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In previous studies, we observed that a high proportion of donor-derived CD4+ T cells expressing the chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) was a major determinant of acute GVHD, without interfering with the incidence of other post-transplant outcomes, especially relapse and nonrelapse mortality rates. Here, we investigated in vitro the impact of partially selective CD4+/CCR7+ T lymphocytes on acquired anti-infective immune response in 10 donors who underwent G-CSF-primed PBSC collection. Similar quantitative and functional proliferative reactions were observed in lymphocyte cultures in the presence of adenovirus and pp65 Ags with unmanipulated and partially depleted donor samples. No responses were observed in the presence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 used as a negative control. These results complete the proof of concept needed to build a clinical trial investigating partially selective CD4+/CCR7+ T cell-depleted allo-SCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large proportion of lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) respond to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA), but most responses are transient. We updated a previously reported cohort of lower-risk MDS patients treated with ESA and analyzed outcomes after ESA failure. In 120 patients with primary resistance and 66 patients with relapse after an initial response to ESA, the 5-year cumulative incidence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after failure was 18.9% and 11.6%, respectively (P=0.20). Median overall survival (OS) after failure was 40.1 and 44.9 months (P=0.35), respectively. We further categorized patients as 'early failures' (including resistance and relapse after <6 months of response), or 'later failures' (that is, relapse after 6 months). The 5-year cumulative incidence of AML and median OS after failure in early and later failure were 21.6% and 9% (P=0.02) and 36.7 and 54.3 months (P=0.02), respectively. Early failure to ESA and a baseline diagnosis of refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB)-1 were independent prognostic factors for AML progression and, along with trisomy 8, for shorter OS. Median OS from treatment onset was 40, 90.7 and 65.8 months in early failure, later failure and no relapse, respectively (P=0.001). Lower-risk MDS with early failure to ESA have a relatively unfavorable outcome, and should be offered alternative treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Darbepoetin (DAR), with or without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), has proved effective in treating anemia in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), but its effects on quality of life (QoL) and exercise functioning are less well established. In this phase II study (no. NCT00443339), lower-risk MDS patients with anemia and endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) level <500 IU/L received DAR 500 μg once every 2 weeks for 12 weeks, with G-CSF added at week 12 in non-responders. Physical performance was assessed with the 6-min walking test and, for fit patients, maximal oxygen consumption (VO). QoL was evaluated using SF-36 and FACT-An tests. In 99 patients, erythroid response rate according to IWG 2006 criteria was 48 and 56 % at 12 and 24 weeks, respectively. Addition of G-CSF rescued 22 % of non-responders. In 48 % of the responders, interval between darbepoetin injections could be increased for maintenance treatment. Serum EPO level was the only independent predictive factor of response at 12 weeks, and its most discriminant cutoff value was 100 IU/L. QoL and VO showed improvement over time in responders, compared with non-responders. With a median follow-up of 52 months, median response duration was not reached, and 3-year cumulative incidence of acute myeloid leukemia and overall survival (OS) was 14.5 and 70 %, respectively. Baseline transfusion dependence, International Prognostic Score System (IPSS), and Revised IPSS accurately predicted OS from treatment onset. Tolerance of darbepoetin was good. In conclusion, this regimen of darbepoetin every 2 weeks yielded high response rates and prolonged response duration. Objective improvement in exercise testing and in patient-reported QoL confirms the clinical relevance of anemia correction with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imatinib combined with high-dose chemotherapy is now becoming the gold standard for treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute leukemias. However, in all studies imatinib dosage was tapered to 400–600 mg per day. We decided to initiate a clinical trial to evaluate an opposite strategy based on high-dose imatinib (800 mg per day) combined with a less intensive chemotherapeutic regimen (vincristine and dexamethasone), which we called the DIV induction regimen. Thirty-one patients (18 relapsing or refractory Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemias and 13 lymphoid blast crisis chronic myelogenous leukemias) were enrolled. Complete remission (CR) was obtained in 28 out of 30 assessable patients. The median bcr-abl/abl ratio after the induction course was 0.1%. Median time to neutrophil recovery was 21 days. Fungus infections were observed in six patients out of 31 and possibly related to dexamethasone. Neuropathy due to vincristine was noted in 14 cases. Nine out of 19 patients under 55 years received allogenic stem cell transplantation after a median time of 78 days post-CR. Patients older than 55 years experienced a 90% CR rate without additional toxicities, suggesting the DIV regimen may also be proposed as a front line therapy in older patients.Leukemia (2006) 20, 400–403. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2404115; published online 26 January 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the setting of reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT), the epidemiology of transplant-related infections is still poorly defined. In 101 high-risk patients who received an HLA-identical sibling allo-SCT after RIC, including fludarabine, busulfan and antithymocyte globulin (ATG), we report during the first 6 months a cumulative incidence of positive CMV antigenemia of 42% (95% CI 32-52%), developing at a median of 37 (range 7-116) days without evidence of CMV disease (median follow-up, 434 days). The cumulative incidence of bacteremia was 25% (95% CI 17-33%), occurring at a median of 67 (range 7-172) days, while patients had recovered a full neutrophil count. In all, 65% of the bacteremia (95% CI 49-81%) were gram negative. The cumulative incidence of fungal infections was 8% (95% CI 3-13%), with a median onset of 89 (range 7-170) days. In multivariate analysis, stem cell source (bone marrow; P=0.0002) was significantly associated with the risk of positive CMV antigenemia, while higher doses of prednisone (>2?mg/kg) represented the major risk factor for bacteremia (P=0.0001). Infectious-related mortality was 5% (95% CI 1-9%), with aspergillosis being the principal cause. Collectively, these results suggest that prospective efforts are warranted to develop optimal antimicrobial preventive strategies after RIC allo-SCT.Leukemia (2003) 17, 2168-2177. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2403105 Published online 14 August 2003 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that examined patients with malignant ovarian tumors who underwent allogeneic transplantation. Disadvantages of allogeneic stem cell transplantation; Background on ovarian carcinomas; Analysis of uses of allogeneic cells; Example of immunotherapy agents.

In this placebo-controlled randomized trial we evaluated the hematological and clinical effects of r-Hu GM-CSF after high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) followed by GM-CSF-mobilized PBPC transplantation. Fifty patients with poor prognosis malignancies were randomized in a double-blind study to receive either GM-CSF or placebo after HDC followed by PBPC rescue. For all patients, PBPCs were recruited using a combination of VP-16 (300 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2), cytoxan (3 g/m2 on days 3 and 4) and GM-CSF (5 μ g/kg from day 5). No differences were demonstrated between the two groups in median time to neutrophil or platelet recoveries. There was no significant difference between the GM-CSF group and the placebo group in the median duration of post-transplant hospitalization, in the number of days of antibiotic treatment, in the number of infections and in red blood cell or platelet transfusion requirements. There was a significant difference with an advantage for the placebo group in the mean duration of febrile days (P = 0.01). We conclude that the administration of GM-CSF in patients transplanted with GM-CSF-mobilized PBPC is not associated with a clinical benefit in term of tempo of engraftment, numbers of documented infections, transfusion requirements and mucositis grading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 33-year-old woman developed progressive ovarian cancer resistant to classical chemotherapy agents. We performed a bone marrow allograft after a myeloablative regimen. During hematological recovery, she developed acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). From this time her tumor diminished progressively. One year post transplant she has limited chronic liver GVHD and is still free of disease. The complete remission of advanced ovarian cancer was probably related to the GVHD which might therefore provide a new treatment option for this disease. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 25, 681–682. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "High Response Rate & Improved Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life With a New Regimen of Darbepoetin alfa With or Without Filgrastim in Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Phase II Study by the GFM" that was published in a previous issue, is presented.