Síndrome hemofagocítico: expresión de diversas entidades nosológicas / Haemophagocytic syndrome: A common pathogenic mechanism of various aetiologies

Introducción: El síndrome hemofagocítico (SH) se caracteriza por una activación y proliferación incontrolada de histiocitos y linfocitos T, que produce un estado de hipercitocinemia. Hay 2 formas: primaria y secundaria. Objetivo: Análisis de los pacientes diagnosticados de SH según los criterios diagnósticos de los protocolos HLH (hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis ‘linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica’)-94 y HLH-2004. Pacientes y métodos: Se revisó de forma retrospectiva la historia clínica de los pacientes diagnosticados de SH, se analizaron los criterios diagnósticos, la forma de presentación, la etiología, el tratamiento administrado y el curso evolutivo. Resultados: Se diagnosticó a 22 pacientes: 6 con formas familiares, 11 con formas asociadas a infección, 3 con formas asociadas a neoplasia y 2 con síndromes de activación macrofágica (estos pacientes con artritis idiopática juvenil y enfermedad de Crohn [EC]). En el 83,3% de los casos de linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica familiar (LHF) la edad al diagnóstico fue inferior al año de vida. En un paciente adolescente se diagnosticó una forma primaria de la enfermedad (mutación del gen MUNC13-4). Las manifestaciones clínicas fueron fiebre (100%), hepatoesplenomegalia (85%), adenopatías (31%), palidez (21%), exantema (14%) y alteraciones neurológicas (14%); los hallazgos de laboratorio fueron citopenia (100%), hipertrigliceridemia (93%), hiperferritinemia (86%), elevación de las enzimas hepáticas (78%) e hipofibrinogenemia (40%). Se encontró una reducción de actividad de los linfocitos citolíticos naturales en el 100% de los casos. Se observó hemofagocitosis en la médula ósea en 20 pacientes. En 2 pacientes se realizó una biopsia hepática y ganglionar que demostró hemofagocitosis. Evolución: de los 22 pacientes diagnosticados de SH, 10 pacientes recibieron tratamiento según los protocolos HLH-94 y HLH-2004: 6 con LHF, 3 con formas secundarias al virus de Epstein-Barr y uno a la EC. De éstos, 6 pacientes recibieron un trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos (TPH), con evolución favorable en 2 de los casos con LHF. Los otros 12 pacientes con formas secundarias recibieron tratamiento etiológico, con buena evolución en el 83,3%. Conclusiones: Las formas familiares de SH se diagnostican generalmente antes de los 2 años de edad, aunque se presentan formas primarias en edades más avanzadas. El tratamiento quimioterapéutico e inmunosupresor y el TPH constituyen la base del tratamiento de las formas familiares. Las formas secundarias deben recibir tratamiento etiológico y, si la evolución no es favorable, tratamiento quimioterapéutico e inmunosupresor (AU)

Introduction: Haemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is a rare syndrome characterised by the uncontrolled activation and proliferation of histiocytes and T cells, leading to a cytokines overproduction. There are two forms of HPS: primary and secondary. Objective: To analyse patients diagnosed with HPS at the Oncohaematology Department, using HLH-94 and 2004 protocol diagnostic criteria. Materials and methods: Retrospective study of clinical files of patients diagnosed with HPS, analysing the following features: diagnostic criteria, variability in clinical presentation, aetiology, treatment and outcome. Results: Twenty-two patients were diagnosed with HPS: 6 familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL), 11 HPS with evidence of infection, 3 HPS associated with malignant disease and 2 macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in patients with Crohn's disease and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. The onset of FHL was within 1 year of age in 83.3%, except for 1 patient who was adolescent (MUNC13-4 mutations). Symptoms: All patients (100%) had fever at diagnosis, 18 (85%) hepatosplenomegaly, 7 (31%) lymphadenopathy, 5 (21%) pallor, 3 (14%) rash and 3 (14%) neurological symptoms. Laboratory analysis: all patients (100%) had cytopenias at diagnosis, 20 (90.9%) hypertriglyceridaemia, 19 (86%) hyperferritinaemia, 17 (77%) elevated serum liver enzymes, and 9 (40%) hypofibrinogenaemia. Decreased or absent NK-cell activity was detected in all patients (100%). Haemophagocytosis was found more frequently in bone marrow; however, liver or lymph node biopsies were required in two patients to demonstrate this. Outcome: Of the ten patients (6 FHL, 3 Epstein-Barr virus-associated HPS and 1 MAS) treated with HLH-94 and 2004 protocols, six received a stem-cell transplant; of these, 2 with FHL had a favourable outcome. The remaining 12 patients received aetiological/supportive therapy, with complete remission in 83.3%. Conclusions: The diagnosis of FHL should be made before the age of 2 years. Advances in genetic studies allow the detection of early and late forms of FHL. Immunochemotherapy and stem-cell transplantation constitute the treatment of FHL and aetiological/supportive therapy of acquired haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, except in severe forms (AU)

[Haemophagocytic syndrome: A common pathogenic mechanism of various aetiologies]. / Síndrome hemofagocítico: expresión de diversas entidades nosológicas.

INTRODUCTION: Haemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is a rare syndrome characterised by the uncontrolled activation and proliferation of histiocytes and T cells, leading to a cytokines overproduction. There are two forms of HPS: primary and secondary. OBJECTIVE: To analyse patients diagnosed with HPS at the Oncohaematology Department, using HLH-94 and 2004 protocol diagnostic criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of clinical files of patients diagnosed with HPS, analysing the following features: diagnostic criteria, variability in clinical presentation, aetiology, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were diagnosed with HPS: 6 familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL), 11 HPS with evidence of infection, 3 HPS associated with malignant disease and 2 macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in patients with Crohn's disease and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. The onset of FHL was within 1 year of age in 83.3%, except for 1 patient who was adolescent (MUNC13-4 mutations). SYMPTOMS: All patients (100%) had fever at diagnosis, 18 (85%) hepatosplenomegaly, 7 (31%) lymphadenopathy, 5 (21%) pallor, 3 (14%) rash and 3 (14%) neurological symptoms. LABORATORY ANALYSIS: all patients (100%) had cytopenias at diagnosis, 20 (90.9%) hypertriglyceridaemia, 19 (86%) hyperferritinaemia, 17 (77%) elevated serum liver enzymes, and 9 (40%) hypofibrinogenaemia. Decreased or absent NK-cell activity was detected in all patients (100%). Haemophagocytosis was found more frequently in bone marrow; however, liver or lymph node biopsies were required in two patients to demonstrate this. OUTCOME: Of the ten patients (6 FHL, 3 Epstein-Barr virus-associated HPS and 1 MAS) treated with HLH-94 and 2004 protocols, six received a stem-cell transplant; of these, 2 with FHL had a favourable outcome. The remaining 12 patients received aetiological/supportive therapy, with complete remission in 83.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of FHL should be made before the age of 2 years. Advances in genetic studies allow the detection of early and late forms of FHL. Immunochemotherapy and stem-cell transplantation constitute the treatment of FHL and aetiological/supportive therapy of acquired haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, except in severe forms.

[Severe acquired aplastic anemia: historical outcome of patients treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from matched sibling donors. A study by the Spanish Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation in Children (GETMON)]. / Aplasia medular grave adquirida: evolución histórica de los resultados obtenidos con trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos de donante familiar. Estudio del Grupo Español para el Trasplante de Médula Osea en Niños (GETMON).

INTRODUCTION: Allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is the treatment of choice for acquired aplastic anaemia in children. Experience with this approach from Spanish Working Party for Bone Marrow Transplantation in Children in two sequential time periods (1982-1990 and 1991-2004) is reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty two consecutive patients with a median age of 10 years were transplanted; 18 in the 1982-1990 period and 44 in the 1991-2004 period. Conditioning regimen consisted mainly of irradiation and cyclophosphamide in the first period (72 % of patients) and cyclophosphamide +/- anti-thymocyte globulin (62 %) in the second. Graft versus host disease prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine in most patients (57/62). RESULTS: Fifty one patients are alive and disease-free at a median follow-up of 127 months. Five years probability of event-free survival is 82 %. The survival increased from 61 % to 91 % during the two time periods. Eleven patients died from graft failure or rejection (3), acute or chronic graft versus host disease and infection (4) or multi-organ failure (4). Univariate analysis identified two significant prognostic factors: interval diagnostic/transplant and time period of transplant (for both p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This experience corroborates that allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is the best treatment for severe acquired aplastic anaemia, with a current disease-free survival of 90 % of patients.

Aplasia medular grave adquirida: evolución histórica de los resultados obtenidos con trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos de donante familiar. Estudio del Grupo Español para el Trasplante de Médula Ósea en Niños (GETMON) / Severe acquired aplastic anemia: historical outcome of patients treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from matched sibling donors. A study by the Spanish Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation in Children (GETMON)

Introducción: El trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos (TPH) de donante familiar compatible es el tratamiento de elección en la aplasia medular adquirida (AMA) grave en la infancia. Se presenta la experiencia de Grupo Español para el Trasplante de Médula Ósea en Niños en esta enfermedad a lo largo del período cronológico 1982-2004. Pacientes y métodos: Recibieron un trasplante 62 pacientes con una mediana de edad de 10 años. En el período 1982-1990 lo recibieron 18 pacientes y en el período 1991-2004, 44. El régimen de acondicionamiento varió según el período cronológico; en el primero se utilizó preferentemente la asociación de radioterapia y ciclofosfamida (72 % de los casos) y en el segundo ciclofosfamida con o sin globulina antitimocitaria (62 %). La profilaxis de enfermedad injerto contra huésped más utilizada fue la ciclosporina (57/62 pacientes). Resultados: Un total de 51 pacientes están vivos y en remisión completa de su aplasia con períodos de observación de entre 24 y 289 meses (mediana de 127 meses). La probabilidad de supervivencia actuarial libre de eventos a 5 años es del 82 %. Dicha supervivencia se incrementó del 61 al 90 % entre los dos períodos analizados. Un total de 11 pacientes fallecieron por fracaso o pérdida del injerto (3), enfermedad injerto contra huésped aguda o crónica asociada a infecciones (4) o fallo multiorgánico (4). El análisis univariante evidenció dos factores con valor predictivo para la supervivencia: el intervalo diagnóstico/trasplante y el período cronológico en que se efectuó (en ambos, p = 0,03). Conclusiones: Esta experiencia confirma que el trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos de donante familiar compatible es el tratamiento de elección para la aplasia medular grave adquirida, con un porcentaje de supervivencia libre de episodios del 90 % en la actualidad (AU)

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is the treatment of choice for acquired aplastic anaemia in children. Experience with this approach from Spanish Working Party for Bone Marrow Transplantation in Children in two sequential time periods (1982-1990 and 1991-2004) is reported. Patients and methods: Sixty two consecutive patients with a median age of 10 years were transplanted; 18 in the 1982-1990 period and 44 in the 1991-2004 period. Conditioning regimen consisted mainly of irradiation and cyclophosphamide in the first period (72 % of patients) and cyclophosphamide ± anti-thymocyte globulin (62 %) in the second. Graft versus host disease prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine in most patients (57/62). Results: Fifty one patients are alive and disease-free at a median follow-up of 127 months. Five years probability of event-free survival is 82 %. The survival increased from 61 % to 91 % during the two time periods. Eleven patients died from graft failure or rejection (3), acute or chronic graft versus host disease and infection (4) or multi-organ failure (4). Univariate analysis identified two significant prognostic factors: interval diagnostic/transplant and time period of transplant (for both p = 0.03). Conclusions: This experience corroborates that allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is the best treatment for severe acquired aplastic anaemia, with a current disease - free survival of 90 % of patients (AU)

[Transient neonatal myeloproliferative disorder in the absence of Down syndrome]. / Síndrome mieloproliferativo transitorio neonatal en ausencia de síndrome de Down.

Transient neonatal leukemia or transient neonatal myeloproliferative disorder is commonly associated with Down syndrome. It usually resolves spontaneously in 4-5 months. However, 25 % of patients will subsequently develop acute megakaryoblastic leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. It has seldom been described without constitutional anomalies and is even less frequent in twins. We present three phenotypically normal patients with this disorder. One of them was diagnosed because he presented blueberry muffin syndrome. Diagnosis was guided by pathological examination of the skin lesions. The other two patients were monochorionic triplets. Their bichorionic sister presented no hematological disorders. Constitutional chromosomal abnormalities were ruled out in all three patients. They received support treatment only without chemotherapy. The clinical course was favorable with disappearance of marrow and peripheral blastosis in 4-5 months. Follow-up of 18 and 19 months has not revealed any hematological disorders. Caution must be exercised before initiating chemotherapy in these patients. We discuss the differential diagnosis with congenital leukemia and the prognostic and therapeutic implications that this entails.

Síndrome mieloproliferativo transitorio neonatal en ausencia de síndrome de Down / Transient neonatal myeloproliferative disorder inthe absence of Down syndrome

El síndrome mieloproliferativo transitorio o leucemia transitoria neonatal es una entidad que suele asociarse a pacientes afectados de síndrome de Down. Se resuelve de manera espontánea en 4 o 5 meses, salvo en el 25 por ciento de los casos en que puede desarrollarse posteriormente una leucemia megacarioblástica aguda, o bien un síndrome mielodisplásico. Rara vez se ha descrito sin anomalías constitucionales y aún menos en gemelos. Se presentan 3 pacientes, fenotípicamente normales, afectados por esta enfermedad. Uno de ellos fue diagnosticado por presentar un síndrome de "blueberry muffin baby". El estudio anatomopatológico de las lesiones cutáneas orientó el diagnóstico. Los otros eran dos trillizas monocoriales. Su hermana bicorial con las dos anteriores no presentó alteraciones hematológicas. En todos se descartó la cromosomopatía constitucional. Sólo recibieron tratamiento de soporte sin quimioterapia. La evolución fue favorable, desapareciendo la blastosis medular y periférica en 4 o 5 meses. Con un período de seguimiento de 18 y 19 meses no han presentado nueva patología hematológica. Se debe ser cauto antes de iniciar la quimioterapia en estos pacientes.Se comenta el diagnóstico diferencial con la leucemia congénita y las implicaciones pronósticas y terapéuticas que conlleva (AU)

Trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos de sangre de cordón umbilical en niños / Transplantation of umbilical cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cells in children

OBJETIVO: Estudio retrospectivo de los resultados del trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos de sangre de cordón umbilical en España. MÉTODOS: Veintiocho niños con edad media de 6,5 años y peso medio de 25 kg recibieron un trasplante de sangre de cordón umbilical entre julio de 1994 y mayo de 1998 en distintos centros pertenecientes al Grupo Español para el Trasplante de Medula ósea en niños (GETMON). El donante fue en 2 pacientes un hermano HLA idéntico, en otros 2 pacientes un familiar no idéntico y en los 24 restantes un donante no emparentado. Entre éstos, la identidad antigénica HLA (A, B y DR) 6/6 sólo se observaba en 3 pacientes. Los trasplantes se realizaron en su mayoría por leucemia (21pacientes, 75) y en fase avanzada. Los restantes 7 pacientes se trasplantaron por una enfermedad genética, en su mayoría inmunodeficiencia congénita. El tratamiento de acondicionamiento incluyó irradiación corporal total en 10 pacientes y poliquimioterapia en los restantes. La profilaxis de la enfermedad del injerto contra huésped aguda se realizó con ciclosporina en todos los casos añadiendo corticoides o metotrexato en los trasplantes sin identidad HLA. La media de células perfundidas fue de 53,4x106/kg. RESULTADOS: El fallo de implante de la sangre de cordón umbilical se observó en 9 pacientes. Presentaron enfermedad del injerto contra huésped aguda superior al grado II 18 pacientes (64,3 por ciento). Ocho (28,6 por ciento) presentaron EICH grave. La supervivencia actuarial libre de enfermedad (SLE) de la serie global fue del 34,4>=9 por ciento a 3años, con una media de seguimiento de 16,6 meses. Se observó una mejor SLE en las enfermedades congénitas, con una SLE del 71>=17 por ciento y también en los pacientes que recibieron trasplante de sangre de cordón umbilical con una identidad HLA A, B y DR 6/6, en los que la SLE fue del 66>=19 por ciento. CONCLUSIÓN: Los mejores resultados se obtuvieron en las enfermedades genéticas. Se ha observado una correlación inversa entre la SLE y la disparidad antigénica HLA. La incidencia relativamente alta de la enfermedad injerto contra huésped aguda en esta serie, podría relacionarse con la escasa precisión de la tipificación HLA efectuada en algunos pacientes (AU)

[Transplantation of umbilical cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cells in children]. / Trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos de sangre de cordón umbilical en niños.

AIM: Retrospective study of the outcome of cord blood transplantation (CBT) in children in Spain. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (mean age 6.5 years; mean weight 25 kg) received a CBT between July 1994 and May 1998 in several centres of the Spanish Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Group. In 2 patients the donor was an identical human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-sibling and in two the donor was a mismatched family donor. In 24 patients the donor was unrelated, and 21 of these received an HLA-mismatched CBT. Twenty-one patients (75 %) received a CBT for leukemia mainly in advanced phase. Seven patients were transplanted for genetic disease. Of these, five had congenital immunodeficiency. The conditioning treatment included total body irradiation in ten patients and combined chemotherapy in the remaining patients. In all patients graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was performed with cyclosporine, and corticosteroids or methotrexate were added in patients with HLA-mismatched donors. The mean number of nucleated cells infused was 53.4 x 106/kg. RESULTS: Graft failure was observed in nine patients. Eighteen patients (64.3%) developed grade IIIV acute GVHD. Eight patients (28.6%) developed severe GVHD. Actuarial event free survival (EFS) of all the patients was 34.4 +/- 9% at 3 years, with a mean followup of 16.6 months. EFS was more favorable in patients with genetic disease (71>=6 17%) and in those with an HLA (A, B and DR) identical donor (6/6) (66>=6 19%). CONCLUSIONS: The most favorable results were obtained in patients with genetic diseases. We observed an inverse correlation between EFS and patients with HLA identical donors. The high incidence of severe acute GVHD could have been related to a lack of accuracy in the HLA typography of some patients.

[Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in children with severe acquired aplastic anemia. The long-term results. The Spanish Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation in Children (GETMON)]. / Transplante alogénico de médula ósea en niños con aplasia medular grave adquirida. Resultados a largo plazo. Grupo Español para el Trasplante de Médula Osea en Niños (GETMON).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the efficacy of allogeneic BMT in the treatment of childhood severe acquired aplastic anemia (SAAA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven children aged 2 to 16 years (median 11 years) received a BMT from an HLA identical sibling. Conditioning consisted in irradiation (total, nodal or thoraco-abdominal) plus cyclophosphamide (120-200 mg/kg) in 15 patients and cyclophosphamide alone (200 mg/kg) in the rest. Prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was cyclosporine and methotrexate in most patients. RESULTS: Twenty-four children achieved the bone marrow graft at a median of 18 days (neutrophils) and 21 days (platelets). Two patients failed engraftment and 1 had a late graft rejection. Three patients developed acute GVHD grades 3-4 and six chronic GVHD, which was extensive in 4 of them. Twenty patients/71%) are alive and disease-free at a median follow-up of 110 months and the estimated disease free survival at 6 years is 67%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from an HLA identical sibling is the best treatment modality for children with SAAA. Acute GVHD associated with infections and graft rejection were responsible for treatment failures.

[Evolution of the treatment of acute nonlymphoblastic leukemias in children (1968-1990)]. / Evolución del tratamiento de las leucemias agudas no linfoblásticas en el niño (1968-1990).

Changes in treatment of ANLL in children over 23 years (1968-90) and advances made in the last ten years in a pediatric hematological unit are reported herein. Of 124 patients under 15 years of age, 18 of whom were infants, 118 were evaluable. Of these, 58 were treated before 1980 and, although complete remission (CR) was attained in 75%, the median duration was lower than 12 months and no patient survived in CR more than 6 years. From 1981 to 1987, 40 patients received one or two induction treatments followed by three consolidations and then blocks of sequential intensive chemotherapy for 12-15 months. CR was attained in 87.5% and event-free survival (EFS) was 22.5% at 8 years: 14% for those treated from 1981 to 1983 and 33% for those included in the ANLL-84 protocol. In 1988, a post-remission protocol with intensification therapy (two high-dose ARA-C treatments combined with mitoxantrone in the first and amsacrine in the second) followed by allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplant (BMT) was initiated. Of 20 patients included, 17 reached CR (85%) and 16 underwent BMT. EFS of the 20 patients was 65% at 2 years and post-BMT relapse-free survival was 75%. These results are compared with those obtained separately with present intensive chemotherapy protocols and with BMT and it is concluded that intensification treatment followed by BMT (allogeneic or autologous) might constitute an advance in the treatment of children with ANLL.

[Intensification chemotherapy followed by allogenieic and autologous bone marrow transplantation in acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia in children]. / Quimioterapia de intensificación seguida de trasplante de médula ósea alogénico o autólogo en leucemias agudas no linfoblásticas en niños.

UNLABELLED: Both intensification therapies with high-doses ARA-C and bone marrow transplant, allogeneic (BMT) or autologous (ABMT), have proved effective in relapse prevention in ANLL. The present study combines both treatments. METHODS. Remission induction treatment was DAE combination. The first intensification consisted of HD ARA-C and mitoxantrone and the second HD ARA-C and AMSA. CNS prophylaxis consisted of 6 doses of i.t. ARA-C and MTX. Later, patients in remission with HLA-compatible donor received BMT and those without it, ABMT with "ex vivo" treatment of the bone marrow with ASTA-Z. Pre-BMT treatment was the same in both cases: fractionated total body irradiation (TBI) and cyclophosphamide in patients over 3 years of age; in patients under 3 busulfan was given instead of TBI. PATIENTS. Between April 88 and March 90, 18 patients (age 3 months to 14 years) were included. FAB subtypes were M1 + M2: 4; M3: 2; M4: 4; M5: 5; M6: 1; M7: 2. Two patients died of cranial haemorrhage before the 10th day, 15 achieved complete remission (CR) after one or two induction treatments and 1 only attained CR after the first intensification. RESULTS: 1 patient with M7 relapsed after the 2nd intensification. Of the remaining 15, five received BMT and ten ABMT. Average interval between CR and transplant was 4 months (3 to 8). Of the 5 with BMT, one died from progressive obliterating bronchiolitis at 9 months and the other four continued in CR for 6 to 28 months. Of the 10 with ABMT none died from complications, 2 suffered early relapse and 8 continued in CR for 6 to 28 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Bone marrow transplantation in mucopolysaccharidosis type I, Hurler-Scheie variety. Metabolic correction and clinical results]. / Transplante de médula ósea en mucopolisacáridos tipo I, variedad de Hurler-Scheie. Corrección metabólica y efectos clínicos.

Bone marrow transplant has proved to be an effective treatment in some hereditary metabolic diseases and, especially, in mucopolysdaccharidosis (MPS). A 9-year-old girl, of consanguineous parents, with MPS Type I, Hurler-Scheie syndrome, received a BMT from her heterozygous, HLA-compatible mother. -L-iduronidase activity in leukocytes and fibroblasts was undetectable and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) excretion in urine was very high. BMT conditioning treatment consisted of Busulfan (16 mg/kg) and Cyclophosphamide (120 mg/kg); clinical course was uneventful. Sixty days post-BMT iduronidase activity in leukocytes was similar to that of the donor and GAG levels were normal at 12 months. Echocardiography showed regression in hypertrophic myocardiopathy. Previously enlarged and vacuole-filled skin fibroblasts became reduced in size and vacuole content. The most notable clinical effects were: improved facial features, increased height, disappearance of visceromegalies, gradual clearing of corneal opacities with improved vision and reduced joint stiffness. It is concluded that the gradual deterioration in patients with MPS-I may be arrested and many clinical features improved by BMT.

[Intensification of the initial treatment in acute lymphoblastic leukemias of middle and high risk in children]. / Intensificación del tratamiento inicial en las leucemias agudas linfoblásticas de medio y alto riesgo en el niño.

The aim of study LAL 17/84 was to reduce the number of relapses by intensifying initial treatment. Patients were classified as high (HR) and standard-risk (SR) groups following the established risk index. Early response, after 2 weeks of treatment was also considered. SR protocol includes a ten-week induction and CNS prophylaxis phase: in the first 5 weeks, prednisolone (PRED), vincristine (VCR), daunorubicin (DAUNO) and asparaginase (ASPAR) are given; in the last 5 weeks two intravenous infusions of Ara-C and three of intermediate dose (ID) methotrexate (MTX) are administered simultaneously with 5 it injections of both drugs. CNS prophylaxis is completed with 5 further it injections: one at the beginning and 4 at monthly intervals from the 3rd to the 6th months. In the HR protocol, the initial phase lasts 16 weeks: in the first 5 the same drugs as in SR are used but doses of PRED and ASPAR are higher. CNS prophylaxis includes holocranial radiotherapy (18 Gy), 2 iv infusions of Ara-C and a further 2 of MTX ID and 6 it doses of MTX and Ara-C. Finally, a consolidation phase of PRED, VCR (3 doses), tenoposide (3 doses) and cyclophosphamide is given. Complementary chemotherapy in both protocols consists of daily mercaptopurine and weekly MTX for 2 years; moreover, the randomized half of the patients received monthly reinforcements with PRED, VCR (and DAUNO in HR group) for 4 months. Between Oct. 83 and Nov. 87,87 patients with ages between 3 months and 15 years were enrolled; 86 are evaluable. All achieved remission.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)