Climacteric lowers plasma levels of platelet-derived microparticles: a pilot study in pre- versus postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Climacteric increases the risk of thrombotic events by alteration of plasmatic coagulation. Up to now, less is known about changes in platelet- (PMP) and endothelial cell-derived microparticles (EMP). METHODS: In this prospective study, plasma levels of microparticles (MP) were compared in 21 premenopausal and 19 postmenopausal women. RESULTS: No altered numbers of total MP or EMP were measured within the study groups. However, the plasma values of CD61-exposing MP from platelets/megakaryocytes were higher in premenopausal women (5,364 × 10(6)/l, range 4,384-17,167) as compared to postmenopausal women (3,808 × 10(6)/l, range 2,009-8,850; p = 0.020). This differentiation was also significant for the subgroup of premenopausal women without hormonal contraceptives (5,364 × 10(6)/l, range 4,223-15,916; p = 0.047; n = 15). Furthermore, in premenopausal women, higher plasma levels of PMP exposing CD62P were also present as compared to postmenopausal women (288 × 10(6)/l, range 139-462, vs. 121 × 10(6)/l, range 74-284; p = 0.024). This difference was also true for CD63+ PMP levels (281 × 10(6)/l, range 182-551, vs. 137 × 10(6)/l, range 64-432; p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Climacteric lowers the level of PMP but has no impact on the number of EMP in women. These data suggest that PMP and EMP do not play a significant role in enhancing the risk of thrombotic events in healthy, postmenopausal women.

Hormone replacement therapy leads to increased plasma levels of platelet derived microparticles in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Whereas prevention of cardiovascular diseases by hormonal replacement therapy is still part of an ongoing debate, well-defined data are available relating hormonal replacement therapy to an elevated risk of venous thrombosis and embolism. Although it seems that venous thrombosis in patients treated with hormonal replacement therapy is linked to changes in plasmatic coagulation, less is known about the role of platelet-derived microparticles, as well as endothelial cell-derived microparticles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, levels of microparticles were investigated in postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy (n = 15) and compared to age-matched controls (n = 15). RESULTS: Total count of microparticles and the subgroup of microparticles derived from endothelial cells did not differ in the investigated groups. In contrast, median levels of microparticles derived from platelet/megacaryocyte were higher in women taking hormonal replacement therapy (5,244 × 10(6)/l) than in controls (2,803 × 10(6)/l; p = 0.040). Furthermore, hormonal replacement therapy led to a higher plasma level of microparticles derived from activated platelets, exposing P-selectin (136 × 10(6)/l vs. 58 × 10(6)/l; p = 0.011), or exposing CD63 (171 × 10(6) vs. 91 × 10(6)/l; p = 0.011) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Higher concentrations of microparticles derived from (activated) platelets/megacaryocytes were present in postmenopausal women taking hormonal replacement therapy. This finding indicates a procoagulant state in these women and might play a role in the development of venous side effects. In contrast, levels of endothelial cell-derived microparticles did not differ.

Endothelial cell-derived microparticles in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients.

BACKGROUND: Alterations of microparticles derived from different cell types are described in a number of diseases associated with inflammation and hemostatic disorders. METHODS: In this prospective study, we firstly analyzed endothelial cell derived microparticles (EMP) in 19 hematopoietic stem cell recipients. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) served as positive controls. EMP were analyzed by fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS), detecting the particels via expression of CD62 (E-selectin) and anionic phospholipids binding to annexin V. RESULTS: EMP were not significantly influenced by conditioning regimens with non-myeloablative chemotherapy and 4 Gy total body irradiation (TBI) or by myeloablative regimens containing 12 Gy TBI. During acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD), significantly higher levels of EMP were detected than in patients without aGVHD (18.5/microl s=10.1 vs. 14.6/microl SD = 11.5; P = 0.004) while infectious complications did not alter EMP levels significantly. Immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids tendentially elevated EMP levels. HUVEC treated with TNF-alpha 1 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml released significantly more EMP than unstimulated cultures (30.0/microl ss = 13.6 vs. 126.8/microl SD = 66.9, P = 0.032 / vs. 683.3/microl SD = 349.9; P = 0.03 / vs. 489.3 s = 184.4; P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Elevation of EMP during aGVHD might express severe endothelial cell injury within this complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and might serve as a diagnostic test for early differentiation of aGVHD from other transplanted related complications.

Diagnosis of hepatic veno-occlusive disease by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 plasma antigen levels: a prospective analysis in 350 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients.

BACKGROUND: Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is one of the most serious complications following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and is associated with a high mortality. We conducted a large trial in order to investigate the value of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) plasma antigen levels in VOD patients as PAI-1 has been described as a possible diagnostic marker of VOD. METHODS: In all, 350 stem cell recipients were included in our study. PAI-1 levels were analyzed prior to conditioning therapy and then weekly until eight weeks after HSCT. Transplantation-related complications (TRC) including VOD, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were recorded weekly throughout the study. RESULTS: Maximum PAI-1 antigen levels were increased in all patients with VOD (n=15; mean 248 ng/ml; 95% CI 183-314 ng/ml). Maximum PAI-1 levels above 120 ng/ml showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 30.6% for VOD after HSCT. CONCLUSION: Our study underlines that maximum PAI-1 plasma antigen levels not exceeding 120 ng/ml have a strong negative predictive value in the diagnosis of VOD and thus represent a helpful non-invasive tool for exclusion of VOD after HSCT.

Transforming growth factor beta-1 released from platelets contributes to hypercoagulability in veno-occlusive disease following hematopoetic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is one of the most disastrous complications after allogeneic hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Thrombocytopenia with refractoriness to platelet transfusions suggests an increased platelet consumption in these patients. Interactions between platelets and endothelial cells might contribute to the hypercoagulable state at the sinusoidal endothelium as a central mechanism in the pathogenesis of VOD. STUDY DESIGN: The influence of activated platelets on cultured human endothelial cells was investigated in vitro. We focused on the release of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) from endothelial cells which has earlier been found to be significantly elevated in plasma of VOD patients. Endothelial cells isolated from human umbilical cords (HUVEC) were incubated with activated platelets. The release of PAI-1 in the presence or absence of specific antibodies was determined by ELISA technique. Tissue factor (TF) expression on endothelial cells was observed by flowcytometric analysis. RESULTS: HUVEC incubated with activated platelets were found to release significantly more PAI-1 compared to untreated cultures. The endothelial PAI-1-secretion after incubation of HUVEC with activated platelets was completely inhibited by an IgG monoclonal antibody against human transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF beta-1). In contrast, PAI-1 production was not suppressed after inhibition of HUVEC-platelet-interaction by an IgG monoclonal antibody against CD154 (CD40L) expressed on the surface of activated platelets. An increased release of PAI-1 and an increased expression of tissue factor (TF) on the endothelial cell surface were observed after stimulation with TGF beta-1. CONCLUSION: TGF beta-1 released from activated platelets contributes to the hemostatic imbalance at the sinusoidal endothelium in patients with hepatic VOD by increase of endothelial cell PAI-1 production and TF expression. As a potent profibrotic cytokine, TGF beta-1 might further be involved in phlebosclerosis and sinusoidal fibrosis occurring in VOD.

[Malignant Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas]. / Zervikale Hodgkin- und Non-Hodgkin-Lymphome. Verdachtsmomente, Diagnostik und Heilungschancen.

Over the last twenty years, the number of lymphoma patients in the industrialized countries has increased dramatically. Accordingly the family physician has first contact with patients presenting with swollen cervical glands. To establish a definitive diagnosis, a lymph node must promptly be removed, as completely as possible, for histopathological work-up. Establishment of the diagnosis must be followed by staging and the planning of appropriate (stage-oriented) therapy. Treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma has an excellent outcome. In early-stage disease, treatment comprises brief polychemotherapy followed by involved-field irradiation; in more advanced stages intensive polychemotherapy is applied. Less satisfactory results are obtained with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Hemostatic complications in bone marrow transplantation: a retrospective analysis of 447 patients.

BACKGROUND: Hemostatic complications are not uncommon after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). However, little is known about the frequency, localization, determinants, and outcome of hemostatic events in autologous and allogeneic BMT. METHODS: Four hundred forty-seven patients (364 allogeneic, 83 autologous transplants) were evaluated retrospectively for the presence of hemostatic complications (bleeding, thrombosis, hepatic veno-occlusive disease [VOD], microangiopathic hemolytic anemia) from the start of conditioning therapy until June 2000. RESULTS: A total of 83.2% of the patients presented with at least one hemostatic complication during the investigational period. Most bleeding episodes occurred within the first 4 weeks after transplantation and were relatively mild. However, 27.1% of the patients hemorrhaged severely, generally doubling the overall mortality of the BMT recipients. Fatal gastrointestinal or intracerebral hemorrhages contributed to 1.1% of the events. Bleeding was strongly associated with prolonged thrombocytopenia and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Hemorrhagic cystitis may additionally have been triggered by the preceding conditioning regimens containing cyclophosphamide. Thromboembolic events occurred most frequently in allogeneic transplant recipients, for whom the incidence was 14.6%. Chronic GVHD and treatment with steroids were the major determining factors. The incidence of hepatic VOD in 4.7% of the allogeneic transplant recipients was associated with a high fatality rate. Busulfan conditioning increased the VOD risk 2.6-fold. Moderate or severe microangiopathic hemolytic anemia was associated with GVHD and occurred in 14.6% of the allogeneic transplant recipients, leading to an increased overall mortality. CONCLUSION: Hemostatic disturbances, commonly found in the course of transplantation, are associated with a high transplantation risk and closely related to thrombocytopenia and immunologic complications.

Impact of thrombophilic gene mutations and graft-versus-host disease on thromboembolic complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hemostatic events in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) increase the morbidity and mortality in this cohort. Little is known about the impact of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) or of thrombophilic gene mutations/polymorphisms on these complications. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-nine allogeneic stem-cell recipients and their donors were evaluated prospectively for the presence of the factor V G1691A mutation, the prothrombin G20210A mutation, the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation, the glycoprotein IIIa PI(a1/a2) polymorphism, the fibrinogen-beta-chain 455G/A polymorphism, the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 -675 4G/5G polymorphism, and the angiotensin-converting enzyme intron 16 I/D polymorphism. These mutations/polymorphisms and GvHD parameters were correlated to hemostatic and toxic complications after transplantation. The data were compared with those of 128 healthy controls. RESULTS: The PAI-1 4G/4G polymorphism increases the risk for catheter thrombosis after HSCT 5.7-fold (32.2% vs. 71.4%, P<0.05). In patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease, the frequency of the PAI-1 4G allele is also increased (83.3% vs. 55.1%, NS). Thrombophilic mutations/polymorphisms in donors do not influence complications in the corresponding recipients. The MTHFR TT genotype does not modify severity and duration of mucositis and aplasia in patients receiving methotrexate prophylaxis. Patients with chronic GvHD have a higher risk of thromboembolism (12.9% vs. 1.7%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Thrombophilic gene mutations have only a moderate influence on hemostatic complications in patients undergoing HSCT. This may be because of the overwhelming immunologic impact of GvHD on hemostasis in the allogeneic transplantation setting.

Microparticles for diagnosis of graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic stem transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The differentiation between acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) and infection is still a clinical challenge in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Definitive diagnosis is based on histologic findings, but a simple blood test for differentiation is missing. METHODS: In a prospective study, we measured the plasma levels of erythrocyte-derived microparticles (EryMP) in 19 recipients during HSCT. Microparticles were isolated by differential centrifugation, double stained for glycophorin A (CD235) and annexin V, and analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Eight patients developed aGvHD (42%), 15 patients developed infectious complications (79%), and two patients developed microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (11%). The levels of EryMP, as measured before conditioning therapy (535 × 10(6)/L in median), were not affected by total body irradiation, high-dose chemotherapy, or in vivo T-cell depletion. EryMP levels were unaffected in uncomplicated patients during aplasia (522 × 10(6)/L in median; P=0.394) or after engraftment (480 × 10(6)/L in median; P = 0.594) and in patients with infectious complications or sepsis (586 × 10(6)/L in median; P = 0.606). In contrast, in patients who developed aGvHD after HSCT, a 1.7-fold increase in the plasma levels of EryMP was observed (880 ×1 0(6)/L in median; P<0.001 compared with the time before therapy and P = 0.015 compared with patients with infections or sepsis). CONCLUSION: Increased plasma levels of EryMP are present in patients who develop aGvHD but not in patients who develop infection or sepsis after HSCT. Therefore, EryMP are a potential, novel, blood marker that may be helpful in the diagnosis of this common complication after HSCT.

Cancer and thrombosis: managing the risks and approaches to thromboprophylaxis.

Patients with cancer are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared with patients without cancer. This results from both the prothrombotic effects of the cancer itself and iatrogenic factors, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, indwelling central venous devices and surgery, that further increase the risk of VTE. Although cancer-associated thrombosis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, it is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. However, evidence is accumulating to support the use of low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) in the secondary prevention of VTE in patients with cancer. Not only have LMWHs been shown to be at least as effective as coumarin derivatives in this setting, but they have a lower incidence of complications, including bleeding, and are not associated with the practical problems of warfarin therapy. Furthermore, a growing number of studies indicate that LMWHs may improve survival among patients with cancer due to a possible antitumor effect. Current evidence suggests that LMWHs should increasingly be considered for the longterm management of VTE in patients with cancer.

Platelet function rather than plasmatic coagulation explains hypercoagulable state in cholestatic liver disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: As compared to other chronic liver diseases, cholestatic disorders are associated with a better outcome of variceal bleeding and less blood loss at transplantation, suggesting the presence of a hypercoagulable state. We have assessed plasmatic coagulation and platelet function in patients with cholestatic and non-cholestatic liver disease. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with chronic cholestatic liver disease (primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)/primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)), 53 patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) or alcoholic cirrhosis (C2), and 62 healthy controls were studied. RESULTS: Thrombelastography revealed a hypercoagulable state in non-cirrhotic patients with PBC/PSC, but not in those with HCV (ma-value: 6.54[6.25-6.92, 95%CI] vs. 5.39[5.11-5.58], P < 0.05) possibly due to higher fibrinogen levels in PBC/PSC patients (369[329-418]mg/dl vs. 263[250-275]mg/dl, P < 0.05). PFA-100 closure time was prolonged in HCV/C2 patients with advanced cirrhosis, but not in cirrhotic patients with PBC/PSC (Child B; epinephrine stimulation: 192[161-229]s vs. 132[105-158]s, P < 0.05). Flow cytometric studies of platelet receptors and granules revealed a higher surface expression of CD42b (112[105-119]% vs. 100[95-104]%, P < 0.05) and LIBS-1 (261[184-348]% vs. 121[92-145]%, P < 0.05) in patients with PBC/PSC than in those with HCV/C2. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that platelet function differs between patients with cholestatic and non-cholestatic liver disease and is stable or even hyperactive in patients with PBC and PSC.

Impact of thrombophilic gene mutations on thrombosis risk in patients with gastrointestinal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with malignancies have an increased risk for thromboembolic events due to the release of tissue factor by the tumor, damage to the vessel wall, and immobilization. Moreover, tumors may improve their growth and metastatic spread by utilizing the coagulation system. To date, no information is available on the additional role of prothrombotic mutations in these patients. METHODS: The prevalence of the factor V Leiden mutation (FVL) and the prothrombin G20210A mutation and of homozygosity for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T substitution has been analyzed in a cohort of 175 patients with gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. RESULTS: 6.9% of the patients were heterozygous for FVL, 5.7% were heterozygous for the prothrombin mutation, and 9.7% were homozygous for the MTHFR C677T mutation was detected in 9.7% of patients. Compared with the normal population, we found an increased prevalence of the prothrombin G20210A substitution (5.7% vs. 0.8%, P = 0.028). Thromboses were absent in 147 patients (Group A), whereas 28 of the patients suffered from thromboses during the period following tumor diagnosis (Group B). In Group A, 6.8% of the patients and 21.4% of the patients in Group B had a thrombosis before the diagnosis of cancer (P = 0.025, odds ratio [OR] 3.7). Heterozygous FVL was present in 4.8% of the patients in Group A and in 17.9% of the patients in Group B (P = 0.026, OR 4.4). In patients with thromboses before the detection of the tumor, the risk was elevated 6.3-fold (25.0% vs 5.0%, P = 0.015). Heterozygosity for the prothrombin mutation and homozygosity for the MTHFR C677T substitution did not increase the incidence of thromboses. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated a significant effect of FVL on thrombosis in patients with malignant disease. Most thromboses occurred during the first months after tumor diagnosis, implicating diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as important nongenetic risk factors for venous thromboembolism. Our data also indicate that the prothrombin G20210A mutation may be a possible cofactor in cancer pathogenesis.

Magnetic resonance imaging as a supplement for the clinical staging system of Durie and Salmon?

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the prognostic value of a three-grade staging system of spinal involvement using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with multiple myeloma and determined its usefulness as an independent parameter in the staging system of Durie and Salmon. METHODS: Seventy-seven previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma underwent MRI of the thoracic and lumbar spine with unenhanced T1-weighted spin echo and short-tau inversion time inversion recovery sequences. The patients were evaluated according to their infiltration patterns and the extent of bone marrow involvement was staged using a three-grade scale: Stage I, no focal or diffuse infiltration; Stage II, 1-10 foci or mild diffuse infiltration; Stage III, more than 10 foci or strong diffuse infiltration. RESULTS: The infiltration patterns had no significant effect on survival. Of 77 patients, 25 would have been understaged using the standard staging system of Durie and Salmon without the findings of MRI and 8 patients would have been understaged if the staging was based only on MRI. The combination of the staging system of Durie and Salmon and MRI was highly significant with respect to survival (P < 0.0001, log rank analysis). MRI staging I-III was independent of the staging system of Durie and Salmon (Cox regression model). CONCLUSIONS: A three-grade staging of spinal MRI provides a significant prognostic tool for patients with multiple myeloma. The authors propose including it in the staging system of Durie and Salmon.

Malignant lymphoma of bone.

Malignant lymphoma of bone is rare. In many cases, its diagnosis is delayed because of unspecific clinical signs and equivocal radiographs. Therapy in general is multimodal, including surgery and radio- and chemotherapy. Our objective was to demonstrate the clinical and radiological aspects of the lesion to optimize diagnostic approaches and to evaluate treatment and prognostic factors. Thirty-six patients with malignant lymphoma of bone who were surgically treated over a 15-year-period were retrospectively reviewed. Seventeen of them showed a singular bone non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) which was classified as primary lymphoma of the bone (PLB). In 13 cases, dissemination of the disease with multiple bone or visceral involvement was apparent (dNHL). Six patients suffered from bone involvement due to Hodgkin's disease (HD). Surgical treatment was indicated for diagnostic reasons or complications due to the disease. Radiation and chemotherapy were part of the oncological treatment. The patients' mean age was 57 years. The main symptom in malignant bone lymphoma in 33 patients was pain, with an average duration of 8 months. In the secondary cases, bone involvement appeared on average 57 months after the initial diagnosis. An osteolytic pattern was seen in 58% of the lesions. Soft-tissue involvement was seen in 71% of cases (PLB 80%, dNHL 73%, HD 40%) and was the primary diagnostic sign associated with this disease. The 5-year survival rate was 61% (PLB 88%, dNHL 38%, HD 50%). Multiple vs solitary bone involvement was the most significant factor in the prognosis. Extraskeletal involvement significantly decreased survival. No correlation was found between gender, age, location, or histological subtypes and survival. Bone involvement in NHL appears late in the extraskeletal disease. The clinical appearance is nonspecific, and the delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis is often long. One of the major radiologic signs is the existence of a soft-tissue tumor surrounding the bone with little or no bone involvement on plain films. Treatment generally is conservative, based on the stage of the disease. Local radiation with or without systemic chemotherapy should be used. The long-term survival is favorable, but dependent on the stage of the disease and the amount of bone involvement.

Factor XIII activity levels in patients with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and acute graft-versus-host disease of the gut.

Severe graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) of the gut clinically resembles Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. As low plasma levels of factor XIII (FXIII) have been described in chronic inflammatory bowel disease (CIBD) and as beneficial effects of FXIII concentrates in CIBD have been reported, we studied the FXIII plasma activity levels in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). In 20 of 22 patients with an uncomplicated course of SCT, FXIII stayed within the normal range (median 102 iu/dl, range 74-122), but was significantly reduced with the lowest FXIII levels on d 0 and 7 (d 0: median 83 iu/dl, range 55-165, d 7: median 83, range 70-101). In 20 of 22 patients with histologically proven GvHD of the gut, FXIII levels far below the normal range were observed (median 50, range 21-87) with a strong correlation between FXIII activity levels and degree of GvHD (r = -0.908; P < 0.001). We conclude that FXIII is consumed in patients with GvHD of the gut. As FXIII plays a a crucial role in haemostasis and wound healing, a study on the potential benefit of FXIII substitution in patients with severe GvHD of the gut might be rewarding.