losartan-potassium and Hodgkin-Disease

During the past 40 years substantial progress has been made in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, particularly in some subgroups of patients. Today, cure is attainable for patients with Hodgkin's disease and a considerable proportion of patients with high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Prognosis is improving in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia and, to some extent, those with acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemias. However, the majority of patients who suffer from a hematologic malignancy live with incurable disease. In CLL, outside the setting of a clinical trial, it is advisable to postpone treatment until the manifestation of clinical symptoms. It is yet to be determined whether treatment strategies based on new prognostic parameters such as cytogenetics can change the course of disease. In indolent lymphomas, cure is not attainable for the vast majority of patients; the median survival of 9 to 10 years has remained unchanged for several decades. Nevertheless, there has been a dramatic change in therapeutic paradigms in the past few years. For the first time, with the use of new cytostatic drugs and recombinant monoclonal antibodies, it is possible to achieve molecular remissions. Whether this will translate into cure or prolonged survival is still to be determined. In Hodgkin's disease, which is curable when treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or combined therapy, depending on the stage of disease, the focus of future studies must be on prevention of early relapse and on primary resistant disease, both of which present a very poor prognosis. Finally, regardless of underlying malignancy and prognosis, the preservation of quality of life is of major consideration in the setting of hematologic malignancies.

Topics: Anemia; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Epoetin Alfa; Erythropoietin; Hematinics; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Lymphoma, Follicular; Prognosis; Quality of Life; Recombinant Proteins; Vidarabine

Oral mucositis (OM) as a complication of high-dose chemotherapy is frequently occurred in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) settings. Erythropoietin (EPO) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and wound-healing properties and therefore could have an important role in the prevention of OM. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the EPO mouthwash effect on OM incidence and severity in 80 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin disease (HD) or multiple myeloma, undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Patients received either EPO mouthwash (50 IU/ml, 15 ml four times a day) (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) from the starting day of high-dose chemotherapy until day +14 after transplantation or until the day of discharge from the hospital, whichever occurred first. OM was evaluated daily for 21 days after transplantation or until resolution of OM according to World Health Organization oral toxicity scale. The incidence of OM (grades 1-4) in the EPO mouthwash group and control group was significantly different (27.5% vs 77.5%, p < 0.001). The mean ± SD of two other parameters of OM including maximum intensity OM score (0.60 ± 1.06 vs 1.67 ± 1.27) and average intensity OM score (0.47 ± 0.80 vs 1.28 ± 0.86) was significantly lower in the intervention group (p < 0.001). Moreover, the mean ± SD duration of OM was also significantly shorter among the EPO mouthwash recipients (1.92 ± 3.42 days vs 5.42 ± 3.86 days, P < 0.001). Also, the duration of neutropenic fever was significantly shorter in the intervention group (2.12 ± 2.42 days vs 3.95 ± 4.01 days, p = 0.016). It is concluded that EPO mouthwash can reduce the incidence and duration of OM. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Topics: Adult; Double-Blind Method; Erythropoietin; Female; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Male; Middle Aged; Mouthwashes; Multiple Myeloma; Stomatitis; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing

To determine whether epoetin alfa reduces anemia-related fatigue, improves other aspects of health-related patient-recorded outcomes (PROs), reduces the number of RBC transfusions, and has an impact on freedom from treatment failure (FFTF) and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL).. The prospectively randomized HD15EPO study performed by the German Hodgkin Study Group investigated epoetin alfa administered at doses of 40,000 U weekly during and after chemotherapy (six to eight cycles of bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone [BEACOPP]) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled setting. The study accrued 1,379 patients, of whom 1,328 were assessable for safety, 1,303 were assessable for clinical outcome, and 930 were assessable for PROs.. PROs were not different in patients receiving placebo or epoetin alfa, both after the end of chemotherapy and 6 months thereafter. There was no difference between patients treated with epoetin alfa or placebo with respect to FFTF and OS. There were also no differences in the numbers of deaths, progressions, relapses, and thromboembolic events. The median number of RBC transfusions was reduced from four per patient in the placebo group to two per patient in the epoetin alfa group (P < .001), with 27.4% of patients needing no RBC transfusion in the placebo group compared with 36.7% of patients in the epoetin alfa group (P < .001).. Epoetin alfa administered at 40,000 U weekly parallel to BEACOPP chemotherapy was safe in patients with advanced-stage HL and reduced the number of RBC transfusions but had no impact on fatigue and other PRO domains.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bleomycin; Cyclophosphamide; Double-Blind Method; Doxorubicin; Epoetin Alfa; Erythrocyte Transfusion; Erythropoietin; Etoposide; Fatigue; Female; Germany; Hematinics; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Prednisone; Procarbazine; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; Recombinant Proteins; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Vincristine; Young Adult

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of erythropoietin (epoetin beta) on red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, hemoglobin (Hb) levels, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with relapsed lymphoma treated with an aggressive sequential salvage chemotherapy (SSCT) regimen. Sixty patients with early or late relapsed Hodgkin's disease ( n=39) or first relapse of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma ( n=21) were randomized to receive epoetin beta 10,000 IE subcutaneously three times a week or no epoetin during salvage chemotherapy. Patients in both study arms received two cycles of DHAP (dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, cisplatin); patients in partial remission (PR) or complete remission (CR) then received cyclophosphamide, followed by peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvest, methotrexate plus vincristine, and etoposide. The final myeloablative course was BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan) followed by autologous stem cell support. The primary endpoint of the study was the number of RBC units needed during SSCT. In addition, Hb levels and QOL were measured. The mean number of RBC units given in the epoetin beta arm was 4.5 compared to 8.3 in the control arm ( P=0.0134). The mean Hb levels during therapy were 10.4 g/dl in the epoetin beta arm and 9.7 g/dl in the control ( P=0.018). From baseline until BEAM therapy QOL (EORTC QLQ C30) and fatigue (MFI) assessment showed little QOL worsening or stable levels in both arms with a steeper increase of fatigue levels in the control group. Patients with relapsed lymphoma undergoing aggressive chemotherapy and stem cell support benefited from epoetin beta therapy, with a decrease of RBC transfusion requirements and lower rise of fatigue levels.

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Erythrocyte Transfusion; Erythropoietin; Female; Hemoglobins; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Quality of Life; Recombinant Proteins; Salvage Therapy

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of recombinant human erythropoetin (r-HuEPO) treatment in patients suffering from anemia in the course of Hodgkin's disease (HD). 6 patients suffering from HD (4 of nodular sclerosis type II (NS II) and 2 of nodular sclerosis type I (NS I)) were treated with r-HuEPO for 10 weeks. All patients suffering from the NS II of HD exhibited an increase in the level of Hb by more than 2 g/dl after 10 weeks of r-HuEPO therapy whereas patients suffering from the NS I subtype of HD did not benefit from such treatment.

Topics: Adult; Anemia; Erythropoietin; Female; Hemoglobins; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Male; Neoplasm Staging; Pilot Projects; Recombinant Proteins; Treatment Outcome

Anemia is a universal finding in patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Effective therapies to increase the number of autologous red blood cells could result in a lower morbidity and mortality associated with red blood cell transfusions. We examined whether the addition of erythropoietin (Epo) to intensive therapy supported by progenitor cell transplantation and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) would result in a lower requirement for red blood cell transfusions. Thirty-five patients with lymphoma were randomized to receive Epo versus placebo. Epo (600 U/kg three times per week) or placebo was begun 3 weeks before administration of high-dose therapy. Epo was held during the week of the preparatory regimen, and restarted on the day after BMT. All patients also received G-CSF following BMT. No significant differences were noted between the two groups in terms of patient characteristics at pretreatment or post-BMT evaluation. There were no differences in the total number of red blood cell units transfused (median Epo: 8 v placebo: 6, P = .22) nor the number of platelet transfusions given (median Epo: 12 v placebo 5, P = .14). Engraftment of granulocytes (absolute neutrophil count > or = 500/microL) occurred in a median of 12 days (range, 9 to 33) for the patients receiving Epo and G-CSF, compared with a median of 10 days (range, 8 to 22) for those receiving placebo and G-CSF (P = .70). Likewise, there were no differences in the time to platelet count > or = 20,000/microL without further transfusions with a median of 22 days (range, 15 to 150+) for those receiving Epo and G-CSF compared with a median of 20 days (range, 11 to 54) for those patients receiving placebo and G-CSF (P = .28). The combination of G-CSF and Epo as administered in this study appears to be safe but does not result in an improvement in the total number of red blood cell transfusions or total number of single donor platelet units transfused.

Topics: Adult; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Erythropoietin; Female; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Male; Middle Aged; Transplantation, Autologous

Peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) mobilising regimens that do not include cytotoxic drugs are needed if PBPC are to be used for allogeneic transplantation. We have studied the effects of erythropoietin on bone marrow and circulating haemopoietic progenitors. Eleven patients with untreated lymphoma received epoetin-alpha 300 or 450 iu/kg subcutaneously (sc) thrice weekly for 2 weeks. Their bone marrows and peripheral bloods were normal at entry. There were no differences between dose levels. Peripheral blood colony-forming cell (CFC) numbers increased fivefold over baseline (p = 0.003) including a sevenfold increase in GM-CFC (p = 0.003). CD34-positive cell numbers increased 4.6-fold (P < 0.01). Maximal CFC release was seen at days 5-8. No consistent change in megakaryocyte numbers was seen. The increase in numbers of cells capable of long-term haemopoiesis was not significant. The ratio of myeloid:erythroid cells in bone marrow reduced from 2.7 to 0.86 after erythropoietin treatment (p = 0.047). In bone marrow the only significant rise in CFCs was in erythroid progenitors. Erythropoietin alone resulted in a modest increase in PBPC that is unlikely to be useful for transplantation. The effects of erythropoietin in combination with other cytokines or with cytotoxic drugs remain to be explored.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bone Marrow; Colony-Forming Units Assay; Erythropoietin; Female; Hematopoiesis; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Male; Middle Aged; Recombinant Proteins; Transplantation, Autologous

Evaluation of anemic syndrome (AS) was performed in 79 patients with advanced stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma (LH) at various stages of chemotherapy (CT) according to the EACOPP-14 scheme. Against the background of the treatment, the number of erythrocytes and, accordingly, the HCT indices decreased with each subsequent cycle of chemotherapy (CTC) and reached the maximum reduction to 5, 6 th CCT. Absolute iron deficiency (IDA), which was combined with a low level of EPO and an inadequate degree of anemia, was found in a few LH patients (5 people, 6.3%). Functional iron deficiency (FDZH) was diagnosed in 9 patients (11.4%), had the same morphological signs as IDA. Namely, microcytosis, erythrocyte hypochromia and low hemoglobin content in reticulocytes (RET-HE). In contrast to IDA, patients with FDZh concentration of FR, GP-25 and IL-6 were high. Despite the fairly large reserves of iron, the level of rRTF testified to the "iron hunger" of the erythrocariocytes of the bone marrow, its index exceeded the upper limit of the norm, while RET-HE was low. In 34 (43%) patients, LH revealed a deficiency of endogenous erythropoietin (EPO), which was observed not only in patients with AHZ, but also in patients with IDA. Lower levels of EPO were detected in patients with leukopenia and very low erythropoietic activity of the bone marrow.

Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Erythropoietin; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Reticulocytes

The study was carried out to analyze peripheral blood covering 23 patients with prevalent phases of Hodgkin lymphoma received no treatment previously. The clinical analysis of blood was implemented using hematologic analyzer Sysmex XE-2100. The content of ferritin, soluble receptors of transferrin and erythropoietin was estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The free hemoglobin was estimated using hemoglobin cyanide method. The direct Coombs test, counting of leukogram and analysis of morphology of erythrocytes were applied to all patients. The anemia is diagnosed in 19 patients (83%). In 18 out of them the anemic syndrome corresponded to anemia of chronic disease and in one patient asiderotic anemia was established. The rest of patients had no anemia. The anemia of chronic diseases characterized by microcytosis and hypochromia of erythrocytes, inadequate degree of anemia by production of erythropoietin and functional deficiency of iron in most of the patients. It should be emphasized that anemia of chronic diseases commonly is normocyte normochrome anemia whereas in patients with prevalent phases of Hodgkin Iymphoma the microcyte hypochrome anemia was detected before the treatment and it was followed by functional deficiency of iron. In patients without anemic syndrome microcytosis and hypochromia of erythrocytes were marked too. The techniques of laboratory diagnostic objectively reflecting iron metabolism (evaluation of level of soluble receptors of transferrin andferritin) and appropriate hormonal response to degree of anemia (production of erythropoietin) are to be included into algorithm of treatment of patients. The purpose is to timely detect type of anemia with the purpose of its appropriate correction prior to treatment onset.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Erythrocytes; Erythropoietin; Female; Ferritins; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Iron; Iron Deficiencies; Male; Middle Aged; Transferrin

Topics: Anemia; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Erythropoietin; Hepcidins; Hodgkin Disease; Humans

This 12th biannual report of the Cochrane Haematological Malignancies Group highlights recently published randomized controlled trials in the field of hemato-oncology, covering the publication period from September 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010. Implication for clinical practice and methodological aspects are the main principles used to select trials for this report. Studies on tyrosine kinase inhibitors for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia were identified through electronic search of MEDLINE with a broad search filter that covered all topics in hemato-oncology combined with a highly sensitive search filter for randomized studies as described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Aminoglycosides; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Benzamides; Cyclophosphamide; Dasatinib; Diphosphonates; Disease-Free Survival; Epoetin Alfa; Erythropoietin; Evidence-Based Medicine; Gemtuzumab; Graft vs Host Disease; Hematologic Neoplasms; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Imatinib Mesylate; Interferon-alpha; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive; Methotrexate; Piperazines; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Pyrimidines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recombinant Proteins; Rituximab; Stem Cell Transplantation; Thiazoles; Treatment Outcome; Vidarabine

In patients with hematologic malignancies, chemotherapy can further suppress bone marrow production. Whereas measures to correct anemia can improve patients' function and quality of life, the intervention threshold and the methods of correcting anemia in patients with malignant lymphoma are not clear. This study evaluates the frequency of anemia and the interventions used to correct anemia before and during chemotherapy for patients with Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.. A retrospective electronic chart review was conducted of 312 patients who received cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignant lymphoma at 4 British Columbia Cancer Agency centers from June 1, 2004 to May 1, 2006. The chemotherapy regimens delivered were: doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) in 24 patients, CHOP + Rituximab (CHOP-R) in 215 patients, and Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine in 73 patients. Initial hemoglobin (Hgb) and dates of lowest Hgb in the ranges, 110 to 119, 100 to 109, 90 to 99, 80 to 89, and <80 g/L were recorded. Review of medical records was performed to document the frequency of symptoms that may be related to anemia and the frequency of any discussion or intervention for anemia such as transfusion or erythropoietin (Epo).. The median age was 57 years (range, 16-87 years). About 24% of patients had Hodgkin's and 76% had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Prior to starting chemotherapy, 34% of subjects had an Hgb <120 g/L and 11% of subjects had an Hgb <100 g/L. In all patients with Hgb <120 g/L prechemotherapy, symptoms of anemia were documented in 57% but intervention to correct anemia occurred in only 4% of patients. During chemotherapy, 42% of subjects had a Hgb <120 g/L and 12% had a Hgb <100 g/L. Discussion and intervention rates increased with declining Hgb, particularly at levels <100 g/L. Among 36 patients with Hgb <100 g/L, symptoms were documented in 31 patients. Transfusion was used in 24 patients and Epo in 2 patients. During chemotherapy, 63% of patients with Hgb <120 g/L were symptomatic, but only 20% received an intervention to correct anemia.. Anemia was common prior to and during chemotherapy in patients with malignant lymphoma. The threshold of anemia intervention varied, with transfusion being the predominant method used. The rates of intervention for anemia were low in patients with anemia, despite randomized trials showing that anemia correction can improve fatigue and quality of life.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anemia; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Blood Transfusion; British Columbia; Erythropoietin; Female; Hemoglobins; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Male; Middle Aged; Recombinant Proteins; Retrospective Studies

We investigated the role of stem cell purification and G-CSF (early vs. delayed vs. no G-CSF) administration on hemopoietic recovery and supportive care requirements after stem cell transplantation. Thirty-two patients submitted to autologous CD34(+) peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) were studied, and data were compared to patients undergoing unfractionated peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (uPBSCT) matched for age, disease, and conditioning regimen. Except for PMN, hemopoietic recovery was significantly slower and supportive care requirements were significantly higher after CD34(+) PBSCT. Median time to PMN >0.5 x 10(9)/l was 13 days (range 9-27) and 13 d (range 9-23); reticulocytes (Ret) >1% was 14.5 d (range 12-34) and 12 d (range 10-27); high-fluorescence reticulocytes (HFR) >5% was 12 d (range 9-26) and 9 d (range 7-11); platelets >50 x 10(9)/l and >100 x 10(9)/l was 20 d (range 10-240), 12 d (range 9-60) and 33 d (range 15-720), 15 d (range 11-210). When the analysis was performed on subgroups of patients (early/delayed/no G-CSF), early G-CSF significantly promoted PMN recovery (>0.5 x 10(9)/l and >1.0 x 10(9)/l) compared to no G-CSF, without affecting RBCs or platelet recovery. Delayed G-CSF did not improve PMN recovery compared to patients not receiving G-CSF, did not result in a significant reduction of drug requirements, and had a negative impact on erythroid and platelet recovery. In conclusion, these preliminary data suggest that G-CSF is useful if given early after CD34(+) PBSCT. CD34(+) PBSCT may overall require a significant increase of resource utilization that should be outweighed by proven clinical benefit.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antigens, CD34; Cell Separation; Erythropoietin; Female; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; Hematopoiesis; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Kinetics; Leukocyte Count; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma; Neutrophils; Platelet Count; Reticulocyte Count; Transplantation Conditioning; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bleomycin; Busulfan; Cyclophosphamide; Doxorubicin; Erythropoietin; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Mechlorethamine; Neutrophils; Prednisone; Procarbazine; Recurrence; Time Factors; Transplantation, Autologous; Vinblastine; Vincristine

Serum erythropoietin (sEpo) concentration is primarily related to the rate of renal production and, under the stimulus of hypoxia, increases exponentially as hemoglobin (Hb) decreases. Additional factors, however, appear to influence sEpo, and in this work, we performed studies to evaluate the role of the red blood cell precursor mass. We first compared the relationship of sEpo with Hb in patients with low versus high erythroid activity. The first group included 27 patients with erythroid aplasia or hypoplasia having serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels < 3 mg/L (erythroid activity < 0.6 times normal), while the second one included 28 patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia having sTfR levels > 10 mg/L (erythroid activity > 2 times normal). There was no difference between the two groups with respect to Hb (8.3 +/- 1.6 v 8.0 +/- 1.3 g/dL, P > .05), but sEpo levels were notably higher in patients with low erythroid activity (1,601 +/- 1,542 v 235 +/- 143 mU/mL, P < . 001). In fact, multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that, at any given Hb level, sEpo was higher in patients with low erythroid activity (P < .0001). Twenty patients undergoing allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were then investigated. A marked increase in sEpo was seen in all cases at the time of marrow aplasia, disproportionately high when compared with the small decrease in Hb level. Sequential studies were also performed in five patients with iron deficiency anemia undergoing intravenous (IV) iron therapy. Within 24 to 72 hours after starting iron treatment, marked decreases in sEpo (up to one log magnitude) were found before any change in Hb level. Similar observations were made in patients with megaloblastic anemia and in a case of pure red blood cell aplasia. These findings point to an inverse relationship between red blood cell precursor mass and sEpo: at any given Hb level, the higher the number of red blood cell precursors, the lower the sEpo concentration. The most likely explanation for this is that sEpo levels are regulated not only by the rate of renal production, but also by the rate of utilization by erythroid cells.

Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Aplastic; Anemia, Hypochromic; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; beta-Thalassemia; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Erythrocyte Indices; Erythroid Precursor Cells; Erythropoiesis; Erythropoietin; Feedback; Folic Acid; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Iron; Kidney; Receptors, Transferrin; Transplantation Conditioning; Vitamin B 12

Acquired pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) has been associated with various lymphoproliferative conditions but its occurrence with Hodgkin's disease is rare. We report a case of PRCA occurring immediately following the completion of induction chemotherapy in a patient with Stage IIIB nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease. In vitro erythroid colony studies documented evidence for T cell mediated suppression of erythropoiesis and lack of a serum inhibitor. Addition of cyclosporin to the in vitro cultures stimulated erythroid colony growth. Following in vivo treatment with cyclosporin peripheral blood CD4/CD8 ratios returned to normal. However, serum erythropoietin levels were inappropriately low. Subsequent treatment with erythropoietin induced a reticulocytosis and transfusion independence. Since discontinuing the erythropoietin, the patient has been able to maintain a hemoglobin of 100 g/L. This case illustrates that red cell aplasia occurring in the setting of Hodgkin's disease may be due to T cell mediated suppression of erythropoiesis. A response to cyclosporin may be masked by inappropriately low erythropoietin levels.

Topics: Adult; Colony-Forming Units Assay; Cyclosporine; Erythroid Precursor Cells; Erythropoiesis; Erythropoietin; Female; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure; T-Lymphocytes

As an introduction to a Satellite Symposium on the utilization of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-EPO) in hematology (Leukemia & Lymphoma 1992; 7 (Suppl.2): 94-100) a contribution to its mechanism of action was presented, and is published here. In three patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease treated with combination chemotherapy (MOPP) incorporating vincristine, and receiving at the same time a fixed daily dose of 8000 U of rHu-EPO subcutaneously for 10 to 15 days because of myelosuppressive anemia, myeloaspirates were performed one week before and 24 hours after the administration of vincristine. A dramatic accumulation of arrested metaphases in all stages of erythroblasts was found, while there was no augmentation of granulocytic metaphases. This is a further confirmation, following a previous contribution (Marmont AM: Haematol 1991; 76, 251-255), of the demonstration in man of the combined effects of erythropoietin as an erythroid mitogen and vincristine as a mitotic blocker.

Topics: Anemia; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Erythroblasts; Erythropoietin; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Mechlorethamine; Metaphase; Prednisone; Procarbazine; Recombinant Proteins; Vincristine

Topics: Adult; Anemia; Erythropoietin; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Time Factors

Topics: Adult; Anemia; Antineoplastic Agents; Blood Transfusion; Christianity; Erythrocyte Count; Erythropoietin; Female; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Patient Acceptance of Health Care

Topics: Anemia; Blood Transfusion; Erythropoietin; Female; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma; Patient Compliance

The influence of splenectomy on erythroid burst colony formation by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 10 patients (four with hereditary spherocytosis, two with beta-thalassaemia major, two with Hodgkin's disease and two with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) was studied. In every instance splenectomy was followed by a lowering of blood BFU-E. The post-splenectomy levels ranged from 0 to 30% of the preoperative levels. Mononuclear cells from the spleens of eight patients were cultured and found to contain numerous BFU-E. The total quantity of BFU-E in the whole blood and in the spleen of the patients was generally of the same order of magnitude. The number of splenic BFU-E did not correlate with spleen size. Splenic BFU-E differed from peripheral blood BFU-E in that they were more sensitive to erythropoietin (Ep) and in that they failed to respond to burst promoting activity (BPA) produced by preincubating the spleen mononuclear cells with phytohaemagglutinin M (PHA). In contrast, media conditioned by PHA-treated spleen cells contained BPA active on peripheral blood BFU-E from normal individuals. These data suggest that the spleen may have an influence on the numbers and functional properties of BFU-E.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia, Hemolytic; Child; Child, Preschool; Erythrocyte Count; Erythrocytes; Erythropoietin; Female; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Male; Phytohemagglutinins; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic; Spleen; Splenectomy

A teenage boy with mixed-cellularity Hodgkin disease presented with severe anemia secondary to pure red cell aplasia of marrow without evidence of lymphomatous infiltration or hemolysis. In vitro studies of the patient's serum demonstrated an inhibitor of erythropoietin activity which appeared to be an IgG but which did not directly bind erythropoietin. The patient's anemia resolved and the inhibitor disappeared following chemotherapy for Hodgkin disease. Presumably, the inhibitor was directed at a very early stage of red blood cell production. This phenomenon may be related to other autoimmune manifestations occasionally seen in patients with lymphomas. The case is presented to bring attention to the unusual occurrence of red cell aplasia in Hodgkin disease. Several hypotheses concerning significance and etiology of the anemia are detailed.

Topics: Adolescent; Anemia, Aplastic; Binding Sites, Antibody; Bone Marrow; Erythropoiesis; Erythropoietin; Hemoglobins; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Male

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Erythropoiesis; Erythropoietin; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Infant; Leukemia; Leukemia, Myeloid

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Erythropoietin; Female; Hematocrit; Hemoglobins; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Male; Reticulocyte Count

The serum level of erythropoietin was measured in 31 patients with anemia secondary to chronic infection or malignancy and compared with erythropoietin levels in 23 patients with iron-deficiency anemia and 14 patients with primary hematopoietic diseases. Erythropoietin levels varied directly with the degree of anemia in patients with iron deficiency or primary hematopoietic disorders. There was no correlation of erythropoietin and the degree of anemia in patients with chronic infection or malignancy and the erythropoietin levels were significantly lower than in patients with iron deficiency or primary hematopoietic disease and the same degree of anemia. A major factor in the anemia of chronic disorders is a decrease in levels of erythropoietin.

Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Hypochromic; Animals; Biological Assay; Bone Marrow Diseases; Carcinoma; Chronic Disease; Erythropoietin; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Infections; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Male; Mice; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Neutralization Tests

Topics: Acute Disease; Anemia, Aplastic; Animals; Biological Assay; Bone Marrow; Bone Marrow Cells; Bone Marrow Diseases; Erythropoiesis; Erythropoietin; gamma-Globulins; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Iron Isotopes; Leukemia; Mediastinal Neoplasms; Mice; Osteosarcoma; Thymoma

Topics: Animals; Erythropoiesis; Erythropoietin; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Leukemia; Mice; Polycythemia; Prognosis

Topics: Anemia, Aplastic; Anemia, Hemolytic; Anemia, Hypochromic; Animals; Erythropoietin; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Leukemia; Lymphatic System; Mice; Mononuclear Phagocyte System; Polycythemia; Umbilical Cord