Effects of platelet concentrate storage time reduction in patients after blood stem cell transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of platelet concentrate (PC) transfusions after PC storage time reduction to 4 days. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a single-centre cohort study comparing two 3-month periods of time, before and after the reduction of PC storage time from 5 to 4 days. Seventy-seven consecutive patients with PC transfusions were enrolled after blood stem cell transplantation. Corrected platelet count increment (CCI) on the morning after transfusion, time to next platelet transfusion, need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and clinical bleeding symptoms were compared. RESULTS: Platelet concentrate storage time was reduced between period 1 (storage for up to 5 days, median storage time 78 h, range 11-136 h) and period 2 (storage for up to 4 days, median storage time 53 h, range 11-112 h). Patients were comparable for age, weight, body surface area, underlying disorder, type of transplantation and transfused platelet dose. The CCI increased from a median of 4 (range 0-20) to 8 (0-68) × 10(9) /l per 10(11) platelets/m(2) (P < 0·0001). Time to next PC transfusion increased from 1·1 to 2·0 days (P < 0·0001). Any bleeding symptom was noted in 20 of 36 patients (56%) vs. 9/41 patients (22%, P < 0·01). Nose bleeds, haematuria and bleeding at more than one site were significantly reduced. Frequency of RBC transfusion within 5 days after PC transfusion was reduced from 74 to 58% (P < 0·0001). CONCLUSION: Platelet concentrate storage time shortening was associated with highly significant CCI increase, reduced RC needs and lower patient numbers with bleeding events.

Normalized transcranial Doppler velocities, stroke prevention and improved pulmonary function after stem cell transplantation in children with sickle cell anemia.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal transcranial Doppler velocities (TCD) indicate an increased risk of stroke in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and require regular blood transfusions. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is under discussion as an alternative to chronic transfusion in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis includes 9 patients with SCA undergoing HSCT at a single center in Germany. Special focus was given to the neurologic follow-up and to the results of TCD studies. RESULTS: High risk of stroke or previous stroke was an HSCT-indication in 8 of 9 patients, although most patients had more than one indication for HSCT. TCD was normalized in all 5 patients after HSCT in whom this test was available. None of the patients developed a stroke after HSCT. No further strokes occurred even in patients that experienced recurrent strokes during chronic transfusion before HSCT. 2 of the 9 patients received a 10/10 HLA-matched unrelated donor graft, the others matched related grafts.All patients were alive, free of SCA symptoms and transfusion-independent with stable chimerism 3-11 years after HSCT. Pulmonary function tests normalized in 1 patient with severe sickle cell lung disease. CONCLUSION: HSCT is able to prevent stroke in patients with SCA. Its perspectives and limitations should be discussed early during the treatment of a patient with complicated SCA.

Impact of preleukapheresis cell counts on collection results and correlation of progenitor-cell dose with engraftment after high-dose chemotherapy in patients with germ cell cancer.

PURPOSE: To identify predictive factors for a good leukapheresis yield and to determine peripheral-blood progenitor cell (PBPC) dose requirements for rapid hematopoietic engraftment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-one patients with germ cell cancer (GCC) underwent PBPC harvest for autologous transplantation following high-dose therapy. Aphereses were performed after chemotherapy during granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration. RESULTS: A median of two aphereses (range, two to five) resulted in 4.6 x 10(8) mononuclear cells (MNC)/kg, 15.7 x 10(4) colony-stimulating units granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM)/kg, and 6.0 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg. Peripheral blood MNC count correlated significantly with number of harvested CD34+ cells per kilogram (r = .49; P < .0001) and with CFU-GM count per kilogram (r = .35; P < .002). Circulating CD34+ cells from peripheral blood gave the best correlations to collected CD34+ cells per kilogram (r = .92; P < .0001), as well as to harvested CFU-GM per kilogram (r = .48; P < .0001). A preleukapheresis number of CD34+ cells greater than 4 x 10(4)/mL was highly predictive for a PBPC collection yield that contained more than 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg harvested by a single leukapheresis. After autologous transplantation, 41 patients were assessable for hematopoietic engraftment. They engrafted in a median time of 9 days (range, 7 to 18) to a WBC count greater than 1.0 x 10(9)/L, 10 days (range, 7 to 18) to an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) greater than 0.5 x 10(9)/L, and 11 days (range, 7 to 62) to a platelet (PLT) count greater than 20 x 10(9)/L. Good correlations were seen between reinfused CD34+ cell count and recovery of WBC count, ANC, and PLT count, with r values of .65 (P < .001), .65 (P < .001), and .45 (P < .03), respectively. Patients reinfused with a PBPC dose greater than 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg recovered hematopoiesis in a significantly shorter time than patients who received less than 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg. CONCLUSION: Rapid hematopoietic engraftment can be achieved by a PBPC dose of greater than 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg. When circulating preleukapheresis CD34+ cell counts are greater than 4 x 10(4)/mL, a PBPC autograft that contains more than 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg can be collected by a single leukapheresis.

Good manufacturing practice-compliant validation and preparation of BM cells for the therapy of acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Intracoronary application of BM-derived cells for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is currently being studied intensively. Simultaneously, strict legal requirements surround the production of cells for clinical studies. Thus good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant collection and preparation of BM for patients with AMI was established by the Cytonet group. METHODS: As well as fulfillment of standard GMP requirements, including a manufacturing license, validation of the preparation process and the final product was performed. Whole blood (n=6) and BM (n=3) validation samples were processed under GMP conditions by gelafundin or hydroxyethylstarch sedimentation in order to reduce erythrocytes/platelets and volume and to achieve specifications defined in advance. Special attention was paid to the free potassium (<6 mmol/L), some rheologically relevant cellular characteristics (hematocrit <0.45, platelets <450 x 10(6)/mL) and the sterility of the final product. RESULTS: The data were reviewed and GMP compliance was confirmed by the German authorities (Paul-Ehrlich Institute). Forty-five BM cell preparations for clinical use were carried out following the validated methodology and standards. Additionally three selections of CD34+ BM cells for infusion were performed. All specification limits were met. Discussion In conclusion, preparation of BM cells for intracoronary application is feasible under GMP conditions. As the results of sterility testing may not be available at the time of intracoronary application, the highest possible standards to avoid bacterial and other contaminations have to be applied. The increased expense of the GMP-compliant process can be justified by higher safety for patients and better control of the final product.

Sporadic occurrence of Diego A antigens and antibodies in Berlin.

BACKGROUND: The antigen Dia is common among Mongols (5-12%), but rare in Caucasians (< 1%). OBJECTIVE: The accidental discovery of Diego A (Dia) antibodies in a South American tourist and in an elderly German patient prompted us to investigate the frequency of Dia antigens in the German population. DESIGN: 1,352 German random blood donors, all living in Berlin or in the areas around, were tested for the presence of the Dia antigen on their red blood cells. All donors were Caucasians. RESULTS: Dia was found in 12 individuals (0.89%). CONCLUSIONS: We think that Dia is a low-frequency antigen in the European population. The admixture of Mongol genes following wars or migration is only of low or no importance.

A comparative study of adverse reactions occurring after administration of glycosylated granulocyte colony stimulating factor and/or dexamethasone for mobilization of neutrophils in healthy donors.

Both granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and dexamethasone (DXM) are used for neutrophil (PMN) mobilization and collection. This prospective study was aimed to evaluate and compare the rate, severity and clinical significance of adverse reactions of these drugs alone and in combination in healthy donors. PMN mobilization was carried out using dexamethasone alone (8 mg orally; n=25) or glycosylated G-CSF alone (Lenograstim, 5 microg/kg subcutaneously, n=24) or in combination (n=23) prior to a standard granulocyte apheresis on the Spectra cell separator. The number of PMNs counted in the mobilized peripheral blood of the donors was 7.0 (3.6-20.4) x10(9)/L (DXM), 25.2 (15.5-49.7) x10(9)/L (G-CSF), and 31.6 (20.0-43.0) x10(9)/L (G-CSF+DXM), corresponding to PMN apheresis yields of 13 (8-43) x10(9)/U, 56 (34-118) x10(9)/U, and 83 (33-117) x10(9)/U, respectively. The three groups had comparable percentages of donors with at least one adverse effect (ranging from 75 to 80%), but the G-CSF-containing regimens were generally more toxic, as was reflected by higher percentages of donors with moderate to severe adverse reactions and higher overall severity scores of 2.28 (G-CSF) and 2.08 (G-CSF+DXM) compared with 1.33 in the DXM group ( p

Collection of two consecutive neutrophil concentrates for transfusion from donors mobilized with glycosylated granulocyte-CSF plus dexamethasone.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to establish a mobilization and apheresis regimen for collection of two consecutive polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) concentrates from the same donor. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 111 healthy unrelated volunteers underwent either one (Group 1, n = 57) or two consecutive granulocyte apheresis procedure (Group 2, n = 54) using the a cell separator (Spectra). Both Group 1 and 2 donors were initially mobilized with glycosylated G-CSF 6.0 micro g per kg (range, 5.2-7.0 micro g/kg) subcutaneously plus oral dexa-methasone (DXM, 8 mg) and underwent granulocyte apheresis (GA-1) 16 hours (range, 13-18 hr) after initial G-CSF+DXM. Group 2 donors were remobilized with a second DXM dose of 8 mg (n = 13), 4 mg (n = 15), 1.5 mg (n = 13), or none (n = 13), and a second apheresis (GA-2) was run 40 hours (range, 37-42 hr) after G-CSF+DXM administration and 12 hours after remobilization with DXM alone. RESULTS: Based on equivalent median preapheresis WBC and PMN counts of around 35 x 10(9) WBCs per L and 33 x 10(9) PMNs per L after initial mobilization the GA-1 yields were 85 x 10(9) PMNs per U (range, 34-150) in Group 1 and 75 x 10(9) PMNs per U (range, 35-135) in Group 2 (p = 0.14, NS). In Group 2, median preapheresis values of 19.6 x 10(9) WBCs per L (range, 9.5-37.0) and 16.6 x 10(9) PMNs per L (range, 8.8-34.8) were measured after remobilization and GA-2 yields of 49 x 10(9) WBCs per U (range, 26-113) and 42 x 10(9) PMNs per U (range, 21-95) were obtained. Borderline statistical differences in the GA-2 yields were observed from the remobilized donors: 8 mg: 36 x 10(9) PMNs per U (range, 23-60); 4 mg: 47 x 10(9) PMNs per U (range, 21-56) (p

Equivalent mobilization and collection of granulocytes for transfusion after administration of glycosylated G-CSF (3 microg/kg) plus dexamethasone versus glycosylated G-CSF (12 microg/kg) alone.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to find a regimen for mobilization and collection of granulocytes that combines low-dose G-CSF administration with satisfactory PMN mobilization and apheresis at a low rate of donor adverse reactions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a prospective study, 52 healthy unrelated volunteers received a single subcutaneous injection of glycosylated G-CSF (Lenograstim Chugai-Pharma, Frankfurt, Germany) at medians of 3.1 (range, 2.4-3.6) microg per kg plus dexamethasone (8 mg orally; n = 29) or at 11.8 (7.1-18.5) microg of lenograstim per kg (p < or = 0.0001) without dexamethasone (n = 23) and underwent standard apheresis using the PMN program of a cell separator (Spectra, COBE [now Gambro] BCT). WBC and PMN mobilization results and apheresis yields were compared and the severity and clinical significance of donor adverse reactions was evaluated. RESULTS: For the low-dose G-CSF plus dexamethasone versus the high-dose G-CSF alone group, similar mobilization results were observed for WBCs with 31.3 (19.1-44.9) x 10(9) per L versus 27.5 (19.2-44.0) x 10(9) per L (p = 0.21, NS) and PMNs with 29.0 (17.6-42.2) x 10(9) per L versus 25.2 (16.2-39.0) x 10(9) per L (p = 0.08, NS). The PMN apheresis yields were equal with 70 (39-139) x 10(9) per unit with low-dose G-CSF versus 68 (33-120) x 10(9) per unit in the high-dose G-CSF group (p = 0.83, NS). Regarding donor adverse reactions, 7 out of 29 (24%) and 8 out of 23 donors (35%) reported moderate or severe symptoms. The character of these reactions was different; symptoms of greater clinical significance and a higher need for analgesics were observed in the high-dose G-CSF group. CONCLUSIONS: A Lenograstim dose of 3 microg per kg plus DXM assures effective PMN mobilization and acceptable apheresis components. The combination of glycosylated G-CSF with DXM allows a significant dose reduction in G-CSF for PMN mobilization and collection as compared with higher G-CSF doses alone. In the high-dose G-CSF mobilization group, adverse reactions were more severe and required more analgesics.

[Anti-M after transfusion as an indication of a genetic variant of the MN locus]. / Anti-M nach Transfusion als Hinweis auf eine genetische Variante am MN-Locus.

We report a case of an anti-M antibody (titer 128) and MN red blood cells (RBC) in a 76-year-old female German patient. In our case, however, RBC showed weak reactions to human anti-M compared with strong reactions using rabbit anti-M. Papain treatment destroyed the RBC reactivity to human anti-M whereas the strong reactivity to rabbit anti-M was unchanged. This pattern was also demonstrable in the patient's son and grandson. Our results indicate the existence of a rare allele at the MN locus in this family.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon alpha: long-term follow-up and prognostic relevance of HCV genotypes.

To evaluate the importance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes for the long-term response to interferon alpha (IFN alpha) therapy, we retrospectively investigated 81 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated within two randomized multicenter studies with comparable inclusion criteria. Forty patients received recombinant IFN alpha 3 MU three times a week for 12 months and 41 patients lymphoblastoid IFN alpha 3 or 5 MU three times a week for 6 or 12 months (total dosage 216-720 MU). The patients were followed up for up to 4 yr (2-4 yr, mean 3.2 yr). A sustained remission defined as normalization of aminotransferases and negative PCR for HCV-RNA was achieved in 23% of patients treated with recombinant IFN alpha and in 25% of the group with lymphoblastoid IFN alpha therapy. All patients with sustained remission showed a normalization of aminotransferases during the first 3 months of therapy. Determination of HCV genotypes revealed a major prevalence of type 1 (77%) versus type 2 (5%) and type 3 (18%). The response rate was significantly higher in patients with type 2 and 3 infections (75 and 73%) than in patients infected with genotype 1 (37%) (p = 0.005). Sustained remission was observed in 13% for genotype 1, in 75% for genotype 2, and in 33% for genotype 3 (differences between type 2/3 versus type 1, p = 0.03). There were no significant differences between responders and non-responders concerning age, level of aminotransferases before therapy or the dosage and type of IFN alpha administered. The data indicate that the determination of HCV genotypes may have prognostic relevance in the responsiveness to IFN alpha therapy.

Preparation of autologous bone marrow grafts for cryopreservation using the AS104 cell separator.

We evaluated the AS104 cell separator (Fresenius AG, Bad Homburg, Germany) for ex vivo processing of bone marrow (BM) grafts of 43 patients suffering from germ cell cancer (GCC, n = 22), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL, n = 13) and malignant lymphoma (ML, n = 8). Recoveries of total nucleated cells (TNC), mononuclear cells (MNC) and colony-forming units granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) were determined in the BM concentrates prepared for cryopreservation. Hematopoietic reconstitution was analyzed in patients who underwent autologous transplantation following high-dose radio-/chemotherapy (HDRCT). Processing of the BM suspension with a median volume of 1,013 ml (range: 422-1,574) resulted in 156 ml (80-186) within 50-120 min (median: 90). In the BM concentrates, medians of 28.6% TNC (10.6-69.6), 37.9% MNC (22.3-86.4), and 52.4% CFU-GM (20.8-96.4) were recovered. Twenty-six patients underwent HDRCT with reinfusion of autologous BM and were evaluable for engraftment. They received a median of 0.8 x 10(8) MNC/kg (0.3-1.6 x 10(8)) and 2.2 x 10(4) CFU-GM/kg (0.6-12.8 x 10(4) for hematopoietic rescue. Engraftment with neutrophils > 500/microliter occurred in a median time of 12 days (8-33) in all patients. We conclude that ex vivo processing of autologous BM with median recovery rates of 37.9% for MNC, and 52.4% for CFU-GM, results in a cell population that can rescue patients from HDRCT. The described technique is convenient, time-efficient, and provides reliable results in preparing BM autografts for cryopreservation.

Analysis for recovery and loss of mononuclear cells and colony-forming units granulocyte-macrophage during ex vivo processing of autologous bone marrow.

During ex vivo processing of autologous bone marrow (BM) substantial loss of stem and progenitor cells should be avoided to achieve rapid and sustained hematopoietic reconstitution after high-dose radio-/chemotherapy. We processed 25 autologous BM grafts with the Fresenius AS104 cell separator for cryopreservation and we determined recoveries for mononuclear cells (MNC) and colonyforming units granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) in the BM concentrates. To identify cell loss in BM fractions not cryopreserved, we investigated the MNC and CFU-GM content of BM fat and BM blood. MNC and CFU-GM recovery yielded a mean ( +/- SEM) of 42 +/- 12 and 54 +/- 20% in the BM concentrate. BM fat showed a mean loss of 7 +/- 5% for MNC and 4 +/- 3% for CFU-GM, BM blood 30 +/- 12% for MNC and 13 +/- 13% for CFU-GM, respectively. CFU-GM recovery was significantly higher in the BM concentrate of patients with hematologic malignancy (HM) compared with patients suffering from germ cell cancer (GCC): 66 +/- 21 vs. 43 +/- 12% (p < 0.02). Seventeen patients (7 GCC, 10 HM) underwent high-dose chemotherapy or radio-/chemotherapy and were autografted with 0.8 +/- 0.2 x 10(8) MNC/kg and 3.7 +/- 2.0 x 10(4) CFU-GM/kg. All patients achieved engraftment with neutrophils > 0.5 x 10(9)/l at a mean of 14 +/- 6 days. We conclude that: (1) ex vivo processing of autologous BM with a mean of recovery of 42% for MNC and 54% for CFU-GM in the BM concentrate can result in a cell population capable of sustained hematopoietic reconstitution, (2) CFU-GM recovery is significantly higher in patients with HM than in patients with GCC and (3) 37% MNC and 17% CFU-GM represent in fact cell losses recovered from BM fractions not cryopreserved (BM fat, BM blood). Furthermore, it is likely that MNC and CFU-GM not recovered from BM concentrate, BM fat and BM blood are cell losses related to the cell separator.

[Risks of autologous blood transfusion]. / Risiken der autologen Transfusion.

Underutilization of autologous blood for transfusion is widespread. Our results suggest that this problem could only gradually be corrected, as some patients show insufficient erythropoietic recovery after a predeposit autologous donation.

Inverse relationship between patient peripheral blood CD34+ cell counts and collection efficiency for CD34+ cells in two automated leukapheresis systems.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze the CD34 cell collection efficiency (CE) of automated leukapheresis protocols of two blood cell separators (Spectra, COBE [AutoPBSC protocol] and AS104, Fresenius [PBSC-Lym, protocol]) for peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) harvest in patients with malignant diseases. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: PBPCs were collected by the Spectra AutoPBSC protocol in 95 patients (123 collections) and the AS104 PBSC-Lym protocol in 87 patients (115 harvests). Patients underwent a median of one (range, 1-4) conventional-volume apheresis procedure of 10.8 L (9.0-13.9) to obtain a target cell dose of > or =2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells per kg. RESULTS: The median overall CD34 CE was significantly better on the AS104 than on the Spectra: 55.8 percent versus 42.4 percent (p = 0.000). This was also true below (59.2% vs. 50.1%; p = 0.022) and above (51.2% vs. 41.3%; p = 0.001) the preleukapheresis threshold of 40 CD34+ cells per microL needed to collect a single-apheresis autograft. However, at > or =40 circulating CD34+ cells per microL, both cell separators achieved the target of > or =2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells per kg. The CD34 CE dropped significantly, from 59.2 percent at <40 cells per microL to 51.2 percent at > or =40 cells per microL on the AS104 (p = 0.017) and from 50.1 percent to 41.3 percent on the Spectra (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Whereas the CD34 CE was significantly different with the AS104 and the Spectra, the CD34 CE of both machines correlated inversely with peripheral blood CD34+ cell counts, showing a significant decline with increasing numbers of circulating CD34+ cells. Nevertheless, at > or 40 preapheresis CD34+ cells per microL, sufficient hematopoietic autografts of > or =2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells per kg were harvested by a single conventional-volume (11 L) leukapheresis on both cell separators.

Allergic reaction with immune hemolytic anemia resulting from chlorambucil.

In a 73-year-old female with chronic lymphocytic leukemia we observed an acute illness with shivering, high fever, and hemolytic anemia following chlorambucil administration. Reexposure in a controlled clinical situation suggested an allergic drug reaction. In an in vitro assay, we were able to demonstrate chlorambucil as the causative agent of immune hemolysis.

[ABO blood groups and platelet transfusion]. / AB0-Blutgruppen und Plättchentransfusion.

Platelet transfusion without regard for AB0 compatibility is controversially discussed. Therefore, we studied the success of 136 AB0 compatible and 52 incompatible platelet applications in 37 patients. Our results suggest, that AB0 matching can improve the response of platelet transfusion.

[Can thrombocyte crossmatching improve the efficiency of platelet transfusion?]. / Kann der Thrombozytencrossmatch die Effizienz der Plättchentransfusion verbessern?

We did crossmatching in 220 transfusions of single donor platelet concentrates using the purchaseable solid phase immunoassay Capture-P (Immucor, Rödermark, FRG), checking posttransfusion response by calculating the corrected count increment (CCI). Our results show that posttransfusion response in transfusions of ABO major incompatible platelet concentrates is virtually reduced only in those transfusions accompanied by a positive crossmatch in Capture-P. As Capture-P can detect IgG antibodies only, positive test results could well be due to a reaction of recipient immune isoagglutinins with ABH antigens expressed on donor platelets, therefore.