Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease as a novel presentation of central nervous system autoimmunity in a pediatric patient with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

Background: Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the WAS gene that leads to increased susceptibility to infections, thrombocytopenia, eczema, malignancies, and autoimmunity. Central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune manifestations are uncommon.

Case Presentation: We describe the case of a five-year-old boy with refractory thrombocytopenia and iron deficiency anemia who developed relapsing bilateral optic neuritis.

Killer Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor-Ligand Interactions Predict Clinical Outcomes following Unrelated Donor Transplantations.

Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and KIR ligand (KIRL) interactions play an important role in natural killer (NK) cell-mediated graft-versus-leukemia effect following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). However, there is considerable heterogeneity in the KIR gene and KIRL content in individuals, making it difficult to estimate the full clinical impact of NK cell reconstitution following HCT. Here we present a novel adaptive mathematical model designed to quantify these interactions to better assess the influence of NK cell-mediated alloreactivity on transplant outcomes.

Managing post allograft relapse of myeloid neoplasms: azacitidine and donor lymphocyte infusions as salvage therapy.

Azacitidine (Aza) may promote cytotoxic effects against hematologic tumor cells when combined with donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs). This study sought to verify Aza-DLI's efficacy and tolerability in patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) and identify cohorts benefitting most from therapy. Twenty-eight patients with recurrent AML or MDS following SCT received Aza-DLI.

Bone marrow transplantation for adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease: Results of a prospective multicenter pilot study.

We conducted a multicenter pilot investigation of the safety and feasibility of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in adults with severe sickle cell disease (SCD) (NCT 01565616) using a reduced toxicity preparative regimen of busulfan (13.2 mg/kg), fludarabine (175 mg/m ) and thymoglobulin (6 mg/kg) and cyclosporine or tacrolimus and methotrexate for graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Twenty-two patients (median age 22 years; range 17-36) were enrolled at eight centers.

Metabolic effects of acute thiamine depletion are reversed by rapamycin in breast and leukemia cells.

Thiamine-dependent enzymes (TDEs) control metabolic pathways that are frequently altered in cancer and therefore present cancer-relevant targets. We have previously shown that the recombinant enzyme thiaminase cleaves and depletes intracellular thiamine, has growth inhibitory activity against leukemia and breast cancer cell lines, and that its growth inhibitory effects were reversed in leukemia cell lines by rapamycin. Now, we first show further evidence of thiaminase therapeutic potential by demonstrating its activity against breast and leukemia xenografts, and against a primary leukemia xenograft.

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor in neonatal alloimmune neutropenia: a possible association with induced thrombocytopenia.

Neonatal alloimmune neutropenia (NAIN) is a rare cause of congenital neutropenia seen in <1% of births. Significant morbidity, usually infections, may result from this disease. The pathophysiology of NAIN, mediated by maternal antibodies crossing the placenta to destroy fetal cells expressing paternal antigens, is similar to that of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, as well as Rh/ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Role of small intestine submucosa (SIS) as a nerve conduit: preliminary report.

The goal of peripheral nerve repair is to successfully direct the regenerating fibers into the environment of the distal terminus with minimal loss of fibers at the suture line. Successful nerve repair is dependent on sensory, motor, and autonomic axons making appropriate connection with their distal terminus. The subsequent results are dependent on parameters such as the location and extent of the injury, appropriateness of realignment of the injured nerve, and the surgical technique.