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Biomedical subjects

R Ribeiro

Publications and source records attributed to R Ribeiro.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Marrow transplantation for Fanconi anaemia: conditioning with reduced doses of cyclophosphamide without radiation.

Nine patients with Fanconi anaemia (FA) were conditioned for HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplant (BMT) with reduced dose of cyclophosphamide (Cy) without radiation or antithymocyte globulin (ATG). The total dose of Cy was 140 mg/kg (n = 2) or 120 mg/kg (n = 7). The median patient age was 8 years (range 4-19). Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was with methotrexate and cyclosporine (n = 8) or cyclosporine alone (n = 1). All patients had sustained engraftment and two developed grade>/= II acute GVHD. Cy toxicity included grade >/= 2 mucositis seen in all evaluable patients and haemorrhagic cystitis in two patients. The Kaplan-Meler survival estimate is 89% with a median follow-up of 285 d (range 56-528). For the purpose of comparison, this report also reviews and updates long-term follow-up data on 32 previously reported FA patients conditioned with 140-200 mg Cy/kg without radiation. The lowest dose of Cy (without radiation or ATG) after which HLA-identical sibling marrow transplant can be successfully performed in FA patients has yet to be determined, but it appears that uniform and sustained engraftment can be achieved with a Cy dose of as low as 120 mg/kg.

Adolescent↗

Translocation 11;14 in three children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia of T-cell origin.

Clinical, karyotypic, immunophenotypic, and molecular profiles of three TALL cases carrying a t(11;14) are discussed and compared with data in the literature. As previously reported, t(11;14)(p13;q11) was associated in one patient with a TALL profile of intermediate stage of maturation (CD7+, CD4+, CD8+). However, the same translocation was found to be present in another patient with a more immature, pro-TALL profile (CD7+, CD4-, CD8-). Both patients showed molecular rearrangements of the TCR beta chain gene. A third patient, with a very immature pro-TALL profile (CD34+, CD7+, CD4-, CD8-), carrying a t(11;14)(p15;q11), showed molecular rearrangements of the TCR beta and gamma chain genes, while the IgH chain genes were in germline configuration. Our data indicate that t(11;14) can also be present in TALLs of more immature stages of intrathymic development; the significant factor determining the clinical behavior of TALLs is apparently related more to cell differentiation than to the presence of this chromosome rearrangement.

Adolescent↗

Persistence of circulating blasts after 1 week of multiagent chemotherapy confers a poor prognosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Early response to therapy, typically assessed by bone marrow status, is predictive of outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Less is known about the significance of early clearance of blast cells in peripheral blood. We reviewed medical records of all patients with ALL enrolled on St Jude Total Therapy Study XI (February 1984 to September 1988) to determine the presence of blast cells in peripheral blood at diagnosis and after 1 week of intensive induction therapy. Of the 358 patients, 59 lacked evidence of circulating blast cells at diagnosis, and data were unavailable for 2 patients. The prognostic significance of persistent circulating blast cells in the remaining 297 patients was assessed in a multivariate analysis that included known adverse prognostic factors. Persistent circulating leukemic blasts were present at day 8 in 41 patients (14%). Compared with the "blast-negative" group, these patients had a significantly higher frequency of several adverse clinical features (leukocyte count > 50 x 10(9)/L, mediastinal mass, central nervous system leukemia, T-cell phenotype, lack of CD10 expression, and L2 morphology) and a significantly poorer 5-year event-free survival (34% +/- 8% [SE] v 77% +/- 3%, P < .01). By multivariate analysis, blast cell persistence at week 1 was the most significant adverse feature in the overall cohort (relative risk, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 4.8) and in an analysis limited to B-lineage cases (relative risk, 3.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 7.1). Patients identified by this simple, noninvasive measure may benefit from early modification of therapy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Value priorities and drug addiction].

To explore addicted and non-addicted differences on values, the Schwartz's values scale was administered to 194-male/female, addicted/non-addicted university students sample. Addicted group was composed by students using drugs at least once a week and non-addicted group by subjects who never used illegal drugs. Anova 2X2 revealed a main effect of drug use variable on several motivational value types: hedonism, stimulation, self-determination, universalism and conformity. Addicted subjects scored higher on the four first types and non-addicted on the last. Several sex X addiction interaction were also significant. The transgression hypothesis was used to explain the results.

Adult↗

Complete hematologic remissions induced by 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine in children with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia.

The majority of children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are treated exclusively with chemotherapy die of progressive disease. Improvement in outcome will likely require new active drugs capable of eradicating resistant blast cells early in the clinical course. We therefore assessed the cytoreductive potential of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA), a halogenated purine analogue, in 22 consecutive children with newly diagnosed AML. The drug was administered as a single 120-hour continuous infusion (8.9 mg/m2 of body surface area per day) before the introduction of standard remission induction therapy. Six patients (27%) had complete hematologic remissions by a median of 21 days after treatment with the nucleoside (range, 14 to 33 days). Seven others had partial responses, yielding a total response rate of 59%. The drug also eliminated leukemic cells from cerebrospinal fluid in 4 of the 6 patients tested. Concentrations of 2-CdA in cerebrospinal fluid on day 5 after the initiation of treatment ranged from 12.4% to 38.0% (mean, 22.7%) of the steady-state plasma concentrations. Severe but reversible myelosuppression and thrombocytopenia developed in all patients. Analysis of factors that may have influenced the complete remission rate suggested a better outcome in patients with myeloblastic leukemia (M0-M2 subtypes in the revised French-American-British classification system). These results demonstrate clinically significant activity by 2-CdA against previously untreated AML in children, including leukemic blast cells in the central nervous system. Its use in combination chemotherapy may improve the outlook for patients with this often fatal hematologic cancer.

Adolescent↗

Factors contributing to the prognostic significance of bone marrow involvement in childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

To evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cases with bone marrow involvement, we studied 13 lymphoblastic, 15 small noncleaved cell, and 8 large cell cases with tumor cells in their marrow. They represented 16%, 11%, and 9% of consecutive NHL cases with these respective histologic subtypes. The treatment outcome differed significantly according to histologic subtype--the 5-year event-free survivals (EFS +/- SE) for large cell NHL, small non-cleaved cell NHL, and lymphoblastic NHL cases were 11 +/- 8%, 40 +/- 20%, and 62 +/- 15%, respectively. Increased serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (> 500 U/L) were associated with a poorer EFS (5-year EFS, 0% vs. 50 +/- 10%; P < 0.001). Children < or = 5 years of age had a poorer EFS survival than older children (5-year EFS, 14 +/- 9% vs. 44 +/- 10%; P = 0.03). The degree of bone marrow involvement (< 5% vs. > or = 5%) and race were not significantly associated with treatment outcome. Although intensive chemotherapy has substantially improved survival for patients with advanced stage lymphoblastic or small noncleaved cell lymphoma, patients with large cell NHL and associated marrow involvement continue to have a dismal outcome and require novel or more intensive therapy.

Adolescent↗

Clinical features and treatment outcome for children with CD30+ large-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of CD30 expression and its relationship to clinical features, immunophenotype, histotype, and outcome in childhood large-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 45 cases of large-cell NHL in children treated at St Jude Children's Research Hospital from 1975 to 1990 for whom there was sufficient tissue to perform immunophenotypic studies. All 45 were screened with a panel of antibodies to detect the presence of CD30 and T-cell and B-cell antigens. Cases were classified according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Working Formulation and the Kiel classification system. Clinical features, immunophenotype, pathologic classification, and treatment outcome were compared for CD30+ and CD30- cases. RESULTS: CD30 expression was documented in 18 cases (40%). These 13 boys and five girls had a median age of 13 years at diagnosis. Most (n = 14) had advanced-stage (III and IV) disease. Nodal disease was equally common in CD30+ and CD30- cases, whereas skin involvement was significantly more frequent in CD30+ cases (P = .007). There was no significant association of CD30 expression with histologic subtype according to the NCI Working Formulation, but CD30+ cases were more likely to be anaplastic by the Kiel classification (P < .001). All CD30+ cases had either T-cell or null-cell phenotype, while the majority of CD30- cases were B-cell phenotype (P < .001). Among patients with limited-stage disease, the mean +/- SE estimated 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was 75% +/- 22% for CD30+ cases and 92% +/- 9% for CD30- cases (P = .10); estimates for advanced-stage disease were 57% +/- 17% and 29% +/- 17%, respectively (P = .096). For patients with advanced-stage disease, CD30 expression was associated with a significantly better overall 5-year survival probability (84% +/- 12% v 27% +/- 16%, P = .0016). CONCLUSION: CD30 is frequently expressed in pediatric large-cell NHL and is significantly associated with T-cell or null-cell phenotype, anaplastic morphology, skin involvement, and better overall survival among advanced-stage patients.

Adolescent↗

Large cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma of childhood: clinical characteristics and outcome.

Less is known about the clinical features and treatment outcome in pediatric large cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) than the lymphoblastic and small noncleaved cell subtypes of NHL. To characterize presenting features and assess possible risk factors associated with this diagnosis, we analyzed data for 91 patients treated on a succession of multiagent regimens from 1975 to 1990. Five-year event-free survival (EFS) (+/- SE) was related to disease extent (St Jude system): stage I (n = 24), 95% +/- 5%; stage II (n = 20), 84% +/- 9%; stage III (n = 38), 50% +/- 10%; and stage IV (n = 9), 22% +/- 11%. Advanced stage disease, age < or = 5 years and serum LDH > 500 U/l were associated with poorer EFS in the univariate model (p < 0.001, 0.005, and 0.002, respectively). In the multivariate model, advanced stage and age retained prognostic significance (p = 0.001 and 0.02, respectively), but LDH did not. Among limited stage cases, age < or = 5 years was the only adverse risk feature (p = 0.016); treatment era (pre- vs. post-1979) was the only significant feature in patients with advanced disease (p = 0.004). Intrathoracic primaries were associated with a better outcome than other sites among the 38 stage III patients (p = 0.005). Only one of eight patients with bone marrow disease remains failure-free. The excellent results for limited stage pediatric large cell NHL permit consideration of treatment modifications to decrease toxicity; for cases with advanced disease, especially those with bone marrow involvement, novel therapeutic approaches are clearly needed.

Adolescent↗

Anti-pan T lymphocyte ricin A chain immunotoxin (H65-RTA) and methylprednisolone for acute GVHD prophylaxis following allogeneic BMT from HLA-identical sibling donors.

Six patients (five children < or = 12 years old and one young adult) underwent allogeneic BMT (not T lymphocyte-depleted) from sex-matched HLA-identical siblings. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of methylprednisolone (30 mg/m2) and anti-pan T lymphocyte ricin A chain immunotoxin (H65-RTA) (0.1 mg/kg) administered daily for 12 consecutive doses. H65-RTA was initiated at day +5 (n = 4) or day +2 (n = 2). All patients engrafted. Despite receiving the planned GVHD prophylaxis, all patients developed moderate to severe acute GVHD; five patients developed Grade III/IV GVHD. Four patients died 34 to 78 days post-transplant; GVHD was a contributory cause of death in each case. H65-RTA as used in this study was ineffective for the prophylaxis of acute GVHD.

Adult↗

Update of St Jude Study XI for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We treated 358 children with non-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with intensive multiagent chemotherapy (St. Jude Study XI) in a risk-directed study which used very intensive induction and consolidation therapy followed by continuation treatment comprised of rotating drug pairs given for the entire duration of therapy (except for a third of lower-risk patients). CNS irradiation was reserved for a subset of patients at higher risk of treatment failure. All patients received triple intrathecal chemotherapy (hydrocortisone, ara-C, methotrexate) for prevention of CNS leukemia. At a median follow-up of almost 5 years (all patients are off therapy for 8 months or more), the estimated 5-year event-free survival rate is 72% +/- 4%. The isolated CNS relapse rate is 5% and there has been only a single testicular relapse. The high incidence of secondary acute myeloid leukemia which we previously associated with use of epipodophyllotoxins were highly associated with a single treatment regimen featuring 6 consecutive weeks of epipodophyllotoxin therapy. Study XI was significantly more effective than all previous St. Jude Total Therapy studies (especially for higher risk patients), could be delivered mostly in the outpatient setting, and, except for a single regimen, was largely free of serious side effects.

Acute Disease↗

Clinical and biological characteristics of acute lymphocytic leukemia in children with Down syndrome.

Twenty-eight children with Down syndrome (DS) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) were compared to non-DS control leukemics matched by age, white blood cell (WBC) count, and treatment protocol to evaluate presenting manifestations, toxicity, and outcome. The DS children with ALL did not have unique clinical or biologic characteristics to distinguish their disease from that of non-DS patients. Eleven of the DS patients had successfully banded cytogenetic studies of their leukemic cells with the distribution of model chromosome number of 46 (n = 1), 47 (2), 48 (5), and greater than 50 (3). The abnormal leukemic line involved an isochromosome of the long arm of chromosome 9[i(9q)] in 3 cases. Multiagent chemotherapies induced complete remissions in 25 patients (85%), yet overall 5 year event-free survival was only 23 +/- 8% when compared to 64 +/- 9% for control children receiving similar therapies (P less than 0.01). A significant cause of treatment failure was late marrow recurrence in the DS children. Host toxicity was striking in these children. Severe congenital heart disease present in one-third contributed to 2 deaths during antileukemia therapy. Hyperglycemia secondary to diabetogenic agents and repeated bronchitis were common toxicities. Intolerance to the antifolate methotrexate with severe gastrointestinal and skin toxicities was universal. We conclude that the poor prognosis for the child with DS and ALL stems in part from their increased risk of complications and toxicity from intensive modern leukemia therapies, specifically antifolates.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Basocellular carcinoma in a smallpox vaccination scar].

A 52 year old housewife was vaccinated against smallpox at the age of 18, on her right deltoid area. At the age of 50 she noticed erythema and scaling on the vaccination scar and 2 years later a nodule appear that enlarged during the following 3 months. There was no history nor skin changes suggestive of significant sun exposure. The histological examination of an initial biopsy and of the subsequently excised lesion revealed a basal cell carcinoma of the solid type. The relevant literature was reviewed and discussed with emphasis on sex and age incidence, age and site of vaccination, free interval between inoculation and tumor appearance, coexistence or not of other sun induced neoplasias and precancerous lesions and other possibly relevant clinical and etiopathogenetic aspects.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗

Cryosurgical treatment of a large keloid.

The cryosurgical treatment of a patient with a large keloid on the nuchal region is reported. The tumor was frozen under local anesthesia with minimal discomfort. The temperatures beneath the lesion were monitored in order to achieve a deep freezing. Twelve months after the treatment the tumor has not recurred.

Adult↗

[Hypertensive intracerebral hematomas: apropos of 50 cases].

Fifty cases of supratentorial intracerebral hematomas associated with hypertension are analyzed. The best treatment of the intracerebral hematomas is not settled. The authors reviewed and analyzed the literature and they suggest that the small hematomas should be managed conservatively as well as those patients in deep coma. The subcortical hematomas usually improve with surgical removal. In the deep ganglionic type the initial treatment is clinical. If no improvement occurs the hematoma should be removed with microsurgery technique.

Adult↗

[Intracerebral abscess: clinical treatment. Experience with a case].

A case of brain abscess treated non surgically is reported. Complete clinical and radiological resolution is demonstrated. The authors conclude that in selected patients conservative management of focal intracerebral infection may obviate the need for surgical intervention.

Brain Abscess↗