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Biomedical subjects

M Q Lacy

Publications and source records attributed to M Q Lacy.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Myeloablative chemotherapy with stem cell rescue for the treatment of primary systemic amyloidosis: a status report.

Stem cell transplantation has been incorporated in the treatment of primary systemic amyloidosis for 5 years. Results reported to date suggest that the response rates are substantially better than those for patients treated with low-dose traditional melphalan and prednisone chemotherapy. Unexpectedly high mortality rates have, however, been reported with stem cell transplantation, reaching 40% in some series. This unexpectedly high mortality appears to be related to multiorgan failure of tissues infiltrated with amyloid deposits. Deaths have been reported from gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage, gastrointestinal tract perforation, sudden cardiac death, and renal failure. The best patient for transplantation appears to have single organ involvement, an age <55 years, the absence of renal insufficiency, and no symptomatic cardiac dysfunction. Patients eligible to receive stem cell transplant represent a highly selected population, and before conclusions about the efficacy of transplantation are drawn, comparison with a matched control group is necessary. Amyloidosis should be considered an indication for stem cell transplantation in the context of a clinical trial so that results can be compiled and reported for an accurate assessment of response rate, survival, relapse rates and treatment-related toxicities. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 25, 465-470.

Age Factors↗

Delayed stem cell transplantation for the management of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

The optimal timing of stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma is controversial. Late stem cell collection is undesirable because of the inability to mobilize stem cells. We report on 64 recipients of stem cells collected within 1 year after diagnosis, none of whom had transplantation in plateau phase of their disease. Patients seen within 12 months after diagnosis received four cycles of standard vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (VAD) chemotherapy and then had stem cells mobilized. Patients were then placed on maintenance vincristine, BCNU, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone or melphalan and prednisone chemotherapy for 12 cycles. At the sign of first progression, transplantation occurred. Fourteen patients were refractory to VAD chemotherapy, 20 relapsed on maintenance chemotherapy, and 30 relapsed off chemotherapy. The time to platelet engraftment was not affected by the duration of stem cell cryopreservation or extent of chemotherapy exposure after mobilization. The complete response rate was 34%. The actuarial median survival from initial diagnosis, from transplant day 0, and post-transplant progression-free survival was 51, 20 and 11.4 months, respectively. The patient status at transplantation and percentage of plasma cells circulating in the blood at apheresis influenced post-transplant survival; circulating plasma cells, status at transplantation and plasma cell labeling index influenced progression-free survival. Response duration was shorter in patients relapsing on chemotherapy.

Adult↗

Effect of complete response on outcome following autologous stem cell transplantation for myeloma.

We studied the effect of complete response (CR) among 126 consecutive patients who underwent stem cell transplantation (SCT) for myeloma. The CR rate with SCT was 33%. Median overall survival (OS) from diagnosis of myeloma was 56 months. OS following SCT was 22 months. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 12 months. OS was not different between patients who achieved CR and those who did not, median survival 25 vs 24 months, P = 0.5. Corresponding median times for PFS were 15 and 11 months, P = 0.2. The plasma cell labeling index (PCLI) was high (> or = 1%) in 36% (high risk group) and was associated with poor OS and PFS (P < 0.001). Achieving CR did not influence OS or PFS in either the high or the low risk group. In contrast, OS and PFS were significantly influenced by high PCLI both in patients who achieved CR and those who did not. OS was poor (< 30 months) in high risk patients regardless of CR status and in low risk patients who did not achieve CR, compared to low risk patients achieving CR (57 months), making them candidates for novel post-transplant treatment options. Outcome following SCT is dependent more on biological variables such as the PCLI than on CR status.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Blood stem cell transplantation as therapy for primary systemic amyloidosis (AL).

This study investigated the response rate and toxicity of blood cell transplantation as treatment for primary amyloidosis (AL). Twenty-three patients had stem cells collected between November 1995 and September 1998. Conditioning included melphalan and total body irradiation in 16 and melphalan alone in 4. Three patients did not undergo stem cell infusion because of poor performance status. Two died of progressive amyloid at 1 and 3 months. One patient is alive on hemodialysis. Fourteen males and six females (median age, 57 years) underwent transplantation. Renal, cardiac (by echocardiography), peripheral neuropathy or liver amyloidosis occurred in 14, 12, 3, and 1, respectively. Echocardiography demonstrated an interventricular septal thickness > or = 15 mm in six patients, five of whom died post transplantation. Three patients died of progressive amyloidosis at 7, 7, and 21 months. Thirteen patients are alive with a follow-up of 3 to 26 months. Twelve (60%) fulfilled the criteria of a hematologic or organ response. Severe gastrointestinal tract toxicity was seen in five (25%). We conclude that blood cell transplantation for amyloidosis had a much higher morbidity and mortality compared with transplantation for myeloma. The best results appear to occur in patients with nephrotic syndrome as the only manifestation of their disease.

Adult↗

Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia: a prospective study comparing daily with intermittent oral chlorambucil.

This prospective study compared continuous and intermittent chlorambucil therapy of untreated Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia. The diagnosis was established by the presence of an IgM monoclonal (M-) protein in the serum, an infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the bone marrow, anaemia or other laboratory abnormalities, physical findings or constitutional symptoms. Patients were randomized to receive chlorambucil 0.1 mg/kg/d or chlorambucil 0.3 mg/kg/d orally for 7 d, repeated every 6 weeks. Criteria for response included 50% or more reduction of serum M-protein, increase in haemoglobin level of 2 g/dl without transfusion, >/= 50% decrease of urine M-protein, or a reduction of 2 cm in the size of the liver, spleen or lymph nodes. Forty-six patients were randomized to continuous chlorambucil (n = 24) or to intermittent chlorambucil (n = 22). Nineteen (79%) (95% CI = 58-93) of the 24 patients given continuous therapy had an objective improvement by either reduction of serum M-protein or increase in haemoglobin. Fifteen (68%) (95% CI = 45-86) of the 22 patients given chlorambucil intermittently had an objective response. The size of the liver decreased by >/= 2 cm in 55% of patients, and the size of the spleen decreased >/= 2 cm in 67%. Lymphadenopathy decreased in 71%. Acute leukaemia or refractory anaemia developed in four patients. The median duration of survival was 5.4 years, and there was no difference between the regimens. Chlorambucil is effective for the treatment of Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia. Patients must be treated for at least 6 months before therapy is abandoned because response is slow. Chlorambucil is an effective agent and should be compared with purine analogues or rituxan (Rituximab) in a prospective study.

Aged↗

Fatal pulmonary toxicity related to the administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in amyloidosis: a report and review of growth factor-induced pulmonary toxicity.

We report on a 59-year-old man with renal amyloidosis who died after three doses of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor were administered. Noncardiac pulmonary edema was precipitated by the growth factor. Autopsy revealed amyloid in the lung not visible by plain chest radiograph. Patients with amyloidosis who are candidates for stem cell transplantation and are mobilized with growth factors must be monitored for unexpected pulmonary toxicity. We review the in vitro experimental evidence as well as the clinical data on the pulmonary toxicity of growth factors.

Amyloidosis↗

Thalidomide in the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the efficacy of therapy with thalidomide, a drug that has antiangiogenic properties, in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 16 patients (median age, 64 years) who received thalidomide for relapsed myeloma at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between November 1998 and August 1999. Treatment consisted of thalidomide given orally at a dose of 200 mg/d for 2 weeks, then increased by 200 mg/d every 2 weeks, up to a maximal dose of 800 mg/d. RESULTS: The stage of myeloma at treatment was Durie-Salmon IIIA in 9 patients (56%) and IIIB in 7 (44%). The median time from myeloma diagnosis to initiation of thalidomide therapy was 32 months. In 4 patients (25%) prior stem cell transplantation had failed, and 14 (88%) had received 2 or more prior chemotherapeutic regimens before institution of thalidomide. All patients were evaluable for response. Four (25%) achieved a partial response to therapy, with a greater than 50% reduction in the serum or urine M protein level. Responses lasted 2, 4+, 8, and 10+ months. Major adverse effects included constipation, sedation, rash, and peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSION: Thalidomide is an active agent in the treatment of patients with advanced myeloma.

Administration, Oral↗

Prognostic value of bone marrow angiogenesis in multiple myeloma.

We studied the prognostic value of angiogenesis grading and microvessel density estimation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Seventy-five patients with newly diagnosed myeloma, treated on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Protocol E9486 and Intergroup study 0141 (S9321) at the Mayo Clinic, were studied. Bone marrow microvessels were examined using immunohistochemical staining for von Willebrand factor. Determination of microvessel density and angiogenesis grading was done in a blinded manner. There was a strong correlation between microvessel density and the plasma cell labeling index, rho 0.42, P < 0.001. Angiogenesis grade was also significantly associated with the plasma cell labeling index. Fifteen % of patients with low-grade angiogenesis had a high labeling index (>1%). In contrast, 47% of patients with intermediate or high-grade angiogenesis had high labeling indices (P = 0.02). Overall survival was significantly different among those with high-, intermediate-, and low-grade angiogenesis, with median times of 2, 4, and 4.4 years, respectively (P = 0.02). Similarly, patients with microvessel density >50/x400 field had poorer survival compared with those with 50 or fewer microvessels/field, median survival 2.6 versus 5.1 years, respectively (P = 0.004). There was a strong association between angiogenesis grade and microvessel density (P < 0.001). We conclude that bone marrow angiogenesis is a predictor of poor survival in newly diagnosed myeloma. Angiogenesis is correlated with the plasma cell labeling index but not the bone marrow plasma cell percentage. A simple visual grading of angiogenesis is an efficient alternative to microvessel density estimation.

Bone Marrow↗

Long-term survival (10 years or more) in 30 patients with primary amyloidosis.

The median survival in primary systemic (AL) amyloidosis is less than 18 months. No published series of patients with AL amyloidosis have reported survival of more than 10 years. The records of all Mayo Clinic patients with a diagnosis of AL amyloidosis between January 1, 1966 and March 1, 1987 were reviewed. Patients with secondary amyloidosis, familial amyloidosis, senile systemic amyloidosis, and localized amyloidosis were excluded. During the 21 years of the study, 841 patients with AL amyloidosis were seen. Of these, 29 were excluded because the diagnosis was made at autopsy, and 2 others were excluded because no follow-up data were available. Actuarial survival for the 810 patients was 51% at 1 year, 16% at 5 years, and 4.7% at 10 years. Thirty patients survived for 10 years or more after the histologic diagnosis of AL amyloidosis; all received alkylating-agent therapy. In 14 patients, the monoclonal protein disappeared from the serum or urine. Of 10 patients with nephrotic syndrome, 4 had an objective response. Congestive heart failure, older age, creatinine value of 2 mg/dL or more, bone marrow plasma cell value of 20% or more, platelet count of 500 x 10(9)/L or less, and the presence of peripheral neuropathy were underrepresented in the 10-year survivors and are unfavorable prognostic features. Five percent of patients with AL amyloidosis survived for 10 years or more.

Adult↗

Comparison of interleukin-1 beta expression by in situ hybridization in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and multiple myeloma.

We investigated whether interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is differentially expressed in plasma cells from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma (MM) patients because IL-1beta appears to play a major role in the development of lytic bone lesions, the major clinical feature distinguishing MGUS from myeloma. In situ hybridization (ISH) for IL-1beta was performed using bone marrow aspirates from 51 MM, 7 smoldering MM, 21 MGUS, and 5 normal control samples. Using the ISH technique IL-1beta mRNA was detectable in the plasma cells from 49 of 51 patients with active myeloma and 7 of 7 patients with smoldering myeloma. In contrast, 5 of 21 patients with MGUS and 0 of 5 normal controls had detectable IL-1beta message. Bone lesions were present in 40 of the 51 MM patients analyzed, and all 40 patients had IL-1beta mRNA by ISH. These results show that greater than 95% of MM patients but less than 25% of MGUS patients are positive for IL-1beta production. In the future, continued follow-up of IL-1beta positive and negative MGUS patients should determine whether aberrant expression of plasma cell IL-1beta is predictive of those MGUS patients that will eventually progress to active myeloma.

Flow Cytometry↗

Phase II trial of high-dose dexamethasone for previously treated immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis.

Immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis (AL) is a rare disorder characterized by production of a monoclonal light chain. This insoluble light chain, or a fragment thereof, deposits in tissues as amyloid and results in disruption of organ function and, ultimately, in death. Although melphalan and prednisone are beneficial in approximately 30% of patients with the disease, many patients fail to respond, and the median survival with this disease remains < 2 years. There is a need for new agents for those patients who fail to respond to melphalan-based chemotherapy. A study was undertaken of high-dose dexamethasone in the treatment of 19 patients with AL because of reports of its benefits in previously untreated patients with amyloidosis and its known activity in the management of multiple myeloma, which has many characteristics in common with AL. In this cohort, 3 of 19 patients showed an objective organ response of the disease. The median survival of the entire group was 11.2 months. We conclude that high-dose dexamethasone therapy is of occasional benefit in patients previously treated for amyloidosis. Combining dexamethasone with other therapies may increase the response rate.

Aged↗

Phase II trial of high-dose dexamethasone for untreated patients with primary systemic amyloidosis.

Primary systemic amyloidosis is the disorder that results from the deposition of insoluble immunoglobulin light chain fragments. Patients seen within 30 days of diagnosis have a median survival of 13 months. Patients treated with melphalan and prednisone have a median survival of 17 months. There is a need for new therapies. A prospective study was undertaken of high-dose dexamethasone in the treatment of 25 patients with previously untreated primary systemic amyloidosis. Treatment was similar to that given to patients with multiple myeloma. In this cohort, three patients showed objective regression with organ-specific improvement of the disease. The median survival of the entire group was 13.8 months. High-dose dexamethasone is of occasional benefit in patients with amyloidosis but does not appear to be superior to melphalan and prednisone chemotherapy.

Adult↗

Cytogenetic abnormalities correlate with the plasma cell labeling index and extent of bone marrow involvement in myeloma.

Chromosomal abnormalities have biologic and prognostic significance in multiple myeloma, especially among patients with relapsed disease. We report the relationship between chromosomal abnormalities and known prognostic factors such as plasma cell labeling index (PCLI) and bone marrow plasma cell involvement in 75 consecutive patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation for relapsed or refractory myeloma. Thirty of 70 patients (43%) had a chromosomally abnormal clone in their bone marrow, and in most cases the karyotype was complex (> 3 abnormalities). Patients with an abnormal clone on cytogenetic analysis had a higher PCLI (median, 1.4) than patients with a normal karyotype (0.2) (P < 0.001). Bone marrow plasma cell percentage also differed: median 48% versus 20%, respectively (P < 0.001). The PCLI and bone marrow plasma cell percentage correlated positively with the percentage of abnormal metaphases on conventional cytogenetic analysis: rho 0.60 (P < 0.001) and 0.46 (P < 0.001), respectively. We categorized patients into those with 20% or more abnormal metaphases, less than 20% abnormal metaphases, and only normal metaphases. The median PCLI values were 3.3, 1.1, and 0.3, respectively (P < 0.001). The bone marrow plasma cell percentage median values were 62%, 40%, and 25%, respectively (P = 0.003). Chromosomal abnormalities may offer a proliferative advantage to the neoplastic plasma cell, thereby leading to an unfavorable outcome.

Adult↗

Amyloidosis.

Amyloidosis is considered rare but has an incidence similar to that of Hodgkin's disease and chronic granulocytic leukemia. The diagnosis should be considered in any patient with unexplained nephrotic-range proteinuria, heart failure, peripheral neuropathy, or hepatomegaly. If a monoclonal protein is found in a patient with any of these clinical presentations, a biopsy should be performed and the specimen stained with Congo red. The simplest source of diagnostic material is subcutaneous fat tissue. Treatment usually consists of chemotherapy, which may be oral and low dose or high dose with stem cell rescue.

Adipose Tissue↗

Acquired Fanconi's syndrome associated with monoclonal gammopathies.

Franconi's syndrome is a rare complication of the monoclonal gammopathies characterized by diffuse failure in reabsorption at the level of the proximal renal tubule resulting in glycosuria, generalized aminoaciduria, and hypophosphatemia. Current evidence suggests monoclonal light chains that are incompletely digested in renal tubule lysosomes cause renal injury. The light-chain fragments serve as a nidus for crystal formation, and the crystals interfere with a broad range of apical membrane transporters. Franconi's syndrome is predominantly associated with monoclonal kappa in the urine, but rare instances of FS caused by lambda light chains have been described. Overt hematologic malignancies such as multiple myeloma, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, or other lymphoproliferative disorders occur in one third of patients. Clinical manifestations include slowly progressive renal failure and bone pain caused by osteomalacia. The osteomalacia is caused by chronic hypophosphatemia and may be exacerbated by secondary hyperparathyroidism and renal tubular acidosis. Treatment consists of supplementation with phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin D. The osteomalacia is often completely reversible with mineral supplementation. Patients with an associated symptomatic malignancy or rapidly progressive renal failure may also benefit from chemotherapy. The prognosis is good in the absence of overt malignant disease.

Fanconi Syndrome↗

Early harvest and late transplantation as an effective therapeutic strategy in multiple myeloma.

Transplantation after high-dose chemotherapy prolongs survival in patients with multiple myeloma compared with standard therapy. It is unclear whether the optimal timing of transplantation is immediately after induction chemotherapy or whether stem cells may be cryopreserved for transplantation at subsequent progression or relapse. In this study, stem cells were collected within 6 months of diagnosis, followed by transplantation only at progression of myeloma. One hundred and eighteen patients with multiple myeloma had stem cells collected and cryopreserved. Eleven had transplants early in the disease after they demonstrated failure to respond to primary therapy. The remaining 107 were eligible for transplants when there was evidence of progressive disease. Of the 118 patients, 67 had transplants, nine died of progressive disease before transplantation, and 42 remain alive in plateau phase. The median survival of the group is 58.5 months; 67 are alive. Serum beta2-microglobulin, bone marrow labeling index (S phase), and hemoglobin level predicted overall survival (P < 0.006, P < 0.001, and P < 0.01, respectively). We conclude that early cryopreservation of blood stem cells followed by transplantation at progression is a feasible approach to therapy in patients with myeloma. The underlying biology of the disease has a greater impact on survival than the timing of transplantation. A prospective randomized trial is required to answer definitively the question of the optimal timing of blood cell transplantation.

Adult↗

Beta2-microglobulin and bone marrow plasma cell involvement predict complete responders among patients undergoing blood cell transplantation for myeloma.

We studied the prognostic value of clinical and laboratory variables, measured before blood cell transplantation, in predicting complete response among patients undergoing autologous blood cell transplantation for relapsed or primary refractory myeloma. Sixty-seven patients who underwent transplantation for relapsed or primary refractory myeloma were studied. The overall response rate was 90%, and the complete response rate was 33%. Low beta2-microglobulin (< or =2.7 mg/l) was associated with a significantly better complete response rate compared with high levels (54 vs 19%, P = 0.002). Similarly, the complete response rate was 39% when the bone marrow plasma cell percentage was low (<40%) and 21% with greater involvement (P = 0.04). Complete response rate was 50% when beta2-microglobulin and bone marrow plasma cell percentage were low, 36% if either was high, and 12% when both were high (P = 0.01). Median survival measured from initial diagnosis of myeloma was 51 months. Overall survival after transplantation was better among responders who achieved complete response than those who did not: median survival, 24 vs 11 months, P = 0.04 (log-rank) and 0.009 (Gehan-Wilcoxon). Attainment of a complete response independently predicted better survival in a multivariate analysis. beta2-Microglobulin and bone marrow plasma cell percentage predict complete responders among patients undergoing transplantation for myeloma.

Adult↗