Foram analisados 106 pacientes portadores de Linfoma de Hodgkin (LH) com recidiva da doença ou refratários ao tratamento inicial que foram submetidos ao transplante autólogo de células tronco hematopoiéticas (TCTH), na ordem consecutiva de sua realização, entre o mês de abril de 1993 a dezembro de 2007 em um único Centro Brasileiro: o Serviço de Transplante de Medula Óssea da FMUSP. O grupo teve a mediana etária de 28 anos, 55 pacientes (51,9%) eram do sexo masculino e houve predomínio da raça branca (87,6%). A mediana de seguimento clínico foi de 56,4 meses. Todos pacientes foram submetidos no pré TCTH a protocolos de tratamento convencionais, sendo que o uso dos protocolos MOPP, ABVD e sua associação foram utilizados em 97 pacientes (91,5%). Os pacientes foram classificados, de acordo com a resposta ao tratamento utilizado antes do TCTH, sendo 38,1% considerados refratários e 61,9% responsivos. Dos responsivos, 54 pacientes estavam em segunda remissão completa (85%). Tratamento com quimioterapia em alta dose pré TCTH foi feito em 45 (42,4%) dos pacientes (salvamento). A mobilização das células tronco hematopoiéticas foi realizada com ciclofosfamida 120 mg/kg dividida em dois dias seguido de fator estimulador de colônias de granulócitos (G-CSF) na dose de 6 a 17 mcg/kg em 83 (78%) pacientes. Em 25 pacientes (22%) houve falha de mobilização e a coleta foi realizada por múltiplas punções da medula óssea em centro cirúrgico. O valor mediano de células CD 34 coletadas foi de 2,6 x 106 células CD34/Kg de peso do paciente. Os condicionamentos mais utilizados foram BEAM e CVB, e não se encontrou diferença na sobrevida em relação ao regime empregado (p=0,17). A mediana de enxertia das células transplantadas foi de 12 dias. A sobrevida global após o TCTH pelo método de Kaplan-Meier foi, respectivamente, de 86% e 70% aos 5 e 10 anos. Não influenciaram a sobrevida na análise univariada o sexo, o estadio da doença e a presença de massa tumoral extensa. O principal fator preditivo de melhor sobrevida foi a presença de resposta a quimioterapia pré TCTH (p=0,0095) e hemoglobina maior que 10g/dL ao diagnóstico (p=0,0229). A mortalidade relacionada ao procedimento até o centésimo dia após o TCTH foi de 3,74%, e a principal causa de mortalidade tardia após TCTH foi a recidiva da doença / The study enrolled 106 patients with classic Hodgkin disease (HD) refractory or relapsed after initial treatment who underwent to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) between April 1993 and December 2007. Median age was 28 years and 55 (51,9%) patients were male. Ninety three (87,6%) of patients were white. All patients underwent to conventional chemotherapy protocols prior HSCT. The use of MOPP, ABVD protocols and their associations were used in 97 (91,5%) of the patients. Disease classification was done according to the response to initial treatment and comprised 38,1% refractory and 61,9% responsive patients. In the group of responsive, 54 (85%) patients were in second complete remission. High dose chemotherapy prior HSCT was done as salvage in 45 (42,4%) patients. Stem cell mobilization was done after cyclophosphamide 120mg/kg divided in two days. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) 617 mcg/kg was given after cyclophosphamide in 83 (78%) patients. Twenty five (22%) patients failed the mobilization and stem cell harvest was done by bone marrow aspirations. The median number of CD34 collected was 2.6 x 106/L. Preparative regimen mostly used comprised BEAM and CVB and no differences was observed in overall survival (p=0.17). Median time to engraftment was 12 days. Median time of follow-up was 56.4 months. The overall survival (OS) was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and was 86% and 70% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. In the univariate analysis, response to initial treatment (p=0.009) and hemoglobin greater than 10g/dL at the time of diagnosis (p=0.02) were factors that influenced better OS. The gender, stage of disease and presence of bulky disease were not significant regarding OS in the univariate analysis. Treatment-related mortality (TRM) in 100-days was 3.74%. The major cause of late mortality was relapse of the disease

Opportunistic infection is always a potentially life threatening complication in pediatric oncology patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. With the advances in various disease treatment protocols, the overall and event-free survivals of this high risk population improve significantly. In this thesis, the author reported a number of original studies to discuss different strategies in prevention of this serious complication. Firstly, the author demonstrates that pediatric oncology patients are still vulnerable to various vaccine-preventable infectious diseases up to 18 months after stopping chemotherapy. For those vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, pediatric oncology patients can mount a significant and persistent immune response to common inactivated vaccine (namely diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine). For non-vaccine preventable infectious diseases, regular monitoring of plasma viral load and strategic use of antiviral agents as pre-emptive or prophylactic agent is an effective approach to prevent infection. In hematopoietic stem cell transplant setting, adoptive transfer of acquired immunity from donor to recipient and incorporation of this parameter in donor selection process can be considered. The findings of the studies can be applied to clinical setting. The future direction of our studies includes the immune responses of other common vaccines namely pneumococcal vaccine and pandemic influenza vaccine in high risk population. The role of transfer of donor's varicella zoster immunity in prevention of herpes zoster infection in transplant recipient can be further explored. With the advances in supportive care of our vulnerable patients, the survival rate is expected to be further improved in the future. / by Frankie Wai Tsoi, Cheng. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (M.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 193-208). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been used successfully to treat children and adults with high-risk or relapsed hematopoietic malignancies, marrow failure syndromes, and hereditary immunodeficiency disorders. When initially developed, allogeneic HSCT was conceived as a method of rescuing patients from the toxic side effects of dose-intensive chemoradiotherapy. Due to transplant-related toxicities, the application of myeloablative allogeneic HSCT has been limited to younger patients without organ dysfunctions. Since the early 1990s many groups of investigators have explored strategies using less intensive preparative regimens that would allow engraftment of hematopoietic progenitor cells from either identical or non-identical donors. These reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens result in less tissue damage, less inflammatory cytokine secretion, and possibly lower rates of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and non-relapse mortality (NRM). Such non-myeloablative approach, or "mini-transplant", has been suggested to benefit older patients as well as in conditions in which traditional myeloablative conditioning regimens are associated with high rates of non-relapse mortality. / Allogeneic HSCT is the only curative therapy for many patients with myeloid malignancies or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The development of reduced-intensity preparative regimens may allow the extension of this form of treatment to older and patients with coexisting medical illness. On the other hand, relapse after transplantation remains the most important cause of treatment failure in patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or MDS, and is associated with poor survival. Evaluation of prognostic factors may help to improve the results of myeloablative and RIC allogeneic HSCT in this group of patients. Furthermore, the impact of comorbidities on outcomes of RIC allogeneic HSCT in this group of patients with refractory AML or MDS needs to be defined. / The application of embryonic and adult stem cells in regenerative and reparative therapies of non-hematopoietic diseases is emerging rapidly. Human umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal progenitor cells. Although clinical experience to date with UCB has focused on hematological application, early preclinical studies support the hypothesis that multipotential stem cells derived from UCB exhibit functional characteristics similar to that observed in adult marrow-derived stem cells in mediating vascular and organ regenerative capabilities. However, the application of these preclinical findings in clinical setting needs to be further studied. Mini-transplant of human UCB may be an effective approach to repair organ damage in patients with non-hematological diseases. / Wong Siu Ming Raymond. / Adviser: Joseph J.Y. Sung. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (M.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 187-223). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a evolução do estado nutricional, a ingestão alimentar por via oral (VO) e a utilização de terapias nutricionais complementares durante a internação de crianças e adolescentes submetidos ao transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas (TCTH) alogênico em um hospital terciário. Estudo retrospectivo, com revisão de prontuários de pacientes submetidos ao TCTH, com idade entre 0 e 19 anos incompletos, entre janeiro de 2009 e dezembro de 2014. Foram coletados dados referentes a dados antropométricos, ingestão alimentar por VO, terapias nutricionais utilizadas (nutrição enteral (NE) e/ou parenteral (NP)); e sinais e sintomas clínicos em seis momentos: Internação, D0 (dia da infusão de células), D+7, D+14, D+21 e D+ 28. Foram avaliados 63 pacientes, 56% do sexo masculino, com uma mediana de idade de 10 anos. No momento da internação 100% dos pacientes tiveram suas necessidades energéticas atingidas pela VO, diminuindo a partir do D0 (cerca de 30%), com maior prevalência de utilização de NP e NE a partir do D+7. Inapetência, mucosite e náusea foram os sinais e sintomas mais frequentes. A partir do D+21 foi possível observar um aumento do aporte calórico por VO. Os pacientes apresentaram diminuição da ingestão alimentar ao longo da internação, porém, neste hospital, já se está conseguindo atingir um aporte calórico mais próximo do ideal, com auxílio de terapias nutricionais complementares. / The aim of this study was to describe the nutritional aspects relevant to the maintenance of a nutritional status during hospitalization of children and adolescents undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) at a tertiary hospital. A retrospective study with a review of medical records of patients undergoing HSCT, aged between 0 and 19 years of age (incomplete) between January 2009 and December 2014. Data were collected regarding food intake, nutritional therapies used, and clinical signs and symptoms in six times: Hospitalization, D0 (day of cell infusion), D+7, D+14, D+21 and D+28. Sixty-three patients were evaluated, being 56% males, with a median age of 10 years. At the time of hospitalization, 100% of patients had their energy needs met by mouth, decreasing from D0 (about 30%), with more prevalent use of PN (parenteral nutrition) and EN (enteral nutrition) from D+7. Loss of appetite, mucositis and nausea were the most frequent signs and symptoms. From D+21 it was possible to observe an increase in caloric intake by mouth. Patients showed decreased food intake throughout hospitalization, but in this hospital it has been already possible to get calorie intake closer to the ideal one with the help of complementary nutritional therapies.

Kwok, Po Lam. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-130). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Thesis/Assessment Committee --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / 中文摘要 --- p.v / Acknowledgements --- p.vii / List of Figures --- p.viii / List of Tables --- p.x / Table of Abbreviations --- p.xii / Contents --- p.xix / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- The Biology of Human Umbilical Cord Perivascular Cells (HUCPVs) and Their Potential Applications in Tissue Regeneration / Chapter 2.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Stem cells --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Embryonic stem cells --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- iPS cells --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.2.3 --- Somatic stem cells --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Mesenchymal stem cells --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Pericytes --- p.11 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- CD146 positive MSCs --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Human umbilical cord perivascular cells (HUCPVs) --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- The biology of stem cell microenvironment (niche) --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.8 --- Current applications of HUCPVs --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.9 --- Regenerative medicine --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.10 --- Applications of stem cells in bone regeneration --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Cell culture --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Preparation of Human Umbilical Cord Perivascular (HUCPV) cells --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Isolation of Human Umbilical Cord Perivascular (HUCPV) cells from human umbilical cord --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Purification of HUCPV cells --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Immunocytochemsitry --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.4.1 --- Isolation of total cellular RNA --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.4.2 --- Complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.4.3 --- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- In vitro differentiation assays --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.6.1 --- Osteogenic differentiation --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.6.2 --- Adipogenic differentiation --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.6.3 --- Chondrogenic differentiation --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.6.4 --- In vitro chondrogenic differentiation on gelfoam® --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Cytochemistry staining --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.7.1 --- Alkaline Phosphatase staining --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.7.2 --- Alizarin Red S staining --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.7.3 --- Oil Red O staining --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.7.4 --- Alcian Blue staining --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Paraffin tissue embedding --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Haematoxylin and Eosin staining --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3 --- RESULTS --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Isolation and purification of HUCPVs --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Osteogenic differentiation of HUCPVs under normoxia --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Osteogenic differentiation of HUCPVs under hypoxia --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Adipogenic differentiation of HUCPVs --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Chondrogenic differentiation of HUCPVs --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Chondrogenic differentiation of HUCPVs on gelfoam® --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4 --- DISCUSSION --- p.59 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Calcium and Calcium-sensing Receptor (CaSR) in osteogenesis / Chapter 3.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Metabolism of calcium --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Calcium-sensing receptor --- p.64 / Chapter 3.1.2.1 --- The molecular structure of calcium-sensing Receptor (CaSR) --- p.64 / Chapter 3.1.2.2 --- The expression pattern of calciumsensing receptor (CaSR) --- p.67 / Chapter 3.1.2.3 --- The physiological function of calcium-sensing receptor in different tissues or organs --- p.68 / Chapter 3.1.2.4 --- Regulatory role of calcium-sensing receptor in calcium sensing and homeostasis --- p.71 / Chapter 3.1.2.5 --- The role of calcium-sensing receptor in diseases --- p.72 / Chapter 3.1.2.6 --- Genetic animal models targeting calciumsensing receptor --- p.73 / Chapter 3.1.2.7 --- Calcium-sensing receptor in mesenchymal lineage Differentiation --- p.76 / Chapter 3.1.2.8 --- The role of calcium-sensing receptor in the skeleton --- p.76 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Calcium-sensing receptor related pathway --- p.78 / Chapter 3.1.3.1 --- Cyclic AMP pathway --- p.78 / Chapter 3.1.3.2 --- Cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) --- p.80 / Chapter 3.2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.83 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Preparation of primary mouse osteoblasts (MOB) from long bone --- p.83 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Preparation of primary mouse osteoblasts (CMOB) from calvaria --- p.84 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Immunocytochemistry --- p.84 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Osteogenic differentiation --- p.85 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) --- p.85 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Cell proliferation measurement by BrdU ELISA (colorimetric) assay --- p.85 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Western blotting analysis --- p.86 / Chapter 3.2.5.1 --- Preparation of the protein lysate --- p.86 / Chapter 3.2.5.2 --- Protein quantitation --- p.86 / Chapter 3.2.5.3 --- SDS-PAGE --- p.87 / Chapter 3.2.5.4 --- Protein transfer --- p.87 / Chapter 3.2.5.5 --- Immunodetection --- p.88 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- cAMP EIA assay --- p.89 / Chapter 3.3 --- RESULTS --- p.91 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- "Expression of CD 146 and CaSR in HUCPVs, primary mouse long bone osteoblasts and MC3T3-E1 cell line" --- p.91 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- The effect of calcium treatment on the osteogenic differentiation potential of MC3T3-E1 cells under normoxia --- p.91 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- The effect of calcium treatment on the osteogenic differentiation potential of MC3T3-E1 cells under hypoxia --- p.92 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- The effect of calcium treatment on cell proliferation in primary mouse long bone osteoblasts --- p.93 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- The effect of calcium treatment on calcium-sensing receptor expression in primary mouse long bone osteoblasts --- p.94 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- The effect of calcium treatment on calcium-sensing receptor expression in HUCPVs --- p.95 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- The effect of calcium treatment on calcium-sensing receptor expression in primary mouse calvarian osteoblasts --- p.96 / Chapter 3.3.8 --- The effect of calcium treatment on cyclic AMP levels in primary mouse long bone osteoblasts --- p.97 / Chapter 3.4 --- DISCUSSION --- p.117 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- General Discussions --- p.121 / References --- p.124 / Appendices --- p.131

Foram analisados 106 pacientes portadores de Linfoma de Hodgkin (LH) com recidiva da doença ou refratários ao tratamento inicial que foram submetidos ao transplante autólogo de células tronco hematopoiéticas (TCTH), na ordem consecutiva de sua realização, entre o mês de abril de 1993 a dezembro de 2007 em um único Centro Brasileiro: o Serviço de Transplante de Medula Óssea da FMUSP. O grupo teve a mediana etária de 28 anos, 55 pacientes (51,9%) eram do sexo masculino e houve predomínio da raça branca (87,6%). A mediana de seguimento clínico foi de 56,4 meses. Todos pacientes foram submetidos no pré TCTH a protocolos de tratamento convencionais, sendo que o uso dos protocolos MOPP, ABVD e sua associação foram utilizados em 97 pacientes (91,5%). Os pacientes foram classificados, de acordo com a resposta ao tratamento utilizado antes do TCTH, sendo 38,1% considerados refratários e 61,9% responsivos. Dos responsivos, 54 pacientes estavam em segunda remissão completa (85%). Tratamento com quimioterapia em alta dose pré TCTH foi feito em 45 (42,4%) dos pacientes (salvamento). A mobilização das células tronco hematopoiéticas foi realizada com ciclofosfamida 120 mg/kg dividida em dois dias seguido de fator estimulador de colônias de granulócitos (G-CSF) na dose de 6 a 17 mcg/kg em 83 (78%) pacientes. Em 25 pacientes (22%) houve falha de mobilização e a coleta foi realizada por múltiplas punções da medula óssea em centro cirúrgico. O valor mediano de células CD 34 coletadas foi de 2,6 x 106 células CD34/Kg de peso do paciente. Os condicionamentos mais utilizados foram BEAM e CVB, e não se encontrou diferença na sobrevida em relação ao regime empregado (p=0,17). A mediana de enxertia das células transplantadas foi de 12 dias. A sobrevida global após o TCTH pelo método de Kaplan-Meier foi, respectivamente, de 86% e 70% aos 5 e 10 anos. Não influenciaram a sobrevida na análise univariada o sexo, o estadio da doença e a presença de massa tumoral extensa. O principal fator preditivo de melhor sobrevida foi a presença de resposta a quimioterapia pré TCTH (p=0,0095) e hemoglobina maior que 10g/dL ao diagnóstico (p=0,0229). A mortalidade relacionada ao procedimento até o centésimo dia após o TCTH foi de 3,74%, e a principal causa de mortalidade tardia após TCTH foi a recidiva da doença / The study enrolled 106 patients with classic Hodgkin disease (HD) refractory or relapsed after initial treatment who underwent to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) between April 1993 and December 2007. Median age was 28 years and 55 (51,9%) patients were male. Ninety three (87,6%) of patients were white. All patients underwent to conventional chemotherapy protocols prior HSCT. The use of MOPP, ABVD protocols and their associations were used in 97 (91,5%) of the patients. Disease classification was done according to the response to initial treatment and comprised 38,1% refractory and 61,9% responsive patients. In the group of responsive, 54 (85%) patients were in second complete remission. High dose chemotherapy prior HSCT was done as salvage in 45 (42,4%) patients. Stem cell mobilization was done after cyclophosphamide 120mg/kg divided in two days. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) 617 mcg/kg was given after cyclophosphamide in 83 (78%) patients. Twenty five (22%) patients failed the mobilization and stem cell harvest was done by bone marrow aspirations. The median number of CD34 collected was 2.6 x 106/L. Preparative regimen mostly used comprised BEAM and CVB and no differences was observed in overall survival (p=0.17). Median time to engraftment was 12 days. Median time of follow-up was 56.4 months. The overall survival (OS) was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and was 86% and 70% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. In the univariate analysis, response to initial treatment (p=0.009) and hemoglobin greater than 10g/dL at the time of diagnosis (p=0.02) were factors that influenced better OS. The gender, stage of disease and presence of bulky disease were not significant regarding OS in the univariate analysis. Treatment-related mortality (TRM) in 100-days was 3.74%. The major cause of late mortality was relapse of the disease

O bussulfano (BU) e a ciclofosfamida (CY) são fármacos utilizados nos regimes de condicionamento pré-transplante de células tronco hematopoéticas (TCTH). O BU apresenta estreito intervalo terapêutico, alta variabilidade interindividual na farmacocinética e graves reações adversas. O presente estudo avaliou a administração de uma dose teste de BU oral para a individualização do regime de dosagem, definiu o melhor tempo de coletas esparsas para o monitoramento terapêutico do BU e validou um algoritmo baseado em modelo compartimental e farmacocinética populacional em pacientes submetidos ao TCTH. Trinta pacientes portadores de doenças hematológicas tiveram o tratamento com BU individualizado baseado em uma dose teste oral de 0,25 mg/Kg de BU. As doses foram baseadas no clearance aparente calculado na dose teste e as concentrações plasmáticas foram confirmadas após a quinta dose de tratamento. Os coeficientes de variação obtidos entre os valores de clearance avaliados na dose teste e na quinta dose foram <= 30%, exceto para 5 pacientes. Não foram observadas associação entre os parâmetros farmacocinéticos do BU e a evolução clínica dos pacientes. Com a finalidade de estimar os melhores tempos de coletas ideais para aplicação no monitoramento terapêutico do BU, um modelo farmacocinética populacional foi utilizado e um esquema de coletas esparsas com não mais de cinco amostras por paciente (t = 0,5; 2,25; 3; 4 e 5 horas após a dose) demonstrou ser suficiente para a caracterização da farmacocinética do BU. O presente estudo avaliou também a farmacocinética dos enantiômeros da ciclofosfamida (CY) e seus metabólitos (4-hidroxiciclofosfamida e carboxiciclofosfamida), em pacientes submetidos ao TCTH. Foram investigados pacientes portadores de esclerose sistêmica (n=10) e esclerose múltipla (n=10) em regime de condicionamento com 50 mg CY /kg/dia durante 4 dias. Dois ensaios específicos baseados na análise por LC-MS/MS foram desenvolvidos e validados para analisar os enantiômeros da CY e seus metabólito 4- hidroxiciclofosfamida (HCY) e carboxiciclofosfamida (CEPM) em plasma humano. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos dos enantiômeros da CY e seus metabólitos foram calculados empregando o programa WinNonlin e mostraram acúmulo plasmático dos enantiômeros (S)- (-)-CY (AUC 215, 0 vs 186,2 ?g.h/mL para os paciente EM e 219,1 vs 179,2 ?g.h/mL para os paciente ES) e HCY (1), provavelmente o (R)-(+)-HCY (AUC 5,6 vs 3,7 ?g.h/mL para os paciente EM e 6,3 vs 5,6 ?g.h/mL para os paciente ES) em ambos os grupos de pacientes investigados. A disposição cinética do metabólito CEPM não mostrou enantiosseletividade. A farmacocinética da CY e seus metabólitos HCY e CEPM não diferiu entre os pacientes portadores de EM ou ES. Não foi observado correlação entre o metabolismo da CY e os genótipos avaliados (CYP2B6 e CYP2C9). Não foi possível correlacionar os valores de AUC0-? dos enantiômeros da CY e/ou dos metabólitos HCY e CEPM com a toxicidade ao uso de CY em virtude do pequeno número de pacientes investigados. / Busulfan (BU) and cyclophosphamide (CY) are drugs used during conditioning treatment for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). BU presents narrow therapeutic window, high interindividual variability in the pharmacokinetics and serious adverse effects. The present study evaluated the administration of a BU test dose for dose individualization, set the best sparse sampling scheme for BU therapeutic monitoring and validated an algorithm based on compartmental and population pharmacokinetics model in HSCT patients. Thirty patients received BU individualized treatment based on an oral test dose of 0.25 mg/kg. Doses were based on apparent clearance calculated with BU test dose. Plasma concentrations were confirmed after the fifth treatment dose. Coefficients of variation obtained between the clearance values evaluated in the test dose and fifth dose were <= 30%, except for 5 patients. No association between BU pharmacokinetic parameters and clinical outcome was observed. To estimate the ideal sampling scheme for BU therapeutic drug monitoring, a population pharmacokinetic model was used. Sparse sampling scheme with no more than five samples per patient (t = 0.5, 2.25, 3, 4 and 5 hours after dosing) was shown to be sufficient to characterize the BU pharmacokinetics. This study also evaluated the pharmacokinetics of the cyclophosphamide enantiomers and its metabolites (4-hydroxycyclophosphamide and carboxicyclophosphamide) in HSCT patients. We investigated patients with systemic sclerosis (SS) (n = 10) and multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 10) in the conditioning regimen with CY 50 mg/kg/day for 4 days. Two specific tests based on LC-MS/MS analysis were developed and validated to analyze the CY enantiomers and its metabolite 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (HCY) and carboxicyclophosphamide (CEPM) in human plasma. Pharmacokinetics of CY enantiomers and its metabolites were calculated using WinNonlin software and showed plasma accumulation of (S)-(-)-CY (AUC 215.0 vs 186.2 ?g.h/mL for the MS patient and 219.1 vs. 179.2 ?g.h/mL for the SS patient) and HCY (1), probably the (R)-(+)-HCY (AUC 5.6 vs 3.7 ?g.h /mL for MS patients and 6.3 vs 5.6 ?g.h/ mL for the SS patients) enantiomers in both groups of investigated patients. CEPM kinetics disposition showed lack of enantioselectivity. The pharmacokinetics of CY and its metabolites (HCY and CEPM) did not differ between patients with MS or SS. There was no correlation between the metabolism of CY, CYP2B6 and CYP2C9 genotypes. It was not possible to correlate the AUC0-? of CY enantiomers and/or its metabolites (HCY and CEPM) with CY toxicity due to the small number of patients investigated.

Despite the relatively large number of parents with cancer, relatively little is known about the extent to which having cancer affects the parenting experience. Qualitative studies have identified issues and concerns that create distress among parents with cancer, but quantitative studies have yet to be conducted. Studies demonstrate that parents with cancer experience psychological distress, and that parenting self-efficacy is related to psychological distress among parents without cancer. However, no study to date has examined the relationships between parenting self-efficacy and psychological distress among parents with cancer. This study sought to address these gaps in the literature by comparing parents with cancer to parents without cancer on measures of parenting self-efficacy and psychological distress. It was hypothesized that cancer patients would report lower parenting self-efficacy and higher levels of psychological distress than parents without cancer. This study also sought to explore whether parenting or general self-efficacy mediated the relationship between cancer status and psychological distress. A sample of 57 patients who had been diagnosed with cancer and undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and a control group of 57 parents with no history of cancer were recruited for participation in the study. Patients were recruited during routine outpatient visits or by mail, and controls were recruited using community outreach. Medical record reviews were conducted to assess clinical variables, and participants filled out a standard demographic questionnaire as well as self-report measures of parenting self-efficacy, general self-efficacy, and psychological distress. As hypothesized, results demonstrated that parents with cancer reported less parenting self-efficacy, and more psychological distress than controls (all p-values < .05). Furthermore, findings indicated that both parenting self-efficacy and general self-efficacy mediated the relationship between cancer status and psychological distress. This study fills several gaps in the quantitative literature on parenting with cancer, and suggests that both parenting and general self-efficacy are possible targets for interventions seeking to lessen distress among parents with cancer. Future research should use matched case-control designs to examine longitudinal relationships between parenting self-efficacy and psychological distress, and empirically evaluate interventions aimed at improving parenting and general self-efficacy.

O transplante autólogo de células-tronco hematopoéticas (TACTH) é efetivo para o tratamento da esclerose sistêmica (ES), com controle do acometimento pulmonar, e melhora da fibrose cutânea, da qualidade de vida e aumento da sobrevida global, quando comparado a pacientes não transplantados. Neste tratamento, utiliza-se ciclofosfamida em altas doses, uma droga imunossupressora associada a cardiotoxicidade, potencialmente fatal. A avaliação de potenciais fatores de risco e monitorização clínica durante o procedimento podem contribuir para identificar precocemente a lesão cardíaca aguda e, assim, melhorar o desfecho clínico do paciente. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a ocorrência de disfunções cardíacas e avaliar os fatores de risco clínicos e laboratoriais para o desenvolvimento de toxicidade cardíaca aguda induzida pela ciclofosfamida, em pacientes com ES submetidos ao TACTH. Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal e prospectivo, conduzido no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, em pacientes com ES com idade superior a 18 anos, no período de novembro de 2016 a maio de 2018, aprovado por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Os pacientes foram avaliados quanto aos dados clínicos e laboratoriais, incluindo dosagem de peptídeo natriurético, no período pré, durante e 6 meses após o transplante. Foram incluídas 16 mulheres com ES, das quais uma optou por descontinuar a participação no estudo, tendo seus dados excluídos. Nenhum dos participantes apresentava história de uso de substâncias psicoativas ou diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus. Uma paciente era tabagista passiva e uma era tabagista ativa há 24 anos, abstinente desde há três meses antes do início do transplante. Duas pacientes eram hipertensas, controladas com medicamentos anti-hipertensivos. Durante o transplante, 7 (46,7%) pacientes apresentaram alterações cardíacas associadas à ciclofosfamida. As pacientes apresentaram taquicardia, ganho ponderal, aumento de pressão venosa central e dispneia iniciados em menos de 24 horas e até 4 dias após o término da infusão da dose total de ciclofosfamida (200mg/kg) do transplante. Em três, de cinco pacientes submetidas a ecocardiografia, foram detectadas alterações sugestivas de disfunção cardíaca, corroborando os achados clínicos. Uma paciente evoluiu com choque refratário e posterior óbito por falência múltipla de órgãos. Uma paciente necessitou de pericardiocentese de alívio e, nos demais, o manejo com medicações reverteu as alterações clínicas. A dosagem dos níveis séricos de peptídeo natriurético mostrouse mais elevada (p<0,0005) nos pacientes que apresentaram sinais de toxicidade cardíaca. Concluímos que as avaliações clínicas sistematizadas por equipe de enfermagem permitiram a detecção de disfunções cardíacas pós-infusão de altas doses de ciclofosfamida, quadros retrospectivamente comprovados por elevação dos níveis sérico de peptídeo natriurético. O número reduzido de participantes não permitiu fazer análises estatísticas preditoras de cardiotoxicidade e foi uma limitação do estudo. Futuramente, objetivamos aumentar o número de pacientes do estudo e identificar marcadores preditivos de toxicidade cardíaca antes e durante o transplante / Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is effective for the treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc), with stabilization of pulmonary involvement and improvement of cutaneous fibrosis, quality of life and overall survival, when compared to non-transplanted patients. Transplant includes high dose cyclophosphamide, an immunosuppressive drug associated with potentially fatal cardiotoxicity. The evaluation of potential risk factors and clinical monitoring during the procedure may contribute to early identification of acute cardiac injury and thus improve the patient\'s clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to detect cardiac dysfunctions and to evaluate clinical and laboratory risk factors for the development of acute cardiac toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide in SSc patients submitted to AHSCT. This is a longitudinal and prospective study, conducted in the University Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School (Brazil), in patients with SSc, older than 18 years of age, from November 2016 to May 2018. The protocol has been approved by the Institutional Research Ethics Committee and all patients signed informed consent. Patients were evaluated for clinical and laboratory data, including natriuretic peptide dosage before, during and at the 6 months post-transplant time point Sixteen women with SSc were included, one of whom chose to discontinue participation in the study, having their data excluded. None of the participants had a history of psychoactive substance abuse or a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. One patient was a passive smoker and another, an active smoker for 24 years, not smoking in the three months before transplantation. Two patients had their blood pressure controlled with antihypertensive drugs. During transplantation, 7 (46.7%) patients had cardiac changes associated with cyclophosphamide. The patients presented tachycardia, weight gain, increased central venous pressure and dyspnoea initiated in less than 24 hours and up to 4 days after the end of the infusion of the total cyclophosphamide dose (200mg / kg) of the transplant. In three of five patients investigated by echocardiography, alterations suggestive of cardiac dysfunction were detected, corroborating the clinical findings of cardiac dysfunction. One patient evolved with refractory shock and subsequent death due to multiple organ failure. One patient required pericardiocentesis due to cardiac tamponade and, in the others, management with medications reversed the clinical alterations. Serum natriuretic peptide levels were higher (p<0,0005) in the patients with than in the patients without any signs of cardiac toxicity. Clinical evaluations by the nursing staff allowed the detection of cardiac dysfunctions after infusion of high dose cyclophosphamide, retrospectively confirmed by elevation of serum levels of natriuretic peptide. The reduced number of participants did not allow for statistical analyzes to predict cardiotoxicity and was a limitation of the study. In the future, we aim to increase the number of patients in the study and to identify predictive markers of cardiotoxicity before and during transplant procedure

Master of Science / Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a complicated and high-risk procedure used to cure disease or stop the spread of disease in a range of cancers. HSCT carries a high incidence of mortality and is associated with distressing short and long-term side effects. In addition, patients remain at risk of recurrence or mortality years after transplantation. Therefore, patients undergoing HSCT have been found to experience significant emotional and psychosocial distress because of the trauma associated with treatment. The literature suggests that about 50% of HSCT patients will experience clinical levels of distress. Carers and family members play an important role in caring for these ill patients in the short and long-term. Major role changes and financial stressors are experienced in many families, adding to the burden of care. However, very little is known about the rates of psychopathology in carers of HSCT patients. Due to the arduous nature of HSCT, psycho-educational programmes have been developed by major transplant centres and hospitals in order to provide HSCT patients and their families with information on the treatment process, side effects, risks, and long-term outcomes. Research on patient education in oncology has shown that providing patients and carers with information about their illness and treatment reduces anxiety and distress. To date, there have been no empirical evaluations to support the use of education programmes for HSCT patients. While it could be assumed that information would be helpful in reducing anxiety and depression in HSCT as it is in oncology generally, the information provided to these patients is usually more confronting and therefore, may be less reassuring. Thus, it is not known whether providing patients with education about HSCT reduces patient and carer distress or whether it might actually increase adverse outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the rates and correlates of distress in carers and patients and examine the effect of a psychoeducation programme for patients undergoing HSCT and their carers on knowledge, distress, information satisfaction, social support and caregiver burden. A randomised control trial was conducted to provide empirical data in relation to the latter aim. The following hypotheses were proposed. Firstly, it was hypothesised that patients and carers who received the education programme would have higher levels of knowledge, not evidenced in a group waiting to receive the programme. Secondly, it was hypothesised that the education program would not lead to increased anxiety and depressive symptoms. Thirdly, patients who know more about their condition would be the least distressed. As predicted, this study found high levels of distress, particularly in carers. Higher patient distress was related to having more concern about one’s illness and experiencing more symptoms. Education was effective in increasing patient and carer knowledge. Importantly there were no adverse effects of knowledge and greater patient knowledge following the education program was associated with less distress, although there was no direct effect of education on distress. Future research should aim to identify what aspects of the education program are helpful to patients. Finally, support interventions such as CBT are needed to help patients and carers, in particular, cope with the high levels of distress inherent in the HSCT experience.