Serum leptin and ghrelin levels in premenopausal women with stable body mass index during treatment of thyroid dysfunction.

Background: There are potentially complex interrelationships between thyroid function, leptin, ghrelin, body mass index (BMI), and percentage of body fat (%BF). The goal of this study was to determine if normalization of thyroid status in premenopausal women with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism would be associated with changes in serum leptin and ghrelin in the absence of thyroid dysfunction treatment-associated changes in BMI and %BF.

Methods: The study was carried out in 47 selected premenopausal women: 17 with hyperthyroidism, 11 with hypothyroidism, and 19 healthy individuals who constituted the control group.

[Statistical analysis of renal tumours with infants].

By using medical imaging a diagnosis for a patient is to be given. The shape of three-dimensional medical relevant objects in the human body is the basis for an accurate diagnosis. Based on the correct diagnosis, the appropriate therapy can be decided.

Prediction of nonrelapse mortality for patients surviving 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Patients who survive 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) are at risk for chronic graft-versus-host disease and other potentially fatal complications. As the symptoms overlap and the differential diagnosis is difficult, the goal of this study was to verify whether basic laboratory evaluation performed on day +100 may allow identification of patients who are at high risk for nonrelapse mortality (NRM), independent of the underlying complications.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed 255 patients, mean age 29 years (range, 10-56 years), who remained alive and disease-free on day +100 after myeloablative alloHSCT from an HLA-identical sibling (n=177) or a matched unrelated volunteer (n=78), performed in a single institution between 1992 and 2003.

Cladribine combined with high doses of arabinoside cytosine, mitoxantrone, and G-CSF (CLAG-M) is a highly effective salvage regimen in patients with refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia of the poor risk: a final report of the Polish Adult Leukemia Group.

Objectives: Patients with primary refractory AML and with early relapses have unfavorable prognoses and require innovative therapeutic approaches. Purine analogs fludarabine (FA) and cladribine (2-CdA) increase cytotoxic effect of Ara-C in leukemic blasts and inhibit DNA repair mechanisms; therefore its association with Ara-C and mitoxantrone (MIT) results in a synergistic effect. In the current report, we present the final results of multi-center phase II study evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of CLAG-M salvage regimen in poor risk refractory/relapsed AML patients.

Beta-2-microglobulin level predicts outcome following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma.

Despite the widespread use of high-dose therapy combined with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT), the outcomes of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment remain variable. The aim of this study was to define pretransplantation factors that influence outcomes following autoHSCT in patients with MM. Eighty-one MM patients, aged 51 years (range 31-70 years), undergoing first autoHSCT were included in the analysis.

Treosulfan, cyclophosphamide and antithymocyte globulin for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in acquired severe aplastic anemia.

To reduce the risk of graft rejection after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) for patients with acquired severe aplastic anemia (SAA), we introduced an intensified preparative regimen consisting of treosulfan 10 g/m2/d on days -7, -6, cyclophosphamide 40 mg/kg/d on days -5, -4, -3, -2 and anti-thymocyte globulin 2 mg/kg/d on days -3, -2, -1. Six patients with the history of multiple transfusions were treated with alloHCT from either HLA-identical sibling (n=3) or an unrelated volunteer (n=3). Each, bone marrow and peripheral blood was used as a source of stem cells in three cases.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation with total body irradiation-based conditioning in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient with Cochlear implant.

Objectives: A case of 15 years old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and cochlear implant is presented.

Methods: Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation with total body irradiation-based conditioning was performed.

Results: No impairment of implant function nor other complications were observed.

The incidence and risk factors for chronic graft-versus-host-disease.

Objectives: Chronic graft-versus-host-disease (cGVHD) deteriorates survival and quality of life after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). We evaluated the incidence and risk factors for this complication based on a single-center experience.

Methods: 255 consecutive patients, aged 29 (10-56) years, who survived without disease progression after alloHCT performed between 1992-2003 were included in the analysis.

[Impact of chronic graft-versus-host disease on long-term outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Chronic graft-versus-host-disease (cGVHD) is a major cause of late morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). However, it may be accompanied by graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) reaction contributing to decreased risk of relapse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of cGVHD on outcome of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients treated with alloHCT.

[A study to determine the safety and efficacy of imatinib mesylate in patients with chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia after interferon therapy failure. Four year follow-up].

Unlabelled: Targeted therapy with the use of imatinib mesylate is a recognized option for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) not eligible for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. We present results of a multicenter phase II study on the use of imatinib in chronic phase after failure to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). Sixty patients (27 female, 33 male), median age 46 (range, 21-64), were included with hematologic relapse (n= 11), hematologic refractoriness (n=4), cytogenetic relapse/ /+65resistance (n=40) or intolerance to IFN-alpha (n=5).

[Explanation and forecast: relapse of juvenile offenders].

On the basis of n=82 juvenile offenders from a prison for juvenile offenders in Rheinland Pfalz the model of the logistic regression is compared with a procedure from the family of the neural nets in its efficiency to explain and predict "relapse" in form of a renewed imprisonment or prosecution /police search after dismissal. The group which can be examined is limited by the population of the prison for juvenile offenders and the explaining variables for "relapse" as "addicted to drugs" present non-metric scaling. For the explanation only probabilities for "relapse" can be indicated in this connection.

Acute graft-versus-host disease. The incidence and risk factors.

Objectives: Acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGvHD) is a major cause of mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). The goal of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for this complication.

Methods: 330 consecutive patients (183 male and 147 female), aged 29 (10-56) years, treated with alloHCT in a single center between 1992-2003 were included in the analysis.

Low percentages of circulating CD8(+)/CD45RA(+) human T lymphocytes expressing beta7 integrin correlate with the occurrence of intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Objective: Effector phase of acute graft-versus-host disease (a-GVHD) is mainly mediated by donor-derived, anti-host cytotoxic T cells. T-cell homing into gut-associated lymphoid tissues is ascribed to the alpha4beta7 integrin. We reasoned that development of intestinal a-GVHD might be triggered by recruitment in the intestinal mucosa of circulating, alloreactive, alpha4beta7(+) donor T cells.

Fludarabine, cytarabine, and mitoxantrone (FLAM) for the treatment of relapsed and refractory adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A phase study by the Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG).

Outcome of adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who fail to achieve complete remission (CR) or who relapse soon after initial response is poor. The goal of this phase II study by the Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG) was to evaluate safety and efficacy of a new salvage regimen (FLAM) consisting of sequential fludarabine, cytarabine, and mitoxantrone. Fifty patients were included with primary (n = 13) or secondary (n = 5) refractoriness, early (<12 months) first relapse (n = 15), first relapse after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) regardless CR duration (n = 13), and second or subsequent relapse (n = 4).

First two successful unrelated donor bone marrow transplantations for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in Poland.

Objectives: The experience with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from matched unrelated donors (MUD) for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is limited and optimal preparative regimen has been not established.

Methods: We report first two MUD BMTs for patients with PNH in Poland. Preparative regimen consisted of Treosulfan, Fludarabine and Thymoglobulin.

Impact of activating killer immunoglobulin-like receptor genotype on outcome of unrelated donor-hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Background: In a previous study we demonstrated that incompatibility regarding ligands for inhibitory killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) is associated with a survival advantage following unrelated donor-hematopoietic cell transplantation (URD-HCT). The goal of the present analysis was to evaluate whether genotype of activating KIRs of the donor may have an impact on the outcome of URD-HCT.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-five URD-HCT recipients with hematological malignancies, mean age 27 years (range, 14-43 years), were included in the analysis.

Homozygosity for human leucocyte antigen-C ligands of KIR2DL1 is associated with increased risk of relapse after human leucocyte antigen-C-matched unrelated donor haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-C molecules regulate the function of natural killer cells and may be subdivided into two groups, C(1) and C(2), based on their specificity for inhibitory killer immunoglobulin-like receptors. We analysed the impact of the HLA-C genotype on outcome of HLA-C-matched unrelated donor haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (URD-HSCT) recipients. HLA-C(2) homozygous patients (n = 18) had lower probability of overall survival (P = 0.

The impact of immunosuppressive therapy on an early quantitative NK cell reconstitution after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to examine the impact of various immunosuppressive regimens on an early NK cell recovery following haematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT).

Methods: The number of peripheral blood NK cells was analysed with the use of flow cytometry on day +30 (+/-2) after alloHCT from an HLA identical sibling (n=43) or an unrelated (n=34) donor.

Results: Patients receiving prednisolone as a prophylaxis of acute graft-versus-host disease had lower number of NK cells compared to those not given steroids prophylactically (110(10-694) vs.

Imatinib therapy prior to myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

It is unknown whether imatinib prior to myeloablative haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) increases transplant-related toxicity. Among the side effects induced by imatinib, myelosuppression and liver injury might worsen HSCT outcomes. We retrospectively analysed engraftment, liver toxicity, acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) incidence and 100-day mortality in 30 patients with BCR/ABL-positive leukaemias who received imatinib before HSCT and compared results of 48 age-matched controls who did not receive preceding imatinib.

The immunosuppressive effect of human cytomegalovirus infection in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

In immune-competent individuals, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is associated with impairment of T-cell function. Our goal was to evaluate prospectively whether clinically asymptomatic HCMV infection in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) recipients, treated pre emptively with ganciclovir, influences T-cell function as well. Mitogen-stimulated T-cell proliferative activity, together with cell surface markers, was tested in 49 patients on days + 30, + 45, + 60, and + 90 after alloHSCT and, additionally, in cases of positive HCMV pp65-antigenemia.

B lymphocyte reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: functional immaturity and slow recovery of memory CD27+ B cells.

Objective: Functional recovery of B lymphocytes after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can take up to 2 years. HSCT recipients may obtain protective titers of pathogen-specific antibody through vaccination, but optimal timing of reimmunization remains to be defined.

Patients And Methods: In this study, we evaluated the reconstitution of B-cell number and activity in 139 children given HSCT, by B-cell subset phenotyping and in vitro immunoglobulin (Ig) production.