CD34(+) immunoselected cells for poor graft function following allogeneic BMT.
BACKGROUND
Poor graft function without signs of graft rejection following allogeneic BMT (allo-BMT) occurs in around 9% of patients. A high incidence of hazardous complications may be encountered, leading to life-threatening situations.


METHODS
We describe three patients who underwent allo-BMT for acute leukemia in first complete remission and untreated myelodysplastic syndrome. The three patients experienced prolonged and profound granulocytopenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia, despite growth factors and transfusions. This was not corrected by donor leukocytes infusion. They received a boost of CD34(+) positively-selected cells from their HLA-identical sibling donors.


RESULTS
A rapid improvement of peripheral blood cell counts was observed in both patients who were in full donor chimerism status at time of boost infusion, whereas the patient with mixed chimerism did not show any signs of improvement. Neither patient suffered further exacerbation of GvHD.


CONCLUSIONS
Allogeneic positively-immunoselected CD34(+) cells can represent an interesting alternative treatment for poor graft function following allo-BMT, in the absence of graft rejection signs.
Mohty
M
M
Unité de Transplantation er de Thérapie Cellulaire, Département d'Hématologie, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseilles, France.
Faucher
C
C
Chabannon
C
C
Vey
N
N
Stoppa
A M
AM
Ladaique
P
P
Novakovitch
G
G
Olivero
S
S
Bouabdallah
R
R
Gastaut
J A
JA
Maraninchi
D
D
Blaise
D
D
D000328:Adult; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000637:transplantation*; D001782:Blood Donors; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D035781:Siblings; D018183:Transplantation Chimera; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents