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Biomedical subjects

H Gadner

Publications and source records attributed to H Gadner.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Origin of human mast cells: development from transplanted hematopoietic stem cells after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Although mast cells are hematopoietic cells, little is known about the origin of their precursors in vivo. In this study, the origin (donor v recipient genotype) of human mast cells (MCs) was analyzed in a patient who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The patient presented with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (French-American-British classification, M2) arising from refractory anemia with excess of blast cells and bone marrow (BM) mastocytosis. Transplantation was performed in chemotherapy-induced complete remission. On days 88, 126, 198, and 494 after BMT, mast cells were enriched to homogeneity from bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM MNCs) by cell sorting for CD117+/CD34- cells. Purified mast cell populations were CD117(c-kit)+ (> 95%), CD34- (< 1%), CD3- (< 1%), CD14- (< 1%), and virtually free of contaminating cells as assessed by Giemsa staining. The genotype of MCs was analyzed after amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) region within intron 40 of the von Willebrand factor (vWF) gene. Unexpectedly, on days 88 and 126 after BMT, sorted MCs displayed recipient genotype as shown by vWF.VNTR-PCR. However, on days 198 and 494, PCR analysis showed a switch to donor genotype in isolated mast cells. Peripheral blood (PB) and BM MNC as well as highly enriched (sorted) CD3+ T cells (PB, BM), CD4+ helper T cells (PB), CD8+ T cells (PB), CD19+ B cells (PB), CD14+ monocytes (PB, BM), and CD34+ precursor cells (BM) showed donor genotype throughout the observation period. Together, these results provide evidence that human MCs developed in vivo from transplanted hematopoietic stem cells. Engraftment and in vivo differentiation of MCs from early hematopoietic progenitor cells may be a prolonged process.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗

Etoposide in combination with cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation or busulfan as conditioning for marrow transplantation in adults and children.

PURPOSE: In an attempt to intensify conditioning therapy for bone marrow transplantation of hematologic malignancies, a retrospective three center evaluation of escalating doses of etoposide added to cyclophosphamide and either total body irradiation or busulfan was undertaken. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Seventy-six patients who received etoposide (25-65 mg/kg) added to cyclophosphamide (60-120 mg/kg) and either total body irradiation (12.0-13.2 Gy) or busulfan (12-16 mg/kg) were evaluable for toxicity. Fifty-one of the evaluable patients received allogeneic transplants, while twenty-six received autologous transplants. A comparative analysis of toxicities according to conditioning regimen, donor source and etoposide dose was made. RESULTS: Similar toxicities were observed among the treatment groups with the exception of more frequent skin (p = 0.003) and life threatening hepatic toxicities (p = 0.01) in the busulfan treated patients. Life threatening or fatal toxicities were not influenced by donor source, either when analyzed by treatment group or etoposide dose. Etoposide at a dose of 60-65 mg/kg in combination with TBI and cyclophosphamide was associated with a significantly increased incidence of life threatening or fatal toxicities compared with a combination using a dose of 25-50 mg/kg (15 of 24 vs. 5 of 20; p = 0.013). The maximally tolerated dose of etoposide in combination with busulfan and cyclophosphamide cannot be definitively established in this analysis in part due to the heterogeneity of the patient population and treatment schemes. CONCLUSION: Although toxicities with bone marrow transplant preparative regimens containing etoposide in combination with cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation or busulfan were frequently severe, treatment related mortality risk was believed to be acceptably low.

Adolescent↗

Flow cytometric assessment of human MIC2 expression in bone marrow, thymus, and peripheral blood.

The cell-surface expression of the MIC2 antigen defined by the monoclonal antibody 12E7 was investigated on human leukocytes in bone marrow (BM), thymus, and peripheral blood (PB) using multiparameter flow cytometry and cell sorting. In contrast to preceding reports, we found that the MIC2 antigen is not restricted to T cells and monocytes. We show that it is also expressed in the B cell and in the granulocytic lineage, the levels of expression being related to distinct maturational stages. CD34+ cells of BM were found to express the antigen at high levels. Along the granulocytic maturation pathway from CD34+CD33+ blasts to mature granulocytes, MIC2 densities appeared progressively reduced with a considerable decline at the myelocyte stage. In B lymphopoiesis, the earliest CD34+ CD10+ B-cell precursor (BCP) cells, further subdivided by expression of CD19, displayed the highest MIC2 density of BM leukocytes. All later BCP stages showed lower MIC2 expression levels, with a remarkable reduction concomitant with loss of the CD34 antigen at the CD10+CD20- surface mu-chain- stage, and a subsequent slight upregulation along with maturation to CD10-CD20high surface mu-chain+ BCPs. The brightest MIC2 expression of all cells tested was displayed by the most immature thymic T-lineage cells characterized by the antigenic profile CD34weakor- CD7++ surface CD3-CD1a(weak) CD4weak CD8-or weak. Common thymocytes stained slightly less intense with 12E7, whereas all subsequent stages of T-lineage cells in thymus, PB, or BM showed markedly reduced MIC2 levels. Mature peripheral CD4+ as well as CD8+ T cells displayed a bimodal distribution of MIC2. In the CD4+ population, the distinct MIC2 levels were related to the well-studied functional subdivision by differential expression of CD45 isoforms, the helper-inducer/memory subset showing higher MIC2 expression than helper-suppressor/naive CD4+ T cells. Similarly high MIC2 densities were found on CD16+ natural killer cells and on CD14+ monocytes, whereas mature peripheral B cells exhibited low or intermediate expression, and granulocytes exhibited no or only dim expression. These results document that the MIC2 antigen (1) is expressed on all leukocyte lineages; (2) is differentially expressed during T- and B-lymphoid, as well as granulocytic maturation; (3) shows highest expression in the most immature lymphocytic and granulocytic developmental stages; and (4) is also differentially expressed on functional T-cell subsets. We speculate that these observations imply a functional significance of MIC2 in the network of hematopoietic adhesion pathways.

12E7 Antigen↗

Detection of numerical and structural chromosome abnormalities in pediatric germ cell tumors by means of interphase cytogenetics.

In contrast to the cytogenetically well characterized testicular germ cell tumors (GCT) in adults, reports on cytogenetic studies in pediatric GCT are scarce. The presence of an i(12p) and numerical abnormalities involving chromosome 12 are the most frequent cytogenetic changes in GCT of adults. We have performed in situ hybridization (ISH) studies on paraffin sections and on isolated nuclei of 13 pediatric GCT with particular emphasis on those chromosome abnormalities that are common in adult GCT. These include numerical and structural abnormalities of chromosomes 1 and 12 as well as numerical deviations of chromosomes 8, 10, X, and Y. The histological subsets of the tumors investigated included two dysgerminomas (DGE), one seminoma (SE), two embryonal carcinomas (EC), four mixed and two pure yolk sac tumors (YST), and one undifferentiated (IT) and one differentiated teratoma (TD). Similar to the GCT in adults, additional copies of chromosome 12 were the most frequently observed numerical abnormalities. In contrast to the findings in adult GCT, changes in the size of the pericentromeric hybridization signals of chromosome 12, suggesting the presence of i(12p) chromosomes, were found in only two cases. No chromosome abnormalities were found in the pure TD or in the TD cells of mixed tumors containing a YST component. In the YST portion, however, Ip deletions and/or numerical chromosome changes were present. Surprisingly, deletions of the short arm of chromosome I, del(I)(p36.3), were frequent in pediatric GCT and were the sole abnormality detected in two cases. The Ip36 deletions were present in all stage-IV EC and YST investigated and were absent in the relatively benign TD and in one YST stage-I. Therefore, Ip36 deletions may have value as a prognostic marker in pediatric GCT.

Adolescent↗

Treatment strategy for disseminated Langerhans cell histiocytosis. DAL HX-83 Study Group.

Treatment of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) remains problematic. To test the hypothesis that rapid initiation and long-term continuation of chemotherapy can improve survival and reduce recurrence and late consequences of disseminated LCH, we have completed a prospective clinical trial (DAL HX-83). One hundred six newly diagnosed patients were stratified into three risk groups (A: multifocal bone disease [n = 28]; B: soft tissue involvement without organ dysfunction [n = 57]; C: organ dysfunction [n = 21]). All patients received an identical initial 6-week treatment (etoposide [VP-16], prednisone, and vinblastine), and continuation treatment for 1 year, slightly adapted according to stratification at diagnosis. It included oral 6-mercaptopurine and eight pulses of vinblastine and prednisone for all patients, plus VP-16 in group B and VP-16 and methotrexate in group C. Eighty-nine percent and 91% of patients in groups A and B and 67% of the most severely affected group C, achieved complete resolution of disease. The speed of resolution was rapid (median 4 months) and independent of disease severity. The frequency of recurrence after initial resolution was low (12%, 23%, and 42% in groups A, B and C); overall fully 77% of patients have remained free of recurrence. Permanent consequences developed after diagnosis in 20% of the patients. Diabetes insipidus after initiation of treatment occurred in only 10% of patients. Mortality (9%) was limited to patients of groups B (two patients) and C (eight patients). Finally, among the 106 patients treated by DAL HX-83 none have developed a malignancy (median follow-up 6 years, 9 months). The shorter duration of active disease, low rate of recurrence and permanent consequences, and improved survival among patients with poor prognosis support the strategy of rapid initiation of a predefined prolonged treatment upon the diagnosis of disseminated LCH.

Adolescent↗

LCH-I: a randomized trial of etoposide vs. vinblastine in disseminated Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The Histiocyte Society.

An international randomized trial in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) has been initiated by the Histiocyte Society. This report reviews the rationale, design, and progress of LCH-I, which compares etoposide (VP-16) and vinblastine in the treatment of disseminated LCH. Data on the risk of etoposide-associated (therapy-induced) malignancy, in the setting of histiocytosis, are reviewed. The available evidence leads to the recommendation that the study of etoposide in LCH should be continued.

Drug Administration Schedule↗

Interphase cytogenetic study of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We used the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique and centromere-specific probes for chromosomes 1, 6, 8, 10, 12, 17, 18, X, and Y to investigate the presence and number of the respective chromosomes in interphase nuclei of 14 cases of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) which were shown to be hyperdiploid by DNA flow cytometry irrespective of their cytogenetic pattern. Numerical anomalies for one or more chromosomes were detected in all 14 cases. The FISH results were compared with those obtained by conventional cytogenetic analysis. A hyperdiploid karyotype was evident in 5 cases, the others were either normal or lacking cytogenetic results because of technical failure. In the 5 cytogenetically hyperdiploid cases, 14 numerical abnormalities were observed with both techniques, whereas 4 numerical deviations were found only with FISH. In 9 other cases which had a DNA content indicating hyperdiploidy, 34 trisomies and 2 tetrasomies were detected by FISH analysis. Furthermore, in 1 case duplication of the Y chromosome and in 3 male cases duplication of the X chromosome were evident. Double-target FISH experiments in 2 patients allowed the correlation of numerical aberrations of 2 chromosomes in one and the same cell. By such analyses, detection of subpopulations of tumor cells was found to be relatively easy. Our results indicate that the FISH technique with chromosome-specific repetitive centromeric probes is a rapid, simple to use, and easy to interpret technique for the evaluation of numerical chromosomal aberrations in interphase nuclei of leukemias.

Aneuploidy↗

Tolerance of high doses of amphotericin B by infusion of a liposomal formulation in children with cancer.

Conventional amphotericin B (Amph-B) is the drug of choice for treating systemic fungal infections. Recently, a new formulation has become available, encapsulated in liposomes (Amph-lip). This new form of administration was developed in order to lower the acute side effects and to offer the possibility of administering high doses of amphotericin B. Experience with Amph-lip is limited, especially in children. We treated four children with documented systemic fungal infections with Amph-lip and administered it empirically to 12 children. Fifteen of these 16 children were severely granulocytopenic oncologic patients. One 3-month-old baby suffered from systemic candidiasis. Amph-lip was preferred to conventional Amph-B in children with organ dysfunction developing as a consequence of conventional chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation, after failure of conventional Amph-B to improve a fungal infection, and after adverse drug reactions had occurred. The daily doses of Amph-lip ranged from 1 to 6 mg/kg (median 3 mg/kg), the cumulative doses from 13 to 311 mg/kg (median 75 mg/kg). Acute adverse reactions or organ function abnormalities attributable to Amph-lip did not occur in 402 administrations. Amph-lip has proven to be well tolerated by children in terms of acute toxicity and in the long term. Although large cumulative doses were given, organ function abnormalities attributable to Amph-lip doses were not detected in any of ten long-term survivors over a median observation time of 36 months (range 30-44 months). Amph-lip appears to be a promising alternative antifungal treatment, especially for patients with impaired organ function, when high doses of amphotericin B are necessary.

Adolescent↗

Does cord blood contain enough progenitor cells for transplantation?

We analyzed 125 blood samples obtained from umbilical cord immediately after delivery of full-term neonates. Between 0.1 and 10.4% (mean 1.13%, SD 1.34) of the density-separated glycophorin A (GPA)-negative mononuclear cells (MNC) expressed CD34 as analyzed by flow cytometry. These hematopoietic progenitor cells did not coexpress CD19, and the majority were negative for CD45RA. The number of MNC determined per ml cord blood ranged from 1 x 10(5) to 200 x 10(5) (mean 20.2 x 10(5), SD 24.7). Regression analysis revealed that a mean of 56% (n = 26, R = 0.8) and 120% (n = 35, R = 0.94) of the analyzed CD34+ MNC gave rise to day 14 colonies in the clonogenic assay when cultured without or with stem cell factor (SCF). The number and the exact phenotype of progenitor cells required for successful transplantation are not known. If the transplantation of 5 x 10(5) CD34% cells/kg body weight is required for engraftment and one-third of the progenitor cells are lost to cell processing, and if 180 ml blood can be collected from a single umbilical cord (and placenta), our data suggest that 90% of the collections do not contain enough precursors to transplant a 25 kg recipient. To meet these conditions, an average of 1439 ml cord blood would be necessary for transplantation.

Colony-Forming Units Assay↗

T cell differentiation and generation of the antigen-specific T cell repertoire in man: observations in MHC class II deficiency.

The circulating T cell pool of an MHC class II-deficient patient was shown to lack the MHC class II-specific T cell functions. This was demonstrated by the absence of MHC class II-specific alloreactive T cells and a substantially decreased number of circulating CD4+ lymphocytes. The patient's T cells did respond to an allostimulus, although the restriction pattern of this reaction remains speculative. The function and distribution of peripheral T cell subsets from the patient resemble findings in MHC class II-deficient mice, which also lack interaction of T cell precursors with MHC class II-bearing accessory cells during thymic differentiation. Our data support the concept that T cell differentiation in humans is similar, and that the human MHC-restricted T cell repertoire depends on prior interaction of T cell precursors with self MHC.

Base Sequence↗

Successful treatment strategy for Ki-1 anaplastic large-cell lymphoma of childhood: a prospective analysis of 62 patients enrolled in three consecutive Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster group studies.

PURPOSE: To prove prospectively the efficacy of a short-pulse chemotherapy for treatment of Ki-1 anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) of childhood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 1983 to December 1992, 62 patients (median age, 9.7 years) with newly diagnosed Ki-1 ALCL were enrolled onto Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma-Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster (NHL-BFM) studies 83, 86, and 90. The most frequent immunophenotype was T cell. Ki-1 ALCL differed from other subsets of NHL of childhood by the more frequent involvement of bone, soft tissue, and skin, and by the lack of bone marrow (BM) disease. A 5-day prephase course (prednisone/cyclophosphamide) was followed by two different 5-day courses of chemotherapy: course A consisted of dexamethasone, methotrexate (MTX) 0.5 g/m2 (24-hour infusion), intrathecal chemotherapy, ifosfamide, cytarabine (Ara-C), and etoposide (VP-16); course B consisted of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin instead of ifosfamide, and Ara-C/VP-16, respectively. Treatment was stratified into three branches. Branch 1 (stage I and stage II resected) received three courses; branch 2 (stage II not resected, stage III), six courses; and branch 3 (stage IV), six intensified courses containing MTX 5 g/m2, and Ara-C 2 g/m2. Local radiotherapy was not performed. RESULTS: Four patients failed to enter remission, and one died of infection. Seven patients relapsed within 9 months after diagnosis; two patients had isolated local relapses, but BM and CNS were never involved. Fifty patients have been in first continuous complete remission (CR) for 0.6 to 9.7 years (median, 2.5), and 56 are alive. The probabilities for survival and event-free survival (EFS) at 9 years are 83% +/- 7% (SE) and 81% +/- 5%. Skin involvement was the only negative prognostic parameter. CONCLUSION: Short-pulse chemotherapy over 2 to 5 months without local therapy modalities is effective in the treatment of Ki-1 ALCL.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of auto versus allografting as consolidation of primary treatments in advanced neuroblastoma over one year of age at diagnosis: report from the European Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation.

A case control study was performed to investigate the potential advantage of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in advanced or poorly responding neuroblastoma first remission patients using the European BMT Solid Tumor Registry. Seventeen allogeneic and 34 autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) cases were matched based on a number of prognostic factors including age, sex, prior treatment duration, pre-graft response status and bone and BM involvement before BMT. Only single BMT procedures are included. The median age at diagnosis was 47 months (range 18-113 months). The median follow-up time since BMT is 58 months (range 13-133 months). The only significant prognostic factor within the allogeneic BMT (p = 0.012) and autologous BMT groups (p = 0.025) was residual skeletal disease before BMT, detected by mIBG in 86% of the cases. However, the progression-free survival was not significantly different: 35% and 41% at 2 years, respectively. Only half of the allogeneic BMT patients had developed graft-versus-host disease (GVHD): 7 of 9 grade I-II and only 2 of 9 grade IV. The median donor age was very young with 74 months (range 20-240 months) and 10 of 17 were sex matched. Thus absence of GVHD risk factors in young children could be the major obstacle in achieving an anti-tumor effect with allogeneic BMT in neuroblastoma.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗