Adaptive behaviour deficits in individuals with 3q29 deletion syndrome.

BACKGROUND: 3q29 deletion syndrome (3q29del) is associated with a significantly increased risk for neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric phenotypes. Mild to moderate intellectual disability (ID) is common in this population, and previous work by our team identified substantial deficits in adaptive behaviour. However, the full profile of adaptive function in 3q29del has not been described nor has it been compared with other genomic syndromes associated with elevated risk for neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric phenotypes. METHODS: Individuals with 3q29del (n = 32, 62.5% male) were evaluated using the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, Third Edition, Comprehensive Parent/Caregiver Form (Vineland-3). We explored the relationship between adaptive behaviour and cognitive function, executive function, and neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric comorbidities in our 3q29del study sample, and we compared subjects with 3q29del with published data on fragile X syndrome, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and 16p11.2 deletion and duplication syndromes. RESULTS: Individuals with 3q29del had global deficits in adaptive behaviour that were not driven by specific weaknesses in any given domain. Individual neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric diagnoses had a small effect on adaptive behaviour, and the cumulative number of comorbid diagnoses was significantly negatively associated with Vineland-3 performance. Both cognitive ability and executive function were significantly associated with adaptive behaviour, and executive function was a better predictor of Vineland-3 performance than cognitive ability. Finally, the severity of adaptive behaviour deficits in 3q29del was distinct from previously published data on comparable genomic disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with 3q29del have significant deficits in adaptive behaviour, affecting all domains assessed by the Vineland-3. Executive function is a better predictor of adaptive behaviour than cognitive ability in this population and suggests that interventions targeting executive function may be an effective therapeutic strategy.

A distinct cognitive profile in individuals with 3q29 deletion syndrome.

BACKGROUND: 3q29 deletion syndrome is associated with mild to moderate intellectual disability as well as comorbid psychopathology such as ADHD, anxiety, ASD and schizophrenia. A greater understanding of specific profiles that could increase risk for psychopathology is necessary in order to best understand and support individuals with 3q29 deletion syndrome. The goal of this study was to thus carefully outline the strengths and weaknesses of these individuals. A second goal was to ask whether the cognitive impact of the deletion predicted psychopathology in other domains. METHODS: We systematically evaluated cognitive ability, adaptive behaviour and psychopathology in 32 individuals with the canonical 3q29 deletion using gold-standard instruments and a standardised phenotyping protocol. RESULTS: Mean full scale IQ was 73 (range 40-99). Verbal subtest score (mean 80, range 31-106) was slightly higher and had a greater range than non-verbal subtest score (mean 75, range 53-98). Spatial ability was evaluated in a subset (n = 24) and was lower than verbal and non-verbal ability (mean 71, range 34-108). There was an average 14-point difference between verbal and non-verbal subset scores; 60% of the time the verbal subset score was higher than the non-verbal subset score. Study subjects with a verbal ability subtest score lower than the non-verbal subtest score were four times more likely to have a diagnosis of intellectual disability (suggestive, P value 0.07). The age at which a child first spoke two-word phrases was strongly associated with measures of verbal ability (P value 2.56e-07). Cognitive ability was correlated with adaptive behaviour measures (correlation 0.42, P value 0.02). However, although group means found equivalent scores, there was, on average, a 10-point gap between these skills (range -33 to 33), in either direction, in about 50% of the sample, suggesting that cognitive measures only partially inform adaptive ability. Cognitive ability scores did not have any significant relationship to cumulative burden of psychopathology nor to individual neurodevelopmental or psychiatric diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with 3q29 deletion syndrome have a complex pattern of cognitive disability. Two-thirds of individuals with the deletion will exhibit significant strength in verbal ability; this may mask deficits in non-verbal reasoning, leading to an overestimation of overall ability. Deficits in verbal ability may be the driver of intellectual disability diagnosis. Cognitive ability is not a strong indicator of other neurodevelopmental or psychiatric impairment; thus, individuals with 3q29 deletion syndrome who exhibit IQ scores within the normal range should receive all recommended behavioural evaluations.

Association of a polymorphism in the indoleamine- 2,3-dioxygenase gene and interferon-α-induced depression in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Interferon (IFN)-α treatment for infectious diseases and cancer is associated with significant depressive symptoms that can limit therapeutic efficacy. Multiple mechanisms have been implicated in IFN-α-induced depression including immune, neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter pathways. To further explore mechanisms of IFN-α-induced depression and establish associated genetic risk factors, single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes encoding proteins previously implicated in IFN-α-induced depression were explored in two self-reported ethnic groups, Caucasians (n=800) and African Americans (n=232), participating in a clinical trial on the impact of three pegylated IFN-α treatment regimens on sustained viral response in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Before treatment, all subjects were free of psychotropic medications and had a score ≤20 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), which was used to assess depressive symptom severity throughout the study. In Caucasians, a polymorphism (rs9657182) in the promoter region of the gene encoding indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) was found to be associated with moderate or severe IFN-α-induced depressive symptoms (CES-D>20) at 12 weeks of IFN-α treatment (P=0.0012, P<0.05 corrected). Similar results were obtained for treatment weeks 24, 36 and 48. In subjects homozygous for the risk allele (CC, n=150), the odds ratio for developing moderate or severe depressive symptoms at treatment week 12 was 2.91 (confidence interval: 1.48-5.73) compared with TT homozygotes (n=270). rs9657182 did not predict depression in African Americans, who exhibited a markedly lower frequency of the risk allele at this locus. The findings in Caucasians further support the notion that IDO has an important role in cytokine-induced behavioral changes.

Regulation of mRNA expression encoding chaperone and co-chaperone proteins of the glucocorticoid receptor in peripheral blood: association with depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder during pregnancy associates with potentially detrimental consequences for mother and child. The current study examined peripheral blood gene expression as a potential biomarker for prenatal depressive symptoms. METHOD: Maternal RNA from whole blood, plasma and the Beck Depression Inventory were collected longitudinally from preconception through the third trimester of pregnancy in 106 women with a lifetime history of mood or anxiety disorders. The expression of 16 genes in whole blood involved in glucorticoid receptor (GR) signaling was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. In parallel, plasma concentrations of progesterone, estradiol and cortisol were measured. Finally, we assessed ex vivo GR sensitivity in peripheral blood cells from a subset of 29 women. RESULTS: mRNA expression of a number of GR-complex regulating genes was up-regulated over pregnancy. Women with depressive symptoms showed significantly smaller increases in mRNA expression of four of these genes - FKBP5, BAG1, NCOA1 and PPID. Ex vivo stimulation assays showed that GR sensitivity diminished with progression of pregnancy and increasing maternal depressive symptoms. Plasma concentrations of gonadal steroids and cortisol did not differ over pregnancy between women with and without clinically relevant depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of prenatal depressive symptoms appears to be associated with altered regulation of GR sensitivity. Peripheral expression of GR co-chaperone genes may serve as a biomarker for risk of developing depressive symptoms during pregnancy. The presence of such biomarkers, if confirmed, could be utilized in treatment planning for women with a psychiatric history.

Functional polymorphisms in the interleukin-6 and serotonin transporter genes, and depression and fatigue induced by interferon-alpha and ribavirin treatment.

Depression and fatigue are frequent side effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) treatment, and there is compelling evidence that the inflammatory response system (including interleukin-6, IL-6) and the serotonergic system is important in the pathophysiology of such symptoms. Functional polymorphisms in the promoter region of the IL-6 gene (rs1800795) and serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) have been identified as regulating these systems. The present study aimed to determine if these polymorphisms were associated with the development of depression and fatigue during IFN-alpha and ribavirin treatment. Ninety-eight Caucasian patients receiving pegylated IFN-alpha and ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus at King's College Hospital, London, and Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, participated in this prospective cohort study. Symptoms of depression and fatigue were measured before treatment and at weeks 4, 8, 12 and 24 during treatment. The 'low IL-6' synthesizing genotype (CC) was associated with significantly fewer symptoms of depression (effect size = 0.7 at week 24; F = 9.4, d.f. = 436, P = 0.002). The 'high transcription' serotonin transporter (5-HTT) genotype (LL) was also associated with significantly fewer symptoms of depression, but with a much smaller effect (effect size = 0.2 at week 24; F = 4.5, d.f. = 436, P = 0.03). Neither polymorphisms were associated with symptoms of fatigue (IL-6: F = 1.2, d.f. = 430, P = 0.2; 5-HTT: F = 0.5, d.f. = 430, P = 0.5). The smaller effects of the 5-HTT polymorphism on depression may be explained by an interaction between the genes (F = 5.0, d.f. = 434, P = 0.02): the 'protective' effect of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was evident only in the presence of the 'low IL-6' genotype (F = 5.4, d.f. = 64, P = 0.02), not in the presence of the 'high IL-6' genotype (F = 2.2, d.f. = 369, P = 0.1). The association between the IL-6 polymorphism and reduced risk of depressive symptoms confirms the role of the inflammatory response system in the pathophysiology of IFN-alpha-induced depression; in contrast, the effect of the 5-HTT gene was small and perhaps dependent on the status of the inflammatory response.

Performance on the Modified Card Sorting Test and its relation to psychopathology in adolescents and young adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Approximately one-third of individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), a common genetic disorder highly associated with intellectual disabilities, may develop schizophrenia, likely preceded by a mild to moderate cognitive decline. METHODS: We examined adolescents and young adults with 22q11DS for the presence of executive function deficits using a modified version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (MCST) and assessed whether specific performances were associated with concurrent schizophrenia-prodrome symptoms. We also examined possible relationships between MCST performance and broader indices of psychopathology, including self-reported internalising and externalising behavioural symptoms. RESULTS: Participants with 22q11DS scored significantly below age-matched controls on seven out of nine MCST measures, and poorer MCST performance was associated with increased positive prodromal and internalising behavioural symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The schizophrenia-prodrome in 22q11DS involves executive dysfunction, and longitudinal investigation is necessary to examine if specific executive function impairments precedes or co-occurs with the emergence of behavioural psychopathology.

High survival rate in infant acute leukemia treated with early high-dose chemotherapy and stem-cell support. Groupo Español de Trasplante de Médula Osea en Niños.

PURPOSE: Infants with acute leukemia have a poor prognosis when treated with conventional chemotherapy. It is still unknown if stem-cell transplantation (SCT) can improve the outcome of these patients. In the present study, we review our experience with SCT in infant acute leukemia to clarify this issue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report the results of 26 infants who were submitted to a SCT for acute leukemia. There were 15 cases of acute myeloid leukemia and 10 cases of acute lymphoid leukemia. One patient had a bilineal leukemia. Twenty-two patients were in their first complete response (CR1), three were in their second CR, and one was in relapse. Eight patients were submitted to allogeneic SCT, and 18 underwent autologous SCT. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 67 months, the 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) are 64% (SE = 9%) and 63% (SE = 10%), respectively. Autologous and allogeneic SCT offered similar outcome. There was not any transplant-related mortality, and all deaths were caused by relapse in the first 6 months after SCT. In multivariate analysis, the single factor associated with better DFS was an interval between CR1 and SCT of less than 4 months (P: <.025). CONCLUSION: SCT is a valid option in the treatment of infant acute leukemia, and it may overcome the high risk of relapse with conventional chemotherapy showing very reduced toxicity. This study suggests that SCT should be performed in CR1 in the early phase of the disease.

Feasibility and results of bone marrow transplantation after remission induction and intensification chemotherapy in de novo acute myeloid leukemia. Catalan Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively the feasibility and results of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) after induction and intensification chemotherapy (CT) in patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 159 patients less than 51 years of age were treated. Induction CT consisted of daunorubicin 60 mg/m2 for 3 days, cytarabine (ARA-C) 100mg/m2 for 7 days, and etoposide 100 mg/m2 for 3 days. The first intensification therapy included mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 for 3 days and ARA-C 1.2 g/m2 every 12 hours for 4 days. Amsacrine (100 or 150 mg/m2 for 3 days) and ARA-C (1.2 g/m2 every 12 hours for 2 or 4 days) were given as the second intensification therapy. Depending on the availability of a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling, the intention of treatment after CT was allogeneic BMT (allo-BMT) or autologous BMT (ABMT). RESULTS: Complete remission (CR) was obtained in 120 patients (75%) and partial remission (PR) in 11 (7%), while 15 patients (10%) were refractory and 13 (8%) died during induction. There was a trend for better leukemia-free survival (LFS) at 4 years for patients assigned to the ABMT group (50% +/- 6%) compared with the allo-BMT group (31% +/- 7%) (P = .08). This difference in LFS reached statistical significance when considering only transplanted patients (63% +/- 3% at 4 years after ABMT and 38% +/- 11% after allo-BMT, P = .02). The favorable results in patients who received ABMT (no toxic deaths and 37% +/- 7% probability of relapse at 4 years) contrast with the poor outcome of allografted patients (11 patients with transplant-related mortality). CONCLUSION: Our study reflects the difficulties in the completion of a therapeutic strategy that include BMT and suggests that intensification before BMT may be useful in the setting of ABMT, but this approach was associated with a high mortality rate in allo-BMT patients.

Long-term outcome of allogeneic or autologous haemopoietic cell transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in second remission in children. GETMON experience 1983-1998.

We present a retrospective study of long-term outcome and predictive factors of survival and relapse in 219 paediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in second remission. They received allogeneic (allo) or autologous (auto) haemopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) depending on the availability of a matched sibling donor. The probability of event-free survival (EFS) for the total patient group was 0.35+0.03 at 14 years. No significant differences were observed for EFS between allo- and auto-HCT: 0.39+0.05 vs 0.32+0.04 (P=0.43). A better EFS was seen in patients with a late relapse (LR) (P=0.06 and 0.02, for allogeneic and autologous respectively). Significantly better EFS was observed in allo-HCT patients under 10 years of age and in auto-HCT patients with leukocytes at diagnosis below 25 x 109/l and late relapse. Predictive factors of failure in both groups were early relapse (ER), medullary relapse and age over 10 years. The probability of relapse (RP) for the total group of patients was 0.57+0.03, and it was significantly higher in auto-HCT patients: 0.65+0.04 vs 0.42+0.06 (P=0.002). Factors predictive for relapse were medullary and early relapse, auto-HCT and WBC >25 x 109/l at diagnosis.

Progression of natural immunity during one-year treatment of residual disease in neuroblastoma patients with high doses of interleukin-2 after autologous bone marrow transplantation.

The aim of this work was to monitor the functional and phenotypic variations of natural killer (NK) cells in seven children with stage IV neuroblastoma (NB) treated with recurrent 5-day cycles of interleukin-2 (IL-2) at a dose of 18 x 10(6) IU/m2/d by continuous intravenous infusion. All patients who entered the study had no detectable disease after hematologic recovery from intensive chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). To evaluate the effect of this treatment on tumor relapse, IL-2 immunotherapy was adjusted to maintain levels of NK activity above those of age-matched controls (threshold of 40 lytic units [LU]/10(9) mononuclear cells) during a 1-year period since hematologic recovery of ABMT. The levels of NK and endogenous lymphokine-activated killer (eLAK) cell cytotoxic activities, as well as phenotype-differentiated lymphocyte counts, were determined from patients' freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC). Data were analyzed at different points between each cycle of IL-2, and before and 36 hours after each infusion. NK and eLAK activities significantly increased in response to IL-2. Both cytotoxic parameters correlated with the serum levels of the soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R). IL-2 increased the amounts of NK and T cell subsets but not of B cells. The effects of IL-2 were time-dependent. Early cycles of IL-2 preferentially increased cell numbers, especially of cells bearing a CD3-/CD16-/CD56+bright and CD8+dim phenotype. Conversely, late courses promoted higher cytotoxic effects but with a smaller increase in NK and T cell counts; the main NK subset became CD16+, and CD8+dim cells remained a minor subset. It is worthy to note that the patient who relapsed after completing immunotherapy showed only a slight increase of the NK subset in response to IL-2. These results show the feasibility of sustaining an increased NK activity during 1 year after ABMT in children with advanced neuroblastoma and suggest the occurrence of changes in the functional and phenotypic characteristics of the NK cells generated throughout the 1-year treatment.

[Tufted angiomas in childhood: A series of 9 cases and a literature review]. / Angiomas en penacho en la infancia. Serie de 9 casos y revisión de la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: Tufted angioma (TA) is a rare benign vascular tumor that mostly appears during infancy or early childhood, although there are cases reported in adults. Clinical presentation and evolution of TA can vary. Histologically, it takes on a classic appearance of vascular tufts ("cannon ball" like appearance). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted that included all patients diagnosed with TA at our center in the last 20 years. RESULTS: A series of 9 cases of tufted angioma in childhood are presented, 77.7% of which were congenital. This represents a frequency higher than previously described. Spontaneous regression was observed in 55.5% of the cases, and was more frequent in the congenital TA group. Unlike other TA series reported in the literature, a higher proportion of patients with spontaneous regression was observed in this series, with a higher prevalence in females (6 out of 9 children) and predominantly located in the upper limbs. None of our patients had Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon. CONCLUSIONS: There are many ways of treating TA, but none are uniformly effective. Given the high rate of spontaneous regression in congenital or early TA, we suggest that, in the absence of other complications, monitoring would be a good option for management.

Functional variants at CYP2A6: new genotyping methods, population genetics, and relevance to studies of tobacco dependence.

Cytochrome P450CYP2A6 (CYP2A6) is the predominant enzyme responsible for the metabolism of nicotine to cotinine. Two variants have been identified that encode products presumed to have little or no activity. A previous study suggested that carriers of at least one copy of either null variant may be protected against tobacco dependence, while tobacco-dependent carriers smoke fewer cigarettes. However, different laboratories have reported widely disparate CYP2A6 allele frequencies across European populations. These differences prompted us to reexamine the genotyping methods for CYP2A6. We developed an improved genotyping strategy using CYP2A6-specific nested PCR, and differential restriction enzyme digestion to identify variant nucleotides in exon 3. We used sequencing to verify genotype results and to assess the sequence of exon 4, which previous work predicted should correspond to "wild-type" CYP2A6 sequence. In addition, we developed a new nomenclature in which CYP2A6*1 is designated CYP2A6*A1-*B1, CYP2A6*2 is CYP2A6*A2, and CYP2A6*3 is CYP2A6*B2. The frequencies of CYP2A6*A2 and CYP2A6*B2 were then estimated in samples from six populations. Sequencing confirmed CYP2A6*A2 genotypes in all cases. Unexpectedly, sequencing demonstrated exon 4 sequence corresponding to CYP2A7 in samples genotyped as CYP2A6*B2. In the population study, we found consistently low allele frequencies (

Population studies of polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter protein gene.

The range of allele frequency variation in humans for any locus that may have functionally important genetic variation needs to be documented. Therefore, we tested two polymorphisms at the serotonin transporter protein locus (SLC6A4) in samples from seven specific populations from five continental regions. We studied the promoter polymorphism which is reported to have functional significance and to be associated with anxiety- and depression-related phenotypes [Lesch et al., 1996: Science 274:1527-1531], and the intron 2 VNTR polymorphism [Lesch et al., 1994: J Neural Transm 95:157-162]. Allele frequencies for both systems show significant global variation, and consequently so do haplotype frequencies. Linkage disequilibrium varied among the populations, being absent in some and highly significant in others. These differences further document a large potential for population stratification in association studies of either of these SLC6A4 polymorphisms.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor null allele frequencies in schizophrenia, affective disorders, and Alzheimer's disease.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a cytokine that has been reported to affect cellular differentiation. Mouse CNTF knockouts have progressive motor neuron atrophy, but this protein has uncertain physiological function in humans. A naturally occurring CNTF variant in man, observed in many populations, abolishes function of the protein product, providing the opportunity to study loss of CNTF function in humans. It has been reported previously that this variant does not predispose to several neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, but findings have been more ambiguous with respect to other conditions, such as schizophrenia. We report here allele frequencies for this null mutation in populations diagnosed with mood disorders (unipolar depression, single episode or recurrent; N = 59), schizophrenia (N = 66), or Alzheimer's disease (N = 93). We found no association of the CNTF null with any of these phenotypes. There is presently no known phenotype consistently associated with either heterozygosity or homozygosity for the CNTF null allele, suggesting either that this protein does not serve a necessary function in humans or is redundant with some other protein or that any human phenotype associated with absence of CNTF is considerably more subtle than that seen in mouse.

Population genetics of a functional variant of the dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene (DBH).

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (E.C. 1.14.17.1; protein abbreviation: DbetaH) catalyzes conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine. Previous work identified two expressed alleles of the gene encoding DbetaH (locus symbol DBH), containing either G or T at nucleotide position 910, resulting in specification by codon 304 of alanine (DBH*304A) or serine (DBH*304S), respectively. The current study employed denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to identify these alleles, and after developing a PCR RFLP for rapid genotyping, estimated the frequencies of the alleles in African-Americans, European-Americans, and in several geographically dispersed populations (Mbuti, Danes, Adygei, Chinese, Japanese, Surui, Maya, and Nasioi). DBH*304A was the most common allele in all populations tested, with allele frequencies greater than 0.80 in each case. There was significant heterogeneity in allele frequency across population groups. The DBH*304S allele was most common in subjects of African descent, and least common in East Asians and individuals from indigenous populations of North and South America. The frequency of DBH*304S was significantly higher in African-Americans (0.16) than in European-Americans (0.06; P < 0.004). Of the four DBH*304S homozygotes observed, all were Europeans and three of the four were Danes. Based on empirical P-values generated by computer simulation, the observed proportions of DBH*304S homozygotes did not differ significantly from Hardy-Weinberg expectations in any of the populations after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. The observation of significant heterogeneity in DBH*304S allele frequency across different population samples demonstrates the importance of controlling for population stratification in future studies testing for associations between DBH*304S and clinical phenotypes.

High-dose busulfan and melphalan before bone marrow transplantation for acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia.

Fourteen patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) (n = 13) or juvenile chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (n = 1) were transplanted after conditioning with high-dose busulfan (4 mg/kg daily on days -7 to -4) and melphalan (180 mg/m2 on day -2). This protocol was designed for patients considered unable to receive standard conditioning regimens with cyclophosphamide and/or TBI. Five patients (4 children and 1 adult) received a second allogeneic BMT in untreated early marrow relapse after a first BMT. There were 3 procedure-related deaths (PRD), 2 during aplasia and 1 from acute GVHD. Two patients survived the procedure; 1 relapsed at 6 months and 1 is alive at 43+ months. Nine subjects (8 children and 1 adult) received an autologous BMT, 7 in first and 2 in second complete remission (CR). Of the 7 patients grafted in first CR, there was 1 PRD, 2 relapses at 3 and 15 months, and four are alive at 38 to 82+ months. One patient grafted in second CR relapsed at 7 months and 1 is alive at 67+ months. Toxicities were mild or moderate in autologous BMT recipients, mainly affecting the gastrointestinal tract. In the allogeneic BMT group, there were more moderate to severe toxicities, including 3 cases of moderate-severe renal toxicity; no cases of such toxicity were seen in ABMT recipients. Two cases of HVOD occurred, 1 in each group. These results are encouraging, although the small patient group does not allow any firm conclusions.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rh-Epo) administration to normal child bone marrow donors.

We have evaluated the efficacy of administering recombinant human erythropoietin (rh-Epo) to 11 healthy bone marrow donors weighing less than 30 kg. Three weeks before harvesting, the donors received 100 units/kg/day rh-Epo subcutaneously and oral iron supplementation (2.5 mg/kg twice daily). Six children with hematocrit values below the normal ranges for their ages after bone marrow harvesting received 150 units/kg rh-Epo three times a week for 2 weeks and oral iron supplementation at the same dose. No rh-Epo side-effects were observed. Hematocrit values before harvesting increased to between 5.7 and 18.5 (mean 10.6 +/- 1.2) above the baseline values (P = 0.0001). Hematocrit after harvesting decreased to between 4 and 19.5% (mean, 11.1) below the day 0 pre-harvest values. On day + 15 all but one patient had a hematocrit value > or = baseline value. No patient required transfusion during or after bone marrow harvest. Our results show that rh-Epo administration can avoid transfusion and has no side-effects in low weight child bone marrow donors.

Bone marrow transplantation in 46 pediatric patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Spanish Working Party for Bone Marrow Transplantation in Children.

We report a retrospective analysis on 46 pediatric patients (median age 9 years, range 1-17 years) with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), transplanted in six Spanish centers. Fourteen patients underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and 32 autologous BMT. Most patients were boys (36 of 46). Twenty one cases were of lymphoblastic lymphoma, 19 Burkitt's lymphoma and six diffuse large cell lymphoma. Maximal Murphy's stage any time before BMT was stage III in 17 cases and stage IV in 29 cases. At BMT, 13 cases were in first CR, 21 in second CR, seven in third CR, four with sensitive active disease and one with refractory disease. All patients transplanted in CRl were considered candidates for BMT because of delayed CR (two cases), failure of the first-line therapy (seven cases) or central nervous system (CNS) or BM infiltration at diagnosis (four cases). Conditioning therapy included TBI in 33 patients and 13 cases were conditioned with chemotherapy alone. Toxic mortality was 13% (three of 14 in the allogeneic BMT group and three of 32 in the autologous group). No toxic deaths were registered in 13 patients undergoing BMT in CR1 (three allogeneic BMT and ten autologous BMT). Twelve patients relapsed 1-7 months after BMT. Overall event-free survival (EFS) was 58% (42-73%; confidence interval (CI) 95%), with a median follow-up of 33 months. EFS was similar for allogeneic BMT and autologous patients. Disease status at BMT was the only predictive factor for EFS (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between patients in CR1 (82.5%) and CR2 (68%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Second bone marrow transplantation for leukemia in untreated relapse.

Seven patients with relapsed acute leukemia (4 ANLL, 3 ALL) and one with juvenile chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (JCMML) received a second BMT (BMT2). Patients were conditioned with CY/TBI (n = 7) or BU/CY (n = 1) for the first BMT (BMT1), with adequate recovery in all and without the appearance of acute GVHD (n = 3) or with mild forms (grade I, n = 2; grade II, n = 3). Relapse after BMT1 occurred in < 6 months (n = 2), between 6 and 12 months (n = 5) and > 12 months (n = 1), and the interval from BMT1 to BMT2 was < 6 months (n = 1), from 6 to 12 months (n = 5) or > 12 months (n = 2). Conditioning for BMT2 was done in untreated relapse and included combinations of BU/CY (n = 2), CY/TBI (n = 1) or BU 1 mg/kg at intervals of 6 h by mouth on days -7 to -4 and melphalan 180 mg/m2 i.v. on day -2, with the addition of VP-16 in the patient with JCMML. Two patients died on day +11 with no evidence of residual leukemia at autopsy. Six patients engrafted, one of whom had an uneventful BMT2, but he relapsed 6 months later. The other five developed severe acute GVHD (grades III-IV), with a fatal outcome in three cases, while two responded to treatment and are currently alive in continuous CR at 12 and 36 months. All patients had received conventional prophylaxis against acute GVHD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)