Infusion of donor-derived peripheral blood leukocytes after transplantation of cord blood progenitor cells can increase the graft-versus-leukaemia effect.
We describe the case of a child affected by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who received adoptive immunotherapy after cord blood transplantation (CBT). The patient, transplanted in second relapse resistant to chemotherapy, still showed lung and costal leukaemic nodular lesions 2 months after CBT. For this reason, three infusions of donor peripheral blood leukocytes 1 x 10(7)/kg each were administered on days +60, +80 and +100. The procedure was well tolerated by both patient and donor, and a complete disappearance of the lung lesions was documented 2 months after the last infusion. The patient remains in continuous complete haematological remission 13 months after CBT. This experience suggests that adoptive immunotherapy may be safely employed after CBT in order to increase the contribution of immune-mediated anti-leukaemia effect.
Locatelli
F
F
Department of Paediatrics, University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Italy.
Comoli
P
P
Giorgiani
G
G
Carrà
A M
AM
Di Giulio
G
G
Di Maggio
E M
EM
Pellegrini
N
N
Maccario
R
R
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006087:Graft vs Host Reaction; D006410:Hematopoiesis; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017708:Leukocyte Transfusion; D019520:Living Donors; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009679:Nuclear Family; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
D015703:Antigens, CD; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine