Abstract :
[en] Helper T-lymphocyte precursor (HTLp) frequency
from 19 allogeneic bone marrow donors was tested to detect
weak antigenic differences with the recipient, and then
compared to the outcome. HTLp frequency was estimated in
limiting dilution cultures, and HLA-DR and CD 80 expression
by stimulating cells was measured by flow cytometry.
12/19 patients experienced acute graft-versus-host disease
(aGVHD) grade II–IV. A good correlation was found between
high pretransplant HTLp frequency and grade II–IV aGVHD
(median: 1/55848 PBMNC for II–IV GVHD versus 1/
184346 for 0–I GVHD; P¼0·008). Sensitivity was 82%,
specificity 63%, negative predictive value 71% and positive
predictive value 75%. Long-term survivors also had a lower
HTLp median frequency (1/143354) when compared
with patients who died as a result of the transplant
procedure (1/22100, P < 0·001). No correlation was found
between HTLp frequency and HLA-DR or CD80 expression
by patient’s cells. We conclude that HTLp frequency
estimation can predict, although poorly, acute GVHD risk
and long-term survival.
Scopus citations®
without self-citations
11