tacrolimus and Leukemia--Myelomonocytic--Acute

To explore the effect of FK506 and CSA on the survival of HSCs and the level of IL-2 and IL-4.. The WEHI23 cells were injected into vein from tail of mice to set up the leukemia model. The Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were harvested from GFP mice and cultured in vitro, then injected into the vein of leukemia mice. FK506 and CSA, as two immunosuppress agents, were applied in leukemia mice and intact mice, and leukemia mice were as control.. Some HSCs could survive in the host treated with FK506 and CSA at least 2 weeks, while HSCs survived only 1 week in intact or leukemia control mice. Simultaneously, the level of IL-2 and IL-4 in leukemia mice treated with FK506 and CSA decreased significantly than those of intact or leukemia control mice.. FK506 can promote the survival of HSCs in host, and the mechanism may be associated with the down regulation of IL-2 and IL-4.

Topics: Animals; Cyclosporine; Graft Survival; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Immunosuppressive Agents; Interleukin-2; Interleukin-4; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Tacrolimus; Transplantation, Homologous

We report a case of generalized cutaneous chronic graft-versus-host disease in a 17-month-old infant. Topical treatment with the novel ascomycin substance pimecrolimus once daily for 4 weeks led to a near complete clearance of skin lesions. Importantly, this excellent clinical response was obtained without additional use of systemic immunosuppressive treatment.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Graft vs Host Disease; Humans; Infant; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute; Male; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; Skin Diseases; Tacrolimus; Treatment Outcome

We reported a 15-year-old boy with an acute myelomonocytic leukemia and FK 506-induced leukoencephalopathy. He was received FK 506 for graft versus host disease occurred after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. He, four weeks later, had generalized seizures and consciousness disturbance. The serum level of FK 506 was high (27.5 ng/ml). His brain MRI showed abnormal high intensity areas in the frontal and parietal white matter lesions on T2-weighted images. Neuropathological studies revealed the destruction of myelin sheeths and axons in the cerebral white matter corresponded with abnormal lesions on MRI. There were calcification and mineralization in the small vessel walls of the cortex and white matter. Osteopontin immunoreactivity was detected in the endothelial cells of small vessels. These findings suggest that the vascular damage was involved in the FK 506-induced leukoencephalopathy.

Topics: Adolescent; Brain Diseases; Graft vs Host Disease; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Tacrolimus