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Biomedical subjects

R S Negrin

Publications and source records attributed to R S Negrin.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Busulfan/etoposide--initial experience with a new preparatory regimen for autologous bone marrow transplantation in patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia.

Current intensive chemotherapy for acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) results in a complete remission in the majority of patients. Unfortunately, the duration of remission is short and most of the patients will experience a relapse of their underlying disease. Autologous bone marrow (BM) transplantation is being explored as a treatment modality designed to improve relapse-free survival. We have conducted a phase II trial exploring the combination of busulfan (16 mg/kg) and etoposide (60 mg/kg) in an attempt to improve antitumor efficacy using this novel preparative regimen. To date, 50 patients (48 with ANLL and 2 patients with biphenotypic acute leukemia) have been treated. The first 20 patients received unmanipulated BM; 28 patients subsequently received 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC) (60 micrograms/mL)-purged bone marrow, and 2 patients with biphenotypic acute leukemia received both 4-HC (60 micrograms/mL) and etoposide (5 micrograms/mL)-purged BM. Thirty-four patients were in first complete remission (CR1), 12 patients in second complete remission (CR2), and 4 patients in relapse. The median time from first complete remission to BM harvest was 3 months (range, 0.8 to 4) compared with median time of 2 months (range, 1.5 to 5.0) for patients in second complete remission. The median time from harvest to transplant was 1 month for both groups (range, 0.4 to 36). A median of 0.7 x 10(8) (range, 0.2 to 1.4) mononuclear cells were infused. Patients achieved an absolute neutrophil count of > or = 500/microL at a median of 26 days (range, 13 to 96), an untransfused platelet count > or = 20,000/microL at a median of 56 days (range, 15 to 278) and a sustained hematocrit > or = 30% at a median of 50 days (range, 19 to 116). Twenty-six patients are alive and in continued CR. Follow-up of the surviving patients ranged from 6 months to 66 months with a median follow-up of 31 months. Patients receiving purged BM have an actuarial disease-free survival of 57% with a relapse rate of 28% compared with patients receiving unpurged BM whose actuarial disease-free survival is 32% with a relapse rate of 62% (P = .06 for relapse rate). The most significant extramedullary toxicities for this regimen are hepatic and cutaneous (including mucositis). The BU/VP-16 regimen is associated with a significant proportion of patients surviving disease free, especially in the group receiving purged BM. Whether this regimen offers a substantial improvement in disease-free survival over currently used regimens will require a prospective randomized study.

Adult↗

Use and toxicity of the colony-stimulating factors.

The colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) have emerged as effective drugs in a variety of clinical situations. These drugs stimulate the production and activity of haematopoietic cells in vitro and in vivo. Two members of this group, granulocyte CSF (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), have been approved in the US and Europe for use following cytotoxic chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation. Other uses of the CSFs include myelodysplastic syndromes, aplastic anaemia, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and cyclic and congenital neutropenias. Although CSFs have generally been well tolerated in clinical use there are a number of theoretical concerns, including disease acceleration, biased stem cell commitment and bone marrow exhaustion. New CSFs are currently under development. Combinations of growth factors in the future may maximise effectiveness while minimising toxicity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The efficacy of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor following autologous bone marrow transplantation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with monoclonal antibody purged bone marrow.

Cloned colony-stimulating factors have been shown to accelerate myeloid recovery following autologous bone marrow transplantation. Studies with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) have demonstrated efficacy in accelerating neutrophil recovery in patients rescued from myeloablative therapy. In our previous study, however, the subset of patients who received monoclonal antibody and complement purged bone marrow grafts followed by GM-CSF recovered neutrophil counts at the same rate as placebo-treated patients. We have now performed a phase II trial to assess whether granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) results in accelerated engraftment in this group of patients. Twenty-three consecutive patients with recurrent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma received G-CSF (10.5 +/- 1.2 micrograms/kg per day) following myeloablative therapy consisting of etoposide (60 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg), and either carmustine (15 mg/kg) or fractionated total body irradiation (1200 cGy). All patients received bone marrow grafts which had been purged with a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against either B or T cell determinants plus complement. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were not administered to any of the patients in this study. Twenty-one patients engrafted at a median absolute neutrophil count (ANC) greater than 500/microliters at day 12 and ANC greater than 1000/microliters at day 14. The time to myeloid engraftment was significantly shortened compared to our previous experience with either GM-CSF or placebo following identical preparatory regimens (p < 0.01). G-CSF is capable of accelerating myeloid engraftment in patients receiving monoclonal antibody purged bone marrow grafts following myeloablative therapy when compared to historical control groups treated with placebo or GM-CSF.

Adult↗

Phenotypic characterization and identification of effector cells involved in tumor cell recognition of cytokine-induced killer cells.

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are highly efficient cytotoxic effector cells capable of lysing tumor cell targets. Cultures of human CIK cells have been shown to have enhanced cytotoxicity and to proliferate more rapidly than lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells by both in vitro and in vivo studies. In this report, we have further characterized the phenotype of CIK cells and explored the molecular structures involved in CIK-mediated cell lysis of tumor target cells. The dominant cell phenotype in CIK cell cultures expresses the alpha, beta T cell receptor (TCR-alpha/beta). In addition, CD56 is expressed on the main effector cell on a per-cell basis. Interestingly, the total number of CD56+ cells increases more than 1000-fold during the generation of CIK cells, mainly due to expansion of CD56+ cells coexpressing CD3. The higher lytic activity of CIK cells as compared to LAK cells is mainly due to the higher proliferation of CD3+CD56+ cells and to the cytotoxic activity of TCR-alpha/beta+ cells in CIK cell cultures. CIK-mediated cellular lysis is non-major histocompatibility antigen (MHC) restricted. The cytotoxic effect of CIK cells against tumor targets is blocked by antibodies directed against lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA-1) and its counter receptor, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).

Animals↗

Dynamic assessment of quality of life after autologous bone marrow transplantation.

To determine the quality of life in adult patients after autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT), we administered a questionnaire to a cohort of patients seen at a single referral-based center. The sample included adults 18 years and older during the 1 year following an autologous BMT. Both disease-free patients and those who relapsed with 1-year of follow-up data available were included. Of 59 eligible patients, 58 (98%) responded to the questionnaire. Patients completed a telephone questionnaire administered by a nurse specialist in the field of BMT approximately every 90 days. At the time of initial contact on day +90, the mean quality of life was 7.8 (range, 1 to 10) on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best. By the end of the first year of follow-up, the mean quality of life was 8.9 (range, 3 to 10). Seventy-eight percent of the patients were employed. Twenty-one percent lost weight during the first year, with the majority reporting voluntary weight loss. Fourteen percent reported difficulties with sexual activity. Only 5% reported difficulty with sleeping or with frequent colds. One patient felt that her appearance was worse, and none of the patients reported a poor appetite. Eighty-eight percent of surviving adult patients reported an above-average to excellent quality of life 1 year following autologous BMT. This outcome is encouraging and suggests that this procedure is not associated with long-term morbidity in the surviving adult patient.

Adult↗

The use of colony stimulating factors in clinical bone marrow transplantation.

The use of colony stimulating factors in clinical bone marrow transplantation is rapidly evolving. Both granulocyte colony stimulating factor and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor have shown efficacy in bone marrow transplant patients in accelerating the rate of myeloid recovery. The use of colony stimulating factor primed peripheral blood progenitor cells appears to accelerate platelet recovery as well as myeloid recovery.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗

In vitro and in vivo activity of murine lymphokine-activated killer cells after cryopreservation.

The in vitro and in vivo effects of cryopreservation on the cytotoxic activity of murine lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells were studied. LAK cells were generated by incubation of spleen lymphocytes of BALB/c mice for 3 days with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and subsequent cryopreservation. Cytotoxicity was determined in a 51Cr release assay. After thawing, cytotoxic activity was reduced (40.4% 51Cr release at an effector:target cell ratio of 40:1 as compared to 68.5% 51Cr release before freezing) and could be restored to precryopreserved levels by reincubation with rIL-2 for 2 days after thawing (78.8% 51Cr release). These cells were then tested in BALB/c mice injected with RAW 112 cells, a pre-B-cell lymphoma line. The results demonstrate that the survival rate of mice injected with cryopreserved and restimulated LAK cells (50% survival greater than 180 days after injection) did not differ significantly from that of mice injected with fresh unfrozen LAK cells (60% survival greater than 120 days, 50% survival greater than 180 days). Cryopreserved LAK cells have potential use in adoptive immunotherapy.

Animals↗

Use of the polymerase chain reaction for the detection of tumor cell involvement of bone marrow and peripheral blood: implications for purging.

Bone marrow purging is being performed increasingly in an effort to deplete residual tumor cells from the graft prior to reinfusion. Several studies have suggested that the removal of tumor cells is an important clinical goal. In this review the utility of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of small numbers of tumor cells in bone marrow and peripheral blood is discussed. Using sensitive assays such as PCR, it is expected that the efficacy of bone marrow purging strategies will be improved and this will hopefully result in decreased relapse rates following autologous bone marrow transplantation.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Use of a SCID mouse/human lymphoma model to evaluate cytokine-induced killer cells with potent antitumor cell activity.

C.B-17 severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice, which lack functional B and T lymphocytes, allow xenografts and, therefore, can be used to study the biology of human malignancies. Two different human B cell lymphoma cell lines, SU-DHL-4 and OCI-Ly8, which both harbor the t(14;18) chromosomal translocation, were injected into C.B-17 SCID mice. Mice injected intravenously or intraperitoneally developed tumors and died in a dose-dependent manner. The presence of tumor cells in various murine tissues could be demonstrated by a clonogenic tumor assay, staining of frozen sections with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against a human B cell antigen (CD19), and with the polymerase chain reaction technique. A protocol using cytotoxic effector cells was developed and used to selectively deplete the tumor cells from bone marrow. These cells were developed by growing peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), anti-CD3 mAb, and interleukin 2 (IL-2). The timing of IFN-gamma treatment was critical and optimal if IFN-gamma was added before IL-2 treatment. The cells that were stimulated by IFN-gamma, followed by IL-2, could be expanded by treatment with a mAb directed against CD3. These cells could be further activated by IL-1, but not by tumor necrosis factor alpha. With this protocol, a tumor cell kill of 3 logs was obtained as measured by a clonogenic assay. Interestingly, despite their high cytotoxic activity against lymphoma cells, these cells had little toxicity against a subset of normal human hematopoietic precursor cells (granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming units). These cells were further tested by treating murine bone marrow contaminated with the human lymphoma cell line SU-DHL-4, and injecting these cells into SCID mice to assay for tumor growth in vivo. The animals injected with bone marrow contaminated with SU-DHL-4 cells had enhanced survival if the bone marrow was treated with the cytokine-induced killer cells before infusion. The SCID mouse provides a useful in vivo model for evaluation of new therapeutic approaches for lymphoma treatment. The cytokine-induced killer cells generated as described here could have an important impact on bone marrow purging for autologous bone marrow transplantation as well as for adoptive immunotherapy.

Animals↗

Use of the polymerase chain reaction to monitor the effectiveness of ex vivo tumor cell purging.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect residual malignant disease before and after ex vivo purging with monoclonal antibodies and complement or immunomagnetic treatment of BM samples contaminated with known numbers of t(14;18)-carrying tumor cells. Sensitivity of the PCR was demonstrated by detecting a specific t(14;18) amplification product in DNA extracted from a preparation consisting of one tumor cell among 10(5) normal cells. When BM contaminated with 1% to 5% t(14;18)-carrying cells from the B-cell lymphoma line SU-DHL-4 was subjected to two rounds of anti-B-cell pool of antibodies and complement (Ab-C) treatment a 3- to 4-log reduction of the pretreatment PCR signal was observed. A similar log-cell kill was detected using an independent clonogenic assay confirming the utility of the PCR approach. BM contaminated with a second B-cell lymphoma cell line, OCI-Ly8, was more resistant because a third cycle of Ab-C treatment was required to obtain a similar reduction in the PCR signal. A similar 4 logs of tumor cell removal was obtained using anti-B-cell antibodies conjugated to magnetic beads. These studies demonstrate that the t(14;18) PCR can be used to detect levels of tumor cells as low as 0.001%. This approach can be used to determine the effectiveness of BM purging in patients undergoing autologous BM transplantation as well as to assess the biologic role of minimal marrow disease.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The Stanford experience with high-dose etoposide cytoreductive regimens and autologous bone marrow transplantation in Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: preliminary data.

Seventy-seven Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients received high-dose etoposide in combination with cyclophosphamide and either fractionated total body irradiation (TBI) (n = 28) or carmustine (n = 49) prior to autologous bone marrow transplantation. Marrow from NHL patients was purged in vitro with a panel of monoclonal B- and T-cell antibodies and complement. Six toxic deaths (8%) occurred, all in patients who received carmustine. With a median follow-up of 1 year, 57 patients are alive and free from progressive disease. The 1-year actuarial survival and freedom from progression are 85 and 73% in fractionated TBI/etoposide/cyclophosphamide-treated patients and 79 and 72% in carmustine/etoposide/cyclophosphamide-treated patients. Forty-five of these patients participated in prospective trials for which eligibility criteria were (1) less than 25% curability with conventional therapy; (2) achievement of minimal disease state with conventional therapy; and (3) transplantation early in the course of disease. One-year actuarial survival for 18 patients with relapsed Hodgkin's disease is 80% and for 21 relapsed intermediate and high-grade NHL patients, 70%. One NHL Burkitt's patient was transplanted on a protocol for high-risk intermediate and high-grade NHL in first remission. Five patients with follicular mixed or small cleaved NHL were also transplanted in first remission.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Maintenance treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes using recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by chronic refractory cytopenias resulting in increased risk of infection, bleeding, and conversion to acute leukemia. In an effort to improve these cytopenias we have treated 18 patients over a 6- to 8-week period with increasing daily subcutaneous doses of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Sixteen patients responded with improvement in neutrophil counts. On cessation of treatment these counts returned to baseline values over a 2- to 4-week period. To maintain these improved blood counts 11 patients were treated with G-CSF for more prolonged periods. Ten patients again responded with an increase in total leukocyte counts (1.6- to 6.4-fold) and absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) (3.6- to 16.3-fold), with responses persisting for 3 to 16 months. A significantly decreased risk of developing bacterial infections was noted during periods with ANC greater than 1,500/mm3 as compared with periods of time with ANC less than 1,500/mm3. Two anemic patients had a greater than 20% rise in hematocrit over the study period, and 2 additional patients had a decrease in red blood cell transfusion requirements during G-CSF treatment. Bone marrow myeloid maturation improved in 7 of 9 maintenance phase patients. Three patients progressed to acute myeloid leukemia during treatment. The drug was generally well-tolerated and no severe toxicities were noted. These data demonstrated that G-CSF administered to MDS patients by daily subcutaneous administration was well-tolerated and effective in causing persistent improvement of the neutrophil levels and marrow myeloid maturation. These effects were associated with a decreased risk of infection and, in some patients, with decreased red blood cell transfusion requirements.

Colony-Stimulating Factors↗

Bone marrow transplantation for hematologic malignancies: the Stanford experience.

Allogeneic and autologous BMTs are highly effective and successful treatment modalities for selected patients. Use of BMT earlier in the course of disease yields better results when compared to patients with more advanced disease. Recent advances such as use of cloned growth factors, cytokines, etc..., will continue to contribute to lessen morbidity and mortality. Finally, as investigators understand, prevent, and treat expected side effects from BMTs, the patients' burden in terms of physical, psychological, and financial costs should lessen substantially.

Adult↗

Lymphokine-activated killer cell activity after cryopreservation.

The effect of cryopreservation on the cytotoxic activity of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells was studied. LAK cells were generated by incubating peripheral blood lymphocytes for 3-5 days with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and then cryopreserved using a programmed freezer. Cytotoxicity was determined in a 51Cr release assay. After thawing, the LAK cells had reduced cytotoxicity (25.5-39.1% as compared to the original lytic units). Cytotoxic activity could be restored to pre-cryopreserved levels by reincubation with rIL-2 for 2 days after thawing. Thus, maximal cytotoxicity of cryopreserved LAK cells could be achieved by incubation with rIL-2 before and after the freezing process. The level of cytotoxicity was comparable to that of LAK cells from fresh peripheral blood lymphocytes. Cryopreserved LAK cells may have potential in adoptive immunotherapy.

Antigens, Surface↗

Treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. A phase I-II trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the hematopoietic effects and toxicity of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. DESIGN: The G-CSF was administered by daily subcutaneous injection to outpatients in a phase I-II trial. Dose was escalated every 2 weeks between 0.1 to 3.0 micrograms/kg body weight.d over an 8-week treatment period. SETTING: Outpatient clinical research center at a university hospital. PATIENTS: Twelve consecutive patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: two refractory anemia, seven refractory anemia with excess of blasts, three refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In 10 of 12 patients, elevations in blood leukocyte counts (2- to 10-fold) and absolute neutrophil counts (5- to 40-fold) were seen over the 8-week treatment period. Five of seven severely neutropenic patients (absolute neutrophil count, less than 0.5 x 10(9)/L) had a rise in count to 1.2 to 16.3 x 10(9)/L. Increased reticulocyte counts occurred in 5 patients, and were associated with decreased transfusion requirements in 2 of 9 erythrocyte transfusion-dependent patients. Treatment with G-CSF enhanced marrow myeloid cell maturation in 9 of 11 evaluable patients. Neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis in vitro were improved or unchanged after treatment in 6 of 8 patients tested. In 11 of 12 patients, there were no substantial changes in platelet, lymphocyte, eosinophil, or monocyte counts. Three responding patients initially had abnormal cytogenetics that persisted after G-CSF therapy, suggesting induced differentiation of the abnormal clone. The therapy was associated with minimal toxicity. None of the patients' conditions converted to acute leukemia during treatment or in short-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with G-CSF administered by subcutaneous injection is well tolerated and effective for improving the neutropenia, and less commonly the transfusion-dependent anemia, over 6 to 8 weeks in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Aged↗