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Biomedical subjects

A Gillio

Publications and source records attributed to A Gillio.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Haematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with Fanconi anaemia using alternate donors: results of a total body irradiation dose escalation trial.

Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only therapeutic modality capable of correcting the haematologic manifestations of Fanconi anaemia (FA). However, HCT from alternative donors has been associated with poor survival. Between June 1993 and July 1998, 29 FA patients (median age 12.1 years; range 3.7-48.5 years) were enrolled in a prospective phase I-II dose escalation study. All patients were treated with cyclophosphamide 40 mg/kg, total body irradiation (TBI) 450 cGy or 600 cGy and antithymocyte globulin (ATG), followed by HCT from an alternative donor. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporin A for 6 months, short course methylprednisolone (2 mg/kg/day) between days +5 and +19 and marrow T-cell depletion by counterflow elutriation. The probability of developing grade III-IV toxicity was 17% (95% CI 3-31%). For the 25 marrow recipients, the probability of neutrophil engraftment (ANC 0.5 x 109/l by day 45) was 63% (95% CI 42-82%). Probabilities of grade II-IV acute GVHD and chronic GVHD were 32% (95%CI 10-54%) and 0% respectively. With a median follow-up of 18 months, the probability of survival for the entire cohort at 1 year was 34% (95% CI 17-51%). The presence of lymphocyte somatic mosaicism [i.e. the presence of diepoxybutane (DEB)-insensitive cells] was associated with a significantly increased risk of graft failure. Disappointingly, the use of higher dose TBI and post-transplant ATG did not improve engraftment. More effective peritransplant immunosuppression, especially in FA patients with somatic mosaicism, was required to overcome the barrier of graft rejection. New conditioning regimens adapted to each individual's alkylator sensitivity are needed to improve the outcome of alternative donor HCT for FA.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of immune reconstitution after unrelated and related T-cell-depleted bone marrow transplantation: effect of patient age and donor leukocyte infusions.

Unrelated bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is often complicated by fatal opportunistic infections. To evaluate features unique to immune reconstitution after unrelated BMT, the lymphoid phenotype, in vitro function, and life-threatening opportunistic infections after unrelated and related T-cell-depleted (TCD) BMT were analyzed longitudinally and compared. The effects of posttransplant donor leukocyte infusions to treat or prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections on immune reconstitution were also analyzed. This study demonstrates that adult recipients of TCD unrelated BMTs experience prolonged and profound deficiencies of CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) T-cell populations when compared with pediatric recipients of unrelated BMT and adults after related BMT (P <.01), that these adults have a significantly increased risk of life-threatening opportunistic infections, and that the rate of recovery of CD4 T cells correlates with the risk of developing these infections. Recovery of normal numbers of CD3(+), CD8(+), and CD4(+) T-cell populations is similar in children after related or unrelated BMT. This study also demonstrates that adoptive immunotherapy with small numbers of unirradiated donor leukocytes can be associated with rapid restoration of CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) T-cell numbers, antigen-specific T-cell responses, and resolution of CMV- and EBV-associated disease after unrelated TCD BMT.

Adolescent↗

Toxicological and immunological evaluation of the MHC-non-restricted cytotoxic T cell line TALL-104.

The human MHC-non-restricted cytotoxic T cell line TALL-104 has been shown to display potent antitumor effects in several animal models with spontaneous and induced malignancies. In view of its potential future use in cancer therapy, we investigated the tolerability and target-organ toxicity of these cells in various animal species. The acute toxicity of TALL-104 cell administrations was evaluated in: (a) healthy immunocompetent mice and immunodeficient (SCID) mice bearing human tumors using multiple (up to 15) intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections, and (b) healthy dogs, tumor-bearing dogs, and healthy monkeys using multiple (up to 17) intravenous (i.v.) injections. TALL-104 cells were gamma-irradiated (40 Gy) prior to administration to mice and dogs, but administered without irradiation in monkeys. Cell doses ranged from 5 x 10(7)/kg to 10(10)/kg for each injection. All regimens were well tolerated, the main clinical signs observed being transient gastrointestinal effects. Moderate and transient increases in liver transaminase levels were observed in all animal species. Discrete and transient leukocytosis with neutrophilia was also noted in dogs and monkeys after i.v. injections of TALL-104 cells. Histological analysis revealed foci of hepatic necrosis with lympho-/mono-/granulocytic infiltration in immunocompetent mice injected i.p. with 5 x 10(9)-10(10) cells/kg. In the same mice, the colon showed an increased number of muciparous cells and alterations in the villi structure: these alterations were completely reversed by 72 h after the last injection, while liver alterations reversed more slowly (1 week). No delayed or chronic toxicity was observed in any of the animals even when non-irradiated TALL-104 cells were administered: both immunocompetent mice and healthy dogs were found to be grossly and histopathologically normal when sacrificed (1 year and 1 month after the last TALL-104 injection respectively). TALL-104 cells did not persist in these hosts. In addition, monkeys showed no molecular signs of TALL-104-cell-induced leukemia in their blood 1 year after the last cell injection. Despite immunosuppression, most of the tumor-bearing dogs as well as the healthy dogs and monkeys developed both humoral and cellular immune responses against TALL-104 cells. The data derived from these preclinical studies suggest that administration of high doses of irradiated TALL-104 cells is well tolerated and would be unlikely to induce severe toxicity if applied in clinical trials to the treatment of patients with refractory cancer.

Animals↗

Gonadal function after bone marrow transplantation for acute leukemia during childhood.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of bone marrow transplantation (BMT), using high-dose chemotherapy and hyperfractionated total body irradiation, on gonadal function in survivors of acute leukemia treated during childhood. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective study of 33 subjects (17 boys) who underwent a BMT for acute leukemia (acute lymphoblastic leukemia, n = 20; acute myelogenous leukemia, n = 13) at a single institution. All patients were prepubertal at the time of BMT (median age, 7.1 years (3.7 to 11.6 years)); at the time of their last examination the boys were a median of 14 years (10.4 to 17.1 years) of age and the girls were a median of 16.9 years (9.5 to 21.9 years) of age. RESULTS: Of 17 boys, 14 (82%) entered puberty spontaneously and 13 demonstrated age-appropriate plasma concentrations of testosterone. Two boys (aged 10.5 and 11 years) remain clinically and hormonally prepubertal, and one boy has overt Leydig cell failure requiring androgen replacement therapy. Thirty-six percent of pubertal boys have elevated plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone and 64% have raised levels of follicle-stimulating hormone. Boys with increased levels of luteinizing hormone were significantly younger at BMT (5.4 +/- 0.8 vs 7.8 +/- 0.8 years; p = 0.024). Of 16 girls, 9 (56%) had spontaneous puberty with onset of menarche at a median age of 13 years (9.5 to 15.8 years). Though six (67%) of these nine girls have had increased plasma concentrations of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones, normalization has occurred in two during a period of 4 to 7 years. The remaining seven subjects required hormone replacement because of clinical and biochemical evidence of ovarian failure. One of these subjects has recovered ovarian function after 5 1/2 years. Female patients with ovarian failure were significantly older at BMT compared with female patients with spontaneous puberty/menarche (8.6 +/- 23 years vs 6.1 +/- 1.8; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that most prepubertal boys undergoing BMT with chemotherapy and hyperfractionated total body irradiation can expect to enter and progress normally through puberty. For prepubertal girls treated with these regimens, at least 50% retain adequate ovarian function to enter puberty and menstruate regularly.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Thyroid dysfunction following bone marrow transplantation using hyperfractionated radiation.

Thyroid dysfunction has been reported following single dose and fractionated radiation in the context of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Limited data are available regarding this complication following hyperfractionated radiation. We undertook a retrospective analysis of thyroid function in 150 patients who received BMT at our institution, and who were alive and disease-free for at least 1 year after transplant. There were 100 pediatric patients and 50 adult patients, with a median follow-up of 6.2 years for the whole group. These patients had acute (n = 91) or chronic leukemias (n = 36), severe aplastic anemia (n = 18) or immunodeficiency disorders (n = 5). The majority of the patients received radiation-based cytoreductive regimens including 129 patients who received hyperfractionated total body irradiation (TBI) to a total dose of 1375 cGy or 1500 cGy and 10 patients who received total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) to a total dose of 600 cGy. Twenty two patients of the cohort of 150 patients (14.7%) and 21 of the 139 patients (15.1%) who received hyperfractionated radiation were found to have developed hypothyroidism, 11-88 months after transplant (median 49 months). Eight patients had received 1375 cGy and 12 patients 1500 cGy TBI, while one patient was treated with 600 cGy TLI and one patient was treated with chemotherapy only (busulfan and cyclophosphamide). Three patients had primary thyroid failure with an elevated TSH and a low T4 index, while 19 patients had compensated hypothyroidism with an elevated TSH but a normal T4 index. Six of eight patients with untreated compensated hypothyroidism recovered spontaneously.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Hyperfractionated total lymphoid irradiation and cyclophosphamide for preparation of previously transfused patients undergoing HLA-identical marrow transplantation for severe aplastic anemia.

PURPOSE: To assess the immunosuppressive capacity of hyperfractionated total lymphoid irradiation and cyclophosphamide for transplantation of unmodified allogeneic marrow in sensitized aplastic anemia patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From February 1983 to September 1990, 23 multiply transfused aplastic anemia patients underwent unmodified bone marrow transplantation from HLA genotypically identical sibling donors following preparation with 6 Gy hyperfractionated total lymphoid irradiation and 160 mg/kg cyclophosphamide. Graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis included steroids in one patient, methotrexate in four, cyclosporine in seven, and methotrexate/cyclosporine in 12. There were 17 males and 6 females with a median age of 13 (range: 2.5-32). RESULTS: One patient died early before engraftment of bacterial sepsis. Twenty-two patients were evaluable for engraftment. Three experienced graft failure including one primary, and two late graft failures associated with cyclosporine withdrawal. Acute graft-versus-host disease occurred in 7/22 (> or = grade II in 6), and chronic graft-versus-host disease in 3/17 patients. Except for a patient who received total body irradiation for a second transplant, no patient in this series developed interstitial pneumonia. Fifteen patients are alive with follow-up of 38-125 months (median 68). The overall actuarial survival at 5 years is 69%, at 8 years it is 60%, with one late death. The survival of adult patients was similar to that of younger patients (> or = 16 years old: 63%, < 16 years old: 55%). The development of acute graft-versus-host disease adversely influenced survival (88% with Grade 0-I, 17% with grade II-IV; p = 0.002). No hypothyroidism or secondary malignancies have been documented in this series. CONCLUSION: Pretransplant immunosuppression with 6 Gy of hyperfractionated total lymphoid irradiation and 160 mg/kg CY reduces but does not eliminate the incidence of graft failure in sensitized aplastic anemia patients. The dose and the mode of administration of total lymphoid irradiation in this trial may be associated with a lower incidence of late side effects. Survival is comparable to that obtained using preparative regimens without radiation.

Adolescent↗

Long-term safety of treatment with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (r-metHuG-CSF) in patients with severe congenital neutropenias.

Congenital neutropenias include a heterogenous group of diseases characterized by a decrease in circulating neutrophils. In phase I/II/III studies in patients with severe congenital and cyclic neutropenia, treatment with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (r-metHuG-CSF) resulted in a rise in the absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) and a reduction in infections. We report the effects of long-term safety of subcutaneous r-metHuG-CSF administration in 54 patients (congenital n = 44. cyclic n = 10) treated for 4-6 years. A sustained ANC response was seen in 40/44 severe congenital neutropenia patients and 10/10 cyclic neutropenia patients. Two patients required an increase of > 25% in dose to maintain a clinical response; one patient became refractory to therapy. A significant decrease in the incidence of severe infections and the need for intravenous antibiotics was noted. Significant adverse events noted which may or may not be related to therapy included: osteopenia (n = 15), splenomegaly (n = 12), hypersplenism (n = 1), vasculitis (n = 2), glomerulonephritis (n = 1), BM fibrosis (n = 2), MDS/leukaemia (n = 3), and transient inverted chromosome 5q with excess blasts (n = 1). R-metHuG-CSF has been well tolerated in the majority of patients and resulted in a long-term improvement in their clinical status.

Adolescent↗

Correction of neutropenia with rHuG-CSF after loss of response to rHuGM-CSF following autologous bone marrow transplant.

We describe a patient who presented with graft failure following autologous BMT, with an initial response of the neutrophil count to rHuGM-CSF but eventual loss of this response. Subsequently, this patient responded to rHuG-CSF. This could be explained by the fact that rHuG-CSF stimulates both early and late myeloid progenitor cells whereas rHuGM-CSF stimulates mainly the intermediate myeloid progenitor cells. This finding suggests that rHuG-CSF should be investigated for the treatment of patients with graft failure following ABMT.

Adolescent↗

Enrichment of peripheral blood stem cells in a primate model following administration of a single dose of rh-IL-1 beta.

In a pre-clinical primate model, the effect of a single intravenous injection of rh-GM-CSF (50 micrograms/kg), rh-IL3 (20 micrograms/kg), rh-IL-1 beta (1 micrograms/kg), rh-G-CSF (50 micrograms/kg) and rh-pIXY 321 (50 micrograms/kg) on peripheral blood mononuclear cell and hematopoietic stem cell concentration was determined. The results indicated that administration of a single dose of rh-IL-1 beta increased the concentrations of hematopoietic stem cells, including CFU-GM progenitors and precursors to CFU-GM. No toxicity was noted with this procedure. None of the remaining cytokines tested caused a significant increase in the peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell concentration when administered in this manner and only G-CSF caused an increase in peripheral blood mononuclear cell concentrations. Autologous transplantation with limiting numbers of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (1 x 10(7) cells/kg) collected either 24 or 72 h following injection of 1 microgram/kg rh-IL-1 beta conferred a survival advantage to recipients compared with controls. These results imply that a single intravenous administration of rh-IL-1 beta may increase the concentration of peripheral blood stem cells to levels sufficient for transplantation.

Animals↗

Purification and partial characterization of a human hematopoietic precursor population.

This study reports the development of an assay, the Pre-colony-forming unit (CFU) assay, which detects human hematopoietic precursors. The Pre-CFU assay is based on the observation that precursors to CFU-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) that are undetectable in clonogenic assays differentiate into CFU-GM preferentially following treatment in suspension culture with recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha (rhIL-1 alpha) combined with rhIL-3. Using the Pre-CFU assay, hematopoietic precursors were detected in human bone marrow depleted of CFU-GM progenitors and differentiated hematopoietic elements via 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide treatment coupled with selection for CD34+ cells (4-HCresistant/CD34+ marrow). Additionally, the Pre-CFU assay detected recovery of hematopoiesis substantially earlier than the CFU-GM assay in primates following myeloablation with 5-fluorouracil. The Pre-CFU assay was used to asses purification of a phenotypically defined hematopoietic precursor population, the lin-CD34+ population. The lin-CD34+ population lacks detectable surface markers for T-cell, B-cell, natural killer cell, and myeloid lineage, possesses the CD34 antigen, is devoid of CFU-GM progenitors, and yields Pre-CFU assay values comparable with 4-HCresistant/CD34+ marrow. Using a combination of phenotypic analysis and Pre-CFU assay analysis, the action of rhIL-1 alpha plus rhIL-3 treatment on lin-CD34+ cells was further characterized. The data indicate that rhIL-1 alpha plus rhIL-3 treatment induces proliferation and differentiation of early hematopoietic precursors into progenitors and terminally differentiated cells, without inducing a significant expansion of the precursor population itself.

Animals↗

No retroviremia or pathology in long-term follow-up of monkeys exposed to a murine amphotropic retrovirus.

Four monkeys were exposed to a retroviral vector and replication-competent murine amphotropic retrovirus in a bone marrow transplantation/gene transfer protocol (Kantoff et al., 1987). We have studied these animals 2 and 3 years post-transplantation and did not detect replicating virus in serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, or bone marrow cells. Amphotropic envelope sequences could not be detected in blood or bone marrow cells by Southern blotting or the polymerase chain reaction. Antibodies directed against the p30 and gp70 viral antigens were detected by Western blot and immunoprecipitation. The animals remain alive and well. Our findings suggest that primates can clear murine amphotropic retroviruses even when exposure occurs during a time of severe immunosuppression.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Effects of hematopoietic growth factors following myeloablation in a primate model.

The complex effects of hematopoietic growth factors (granulocyte and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors and interleukin 3 and interleukin 1 beta) following myeloablation in juvenile male cynomolgus monkeys was studied. Since the effects of a given cytokine in vivo do not necessarily reflect the in vitro situation, and since cytokines are frequently species specific, extrapolation from rodent models to man may be fraught with inaccuracies. A primate model, therefore, was developed which has provided useful preclinical information on hematopoietic responses, dose response relationships and toxicities associated with administration of recombinant hematopoietic growth factors. This information has direct application to human trials.

Alkylating Agents↗

NK and LAK activities from human marrow progenitors. I. The effects of interleukin-2 and interleukin-1.

We have investigated the role of interleukin-2 (IL2) as a differentiation factor for human marrow-derived NK cell progenitors and have assessed the effects of interleukin-1 (IL1) on this activity. The effects of these cytokines on early NK cell precursors was determined by testing marrow which had been depleted of mature cells and of CD2+ cells by treatment with soybean agglutinin and sheep erythrocytes (SBA-E-BM). The cytolytic activities of the SBA-E-BM were tested in 51Cr release assays following 7-8 days of liquid culture. K562 targets were used to assess NK activity and NK-resistant Daudi targets were used to measure lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activity. Neither NK nor LAK activity were measurable in marrow incubated in medium without cytokines, or in medium containing IL1 alone. In contrast, culture in medium containing IL2 resulted in a dose-dependent development of lytic activity. NK and LAK activities could be differentiated by the percentage of cultures in which the activity developed, the dose of IL2 required, the time kinetics of induction, and the effect of depletion of residual cells with NK phenotype prior to culture. The most lytically active effectors of both activities, however, were CD56+. Immunofluorescence analyses before and after culture with IL2 revealed that Leu19+ (CD56) cells increased from less than 2% to as much as 17% of the total marrow cells and showed the appearance of a population of CD56+CD16- cells. The addition of IL1 to the marrow cultures increased NK activity when suboptimal amounts of IL2 were used (less than or equal to 100 U/ml), but did not increase LAK activity at any concentration of IL2. A higher number of NK cells, as well as MY7+(CD13+) myeloid cells were recovered from cultures containing IL1 plus IL2, indicating that NK cells as well as myeloid cells had a growth advantage in the presence of IL1. IL2 receptor (CD25) expression was low in all cultures but was consistently higher in cultures containing IL1 and IL2, however, CD25 was not coexpressed on NK cells. These studies indicate that early NK cell precursors can grow and differentiate in response to IL2 and that NK and LAK lytic activities may be acquired at different developmental stages. IL1 may serve to promote the responsiveness of NK cell progenitors to low concentration of IL2 by a mechanism which may not require expression of CD25.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

[Humeral fractures with paralysis of the radial nerve].

Forty fractures of the humerus associated with radial nerve palsy were reviewed after an average follow-up of 11 years. Early exploration of the radial nerve and internal fixation of the fracture was performed in 20 patients, while the other 20 patients were treated by closed reduction and immobilization in a plaster cast. In four patients of the latter group the radial nerve did not recover and a delayed exploration was performed. In each treatment group functional recovery of the radial nerve was observed in 16 patients (80%). On the basis of these results the authors suggest treating fractures of the humerus with radial nerve palsy by closed reduction. If there is no evidence of spontaneous recovery within 3-4 months, an exploration of the radial nerve should be performed.

Adolescent↗

Natural killer and lymphokine-activated killer cell activities from human marrow precursors. II. The effects of IL-3 and IL-4.

Both IL-3 and IL-4 have multi-CSF activity on early marrow progenitors. We have examined the effect of IL-3 and IL-4 on the differentiation of NK cells from their marrow-derived precursors and have further examined the interactions of these cytokines with IL-2 and IL-1. We tested marrow which had been depleted of mature cells and of E rosette-positive cells (including NK cells) by treatment with soybean lectin and SRBC (SBA-E-BM). The cytolytic activities of the SBA-E-BM samples were tested in 51Cr-release assays after 7 days of liquid culture. K562 targets were used as a measure of NK activity and NK-resistant Daudi targets were used to measure lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activity. Neither NK nor LAK activity was detectable in marrow cultured in medium without cytokines, or in medium containing IL-3, or IL-4 alone. Both of these cytokines were shown to be inhibitory to the IL-2-induced generation of NK and LAK activity from SBA-E-BM at concentrations as low as 1 U/ml. The inhibitory activity of both IL-3 and IL-4 was found to occur early in the marrow cultures, with little or no inhibitory effects seen if added 48 h after IL-2. IL-3 appeared to be specifically inhibitory to NK cell precursors since addition of IL-3 to cultures of PBMC did not inhibit IL-2-induced lytic activities. In contrast, IL-4 was equally inhibitory to the activation of marrow and peripheral blood NK cells by IL-2. Mixing experiments demonstrated that the reduced lytic activity in IL-3 or IL-4 containing marrow cultures were not due to suppression of the NK effectors, nor could marrow cultured in IL-3 or IL-4 serve as targets for IL-2-activated NK cells. Phenotype analysis of the lymphoid cells in marrow cultures containing IL-2 combined with IL-3 or IL-4 revealed fewer cells expressing Leu-11 (CD16), or Leu-19 (CD56) and fewer CD16, CD56 coexpressing cells compared with marrow cultured in medium containing IL-2 alone. The inhibitory activity of IL-4, but not IL-3, could be partially reversed if IL-1 was added to the cultures, suggesting that IL-1 and IL-4 have opposing activities on NK cells responsiveness to IL-2. These interactions between cytokines might be important in the regulation of NK cell differentiation and on the functional activity of mature NK cells.

Bone Marrow↗