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R Stasi

Publications and source records attributed to R Stasi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

CD7 expression in acute myeloid leukemia.

The clinical significance of the expression of CD7 antigen on the blasts of 207 consecutive patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was evaluated. For this purpose, fifty-three CD7+ patients (23 females and 30 males; mean age 52 years) were analyzed and classified into the following subtypes according to French-American-British (FAB) classification: 7 M0, 13 M1, 9 M2, 1 M3, 9 M4, 14 M5. Immunophenotypic studies were carried out by flow cytometry and blast cells were selected on the basis of forward light scatter gating and pan-myeloid marker, either CD13 or CD33. All the CD7+ patients were negative for surface CD3 and T-cell-receptor (TCR) molecules. We found no correlation between CD7 expression and sex, age, hepatosplenomegaly and/or central nervous system involvement. The immaturity of CD7+ leukemic cells was supported by the high expression of CD34 (P = 0.001). CD7 positivity was significantly associated with a white blood cell count (WBC) greater than 100 x 10(9)/L (P = 0.003). P-Glycoprotein (P-170) expression was also evaluated in 135 patients by a flow-cytometric assay: there was a close relationship between CD7 and P-170 positivity (P < 0.001). For remission induction, all patients received therapeutic regimens routinely used for AML. The complete remission (CR) rate was significantly lower in CD7+ cases (32% vs 74%, P = 0.001). The overall survival and disease free survival rate of CD7+ AML was lower than those of CD7- patients (P < 0.001 and = 0.002, respectively). CD7+ AML with coexpression of CD14 had a particularly unfavourable response and prognosis in comparison with CD7+ patients without CD14.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1995

Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score in plasma cell dyscrasias: correlation with disease severity and circulating levels of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor.

In this study the leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (LAP) score in 106 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) in various phases of the disease (66 at diagnosis, 18 in plateau phase, 22 in relapse) was examined and compared with the score of 68 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and 53 normal volunteers. In addition, the circulating levels of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) were measured to explore the possible involvement of this cytokine in the pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to increased LAP activity. The results showed that the mean LAP score in patients with MGUS was comparable to normals and significantly lower than in MM (p < 0.001). Also, it increased with increasing tumor mass, and was lower in myelomas with stable disease than in those with active disease. G-CSF concentrations closely mirrored the behaviour of LAP score (r = 0.850, p < 0.001), significantly differing between each group of individuals. Its mean levels in MGUS were comparable to those of controls, whereas they were significantly increased in MM (p < 0.001), again with escalating values from cases with low tumor mass to advanced stages, and with lower concentrations in patients in plateau phase than in those in relapse. A significant correlation was found between G-CSF and neopterin levels (r = 0.578, p < 0.001), thus indicating an origin of the cytokine from monocytes and macrophages. These findings suggest that LAP scoring may assist in distinguishing benign from malignant paraproteinemias and may be used to follow the progression of plasma cell neoplasias.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Lineage identification of acute leukemias: relevance of immunologic and ultrastructural techniques.

This study assesses the value of immunologic and ultrastructural methods in disclosing the lineage commitment of cells from acute leukemias (ALs). Two hundred and fifty-one ALs were characterized morphologically, cytochemically, and immunologically. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) positivity in > 3% of blasts was regarded as evidence of the myeloid origin of leukemic cells, cytoplasmic CD22 (cCD22) expression was taken as an indication for B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and CD3+ (membrane or cytoplasmic) cases were classified as T-ALL. Diagnosis of minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0) was made when blast cells had undifferentiated features by light microscopy, reacted with at least one of the antibodies to myeloid-specific antigens (CD13, CD33, MPO), and lacked CD19, cCD22, and c/mCD3. Megakaryoblastic differentiation was demonstrated by the expression of CD41 and/or CD61. Following these criteria, 209 cases were classified as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 39 as ALL. Expression of lymphoid antigens was detected in 45% of AML cases and 30% of ALLs showed myeloid antigens. One case was regarded as a true biphenotypic leukemia because of the combined expression of MPO and CD33 for the myeloid lineage, and cCD3, CD2, and CD5 for the T-cell lineage. Two cases lacked signs of myeloid or lymphoid differentiation and were studied by electron microscopy methods. One displayed platelet peroxidase (PPO) activity and was classified as a megakaryoblastic variant, one other reacted with anti-CD33 and was considered AML-M0. We conclude that light microscopy and standard immunologic methods can accurately demonstrate the lineage orientation in greater than 99% of ALs. Integration with ultrastructural analysis can define the cell nature of virtually all cases of AL.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

All-trans retinoic acid and low-dose cytosine arabinoside for the treatment of 'poor prognosis' acute myeloid leukemia.

Thirty-three patients with 'poor prognosis' acute myeloid leukemia, no longer suitable for aggressive chemotherapy, were treated with daily oral all-trans retinoic acid (45 mg/m2) daily and subcutaneous cytosine arabinoside (20 mg standard dose twice a day, day 1 to 10, every 4 weeks). Seventeen patients were males and 16 females, the median age was 67 (range 39-82 years). Eleven patients were at onset of disease, 15 were refractory to previous conventional therapies, three were in first relapse and three in second relapse and one patient had a secondary AML. Seventeen patients had a bone marrow blast infiltration < 50% and 16 > or = 50%. A total of 16 (48%) patients entered complete remission; the rate of complete remission increased to 88% in those patients (n = 17) with < 50% blast infiltration at the time of entering the study. Seventeen patients (52%) were resistant. The difference in response to therapy, according to bone marrow blast percentage (< or > or = 50%), was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Median duration of complete remission was 34.4 weeks (range 6.4-62.8). Mild to moderate hematologic toxicity was the most common side-effect. In conclusion all-trans retinoic acid and low-dose cytosine arabinoside appears to be an effective regimen for inducing complete remission in 'poor prognosis' acute myeloid leukemia and patients with < 50% bone marrow infiltration are likely to represent the ideal target to receive this combination therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Antiphospholipid antibodies: their prevalence, clinical significance and correlation with cytokine levels in acute myeloid leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

Forty-five patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 22 patients with newly-diagnosed non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) were investigated. Tests for antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) included the measurement of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) with a solid-phase immunoassay, and the detection of the lupus-like anticoagulant (LA) activity. Fifteen patients with AML (33.3%) and 9 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (40.9%) presented elevated APA at diagnosis, as compared to 3 out of 174 persons of the control group (p < 0.0001). APA titles became normal in all patients responding to treatment, whereas non-responders retained elevated levels. In addition, 2 patients (1 with AML and 1 with NHL) who had normal APA at diagnosis and were either refractory to treatment or in relapse, subsequently developed LA and/or aCL positivity. At presentation, the mean levels of IgG- and IgM-aCL in patients were not significantly different from controls, and concordance between aCL and LA results reached just 12%. With regard to the clinical course, we were not able to detect any statistically significant difference between patients with normal and elevated APA. Pretreatment concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in AML, and soluble form of the receptor for interleukin-2 (sIL-2r) in NHL were found significantly elevated compared to controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.011 and p = 0.016 respectively). In addition, the levels of these cytokines correlated with IgG-aCL at the different times of laboratory investigations. These results demonstrate that APA may have a role as markers of disease activity and progression in some haematological malignancies.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence and clinical significance of elevated antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Antibodies against phospholipid antigens (APA) have been demonstrated in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), but their clinical and pathogenetic significance has remained elusive. In this study we analyzed the prevalence and clinical features of ITP patients with elevated APA. In addition, we prospectively evaluated APA levels after treatment with corticosteroids and compared them with platelet-associated immunoglobulin (PAIgG) titers. We studied 149 patients with newly diagnosed ITP. Of these, 78 had a platelet count less than 50 x 10(9)/L and received an initial treatment with oral prednisone (PDN). In 71 asymptomatic cases with platelet counts between 50 x 10(9)/L and 120 x 10(9)/L, no therapy was scheduled. However, in five of them, the platelet count fell below 50 x 10(9)/L after more than 12 months; these patients were treated with PDN. Tests for APA included the measurement of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) with a solid-phase immunoassay and the detection of the lupus-like anticoagulant (LA) activity with coagulation tests that included kaolin-clotting time, dilute Russel's Viper venom time, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and dilute aPTT. Controls consisted of 174 apparently healthy subjects. Either LA or elevated ACA was seen in 69 patients (46.3%) at diagnosis. LA and ACA were both elevated in 24 cases (16.1% of the overall patient population and 34.8% of patients with high APA concentrations). No correlation was found between LA ratio values and ACA-IgG or -IgM titers, or between ACA-IgG and ACA-IgM levels. The presence of these antibodies was not associated with sex, age, platelet count, or the severity of hemorrhages. PAIgG was detected in 106 of 127 cases (83%). Again, no relationship was observed with clinical parameters or with APA levels. However, all cases with elevated APA also had increased PAIgG. With regard to the clinical course, we were not able to detect any significant difference between patients with normal and elevated APA. An initial complete response to prednisone treatment was observed in 43 of 83 cases (51.8%), with 13 (15.7%) achieving a prolonged complete remission. APA levels were not significantly modified after PDN therapy and on relapse. We conclude that APA positivity is a common finding in patients with ITP and does not select a category with different clinical features. APA levels are not influenced by immunosuppressive therapy with steroids and are not related to the activity of the disease. Therefore, we do not support a role for APA in the pathogenesis of ITP.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Detection of soluble interleukin-2 receptor and interleukin-10 in the serum of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Identification of a subset at high risk of treatment failure.

BACKGROUND: This study explores the ability of the combined detection of soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2r) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) to predict treatment failure in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and to evaluate the modifications in cytokine measurements induced by the therapeutic administration of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). METHODS: Serum levels of sIL-2r and IL-10 were measured serially in 93 patients with newly diagnosed aggressive NHL treated with four courses of a multiagent chemotherapy regimen. GM-CSF was administered subcutaneously in 39 of these patients from day +5 to day +18 after each chemotherapy course. RESULTS: Pretreatment levels of sIL-2r were greatly elevated in patients with NHL compared with control subjects (P < 0.001), significantly correlating with the Ann Arbor stage (P < 0.001) and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) concentrations (r = 0.552, P = 0.004). IL-10 was detected in 37 patients at diagnosis, with no correlation with clinicohematologic parameters, and was not detected in the control sample (P < 0.001). Cytokine and receptor levels progressively declined to normal ranges in responding patients, whereas they remained elevated in nonresponders. During administration of GM-CSF, the authors observed an increase of sIL-2r, whereas lower elevations were recorded for IL-10. However, on completion of the induction treatment, cytokine/receptor levels were comparable in patients with the same type of response, whether or not they had received GM-CSF. In the five patients who were investigated at relapse, the levels of sIL-2r, beta 2-m, and lactic dehydrogenase were found to be elevated. IL-10 concentrations were high in three of these patients: two already had detectable levels at presentation, whereas one tested positive only on recurrence. No single parameter was associated with response to therapy, but the combination of elevated IL-10 and sIL-2r concentrations greater than 3000 U/ml resulted in a subset of eight patients who failed induction chemotherapy (P < 0.001). In addition, six of eight patients with high IL-10 and beta 2-m concentrations greater than 3.3 mg/l had an unfavorable outcome (P = 0.003). A multivariate regression model was used to identify sIL-2r (P = 0.004) and beta 2-m (P = 0.043) as the covariates that amplified the prognostic ability of IL-10. CONCLUSIONS: sIL-2r and IL-10 measurements provide valuable information for better management of patients with NHL as markers to monitor disease activity and as prognostic indicators.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Analysis of treatment failure in patients with minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0).

Reports of treatment of patients with minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0) are limited, heterogeneous, and controversial. We verified the prognosis of this subtype by analyzing the results of 189 consecutive patients with de novo AML. Fifteen cases fitting the criteria of AML-M0 were identified. No clinical features distinguished them from other patients with AML. The median age was 61 years (range 27 to 70), with a leukocyte count ranging from 0.6 to 185 x 10(9)/L. In all cases the leukemic cells expressed CD34 and reacted with at least one of the antibodies to early myeloid antigens, ie, CD13, CD33, or myeloperoxidase. Immunophenotypic analysis also showed positivity for CD7 in seven samples and the multidrug-resistance P-glycoprotein (P-170) in six. Cytogenetic analysis was abnormal in 12 of the 13 patients in whom an adequate number of mitoses could be evaluated. No single abnormality prevailed, the most common findings being trisomy 8 (three cases) and aberrations of chromosome 7 (two cases). Antileukemic treatment differed according to age, but for remission induction, all patients received a combination of cytosine arabinoside and an anthracycline or mitoxantrone. The prognosis of patients with AML-M0 was remarkably poor as compared with the other French-American-British subtypes. Whereas the overall rate of complete remission (CR) was 58% with a median survival of 63 weeks, only 6 of the 15 patients with AML-M0 achieved a CR, and the median survival of this group was 16 weeks (range 3 to 39). The major determinant of treatment failure was unresponsiveness to chemotherapy, as only one patient died of infection during the hypoplastic phase. The CR duration of responders was short, ranging from 3 to 22 weeks, and no second remissions were observed. We conclude that conventional combination chemotherapy yields disappointing results in AML-M0. The reason for this may be the convergence of various unfavorable prognostic factors, such as (1) the high incidence of cytogenetic abnormalities; (2) the lack of differentiation features and the expression of immaturity markers such as CD34 and CD7; and (3) the frequent expression of P-170. Nonconventional therapeutic approaches should be developed to alter the prognosis of this form of leukemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Prognostic value of serum IL-10 and soluble IL-2 receptor levels in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

We investigated the prognostic significance of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2r) levels in the pretreatment serum of 105 individuals with newly-diagnosed aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay kits were used for cytokine and receptor measurements. Detectable levels of IL-10 were found in 42 (40%) patients at diagnosis, with no correlation with clinico-haematological parameters, but in no control samples (P < 0.001). Pretreatment concentrations of sIL-2r were markedly increased in individuals with NHL when compared to controls (2614 +/- 893 U/ml v 219 +/- 65 U/ml, P < 0.001), patients with stage III/IV presenting higher values than those with stage II disease (3885 +/- 1196 U/ml v 1732 +/- 646 U/ml, P < 0.001). No single parameter was associated with the achievement of complete remission, but the combination of elevated IL-10 and of sIL-2r greater than 3000 U/ml selected a subset of patients with a high probability of failing induction therapy (P < 0.001). Life-table analysis also indicated that patients with these characteristics have a significantly shorter event-free survival. In a multivariate analysis the combination of IL-10 with sIL-2r was found to have greater predictive strength than the combination of IL-10 with beta 2-microglobulin. We conclude that IL-10 and sIL-2r measurements can be expected to improve existing methods of risk assignment in aggressive NHL.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukaemia (AML-M0): cytochemical, immunophenotypic and cytogenetic analysis of 19 cases.

We describe our experience in the identification of 19 cases of AML-M0 categorized among 200 consecutive AML cases. Leukaemic cells from our cases were morphologically marked by agranular basophilic cytoplasm, finely dispersed chromatin and prominent nucleoli. In two cases heavily vacuolated and monocytoid-shaped blasts were also observed. Cytochemistry (MPO, SBB, alpha ANAE, alpha NBE, NASDCAE, AP, PAS) was negative in 14 cases, five cases expressing a very faint cytoplasmic positivity for alpha NBE (not exceeding 30% of the blasts) and alpha ANAE (not exceeding 41%) which was sodium fluoride resistant. In these five cases other monocytic markers (e.g. CD14) were not in favour of myelomonocytic differentiation. All the cases were anti-MPO positive at frequency > 10%. Phenotypic analysis also revealed myeloid features with all the patients having at least one myeloid antigen (CD13, CD33, CD15), Tdt was expressed in nine cases and CD7 in six cases. All cases but one were positive for CD34. Cytogenetic analysis, performed in 16 cases, showed no adequate growth in two cases and no consistent abnormality in four; among the remaining 10 cases no consistent abnormality was observed, the most common finding was trisomy 8 (two cases) and 4 (two cases) and aberrations of chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12 and 21. No cases of (t9;22), Ph chromosome were observed. Interestingly three out of five patients with faint alpha NBE/alpha ANAE positivity relapsed as typical M4 (one case) or M5a (two cases).

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Erythema multiforme during GM-CSF therapy.

A 52-year-old Caucasian man treated with granulocyte-macrophage colonystimulating factor (GM-CSF) developed a cutaneous eruption on legs and ankles with clinical and histologic features of erythema multiforme. Laboratory studies indicated that the eruption occurred at the time of peripheral blood lymphocyte recovery and that it was coincidental with serum peaks of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. We postulate that GM-CSF provoked erythema multiforme in a predisposed individual as a consequence of either an inappropriate cytokine secretion or of an abnormal amplification mechanism following lymphocyte recovery.

Erythema Multiforme↗
PubMed1994

Prognostic value of cell marker analysis in de novo acute myeloid leukemia.

Clinical and cytologic characteristics were correlated to immunologic markers in 154 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) was selected to identify differentiation-associated antigens of both the myeloid and the lymphoid lineages (CD13, CD33, CD14, CD15, CD7, CD34, CD10, HLA-DR, CD19, CD2, CD5, TdT). The expression of multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein (P-170) was also evaluated in 117 patients. Differences in antigenic expression was observed among the various French-American-British (FAB) subgroups. HLA-DR was poorly expressed on the blasts of acute promyelocytic leukemia (M3), and was always found in FAB M5. CD34 was detectable in all M0 cases and only in one M3 (p < 0.001). Lymphoid-associated antigens were positive in 74 cases (48.1%). In particular, CD7 was found in 49 patients (31.8%), and TdT in 30 (21.3%), 15 samples displaying coexpression of these two antigens. The incidence of CD7+ cases was particularly elevated in M0 and M5 AML (p = 0.005). It significantly correlated with the expression of CD34, HLA-DR, P-170 (p < 0.001, p = 0.018 and p = 0.034 respectively), and with a leukocyte count > 50 x 10(9)/l (p = 0.038). Sixty-nine (59%) samples demonstrated P-170 positivity. Again, this phenotype was particularly expressed in the poorly differentiated forms (M5, M0 and M1) and showed significant correlation with the immaturity markers CD34, CD7 and HLA-DR (p = 0.013, p = 0.022 and p = 0.001, respectively). Expression of individual antigens correlated with prognosis. Refractoriness to first line therapy was associated with CD7 expression (p = 0.002) and P-170 (p = 0.001). The CD7 marker was also significantly associated with a very low overall survival (p < 0.001) and continuous complete remission (p < 0.001). CD14 expression also significantly predicted lower survival rates (p = 0.033). The combination (CD7+ CD14+) identified a subset of patients with a particularly adverse outcome. The prognostic value of CD7 expression, alone or in combination with other markers, was confirmed in multivariate analysis.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1993

Antiphospholipid antibodies: prevalence, clinical significance and correlation to cytokine levels in acute myeloid leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

This study was designed to explore the prevalence and clinical significance of elevated antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) titres in patients affected by acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). We also analyzed possible correlations with circulating levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and the soluble form of the receptor for interleukin-2 (sIL-2r). Nineteen patients with de novo AML and 14 patients with newly-diagnosed NHL were investigated. Tests for APA included the measurement of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) with a solid-phase immunoassay, and the detection of the lupus-like anticoagulant (LA) activity. Five patients with AML (26.3%) and 5 patients with NHL (35.7%) presented elevated APA at diagnosis, as compared to 3 of 174 persons of the control group (p < 0.0001). APA titres became normal in all patients responding to treatment, whereas non-responders retained elevated levels. In addition, 6 patients (4 with AML and 2 with NHL), who had normal APA at diagnosis and were either refractory to treatment or in relapse, subsequently developed LA and/or ACA positivity. At presentation, the mean levels of IgG- and IgM-ACA in patients were not significantly different from controls, and concordance between ACA and LA results reached just 30%. With regard to the clinical course, we were not able to detect any statistically significant difference between patients with normal and elevated APA. Pretreatment concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in AML, and sIL-2r in NHL were found significantly elevated compared to controls (p = 0.003, p = 0.009 and p = 0.024 respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

All-trans retinoic acid plus low doses of cytarabine for the treatment of "poor-risk" acute myeloid leukemias.

Thirteen refractory/resistant AML patients no suitable for additional aggressive chemotherapy, were treated with a combination including all-trans retinoic acid (45 mg/m2 sine die) and low doses of Ara-C (20 mg/m2 subcutaneously, twice in a day, days 1-10, every 28 days). Ten patients were evaluable; 8 of them achieved a complete remission, two patients with an important tumor burden, failed to achieve a response. One complete remission patient relapsed after 7 months but is still receiving the same therapy and is now in partial remission. We believe this combination effective as inducer of complete remission in those AML patients which cannot tolerate additional heavy treatments. The role of tumor burden in affecting response to therapy remains to be still evaluated.

Aged↗