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Biomedical subjects

R Storb

Publications and source records attributed to R Storb.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

Methotrexate and cyclosporine versus cyclosporine alone for prophylaxis of graft-versus-host disease in patients given HLA-identical marrow grafts for leukemia: long-term follow-up of a controlled trial.

Patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANL) in first remission (n = 38) or chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) (n = 55) were given cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation, followed by marrow infusion from HLA-identical siblings. To evaluate postgrafting prophylaxis for acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the patients were randomized to receive either methotrexate and cyclosporine (n = 43) or cyclosporine alone (n = 50). Methotrexate/cyclosporine significantly reduced the incidence and severity of acute GVHD, and improved early survival. This report updates the results with a 3.0 to 4.5 year follow-up. Methotrexate/cyclosporine did not interfere with sustained hematopoietic engraftment, although granulocyte recovery to 1,000/microL was delayed by five days on the average. The incidence of chronic GVHD was identical in the two groups (26% v 24%). Disease-free 3-year survival was slightly better in the methotrexate/cyclosporine group (65% v 54%), but this benefit was restricted to patients with CML (73% v 54%), while no improvement was seen in patients with ANL (41% v 41%). In contrast to patients with CML (relapse rates 8% v 9%), the early survival benefit among patients with ANL given methotrexate/cyclosporine was offset by an increase in leukemic relapses (29% v 16%).

Acute Disease↗

Graft-versus-host disease as adoptive immunotherapy in patients with advanced hematologic neoplasms.

The occurrence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for leukemia is thought to decrease the probability of recurrence. To study this effect (called adoptive immunotherapy) we modified the prophylaxis of GVHD in patients with advanced hematologic neoplasms (mostly leukemia) who received bone marrow transplants. Patients under 30 years of age were randomly assigned to one of three regimens of post-transplantation immunosuppression: Group I (n = 44) received a standard course of methotrexate for 102 days after transplantation, Group II (n = 40) received an abbreviated (11-day) course of methotrexate, and Group III (n = 25) received the standard course of methotrexate plus viable buffy-coat cells from the marrow donors. All 109 patients received cyclophosphamide (60 mg per kilogram of body weight on each of two days), total-body irradiation (2.25 Gy daily for seven days), and unmodified marrow from HLA-identical sibling donors. The frequency of GVHD of Grades II through IV was 25 percent in Group I, 59 percent in Group II, and 82 percent in Group III (P = 0.0001). The incidence of chronic GVHD, however, did not differ significantly among the groups (33, 51, and 44 percent, respectively), nor did the five-year probability of recurrence of disease (38, 45, and 33 percent, respectively). However, mortality from causes other than cancer was 34 percent in Group I, 45 percent in Group II, and 64 percent in Group III (I vs. III, P = 0.024); the deaths were due primarily to infections complicating the course of GVHD. With a median follow-up of 5.1 years (range, 3.9 to 7.4), disease-free survival was 41 percent in Group I, 30 percent in Group II, and 24 percent in Group III (the differences were not statistically significant). We conclude that abbreviating methotrexate prophylaxis or infusing donor buffy-coat cells increased the incidence of acute GVHD and related mortality without altering the incidence of chronic GVHD or the recurrence of malignant disease.

Adolescent↗

Graft-versus-host disease prevention by methotrexate combined with cyclosporin compared to methotrexate alone in patients given marrow grafts for severe aplastic anaemia: long-term follow-up of a controlled trial.

Forty-six patients with aplastic anaemia (median age 23 years) were given cyclophosphamide followed by infusion of marrow from an HLA-identical family member. To evaluate postgrafting prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the patients were entered into a randomized prospective trial comparing a combination of methotrexate and cyclosporin (n = 22) to methotrexate alone (n = 24). Methotrexate/cyclosporin significantly reduced the incidence and severity of acute GVHD and improved early survival. This report updates the results of the randomized trial with followup ranging from 3 to more than 6 years. The methotrexate/cyclosporin regimen did not interfere with sustained engraftment, and there were no significant differences in the incidence of early or late graft rejection among the two treatment groups (10% v 4%). The incidence of chronic GVHD was higher among methotrexate/cyclosporin-treated patients (58% v 36%; P = 0.18). Two patients in each treatment group still require treatment for chronic GVHD, while treatment is no longer needed in the other patients. Projected 4-year survival is 73% in patients given methotrexate/cyclosporin compared to 58% in patients given methotrexate alone (P = 0.16). Having achieved a reduction in the incidence of acute GVHD and associated early mortality without impairing engraftment, it is clear that future progress in marrow grafting for aplastic anaemia must come in the area of chronic GVHD.

Adolescent↗

Marrow transplantation for malignant plasma cell disorders: summary of the Seattle experience.

28 patients with plasma cell malignancies received marrow transplants from identical twins (N = 8), HLA-identical family members (N = 15), HLA partially-matched relatives (N = 3) or cryopreserved autologous marrow (N = 2). Treatment regimens included cyclophosphamide (CY) and total body irradiation (TBI) for 15 patients and busulphan (BU) and CY for 13 patients. 3 of 8 twins are alive, 2 without disease at 24 and 34 months, and 1 is alive and well at 116 months without evidence of disease except for at small residual monoclonal protein spike. 12 of the 18 allografted patients died of transplant-related causes and 2 died of progressive disease. 4 of 18 allograft recipients are alive; 2 are free of disease at 16 and 15 months, 1 is alive at 6 months without disease except for persistent monoclonal Kappa protein. 1 patient is alive with residual marrow involvement and a persistent IGA lambda monoclonal protein at 7 months. 1 of the 2 autograft recipients is alive 2 months after transplant and is not yet evaluable for tumor response and the other patient died early of transplant-related complications. Both CY + TBI and BU + CY resulted in remissions in patients with advanced plasma cell malignancies. However, the optimal treatment regimen and timing of transplantation remain to be determined.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Relapse of acute leukemia after marrow transplantation: natural history and results of subsequent therapy.

Of 455 acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANL) patients who underwent marrow transplantation, 95 (21%) relapsed a median of 6.5 months posttransplantation and 62 received further treatment. Twenty achieved remission. Success of therapy was related to the length of time from marrow transplant to relapse and to the use of cytarabine (Ara-C) and daunomycin. Aggressive chemotherapy for patients relapsing within 100 days of marrow transplant was associated with a high incidence of early death (six of 14 patients) and a low probability of remission (one of 14). Of 23 patients who relapsed in excess of 1 year from marrow transplant, 15 achieved a complete remission. The median disease-free survival is 6 months (range, 0.4 to 53+ months). Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) recurred in 130 of 366 patients (36%), and 94 received further therapy. Fifty-two achieved a remission. Remissions were more common in late relapse patients (greater than 1 year from transplantation): 65% v 7% for those relapsing within 100 days from transplant (P less than .05). Testicular relapse occurred in 11 patients and was the sole site of relapse in seven. Three are alive and free of disease 58 to 109+ months after relapse. The median survival for the treated patients is 10.5 months (range, 5 to 109+ months). We propose that reinduction be attempted in all patients relapsing greater than 1 year from marrow transplantation. Ara-C and daunomycin should be employed in the treatment of ANL. The decision for treatment of patients relapsing earlier than 1 year should be made on an individual basis.

Adult↗

Effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on hematopoiesis of normal dogs and on hematopoietic recovery after otherwise lethal total body irradiation.

This study was designed to test whether recombinant human G-CSF (rh G-CSF) affects hematopoiesis in normal dogs and, if so, to test the effects of G-CSF in dogs given otherwise lethal total body irradiation (TBI). Rh G-CSF given subcutaneously at 10 or 100 micrograms/kg/d for 14 days to two normal dogs increased peripheral blood neutrophils eight to tenfold and monocytes four to sixfold above controls. Lymphocyte counts remained unchanged at the lower dose and increased threefold at the higher dose of rh G-CSF. No significant changes were observed in eosinophil, platelet, reticulocyte, or hematocrit levels. After 2 weeks of treatment with rh G-CSF, bone marrow displayed myeloid hyperplasia and left-shifted granulocytopoiesis. After discontinuation of rh G-CSF, peripheral leukocyte counts returned to control levels within three days. Five dogs administered 400 cGy TBI at 10 cGy/min from two opposing 60Co sources and no marrow infusion or growth factor, all developed profound pancytopenia and died between 17 and 23 days after TBI with infections secondary to marrow aplasia. Four of five dogs treated within two hours after 400 cGy TBI with 100 micrograms rh G-CSF/kg/d subcutaneously twice a day for 21 days showed complete and sustained endogenous hematopoietic recovery. In contrast, five dogs irradiated with 400 cGy TBI and treated with 100 micrograms rh G-CSF/kg/d starting on day 7 after TBI, all died between days 17 and 20 after TBI with infections secondary to marrow aplasia. Rh G-CSF, if administered shortly after irradiation, can reverse the otherwise lethal myelosuppressive effect of radiation exposure.

Animals↗

Use of trimetrexate for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease.

The effects of trimetrexate following marrow transplantation were studied in a dog model. Four animals were given 9.2 Gy total body irradiation (TBI), autologous marrow, and either trimetrexate alone (0.4 mg/kg on days 1, 3, 6, and 11) or combined with cyclosporine (CSP) (15 mg/kg per day i.m. on days 1-7, then orally until day 25, then taper). All four animals engrafted normally, demonstrating that trimetrexate at this dose is tolerable. Ten additional animals were given a similar dose of TBI followed by marrow and buffy coat cells from littermate donors differing for one DLA haplotype. Trimetrexate and CSP were given as noted above. Four of the 10 animals died, one with septicemia prior to engraftment (day 14), one with intussusception (day 28), one with graft failure (day 32) and one with a tracheal abscess without graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (day 67). Six dogs survived in excess of 100 days; one of the six developed chronic GVHD. These results are superior to those previously achieved with either methotrexate or CSP as single agents and are roughly equivalent to results achieved with a combination of methotrexate and CSP in similarly mismatched donor-recipient pairs.

Animals↗

Bone marrow toxicity of total-body irradiation combined with radiosensitizers.

The effect of the addition of radiosensitizers to low-dose total-body irradiation was studied. SR2508 (1 g/kg) or misonidazole (0.35 g/kg) was given 30 min prior to single-dose total-body irradiation, delivered at 0.1 Gy/min. Six dogs received either SR2508 or misonidazole and 2 Gy irradiation, and 14 dogs served as controls, receiving no drug and either 2 or 3 Gy of total-body irradiation. All dogs had a decline in their white blood cell and platelet counts and were supported with prophylactic antibiotics and platelet transfusions. High plasma levels of both radiosensitizers were achieved. The degree of cytopenia with 2 Gy total-body irradiation when combined with either radiosensitizer was not significantly greater than that seen with 2 Gy alone, and the neutropenia was significantly less than that seen with 3 Gy alone. The only observed toxicity of the drugs was vomiting, which started shortly after the infusion of SR2508 and before the radiation treatment. A single high-dose infusion of a radiosensitizer combined with total-body irradiation appears to cause a mild increase in bone marrow toxicity but is otherwise well tolerated.

Animals↗

Factors predicting chronic graft-versus-host disease and survival after marrow transplantation for aplastic anemia.

The cumulative incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 48% among 165 patients with severe aplastic anemia who had been discharged from Seattle 3 months after they were treated with marrow grafts from HLA-identical siblings. Estimated 10-year survival was 85%. Preceding acute GVHD had a dominating influence on the development of chronic GVHD. Almost all patients with grades II-IV and 67% of those with grade I acute GVHD developed chronic GVHD. Among patients without previous acute GVHD, three factors were independently correlated with an increased risk of de novo chronic GVHD: increasing patient age, the infusion of buffy coat cells in addition to the marrow, and corticosteroid therapy before transplantation. For example, patients below and above age 20 years who had neither buffy coat cell transfusions nor preceding corticosteroid therapy had an incidence of chronic GVHD of only 4-8%, while those with either buffy coat cell transfusions or corticosteroids or both had incidence rates of 33-70%. The development of chronic GVHD significantly influenced survival. Among 83 patients without chronic GVHD, only one died (on day 150 with interstitial pneumonia), compared to 23 deaths among 82 patients with chronic GVHD. For results of marrow grafting for aplastic anemia to improve, better prevention of chronic GVHD is needed.

Adolescent↗

Antibody-radionuclide conjugates as part of a myeloablative preparative regimen for marrow transplantation.

The behaviors of an anti-Ia antibody (7.2) and an antibody directed at a lymphocyte adhesion molecule (S.5) radiolabeled with 131I were studied in normal dogs. Antibody 7.2 localized to spleen and, to a lesser extent, to marrow and lymph nodes. Antibody S.5 rapidly localized to marrow and spleen, achieving tissue/blood ratios greater than 6:1 within three hours of injection that were maintained for at least 48 hours. Prior treatment with cyclophosphamide (CY) markedly altered the distribution of S.5 but had much less effect on the distribution of 7.2 and almost no effect on the distribution of a control antibody. When animals were treated with increasing doses of 131I labeled to S.5, lethal myelosuppression occurred when a dose of 6 mCi/kg was reached. At this dose, the otherwise lethal effects of 131I could be reversed with autologous marrow transplant support.

Animals↗

Stimulation of canine hematopoiesis by recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

The effect of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) on canine hematopoiesis was evaluated. rhGM-CSF stimulated granulocyte-macrophage colony formation of canine marrow depleted of accessory cells up to tenfold. Stimulation of colony formation was abrogated by anti-rhGM-CSF antiserum or heat inactivation. rhGM-CSF also stimulated in vivo canine hematopoiesis both when given as continuous i.v. infusion and as intermittent s.c. injections. Neutrophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte counts were increased three- to eightfold above controls, whereas values for eosinophils, reticulocytes, and hematocrits were not changed. Bone marrow histology after 2 weeks of treatment with rhGM-CSF showed hypercellularity with myeloid hyperplasia and left-shifted granulocytopoiesis. After discontinuation of rhGM-CSF, peripheral leukocyte counts returned to control level within 3-7 days. Platelet counts decreased rapidly after starting rhGM-CSF, to 5000-15,000 platelets/mm3, and increased within 24 h after stopping rhGM-CSF treatment, whereas marrow histology after 2 weeks of rhGM-CSF application showed the normal number and morphology of megakaryocytes.

Animals↗

Engraftment and transfusion requirements after allogeneic marrow transplantation for patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia in first complete remission.

This retrospective study analysed factors affecting engraftment and transfusion requirements of platelets and red blood cells in 303 patients transplanted for acute non-lymphocytic leukemia in first remission from HLA-identical or one-antigen mismatched donors. Multivariant analysis showed that the most important factors affecting the speed of engraftment were drugs used for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis, the development of acute GVHD and HLA matching. Factors affecting only granulocyte recovery included patient age and sex. The radiation regimen used for preparing patients affected the time to platelet independence. Patients transplanted in laminar airflow rooms took longer to achieve red cell independence and required more units of red cells and platelets than patients transplanted in regular rooms. In addition, ABO incompatibility affected red cell transfusion requirements while GVHD prophylaxis and acute GVHD influenced both red blood cells and platelet support.

Adult↗