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J M Fernández-Rañada

Publications and source records attributed to J M Fernández-Rañada.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Donor age and degree of HLA matching have a major impact on the outcome of unrelated donor haematopoietic cell transplantation for chronic myeloid leukaemia.

We analysed the outcome of 92 consecutive unrelated donor haematopoietic cell transplantations (UD-HCTs) performed in Spain to treat adult patients with CML in the first chronic phase (1CP). Patients' and donors' median age was 32 (15-49) and 36 (22-56) years, respectively. In all, 73 pairs (79%) matched for A, B+/-C and DRB1+/-DQB1 loci and 19 had > or =1 mismatch. Their probability of survival and disease-free survival at 4 years were 50 and 46%, respectively. Pretransplant factors associated with a better survival were patient age <25 years (P=0.035), donor age < or =36 years (P=0.012), use of cyclosporine since day -7 (P=0.001), and matching 8/8, 9/10 or 10/10 loci at allele level (P=0.003). In multivariate analysis only donor age (P=0.003; RR=3.1 (95% CI: 1.3-7.1)) and degree of HLA-matching (P=0.009; RR: 7.7 (95% CI: 1.8-33)) maintained their significance. The addition of these two variables to the EBMT prognostic score allowed an adequate risk assessment for patients receiving a UD-HCT during 1CP. Our analysis shows that in patients with a young and fully allele-matched donor, UD-HCT should be considered in the initial therapeutic algorithm due to its excellent outcome (92% survival at 2 years).

Adolescent↗

Prognostic factors affecting long-term outcome after stem cell transplantation in Hodgkin's lymphoma autografted after a first relapse.

PURPOSE: To analyse outcome and prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and time to treatment failure (TTF) in 357 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) undergoing an autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) after a first relapse and reported to the The Grupo Espanol de Linfomas/Trasplante Autologo de Medula Osea (GEL/TAMO) Cooperative Group. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty males and 137 females with a median age of 29 years were autografted in second remission (n=181), first sensitive relapse (n=148) and first resistant relapse (n=28). RESULTS: Five-year actuarial TTF and OS were of 49% +/- 3% and 57% +/- 3%. Advanced stage at diagnosis, complementary radiotherapy before ASCT, a short first complete response (CR) and detectable disease at ASCT adversely influenced TTF. Year of transplant < or =1995, bulky disease at diagnosis, a short first CR, detectable disease at ASCT and > or =1 extranodal areas involved at ASCT were adverse factors for OS. CONCLUSIONS: ASCT constitutes a therapeutic option for HL patients after a first relapse. Promising results are observed in patients with low tumour burden at diagnosis, autografted after a long CR and without detectable disease at ASCT. Innovative approaches should be pursued for patients with risk factors at relapse.

Adolescent↗

Autologous stem cell transplantation for primary refractory Hodgkin's disease: results and clinical variables affecting outcome.

BACKGROUND: Patients with primary refractory Hodgkin's disease (PR-HD) have a dismal prognosis when treated with conventional salvage chemotherapy. We analyzed time to treatment failure (TTF), overall survival (OS) and clinical variables influencing the outcome in patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for PR-HD and reported to the Grupo Español de Linfomas/Trasplante Autólogo de Médula Osea (GEL/TAMO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients, 41 males and 21 females with a median age of 27 years (range 13-55) were analyzed. Forty-two patients (68%) had advanced stage at diagnosis, 47 (76%) presented with B symptoms and 29 (47%) with a bulky mediastinal mass. Seventy-five percent of the patients had received more than one line of therapy before ASCT. Thirty-three patients received bone marrow as a source of hematopoietic progenitors, and 29 peripheral blood. Six patients were conditioned with high-dose chemotherapy plus total-body irradiation and 56 received chemotherapy-based protocols. RESULTS: One-year transplantation-related mortality was 14% [95% confidence interval (CI) 6% to 23%]. Response rate at 3 months after ASCT was 52% [complete remission in 21 patients (34%), partial remission in 11 patients (18%)]. Actuarial 5-year TTF and OS were 15% (95% CI 5% to 24%) and 26% (95% CI 13% to 39%), respectively. The presence of B symptoms at ASCT was the only adverse prognostic factor significantly influencing TTF [relative risk (RR) 1.75, 95% CI 0.92-3.35, P = 0.08]. The presence of B symptoms at diagnosis (RR 2.08, 95% CI 0.90-4.79, P = 0.08), MOPP-like regimens as first-line therapy (RR 3.84, 95% CI 1.69-9.09, P = 0.001), bulky disease at ASCT (RR 2.79, 95% CI 0.29-6.03, P = 0.009) and two or more lines of therapy before ASCT (RR 2.24, 95% CI 0.95-5.27, P = 0.06) adversely influenced OS. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, although overall results of ASCT in PR-HD patients are poor, one-quarter of the patients remain alive at 5 years. Despite this, other therapeutic strategies should be investigated in this group of patients to improve the outcome.

Adolescent↗

CsA-based post-graft immunosuppression: the main factor for improving outcome of allografted patients with acquired aplastic anemia. A retrospective survey by the Spanish Group of Hematopoietic Transplantation.

A retrospective multicenter study was performed to assess the clinical results in patients with acquired aplastic anemia (AA) allografted over a 19 year period and to identify prognostic factors influencing survival. From April 1978 to December 1997, 176 patients were transplanted. Records from 160 receiving related matched bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were reviewed. Fifty-two percent of the patients were older than 20 years, 5% older than 40; 6.3% were untransfused at BMT and 56.2% had received prior treatments. Conditioning regimens were with chemotherapy in 43.7% of the procedures and with additional irradiation in 56.3%. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was based on cyclosporin A (CsA) in 58.1% of the patients while methotrexate (MTX) was administered to 41.9%. Transplantation earlier on, a longer interval from diagnosis to BMT, GVHD prophylaxis with MTX, graft failure/rejection and acute severe GVHD were adverse factors for survival. The use of CsA emerged as the main factor for the improvement, inducing a significant decrease in graft failure/rejection rate and severe acute GVHD when compared with MTX alone. Radiation-containing regimens decreased the graft failure/rejection rate without improving survival due to the increased risk of acute GVHD. Age and number of transfusions pretransplant did not influence outcome. Survival achieved since 1991 is 79.79%, and graft failure and acute severe GVHD rates are 6.0% and 11.8%, respectively. In conclusion, CsA-based post-graft immunosuppression has been crucial in achieving improved survival in patients with acquired AA up to 40 years of age. Regardless of CsA use, further improvement in survival was apparent with time, probably due to better skills in patient care.

Adolescent↗

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after stem cell transplantation, unsuccessfully treated with cidofovir.

We report a patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) after autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). This is an unusual association, and to date only seven cases have been reported. This is the first case of PML after SCT treated with cidofovir, and the fifth case treated with this drug in a patient without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In the previous four patients treated with cidofovir the outcome was discouraging, as was the case in this patient.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Autologous stem-cell transplantation for Hodgkin's disease: results and prognostic factors in 494 patients from the Grupo Español de Linfomas/Transplante Autólogo de Médula Osea Spanish Cooperative Group.

PURPOSE: To analyze clinical outcome and significant prognostic factors for overall (OS) and time to treatment failure (TTF) in a group of 494 patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) undergoing autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Detailed records from the Grupo Español de Linfomas/Transplante Autólogo de Médula Osea Spanish Cooperative Group Database on 494 HD patients who received an ASCT between January 1984 and May 1998 were reviewed. Two hundred ninety-eight males and 196 females with a median age of 27 years (range, 1 to 63 years) received autografts while in complete remission (n = 203) or when they had sensitive disease (n = 206) or resistant disease (n = 75) at a median time of 26 months (range, 4 to 259 months) after diagnosis. Most patients received high-dose chemotherapy without radiation for conditioning (n = 443). The graft consisted of bone marrow (n = 244) or peripheral blood (n = 250). RESULTS: The 100-day mortality rate was 9%. The 5-year actuarial TTF and OS rates were 45.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39.5% to 50.5%) and 54.5% (95% CI, 48.4% to 60.6%), respectively. In multivariate analysis, the presence of active disease at transplantation, transplantation before 1992, and two or more lines of therapy before transplantation were adverse prognostic factors for outcome. Sixteen patients developed a secondary malignancy (5-year cumulative incidence of 4.3%) after transplantation. Adjuvant radiotherapy before transplantation, the use of total-body irradiation (TBI) in the conditioning regimen, and age > or = 40 years were found to be predictive factors for the development of second cancers after ASCT. CONCLUSION: ASCT achieves long-term disease-free survival in HD patients. Disease status before ASCT is the most important prognostic factor for final outcome; thus, transplantation should be considered in early stages of the disease. TBI must be avoided in the conditioning regimen because of a significantly higher rate of late complications, including secondary malignancies.

Adolescent↗

Tuberculosis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: incidence, clinical characteristics and outcome. Spanish Group on Infectious Complications in Hematopoietic Transplantation.

A national survey of tuberculosis after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (SCT) was undertaken to study incidence, clinical presentation and outcome. Twenty confirmed cases were found among 8,013 patients (eight in 5,147 autologous and 12 in 2,866 allogeneic SCT). The estimated incidence in cases/10(5) patients/year (95% CI) was 101 (56.5-145) for the whole group, 71.1 (21.8-120) in autologous and 135.6 (58.9-212) in allogeneic transplants. Compared with the general population, tuberculosis was more frequent after allogeneic (RR 2.95) but not after autologous SCT. Tuberculosis after SCT is a late infection (median 324 days post transplant), predominately affects the lungs (80% of the cases), appears to respond well to treatment but has a high mortality (25%) in allogeneic recipients. It can also complicate the post-transplant management as antituberculosis drugs frequently decrease the serum levels of cyclosporine causing an aggravation of GVHD. Graft-versus-host disease, corticosteroid treatment and total body irradiation appear to be associated with tuberculosis in allogeneic recipients. No obvious factors were associated with tuberculosis in autologous transplants. Finally, we found that the published literature on tuberculosis after solid and SCT has overestimated its incidence due to the direct translation of tuberculosis frequency into incidence.

Adult↗

Long-term liver dysfunction after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: clinical features and course in 61 patients.

This retrospective study has aimed at determining the prevalence, aetiology and clinical evolution of chronic liver disease (CLD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). A total of 106 patients who had been transplanted in a single institution and who had survived for at least 2 years after BMT were studied. The prevalence of CLD was 57.5% (61/106). In 47.3% of cases more than one aetiopathogenic agent coexisted. The causes of CLD were iron overload (52.4%), chronic hepatitis C (47.5%), chronic graft-versus-host disease (C-GVHD) (37.7%), hepatitis B (6.5%), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (4.9%), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (4.9%) and unknown two (3.3%). Twenty-three patients with iron overload underwent venesections which were well tolerated. An improvement in liver function tests (LFTs) was observed in 21 (91%) patients. All six patients with siderosis as the only cause of CLD normalized LFT as well as three patients with HCV infection. Clinical evolution was satisfactory for patients with GVHD, AIH, NASH and hepatitis B. At the last visit 23 patients continued with abnormal LFTs, and 19 of them were infected by the HCV. A sustained biochemical and virologic response was achieved in only one case out of six patients with CHC who received interferon. We have found that CLD is a common complication in long-term BMT survivors. The aetiology is often multifactorial, iron overload, CHC and C-GVHD being the main causes. The CLD followed a rather 'benign' and slow course in our patients as none of them developed symptoms or signs of liver failure and we did not observe an increase in morbidity or mortality in these patients, but a longer follow-up is necessary in HCV infected patients based on the natural history of this infection in other populations.

Adolescent↗

Plasma endothelin-1 levels after stem cell transplantation.

Acute renal failure and veno-occlusive disease of the liver are serious complications following stem cell transplantation (SCT) and contribute to the non-relapse mortality associated with this procedure. Endothelins, a family of vasoconstrictor peptides, may be involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of renal and hepatic diseases, including CsA-associated hypertension and the hepatorenal syndrome. In order to study the relevance of endothelins to SCT-related liver and kidney dysfunction, we determined endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in plasma samples obtained from 65 patients (38 autologous, 27 allogeneic) 7 days before and 7, 14 and 28 days after SCT. A steady increase in plasma ET-1 was observed after SCT (5.36 pg/ml, 95% CI 4.30-6.43 on day +28 vs 3.82 pg/ml, 95% CI 3.21-4.43 on day -7; P = 0.020). No differences in ET-1 levels existed between autologous and allogeneic SCT recipients at any of the time points studied (P = 0.561). In addition, no significant differences were observed among patients with renal dysfunction vs those without (P = 0.187), nor in patient groups with or without hepatic dysfunction (P = 0.075). In conclusion, even though plasma ET-1 levels showed a steady increase following SCT, no correlation could be found with development of SCT-related kidney or liver dysfunction.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Hematopoietic cell transplantation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: better long term event-free survival with conditioning regimens containing total body irradiation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is only limited experience with conditioning regimens based on busulfan for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the event-free survival (EFS), transplant-related mortality (TRM) and the probability of relapse (PR) of patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for ALL conditioned with or without total body irradiation (TBI). DESIGN AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 156 patients conditioned with regimens based on TBI (n=114) or on high doses of oral busulfan (BU) (n=42). Most of the BU group received phenytoin as prophylaxis for seizures. The median follow-up was 6 years. RESULTS: EFS at 6 years was 43% (95% CI 35%-51%) versus 22% (95% CI 10%-34%) in the TBI and BU subsets respectively (p=0.01). TRM at 18 months was 22% and 17% in the BU and TBI groups (p=0.24), respectively. At 3 years actuarial PR was 71% in the BU group and 47% in the TBI group (p=0.01). In the multivariable analysis, a worse EFS was associated with BU, relative risk (RR) 1.7; advanced disease versus 1st and 2nd complete remission (CR) at HCT, RR 2.5; absence of chronic graft-versus-host disease, RR 1.8; development of veno-occlusive disease RR 2.2 and shorter CR duration before transplant. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS. TBI was associated with a lower relapse rate and better EFS, even in patients in 1(st )and 2(nd) CR, than schemes based on high doses of busulfan. This suggests that conditioning regimens based on TBI should remain the standard method of preparative regimen for patients with ALL.

Adolescent↗

Interferon alpha for chronic myeloid leukemia relapsing after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Interferon alpha (IFN alpha) induces cytogenetic responses in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The purpose of this study was to analyze the therapeutic role of IFN alpha in this setting. The experience of a single institution and the published results on this topic were evaluated. We have included patients who received IFN alpha as a single agent, excluding those patients who received previous or simultaneous donor leukocyte infusions. The outcomes of 11 patients treated in our center and those of 108 previously reported patients have been analyzed. Five out of 11 patients treated in our institution obtained a complete cytogenetic response (CGR). Two patients continue in complete cytogenetic response 3.5 and 8.2 years later, and the qualitative RT-PCR is negative for bcr-abl RNA. The CGR has been transient in one patient, and follow-up is short in the other two. Secondary effects have been acceptable, with myelosuppression as the main toxic effect. Graft-versus-host disease did not occur. The literature review identified 108 patients treated with IFN alpha as sole therapy for relapsed CML. Cytogenetic response and CGR seem to be better in patients with cytogenetic relapse, as compared to patients with hematologic relapse (61% vs. 45% and 45% vs. 28%, respectively). Several patients remained in CGR for more than 5 years. This overview also suggests that CGR is more frequent when IFN alpha is used in patients relapsing after non T-depleted BMT. IFN alpha induces complete cytogenetic response in nearly half of the patients with CML who relapse after allogeneic BMT, with acceptable toxicity. We believe that these results using IFN alpha as a front-line therapy for CML relapsing after BMT warrant a randomized comparison with donor lymphocyte infusions.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Transplantation of allogeneic CD34-selected peripheral stem cells does not prevent transmission of hepatitis C virus from an infected donor.

There is little information on the clinical course of transplantation from HCV-positive donors. However, it seems that there is no increased risk of acute liver failure after the procedure and that the presence of HCV-RNA in serum is necessary for transmission to take place. We report a case of allogeneic CD34-selected peripheral stem cell transplantation from an HCV-infected donor with viremia with a special clinical and virological course. After the selection procedure and cell washing we could not detect HCV-RNA by PCR in the wash buffer, but HCV-RNA was positive by PCR in the selected cells. Once the patient received the transfusion of the selected product HCV was detected in the PBMCs and at very low concentration in serum. HCV was also demonstrated in the hepatocytes with the in situ hybridization technique. In conclusion, we have shown that CD34+ cell selection from an HCV-positive allogeneic donor does not prevent HCV infection in the recipient. Our results also suggest that HCV replicates in PBMCs in vivo and that these cells release viral particles that can infect the liver.

Adult↗

Massive myelomatous ascites responsive to VAD chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation.

Plasmacytic ascites is an infrequent complication of multiple myeloma. To date, only few cases have been reported with a very rapidly fatal course unresponsive to therapy. We describe a patient with plasmacytic ascites and quiescent multiple myeloma of 8 years of duration. Disease progression became apparent due to myelomatous ascites, unexplained fever, pancytopenia and bone marrow infiltration. This case showed a complete and long-lasting response after VAD chemotherapy followed by autologous PBSC transplantation. Ascites in association with MM may respond for lengthy periods to high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Long-term management of homozygous protein C deficiency: replacement therapy with subcutaneous purified protein C concentrate.

We present the case of a full-term newborn in whom purpura fulminans developed shortly after birth. A diagnosis of homozygous protein C deficiency was established based upon undetectable plasma protein C activity and antigenemia in the newborn infant, and was later confirmed by protein C gene analysis. Specific replacement therapy with intravenous protein C concentrate was started 9 days after birth. This rapidly led to the complete regression of cutaneous lesions and consumption coagulopathy. After stabilization, oral anticoagulation was initiated in association with prophylactic treatment with intravenous protein C concentrate. However, oral anticoagulation was finally abandoned as the patient presented several thrombotic and hemorrhagic episodes clearly related to difficulties with anticoagulation. Due to the hazards related to prolonged venous access, we are currently using subcutaneous infusion of protein C concentrate for the long-term management of this condition, with satisfactory results.

Administration, Oral↗

Stage, percentage of basophils at diagnosis, hematologic response within six months, cytogenetic response in the first year: the main prognostic variables affecting outcome in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase treated with interferon-alpha. Results of the CML89 trial of the Spanish Collaborative Group on interferon-alpha2a and CML.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Interferon-a (IFN) is increasingly being used as the drug of choice in chronic myeloid leukemia patients. The main objectives of the study were to study the influence of the classic prognostic variables and response to IFN, and to assess the influence of this response on the course of the disease and survival. DESIGN AND METHODS: Single arm, prospective, multicenter study, without a control group. Only Ph1-positive CML patients were included. The treatment scheme was biphasic: the patients first received standard chemotherapy and thereafter IFN-a2a was used as monotherapy, with a target dose of 9 MU/d/s.c. RESULTS: Twenty-one centers in Spain enrolled 132 patients (72 men, 60 women). The median dose of IFN given was 5.8 MU/d, and the median treatment duration was 431 days (range: 18-2,597). Seventy-two percent of patients obtained a hematologic response in the first six months of IFN treatment. Genetic response was obtained in 47% of the patients, and the response was major or complete in 27% and 19%, respectively. The median time to obtain this response was 7, 9, and 18 months for minimal, partial and complete genetic response, respectively. Multivariant analysis showed that only a higher percentage of basophils at diagnosis was associated with a worse hematologic response at six months (p=0.001) (OR: 1.23) and with a worse cytogenetic response in the first year of IFN therapy (p=0.018) (OR: 1.4). Over an observation period of 8 years, 35.6% of the patients died, and 85 (64.4%) remained alive. With a median follow-up of 42 months (3.7-98), the 6-year projected probabilities of survival and transformation-free survival were 0.61+/-0.07 vs. 0.54+/-0.07, respectively. Patients with Kantarjian's stage 3 disease or in a high-risk Sokal group had lower probabilities of survival, but these systems did not adequately discriminate in our series. Obtaining a complete hematologic response in the first six months of IFN therapy was favorable in terms of overall survival (p=0.05; HR=0.33). Cox's analysis demonstrated that obtaining a cytogenetic response in the first year was independently associated with better overall survival (p=0.04; HR=0.19) and better transformation-free survival (p=0.0035; HR=0.11). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of the patients obtained some degree of Philadelphia suppression, which was major in 27%, and complete in 19%. A higher percentage of basophils at diagnosis was the only variable associated with a lower probability of cytogenetic response. Obtaining a cytogenetic response during the first year of IFN treatment was a favorable and independent variable in terms of survival and transformation-free survival. Obtaining a major cytogenetic response during this period decreased the risk of transformation twenty times. Our results suggest that the effect of IFN on survival is independent of the classic prognostic variables.

Adolescent↗

[Treatment of leukemia relapsed after allogenic bone marrow transplantation with donor lymphocyte infusion: report of 11 cases].

PURPOSE: Donor leukocyte infusions (DLI) are useful for treating leukaemic relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We reviewed our experience with eleven patients who received DLI between 1995 and 1997. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The diagnoses prior to DLI were: chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in chronic phase (CP) (two patients) or accelerated phase (two patients), acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) (two patients), acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL) (two patients), and refractory anaemia with excess blasts under transformation (tRAEB) (three patients). The patients received a median of 1.72 x 10(8) CD3+ cells/Kg (range: 0.58 x 10(8) CD3+ cells/Kg). Four patients were infused cryopreserved cells. Six patients received interferon alpha (IFN alpha) concomitantly. RESULTS: Seven patients (four CML, one AML, one ALL, one tRAEB) obtained complete remission (CR). Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was observed in all patients with CR and one without response. Marrow hypoplasia or severe bicytopenia occurred in four patients. Of all patients achieving CR, two died after relapsing within 3 months of DLI, while three others died of GVHD. Four patients had no response to DLI or were not evauable. Only two patients--both with CML--are alive 1096 and 374 days after DLI, the former in clinical, cytogenetic and molecular CR, and the latter in second CP after 2 months in CR. CONCLUSIONS: DLI results in CR in most patients with relapsing leukaemia or myelodysplasia after BMT, especially in CML patients. The anti-leukaemia effect is highly correlated with GVHD. This complication and marrow hypoplasia remain major causes of morbidity and mortality of this procedure.

Adult↗