El trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos y la terapia celular: el valor agregado en el tratamiento del paciente hemato-oncológico / Hematopoietic stems cell transplantation and cell therapy: added value in the treatment of hematopoietic patients

El trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos se ha convertido en una opción curativa y de sobrevida libre de enfermedad que las alcanzadas con otras modalidades terapéuticas en ciertas patologías congénitas o tumorales. A inicios del año 2006 se diseñó el proyecto para la creación de la Unidad de Trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos del Hospital de SOLCA ­Guayaquil. En Junio de 2006, la Unidad de Trasplante de Médula Ósea (UTMO) inicia los primeros trasplantes, uno autólogo y otro alogénico, y a partir de entonces se han realizado 375 trasplantes de progenitores hematopoyéticos, de los cuales 166 han sido de tipo alogénicos, 147 con progenitores hematopoyéticos obtenidos desde la sangre periférica o médula ósea propiamente dicha y 19 con células obtenidas desde la sangre de cordón umbilical, así como 209 trasplantes de tipo autólogo. Actualmentese ha diseñado un proyecto de ampliación que contempla una infraestructura con 20 habitaciones para hospitalización y un área para manipulación celular más amplia con equipamiento complementario, lo cual permitirá incrementar la cartera de servicios, a saber: la opción del trasplante alogénico de tipo haploidéntico y ciertos procedimientos de inmunoterapia adoptiva con células T

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has become a curative and disease-free survival option than those achieved with other therapeutic modalities in specific congenital or tumor pathologies. At the beginning of 2006, the project for the creation of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Unit of the Hospital de SOLCA ­ Guayaquil was designed. In June 2006, the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (UTMO) began the first transplants, one autologous and the other allogeneic. Since then, 375 hematopoietic progenitor transplants have been performed, of which 166 have been allogeneic, 147 with hematopoietic progenitors obtained from peripheral blood or bone marrow itself, and 19 with cells obtained from umbilical cord blood, as well as 209 autologous transplants. An expansion project has been designed that includes an infrastructure with 20 rooms for hospitalization and a larger area for cell manipulation with complementary equipment, which will make it possible to increase the portfolio of services, namely: the option of haploidentical allogeneic transplantation and specific adoptive T-cell immunotherapy procedures.

Caso Clínico: Citopénia Autoinmune como complicación inmunológica de Trasplante Alogénico de Donante no emparentado, en paciente pediátrico con Anemia Drepanocítica / Clinical Case: Autoimmune Cytopenia as an immunological complication of Allogeneic Unrelated Donor Transplantation, in a pediatric patient with Sickle Cell Anemia

Introducción: La enfermedad de células falciformes es una condición heredada en la quese produce una hemoglobina anómala que desfavorece a la oxigenación tisular, crisis vaso-oclusivas y reacciones hemolíticas. Los pacientes con esta enfermedad presentan una activación anómala de la vía del complemento llevándolos al aumento en frecuencia de infecciones y enfermedades autoinmunes. Presentamos un caso de asociación de una enfermedad autoinmune en un paciente con enfermedad de células falciforme. Caso clínico: Niño de 10 años con Anemia drepanocítica (2009) con esplenectomía y crisis veno-oclusivas recurrentes, fue sometido a trasplante Alogénicoen abril del 2019fuera de la institución con donante isogrupo O+ no emparentado (10/10). Tratado con: Fludarabina ­Busulfan, Timoglobulina+ y Metotexate. Desarrolló Bicitopenia autoinmune y síndrome febril al día +165 post TPH. Glóbulos blancos: 360 uL, neutrófilos: 14 %, hemoglobina: 7.90 g/dL, plaquetas: 25000 uL, ferritina: 4695 ng/ml, IgG total: 9.88 gr/l, LDH: 190 UI/l. Proteína C reactiva: 2.79 mg/dL, Procalcitonina 0.13 ng/mL. Evolución: posterior a descartar infección viral, se completó un tratamiento antibiótico de amplio espectro y se realizó la suspensión del tratamiento inmunosupresor por sospecha de toxicidad, sin respuesta. Se realizó un estudio medular por citometría de flujo determinando una disminución de la línea linfoide B, y se concluye Citopenia Autoinmune como complicación inmunológica del trasplante. Desenlace: recibióterapia transfusional (plaquetoféresis + glóbulos rojos concentrados). Se utilizó metilprednisolona IV por 3 días y prednisona 30 mg por 14 días con reducción posterior gradual para inicio de Rituximab y ciclosporina. Se completó el tratamiento con Imnunoglobulina 6g IV por 5 días. Al alta glóbulos blancos: 5080 uL, neutrófilos: 67%, hemoglobina: 9.20 g/dL, plaquetas: 20000 uL, después de 18 días de ingreso hospitalario. Conclusión: Los resultados con el tratamiento en este caso sugieren que puede serrazonable considerar las citopeniasautoinmunes como una manifestación hematológica diagnóstica de la EICH crónica. Alternativamente, es posible que el tratamiento de citopenia inmune con esteroides, Rituximab y otros inmunosupresores

Introduction: Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition in which an abnormal hemoglobin is produced that impairs tissue oxygenation, vaso-occlusive crises and hemolytic reactions. Patients with this disease present an abnormal activation of the complement pathway, leading to an increase in the frequency of infections and autoimmune diseases. We present a case of association of an autoimmune disease in a patient with sickle cell disease. Clinical case:10-year-old boy with sickle cell anemia (2009) with splenectomy and recurrent veno-occlusive crisis, underwent Allogeneic transplantation in April 2019 outside the institution with an unrelated isogroup O + donor (10/10). Treated with: Fludarabine -Busulfan, Thymoglobulin + and Metotexate. He developed autoimmune bicytopenia and febrile syndrome at +165 day post HSCT. White blood cells: 360 uL, neutrophils: 14%, hemoglobin: 7.90 g / dL, platelets: 25,000 uL, ferritin: 4695 ng / ml, total IgG: 9.88 gr / l, LDH: 190 IU/l. C-reactive protein: 2.79 mg/dL, procalcitonin 0.13 ng / mL. Evolution:after ruling out viral infection, the patient completed a broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment and underwent suspension of immunosuppressive treatment due to suspected toxicity, with no response. A medullary study by flow cytometry was performed, determining a decrease in the B lymphoid line, and autoimmune cytopenia was concluded as an immunologicalcomplication of the transplant. Outcome:The patient received transfusion therapy (plateletpheresis + concentrated red blood cells). He also received IV methylprednisolone for 3 days and 30 mg prednisone for 14 days with gradual subsequent reduction to start Rituximab and cyclosporine. The treatment with Immunoglobulin 6g IV for 5 days was completed. At discharge, white blood cells: 5080 uL, neutrophils: 67%, hemoglobin: 9.20 g / dL, platelets: 20,000 uL, after 18 days of hospital admission. Conclusion:The results with treatment in this case suggest that it may be reasonable to consider autoimmune cytopenias asa diagnostic hematological manifestation of chronic GVHD. Alternatively, it is possible to treat immune cytopenia with steroids, rituximab, and other immunosuppressants

Mobilization and collection of CD34+ cells for autologous transplantation of peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor cells in children: analysis of two different granulocyte-colony stimulating factor doses

The use of peripheral hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) is the cell choice in autologous transplantation. The classic dose of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G- CSF) for mobilization is a single daily dose of 10 µg/kg of patient body weight. There is a theory that higher doses of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor applied twice daily could increase the number of CD34+ cells collected in fewer leukapheresis procedures. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare a fractionated dose of 15 µg G-CSF/kg of body weight and the conventional dose of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in respect to the number of leukapheresis procedures required to achieve a minimum collection of 3 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg body weight. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups: Group 10 - patients who received a single daily dose of 10 µg G-CSF/kg body weight and Group 15 - patients who received a fractioned dose of 15 µg G-CSF/kg body weight daily. The leukapheresis procedure was carried out in an automated cell separator. The autologous transplantation was carried out when a minimum number of 3 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg body weight was achieved. Results: Group 10 comprised 39 patients and Group 15 comprised 26 patients. A total of 146 apheresis procedures were performed: 110 (75.3%) for Group 10 and 36 (24.7%) for Group 15. For Group 10, a median of three (range: 1-7) leukapheresis procedures and a mean of 8.89 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg body weight (±9.59) were collected whereas for Group 15 the corresponding values were one (range: 1-3) and 5.29 × 106 cells/kg body weight (±4.95). A statistically significant difference was found in relation to the number of apheresis procedures (p-value <0.0001). Conclusions: To collect a minimum target of 3 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg body weight, the administration of a fractionated dose of 15 µg G-CSF/kg body weight significantly decreased the number of leukapheresis procedures performed.

Recuperación temprana de linfocitos como factor pronóstico en el trasplante hematopoyético / Early lymphocyte recovery as a prognostic factor after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Introducción: la recuperación temprana de linfocitos es un factor pronóstico que está relacionado con una mayor supervivencia libre de eventos y supervivencia global en pacientes sometidos a trasplante hematopoyético. Objetivo: determinar el valor pronóstico del recuento absoluto de linfocitos (RAL). Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional analítico, transversal, ambispectivo, en pacientes pediátricos con hemopatías malignas trasplantados en el Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología de La Habana, Cuba, entre 1986 y 2008. Se estudiaron 36 pacientes: 15 con leucemia linfoide aguda, 13 con leucemia mieloide aguda, 6 con leucemia mieloide crónica y 2 con linfoma no hodgkiniano. Veintitrés trasplantes fueron autólogos y 13 alogénicos; 22 de médula ósea y 14 de sangre periférica. Resultados : de los trasplantes antólogos, el 60,9 por ciento alcanzó un RAL el día + 15 (RAL-15) = 500 x mm3, mientras en los alogénicos este se alcanzó en el 53,8 por ciento. La sangre periférica tuvo un RAL-15 mayor que la médula ósea y se obtuvo en el 78,6 por ciento y el 45,4 por ciento de los enfermos, respectivamente (p = 0.049). Los factores pronósticos asociados a una peor supervivencia global fueron la sepsis (p <0.001), el RAL-15 < 500 x mm3 ( p= 0.001) y la recaída (p = 0.03). Las curvas de Kapplan-Meier mostraron una mejor supervivencia global y libre de eventos a los cinco años, en los pacientes con RAL-15 = 500 x mm3 (85 por ciento vs 15 por ciento; p <0.001). Conclusiones: el RAL-15 = 500 x mm3 es una herramienta simple y útil para predecir un mejor resultado en pacientes pediátricos sometidos a trasplante hematopoyético

Introduction: early lymphocyte recovery is a prognostic factor related to a higher event-free survival and overall survival in patients who have received hematopoietic transplantation. Objective: eo determine the prognostic value of absolute lymphocyte count (ALC). Method: a study in pediatric patients with hematological malignancies transplanted at the Institute of Hematology and Immunology from 1986 to 2011 was performed. The study group included 36 patients: 15 with acute lymphoid leukemia, 13 with acute myeloid leukemia, 6 with chronic myeloid leukemia and 2 with non Hodgkin lymphoma. Twenty transplants were autologous and 13 allogeneic. As stem cell source, bone marrow was used in 22 patients and peripheral blood in 14. Results : 60,9 percent of the autologous transplants reached an absolute lymphocyte count = 500 x mm3 on day 15 (ALC-15), whereas in the allogeneic this was achieved in 53,8 percent. Peripheral blood had a higher ALC-15 than bone marrow, 78,6 percent and 45,4 percent, respectively (p = 0.049). Prognostic factors associated to worse overall survival were sepsis (p <0.001), ALC-15 <500 x mm3 (p = 0.001) and relapse (p = 0.03). Kapplan-Meier curves showed better overall survival and event-free survival after five years in patients with ALC-15 = 500 x mm3 (85 percent vs. 15 percent, p <0.001). Conclusions: the ALC-15 = 500 x mm3 is a simple and useful tool to predict a better outcome in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic transplantation

Transplante autólogo de células-tronco do sangue periférico no Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria / Autologous peripheral blood stem cells transplantation at the University Hospital of Santa Maria

Introdução: O principal objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as características clínicas dos pacientes transplantados na instituição e avaliar os resultados obtidos com a infusão autóloga de células-tronco hematopoiéticas do sangue periférico (CTHSP), a mortalidade relacionada ao transplante (MRT) e a sobrevida global (SG). Métodos: Através da revisão e avaliação retrospectiva dos prontuários dos 120 pacientes submetidos a transplante autólogo no período de dezembro de 1996 a dezembro de 2011. Resultados: Cento e vinte pacientes receberam quimioterapia mieloablativa e resgate com infusões de CTHSP, sendo 78,3% adultos, com mediana de idade de 47 anos e predomínio do sexo masculino. Os diagnósticos foram 32,5% para Mieloma Múltiplo (MM), 35,8% para Linfoma de Hodgkin (LH), 16,7% para Linfoma não Hodgkin (LNH) 4,2% para Leucemia Mieloide Aguda (LMA) e 10,8% para outras neoplasias como Tumor de Wilms, Câncer de Mama Neuroblastoma, Sarcoma de Ewing, Tumor de Testículo, Meduloblastoma, Macroglobulinemia, Amiloidose e Tumor de SNC. A mediana do número de células nucleadas totais infundidas foi de 6,46x108/kg e a de células CD34+ foi de 3,17x106/kg. A mediana de tempo para recuperação de neutrófilos foi de 10 dias e para plaquetas, de 12 dias. Foi encontrada uma correlação entre a quantidade de células CD34+ infundidas e a recuperação de neutrófilos e plaquetas. Para o grupo em geral, a MRT encontrada foi de 5%, e a probabilidade de SG em cinco anos de 55,1%. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos com os transplantes autólogos em nossa instituição são semelhantes aos descritos na literatura internacional (AU)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics of patients transplanted in the institution and evaluate the results obtained with the autologous infusion of hematopoietic stem cells from peripheral blood (PBSC), transplant-related mortality (TRM) and overall survival (OS). Methods: A review and retrospective assessment of the charts of 120 patients who underwent autologous transplantation from December 1996 to December 2011. Results: One hundred and twenty patients received myeloablative chemotherapy and rescue with infusions PBSC, of whom 78.3% were adults, with a median age of 47 years and male predominance. The diagnoses were 32.5 % for Multiple Myeloma (MM), 35.8% for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), 16.7 % for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), 4.2 % for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML ), and 10.8% for other cancers such as Wilms Tumor, breast cancer, neuroblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, Testicular Tumor, medulloblastoma , macroglobulinemia , amyloidosis and CNS tumor. The median number of total nucleated cells infused was 6.46 x108/kg and of CD34+ cells was 3.17 x106/kg. The median time for neutrophil recovery was 10 days and for platelets 12 days. A correlation was found between number of CD34+ cells infused and recovery of neutrophils and platelets. For the overall group, the MRT was found to be 5% and the probability of OS at five years was 55.1 %. Conclusion: The results obtained with autologous transplantation at our institution are similar to those described in the international literature (AU)

Livedo reticular associado com Anemia Hemolítica Autoimune: remissão prolongada induzida pelo Transplante de Células-Tronco do Sangue Periférico com recaída após 10 anos e restauração dos níveis de hemoglobina por rituximabe / Livedo reticularis associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia: prolonged remission induced by peripheral blood stem cell transplantation relapse after 10 years and restoration of hemoglobin levels by rituximab

A anemia hemolítica autoimune (AHAI) é uma doença na qual são produzidos anticorpos diretamente contra as glicoproteínas adsorvidas na superfície da membrana dos eritrócitos. Algumas medicações e outras associações têm sido implicadas. Descrevemos e discutimos um caso de livedo reticular associado à AHAI tratado com transplante de células-tronco de sangue periférico (TCTSP) e que entrou em total remissão por 10 anos. Após esse período, a paciente apresentou recaída, foi tratada com anticorpo anti-CD20 (rituximabe), e atualmente encontra-se em total remissão. O papel do TCTSP e o uso de rituximabe no tratamento de AHAI serão discutidos neste relato de caso.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a disease where patients produce antibodies against erythrocytes directed towards membrane glycoproteins adsorbed onto the erythrocyte surface. Drugs and other associations have been implicated. It is described and discussed a case of livedo reticularis associated with AIHA treated with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) that went into full remission for 10 years. After that period the patient relapsed and was treated with antibody anti-CD20, rituximab, and is now in full remission. The role of PBSCT and rituximab in the treatment of AIHA will be discussed.

Implante percutáneo de células mononucleares de sangre periférica movilizadas con factor estimulante de colonias granulocíticas, en la osteoartrosis de rodilla. Primer caso comunicado en Cuba / Percutaneous implantation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells mobilized with granulocyte colony stimulating factor in osteoarthritis of the knee. First case reported in Cuba

La enfermedad articular degenerativa, también conocida como osteoartrosis, afecta al 10 por ciento de los adultos mayores de 60 años de edad. Se caracteriza principalmente por dolor de la articulación afectada, crepitación, rigidez matinal y limitación progresiva de los movimientos de esa articulación. Todo esto conduce a un desgaste parcial o completo del cartílago articular. El tratamiento de la osteoartrosis de la rodilla constituye un gran desafío. Los avances recientes en el uso de la medicina regenerativa sugieren que las células madre adultas pudieran representar una alternativa promisoria en el tratamiento de esta enfermedad. En una paciente femenina de 61 años de edad con osteoartrosis de la rodilla, se realizó el implante percutáneo de células mononucleares autólogas movilizadas a la sangre periférica mediante el factor estimulante de colonias granulocíticas, y se logró una rápida mejoría clínica y radiológica. Este resultado sugiere que el proceder empleado es un método factible, simple, seguro y menos costoso, para el tratamiento de las lesiones degenerativas articulares

The degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthrosis affects to 10 percent of elderlies aged 60. It is mainly characterized by pain in the involved joint, crepitation, morning stiff and a progressive limitation of movement of that joint leading to a partial or total wear of articular cartilage. The treatment of the knee osteoarthrosis is a great challenge. The recent advances in use of regenerative medicine suggest that adult stem cells could represent a promisor alternative in the treatment of this entity. In a female patient aged 61 presenting with knee osteoarthrosis authors placed a percutaneous implant of autologous mononuclear cells mobilized to peripheral blood by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor achieving a fast clinical and radiological improvement. This result suggests that the procedure used is a feasible, simple, safe and less expensive method for treatment of articular degenerative lesions

O transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas na infância: situação atual e perspectivas / Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in childhood: current status and perspectives

O transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas (TCTH) é uma opção terapêutica para um grande número de crianças com doenças malignas e não malignas. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar a situação atual dos TCTH em pediatria para o tratamento de doenças hematológicas malignas, incluindo dados de nosso país e perspectivas futuras.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a treatment option for a large number of children with malignant and non-malignant diseases. The objective of this article is to present the current status of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of malignant hematological diseases in pediatrics, including results in Brazil, and future perspectives.

Síndrome de lisis de glóbulos blancos después de un trasplante autólogo de células troncales hematopoyéticas en el tratamiento de la amiloidosis AL renal: Caso clínico / White blood cell lysis syndrome after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in the treatment of renal AL amyloidosis: Case report

The treatment of AL amyloidosis was not successful until the advent of myeloablative chemotherapy consisting of high-dose intravenous melphalan followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. This new treatment has achieved better survival rates and, remarkably, it has obtained complete remission. Among patients with renal involvement, achievement of a complete hematological response was associated with a 50% reduction in proteinuria and stable creatinine clearance in more than 2/3 of patients. Despite of these excellent results, this new therapy is associated with significant toxicity, including the development of acute renal failure due to white blood cell lysis syndrome. We report a 59 year-old female with a nephrotic syndrome due to primary amyloidosis successfully treated autologous stem cell transplantation who developed acute renal failure caused by white blood cell lysis syndrome. The patient required treatment with granulocytic colony stimulating factor and intermittent hemofiltration and was discharged 23 days after melphalan administration with a satisfactory renal function and white blood cell count. After one year of follow up, she maintains a good glomerular filtration rate, a proteinuria of less than, 1 g/day and normal hematological values.

Second allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplants with reduced-intensity conditioning / Segundos trasplantes hematopoyéticos con esquemas de acondicionamiento de intensidad reducida

In two institutions in México, twelve patients were given a second allogeneic stem cell transplantation, using the "Mexican" non-myeloablative preparative regimen. Eight had a malignant condition (six acute leukemias, one myelofibrosis and one myelodysplasia), eleven individuals were allografted twice from the same donor and in one case, cells from two different umbilical cords were used. The median time to conduct the second allograft after the first one was 6 months (range 1-41). The five patients who failed to engraft after the first transplant failed also to engraft after the second one; all of them had been heavily transfused. Only three patients were successfully rescued with the second transplant, two with acute leukemia and one with aplastic anemia. Seven patients are alive 10-41 months (median 35) after the second transplant, but only three (25%) remain disease-free. The 52-month overall survival (SV) of the patients is 58%, whereas the median overall SV has not been reached, being above 52 months. Conducting a second allograft may be useful to rescue some individuals relapsing after a first hematopoietic allotransplant.

En dos instituciones en México se llevaron a cabo doce segundos trasplantes de células hematopoyéticas usando el "método mexicano" de acondicionamiento no mieloablativo. Ocho pacientes tenían una enfermedad maligna (seis leucemias agudas, una mielofibrosis y una mielodisplasia). Once sujetos se retrasplantaron del mismo donador y en un caso se emplearon células hematopoyéticas de dos diferentes cordones umbilicales. La mediana del tiempo transcurrido entre los dos trasplantes fue de seis meses (rango 1 a 41). Los cinco pacientes que no se injertaron con el primer trasplante tampoco se injertaron con el segundo; todos ellos habían sido multitransfundidos antes de los trasplantes. Sólo tres pacientes se pudieron rescatar con el segundo trasplante, dos con leucemia aguda y uno con anemia aplástica. Siete pacientes están vivos 10 a 41 meses (mediana 35) después del segundo trasplante, pero sólo tres (25%) se encuentran libres de enfermedad. La supervivencia (SV) global a 52 meses es de 58%, en tanto que la mediana de SV no se ha alcanzado y es mayor de 52 meses. Hacer un segundo trasplante hematopoyético puede rescatar a algunos pacientes quienes recaen después de un trasplante de médula ósea.

Autotrasplante (AT) de progenitores hematopoyéticos en mieloma múltiple: Experiencia clínica / Autologous transplant (AT) with peripheral-blood stem-cell rescue for multiple myeloma: A clinical experience

Background:Multiple myeloma is rarely curable. Advances in high dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation have improved overall survival and event-free disease periods, but relapses are inevitable. Aim: To report our experience with AT in multiple myeloma, between 1994 and 2003. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 20 patients (12 women), with a mean age of 51.1 years. VAD (vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone) was used as initial therapy in 19 patients. High dose cyclophosphamide (11 patients) and variations of VAD regimen (7) associated with granulocyte colony stimulating factor were used for peripheral-blood stem cell harvest. The conditioning regimen consisted of melphalan 200 mg/m2 followed by the reinfusion of peripheral-blood stem cells 24 hours later. The median number of CD34 cells infused was 3,3x106/kg. Three patients were subjected to a second auto graft and one to a non-myeloablative transplant. Mean follow up was 35.5 months. Results: Mucositis and febrile neutropenia were common complications. The median number of days for neutrophyl engraftment was 9 (range 8-11) and for platelets, 10 (range 7-13). No patient died. Complete remission was obtained in 60% (12/20), progession-free survival was 30 months and overall median survival, 47 months. Conclusions: The AT with high-dose melphalan is a safe procedure in our hospital, without mortality and engraftment in all the patients. Complete remission and progression free survival were similar to those reported abroad but the overall median survival was lower.

Treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia: A single institution experience / Tratamiento de la leucemia promielocítica aguda: Experiencia de una sola institución

The results of the treatment of 14 patients with promyelocytic leukemia (PML) treated with all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), combined chemotherapy (CT) and prophylactic prednisone are reported; the median age was 30 years (range 7 - 49). A complete remission (CR) was obtained in 13 / 14 patients (93%). All patients were given ATRA fully as outpatients; the CR was achieved after the administration of ATRA in five patients, whereas in the remaining eight, CT was required to achieve it. There were no instances of the ATRA syndrome. One patient relapsed with a PML/RAR-a negative PML 575 days after achieving the CR, failed to respond again to ATRA and died. The median overall (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) has not been reached, being above 4,000 days, whereas the 12-month DFS was 93%, the three and five years DFS being 85%. The treatment employed differs from others in: Oral prednisone is used prophylactically, ATRA is given on an outpatient basis and adriamycin is used instead of other anthracyclines. The results are similar to those obtained in other centers worldwide and it is possible that the prophylactic administration of prednisone precluded the development of the full-blown ATRA syndrome in this group of patients.

Se informan los resultados del tratamiento en una sola institución de 14 pacientes con leucemia aguda promielocítica (LAPM) en quienes se empleó la combinación de ácido holotrans-retinoico (ATRA) quimioterapia combinada y prednisona profiláctica. La mediana de edad fue de 30 años (rango 7-49). Se obtuvo remisión completa (hematológica y molecular) (RC) en 13 pacientes (93%); a todos los pacientes se les administró el ATRA de manera ambulatoria. La RC se obtuvo con el ATRA en cinco pacientes; en los demás la RC se obtuvo después de habérseles administrado la quimioterapia con citarabina/adriamicina. No hubo ningún caso de síndrome de ATRA. Un paciente recayó con una LAPM PML/ RAR-a negativa, 575 días después de haber logrado la RC y falleció. Otro paciente recayó 20 meses después de haber logrado la RC y fue rescatado con el mismo esquema de tratamiento; permanece en segunda remisión molecular por más de seis años. La mediana de supervivencia (SV), tanto global como libre de recaídas de todo el grupo, no se ha alcanzado y es mayor de 4,000 días, en tanto que la SV a 12 meses fue de 93% y a tres y cinco años de 85%. El esquema de tratamiento usado difiere de otros en que se usa prednisona oral, se administra el ATRA de manera ambulatoria y se usa adriamicina y no otras antracidinas; los resultados son similares a los obtenidos con otros esquemas parecidos en otros sitios del mundo; es posible que el uso profiláctico de prednisona haya eliminado la ocurrencia del síndrome de ATRA.

Tratamento dos linfomas não-Hodgkin agressivos / Treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin´s lymphomas

Neste relato, apresento uma breve revisão dos linfomas não-Hodgkin agressivos, um resumo histórico do tratamento e as alternativas terapêuticas existentes atualmente. Édiscutido o papel da quimioterapia em doses altas, seguida do suporte de células tronco-hematopoéticas no tratamento dos pacientes com linfoma não-Hodgkin agressivo.

A brief review of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is reported in this article, including a summarized report of treatment and the therapeutic alternatives which are availabletoday. The role of high dose chemotherapy followed by support of the tronco-hematopoeticas cells in the treatment of patients with aggressiue non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is discussed.