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N Testoni

Publications and source records attributed to N Testoni.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Long-term culture of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) bone marrow cells.

BACKGROUND: Clonal Ph1+ hematopoiesis is not allowed to proliferate under a long-term culture system: in 3,4 weeks residual normal (Phl-) hematopoiesis emerges. This culture system has recently been proposed as a method for purging autografts. METHODS: In our study we evaluated for cytogenetic conversion cells harvested from the non-adherent (NA) fraction of LTBMCs from CML patients. Moreover we investigated the effects of prior therapy (busulfan or hydroxyurea) on CML hematopoiesis maintained under long-term culture. RESULTS: Time-course analysis of a large number of metaphases of NA cells from LTBMCs showed that the disappearance of Ph1+ cells is fortuitous. Although most of the analyzed cells were more mature cells, a complete cytogenetic conversion at the level of the early hematopoietic compartment, located within the adherent stromal layers, seems unlikely, at least for the first 3,4 weeks of culture. Thus the possibility exists of reinfusing an indefinite number of Ph1+ progenitor or stem cells, which renders proper evaluation of the clinical benefits of this purging method difficult. Moreover we found that prior chemotherapy (busulfan or hydroxyurea) significantly affected CML hematopoiesis, reducing time-course recovery of clonogenic cells from LTBMCs. CONCLUSIONS: Overall data suggest caution in the reinfusion of bone marrow cells maintained under long-term culture for previously treated CML patients.

Adult↗

HTLV-I positive adult T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma: report of a typical case from Italy.

A case of acute adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL) was observed in northeast Italy, presenting with fever, lymphadenomegaly, splenomegaly, hypercalcemia and renal failure. Leukaemic cells were morphologically typical, expressed a T-cell CD4+ phenotype, did not display any helper functions, and grew in vitro under supply of exogenous interleukin-2. Antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-I) were found in the serum, and the virus was isolated from leukaemic cells. The family members who could be tested were seronegative. The patient had never travelled outside Italy, had never received blood transfusions and did not belong to any known categories at risk of viral disease transmission. Present knowledge of the epidemiology of HTLV-I infection warns that other cases of HTLV-I induced disease are expected to occur outside already recognised endemic areas. This case suggests that untraceable, presumably short-term exposures can also account for HTLV-I transmission.

Adult↗

Unfavourable outcome of a patient with M2 acute non lymphocytic leukemia and a 47,XY,t(5;7)(q34;q21), +8 karyotype.

We report a patient with M2 acute non-lymphocytic leukemia and a complex karyotype: 47,XY,t(5;7)(q34;q21), +8. After chemotherapy with Daunomycin and Arabinosyl Cytosine, a complete remission was reached, but two months later he relapsed and died because of sepsis. Only 5 other cases with translocations involving chromosomes 5 and 7 have been described, but with different breakpoints. Several genes related to cell proliferation and maturation have been identified on the long arms of chromosomes 5 and 7. The possible involvement of specific genes located at or very close to the breakpoints is hypothesized.

Adolescent↗

Comparative evaluation of differential leukocyte counts by Coulter VCS cytometer and direct microscopic observation.

Comparative analyses of the leukocyte differential counting were performed using a Coulter VCS Hematology Flow Cytometer and direct microscopic observation on 547 unselected individuals analyzed at the outpatient clinic of the Institute of Hematology "L. e A. Seràgnoli" of Bologna. The Coulter VCS is able to provide leukocyte differential counting by measuring cell volume, conductivity and laser light scatter. Negative (true negative: 50.8%) results were observed in 278 subjects by both automated and direct observation methods. Abnormal cells in the blood samples (true positive results) were detected both by VCS and by direct observation in 199 cases (36.4%). Regional distribution of the cells in specific "flags" on the scatterplot was often associated with specific cell types. In 66 cases (12.1%) no abnormal cell was detected by direct observation, while Coulter VCS gave an abnormal pattern, even if only to a slight extent (false positive cases). In 4 cases only (0.7%), false negative results were given by the VCS system. The correlation of the results given by the VCS system with those given by direct microscopic analysis was very high; however careful control by the operator was essential in evaluating the data given by the automated system and in identifying the type of abnormal cells detected.

Data Display↗

Sequential treatment of Ph-positive chronic myeloid leukemia with interferon gamma and interferon alpha.

Several clinical observations have shown that alpha-IFN is presently the most interesting investigational agent for the treatment of Ph+ chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Gamma-IFN is also effective, and experimental data as well as preliminary clinical observations suggest that the combination of the two IFNs is worth investigating. No comparative data are available on the effects of the two IFNs, given alone, in the same patients. In this study 11 patients with PH+ CML were first treated with gamma-IFN, up to a maximum period of 35 weeks, and after a short rest period were retreated with alpha-IFN. Both IFNs were ineffective in 3 patients in accelerated or instable chronic phase. Both IFNs were equally effective in 8 patients in stable chronic phase, but none of these patients achieved a karyotypic conversion with either IFN. This study did not show any measurable differences in the therapeutic response to gamma-IFN and alpha-IFN given consecutively to the same patients.

Adolescent↗

5q- and t(2;11) in a patient with M2 acute non-lymphocytic leukemia. Case report.

A patient with M2-ANLL and a 46,XX,del(5)(q22q33), t(2;11)(p21;q24) karyotype is described. The diagnosis was made after a short period of myelodysplastic syndrome. After chemotherapy consisting of Daunorubicin and Arabinosylcytosine in continuous infusion, the patient reached a complete remission. The chromosome pattern described here has been observed in two other patients with refractory anemia and refractory anemia with excess of blasts, respectively. The breakpoints on the chromosomes 2, 5 and 11 allow us to hypothesize the involvement of N-myc, c-fms, GM-CSF and IL-3 genes.

Adult↗

Persistence of non clonal hematopoietic progenitor cells in blastic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Working Party on Severe Aplastic Anemia (WPSAA) of the European Group of Bone Marrow Transplantation (EBMT).

Normal and clonal hematopoietic progenitor cells have been demonstrated to coexist in chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), but few data are available on the presence of non neoplastic hematopoiesis during the blastic transformation phase. We used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to investigate expression of the BCR/ABL transcript of individual hematopoietic progenitors from a CML patient in blastic phase. We demonstrate that non clonal hematopoiesis is induced to re-emerge by conventional chemotherapy containing fludarabine. In addition, we confirm that some pluripotent CD34+/CD33-/DR- cells circulating in the peripheral blood are not clonal. Our data provide an encouraging basis for further studies of in vitro purification of normal hematopoietic stem cells in advanced stage CML and of their use in the context of autologous bone marrow transplantation.

Adult↗

Apoptosis induction with fludarabine on freshly isolated chronic myeloid leukemia cells.

BACKGROUND: Fludarabine (FLU) is a fluorinated purine analogue with antineoplastic activity in lymphoproliferative malignancies. Recently, some in vitro reports have showed the effective role of FLU on the activation of apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis) by fludarabine (FLU), an adenine nucleoside analogue, alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN), and FLU plus alpha-IFN was evaluated in vitro against freshly isolated, chronic-phase Ph1+ chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Apoptosis was detected by electrophoresis gel of DNA oligonucleosomal fragments in 8 CML samples. RESULTS: Only FLU and FLU plus alpha-IFN significantly activated apoptosis in all the samples, suggesting selective activity on CML cells. On the other hand, alpha-IFN alone did not activate programmed cell death. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show apoptotic activity for FLU on CML cells. Programmed cell death may be suppressed in cells carrying the bcr-abl transcript, and FLU might remove this resistance in the neoplastic cell cycle. This preliminary report justifies using FLU in pilot clinical trials for chronic phase Ph1+ CML patients.

Antineoplastic Agents↗