Mobilized and apheresis-collected endothelial progenitor cells with plerixafor.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are immature cells able to proliferate and contribute to endothelial repair, vascular homeostasis, neovascularization, and angiogenesis. It therefore seems likely that circulating EPCs have therapeutic potential in ischemic and vascular diseases. In this study we evaluated the efficiency of EPC mobilization and collection by large volume leukapheresis in subjects with hematological diseases, treated with plerixafor in association with G-CSF. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with lymphoid malignancies underwent rHuG-CSF and plerixafor treatment followed by leukapheresis. Blood samples before and after treatment and apheresis liquid sample were taken and analyzed by flow cytometry in order to quantified EPC. RESULTS: The percentage of CD34+ cells and EPCs among circulating total nuclear cells (TNCs) increased significantly by approximately 2-fold and 3-fold, respectively, after plerixafor treatment. Consequently, the absolute number of CD34+ cells and EPCs were increased 4-fold after plerixafor treatment. The median PB concentration of EPCs before and after treatment were 0.77/µL (0.31-2.15) and 3.41/µL (1.78-4.54), respectively, P < .0001. The total EPCs collected per patient were 3.3×107 (0.8×107 -6.8×107 ). CONCLUSION: We have shown that plerixafor in combination with G-CSF allows the mobilization and collection of large amounts of EPCs along with CD34+ cells in lymphoid neoplasm patients. The possibility to collect and to store these cells could represent a promising therapeutic tool for the treatment of ischemic complications without the need of in vitro expansion.

Autologous bone marrow-derived cells for venous leg ulcers treatment: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are a common problem in clinical practice and available treatments are not satisfactory. The use of adjuvant therapies in combination with lower limb compression may lead to improved healing rates. Chronic wounds are candidates for new strategies in the emergent field of regenerative medicine. Bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) contain cells and secrete cytokines known to participate in wound healing. Thus, BMDC therapy seems a logical strategy for the treatment of chronic wounds. Our objective was to evaluate feasibility, safety and initial clinical outcome of autologous BMDC therapy associated with standard treatment in patients with VLUs. METHODS: We conducted an open-label, single-arm, prospective pilot clinical trial in four patients with six chronic VLUs. The study protocol was approved by the institutional and national review boards and ethics committees. Bone marrow was harvest, processed and then administered by multiple injections into the ulcers. All patients received standard treatment and non-healing characteristics of the VLUs were confirmed at study entry. RESULTS: Ulcer size and wound pain evaluated 12 months after BMDC treatment were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). BMDC treatment was safe and well tolerated in long-term follow-up. DISCUSSION: Despite the low number of patients studied, our results showed that autologous BMDC treatment could be a useful, feasible and safe procedure to enhance ulcer healing. However, randomized controlled trials with more patients are needed to address this question and translate this approach into clinical practice.

Hemaféresis terapéutica: actividad realizada en el período 2008-2012 / Therapeutic hemapheresis. Activities conducted between 2008 and 2012

Los procedimientos de hemaféresis terapéuticas constituyen una herramienta importante para el tratamiento de un número creciente de patologías, en algunas de ellas es considerada como primera línea de tratamiento de acuerdo a las guías de la Asociación Americana de Aféresis (ASFA). Utiliza la circulación extracorpórea y en la mayoría de los casos la centrifugación como método para separar los diferentes componentes de la sangre y remover anticuerpos, complejos inmunes y en ocasiones células en exceso que producen la enfermedad. Es una terapéutica segura y efectiva cuando se realiza por personal entrenado y en áreas destinadas para tal fin. Presentamos en este trabajo la experiencia del equipo de aféresis de la Cátedra de Medicina Transfusional entre los años 2008 y 2012, en relación con patologías tratadas y eventos adversos vinculados con dichos procedimientos.

Thereapeutic hemapheresis procedures constitute an important tool for the treatment of a growing number of conditions – being it the first line treatment for certain pathologies, according to the guidelines of the American Society of Apheresis (ASFA). It uses extracorporeal circulation and in most cases centrifugations is done to separate the different components in the blood, and to remove antibodies, immune complexes and sometimes excess cells that produce the disease. It is a safe and effective therapy when carried out by trained staff, in areas specially equipped for such purpose. This study presents the experience of the apheresis team at the Department of Transfusion Medicine between 2008 and 2012, in terms of the diseased treated and the side effects associated to such procedures.

Os procedimentos de aféreses terapêutica ou hemaféreses são uma importante ferramenta para o tratamento de um número crescente de patologias sendo considerados, de acordo com as pautas da Associação Americana de Aféreses, como primeira linha de tratamento para algumas patologias. Utiliza a circulação extracorpórea e, na maioria dos casos a centrifugação como método para separar os diferentes elementos do sangue e para remover anticorpos, complexos imunes e eventualmente o excesso de células que produzem a doença. É um tratamento seguro e efetivo quando é realizado por profissionais bem preparados e em áreas destinadas especificamente para esse fim. Apresentamos neste trabalho a experiência da equipe de aféreses terapêutica da Cátedra de Medicina Transfusional no período 2008 - 2012, as patologias tratadas e os eventos adversos vinculados com estes procedimentos.

Pseudotumor hemofílico: a propósito de un caso / A case of haemophilic pseudotumor

El pseudotumor hemofílico es una complicación poco frecuente de la hemofilia y consiste en un hematoma encapsulado con crecimiento progresivo. Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente de 17 años de edad, con un pseudotumor en muslo, en el que se realiza la resección quirúrgica completa del mismo. Se discuten la etiopatogenia, estudios paraclínicos y tratamiento actual del pseudotumor hemofílico. Se enfatiza en la importancia del diagnóstico precoz para poder realizar un tratamiento programado y oportuno con lo cual es posible disminuir la morbimortalidad por esta rara pero importante complicación de la hemofilia...