Gibbon ape leukemia virus transduction of peripheral blood CD34+-derived dendritic cells.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) play a critical role in the immune response and are a candidate for immunotherapy in cancer. Since gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV) transduction of CD34+ cells is reasonably efficacious, we assessed the efficacy of GALV transduction of CD34+ derived DCs as a possible approach to creating genetically modified DCs for immunotherapy.

Methods: Peripheral blood CD34+ cells were transduced with retroviruses obtained from the PG13/LN C8 cell line, with the neomycin gene as a marker gene.

Comparison of peripheral blood stem cell transplant with bone marrow transplant in class 3 thalassemic patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare outcome of bone marrow transplant with peripheral blood stem cell transplant in class 3 thalassemic patients.

Materials And Methods: Respectively, 32 and 20 class 3 thalassemic patients received bone marrow transplant and peripheral blood stem cell transplant from human leukocyte antigen identical sibling donors. Conditioning regimen consisted of busulfan (16 mg/kg) and cyclophosphamide (160 mg/kg) followed by cyclosporine and methotrexate as graft-versus-host disease prophylaxes.

Silibinin inhibits invasive properties of human glioblastoma U87MG cells through suppression of cathepsin B and nuclear factor kappa B-mediated induction of matrix metalloproteinase 9.

Glioblastoma multiforme remains one of the most devastating human malignancies because of its high infiltrative capacity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of silibinin on human glioblastoma U87MG cells. The microculture tetrazolium test, bromodeoxyuridine cell proliferation assay, cell-based nuclear factor kappa B (NF-[kappa]B) activation assessment, cathepsin B activity assay, gelatin zymography, and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR were performed to appraise the effects of silibinin on the metabolic activity, DNA synthesis, NF-[kappa]B phosphorylation, cathepsin B activity, and gelatinolytic activity of U87 cells.

Status of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO).

Several centers are now performing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) but the availability is still limited due to high cost and the need for multi-disciplinary team and an advanced laboratory support. Special issues including compatible donor availability, potential for alternate donor programs, differences in pattern of disease, pre-HSCT general status particularly for patients with BM failure, high sero-positivity for CMV, Hepatitis B and C infection and specific observations about GVHD with its relation to genetically homogeneous community are discussed. A total of 17 HSCT programs (performing five or more HSCTs annually) exist in nine countries of the EM region.

Successful allogeneic stem cell transplantation with a reduced-intensity conditioning in a leukocyte adhesion deficiency type I patient.

LAD-I is a rare, autosomal recessive, primary immunodeficiency in which phagocyte adhesion and chemotaxis are impaired. Multiple infections in the absence of pus accumulation and persistent elevated peripheral blood neutrophil counts are the hallmark of LAD-I. Allogeneic HSCT is the only treatment proved to be potentially curative for phagocyte adhesion impairment in LAD-I.

Substance P and calcitonin gene-related neuropeptides as novel growth factors for ex vivo expansion of cord blood CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells.

There is little evidence on roles of growth factors other than cytokines in expansion of cord blood (CB) stem cells. We aimed to explore a novel approach for expansion, using Substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) neuropeptides. CB CD34(+) cells were cultured in different concentrations of SP and/or CGRP in combination with a cytokine cocktail.

Arsenic trioxide induces apoptosis in NB-4, an acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line, through up-regulation of p73 via suppression of nuclear factor kappa B-mediated inhibition of p73 transcription and prevention of NF-kappaB-mediated induction of XIAP, cIAP2, BCL-XL and survivin.

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on human acute promyelocytic leukemia NB-4 cells. Microculture tetrazolium test, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) cell proliferation assay, caspase 3 activity assay, cell-based nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) phosphorylation measurement by ELISA and real-time RT-PCR were employed to appraise the effects of ATO on metabolic activity, DNA synthesis, induction of programmed cell death and NF-kappaB activation. The suppressive effects of ATO on metabolic potential, cell proliferation and NF-kappaB activation were associated with induction of apoptosis in NB-4 cells.

Serum electrolyte changes at engraftment time in patients undergoing allogeneichematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Metabolic abnormalities have been reported in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Potential causes, risk factors and outcomes of electrolyte imbalances have thoroughly been investigated. On HSCT recipients, multiple pathophysiologic contributors are inflicting electrolyte abnormalities, with special attention being paid to engraftment per se as an important contributor.

Stem cell transplantation; Iranian experience.

From March 1991 through 31st December 2007, 2042 patients underwent stem cell transplantation at the Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. These transplantations included 1405 allogeneic stem cell transplantation, 624 autologous stem cell transplantation, and 13 syngeneic stem cell transplantation. Stem cell transplantation was performed for various diseases including acute myelogenous leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphoblastic leukemia, thalassemia major, sickle cell thalassemia, sickle cell disease, multiple myeloma, myelodysplasia, mucopolysaccharidosis, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, severe aplastic anemia, plasma cell leukemia, Niemann-Pick disease, Fanconi anemia, severe combine immunodeficiency, congenital neutropenia, leukocyte adhesion deficiencies, Chediak-Higashi syndrome, osteopetrosis, histiocytosis X, Hurler syndrome, amyloidosis, systemic sclerosis, breast cancer, Ewing's sarcoma, testicular cancer, germ cell tumors, neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, ovarian cancer, Wilms' tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, pancreatoblastoma, and multiple sclerosis.

Gluten sensitive enteropathy in patients with iron deficiency anemia of unknown origin.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE) in a large group of patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) of obscure origin.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients with IDA of obscure origin were screened for GSE. Anti-endomysial antibody (EMA) and tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG) levels were evaluated and duodenal biopsies were taken and scored according to the Marsh classification.

Prognostic factors of survival time after hematopoietic stem cell transplant in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients: Cox proportional hazard versus accelerated failure time models.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) after haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) patients using accelerated failure time (AFT), Cox proportional hazard (PH), and Cox time-varying coefficient models.

Methods: 206 patients were enrolled after HSCH in Shariati Hospital between 1993 and 2007. There was evidence of marked departures from the proportional hazards assumption with two prognostic factors, relapse and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) (P < .

The prevalence of low selenium levels in adult patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation: a brief communication.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element, and its deficiency is considered to be important in various types of cancer. There are just a few data regarding this issue among adult patients with hematological malignancy. Serum Se levels were determined in 22 adult patients candidates for bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in Iran.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Iran: 1991 to 2008.

Since 1991, 2042 first hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) have been performed at the Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Acute myelogenous leukemia (548 patients), thalassemia major (335 patients) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (275 patients) have been the most common transplanted disorders. There were 1418 cases that received allogeneic HSCT and 624 cases that have received autologous HSCT.

Expression of MRP1 gene in acute leukemia.

Context And Objective: Overexpression of the multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) gene has been linked with resistance to chemotherapy in vitro, but little is known about its clinical impact on acute leukemia patients. Our aim was to investigate the possible association between MRP1 gene expression level and clinical outcomes among Iranian leukemia patients.

Design And Setting: This was an analytical cross-sectional study on patients referred to the Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Research Center, Sharyatee Public Hospital, whose diagnosis was acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Erythroid-lineage-specific engraftment in patients with severe hemoglobinopathy following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Objective: We aimed to create a molecular assay to monitor erythroid (red blood cell [RBC]) engraftment in any patient following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, independent of disease-specific mutations.

Materials And Methods: We identified 10 common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), expressed by genes encoding RBC antigens and structural proteins. These SNPs were polymerase chain reaction-amplified from total RNA extracted from peripheral blood, which contains nucleated erythroid progenitors.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 codon 10 polymorphism is associated with acute GVHD after allogenic BMT in Iranian population.

Background: Certain cytokine genotypes are associated with acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The present study aimed to determine existing association between TGF-beta1 codon 10 polymorphism and aGVHD after HLA-identical sibling BMT in the Iranian population.

Material/methods: In a retrospective case-control study, 168 subjects including 84 Iranian HLA-identical sibling BMT donor/recipient pairs were recruited.

Peripheral blood versus bone marrow as a source of hematopoietic stem cells for allogeneic transplantation in children with class I and II beta thalassemia major.

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) has been extended to treating hematologic disorders, but the benefits over bone marrow transplantation (BMT) still remain unclear, especially in nonmalignant hematologic disorders. In this study, we compared class I-II thalassemic children who underwent HLA-matched PBSCT and BMT for treatment. Conditioning regimens consisted of busulfan and cyclophosphamide, followed by cyclosporine +/- methotrexate for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis.

Continuous bladder irrigation prevents hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Hemorrhagic cystitis is 1 of the most troublesome complications of hematopoietic cell transplantation conditioning regimens. We conducted a nonrandomized controlled clinical study to investigate the role of continuous bladder irrigation in addition to mesna, hydration, and alkalization in the prevention of hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. A total of 80 eligible patients entered the study.

Autologous in vitro expanded mesenchymal stem cell therapy for human old myocardial infarction.

Background: Stem cell transplantation after myocardial infarction has been claimed to restore cardiac function. Mesenchymal stem cells attract a lot of attention because of the feasibility of in vivo and ex vivo differentiation to cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells as well as their trophic effect on tissue repair. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in improving heart function in patients with old myocardial infarction.

Phase 1 trial of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Background: The standard treatment for decompensated liver cirrhosis is liver transplantation. However, it has several limitations. Recent animal studies suggest that bone marrow stem cell transplantation can lead to regression of liver fibrosis.

Multidrug resistance inhibition by antisense oligonucleotide against MDR1/mRNA in P-glycoprotein expressing leukemic cells.

Introduction: Acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults. One major problem in this disease is the emergence of leukemic blast cells that are resistant to anticancer drugs. This phenomenon is termed multidrug resistance (MDR).

Does mesenchymal stem cell therapy help multiple sclerosis patients? Report of a pilot study.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with their potential to differentiate into mesodermal and non-mesodermal lineages have several immunomodulatory characteristics. These properties make them promising tools in cell and gene therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the potential therapeutic applications of autologous MSC in improving clinical manifestations of MS patients.

Effects of chimerism on graft-versus-host disease, disease recurrence, and survival after HLA-identical marrow transplantation in Iran.

Background: The coexistence of recipient's and donor's hematopoietic systems after allogeneic marrow transplantation is called mixed chimerism.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of MC on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), disease recurrence, and survival after HLA identical marrow transplantation in a transplant center in Iran.

Methods: The association of MC with acute GVHD, disease recurrence, survival, and relapse-free survival was investigated in 91 patients who underwent either bone (n = 12) or peripheral blood (n = 79) HLA-identical marrow transplantation.

Aging of mesenchymal stem cell in vitro.

Background: A hot new topic in medical treatment is the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in therapy. The low frequency of this subpopulation of stem cells in bone marrow (BM) necessitates their in vitro expansion prior to clinical use. We evaluated the effect of long term culture on the senescence of these cells.