Article
Cell Biology
Gianluca Bagnato, Antonio Giovanni Versace, Daniela La Rosa, Alberta De Gaetano, Egidio Imbalzano, Marianna Chiappalone, Carmelo Ioppolo, William Neal Roberts, Alessandra Bitto, Natasha Irrera, Alessandro Allegra, Giovanni Pioggia, Sebastiano Gangemi
Summary: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has shown improved outcomes in the treatment of severe systemic sclerosis, but there are still challenges such as accurate patient selection and pre-transplant analysis.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Paul Gressenberger, Philipp Jud, Gabor Kovacs, Sonja Kreuzer, Hans-Peter Brezinsek, Katharina Guetl, Viktoria Muster, Ewald Kolesnik, Albrecht Schmidt, Balazs Odler, Gabriel Adelsmayr, Peter Neumeister, Luka Brcic, Sabine Zenz, Kurt Weber, Thomas Gary, Marianne Brodmann, Winfried B. Graninger, Florentine C. Moazedi-Fuerst
Summary: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a difficult-to-treat autoimmune disease characterized by vascular damage and organ fibrosis. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) may be considered for high-risk SSc patients, but the need for additional immunosuppressive therapies such as rituximab (RTX) post-AHSCT remains unclear. This report highlights the potential efficacy of RTX in SSc patients who do not respond well to AHSCT, with improved clinical symptoms and organ functions observed after RTX treatment.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Michael Gernert, Hans-Peter Tony, Matthias Froehlich, Eva Christina Schwaneck, Marc Schmalzing
Summary: This study investigated the use of immunosuppressive medication (IS) after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. The results showed that approximately 60% of SSc patients required IS after aHSCT for disease control. Rituximab was found to be an effective treatment option. Long-term data suggested that aHSCT is safe.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Joao R. Lima-Junior, Lucas C. M. Arruda, Maynara S. Goncalves, Juliana B. E. Dias, Daniela A. Moraes, Dimas T. Covas, Belinda P. Simoes, Maria Carolina Oliveira, Kelen C. R. Malmegrim
Summary: The study evaluated the reconstitution of different B cell subsets in SSc patients treated with AHSCT, finding that naive B cell frequencies increased while memory B cell frequencies decreased post-treatment. Some suppressive B cell functions were also observed to recover after AHSCT.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wahid Boukouaci, Pauline Lansiaux, Nathalie C. Lambert, Christophe Picard, Emmanuel Clave, Audrey Cras, Zora Marjanovic, Dominique Farge, Ryad Tamouza
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the clinical response of patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) and the molecules HLA-E and HLA-G. The study found a correlation between high expression of HLA-E and HLA-G molecules and better clinical response, as well as a correlation between high imputed expression levels of HLA-C alleles and lower disease severity. Further research is needed in larger patient cohorts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Bo Broens, Conny J. van der Laken, Gerben J. C. Zwezerijnen, Esther J. Nossent, Lilian J. Meijboom, Julia Spierings, Jeska K. de Vries-Bouwstra, Jacob M. van Laar, Alexandre E. Voskuyl
Summary: Positron emission tomography (PET) is a promising technique for evaluating systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), particularly in severe diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) patients eligible for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT). This article discusses the potential benefits of using PET in early severe dcSSc and ILD patients in the context of aHSCT, as well as the potential value of other PET tracers in ILD assessment and understanding the mechanisms of aHSCT in the lung.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Josefine Ruder, Gianna Dinner, Aleksandra Maceski, Ernesto Berenjeno-Correa, Antonia Maria Mueller, Ilijas Jelcic, Jens Kuhle, Roland Martin
Summary: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) is an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), which normalizes pathological processes and enhances beneficial processes. Biomarker analysis of MS patients undergoing aHSCT showed that serum levels of CXCL10, NfL, and GFAP significantly increased one month after transplantation, but returned to normal after one to two years. Levels of GFAP in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) increased 24 months after aHSCT, indicating sustained astroglia activation. Other CSF markers remained relatively stable.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Peter Alping, Joachim Burman, Jan Lycke, Thomas Frisell, Fredrik Piehl
Summary: This study compares the safety outcomes of different induction therapies for multiple sclerosis patients. It found a higher incidence of thyroid disease in patients treated with alemtuzumab and AHSCT, with a higher incidence of infection in AHSCT-treated patients compared to both alemtuzumab and noninduction therapies. The incidence of nonthyroid autoimmune disease was low for both therapies.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Francesco Patti, Clara Grazia Chisari, Simona Toscano, Sebastiano Arena, Chiara Finocchiaro, Vincenzo Cimino, Giuseppe Milone
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that can lead to lifelong disability. Despite various treatment options, some patients still face severe symptoms and long-term disability risk. Recent studies have shown that autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is a highly effective and relatively safe treatment option for highly active MS.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Sencer Goklemez, Sarfaraz Hasni, Frances T. Hakim, Paolo A. Muraro, Filip Pirsl, Jeremy Rose, Sarfraz Memon, Daniel F. Fowler, Seth M. Steinberg, Eva H. Baker, Sandya R. Panch, Ronald Gress, Gabor G. Illei, Peter E. Lipsky, Steven Z. Pavletic
Summary: This study reports the outcomes of autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation (AHSCT) in SLE patients. Of the 8 enrolled patients, 5 achieved complete response and 1 achieved partial response. Results showed sustained clinical and serologic remissions. Furthermore, AHSCT led to profound lymphodepletion, expansion of Treg cells, and repopulation of naive T and B cells.
Article
Oncology
Nina Orfali, Yuliya Jhanwar, Calvin Koo, Michelle Pasciolla, Maria Baldo, Edwidge Cuvilly, Richard Furman, Usama Gergis, June Greenberg, Danielle Guarneri, Jing-Mei Hsu, John P. Leonard, Tomer Mark, Sebastian Mayer, Kathleen Maignan, Peter Martin, Adomah Opong, Roger Pearse, Adrienne Phillips, Adriana Rossi, Jia Ruan, Sarah C. Rutherford, Jessy Ryan, Grace Suhu, Koen Van Besien, Tsiporah Shore
Summary: The study evaluated the safety and efficacy of using bendamustine as a bridge to stem cell transplantation in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma, with findings indicating potential benefits for some patients while also raising the risk of therapy-related myeloid neoplasia. Bendamustine did not cause toxicities precluding transplantation, but there were cases of therapy-related myeloid neoplasia observed in some patients, suggesting a need for careful consideration of risks and benefits in clinical decision-making.
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
D. B. Kohn, C. Booth, K. L. Shaw, J. Xu-Bayford, E. Garabedian, V. Trevisan, D. A. Carbonaro-Sarracino, K. Soni, D. Terrazas, K. Snell, A. Ikeda, D. Leon-Rico, T. B. Moore, K. F. Buckland, A. J. Shah, K. C. Gilmour, S. De Oliveira, C. Rivat, G. M. Crooks, N. Izotova, J. Tse, S. Adams, S. Shupien, H. Ricketts, A. Davila, C. Uzowuru, A. Icreverzi, P. Barman, B. Campo Fernandez, R. P. Hollis, M. Coronel, A. Yu, K. M. Chun, C. E. Casas, R. Zhang, S. Arduini, F. Lynn, M. Kudari, A. Spezzi, M. Zahn, R. Heimke, I. Labik, R. Parrott, R. H. Buckley, L. Reeves, K. Cornetta, R. Sokolic, M. Hershfield, M. Schmidt, F. Candotti, H. L. Malech, A. J. Thrasher, H. B. Gaspar
Summary: Gene therapy for ADA deficiency in 50 patients in the United States and the United Kingdom resulted in high overall survival and event-free survival rates, sustained metabolic correction, and functional immune reconstitution. No adverse events such as replication-competent virus, abnormal proliferations, autoimmunity, or graft-versus-host disease were observed.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alice Mariottini, Giovanni Bulgarini, Benedetta Forci, Chiara Innocenti, Fabrizia Mealli, Alessandra Mattei, Chiara Ceccarelli, Anna Maria Repice, Alessandro Barilaro, Claudia Mechi, Riccardo Saccardi, Luca Massacesi
Summary: The study demonstrates that for patients with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SP-MS), AHSCT is more effective than cyclophosphamide (Cy) in reducing relapse activity, but there is no significant difference between the two in terms of disability progression. AHSCT is beneficial for reducing relapses, but disability progression in SP-MS is more likely driven by noninflammatory neurodegeneration.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Gregory Pugnet, Antoine Petermann, Samia Collot, Philippe Otal, Pauline Lansiaux, Nassim Ait Abdallah, Gwenaelle Lorillon, Mathieu Resche-Rigon, Cecile Borel, Zora Marjanovic, Dominique Farge
Summary: This study evaluated the extent of lung disease and esophageal involvement in early diffuse SSc patients after aHSCT using HRCT. The results showed significant improvement in HRCT SSc-ILD extent 24 months after aHSCT, while esophageal dilatation worsened and required specific attention.
Article
Oncology
Sung Han Kang, Wanlim Kim, Jong Seok Lee, Jin Kyung Suh, Hyery Kim, Dong Kwan Kim, Se Hoon Choi, Hee Won Cho, Hee Young Ju, Keon Hee Yoo, Ki Woong Sung, Hong Hoe Koo, Sung Wook Seo, Ho Joon Im, Ji Won Lee, Kyung-Nam Koh
Summary: This study evaluated the role of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (HDCT/ASCT) in treating relapsed osteosarcoma. The results showed that achieving complete remission was the most important factor for good survival outcomes, while HDCT/ASCT did not significantly improve survival rates.
PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Eduardo Luis Callejas-Moraga, Alfredo Guillen-Del-Castillo, Janire Perurena-Prieto, Maria Teresa Sanz-Martinez, Vicente Fonollosa-Pla, Karen Lorite-Gomez, Adriana Severino, Chiara Bellocchi, Lorenzo Beretta, Michael Mahler, Carmen P. Simeon-Aznar
Summary: This study found that the presence of anti-U11/U12 RNP (RNPC-3) antibodies is associated with an increased prevalence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and is independently associated with more severe lung disease and shorter survival.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Alessandra Bandera, Alessandro Nobili, Mauro Tettamanti, Sergio Harari, Silvano Bosari, Pier Mannuccio Mannucci
INTERNAL AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2022)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Raffaella Rossio, Mauro Tettamanti, Alessandro Nobili, Sergio Harari, Pier Mannuccio Mannucci, Alessandra Bandera, Flora Peyvandi
INTERNAL AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Pallawi Torka, Othman S. Akhtar, Nishitha M. Reddy, Bora E. Baysal, Angela Kader, Adrienne Groman, Jenna Nichols, Cory Mavis, Joseph D. Tario, AnneMarie W. Block, Sheila N. J. Sait, Paola Ghione, Suchitra Sundaram, Eugene R. Przespolewski, Alice Mohr, Ian Lund, Jessica Kostrewa, Kenneth McWhite, Joseph DeMarco, Michael Johnson, Andrea Darrall, Rosh-Neke Thomas-Talley, Paul K. Wallace, Vishala Neppalli, Alan Hutson, Francisco J. Hernandez-Ilizaliturri
Summary: This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of combining ofatumumab with HyperCVAD/MA in newly diagnosed MCL. The results show that this combination therapy leads to high rates of MRD negativity and improved overall survival in patients with MCL. Achieving a CR post-induction by both imaging and flow cytometry is associated with better outcomes.
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Kah Teong Soh, Neil Came, Gregory E. Otteson, Dragan Jevermovic, Min Shi, Horatiu Olteanu, Alessandro Natoni, Anand Lagoo, Edward Theakston, Jon Porir Oskarsson, Malgorzata Gorniak, George Grigoriadis, Maria Arroz, Matthew Fletcher, Pei Lin, Peter Ludwig, Prashant Tembhare, Reda Matuzeviciene, Mantas Radzevicius, Sigi Kay, Weina Chen, Carina Cabrita, Paul K. Wallace
Summary: The study designed and evaluated a consensus protocol to reduce inter-laboratory variation in multiple myeloma measurable residual disease (MRD) analysis. Results showed improved consistency in MRD- status and near-unanimous agreement on sample adequacy by adopting the consensus method.
CYTOMETRY PART B-CLINICAL CYTOMETRY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Ankoor Shah, Jan Storek, Rob Woolson, Ashley Pinckney, Lynnette Keyes-Elstein, Paul K. Wallace, Gregory D. Sempowski, Peter McSweeney, Maureen D. Mayes, Leslie Crofford, M. E. Csuka, Kristine Phillips, Dinesh Khanna, Robert Simms, Karen Ballen, Sharon LeClercq, William St Clair, Andrew B. Nixon, Richard Nash, Mark Wener, Richard Brasington, Richard Silver, Linda M. Griffith, Daniel E. Furst, Ellen Goldmuntz, Keith M. Sullivan
Summary: This study found significant abnormalities in lymphocyte subsets in patients with early, severe SSc, and prior immunosuppressive therapy did not affect the immunophenotype, suggesting that lymphocyte disturbances in scleroderma may be due to the disease itself.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Bellocchi, Angelica Carandina, Beatrice Montinaro, Elena Targetti, Ludovico Furlan, Gabriel Dias Rodrigues, Eleonora Tobaldini, Nicola Montano
Summary: The autonomic nervous system and the immune system are closely related, regulating immune response and inflammation. Imbalance can lead to chronic conditions, such as systemic autoimmune diseases. Vagal stimulation techniques offer a potential solution to improve symptoms and reduce ANS dysfunction in chronic diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Angelica Carandina, Giulia Lazzeri, Gabriel Dias Rodrigues, Giulia Franco, Edoardo Monfrini, Federica Arienti, Emanuele Frattini, Ilaria Trezzi, Pedro Paulo da Silva Soares, Chiara Bellocchi, Ludovico Furlan, Nicola Montano, Alessio Di Fonzo, Eleonora Tobaldini
Summary: Evidence from clinical practice suggests that PD patients with GBA mutations have more severe dysautonomic symptoms. These patients show increased sympathetic activity at rest and reduced heart rate response during active standing compared to iPD patients. Furthermore, cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in PD patients is associated with longer disease duration, REM sleep behavior disorder, and constipation.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Maria Gerosa, Tommaso Schioppo, Lorenza Maria Argolini, Savino Sciascia, Giuseppe Alvise Ramirez, Gabriella Moroni, Renato Alberto Sinico, Grazia Bonelli, Federico Alberici, Federica Mescia, Luca Moroni, Francesco Tamborini, Paolo Miraglia, Chiara Bellocchi, Lorenzo Beretta, Dario Roccatello, Lorenzo Dagna, Enrica Bozzolo, Roberto Caporali
Summary: This study investigates the safety of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The results show that some patients experienced side effects after vaccination, with constitutional symptoms and immunosuppressive regimen users being more affected. A small number of patients experienced disease flare, but no hospitalizations or deaths occurred. It is recommended to vaccinate SLE patients with anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, with consideration for personalized treatment adjustments.
Article
Rheumatology
Chiara Bellocchi, Lorenzo Beretta, Xuan Wang, Marka A. Lyons, Maurizio Marchini, Maurizio Lorini, Vincenzo Carbonelli, Nicola Montano, Shervin Assassi
Summary: This study investigated the global gene expression profile of peripheral blood cells (PBCs) in the preclinical stage of systemic sclerosis (PreSSc), and found that there are molecular differences at the transcriptomic level already present in the preclinical stages of SSc. The reduced NK cell signature in PBCs is related to the progression of SSc over time.
Review
Biophysics
Felipe Castro Ferreira, Michelle Cristina Salabert Vaz Padilha, Teresa Mell da Mota Silva Rocha, Ligia Soares Lima, Angelica Carandina, Chiara Bellocchi, Eleonora Tobaldini, Nicola Montano, Pedro Paulo da Silva Soares, Gabriel Dias Rodrigues
Summary: This systematic review examines the effects of passive heating protocols on cardiovascular autonomic control in healthy individuals. The findings suggest that whole-body heating decreases cardiac vagal modulation, while local-heating therapy and sauna bathing increase it. However, the effects on baroreflex sensitivity remain controversial. This study highlights the importance of thermal therapy in cardiovascular autonomic control and calls for further research.
PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT
(2023)
Article
Biology
Gabriel Dias Rodrigues, Angelica Carandina, Costanza Scata, Chiara Bellocchi, Lorenzo Beretta, Pedro Paulo da Silva Soares, Eleonora Tobaldini, Nicola Montano
Summary: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients often experience cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, leading to arrhythmic complications and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the progression of cardiac autonomic impairment over time in different subsets of SSc patients. The results showed that the worsening of cardiac autonomic dysfunction was associated with the diffuse cutaneous (dcSSc) subset, which had a more extent of skin and internal organs fibrosis.
Review
Biology
Costanza Scata, Angelica Carandina, Alice Della Torre, Beatrice Arosio, Chiara Bellocchi, Gabriel Dias Rodrigues, Ludovico Furlan, Eleonora Tobaldini, Nicola Montano
Summary: Social isolation and loneliness have adverse effects on mental and physical health, leading to higher mortality and morbidity. The autonomic nervous system plays a possible role in mediating this relation, as activation of the sympathetic branch leads to cardiovascular response and inflammatory activation. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms is important for developing effective countermeasures for challenges such as long-term space missions, future pandemics, and an aging population.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giuseppe A. Ramirez, Maria Gerosa, Chiara Bellocchi, Daniel Arroyo-Sanchez, Chiara Asperti, Lorenza M. Argolini, Gabriele Gallina, Martina Cornalba, Isabella Scotti, Ilaria Suardi, Luca Moroni, Lorenzo Beretta, Enrica P. Bozzolo, Roberto Caporali, Lorenzo Dagna
Summary: Research on the treatment of COVID-19 in SLE patients suggests that anti-SARS-CoV-2 antiviral agents and monoclonal antibodies may be safely and effectively used in these patients, especially in those with active disease and severe COVID-19 symptoms at presentation.
Article
Rheumatology
Chiara Bellocchi, Angelica Carandina, Alice Della Torre, Massimiliano Turzi, Beatrice Arosio, Maurizio Marchini, Barbara Vigone, Costanza Scata, Lorenzo Beretta, Gabriel Dias Rodrigues, Eleonora Tobaldini, Nicola Montano
Summary: Added tVNS treatment significantly reduced pain and downregulated interleukin-6 in patients with SSc, without significant effects on PROMIS-29 Item4, QoL, and heart rate variability.