12th Congress of the European Hematology ... - Haematologica

typed using a commercially available assay based on the reverse
hybridization principle. Genotyping for PCR-positive samples was carried
out with HCV genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5a and 6a specific
primer mixtures for the core region [Ohno et al., 1997]. To confirm the
results of genotyping and to carry out phylogenetic analysis, the
nucleotide-sequencing assay has been used. Results. HCV genotype 1b
was the most prevalent in a acute leukemia patients 10(55.5%) followed
by genotype 3a 7(38.7%) and 1a 1(5.6%). A high prevalence of genotype
3a 26(48.1%) and subtypes1b 21(38.9), 2a 6(11.1), 2k/1b 1(1.9%)recombinant
subtype were fined in haemophilia patients group. Data on the
temporal patterns of HCV genotype-specific incidence in Uzbekistan
revealed a moderate increase for genotypes 3a in non IVDU groups from
2001 to 2006. 2k/1b recombinant subtype (described before in Russia)
was fined first time in Uzbekistan in a haemophiliac patient who also
had history of IVDU. There was no association between the HCV genotype
and the severity of haemophilia, alanine transaminase levels, or the
presence of portal hypertension. Two main mechanisms of HCV infection
distribution were observed in this grous: HCV 1b genotype infection
is widespread through blood products, and HCV 3a genotype infection
is spreading through the growing number of intravenous drug users
in hemophilia patients group. Summary. Genotype 1b and 3a are common
in multi-transfused hematological patients in Uzbekistan. After a
nation-wide screening of all donors for HCV a moderate increase for
genotypes 3a in non IVDU groups were observed. Determination of the
patient’s virus load and of the infecting subtype of HCV may be helpful
in planning interferon α therapy. The viral molecular epidemiology
investigation is ongoing.
1428
PERIPHERAL BLOOD STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA (A SINGLE
CENTRE EXPERIENCE)
Z. Bolaman, G. Kadikoylu, I. Yavasoglu
Adnan Menderes University, AYDIN, Turkey
Background. Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is the
therapy of choice for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) patients.
Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of PBSCT in MM. Methods. Between
2001 and 2006, Autologous-PBSCT were performed to 14 patients with
MM (11 men, 59±13 years of mean age) after conditioning with high-dose
intravenous 140-200 mg/m2 melphalan (293±77 mg of mean melphalan
dose). Syngeneic-PBSCT was done to another patient. 13% of the patients
were only light-chain disease. 47% and 67% of the patients were IgG
type and stage-IIIA, respectively. Before PBSCT, 13 and 2 patients were
treated with VAD and melphalan plus prednisone regimens, respectively.
8 and 7 patients were in complete and partial remissions, respectively.
Stem cell mobilization was done with 10 µg/kg filgrastim plus 4 g/m2 cyclophosphamide. When the counts of CD34 positive cells were more
than 20 µL, stem cells were collected. 69±92×106 /kg CD34 positive stem
cells were infused. The counts of mononuclear cells were 1.7±1.1×108 /kg.
Neutrophil and platelet engraftments were detected in 14±4 days and
15±6 days, respectively. Febrile neutropenia was seen in 87% of the
patients. Causative micro-organism was found only in 53% of the
patients with febrile neutropenia. Results. Transplant-related mortality
rate was 13%. The causes were multi-organ failure due to sepsis and
pneumonia. At 100 day after PBSCT, 11 of 13 patients were in complete
remission. Relapse was seen in 4 (27%) of the patients at followed-up.
Relapses were extra- and intramedullary. These patients were treated
with bortezomib, thalidomide, dexamethasone, and radiotherapy. 3 of 4
patients with relapse were died from progression. Interferon-α was performed
to the patients in remission least for 24 months. The remission
duration was 18 months. After Kaplan-Meier analysis, overall survival
after diagnosis and transplantation were 54 and 42 months, respectively.
Now 10 (67%) patients are alive. Conclusion. PBSCT with high-dose melphalan
which is the therapy, prolongs survival.
1429
THERAPEUTIC APHERESIS: THE RESULTS OF A SINGLE CENTER IN TURKEY
I. Yavasoglu, G. Kadikoylu, A. Akyol, Z. Bolaman
Adnan Menderes University, AYDIN, Turkey
Background. Therapeutic apheresis (TA) is carried out a broad spectrum
of diseases and syndromes. Aims. We retrospectively evaluated the
results of therapeutic apheresis (TA) including plasma-exchange, therapeutic
platelet-apheresis, and leukapheresis during 2000-2006. Methods.
A total of 195 procedures were performed in 44 patients (25 male and
19 female, with mean age 52±15 years). These procedures consist of 165
12 th Congress of the European Hematology Association
plasma-exchange, 20 therapeutic platelet-apheresis, and 10 leukapheresis.
The most common indications were hematological, neurological,
and metabolic diseases. Eighty-three percent of plasma exchange, 100%
of platelet-apheresis and leukapheresis belonged to indication Category
I or II, according to the guidelines of the American Society for Apheresis.
Results. While hemoglobin levels significantly increased (p