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  1. Fulltext The A-B-C of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
    Rafeah NT, Fadilah SA
    Med J Malaysia, 2009 Mar;64(1):94-100; quiz 101.
    PMID: 19852335 MyJurnal
    Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has progressed rapidly since its introduction about five decades ago. There is now an increasing demand for transplant physicians in both public and private domains to perform this procedure in view of significant improvement of remission rates in haematological malignancies and increasing indications of HSCT. Peripheral blood has largely replaced bone marrow as the preferred source of haematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Transplantation-related mortality and morbidity rates have considerably decreased because of improved conditioning regimens, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing methods, supportive care, and most importantly, prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of serious infections. New transplantation strategies, such as reduced intensity transplantation, have extended the use of allogeneic transplant to patients with older age and co-morbidities. Current efforts are focused on ways to increase the donor pool and to improve the long term outcome of HSCT survivors in particular to reduce the relapse rate and the late effects of HSCT. This article summarizes the sources and procurement of HSC, the types and process of HSCT, indications for HSCT and complications associated with HSCT with particular reference to the current practice within the local settings.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/epidemiology
  2. Fulltext Unrelated cord blood transplantation in children--a 10-year experience from UMMC
    Chan LL, Lin HP, Chong LA, Hany A, Ariffin AW
    Med J Malaysia, 2009 Jun;64(2):124-9.
    PMID: 20058571
    Children who would benefit from a haematopoietic stem cell transplantation often lacked a compatible sibling donor. Unrelated cord blood transplantation was offered as an alternative donor source for patients with a variety of malignant and non-malignant diseases who had no further treatment options. Cord blood units were sourced from various international cord blood registries. The median nucleated and CD34+ cell doses were 8.7 x 10(7)/kg and 2.6 x 10(5)/kg respectively. In spite of adequate cell doses, a high rate of non-engraftment of 32% was observed. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurred in 14 out of the 15 patients who engrafted with 53% being grade III to IV GVHD. The five year disease free survival was 40.7% with infection and GVHD being the commonest causes of death. The five year disease free survival was 20.5% and 60.7% for malignant and non-malignant diseases respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/epidemiology
  3. Bone marrow and stem cell transplantation: Malaysian experience
    Gan G, Teh A, Chan L, Cheong S, Chang K, Ibrahim H
    Bone Marrow Transplant, 2008 Aug;42 Suppl 1:S103-S105.
    PMID: 18724278 DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2008.129
    Malaysia conducted the first BMT in the country in 1987. Since then, there have been 1155 transplantations performed in a total of eight transplant centres. A majority of the transplantations were allogeneic, including myeloablative and nonmyeloablative. A vast majority of donors are HLA identical siblings. The mean age of transplanted patients was 26 years. The major reason for transplantation was hematological malignancies. The overall survival was 60% for allogeneic transplantation and 52% for autologous transplantation. The most common cause of death in transplanted patients was the underlying disease followed by infection-related complications. Currently, the government is expanding the existing public cord blood bank as well as the local donor registry.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/etiology
  4. Fulltext Leukemia relapse via genetic immune escape after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
    Pagliuca S, Gurnari C, Hercus C, Hergalant S, Hong S, Dhuyser A, et al.
    Nat Commun, 2023 May 31;14(1):3153.
    PMID: 37258544 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38113-4
    Graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) reactions are responsible for the effectiveness of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation as a treatment modality for myeloid neoplasia, whereby donor T- effector cells recognize leukemia neoantigens. However, a substantial fraction of patients experiences relapses because of the failure of the immunological responses to control leukemic outgrowth. Here, through a broad immunogenetic study, we demonstrate that germline and somatic reduction of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) heterogeneity enhances the risk of leukemic recurrence. We show that preexistent germline-encoded low evolutionary divergence of class II HLA genotypes constitutes an independent factor associated with disease relapse and that acquisition of clonal somatic defects in HLA alleles may lead to escape from GvL control. Both class I and II HLA genes are targeted by somatic mutations as clonal selection factors potentially impairing cellular immune responses and response to immunomodulatory strategies. These findings define key molecular modes of post-transplant leukemia escape contributing to relapse.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease*
  5. Fulltext Adult allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a single centre experience in Malaysia
    Gan GG, Zakaria Z, Sangkar JV, Haris AR, Bee PC, Chin E, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Oct;63(4):281-7.
    PMID: 19385485 MyJurnal
    We analysed the outcome of 104 patients from a single institution who underwent allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) from their HLA-identical siblings between 1993 and 2006. Sixty-nine percent of patients had peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) as the stem cell source and the remaining had bone marrow (BM). The majority of patients are Chinese (60%) followed by Malays (24%) and Indians (14%). The median time to reach white cell counts of >1 x 10(9)/L and platelet counts of >30 x 10(9)/L was 13 and 15 days, respectively in patients who had PBSC transplantation compared with 16 and 25 days in patients who had BM transplantation, (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001). Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) of grade II to IV was observed in 34% of patients and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) in 38% of patients. Although not statistically significant, there was a higher incidence of overall aGVHD in Indian patients (73%) compared to Chinese and Malays (57% and 56% respectively). There was no significant difference in the incidence of aGVHD and cGVHD with the source of stem cells. Overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) was 50% and 60% at five years respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that patients transplanted in standard risk and those who had limited cGVHD had a significant better OS, (p = 0.05 and p = 0.05). Patients who had cGVHD and transplanted in standard risk had a better DFS, (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001). In summary, AHSCT in standard risk patients is associated with a better outcome than those transplanted in high risk and although not statistically significant, there is a higher incidence of aGVHD in Indian patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/epidemiology
  6. Fulltext Adult allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: initial experience in the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
    Teh A, Bosco JJ, Leong KW, Saw MH, Menaka N, Devashanti P
    Med J Malaysia, 1997 Mar;52(1):26-32.
    PMID: 10968050
    Prior to 1993, bone marrow transplantation for adult patients was not available in Malaysia. Adult allogeneic bone marrow transplantation commenced in Malaysia when the first transplant was conducted at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur on 2 November 1993. Up till July 1995, 10 adult bone marrow transplants had been conducted at the University Hospital. Five patients had acute myeloid leukaemia in first remission, 4 had chronic myeloid leukaemia and 1 had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in first partial remission. The age range of patients at the time of transplant is 16-40 years (mean 25.5 years). All patients engrafted successfully and the survival for the first 100 days post-transplant is 90%. One patient demonstrated haematological relapse post-transplant but achieved remission with donor buffy-coat infusion. The mean drug cost incurred was RM28,269 for the first 100 days. Locally available adult allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is safe, affordable and has comparable results with reputable overseas transplant centres.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/etiology
  7. Fulltext Severe combined immunodeficiency in a Malaysian child
    Noh LM, Amir HL, Hung LC, Zulkifli I, Nasuruddin BA
    Med J Malaysia, 1997 Mar;52(1):88-91.
    PMID: 10968061
    A 3-month-old Malay male infant presented with multiple infections (candidiasis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cytomegalovirus), persistent pneumonia, intractable diarrhoea and failure to thrive. There was lymphopaenia affecting both T and B subsets. He developed Graft versus Host disease weeks following transfusion with non irradiated blood. In spite of aggressive microbicidal and supportive therapy including regular immunoglobulin infusions, the child succumbed to infection before a bone marrow transplant could be instituted.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/etiology
  8. Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for inborn errors of immunity: 25-year experience from University of Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia
    Ariffin H, Ab Rahman S, Jawin V, Foo JC, Amram NF, Mahmood NM, et al.
    J Paediatr Child Health, 2020 Mar;56(3):379-383.
    PMID: 31479560 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.14621
    AIM: Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders of the immune system, most of which are curable by haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We present a 25-year audit of HSCT for IEI at a tertiary-level academic hospital in Malaysia.

    METHODS: Review of medical records of all cases of IEI who underwent HSCT between January 1993 and December 2018 at our centre. Diagnoses, complications, HSCT protocols and outcome data were studied.

    RESULTS: There were 20 patients (19 boys) with a median age at diagnosis of 11 months (range: 2 months to 12 years). Eleven of 19 (58%) had malnutrition at presentation. Donor sources were variable: 13 (65%) matched sibling donor (MSD), 4 (20%) human leukocyte antigen-haploidentical donor (HD) and 3 (15%) matched unrelated donor (MUD). Conditioning regimens were physician-dependent and adapted to each patient's clinical status. Grades III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease occurred in two of three cases who received MUD grafts, 50% in those who received HD, and 8% in the MSD group. Transplant-related mortality at day +100 was 5%. With a median follow-up of 7.5 years, 18 (90%) patients are alive and free of infections.

    CONCLUSION: Outcome of HSCT for IEI in our centre is comparable with international reports. HSCT results using HD and MUD grafts are also good despite challenges from acute graft-versus-host disease, providing a feasible alternative for patients without matched donors.

    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease*
  9. Bone marrow transplantation in Malaysia
    Lin HP, Chan LL, Tan A, Ariffin WA, Lam SK
    Bone Marrow Transplant, 1994 Jun;13(6):725-9.
    PMID: 7920303
    The sole BMT centre in Malaysia caters only for children. Since 1987, 89 transplants have been performed using reverse barrier nursing techniques. The overall survival rate is 73% with the majority of survivors leading normal lives. The early and late infection rates of 46% and 13%, respectively, are comparable to those of other centres. Although the early septicaemia rate is 36% the immediate mortality rate is < 10%. GVHD is less frequent and severe and the interstitial pneumonitis rate lower than that in the West. The average cost of US $8000 per transplant is much lower than the cost of a transplant performed overseas. Thus we believe that our paediatric BMT programme is simple and cost-effective.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/mortality; Graft vs Host Disease/epidemiology
  10. Fulltext Ongoing graft-versus-host disease is a risk factor for azoospermia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a survey of the Late Effects Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
    Rovó A, Aljurf M, Chiodi S, Spinelli S, Salooja N, Sucak G, et al.
    Haematologica, 2013 Mar;98(3):339-45.
    PMID: 22929982 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2012.071944
    The aim of this study was to assess the degree of spermatogenesis defects in sperm analysis in long-term male survivors after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in order to identify the risk factors related to potential infertility after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and to provide data on longitudinal sperm recovery after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Here, the Late Effects Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation reports data of sperm analysis from 224 males who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Median time between transplantation and sperm analysis was 63 months (8-275 months). At last sperm analysis, presence of any degree of spermatozoa was reported in 70 (31%) and complete azoospermia in 154 (69%) patients. In multivariate analysis, being conditioned with total body irradiation (RR 7.1; 95% CI: 3.4-14.8) and age over 25 years at transplantation (RR 2.4; 95% CI: 1.09-5.2) were significantly associated with higher risk for azoospermia. In patients not conditioned with total body irradiation, ongoing chronic graft-versus-host disease is the main adverse factor for sperm recovery (RR of 3.11; 95% CI: 1.02-9.47; P=0.045). Already established risk factors, such as total body irradiation and age older than 25 years at hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, were seen to be the most relevant adverse risk factor for sperm production after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Furthermore, for the first time, ongoing graft-versus-host disease has been shown to be the most relevant adverse factor for sperm recovery, particularly in patients conditioned without total body irradiation. We also introduce a useful scoring system to predict the probability of male long-term survivors' azoospermia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/complications*; Graft vs Host Disease/etiology
  11. Is it time to reconsider prophylactic antimicrobial use for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation? a narrative review of antimicrobials in stem cell transplantation
    Jahan D, Peile E, Sheikh MA, Islam S, Parasnath S, Sharma P, et al.
    Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther, 2021 10;19(10):1259-1280.
    PMID: 33711240 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2021.1902304
    INTRODUCTION: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is a life-saving procedure for multiple types of hematological cancer, autoimmune diseases, and genetic-linked metabolic diseases in humans. Recipients of HSCT transplant are at high risk of microbial infections that significantly correlate with the presence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and the degree of immunosuppression. Infection in HSCT patients is a leading cause of life-threatening complications and mortality.

    AREAS COVERED: This review covers issues pertinent to infection in the HSCT patient, including bacterial and viral infection; strategies to reduce GVHD; infection patterns; resistance and treatment options; adverse drug reactions to antimicrobials, problems of antimicrobial resistance; perturbation of the microbiome; the role of prebiotics, probiotics, and antimicrobial peptides. We highlight potential strategies to minimize the use of antimicrobials.

    EXPERT OPINION: Measures to control infection and its transmission remain significant HSCT management policy and planning issues. Transplant centers need to consider carefully prophylactic use of antimicrobials for neutropenic patients. The judicious use of appropriate antimicrobials remains a crucial part of the treatment protocol. However, antimicrobials' adverse effects cause microbiome diversity and dysbiosis and have been shown to increase morbidity and mortality.

    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/etiology; Graft vs Host Disease/microbiology; Graft vs Host Disease/prevention & control*
  12. Fulltext Treosulfan and Fludarabine Conditioning for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children with Primary Immunodeficiency: UK Experience
    Slatter MA, Rao K, Abd Hamid IJ, Nademi Z, Chiesa R, Elfeky R, et al.
    Biol. Blood Marrow Transplant., 2018 03;24(3):529-536.
    PMID: 29155317 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2017.11.009
    We previously published results for 70 children who received conditioning with treosulfan and cyclophosphamide (n = 30) or fludarabine (n = 40) before undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for primary immunodeficiency (PID). Toxicity was lower and T cell chimerism was better in the patients receiving fludarabine, but cohort numbers were relatively small and follow-up was short. Here we report outcomes of 160 children who received homogeneous conditioning with treosulfan, fludarabine, and, in most cases, alemtuzumab (n = 124). The median age at transplantation was 1.36 years (range, .09 to 18.25 years). Donors included 73 matched unrelated, 54 1 to 3 antigen-mismatched unrelated, 12 matched sibling, 17 other matched family, and 4 haploidentical donors. Stem cell source was peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) in 70, bone marrow in 49, and cord blood in 41. Median duration of follow-up was 4.3 years (range, .8 to 9.4 years). Overall survival was 83%. No patients had veno-occlusive disease. Seventy-four patients (46%) had acute GVHD, but only 14 (9%) greater than grade II. Four patients underwent successful retransplantation for graft loss or poor immune reconstitution. Another patient experienced graft rejection and died. There was no association between T cell chimerism >95% and stem cell source, but a significant association was seen between myeloid chimerism >95% and use of PBSCs without an increased risk of significant GVHD compared with other sources. All 11 patients with severe combined immunodeficiency diagnosed at birth were alive at up to 8.7 years of follow-up. Long-term studies are needed to determine late gonadotoxic effects, and pharmacokinetic studies are needed to identify whether specific targeting is advantageous. The combination of treosulfan, fludarabine, and alemtuzumab is associated with excellent results in HSCT for PID.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/etiology; Graft vs Host Disease/mortality; Graft vs Host Disease/prevention & control
  13. Non-myeloablative conditioning for hemopoietic stem cell transplantation--does it work?
    Cheong SK, Eow GI, Leong CF
    Malays J Pathol, 2002 Jun;24(1):1-8.
    PMID: 16329549
    Allogeneic bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation traditionally uses myeloablative regimen for conditioning to enable grafting of donor's stem cells. Animal experiments have shown that a milder non-myeloablative conditioning regimen does allow engraftment to occur. Nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens are low-intensity immunosuppressive treatment given to the recipient before infusion of donor's stem cells. It was reported to have decreased immediate procedural mortality, in particular those secondary to acute graft versus host reaction. However, it did give rise to higher risks of graft rejection, tumour tolerance and disease progression. Fortunately, appropriately administered donor lymphocyte infusion has been shown to establish full donor chimerism (complete donor stem cell grafting in the recipient's bone marrow) and potentiate antitumour effect (graft versus tumour reaction). The reduction of immediate transplant mortality allows the procedure to be carried out in older age groups, patients with concomitant diseases that otherwise would have made the patients unfit for the procedure, patients with non-malignant disorders such as congenital immune deficiencies, autoimmune disorders or thalassaemia majors. The regimen also allows transplantation of genetically manipulated haemopoietic stem cells (gene thrapy) to be carried out more readily in the immediate future. Lastly, the regimen may serve as a platform for immunotherapy using specific T cell clones for anti-tumour therapy with or without the knowledge of known tumour antigen.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/prevention & control
  14. Fulltext Gamma irradiation and red cell haemolysis: a study at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre
    Yousuf R, Mobin MH, Leong CF
    Malays J Pathol, 2015 Aug;37(2):91-4.
    PMID: 26277664 MyJurnal
    Gamma-irradiation of blood components is regarded a safe procedure used for prevention of transfusion associated graft-versus-host disease. However, reports showed that irradiation can cause erythrocyte haemolysis and damage to the RBC membrane. In University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), a number of suspected transfusion reactions (TR) featured unusual isolated episodes of red-coloured-urine or haemoglobinuria among paediatric patients without clinical features of acute haemolytic TR. Haemolysis of irradiated red cells was suspected as a cause. This study was conducted to evaluate haemolytic changes of RBC components following irradiation. A prospective, pre- and post- irradiation comparative study was conducted on 36 paired RBC-components in the blood-bank, UKMMC in the year 2013. Samples were tested for plasma-Hb, percent-haemolysis, plasma-potassium (K⁺) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. Post-irradiation mean plasma-Hb and percent-haemolysis were significantly higher than pre-irradiation values at 0.09 ±0.06g/dl VS 0.10 ± 0.06g/dl and 0.19 ± 0.13% VS 0.22 ± .13% respectively, while plasma-K⁺ and LDH values did not show significant difference. However, the mean percent-haemolysis level was still within recommended acceptable levels for clinical use, supporting that irradiated RBC units were safe and of acceptable quality for transfusion. There was no conclusive reason for isolated haemoglobinuria following transfusion of irradiated red-cell products. Further research is suggested to investigate the other possible causes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/prevention & control*
  15. Large-Scale Expansion of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
    Hassan MNFB, Yazid MD, Yunus MHM, Chowdhury SR, Lokanathan Y, Idrus RBH, et al.
    Stem Cells Int, 2020;2020:9529465.
    PMID: 32733574 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9529465
    Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells with strong immunosuppressive property that renders them an attractive source of cells for cell therapy. MSCs have been studied in multiple clinical trials to treat liver diseases, peripheral nerve damage, graft-versus-host disease, autoimmune diseases, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular damage. Millions to hundred millions of MSCs are required per patient depending on the disease, route of administration, frequency of administration, and patient body weight. Multiple large-scale cell expansion strategies have been described in the literature to fetch the cell quantity required for the therapy. In this review, bioprocessing strategies for large-scale expansion of MSCs were systematically reviewed and discussed. The literature search in Medline and Scopus databases identified 26 articles that met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. These articles described the large-scale expansion of 7 different sources of MSCs using 4 different bioprocessing strategies, i.e., bioreactor, spinner flask, roller bottle, and multilayered flask. The bioreactor, spinner flask, and multilayered flask were more commonly used to upscale the MSCs compared to the roller bottle. Generally, a higher expansion ratio was achieved with the bioreactor and multilayered flask. Importantly, regardless of the bioprocessing strategies, the expanded MSCs were able to maintain its phenotype and potency. In summary, the bioreactor, spinner flask, roller bottle, and multilayered flask can be used for large-scale expansion of MSCs without compromising the cell quality.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease
  16. Fulltext Comparison of reduced-intensity and myeloablative conditioning regimens for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a meta-analysis
    Abdul Wahid SF, Ismail NA, Mohd-Idris MR, Jamaluddin FW, Tumian N, Sze-Wei EY, et al.
    Stem Cells Dev, 2014 Nov 1;23(21):2535-52.
    PMID: 25072307 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2014.0123
    Currently, the indications to perform reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (RIC-HCT) are based on data derived mainly from large registry and single-centre retrospective studies. Thus, at the present time, there is limited direct evidence supporting the current practice in selecting patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) for RIC versus myeloablative conditioning (MAC) transplants. To determine the relationship between dose intensity of conditioning regimen and survival outcomes after allografting in AML/ALL patients, we performed a meta-analysis of 23 clinical trials reported between 1990 and 2013 involving 15,258 adult patients that compare survival outcomes after RIC-HCT versus MAC-HCT. RIC-HCT resulted in comparable <2-year and 2-6 year overall survival (OS) rates post-transplantation even though the RIC-HCT recipients were older and had more active disease than MAC-HCT recipients. The 2-6 year progression-free survival (PFS), nonrelapse mortality, acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and chronic GvHD rates were reduced after RIC-HCT, but relapse rate was increased. Similar outcomes were observed regardless of disease type and status at transplantation. Odds ratio for all outcomes remained comparable with or without performing separate analyses for the year of HCT and for retrospective versus prospective studies. Among RIC-HCT recipients, survival rates were superior if patients were in CR at transplantation. Significant inter-study heterogeneity for aGvHD data and publication bias for PFS data were observed. This meta-analysis showed no OS benefit of MAC-HCT over RIC-HCT across the entire cohort of patients suggesting that RIC-HCT could be an effective therapeutic option for AML/ALL patients who are ineligible for MAC-HCT and CR status is preferred before RIC-HCT.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/diagnosis
  17. Impact of ruxolitinib pretreatment on outcomes after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with myelofibrosis
    Shahnaz Syed Abd Kadir S, Christopeit M, Wulf G, Wagner E, Bornhauser M, Schroeder T, et al.
    Eur J Haematol, 2018 Sep;101(3):305-317.
    PMID: 29791053 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13099
    INTRODUCTION: Ruxolitinib is the first approved drug for treatment of myelofibrosis, but its impact of outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is unknown.
    PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reported on 159 myelofibrosis patients (pts) with a median age of 59 years (r: 28-74) who received reduced intensity ASCT between 2000 and 2015 in eight German centers from related (n = 23), matched (n = 86) or mismatched (n = 50) unrelated donors. Forty-six (29%) patients received ruxolitinib at any time point prior to ASCT. The median daily dose of ruxolitinib was 30 mg (range 10-40 mg) and the median duration of treatment was 4.9 months (range 0.4-39.1 months).
    RESULTS: Primary graft failure was seen in 2 pts (4%) in the ruxolitinib and 3 (2%) in the non-ruxolitinib group. Engraftment and incidence of acute GVHD grade II to IV and III/IV did not differ between groups (37% vs 39% and 19% vs 28%, respectively), nor did the non-relapse mortality at 2 years (23% vs 23%). A trend for lower risk of relapse was seen in the ruxolitinib group (9% vs 17%, P = .2), resulting in a similar 2 year DFS and OS (68% vs 60% and 73% vs 70%, respectively). No difference in any outcome variable could be seen between ruxolitinib responders and those who failed or lost response to ruxolitinib.
    CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ruxolitinib pretreatment in myelofibrosis patient does not negatively influence outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
    Study site: 8 health clinics in Germany
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/etiology; Graft vs Host Disease/prevention & control
  18. Characteristics and clinical applications of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stromal cells
    Liau LL, Ruszymah BHI, Ng MH, Law JX
    Curr Res Transl Med, 2020 01;68(1):5-16.
    PMID: 31543433 DOI: 10.1016/j.retram.2019.09.001
    Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are widely used in the clinic because they involve fewer ethical issues and safety concerns compared to other stem cells such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). MSCs derived from umbilical cord Wharton's jelly (WJ-MSCs) have excellent proliferative potential and a faster growth rate and can retain their multipotency for more passages in vitro compared to adult MSCs from bone marrow or adipose tissue. WJ-MSCs are used clinically for repairing tissue injuries of the spinal cord, liver and heart with the aim of regenerating tissue. On the other hand, WJ-MSCs are also used clinically to ameliorate immune-mediated diseases based on their ability to modulate immune responses. In the field of tissue engineering, WJ-MSCs capable of differentiating into multiple cell lineages have been used to produce a variety of engineered tissues in vitro that can then be transplanted in vivo. This review discusses the characteristics of WJ-MSCs, the differences between WJ-MSCs and adult MSCs, clinical studies involving WJ-MSCs and future perspectives of WJ-MSC research and clinical applications. To summarize, WJ-MSCs have shown promise in treating a variety of diseases clinically. However, most clinical trials/studies reported thus far are relatively smaller in scale. The collected evidence is insufficient to support the routine use of WJ-MSC therapy in the clinic. Thus, rigorous clinical trials are needed in the future to obtain more information on WJ-MSC therapy safety and efficacy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/therapy
  19. Fulltext Breast and ovarian recurrence of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after allogeneic peripheral blood haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
    Fadilah SA, Goh KY
    Singapore Med J, 2009 Dec;50(12):e407-9.
    PMID: 20087541
    Breast recurrence of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) after stem cell transplant is uncommon, with less than 20 reported cases in the literature. In the majority of cases, the lesions developed without simultaneous involvement of other sites or graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). We describe the first case of simultaneous bilateral breast and ovarian relapses after allografting in ALL, occurring in an 18-year-old female Chinese patient while she was having oral and hepatic chronic GvHD, persistent haematological remission and donor haematopoiesis. She received radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which resulted in resolution of the breast and ovarian lesions, and remained disease free ten months after the onset of the relapse. This case suggests that there may be different mechanisms for bone marrow vs. extramedullary relapses and a complex relationship between GvHD and graft-versus-leukaemia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease/complications
  20. Fulltext Impact of CTLA-4 and NOD2/CARD15 gene variations on graft- versus-host disease after allogeneic hsct: a structured review
    AL-Battawi, S., Hameed, S., Ng, E.S.C., Amini, F.
    JUMMEC, 2018;21(2):45-52.
    MyJurnal
    Graft-versus-host Disease (GVHD) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic
    stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). In spite of immune-suppressive prophylaxis, most survivors suffer from
    acute and chronic GVHD (aGVHD and cGVHD). The outcome of alloHSCT may be affected by the presence of
    single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in non-HLA genes including those involved in innate immune responses.
    This study aimed to evaluate the impact of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and caspase recruitment
    domain 15 (NOD2/CARD15) gene polymorphisms on the incidence and severity of aGVHD and cGVHD following
    alloHSCT. A structured literature review was carried out using various keywords and MESH terms such as
    stem cell transplantation, allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, GVHD, and non-HLA gene
    polymorphism, in PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane Database. A total of 8 studies that met inclusion
    criteria (English publications from 2006 to 2017) were included. Ten SNPs in CTLA-4 gene and three SNPs in
    NOD2/CARD15 gene were tested in patients with underlying haematological malignancies. Four studies tested
    the SNPs of CTLA-4 gene and two were found to have an association with CTLA-4 SNPs (rs3087243, rs231775)
    and increased incidence of aGVHD. The other four studies tested the SNPs of NOD2/CARD15 gene and one
    found an association between SNP13 and increased incidence of aGVHD. None of these eight studies found
    any effect on severity of GVHD. In conclusion, two SNPs in CTLA-4 and one SNP in NOD2/CARD15 increased
    the incidence of aGVHD but not its severity. The higher incidence of aGVHD in studies with larger sample size
    could support the impact of SNPs in the outcome of alloHSCT. However, due to the heterogeneity of studies in
    regard to the age of patients and donor, and conditioning regimen, it is difficult to draw a definite conclusion.
    Matched MeSH terms: Graft vs Host Disease
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