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Frequency and Distribution of KIR Genotypes of Donors-Recipient Pairs in the Haploidentical Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Setting: Collaborative Study by the Spanish Working Group in Histocompatibility and Transplant Immunology (GETHIT) and the Spanish Haematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy Group (GETH-TC).

There is limited information regarding the influence of KIR genotype, compared to the HLA system, in haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). This study aimed to determine the frequencies of KIR genotypes in Spanish haematologic patients undergoing haplo-HSCT. A study was conducted on 113 oncohaematological patients and their donors, treated across five centres that are members of the Spanish Working Group in Histocompatibility and Transplant Immunology (GETHIT) and the Spanish Haematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy Group (GETH-TC). KIR typing was performed using PCR-rSSO or PCR-SSP. KIR genotypes were identified using the KIR Allele Frequency Net Database. Among donors, the most frequent KIR genotypes were Type 1 (28.3%), Type 2 (12.4%) and Type 4 (10.6%). In patients, Genotypes 1 (23.9%), 4 (23%) and 2 (14.2%) were most prevalent. Donors exhibited AA centromeric (46%) and telomeric (59.3%) types, while patients had a higher AB centromeric frequency (52.2%). Differences were observed in the BB centromeric type (3.5% patients; 16.8% donors, p = 0.002). The AB KIR genotype was the most common (70.8% donors; 75.2% patients). Most were classified as 'neutral' (61.9% donors; 73.5% patients). B-content score1 was the most common (48.7% patients; 33.6% donors). Notably, classification as best was rare (2.7% patients; 16.8% donors, p = 0.002). The study highlights the distribution of KIR genotypes in haplo-HSCT patients and donors, with Genotypes 1, 2 and 4 being the most prevalent. AB KIR genotypes and B-content score 1 were dominant. Moreover, KIR genotypes ID may serve as criteria for future investigation about the immunogenetic predisposition to malignant haematological diseases.

Humans

Nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation and cell therapy as an alternative to conventional bone marrow transplantation with lethal cytoreduction for the treatment of malignant and nonmalignant hematologic diseases.

Myeloablative conditioning associated with hazardous immediate and late complications is considered as a mandatory first step in preparation for allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (allogeneic BMT) for the treatment of malignant hematologic disorders and genetic diseases. Immune-mediated graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects constitute the major benefit of allogeneic BMT. Therefore, we have introduced the use of relatively nonmyeloablative conditioning before allogeneic BMT aiming for establishing host-versus-graft tolerance for engraftment of donor immunohematopoietic cells for induction of GVL effects to displace residual malignant or genetically abnormal host cells. Our preliminary data in 26 patients with standard indications for allogeneic BMT, including acute leukemia (n = 10); chronic leukemia (n = 8), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 2), myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 1), multiple myeloma (n = 1), and genetic diseases (n = 4) suggest that nonmyeloablative conditioning including fludarabine, anti-T-lymphocyte globulin, and low-dose busulfan (8 mg/kg) is extremely well tolerated, with no severe procedure-related toxicity. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor mobilized blood stem cell transplantation with standard dose of cyclosporin A as the sole anti-graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis resulted in stable partial (n = 9) or complete (n = 17) chimerism. In 9 patients absolute neutrophil count (ANC) did not decrease to below 0.1 x 10(9)/L whereas 2 patients never experienced ANC < 0.5 x 10(9)/L. ANC > or = 0.5 x 10(9)/L was accomplished within 10 to 32 (median, 15) days. Platelet counts did not decrease to below 20 x 10(9)/L in 4 patients requiring no platelet support at all; overall platelet counts > 20 x 10(9)/L were achieved within 0 to 35 (median 12) days. Fourteen patients experienced no GVHD at all; severe GVHD (grades 3 and 4) was the single major complication and the cause of death in 4 patients, occurring after early discontinuation of cyclosporine A. Relapse was reversed by allogeneic cell therapy in 2/3 cases, currently with no residual host DNA (male) by cytogenetic analysis and polymerase chain reaction. To date, with an observation period extending over 1 year (median 8 months), 22 of 26 patients (85%) treated by allogeneic nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation are alive, and 21 (81%) are disease-free. The actuarial probability of disease-free survival at 14 months is 77.5% (95% confidence interval, 53% to 90%). Successful eradication of malignant and genetically abnormal host hematopoietic cells by allogeneic nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation represents a potential new approach for safer treatment of a large variety of clinical syndromes with an indication for allogeneic BMT. Transient mixed chimerism which may protect the host from severe acute GVHD may be successfully reversed postallogeneic BMT with graded increments of donor lymphocyte infusions, thus resulting in eradication of malignant or genetically abnormal progenitor cells of host origin.

Adolescent

Heterologous corneal endothelial cell transplantation--human corneal endothelial cell transplantation in Lewis rats.

A heterologous corneal endothelial transplantation was attempted using human endothelial cells and a Lewis rat penetrating keratoplasty model. Cultured human endothelial cells were seeded to a Lewis rat cornea, which was denuded of its endothelium. When grafted into the syngeneic Lewis rat, the graft remained clear for at least five days, and then became opaque and edematous because of immune rejection reaction. In contrast, corneas denuded of their endothelium became opaque and edematous immediately after transplantation. These results demonstrate that transplanted endothelial cells have enough antigens to induce rejection reaction even though they have the functional capacity to deturge the cornea.

Animals

Cartilage engineered in predetermined shapes employing cell transplantation on synthetic biodegradable polymers.

Cartilage is often used as structural support tissue for cosmetic repair in plastic and reconstructive surgery. We describe the efficacy of a new approach for the generation of cartilage in predetermined shapes using specially configured biodegradable synthetic polymer devices as delivery vehicles for transplanted cells. Synthetic biodegradable polymer scaffolds were configured in one of four specific shapes, i.e., a triangle, a rectangle, a cross, and a cylinder. The polymer matrices were seeded with freshly isolated bovine articular chondrocytes and then implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. Gross examination of excised specimens 12 weeks after implantation revealed the presence of new hyaline cartilage of approximately the same dimensions as the original construct. This cartilage showed no signs of resorption or overgrowth over the 12-week time course of the experiment. Histologic evaluation using hematoxylin and eosin stains confirmed the presence of normal mature hyaline cartilage in 46 of 48 specimens. These results suggest that cartilage can be created in predetermined shapes and dimensions using cell transplantation on appropriate polymer templates. This technology would be useful in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Animals

A model for cardiac ischemia. Cardiac cells transplanted into the renal capsular space of the rat and their electrophysiological properties.

We have developed a new model for electrophysiological studies on ischemic myocardium in situ. Pieces of ventricular tissue (1 X 1 mm) excised from the neonatal rat heart were transplanted into the renal capsular space of the adult rat of the pure strain F 344-NSlc. Electrophysiological properties of the transplanted cells during normal circulation and during ischemia induced by ligation of the renal artery were examined in situ 7-10 days later, when the tissues were fully vascularized, by means of conventional microelectrode techniques. Transmembrane potentials varied in individual cells, ranging from -60 to -90 mV. The amplitude, duration, and configuration of spontaneously occurring action potentials recorded from the transplanted cells were similar to those obtained in neonatal and adult rat myocardium. At 2-5 min after ligation of the renal artery, the frequency of the action potentials decreased markedly and their duration was transiently prolonged and then shortened. During the initial stage of ischemia (5-15 min), most of the cells were markedly depolarized and spontaneous activity ceased. Within 20-30 min, after the ligation, the cells did not respond to electrical stimulation. Reperfusion of the tissue by releasing the ligation restored the electrical activity of the cells within 15 min when a certain limited time of ischemia (30-40 min) was not exceeded.

Animals

Project Sickle Cure: A Prospective, International Observational Study of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Sickle Cell Disease.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic and life-limiting hemoglobin and systemic vascular disease. While over 1000 people have undergone hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) over the last 40&#x2009;years, long-term disease-specific and health-related quality of life data are lacking. The American Society of Hematology 2021 Guidelines for SCD emphasized the need for more detailed registry data to inform patients and providers with decision-making and practice recommendations. PROCEDURES: In January 2021, the Sickle Cell Transplant Advocacy and Research Alliance (STAR) launched Project Sickle Cure (PSC). This multi-center, prospective study of patients who have undergone HCT for SCD includes baseline demographics and SCD-specific post-HCT outcomes, serial neurocognitive testing, health-related quality of life measures, health equity evaluations, a neuroimaging bank, detailed evaluation of neurologic status pre- and post-transplant, and chronic pain evaluation. A biorepository is in the planning stage of development. RESULTS: As of November 2025, 115 participants have enrolled at 18 STAR sites with enrollment ongoing. CONCLUSIONS: PSC is a STAR prospective study which will address a major gap in our understanding of outcomes post-HCT specific to SCD. WeDecide, a larger study comparing HCT health-related quality of life outcomes to those who receive non-transplant disease modifying therapy (NT-DMT) is in development, and PSC will provide the HCT comparator data. These data will also be highly relevant as other curative and transformative therapies, such as gene therapy, become more widely used.

Humans

Effects of macrophage and retinal pigment epithelial cell transplants on photoreceptor cell rescue in RCS rats.

The effects of macrophage transplants on photoreceptor cell survival in retinas of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) dystrophic rats were contrasted with RPE-cell transplants, sham-injection and surgical controls. The effects of these different treatments on the thickness and total area of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) were evaluated by light and electron microscopy at 1, 2 and 5 months after transplantation or surgical manipulations. Macrophage transplants into dystrophic retinas, although significantly reducing the debris zone thickness (p less than 0.01), had little effect on photoreceptor cell survival (2-3 cells thick ONL) after two months. In contrast, two months after RPE-cell transplantation, retinas exhibited an 8-10 cell thick ONL. Also, inner and outer segments of rescued photoreceptor cells were present, especially in areas directly beneath RPE-cell transplants. At the same time period, retinas injected with saline had a 2-3 cell thick ONL with no organized inner or outer segments. Furthermore, the affected ONL area in macrophage-transplanted or saline-injected retinas was significantly smaller than that seen in RPE-cell transplanted retinas (p less than 0.0001). Surviving photoreceptor cells were found only in the RPE-cell transplanted retinas five months after treatment. No effect on photoreceptor cell survival was seen in saline-injected, needle-inserted or incision-only retinas. Thus, transplantation of healthy RPE cells is an effective long-term therapeutic approach to correct the genetic defect in retinas of RCS dystrophic rats.

Animals

Subsets of CD34+ cells and rapid hematopoietic recovery after peripheral-blood stem-cell transplantation.

PURPOSE: To study whether there is a relationship between transplanted cell dose and rate of hematopoietic recovery after peripheral-blood stem-cell (PBSC) transplantation, and to obtain an indication whether specific subsets of CD34+ cell populations contribute to rapid recovery of neutrophils or platelets. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on data from 59 patients, we calculated for each day after PBSC transplantation the dose of CD34+ cells that resulted in rapid recovery of either neutrophils or platelets in the majority (> 70%) of patients. Using dual-color flow cytometry, subsets of peripheral-blood CD34+ cells were quantified and the numbers of CD34+ cells belonging to each of the reinfused subsets correlated with hematopoietic recovery following high-dose chemotherapy. RESULTS: The calculated threshold values with a high probability of engraftment showed a steep dose-effect relationship between CD34+ cell dose and time to recovery of both neutrophils or platelets. Predominantly CD34+ cells with the phenotype of myeloid precursors were mobilized. A minority of CD34+ cells expressed the erythroid and megakaryocytic lineage-associated antigens and a low but distinct population of CD34+ cells expressed antigens associated with multipotent stem cells. Analysis showed that the number of CD34+CD33- cells (r = -.74, P < .05), as well as the number of CD34+CD41+ cells (r = -.81, P < .005), correlated significantly better with time to neutrophil and platelet recovery, respectively, than with the total number of CD34+ cells (r = -.55 and r = -.56, respectively). CONCLUSION: The numbers of CD34+CD33- cells and CD34+CD41+ cells may help to predict short-term repopulation capacity of PBSCs, especially when relatively low numbers of CD34+ cells per kilogram are reinfused.

Adolescent

111Indium labeling of hepatocytes for analysis of short-term biodistribution of transplanted cells.

Hepatocyte transplantation is useful for ex vivo gene therapy and liver repopulation. Methods for hepatic reconstitution have recently been developed but optimization of hepatocyte transplantation systems is necessary. To develop systems for noninvasive assessment of the biodistribution of transplanted cells, we labeled hepatocytes with 111indium-oxine. Our initial studies showed that hepatocytes incorporated 111indium-oxine with an efficiency of approximately 20%. After labeling, cell viability was unchanged and 111indium was present in hepatocytes after overnight culture, as well as after intrasplenic transplantation. Transplanted cells were successfully localized by means of scintigraphic imaging. The scintigraphic patterns of cell distribution were different when hepatocytes were transplanted by means of either spleen or internal jugular vein, which deposit cells into separate vascular beds. Quantitative analysis of the biodistribution of 111indium-labeled hepatocytes indicated that within 2 hr of intrasplenic transplantation, cells were predominantly localized in liver and spleen, and occasionally in lungs. To determine whether the rate of intrasplenic cell injection influenced translocation of hepatocytes, we transplanted cells in normal rats. Despite intrasplenic cell injection at a variety of rates, organ-specific distribution of 111indium-labeled hepatocytes remained unchanged. Labeling with 111indium did not affect long-term survival of transplanted hepatocytes. These results indicate that 111indium-labeling of hepatocytes should greatly assist noninvasive analysis in the short-term of the biodistribution of transplanted hepatocytes.

Animals

Dendritic cell-based vaccines in the setting of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: CD34+ cell-depleted mobilized peripheral blood can serve as a source of potent dendritic cells.

We are investigating the use of tumor-pulsed dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer. In the current study, we evaluated the feasibility of obtaining both CD34+ hematopoietic stem/ progenitor cells (HSCs) and functional DCs from the same leukapheresis collection in adequate numbers for both peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) and immunization purposes, respectively. Leukapheresis collections of mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from normal donors receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (for allogeneic PBSCT) and from intermediate grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or multiple myeloma patients receiving cyclophosphamide plus G-CSF (for autologous PBSCT). High enrichment of CD34+ HSCs was obtained using an immunomagnetic bead cell separation device. After separation, the negative fraction of mobilized PBMCs from normal donors and cancer patients contained undetectable levels of CD34+ HSCs by flow cytometry. This fraction of cells was then subjected to plastic adherence, and the adherent cells were cultured for 7 days in GM-CSF (100 ng/ml) and interleukin 4 (50 ng/ml) followed by an additional 7 days in GM-CSF, interleukin 4, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (10 ng/ml) to generate DCs. Harvested DCs represented yields of 4.1+/-1.4 and 5.8+/-5.4% of the initial cells plated from the CD34+ cell-depleted mobilized PBMCs of normal donors and cancer patients, respectively, and displayed a high level expression of CD80, CD86, HLA-DR, and CD11c but not CD14. This phenotypic profile was similar to that of DCs derived from non-CD34+ cell-depleted mobilized PBMCs. DCs generated from CD34+ cell-depleted mobilized PBMCs elicited potent antitetanus as well as primary allogeneic T-cell proliferative responses in vitro, which were equivalent to DCs derived from non-CD34+ cell-depleted mobilized PBMCs. Collectively, these results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining both DCs and CD34+ HSCs from the same leukapheresis collection from G-CSF-primed normal donors and cancer patients in sufficient numbers for the purpose of combined PBSCT and immunization strategies.

Antigens, CD34

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for sickle cell anemia.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only therapy able to cure sickle cell anemia at the present time. So far, transplantations have been undertaken in approximatively 140 sickle cell patients all over the world, with good results. The selection of patients for transplantation remains a subject of dilemma because of the unpredictable course of the disease and the lack of valuable prognostic markers. The selection criteria accepted so far concern young patients under the age of 16, with a morbid course of the disease and having a HLA-compatible sibling. In Belgium, patients going back to their country of origin were also considered for transplantation. For 100 patients who underwent transplantation in Europe, the current Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival, event-free survival, and disease-free survival rates are 90%, 79%, and 81%, respectively. Benefits and side effects are analyzed.

Adolescent

Effective autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in plasma cell leukemia followed by T-large granular lymphocyte expansion: a case report.

We report a case of de novo plasma cell leukemia, resistant to standard VMD (vincristine, mitoxantrone, dexamethasone) and CVP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone) protocols, treated with a chemotherapy intensification regimen (high-dose cyclophosphamide, modified EDAP, Dexa-BEAM) and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, performed using fractionated total body irradiation and high dose melphalan. The patient is currently alive and well, in very good partial remission 12 months after transplant and 22 months after diagnosis, disclosing a significant proportion of bone marrow and peripheral blood CD3+, CD8+, CD57+, HLA-Dr+ large granular lymphocytes with cytotoxic activity against neoplastic plasma cells.

Adult

High-dose therapy with stem cell transplantation for mantle cell lymphoma: results and prognostic factors, a single center experience.

From 1991 to 1997 18 consecutive patients with well-defined mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) underwent high-dose therapy with unpurged autologous (17 patients) or allogeneic (one patient) stem cell transplantation. Tissue sections were reviewed for morphology, immunophenotype, cyclin D1 and P53 expression as well as proliferation index (PI). Median age of patients was 47 years (range 40-60). Sixteen had stage IV disease with bone marrow involvement in 12 and performance status was > or =1 in 12 patients. At the time of high-dose therapy 10 patients were in first partial response (PR), one was in second complete remission (CR), four were in second PR and three were refractory to conventional anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. The conditioning regimen consisted of TBI plus chemotherapy in 13 patients and chemotherapy only (BEAM) in five patients. No treatment-related deaths were observed. With a median follow-up of 36 months (range 13-80) after transplant, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) are estimated to be 48 and 80% at 4 years, respectively. Significantly better results are achieved for patients transplanted after a TBI containing regimen with a 4 year OS and DFS estimated at 89 and 71%, respectively compared to 60 and 0% respectively for patients who were conditioned without TBI (P = 0.07 for OS and P < 0.0001 for DFS). There is a trend towards better DFS when the transplant is performed in PR1 (4 year DFS: 80% with eight patients out of 10 in continuous CR 13 to 80 months, median 36 months after transplant) compared to more advanced stages (4 year DFS: 18% with only three patients out of eight in continuous CR 16, 17 and 58 months after transplant). Blastic histology and P53 overexpression are also associated with a trend towards a worst prognosis.

Adult

Renal subcapsular islet cell transplantation.

Islet cell transplantation has been associated with ultimate graft rejection. This preliminary study investigates the use of the renal subcapsular region as a site for placement of canine islet cell allografts. A new noncollagenase mechanical technique was used for preparation of the allografts. Animals in group I (N = 6) died of hyperglycemia in 4.0 +/- 1.89 days (X +/- SD) after pancreatectomy without subsequent islet cell transplant. Normoglycemia and excellent survival (greater than 60 days) was obtained in pancreatectomized animals in group II (N = 6) and in group III (N = 6), who received an islet cell allograft to the renal subcapsular site. Group II recipients were given no immunosuppression, and animals in group III received minimal immunosuppression with azathioprine. Dependence on the islet cell allograft for maintenance of normoglycemia was confirmed in the majority of the recipients by nephrectomy, to remove the graft, with resulting hyperglycemia and death. One normoglycemic animal in group II died on day 6 from peritonitis. One recipient in group II was normoglycemic at greater than 1 mo after removal of the first graft by nephrectomy, followed by retransplantation of islet cells from a third-party donor. Two other recipients are being studied on a long-term basis, and have been normoglycemic for greater than 6 mo and greater than 4 mo after transplantation. These studies encourage further investigation in this area for application of islet cell transplantation in man, and elucidation of the possible mechanisms for prolongation of islet cell allograft survival at the renal subcapsular site.

Animals

[The behavior of embryonic nerve cells transplanted into the brain].

Small solid pieces of 3H-thymidine labeled rat neocortex at day 20 of embryonic development were transplanted homotopically into the cortex of adult rats. Transplanted cells migrated from the site of implantation into cortical layers 2-4 of the host to the distance of about 1 mm. No labeled neurons was found in cortical layers 5-6 (the target site during their normal migration). Migration of glial cells was similar to that of astrocytes moving from the suspension grafts. In some cases, similar distribution of migrating donor cells around the implantation site was observed despite the fact that a solid grafted tissue was absent.

Animals

The role of high-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for mantle cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Although mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a distinct disease entity with well described clinical and pathological features, little information exists regarding its therapy. This paper will evaluate patients with MCL receiving either induction therapy with an anthracycline or high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for relapsed disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cases of 14 previously untreated patients with MCL who received an anthracycline-containing combination chemotherapy regimen on Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group protocols from 3/83 to 2/92 were reviewed. During the same time period, a different set of nine patients with recurrent MCL were referred for high-dose chemoradiotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue as salvage therapy. RESULTS: The five year overall (OS) and failure-free (FFS) survivals from the initiation of chemotherapy for the patients receiving an induction therapy with an anthracycline containing regimen were 23% and 8%, respectively. At the time of this analysis, three of the nine transplant patients remain progression-free 7, 12, and 25 months post-transplant. Two year overall and FFS for all nine patients was 34%. CONCLUSIONS: Longer follow-up of greater patient numbers is required to determine whether high-dose therapy can overcome the chemoresistance and increase the cure rate of MCL. Since most patients with this disease have minimal chance of cure with standard chemotherapy, the optimal timing for high dose therapy may be as part of front-line treatment. Further clinical trials are required to investigate the potential benefits of high-dose therapy for patients with MCL.

Aged

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in globoid-cell leukodystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Globoid-cell leukodystrophy is caused by a deficiency of galactocerebrosidase, which results in progressive central nervous system deterioration. We investigated whether allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation can provide a source of leukocyte galactocerebrosidase and thereby prevent the decline of central nervous system function in patients with the disease. METHODS: Five children with globoid-cell leukodystrophy (one with the infantile type and four with late-onset disease) were treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. Measurement of leukocyte galactocerebrosidase levels, neurologic examinations, neuropsychological tests, magnetic resonance imaging of the central nervous system, cerebrospinal fluid protein assays, and neurophysiologic measurements were performed before and after transplantation, with follow-up ranging from one to nine years. RESULTS: Engraftment of donor-derived hematopoietic cells occurred in all patients and was followed by restoration of normal leukocyte galactocerebrosidase levels. In the four patients with late-onset disease, the central nervous system deterioration was reversed, and in the patient with the infantile form of the disease, signs and symptoms have not appeared. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a decrease in signal intensity in the three patients with late-onset disease who were assessed both before and after transplantation. Abnormalities in cerebrospinal fluid total protein levels were corrected in three patients with late-onset disease and substantially reduced in the patient with the infantile form. CONCLUSIONS: Central nervous system manifestations of globoid-cell leukodystrophy can be reversed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.

Central Nervous System Diseases

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for sickle cell anaemia: the first 50 patients transplanted in Belgium.

Fifty patients affected by sickle cell anaemia underwent transplantation of HLA-identical haematopoietic stem cells (bone marrow, 48; cord blood, 2). Two groups of patients were considered for transplantation. Group 1 included 36 permanent residents of a European country who, retrospectively, met the inclusion criteria accepted at a consensus conference held in Seattle in 1990, wherein children were selected because they already had evidence of a morbid course. Group 2 included 14 patients who were transplanted earlier, had not received more than three blood transfusions and were transplanted because they had decided to return to their country of origin. Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival, event-free survival and disease-free survival at 11 years of the whole grafted population are 93, 82 and 85%, respectively. In group 1, overall survival, EFS and DFS were 88, 76 and 80% and in group 2, 100, 93 and 93%, respectively. Clinical manifestations of the disease, as well as disease associated haemolytic anaemia, disappeared in all successfully treated patients. Recovery of spleen function was present in seven out of 10 evaluated patients. Adverse events (death, absence of engraftment, mixed chimerism and relapse) occurred more frequently in group 1 than in group 2 (25% vs 7%, P< 0.001). Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was present in 20 patients (grade I or II, 19; grade III, 1), chronic GVHD in 10 (limited, 7; extensive, 3). One patient developed an acute myeloid leukaemia. Gonadal dysfunction was present in all patients (six boys and eight girls) transplanted close to or after puberty, although transient in one adolescent girl.

Adolescent