levels. Moreover, the former group of patients showed higher levels of cardiac troponin and CPK, and presented more often with multivessel disease and complex coronary stenosis (type C of Ellis classification). Even though monocentric and with limited sample size, the present study shows that plasma levels of UA and hs-CRP are elevated in ACS patients and are associated with a more severe coronary disease, suggesting a potential role of UA in the pathophysiology of acute coronary events.

Colchicine in Athero-Thrombosis: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence

Several lines of evidence have clearly indicated that inflammation plays a pivotal role in the development of atherosclerosis and of its thrombotic complications such as acute coronary syndromes or ischemic stroke. Thus, it has been postulated that the use of anti-inflammatory agents might be extremely useful to improve cardiovascular outcome. Recently, increasing attention has been reserved to one of the oldest plant-derived drugs still in use in clinical practice, colchicine that has been used as drug to treat inflammatory diseases such gout or Mediterranean fever. To date, current guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology have included colchicine as first line choice for treatment of acute and recurrent pericarditis. Moreover, several studies have investigated its role in the clinical scenarios of cardiovascular disease including chronic and acute coronary syndromes with promising results. In this review, starting from a description of the mechanism(s) involved behind its anti-inflammatory effects, we give an overview on its potential effects in atherothrombosis and finally present an updated overview of clinical evidence on the role of this drug in cardiovascular disease.

Uric Acid Induces a Proatherothrombotic Phenotype in Human Endothelial Cells by Imbalancing the Tissue Factor/Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor Pathway

BACKGROUND

 Several evidence show that elevated plasma levels of uric acid (UA) are associated with the increased risk of developing atherothrombotic cardiovascular events. Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED is involved in the pathophysiology of atherothrombosis since dysfunctional cells lose their physiological, antithrombotic properties. We have investigated whether UA might promote ED by modulating the tissue factor (TF)/TF pathway inhibitor (TFPI) balance by finally changing the antithrombotic characteristics of endothelial cells.

METHODS

 Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with increasing doses of UA (up to 9 mg/dL). TF gene and protein expressions were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot. Surface expression and procoagulant activity were assessed by FACS (fluorescence activated cell sorting) analysis and coagulation assay. The mRNA and protein levels of TFPI were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot. The roles of inflammasome and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) as possible mechanism(s) of action of the UA on TF/TFPI balance were also investigated.

RESULTS

 UA significantly increased TF gene and protein levels, surface expression, and procoagulant activity. In parallel, TFPI levels were significantly reduced. The NF-κB pathways appeared to be involved in modulating these phenomena. Additionally, inflammasome might also play a role.

CONCLUSION

 The present in vitro study shows that one of the mechanisms by which high levels of UA contribute to ED might be the imbalance between TF/TFPI levels in endothelial cells, shifting them to a nonphysiological, prothrombotic phenotype. These UA effects might hypothetically explain, at least in part, the relationship observed between elevated plasma levels of UA and cardiovascular events.

345 INTRAVENOUS CANGRELOR INFUSION IN ELDERLY PATIENTS UNDERGOING PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION: A SUBANALYSIS OF THE ICARUS REGISTRY

Aims

To assess the clinical characteristics and compare in-hospital outcomes of elderly and non-elderly patients receiving cangrelor in the peri-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) phase.

Methods

Consecutive patients treated with cangrelor in 7 Italian institutions were retrospectively enrolled in the ICARUS (“Intravenous CAngrelor in high-bleeding Risk patients Undergoing percutaneouS coronary intervention”, NCT05505591) registry. Elderly patients were defined if age was ≥75 years at the time of PCI. The primary endpoint was net adverse clinical events (NACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, definite or probable stent thrombosis and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 2, 3 or 5 bleeding, at 48 hours. Secondary endpoints were assessed at 48 hours and throughout the hospital stay. Independent predictors of the primary endpoint were also assessed.

Results

Out of 551 patients undergoing PCI with cangrelor between January 2019 and August 2022, 174 (32%) were elderly. Mean age was 81±5 vs. 61±8 years in elderly vs. non-elderly patients (p&lt;0.001). Female sex (32% vs. 21%, p=0.006), atrial fibrillation (20% vs. 5%, p&lt;0.001), chronic kidney disease (30% vs. 6%, p&lt;0.001) and heart failure (14% vs. 8%, p=0.041) were more frequent in the elderly group, whereas presentation with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was less frequent (69% vs. 83%, p=0.001). Elderly patients received shorter cangrelor infusion (122±25 vs. 134±43 minutes, p=0.001) and were more frequently administered with clopidogrel after PCI (50% vs. 19%, p&lt;0.001). At 48 hours, elderly patients had higher rates of NACE (13% vs. 6%, p=0.006) and BARC 2, 3 or 5 bleeding (11% vs. 5%, p=0.013), whereas the rates of other 48-hour and in-hospital clinical endpoints did not differ. At multivariable analysis, age ≥75 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.12, p=0.004), major anemia (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.005-1.22, p=0.038), ACS at presentation (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.14), femoral access (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.06-1.22) and cardiogenic shock (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.21-1.50) independently predicted the occurrence of 48-hour NACE.

Conclusions

Advanced age is a distinctive risk feature among patients receiving intravenous cangrelor in the peri-PCI phase. Elderly patients had higher rates of adverse events at 48 hours, with advanced age (≥75 years) being an independent predictor of NACE.

330 INTRAVENOUS CANGRELOR INFUSION IN HIGH BLEEDING RISK PATIENTS UNDERGOING PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE ICARUS REGISTRY

Aims

To investigate the prevalence of high bleeding risk (HBR) criteria and compare clinical outcomes between HBR and non-HBR patients receiving cangrelor in the peri-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) phase.

Methods

Consecutive patients treated with cangrelor in 7 Italian institutions were retrospectively enrolled in the ICARUS (“Intravenous CAngrelor in high-bleeding Risk patients Undergoing percutaneouS coronary intervention”, NCT05505591) registry. HBR status was assessed according to the Academic Research Consortium (ARC-HBR) definition. The primary endpoint was net adverse clinical events (NACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, definite or probable stent thrombosis and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 2, 3 or 5 bleeding, at 48 hours. Secondary endpoints were assessed at 48 hours and throughout the hospital stay.

Results

We enrolled 551 patients undergoing PCI with cangrelor between January 2019 and August 2022. HBR definition was met in 33% of cases. HBR patients were older (76±10 vs. 63±10 years, p&lt;0.001), more frequently affected by peripheral arterial disease (16% vs. 8%, p=0.010), atrial fibrillation (24% vs. 2%, p&lt;0.001), chronic kidney disease (35% vs. 3%, p&lt;0.001), active cancer (7% vs. 0%, p&lt;0.001) and heart failure (17% vs. 7%, p&lt;0.001). At 48 hours, HBR patients had a significantly higher rate of NACE (13% vs. 6%, p=0.004), and BARC 2, 3 or 5 bleeding (12% vs. 4%, p=0.001). In the HBR group, the frequency of the primary endpoint increased proportionally to the HBR score. There was no significant difference with respect to other 48-hour and in-hospital endpoints.

Conclusions

Among consecutive patients treated with cangrelor in the peri-PCI phase, about 30% fulfilled the ARC-HBR definition. In the HBR subpopulation, the incidence of 48-hour adverse events was higher than in the non-HBR subgroup, primarily driven by a higher rate of clinically relevant and major bleeding.

902 INCIDENCE, CHARACTERISTICS AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH VERSUS WITHOUT CARDIOGENIC SHOCK AND RECEIVING CANGRELOR: AN EXPLORATORY SUBANALYSIS OF THE ICARUS REGISTRY

Aims

To assess the frequency, clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes of patients presenting with and without cardiogenic shock (CS) among those receiving cangrelor in the peri-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) phase.

Methods

Consecutive patients treated with cangrelor in 7 Italian institutions were retrospectively enrolled in the ICARUS (“Intravenous CAngrelor in high-bleeding Risk patients Undergoing percutaneouS coronary intervention”, NCT05505591) registry. Cardiogenic shock was defined as system hypotension (systolic blood pressure &lt; 90 mmHg) despite adequate volume in presence of clinical or laboratory signs of hypoperfusion. The primary endpoint was net adverse clinical events (NACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, definite or probable stent thrombosis and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 2, 3 or 5 bleeding, at 48 hours. Secondary endpoints were assessed at 48 hours. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and definite or probable stent thrombosis were evaluated at discharge.

Results

Out of 551 patients undergoing PCI with cangrelor between January 2019 and August 2022, cardiogenic shock status was available in 550 (99.9%). Among those, 25 (4.5%) presented with CS. Median age was 67 (59-78) vs. 68 (59-77) years in CS vs. non-CS patients (p=0.767). Female sex (44% vs. 24%, p=0.038), presentation with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (84% vs. 42%, p&lt;0.001) and cardiac arrest (46% vs. 4%, p&lt;0.001) were more frequent in the CS group. Likewise, CS patients had higher rates of femoral access (36% vs. 10%, p&lt;0.001), three-vessel PCI (17% vs. 3%, p=0.007), intra-aortic balloon pump implantation (50% vs. 3%, p&lt;0.001) and Gp IIb/IIIa inhibitors use (16% vs. 3%, p=0.005). At 48 hours, CS patients had higher rates of NACE (44% vs. 7%, p&lt;0.001), MACE (12% vs. 1%, p=0.008), cardiovascular death (12% vs. 0.4%, p=0.001), BARC 2, 3 or 5 bleeding (32% vs. 6%, p&lt;0.001), and BARC 3 or 5 bleeding (16% vs. 1%, p=0.001). At multivariable logistic regression, CS independently predicted the occurrence of NACE (odds ratio [OR] 1.29, 95% CI 1.14-1.45, p&lt;0.001) and BARC 3 or 5 bleeding (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.08-1.21, p&lt;0.001). In-hospital MACE were available in all but one patient, with an event rate that was higher among CS patients (32% vs. 1.3%, log-rank p&lt;0.001). At Cox multivariable analysis, cardiogenic shock was the only independent predictor of in-hospital MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 7.13, 95% CI 1.37-36.8).

Conclusions

Approximately 5% of patients receiving cangrelor in real-world clinical practice presented with CS. These patients were at higher risk of both ischemic and bleeding events. CS independently predicted the occurrence of 48-hour NACE and major bleeding, as well as in-hospital MACE.

349 INTRAVENOUS CANGRELOR INFUSION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING COMPLEX VERSUS NON-COMPLEX PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION: A SUBANALYSIS OF THE ICARUS REGISTRY

Aims

To compare the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients undergoing complex vs. non-complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with peri-procedural use of cangrelor.

Methods

Consecutive patients treated with cangrelor in 6 Italian institutions were retrospectively enrolled in the ICARUS (“Intravenous CAngrelor in high-bleeding Risk patients Undergoing percutaneouS coronary intervention”, NCT05505591) registry. Complex PCI was defined as any of the following: 3 vessels treated, ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation with 2 stents implanted, total stent length &gt;60 mm, or chronic total occlusion. The primary endpoint was net adverse clinical events (NACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, definite or probable stent thrombosis and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 2, 3 or 5 bleeding, at 48 hours. Secondary endpoints were assessed at 48 hours and throughout the hospital stay.

Results

Among 551 patients enrolled in the ICARUS registry and undergoing PCI between January 2019 and August 2022, a total of 534 (97%) patients had complete information on PCI complexity, of whom 173 (32%) underwent complex PCI and 361 (68%) underwent non-complex PCI. In general, patients with complex PCI had similar clinical features compared with non-complex PCI patients, including comparable prevalence of high bleeding risk (HBR) status according to the ARC-HBR definition (35% vs. 30%, p=0.253), but complex PCI patients presented more often with cardiogenic shock (9% vs. 2%, p&lt;0.001). PCI with ≥3 stents implanted was the most frequent criterion of procedural complexity (62%). The incidence of the primary endpoint of 48-hour NACE (10% vs. 7%, p=0.264) and other clinical endpoints occurring at 48 hours or during hospitalization did not differ between complex and non-complex PCI patients.

Conclusions

Among patients receiving peri-procedural cangrelor, about 30% of cases underwent complex interventions. Notwithstanding higher procedural complexity, short-term clinical outcomes were similar between complex and non-complex PCI patients.

910 PREVALENCE AND PROGNOSTIC IMPACT OF ANAEMIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION AND RECEIVING CANGRELOR: A SUBANALYSIS OF THE ICARUS REGISTRY

Aims

To assess the clinical characteristics and compare in-hospital outcomes of patients with and without anaemia receiving cangrelor in the peri-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) phase.

Methods

Consecutive patients treated with cangrelor in 7 Italian institutions were retrospectively enrolled in the ICARUS (“Intravenous CAngrelor in high-bleeding Risk patients Undergoing percutaneouS coronary intervention”, NCT05505591) registry. According to the World Health Organization, anaemia was defined as haemoglobin (Hb) levels &lt; 13 g/dL in men and &lt; 12 g/dL in women; severe anaemia as an Hb value &lt; 11 g/dL irrespective of sex. The primary endpoint was net adverse clinical events (NACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, definite or probable stent thrombosis and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 2, 3 or 5 bleeding, at 48 hours. Secondary endpoints were assessed at 48 hours. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke and definite or probable stent thrombosis were also evaluated at discharge.

Results

Out of 551 patients undergoing PCI with cangrelor between January 2019 and August 2022, 125 (23%) were anaemic. Mean age was 74±10 vs. 65±11 years in anaemic vs. non-anaemic patients (p&lt;0.001). Baseline haemoglobin significantly differed between the two arms (12±1 vs. 15±1.2 mg/dl, p&lt;0.001); severe anaemia occurred in the 24% of anaemic patients. Atrial fibrillation (20% vs. 6%, p&lt;0.001) and chronic kidney disease (31% vs. 9%, p&lt;0.001) were more frequent among anaemic individuals, in whom clopidogrel was more frequently administered after PCI (42% vs. 25%, p&lt;0.001).

At 48 hours, anaemic patients had higher rates of NACE (14% vs. 7%, p=0.019) and BARC 2, 3 or 5 bleeding (12% vs. 5%, p=0.013), whereas the rates of other 48-hour endpoints did not differ. At multivariable analysis, severe anaemia (odds ratio [OR] 1.12, 95% CI 1.02-1.24, p=0.015), acute coronary syndrome at presentation (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.12, p=0.013), femoral access (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.20, p=0.001) and cardiogenic shock (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.13-1.44, p&lt;0.001) independently predicted the occurrence of NACE. Complete in-hospital follow-up was available in 549 (99.6%) of patients, with MACE rates being not significantly different between anaemic and non-anaemic patients (2.4% vs. 2.8%, p= 0.593).

Conclusions

Anaemia is a distinctive risk feature among patients receiving intravenous cangrelor in the peri-PCI phase. Anaemic patients experience higher incidence of adverse events at 48 hours, with severe anaemia being an independent predictor of NACE.

Vitamin D Inhibits IL-6 Pro-Atherothrombotic Effects in Human Endothelial Cells: A Potential Mechanism for Protection against COVID-19 Infection?

Background: Thrombosis with cardiovascular involvement is a crucial complication in COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 infects the host by the angiotensin converting enzyme-2 receptor (ACE2r), which is expressed in endothelial cells too. Thus, COVID-related thrombotic events might be due to endothelial dysfunction. IL-6 is one of the main cytokines involved in the COVID-19 inflammatory storm. Some evidence indicates that Vitamin D (VitD) has a protective role in COVID-19 patients, but the molecular mechanisms involved are still debated. Thus, we investigated the effect of VitD on Tissue Factor and adhesion molecules (CAMs) in IL-6-stimulated endothelial cells (HUVEC). Moreover, we evaluated levels of the ACE2r gene and proteins. Finally, we studied the modulation of NF-kB and STAT3 pathways. Methods: HUVEC cultivated in VitD-enriched medium were stimulated with IL-6 (0.5 ng/mL). The TF gene (RT-PCR), protein (Western blot), surface expression (FACS) and procoagulant activity (FXa generation assay) were measured. Similarly, CAMs soluble values (ELISA) and ACE2r (RT-PCR and Western blot) levels were assessed. NF-kB and STAT3 modulation (Western blot) were also investigated. Results: VitD significantly reduced TF expression at both gene and protein levels as well as TF-procoagulant activity in IL-6-treated HUVEC. Similar effects were observed for CAMs and ACE2r expression. IL-6 modulates these effects by regulating NF-κB and STAT3 pathways. Conclusions: IL-6 induces endothelial dysfunction with TF and CAMs expression via upregulation of ACE2r. VitD prevented these IL-6 deleterious effects. Thus, it might be speculated that this is one of the hypothetical mechanism(s) by which VitD exerts its beneficial effects in COVID-19 infection.

Estrogen-progestin therapy in women after stem cell transplant: our experience and literature review

Women undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT) are mostly young and have more than 90% probability of ovarian failure, which is often permanent. A woman's age, use of radiotherapy and alkylating chemotherapy, and the allogeneic type of transplant are associated with a higher rate of premature ovarian failure and worse residual ovarian function. Premature ovarian failure has serious systemic and psychological effects that may need treatment and should be managed by practitioners trained to treat this particular population of women. Ultrasonographic evidence of ovarian follicles is often associated with a future resumption of cycles, but there are no serum markers to predict the return of ovarian function in these patients. In our center, the rate of ovarian function recovery was 7% after allogeneic SCT and 25% after autologous SCT (P<0.05). There are no guidelines on how to manage premature ovarian failure induced by myeloablative treatments followed by SCT. Because of the likelihood of the need for long-lasting estrogen plus progestin therapy (EPT) and the increased risk of secondary neoplasia after SCT, the EPT should be as physiological as possible. In our experience, the cyclical sequential combination of estradiol (2 mg daily) plus dydrogesterone (10 mg for 14 d/mo) was associated with excellent compliance because of its simple administration and few adverse effects. Such a treatment led to a dramatic improvement in vasomotor, urogenital, and psychological symptoms related to estrogen deficiency. However, in the allogeneic transplantation setting, up to 25% of women may suffer from gynecological chronic graft-versus-host disease, which may become apparent as hematocolpometra after introduction of EPT. Thus, accurate pretreatment evaluation and frequent monitoring during treatment are required. Moreover, EPT absorption may be reduced in patients who received allotransplants and have gastrointestinal or skin chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Tc99m-sestaMIBI uptake in nonsecretory multiple myeloma

Staging and monitoring of multiple myeloma (MM) is mainly based on monoclonal component quantification; the absence of such a parameter renders difficult follow up of patients with nonsecretory MM (nsMM). In this study our aims were to determine the specificity and sensitivity of Tc99m-sestaMIBI scintigraphy at diagnosis and during follow up of nsMM patients. Nine nsMM patients were prospectively studied at diagnosis and during treatment for a mean time of 33 months (range: 12-65+). Tc99m-sestaMIBI (MIBI) scintigraphy was compared to conventional imaging (CI: X ray with CAT or NMR details) at diagnosis and during follow up. At diagnosis, CI and MIBI were concordant in three patients; CI showed more focal lesions than MIBI in four patients, while MIBI revealed more focal lesions than CI in two patients. During the follow up, MIBI uptake was normal in the four patients who achieved remission. Five patients did not achieve remission: CI and MIBI were concordant in three, while MIBI was falsely negative in two patients. In conclusion, Tc99m-sestaMIBI scintigraphy has high sensitivity (no false positive cases) and 78% specificity (2/9 false negative cases) in tracing active nsMM lesions; it should be considered complementary to CI for monitoring this rare disease.

Endocrine disorders during the first year after autologous stem-cell transplant

BACKGROUND

Frequent endocrine disorders have been reported after allogeneic stem-cell transplant, but data on adult survivors of autologous transplants are still scarce.

METHODS

In this prospective study we investigated early (at 3 months) and late (at 12 months) endocrine dysfunctions in 95 consecutive autologous stem-cell transplant recipients (47 men and 48 women) aged 16 to 55 years. The functions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal/thyroid/adrenal/somatotroph axis were evaluated.

RESULTS

Three months after the transplant, insulin-like growth factor-1 values were below the normal range in 53 patients (56%); 37 of 40 women (93%) of reproductive age experienced precocious ovarian failure; 39 of 46 men (85%) showed high follicular stimulating hormone, and 17 men (37%) showed low testosterone levels. Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 28 patients (30%) during the peritransplant period after corticosteroid withdrawal. Transient subclinical hyperthyroidism was found in 15 patients (16%). Transient "low T(3)" syndrome was revealed in 29 patients (31%). Twelve months after the transplant, insulin-like growth factor-1 values were still low in 36 patients (38%). Menstrual cycles resumed in four women; follicular stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol levels improved in 10 patients. Testosterone was low in only two men (4%). Seminal analysis revealed azoospermia in 32 (91%) of 35 men examined. Subclinical hypothyroidism was found in 11 patients (12%); eight of them had previously received radiotherapy for the upper half of the body.

CONCLUSION

This study documents frequent endocrine disorders during the first year after autologous stem-cell transplant. Despite a tendency to improve, in more than half of the cases, the complications persisted for more than 1 year. Therefore, to diagnose and correct early and late endocrine dysfunctions, endocrine screening is required during the first year in all patients undergoing autografting.

High Serum Leptin in Patients with Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Increased serum leptin has been described after various organ transplants, with a mechanism that is still unclear.

METHODS

We measured serum leptin in 60 patients before and after allogeneic (allo) or autologous (auto) stem cell transplant (SCT) and in 60 healthy controls, matched for age and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

Serum leptin was higher in patients after SCT than before and in controls. Leptin production was higher after allo- than after auto-SCT; the presence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) was associated with the highest values. The physiological correlation with BMI was lost in the allogeneic setting, indicating a strong influence of factors other than the nutritional status on circulating leptin. No relationship was found between serum leptin levels and time from transplant, age, cortisol, C-reactive protein, and T-lymphocyte CD4-to-CD8 ratio. Among the cytokines secreted by type-1/type-2 T-helper lymphocytes, only serum interferon-gamma significantly correlated with serum leptin levels. Anti-leptin blocking antibodies partially inhibited T-cell activation in mixed lymphocyte reaction, suggesting a link between leptin and T-lymphocyte activation in the allo-SCT setting.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these findings suggest that increased serum leptin concentrations may contribute to T-cell activation during development of cGVHD.

Estrogen-progestogen induced hematocolpometra following allogeneic stem cell transplant

OBJECTIVES

Gynecological manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) has been invariably described in association with its extensive form. We have also observed it in a patient with the limited cGVHD form.

DESIGN

We here describe our experience of gynecological complications in a population of 30 women who were followed up in a single center 12-120 months after allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) due to hematological malignancies. All of them manifested premature ovarian failure because of the received treatments.

RESULTS

Three out of 14 women who were affected by cGVHD developed hematocolpometra after estrogen + progestogen therapy (EPT) introduction, due to uterine and vaginal dystrophy and synecchiae. Extensive cGVHD, including dermal and mucosal localization, was present in two women while the third had only liver involvement. None of our patients had received radiation therapy or had a posttransplant history of infection. Local application of estrogens consistently improved the gynecological complication. However, vaginal synecchiae tended to relapse when local treatment was interrupted, despite no other apparent evidence of active cGVHD.

CONCLUSIONS

All women with cGVHD should undergo gynecological examination before introducing EPT, to avoid unpleasant complication as hematocolpometra. Vaginal and cervical synecchiae should be treated with prolonged local treatments, and temporary use of continuous EPT regimens may be preferable in these women. Moreover, close monitoring by pelvic exam and ultrasonography is advisable during the initial cycles to detect any complication caused by possible intrauterine adhesions undetected during the previous gynecological examination.

Early hematopoietic zinc finger protein (EHZF), the human homolog to mouse Evi3, is highly expressed in primitive human hematopoietic cells

Comparison of the gene expression repertoire in human hematopoietic progenitors and mature leukocytes led to identification of a transcript expressed in CD34+cells and undetectable in differentiated cells. Sequencing of the cDNA (termed EHZF: early hematopoietic zinc finger) revealed 30 zinc fingers with 96% homology to mouse Evi3, a recently identified gene associated with the retroviral integration site in AKXD-27 B-cell lymphomas. EHZF and Evi3 share high homology with the transcription cofactor OAZ, implicated in the control of olfactory epithelium and B-lymphocyte differentiation and in the bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signal transduction. Here we show that (1) EHZF expression is abundant in human CD34+ progenitors and declines rapidly during cytokine-driven differentiation; (2) significant mRNA levels are found in most acute myelogenous leukemias; (3) in response to BMPs EHZF complexes SMADs 1 and 4, binds to, and enhances the transcriptional activity of, a BMP2/4 responsive element; (4) EHZF inhibits the transcriptional activity of early B-cell factor (EBF), a transcription factor essential for specification of the B-cell lineage. Taken together, our data suggest that EHZF is likely to play a relevant role in the control of human hematopoiesis and might be implicated in the development of hematopoietic malignancies.

Allogeneic compared with autologous stem cell transplantation in the treatment of patients younger than 46 years with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR1): an intention-to-treat analysis of the EORTC/GIMEMAAML-10 trial

In the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Leukemia Group and Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche dell' Adulto (EORTC-LG/GIMEMA) acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-10 trial, patients in first complete remission (CR1) received a single intensive consolidation (IC) course. Subsequently, those patients younger than 46 years with an HLA-identical sibling donor were assigned to undergo allogeneic (allo) stem cell transplantation (SCT), and patients without such a donor were planned for autologous (auto) SCT. Between November 1993 and December 1999, of 1198 patients aged younger than 46 years, 822 achieved CR. The study group constituted 734 patients who received IC: 293 had a sibling donor and 441 did not. Allo-SCT and auto-SCT were performed in 68.9% and 55.8%, respectively. Cytogenetic determination was successfully performed in 446 patients. Risk groups were good (t(8;21), inv16), intermediate (NN or -Y only), and bad/very bad (all others). Median follow-up was 4 years; 289 patients relapsed, 66 died in CR1, and 293 died. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed that the 4-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of patients with a donor versus those without a donor was 52.2% versus 42.2%, P =.044; hazard ratio = 0.80, 95% confidence interval (0.64, 0.995), the relapse incidence was 30.4% versus 52.5%, death in CR1 was 17.4% versus 5.3%, and the survival rate was 58.3% versus 50.8% (P =.18). The DFS rates in patients with and without a sibling donor were similar in patients with good/intermediate risk but were 43.4% and 18.4%, respectively, in patients with bad/very bad risk cytogenetics. In younger patients (15-35 years), the difference was more pronounced. The strategy to perform early allo-SCT led to better overall results than auto-SCT, especially for younger patients or those with bad/very bad risk cytogenetics.

Gonadal status in reproductive age women after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for haematological malignancies

BACKGROUND

Ovarian failure is a frequent complication occurring after haematopoietic stem cell transplantion (SCT), which is generally ascribed to radiation treatment and antiblastic alkylating agents.

METHODS

Ovarian morphology and function were studied in reproductive age women 12-24 months after allogeneic SCT (n = 23) received from an HLA identical sibling, or autologous SCT (n = 22). Thirteen allo-transplanted women were suffering from chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD).

RESULTS

Menstrual cycles recovered in two and four women in the allo- and auto-SCT groups respectively, being associated with younger age and longer period elapsed from transplant. There was no difference in previous use of alkylating agents between allo- and auto-transplantation, while corticosteroid treatment was longer and more recent in the allo-SCT group. Significantly higher gonadotrophin levels and lower estradiol were seen in the combined group of patients than in controls. In allo-transplanted women, androgens were also significantly lower than in controls. Ovarian and uterine volumes were lower in patients than in controls, and in the allo- than in the auto-transplanted women. Within the allo-SCT group, endocrine function and ovarian and uterine volumes were significantly lower in the patients suffering from cGVHD.

CONCLUSIONS

Ovarian failure in SCT recipients is likely to be caused principally by myelo-ablative treatments, but the condition of gonadal and androgen insufficiency can be worsened by an altered immunomodulation in allogeneic setting.

Spleen enlargement following recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration for peripheral blood stem cell mobilization

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) is widely used to mobilize peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) for autologous or allogeneic transplants. Such treatment may cause spleen enlargement; exceptionally, spontaneous spleen rupture has been reported. We investigated changes in spleen size during stem cell mobilization.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We evaluated spleen size, comparing palpation with ultrasound (US)-evaluated longitudinal diameter and volume, in 13 healthy donors and 22 patients with a hematological malignancy who were undergoing PBSC mobilization with rhG-CSF-including regimens.

RESULTS

Intraobserver and interobserver variability of US-calculated spleen volume was very low; the correlation between the volume calculated by US and that measured by 3-dimensional computed tomography was excellent. During mobilization, spleen enlargement was detected by palpation in 17% of subjects, by US-measured longitudinal diameter in 60%, and by US-calculated volume in 91%. The median increase in spleen volume was 300 mL (range, 54-820; p<0.001) in healthy donors and 135 mL (range, 0-413; p=0.004) in the group of patients; the enlargement correlated with white blood cell count elevation (p=0.016) but not with circulating CD34+ cells. One month after the last administration of rhG-CSF, the median decrease was 160 mL (range, 35-800) in healthy donors and 58 mL (range, 0-310) in patients.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

When evaluated by sensitive methods, rhG-CSF caused spleen enlargement in almost all individuals treated. US-calculated volume proved to be an excellent method, much better than longitudinal diameter, for detecting non-palpable splenomegaly induced by rhG-CSF.

Avascular necrosis in long-term survivors after allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplantation: a single center experience and a review

BACKGROUND

The most debilitating skeletal complication of stem cell transplantation (SCT) is avascular necrosis (AVN).

METHODS

Two hundred seven consecutive patients were evaluated prospectively for AVN. They survived disease free for more than 180 days after autologous or allogeneic SCT for hematologic malignancies. The diagnosis of AVN in suspicious cases was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Possible correlations with treatments, bone mineral density (BMD), graft versus host disease (GVHD), and in vitro growth of fibroblast progenitors were investigated. Bone mineral density was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 100 transplanted patients, and the in vitro growth of fibroblast progenitors was monitored by a fibroblast colony-forming unit (CFU-F) assay in 30 patients after allogeneic SCT.

RESULTS

Twelve patients developed AVN 3-114 months (median, 26 months) following SCT: 10 (10%) after allogeneic SCT and 2 (1.9%) after autologous SCT (P = 0.04). Twenty-five joints were affected by AVN. All patients had femoral head involvement, which was managed with hip replacement in six of them. All but one patient who developed AVN after allogeneic SCT suffered from chronic GVHD (cGVHD). Avascular necrosis occurred 1-4 months after exacerbation or progression of cGVHD. Cumulative dose of steroids was similar in both SCT groups (including steroids given pretransplant for the basic disease), whereas treatment duration was significantly longer in the allogeneic SCT group. Avascular necrosis was related to the decreased number of bone marrow CFU-F colonies in vitro, but not to BMD values.

CONCLUSIONS

Avascular necrosis is a skeletal complication that occurs more often after allogeneic than after autologous SCT. Occurrence of AVN symptoms after clinical follow-up of cGVHD suggests that cGVHD requiring long-term steroid therapy is one of the main risk factors for AVN. Avascular necrosis may be facilitated by a severe deficit in the repopulating capacity of bone marrow stromal stem cells after SCT.

Long-lasting bone damage detected by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, phalangeal osteosonogrammetry, and in vitro growth of marrow stromal cells after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Bone complications after allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) include osteoporosis, fractures, and osteonecrosis. We investigated bone abnormalities in long-term survivors after busulfan cyclophosphamide-conditioning regimen, followed by human leukocyte antigen-identical sibling SCT. Bone density was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) and phalangeal osteosonogrammetry (OSG) in 41 patients 1-10 yr after allo-SCT. Using colony-forming units-fibroblast (CFU-F) assay, we analyzed the repopulating capacity of clonogenic fibroblast progenitors belonging to the osteogenic stromal lineage. LS and FN bone mineral density (BMD) and phalangeal densitometric values were significantly reduced, compared with 188 healthy controls (P < 0.001). Decrease in T-score less than 1 SD was documented in 29% and 52% of patients at the LS and FN, respectively. OSG detected densitometric values with a T-score less than 1 SD in 68% of transplanted patients. The patients examined within the first 3 yr after transplant showed low BMD, which remained stable at FN and improved at LS. Phalangeal densitometry was low up to 10 yr after transplant. CFU-F was found permanently depressed and unable to give rise to a confluent stroma. Low serum osteocalcin levels were present throughout the whole follow-up period. A significant correlation was found between densitometric values detected by both techniques and CFU-F growth in vitro. Osteonecrosis was associated with lower FN BMD, and phalangeal densitometry correlated inversely with duration of amenorrhea and chronic graft vs. host disease requiring long-lasting steroid therapy. In conclusion, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and phalangeal OSG may provide complementary information on bone density after allo-SCT. Prolonged severe impairment of femoral BMD and phalangeal densitometry suggest that bone loss may persist for many years after transplant. Inability to regenerate a normal number of osteoblastic precursors in the stromal stem cell compartment may in part account for severe long-lasting posttransplant decrease in bone mass.

High prevalence of endocrine dysfunction in long-term survivors after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for hematologic diseases

BACKGROUND

The progressively increasing number of long-term survivors after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) led researchers to focus on the early and late complications of this procedure. Endocrine dysfunction occurred mostly in patients who had undergone total body irradiation (TBI) as part of pretransplantation treatment. The extent to which chemotherapy and immune system derangement affect endocrine function in allo-BMT recipients is still unclear.

METHODS

Forty consecutive patients (21 women, 19 men) with hematologic diseases surviving 12 or more months after allo-BMT from HLA-identical siblings were studied. Patients' age at transplantation ranged from 13 to 45 years and their post-BMT follow-up lasted 12-62 months. The conditioning regimen BUCY2 was employed. Graft versus host disease (GVHD) was observed in the acute form in 13 patients and in the chronic form in 26. The function of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad, thyroid, somatotrophic, and adrenal axes was assessed.

RESULTS

The most common endocrine dysfunction was ovarian insufficiency (95% of women), followed by an increase in follicle-stimulating hormone in 47% of men, indicating spermatogenesis damage. Hormone replacement therapy was contraindicated in three women because of chronic liver GVHD and it was ineffective partially in four others because of reduced intestinal or cutaneous absorption. Thyroid dysfunction occurred in 47.5% of patients and included low T3 syndrome, chronic thyroiditis, and transient subclinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism. Adrenal function was abnormal in 10%, mostly related to the prolonged corticosteroid treatment. IGF-I was lower than age-reference values in 27% of all patients and in 38% of those with chronic GVHD. Thyroid, adrenal, and IGF-I impairments were more frequent in patients with chronic GVHD than in patients without this disease (P = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of endocrine dysfunction was detected in a cohort of allo-BMT recipients not treated by TBI. Although gonadal failure was likely related to intensive myeloablative treatments, thyroid, adrenal, and IGF-I impairments were late events, suggesting that immunosuppressive treatment and immune system derangement may play a role in the development of endocrine dysfunction after allografting.

Color ultrasound-guided fine needle cutting biopsy for the characterization of diffuse liver damage in critical bone marrow transplanted patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The optimal method for liver biopsy in patients with simultaneous bone marrow and liver impairment has not yet been established. New approaches (e.g. imaging-guided methods) for this procedure are needed. In spite of coagulopathy, immunosuppression, anemia or ascites, we histologically characterized liver damage in a series of bone marrow transplanted patients using color-Doppler ultrasonography, which permits very keen visualization (and assessment) of hepatic parenchyma and vessels, and a fine needle for percutaneous biopsy.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We performed percutaneous liver biopsy using a Menghini-type automatic very fine cutting needle (1.2 mm, 18G) under color ultrasound guidance in 16 bone marrow transplanted adult patients consecutively seen in our units from 1998 to 2001. The patients had clinically defined diffuse serious liver damage; liver biopsy was performed between 3 and 10 months after allogeneic (n= 11) or autologous (n= 5) transplantation.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients tolerated the procedure well and had no discomfort, while one patient developed intrahepatic hemorrhage. All liver biopsies were suitable for histologic examination and informative, revealing the specific etiology of liver damage: graft-versus-host disease in six patients, drug toxicity in five, hepatitis C virus acute reactivation in two, and in one each vanishing bile duct syndrome, nodular regenerative hyperplasia and hemochromatosis. Biopsy detected potentially injurious concomitant factors, e.g., occult intrahepatic hepatitis B virus infection and reactivation. Histology radically changed the presumptive clinical diagnosis in 10 of the 16 patients and led to successful treatment changes in six.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous biopsy with a small cutting needle under color ultrasound guidance carries a low risk of complications and provides reliable information regarding liver histology in critically ill patients, in the early stage after bone marrow transplantation. We suggest including this imaging-guided mini-invasive procedure to the standard work-up of post-transplant liver damage.

Multiple myeloma cured by conventional chemotherapy: a report and a review

A young man presented with overt multiple myeloma at the age of 28, and received cyclophosphamide pulses every 3-4 weeks for more than 3 years. He has remained in continuous complete remission for the past 23 years without further treatment and without evidence of disease. Five cases of multiple myeloma cured by conventional chemotherapy reported in literature are reviewed here.

Influence of the co-encapsulation of different non-ionic surfactants on the properties of PLGA insulin-loaded microspheres

The aim of this work was to produce insulin-loaded microspheres allowing the preservation of peptide stability during both particle processing and insulin release. Our strategy was to combine the concepts of using surfactants to improve insulin stability while optimising overall microsphere characteristics such as size, morphology, peptide loading and release. Bovine insulin was encapsulated within poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA 50:50, Resomer RG504H) microspheres by the multiple emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. Microspheres were prepared by adding to the primary emulsion three non-ionic surfactants, poloxamer 188, polysorbate 20 and sorbitan monooleate 80, at different concentrations (1.5 and 3. 0% w/v). The presence of surfactants was found to decrease the mean diameter and to affect the morphology of the microspheres. Insulin encapsulation efficiency was reduced in the presence of surfactants and especially for sorbitan monooleate 80, in a concentration-dependent mode. The influence of the surfactants on the interactions between insulin and PLGA together with the primary emulsion stability were found to be the major determinants of insulin encapsulation. The release of insulin from microspheres was biphasic, showing an initial burst effect followed by a near zero-order release for all the batches prepared. The initial burst was related to the presence of insulin molecules located onto or near to the microsphere surface. In the presence of surfactants, a faster insulin release with respect to microspheres encapsulating insulin alone was observed. Insulin stability within microspheres after processing, storage and release was evaluated by reversed phase- and size-exclusion-HPLC. The analysis of microsphere content after processing and 6 months of storage showed that insulin did not undergo any chemical modification within microspheres. On the contrary, during the period of sustained release insulin was transformed in a high-molecular weight product, the amount of which was related to the surfactant used. In conclusion, polysorbate 20 at 3% w/v concentration was the most effective in giving regular shaped particles with both good insulin loading and slow release, and limiting insulin modification within microspheres.