Dermatomyositis‐like muscle pathology in patients with chronic graft‐versus‐host disease

Myositis is a rare complication of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGVHD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Almost all such patients have been reported to have polymyositis (PM). We describe clinical, pathologic, and molecular studies of 3 patients with cGVHD following allogeneic HSCT who developed myopathy. In each case, perifascicular atrophy, the pathognomonic histologic feature of dermatomyositis (DM), was observed. Muscle Nerve, 2009     

Chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy in graft‐versus‐host disease following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

In recent years a novel problem has arisen in organ transplantation medicine, namely GVHD. The nervous system has been involved mainly at the level of the CNS and this can lead to a serious outcome for the patient. In rare cases, peripheral nerves may be affected and show acute or chronic polyneuropathy. Here a case is reported of polyneuropathy associated with chronic GVHD. A 32‐year‐old man, suffering from chronic GVHD following an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for malignant lymphoma at the age of 25, developed a motor dominant polyneuropathy 5 years later. Electrophysiologic studies demonstrated the demyelinating type of polyneuropathy. Biopsy specimens from skin and skeletal muscle disclosed perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates expressing T‐cell markers. The sural nerve showed a loss of myelinated nerve fibers with epineurial fibrosis and rare occurrence of T cells, but without obvious vasculitic changes. The present case suggested that polyneuropathy could develop in association with chronic GVHD in some patients with a longstanding disease course.     

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis. A retrospective multicenter study

Rationale Phase I/II studies of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for multiple sclerosis (MS) were initiated, based on results of experimental transplantation in animal models of multiple sclerosis and clinical observations in patients treated concomitantly for malignant disease. Patients Eighty-five patients with progressive MS were treated with autologous HSCT in 20 centers and reported to the autoimmune disease working party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). 52 (61 %) were female, median age was 39 [20-58] years. The median interval from diagnosis to transplant was 7 [1-26] years. Patients suffered from severe disease with a median EDSS score of 6.5 [4.5-8.5]. Active disease prior to transplant was documented in 79 of 82 evaluable cases. Results The stem cell source was bone marrow in 6 and peripheral blood in 79, and stem cells were mobilized into peripheral blood using either cyclophosphamide combined with growth factors or growth factors alone. Three patients experienced transient neurological complications during the mobilization phase. The high dose regimen included combination chemotherapy, with or without anti-lymphocyte antibodies or, with or without, total body irradiation. The stem cell transplants were purged of lymphocytes in 52 patients. Median follow-up was 16 [3-59] months. There were 7 deaths, 5 due to toxicity and infectious complications, 2 with neurological deterioration. The risk of death of any cause at 3 years was 10 (±7)% (95 % confidence interval). Neurological deterioration during transplant was observed in 22 patients; this was transient in most but was associated with MS progression in 6 patients. Neurological improvement by ≥ 1 point in the EDSS score was seen in 18 (21 %) patients. Confirmed progression-free survival was 74 (±12)% at 3 years being 66 (±23)% in patients with primary progressive MS but higher in patients with secondary progressive or relapsing-remitting MS, 78 (±13)%; p = 0.59. The probability of confirmed disease progression was 20 (±11)%. MRI data were available in 78 patients before transplant showing disease activity (gadolinium enhancing, new or enlarging lesions) in 33 %. Posttransplant MRI showed activity at any time in 5/61 (8 %) evaluable cases. Conclusion Autologous HSCT suggest positive early results in the management of progressive MS and is feasible. These multicentre data suggest an association with significant mortality risks especially in some patient groups and are being utilised in the planning of future trials to reduce transplant related mortality. Received: 21 August 2001 Received in revised form: 4 February 2002 Accepted: 6 February 2002     

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in progressive severe multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of central nervous system (CNS), which is disabling and majorly involves younger population. Various available treatments in forms of immunomodulation are not very effective; however, stem cell transplantation seems to be promising in recent literature. The current case report is a novel evidence for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in progressive MS. Case Summary: A 33 year old male with secondary progressive MS (SPMS), after being failed and/or intolerance to standard approved interferon (IFN) and mitoxantrone therapy, autologous HSCT was administered. At 2years of post-stem cell transplantation follow-up, he has remained stable with some improvement in functional status (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) reduced by 1.5), with no relapse, no treatment related complications, and no fresh magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions. Conclusion: Autologous stem cell transplantation may be beneficial in progressive forms of MS, but needs to be tested in well-designed randomized trial.     

CIDP‐like neuropathies in graft versus host disease

Cases of chronic inflammatory demyelinating poliradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) have been reported in hematopoietic stem cells transplantation complicated by graft versus host disease (GVHD). A systematic review of the CIDP‐like neuropathies associated with GVHD was conducted until January 2015, analyzing the clinical presentation and the response to different therapeutic regimens. Nineteen patients have been reported in literature including the present one. Fourteen subjects fulfilled the criteria for CIDP, whereas two cases presented with an asymmetric motor onset and one showed motor involvement only associated with anti‐ganglioside antibodies. In addition, two subjects already affected by CIDP developed a significant relapse after GVHD. This study reviews the literature data and reports one additional case of CIDP and GVHD, suggesting that the two clinical entities might share a similar immunological background.     

POEMS syndrome: relapse after successful autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

We report a patient with POEMS syndrome (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy, Skin changes) treated with high dose chemotherapy and auto-Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (auto-PBSCT) who had a very good response with complete clinical remission. Seven years later, she relapsed and a new sclerotic bone lesion was found. To our knowledge, this is the first POEMS syndrome relapse after successful auto-PBSCT.     

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on disease activity in multiple sclerosis patients treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background and purpose

It is still debated whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected disease activity in people with autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study, therefore, was to explore the impact of COVID-19 in people with MS (pwMS) not receiving continuative disease-modifying therapy (DMT) after previous treatment with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT).

Materials and methods

We included pwMS treated with AHSCT who were in disease remission without receiving DMTs during the pandemic and who were followed up at our centre during the study period. Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination were recorded, with details of adverse events and clinical-radiological disease activity.

Results

A total of 36 pwMS (31 females; 86%) were included, of whom 23 (64%) had relapsing-remitting (RR-MS) and 13 had secondary progressive MS (SP-MS). Thirty-three pwMS (92%) received anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines. Thirteen patients (36%) developed mild to moderate COVID-19 a median (range) of 58 (4–224) months after AHSCT; seven (54%) of these patients were not yet vaccinated. Transient neurological symptoms after vaccination or infection were reported in 9% and 36% of the patients, respectively. The rate of new inflammatory events (relapses or asymptomatic magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] activity) after AHSCT increased from 0.006 (one asymptomatic new lesion/159 patient-years) before the pandemic to 0.083 (five relapses plus two cases of asymptomatic MRI activity/84 patient-years) since the pandemic start (p = 0.004).

Conclusions

People with MS with a history of highly active disease, who are untreated or receiving moderate-efficacy DMTs might be more vulnerable to disease reactivation, possibly elicited by exogenous triggers. Careful monitoring and further investigation are warranted to ascertain whether special precautions are needed in these cases.     

单倍体相合造血干细胞移植治疗高危白血病☆

背景：异基因造血干细胞移植是治疗高危白血病的主要方法,单倍体相合的造血干细胞移植扩展了移植的应用范围。 目的：观察“改良Bu/Cy+ATG”为预处理方案的单倍体相合造血干细胞移植治疗高危白血病的疗效。 方法：对19例高危白血病患者,均采用“改良Bu/Cy+ATG”预处理方案,采用外周血造血干细胞移植5例,外周血+骨髓造血干细胞移植14例。应用甲氨蝶呤,环孢素A,吗替麦考酚酯预防移植物抗宿主病。 结果与结论：①短期疗效：中性粒细胞恢复的中位时间为12(8~20) d;血小板恢复的中位时间为13(10~31) d;移植后100 d内,移植相关死亡率为(15.8±8.4)%。②移植物抗宿主病发生情况：Ⅰ~Ⅳ度急性移植物抗宿主病总发生率(63.1±11.1)%,慢性移植物抗宿主病发生率(54.54±15.0)%。③远期疗效：2年无病生存率为(28.2±15.5)%,2年总体生存率为(46.9±16.5)%。结果提示,高危白血病无人类白细胞抗原相合血缘供者及无人类白细胞抗原相合非血缘供者,而又急需进行挽救性移植时,“改良Bu/Cy+ATG”为预处理方案的单倍体相合造血干细胞移植是一种可行的选择。     

单倍体外周血干细胞移植治疗恶性血液病6例

背景：单倍体造血干细胞移植面临着植入困难、造血重建慢、移植物抗宿主病重、免疫重建迟、致死性感染发生率高等诸多难题,如克服这些问题可使单倍体造血干细胞移植得以广泛推广应用。 目的：观察单倍体移植治疗恶性血液病的疗效。 方法：在单倍体移植时采用阿糖胞苷、马利兰、环磷酰胺、抗胸腺细胞球蛋白、甲基环已亚硝脲联合作为预处理方案,用环孢素A、麦考酚酸酯、抗胸腺细胞球蛋白、白细胞介素11及甲氨蝶呤联合预防急性移植物抗宿主病,治疗6例恶性血液病。 结果与结论：全部患者完全植入,白细胞> 1.0×109 L-1中位时间为15.8 (+12 d~+20 d),Ⅲ~Ⅳ度移植物抗宿主病的发生率为16.7%,中位随访时间34.7(13~63)个月,无复发,至今仍存活。结果提示单倍体移植治疗恶性血液病时,用阿糖胞苷、马利兰、环磷酰胺、抗胸腺细胞球蛋白、甲基环已亚硝脲联合作为预处理方案,用环孢素A、麦考酚酸酯、抗胸腺细胞球蛋白、白细胞介素11及甲氨蝶呤联合预防急性移植物抗宿主病是安全、有效的。     

High prevalence of neuropathies in patients with end‐stage liver disease

Cocito D, Maule S, Paolasso I, Castelli L, Ciaramitaro P, Poglio F, Ottobrelli A, Grimaldi S. High prevalence of neuropathies in patients with end‐stage liver disease.
Acta Neurol Scand: 2010: 122: 36–40.
© 2009 The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objectives – Peripheral neuropathy has been reported in association with end‐stage liver disease, but there is only a limited number of reports on the incidence and features of these neuropathies. Materials and methods – In this study, 83 patients awaiting liver transplantation were evaluated for the presence of peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. Results – Sixty‐five percent of the patients had evidence of neuropathy, in agreement with peripheral NCS or cardiovascular autonomic function test. The neuropathy was more frequent in patients with advanced hepatic failure, evaluated with the MELD score. The most frequent abnormalities in nerve conduction studies were sensory‐motor neuropathies and sensory neuropathies, with a length‐dependent pattern. Conclusion – Peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy are common in patients with end‐stage liver disease with different etiology and correlate with the severity of the liver disease.     

应用荧光原位杂交技术动态监测化疗与干细胞移植后白血病患者的染色体变化

背景：荧光原位杂交技术被广泛应用于白血病异常基因的检测中,但对于应用此项技术比较化疗与移植后疗效的研究尚未见大量报道。 目的：评价荧光原位杂交技术对化疗与移植后白血病患者的监测效果。 方法：新疆医科大学第一附属医院血液二科2009-10/2010-10收治的白血病患者44例,收集标本85份。按照各自采取的主要治疗方案,分为治疗前组,普通化疗组,特殊药物治疗组和造血干细胞移植组。特殊药物治疗组包括全反式维甲酸治疗和甲磺酸伊马替尼治疗患者。 结果与结论：荧光原位杂交技术在诊断与监测白血病微小残留病灶方面较染色体核型分析更为精确;荧光原位杂交结果显示特殊药物治疗组与造血干细胞移植组阳性细胞百分数均明显低于治疗前组和普通化疗组(P < 0.01),但特殊药物治疗组与造血干细胞移植组间差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05);急性移植物抗宿主病发生与移植后1个月荧光原位杂交结果不具有相关性(P > 0.05);移植后1个月、1~6个月、6个月以上荧光原位杂交检测结果差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。提示荧光原位杂交技术可以准确而有效的动态检测移植后患者的染色体变化情况,评价患者疾病发展趋势。     

An extremely unusual presentation of varicella zoster viral infection of cranial nerves mimicking Garcin syndrome

We report a patient with the varicella zoster viral (VZV) infection of multiple cranial nerves mimicking Garcin syndrome, who initially presented with Ramsay Hunt syndrome (herpes zoster oticus). A 78-year-old man showed left facial palsy with zosteric eruptions in his left auricle and dysphagia, followed by left total ophthalmoplegia. His serum anti-VZV antibody titer was elevated. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed pleocytosis with a slightly elevated protein level. He was treated with intravenous acyclovir and corticosteroids. His tongue weakness resolved, and then ocular movement improved. The improvement of facial palsy and swallowing difficulty was delayed. VZV infection should be considered even in patients who show unilateral multiple cranial neuropathy mimicking Garcin syndrome because it is treatable.     

Stem cell‐based cell therapy for Huntington disease: A review

Huntington disease (HD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder and no proven medical therapy is currently available to mitigate its clinical manifestations. Although fetal neural transplantation has been tried in both preclinical and clinical investigations, the efficacy is not satisfactory. With the recent explosive progress of stem cell biology, application of stem cell‐based therapy in HD is an exciting prospect. Three kinds of stem cells, embryonic stem cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and neural stem cells, have previously been utilized in cell therapy in animal models of neurological disorders. However, neural stem cells were preferably used by investigators in experimental HD studies, since they have a clear capacity to become neurons or glial cells after intracerebral or intravenous transplantation, and they induce functional recovery. In this review, we summarize the current state of cell therapy utilizing stem cells in experimental HD animal models, and discuss the future considerations for developing new therapeutic strategies using neural stem cells.