Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2010.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2007. / Also available online.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 48-02, page: . Adviser: David Hewett-Emmett. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 139 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Florida, 2005. / Typescript. Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 143 pages. Includes Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Υποθέσαμε ότι το χρόνιο ιστικό στρες που προκαλείται από τις αλλοαντιδράσεις μετά από αλλογενή Μεταμόσχευση Αιμοποιητικών Κυττάρων (άλλο-ΜΑΚ) μπορεί να επάγει την εμφάνιση γονιδιωματικής αστάθειας (GI) στους επιθηλιακούς ιστούς. Για αυτό, 176 στοματικά επιχρίσματα από 71 ασθενείς μετά από άλλο-ΜΑΚ αναλύθηκαν για την ανίχνευση αστάθειας μικροδορυφορικών αλληλουχιών (microsatellite instability-MSI). Tα αποτελέσματα συσχετίσθηκαν με κλινικές παραμέτρους. Σε ένα in vitro σύστημα ανίχνευσης μεταλλάξεων ελέγξαμε την υπόθεση ότι οι αλλοαντιδράσεις μπορεί να επάγουν τη GI στην κυτταρική σειρά HaCaT. Ανιχνεύθηκε MSI στο 52% των αλλομεταμοσχευμένων ασθενών ενώ δεν ανιχνεύθηκε MSI σε ασθενείς μετά από αυτόλογη ΜΑΚ και υγιείς εθελοντές. Βρέθηκε σημαντική συσχέτιση της εμφάνισης MSI με την ηλικία του ασθενούς και του δότη, τη μεταμόσχευση από γυναίκα σε άνδρα και τον αριθμό CD34+ κυττάρων στο μόσχευμα. Οι ασθενείς με ιστορικό σοβαρού βαθμού αντίδρασης μοσχεύματος εναντίον ξενιστή είχαν μεγαλύτερο σχετικό κίνδυνο για εμφάνιση MSI. Δευτεροπαθής κακοήθεια διαγνώσθηκε σε 5 από τους MSI+ ενώ μόνο σε ένα από τους MSI- ασθενείς. Στο in-vitro σύστημα ανίχνευσης GI παρατηρήθηκε σημαντική επαγωγή μεταλλάξεων και βλάβης του DNA μετά από επώαση των HaCaT κυττάρων με Μεικτή Λεμφοκυτταρική Καλλιέργεια (MLC) ενώ η επίδραση με κυτταροκίνες, υπερκείμενο MLC ή ενεργοποιημένα με PHA περιφερικά μονοπύρηνα κύτταρα δεν προκάλεσε την επαγωγή GI. Τα αποτελέσματά μας υποδεικνύουν τη συμμετοχή των ενεργών ριζών οξυγόνου στον υποκείμενο μηχανισμό. Οι in vivo και in vitro μελέτες μας επιβεβαιώνουν ότι παράγοντες που ενέχονται στο αλλοαντιδραστικό μικροπεριβάλλον μετά από άλλο-ΜΑΚ μπορεί να προκαλέσουν GI στο επιθήλιο. Η κατανόηση του υποκείμενου μηχανισμού μπορεί να αναδείξει νέους βιοδείκτες και θεραπευτικούς στόχους. / We hypothesized that chronic tissue stress due to interaction of alloreactive donor cells with host epithelium after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) may cause genomic alterations. We therefore analysed 176 buccal samples obtained from 71 unselected allo-transplanted patients for microsatellite instability (MSI). MSI was observed in 52% of allo-transplanted patients but never in 31 healthy or auto-transplanted controls. The patient age, the donor age, a female-to-male transplantation and a low number of CD34+ cells in the graft were significantly correlated with genomic instability. There was a trend for increasing risk of MSI for patients who experienced severe graft-versus-host-disease. Secondary malignancy was diagnosed in 5 (14%) of the MSI+ and only in 1 (3%) MSI- patient. In an in-vitro model of mutation analysis we found significant induction of frameshift mutations and DNA strand breaks in HaCaT keratinocytes co-cultured with Mixed Lymphocyte Cultures (MLC) but not after their exposure to IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-β, MLC-supernatant, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or phytohemagglutinin stimulated PBMC. A ROS mediated mechanism is implicated. Our in-vivo and in-vitro data show that alloreactions after allo-HCT may induce genomic alterations in epithelium. Progress in understanding DNA damage and repair after allo-HCT can potentially provide molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

INTRODUÇÃO: O Transplante de Células-tronco Hematopoéticas (TCTH) alogênico é uma modalidade de tratamento com capacidade de curar várias doenças hematológicas benignas e malignas. Os progressos nesta área aumentaram o número e melhoraram os desfechos dos procedimentos realizados, porém sua morbimortalidade permanece elevada. Em 2009, o escore de risco do EBMT foi validado como um método simples para predizer, com dados pré-transplante, os desfechos de um paciente após o TCTH alogênico. OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste estudo foi validar a aplicabilidade do escore de risco do EBMT em pacientes brasileiros do Hospital de Cínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), submetidos a TCTH alogênico. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo, observacional, com dados coletados de prontuários de 278 pacientes (156 homens (56%) com mediana de idade de 32 anos) submetidos ao TCTH alogênico no HCPA para doenças malignas e anemia aplástica severa, entre 1994 e 2010. Foi aplicado o escore de risco do EBMT e analisados os desfechos sobrevida global (OS), mortalidade não relacionada à recaída (NRM) e taxa de recaída (RR). RESULTADOS: OS, NRM e RR em cinco anos foram de 53,4%, 39% e 30,7%, respectivamente. A OS em pacientes com risco 0 foi significativamente maior (81,8%) do que os de risco 6 (20%) (p<0,001). Da mesma forma, pacientes com risco 0 tiveram menor NRM (13,6%) do que os com risco 6 (80%) (p=0,001). O estágio avançado da doença foi associado com aumento de RR em todas as patologias neoplásicas avaliadas. CONCLUSÃO: O escore de risco do EBMT pode ser utilizado como um dado adicional na avaliação de pacientes com doenças malignas e anemia aplástica severa com indicação de TCTH alogênico no nosso centro. / BACKGROUND: Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is a treatment modality able to cure many hematological disorders. Although utilized with increasing frequency and success, it is still associated with a high transplant related mortality rate. In 2009, the EBMT risk score was validated as a simple tool to predict outcome after allogeneic HSCT for acquired hematological disorders. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to validate the applicability of the EBMT risk score for allogeneic HSCT on south Brazilian patients, from a single center. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed based on patients’ records and data base of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Department at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, including all allogeneic transplants for malignant and severe aplastic anemia from 1994 to 2010. Patients were categorized according to EBMT risk score and overall survival (OS), non-relapse mortality (NRM) and relapse rate (RR) were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 278 evaluable patients, of whom 56% were male, and the median age was 32 years. OS, NRM, and RR at five years median follow up, were 53,4%, 39%, and 30,7%, respectively. The OS was 81,8% for risk score 0 and 20% for score 6 (p<0,001), and NRM 13,6% and 80% for risk score 0 and 6, respectively (p=0,001). Advanced disease stage was associated with an increased RR in all evaluated neoplastic disorders. CONCLUSION: The EBMT risk score can be utilized as a tool for clinical decision-making before allogeneic HSTC for malignant hematological diseases and severe aplastic anemia at a single center, in Brazil.

Introdução: O transplante de células tronco hematopoiéticas é capaz de curar as doenças hematológicas. O papel da repopulação linfocitária precoce no período pós transplan te visa combater a células neoplásicas que resistiram ao regime de condicionamento e prevenir as infecções oportunistas graves. Sendo assim, uma contagem elevada de linfócitos no período pós transplante é capaz de reduzir a mortalidade relacionada ao transplante (TRM), melhorar a sobrevida livre de doença e reduzir a taxa de recidiva. Objetivos: Avaliar a recuperação linfocitária precoce no D+21 e D+30 pós transplante correlacionado com a taxa de recidiva da doença de base, mortalidade, sobrevida global e livre de doença. Analisar a freqüência das complicações infecciosas neste período. Métodos: Analisado o número absoluto de linfócitos no D+21 e D+30 pós transplante de células tronco hematopoiéticas. Conforme dados da literatura definiu-se no D+21 e no D+30 aqueles com número absoluto de linfócitos abaixo e acima de 300 e se correlacionou os dados obtidos com a taxa de óbito, taxa de recidiva, sobrevida global em 5 anos, sobrevida livre de doença, em 5 anos, TRM em 100 dias. e mortalidade não relacionada a recaída (NRM). Resultados: Neste estudo foram incluídos 100 pacientes portadores das seguintes neoplasias hematológicas: leucemia mielóide aguda, leucemia linfocítica aguda, leucemias secundárias e síndrome mielodisplásica. Destes, 55 pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 45 do sexo feminino. A média de idade foi de 27,9 anos (mínima 9 meses e máxima 55 anos). A mediana do tempo de seguimento foi de 601 dias (IC 95% 106-1845). A mediana de CD 34 infundidos foi de 4,0 (IC 95% 2,4-5,7) e quanto a origem destas células CD 34 infundidas 85% foram de medula óssea (MO), 12% periférica (PBSC) e 3% sangue de cordão umbilical (SCU). Quanto ao tipo de condicionamento realizado 22% foram não mieloablativos e 78% mieloablativos.A mediana de linfócitos no D+21 foi de 460 (IC 95% 0 - 6250) e no D+30 foi de 760 (IC 95% 40-6370). Com relação a taxa de infecções observou-se que 19% das infecções foram de etiologia viral, 65 % bacteriana e 17% fúngicas. A sobrevida global (OS) em 5 anos foi de 44 % , sobrevida livre de doença (DFS) foi de 37,7% , a mortalidade relacionada ao transplante (TRM) em 100 dias foi de 32,5%. E a mortalidade não relacionada a recidiva (NRM) em 5 anos foi de 40,2%. No desfecho óbito observamos que 69% dos pacientes que foram a óbito no D+21 tinham linfócitos abaixo de 300, e 43,9% tinham linfócitos acima de 300 (p<0,05). Pacientes com valores menores que 300 no dia 30 tem 2,20 vezes o risco de irem a óbito quando comparados com aqueles com valores acima de 300 (IC 95% 1,03-4,69) ajustado para DECH e CD34. Pacientes com valores menores que 300 no dia 30 tem 3,76 vezes o risco de irem a óbito em menos de 100 dias quando comparados com aqueles com valores acima de 300 (IC 95% 1,23-11,46) Conclusões: A reconstituição linfocitária precoce (> 300) no D+21 e no D+30 melhora a sobrevida global e livre de doença, bem como reduz a taxa de recidiva da doença de base e reduz a mortalidade. / Background: The role of repopulating lymphocyte after allogenic stem cell transplantation (SCT) includes the prevention of serious infections and attacking residual tumor cells in the early post transplant phase. Therefore, the current study analysed the role of the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) on day 21 and 30 after SCT in predicting transplant outcomes of patients in terms of the risk of transplant related mortality (TRM) recurrence of original disease and risk of opportunistic infections. Objective: Evaluate early lymphocyte recovery on D +21 and D +30 posttransplant correlated with the rate of recurrence of the underlying disease, mortality, overall survival and disease free survival. Analyzed the frequency of infectious complications in this period. Methods: Analyzed the absolute lymphocyte count in the D +21 and D +30 after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. According to literature data set the we correlate the absolute lymphocyte count in the D +21D +30 below and above 300 these data with the rate of death, relapse rate, overall survival in 5 years, disease-free survival in 5 years , TRM in 100 days and mortality unrelated to relapse (NRM). Results : Included in the study 100 patients with the following hematologic malignancies: acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, secondary leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Of these, 55 patients were male and 45 female. The average age was 27.9 years (minimum 9 months and maximum 55 years). The median follow-up was 601 days (95% CI 106-1845). The CD 34 median that was infused was 4.0 (95% CI 2.4 to 5.7).The source of stem cells infused was 85% of bone marrow (BM), peripheral 12% (PBSC) and 3 % of umbilical cord blood (UCB). Regarding the type of conditioning performed 22% were non myeloablative and 78% of lymphocytes were mieloablativos. The median of absolute lymphocyte count in the D +21 was 460 (95% CI 0 to 6250) and D +30 was 760 (95% CI 40- 6370 ). Regarding the rate of infections were observed 19% viral infections , bacterial in 65% and fungal in 17%. Overall survival (OS) at 5 years was 44%, disease-free survival (DFS) was 37.7%, transplant related mortality (TRM) in 100 days was 32.5%. Non relapsed mortality (NRM) at 5 years was 40.2%. The death rate found that 69% of patients who died at the D +21 had presented lymphocytes count below 300, and 43.9% were above 300 lymphocytes (p <0.05). Patients with counts less than 300 in D+30 presented 2.20 times risk of death when compared with those who presented values above 300 (95% CI 1.03 to 4.69) adjusted for GVHD and CD34. Patients presenting values less than 300 in 30 days have 3.76 times more risk of death in less than 100 days compared with those with values above 300 (95% CI 1.23 to 11.46). Conclusions: The early lymphocyte reconstitution (> 300) in D +21 D +30 improves overall survival and disease-free and reduces the relapse rate of the underlying disease and reduces mortality.

Infecções fúngicas invasivas têm emergido como causa de alta morbimortalidade entre pacientes com neoplasia hematológicas, principalmente os submetidos a transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas (TCTH). Fungos estão onipresentes na natureza, logo, medidas com o objetivo de reduzir a carga fúngica em ambientes hospitalares têm sido preconizadas. No presente estudo, foi realizada coleta de fungos no ar em dois centros de referência em TCTH do sul do Brasil, que possuem instalações distintas, assim como diferentes formas de controle de ar. Todos os quartos do hospital 2 são equipados com filtro de partículas de ar de alta eficiência (HEPA), enquanto no hospital 1 não há sistema específico de filtragem do ar; além disso, os pacientes internados no hospital 2 são de maior risco para doença fúngica invasiva, em função de fatores relacionados ao hospedeiro. Foram realizadas 130 coletas de ar no período de dezembro de 2009 a janeiro de 2011, sendo as amostras provenientes de quartos, banheiros e corredor. Para fins de análise, os fungos pertencentes ao gênero Aspergillus, Rhizopus e Fusarium foram considerados como fungos filamentosos potencialmente patogênicos, enquanto os demais fungos foram classificados como ambientais. A comparação entre os corredores dos hospitais 1 e 2 não mostrou diferença quanto a quantidade de fungos isolados (p=0,114 para fungos ambientais e p=0,622 para fungos filamentosos potencialmente patogênicos). Já os quartos de ambos os hospitais apresentaram redução significativa na quantidade de fungos filamentosos potencialmente patogênicos, quando comparados com os corredores (p<0,0001). Comparando-se os quartos dos hospitais 1 e 2, observou-se menor quantidade de fungos ambientais no hospital 2 (p<0,0001); contudo, para fungos filamentosos potencialmente patogênicos não se encontrou diferença (p=0,7145). Durante o período de estudo, a incidência de doença fúngica invasiva por fungos filamentosos foi de 2,1% no hospital 1 e 7,6% no hospital 2. A baixa carga fúngica nos quartos do hospital 1 poderia ser explicadas pelo uso de medidas protetoras adicionais, incluindo janelas e portas fechadas, reforçando-se a importância de tais medidas no cuidados em ambientes protegidos. / Invasive fungal infections have emerged as a cause of high morbidity and mortality among patients with hematologic malignancies, especially among those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Fungi are ubiquitous in nature, therefore measures aimed at reducing fungal burden in hospitals have been emphasized. In this study air samples were collected in two HSCT centers in Southern Brazil, which have distinct facilities, as well diferent air control systems. All rooms of hospital 2 are equipped with HEPA filters. In addition, patients hospitalized in this unit are at a higher risk for invasive fungal diseases. A total of 130 samples were obtained during December 2009 to January 2011 from rooms, restrooms and corridors. For analysis, all fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Fusarium were considered filamentous fungi potentially pathogenic, while others were considered environmental fungi. The comparison between corridors of hospital 1 and 2 showed no difference in fungal concentration (p=0.114 for environmental fungi and p=0.622 for potentially pathogenic). The rooms of both hospitals showed a significant lower concentration in PPF, as compared to corridors (p<0.0001). Comparing rooms of hospital 1 e 2 there was a lower amount of environmental fungi in hospital 2 (p<0.0001) – however no difference was observed for potentially pathogenic (p=0.714). During the period of study, the incidence of invasive mold infection was 2.1% in hospital 1 and 7.6% in hospital 2. The low fungal burden in rooms in hospital 1 may be explained by the implementation of additional protective measures, emphasizing the importance of such measures in protected environments.