Vox SanguinisVolume 113, Issue 5 p. e36-e52 International Forum International Forum on typing and matching strategies in patients on anti-CD38 monoclonal therapy K. M. K. De Vooght, K. M. K. De VooghtSearch for more papers by this authorM. Lozano, M. LozanoSearch for more papers by this authorJ-L. Bueno, J-L. Bueno jolubuca1898@gmail.com Haematology and Haemotherapy Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro – Majadahonda, Joaquín Rodrigo 2, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorA. Alarcón, A. Alarcón ana.alarcon.tomas@gmail.com Haematology and Haemotherapy Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro – Majadahonda, Joaquín Rodrigo 2, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorI. Romera, I. Romera irene.irm23@gmail.com Haematology and Haemotherapy Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro – Majadahonda, Joaquín Rodrigo 2, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorK. Suzuki, K. Suzuki ken-suzuki@mtb.biglobe.ne.jp Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Medical Center, 4-1-22 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-8935 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorE. Zhiburt, E. Zhiburt ezhiburt@yandex.ru Blood Transfusion Department, Pirogov Russian National Medical Surgical Center, 70, Nizhnyaya Pervomaiskaya ul, Moscow, 105203 RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorA. Holbro, A. Holbro andreas.holbro@usb.ch Regional Blood Transfusion Service, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 10, Basel, 4031 SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorL. Infanti, L. Infanti laura.infanti@usb.ch Regional Blood Transfusion Service, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 10, Basel, 4031 SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorA. Buser, A. Buser andreas.buser@usb.ch Regional Blood Transfusion Service, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 10, Basel, 4031 SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorH. Hustinx, H. Hustinx hein.hustinx@itransfusion.ch National Reference Laboratory, Swiss Blood Transfusion Service, Interregional Blood Transfusion Service SRC Ltd, Murtenstrasse 133, Bern, 3008 SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorV. Deneys, V. Deneys veronique.deneys@uclouvain.be Immunohematology Laboratory, CHU UCL Namur, Godinne Hospital, Rue Dr Gaston Therasse 1, 5530 Yvoir, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorA. Frélik, A. Frélik alex.frelik@uclouvain.be Immunohematology Laboratory, CHU UCL Namur, Godinne Hospital, Rue Dr Gaston Therasse 1, 5530 Yvoir, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorC. Thiry, C. Thiry cl.thiry@uclouvain.be Immunohematology Laboratory, CHU UCL Namur, Godinne Hospital, Rue Dr Gaston Therasse 1, 5530 Yvoir, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorM. Murphy, M. Murphy mike.murphy@nhsbt.nhs.uk NHS Blood & Transplant, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU UKSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Staves, J. Staves Julie.Staves@ouh.nhs.uk Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU UKSearch for more papers by this authorK. Selleng, K. Selleng selleng@uni-greifswald.de Institut für Immunologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Sauerbruchstr, Greifswald, 17475 GermanySearch for more papers by this authorA. Greinacher, A. Greinacher greinach@uni-greifswald.de Institut für Immunologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Sauerbruchstr, Greifswald, 17475 GermanySearch for more papers by this authorJ. M. Kutner, J. M. Kutner kutner@einstein.br Departamento de Hemoterapia, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 – Morumbi, São Paulo - SP, 05652-900 BrazilSearch for more papers by this authorC. Bonet Bub, C. Bonet Bub carolina.bub@einstein.br Departamento de Hemoterapia, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 – Morumbi, São Paulo - SP, 05652-900 BrazilSearch for more papers by this authorL. Castilho, L. Castilho castilho@unicamp.br Departamento de Hemoterapia, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 – Morumbi, São Paulo - SP, 05652-900 BrazilSearch for more papers by this authorR. M. Kaufman, R. M. Kaufman rmkaufman@bwh.harvard.edu Brigham and Women's Hospital, Blood Bank, Amory 260, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115 USASearch for more papers by this authorM. E. Colling, M. E. Colling mecolling@partners.org Brigham and Women's Hospital, Blood Bank, Amory 260, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115 USASearch for more papers by this authorP. Perseghin, P. Perseghin p.perseghin@asst-monza.it Laboratorio di Criobiologia, UOS Aferesi e nuove tecnologie trasfusionali, ASST-Monza Ospedale San Gerardo, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorA. Incontri, A. Incontri a.incontri@asst-monza.it Laboratorio di Immunoematologia, UOS Aferesi e nuove tecnologie trasfusionale, ASST-Monza, Ospedale San Gerardo, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorM. Dassi, M. Dassi m.dassi@asst-monza.it Laboratorio di Immunoematologia, UOS Aferesi e nuove tecnologie trasfusionale, ASST-Monza, Ospedale San Gerardo, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorD. Brilhante, D. Brilhante dbrilhante@ipolisboa.min-saude.pt Serviço de Imunohemoterapia, Instituto Português de Oncologia Lisboa Francisco Gentil, EPE, Lisboa, PortugalSearch for more papers by this authorA. Macédo, A. Macédo amacedo@ipolisboa.min-saude.pt Serviço de Imunohemoterapia, Instituto Português de Oncologia Lisboa Francisco Gentil, EPE, Lisboa, PortugalSearch for more papers by this authorC. Cserti-Gazdewich, C. Cserti-Gazdewich christine.cserti@uhn.ca Department of Laboratory Hematology (Transfusion Medicine), University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, UHN TGH BTL 3EC-306, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4 CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorJ. M. Pendergrast, J. M. Pendergrast Jacob.Pendergrast@uhn.ca Department of Laboratory Hematology (Transfusion Medicine), University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, UHN TGH BTL 3EC-306, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4 CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Hawes, J. Hawes Janice.Hawes@uhn.ca Department of Laboratory Hematology (Transfusion Medicine), University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, UHN TGH BTL 3EC-306, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4 CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorM. N. Lundgren, M. N. Lundgren maria.n.lundgren@skane.se Deparment of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Labmedicin Skane, Akutgatan 8, Lund, SE-22185 SwedenSearch for more papers by this authorJ. R. Storry, J. R. Storry jill.storry@med.lu.se Deparment of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Labmedicin Skane, Akutgatan 8, Lund, SE-22185 SwedenSearch for more papers by this authorA. Jain, A. Jain ashishjain16@gmail.com Department of Transfusion Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh, 160012 IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorN. Marwaha, N. Marwaha neelam2918@yahoo.com Department of Transfusion Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh, 160012 IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorR. R. Sharma, R. R. Sharma rrsdoc@hotmail.com Department of Transfusion Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh, 160012 IndiaSearch for more papers by this author K. M. K. De Vooght, K. M. K. De VooghtSearch for more papers by this authorM. Lozano, M. LozanoSearch for more papers by this authorJ-L. Bueno, J-L. Bueno jolubuca1898@gmail.com Haematology and Haemotherapy Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro – Majadahonda, Joaquín Rodrigo 2, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorA. Alarcón, A. Alarcón ana.alarcon.tomas@gmail.com Haematology and Haemotherapy Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro – Majadahonda, Joaquín Rodrigo 2, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorI. Romera, I. Romera irene.irm23@gmail.com Haematology and Haemotherapy Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro – Majadahonda, Joaquín Rodrigo 2, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorK. Suzuki, K. Suzuki ken-suzuki@mtb.biglobe.ne.jp Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Medical Center, 4-1-22 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-8935 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorE. Zhiburt, E. Zhiburt ezhiburt@yandex.ru Blood Transfusion Department, Pirogov Russian National Medical Surgical Center, 70, Nizhnyaya Pervomaiskaya ul, Moscow, 105203 RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorA. Holbro, A. Holbro andreas.holbro@usb.ch Regional Blood Transfusion Service, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 10, Basel, 4031 SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorL. Infanti, L. Infanti laura.infanti@usb.ch Regional Blood Transfusion Service, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 10, Basel, 4031 SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorA. Buser, A. Buser andreas.buser@usb.ch Regional Blood Transfusion Service, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 10, Basel, 4031 SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorH. Hustinx, H. Hustinx hein.hustinx@itransfusion.ch National Reference Laboratory, Swiss Blood Transfusion Service, Interregional Blood Transfusion Service SRC Ltd, Murtenstrasse 133, Bern, 3008 SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorV. Deneys, V. Deneys veronique.deneys@uclouvain.be Immunohematology Laboratory, CHU UCL Namur, Godinne Hospital, Rue Dr Gaston Therasse 1, 5530 Yvoir, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorA. Frélik, A. Frélik alex.frelik@uclouvain.be Immunohematology Laboratory, CHU UCL Namur, Godinne Hospital, Rue Dr Gaston Therasse 1, 5530 Yvoir, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorC. Thiry, C. Thiry cl.thiry@uclouvain.be Immunohematology Laboratory, CHU UCL Namur, Godinne Hospital, Rue Dr Gaston Therasse 1, 5530 Yvoir, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorM. Murphy, M. Murphy mike.murphy@nhsbt.nhs.uk NHS Blood & Transplant, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU UKSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Staves, J. Staves Julie.Staves@ouh.nhs.uk Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU UKSearch for more papers by this authorK. Selleng, K. Selleng selleng@uni-greifswald.de Institut für Immunologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Sauerbruchstr, Greifswald, 17475 GermanySearch for more papers by this authorA. Greinacher, A. Greinacher greinach@uni-greifswald.de Institut für Immunologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Sauerbruchstr, Greifswald, 17475 GermanySearch for more papers by this authorJ. M. Kutner, J. M. Kutner kutner@einstein.br Departamento de Hemoterapia, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 – Morumbi, São Paulo - SP, 05652-900 BrazilSearch for more papers by this authorC. Bonet Bub, C. Bonet Bub carolina.bub@einstein.br Departamento de Hemoterapia, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 – Morumbi, São Paulo - SP, 05652-900 BrazilSearch for more papers by this authorL. Castilho, L. Castilho castilho@unicamp.br Departamento de Hemoterapia, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 – Morumbi, São Paulo - SP, 05652-900 BrazilSearch for more papers by this authorR. M. Kaufman, R. M. Kaufman rmkaufman@bwh.harvard.edu Brigham and Women's Hospital, Blood Bank, Amory 260, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115 USASearch for more papers by this authorM. E. Colling, M. E. Colling mecolling@partners.org Brigham and Women's Hospital, Blood Bank, Amory 260, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115 USASearch for more papers by this authorP. Perseghin, P. Perseghin p.perseghin@asst-monza.it Laboratorio di Criobiologia, UOS Aferesi e nuove tecnologie trasfusionali, ASST-Monza Ospedale San Gerardo, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorA. Incontri, A. Incontri a.incontri@asst-monza.it Laboratorio di Immunoematologia, UOS Aferesi e nuove tecnologie trasfusionale, ASST-Monza, Ospedale San Gerardo, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorM. Dassi, M. Dassi m.dassi@asst-monza.it Laboratorio di Immunoematologia, UOS Aferesi e nuove tecnologie trasfusionale, ASST-Monza, Ospedale San Gerardo, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorD. Brilhante, D. Brilhante dbrilhante@ipolisboa.min-saude.pt Serviço de Imunohemoterapia, Instituto Português de Oncologia Lisboa Francisco Gentil, EPE, Lisboa, PortugalSearch for more papers by this authorA. Macédo, A. Macédo amacedo@ipolisboa.min-saude.pt Serviço de Imunohemoterapia, Instituto Português de Oncologia Lisboa Francisco Gentil, EPE, Lisboa, PortugalSearch for more papers by this authorC. Cserti-Gazdewich, C. Cserti-Gazdewich christine.cserti@uhn.ca Department of Laboratory Hematology (Transfusion Medicine), University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, UHN TGH BTL 3EC-306, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4 CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorJ. M. Pendergrast, J. M. Pendergrast Jacob.Pendergrast@uhn.ca Department of Laboratory Hematology (Transfusion Medicine), University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, UHN TGH BTL 3EC-306, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4 CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Hawes, J. Hawes Janice.Hawes@uhn.ca Department of Laboratory Hematology (Transfusion Medicine), University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, UHN TGH BTL 3EC-306, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4 CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorM. N. Lundgren, M. N. Lundgren maria.n.lundgren@skane.se Deparment of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Labmedicin Skane, Akutgatan 8, Lund, SE-22185 SwedenSearch for more papers by this authorJ. R. Storry, J. R. Storry jill.storry@med.lu.se Deparment of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Labmedicin Skane, Akutgatan 8, Lund, SE-22185 SwedenSearch for more papers by this authorA. Jain, A. Jain ashishjain16@gmail.com Department of Transfusion Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh, 160012 IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorN. Marwaha, N. Marwaha neelam2918@yahoo.com Department of Transfusion Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh, 160012 IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorR. R. Sharma, R. R. Sharma rrsdoc@hotmail.com Department of Transfusion Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh, 160012 IndiaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 26 June 2018 https://doi.org/10.1111/vox.12652Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Volume113, Issue5July 2018Pages e36-e52 RelatedInformation

Vox SanguinisVolume 113, Issue 5 p. 492-498 International Forum Vox Sanguinis International Forum on typing and matching strategies in patients on anti-CD38 monoclonal therapy: summary K. M. K. de Vooght, K. M. K. de Vooght k.devooght@umcutrecht.nl Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorM. Lozano, M. Lozano mlozano@clinic.cat orcid.org/0000-0003-2593-833X Department of Hemotherapy and Hemostasis, University Clinic Hospital, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorJ-L. Bueno, J-L. BuenoSearch for more papers by this authorA. Alarcón, A. AlarcónSearch for more papers by this authorI. Romera, I. RomeraSearch for more papers by this authorK. Suzuki, K. SuzukiSearch for more papers by this authorE. Zhiburt, E. ZhiburtSearch for more papers by this authorA. Holbro, A. HolbroSearch for more papers by this authorL. Infanti, L. Infanti orcid.org/0000-0001-7241-426X Search for more papers by this authorA. Buser, A. Buser orcid.org/0000-0002-7942-6746 Search for more papers by this authorH. Hustinx, H. HustinxSearch for more papers by this authorV. Deneys, V. DeneysSearch for more papers by this authorA. Frélik, A. FrélikSearch for more papers by this authorC. Thiry, C. ThirySearch for more papers by this authorM. Murphy, M. MurphySearch for more papers by this authorJ. Staves, J. StavesSearch for more papers by this authorK. Selleng, K. SellengSearch for more papers by this authorA. Greinacher, A. GreinacherSearch for more papers by this authorJ.M. Kutner, J.M. KutnerSearch for more papers by this authorC. Bonet Bub, C. Bonet BubSearch for more papers by this authorL. Castilho, L. CastilhoSearch for more papers by this authorR. Kaufman, R. KaufmanSearch for more papers by this authorM.E. Colling, M.E. CollingSearch for more papers by this authorP. Perseghin, P. PerseghinSearch for more papers by this authorA. Incontri, A. IncontriSearch for more papers by this authorM. Dassi, M. DassiSearch for more papers by this authorD. Brilhante, D. BrilhanteSearch for more papers by this authorA. Macêdo, A. MacêdoSearch for more papers by this authorC. Cserti-Gazdewich, C. Cserti-GazdewichSearch for more papers by this authorJ.M. Pendergrast, J.M. PendergrastSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Hawes, J. HawesSearch for more papers by this authorM.N. Lundgren, M.N. LundgrenSearch for more papers by this authorJ.R. Storry, J.R. StorrySearch for more papers by this authorA. Jain, A. JainSearch for more papers by this authorN. Marwaha, N. MarwahaSearch for more papers by this authorR.R. Sharma, R.R. Sharma orcid.org/0000-0002-7415-4665 Search for more papers by this author K. M. K. de Vooght, K. M. K. de Vooght k.devooght@umcutrecht.nl Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorM. Lozano, M. Lozano mlozano@clinic.cat orcid.org/0000-0003-2593-833X Department of Hemotherapy and Hemostasis, University Clinic Hospital, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorJ-L. Bueno, J-L. BuenoSearch for more papers by this authorA. Alarcón, A. AlarcónSearch for more papers by this authorI. Romera, I. RomeraSearch for more papers by this authorK. Suzuki, K. SuzukiSearch for more papers by this authorE. Zhiburt, E. ZhiburtSearch for more papers by this authorA. Holbro, A. HolbroSearch for more papers by this authorL. Infanti, L. Infanti orcid.org/0000-0001-7241-426X Search for more papers by this authorA. Buser, A. Buser orcid.org/0000-0002-7942-6746 Search for more papers by this authorH. Hustinx, H. HustinxSearch for more papers by this authorV. Deneys, V. DeneysSearch for more papers by this authorA. Frélik, A. FrélikSearch for more papers by this authorC. Thiry, C. ThirySearch for more papers by this authorM. Murphy, M. MurphySearch for more papers by this authorJ. Staves, J. StavesSearch for more papers by this authorK. Selleng, K. SellengSearch for more papers by this authorA. Greinacher, A. GreinacherSearch for more papers by this authorJ.M. Kutner, J.M. KutnerSearch for more papers by this authorC. Bonet Bub, C. Bonet BubSearch for more papers by this authorL. Castilho, L. CastilhoSearch for more papers by this authorR. Kaufman, R. KaufmanSearch for more papers by this authorM.E. Colling, M.E. CollingSearch for more papers by this authorP. Perseghin, P. PerseghinSearch for more papers by this authorA. Incontri, A. IncontriSearch for more papers by this authorM. Dassi, M. DassiSearch for more papers by this authorD. Brilhante, D. BrilhanteSearch for more papers by this authorA. Macêdo, A. MacêdoSearch for more papers by this authorC. Cserti-Gazdewich, C. Cserti-GazdewichSearch for more papers by this authorJ.M. Pendergrast, J.M. PendergrastSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Hawes, J. HawesSearch for more papers by this authorM.N. Lundgren, M.N. LundgrenSearch for more papers by this authorJ.R. Storry, J.R. StorrySearch for more papers by this authorA. Jain, A. JainSearch for more papers by this authorN. Marwaha, N. MarwahaSearch for more papers by this authorR.R. Sharma, R.R. Sharma orcid.org/0000-0002-7415-4665 Search for more papers by this author First published: 20 May 2018 https://doi.org/10.1111/vox.12653Citations: 3Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume113, Issue5July 2018Pages 492-498 RelatedInformation

The treatment of childhood B-cell-precursor ALL after isolated-extramedullary or late relapse is controversial. Most approaches are based on chemotherapy or allogeneic transplantation. The aim of this report is to assess the long-term outcome of children with ‘low-risk’ relapsed ALL treated according to a prospective purified auto-transplantation protocol. From January 1997 to March 2004, at a single pediatric Center, 30 ALL consecutive children, lacking an HLA-identical sibling, were treated according to the autologous purified peripheral blood stem cell protocol after isolated-extramedullary (7) or late medullary (24) relapse. After the ‘DIAVE’ mobilizing regimen a median of 11.6 × 106CD34+/Kg (range 3.9–27.4) were collected. Leukaphereses were depleted by 99% of CD19+cells (range 98–100) by means of a double step immunological purification. The conditioning regimen included TBI. No early severe complications nor transplant-related deaths occurred; late effects, as expected, mostly consisted in endocrinological issues and were assessed at a median follow-up of 8.5 years. Five-year-EFS and survival were 68.5% (s.e. 7.9) and 85.7% (s.e. 5.9), respectively, for the 35 eligible patients and 70.0% (s.e. 8.4) and 86.7% (s.e. 6.2) for the 30 patients actually transplanted as per protocol. The outcome of this series favorably compares with historical data regarding both autologous transplantation and standard salvage chemotherapy.

Autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AITP) is a disorder due to specific platelet auto-antibodies directed against platelet surface glycoproteins. AITP in adults is usually chronic, idiopathic and frequently refractory to conventional treatments. Myelo- and immuno- suppressive chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation is an experimental approach for severe chronic refractory AITP. We report a case of a woman with AITP, refractory to the conventional therapy, submitted to T-cell-depleted autologous PBSC transplantation, which obtained long term stable response on platelet count. We deem that the positive outcome of our patient depends on T-cells depletion of the graft, which reduces autoreactive T clones.

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) is an immunomodulating procedure consisting of autologous reinfusion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after direct exposure to 8-methoxy-psoralen and UV-A. It has been described as a successful treatment for different T-cell-mediated diseases and preliminary results suggest that ECP might be effective in the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, but does not significantly alter the course of the progressive form of MS. In this study, we report the safety data and some preliminary efficacy evidence obtained using ECP in the treatment of five patients with refractory relapsing-remitting (RR) MS: in most cases ECP induced a reduction in the relapse rate and an EDSS stabilisation, with an apparent general MRI stabilisation. In conclusion, our results confirm ECP safety and tolerability and suggest that this treatment might be useful as a therapeutic alternative in the subgroup of RRMS patients not responsive to or not eligible for traditional immunomodulating or immunosuppressive treatments.

Techniques for CD34+ cell enrichment of hematopoietic progenitor cells in grafts destined for transplantation of certain patients with the aim of lowering the amount of infused T lymphocytes and subsequently decreasing the risk of graft versus host disease (GVHD) have been well developed. Adaptations of these techniques should be useful for isolation of other phenotypically defined stem cells. However, a major limitation of techniques now available consists of the number of total nucleated cells or phenotypically defined stem cells that can be processed in a single procedure. Here, we show that recommended levels are much lower than the levels of cells that can be effectively processed by immunomagnetic sorting. Twenty-nine procedures were performed using the Clini- MACS (Miltenyi Biotec) device, which is recommended for processing <6x10(10 )total nucleated cells or <6x10(8) CD34+ cells. Procedures were divided in groups according to their total cellular or CD34+ cell content. We achieved a median CD34+ cell recovery of 68.60% with a median purity of 98.56%, regardless of the loading dose when samples possessing 2-10x10(10) total nucleated cells and 0.8-12.5x10(8) CD34+ cells were applied to a single column. The median levels of CD3+ cells and CD19+ cells in the final product were depleted by 5 logs and 3.8 logs, respectively; no differences were noted when the initial loading dose was increased. Moreover, we found no correlation between the total number nucleated or CD34+ cells loaded and the resultant CD34+ cell recovery. In conclusion, levels of both total nucleated cells and CD34+ can be processed in a single procedure with satisfactory and similar CD34+ cell recovery when these columns are loaded with up to two times as many cells as recommended.

We prospectively evaluated the reconstitution of lymphocyte subpopulations in nine children with lysosomal diseases who underwent 11 allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplants (HCTs) following CD34(+) immunomagnetic enrichment, limited T-cell addback and in vivo B-cell depletion. Absolute lymphocyte count recovery was slow to cross the 5th percentile, occurring at a median of 10 months after HCT in patients with full chimaerism. Natural killer cells represented up to 90% of the total lymphoid population during the first 3 months. CD4(+) lymphocyte recovery occurred 9-18 months after HCT. In most patients, CD8(+) lymphocyte recovery was slow and comparable with that of CD4(+) lymphocytes. The CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio normalised by 3-7 months after HCT in 50% of the patients. CD8(+) lymphocyte recovery was enhanced in patients with viral reactivation. Reconstitution of B-lymphocytes was particularly delayed in patients treated with rituximab. Declining chimaerism, rejection and viral reactivation were the most common problems in our series. Because of the unique graft manipulation, the pace of lymphocyte reconstitution was particularly slow, suggesting that these patients are at a significantly increased risk of infections for up to 2 years after HCT.

BACKGROUND: Imatinib mesylate (IM) was introduced in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment in the late 1990s and substantially changed the therapeutic approach to the disease, by inducing complete cytogenetic response (CCR) in approximately 60 percent of cases. Nevertheless, some concerns exist about the duration of response to treatment and the onset of resistance to IM.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty‐five chronic‐phase CML patients in stable CCR (>6 months) treated for at least 1 year with IM at the standard dose (400 mg/day) were mobilized with recombinant human granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (Filgrastim) at 10 µg per kg for 4 to 6 days, with the aim of collecting at least 2 × 106 CD34+ cells per kg. Standard cytogenetic analysis and first‐round and/or nested polymerase chain reaction were performed in basal and postmobilization samples to examine the presence of bcr‐abl transcripts.RESULTS: CD34+ cells collection was successful in 16 patients, yielding a median of 3.01 × 106 ± 1.09 × 106 CD34+ cells per kg at the first attempt, and in 4 of the 9 remaining patients who were remobilized after a temporary withdrawal of IM, yielding a median of 2.65 × 106 ± 0.7 × 106 CD34+ cells per kg, with an overall 80 percent success rate. No correlation between mobilization and duration of the disease, length of IM treatment, or previous interferon‐α and/or hydroxyurea treatment was found.CONCLUSIONS: Autologous CD34+ cells may be mobilized and collected in most CML patients who achieve CCR after IM treatment, with a view to possible use in the event that resistance to IM occurs in patients not eligible for allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation or those lacking an HLA‐matched donor.

Relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after allogeneic transplant has very poor prognosis; whether early prediction of relapse by means of minimal residual disease (MRD) analysis could allow effective treatment is still to be assessed. Eighteen patients at high risk of relapse were prospectively monitored in a single transplant center. MRD analysis and clinical follow up were completed for the first series of 11 patients. This includes 9 males and 2 females (median age 11ys, range 2–16) who received allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from compatible (5), one locus mismatched (1) or haploidentical (1) related or unrelated (4) donor for ALL in 1st (5), 2nd (4), or 3rd (2) complete remission (CR), after conditioning regimen containing total body irradiation (TBI) and etoposide (9) or others, and GVHD prophylaxis consisting of cyclosporine, associated with ATG in transplant from other than compatible related donor. Grafts consisted of unmanipulated bone marrow (9), containing a median of 6.6x106CD34+/Kg (range 1.7–8.6) and 57.2x106CD3+/Kg (range 24.4–96.2), or peripheral (1), containing 11x106CD34+/Kg and 174x106CD3+/Kg, or positively selected peripheral (1) containing 12x106CD34+/Kg and 0.04x106CD3+/Kg. Five patients developed grade II–IV acute GVHD, requiring ATG in 4 cases. Five of 11 patients are alive in CR at a median of 15 months (range 11–21), 1 died in CR at 7 months, 5 relapsed at a median of 8 months (range 3–23), and 3 of them died. Patients were monitored by clone-specific RQ-PCR of one (4) or two (7) Ig/TcR markers, with a sensitivity of at least 10−4. At the time of transplant 7 patients were positive at the analysis of the MRD, while 4 were negative; patients were monitored at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after transplantation, or according to clinical requirements. Among the 4 MRD negative patients, 1 remained negative and is in CR at 19 months, 1 became positive 6 months after unrelated transplant and relapsed 2 months later, 1 relapsed 30 months after haploidentical transplant, a long time after MRD monitoring had stopped, while 1 died in CR. Among the 7 MRD positive patients, 2 remained always MRD positive and relapsed 3 and 7 months after transplant, and 5 experienced MRD negativity at a certain time after transplant; 1 of 5 became MRD positive at the 6th month after transient negativity and relapsed 3 months later, 3 of 5 became negative since the 1st or 3rd month, remained negative, and are alive in CR at 9, 12, and 13 months after transplant, while the remaining 1 alternated negative and positive MRD results and is in CR at 6 months. In 5 patients quantitative MRD data allowed early immunosuppression tapering or discontinuation, yielding severe GVHD in 1, and DLI treatment was planned in 2, but refused in 1; 2 of these 5 are in CR, while 3 relapsed, despite 1 experienced transient MRD 1-log reduction and 1 negativization. In conclusion, MRD monitoring after BMT might direct either early immunosuppression tapering or DLI for prevention of relapse in high risk childhood ALL transplanted patients.

Pixantrone is less cardiotoxic and is similarly effective to mitoxantrone (MTX) as an antineoplastic drug. In our study, pixantrone reduced the severity of acute and decreased the relapse rate of chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rats. A marked and long-lasting decrease in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD45RA+ blood cells and reduced anti-MBP titers were observed with both pixantrone and MTX. In vitro mitogen- and antigen-induced T-cell proliferation tests of human and rodents cells evidenced that pixantrone was effective at concentrations which can be effectively obtained after i.v. administration in humans. Cardiotoxicity was present only in MTX-treated rats. The effectiveness and the favorable safety profile makes pixantrone a most promising immunosuppressant agent for clinical use in multiple sclerosis (MS).