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Biomedical subjects

S Samuel

Publications and source records attributed to S Samuel.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Selective CD4+ T-cell depletion does not prevent graft-versus-host disease.

Donor-derived CD4+ T cells may play a role in the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and graft-versus-leukemia reaction after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Therefore, we evaluated the effect of CD4+ T-cell depletion on GVHD and graft-versus-leukemia reaction after HLA-matched BMT. CD4 depletion was performed using anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies and immunomagnetic beads, initially in small-scale experiments on bone marrow and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood apheresis products. The result was elimination of the CD4+ T cells from both sources (0% and 2+/-1.4% CD4+ cells, respectively). Subsequently, we used this technique for large-scale negative selection of CD4+ T cells from bone marrow grafts of four consenting leukemic patients in relapse (ALL-3, ANLL-1) (M-3, F-1). The large-scale CD4+ T-cell depletion resulted in >98% (n=4) elimination of CD4+ cells. The resulting population included 17.7+/-4.6% CD3+ T cells, 8.9+/-2.5% CD8+ T cells, 0.1+/-0.1% CD16+ natural killer cells, and 2.3+/-3.2% CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells. Patients were transplanted with 2.84+/-1.31 x 10(8) viable cells/kg. They received cyclosporine starting on day -1 as GVHD prophylaxis. Engraftment was fast with a white blood cell count of >1 x 10(9)/L on day 13.2+/-0.5, an absolute neutrophil count of >0.5 x 10(9)/L on day 13.8+/-0.5, and a platelet count of >25 x 10(9)/L on day 26.5+/-6.8. Immunological reconstitution was normal, and peripheral blood phenotyping 3 weeks after BMT disclosed 49.0+/-5.0% CD3, 14.3+/-12.4% CD4, and 59.5+/-7.8% CD8 T cells in addition to 17.0+/-3.0% CD16+ and 9.0+/-3.0% CD56 natural killer cells. Three out of four patients developed very early grade IV GVHD beginning on day 12 (10-13) and died 2-4 months after BMT. One patient is alive and well with a follow-up of 36 months. We conclude that selective CD4 T-cell depletion does not prevent GVHD.

Adolescent↗

Nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation and cell therapy as an alternative to conventional bone marrow transplantation with lethal cytoreduction for the treatment of malignant and nonmalignant hematologic diseases.

Myeloablative conditioning associated with hazardous immediate and late complications is considered as a mandatory first step in preparation for allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (allogeneic BMT) for the treatment of malignant hematologic disorders and genetic diseases. Immune-mediated graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects constitute the major benefit of allogeneic BMT. Therefore, we have introduced the use of relatively nonmyeloablative conditioning before allogeneic BMT aiming for establishing host-versus-graft tolerance for engraftment of donor immunohematopoietic cells for induction of GVL effects to displace residual malignant or genetically abnormal host cells. Our preliminary data in 26 patients with standard indications for allogeneic BMT, including acute leukemia (n = 10); chronic leukemia (n = 8), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 2), myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 1), multiple myeloma (n = 1), and genetic diseases (n = 4) suggest that nonmyeloablative conditioning including fludarabine, anti-T-lymphocyte globulin, and low-dose busulfan (8 mg/kg) is extremely well tolerated, with no severe procedure-related toxicity. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor mobilized blood stem cell transplantation with standard dose of cyclosporin A as the sole anti-graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis resulted in stable partial (n = 9) or complete (n = 17) chimerism. In 9 patients absolute neutrophil count (ANC) did not decrease to below 0.1 x 10(9)/L whereas 2 patients never experienced ANC < 0.5 x 10(9)/L. ANC > or = 0.5 x 10(9)/L was accomplished within 10 to 32 (median, 15) days. Platelet counts did not decrease to below 20 x 10(9)/L in 4 patients requiring no platelet support at all; overall platelet counts > 20 x 10(9)/L were achieved within 0 to 35 (median 12) days. Fourteen patients experienced no GVHD at all; severe GVHD (grades 3 and 4) was the single major complication and the cause of death in 4 patients, occurring after early discontinuation of cyclosporine A. Relapse was reversed by allogeneic cell therapy in 2/3 cases, currently with no residual host DNA (male) by cytogenetic analysis and polymerase chain reaction. To date, with an observation period extending over 1 year (median 8 months), 22 of 26 patients (85%) treated by allogeneic nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation are alive, and 21 (81%) are disease-free. The actuarial probability of disease-free survival at 14 months is 77.5% (95% confidence interval, 53% to 90%). Successful eradication of malignant and genetically abnormal host hematopoietic cells by allogeneic nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation represents a potential new approach for safer treatment of a large variety of clinical syndromes with an indication for allogeneic BMT. Transient mixed chimerism which may protect the host from severe acute GVHD may be successfully reversed postallogeneic BMT with graded increments of donor lymphocyte infusions, thus resulting in eradication of malignant or genetically abnormal progenitor cells of host origin.

Adolescent↗

Engraftment following mitoxantrone (Mito) based conditioning for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT).

Mitoxantrone (Mito) is presently used in an increasing number of malignancies including leukemias, breast carcinomas and solid tumors. With it has come increased incidence of post remission cytopenias and delayed engraftment following autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). We evaluated engraftment in 18 patients who underwent allogeneic BMT (allo-BMT) following a preparative regimen that included high dose Mito (60 mg m2). Sixteen patients with malignant disease (AML 10, ALL 3, CML 2, MDS 1) and two with non-malignant disease (SCID 1, osteopetrosis 1) underwent non-T cell depleted allo-BMT. Fourteen patients with malignancies were transplanted at an advanced stage of disease while only two patients were standard risk patients. Of the 18 patients, 12 were females and six males, with a median age of 30.5 (0.3-48) years. Nine patients, (breast cancer 3, malignant lymphoma 4 and AML 2), who underwent ABMT following preparative regimens with comparable doses of Mito, served as controls. Engraftment following allo-BMT was normal and not statistically different from engraftment following ABMT. Five patients, who underwent allo-BMT, developed >grade II acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) and two developed chronic GVHD. After a median follow up of 28 (6-42) months, five patients are alive (one with disease). In summary, engraftment following high dose Mito and allo-BMT is not statistically different from engraftment following ABMT. Controlled studies with a larger group of standard risk patients are needed to elucidate the role of Mito in conditioning regimens pre-BMT.

Adolescent↗

Bone marrow transplantation from a cadaveric donor.

A 2.5-year-old girl with neurogenic Gaucher's disease was transplanted with donor bone marrow from her HLA-compatible 12-year-old brother whose marrow was harvested 30 min post-mortem, after he suffered a severe head and neck injury. The marrow was stored in liquid nitrogen for 30 days prior to infusion. The post-transplantation period was uneventful with good engraftment and no signs of graft-versus-host disease. Currently, 6 months post-allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT), analysis of both bone marrow and blood samples by PCR documented only cells of donor origin. This case demonstrates the feasibility of cadaveric marrow as a source of donor cells. To our knowledge, this patient is the only survivor of alloBMT from a cadaveric donor.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗

Allogeneic cell-mediated and cytokine-activated immunotherapy for malignant lymphoma at the stage of minimal residual disease after autologous stem cell transplantation.

Immunocompetent donor-derived T lymphocytes play a crucial role in the elimination of residual leukemic cells post allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Because this graft versus leukemia (GVL) effects is absent after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), a high rate of relapse ensues. We introduced cell-mediated immunotherapy at the stage of minimal residual disease in lymphoma patients to help effect a GVL-like reaction by adoptive transfer of immunocompetent human leukocyte antigen-matched donor peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Thirteen consecutive patients with high-risk lymphoma were treated with allogeneic cell therapy (AlloCT) after having undergone ASCT. In the absence of graft-versus-host disease, cell therapy-induced graft-versus-lymphoma reaction was amplified by human recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) during 3 days to activate donor PBL in vivo, followed by infusion of in vitro rIL-2 activated donor lymphocytes combined with 3-day rIL-2 therapy. Nine of the patients underwent the treatment protocol well. In the four other patients, in whom the AlloCT resulted in marrow aplasia due to elimination of host hematopoietic cells, treatment with donor marrow cell infusion without further conditioning was performed. Adoptive cell therapy in the form of AlloCT may turn out to be an effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of resistant residual disease in lymphoma patients.

Adolescent↗

Unenhanced helical CT of ureteral stones: a replacement for excretory urography in planning treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether unenhanced helical CT alone can be used for diagnosis and treatment planning of patients with obstructing ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 100 patients with ureteral stones and a clearly discernible clinical outcome who had undergone unenhanced helical CT were reviewed to determine the number of urography procedures and results of excretory urograms performed within 72 hr of helical CT. CT scans were then reviewed by two radiologists for six findings: in-plane stone diameter, z-axis stone diameter, location of stone, periureteral stranding, hydronephrosis, and perinephric fluid. Seventy-one patients passed stones spontaneously, and 29 patients required intervention including basket retrieval, extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, laser lithotripsy, or a combination of the three treatments. Data were analyzed to determine those findings that correlated with the need for intervention. RESULTS: Five excretory urograms were obtained, all of which agreed with findings revealed by CT. Excretory urography added no information. CT findings of in-plane diameter (p < .001), z -axis diameter (p < .001), and location of stone (p = .003) all significantly correlated with the need for intervention. CONCLUSION: Helical CT can be used in place of excretory urography to plan treatment of patients with flank pain caused by obstructing ureteral stones. Stones that are larger than 5 mm, located within the proximal two thirds of the ureter, and seen on two or more consecutive CT images are more likely to require endoscopic removal, lithotripsy, or both.

Adult↗

Allogeneic cell-mediated immunotherapy for breast cancer after autologous stem cell transplantation: a clinical pilot study.

Allogeneic cell therapy (allo-CT) is emerging as an effective treatment for patients relapsing after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), indicating that tumor cells resisting chemoradiotherapy may still respond to immunocompetent allogeneic lymphocytes. We investigated possible graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effects in six patients with metastatic breast cancer that would be comparable to the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) phenomenon occurring after allogeneic BMT in hematologic malignancies. The patients were cytoreduced with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and were treated ambulatory with allo-CT consisting of adoptive transfer of HLA-matched donor peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) activated in vivo with human recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). If no graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) developed, allo-CT was augmented with infusion of donor PBL, preactivated in vitro with rIL-2. Treatment was well tolerated, with low therapy-related toxicity in all patients. Two patients developed signs and symptoms compatible with GVHD grade I-II, one of whom shows no evidence of disease at more than 34 months out. In the remaining patients, progression-free survival following allo-CT ranged between 7 and 13 months. Allogeneic cell-mediated, cytokine-activated immunotherapy might be utilized for induction of GVT in metastatic breast cancer. A search for techniques to boost chimerism without severe GVHD is indicated.

Adult↗

Vitamin D administration to tuberculous children and its value.

Our study was done to assess the value of administration of vitamin D to tuberculous children. The study included twenty four newly diagnosed tuberculous children; eleven males and thirteen females. Their age ranged from one and half to thirteen years. Thirteen patients were extra thoracic type of T.B., while only seven were intrathoracic and the rest were mixed. They were randomly divided into two Groups according to the treatment administered: Group A patients were given Rifampicin, Isoniazid and Streptomycin. Group B received in addition vitamin D. After eight weeks therapy, the patients of each group were evaluated regarding clinical, laboratory, and radiological improvement. Vitamin D level is raised after treatment in both Groups A and B, but this rise is not significant. It also showed insignificant difference between the two groups. Vitamin D level showed very high significant decrease in tuberculous children than matched healthy controls (non tuberculous children). Calcium was significantly elevated after treatment in Group A whereas no significant change was detected in Group B. Phosphorous was highly significantly elevated after treatment in Group A, whereas in Group B it is just significantly elevated. Alkaline phosphatase level in both groups A and B were slightly decreased after treatment. However, this decrease was not significant. Clinical improvement was more evident in Group B patients (those taking vitamin D) as compared to Group A patients. The same was noted with X-ray and Sonographic findings. We concluded that vitamin D therapy may be of great value in addition to antituberculous drugs in the treatment of tuberculous children, and its use is highly recommended.

Adolescent↗

Characteristics of childhood diarrhea associated with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in Malaysia.

Amongst 107 diarrheal cases studied a bacterial agent was isolated from 71 (66%) cases of which 60 (85%) were due to a single agent and the remaining 11 (15%) were of mixed infections. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) was isolated from 65 cases. Other pathogens isolated included Salmonella spp, Shigella spp and rotavirus. There was a higher isolation rate of ETEC from females and rotavirus from males. The infection rate was found to higher for the 0-2 year age group as compared to the 3-5 year age group. Amongst the ETEC isolated the STa 2 toxotype was the predominant type.

Child, Preschool↗

Allogeneic cell therapy with donor peripheral blood cells and recombinant human interleukin-2 to treat leukemia relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is the only effective treatment for hematologic malignancies resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Until recently, no cure existed for patients who relapsed post-BMT. We present our long-term observations on remission induction, after relapse post-BMT, by allogeneic cell therapy (allo-CT) and the feasibility of remission induction in allo-CT-resistant patients by activation of antileukemia effector cells with recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) in vitro and in vivo. The longest observation of successful allo-CT (event-free survival, greater than 8 years) was made in a patient with resistant pre-B lymphoblastic leukemia who received infusions with graded increments of donor (female) peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) as soon as bulky hematologic and extramedullary relapse was noticed early post-BMT. The patient is currently without evidence of residual host (male) cells as determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of 17 patients with acute and chronic leukemia in relapse after BMT, 10 were reinduced into complete remission. Four patients with cytogenetic relapse responded to allo-CT alone, while five of six patients with overt hematologic relapse responded only after additional activation of donor with rhIL-2. Allo-CT can, therefore, successfully reverse chemoradiotherapy-resistant relapse of both acute and chronic leukemia. Moreover, in patients resistant to donor lymphocyte infusion, remission can be accomplished by additionally activating donor PBL in vitro and/or in vivo with rhIL-2. Based on our observations, after BMT, allo-CT should be considered the treatment of choice for patients with hematologic malignancies resistant to conventional anticancer modalities. Allogeneic activated cell therapy (allo ACT) should be considered for patients with tumor cells resistant to allo-CT. Although allo-CT, followed if indicated by allo-ACT, can be effective for patients with overt hematologic relapse, reversal of persistent minimal residual disease or documented molecular/cytogenetic relapse early after BMT may also be considered as a possible indication for allo-CT.

Adolescent↗

Second transplantation using allogeneic peripheral blood stem cells in a beta-thalassaemia major patient featuring stable mixed chimaerism.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for beta-thalassaemia major carries the risks of disease recurrence due to residual thalassaemic stem cells or true immune-mediated rejection. We report a thalassaemic patient who displayed stable mixed chimaerism with only 5% donor-derived cells for about 5 years after BMT. Displacement of host cells was accomplished by ambulatory non-myeloablative conditioning and allogeneic G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from the same donor, resulting in full reconstitution. Patients featuring stable mixed chimaerism after BMT may benefit from allogeneic cell therapy with immunocompetent lymphocytes and stem cells, whilst avoiding supralethal conditioning.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗

Activated allogeneic cell therapy (allo-ACT) for relapsed chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) refractory to buffy coat transfusions post-allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

We describe a 17-year-old male patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in hematologic and cytogenetic relapse 4 months post-non-T cell-depleted allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for accelerated CML. Two sequential buffy coat transfusion with donor peripheral blood cells (8.9 and 4.8 x 10(7) cells/kg), the second transfusion in combination with in vivo activation of donor cells by human recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) 6 x 10(6) IU/m2 subcutaneously for 3 days, failed to induce remission . The patient responded to an infusion of donor peripheral blood lymphocytes (3.4 x 10(7) cells/kg) pre-activated in vivo with rIL-2 and additionally activated in vivo with rIL-2, 6 x 10(6) IU/m2/day subcutaneously for 3 days. Elimination of the Philadelphia (Ph) clone was confirmed by cytogenetic analysis showing a normal male karyotype and by disappearance of the bcr/abl transcript, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). At present, the patient is 26 months post-treatment with no evidence of disease, but with chronic graft-versus-host disease. Our data indicate that allogeneic activated cell therapy (allo-ACT) may provide antitumor effector cells that successfully induce graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects even when cell therapy with donor buffy coats was insufficient.

Adolescent↗

Overexpression of the hyaluronan receptor RHAMM is transforming and is also required for H-ras transformation.

Overexpression of the RHAMM gene by transfection into fibroblasts is transforming and causes spontaneous metastases in the lung. H-ras-transformed fibrosarcomas transfected with a dominant suppressor mutant of RHAMM exhibit a so-called revertant phenotype and are completely nontumorigenic and nonmetastatic. Conversely, fibroblasts stably expressing low levels of RHAMM as a result of antisense transfection are resistant to ras transformation. Collectively, these results indicate that RHAMM acts downstream of ras. The loss of functional RHAMM ablates signaling within focal adhesions, in particular changes in focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation, and as a result these focal adhesions are unable to turn over in response to hyaluronan. These results provide evidence of the oncogenic potential of a novel extracellular matrix receptor and establish a functional link between transformation by ras and signaling within focal adhesions that are required for transformation by this oncogene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mechanism of satisfaction of search: eye position recordings in the reading of chest radiographs.

PURPOSE: To use the eye position recordings of observers as they read chest images to advance understanding of the mechanism of "satisfaction of search," a phenomenon in which the detection of one abnormality interferes with the detection of other abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight radiologists examined chest images that contained simulated pulmonary nodules and native abnormalities. Accuracy in detecting nodules and native abnormalities and eye position, gaze duration, and total search time were recorded. RESULTS: Nodule detectability was lower on native abnormality-containing images than it was on normal images (P < .005). Native-abnormality detectability was not negatively affected by the nodules. Most missed nodules were fixated; only those on images without native abnormalities, however, received prolonged visual attention. CONCLUSION: The satisfaction of search phenomenon is an important source of error in the detection of subtle abnormalities but not of obvious abnormalities. Obvious abnormalities capture visual attention and decrease vigilance for more subtle abnormalities.

Attention↗