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L Uharek

Publications and source records attributed to L Uharek.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Graft-versus-leukemia activity after bone marrow transplantation does not require graft-versus-host disease.

Clinical data have suggested that graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) plays a crucial role in the antileukemic effects of bone marrow grafts. We investigated (a) whether bone marrow cells unable to induce GVHD can effect graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) activity and (b) whether such antileukemic capacity depends on the presence of T lymphocytes in the graft. Balb/c mice were inoculated with A20 cells, a B-cell lymphoma/leukemia of Balb/c origin. Four weeks after tumor inoculation the animals were lethally irradiated and received a bone marrow graft. Cells from (Balb/c x C57) F1 or (C3H x Balb/c) F1 hybrids were transplanted into parental-strain Balb/c mice. Since lymphocytes from F1 hybrids are unable to cause graft-versus-host reactivity against a parental-strain animal, we used this experimental setting to explore GVL effects in a GVHD-free system. In vitro incubation with monoclonal anti-Thy-1.2 antibody plus complement was used to eliminate Thy-1+ cells. After syngeneic transplantation, the death rate due to leukemia remained unchanged (91%) compared with that among untreated animals (86%). Following transplantation of F1 marrow cells of either (C57 x Balb/c) F1 or (C3H x Balb/c) F1 origin, death rates of 40% and 50% were observed; these were significantly lower. Depletion of Thy 1+ cells from bone marrow graft caused only a slight increase in the leukemic death rate after transplantation of bone marrow of (C57 x Balb/c) F1 hybrid origin (50%), but a high leukemic death rate was seen after transplantation of (C3H x Balb/c) F1 bone marrow (100%). Additional experiments with fully allogeneic, T-cell-depleted C57 bone marrow transplantation suggest an antileukemic effect that is comparable to that seen after transplantation of unmanipulated F1 bone marrow. Taken together, our results indicate that GVL activity can be dissociated from graft-versus-host reaction.

Animals↗

[Characteristics of changes of personal odor after experimental bone marrow transplantation].

In an operant conditioning paradigm 4 Balb/c inbred strain mice were conditioned to discriminate between urine samples of two other inbred strains. The purpose was to examine whether or not the known stimulus configuration during training had any effect upon the rate of recognition of other stimuli. On the basis of this procedure, we subsequently investigated the extent to which an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation interferes with the olfactory identity of an individual. For the transplants a strain was inbred which had no contact to the animals tested, a procedure used for the first time here. Furthermore, also for the first time, it was possible to demonstrate in a direct comparison, the role played by donor versus recipient characteristics on the olfactory composition of the recipients odor.

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Ifosfamide and ACNU in experimental allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

We have tested ifosfamide and ACNU for their effectiveness in preventing graft rejection following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. The engraftment-promoting potency of both was compared to that of the standard agent cyclophosphamide. LEW rats received a lethal dose (35 mg/kg) of busulfan followed by injection of 1 x 10(8) (CAP x LEW) F1 marrow cells, which are unable to induce a graft vs host reaction in LEW recipients. Rejection of the marrow graft was assessed by monitoring haematocrit and granulocyte count either until death of the animal or until day 80. Surviving animals received a donor-type skin graft to confirm the persistence of allogeneic haematopoiesis. Because of its weak immunosuppressive properties, busulfan by itself is unable to allow engraftment of allogeneic marrow. Therefore, ifosfamide and ACNU and cyclophosphamide as the standard agent could be tested for their capacity to prevent marrow graft rejection. The following rejection rates were observed: cyclophosphamide: 30 mg/kg 100%, 60 mg/kg 60%, 90 mg/kg 20%, 120 mg/kg and 180 mg/kg 0%; ACNU: 3, 5, 7, and 10 mg/kg 100%, 15 mg/kg 45%, 20 and 30 mg/kg 0%; ifosfamide: 60-120 mg/kg 100%, 180 mg/kg 68%, 240 and 360 mg/kg 0%. Thus, 240 mg/kg ifosfamide or 20 mg/kg ACNU is nearly equivalent to the standard dose of 120 mg/kg cyclophosphamide in engraftment-promoting potency in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

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High-dose cytostatic agents in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: comparison of the engraftment promoting potential.

We investigated the potential of various cytostatic agents for preventing graft rejection following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. LEW rats received a lethal dose (35 mg/kg) of busulfan followed by injection of 1 x 10(8) F1(CAP x LEW) marrow cells, which are unable to induce a graft-versus-host reaction in LEW recipients. Rejection of the marrow graft was assessed by monitoring haematocrit and granulocyte counts. Due to its weak immunosuppressive activity, busulfan by itself is unable to allow engraftment of allogeneic marrow. Therefore, agents administered in addition to busulfan can be tested for their capacity to prevent marrow graft rejection. 120 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide, 20 mg/kg of ACNU and 240 mg/kg of ifosfamide completely prevented rejection of the allogeneic marrow. Maximum doses of BCNU applicable in conjunction with busulfan reduced the rejection rate to 12% (30 mg/kg) and 17% (40 mg/kg), whereas the antitumour agents thiotepa, melphalan, and carboplatin exhibited a very limited engraftment-promoting potential in this experimental setting. Thus, BCNU (carmustine), ACNU (nimustine), and ifosfamide might be suitable candidates for conditioning of allogeneic bone marrow graft recipients.

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Effect of post-transplant methotrexate, cyclosporin A and prednisolone on graft rejection after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Methotrexate, cyclosporin A and prednisolone have been shown to improve graft survival rates in solid organ transplantation. However, little is known concerning their capacity to promote lasting engraftment of allogeneic bone marrow. Therefore, we tested these agents in LEW rats receiving MHC-mismatched marrow after pretreatment with a myeloablative dose of busulfan plus different doses of total body irradiation (TBI). To avoid mortality due to graft-versus-host reaction (GHVR), F1(CAP x LEW) marrow was transferred. Hematological parameters were determined twice weekly to monitor engraftment and rejection. The pretreatment was lethal but not sufficiently immunosuppressive to ensure lasting engraftment in all animals. Thus, post-transplant immunosuppressive protocols could be evaluated for their capacity to improve engraftment rates. Standard clinical doses of methotrexate (0.25 mg/kg i.p. day 1, 3, 6, 11, 18, 25), cyclosporin A (10 mg/kg orally day 0-28) and prednisolone (1 mg/kg i.p. day 0-28) were administered and proved to be of nearly equivalent toxicity in our system. All three agents failed to allow engraftment after busulfan alone. After additional conditioning with 1.5 Gy of TBI, methotrexate and cyclosporin A reduced the rejection rate from 100% to 59% and 70%, respectively. When 3 Gy of TBI were added to busulfan, cyclosporin A and prednisolone were able to reduce the rejection rate from 67% to 33% and 39%, respectively, whereas 0.12 and 0.25 mg/kg methotrexate completely prevented graft rejections. After cessation of cyclosporin A therapy, late secondary rejections were frequently observed. These results demonstrate that postgrafting immunosuppression with protocols conventionally used for the prophylaxis of GVHR is able to facilitate lasting engraftment of MHC-mismatched bone marrow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

Comparison of cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, and etoposide as immunosuppressive agents before allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Etoposide and cytarabine have been shown to exert high antileukemic activity and are currently under study as preparatory agents before allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. However, data concerning their engraftment-promoting potency are scarce. Therefore, we tested these agents in LEW rats receiving a myeloablative dose of busulfan followed by transfer of F1 (CAP X LEW) marrow, which is unable to induce a graft-v-host reaction (GVHR). Since busulfan by itself has only minor immunosuppressive potency, graft rejection ensues unless etoposide, cytarabine, or cyclophosphamide provide additional immunosuppression to facilitate durable engraftment. Before allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in humans, 120 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide, 60 mg/kg of etoposide, or 900 mg/kg of cytarabine are the standard doses given in conjunction with total body irradiation. Seventy-five percent of these doses administered in addition to busulfan resulted in rejection rates of 75% for cytarabine and 58% for etoposide, respectively, whereas no rejections were observed with cyclophosphamide. These data indicate that etoposide and cytarabine are inferior to cyclophosphamide in their rejection-preventing potential. Using either of these agents as substitutes for cyclophosphamide before allogeneic bone marrow transplantation may increase the risk of graft rejection in HLA-mismatched bone marrow transplantation and, in case of HLA identity, if T-depleted marrow is administered.

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