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Anti-human platelet antigens (HPA) alloantibodies are seldom involved in febrile nonhaemolytic reactions (FNHTRs). We describe a case in which anti-HPA-5a alloantibodies are related to an FNHTR. We studied the specificity of the alloantibodies by flow cytometry, ELISA and MACE. Typing of donors and the patient was performed by sequence-specific polymerase chain reaction. The alloantibodies were found reactive with HPA-5a antigens. The patient was HPA-5b/b, whereas the donor of the platelet apheresis involved in the FNHTR was HPA-5a/a. Despite the low frequency of anti-HPA-5a antibodies, they might be responsible for FNHTR.

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We report the identification of an HLA-DRB1*01 nucleotide sequence variant in three members of a Caucasian Italian family by using sequence-based typing. The nucleotide sequence of exon 2 observed in the new allele is identical to that of HLA-DRB1*010201 except in position 189 (codon 34) where the adenine of the consensus was replaced by a guanine and it was designated officially as HLA-DRB1*010203* by the WHO Nomenclature Committee.

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Apoptosis affects white blood cells (WBCs) contained in packed red blood cell (RBC) units. This phenomenon was recently described also in residual WBCs after filtration. The aim of this study was to better characterize the residual WBCs postfiltration by using apoptosis markers and morphology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and cell-sorting techniques were utilized. RESULTS: Residual leucocytes of leucodepleted packed RBC units showed increasing values of apoptotic elements in a time-course experiment. We also demonstrated that these elements are positive for APO 2.7 monoclonal antibody (mAb), poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK), all of which indicate that programmed death is a feature of this population of cells. Phenotypic analysis with CD45 side-scatter gating demonstrated also that CD15 and CD16 granulocyte-associated antigens are present on a subset of postfiltration leucocytes. Moreover, the expression of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigens is maintained. Sorting of CD45-positive cells and morphological analysis of these samples confirmed that leucocytes in postfiltration units have morphological characteristics of dying cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our study extends previous observations regarding the morphology and function of apoptotic cells in leucodepleted blood units, which suggested the presence of apoptotic cells in postfiltration leucocytes. Cleaved PARP, APO 2.7 mAb and positivity for the FITC-conjugated Z-VAD-analogous reagent strongly suggest the activation of programmed death pathways. In addition, the maintained granulocyte-associated and HLA class I antigens might recall an immune response in multitransfused patients.

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In our study we investigated the presence of anti-human platelet antigen (HPA) alloantibodies in a series of 10 beta-thalassemia major patients submitted for more than 10 years to periodic blood transfusions (every 2-3 weeks). We found that 2 out of the 10 patients developed anti-HPA2a + HPA1b and anti-HPA2b antibodies. Our results highlight that HPA alloimmunization in multitransfused patients is a real possibility.

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Various counting methods have been described and reported for process control of leuco-epleted blood components. The recent production of high-efficiency leucocyte removal filters intensifies the need for sensitivity in determining the ever lower residual concentration of white cells (WBCs) in filtered units. In order to assess which method was the most efficient and feasible in the laboratory for the control of WBC-reduced packed red blood cells, we compared the sensitivity of four counting methods: Nageotte chamber analysis, flow cytometry, the fluorochrome method by Borzini and Nageotte chamber analysis as modified by Prati. We observed a difference in the post-filtration WBC content depending on which method of counting was used and we feel it reasonable to ask what method should be employed in blood component process control. The answer must naturally consider that the method is for use by a large number of laboratories, while the sensitivity of the method needs to be appropriate to the goal desired.

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The recent development of new filters used for leucocyte reduction aims at restricting the number of leucocytes to a threshold where their undesirable effects can be minimized or excluded. In this paper we describe the performance of a new filter named BIO R01 MAX and claimed by the manufacturer to perform 5 Log10 depletion. The results show that the efficiency of the filter reached 5 Log10 depletion and the absolute number of white blood cells in the post-filtration units is always less than 2 x 10(4) with considerable safety in the prevention of transfusion reactions.

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Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viral infections often recur after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), but viral infections acquired with OLT have not been widely investigated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence, evolution, and diagnostic problems of de novo HBV and HCV infections in liver transplant recipients with long-term follow-up. Altogether 121 transplant recipients entered the study. HBV, HDV, and HCV infections were diagnosed by means of serology and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three patients became hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive after OLT, all of whom showed signs of persistent viral replication. Twelve patients became anti-HCV-positive after OLT: After clearance of passive antibodies, active anti-HCV seroconversion was usually delayed. The viral genome was detected in 9 of 12 patients, with fluctuations of viremia during their follow-up. The other three patients, who were HBsAg-positive before and after OLT, were repeatedly HCV-RNA-negative despite persistent anti-HCV reactivity. Four pre-OLT HBsAg-positive patients had evidence of HBV-related liver transplant disease. The remaining 8 of 12 patients experienced repeated alanine aminotransferase increases more than two times normal after transplant. De novo infections due to primary hepatotropic viruses were frequent after OLT in our experience. Early diagnosis of infection, especially when the HCV is involved, may be problematic and should be taken into account in patients showing persistent aminotransferase abnormalities. Monitoring viral markers and accurate evaluation of biopsy specimens are mandatory. The interference between HBV and HCV might play a role in the replicative cycle of one or both viruses in co-infected patients.

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We analysed the use of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). We evaluated 271 adult patients with newly diagnosed AML treated here between 1983 and 1992; 113 patients (42%) were eligible for BMT because of their age (< 45 years until 1986 and < 50 years later). Of these, HLA typing was performed on 81 patients (72%); 32 patients were not typed (19 had no sibling, 8 had a primary refractory leukemia, 3 died during induction, 1 had important previous toxicity and for one patient there was no recorded reason). Of the 81 typed, 36 patients (44.4%) were found to have an HLA-matched sibling donor and 21 (25%) underwent BMT (8% of the total population); 15 patients did not undergo BMT (6 relapsed before transplantation and did not obtain a second remission, 3 declined the procedure, 1 died during induction, 1 had positive MLR, 1 had positive MLR and HCV hepatitis, 1 was a drug addict with HCV hepatitis, 1 had previous organ toxicity, 1 was psychotic). These data show that only a small fraction of unselected patients with AML can undergo BMT. Such findings make the comparison of BMT with other types of post-remission therapy more complex.

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BACKGROUND: The reduction of white cells in blood components before transfusion by filters with at least 3 log10 depletion may prevent adverse transfusion reactions such as HLA alloimmunization, febrile reactions, transmitted infections, and immunomodulation. A new generation of filters with 4 log10 depletion is now available. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The aim of this study is to compare the efficiency of white cell reduction by six commercial filters for packed red cells with 3 and 4 log10 depletion (claimed by manufacturers). The analysis of white cell concentration in the white cell-reduced units was performed by flow cytometry and with a Nageotte chamber. RESULTS: The last generation of filters (BPF4, RC400, R01 Plus) show mean residual white cell numbers of 0.18 +/- 0.14, 0.26 +/- 0.21, and 0.25 +/- 0.15 x 10(6), respectively, by flow cytometric analysis and 0.05 +/- 0.04, 0.18 +/- 0.15, and 0.38 +/- 0.23 x 10(6), respectively, by Nageotte chamber evaluation. The 3 log10 depletion filters (R01, Leucostop-4LT-mono, R200) have mean residual white cell numbers of 1.41 +/- 0.92, 2.4 +/- 1.99, and 1.05 +/- 0.64 x 10(6), respectively, by flow cytometric analysis and 3.56 +/- 1.7, 1.67 +/- 1.3, and 3.21 +/- 4.1 x 10(6), respectively, by Nageotte chamber evaluation. The data show that the BPF4, RC400, and R01 Plus filters are likely to be more efficient by 1 log10 reduction than the R01, Leucostop-4LT-mono, and R200 filters. CONCLUSION: The most recent generation of filters is able to deplete white cells from packed red cells by 4 log10; in particular, with one of the filters, the residual WBC content was less than 0.5 x 10(6) per unit in all experiments, while two other filters reached that level in 9 of 10 experiments.

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The present paper concerns two multicenter studies on adjuvant therapy with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) for operable N+ breast cancer. The patients entered the study between April 1979 and March 1986. One hundred and fifty-one premenopausal patients were randomly assigned to receive either polychemotherapy (CMF) or CMF + MAP. One hundred and thirty-eight postmenopausal patients were randomized to receive either MAP h.d. or no treatment. CMF was administered according the following schedule: cyclophosphamide mg 100/ms p.o. 1-4 days; methotrexate mg 40/ms i.v. and fluorouracil mg 600/ms i.v. 1st and 8th days. The cycle was repeated six times every 28 days. MAP was administered at 1000 mg X 2/daily p.o. for 30 days and afterwards 500 mg X 2/daily for 5 months. In the premenopausal study after a median follow-up of 36 months no difference was observed in the incidence of recurrence, site of recurrence, actuarial 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS). In the postmenopausal study a statistically significant lower number of recurrences was observed in MAP-treatment patients after a median follow-up of 37 months. The effect of MAP was limited to patients with less than or equal to 3 metastatic axillary lymph nodes. In addition, there are suggestions that only patients with ER+ tumors draw some advantage from the treatment. On the other hand, no difference exists in the OS. The treatments were substantially well tolerated. The MAP + CMF regimen induces lower vomiting compared to the CMF alone. The most frequent MAP side-effects were vaginal spotting (16%) and tremors (12%). We conclude that MAP h.d., like tamoxifen and aminoglutethimide, can improve the DFS of operable N+ breast cancer in postmenopausal patients.

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When we initially used high doses of MAP (greater than 500 mg/day/im or greater than 2000 mg/day p.o.) in advanced cases of breast cancer, we noticed that, even before objective remission became apparent, the treatment induced subjective remission and a strong analgesic effect. Overall, our breast cancer patients treated with MAP at high doses (300 patients) showed a 65% incidence of pain relief. The analgesic effect of MAP does not seem to be closely related to its antitumour effect, because the same effect was also observed in patients with hormone-insensitive tumours. Our pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated that it is important to use high doses in order to obtain high plasma levels. In order to clarify the mode of action of this MAP analgesy, hot-plate, tail-flick, Randall, writhing and carrageenin-oedema tests were carried out on rats. We found no evidence for central or peripheral analgesic activity, but there was evidence for an antiinflammatory activity of MAP.

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Thirty-two patients with advanced ovarian cancer were treated with a combination of 4'-epi-doxorubicin, a new analog of doxorubicin, and cisplatin at a dose of 60 and 50 mg/m2, respectively, every 28 days. Twelve patients had previously received chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Of 29 evaluable patients, six (21%) achieved complete remission for a median duration of 19+ months, and 13 (45%) achieved partial remission for a median duration of 8 months. All complete remissions were confirmed by a "second-look" procedure. Main side effects included vomiting in all patients, moderate myelosuppression (67%), and alopecia (65%). No case of congestive heart failure was observed. 4'-Epi-doxorubicin plus cisplatin is an effective and relatively well-tolerated regimen in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer.

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Two groups of 23 patients each, having advanced breast cancer, entered this prospective and randomized study. One group was treated with the conventional schedule of CMF (cyclophosphamide 100 mg/m2/po from the first to the 14th day, methotrexate 40 mg/m2/iv the first and the 8th day, 5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m2/iv the first and the 8th day), and the other was treated with a new six-drug regimen, administered at low doses (R 14: cyclophosphamide 2 mg/kg/iv, vincristine 0.01 mg/kg/iv, vinblastine 0.1 mg/kg/iv, the first day and 5-fluorouracil 5 mg/kg/iv, methotrexate 0.7 mg/kg/iv, adriamycin 0.5 mg/kg/iv the 2nd day every 21 days). The remission rate was 35% (8/23) and 39% (9/23) for CMF and R 14 respectively. The median duration of objective remission was 6 months for CMF and 5 months for R 14 regimen. The median survival time of responding patients was 18 months for CMF and 14 months for R 14. This study shows that the new six-drug regimen at low doses is effective (regarding subjective, objective response and survival rate), and its toxicity is no higher than that of CMF (the incidence of leukopenia was significantly lower during the first course). Therefore, R 14 should be considered an alternative regimen to CMF in the treatment of advanced and, possibly, early breast cancer. The advantages for using R 14 are: 1) it is less toxic (a single dose is a very small amount of medicine compared to what is usually administered), 2) an iv administration always follows a therapeutic program (while in a CMF schedule cyclophosphamide is self-administered by the patient).

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The authors report data concerning their study on the incidence of pain in advanced neoplastic patients and on the natural history of this symptom. They also report their experience in the treatment of solid tumours with non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (Zomepirac, acetylsalicylic acid, Diflunisal, Ketoprofen) with a synthetic progestin (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate employed by authors at high or at very high doses for the first time) and with morphine hydrochloride used by oral, rectal, sublingual and nasal route. The authors also indicate the correct strategy of employing these drugs and criteria of evaluating their effectiveness.

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