Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are multipotent and self-renewing cells. MSC are studied for their in vivo and in vitro immunomodulatory effects, in the prevention or the treatment of isehemic injury, and for their potential properties of tissue or organ reconstruction. Over the last few years, the potential role of MSC in organ transplantation has been studied both in vitro and in vivo, and their properties make them an ideal potential cell therapy after solid organ transplantation. A prospective, controlled, phase 1-2 study has been initiated at the CHU of Liege, Belgium. This study assesses the potential risks and benefits of MSC infusion after liver or kidney transplantation. Even if the preliminary results of this study look promising, solely a prospective, randomized, large scale, phase 3 study will allow the clinical confirmation of the theoretical benefits of MSC in solid organ transplantation.

Recurrence of cardiovascular events and mortality remain high after acute coronary syndromes. A Swiss multicentric study, "Inflammation and acute coronary syndromes (ACS)--Novel strategies for prevention and clinical managements", is currently underway with the support of the Swiss National Science Foundation. The study includes a clinical research subproject of which the aim is to assess the impact of the ELIPS program (multi-dimEnsionaL prevention Program after acute coronary Syndrome) on the recurrence of cardiovascular events after an ACS. The basic research sub-projects aim to investigate novel cardiovascular risk biomarkers and genetic determinants of recurrence and to study the role of stem cells after an ACS. Another sub-project will evaluate intracoronary imaging techniques and the efficacy of different types of stents.

The success of HSCT from HLA partially disparate donors depends on the development of new strategies able to efficiently prevent GVHD and to protect patients from infections and relapse. Using an immunotoxin (IT) directed against the alpha-chain (p55) of the human IL-2r (RFT5-SMPT-dgA), we have previously shown that it is possible to kill mature T cells activated towards a specific HLA complex by a one-way MLR. We designed a clinical trial assessing the effect of infusing increasing doses of T lymphocytes in the setting of children recipients of non HLA genetically identical HSCT. Thirteen patients have been enrolled from September 1998 to April 2000 and fourteen HSCT have been realized in 13 patients (pts). Donors were MUD in 3 cases and familial HLA partially disparate in the remaining cases. Allodepleted donor T cells were injected between day +14 and day +30 provided that ATG was undetectable in the serum and blood PMN counts was > 500/microliter. The mean age of these patients was 17 months (range 1 to 42). Diagnosis included immune deficient and malignant hemopathies. Three patients received 1 x 10(5) allodepleted T cell/kg, 7 patients received 4 x 10(5)/kg and 4 patients received 6 x 10(5)/kg allodepleted T cells. Full inhibition of MLR was achieved in 12 out of 14 cases. In two cases, a residual T cell reactivity to the recipient was observed (4 to 5%) and patients developed grade II aGVHD. aGVHD occurred in 4 out of 11 grafted patients (all grade II). No chronic GVHD has developed, so far. Three patients died from severe VOD or PHT at day +34, day 51 and day +166, while one infected patient by VZV, CMV and EBV before HSCT died 6 months after transplantation from meningoencephalitis and another patient died from relapse at day +291. The patient for which there was no engraftment died at day +48 from staphylococcus infection. Overall survival is 54%, with a median follow up of 8 months; the mean time to reach a blood lymphocyte count > 500 was 41 days, to reach a CD3 count > 300 microliters 63 days (20-111), CD4 > 200 microliters 97 days and positive mitogen-induced proliferation 90 days. In three patients, a tetanus-toxoid positive proliferation was detected before immunization. From this intermediate analysis, we conclude that 1) specific allodepletion is an effective approach to prevent aGVHD in a haploincompatible setting, 2) data on immunological reconstitution suggest that infused T cells do survive and expand. A higher number of patients must be enrolled to determine the optimal number of T cells to infuse.

A phase I clinical trial is being currently performed in our institution, aiming at evaluating the feasibility and toxicity related to the administration of Herpes Simplex-thymidine kinase gene-expressing human primary T lymphocytes following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The need for safe and standardized preparation conditions for gene-modified cells is crucial. We describe the closed culture system used in the current trial for ex vivo retroviral-mediated gene transfer and transduced cell selection. Cell handling is performed in closed systems using sampling and transfer pack bags, culture bags and a sterile connection device which avoids opening the culture system. This closed system allows safe and reproducible ex vivo preparation of gene-modified primary T-lymphocytes for clinical use.

We report hereby the results of the french multicentric randomized PEGASE 04 protocol established to evaluate the impact on survival of high-dose chemotherapy over conventional chemotherapy for MBC patients.

Allogeneic peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is being evaluated in a randomized French study comparing the use of peripheral blood stem cells vs. bone marrow graft stem cells. In order to standardize immunohematological (IH) assessment and transfusion practices within our protocol, we made suggestions to 25 allo-transplantation French centers on the following elements: pre-inclusion IH assessment, IH exclusion criteria, transfusion rules, post-transplantation IH surveillance and treatment of hemolysis. The analysis of their responses to our suggestions led us to elaborate recommendations which were approved and implemented by the French Bone Marrow Transplantation Society (SFGM). These recommendations concern the transfusion practice in the general framework of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and can therefore be considered as referential.

Originally developed against the effects of ionizing radiations, amifostine is an organic thiophosphate compound shown able to selectively protect normal tissues against cytotoxic agents in cellular and animal models, without protecting tumor tissues. Amifostine is a prodrug which is dephosphorylated into its active metabolite, a free thiol derivative, by membrane alkaline phosphatase of the target issue. This unique metabolism supports its cellular selectivity and its preferential uptake by normal tissues. In phase II clinical trials, a decreased toxicity has been demonstrated in patients given alkylating agents; however, reduction of the response has not been observed. On the basis of these results, a prospective, randomized, phase III study has been conducted in patients with ovarian carcinoma receiving a combination of cisplatinum and cyclophosphamide. A significant decrease in hematologic, renal and neurologic toxicity was observed in the amifostine-treated patients compared with the control group, and response rates did not significantly differ between the two groups. Insufficient or emerging data are only available for other applications, including either in vitro manipulation of hematopoietic grafts or in vivo treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, head and neck carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer and radioprotection. No data are yet available in regard to the potential protective effects of amifostine against mutagenicity and cancerogenicity of both chemo- and radiotherapy.

The aim of this study, carried out at the Institut Paoli-Calmettes (Marseille-France), was to compare, in terms of monetary and non monetary costs, alternate procedures for hematopoietic stem cells collection i.e. peripheral blood stem cells collection (PBSCC) and bone marrow collection (BMC) used in cancer therapies. Monetary costs have been evaluated by calculating the direct costs of the two types of procedures and non monetary costs by comparing anxiety, discomfort and pain of cancer patients submitted to PBSCC or BMC. Patients, randomized (7/1993-2/1994), in view of autologous transplantation, to receive the first procedure or the second one received three self-administered questionnaires to complete before, during and after the procedure. Pain was assessed using visual analogical scale and McGill Pain questionnaire. Anxiety was evaluated by means of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results showed that, under some conditions, presently realized in the current practice, direct costs of PBSCC (10,140 to 13,780 FF) were lower than BMC ones (16,509 FF) and that anxiety and pain experienced by patients submitted to PBSCC, with or without femoral catheter, were significantly less severe than in other group patients (State anxiety, before procedure : p < 0.01 ; pain related to the procedure assessed on VAS : p < 0.001 and total McGill score : p < 0.00001). These findings justify the substitution of bone marrow transplantation by peripheral blood stem cells transplantation, provided there is a demonstration of similar medical efficacy for cancer therapy.

Eighty-four patients with locally advanced, non metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck or esophagus, were included in a multicentric double-blind randomized trial, comparing goralatide (12.5 or 62.5 micrograms/kg/day, d1-d4) to placebo, associated with carboplatin (400 mg/m2, d1) and 5-fluorouracile (1 g/m2/d continuous IV over 96 hours). Haematological toxicity was analysed on 221 cycles of chemotherapy. All but one patient were evaluable because of early death without haematological toxicity. No significant difference was observed for mean nadir of leukocytes, granulocytes, platelets counts and hemoglobin level. Duration of haematological toxicity was no significantly different for the two groups of patients. Anemia and lymphopenia were more frequent in the goralatide treated patients. Clinical and biological tolerability of goralatide was excellent.

The aim of this study was to compare anxiety, pain and discomfort of cancer patients submitted to two procedures of hematopoietic stem cells collection: peripheral blood stem cells collection (PBSCC) or bone marrow collection (BMC). Patients, randomized (July 1993-February 1994), in view of autograft, to receive the first procedure or the second one, completed self-administered questionnaires before, during and after the procedure. Anxiety was evaluated by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Pain was assessed using visual analogical scale (VAS) and McGill Pain questionnaire. Before the procedure, in comparison with PBSCC patients (n = 40), BMC patients (n = 25) experienced more State-anxiety due to the procedure approach (p < 0.01) and more trouble or inconvenience for having to come and stay at the hospital (p < 0.0001). During the procedure, pain related to BMC, as assessed by VAS, is significatively higher than pain induced by PBSCC, whichever the access used (p < 0.001). The McGill total score is twice as high for BMC patients than for patients submitted to PBSCC with femoral catheter (n = 19). The latter patients significatively reported more pain than patients without femoral catheter (n = 21). At the discharge from hospital, 32% of BMC patients judged the procedure quite difficult vs 5% of PBSCC patients (p < 0.05). These results explain a higher acceptability of the peripheral blood stem cells collection.

It is now possible to achieve prolonged remission of malignant lymphoma and certain cancers with high-dose chemotherapy followed by autograft with haematopoietic stem cells. We tested such a protocol, evaluating haematologic recovery, in order to determine the total cost of hospitalization.

Novel therapeutic agents in the form of recombinant human hematopoïetic cytokines have been developed. Two of them granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage factor (Gm-CSF) have become widely available commercially. A wholly new technique of supportive care became available to hematologists for patients from whom myelosuppressive chemotherapy represents the optimal treatment. These agents moved directly into large-scale prospective, randomized placebo-controlled studies. The data in support of glycosylated G-CSF as an adjunct to aggressive chemotherapy (ACVB) in lymphoma were provided by a randomized study on 162 patients. Reduction of duration of neutropenia < 500/microliter from 4 day to 1 day was observed during four cycles, as well as the reduction of the duration of infection and time in hospital. The same effects have been described with Gm-CSF and less intensive regimens. Hematopoietic growth factors are accepted as accelerating hematologic recovery after bone marrow grafting. In our randomized study with G-CSF, 315 patients were included. Neutrophil recovery > 1,000/microliter for 3 days was seen earlier in G-CSF treated patients (16 vs 27 d). Time to neutrophil > 500/microliter was reduced (14 vs 20 d). The difference was significant both in autograft and allograft patients. Patients had fewer days of infection and spent less time in hospital. In all randomized studies with G or Gm-CSF no difference in survival was observed at one year. If the only benefit of cytokines is to diminish toxicity, the next goals will be to determine the most appropriate situation in which these agents are most justified and to use these agents in novel approaches. Mobilization of peripheral blood stem cell with hematopoietic factors alone or in association with chemotherapy allows a further improvement in controlling toxicity after transplantation with a median time to neutrophil and platelets recovery of 12 days. Stem cells transplantation will become more easily integrated in dose-intensive treatment.

Gene therapy is a new field of biomedical research just entering clinical practice. Recombinant retroviruses are at present the best vectors for gene transfer into a permanently dividing tissue like the hematopoietic tissue. The ex vivo strategy consists of an autologous transplantation of genetically modified cells. Although the hematopoietic tissue can be manipulated with comparative ease, its development and its structure are rather complex. Therefore, the different sources of hematopoietic tissue and the diverse cell types represent a wide array of targets for gene transfer. In vivo studies in mice have shown that the hematopoietic stem cells can be efficiently transduced by retroviral vectors carrying therapeutic genes. In contrast, preclinical studies in large outbred animals indicate that only a small proportion of stem cells can be transduced, although much better results can be obtained with primitive progenitors detectable in vitro. However, some clinical trials have already shown interesting and useful results.

Seraspenide, a synthetic tetrapeptide, inhibits cell cycle entry of normal hematopoietic stem cells. In mice it protects hemopoiesis against the damage caused by cytarabine, cyclophosphamide and carboplatin. Seraspenide has been given to 53 cancer patients undergoing monochemotherapy with cytarabine and ifosfamide in a double-blind cross-over randomized study. A significant protection of peripheral blood cells has been observed. Seraspenide has been devoided of toxicity.

Thirty two patients with malignant lymphoma - mainly Hodgkin's disease - were randomized for simultaneous treatment by high doses of metenolone during MOPP chemotherapy, to reduce its hematological toxicity. The results have shown surprisingly an increased hemato-toxicity in patients receiving androgens, with significantly more marked anemia and thrombocytopenia, reducing the total doses of anti-cancer drugs. This side effect could be explained by a cycling of the hematopoietic stem-cells and call to some caution when androgens are used during cancer chemotherapy.