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Biomedical subjects

R Parody

Publications and source records attributed to R Parody.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of readmissions in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of information on health expenses caused by readmissions among hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. We analyzed the rate, causes, and evolution of hospitalization after HSCT. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 140 consecutive patients who received an autologous HSCT (n = 107; 76.4%) or an allogeneic HSCT (n = 33; 23.6%) in our institution from May 2001 through September 2004. RESULTS: There were 45 readmissions in 28 patients (20%): three (10%) in the autologous and 25 (90%), in the allogeneic HSCT cohorts. The overall median age was 35.3 +/- 13.5 years and 54% were women. Hematologic diseases were: multiple myeloma (n = 1, 4%), myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 2, 7%), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 2, 7%), aplastic anemia (n = 2, 7%), chronic myeloid leukemia (n = 3, 11%), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 4, 14%), Hodgkin's disease (n = 4, 14%) and acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (n = 10, 38%). The length of stay for each readmission was 25 +/- 21 days. The median day of readmission was +62.5 (range = +19 to +987); however, 75% occurred between days +30 and +70. The causes of hospitalization were: infections (n = 24, 54%), due to the graft (n = 14, 31%), graft failure (n = 4, 9%), coagulation disorders (n = 2, 4%), and second neoplasm (n = 1, 2%). Mortality due to the transplant was 10 patients (14%) including: graft-versus-host disease (n = 3), sepsis (n = 3), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (n = 1), and relapse (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was a frequent use of hospital resources (20%) after HSCT with patients hospitalized for a median of 25 days, it was beneficial since there were 86% survivors at 36 months follow-up.

Adult↗

Hemopoietic stem cell transplantation in childhood: reduction in mortality and improvement of survival over the years.

Stem cell transplantation (SCT) is an effective treatment for life-threatening hematologic and nonhematologic pediatric diseases. Reducing transplant-related mortality (TRM), a major complication of SCT, to improve long-term survival, therefore, is one of the main objectives of transplantation teams. We analyzed TRM and overall survival (OS) over the years in children undergoing SCT in our center. From June 1998 to October 2002, 156 consecutive children, 105 boys and 51 girls, median age 10 years (range, 2-18), with different diagnoses underwent SCT (100 autologous and 56 allogeneic). OS and TRM were analyzed in 2 different periods (June 1989-December 1998 and January 1999-October 2002) and grouped according to the different SCT modalities. The median follow-up was 18 months (range, 1-160). Autologous TRM showed a statistically significant improvement within 1999-2002 (0%) compared with 1989-1998 (12.2%) (P < .05). There were no statistical differences for allogeneic SCT. OS was 34% in the first period and 80.4% in the second period (P < .01), the improvement being for both autologous and allogeneic SCT. In our study, TRM decreased significantly for those children receiving autologous SCT in recent years. OS was significantly better in the latter period (1999-2002), both globally and for each SCT modality.

Adolescent↗

Relapse of chronic myeloid leukemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: outcome and prognostic factors: the Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Subcommittee of the GETH (Grupo Español de Trasplante Hemopoyético).

In order to analyze the outcome of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), we investigated data from 107 patients reported to the Spanish Registry, GETH. In all, 93 (87%) patients were treated after relapse; 36 out of 49 that failed to achieve a response received a second relapse-treatment, and seven a third one. At the last follow-up, the number of patients in molecular or cytogenetic remission was 29 and 13, respectively. Overall survival and progression-free survival after relapse were 53.6% (95% CI: 42.9--64.2) and 52% (95% CI: 41-63) at 5 years, respectively. In multivariate analysis, survival was significantly related to CML phase at relapse (cytogenetic or chronic phase vs advanced phases) and time from transplant to relapse (<1 vs >or=1 year). Patients with no adverse factors had a better survival compared with patients with one or two adverse features (65 vs 35 vs 0%, respectively). We conclude that a significant proportion of CML patients that relapse after transplantation can regain complete and long-lasting remissions with one or more salvage therapies. Disease stage at relapse and time from transplant to relapse should be taken into account when comparing results of different salvage treatments.

Adolescent↗

Conventional versus reduced-intensity conditioning regimen for allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with hematological malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-compatible sibling donors is a potential curative treatment for hematological and non-hematological malignancies. Nevertheless, high mortality rates may be associated with this therapy, especially in older patients, those with other comorbidities or who receive a second HSCT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the factors associated with transplant-related mortality (TRM) and overall survival in 157 consecutive adult patients (104 males and 53 females) who received a HSCT [29 bone marrow (BM) transplantation and 128 peripheral blood (PB) transplantation] from a HLA-identical sibling between January 1995 and March 2002 in our institution. One hundred patients received a standard conditioning prior to HSCT (STAND) and 57 patients received a reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) HSCT. Fifty-eight patients were in an early phase at transplant and 99 in a non-early phase. Median age was 46 yr (16-66), and 90 patients (57%) were >45 yr of age. RESULTS: Patients in the RIC group were older than those in the STAND group, and had a higher proportion of non-early disease phases including a prior autologous HSCT in 39%. Median follow-up for survivors was 28 and 15 months in the STAND and RIC groups (P < 0,001), respectively. Cumulative incidence of TRM at 2 yr was 30% [95% confidence interval (CI) 22-41%] for the STAND group and 22% (95% CI 13-37%) for the RIC group [non-significant (NS)]. Factors associated with a higher TRM in multivariate analysis were: STAND vs. RIC conditioning regimen [relative risk (RR) 5.4; 95% CI 2.3-12.8; P < 0.001]; age > or =45 yr vs. <45 yr (RR 5; 95% CI 2.4-10.8, P < 0.001); second vs. first HSCT (RR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-6.3, P = 0.01) and non-T-cell-depleted vs. T-cell-depleted graft (RR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.8, P = 0.009). Overall survival (OS) at 2 yr was 52.5 +/- 10.4% for STAND group and 59 +/- 16.8% in RIC group. Factors associated with poorer OS in multivariate analysis were: STAND vs. RIC conditioning regimen (RR 3.4, 95% CI 1.7-6.9, P = 0.001); age > or =45 vs <45 yr (RR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.5, P = 0.002) and diagnosis [other than chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) vs. CML] (RR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2-5.7 P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the introduction of RIC allogeneic HSCT for patients at high risk for TRM (advanced age, prior HSCT and non-T-cell depletion) leads to a reduction in the TRM and improvement in the OS.

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↗

Are myeloma patients with renal failure candidates for autologous stem cell transplantation?

INTRODUCTION: Renal function is one of the most important prognostic factors in multiple myeloma (MM). Patients with renal failure are generally excluded from high dose therapy even though they display a poor prognosis with conventional chemotherapy schemes. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of MM patients with renal insufficiency undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), including the evaluation of the quality of PB stem cell collections, kinetics of engraftment, transplant-related mortality, response to high dose chemotherapy and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a total of 566 valuable patients included in the MM Spanish ASCT registry, three groups of patients were defined: group BA, patients with abnormal renal function at diagnosis but normal at transplant (73 cases); group BB, patients with abnormal function both at diagnosis and at transplant (14 cases); and group AA (control group, 479 cases), patients who constantly had normal renal function. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Patients from groups BA and BB presented with a significantly higher number of adverse prognostic factors, reflecting that we were dealing with high tumor MM cases, as compared with patients from group AA. The number of mononuclear cells, CD34+ cells and CFU-GM cells collected in patients with non-reversible renal insufficiency was similar to those harvested in MM patients with normal renal function. Moreover, neutrophil and platelet engraftments were identical in patients with and without renal failure (days +11 and +12, respectively). By contrast, transplant-related mortality (TRM) was significantly higher in group BB patients (29%) than in groups BA (4.1%) and AA (3.3%). In multivariate analysis only three variables showed independent influence on TRM: poor performance status (ECOG 3), hemoglobin <9.5 g/dl and serum creatinine > or =5 mg/dl. The response to high dose therapy was independent of renal function. Interestingly, 43% of patients from group BB showed an improvement in renal function (creatinine < 2 mg/dl) after transplant. The three-year overall survival from transplantation was 56, 49 and 61% for the BB, BA and AA groups, respectively, with a statistically significant difference favoring group AA (P<0.01). PFS did not differ significantly between the three groups of patients. In multivariate analysis the only unfavorable independent prognostic factors for overall survival were poor performance status either at diagnosis or at transplant, high beta(2)-microglobulin levels, and no response to transplant. According to these results, ASCT is an attractive alternative for MM patients with renal insufficiency, and it should not constitute a criterion for exclusion from transplant unless patients display poor performance status and very high creatinine levels (>5 mg/dl).

Adult↗

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation vs chemotherapy for the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in second complete remission (revisited 10 years on).

In 1989 we carried out a trial comparing allogeneic BMT to chemotherapy (CT) in 76 children with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Ten years on we have clinically revised outcome to firmly establish the role of each treatment, to analyse the importance of length of first remission and to provide long-term actuarial results for disease-free survival (DFS) and relapse rate in each group. For 21 patients within the transplantation group, probability of DFS and relapse are 42.8 +/- 10.8% and 40.2 +/- 11.7% (s.e.), respectively. In the chemotherapy group, probability of DFS is 10.0 +/- 4.74% (P = 0.001) and probability of relapse 87.5 +/- 5.2% (P = 0.0004). These results strongly reflect those at initial analysis, confirming a key role of BMT in the management of ALL in second remission. Moreover, on univariate analysis only two factors influenced DFS: treatment group and length of first complete remission (less or more than 30 months from first CR). Thus, it seems clear that the best therapeutic option in early relapse is BMT, whereas DFS in late relapse is at the limit of significance (P = 0.07), with a higher relapse rate in the CT group. Although encouraging results using intensified rotational combination chemotherapy have been published, prospective randomised studies are needed to assess with certainty the best therapeutic option in these patients.

Adolescent↗

Reversal of severe hepatic veno-occlusive disease by combined plasma exchange and rt-PA treatment.

We report the successful treatment of a case of severe hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) by combined treatment with exchange plasmapheresis and fibrinolysis with rt-PA. Very advanced alterations of hepatic vascular circulation, evaluated by Doppler sonography, reverted to normal after treatment. Severe VOD, defined by McDonald's criteria, produces a mortality of 98%. This case suggests that this new method of combined treatment might contribute to changing the usually bad prognosis of this clinical condition.

Adult↗

Interferon alpha 2A in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia in chronic phase. Results of the Spanish Group.

Fifty-one patients with CML in chronic phase, less than two years after diagnosis, were included in one multicentric study aiming to assess the therapeutic value of interferon alpha 2a (IFN alpha 2a) in this setting. The therapeutic scheme was biphasic: The patients were first treated with hydroxyurea, and afterwards only received IFN alpha 2a, at a planned dose of 5MU/m2/day, s.c. Thirty-eight patients (81%) achieved an hematologic response, which was complete in 57% of the total group. The median time to response was of 42 days. In the last evaluation, a complete hematologic response was sustained in 21 patients (47%). Philadelphia suppression was obtained in 44% of the patients who achieved hematologic responses; major cytogenetic responses were obtained in 16% of the patients. The patients who obtained genetic responses were significantly younger and had a shorter interval from diagnosis to IFN than the patients who did not respond. At the moment of evaluation, 90% of the patients are alive, but the median follow-up of the series (217 days, range 21-1150) is too short to analyze any impact of IFN over survival. Six patients (12%) discontinued IFN because of toxicity, three of them because of severe flu-like syndrome. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were frequent, but rarely severe. Hypertriglyceridemia has been a very frequent finding.

Adolescent↗

Generation of LAK cells in vitro in patients with acute leukemia.

The in vitro stimulation of lymphocytes with interleukin-2 (IL-2) generates lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells with tumoricidal potential. In this work we studied the cytolytic capacity of LAK cells in 51 acute leukemia patients in complete remission (CR) after chemotherapy (CT), in 24 acute leukemia patients who had undergone autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT), and in a control group of 44 normal donors. In the normal donor control group the effect of non-IL-2-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) against blast cells was always lower than 10% lysis, which we have taken as a lower limit for positive results. In 95% of post-CT patients, the lytic effect of PBMC was negative. LAK cells produced positive results in 82% of normal donors and in 37.5% of post-CT patients. The effect of PBMC against K562, i.e. natural killer (NK) activity, in post-CT patients as well as in post-ABMT patients was reduced in comparison with the average for normal donors. LAK cells from 25% of post-CT patients had no notable activity against K562 or Raji, nor was there any positive effect against autologous blast cells. In the rest (75%), one-half generated positive activity. We did not observe any correlation between lytic activity in PBMCs or in LAK cells, nor did we observe significant differences between lytic activity in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and those with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), or between patients who had undergone CT and those receiving ABMTs. These results support the use of IL-2 as a treatment against minimal residual leukemia.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

A fully automated method for mononuclear bone marrow cell concentration.

We describe our experience in processing 40 bone marrow aspirates harvested for autotransplantation from patients with several hematological diseases using the CS-3000 blood cell separator. The bone marrow of the first 30 patients was processed by a semiautomated method, and a fully automated procedure was used for the remaining 10 cases. Both procedures were developed in our laboratory and yielded a similar average mononuclear cell recovery of 87.78% and 86.98%, respectively, and similar nucleated cell recovery (27.39% and 27.11%). The cloning efficiency of hematopoietic progenitor cells, measured as the total CFU-GM colony recovery in the in vitro cultures, did not differ between processed and recovered mononuclear cells. On the other hand, all the patients with transplants showed complete hematologic recovery, and the time to engraftment was similar to that described for other procedures. The automated procedure resulted in an average red cell removal of 97.81%, similar to the semiautomated procedure (94.19%), though with a narrower range (96.31-98.6% vs. 80.34-98.34%). The time taken to process a similar amount of bone marrow cell suspension was very different for each method: 1 hour for the fully automated vs. 2 1/2 hours for the semiautomated method to process 1,000 ml. Furthermore, the semiautomated procedure required the addition of homologous or irradiated plasma in a laminar air flow chamber, while the automated method is performed in a closed sterile system. We conclude that our procedure using the CS-3000 processor is an efficient method for fully automated large-scale processing of human bone marrow cells.

Adolescent↗