High pre-harvest donor Foxp3 mRNA level predicts late relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

OBJECTIVES: The curative effect of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for acute leukaemia is due in part to the donor T cell–mediated graft‐versus‐leukaemia immune reaction (GvL). Several studies have suggested that donor CD25+CD4+Foxp3+regulator T cells (Tregs) may decrease graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) without abrogating GVL. This notion may need modification in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). METHODS: Foxp3 mRNA level was measured by qPCR in preharvest donor blood CD4+ T cells. The study comprised 45 patients with ALL in 1st or 2nd CR who received myeloablative HSCT using T‐replete bone marrow grafts. RESULTS: Relapse occurred in 17 patients median 363 days after HSCT. The relapse risk was estimated by Cox univariate and multivariate proportional hazard regression. The proportionality assumption was met by analysing the preharvest donor Foxp3 mRNA level as a time‐dependent covariate. Early relapse was not modified by the Foxp3 mRNA level. However, a higher Foxp3 mRNA level was associated with a significantly increased relapse risk after day 363 after transplantation, compatible with inhibition of GvL. In contrast, a higher preharvest donor CD4+ T‐cell concentration was associated with reduced relapse risk. CONCLUSION: A higher preharvest donor Foxp3 mRNA level may be predictive of late ALL relapse after HSCT

Near-field imaging of surface plasmon-polariton guiding in band gap structures at telecom wavelengths

Using a collection near-field microscope, we image interaction of surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs) excited locally at telecom wavelengths with periodic triangular arrays of gold bumps placed on gold film surfaces. We observe the inhibition of SPP propagation into the arrays within a certain wavelength range depending on their period and orientation, i.e., the band gap (BG) effect, as well as the SPP propagation along bent channels cut through these arrays. Prospects and challenges in realization of compact and efficient SPPBG waveguiding structures are discussed

Near-field imaging of surface plasmon-polariton guiding in band gap structures at telecom wavelengths

Using a collection near-field microscope, we image interaction of surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs) excited locally at telecom wavelengths with periodic triangular arrays of gold bumps placed on gold film surfaces. We observe the inhibition of SPP propagation into the arrays within a certain wavelength range depending on their period and orientation, i.e., the band gap (BG) effect, as well as the SPP propagation along bent channels cut through these arrays. Prospects and challenges in realization of compact and efficient SPPBG waveguiding structures are discussed

Low burden of minimal residual disease prior to transplantation in children with very high risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: The NOPHO ALL2008 experience.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink belowThe population-based Nordic/Baltic acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) Nordic Society for Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (NOPHO) ALL2008 protocol combined minimal residual disease (MRD)-driven treatment stratification with very intense first line chemotherapy for patients with high risk ALL. Patients with MRD >= 5% at end of induction or >= 10(-3) at end of consolidation or following two high risk blocks were eligible for haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in first remission. After at least three high risk blocks a total of 71 children received HCT, of which 46 had MRD >= 5% at end of induction. Ten patients stratified to HCT were not transplanted; 12 received HCT without protocol indication. Among 69 patients with evaluable pre-HCT MRD results, 22 were MRD-positive, one with MRD >= 10(-3). After a median follow-up of 5 center dot 5 years, the cumulative incidence of relapse was 23 center dot 5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10 center dot 5-47 center dot 7) for MRD-positive versus 5 center dot 1% (95% CI: 1 center dot 3-19 center dot 2), P = 0 center dot 02) for MRD-negative patients. MRD was the only variable significantly associated with relapse (hazard ratio 9 center dot 1, 95% CI: 1 center dot 6-51 center dot 0, P = 0 center dot 012). Non-relapse mortality did not differ between the two groups, resulting in disease-free survival of 85 center dot 6% (95% CI: 75 center dot 4-97 center dot 2) and 67 center dot 4% (95% CI: 50 center dot 2-90 center dot 5), respectively. In conclusion, NOPHO block treatment efficiently reduced residual leukaemia which, combined with modern transplant procedures, provided high survival rates, also among pre-HCT MRD-positive patients.Danish Child Cancer Foundatio