T-Cell Alterations in Hemophiliacs Treated with Commercial Clotting Factor Concentrates

Various immunological parameters were determined in 46 patients with severe hemophilia A and in 9 patients with severe hemophilia B. All patients were treated over many years with commercial factor VIII or IX concentrates. Patients with severe classic hemophilia had a significantly reduced relative and absolute number of T-helper cells and a significantly increased relative and absolute number of T-suppressor cells. About half of these patients had an inverse T-helper/suppressor cell ratio. Patients with moderate hemophilia A and severe hemophilia B did not show these abnormalities. Hemophiliacs with an inverse ratio had a significantly higher concentration of serum total protein, IgG and IgM. No relationship between the amount of factor VIII concentrate administered, the HLA-type of the patient, the presence or absence of CMV-antibodies, hepatitis markers, thrombocytopenia and abnormal liver function tests to the T-cell abnormalities could be established. Lymphadenopathy was frequently associated with an inverse ratio. Indirect evidence suggests that the alterations of the immune system began in 1979/80.

Manifestations of Graft-Versus-Host Disease following Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplantation

Sixty-seven patients undergoing allogenic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were examined before and at regular intervals for up to 87 months (1-87 months, mean 18) after transplantation. Within a period of 1-39 months, 14 of these patients died (11 male, 3 female; age at BMT 16-46y). Five of these patients died within the first 100 days. They showed no eye involvement; three patients had intraretinal hemorrhage, in one case of squamous blepharitis and filiform keratitis developed during chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In contrast, 22 of 53 (41.5%) surviving patients (30 male, 23 female; age at BMT 1-47y) were found to have ocular involvement. Before BMT only two cases of retinal hemorrhage and central chorioretinal scars each were detected. During the stage of acute GVHD (up to day 100), nine patients were free of ocular manifestations. However, 16 of the 20 patients with chronic GVHD showed ocular involvement; 14 (70%) had reduced tearflow, ten had severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca, four suffered from sterile corneal ulcerations. Bilateral cataracts were detected in 11 patients, nine of whom only had minimal posterior subcapsular opacification, possibly resulting from highdose steroid medication. One additional case presented with bilateral multifocal recurrent chorioretinitis and panuveitis. The fundus lesions appeared some months after BMT (before cyclosporin-A treatment started) and recurred during systemic treatment. All patients undergoing allogenic BMT, especially when treated for severe chronic GVHD, require regular ocular observation to avoid complications such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca at an early stage, as late complications are often severe and hardly amenable to conservative or surgical treatment.

Spontaneous changes in tumour cell dissemination to bone marrow in colorectal cancer

AIM

The study aimed to evaluate the incidence of disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) in bone marrow (BM) preoperatively and during follow up and to correlate these with established risk factors in patients with colorectal cancer.

METHOD

We prospectively studied BM in 57 patients using the anti-cytokeratin antibody A45-B/B3.

RESULTS

The overall detection rate of DTCs was 23% with a similar detection rate through all stages of the disease. No significant association was found between the presence of DTCs and clinicopathological parameters. After a median follow up of 35.4 months, no differences were found in relapse and overall survival between patients with and without DTC preoperatively. In 31 of 45 patients with local disease, we performed a follow-up BM examination after 1 year. In 26% of the patients, the BM status had changed as compared with the preoperative finding.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to report the follow up of DTC in BM in colorectal cancer using the A45-B/B3 antibody. The presence of tumour cells in the preoperative BM had no impact on outcome. The BM status had changed after 12 months in a quarter of patients.

Bone marrow transplants from mismatched related and unrelated donors for severe aplastic anemia

For patients with acquired severe aplastic anemia without a matched sibling donor and not responding to immunosuppressive treatment, bone marrow transplantation from a suitable alternative donor is often attempted. We examined risks of graft failure, graft-versus-host disease and overall survival after 318 alternative donor transplants between 1988 and 1998. Sixty-six patients received allografts from 1-antigen and 20 from >1-antigen mismatched related donors; 181 from matched and 51 from mismatched unrelated donors. Most patients were young, had had multiple red blood cell transfusions and poor performance score at transplantation. We did not observe differences in risks of graft failure and overall mortality by donor type. The probabilities of graft failure at 100 days after 1-antigen mismatched related donor, >1-antigen mismatched related donor, matched unrelated donor and mismatched unrelated donor transplants were 21, 25, 15 and 18%, respectively. Corresponding probabilities of overall survival at 5 years were 49, 30, 39 and 36%, respectively. Although alternative donor transplantation results in long-term survival, mortality rates are high. Poor performance score and older age adversely affect outcomes after transplantation. Therefore, early referral for transplantation should be encouraged for patients who fail immunosuppressive therapy and have a suitable alternative donor.

[Immunocytochemical and molecular detection of minimal residual disease in blood and bone marrow in colorectal cancer]

Immunocytochemical and molecular biological methods to analyze minimal residual disease (MRD) in colorectal cancer in blood and bone marrow were compared. The concept of a study in the Donauspital will be presented which will permit a comparative judgement of minimal residual disease in blood and bone marrow in patients with colorectal cancer.

Clinically demonstrable anti-autoimmunity mediated by allogeneic immune cells favorably affects outcome after stem cell transplantation in human autoimmune diseases

To determine the role of allogeneic, autologous and syngeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCTx) as a treatment for severe autoimmune disease (AID) we performed a literature search employing Medline, Cancer Lit and abstract books for reports on transplants for blood disorders and a concomitant AID. All reviews, case reports and abstracts available between June 1977 and September 2001 were used and attempts made to update them by e-mail by the corresponding authors. Disease-free survival (DFS) after allogeneic SCTx for 23 patients with severe aplastic anemia was 78% at 16 years and survival in unmaintained remission of concomitant AID was 64% at 13 years. DFS after allogeneic SCTx for 24 patients with hematologic malignancies was 87% at 15 years and survival in unmaintained remission for concomitant AID was 70% at 11 years. DFS after autologous SCTx for 24 patients with hematologic malignancies was 48% at 6 years and survival in unmaintained remission for concomitant AID was 29% at 3 years. Among 30 patients given allogeneic SCTx 19 developed graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and 11 did not. Upon clinically justified discontinuation of all immunosuppressive therapy, 3/11 patients without GVHD relapsed with their concomitant AID (freedom of AID-relapse 69% at 9 years), whereas none of 19 patients with GVHD did so (log rank: P = 0.0135). Freedom of AID-relapse was superior after allo SCTx compared to autologous SCTx (89% at 18 years vs 38% at 5 years; log rank: P = 0.0002). Our data suggest that a graft-versus-autoimmunity effect after allogeneic hemopoietic SCTx mediates elimination of autoimmunity.

Long-term outcome and quality of life of patients who are alive and in complete remission more than two years after allogeneic and syngeneic stem cell transplantation

We assessed long-term outcome in 155 patients who had undergone an allogeneic/syngeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) and were in complete remission for more than 2 years after transplant. Probability of late transplant-related mortality was 6%, and affected only patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Thirteen percent of patients experienced relapse. Overall survival projected at 10 and 15 years was 83% and 76%, respectively. Secondary malignancies occurred in two patients, 7.5 and 11 years after SCT. Three female and four male patients parented children 19 to 84 months after SCT. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed in a cross-sectional study by the means of a 30-item questionnaire (QLQ-C30) of the EORTC. The questionnaire was sent to 127 patients remaining alive and answered by 106 patients. Seventy-three percent reported a good to very good QoL within 5 years after SCT and 78% after this time point. However, patients with cGVHD had significant impairment of physical, role and social functioning and only 60% of them were fit for work. These results from long-term survivors show that high cure rates with good to very good QoL can be achieved by allogeneic or syngeneic SCT.

[Significance of minimal residual disease for the estimation of the prognosis and for therapeutic decisions in solid tumors]

The detection of disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow and blood is increasingly used for staging and therapeutic decisions in breast cancer and other solid tumors. Molecular biological methods improve the diagnostic accuracy. Limitations of the approach relate to the lack of disease-specific marker genes. The detection of tumor cells in the bone marrow after primary therapy is a negative prognostic parameter in many solid tumours. Axillary lymph node dissection and histopathology remain the standard staging procedure in breast cancer, but nodal negative patients exhibiting tumor cells in the bone marrow have an inferior outcome and may benefit from adjuvant therapy. The immunohistochemical and molecular detection of tumour cells in lymph nodes reduces the number of truly nodal-negative patients considerably. Tumour cells in bone marrow and blood may be used to directly monitor therapeutic responses.

Blood stem cell transplantation for breast cancer: new approaches using pre- peri- post-transplant immunotherapy

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) after high dose chemotherapy is usually offered to breast cancer patients carrying a high risk of relapse or having chemosensitive metastatic disease. Whether progression free and overall survival of such patients is improved after auto-PBSCT compared to conventional chemotherapy is a matter of debate. Currently available results of randomised trials could not uniformly prove or disprove auto-PBSCT being advantageous. Yet such studies have not employed any manipulation of the stem cell graft or any post-transplant immunomodulation exploiting the unique immunological environment for tumour eradication which exists only after auto-PBSCT. Preliminary data have discussed the ex vivo and in vivo generation of cytotoxic effector cells employing IL-2 and/or IFN-alpha/gamma in the auto-PBSCT setting. Other cytokines such as IL-12, IL-15 and prolactin have likewise been considered. Several anticancer vaccine protocols after auto-PBSCT are ongoing using monovalent vaccines or anti-idiotypic antibodies. Polyvalent anticancer vaccines, cytokine secreting tumour cells, tumour pulsed or hybridised dendritic cells (DC) enhanced with cytokines are studied. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) could assist: unlabelled for pretransplant exvivo purging, post-transplant for enhancing antibody-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) or radioimmunoconjugated as an additive cytotoxic part of the conditioning regimen. Autologous graft versus host induction and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (probably with non-myeloablative conditioning followed by donor lymphocyte infusions) are other approaches. Evaluation of successful combinations, optimal dosages and appropriate timing schedules is the subject of future investigations. Since breast cancer patients belong to countless subgroups, a large number of protocols need to be addressed in order to avoid over treatment and prevent relapse.

Successful treatment of invasive mould infection affecting lung and brain in an adult suffering from acute leukaemia

We describe in detail a 67-yr-old woman who was treated with a cytostatic combination chemotherapy for newly diagnosed common-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. At the end of induction therapy, the patient acquired invasive mould infection affecting lung and brain. The patient entered complete remission of her leukaemia. Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B was initiated along with surgical excision of the fungal brain abscess. Intrathecal instillation of amphotericin B deoxycholate was started using an Ommaya reservoir because of an anatomical connection between the postoperative cavity and the ventricle. Full dose cytostatic chemotherapy was continued with little delay. A computerised tomography scan of the chest performed 2 months later revealed no fungal abscesses. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain did not reveal any fungal manifestation. During maintenance therapy/week 69, the patient relapsed from leukaemia. High doses of intravenous liposomal amphotericin B were administered prophylactically. The patient's leukaemia proved refractory to reinduction chemotherapy and the patient died from pneumonia 8 wk later. Post mortem microbiological investigation and histopathological examination of lung and brain tissue did not reveal any macroscopical or microscopical fungal manifestations. This case underlines the feasibility and successful application of combined antileukaemic, antifungal and surgical therapy in a patient with acute leukaemia.

Long-term clinical and molecular remission after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in patients with poor prognosis non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

From 1987 to 1999 35 patients with poor prognosis non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) at the University Hospitals of Vienna and Graz. Initial biopsy specimens were reclassified according to the Revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms (REAL). All patients surviving 28 days engrafted. Twenty-eight of them (93%) attained clinical remission. At the last follow-up 14 patients were alive and disease-free at a median of 5.0 (range, 2.3-12.9) years after allogeneic SCT. The actuarial overall survival is 35%. Five patients relapsed 1.8 to 27.6 months after transplant, the probability of relapse is 23%. Of the 21 deaths following SCT, seven were due to relapse/refractory disease and 14 due to transplant-related causes. The probability of treatment-related mortality is 48%. After SCT, minimal residual disease (MRD) was monitored by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in seven patients with a BCL-2/IgH translocation and in 13 with a clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) rearrangement. All 20 patients attained clinical remission rapidly and converted to PCR negativity. In the follow-up nine of these patients are in long-term clinical and molecular remission, six PCR-negative patients died of transplant-related causes and five patients relapsed. In summary, allogeneic stem cell transplantation has a curative potential for patients with refractory and recurrent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In our series long-term disease-free survival was associated with molecular disease eradication after SCT. Treatment-related mortality rate was high, thus earlier referral of selected patients to allogeneic SCT should be considered.

[Autologous transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells--therapeutic spectrum and future developments]

Autologous transplantation with haematopoietic blood stem cells (ASTx) is increasingly performed in blood cell disorders, in solid tumours and recently, in severe autoimmune disorders. In acute leukaemia, ASTx is usually offered to patients in complete remission who lack an HLA-identical donor. The chances and risks must be weighed against a transplant from a matched, unrelated donor. ASTx are routinely performed in aggressive lymphoma. Indications for ASTx in intermediate and low grade lymphoma await results of clinical trials. In Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, ASTx are routinely performed in first or subsequent remission, and in early stages, respectively. Among solid cancers, ASTx is an established part of the therapeutic measures in germ cell tumours. Patients with breast cancer may undergo ASTx in an adjuvant setting after complete tumour resection or in a palliative setting after progression. Initial enthusiasm has switched to a more awaiting view of this indication. Severe autoimmune disorders may undergo haemolymphatic ablation from conditioning and a stem cell transplant. The scientific evaluation of this approach should employ three sequential steps: The first step should employ vigorous immunosuppression followed by ASTx; the second step should employ stem cell autografts depleted from autoreactive immune cells; the third step should employ allogeneic stem cells from normal donors. A truly curative approach after complete haemolymphatic reconstitution is conceivable.

[High dosage therapy with stem cell transplantation in neuroendocrine carcinoma]

Neuroendocrine carcinoma and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) are highly responsive to chemo- and radiotherapy. Nevertheless, most patients (pts.) experience relapse. At the 2nd department of medicine in the Donauspital, 4 pts. with neuroendocrine carcinomas of different primary sites underwent high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASTx). Pt. 1 suffered from neuroendocrine lung cancer, pt. 2 from a small-cell carcinoma of the pancreas. Pt. 3 had a metastatic small-cell abdominal bulky tumor and pt. 4 presented with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate. After 4-6 cycles induction chemotherapy pts. were consolidated with 1 cycle of HDCht and ASTx. Prior to HDCht pt. 1 and pt. 2 were in complete remission (CR) and pt. 3 and pt. 4 in partial remission. Pt. 3 converted in CR after HDCht. He is still in CR with a disease-free survival of 23 month after ASTx and 30 month after diagnosis. Pt. 1, 2 and 4 died from relapse 10, 16 and 5 month after ASTx and 16, 22 and 9 month after diagnosis. Pts. with neuroendocrine carcinomas might be suitable candidates for HDCht and ASTx.

[Differential chronic hepatitis diagnosis]

Chronic hepatitis comprises a group of disorders of the liver exhibiting a chronic necroinflammatory process that differs in etiology, clinical course and treatment strategies. A diagnosis of chronic hepatitis is usually made when inflammation and liver cell necrosis persist for longer than 6 months. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic patients to those with advanced hepatic failure. Both sexes and all age groups are affected. Chronic hepatitis may emerge as a sequelae of hepatitis C and less often after hepatitis B. Both diseases are treatable and require rapid and exact diagnosis. The differential diagnosis must exclude autoimmune hepatitis, chronic steatohepatitis, congenital metabolic hepatopathies and drug-induced hepatopathies. Laboratory tests, histologic investigations and clinical differential diagnosis must exclude other causes of chronic liver disease.

Relapse of chronic myelogenous leukemia 12 years after allogeneic marrow transplantation: successful second transplantation with allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cells

We report on a 31-year old female patient who relapsed with CML in blast crisis 12 years after a successful BMT for CML in chronic phase from her HLA-identical sister. Because of her good performance status and the long time elapsed since her first BMT, PBPC transplantation of the originial donor was planned. Therefore, the patient was conditioned with busulfan and cyclophosphamide and then received unmanipulated PBPCs from her sister. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of MTX and CsA. She had early engraftment but considerable hepatotoxicity which resolved after more than six months. Furthermore, she developed acute GVHD of the skin grade 2, which responded to corticosteroids. Fifteen months after second transplantation the patient is alive and well in molecular remission and without signs of chronic GVHD.

Primary gastric B-cell lymphoma: results of a prospective multicenter study. The German-Austrian Gastrointestinal Lymphoma Study Group

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Appropriate management of primary gastric lymphoma is controversial. This prospective, multicenter study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of endoscopic biopsy diagnosis and clinical staging procedures and assess a treatment strategy based on Helicobacter pylori status and tumor stage and grade.

METHODS

Of 266 patients with primary gastric B-cell lymphoma, 236 with stages EI (n = 151) or EII (n = 85) were included in an intention-to-treat analysis. Patients with H. pylori-positive stage EI low-grade lymphoma underwent eradication therapy. Nonresponders and patients with stage EII low-grade lymphoma underwent gastric surgery. Depending on the residual tumor status and predefined risk factors, patients received either radiotherapy or no further treatment. Patients with high-grade lymphoma underwent surgery and chemotherapy at stages EI/EII, complemented by radiation in case of incomplete resection.

RESULTS

Endoscopic-bioptic typing and grading and clinical staging were accurate to 73% and 70%, respectively, based on the histopathology of resected specimens. The overall 2-year survival rates for low-grade lymphoma did not differ in the risk-adjusted treatment groups, ranging from 89% to 96%. In high-grade lymphoma, patients with complete resection or microscopic tumor residuals had significantly better survival rates (88% for EI and 83% for EII) than those with macroscopic tumor residues (53%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a considerable need for improvement in clinical diagnostic and staging procedures, especially with a view toward nonsurgical treatment. With the exception of eradication therapy in H. pylori-positive low-grade lymphoma of stage EI and the subgroup of locally advanced high-grade lymphoma, resection remains the treatment of choice. However, because there is an increasing trend toward stomach-conserving therapy, a randomized trial comparing cure of disease and quality of life with surgical and conservative treatment is needed.

Elevation of plasma prolactin in patients undergoing autologous blood stem-cell transplantation for breast cancer: is its modulation a step toward posttransplant immunotherapy?

Prolactin is a suspected promotor of breast cancer cell growth, and it shares pleiotropic immunoregulatory properties. We studied plasma prolactin and its drug-induced modulation in 20 women with breast cancer undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous blood stem-cell transplantation. Plasma prolactin levels were serially assayed before and during conditioning and within and beyond 30 days after transplant. Before transplant, prolactin plasma levels were in the age-adjusted range of normal women. During conditioning and within 30 days after transplant, prolactin levels increased in all patients (p < 0.0001), but remained in the normal range. Antiemetic drugs such as metoclopramide and phenothiazines, known to enhance pituitary prolactin secretion, further elevated prolactin plasma levels (p < 0.00001). Patients remaining in continuous complete remission after transplant (median follow-up, 3 years) disclosed higher prolactin levels compared with those obtaining only partial remission or ensuing early relapse. Prolactin levels are regularly elevated during conditioning and within 30 days after autologous transplantation for breast cancer. Further elevations of prolactin plasma levels are induced by metoclopramide and other antiemetic drugs. Elevated plasma prolactin had no adverse effect on disease-free survival after transplant. We propose to investigate further the upregulation of prolactin after transplant aiming to induce a posttransplant consolidative immune reaction.

Regeneration of erythropoiesis after related- and unrelated-donor BMT or peripheral blood HPC transplantation: a major ABO mismatch means problems

BACKGROUND

Blood group incompatibility in allogeneic BMT is common but does not appear to affect the outcome in terms of incidence of graft rejection or delayed engraftment. However, major ABO incompatibility may be associated with prolonged erythroid aplasia.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In a retrospective analysis of 286 allogeneic transplant recipients, the prevalence of prolonged erythroid aplasia, including pure RBC aplasia, was determined.

RESULTS

Patients receiving major ABO-incompatible grafts showed a significant delay in reticulocyte engraftment (median, 32 days; range, 12-347) from that in patients receiving ABO-identical (20; 10-152) or minor ABO-incompatible (21; 12-47) grafts. Pure RBC aplasia occurred in 7 (3%) of 240 evaluable recipients and was observed only in the major ABO-incompatible group (7/43, 16%). Treatment of pure RBC aplasia consisted of either plasma exchange, which resulted in a response within 16 to 68 days, or immunoadsorption, in which the response occurred between Days 119 and 204 after initiation of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Major ABO incompatibility may lead to delayed reticulocyte engraftment, resulting in prolonged transfusion dependency and increased risks of transmission of infection and iron overload. Therefore, therapeutic strategies should be taken into consideration to allow erythroid reconstitution in these patients.

Excellent disease eradication by myeloablative therapy and stem-cell transplantation in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia

Between February 1982 and 1999, 118 consecutive patients (65 male, 53 female) with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), with a median age of 35 years (range 17-56 years), received stem-cell grafts from a human leukocyte antigen-identical sibling (n = 71), one-antigen-mismatched family member (n=2), matched unrelated donor (n=15), one-antigen-mismatched unrelated donor (n = 4) or an autologous (n = 26) graft. At the time of transplant, 56 patients were in the first complete remission (CR), 27 in the second CR, 6 in untreated relapse, 17 in primary refractory, and 12 in refractory relapse. The French-American-British classification (FAB) subtypes were as follows: M1 (n=25), M2 (n=28), M3 (n=11), M4 (n =32), M5 (n=16), M6 (n = 6). For conditioning, most patients underwent total body irradiation-containing regimens. As of 28 February, 1999, probability of leukemia-free survival (LFS) is 58% for patients after related and 45% after unrelated stem-cell transplantation (SCT). The probability of LFS is 70% for patients given allogeneic transplants in the first CR compared with 33% for those beyond the first CR at SCT. In autologous stem-cell graft recipients, the probability of LFS is 37%. Transplant-related mortality was 28% after related, 20% after unrelated, and 4% after autologous SCT. Probability of relapse for patients given related-donor stem-cell grafts in the first CR and beyond the first CR is 30% and 67%, 55% after unrelated and 63% after autologous stem-cell grafting. Thus, myeloablative therapy followed by allogeneic stem-cell infusion has a high curative potential for patients with AML in remission and offers substantial benefits to patients in advanced disease.

[High dosage therapy and autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation in breast carcinoma]

42 breast cancer patients were treated by high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous peripheral stem-cell transplantation (ASTx) in the Donauspital between 1992 and 1999. 24 patients had stage II/III breast cancer with high risk for relapse. The other 18 patients underwent HDC and ASTx in chemosensitive stage IV. After previous conventional chemotherapy peripheral stem-cells were harvested by one cycle of mobilisation chemotherapy (epirubicin/taxol, FEC 120 or cyclophosphamide) followed by cytokine stimulation. 16 patients were treated by a tandem transplantation (conditioning protocol for 1st ASTx was melphalan 200 mg/m2 and for 2nd transplant it was CTC: cyclophosphamide 6 g/m2; thiotepa 500 mg/m2; carboplatin 800 mg/m2). The other 26 patients received one HDC with CTC as conditioning protocol. The HDC was well tolerated by all patients, there was no transplant-related mortality. The median survival and the progression-free survival (PFS) after HDC and ASTx in stage IV breast cancer patients were 28 and 11 months, respectively. The median survival and PFS were not yet reached in stage II/III patients after 55 months. The actuarial survival and PFS in that patient group were 70% after 55 months. Our data confirm the low risk and good efficacy of HDC and ASTx in breast cancer patients. Nevertheless randomised studies are necessary to evaluate the importance of HDC compared to intensified conventional protocols without ASTx.

[High dosage chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma]

Between 1992 and 1999 15 patients (pts.) suffering from multiple myeloma (MM) were treated with high-dose chemotherapy and consecutive autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASTx). 10/15 pts underwent two courses of ASTx (tandem- or double ASTx). So 25 ASTx were performed in these 15 pts. in total. All pts. were under 60 a. of age. 13/15 pts. received 6 cycles of chemotherapy on an average according to the VAD-protocol (Vincristin, Adriamycin, Dexamethason). Mobilisation of peripheral hematopoietic stem cells was performed with high-dose cyclophosphamide and hematopoietic growth-factors (CSFs). The conditioning protocol consisted of high-dose melphalan (200-225 mg/m2) in 24/25 ASTx. In one single case total body irradiation (TBI) plus melphalan 140 mg/m2 was used. 2/15 pts. died within 30 days from ASTx; one patient from interstitial pneumonia after TBI, and the other, who was in a very advanced stage of his disease with multiple pretreatment courses before ASTx. The overall survival (OS) was in the mean 68 months, the progression-free survival (PFS) after ASTx 21 m respectively. In pts. with MM high-dose melphalan (up to 225 mg/m2) without TBI plus ASTx is a safe and effective procedure when performed in the early course of the disease.

Long-term follow-up of patients after related- and unrelated-donor bone marrow transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia

Between January 1983 and December 1997, 88 patients (36 female, 52 male, median age 37 years, range 19-57) with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) at the University Hospital of Vienna. Sixty patients were in chronic phase, 18 in accelerated phase, and ten in blast crisis. Marrow donors were HLA-identical siblings for 64 patients (BM 58, PBSC 6), 2-antigen-mismatched related donors (RD) for two, HLA-identical unrelated donors (URD) for 17, and 1-antigen-mismatched URD for five. The median time from diagnosis to BMT was 22 months (range 2-91), and 63 patients had received prior interferon (IFN)-alpha therapy, 46 (73%) for more than 6 months. Conditioning therapy consisted of cyclophosphamide (CY) and total body irradiation (TBI) in 71 patients and CY and busulfan (BU) in 16. One patient received etoposide and TBI. For graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis methotrexate (MTX) was given to 12 patients, MTX and cyclosporin A (CSA) to 67, CSA alone to four, and CSA and methylprednisolone to five. Durable engraftment was documented in 80 of 82 patients (98%). As of December 31, 1997, 52 patients (59%) were alive, 38 (58%) after sibling transplantation with a median observation time of 73 months and 14 (64%) after URD transplantation with a median observation time of 12 months. Probability of overall survival is 59%, for patients undergoing transplantation in chronic phase and 44% for patients undergoing transplantation in advanced stage CML. Probability of disease-free survival (DFS) after sibling and URD BMT is 55% and 59%, respectively. Ten patients (12%) experienced relapse of CML. Transplant-related mortality was 32% both after RD and after URD transplantation. Acute GVHD occurred in 53 of 80 evaluable patients (66%), consisting of grade III or IV in 14 patients (18%). Chronic GVHD developed in 40 of 63 eligible patients (63%), including extensive disease in 26 patients (41%). Thus, sibling and URD BMT offer high cure rates with acceptable toxicity to patients with CML.

Anaplastic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a patient with chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)

We describe an allogeneic bone marrow (BM) recipient who developed aggressive, metastasizing squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the skin, and discuss possible risk factors in the development of this secondary solid tumor. The patient had been treated with cyclosporine (CsA), methyl-prednisolone and thalidomide for 3 years because of extensive de novo chronic cutaneous GVHD occurring 1 year after BMT. Ten years after BMT a locally invasive and metastasizing SCC occurred on the patient's neck, and diagnosis was confirmed by H&E histopathology and cytokeratin-immunohistochemistry. Analysis of genomic DNA did not reveal p53 mutations nor were HPV sequences detectable. Risk factors included conditioning for BMT with total body irradiation (TBI) and cyclophosphamide (Cy), immunosuppressive treatment for GVHD, and extensive exposure to UV radiation before and after BMT. Despite surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) the patient died 1 year after the diagnosis of SCC.

Long term follow up after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia

Between January 1983 and July 1997, 83 patients (35 female, 48 male) with a median age of 37 (19-57) years with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) were admitted for bone marrow transplantation (BMT) at the University hospital of Vienna. Fifty-six patients were in chronic phase, 17 in accelerated and 10 had blast crisis. Marrow donors were: HLA-identical siblings in 62 patients, 2-antigen mismatched related donor in 2, HLA-identical unrelated donors (MUD) in 17 and 1-antigen mismatched unrelated donor in 2 patients. The median time from diagnosis to BMT was 22 (2-91) months. Conditioning therapy consisted of cyclophosphamide (CY) and total body irradiation or CY and busulfan. For graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis methotrexate (MTX) alone, MTX and cyclosporine A (CSA), CSA alone or CSA and methylprednisone were given. Durable engraftment was documented in 75 of 77 patients (97%). As of July 31, 1997 48 patients are alive (58%), 36 (56%) after sibling transplantation with a median observation time of 77 months and 12 (63%) after MUD transplantation with a median observation time of 13 months. Overall survival for patients in chronic phase (CP) at time of BMT is 64%, 53% for patients in acceleration and 30% for patients in blast crisis (BC). Disease-free survival (DFS) after sibling BMT and unrelated donor transplantation is 53% and 58%, respectively. Ten patients (12%) experienced relapse of CML. Transplant-related mortality was 33% after sibling and 32% after MUD transplantation. Thus, sibling and unrelated donor BMT offer high cure rates with acceptable toxicity to patients with CML.

Evaluation of soluble CD44 splice variant v5 in the diagnosis and follow-up in breast cancer patients

Aberrant expression of CD44 splice variants has been detected on a variety of human tumor cells. Overexpression of specific isoforms has been shown to be associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in breast cancer. We evaluated the possible utility of soluble CD44 splice variant v5 (sCD44v5) as a circulating, tumor-associated marker in breast cancer patients. Serum levels of sCD44v5 were determined in 147 healthy volunteers, in 53 patients with nonmalignant breast disease, in 85 patients with breast cancer at presentation, in 13 patients with recurrence and in 73 patients with active metastatic disease. Statistically, the levels at presentation in stages I-IV, in benign disease, and in a female control group were not significantly different. First longitudinal studies over 1-2 years in the follow-up of 28 patients who have remained tumor-free showed considerable between-patient variation while the intrapatient levels remained within relatively narrow limits. In patients with active metastatic disease, elevated levels of sCD44v5 (> 58 ng.ml-1) were detected in 50% of the cases with marked elevation in only 26%. In these cases, sCD44v5 correlated with the extent of metastatic disease and fell during clinical response to cytoreductive therapy. In comparison with CA15-3 in the patients' follow-up serum levels of sCD44v5 proved to be much less sensitive concerning lead time, percentage of raised serum levels at the time of recurrence and in metastatic disease. The value of sCD44v5 determinations in breast cancer patients was further limited by the poor diagnostic specificity of this marker due to elevated levels in smokers and chronic inflammatory disease.

Leukemia-free survival and mortality in patients with refractory or relapsed acute leukemia given marrow transplants from sibling and unrelated donors

Between April 1982 and February 1997 39 patients (24 male, 15 female) with refractory acute leukemia and a median age of 31 years (19-51 years) received allogeneic marrow grafts from an HLA-identical sibling (n = 27), HLA-identical unrelated donor (MUD; n = 10) or 1-antigen mismatched unrelated donor (n = 2). Twenty-eight patients had acute myelogenous leukemia and 11 acute lymphoblastic leukemia. For conditioning most patients received total body irradiation combined with cyclophosphamide (n = 23) or etoposide (n = 7). For graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis patients received cyclosporin A (CsA) and methotrexate (MTX) (n = 20), MTX alone (n = 3), CsA and methylprednisone (n = 6), or CsA alone (n = 10), respectively. As of June 1997 probability of leukemia-free survival projected to 3 years after BMT was 14% for patients given sibling marrow grafts and 28% after MUD transplantation. Transplant-related mortality projected to 3 years was 32% after sibling and 37% after MUD marrow grafting. Although not significantly different, probability of relapse projected to 3 years after BMT was lower after MUD at 56% compared to 78% with sibling BMT. Thus, high-dose chemo/radiotherapy followed by allogeneic marrow infusion has a curative potential for patients with refractory leukemia and offers the chance of long-term disease-free survival for some patients.

Diagnostic challenges of hepatitis C virus infections

In less than 10 years, tremendous progress has been made in our understanding of the biology of hepatitis C virus. Since it was defined as the causal agent of most hepatitis non-A, non-B infections in 1989, clinical laboratories now have access to powerful new techniques for the diagnosis of infection and control of therapy. Identification of the specific virus strain in the patients as well as measurement of the individual viral load and the prediction of a possible therapeutic success have become routine procedures. This effort is warranted because the treatment options are still limited, with alpha-interferon being the only approved drug. No new treatment regimens have emerged yet from the wealth of data from subtyping and quantitating.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor as an adjunct to induction chemotherapy for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia--a randomized phase-III study

Because of the recommendation to avoid the concomitant administration of growth factors and chemotherapy, there is only limited information on colony-stimulating factor (CSF) therapy in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) induction protocols, in which cytotoxic drugs are administered in divided doses over a prolonged period of time, thus requiring a simultaneous administration of growth factors and chemotherapy. We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled study to determine the safety and efficacy of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; filgrastim) as an adjunct to phase I of induction chemotherapy for adult ALL. Patients (n = 53) were randomized to receive no growth factor or G-CSF (5 microg/kg/d subcutaneously) starting on day 2 of chemotherapy consisting of daunorubicin (45 mg/m2) and vincristine (1.5 mg/m2) on days 1, 8, 15, and 22; L-asparaginase (2500 U/m2) on days 1 through 14; and prednisone (60 mg/m2) on days 1 through 28. A total of 25 patients in the G-CSF group and 26 patients in the control arm fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study. G-CSF markedly ameliorated neutropenia because the median proportion of days with neutropenia less than 1,000/microL was 29% in the G-CSF group as compared with 84% in the control arm (P < .00005). The median time to reach absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) > or = 1,000/microL was 16 days in G-CSF patients and 26 days in controls (P < .001). More importantly, G-CSF significantly reduced the incidence of febrile neutropenia (12% v 42% in controls, P < .05) and documented infections (40% v 77%, P < .05). No significant differences were found with regard to requirements for red blood cell transfusions and platelet concentrates. A total of 24 of 25 (96%) patients in the G-CSF group and 20 of 25 (80%) evaluable control patients had complete remission after phase I of induction therapy. We conclude that G-CSF can be safely administered as an adjunct to induction therapy of ALL and is clinically beneficial by ameliorating neutropenia and reducing infectious complications.

Bone marrow transplantation for severe aplastic anemia: has outcome improved?

Bone marrow transplants for severe aplastic anemia were first performed in the 1970s. Transplant regimens, supportive care, and patient selection have changed substantially since then. Our objective was to determine the impact of these changes on transplant outcome. We studied 1,305 recipients of HLA-identical sibling transplants for aplastic anemia between 1976 and 1992, reported to the IBMTR by 179 centers. We compared survival of transplants performed in three intervals (1976 through 1980 [n = 186], 1981 through 1987 [n = 648], and 1988 through 1992 [n = 471]) using Cox proportional hazards regression. Five-year survival (+/-95% confidence interval) increased from 48% +/- 7% in the 1976-1980 cohort to 66% +/- 6% in the 1988-1992 cohort (P < .0001). Risks of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and interstitial pneumonia decreased over time, but the risk of graft failure did not. Higher long-term survival resulted primarily from decreased mortality in the first 3 months posttransplantation. Late mortality risks were low and changed little over the intervals studied. In multivariate analysis, changes in transplantation strategies accounted for most but not all of the improved outcome. Use of cyclosporine to prevent GVHD was the most important factor. Changes in patient selection did not seem to explain improved survival. Survival after HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplantations for aplastic anemia has improved since 1976. Changes in GVHD prophylaxis account for much of this improvement. Other changes may also operate.

Dose-response relationship of complementary radiotherapy following four cycles of combination chemotherapy in intermediate-stage Hodgkin's disease

PURPOSE

To determine the appropriate irradiation dose after four cycles of modern combination chemotherapy in nonbulky involved field (IF/BF) and noninvolved extended-field (EF/IF) sites in patients with intermediate-stage Hodgkin's disease (HD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HD patients in stage I to IIIA with a large mediastinal mass, E stage, or massive spleen involvement were treated with two double cycles of alternating cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (COPP) plus doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) followed by EF irradiation in two successive trials (HD1 and HD5). In the HD1 trial (1983 to 1988), 146 patients who responded to chemotherapy were randomized to receive 20 Gy (70 patients) or 40 Gy (76 patients) of EF irradiation in all fields outside bulky disease sites. A cohort of 111 patients who fulfilled the same inclusion criteria in the subsequent trial HD5 (1988 to 1993) were treated with 30 Gy. Bulky disease always received 40 Gy.

RESULTS

Freedom-from-treatment-failure (FFTF) and survival (SV) curves showed no differences between the 20-, 30-, and 40-Gy groups. However, acute toxicities were more frequent in the 40-Gy arm. Analysis of relapse patterns showed that 18 of 26 relapsing patients either failed to respond in initial bulky sites (n = 5) or had an extranodal relapse (n = 9) or both (n = 4). After 5 years, the cumulative risk for relapse in bulky sites is 10%, despite 40 Gy of radiation.

CONCLUSION

Our results strongly suggest that there is no relevant radiotherapy dose effect in the range between 20 Gy and 40 Gy in IF/BF and EF/IF after 4 months of modern polychemotherapy in patients with intermediate-stage HD. Relapse patterns indicate that patients destined to relapse need more systemic, rather than local, treatment. Based on our data, we conclude that 20 Gy is sufficient in EF/IF of intermediate-stage HD following four cycles of modern polychemotherapy.

Excellent long-term survival after allogeneic marrow transplantation in patients with severe aplastic anemia

Between 1982 and 1996, 20 patients (10 male, 10 female) with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) with a median age of 25 years (17-37 years), received grafts from an HLA-identical sibling (n = 17), HLA-identical unrelated donor (n = 2) or identical twin (n = 1). The median time from diagnosis to marrow transplantation (BMT) was 15 months (range 1-96 months). More than half of the patients had received more than 10 units of red blood cells or platelet transfusions prior to BMT. Pretransplant immunosuppression consisted of cyclophosphamide (CY) alone (n = 10), CY in combination with total body irradiation (n = 8), and CY and antithymocyte globulin (n = 2). For graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis methotrexate (MTX) alone (n = 9) or MTX with cyclosporin A (n = 10) were given. One patient died on day 18 after marrow grafting due to infection; all other patients had complete and sustained engraftment (95%). Eight patients developed acute GVHD (42%), nine patients chronic GVHD (53%) including four with extensive disease manifestation. One patient experienced a secondary malignancy 11 years after BMT. Eighteen patients followed for a median of 9.45 years (0.42-14.7 years) have sustained hematological reconstitution and are alive and well with a Karnofsky performance score of at least 90%. Thus, excellent long-term survival and low morbidity make allogeneic or syngeneic BMT the treatment of choice for younger patients with severe aplastic anemia.

Significant elevation of tumour-associated isoforms of soluble CD44 in serum of normal individuals caused by cigarette smoking

While performing a prospective study on sCD44 variant isoforms as tumour markers in certain malignancies, we detected relevant differences in the control group between non-smokers and smokers. For a detailed evaluation of these findings, serum levels of sCD44 variant proteins, including sequences encoded by exon v5 and exon v6, respectively, were adjusted to sex, age and smoking habit. We were able to demonstrate a significant elevation of serum levels of sCD44v5 and sCD44v6 in normal individuals due to cigarette smoking (non-smokers to smokers: sCD44v5: 33 +/- 11 microg/l to 62 +/- 30 microg/l; sCD44v6: 142 +/- 34 microg/l to 232 +/- 86 microg/l). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis of the concentrations of sCD44v5 and sCD44v6 on the possible influence factors sex, age and smoking habit revealed cigarette smoking as the only factor influencing these isoforms (both p << 0.001). Further investigations have to elucidate a possible clinical importance of these findings in smokers. However, in patients with suspected or proven malignancy the diagnostic specifity of sCD44v5 and sCD44v6 is diminished due to this observation.

Results of transplanting bone marrow from genetically identical twins into patients with aplastic anemia

BACKGROUND

Aplastic anemia is caused by several diverse factors, including a lack of or defective hematopoietic stem cells, immune abnormalities, and disorders of the bone marrow microenvironment. The outcome of transplanting bone marrow from genetically identical twins into patients with aplastic anemia may help define how frequently these factors play a role in this condition.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the outcome of transplanting bone marrow from genetically identical twins into patients with aplastic anemia.

DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING

31 centers participating in the international Bone Marrow Transplant Registry.

PATIENTS

40 patients with aplastic anemia who received bone marrow transplants from their genetically identical twins between 1964 and 1992.

INTERVENTION

23 patients received their first bone marrow transplant without pretransplantation conditioning; 17 received it after pretransplantation conditioning with cyclophosphamide alone or combined with other drugs or radiation. Six patients received post-transplantation immunosuppressive therapy with methotrexate, cyclosporine, and corticosteroids, alone or in combination.

MEASUREMENTS

Outcomes of transplantation, including hematologic recovery and survival.

RESULTS

Seven of 23 patients who received their first transplant without receiving conditioning had sustained complete hematologic recovery. One of 16 patients who did not have complete recovery after the first transplantation recovered after a second transplantation, which was not preceded by conditioning. The other 15 patients had two to five transplantations that were preceded by conditioning; in 13 patients, sustained bone marrow function was recovered. Twelve of 17 patients whose first transplantation was preceded by conditioning had sustained complete hematologic recovery. The likelihood of hematologic recovery was greater in patients who had conditioning before the first transplantation (P = 0.033). The actuarial 10-year survival rate for the 40 patients was 78% (95% CI, 59% to 92%). The survival rate was higher in patients who did not have conditioning before the first transplantation (patients without conditioning, 87% [range, 65% to 99%]; patients with conditioning, 70% [range, 47% to 89%]; P = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients with aplastic anemia recover bone marrow function after receiving a transplant from a genetically identical twin. Pretransplantation conditioning may increase the chance of bone marrow recovery but does not seem to improve survival.

Serum levels of soluble CD44 variant isoforms are elevated in rheumatoid arthritis

Serum levels of soluble CD44 variant proteins including sequences encoded by exon v5 and exon v6 (sCD44v5, sCD44v6) were determined in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases: 56 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA+) and 31 with miscellaneous inflammatory rheumatic diseases (MIRD). There were very significantly higher serum levels of sCD44v5 and sCD44v6 in patients with RA+ than in those with MIRD (RA+ to MIRD: sCD44v5: 81 +/- 54 ng/ml to 33 +/- 13 ng/ml; sCD44v6: 237 +/- 124 ng/ml to 166 +/- 53 ng/ml; both P << 0.001). In RA+ elevated serum levels of sCD44v5 were correlated with the inflammatory activity of disease. In 17 patients with RA+ three or four follow-up measurements of sCD44v5 were performed within 6 months. The development of sCD44v5 serum levels reflected the clinical course of disease in the patients investigated.

Long-term leukemia-free survival after allogeneic marrow transplantation in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia

Between February 1982 and April 1995, 62 patients (37 male, 25 female) with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) with a median age of 32 years (19-51 years) received allogeneic marrow grafts from an HLA-identical sibling (n=60) or an HLA-mismatched family member (n=2). At the time of transplant, 35 patients were in first complete remission (CR), five in second CR, eight were primary refractory, eight were in untreated relapse and six in refractory relapse. The FAB subtypes were as follows: M1 (n=17), M2 (n=13), M3 (n=6), M4 (n=19), M5 (n=6), M6 (n=1). For conditioning most patients were given total body irradiation combined with cyclophosphamide (CY, n=50) or CY and busulfan (n=9). For graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis patients received cyclosporin A (CSA) and methotrexate (MTX) (n=32), MTX alone (n=12), CSA and methylprednisone (n=5), or CSA alone (n=13). As of April 1995, probability of leukemia-free survival projected at 10 years after BMT was 60% for patients transplanted in first CR compared with 10% for patients transplanted beyond first CR. Transplant-related mortality was 11% after BMT in first CR and 39% after BMT beyond first CR. Probability of relapse projected at 10 years after BMT is 32% for patients who received transplants in first CR and 81% for patients who received transplants beyond first CR. Thus, high-dose chemo/radiotherapy followed by allogeneic marrow infusion has a high curative potential for patients with AML who receive transplants in first CR and offers the chance of long-term disease-free survival for some patients with advanced disease.

Chemotherapy versus transplants for acute myelogenous leukemia in second remission

The best therapy for persons with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in 2nd remission is unknown. Bone marrow transplants from an HLA-identical sibling are reported to be better than chemotherapy but this is controversial. The objective of the study was to compare 3-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) in comparable subjects receiving chemotherapy or a transplant. 485 persons with AML in 2nd remission were studied. The chemotherapy cohort included 244 persons treated on trials of the British Medical Research Council, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and MD Anderson Hospital. The transplant cohort included 257 persons transplanted worldwide and reported to the international Bone Marrow Transplant Registry (16 were also chemotherapy subjects.) Subjects were selected for comparable age and year of treatment. Preliminary analyses identified two factors correlated with LFS: age < or = or > 30 years and 1st remission duration < or = or > 1 year; subsequent analyses were partitioned accordingly. Three-year probabilities of treatment-related mortality with chemotherapy and transplants were 7% (95% confidence interval, 3-15%) vs 56% (49-63%). Three-year leukemia relapse probabilities were 81% (74-86%) vs 41% (33-49%). Three-year probabilities of LFS were 17% (12-23%) vs 26 (20-32%). Cohort analysis showed significantly higher LFS with transplants vs chemotherapy in persons < or = 30 years and 1st remissions > 1 year (41% (29-53%) vs 17% (7-32%); P = 0.017) and those in > 30 years with 1st remissions < or = 1 year (18% (9-29%) vs 7% (2-16%); P = 0.046). Others had comparable LFS with both treatments. These data indicate better LFS with HLA-identical sibling transplants than chemotherapy in some persons with AML in 2nd remission.

Risk factors for hepatic veno-occlusive disease following HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplants for leukemia

The objective was to analyze risk factors for veno-occlusive disease of the liver (VOD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. A cohort of 1717 recipients of HLA-identical sibling transplants for leukemia between 1988 and 1990, in 200 transplant teams worldwide, was studied. Patients were scored as having VOD if liver tissue showed typical histologic features or if they had all three of the following: (1) jaundice; (2) hepatomegaly and right upper quadrant abdominal pain; and (3) ascites and/or unexplained weight gain. Patients surviving more than 7 days post-transplant without histologic or any of these clinical features of VOD were classified as not having VOD. Patient-, disease- and transplant-related characteristics of 95 patients with VOD were compared to those of 1514 without VOD. Variables correlated with an increased risk of VOD were: pretransplant conditioning with busulfan and cyclophosphamide compared to total body radiation (relative risk (RR) 2.8; P < 0.0001), pretransplant fungal infection (RR 4.1; P = 0.011), pretransplant Karnofsky performance score < 90% (RR 1.9; P = 0.012), prior liver disease (RR 1.9; P = 0.05) and age > 20 years (RR 1.8; P = 0.05). In patients receiving radiation for conditioning, intravenous immune globulin decreased VOD risk (RR 0.26; P = 0.003). This analysis identifies risk factors for VOD. The data suggest several strategies for modifying transplant regimens to reduce VOD risk and which patients might be suitable subjects for trials of strategies of VOD prevention.

Graft rejection and second bone marrow transplants for acquired aplastic anaemia: a report from the Aplastic Anaemia Working Party of the European Bone Marrow Transplant Group

Six hundred and eighteen patients with acquired aplastic anaemia grafted from an HLA-identical sibling donor between 1976 and 1990 in eight European centres were reported to the Working Party for Severe Aplastic Anaemia (SAA) Registry and were evaluable for analysis of the incidence of graft failure/rejection and the outcome of second bone marrow transplants (BMT). The number of patients experiencing graft rejection declined significantly over the study period from 32% to 8% (p < 0.0001). This coincided with the introduction of cyclosporine to the conditioning regimen for BMT. The graft rejection rate in the post-hepatitis SAA group was significantly lower than in the group with idiopathic SAA (4% vs 20%) (p = 0.001). The use of irradiation in the conditioning regimen significantly reduced the number of patients experiencing graft rejection (7% vs 21%) (p = 0.004). Age, sex and severity of disease did not influence the rate of sustained engraftment. Of the 85 patients experiencing graft rejection, 41 received a second transplant: their survival is 33% vs 8% for patients not transplanted a second time (p = 0.003). The major factor predicting the outcome of second BMT for SAA was the interval from first BMT. Patients receiving a second BMT within 60 days from the first BMT had a significantly poorer outcome.

Coincidence of severe aplastic anaemia with multiple sclerosis or thyroid disorders. Report of 5 cases

Five patients with severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) who, simultaneously (n = 3) or consecutively (n = 2), presented with multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 2) or immune hyperthyroidism (IHT) (n = 2) or subacute thyroiditis (n = 1) are described. Two female patients with MS developed SAA after a small dose of azathioprine. Another patient simultaneously presented with IHT and SAA. SAA and MS responded to cyclosporine while IHT required 131I. Relapsing SAA in 1 patient with MS was treated with antithymocyte globulin (ATG) which induced acute exacerbation of MS. Despite the low total dose of ATG (31.5 mg/kg), complete remission of SAA was obtained. Two other patients developed thyroid disorders, 42 and 106 months after successful immunosuppression with ATG/high-dose methylprednisolone. IHT and subacute thyroiditis were successfully treated with 131I or prednisolone, respectively, without recurrence of SAA in both cases. These are the first documented cases of SAA evolving in the course of MS while the coincidence with IHT was already described. Since enhanced expression of interferon-gamma plays a crucial role in SAA as well as in MS and in IHT, similar pathogenetic principles may apply for these seemingly unrelated disorders.