BACKGROUND: Delayed platelet engraftment is a common complication after umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT), and there is no standard therapy. Avatrombopag (AVA) is a second-generation thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist (TPO-RA) that has shown efficacy in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, few reports have focused on its efficacy in patients diagnosed with thrombocytopenia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China to evaluate the efficacy of AVA as a first-line TPO-RA in 65 patients after UCBT; these patients were compared with 118 historical controls. Response rates, platelet counts, megakaryocyte counts in bone marrow, bleeding events, adverse events and survival rates were evaluated in this study. Platelet reconstitution differences were compared between different medication groups. Multivariable analysis was used to explore the independent beneficial factors for platelet implantation. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were given AVA within 30 days post-UCBT, and the treatment was continued for more than 7 days to promote platelet engraftment (AVA group); the other 13 patients were given AVA for secondary failure of platelet recovery (SFPR group). The median time to platelet engraftment was shorter in the AVA group than in the historical control group (32.5 days vs . 38.0 days, Z  = 2.095, P  = 0.036). Among the 52 patients in the AVA group, 46 achieved an overall response (OR) (88.5%), and the cumulative incidence of OR was 91.9%. Patients treated with AVA only had a greater 60-day cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment than patients treated with recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) only or rhTPO combined with AVA (95.2% vs . 84.5% vs . 80.6%, P  <0.001). Patients suffering from SFPR had a slightly better cumulative incidence of OR (100%, P  = 0.104). Patients who initiated AVA treatment within 14 days post-UCBT had a better 60-day cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment than did those who received AVA after 14 days post-UCBT (96.6% vs . 73.9%, P  = 0.003). CONCLUSION Compared with those in the historical control group, our results indicate that AVA could effectively promote platelet engraftment and recovery after UCBT, especially when used in the early period (≤14 days post-UCBT).
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Thrombocytopenia/etiology* ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Thiazoles/adverse effects* ; Platelet Count ; Receptors, Thrombopoietin/agonists* ; Child ; Thiophenes

BACKGROUND: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is indicated as a broad-spectrum medicine for a variety of diseases, including cancer and cardiac disease. While the role of ATO in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ATO on HIRI. METHODS: In the present study, we established a 70% hepatic warm I/R injury and partial hepatectomy (30% resection) animal models in vivo and hepatocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) models in vitro with ATO pretreatment and further assessed liver function by histopathologic changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell counting kit-8, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was transfected to evaluate the role of ERK1/2 pathway during HIRI, followed by ATO pretreatment. The dynamic process of autophagic flux and numbers of autophagosomes were detected by green fluorescent protein-monomeric red fluorescent protein-LC3 (GFP-mRFP-LC3) staining and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: A low dose of ATO (0.75 μmol/L in vitro and 1 mg/kg in vivo ) significantly reduced tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis during the process of hepatic I/R. Meanwhile, ATO obviously promoted the ability of cell proliferation and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, in vitro  studies have shown that nontoxic concentrations of ATO can activate both ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-AKT) pathways and further induce autophagy. The hepatoprotective mechanism of ATO, at least in part, relies on the effects of ATO on the activation of autophagy, which is ERK-dependent. CONCLUSION Low, non-toxic doses of ATO can activate ERK/PI3K-AKT pathways and induce ERK-dependent autophagy in hepatocytes, protecting liver against I/R injury and accelerating hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Animals ; Arsenic Trioxide ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology* ; Arsenicals/therapeutic use* ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Radiotherapy is an important means to treat lung cancer,but it is easy to cause lung injury and reduce the quality of life of patients.Flash radiotherapy(FLASH-RT)has attracted attention due to its extremely short radiation duration and high dose rate,which can reduce toxicity of normal tissue while ensures treatment intensity of tumor.Whether Flash-RT can reduce radiation-induced lung injury has become an important research topic in recent years.Based on the literature analysis method,this review systematically assessed the effects and mechanisms of Flash-RT and radiotherapy with conventional dose rate on lung injury through searching relevant literatures at home and abroad,so as to provide scientific basis for the treatment of patients with lung cancer by reviewing the comparisons about the effects and mechanisms between Flash-RT and radiotherapy with conventional dose rate on lung injury.Compared with radiotherapy with conventional radiation rate,Flash-RT can significantly reduce lung injury and improve quality of life of patients.It is still demanded to explore the Flash-RT mechanism in future,so as to develop the Flash-RT instrument that is suitable for different tumors and to conduct larger-scale clinical researches.

Objective:To investigate the expression level, development mechanism, role and clinical prognostic significance of tweety homolog 2 (TTYH2) in cutaneous melanoma (SKCM).Methods:The expression data and clinical information of 365 cutaneous melanoma patients were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the expression data of 812 normal tissues were retrieved from the genotype and Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx) to analyze the expression level of TTYH2 in SKCM tissues and normal counterparts. Survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis were used to evaluate the effect of TTYH2 expression on prognosis and survival in SKCM patients. Gene set enrichment analysis Kyoto Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) were used to screen signaling pathways for significant TTYH2 enrichment. The interaction network analysis was carried out using STRING online platform to screen key protein network node genes. Secondly, CIBERSORT algorithm was used to analyze the expression of 22 immune cells in each sample, and Chi-square test was applied to analyze the difference of immune cells in the high-low expression group.Results:The expression of TTYH2 in SKCM patients was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. Survival analysis showed that SKCM patients with high TTYH2 expression group had a poor prognosis. High TTYH2 expression was an independent predictor of poor overall survival of SKCM ( HR=1.21, 95% CI 1.08-1.37, P=0.001). KEGG result showed that TTYH2 was mainly concentrated in cell synapses, ion channels, calcium signaling pathways and extracellular matrix receptor interaction pathways. GO analysis showed that the biological processes involved in TTYH2 may be closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. TTYH2 interacts with chloride intracellular channel protein 5, chloride ion channel protein 2, glycine receptor family members and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor family members, suggesting that TTYH2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SKCM. Immune cell infiltration analysis showed that the immune cell abundance of memory B cells, CD4 memory T cells and monocytes was significantly increased in the TTYH2 low expression group, while the immune abundance of follicular helper T cells and regulatory T cells was significantly decreased in the TTYH2 low expression group. Conclusion:TTYH2 expression may regulate the development of SKCM cells through various ways, affect the survival and prognosis of SKCM patients, and is a potential biological prognostic marker and therapeutic target of SKCM.

Objective:To investigate the expression level, development mechanism, role and clinical prognostic significance of tweety homolog 2 (TTYH2) in cutaneous melanoma (SKCM).Methods:The expression data and clinical information of 365 cutaneous melanoma patients were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the expression data of 812 normal tissues were retrieved from the genotype and Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx) to analyze the expression level of TTYH2 in SKCM tissues and normal counterparts. Survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis were used to evaluate the effect of TTYH2 expression on prognosis and survival in SKCM patients. Gene set enrichment analysis Kyoto Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) were used to screen signaling pathways for significant TTYH2 enrichment. The interaction network analysis was carried out using STRING online platform to screen key protein network node genes. Secondly, CIBERSORT algorithm was used to analyze the expression of 22 immune cells in each sample, and Chi-square test was applied to analyze the difference of immune cells in the high-low expression group.Results:The expression of TTYH2 in SKCM patients was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. Survival analysis showed that SKCM patients with high TTYH2 expression group had a poor prognosis. High TTYH2 expression was an independent predictor of poor overall survival of SKCM ( HR=1.21, 95% CI 1.08-1.37, P=0.001). KEGG result showed that TTYH2 was mainly concentrated in cell synapses, ion channels, calcium signaling pathways and extracellular matrix receptor interaction pathways. GO analysis showed that the biological processes involved in TTYH2 may be closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. TTYH2 interacts with chloride intracellular channel protein 5, chloride ion channel protein 2, glycine receptor family members and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor family members, suggesting that TTYH2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SKCM. Immune cell infiltration analysis showed that the immune cell abundance of memory B cells, CD4 memory T cells and monocytes was significantly increased in the TTYH2 low expression group, while the immune abundance of follicular helper T cells and regulatory T cells was significantly decreased in the TTYH2 low expression group. Conclusion:TTYH2 expression may regulate the development of SKCM cells through various ways, affect the survival and prognosis of SKCM patients, and is a potential biological prognostic marker and therapeutic target of SKCM.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and efficacy of umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) in the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).Methods:From May 2014 to December 2019, clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 7 PNH patients undergoing UCBT. The grades were severe ( n=6) and extremely severe ( n=1). The causes were primary PNH ( n=4) and PNH-aplastic anemia (AA) syndrome ( n=3). There were 5 males and 2 females with a median age of 29 (20-47) years, a median weight of 60(50-71) kg and a median time from diagnosis to transplantation of 62.5(7.7-171) months. All of them were accompanied by transfusion dependence. Myeloablative ( n=6) and reduced-intensity ( n=1) pretreatment was offered. The regimen of preventing GVHD was cyclosporine A plus short-term mycophenolate mofetil without ATG. The median number of input nucleated cells was 2.4(1.71-4.28)×10 7/kg and the median number of CD34+ cells 1.58(0.88-3.02)×10 5/kg. Results:Neutrophil and erythroid engraftment was obtained with a median neutrophil engraftment time of 17(15-21) days and a median erythroid engraftment time of 27. Engraftment time of 37(25-101) days for platelets >20×10 9/L and 62(27-157) days for platelets >50×10 9/L. The incidence of 100-day acute GVHD was 28.6%(95%CI 0-55.3%). The severity of GVHD was grade Ⅱ° acute ( n=2) and mild ( n=1). The median follow-up period was 13.5(3-71.4) months. Six patients survived while another with PNH-AA syndrome with iron overload died of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The 2-year overall survival rate was 83.3%(95%CI 27.3-97.5%). Conclusions:With excellent engraftment and survival in the treatment of PNH, UCBT is indicated for patients without HLA full-match donor. PNH-AA syndrome with iron overload may be one of the important prognostic factors.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the clinical outcomes of single unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) in children with high risk and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) .Methods:Between June 2008 and December 2018, a total of 160 consecutive pediatric patients with AML received single UCBT (excluding acute promyelocytic leukemia) . Myeloablative conditioning (MAC) regimen were applied. All patients received a combination of cyclosporine A (CsA) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for the prophylaxis of graft -versus- host disease (GVHD) .Results:The cumulative incidence of neutrophil cells engraftment at day +42 and platelet recovery at day +120 was 95.0% (95% CI 90.0%-97.5%) at a median of 16 days after transplantation (range, 11-38 days) and 85.5% (95% CI 83.3%-93.4%) with a median time to recovery of 35 days (range, 13-158) , respectively. Incidence of grades Ⅱ-Ⅳ and Ⅲ-Ⅳ acute GVHD and chronic GVHD were 37.3% (95%CI 29.3%-45.2%) , 27.3% (95% CI 20.0%-35.0%) and 22.4% (95% CI 15.5%-28.7%) , respectively. The transplant-related mortality (TRM) at 360 day was 13.1% (95% CI 8.4%-18.9%) . The 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 13.8% (95% CI 8.5%-20.3%) . The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 71.7% (95% CI 62.7%-77.8%) and 72.2% (95% CI 64.1%-78.7%) , respectively. The 5-year GVHD and relapse free survival (GRFS) was 56.1% (95% CI 46.1%-64.9%) . The 5-year cumulative recurrence rates of CR1, CR2, and NR groups were 5.3%, 19.9%, and 30.9% ( P=0.001) , and the 5-year OS rates were 79.9% (95% CI 70.3%-86.7%) , 71.1% (95% CI 50.4%-84.4%) and 52.9% (95% CI 33.0%-69.3%) ( χ2=7.552, P=0.020) , respectively. Conclusions:For pediatric patients with high risk and refractory AML, UCBT is a safe and effective treatment option, and it is favorable to improve the survival rate in CR1 stage.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is more and more widely used as a radical treatment for acute leukemia, but its therapeutic effect in different leukemias has not been compared. By comparing the efficacy of diseases, it can guide different patients to choose the transplantation method.OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze the therapeutic effect of umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia. METHODS: Clinical data of 306 cases of acute leukemia treated by unrelated umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were retrospectively analyzed, including 112 patients with acute myeloid leukemia and 194 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. All patients received myeloablative conditioning without antithymocyte, and the prevention of graft-versus-host disease was cyclosporine combined with mycophenolate mofetil. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Except that the relapse rate after acute lymphoblastic leukemia transplantation was slightly higher than acute myeloid leukemia, the efficacy of the two groups of patients after receiving unrelated umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was basically the same. (2) In the group of adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39 years), the rate of neutrophil and platelet implantation in acute myeloid leukemia was faster than in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Among them, CD34+ cell number and pretreatment program were independent influencing factors for neutrophil implantation, while CD34+ cell number was also an independent influencing factor for platelet implantation. In this age group, the recurrence rate of acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients after transplantation was still higher than that of acute myeloid leukemia, in which chronic graft-versus-host disease was an independent influencing factor. (3) Immune reconstruction testing after transplantation suggests that cord blood CD8+ T cell reconstruction in patients with acute myeloid leukemia was better than in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients 4 months after transplantation. (4) The above data show that pre-treatment of unrelated cord blood transplantation without antithymocyte globulin has a good effect on acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. Department of Hematology of The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China is qualified for stem cell transplantation.

Objective To evaluate the effect of pretransplant iron overload on the clinical efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Methods Clinical data of 80 SAA recipients who underwent allo-HSCT for the first time were retrospectively analyzed. According to the incidence of iron overload, all recipients were divided into the iron overload group (n=20) and non-iron overload group (n=60). The engraftment rate, incidence of postoperative complications and clinical prognosis of the recipients afterallo-HSCT were statistically compared between two groups. The influencing factors of 2-year overall survival (OS) and 180 d transplantation related mortality (TRM) were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results The engraftment rate of neutrophils in the non-iron overload group was 98% (59/60), significantly higher than 75% (15/20) in the iron overload group (P < 0.05). The engraftment rate of platelet in the non-iron overload group was 90% (54/60), significantly higher than 65% (13/20) in the iron overload group (P < 0.05). The incidence rate of bloodstream infection in the non-iron overload group was 23% (14/60), remarkably lower than 40% (8/20) in the iron overload group (P < 0.05). The 180 d TRM of the recipients in the non-iron overload group was 17%, significantly lower than 45% in the iron overload group (P < 0.05). The 1- and 2-year OS of the recipients in the non-iron overload group were 82% and 80%, significantly higher than 50% and 44% in the iron overload group (both P < 0.05). Iron overload or not was an independent risk factor of the OS and TRM of the recipients (both P < 0.05). Conclusions Iron overload can affect the OS and TRM of SAA patients after allo-HSCT.

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from HLA-matched sibling donors (MSD-HSCT) in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome-EB (MDS-EB) or acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC) . Methods: A cohort of 64 patients (including 38 cases of MDS-EB and 26 cases of AML-MRC) who received UCBT/MSD-HSCT from February 2011 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: ①Compared with MSD-HSCT group, UCBT group had a higher proportion of AML-MRC patients [52.8% (19/36) vs 25.0% (7/28) , P=0.025], and a lower median age [13 (1.5-52) years vs 32 (10-57) years, P=0.001]. ②The engraftment of neutrophils both in UCBT and MSD-HSCT groups on +42 d was 100%, and the median engraftment time was 17.5 (11-31) d and 11.5 (10-20) d, respectively. The engraftment of platelet at +100 d in UCBT group was 91.4%, the median engraftment time was 40 (15-96) d; The engraftment of platelet at +100 d in MSD-HSCT group was 100%, and the median engraftment time was 15 (11-43) d. ③There were no statistically significant differences in terms of the cumulative incidence of Ⅱ-Ⅳ and Ⅲ/Ⅳ aGVHD of 100 d and transplant related mortality (TRM) of 180 d, relapse rate, overall survival (OS) , disease-free survival (DFS) between UCBT and MSD-HSCT groups (P>0.05) . ④The 3-year cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) and severe chronic GVHD in UCBT group were lower than of MSD-HSCT group [28.3% (95%CI 13.4%-45.3%) vs 67.9% (95%CI 46.1%-82.4%) , P=0.002; 10.3% (95%CI 2.5%-24.8%) vs 50.0% (95%CI 30.0%-67.1%) , respectively, P<0.001]. The cumulative 3-year incidence of GVHD-free and relapse-free survival (GRFS) of UCBT group was significantly higher than of MSD-HSCT group [55.0% (95%CI 36.0%-70.6%) vs 28.6% (95%CI 13.5%-45.6%) , P=0.038]. Conclusion UCBT could obtain better quality of life after transplantation than MSD-HSCT in treatment of MDS-EB/AML-MRC.