Diurnal changes in circulating myeloid progenitor cells in man

To examine the diurnal changes in circulating myeloid progenitor cells (CFU-Cs), 15 normal human volunteers were studied. Total and differential peripheral blood leukocyte counts and CFU-C levels, using the in vitro agar culture method, were obtained at 8 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM, and 8 AM the following morning (in nine subjects) or only at 8 AM and 3 PM (in six subjects). On the average, an approximate twofold rise in circulating CFU C levels (per ml of blood) was found at 3 PM as compared to the 8 AM levels (P 0.002), and a smaller rise at 11 AM was found than at 8 AM levels (P 0.03). The ratios of CFU-C per ml of blood to mononuclear cells per ml of blood and neutrophils per ml of blood, respectively, were significantly higher at 3 PM than at 8 AM (p 0.002 and 0.004, respectively). The rise in CFU-C levels is usually significantly higher when compared to that in peripheral leukocyte counts.

Colony stimulating factor augmentation in human placental conditioned medium

Because of the variability of different placentas to condition culture medium for colony-stimulating factor (CSF), we have attempted to augment CSF elaboration using endotoxin and bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) during the incubation period. Of 14 batches of human placental conditioned media (HPCM) prepared from different placentas, six were found to be inactive (no colony formation at concentrations of 5% to 40% vol/vol), five were found to be a weak stimulator of colony formation (producing < 10 colonies/10(5) human marrow cells plated at a HPCM concentration of 30%) and three were found to be active (producing 30 or more colonies/10(5) cells plated at HPCM concentration of 30%). In six cases augmentation of CSF elaboration was attempted using endotoxin or BCG and in all a marked increase in CSF was achieved. The increased colony formation was found to be due to greater increase in neutrophil and macrophage colonies than eosinophil colonies. The method of augmenting CSF elaboration in HPCM could have important implications for producing large quantities of potent and standardized source of CSF for the use in clinical laboratories and for increasing the yield of colony-stimulating factor(s) for further purification.

4'-(9-Acridinylamino) methanesulfon-m-anisidide (AMSA): a new drug effective in the treatment of adult acute leukemia

Sixty-two adults with previously treated acute leukemia were treated with 4'-(9-acridinylamino) methanesulfon-m-anisidide (AMSA) with a total dose of 150 mg to 1320 mg/m2 of body surface area given over 3 to 14 days intravenously. Of the 56 patients who received an adequate trial, 13 achieved a complete remission and six had a partial remission. The best therapeutic results were observed when AMSA was used at a dose level of 75 to 90 mg/m2 per day for 7 days, which resulted in nine complete remissions among 30 patients. Eleven of 38 patients with myeloblastic leukemia achieved complete remission, and three of 13 with lymphoblastic disease achieved partial remission. Complete remissions were observed in nine of 39 patients who were refractory to cytarabine and anthracyclines, indicating a lack of cross-resistance between these drugs and AMSA. The median duration of remission was 12 weeks, and the median survival of responders was 28.5 weeks. The major toxicity of AMSA therapy was severe myelosuppression resulting in frequent infections during induction therapy. Our results indicate that AMSA has significant activity against refractory adult acute leukemia and deserves further evaluation.

Effect of pyran copolymer on murine hemopoiesis

Pyran Copolymer (NSC-46015), a divinyl-ether maleic anhydride leads to a significant shift in distribution of nucleated cells and CFUs in the bone marrow and spleen. The bone marrow cellularity and the CFUs content reach a nadir 4 to 6 days after Pyran injection, simultaneous rise in spleen cellularity and CFUs concentration of circulating pluripotent stem cells by a factor of 10 to 45 and a concomitant rise of CFUc is seen. the origin of the mobilized pluripotent stem cells is likely to be the bone marrow, not athe spleen.

Pyran copolymer: effect of molecular weight on stem cell mobilization in mice

Maleic anhydride divinly ether copolymer polyanions (MVE) of well defined molecular weight ranging from 12,000 to 52,000 and Pyran Copolymer (NSC 46015), a MVE preparation with broader molecular weight range, were tested for their ability to mobilize murine stem cells, colony forming units spleen (CFU-S) and colony forming units in culture (CFU-C). Maximal mobilization of circulating stem cells was seen five days after Pyran Colopymer injection. This time point was chosen to determine the mobilization effect of different MVE preparations. It was found that the mobilization paralleled the molecular weight: the observed increase of circulation CFU-S by fractions MVE II, III, IV, and V and NSC 46015 were 3, 5, 14, and 20 fold.

Immunosuppressive effects of rabbit anti-canine brain serum

Liver absorbed rabbit anticanine brain serum (ABS) was tested for its immunosuppressive capacities in dogs. Single intravenous injection of ABS led to significant decrease in lymphocyte counts and functions after 24 hours, as measured by phytohemagglutinin stimulation and mixed lymphocyte culture. The immunosuppressive effectiveness of ABS could further be documented by prolongation of skin graft survival in unrelated dogs which were treated daily for 12 days with intramuscular ABS injections. The ABS was generally well-tolerated. One dog died of pneumonia. All dogs showed moderate decrease in platelet counts after 10 days of ABS treatment. Autopsies showed normal cerebral histology, moderate lymphoid hypoplasia, and no changes in the bone marrow and liver. The results suggest that liver absorbed anti-canine brain serum is a potent immunosuppressant with limited toxicity.

The myeloid progenitor cell: a parallel study of subpopulations in human marrow and peripheral blood

Ten persons who had no evident hematologic disorder or previous history of chemotherapy or irradiation were studied. Parallel in vitro agar cultures from marrow and peripheral blood were grown, colonies and clusters were scored and examined morphologically after 7 and 14 days of incubation. Mean marrow myeloid progenitor cell (CFUc) incidences after 7 and 14 days were 76 +/- 55.4 S.D. and 37.3 +/- 22.0 S.D. per 10(5)ficoll-hypaque interface cells respectively. Most of the colonies on day 7 were neutrophilic (median 86%). Eosinophil colonies made up only a minority (0%-2%) of the total number of colonies. By day 14 a decrease in neutrophil colonies (median 6%) and a rise in eosinophil colonies (median 37%) was observed. Most of the colonies on day 14 were mixed neutrophil-macrophage colonies (median 55%). Parallel studies from blood revealed no colony growth on day 7 except on one occasion. The mean cluster incidence was 1.1 +/- 0.9 S.D. per 10(5) mononuclear cells. Most of these colonies were identified as eosinophilic (median 83%). The relative incidence of various subpopulations of myeloid progenitor cells in marrow and blood is different. Cluster transplantation from peripheral blood cultures strongly suggests the possibility for separate eosinophil progenitor cells. However a possibility of a rare occurrence of bipotent neutrophil-eosinophil colony forming cell can not be completely excluded.

Autologous bone marrow transplantation in relapsed adult acute leukemia

From March, 1976 to February, 1979, 28 cases of adult acute leukemia of which 24 were evaluable were treated in irreversible relapse with high dose chemotherapy (piperazinedione) and supra-lethal total body irradiation (TBI) in conjunction with autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). The marrow cells grafted were collected and stored in liquid nitrogen at the time of remission. In 12 patients the marrow cells were fractionated using discontinuous albumin gradients in an attempt to separate normal cells from residual leukemic cells. Twelve patients achieved complete remission (CR); in 9 additional patients signs of engraftment were evident but death occurred before achievement of CR. Seven of 12 AML patients, which were treated with bone marrow transplantation as first treatment of their relapse, achieved CR. Four of 5 patients with ALL, whose bone marrows were collected during first remission, reached CR. The median CR duration was 4+ months and the median survival of the patients reaching CR was 6+ months. Autologous bone marrow transplantation offers a good chance of CR (66%) when marrow is collected during first remission and used as first treatment for AML in third relapse and ALL in second relapse.

Human leukocyte interferon preparation blocks granulopoietic differentiation

Since interferon administration in the treatment of some malignant conditions has been reported to cause leukopenia, we studied the effects of human leukocyte interferon preparation (HLIF) on myelopoiesis in vitro. The continual presence of HLIF in semisolid agar cultures caused a progressive decline in colony and a rise in cluster incidence with increasing concentrations of interferon. The total plating efficiency, however, remained nearly constant, regardless of the HLIF doses used. Morphological examination of the clusters demonstrated a progressively increasing percentage of immature granulocytic precursors with increasing HLIF concentrations. This suggests that HLIF causes leukopenia by blocking differentiation of marrow myeloid precursors.

Oral complications of bone marrow transplantation in adults with acute leukemia

In recent years bone marrow transplantation has become increasingly feasible for treating adult acute leukemia unresponsive to chemotherapy. However, the technique is not without significant intrinsic morbidity. The mouth is a singularly sensitive reflector of the cytotoxic, infectious, and hemorrhagic complications and of the graft-vs-host reactions associated with bone marrow transplantation in refractory acute leukemia.

The collection, preservation and function of peripheral blood hematopoietic cells in dogs

Semicontinuous flow centrifugation (SFC) was employed in canines to obtain adequate numbers of cells for autologous marrow repopulation following supralethal cyclophosphamide administration (100 mg per kg). Four cycles using a 225 ml bowl and 30 ml per minute flow rate were carried out for procurement. Collections averaged 8.4 +/- 0.4 x 10(9) (n = 30) leukocytes. Mononuclear cells (MNC) comprised 75 +/- 2% of the population and granulocyte colony-forming units (CFU-C) totaled 1.9 +/- 0.09 x 10(5) colonies per collection. Eighty-six percent of mononuclear cells were "T" cells in the 30 to 90 second fraction compared to 49% at 150 to 120 seconds. CFU-C fractionation revealed a peak at 30-210 seconds and a second peak at 120-210 seconds. Following programed freezing and rapid thawing 77.7 +/- 11.4% of CFU-C were recovered. Using a dose of 1 x10(9) MNC per kg for reinfusion, marrow repopulation and clinical recovery occurred in four out of four dogs. It was concluded that 1) SFC was effective for obtaining adequate numbers of peripheral blood stem cells for autologous marrow repopulation. 2) A rapid thawing and direct transfusion technique appears satisfactory for administration. 3) Some separation of "T", "B" and CFU-C peripheral blood components is possible by centrifugation.

Cytogenetic evidence for recurrence of acute myelogenous leukemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in donor hematopoietic cells

A 22-yr-old man with acute myelocytic leukemia received a bone marrow transplant from a genotypically HLA-identical female sibling after cyclophosphamide preparation. He remained in complete remission for 18 mo, when he developed a chloroma in the perineum. The chloroma was treated with local radiotherapy. The chloroma recurred 8 mo later and was treated with radiotherapy followed by combination chemotherapy. At 34 mo after transplant, marrow relapse and chloroma were documented. The first chloroma contained host cells by fluorescent Y-chromatin body analyses of interphase nuclei. All metaphase cells and karyotypes from peripheral blood and marrow samples showed no evidence of host cells from 3 wk after transplant through the time of marrow relapse. Data from autosomal and sex chromosome studies indicate that the marrow relapse occurred in cells of donor origin. A new consistent chromosome abnormality [45, X, -X, t(8;21) (q22; q22)] was observed in a majority of donor cells. The patient received a second bone marrow transplant from the same donor after preparation with busulfan and cyclophosphamide and attained a complete remission with full hematologic engraftment.

Intralesional Bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy of canine venereal tumors

Canine transmissible venereal tumors were studied for response to intralesional Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy. Six pairs of littermates, identical for the major histocompatibility complex, were evaluated. One member of each pair received intralesional BCG to one of two growing tumors. Lesions of control animals received 0.9% NaCl solution. Both injected and noninjected lesions of BCG-treated animals underwent regression within 63 days, as compared to an extended period of tumor growth (beyond 100 days) for controls (p less than 0.05). Serial in vitro assays during therapy included; (a) mixed lymphocyte-tumor culture, (b) phytohemagglutinin stimulation, and (c) assessment of lymphocyte surface markers. Lymphocytes from BCG-treated dogs were significantly more responsive to tumor cells in mixed lymphocyte-tumor culture assay than were those from controls (p less than 0.05). Maximal responses occurred during tumor regression. T- and B-lymphocyte levels as assayed by rosette formation and surface marker immunoglobulins were not influenced by BCG therapy. It was concluded that intralesional BCG therapy of canine venereal tumors was highly effective in causing regression of injected and noninjected lesions. This tumor model system may be useful for the evaluation of the effectiveness of new immunotherapeutic approaches on established neoplasms in large, randomly bred animals.