A novel conditioning regimen with pre-transplantation immunosuppression reduces the complication rates in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia.

Background: Allo-HSCT is a curative therapy for patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT). The high incidence of transplant-related complications is becoming an obstacle to safe and effective unrelated donor (URD) transplantation.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we reported the survival outcomes and complications of transplantation in thalassemia patients using a novel regimen consisting of pre-transplantation immunosuppression (PTIS) and modified myeloablative conditioning based on intravenous busulfan, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, and rabbit anti-human thymocyte immunoglobulin.

Severe corneal manifestations of graft-versus-host disease: experience of a tertiary referral center.

Purpose: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). GVHD may affect several organs, including ocular manifestations, ranging from dry eye syndrome to sight-threatening corneal ulceration or perforation. Limited information is available about characteristics and treatments of ocular GVHD and its relation to general prognosis.

Different effects of fatty acid oxidation on hematopoietic stem cells based on age and diet.

Fatty acid oxidation is of uncertain importance in most stem cells. We show by C-palmitate tracing and metabolomic analysis that hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) engage in long-chain fatty acid oxidation that depends upon carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1a) and hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HADHA) enzymes. CPT1a or HADHA deficiency had little or no effect on HSPCs or hematopoiesis in young adult mice.

Efficacy of Ruxolitinib in the management of chronic GVHD.

Objectives: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment for hematological diseases, with success rates improving due to advancements in conditioning regimens and new anti-graft versus host disease (GVHD) drugs. Ruxolitinib, an oral selective Janus kinase (JAK) 1 and 2 inhibitor has been used to mitigate the effects of various inflammatory and myeloproliferative syndromes, given the JAK kinase pathway's central role in cytokine signaling during inflammatory and immune processes. In this study we aimed to assess ruxolitinib's efficacy in patients with chronic GVHD (cGVHD).

Post-transplant relapse in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the era of CAR-T cell therapy. A multicenter analysis of Grupo Español de Trasplante Hematopoyetico y Terapia Celular (GETH-TC) Pediatric Committee.

Background: The management of relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has evolved significantly. Initially, treatment options were limited to palliative care, salvage chemotherapy, and second HSCT. Currently, the focus has shifted to innovative immunotherapies, particularly CAR T-cell therapy.

Effectiveness of ibrutinib in the management of chronic GVHD.

Objectives: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) represents a significant adverse event that may ensue following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT). In patients resistant to corticosteroids, which is the first-line treatment for cGVHD, ibrutinib is being evaluated as a potential treatment option. In this study, we aimed to share the findings of our multicenter study regarding the outcomes of ibrutinib treatment in patients with corticosteroid-resistant cGVHD who had previously received multiple systemic therapies.

Cerebral Hemodynamic Responses to Disease-Modifying and Curative Sickle Cell Disease Therapies.

Background And Objectives: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hemoglobinopathy resulting in hemoglobin-S production, hemolytic anemia, and elevated stroke risk. Treatments include oral hydroxyurea, blood transfusions, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Our objective was to evaluate the neurologic relevance of these therapies by characterizing how treatment-induced changes in hemoglobin (Hb) affect brain health biomarkers.

Comparison of oral zinc supplement and placebo effect in improving the T-cells regeneration in patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Clinical trial study.

Background: Immune reconstitution is a significant factor in the success of "hematopoietic stem cell transplantation" (HSCT). Delaying the immune reconstitution increases the risk of infections and relapse after transplantation. T-cell recovery after HSCT is mainly thymus-dependent, and thymic atrophy is associated with various clinical conditions that correlate with HSCT outcomes.

Howell-Jolly Body-Like Neutrophil Inclusions Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND In several studies, the presence of Howell-Jolly body-like inclusions within neutrophils has been observed in cases of HIV infection, SARS-CoV-2 infection, post-transplant immunosuppression, and during chemotherapy or antiviral therapy. The phenomenon of neutrophils exhibiting Howell-Jolly body-like inclusions on peripheral blood smears can be attributable to viral infections or the pharmacological effects of medications. CASE REPORT A 14-year-old male patient who had received a diagnosis of lymphoblastic leukemia a year ago underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and was readmitted due to a recurrence of gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

T Cell Development and Responses in Human Immune System Mice.

Human Immune System (HIS) mice constructed with mature human immune cells or with human hematopoietic stem cells and thymic tissue have provided an important tool for human immunological research. In this article, we first review the different types of HIS mice based on human tissues transplanted and sources of the tissues. We then focus on knowledge of human T cell development and responses obtained using HIS mouse models.

Modified G-CSF/ATG-Based Haploidentical Transplantation Protocol in Pediatric Primary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Long-Term Follow-Up Single-Center Experience.

Background: Primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome caused by immune dysregulation. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents the only option for long-term cure for primary HLH. However, only around 25% of patients have a fully HLA-matched donor.

A liberalized diet does not improve caloric intake during neutropenia in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplants: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: The neutropenic diet has been a long-standing approach to preventing infection in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs), although data on its efficacy are inconclusive and its restrictive nature might contribute to harm by reducing dietary intake in this patient population who typically experiences poor oral intake. The aim was to determine if a liberalized diet (LD), in comparison with a neutropenic hospital diet (ND), would improve energy intake and lessen weight loss during neutropenia in patients with HSCTs.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a single-center HSCT/hematologic malignancy unit.

Novel Aspects of Immunogenetics and Post-Transplant Events in Kidney Transplantation.

HLA typing and matching have been crucial in kidney transplantation, but methods for assessing tissue histocompatibility have advanced significantly. While serological-level HLA typing remains common, it captures only a small fraction of true HLA variation, and molecular matching is already replacing traditional HLA matching. Recent studies have expanded our understanding of genetic tissue compatibility beyond HLA loci.

Scientometrics Analysis of Global Researches on Anemia.

Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the hemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal. This study aims to show the intellectual structure of knowledge regarding anemia and gives a comprehensive and up-to-date image of research in this area. This is a descriptive-analytical study with a scientometric approach.

Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant in Hematological Disorders: A Decade of Experience.

: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a complex procedure with the potential to provide curative treatment for various hematological disorders. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of allo-HCT in hematological diseases and identify significant complications in a single-center setting. : We conducted a retrospective analysis of 180 patients with hematological diseases who underwent allo-HCT between January 2011 and December 2021.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Faculty of Health Sciences Students towards Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a life-saving treatment method for numerous diseases. This study aims to determine the knowledge and attitudes of Faculty of Health Sciences students in a university towards hematopoietic stem cell donation and descriptive cross-sectional design.   The study participants consisted of students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences of a university in western Turkey.

Comparison of fludarabine/melphalan (FM140) with fludarabine/melphalan/BCNU (FBM110) in patients with relapsed/refractory AML undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation - a registry study on behalf of the EBMT Acute Leukemia Working Party.

The treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with a dismal prognosis. The allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is frequently performed as salvage therapy. Reduced intensity conditioning protocols have been developed with the aim of reducing the leukemia burden without increasing their toxicity.

Immune checkpoints and ncRNAs: pioneering immunotherapy approaches for hematological malignancies.

Hematological malignancies are typically treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy as the first-line conventional therapies. However, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a rapidly expanding field of study in cancer biology that influences the growth, differentiation, and proliferation of tumors by targeting immunological checkpoints. This study reviews the results of studies (from 2012 to 2024) that consider the immune checkpoints and ncRNAs in relation to hematological malignancies receiving immunotherapy.

Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of BK hemorrhagic cystitis in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from HLA-matched and haploidentical donors with post-transplant cyclophosphamide.

Background: BK hemorrhagic cystitis (BK-HC) is a common complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly when posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is used as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. However, comparative studies of BK-HC incidence in matched sibling donors (MSD) and unrelated donors (MUD) often include small haploidentical (HAPLO) donor cohorts and usually lack detailed information on disease evolution, coinfections, management and impact on outcomes.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing HSCT from MSD, MUD, HAPLO donors using PTCy as GVHD prophylaxis.

Health-related values discussions with patients undergoing allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplant: Feasibility and acceptability of an early primary palliative care intervention.

Background: Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) has curative potential but also relatively high morbidity and mortality. Patients have multidimensional palliative care (PC) needs throughout the transplant process. However, PC is not routinely offered to patients with hematologic malignancies.

What should be the optimal dose of post-transplantation cyclophosphamide for GVHD prophylaxis in allogeneic stem cell transplantation?

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to compare the engraftment days, graft versus host disease (GVHD) development, relapse and overall survival (OS) rates in patients using variable intensity conditioning regimens with two different post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) doses for hematological malignancies.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 162 patients who have had PTCy at a dose of 25 mg/kg × 2 and 50 mg/kg × 2 between 2018 and 2024. Patients were divided in 2 groups; PTCy dose with 25 mg/kg × 2 (Group 1, n = 45) and PTCy dose with 50 mg/kg × 2 (Group 2, n = 117).

Subsequent Thyroid Carcinomas in Children and Adolescents Registered in the German MET Consortium (1997-2023).

Among childhood cancer survivors, the cumulative incidence rate of differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs) is estimated to be 8-11%. Although the association of DTC with prior radiotherapy is well-studied, the association with chemotherapy remains less understood. Most studies focused on young adults, leaving a knowledge gap on subsequent DTC occurring in childhood and adolescence.

Bloodstream infections in pediatric hematology/oncology patients: a single-center study in Wuhan.

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a critical concern in pediatric onco-hematological patients undergoing chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), leading to a major impact on morbidity, long-term hospitalization, and mortality. We retrospectively analyzed 202 BSIs in 145 patients, consisting of 128 with hematological malignancies, one with a solid tumor, and 16 with non-malignant hematological diseases. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical characteristics, pathogen distribution, and antimicrobial pathogen susceptibility.

Deciphering the evolving niche interactome of human hematopoietic stem cells from ontogeny to aging.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) reside within specialized microenvironments that undergo dynamic changes throughout development and aging to support HSC function. However, the evolving cell-cell communication networks within these niches remain largely unexplored. This study integrates single-cell RNA sequencing datasets to systematically characterize the HSC niche interactome from ontogeny to aging.