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El síndrome de Wiskott-Aldrich es un error innato de la inmunidad de herencia ligada al cromosoma X, producido por variantes en el gen que codifica la proteína del síndrome de Wiskott-Aldrich (WASp). Reportamos el caso clínico de un paciente de 18 meses con diagnóstico de Wiskott-Aldrich que no presentaba donante antígeno leucocitario humano (HLA) idéntico y recibió un trasplante de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas (TCPH) con donante familiar haploidéntico. La profilaxis para enfermedad de injerto contra huésped incluyó ciclofosfamida (PT-Cy). El quimerismo del día +30 fue 100 % del donante y la evaluación postrasplante de la expresión de la proteína WAS fue normal. Actualmente, a 32 meses del trasplante, presenta reconstitución hematológica e inmunológica y quimerismo completo sin evidencia de enfermedad injerto contra huésped. El TCPH haploidéntico con PT-Cy se mostró factible y seguro en este caso de síndrome de WiskottAldrich en el que no se disponía de un donante HLA idéntico.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene that encodes the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp). Here, we report the clinical case of an 18-month-old boy diagnosed with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, who did not have an HLA-matched related or unrelated donor and was treated successfully with a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) from a haploidentical family donor. Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis included post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy). At day +30, the peripheral blood-nucleated cell chimerism was 100% and the WAS protein had a normal expression. Currently, at month 32 post-transplant, the patient has hematological and immune reconstitution and complete donor chimerism without evidence of GvHD. HSCT with PT-Cy was a feasible and safe option for this patient with WAS, in which an HLA matched donor was not available.

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Introdução: Na literatura, a doença do enxerto contra o hospedeiro (DECH) vulvovaginal possui uma incidência que varia entre 24,9 e 69% e não há muitos estudos que abordem essa temática. A fotobiomodulação (FBM) para a DECH vulvovaginal não foi descrita na literatura até o presente momento, mas há evidências da sua eficácia na DECH oral e na prevenção de mucosite oral relacionada ao câncer. O objetivo do estudo é descrever a avaliação e o tratamento fisioterapêutico com FBM de uma paciente diagnosticada com DECH vulvovaginal. Relato do caso: Mulher com DECH vulvovaginal com queixa de dor moderada para urinar, dificuldade para realizar a higiene íntima, ardência na vulva e desconforto severo ao utilizar roupas íntimas. A FBM favoreceu a melhora da dor e a reparação tecidual das lesões da vulva, aliviando os sintomas e facilitando a realização dos exercícios de dilatação vaginal. Conclusão: A FBM foi apropriada e eficaz na redução da dor, sensação de ardência e desconforto, proporcionando um efeito anti-inflamatório e regenerador tecidual. Isso resultou em uma percepção de melhora de outras queixas relacionadas ao uso de roupas íntimas e higiene íntima. No entanto, para que o laser se torne um recurso fortemente indicado nesse cenário, são necessários estudos mais robustos, com tempo de intervenção e acompanhamento mais longos, como ensaios clínicos randomizados e controlados.

Introduction: In the literature, vulvovaginal graft versus host disease (GVHD) has an incidence that varies between 24.9 and 69% and there are not many studies addressing this topic. Photobiomodulation (FBM) for vulvovaginal GVHD has not been described in the literature to date, but there is evidence of its effectiveness in oral GVHD and in the prevention of cancer-related oral mucositis. The objective of this study was to describe the evaluation and physical therapy treatment with FBM of a patient diagnosed with vulvovaginal GVHD. Case report: Woman with vulvovaginal GVHD complaining of moderate pain when urinating, difficulty performing intimate hygiene, burning sensation in the vulva and severe discomfort when wearing underwear. FBM favored the improvement of pain and tissue repair of vulvar injuries, relieving symptoms and facilitating the performance of vaginal dilation exercises. Conclusion:FBM was appropriate and effective in reducing pain, burning sensation and discomfort, providing an anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerating effect. This resulted in a perceived improvement in other complaints related to the use of underwear and intimate hygiene. However, for the laser to become a strongly recommended resource in this scenario, more robust studies are needed, with longer intervention and follow-up times, as randomized and controlled clinical trials.

Introducción: En la literatura, la enfermedad de injerto contra huésped vulvovaginal (EICH) tiene una incidencia que varía entre 24,9% y 69% y no existen muchos estudios que aborden este tema. La fotobiomodulación (FBM) para la EICH vulvovaginal no se ha descrito en la literatura hasta la fecha, pero existe evidencia de su eficacia en la EICH oral y en la prevención de la mucositis oral relacionada con el cáncer. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la evaluación y el tratamiento de fisioterapia con FBM de una paciente diagnosticada de EICH vulvovaginal. Informe del caso: Mujer con EICH vulvovaginal que refiere dolor moderado al orinar, dificultad para realizar la higiene íntima, sensación de ardor en la vulva y malestar severo al usar ropa interior. La FBM favoreció la mejora del dolor y la reparación tisular de las lesiones de la vulva, aliviando los síntomas y facilitando la realización de ejercicios de dilatación vaginal. Conclusión: La FBM fue apropiada y eficaz para reducir el dolor, la sensación de ardor y el malestar, proporcionando un efecto antiinflamatorio y regenerador de tejidos. Esto resultó en una mejora percibida en otras quejas relacionadas con el uso de ropa interior y la higiene íntima. Sin embargo, para que el láser se convierta en un recurso muy recomendable en este escenario se necesitan estudios más robustos, con tiempos de intervención y seguimiento más prolongados, como ensayos clínicos aleatorizados y controlados.

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INTRODUCCIÓN: Las infecciones fúngicas invasoras (IFI) en pacientes con neoplasias hematológicas (NH) representan un desafío diagnóstico y terapéutico. OBJETIVOS: Describir la etiología, características clínicas, diagnóstico y evolución de los episodios de IFI probadas y probables en pacientes con NH y trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos (TPH). PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y de cohorte que incluyó IFI probadas y probables en pacientes adultos con NH y TPH. Se realizó seguimiento hasta el día 90. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 80 episodios de IFI: 49% probadas y 51% probables, 67,5% por hongos filamentosos (HF), 30% por hongos levaduriformes (HL) y 2,5% por hongos dimorfos. Los tipos de IFI más frecuentes fueron aspergilosis invasoras pulmonares (AP) y candidiasis invasoras (CI), en su mayoría por Candida spp. no albicans. Todos los casos de AP se diagnosticaron por detección de galactomanano en sangre y/o lavado broncoalveolar, y solamente 22,2% presentaban nódulos con halo en la tomografía computada (TC) de tórax, siendo los infiltrados inespecíficos los hallazgos más frecuentes. Tuvieron coinfección bacteriana y viral el 30 y 17,5%, respectivamente. El 50% fueron IFI de brecha, y la mortalidad global y mortalidad relacionada a la IFI fue 51 y 24%, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: Los HF fueron la principal causa de IFI, con una gran proporción de IFI de brecha, y presentaron elevada mortalidad. Para el diagnóstico, resulta importante la utilización de biomarcadores y jerarquizar cualquier imagen patológica en la TC.

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal infections (IFI) in patients with hematological malignancies (HM) represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. AIM: To describe the etiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and evolution of proven and probable IFI episodes in patients with HM and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive, cohort study performed in adult patients with HM and HSCT, who developed proven and probable IFI. Follow-up was carried out until day 90. RESULTS: A total of 80 IFI episodes were included: 49% proven and 51% probable, 67,5% due to mold (M), 30% to yeast-like fungi (Y) and 2,5% to dimorphic fungi. The most frequent causes were probable pulmonary aspergillosis (PA) and invasive candidiasis (IC), mainly due to non-albicans Candida species. PA were all diagnosed by detection of galactomannan (GM) in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage, and only 22,2% presented halo sign on chest CT. Bacterial and viral coinfections were reported in 30% and 17,5% respectively. Breakthrough IFI occurred in 50%, and global and IFI-related mortality were 51% and 24% respectively. CONCLUSION: Mold was the main cause of IFI, with a large proportion of breakthrough IFI, presenting high mortality. The use of biomarkers and the classification of any pathological image on CT contribute to the diagnosis.

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Objetivo: evaluar y correlacionar la calidad de vida y la toxicidad financiera de pacientes adultos sometidos a trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas durante el período de la pandemia de COVID-19. Método: estudio observacional, analítico, realizado con 35 pacientes en un hospital de referencia para trasplante en Latinoamérica. Para la recolección de datos, se utilizaron los cuestionarios Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy Bone Marrow Transplantation y el COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizaron las pruebas de correlación de Spearman y Mann-Whitney. Resultados: la calidad de vida general durante la COVID-19 mostró un puntaje bajo (67,09/108) con mayor deterioro en el bienestar funcional (14,47/28), bienestar social (16,76/28) y preocupaciones adicionales (23,41/40). Los promedios del grupo alogénico fueron inferiores a los del grupo autólogo en todos los dominios, presentando diferencia significativa en relación a preocupaciones adicionales (p=0,01) y en el índice de evaluación del tratamiento (p=0,04). Se consideró que la toxicidad financiera tenía un impacto leve (22.11/44). Se observó una relación, aunque no significativa, entre la calidad de vida y la toxicidad financiera (p=0,051). Conclusión: la calidad de vida de la muestra fue baja; existe una correlación entre la calidad de vida y la toxicidad financiera, aunque no significativa. Cuanto mayor es la toxicidad financiera, menor es la calidad de vida.

Objective: to evaluate and correlate the quality of life and financial toxicity of adult patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: observational, analytical study, carried out with 35 patients in a reference hospital for transplantation in Latin America. For data collection, the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy Bone Marrow Transplantation and COmprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity questionnaires were used. Spearman and Mann-Whitney correlation tests were used for data analysis. Results: general quality of life during COVID-19 had a low score (67.09/108) with greater impairment in functional well-being (14.47/28), social well-being (16.76/28) and additional concerns (23.41/40). The means of the allogeneic group were lower than those of the autologous group in all domains, showing a significant difference in relation to additional concerns (p=0.01) and in the treatment evaluation index (p=0.04). Financial toxicity was considered to have a slight impact (22.11/44). There was a relationship, albeit not significant, between quality of life and financial toxicity (p=0.051). Conclusion: the quality of life of the sample was low; there is a correlation between quality of life and financial toxicity, although not significant. The higher the financial toxicity, the lower the quality of life.

Objetivo: avaliar e correlacionar a qualidade de vida e a toxicidade financeira dos pacientes adultos submetidos ao transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas no período da pandemia de COVID-19. Método: estudo observacional, analítico, realizado com 35 pacientes em um hospital de referência para o transplante na América Latina. Para coleta de dados, utilizaram-se os questionários Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy Bone Marrow Transplantation e COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity. Na análise dos dados empregaram-se os testes de correlação de Spearman e Mann-Whitney. Resultados: a qualidade de vida geral, durante a COVID-19, apresentou baixo escore (67,09/108), com maior comprometimento nas funções bem-estar funcional (14,47/28), social (16,76/28) e preocupações adicionais (23,41/40). As médias do grupo alogênico foram inferiores às do autólogo em todos os domínios, apresentando diferença significativa em relação às preocupações adicionais (p=0,01) e ao índice de avaliação do tratamento (p=0,04). A toxicidade financeira foi considerada de impacto leve (22,11/44). Observou-se relação, ainda que não significativa, entre a qualidade de vida e a toxicidade financeira (p=0,051). Conclusão: a qualidade de vida da amostra foi baixa, logo há uma correlação entre qualidade de vida e a toxicidade financeira, embora não significativa. Quanto maior a toxicidade financeira, menor a qualidade de vida.

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INTRODUCCIÓN: Las opacidades pulmonares en receptores de trasplante de precursores hematopoyéticos (TPH) representan un desafío diagnóstico y son una causa de morbimortalidad. Existen grandes discrepancias con respecto a la sensibilidad diagnóstica del lavado broncoalveolar (LBA), sus complicaciones, y los factores asociados a la identificación microbiológica. OBJETIVO: Conocer la utilidad del estudio microbiológico del LBA en el diagnóstico, modificación de la conducta médica y estimar las complicaciones y mortalidad asociada al procedimiento, en receptores de TPH con opacidades pulmonares. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de cohorte, retrospectivo, en adultos receptores de TPH a los que se les realizó una broncoscopía con LBA por presentar opacidades pulmonares, en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires entre el 01/01/2011 y el 31/12/2020. RESULTADOS: De los 189 procedimientos analizados, en 79 se logró un hallazgo microbiológico (41,8%) y 122 permitieron modificar la conducta médica (64,6%). En 11 casos se observaron complicaciones graves dentro de las 12 horas (5,8%) de efectuado el LBA. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue de 16,8% (N = 21/125). El valor de neutrófilos en sangre previo al LBA (p = 0,037) y la presencia de nódulos pulmonares como lesión tomográfica predominante (p = 0,029) se asociaron independientemente al hallazgo microbiològico global. CONCLUSIONES: Nuestra investigación apoya la realización del LBA como herramienta diagnóstica en pacientes que reciben un TPH y presentan opacidades pulmonares.

BACKGROUND: Lung opacities are a cause of morbimortality in bone marrow transplant patients, and represent a diagnostic challenge. There are large discrepancies regarding the diagnostic sensitivity of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), its complications, and the factors associated with microbiological detection. AIM: To know the usefulness of the microbiological study of BAL in the diagnosis, in the modification in medical behavior and to estimate the complications and associated mortality of this diagnostic procedure in patients transplanted with hematopoietic progenitor cells with pulmonary opacities. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study in bone marrow transplant adult patients who underwent bronchoscopy with BAL due to lung opacities at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires between 01/01/2011 and 12/31/2020. RESULTS: Of the 189 BAL analyzed, 79 presented a microbiological detection (41.8%) and 122 allowed to modify the medical behavior (64.6%). Severe complications were observed within 12 hours after the procedure in11 cases (5.8%). In-hospital mortality was 16,8% (N = 21/125). The value of blood neutrophils prior to bronchoalveolar lavage (p = 0.037) and the presence of pulmonary nodules as the predominant tomographic lesion (p = 0.029) were independently associated with global microbiological detection. CONCLUSION: Our research supports the performance of BAL as a diagnostic tool in bone marrow transplant patients with lung opacities.

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BACKGROUND@#Immunotherapies such as adoptive immune cell infusion and immune-modulating agents are widely used for cancer treatment, and the concomitant symptoms, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or immune-related adverse events (irAEs), are frequently reported. However, clinical manifestations induced by mismatched donor granulocyte colony-stimulating factor mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cell (GPBMC) infusion in patients receiving microtransplant (MST) have not yet been well depicted.@*METHODS@#We analyzed 88 cycles of mismatched GPBMC infusion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia receiving MST and 54 cycles of chemotherapy without GPBMC infusion as a comparison. Clinical symptoms and their correlation with clinical features, laboratory findings, and clinical response were explored.@*RESULTS@#Fever (58.0% [51/88]) and chills (43.2% [38/88]) were the significant early-onset symptoms after GPBMC infusion. Patients possessing less human leukocyte antigen-matching loci with the donor or those with unrelated donors experienced more chills (3 [2-5] loci vs. 5 [3-5] loci, P  = 0.043 and 66.7% [12/18] vs. 37.1% [26/70], P  = 0.024). On the other hand, those with decreased CD4 + /CD8 + T-cell ratio developed more fever (0.8 [0.7-1.2] vs. 1.4 [1.1-2.2], P  = 0.007). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that younger patients experienced more fever (odds ratio [OR] = 0.963, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.932-0.995, P  = 0.022), while patients with younger donors experienced more chills (OR = 0.915, 95% CI: 0.859-0.975, P  = 0.006). Elevated ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein levels in the absence of cytokine storm were observed following GPBMC infusion, which indicated mild and transient inflammatory response. Although no predictive value of infusion-related syndrome to leukemia burden change was found, the proportion of host pre-treatment activated T cells was positively correlated with leukemia control.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Mismatched GPBMC infusion in MST induced unique infusion-related symptoms and laboratory changes, which were associated with donor- or recipient-derived risk factors, with less safety and tolerance concerns than reported CRS or irAEs.

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Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for treating steroid-refractory gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease (GI-aGVHD) . Methods: This analysis included 29 patients with hematology who developed steroid-refractory GI-aGVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in Huaian Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from March 2017 to March 2022. Among them, 19 patients underwent FMT treatment (the FMT group) and 10 patients did not (the control group). The efficacy and safety of FMT were assessed, as well as the changes in intestinal microbiota abundance, lymphocyte subpopulation ratio, peripheral blood inflammatory cytokines, and GVHD biomarkers before and after FMT treatment. Results: ① Complete remission of clinical symptoms after FMT was achieved by 13 (68.4%) patients and 2 (20.0%) controls, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Intestinal microbiota diversity increased and gradually recovered to normal levels after FMT and FMT-related infections did not occur. ②The proportion of CD3(+) and CD8(+) cells in the FMT group after treatment decreased compared with the control group, and the ratio of CD4(+), regulatory T cells (Treg), and CD4(+)/CD8(+) cells increased (all P< 0.05). The interleukin (IL) -6 concentration in the FMT group was lower than that in the control group [4.15 (1.91-5.71) ng/L vs 6.82 (2.40-8.91) ng/L, P=0.040], and the IL-10 concentration in the FMT group was higher than that in the control group [12.11 (5.69-20.36) ng/L vs 7.51 (4.10-9.58) ng/L, P=0.024]. Islet-derived protein 3α (REG3α) was significantly increased in patients with GI-aGVHD, and the REG3α level in the FMT group was lower than that in the control group after treatment [30.70 (10.50-105.00) μg/L vs 74.35 (33.50-139.50) μg/L, P=0.021]. Conclusion: FMT is a safe and effective method for the treatment of steroid-refractory GI-aGVHD by restoring intestinal microbiota diversity, regulating inflammatory cytokines, and upregulating Treg cells.

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Objectives: To investigate the role of donor change in the second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT2) for hematological relapse of malignant hematology after the first transplantation (HSCT1) . Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with relapsed hematological malignancies who received HSCT2 at our single center between Mar 1998 and Dec 2020. A total of 70 patients were enrolled[49 males and 21 females; median age, 31.5 (3-61) yr]. Results: Forty-nine male and 21 female patients were enrolled in the trial. At the time of HSCT2, the median age was 31.5 (3-61) years old. Thirty-one patients were diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, 23 patients with ALL, and 16 patients with MDS or other malignant hematology disease. Thirty patients had HSCT2 with donor change, and 40 patients underwent HSCT2 without donor change. The median relapse time after HSCT1 was 245.5 (26-2 905) days. After HSCT2, 70 patients had neutrophil engraftment, and 62 (88.6%) had platelet engraftment. The cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment was (93.1±4.7) % in patients with donor change and (86.0±5.7) % in patients without donor change (P=0.636). The cumulative incidence of CMV infection in patients with and without donor change was (64.0±10.3) % and (37.0±7.8) % (P=0.053), respectively. The cumulative incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft versus host disease was (19.4±7.9) % vs (31.3±7.5) %, respectively (P=0.227). The cumulative incidence of TRM 100-day post HSCT2 was (9.2±5.1) % vs (6.7±4.6) % (P=0.648), and the cumulative incidence of chronic graft versus host disease at 1-yr post-HSCT2 was (36.7±11.4) % versus (65.6±9.1) % (P=0.031). With a median follow-up of 767 (271-4 936) days, 38 patients had complete remission (CR), and three patients had persistent disease. The CR rate was 92.7%. The cumulative incidences of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) 2 yr after HSCT2 were 25.8% and 23.7%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of relapse, OS, and DFS was (52.6±11.6) % vs (62.4±11.3) % (P=0.423), (28.3±8.6) % vs (23.8±7.5) % (P=0.643), and (28.3±8.6) % vs (22.3±7.7) % (P=0.787), respectively, in patients with changed donor compared with patients with the original donor. Relapses within 6 months post-HSCT1 and with persistent disease before HSCT2 were risk factors for OS, DFS, and CIR. Disease status before HSCT2 and early relapse (within 6 months post-HSCT1) was an independent risk factor for OS, DFS, and CIR post-HSCT2. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that changing donors did not affect the clinical outcome of HSCT2.

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Objective: To investigate the early effect and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with a 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) /myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) . Methods: From April 2021 to May 2022, 31 AML/MDS patients who received allo-HSCT with a 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen were analyzed. Results: AML (n=10), MDS-AML (n=6), CMML-AML (n=1), and MDS (n=14) were identified in 31 patients, 16 males, and 15 females, with a median age of 41 (20-55) yr. Neutrophils and platelets were successfully implanted in 31 patients (100%), with a median implantation duration of 12 (9-30) and 14 (9-42) days, respectively. During the preconditioning period, 16 patients (51.6%) developed oral mucositis, with 15 cases of Ⅰ/Ⅱ grade (48.4%) and one case of Ⅲ grade (3.2%). After transplantation, 13 patients (41.9%) developed CMV viremia, six patients (19.4%) developed hemorrhagic cystitis, and four patients (12.9%) developed a local infection. The median time of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) following transplantation was 33 (12-111) days. The cumulative incidence of aGVHD and Ⅲ/Ⅳ grade aGVHD was 41.9% (95% CI 26.9%-61.0%) and 22.9% (95% CI 13.5%-47.5%), respectively. There was no severe cGVHD, and mild and moderate chronic GVHD (cGVHD) incidence was 23.5% (95% CI 12.1%-43.6%). As of November 30, 2022, only one of the 31 patients had relapsed, with a 1-yr cumulative relapse rate (CIR) of 3.2% (95% CI 0.5%-20.7%). There was only one relapse patient death and no non-relapse deaths. The 1-yr overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 92.9% (95% CI 80.3%-100%) and 96.8% (95% CI 90.8%-100%), respectively. Conclusions: A 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen for allo-HSCT reduced relapse and was safe and feasible in treating AML/MDS.

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Objective: To investigate the risk factors for human cytomegalovirus infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children and the impact of human cytomegalovirus infection on post-transplant immune reconstitution. Methods: A Retrospective Co-Hort study design was used to include 81 children treated with allo-HSCT from January 2020 to March 2022 at the Department of Hematology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China, and followed up for 1 year. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect positive detection of HCMV in children after allo-HSCT, multifactorial logistic regression modeling was used to analyze the risk factors leading to HCMV infection, and generalized estimating equation modeling was used to analyze the effect of HCMV infection on the T-cells of the children who received allo-HSCT. Results: The age M(Q1, Q3) of 81 children was 5.1 years (10 months, 13.8 years), and 50 (61.7%) were male. By the endpoint of follow-up, a total of 50 HCMV-positive cases were detected, with an HCMV detection rate of 61.7%; The results of multifactorial logistic regression modeling showed that children with grade 2-4 aGVHD had a higher risk of HCMV infection compared with grade 0-1 after transplantation [OR (95%CI) value: 2.735 (1.027-7.286)]. The results of generalized estimating equation modeling analysis showed that the number of CD3+T cells in HCMV-positive children after transplantation was higher than that in the HCMV-negative group [RR (95%CI) value: 1.34 (1.008-1.795)]; the ratio of CD4+T/CD8+T cells was smaller than that in the HCMV-negative group [RR (95%CI) value: 0.377 (0.202-0.704)]; the number of CD8+T cells was higher than that in the HCMV-negative group [RR (95%CI) value: 1.435 (1.025-2.061)]; the number of effector memory CD8+T cells was higher than that in the HCMV-negative group [RR (95%CI) value: 1.877 (1.089-3.236)]. Conclusion: Acute graft-versus-host disease may be a risk factor for HCMV infection in children after allo-HSCT; post-transplant HCMV infection promotes proliferation of memory CD8+T-cell populations and affects immune cell reconstitution.

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Objective: To determine the optimal cutoff value of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA load that can assist in the diagnosis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) . Methods: The data of patients with EBV infection after haplo-HSCT from January to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Through constructing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculating the Youden index to determine the cutoff value of EBV-DNA load and its duration of diagnostic significance for PTLD. Results: A total of 94 patients were included, of whom 20 (21.3% ) developed PTLD, with a median onset time of 56 (40-309) d after transplantation. The median EBV value at the time of diagnosis of PTLD was 70,400 (1,710-1,370,000) copies/ml, and the median duration of EBV viremia was 23.5 (4-490) d. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the peak EBV-DNA load (the EBV-DNA load at the time of diagnosis in the PTLD group) and duration of EBV viremia between the PTLD and non-PTLD groups. The results showed that the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.018 and P=0.001) . The ROC curve was constructed to calculate the Youden index, and it was concluded that the EBV-DNA load ≥ 41 850 copies/ml after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation had diagnostic significance for PTLD (AUC=0.847) , and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.611 and 0.932, respectively. The duration of EBV viremia of ≥20.5 d had diagnostic significance for PTLD (AUC=0.833) , with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.778 and 0.795, respectively. Conclusion: Dynamic monitoring of EBV load in high-risk patients with PTLD after haplo-HSCT and attention to its duration have important clinical significance, which can help clinically predict the occurrence of PTLD in advance and take early intervention measures.

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Objective: To explore the incidence and clinical characteristics of engraftment syndrome (ES) after syngeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (syn-HSCT) in patients with hematological diseases. Methods: The clinical data of 21 patients who received syn-HSCT at People's Hospital of Peking University from January 1994 to May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Seven (33.3% ) of 21 patients developed ES. The onset of ES symptoms occurred at a median of 8 (range: 5-13) days after HSCT, and the diagnosis of ES occurred at a median of 10 (range: 7-14) days after HSCT. Steroids were administered immediately after the diagnosis of ES, the median time of symptom continuance was 2 (range: 1-5) days, and all patients showed complete resolution of ES symptoms. In the multivariate analysis, patients with acute myeloid leukemia and faster neutrophil reconstitution were the risk factors for ES (HR=15.298, 95% CI 1.486-157.501, P=0.022, and HR=17.459, 95% CI 1.776-171.687, P=0.014) . Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in the overall survival and disease-free survival between patients with ES and those without ES. Conclusion: A high incidence of ES was observed in syn-HSCT recipients. Moreover, the prognosis of ES was excellent.

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Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of adenovirus infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods: A total of 26 patients with adenovirus infection admitted to the posttransplant ward of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from 2018 to 2022 were enrolled. Their data on baseline and clinical characteristics, treatment, and follow-up were analyzed. Results: The median patient age was 30 (22, 44) years. Twenty-two patients received related haploid stem cell transplantation, three received unrelated stem cell transplantation, and one received umbilical cord stem cell transplantation. Antithymocyte globulin was included in the conditioning regimen in 25 patients. The median time of adenovirus infection was +95 (+44, +152) days. The median peripheral blood lymphocyte count was 0.30 (0.11, 0.69) × 10(9)/L. Twelve patients had acute graft-versus-host disease. Twenty-four patients received antirejection therapies at diagnosis. Sixteen cases had combined infection with other pathogens with adenovirus infection. Eight cases were diagnosed as asymptomatic infection, and 18 were diagnosed as adenovirus disease, including pneumonia (38.89% ) , gastrointestinal disease (38.89% ) , encephalitis (33.33% ) , hepatitis (5.56% ) , and urinary tract inflammation (5.56% ) . The age of >30 years was a risk factor for adenovirus disease (P=0.03) . Eighteen patients received tapering of immunosuppression, and all 26 patients received at least one antiviral drug. Other treatments included high-dose gamma globulin and donor lymphocyte infusion. Adenovirus infection improved in 10 cases and progressed in 16 cases. The median follow-up time was 30 (7, 237) days. Twenty-two patients died. The all-cause mortality rate was (88.5±7.1) % , and the attributable mortality rate was 45.5% . There was no significant difference in the 100 d survival rate between asymptomatic infected patients and patients diagnosed with adenovirus disease (37.5% vs 22.2% , HR=1.83, 95% CI 0.66-5.04, P=0.24) . Conclusion: The age of >30 years was a risk factor for adenovirus disease. Mortality was high in patients with adenovirus infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the efficacy and safety of matched sibling donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the treatment of young patients with multiple myeloma (MM).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 8 young patients (median age：46 years) with MM who underwent allo-HSCT from HLA-indentical sibling donors in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from June 2013 to September 2021 were collected, and their survival and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.@*RESULTS@#All the patients were successfully transplanted, and 7 patients could be evaluated the efficacy after transplantation. The median follow-up time was 35.2 (2.5-84.70) months. The complete response (CR) rate was 2/8 before transplantation and 6/7 after transplantation. Acute GVHD developed in 2 cases and extensive chronic GVHD developed in 1 case. Within 100 days, 1 case died of non-recurrent events, and 1-year and 2-year disease-free survival were 6 and 5 cases, respectively. At the end of follow-up, all the 5 patients who survived for more than 2 years survived, and the longest disease-free survival time has reached 84 months.@*CONCLUSION@#With the development of new drugs, HLA-matched sibling donor allo-HSCT may be a curable treatment for young patients with MM.

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OBJECTIVE@#To explore the risk factors of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and refractory CMV infection (RCI) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and their influences on survival.@*METHODS@#A total of 246 patients who received allo-HSCT from 2015 to 2020 were divided into CMV group (n=67) and non-CMV group (n=179) according to whether they had CMV infection. Patients with CMV infection were further divided into RCI group (n=18) and non-RCI group (n=49) according to whether they had RCI. The risk factors of CMV infection and RCI were analyzed, and the diagnostic significance of Logistics regression model was verified by ROC curve. The differences of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between groups and the risk factors affecting OS were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#For patients with CMV infection, the median time of the first CMV infection was 48(7-183) days after allo-HSCT, and the median duration was 21 (7-158) days. Older age, EB viremia and gradeⅡ-Ⅳacute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) significantly increased the risk of CMV infection (P=0.032, <0.001 and 0.037, respectively). Risk factors for RCI were EB viremia and the peak value of CMV-DNA at diagnosis≥1×104 copies/ml (P=0.039 and 0.006, respectively). White blood cell (WBC)≥4×109/L at 14 days after transplantation was a protective factor for CMV infection and RCI (P=0.013 and 0.014, respectively). The OS rate in CMV group was significantly lower than that in non-CMV group (P=0.033), and also significantly lower in RCI group than that in non-RCI group (P=0.043). Hematopoietic reconstruction was a favorable factor for OS (P<0.001), whereas CMV-DNA≥1.0×104 copies/ml within 60 days after transplantation was a risk factor for OS (P=0.005).@*CONCLUSION@#The late recovery of WBC and the combination of EB viremia after transplantation are common risk factors for CMV infection and RCI. CMV-DNA load of 1×104 copies/ml is an important threshold, higher than which is associated with higher RCI and lower OS risk.

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OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the efficacy and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with decitabine (Dec)-conditioning regimen in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and MDS transformed acute myeloid leukemia (MDS-AML).@*METHODS@#The characteristics and efficacy data of 93 patients with MDS and MDS-AML who received allo-HSCT in our center from April 2013 to November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were administered by myeloablative conditioning regimen containing Dec (25 mg/m2 /d×3 d).@*RESULTS@#Among the 93 patients, 63 males and 30 females, were diagnosed as MDS（n ＝77）, MDS-AML（n ＝16）. The incidence of I/II grade regimen-related toxicity (RRT) was 39.8%, and III grade RRT was only found in 1 patient (1%). Neutrophil engraftment was successful in 91 (97.8%) patients after a median neutrophil engraftment time of 14 (9-27) days; Successful platelet engraftment was achieved in 87 (93.5%) patients, with a median engraftment time of 18 (9-290) days. The incidence of acute graft versus host disease（aGVHD） and grade III-IV aGVHD was 44.2% and 16.2%, respectively. The incidence of chronic graft versus host disease（cGVHD） and moderate-to-severe cGVHD was 59.5% and 37.1%, respectively. Of the 93 patients, 54 (58%) developed posttransplant infections, among which lung infection (32.3%) and bloodstream infection (12.9%) were the most common. The median follow-up after transplantation was 45 (0.1-108) months. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate, disease-free survival (DFS) rate, treatment-related mortality, and cumulative incidence of relapse were 72.7%, 68.4%, 25.1%, and 6.5%, respectively. And the 1-year graft-versus-host disease/relapse-free survival rate was 49.3%. The patients in different group of relative high-risk prognostic scoring or low-risk prognostic scoring, with or without poor-risk mutation(s), with mutations number ≥3 or <3 had similar 5-year OS rate (more than 70%). Multivariate analysis showed that the incidence of grade III-IV aGVHD was the independent risk factor affecting OS（P =0.008）and DFS (P =0.019).@*CONCLUSION@#Allo-HSCT with Dec-conditioning regimen is feasible and effective in the treatment of patients with MDS and MDS-AML, especially those in high prognostic risk and with poor-risk mutations.

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OBJECTIVE@#To explore the relationship between occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and various immune cell composition in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 104 patients with AML undergoing allo-HSCT in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, and the hematopoietic reconstitution and occurrence of GVHD were analyzed. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of various types of immune cells in the grafts, the number of graft composition in patients with different degrees of aGVHD was calculated and compared, and to analyze the correlation between the severity of aGVHD in AML patients after allo-HSCT and the immune cell components in the graft.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in the time of hematopoietic reconstitution between the high number group of total number of nucleated cells (TNC) and the low number group, while the time of neutrophil and platelet reconstruction in the high number of CD34 group was significantly faster than that in the low number of CD34 group (P＜0.05), and the total hospital stay also tends to be shorten. Compared with patients in 0-Ι aGVHD group, both HLA-matched and HLA-haploidentical transplantation, the infusion amounts of CD3+ cells, CD3+CD4+ cells, CD3+CD8+ cells, NK cells and CD14+ monocytes were higher in patients of Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD group， but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05); In addition, in patients with HLA-haploidentical transplantation, the number of CD4+CD25+ cells in Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD group was significantly lower than that in 0-Ι aGVHD group (P<0.05), and the same trend was also observed in HLA-matched transplanted patients, but the difference was not significant (P=0.078).@*CONCLUSION@#High number of CD34+ cells in the graft is beneficial to hematopoietic reconstitution in AML patients. To a certain degree, high number of CD3+ cells, CD3+CD4+ cells, CD3+CD8+ cells, NK cells and CD14+ cells tend to increase the occurrence of aGVHD, but high number of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells is beneficial to reduce the incidence of aGVHD in AML patients.

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Transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is one of the serious complications mostly occurring within 100 days after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Risk factors of TA-TMA include genetic predispositions, GVHD, and infections. The pathophysiological mechanisms of TA-TMA start with endothelial injury caused by complement activation, which leads to microvascular thrombosis, and microvascular hemolysis, ultimately resulting in multi-organ dysfunction. In recent years, the development of complement inhibitors has markedly improved the prognosis of TA-TMA patients. This review will give an update on risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of TA-TMA, so as to provide references for clinical practice.