[Hematopoietic allogeneic transplantation with attenuated conditioning regimen on an outpatient basis. First experience in Spain]. / Trasplante alogénico de progenitores hematopoyéticos con acondicionamiento no mieloablativo en régimen ambulatorio. Primera experiencia en España.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation using attenuated conditioning regimens seems promising. This procedure associates to relatively low morbidity and mortality. In consequence, an outpatient management of this transplantation modality may be considered, even in elderly patients. CLINICAL REPORT AND RESULTS: This approach was considered in a 62 years-old female suffering from chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase. The conditioning regimen included fludarabine and 200 cGy of total body irradiation. Cyclosporine A and mycophenolate mofetil were used as immunosuppression. Conditioning, peripheral-blood stem-cell infusion, and postransplant follow-up was managed in the outpatient setting. Two short admissions were required. Eight months after transplant, the patient remains in sustained haematological remission with complete donor chimerism,has a 100% Karnofsky score and continues being managed on an outpatient basis. CONCLUSIONS: Allogeneic stem-cell transplantation can be performed safely on an outpatient basis,even in elderly patients.

Effectiveness of very low doses of subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin in facilitating autologous blood donation before orthopedic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Clinical and pharmacokinetic data suggest that very low doses of subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) may be effective in a preoperative autologous blood deposit program. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients, scheduled for orthopedic surgery, were enrolled in a double-blind and placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomly assigned to the placebo group or to receive 30, 60, or 100 IU per kg of rHuEPO subcutaneously twice a week for 2 weeks before surgery. The dose of rHuEPO that was effective in facilitating the collection of 4 units of blood in the 2 weeks before surgery and that prevented a sharp decrease in hematocrit was determined. RESULTS: Only in patients receiving 100 IU per kg of rHuEPO did the outcome measurements differ significantly from those in the placebo group. With a higher (p < 0.01) cumulative increase in red cell volume during the study period (297 +/- 127 vs. 121 +/- 44 mL), 64 percent of those receiving 100 IU per kg of rHuEPO were able to donate 4 units of blood for autologous use, as compared with 23 percent of the placebo group (p < 0.05). Allogeneic transfusion was avoided, and the preoperative hematocrit and reticulocyte count were significantly higher in the patients receiving 100 IU per kg of rHuEPO (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Subcutaneously administered rHuEPO at a dose of 100 IU per kg twice a week for 2 weeks is effective in facilitating the collection of blood for autologous use and may improve the cost-benefit ratio of blood conservation interventions. Doses < or = 60 IU per kg are ineffective in facilitating such collections in this surgical setting.