Tandem transplant of peripheral blood stem cells for patients with poor-prognosis Hodgkins's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

To improve the results of high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation, new conditioning regimens with acceptable toxicity must be developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and toxicity of two myeloablative regimens performed at a 2-month interval. After salvage chemotherapy and collection of peripheral stem cell progenitors (median CD34+ cells/kg: 11 x 106/kg), (n = 15) patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with poor prognostic factors or refractory Hodgkin's disease (n= 9) received intensified regimens. The first conditioning regimen, consisting of BCNU-cyclophosphamide-VP16-mitoxantrone was followed by transplantation of a median number of 4 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg; then, after a median interval of 56 days, a second preparative regimen, combining busulfan-aracytine-melphalan or TBI + aracytine-melphalan, was followed by transplantation of a median of 4 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg. After regimens 1 and 2, respectively: median time to neutrophil recovery >500/microl was 11 days (both times); median time to platelet counts >50,000/microl was 14 and 36 days, but values > 20,000/microl were reached by days 13 and 16 (P = 0.9); mucositis grade III-IV was observed in 11 and 15 cases. The median number of days with fever >38 degrees C was significantly higher (7.8 days) after the second transplant (P <0.05). Three cases of veno-occlusive disease (VOD) were observed after the second transplant. At a median follow-up of 18 months, 14/24 (58%) patients remained in CR, seven patients had died (two of VOD and five after relapse) and two were alive in relapse. These results indicate that tandem transplants performed at a 2-month interval in poor risk lymphoma can be used with acceptable hematotoxicity. VOD remains the major drawback and hepatotoxic drugs, such as busulfan, should be used with caution. Longer term follow-up of a larger cohort of patients is needed to ascertain the overall efficacy.

A prospective coagulation study including resistance to activated protein C and mutations in factors V and II in venous leg ulcers

Hypercoagulable states have been reported to be associated with venous leg ulcers. In an attempt to investigate the prevalence of hypercoagulable states in patients with venous leg ulcers, we performed a prospective case-control study for the presence of coagulation defects in such patients, including resistance to activated protein C (APC), factor V Leiden mutation and a newly described mutation in factor II. Results were compared with those obtained in a control group. APC resistance was found in four of 33 patients tested, but only one was found to be heterozygous for the factor V Leiden mutation. Factor II mutation was found in two of 30 patients tested. Our findings show that the prevalence of coagulation abnormalities is not different in patients with venous leg ulcers from controls in our study, suggesting that only selected patients with venous ulcers and a history of recurrent deep venous thrombosis should be investigated for the presence of coagulation defects.

Elevated levels of circulating procoagulant microparticles in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and aplastic anemia

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), frequently occurring during suppressed hematopoiesis including aplastic anemia (AA), is a clonal disorder associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic events. Complement-mediated hemolysis, impairment of the fibrinolytic system, or platelet activation are thought to be responsible for the associated thrombotic risk. We investigated here the elevation of membrane-derived procoagulant microparticles in the blood flow of such patients. Elevated levels of circulating microparticles were in fact detected in both de novo PNH patients and AA subjects with a PNH clone, but not in those with AA without a PNH clone. The cellular origin of the microparticles was determined in PNH samples; most stemmed from platelets. Glycophorin A+ particles were rarely detected. Therefore, platelet activation, resulting in the dissemination of procoagulant phospholipids in the blood flow, could be one of the main causes for the elevated thrombotic risk associated with PNH. These observations suggest that shed membrane particles can be considered a valuable biological parameter for the assessment of possible thrombotic complications in patients with PNH.

Aplastic anaemia and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria: a study of the GPI-anchored proteins on human platelets

Twenty-six consecutive patients with acquired aplastic anaemia (AA) and nine patients with de novo paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) were included in this study. In these 35 patients a GPI-anchored molecule defect at the platelet surface was investigated by flow-cytometry. Platelets from eight out of the nine patients with de novo PNH were found to be deficient for the GPI-anchored molecule CD55, CD58 and CD59. We also detected a GPI-anchored molecule defect on monocytes, granulocytes, and erythrocytes in all patients with de novo PNH. Among the 26 AA patients, a GPI defect was detected on platelets in five patients. Interestingly, these five patients were also found to have a GPI-anchored molecule defect on erythrocytes, whereas in 10 patients the GPI-anchored molecule defect was only detected on monocyte and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells.

All-trans retinoic acid rapidly decreases cathepsin G synthesis and mRNA expression in acute promyelocytic leukemia

The cells from patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (AML M3) undergo terminal differentiation when treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). We have analyzed the expression of the mRNA for cathepsin G, a promyelocyte stage-specific transcript, in the leukemia and in retinoic acid responsive cell lines. We showed that the transcript is perpetually synthesized in patients' cells and that it rapidly disappears when the cells are treated with ATRA. In ATRA-sensitive (HL-60, NB4) cell lines and an ATRA-resistant (HL-60R) cell line we have shown that this process is dependent on proteins synthesized during the first 6h of ATRA-triggered differentiation and may involve both pre- and post-transcriptional mechanisms. A corresponding decrease in cathepsin G protein synthesis then follows. These findings indicate that the maturation arrest in AML M3 results in cells that may constitutively continue to produce proteins whose production is temporally confined during normal hemopoiesis. This would explain the elevated plasma-free serine protease activity we have demonstrated in this disease, and has implications for both the coagulopathy and the 'retinoic acid syndrome' in AML M3.

Increased plasma serotonin in primary pulmonary hypertension

PURPOSE

Pulmonary hypertension can occur in patients who have disorders associated with altered platelet serotonin storage, including collagen vascular disease and platelet storage pool disease. We tested the hypothesis that primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) may be also associated with impaired handling of serotonin by platelets, resulting in increased plasma serotonin levels.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We used radioenzymatic assays to measure serotonin in platelets and plasma and serotonin released during in vitro platelet aggregation in 16 patients with PPH, and in 16 normal controls matched for age and sex. Six patients were restudied after heart-lung transplantation to determine whether serotonin abnormalities persisted after pulmonary arterial pressure returned to normal.

RESULTS

Patients had decreased platelet serotonin concentration (1.8 +/- 0.6 x 10(-18) mol/platelet versus 3.2 +/- 0.2 x 10(-18) mol/platelet in controls; P < 0.01) and increased plasma serotonin concentration (30.1 +/- 9.2 x 10(-9) mol/L versus 0.6 +/- 0.1 x 10(-9) mol/L in controls; P < 0.001). Serotonin released during in vitro platelet aggregation was higher in patients than in controls. After heart-lung transplantation, platelet serotonin concentrations remained decreased and plasma levels remained increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal handling of serotonin by platelets leading to an increase in plasma serotonin occurs in PPH. The persistent decrease in platelet storage of serotonin after heart-lung transplantation suggests that this platelet abnormality is not secondary to PPH.

Aplastic anemia and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: search for a pathogenetic link

The association of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and aplastic anemia (AA) raises the yet unresolved questions as to whether these two disorders are different forms of the same disease. We compared two groups of patients with respect to cytogenetic features, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked protein expression, protein C/protein S/thrombomodulin/antithrombin III activity, and PIG-A gene expression. The first group consisted of eight patients with PNH (defined as positive Ham and sucrose tests at diagnosis), and the second, 37 patients with AA. Twelve patients with AA later developed a PNH clone. Monoclonal antibodies used to study GPI-linked protein expression (CD14 [on monocytes], CD16 [on neutrophils], CD48 [on lymphocytes and monocytes], CD67 [on neutrophils and eosinophils], and, more recently, CD55, CD58, and CD59 [on erythrocytes]) were also tested on a cohort of 20 normal subjects and five patients with constitutional AA. Ham and sucrose tests were performed on the same day as flow-cytometric analysis. Six of 12 patients with AA, who secondarily developed a PNH clone, had clinical symptoms, while all eight patients with PNH had pancytopenia and/or thrombosis and/or hemolytic anemia. Cytogenetic features were normal in all but two patients. Proteins C and S, thrombomodulin, and antithrombin III levels were within the normal range in patients with PNH and in those with AA (with or without a PNH clone). In patients with PNH, CD16 and CD67 expression were deficient in 78% to 98% of the cells and CD14 in 76% to 100%. By comparison, a GPI-linked defect was detected in 13 patients with AA, affecting a mean of 32% and 33% of CD16/CD67 and CD14 cell populations, respectively. Two of three tested patients with PNH and 1 of 12 patients with AA had a defect in the CD48 lymphocyte population. In a follow-up study of our patient cohort, we used the GPI-linked molecules on granulocytes and monocytes investigated earlier and added the study of CD55, CD58, and CD59 on erythrocytes. Two patients with PNH and 14 with AA were studied for 6 to 13 months after the initial study. Among patients with AA, four in whom no GPI-anchoring defect was detected in the first study had no defect in follow-up studies of all blood-cell subsets (including erythrocytes). Analysis of granulocytes, monocytes, and erythrocytes was performed in 7 of 13 AA patients in whom affected monocytes and granulocytes were previously detected. A GPI-anchoring defect was detected on erythrocytes in five of six.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

In vivo thrombin and plasmin activities in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL): effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) therapy

APL-associated hemostasis disorders result from at least two distinct mechanisms due to the release of procoagulant activities and plasminogen activators from the leukemic cells. These two mechanisms (thrombin activation and plasmin activation) may cleave the fibrinogen molecule, but their respective roles in low fibrinogen levels and bleeding diathesis genesis remain in dispute. In vivo ATRA therapy induces a rapid correction of both low fibrinogen level and bleeding tendency, but no clear explanation of this beneficial effect has been proposed. We prospectively investigated 27 APL patients at presentation for diffuse intravascular coagulation (DIC) markers (prothrombin activation fragment and thrombin/antithrombin complexes) and plasmin-dependent primary fibrinogenolysis markers (alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor consumption +/- plasmin/alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor complexes). Fourteen of these patients were then serially studied during the first 2 weeks of ATRA therapy. Four of them, however, developed an hyperleukocytosis requiring additional chemotherapy before the end of the 2nd week. At presentation, low level of fibrinogen was clearly associated with alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor deficiency (p < 0.01), while DIC was equally present in fibrinogenopenic and non-fibrinogenopenic patients. Moreover, was observed a rapid simultaneous correction of low fibrinogen levels and plasmin activation markers in APL patients undergoing ATRA therapy (before day 5), but a more prolonged persistence of DIC markers (until day 14). Initial bleeding syndrome seemed more frequent in patients with initial low fibrinogen level. These data indicate that plasmin-dependent primary fibrinogenolysis is the major etiologic factor of low fibrinogen level in APL patients. In vivo differentiation ATRA therapy induces a rapid decrease in the plasmin activation and a normalization of fibrinogen level, while DIC may in vivo persist for several weeks. Prospective studies evaluating antifibrinolytic agents as therapy of APL-associated hemostasis disorders should be considered. Additionally, prophylactic heparin therapy might be useful after day 5 in patients undergoing ATRA therapy, since they present a prolonged procoagulant tendency.

[Veno-occlusive disease of the liver after bone marrow transplantation. Report of the symposium Autograft in France and the group of study of bone marrow transplantation. France Auto-Greffe et le Groupe d'Etude de la Greffe de Moelle osseuse]

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease is a frequent complication after high-dose chemo- or radiotherapy after bone marrow transplantation and is a major cause of mortality. During the 3 weeks following transplantation, acute major hepatic vascularization is observed together with portal hypertension and weight gain, ascitis and oedema of the lower limbs due to non-thrombotic obstruction of the centrilobular hepatic veins. This report summarizes the observations presented at a French symposium of France Autogreffe and Groupe d'Etude de la Greffe de Moelle osseuse. Different pathogenic processes are implicated including endothelial mechanisms due to toxic factor related to graft preparations and immunosuppressor treatments (methotrexate, cyclosporin), physical factors related to irradiation, immunological factors related to the expression of class II antigens on endothelial cells and viral factors, in particular cytomegalovirus infection. The incidence of veno-occlusive disease varies greatly from one series to another. Two French groups reported 5 and 3 cases among 1991 and 253 autologous grafts respectively (1.2 and 2.3%) while the Seattle group observed 53% among 355 consecutive grafts, although the same clinical criteria were used. Histological criteria include fibrosis around a non-thrombotic occlusion of the centrilobular veins, cytolysis and congestion of the sinuses. Other methods for diagnosis include transjugular biopsy, the suprahepatic pressure and imaging techniques. Prophylactic continuous infusion of low-dose heparin has been associated with a lower incidence. Trials using anti-tumour necrosis drugs and prostaglandin E1 have also been undertaken and show possible effects towards decreasing prevalence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression of GpIb on plasma cells in a patient with monoclonal IgG and acquired von Willebrand disease

To get insights into the pathogenesis of acquired von Willebrand disease associated with plasma cell dyscrasias, we searched for the expression of the physiological von Willebrand factor receptor, the GpIb/GpIX complex, on bone marrow plasma cells. The monoclonal spike in our patient corresponded to IgG kappa molecules; there was no plasma inhibitor to vWF:Ag or vWF:RiCoF. The bone marrow contained 1-2% plasma cells. Fresh bone marrow cells or plasma cells enriched bone marrow cells after a 48 h in vitro culture in the presence of interleukin 6 were stained by an immuno alkaline phosphatase technique using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to von Willebrand factor, GpIb alpha and beta chain, GpIIb/IIIa and Gp IX. Two different mAb to GpIb alpha chains reacted with the majority (75%) of plasma cells whereas all other reagents yielded no staining. Malignant plasma cells from patients with multiple myeloma without haemostatic disorder were unreactive with anti-GpIb mAb. These data suggest that in some patients with acquired von Willebrand syndrome there is a GpIb mediated selective adsorption of von Willebrand factor on clonal plasma cells.

Changes in protein C, factor VII and endothelial markers after autologous bone marrow transplantation: possible implications in the pathogenesis of veno-occlusive disease

In a recent prospective study of allogenic bone marrow transplantation we reported that decreases in factor VII and protein C were predictive markers for high risk of veno-occlusive disease (VOD). In order to determine the relative involvement of endothelial and hepatocyte injury in the genesis of VOD, 34 consecutive patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were studied. Conditioning was performed by chemotherapy alone or associated with total body irradiation (TBI). Protein C and factor VII, the endothelial markers Von Willebrand factor (vWF and t-PA, fibrinogen and fibronectin were measured weekly before and after BMT. Protein C and factor VII were within the normal range before BMT, decreased significantly on day 7 to 73 and 64% respectively (p < .01) and then returned to normal values. Fibrinogen increased to 7 g/l (p < .001) on day 7 but then returned to normal levels. Fibronectin was abnormally high (p < .001) before BMT and decreased thereafter, while vWF increased (p < 0.001) for three consecutive weeks. t-PA was low (p < 0.001) before conditioning but increased thereafter. These results demonstrate the presence of endothelial lesions before BMT and acute hepatic and endothelial lesions after conditioning. Although VOD was never observed in our patients, this complication could well arise from preexisting vascular lesions due to previous chemotherapy and/or from acute hepatocytic injury, which could also be of endothelial origin, after conditioning.

Coagulation disorders associated with acute promyelocytic leukemia: corrective effect of all-trans retinoic acid treatment

The bleeding diathesis in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is generally attributed to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), initiated by the release of procoagulant activity from leukemic cells. Primary fibrinogenolysis, mediated by the release of leukocyte proteases, may also contribute to this disorder. We analyzed coagulation parameters in 15 non-septic APL patients. Before treatment, there was evidence of thrombin activation with DIC: increased levels of circulating thrombin-antithrombin III complexes, prothrombin fragments 1 + 2 and D-Dimer complexes. This DIC syndrome was probably limited, since no prothrombin time decrease, no significant factor V consumption, and normal levels of coagulation inhibitors (antithrombin III and protein C) were observed in APL patients when compared to normal controls. In this context, marked hypofibrinogenemia suggested primary fibrinogenolysis as the predominant etiology. Despite normal or high tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) antigen levels, the plasma PAI-1 activity and the formation of tPA/PAI-1 complexes were lower in APL patients than in normal controls, suggesting a proteolytic degradation of PAI-1, not able to complex tPA. Two other fibrinolytic inhibitor molecules (alpha-2 plasmin inhibitor antigen and histidine-rich glycoprotein antigen) were also significantly reduced, as well as the two subunits of fibrin stability factor XIII, although only subunit A is known to be susceptible to thrombin action. Evidence of degraded forms of von Willebrand factor in the plasma suggested an extended proteolytic activity. Four patients treated with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) as a single differentiating agent were studied serially. A dissociation between these two syndromes--DIC and fibrinogenolysis/proteolysis--was observed. The rapid correction of the lysis markers contrasted with a more prolonged persistence of the procoagulant activity. We observed persistently high elastase/alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complex levels during ATRA therapy, despite progressive correction of all lysis markers. Thus, the release of elastase from promyelocytic leukemic cells is probably not the only determinant of the fibrinogenolytic/proteolytic syndrome. In summary, the present findings provide new arguments for the association of DIC and proteolysis syndromes in APL-associated coagulation disorders. Further prospective studies are needed in order to confirm the persistence of thrombin activation in course of ATRA therapy.

[Antiphospholipid antibodies--antiphospholipid syndrome. Cause or consequence of thrombosis]

Antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) are heterogeneous immunoglobulines of G, M or A classes with specificity directed towards anionic phospholipids. The APA are associated with a wide variety of diseases. They have been found to represent risk factor for development of arterial and/or veinous thrombosis. The APA would perturbed the biological activities of anionic phospholipid surface in a manner that could decrease the natural anti-coagulant pathway in order to lead to thrombosis. In the latter hypothesis APA would appear as a secondary response to the exposure of phospholipid "self antigens" by activated or damaged blood vascular cells by known stimuli able to induce thrombosis. In these cases APA would therefore constitute a marker of risk of thrombosis. The question which remains to be solved is if APA possess their own pathogenic potential or if they appear as the result of an up-stream pathological event known to be favourable to the development of thrombosis or if both mechanism are involved.

Liver veno-occlusive disease after bone marrow transplantation changes in coagulation parameters and endothelial markers

Veno occlusive disease (VOD) is a frequent complication of allogenic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for which no predictive blood markers are available. 39 patients grafted for severe aplastic anemia (18), and leukemia (21) were prospectively studied. Of the 39 patients, 5 leukemic patients, but no aplastic patients developed VOD. In all the 5 patients with VOD complications we demonstrated a decrease in factor VII and in protein C before the clinical onset of the disease and before any changes in hepatic enzymes were observed. This decrease is the earliest sign of hepatic involvement by the VOD suggesting that the determination of Factor VII and protein C can be used as a prediction test to identify the patients who are at risk of developing VOD after transplantation. In addition, a toxicity of the endothelial cells was suggested by the observed increase in von Willebrand factor and in Serum Angiotensin Converting Enzyme. Signs of endothelial toxicity was more pronounced in leukemic than in aplastic patients.

Use of prostaglandin E1 for prevention of liver veno-occlusive disease in leukaemic patients treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was used to prevent veno-occlusive disease (VOD) of the liver after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for leukaemia. It was given in continuous i.v. infusion from day--8 to day 30 after BMT at a dose of 0.3 micrograms/kg/h. The patients were studied according to the risk factors for VOD: diagnosis, intensification of the conditioning and previous liver abnormalities. The diagnosis of VOD was made on at least two of the following factors: weight gain, hepatomegaly, jaundice, ascitis, pain of the right upper quadrant, increased platelet consumption. 109 patients were studied, 50 were treated by PGE1 and 59 did not receive it. The actuarial incidence of VOD was 12.2% in the PGE1 group and 25.5% in the non PGE1 group (P = 0.05). In acute leukaemia, the incidence was 39.1% in the non-treated group and 12.8% in the PGE1 treated group (P = 0.02). Patients with previous hepatitis had an incidence of 62.5% in the non treated group and 15.5% in the treated group (P = 0.05). A positive cytomegalovirus (CMV) serology seemed to increase the risk of VOD: the incidence of VOD was 31.4% in non-treated patients and 22% in PGE1 treated patients. The multivariate analysis of the risk factors for VOD shows that unfavourable factors were: recipient positive CMV serology (P = 0.06), hepatic disease prior to transplant (P = 0.02) and the absence of PGE1 treatment (P = 0.02). This study suggests that prophylactic PGE1 treatment may decrease the incidence of VOD in patients treated for leukaemia by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Cutaneous and plasma values of von Willebrand factor in AIDS: a marker of endothelial stimulation?

Patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) represent a model in which endothelial proliferation and/or damage are of concern. We studied Von Willebrand factor (VWF) plasma values as a presumed marker of endothelial proliferation in patients with the lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) (n = 45), AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) (n = 23), and AIDS opportunistic infections (n = 9), in comparison with normal controls (n = 19) and classical KS (n = 12). VWF was increased in AIDS patients with KS (p less than 10(-6)), in AIDS patients without KS (p less than 10(-7)), and to a lesser extent in classical KS (p less than 10(-3)) and LAS (p less than 10(-2] patients. To evaluate the diffusion of the vascular proliferation in HIV-infected patients, we studied the number of vessels within the superficial dermis of clinically uninvolved skin by an indirect immunoperoxidase method. We used an antibody directed against VWF in skin biopsies from 20 LAS patients and 10 AIDS-related KS patients compared to 11 controls and 10 classical KS patients. An increase in the number of blood vessels in normal skin was found in LAS (p less than 10(-2)), classical KS (p less than 0.05), and AIDS-related KS (p less than 10(-2]. Statistical studies and comparisons between plasma and cutaneous values of VWF indicate that plasma VWF is a good marker of endothelial damage but a poor marker of vascular proliferation in HIV-infected patients.

Comparative behaviour of antithrombin III antigen and antithrombin III activity in cardiovascular patients

Antithrombin III-functional (AT III F) and immunoprotein (AT III I) assessed by two comparative methods in various cardiovascular conditions, showed significant differences between the two parameters, namely: a simultaneous decrease of both AT III F and AT III I during acute embolic episodes of only AT III F in transient ischemic attacks (with normal level of AT III I) and increase of AT III I (with apparently normal AT III F) in patient with mitral valve prosthesis. It is considered that in condition of "hypercoagulability" various patterns of AT III F/AT III I ratio can be obtained: decompensated, compensated and hypercompensated consumption.