Low booster uptake in cancer patients despite health benefits.

Patients with cancer are at increased risk of death from COVID-19 and have reduced immune responses to SARS-CoV2 vaccines, necessitating regular boosters. We performed comprehensive chart reviews, surveys of patients attitudes, serology for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and T-cell receptor (TCR) ß sequencing for cellular responses on a cohort of 982 cancer patients receiving active cancer therapy accrued between November-3-2020 and Mar-31-2023. We found that 92·3% of patients received the primer vaccine, 70·8% received one monovalent booster, but only 30·1% received a bivalent booster. Booster uptake was lower under age 50, and among African American or Hispanic patients. Nearly all patients seroconverted after 2+ booster vaccinations (>99%) and improved cellular responses, demonstrating that repeated boosters could overcome poor response to vaccination. Receipt of booster vaccinations was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR=0·61, P=0·024). Booster uptake in high-risk cancer patients remains low and strategies to encourage booster uptake are needed. Highlights: COVID-19 booster vaccinations increase antibody levels and maintain T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 in patients receiving various anti-cancer therapiesBooster vaccinations reduced all-cause mortality in patientsA significant proportion of patients remain unboosted and strategies are needed to encourage patients to be up-to-date with vaccinations.

Somatic SETBP1 mutations in myeloid malignancies.

Here we report whole-exome sequencing of individuals with various myeloid malignancies and identify recurrent somatic mutations in SETBP1, consistent with a recent report on atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML). Closely positioned somatic SETBP1 mutations encoding changes in Asp868, Ser869, Gly870, Ile871 and Asp880, which match germline mutations in Schinzel-Giedion syndrome (SGS), were detected in 17% of secondary acute myeloid leukemias (sAML) and 15% of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) cases. These results from deep sequencing demonstrate a higher mutational detection rate than reported with conventional sequencing methodology. Mutant cases were associated with advanced age and monosomy 7/deletion 7q (-7/del(7q)) constituting poor prognostic factors. Analysis of serially collected samples indicated that SETBP1 mutations were acquired during leukemic evolution. Transduction with mutant Setbp1 led to the immortalization of mouse myeloid progenitors that showed enhanced proliferative capacity compared to cells transduced with wild-type Setbp1. Somatic mutations of SETBP1 seem to cause gain of function, are associated with myeloid leukemic transformation and convey poor prognosis in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and CMML.

Clonal drift demonstrates unexpected dynamics of the T-cell repertoire in T-large granular lymphocyte leukemia.

T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (T-LGLL) is characterized by chronic lymphoproliferation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and is associated with lineage-restricted cytopenias. Introduction of T-cell receptor (TCR) variable ß-chain (Vß) monoclonal antibodies has facilitated identification and enumeration of clonal CTLs by flow cytometry. A highly skewed TCR Vß repertoire identified by flow cytometry is strongly associated with monoclonal CDR3 regions by quantitative sequencing and positive TCRγ rearrangement assays. Therefore, Vß expansions can serve as surrogate markers of CTL clonality to assess clonal kinetics in T-LGLL. We analyzed the TCR repertoire in 143 patients, 71 of which were available for serial measurements over 6 to 96 months. Although the majority (38/71, 54%) maintained a consistent monoclonal expansion, many (26/71, 37%) unexpectedly displayed a change in the dominant clone, whereby the original CTL clone contracted and another emerged as demonstrated by Vß typing. Our results demonstrate that the T-cell repertoire is more dynamic in T-LGLL than recognized previously, illustrating the heterogeneity of disorders under this categorization.

Frequent EVI1 translocations in myeloid blast crisis CML that evolves through tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Clinical variables associated with ecotropic viral integration site 1 (EVI1) translocations were evaluated in 42 consecutive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in myeloid blast crisis (MBC). Translocations were confirmed with fluorescence in situ hybridization, and Western blot analysis demonstrated EVI1 expression. Translocations of EVI1 were present in 3 of 24 (12%) patients whose disease evolved MBC before tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) exposure, and 7 of 18 (39%) patients who had received one or more TKIs. Univariate analysis showed that prior TKI therapy was the only clinical variable that was significantly associated with EVI1 translocation (P = 0.047). TKI-resistant BCR-ABL1 mutations were present in 71% of MBC patients with EVI1 translocations at the time of disease progression. These observations suggest that EVI1 overexpression collaborates with BCR-ABL1 in the evolution of TKI-resistant MBC. Inhibition of c-ABL kinase-mediated DNA double-strand repair by TKIs may predispose to EVI1 translocation in this setting.

Dasatinib 100 mg once daily minimizes the occurrence of pleural effusion in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase and efficacy is unaffected in patients who develop pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND: Dasatinib, a highly potent BCR-ABL inhibitor, is an effective treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML CP) after resistance, suboptimal response, or intolerance to prior imatinib. In a phase 3 dose optimization trial in patients with CML CP (CA180-034), the occurrence of pleural effusion was significantly minimized with dasatinib 100 mg once daily (QD) compared with other treatment arms (70 mg twice daily [twice daily], 140 mg QD, or 50 mg twice daily). METHODS: To investigate the occurrence and management of pleural effusion during dasatinib treatment, and efficacy in patients with or without pleural effusion, data from CA180-034 were analyzed. RESULTS: With 24-month minimum follow-up, 14% of patients treated with dasatinib 100 mg QD incurred pleural effusion (grade 3: 2%; grade 4: 0%) compared with 23% to 26% in other study arms. The pleural effusion rate showed only a minimal increment from 12 to 24 months. In the 100 mg QD study arm, median time to pleural effusion (any grade) was 315 days, and after pleural effusion, 52% of patients had a transient dose interruption, 35% had a dose reduction, 57% received a diuretic, and 26% received a corticosteroid. Three patients in the 100 mg QD study arm discontinued treatment after pleural effusion. Across all study arms, patients with or without pleural effusion demonstrated similar progression-free and overall survival, and cytogenetic response rates were higher in patients with a pleural effusion. CONCLUSIONS: Pleural effusion is minimized with dasatinib 100 mg QD dosing and its occurrence does not affect short- or long-term efficacy.

Clonal hematopoiesis in Philadelphia chromosome-negative bone marrow cells of chronic myeloid leukemia patients receiving dasatinib.

A clonal cytogenetic abnormality was observed in Philadelphia chromosome-negative bone marrow cells of 6/27 chronic myeloid leukemia patients (+8 in 4, -7 in 1, and 20q- in 1) with dasatinib-induced remissions. The X-linked human androgen receptor gene assay demonstrated clonality in one additional patient. Single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis revealed somatic uniparental disomy involving chromosome 17(p12-pter) in another patient. The TP53 gene had a 5' splice site deletion of exon 6 that caused alternative splicing, frame shifting and introduction of a premature stop codon. After three years, no patient developed myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia.

Mutations of e3 ubiquitin ligase cbl family members constitute a novel common pathogenic lesion in myeloid malignancies.

PURPOSE: Acquired somatic uniparental disomy (UPD) is commonly observed in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN), or secondary acute myelogenous leukemia (sAML) and may point toward genes harboring mutations. Recurrent UPD11q led to identification of homozygous mutations in c-Cbl, an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in attenuation of proliferative signals transduced by activated receptor tyrosine kinases. We examined the role and frequency of Cbl gene family mutations in MPN and related conditions. METHODS: We applied high-density SNP-A karyotyping to identify loss of heterozygosity of 11q in 442 patients with MDS, MDS/MPN, MPN, sAML evolved from these conditions, and primary AML. We sequenced c-Cbl, Cbl-b, and Cbl-c in patients with or without corresponding UPD or deletions and correlated mutational status with clinical features and outcomes. RESULTS: We identified c-Cbl mutations in 5% and 9% of patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and sAML, and also in CML blast crisis and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). Most mutations were homozygous and affected c-Cbl; mutations in Cbl-b were also found in patients with similar clinical features. Patients with Cbl family mutations showed poor prognosis, with a median survival of 5 months. Pathomorphologic features included monocytosis, monocytoid blasts, aberrant expression of phosphoSTAT5, and c-kit overexpression. Serial studies showed acquisition of c-Cbl mutations during malignant evolution. CONCLUSION: Mutations in the Cbl family RING finger domain or linker sequence constitute important pathogenic lesions associated with not only preleukemic CMML, JMML, and other MPN, but also progression to AML, suggesting that impairment of degradation of activated tyrosine kinases constitutes an important cancer mechanism.

Pomalidomide is active in the treatment of anemia associated with myelofibrosis.

PURPOSE: Thalidomide and lenalidomide can alleviate anemia in myelofibrosis. However, their value is undermined by their respective potential to cause peripheral neuropathy and myelosuppression. We therefore evaluated the safety and therapeutic activity of another immunomodulatory drug, pomalidomide. METHODS: In a phase II randomized, multicenter, double-blind, adaptive design study, four treatment arms were evaluated: pomalidomide (2 mg/d) plus placebo, pomalidomide (2 mg/d) plus prednisone, pomalidomide (0.5 mg/d) plus prednisone, and prednisone plus placebo. Pomalidomide was administered for up to 12 28-day treatment cycles. Prednisone (30 mg/d) was given in a tapering dose schedule during the first three cycles. Response was assessed by International Working Group criteria. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients with myelofibrosis-associated anemia were randomly assigned to the aforementioned treatment arms: 22, 19, 22, and 21, respectively. Response in anemia was documented in 20 patients, including 15 who became transfusion independent. Response rates in the four treatment arms were 23% (95% CI, 5% to 41%), 16% (95% CI, 0% to 33%), 36% (95% CI, 16% to 56%), and 19% (95% CI, 2% to 36%). The corresponding figures for patients receiving > or = 3 cycles of treatment (n = 62) were 38%, 23%, 40%, and 25%. Response to pomalidomide with or without prednisone was durable (range, 3.2 to 16.9+ months) and significantly better in the absence of leukocytosis (37% v 8%; P = .01); JAK2V617F or cytogenetic status did not affect response. Grade > or = 3 toxicities were infrequent and included (in each treatment arm) neutropenia (9%; 16%; 5%; 5%), thrombocytopenia (14%; 16%; 9%; 5%), and thrombosis (9%; 5%; 0%; 0%). CONCLUSION: Pomalidomide therapy at 0.5 or 2 mg/d with or without an abbreviated course of prednisone is well tolerated in patients with myelofibrosis and active in the treatment of anemia.

Intermittent target inhibition with dasatinib 100 mg once daily preserves efficacy and improves tolerability in imatinib-resistant and -intolerant chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia.

PURPOSE: Dasatinib is a BCR-ABL inhibitor, 325-fold more potent than imatinib against unmutated BCR-ABL in vitro. Phase II studies have demonstrated efficacy and safety with dasatinib 70 mg twice daily in chronic-phase (CP) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) after imatinib treatment failure. In phase I, responses occurred with once-daily administration despite only intermittent BCR-ABL inhibition. Once-daily treatment resulted in less toxicity, suggesting that toxicity results from continuous inhibition of unintended targets. Here, a dose- and schedule-optimization study is reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this open-label phase III trial, 670 patients with imatinib-resistant or -intolerant CP-CML were randomly assigned 1:1:1:1 between four dasatinib treatment groups: 100 mg once daily, 50 mg twice daily, 140 mg once daily, or 70 mg twice daily. RESULTS: With minimum follow-up of 6 months (median treatment duration, 8 months; range, < 1 to 15 months), marked and comparable hematologic (complete, 86% to 92%) and cytogenetic (major, 54% to 59%; complete, 41% to 45%) response rates were observed across the four groups. Time to and duration of cytogenetic response were similar, as was progression-free survival (8% to 11% of patients experienced disease progression or died). Compared with the approved 70-mg twice-daily regimen, dasatinib 100 mg once daily resulted in significantly lower rates of pleural effusion (all grades, 7% v 16%; P = .024) and grade 3 to 4 thrombocytopenia (22% v 37%; P = .004), and fewer patients required dose interruption (51% v 68%), reduction (30% v 55%), or discontinuation (16% v 23%). CONCLUSION: Dasatinib 100 mg once daily retains the efficacy of 70 mg twice daily with less toxicity. Intermittent target inhibition with tyrosine kinase inhibitors may preserve efficacy and reduce adverse events.

Sustained expression of microRNA-155 in hematopoietic stem cells causes a myeloproliferative disorder.

Mammalian microRNAs are emerging as key regulators of the development and function of the immune system. Here, we report a strong but transient induction of miR-155 in mouse bone marrow after injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) correlated with granulocyte/monocyte (GM) expansion. Demonstrating the sufficiency of miR-155 to drive GM expansion, enforced expression in mouse bone marrow cells caused GM proliferation in a manner reminiscent of LPS treatment. However, the miR-155-induced GM populations displayed pathological features characteristic of myeloid neoplasia. Of possible relevance to human disease, miR-155 was found to be overexpressed in the bone marrow of patients with certain subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Furthermore, miR-155 repressed a subset of genes implicated in hematopoietic development and disease. These data implicate miR-155 as a contributor to physiological GM expansion during inflammation and to certain pathological features associated with AML, emphasizing the importance of proper miR-155 regulation in developing myeloid cells during times of inflammatory stress.

Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia and pure red cell aplasia associated with an occult large granular lymphocyte leukemia.

Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia and pure red cell aplasia rarely occur concurrently. We report a case in which these disorders were associated with an occult large granular lymphocyte leukemia. The peripheral blood cytopenias improved after glucocorticoids and intravenous immunoglobulin were administered, and response was maintained with cyclosporine. Large granular lymphocyte leukemia should be suspected in the setting of unexplained bone marrow failure.

Sequential ABL kinase inhibitor therapy selects for compound drug-resistant BCR-ABL mutations with altered oncogenic potency.

Molecularly targeted kinase inhibitor cancer therapies are currently administered sequentially rather than simultaneously. We addressed the potential long-term impact of this strategy in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), which is driven by the fusion oncogene BCR-ABL. Analysis of BCR-ABL genotypes in CML patients who relapsed after sequential treatment with the ABL inhibitors imatinib and dasatinib revealed evolving resistant BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations in all cases. Twelve patients relapsed with the pan-resistant T315I mutation, whereas 6 patients developed novel BCR-ABL mutations predicted to retain sensitivity to imatinib based on in vitro studies. Three of these patients were retreated with imatinib (or the chemically related compound nilotinib) and responded; however, selection for compound mutants (2 or 3 BCR-ABL mutations in the same molecule) can substantially limit the potential effectiveness of retreating patients with inhibitors that have previously failed. Furthermore, drug-resistant mutations, when compounded, can increase oncogenic potency relative to the component mutants in transformation assays. The Aurora kinase inhibitor VX-680, currently under clinical evaluation based on its activity against the T315I mutation, is also effective against the other commonly detected dasatinib-resistant mutation in our analysis, V299L. Our findings demonstrate the potential hazards of sequential kinase inhibitor therapy and suggest a role for a combination of ABL kinase inhibitors, perhaps including VX-680, to prevent the outgrowth of cells harboring drug-resistant BCR-ABL mutations.

Phase 1 clinical results with tandutinib (MLN518), a novel FLT3 antagonist, in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome: safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.

Tandutinib (MLN518/CT53518) is a novel quinazoline-based inhibitor of the type III receptor tyrosine kinases: FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and KIT. Because of the correlation between FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations and poor prognosis in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), we conducted a phase 1 trial of tandutinib in 40 patients with either AML or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Tandutinib was given orally in doses ranging from 50 mg to 700 mg twice daily The principal dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of tandutinib was reversible generalized muscular weakness, fatigue, or both, occurring at doses of 525 mg and 700 mg twice daily. Tandutinib's pharmacokinetics were characterized by slow elimination, with achievement of steady-state plasma concentrations requiring greater than 1 week of dosing. Western blotting showed that tandutinib inhibited phosphorylation of FLT3 in circulating leukemic blasts. Eight patients had FLT3-ITD mutations; 5 of these were evaluable for assessment of tandutinib's antileukemic effect. Two of the 5 patients, treated at 525 mg and 700 mg twice daily, showed evidence of antileukemic activity, with decreases in both peripheral and bone marrow blasts. Tandutinib at the MTD (525 mg twice daily) should be evaluated more extensively in patients with AML with FLT3-ITD mutations to better define its antileukemic activity.

Diagnosis and management of aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

The bone marrow failure states, aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, are characterized by reticulocytopenic anemia, with variable neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. The bone marrow biopsy is very hypocellular in aplastic anemia, but it is usually hypercellular in myelodysplastic syndrome. Marrow cytogenetic abnormalities are present in approximately half of myelodysplastic syndrome patients but are absent in aplastic anemia. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is the treatment of choice for young patients with severe aplastic anemia. Immunosuppressive therapy with antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine is used when transplantation is not the initial therapeutic choice; it induces responses in 65% to 80% of patients. Treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome is dependent upon risk classification, and patient age and performance status. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation should be considered for younger myelodysplastic syndrome patients. An acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) type of induction chemotherapy may benefit high-risk patients with a good performance status for whom allogeneic transplantation is not an option. Patients achieving a complete remission to induction chemotherapy may be considered for autologous stem cell transplantation. However, aggressive therapy is an option for only a minority of myelodysplastic syndrome patients; most receive supportive care. Anemia, and its related symptoms, is the principal problem for most myelodysplastic syndrome patients. Erythropoietin administration ameliorates anemia in a minority of myelodysplastic syndrome patients. A wide variety of novel experimental approaches including immunosuppressive therapy, angiogenesis inhibitors, platelet growth factors, and demethylating agents are now under investigation for myelodysplastic syndrome.

Multiple BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations confer polyclonal resistance to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib (STI571) in chronic phase and blast crisis chronic myeloid leukemia.

Through sequencing analysis of blood or bone marrow samples from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, we identified BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations in 29 of 32 patients whose disease relapsed after an initial response to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib. Fifteen different amino acid substitutions affecting 13 residues in the kinase domain were found. Mutations fell into two groups-those that alter amino acids that directly contact imatinib and those postulated to prevent BCR-ABL from achieving the inactive conformational state required for imatinib binding. Distinct mutations conferred varying degrees of imatinib resistance. Mutations detected in a subset of patients with stable chronic phase disease correlated with subsequent disease progression. Multiple independent mutant clones were detected in a subset of relapsed cases. Our data support a clonal selection model of preexisting BCR-ABL mutations that confer imatinib resistance.

Hematopathologic and cytogenetic findings in imatinib mesylate-treated chronic myelogenous leukemia patients: 14 months' experience.

Imatinib mesylate, an Abl kinase inhibitor, produces sustained complete hematologic responses (CHRs) in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients, but the sequence and timing of morphologic and cytogenetic changes in CML patients during prolonged imatinib mesylate treatment has not been described. In this report, we document sequential hematologic and bone marrow findings in 19 interferon-refractory/interferon-intolerant chronic phase CML patients on imatinib mesylate for at least 14 months. Patients treated at an effective oral dose (300 to 600 mg per day) were followed with peripheral blood (PB) counts, marrow examination, and cytogenetic studies at 0, 2, 5, 8, 11, and 14 months. By 2 months, 17 of 19 patients achieved CHR; 1 reached CHR by 5 months, and 1 at 11 months. Five of 19 patients developed cytopenias requiring treatment interruption and/or dose reduction, but all were able to continue in CHR on study. In contrast to interferon-alfa treatment, imatinib mesylate-treated CML patients achieved not only CHR but complete morphologic marrow response. Normalization of marrow lagged behind PB response; however, by 8 months, all marrows showed normal or reduced cellularity without morphologic evidence of CML. Eighteen of 19 patients continued in CHR and morphologic marrow remission at 14 months; 1 patient relapsed with chronic phase CML. Although hematologic and marrow responses were uniform, cytogenetic responses were variable. Complete cytogenetic responses occurred in 6 patients, with 4 also in remission by fluorescent in situ hybridization and/or reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Six of 19 had partial and 7 of 19 no cytogenetic response. Several patients acquired additional clonal cytogenetic abnormalities during therapy, a finding with significant implications for prognosis and laboratory monitoring in imatinib mesylate-treated CML patients.

Imatinib induces hematologic and cytogenetic responses in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia in myeloid blast crisis: results of a phase II study.

Blast crisis is the most advanced stage of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and is highly refractory to therapy. CML is caused by expression of the chimeric BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase oncogene, the product of the t(9;22) Philadelphia translocation. Imatinib (Glivec, formerly STI571) is a rationally developed, orally administered inhibitor of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase. A total of 260 patients with CML were enrolled in a phase II trial, of whom 229 had a confirmed diagnosis of CML in blast crisis. Patients were treated with imatinib in daily oral doses of 400 mg or 600 mg. Imatinib induced hematologic responses in 52% of patients and sustained hematologic responses lasting at least 4 weeks in 31% of patients, including complete hematologic responses in 8%. For patients with a sustained response, the estimated median response duration was 10 months. Imatinib induced major cytogenetic responses in 16% of patients, with 7% of the responses being complete. Median survival time was 6.9 months. Nonhematologic adverse reactions were frequent but generally mild or moderate. Episodes of severe cytopenia were also frequent and were attributable to the underlying condition and treatment with imatinib. Drug-related adverse events led to discontinuation of therapy in 5% of patients, most often because of cytopenia, skin disorders, or gastrointestinal reactions. These results demonstrate that imatinib has substantial activity and a favorable safety profile when used as a single agent in patients with CML in blast crisis. Additional clinical studies are warranted to explore the efficacy and feasibility of imatinib used in combination with other antileukemic drugs.

Culture conditions affect the ability of ex vivo expanded peripheral blood progenitor cells to accelerate hematopoietic recovery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of various ex vivo expansion conditions on the cell products and their ability to accelerate hematopoietic recovery in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Unselected peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) from 43 breast cancer patients were seeded into gas-permeable bags containing serum-free media, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, stem cell factor, and pegylated megakaryocyte growth and development factor. Between 2 and 24 x 10(9) PBPCs were cultured at 1, 2, or 3 x 10(6) cells/mL for 9 to 14 days. The expanded PBPCs and cryopreserved PBPCs containing at least 5 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg were infused following completion of high-dose chemotherapy. RESULTS: Increasing culture duration from 9 to 11-14 days significantly improved the expanded cell yield and fold expansion, whereas increasing PBPC seeding density above 10(6) cells/mL had the opposite effect. The expanded cell dose was the only culture variable that correlated significantly with the time to neutrophil recovery (r = -0.66; p = 0.0001). Study patients had significantly faster neutrophil (p < 0.0001) and platelet (p = 0.001) recovery, reduced red cell transfusions (p = 0.01), and shorter hospital stays (p < 0.0001) than historical controls. The most clinically efficacious expanded cell product was seeded with 10(10) PBPCs at 10(6) cells/mL, then cultured for 11 days. The six patients in that cohort experienced 2.8 +/- 1 days of absolute neutropenia and had neutrophil recovery 5.7 +/- 0.8 days post-transplant; none had a neutropenic fever or required intravenous antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Unselected PBPCs expanded ex vivo significantly impact hematopoietic recovery following high-dose therapy. Optimization of the expansion conditions enhances the efficacy of this cell product.