Assessment of Stem Cell Transplant Eligibility in Recipients with Oral Foci of Infection: Appropriate Conditioning Regimens.

OBJECTIVES: It is unclear whether patients with oral foci of infection should be approved for hematopoietic stem cell transplant with or without posttransplant cyclophosphamide. We compared the presence of oral foci of infection status on the effects of various conditioning regimens for such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three groups were classified as autologous (carmustine-etoposide-cytarabinemelphalan, mitoxantrone-melphalan, and melphalan 200 mg/m² groups; n = 502 patients), and 6 groups were classified as allogeneic (busulfan-fludarabinerabbit anti-T-lymphocyte globulin, busulfanfludarabine-posttransplant cyclophosphamide, fludarabine-cyclophosphamide-anti-T-lymphocyte globulin, busulfan-fludarabine-anti-T-lymphocyte globulin-posttransplant cyclophosphamide, total body irradiation-posttransplant cyclophosphamide, and other; n = 428 patients). Data were collected from a database that met international accreditation requirements. We evaluated dental radiological findings and calculated interobserver reliability. RESULTS: Oral foci of infections increased febrile neutropenia and bacterial infection frequencies in both groups but only increased mucositis frequency in patients with allogeneic treatment. The frequencies of oral foci of infection-related complications were similar in both the autologous and allogeneic groups. Rate of graft-versus-host disease was not affected by oral foci of infection status. Periodontitis/cysts and periapical lesions increased the risk of infections at day 100 in the mitoxantrone-melphalan group versus the melphalan 200 mg/m² group. We observed no differences among the autologous transplant groups in terms of early mortality. Similarly, no differences in early mortality were observed among the allogeneic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Transplant is a valid option in patients with oral foci of infections undergoing various autologous and allogeneic transplant protocols when time is of the essence, even at myeloablative dose intensities.

International Forum: The Turkish perspective on apheresis activity: The Turkish apheresis registry report.

Therapeutic apheresis is an extracorporeal treatment that selectively removes abnormal cells or harmful substances in the blood that are associated with or cause certain diseases. During the last decades the application of therapeutic apheresis has expanded to a broad spectrum of hematological and non-hematological diseases due to various studies on the clinical efficacy of this procedure. In this context there are more than 30 centers performing therapeutic apheresis and registered in the apheresis database in Turkey. Herein, we, The Turkish Apheresis Registry, aimed to analyze some key articles published so far from Turkey regarding the use of apheresis for various indications.

Gonadal Status and Sexual Function at Long-Term Follow-up after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with adult sickle cell disease and severe sequelae are treated with nonmyeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. So far, data on gonadal effects are lacking for older cured patients. We assessed the gonadal reserve and sexual function of patients cured of sickle cell disease with transplant and with anti-T-lymphocyte globulin and posttransplant cyclophosphamide-containing regimen within the context of the Baskent Organ Damage Mitigation and Medical Care Development Program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All adult patients (≥18 years) with sickle cell disease who underwent peripheral stem cell transplant from September 2013 to July 2019 and were graft-versus-host disease free for 2 years and not immunosuppressed were invited to participate in this prospective observational study. Of 61 eligible patients, 43 participants (~10% from international registries) were included (median age at transplant was 29 years; range, 18-45 years). Gonadal status, risk of gonadal damage posttransplant, conception, and sexual function posttransplant were evaluated. RESULTS: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant was associated with increased risk of secondary amenorrhea (odds ratio of 93; 95% CI, 4.94-17.50; P = .002) and ovarian insufficiency (odds ratio of 37.8; 95% CI, 2.03 to -700.94; P = .014) but not with female sexual dysfunction. Secondary ovarian insufficiency developed in all women posttransplant. Transplant was associated with significant risk of azoospermia (odds ratio of 4.35; 95% CI, 1.02-18.45; P = .017). Moderate-to-severe erectile dysfunction developed in 2 men (10%). Among female participants, 1 had spontaneous conception that ended in miscarriage and 1 had term delivery after in vitro fertilization. Among male participants, 1 had a child by in vitro fertilization and 1 experienced spontaneous conception. CONCLUSIONS: Although spontaneous conception was shown in our patient group, gonadal damage was evident at >2 years posttransplant. This risk was associated with age in female patients. Better fertility preservation measures should be incorporated into medical care development programs.

Rational use of chronic graft-versus-host treatment alternatives: A systematic review.

Chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) is an important transplant complication that affects the quality of life of the recipient by causing organ damage after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Prospective controlled studies conducted to date for the treatment of the disease are limited. The results obtained in current studies are not sufficient to establish a standard treatment algorithm. Therefore, clinical experience and adequate clinical observations of the transplant team come to the fore for the treatment strategy to be established. Rational use of available instruments is possible, provided that we understand the mechanisms of the disease and use validated diagnostic and response criteria. In this study, we tried to create a practical workflow by evaluating current literature data.

Is It Possible to be a Stem Cell Donor for the Second Time: A Single-Center Report of 12 Consecutive Procedures.

OBJECTIVES: The use of unrelated donors as a source of stem cells for patients with blood disorders continues to increase. Approximately 5% to 7% of unrelated stem cell donors are asked to donate stem cells a subsequent time to the same or a different patient. We investigated donors who accepted to be a donor for the second time between 2015 and 2021; donors were evaluated in terms of procedure-related complications, product quality, and donor follow-up in a JACIEaccredited (Joint Accreditation Committee of the International Society for Cellular Therapy and European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stem cell collections were performed in accordance with relevant standard operating procedures from healthy volunteer donors. Data on sequence of peripheral blood stem cell, bone marrow, and donor lymphocyte collection procedures; presence of complications during procedures; time between 2 donations; need for granulocyte colonystimulating factor again; and first and second donation types were noted. Data on donor and stem cell products were determined using the hospital information management system. RESULTS: Our study included 12 donors (9 men and 3 women) who donated a second time within the specified date range. In the evaluation of the second donation types, 7 were lymphocyte collection donations, 4 were peripheral blood stem cell donations, and 1 was a bone marrow stem cell donation. In shortterm and long-term follow-ups, there were no complications among the donors. In the second donations, targeted product values were reached. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is safe to have a second donation from a donor for the same patient, collection centers may collect more products than requested from eligible donors.

A Rare and Successfully Managed Complication of Stem Cell Transplantation in an Adult Patient With Sickle Cell Disease: Bone Marrow Necrosis.

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disorder in the Eastern Mediterranean region where our transplant center is located. Today, adult patients with sickle cell disease can also be successfully treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Bone marrow necrosis is a rare and serious clinical condition. Herein, we present this complication for the first time in the literature, which developed in the course of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and was successfully managed with additional bone marrow support. The recognition, prevention, and management of this rare and potentially fatal complication, bone marrow necrosis, are vitally important, especially in regions with high prevalence of sickle cell disease.

Comparison of the clinical course of COVID-19 infection in sickle cell disease patients with healthcare professionals.

It is highly expected that COVID-19 infection will have devastating consequences in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients due to endothelial activation and decreased tissue and organ reserve as a result of microvascular ischemia and continuous inflammation. In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical course of COVID-19 in adult SCD patients under the organ injury mitigation and clinical care improvement program (BASCARE) with healthcare professionals without significant comorbid conditions. The study was planned as a retrospective, multicenter and cross-sectional study. Thirty-nine SCD patients, ages 18 to 64 years, and 121 healthcare professionals, ages 21 to 53, were included in the study. The data were collected from the Electronic Health Recording System of PRANA, where SCD patients under the BASCARE program had been registered. The data of other patients were collected from the Electronic Hospital Data Recording System and patient files. In the SCD group, the crude incidence of COVID-19 was 9%, while in healthcare professionals at the same period was 23%. Among the symptoms, besides fever, loss of smell and taste were more prominent in the SCD group than in healthcare professionals. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of development of pneumonia, hospitalization, and need for intubation (43 vs 5%, P < 0.00001; 26 vs 7%, P = 0.002; and 10 vs 1%, P = 0.002, respectively). Prophylactic low molecular weight heparin and salicylate were used more in the SCD group than in healthcare professionals group (41 vs 9% and 28 vs 1%; P < 0.0001 for both). The 3-month mortality rate was demonstrated as 5% in the SCD group, while 0 in the healthcare professionals group. One patient in the SCD group became continously dependent on respiratory support. The cause of death was acute chest syndrome in the first case, hepatic necrosis and multi-organ failure in the second case. In conclusion, these observations supported the expectation that the course of COVID-19 in SCD patients will get worse. The BASCARE program applied in SCD patients could not change the poor outcome.

Comparison of Outcomes of Transplant and Nontransplant High-Risk Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients in the Novel Targeted Therapy Era.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to compare patients with high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia referred to our transplant center who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplant with those who did not receive this treatment. Factors compared included demographics, clinical characteristics, and survival rates in the novel targeted therapy era. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All 33 patients with high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia who were referred to the hematopoietic stem cell transplant center were enrolled in this retrospective, single-center nonrandomized study. Outcomes of patients who received allogeneic stem cell transplant were compared with those of nontransplant patients. Chemoimmunotherapy and ibrutinib were given when indicated. Factors related to overall and progression-free survival were assessed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients underwent allotransplant, and transplant was not done in 20 patients for various reasons. Demographic and clinical features of the transplant and nontransplant groups were similar. The estimated cumulative overall survival was 72.6 ± 15 and 84.3 ± 13 months in the nontransplant and transplant groups, respectively. The 5-year overall and progression-free survival rates in the transplant and nontransplant groups were 57.3%/36.0% and 40%/20.6%, respectively. In the nontransplant group, overall survival of those who used ibrutinib was longer than overall survival in patients in the transplant group who used the same drug, but the difference was not statistically significant. Although not significant, overall survival in patients who did not use ibrutinib was longer in the transplant group than in the nontransplant group. Cox regression analyses showed that transplant, relapse, and Binet stage were independent predictors of overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who do not use ibrutinib, allogeneic stem cell transplant improved survival compared with nontransplant patients. Addition of ibrutinib provided comparable life expectancies, showing that allogeneic stem cell transplant and ibrutinib may have complementary roles. Transplant is still an independent predictor of overall survival.

Factors Associated With Overall Survival in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Before and After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to identify factors associated with overall survival and the efficacy of postrelapse treatment protocols and to determine whether pretransplant consolidation therapy and minimal residual disease status pose a survival benefit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia who underwent stem cell transplant between 2007 and 2018 were enrolled retrospectively. The effects of pretransplant cytogenetic and minimal residual disease status, pretransplant consolidation therapies, development of graft-versus-host disease, postrelapse treatment protocols, and type of con-ditioning regimens on overall survival were analyzed. RESULTS: In 76 study patients, the cumulative overall 1- and 5-year relapse probabilities were 67.8% and 58.7%, respectively. Overall survival rates at 3 and 5 years in patients with and without relapse were 23.5% and 0% and 95.9% and 91.1% (P < .001), respectively. Although mean postrelapse overall survival was better with intensive salvage plus donor lymphocyte infusion, no significant differences were shown versus other therapies (intensive salvage, nonintensive salvage, intensive salvage or nonintensive salvage plus donor lymphocyte infusion, or supportive therapy). Twenty-three patients (30.3%) died during the study period with a median survival of 9.6 months. Patients with favorable, intermediate, and unfavorable cytogenetic status showed overall survival of 46.6 ± 10.4, 54.6 ± 4.4, and 36.9 ± 5.9 months (P = .807). Patients with and without minimal residual disease and patients who received or did not receive consolidation therapy had similar overall survival. Relapse was an independent predictor of overall survival (increased mortality risk of 26.22). Patients who developed graft-versus-host disease showed decreased relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Relapse is the most important predictor of overall survival and is associated with poor prognosis. Pretransplant minimal residual status and cytogenetic status showed no effect on relapse rates and overall survival, and consolidation therapy did not improve outcomes.

The Impact of the Ferric Carboxymaltose on Hemoglobin and Ferritin Levels.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a frequent disorder worldwide. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia. Although oral iron is the first choice for treatment, the efficacy of oral iron preparations may be limited. Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) is a novel parenteral iron preparation which can rapidly replenish iron stores. The aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of FCM dose on hemoglobin (Hb) and ferritin levels and the frequency of hypersensitivity reactions. METHODS: This study was conducted with 765 IDA patients between September 1, 2016 and September 1, 2018. He-moglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, transferrin saturation values were examined at the time of diagnosis, Hb and ferritin values at first month. RESULTS: Post-treatment Hb and ferritin levels significantly increased. The mean Hb level alteration was 2.43 ± 1.2 g/dL, the median ferritin level alteration was 157.3 ng/mL. The mean Hb level was lower and the mean change in Hb level was higher in higher doses. Allergic reactions were more frequent in higher doses. CONCLUSIONS: Ferric carboxymaltose is a novel treatment option with a low risk of hypersensitivity reactions and well tolerated even in high doses.

A Comparison of the BEAM and MITO/MEL Conditioning Regimens for Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Hodgkin Lymphoma: An Analysis of Efficiency and Treatment-Related Toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Approximately half of patients with relapsed chemosensitive disease achieve robust responses with BEAM (BCNU, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan) and autologous stem cell rescue. The scarcity of comparative studies further limits alternative treatment protocols, such as the MITO/MEL (mitoxantrone, melphalan) protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter study, we compared the BEAM and MITO/MEL regimens used before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in terms of efficacy and side effects in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. Data met international accreditation rules. Before ASCT, 108 patients received the MITO/MEL, and 34 patients received the BEAM. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 36 months in the MITO/MEL group (range, 3-178) and 23 months in the BEAM group (range, 4-99). After ASCT, the 3-year expected overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 86.1% and 86.1% for the MITO/MEL group and 91.3% and 76.5% for the BEAM group, respectively. Although 50% of patients developed febrile neutropenia attacks in the MITO/MEL group, this rate was 91.1% in the BEAM group. The grade II and higher rates of hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, and cardiac toxicities were similar in both groups. However, the rate of pulmonary toxicity was determined to be 1.9% in the MITO/MEL group and 29.4% in the BEAM group (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The MITO/MEL conditioning regimen seems to be as effective as the BEAM regimen but has better tolerability in terms of pulmonary toxicity and may be used as an alternative option if necessary, depending on the comorbidity status of the patient.

Comparison of Serum Ykl-40 and Ischemia Modified Albulmin Levels Between Pregnant Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Normal Pregnant Women.

INTRODUCTION: The etiopathogenesis of HG is still unclear. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of YKL-40 protein as an inflammatory marker and evaluate the levels of IMA as an oxidative marker in hyperemesis gravidarum women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totally 35 patients with hyperemesis gravidarum and 35 healthy pregnants were included in the study. Singleton pregnancies between 6+0 week and 13+6 weeks of gestation, with normal fetal anatomy were included in the study. Complete blood count, complete urine analyze, biochemical tests and thyroid function tests were done. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups for demographical features (age, gravidity, gestational age, body mass index). Also, there was no statistically significant difference between groups for IMA levels (p>0.05). The median level of YKL-40 was higher in pregnants with hyperemesis gravidarum than normal pregnants but the difference was not statistically significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Further comprehensive studies with more number of patients are needed to show the efficacy of YKL-40 and IMA levels for predicting hyperemesis gravidarum and even monitoring of the treatment.

Comparative efficacy in red blood cell exchange transfusions with different apheresis machines in patients with sickle cell disease.

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and side effects of two red blood cell exchange (RBCX) transfusion systems in sickle cell disease (SCD). The data is collected retrospectively from the January 2010 to March 2015. 447 RBCX transfusions were performed to 165 patients. Side effects, clinical and technical efficacy were compared in between procedures with Cobe Spectra (CS) and Spectra Optia (SO) systems. Furthermore a subgroup analyses was performed for 40 patients who had RBCX transfusions with both system at least two times. Vasoocclusive crises, preoperative period and foot ulcers (49.6, 13, and 15.2% respectively) were the common indications of RBCX transfusion. While the levels of post-RBCX HbS and the actual fraction of cells remaining (FCRa) were found significantly higher in the SO compared to CS system (p = 0.018 and p = 0.016 respectively), the rate of targeted hemoglobin S (HbS) levels (< 30%) were same in both. The length of procedure and replacement volume were significantly lower in SO compared to CS system (p = 0.025 and 0.044 respectively). Subgroup analyses of 40 patients did not reveal any statistically significant differences regarding post-procedure HbS levels, FCRa levels, replacement volume and procedure duration. The inter-rater correlation coefficient for FCRa was calculated to be 0.82. Serious adverse reactions were not observed from either system. Both systems are efficiently achieved the targeted post-procedure HbS level. The recently introduced SO apheresis system is as effective and safe as the CS system, which has been used for all indications of SCD for years.

Sigmoid Colon Perforation Mimics a Tuboovarian Absces.

INTRODUCTION: An adnexal mass may be diagnosed after a routine pelvic ultrasonographic examination or an emergent hospital admission due to rupture of ectopic pregnancy, adnexal torsion or rupture of tuboovarian abscess. It is necessary to evaluate the origin of the mass initially and to classify patients who need further evaluation and treatment for an urgent condition. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of sigmoid colon rupture due to sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma presenting as acute abdomen with left adnexal mass in a 28 years old woman. Abdominopelvic computed tomography revealed a left adnexal mass with suspicion of tuboovarian abscess. In laparatomy, rupture of sigmoid colon was observed and resection of sigmoid colon was performed. Histological examination of resection part revealed diagnosis of sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma due to familial adenomatous polyposis. CONCLUSION: This case may be interesting for clinicians because pelvic pain, fever, increased infection markers in the laboratory and mass at ultrasonography or other screening methods could cause a misdiagnosis of tubaovarian abscess especially in reproductive age women. Before the operation of the pelvic mass of all age women with the diagnosis of tuboovarian abscess other causes of the pelvic abscess should come into mine and necessary preparation for operation must be done.