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autologous blood and marrow transplantation - Blog Science ...

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Barrett<br />

New directions<br />

A role for interleukin (IL)-2 postautograft still remains unclear with the study<br />

reported by Blaise showing no benefit. Conflicting results from IL-2 studies<br />

could reflect complex interactions between IL-2 <strong>and</strong> other cytokines; Simonsson<br />

presented data suggesting that histamine augments the effector cell stimulatory<br />

function of IL-2. Results of combination trials of IL-2 <strong>and</strong> histamine will be of<br />

interest. One agent that has not fulfilled its earlier promise as an immunostimulant<br />

is linomide. Results of a Swedish phase III trial show no benefit for this<br />

agent in preventing relapse after ABMT. New areas of development are the use<br />

of radioimmune conjugates to target bone <strong>marrow</strong> <strong>and</strong> enhance antileukemic<br />

effects. Finally, the efficacy of a new generation of AML vaccines (transduction<br />

of B7 costimulatory molecules <strong>and</strong> IL-2 or -12 genes) awaits clinical trial.<br />

CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA (CML)<br />

AlloBMT<br />

The patient newly diagnosed with chronic-phase CML with an HLA-identical<br />

family or unrelated donor is faced with the dilemma of the safer but unreliable<br />

option of seeking prolonged disease control with interferon or proceeding directly<br />

to allogeneic <strong>transplantation</strong>, which has an up-front mortality in the region of 15%<br />

but an 80% chance of eventual cure, either from the transplant itself or from<br />

subsequent transfusions of donor lymphocytes. Risk for HLA-identical transplants<br />

can be readily calculated using the scoring system, obtained from European Group<br />

for Blood <strong>and</strong> Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) data, by Gratwohl. A score is<br />

allotted for degree of donor match, age, disease stage, sex, <strong>and</strong> interval from<br />

diagnosis to transplant. Low scores indicate transplant as the most favorable<br />

option. The consensus is to offer allogeneic BMT from an HLA-identical sibling to<br />

individuals

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