Production of functional myeloid cells from CD34-selected hematopoietic progenitor cells using a clinically relevant ex vivo expansion system

There is increasing clinical interest focused on ex vivo manipulation and expansion of hematopoietic cells. In this study, we demonstrate that a simple combination of growth factors can expand progenitors to yield functional myeloid cells. Furthermore, this system can produce mature, functionally competent cells in the absence of fetal bovine serum (FBS), which will enhance the clinical utility of this approach. Hematopoietic progenitor cells obtained from normal bone marrow and from leukapheresis products were studied. The mononuclear fraction was enriched for CD34 cells using the Ceprate CD34 biotin kit (CellPro #LC34-1 or LC34-2). The selected cells were expanded for two weeks in Iscove's medium supplemented with 20% FBS and various combinations of interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin -6 (IL-6) added either simultaneously or sequentially. The optimal combination of these factors identified for myeloid expansion was simultaneous addition of IL-3, SCF and G-CSF (at 50 ng/ml each), resulting in an average 773 +/- 133-fold expansion of nucleated cells (n = 5). When corrected for the purity of CD34 cells in the starting population, the mean fold expansion with IL-3, SCF and G-CSF was 2,265 +/- 729. A mean of 74.7 +/- 10.5% (n = 3) of the expanded cells was positive for CD11b; 86-91% (n = 2) of the cells were promyelocytes or more mature granulocytes. Functional assays demonstrated normal phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by the expanded cell population. Studies performed using cells expanded in defined serum-free media demonstrated that fold expansion was decreased and that the cells produced were less mature and functionally less competent than cells expanded with FBS. The decreased expansion could be partially reversed, and the functionality almost completely restored by the addition of autologous plasma.

Benefit of high-dose cytarabine-based consolidation chemotherapy for adults with acute myelogenous leukemia

Despite consolidation and/or maintenance chemotherapy most patients with newly diagnosed acute myelogenous leukemia relapse such that only 20-30% survive free of recurrence at five years. To evaluate the long-term effects of dose-intensive consolidation, we analysed 123 consecutive patients, age 16 to 84 (median 48 years), who received high-dose cytarabine-based consolidation chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 88 months (range 26 to 126 months), 38 patients remain alive, with 26 in continued remission from 45 to 126+ months. Median remission duration for all eligible patients is 14 months (range 1.3 to 126 months) and actuarial leukemia-free survival at five years is 24 +/- 8%. Median survival from remission is 24 months (range 1.3 to 126 months) and actuarial survival from remission is 31 +/- 9%. Eighty-two patients (67%) have relapsed with an actuarial risk of relapse of 71 +/- 9% at five years. Adverse prognostic factors were age over 45 and male gender. When compared to historical controls (P = 0.02), dose-intensive consolidation produced improved leukemia-free survival for patients age < 45, but compliance and enhanced toxicity in the older age groups may limit further dose intensification.

Treatment of advanced acute leukaemia with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from unrelated donors

Bone marrow transplantation from a histocompatible sibling donor may produce complete remission in patients with induction failure or relapsed acute leukaemia. Through the National Marrow Donor Program, histocompatible bone marrow from unrelated donors has become available for high-risk patients. In this study we analyse the results of matched unrelated bone marrow transplant in 55 patients with highly advanced acute myelogenous and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. 28 patients with advanced acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and 27 patients with advanced acute myelogenous leukaemia, age 2-51, were treated with high-dose chemoradiotherapy and transplantation of 6/6 HLA matched (n = 46) or one antigen mismatched (n = 9) unrelated donor bone marrow. After a median follow-up of 36 months, 13 patients remain alive 17-74 months after transplant for a 2-year actuarial disease-free and overall survival of 23 +/- 12% (median disease-free survival 3.5 months). The actuarial risk of relapse is 24 +/- 16% at 1 year. Moderate to severe graft-versus-host disease occurred in 27/47 evaluable patients (57%). Significant prognostic factors for poor leukaemia-free survival include age > 21, abnormal karyotype, and active leukaemia at the time of transplant. Other pretreatment characteristics such as gender or type of leukaemia were not significant prognostic factors. Our results show that matched unrelated bone marrow transplant for patients with advanced acute leukaemia may provide long-term leukaemia-free survival, but transplant-related complications produce a significant impact on survival with older age and adverse disease characteristics predicting for poor prognosis.

Phase I-II study of busulfan and cyclophosphamide conditioning for transplantation in advanced multiple myeloma

We evaluated a non-radiation containing preparative regimen for persons with myeloma receiving bone marrow (BM) or blood cell transplants. Twenty-three adults with advanced multiple myeloma (15 responsive to chemotherapy, 8 resistant) received cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg and busulfan 14-16 mg/kg followed by the infusion of BM or blood progenitor cells. Patients were followed for response by monthly skeletal radiographs, urine and serum monoclonal paraprotein measurement, BM evaluation and beta 2-microglobulin. Three of 18 evaluable patients achieved complete response, 13 patients achieved partial response and two a minimal response. Actuarial 1 year survival post-transplant for all patients is 63% (95% confidence interval, 40-86%). Disease stage and response to chemotherapy pre-transplant correlated with survival post-transplant. Actuarial survival for patients with resistant disease was 38% (4-72%); for patients with chemotherapy-responsive disease, it was 78% (48-100%, p = 0.02). Regimen-related toxicity consisted of five early deaths, three from veno-occlusive disease, one from infection and one from multiorgan failure. Fatal and non-fatal hepatic and renal toxicities were related to busulfan dose with most complications occurring at 16 mg/kg. Our studies suggest that busulfan and cyclophosphamide are an effective conditioning regimen in multiple myeloma. Toxicity precludes increasing the total dose of busulfan beyond 14 mg/kg.

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease in immunocompetent patients: report of a fatal case associated with transfusion of blood from a second-degree relative, and a survey of predisposing factors

A patient without evident immune deficiency who received a transfusion of blood from a second-degree family member developed fatal transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD). The donor was homozygous for an HLA haplotype for which the recipient was heterozygous (one-way HLA match). All 39 reported cases of TA-GVHD in immunocompetent patients were reviewed to ascertain the predisposing factors and to define the indications for irradiating blood for this population. HLA typing was described in 15 cases; in 13, including seven related and six unrelated donors, a one-way HLA match was present. Thirty-one (79%) of the 39 cases were reported from Japan (and 196 other cases are cited in the Japanese literature), but a one-way HLA match among unrelated donors at HLA-A, -B, -DR loci is only approximately two to four times more likely in Japanese persons than in whites. Fresh blood (< 96 hours old) was used in 29 (94%) of the 31 cases reported from Japan and in 33 (87%) of 38 cases overall (in one case, the age of the blood used was not reported). Thus, factors that appear to predispose to TA-GVHD in immunocompetent patients are a one-way HLA match, fresh blood, and, possibly, Japanese ancestry. Irradiating cellular blood components from all blood relatives of transfusion recipients will not completely eliminate the risk of TA-GVHD.

Effect of induction cytarabine dose intensity on long-term survival in acute myelogenous leukemia: results of a randomized, controlled study

The optimal dose and schedule of cytarabine in induction chemotherapy of newly diagnosed acute myelogenous leukemia is not established. We compared the use of cytarabine 200 mg/m2/day by continuous infusion for seven days to an intermediate-dose of cytarabine, 500 mg/m2 every 12 hours for 12 doses. Thirty-seven of 52 patients assigned to conventional-dose cytarabine achieved complete remission (71%) and the actuarial disease-free and overall survival after achieving remission were 22 +/- 16% and 31 +/- 19% respectively. Thirty-seven of 50 patients assigned to intermediate-dose cytarabine achieved remission (74%) and the actuarial disease-free and overall survival after achieving remission were 26 +/- 16% and 39 +/- 18% respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in complete remission rate, actuarial leukemia-free survival or overall survival between the groups. The most significant predictor for survival was age. Actuarial two year leukemia-free survival and overall survival for patients age > 60 were 8 +/- 15% and 20 +/- 19% respectively compared to 36 +/- 14% and 54 +/- 15% for patients age < or = 60 (P = .058 and .01, respectively). Induction regimen did not significantly affect disease free or overall survival for patients under or over age 60. We conclude that intermediate-dose cytarabine did not substantially improve results of induction for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia.

Use of recombinant GM-CSF following allogeneic BMTs for aplastic anemia

GM-CSF has been used successfully in autologous BMTs, and more recently in patients undergoing allogeneic BMT, for acute or chronic leukemia. We report two patients with hepatitis-related aplastic anemia who received recombinant human GM-CSF following HLA-identical sibling allogeneic BMTs. Both patients were conditioned with CY 200 mg/kg given over 4 days and received GM-CSF at 250 micrograms/m2 beginning 6 h after marrow infusion and continuing daily until the absolute neutrophil count was > 1.0 x 10(9)/l for 2 days. Both patients had prompt engraftment, achieving an absolute neutrophil count of > 0.5 x 10(9)/l on day 13. Neither patient had side-effects attributable to the GM-CSF although one patient developed severe acute GVHD after the cessation of GM-CSF therapy. Our experience suggests that GM-CSF can be safely used in aplastic anemia patients undergoing BMT and that GM-CSF may be useful to decrease the incidence of graft failure associated with less intensive conditioning regimens.

Phase II study of etoposide, ifosfamide, and mitoxantrone for the treatment of resistant adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Although combination chemotherapy induces complete remission in 60-90% of adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, only 20-45% of patients remain in continued remission 5 years from diagnosis. For patients with a short first remission, multiple relapses, or patients with disease refractory to initial induction chemotherapy, few salvage treatments are successful. To improve the results of salvage therapy we studied the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of etoposide (100 mg/m2 IV qd x 5), ifosfamide (1.5 g/m2/d x 5), and mitoxantrone (8 mg/m2/d IV x 3) in 11 adult patients with relapsed or refractory ALL. The median follow-up of all patients completing therapy is 208 days (30-484+ days). Eight of 11 (73%; 95% confidence interval 45-92%) achieved a complete remission, two patients failed to enter remission, and one patient died of multiorgan system failure shortly after receiving therapy. Median DFS is 96 days and median survival from remission is 234 days. Five patients who achieved CR subsequently relapsed with a median time to relapse of 80 days (50-151 days). Median time to granulocyte > .5 x 10(9)/L was 28 days (21-46 days) and the median time to platelet recovery > 20 x 10(9)/L was 24 days (21-39 days). Although gastrointestinal toxicity was common, no patient developed severe cardiac, hepatic, pulmonary, or neurologic complications. These results demonstrate that the combination of etoposide, ifosfamide, and mitoxantrone can be used as an effective salvage therapy for patients with resistant ALL.

Ph1-chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: is t(9;22) the initial abnormality?

We report a case of pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with the Ph1-chromosome, t(9;22) translocation and P190 associated BCR/ABL rearrangement. One cell with the Ph1-chromosome and t(9;22) also had del(5q). Interestingly, another diploid cell with iso(17q) lacked the Ph1-chromosome and t(9;22). This finding, similar to one reported in chronic myelogenous leukemia, is consistent with the possibility that abnormality manifest as chromosome instability antedates the Ph1-chromosome and t(9;22) in some cases of Ph1-chromosome positive acute leukemia.

9-cis-retinoic acid: effects on normal and leukemic hematopoiesis in vitro

Retinoic acid exhibits effects on the proliferation and differentiation of many hematopoietic cells. Cellular responsiveness to retinoic acid (RA) is conferred through two distinct classes of nuclear receptors, the RA receptors (RARs) and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs). The RARs bind to both 9-cis- and all-trans-RAs, but 9-cis-RA alone directly binds and activates RXR. This suggested that 9-cis-RA could have expanded hematopoietic activities as compared with all-trans-RA. We compared the abilities of 9-cis- and all-trans-RAs to induce differentiation and inhibit proliferation of three acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cell lines and fresh leukemic cells from 28 patients and found that: (1) 9-cis-RA in general was more potent than all-trans-RA in suppressing the clonal growth of two AML cell lines and 17 AML samples from patients, including four from individuals with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Eleven leukemic samples, including three from patients with chronic myelogenous or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, were relatively refractory to both retinoids. (2) The range of activities of both retinoids was similar except that the clonal growth of samples from three AML patients were inhibited by 9-cis-RA, but not by all-trans-RA. (3) Both retinoids inhibited the clonal proliferation of leukemia cells without necessarily inducing their differentiation; in fact, the only fresh AML cells that were able to undergo differentiation were from patients with APL and one individual with M2 AML. (4) Both retinoids enhanced myeloid and erythroid clonal growth from normal individuals, and 9-cis-RA showed slightly more stimulation of the myeloid clonal growth than did the all-trans-RA. Our study suggests that 9-cis-RA is worthy of further study for the treatment of selected individuals with AML.

Long-term outcome of high-dose cytarabine-based consolidation chemotherapy for adults with acute myelogenous leukemia

Modern induction chemotherapy produces 60% to 80% complete remissions in adults with newly diagnosed acute myelogenous leukemia. A major challenge is to eradicate subclinical disease in remission and prevent leukemic relapse. We analyzed the long-term results of high-dose cytarabine-anthracycline consolidation chemotherapy without maintenance treatment and examined the effect of major prognostic factors, including age, sex, history of preleukemia, and cytogenetics. Two hundred twenty-seven patients with newly diagnosed acute leukemia were enrolled on two sequential studies conducted from 1982 to 1991. One hundred fifty-one patients (67%) achieved a complete remission. One hundred twenty-three patients were eligible for high-dose cytarabine-based consolidation administered in two to three courses. After a median follow-up of 4.8 years, 40 patients remain alive, with 28 in continued remission. Median remission duration for all eligible patients is 12.8 months, and actuarial leukemia-free survival (LFS) at 5 years is 26% +/- 8%. Advanced age and male sex were negative prognostic indicators for LFS. For patients < or = 45 years of age, 5-year LFS was 35% +/- 13%, as compared with 18% +/- 11% for patients greater than age 45 (P = .03). Toxicity of consolidation chemotherapy included treatment-related death in nine patients and serious neurotoxicity in five. Our results show an improved LFS for younger patients treated with high-dose cytarabine-based consolidation. There was no apparent benefit for older patients compared with reported data with less intensive regimens.

A randomized study of intermediate versus conventional-dose cytarabine as intensive induction for acute myelogenous leukaemia

The optimal dose of cytarabine for induction chemotherapy is unknown. Most studies have utilized doses of 100-200 mg/m2/d, although higher doses have been proposed to increase the concentration of the active metabolite ara-CTP within leukaemia cells. To address this question 101 adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia were randomized to receive treatment with daunorubicin and either conventional-dose cytarabine (200 mg/m2/d by continuous infusion) or an intermediate-dose of cytarabine (500 mg/m2 every 12 h). 36/51 (71%) patients assigned to conventional-dose cytarabine achieved complete remission compared to 37/50 (74%) who achieved remission with intermediate-dose cytarabine (P = 0.9). Patient age significantly affected remission rate. 8/17 patients age greater than 60 assigned to conventional-dose cytarabine and 10/17 assigned to intermediate-dose cytarabine achieved complete remission compared to 27/33 patients under age 60 assigned to the conventional dose and 28/34 patients assigned to the intermediate dose arm (P = 0.004). Actuarial 4-year disease-free survival for patients assigned to conventional-dose cytarabine was 20 +/- 16% versus 28 +/- 17% for patients assigned to intermediate-dose cytarabine (P = 0.9). We conclude that intermediate dose cytarabine did not substantially improve results of induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia.

Treatment of resistant acute myeloid leukemia

Although combination cytotoxic chemotherapy induces complete remission in 60-80% of adults with previously untreated acute myeloid leukemia, most patients will ultimately relapse and die from leukemia. Strategies which have been developed for patients with relapsed leukemia include the use of active non-cross-resistant chemotherapeutic agents, allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation, or combined sequential therapy with hematopoietic growth factors and chemotherapy. Most salvage chemotherapeutic regimens use high-dose cytarabine; other agents which have activity include idarubicin, mitoxantrone, etoposide, and high-dose cyclophosphamide. Bone marrow transplantation represents the preferred approach for patients with resistant leukemia offering a likelihood of prolonged disease-free survival. Unique combinations of high-dose chemotherapy and growth factors may provide an alternative therapeutic role in the treatment of resistant leukemia.

Postremission chemotherapy for adults with acute myelogenous leukemia: improved survival with high-dose cytarabine and daunorubicin consolidation treatment

Results of postremission chemotherapy for adults with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) were assessed in two sequential prospective studies involving similar induction therapy and two courses of intensive consolidation treatment. Fifty-six patients achieving remission on the acute leukemia protocol (ALP3) study received high-dose cytarabine and daunorubicin as course one and standard-dose cytarabine and daunorubicin as course two. Results are compared with forty-six patients achieving remission on the ALP2 study who received azacitidine and doxorubicin as consolidation course one and standard-dose cytarabine, daunorubicin, and thioguanine as course two. The ALP3 regimen resulted in a significantly improved 5-year disease-free survival of 32% +/- 19% versus 20% +/- 11% for the ALP2 study (P = .03). Survival from remission was also improved, 40% +/- 14% versus 24% +/- 12% (P less than .01). Favorable prognostic factors for disease-free survival included receiving the ALP3 treatment regimen, absence of a prior preleukemic syndrome, and female sex. These factors and younger patient age were significant for survival following first chemotherapy and survival after achieving remission. Six of 34 patients who relapsed after receiving the ALP3 regimen successfully achieved prolonged second remissions with high-dose cytarabine-based chemotherapy and/or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Overall survival for adults less than or equal to 45 years of age was 58% +/- 19% with the ALP3 postremission chemotherapy regimen, comparable to most studies of BMT for AML in first remission. Actuarial 5-year survival for ALP3 patients greater than 60 years of age was 18% +/- 20% with no improvement compared with ALP2.

Glucose polymer supplementation of feeds for very low birthweight infants

The feeds of 14 very low birthweight infants (birth weight less than 1500 g) were supplemented with a glucose polymer (Caloreen) at the rate of 6 g/kg body weight daily. Seven day periods of supplementation were alternated with seven day periods of normal feeding. Adding the glucose polymer significantly increased the rate of weight gain in these infants from 105 g/week to 140 g/week; growth rates in terms of length and head circumference were not affected. No adverse effects were noted. Glucose polymer is a useful energy supplement for very low birthweight infants.

Neonatal leukemoid reaction. An isolated manifestation of mosaic trisomy 21

A phenotypically normal neonate with an unexplained leukemoid reaction had a 46,XX/47,XX, +21 karyotype limited to the hemopoietic system. Although a self-limited myeloproliferative syndrome occurs in Down's syndrome, this case confirms that an identical disorder may develop in patients with mosaic trisomy 21 and no phenotypic stigmas of Down's syndrome. Chromosome analysis is a necessary adjunct to the examination of any neonate with an unexplained leukemoid reaction. The presence of trisomy 21 should lead to conservative management, unless there is life-threatening progression of the disease.

Treatment of xerostomia: a double-blind trial in 108 patients with Sjögren's syndrome

The first-ever controlled study of a therapeutic modality for xerostomia is reported. A recently described formulation for saliva substitute (SS) has been tested against a glycerine mouthwash as a control saliva substitute (placebo) in a double-blind clinical trial in 108 patients with varying grades of xerostomia of Sjögren's syndrome. The results indicate that SS offered significant relief of nocturnal oral discomfort (p less than 0.02) and more patients reported "excellent" improvement (p less than 0.01) on a five-point graded response. In all other respects, the SS was not significantly better than the placebo. Significant adverse effects were not reported. It is suggested that any such current and future therapeutic modalities for Sjögren's syndrome be subjected to similar critical appraisal of their worth.

[Roentgenologic determination of degenerative joint diseases in a new animal experiment arthrosis model]

Our previous experiments have shown that intraarticular injections of sodium iodoacetate or phenylbutazone into the knee joint of animals (hens) induce degeneration of the articular tissues. This method proved to be a useful model for experimental osteoarthrosis. After autopsy degenerative processes in the joint can be evaluated by macroscopical, histological and biochemical techniques, and show good correlations with osteoarthrosis in humans. To study the onset and progress of experimentally induced osteoarthrosis in living animals we developed a new X-ray method using special mammography-film (Kodak Definix Medical). By this technique also changes of the joint space can be measured quantitatively. Comparison between the degenerative lesions of cartilage as seen macroscopically during autopsy and the data obtained from the living animal by X-ray techniques show excellent correlations. By using X-ray mammography film in our studies of experimental model it is possible to observe the pathological alterations of the knee joint of the living animals and to investigate the effect of pharmacologically active compounds for the treatment of osteoarthrosis.

[Significance of gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase in the diagnosis of liver diseases]

The serum levels of gamma-GT are raised early in most hepatic disorders. The highest levels usually are found in cholestasis, especially due to malignancy of the liver and the pancreas and in chronic alcoholism and drug abuse. The gamma-GT is not strictly a cholestatic enzyme. The highest score of information is yielded in alcoholic liver disease.