To specify the incidence and risk factors for secondary autoimmune diseases (ADs) after HSCT for a primary AD, we retrospectively analyzed AD patients treated by HSCT reported to EBMT from 1995 to 2009 with at least 1 secondary AD (cases) and those without (controls). After autologous HSCT, 29 of 347 patients developed at least 1 secondary AD within 21.9 (0.6-49) months and after allogeneic HSCT, 3 of 16 patients. The observed secondary ADs included: autoimmune hemolytic anemia (n ‫؍‬ 3), acquired hemophilia (n ‫؍‬ 3), autoimmune thrombocytopenia (n ‫؍‬ 3), antiphospholipid syndrome (n ‫؍‬ 2), thyroiditis (n ‫؍‬ 12), blocking thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (n ‫؍‬ 1), Graves disease (n ‫؍‬ 2), myasthenia gravis (n ‫؍‬ 1), rheumatoid arthritis (n ‫؍‬ 2), sarcoidosis (n ‫؍‬ 2), vasculitis (n ‫؍‬ 1), psoriasis (n ‫؍‬ 1), and psoriatic arthritis (n ‫؍‬ 1). After autologous HSCT for primary AD, the cumulative incidence of secondary AD was 9.8% ؎ 2% at 5 years. Lupus erythematosus as primary AD, and antithymocyte globulin use plus CD34 ؉ graft selection were important risk factors for secondary AD by multivariate analysis. With a median follow-up of 6.2 (0.54-11) years after autologous HSCT, 26 of 29 patients with secondary AD were alive, 2 died during their secondary AD (antiphospholipid syndrome, hemophilia), and 1 death was HSCT-related. This European multicenter study underlines the need for careful management and follow-up for secondary AD after HSCT. (Blood. 2011;118(6):1693-1698)

Our results confirm the capacity of this RIC regimen to obtain long-term remissions in patients ineligible for a conventional allo-SCT. The results suggest an important role of the development of chronic GVHD in reducing relapse and improving DFS and OS.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are deregulated in several tumors, although their role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is mostly unknown.We have examined the expression of the lncRNA HOX antisense intergenic RNA myeloid 1 (HOTAIRM1) in 241 AML patients. We have correlated HOTAIRM1 expression with a miRNA expression profile. We have also analyzed the prognostic value of HOTAIRM1 expression in 215 intermediate-risk AML (IR-AML) patients.The lowest expression level was observed in acute promyelocytic leukemia (P < 0.001) and the highest in t(6;9) AML (P = 0.005). In 215 IR-AML patients, high HOTAIRM1 expression was independently associated with shorter overall survival (OR:2.04;P = 0.001), shorter leukemia-free survival (OR:2.56; P < 0.001) and a higher cumulative incidence of relapse (OR:1.67; P = 0.046). Moreover, HOTAIRM1 maintained its independent prognostic value within the favorable molecular subgroup (OR: 3.43; P = 0.009). Interestingly, HOTAIRM1 was overexpressed in NPM1-mutated AML (P < 0.001) and within this group retained its prognostic value (OR: 2.21; P = 0.01). Moreover, HOTAIRM1 expression was associated with a specific 33- microRNA signature that included miR-196b (P < 0.001). miR-196b is located in the HOX genomic region and has previously been reported to have an independent prognostic value in AML. miR-196b and HOTAIRM1 in combination as a prognostic factor can classify patients as high-, intermediate-, or low-risk (5-year OS: 24% vs 42% vs 70%; P = 0.004).Determination of HOTAIRM1 level at diagnosis provided relevant prognostic information in IR-AML and allowed refinement of risk stratification based on common molecular markers. The prognostic information provided by HOTAIRM1 was strengthened when combined with miR-196b expression. Furthermore, HOTAIRM1 correlated with a 33-miRNA signature.

No abstract

We report the long-term evaluation over 12 years of a simplified technique for stemcell cryopreservation at -80ºC without rate-controlled freezing and with 5% (n=251) or 10% (n=47) DMSO as the sole cryoprotectant. Platelet recovery was greater in the 5% DMSO group while long-term hematologic recovery did not differ. Factors influencing a faster hematologic recovery were infusion of more than 2.7×10 6 /kg of CD34 + cells, 10% DMSO cryopreservation and G-CSF. We confirm that the procedure is feasible with a reduction in infusion-related toxicity from 60% using 5% DMSO. Differences in hematologic reconstitution were not clinically significant if a minimum of 1. 1 The toxic effects related to DMSO infusion are generally dose-related and while they are usually mild, they can become severe.2-4 HES is a relatively non-toxic drug but it is related with long-lasting pruritus 5 and osmotic nephrotoxicity. Cryopreservation protocols usually involve ratecontrolled freezing followed by the storage of the HSC in either the liquid or vapor phase of liquid nitrogen. These procedures are time consuming and require expensive computerassisted devices.