Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation activity in Mexico during the COVID19 pandemic: on the way to recovery.

Objective: To analyze the number of HSCTs performed in 2019 vs. 2020 and report the status of transplant centers (TCs) during and a year after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive cross-sectional nationwide study including active TCs interrogating HSCT activity from 2019 through September 2021.

Diagnostic concordance of pathological methods and reports of hematopathologists compared to local nonspecialized pathologists in the diagnosis of lymphoma in Mexico.

Objectives: To assess the concordance between lymphoma diagnoses made via tissue biopsy by local pathologists and also to assess the after review of these specimens by more specialized hematopathologists.

Methods: A prospective, non-interventional and multicenter study was conducted at seven sites in Mexico from January 2017 to October 2017. Eligible biopsies were sampled from patients with a previous diagnosis of lymphoma on lymph node biopsy or a diagnosis of extranodal lymphoma, with adequate amount and tissue preservation for the review analysis.

Cyclosporine A for the Prevention of Ocular Graft versus Host Disease in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients Is Safe and Feasible.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ocular cyclosporine in the prevention of the development of ocular graft versus host disease (oGVHD) in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) in comparison with historic data.

Design: We developed a longitudinal, observational, prospective nonrandomized study. We evaluated the feasibility of prophylactic use of topical cyclosporine A (CsA) to prevent or decrease the incidence of oGVHD and compared this with historic data.

Freezing the graft is not necessary for autotransplants for plasma cell myeloma and lymphomas.

We studied rates of granulocyte and platelets recovery in 359 consecutive subjects receiving blood cell infusions in the context of autotransplants for plasma cell myeloma (N = 216) and lymphomas (N = 143). Blood cells were mobilised with filgrastim given for 4-5 days and collected after a median of 2 (range, 1-2) apheresis. Apheresis products were stored at 4° C for a median of 3 days (range, 2-6 days).

Combination of low-dose imatinib plus nilotinib for the treatment of chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia after imatinib failure.

Objectives: This is a feasibility study to evaluate whether simultaneous administration of low doses of imatinib and nilotinib in chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CP-CML) patients has the potential for transcript elimination after failure to imatinib.

Methods: Ten patients were enrolled; eight had cytogenetic relapse and two had confirmed loss of major molecular response (MMR). At baseline, BCR-ABL kinase domain mutation was detected in four patients.

Long-Term Insulin Independence in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Using a Simplified Autologous Stem Cell Transplant.

Context: Efforts to find a cure for type 1 diabetes have focused on the removal of the autoimmune pathophysiologic substrate, with the use of immunosuppressive regimens including autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT).

Objective: The main objective of determining long-term insulin independence as well as changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Secondary outcomes were procedure morbidity and the need for hospital management.

Reduced-intensity stem cell allografting for PNH patients in the eculizumab era: The Mexican experience.

Background Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) presents as two major entities: the classical form, predominantly haemolytic and a secondary type with marrow failure and resultant aplastic anaemia (AA-PNH). Currently, the treatment of choice of the haemolytic variant is eculizumab; however, the most frequent form of PNH in México is AA-PNH. Patients and methods Six consecutive AA-PNH patients with HLA-identical siblings were allografted in two institutions in México, employing a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen for stem cell transplantation (RIST) conducted on an outpatient basis.