[Non-myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation]. / Allogen stamcelletransplantasjon med redusert forbehandling.

BACKGROUND: Several haematological malignancies can be cured using allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Maximal tolerable chemoradiotherapy doses are given as part of the conditioning-regimen. This treatment causes substantial toxicity, and the procedure is therefore restricted to patients younger than 60 years without co-morbidity. Non-myeloablative allogeneic SCT, is a treatment modality that can be offered to patients up to 70 years of age and to younger patients with co-morbidity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 21 patients (17 men and 4 women) with different haematological malignancies, have been treated with non-myeloablative allogeneic SCT in our institution from October 2000 to May 2005. RESULTS: The transplant procedure was relatively non-toxic. Four patients required transfusions and 3 required empirical antibiotic treatment, which is always necessary after myoablavative allogen SCT. A stable donor chimerism was achieved for most of our patients before day 84. 11 patients suffered from acute graft versus host disease (GVHD), 6 with debut of symptoms after day 100. 11 patients developed chronic GVHD. 14 patients are alive and 7 are dead; 2 due to transplant-related complications and 5 due to disease progression. INTERPRETATION: We have shown that non-myeloablative allogeneic SCT is feasible with an acceptable toxicity. Acute and chronic GVHD is still a substantial problem. Prospective studies with adequate controls are warranted to determine the future role of non-myeloablative allogeneic SCT.

Geographical heterogeneity of Y-chromosomal lineages in Norway.

Y-chromosomal variation at five biallelic markers (Tat, YAP, 12f2, SRY(10831) and 92R7) and nine multiallelic short tandem repeat (STR) loci (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385I/II and DYS388) in a Norwegian population sample are presented. The material consists of 1766 unrelated males of Norwegian origin. The geographical distribution of the population sample reflects fairly well the population distribution around the year 1942, which is the median birth year of the index persons. Seven hundred and twenty-one different Y-STR haplotypes but 726 different lineages (Y-STRs plus biallelic markers) were encountered. We observed six known (P*(xR1a), BR(xDE, J, N3, P), R1a, N3, DE, J), and one previously undescribed haplogroup (probably a subgroup within haplogroup P*(xR1a)). Four of the haplogroups (P*(xR1a), BR(xDE, J, N3, P), R1a and N3) represented about 98% of the population sample. The analysis of population pairwise differences indicates that the Norwegian Y-chromosome distribution most closely resembles those observed in Iceland, Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark. Within Norway, geographical substructuring was observed between regions and counties. The substructuring reflects to some extent the European Y-chromosome gradients, with higher frequency of P*(xR1a) in the south-west and of R1a in the east. Heterogeneity in major founder groups, geographical isolation, severe epidemics, historical trading links and population movements may have led to population stratification and have most probably contributed to the observed regional differences in distribution of haplotypes within two of the major haplogroups.