Primary vaccination in adult patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation – A single center retrospective efficacy analysis

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) results in a loss of humoral immunity and subsequent risk for severe infections. Thus, re-vaccination is required but may fail due to incomplete immune reconstitution. We retrospectively analyzed predictors of immune response to primary vaccination applied according to the EBMT (European Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group) recommendations. Serologic response to vaccination against diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), Bordetella pertussis (aP) and Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) (administrated as combined DTaP-Hib-IPV vaccination) was studied in 84 alloHSCT patients transplanted between 2008 and 2015 (age at alloHSCT: 18.6–70.6 years). All patients with a relapse-free survival of ≥9 months, at least 3 consecutive vaccinations and absence of intravenous immunoglobulin administration within 3 months before and after vaccination met the primary inclusion criteria. Additionally, immunological response to a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was analyzed in a subgroup of 67 patients. Patients’ characteristics at the time of first vaccination were recorded. Responses were measured as vaccine-specific antibody titers. Regarding DTaP-Hib-IPV vaccination, 89.3% (n = 75) of all patients achieved protective titers to at least 3 of the 4 vaccine components and were thus considered responders. 10.7% (n = 9) of the patients were classified as non-responders with positive immune response to less than 3 components. Highest response was observed for Hib (97.4%), tetanus (95.2%) and pneumococcal vaccination (83.6%) while only 68.3% responded to vaccination against Bordetella pertussis. Significant risk factors for failure of vaccination response included low B cell counts (p < 0.001; cut-off: 0.05 B cells/nl) and low IgG levels (p = 0.026; mean IgG of responders 816 mg/dl vs. 475 mg/dl of non-responders). Further, a trend was observed that prior cGvHD impairs vaccination response as 88.9% of the non-responders but only 54.7% of the responders had prior cGvHD (p = 0.073). The results demonstrate, that the currently proposed vaccination strategy leads to seroprotection in the majority of alloHSCT patients.     

BET抑制剂对弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤细胞生长及外周血Th17细胞数量和相关细胞因子表达的影响

目的:探讨溴结构域和超末端结构域（bromodomain and extra terminal domain，BET）抑制剂对弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤CRL-2630细胞生长的影响，以及对弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤BALB/c-nu裸鼠外周血中辅助性T细胞17（helper T cells,Th17）数量和相关细胞因子表达的影响。方法:培养弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤株CRL-2630，使用不同浓度BET抑制剂（2、4、8、16、32 nmol/L）处理48 h，32 nmol/L BET抑制剂处理不同时间（12、24、36、48 h），CCK-8法检测各处理细胞活性；集落形成实验检测不同BET抑制剂浓度处理后细胞集落形成能力；Annexin V-FITC/PI双染法检测不同BET抑制剂浓度处理后细胞凋亡情况；实时荧光定量PCR与Western blot检测32 nmol/L BET抑制剂处理CRL-2630细胞48 h后HMGA1 mRNA与蛋白的表达水平；构建HMGA1过表达载体并通过脂质体介导法转染CRL-2630细胞，并用32 nmol/L BET抑制剂处理48 h，检测细胞活性与凋亡情况；构建裸鼠弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤模型并采集外周血，流式细胞术检测Th17细胞比例，ELISA法检测相关细胞因子的含量。结果:在一定范围内，BET抑制剂呈剂量依赖性地抑制CRL-2630细胞的活性，32 nmol/L BET抑制剂以时间依赖性地抑制CRL-2630细胞的活性。随着BET抑制剂处理浓度的增高，CRL-2630细胞集落形成能力逐渐下降，凋亡率逐渐升高。32 nmol/L BET抑制剂处理CRL-2630细胞48 h后，细胞中HMGA1的mRNA和蛋白水平均明显下降。pcDNA3.4-HMGA1转染CRL-2630细胞再使用BET抑制剂处理后，细胞的活性升高而凋亡率明显下降。弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤裸鼠经BET抑制剂作用后，外周血Th17细胞比例和IL-6、IL-17、IL-23含量较生理盐水组明显下降。结论:BET抑制剂能有效抑制 CRL-2630细胞活性，并诱导其凋亡，在一定范围内呈时效和量效关系。BET抑制剂还可以抑制弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤裸鼠外周血Th17细胞数量和相关细胞炎性因子的分泌，其作用机制可能与HMGA1的表达下调有关。     

Growth and Nutritional Outcomes in Children Post-Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant without Exposure to Total Body Irradiation

AimsPoor growth in childhood cancer survivors who undergo haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) without exposure to radiation is reported anecdotally, although literature to support this is limited. The aims of this study were to assess the change in height standard deviation score (SDS) and the final adult height (FAH) in children who underwent chemotherapy-only conditioned HSCT and to identify predictors of poor growth.Materials and methodsWe conducted a retrospective hospital medical record review (1984–2010) of children (1–10 years) who underwent chemotherapy-only conditioned HSCT, noting anthropology measurements at cancer diagnosis, HSCT, 10 years old and FAH.ResultsThe median age at HSCT of the 53 patients was 4.5 years, 75% had a haematological malignancy and 25% a solid tumour. Half of the cohort underwent allogenic HSCT and most (89%) conditioned with busulphan. The mean change in height SDS from primary cancer diagnosis to FAH was –1.21 (±1.18 SD), equivalent to 7–8.5 cm loss, with a mean FAH of –0.91 SDS (±1.10 SD). The greatest height loss occurred between diagnosis and HSCT (–0.77 SDS, 95% confidence interval –1.42, –0.12, P = 0.01), with no catch-up growth seen by FAH. Patients with solid tumours had the greatest height loss. Overall body mass index SDS did not change significantly over time, or by cancer type.ConclusionsChemotherapy-only conditioned HSCT during childhood can impact FAH, with the greatest height loss occurring prior to HSCT and no catch-up growth after treatment finishes. Children transplanted for a solid tumour malignancy seem to be more at risk, possibly due to intensive treatment regimens, both pre-transplant and during conditioning.     

飞秒激光辅助超声乳化联合Ahmed青光眼引流阀植入术治疗合并难治性青光眼的白内障

目的：评估飞秒激光辅助超声乳化联合Ahmed青光眼引流阀植入术治疗合并难治性青光眼的白内障的有效性和安全性。

方法：回顾性病例对照研究。2019-10/2021-10入院合并难治性青光眼的白内障患者53例53眼，依据自愿选择分为飞秒激光辅助白内障超声乳化(FLACS)组26例26眼和常规白内障超声乳化(CPCS)组27例27眼。两组分别行FLACS和CPCS联合Ahmed青光眼引流阀植入术。比较两组患者术中超声乳化能量释放量(CDE)、有效超声时间(EPT)的差异和术前与术后抗青光眼药物数量的变化，以及术后观察不同时期(1d，1wk，1、3mo)在提高最佳矫正视力(BCVA)，降低眼压、角膜内皮细胞损伤程度和手术并发症及成功率状况。

结果：FLACS组术中CDE和EPT明显低于CPCS组(t=8.50、5.16； P<0.01、=0.001)。两组术后抗青光眼药物较术前均明显减少(t=9.12、7.76； P=0.011、0.016)，但两组间无差异(t=1.79，P=0.082)。两组术后BCVA均较术前改善，眼压均较术前降低(P<0.05)。FLACS组在术后早期(1d，1wk)BCVA的改善较CPCS组更显著(t=9.74、8.49； P=0.008、0.012)，但在术后1、3mo的BCVA改善程度并无不同(t=0.62、0.44； P=1.415、2.021)。CPCS组在术后随访不同时期的角膜内皮细胞损伤较FLACS组更明显(P<0.05)。术后随访的不同时期FLACS组和CPCS组在控制眼压方面无差异(F_组间=0.64，P_组间=0.421)。FLACS组的手术并发症发生率27%(7/26)较CPCS组89%(24/27)低(χ²=20.95，P<0.01)，其中角膜水肿(8% vs 41%)、前囊撕裂(0 vs 11%)在FLACS组中明显低于CPCS组，后囊破裂(0 vs 7%)、玻璃体脱出(0 vs 4%)及人工晶状体偏位(0 vs 7%)也均发生在CPCS组。但两组的治疗总成功率相近(P=28.718)。

结论：飞秒激光辅助超声乳化联合Ahmed青光眼引流阀植入术可充分发挥联合手术的精准微创可控优势，帮助合并难治性青光眼的白内障患者有效降低眼压及更早获得视力恢复。     

Survival and Outcomes of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients Stratified by Transplant Status 2007-2018: Retrospective Analysis from the Canadian Myeloma Research Group Database

BackgroundConsiderable progress has been made in therapeutic options for multiple myeloma (MM). Understanding the current landscape of MM treatment options and associated outcomes in the real world is important in providing key insights into clinical and knowledge gaps which could be targeted for further optimization.MethodsThe Canadian Myeloma Research Group Database (CMRG-DB) is a prospectively maintained disease-specific database with >7000 patients. The objective of this study was to describe the trends in the treatment landscape and outcomes including early mortality, time to next treatment, and overall survival (OS) in each line of treatment stratified by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) receipt among newly-diagnosed MM patients in Canada between 2007 and 2018.ResultsA total of 5154 patients were identified among which 3030 patients (58.8%) received an upfront ASCT and 2124 (41.2%) did not. At diagnosis, the median age was 64 years and 58.6% were males. Bortezomib and lenalidomide were most frequently used (>50%) in first and second-line treatment respectively among both the ASCT and non-ASCT cohort. The median OS was 122.0 months (95% Cl 115.0-135.0 months) and 54.3 months (95% CI 50.8-58.8 months) for the ASCT and non-ASCT cohort respectively with an incremental decrease in OS in each subsequent line of treatment.ConclusionWe present the largest study to date in the Canadian landscape showing the characteristics, therapy usage, and outcomes among MM patients. This information will be critical in benchmarking current outcomes and provide key insight into areas of unmet needs and gaps for improvement of MM patients nationally.     

牙龈间充质干细胞递送支架载体的研究进展

组织工程技术通过利用支架材料、种子细胞、生长因子以达到修复或再生组织器官的目的。支架材料的作用是为种子细胞提供机械支撑并且保护细胞免受体内有害微环境的影响。因此,选择或制备适当的支架材料是组织工程中的关键一步。近年来,将支架材料和牙龈间充质干细胞(gingival mesenchymal stem cells,GMSCs)联合应用于组织工程的研究逐渐走向成熟。本文就组织工程中牙龈间充质干细胞递送支架载体的研究现状进行综述,以期为GMSCs组织工程递送支架载体材料的开发和选择提供思路。     

Shikonin from Chinese herbal medicine induces GSDME-controlled pyroptosis in tumor cells

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential anti-tumor mechanisms of naphthoquinone compound shikonin (SKN) extracted from the root of Chinese herbal medicine plant lithospermum (Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. & Zucc.).MethodsWe first observed that SKN treatment led to swelling and bubbles in HeLa cells that were similar to the phenotype of cell pyroptosis. Subsequently, the HeLa cells experienced a pyroptotic process with SKN, and this was then assessed using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and propidium iodide (PI)/Hoechst double staining experiments. Pyroptosis is defined as gasdermin-mediated programmed necroptosis. To identify the potential pyroptosis machinery, two strategies were utilized that included a genome-wide clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 screening experiment and a pyroptosis reconstitution assay executed by each of the five known gasdermins (GSDMA-E). Moreover, endogenous cleavage was also detected in a panel of tumor cell lines.ResultsCompared with the control, both the LDH release and PI/Hoechst double-staining experiments suggested that SKN induced perforation and enhancement of the permeability of the cell membranes that resulted in pyroptosis in HeLa cells (P = .028 and P = .032, respectively). In addition, the reconstitution assays in human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK-293T) cells and endogenous cleavage assays in HeLa cells indicated that the pyroptosis was controlled by GSDME. In addition, we also found SKN could trigger pyroptosis in a panel of tumor cell lines in which the cellular morphologies were proportional to the GSDME expression levels. Additionally, the cleavage of GSDME was also detected, and this was indicative of a similar GSDME-mediated mechanism.ConclusionOur study not only explained the molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity of SKN to various tumor cells, but also provided additional information for the potential clinical application of natural naphthoquinone compounds against cancer.     

Factors influencing post-cryopreserved CD34+ cells viability in the harvested products of autologous haematopoietic stem cells

The cryopreservation process of stem cells potentially cause the loss of CD34+ cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate association of patient, graft and technical characteristics with post cryopreserved CD34+ cells viability among lymphoproliferative disease namely multiple myeloma (MM) and lymphoma patients at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). This retrospective study was conducted in the Transplant Unit. A search of the hospital data (2008–2018) to identify 132 patients for both MM and lymphoma who underwent autologous peripheral blood haematopoietic stem cells (APBSC) mobilisation, and were successfully harvested and cryopreserved. Selected patients’ profile as well as selected parameters of stem cell mobilization and cryopreservation were obtained from laboratory information system (LIS), record unit and the Transplant Unit. Multiple logistic regression (MLR) was used to find significant associated factors and P < 0.05 was considered significant. The mean age of the patients was 39 years old with almost equal gender distribution and majority were lymphoma patients, 96 (72.7%) while 36 (27.3%) were multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The significant influencing factors of post-cryopreserved CD34+ cells viability were pre-cryopreserved CD34+ cell viability, total nucleated cells (TNC), and anti-platelet and antibiotics usage. Patients who are not on anti-platelet and have higher pre-cryopreserved CD34+ cells viability have higher chance for good post-cryopreserved CD34+ cells viability. While, those patients with higher TNC and on antibiotics have lower chance for good post cryopreserved CD34+ cells viability. This study showed patients who are not on anti-platelet and antibiotics will have higher probability of achieving good post cryopreserved CD34+ cells viability. The APBSC products with higher pre-cryopreserved CD34+ cells viability and lower TNC will achieve better post-cryopreserved CD34+ cells viability. The addition of extra plasma to the APBSC products is recommended to reduce the TNC.