• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2010

Tacrolimus, an immunosuppressant prescribed against graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients with allogeneichematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), is affected to change its pharmacokinetic properties by various factors. For this reason, it is needed a close monitoring to adjust dosage amount in order to optimize the blood concentration of tacrolimus is located within the effective range. According to our in-house study, 62% of HSCT-patients were needed dosage-adjustment and it is necessary to optimize the current immunosuppressive regimen in clinical settings. A retrospective study was designed to evaluate the dosing regimen (converting ratio of IV:PO=1:4) of tacrolimus in HSCT patients (n=62). After collecting data from patient's profile and medical record, pharmacokinetic parameters were calculate and compared between the estimated and the actual values in the selected subjects (n=58). It was found that the bioavailabilty (BA) of oral tacrolimus was 40.5% very much different from that is known as 25%. It implies that the current protocol has a potent risk causes dose-related toxicities to the patients. Furthermore, analyses among factors demonstrated that there was no statistical significance between BA of tacrolimus and the variable factors. In the clinical perspectives, the current converting ratio of tacrolimus in patients with HSCT to be re-considered and an appropriate and optimal alternative regimen should be adopted to prevent GVHD and to increase the quality of life of patients.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2018

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is frequent complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the chronic GVHD (cGVHD), the oral cavity is the most commonly affected region. The clinical manifestations include erythema, ulceration, lichenoid-hyperkeratotic change in oral mucosa, dry mouth, and limitation of mouth opening. The initial treatment strategy of oral cGVHD patients is topical corticosteroid therapy in various formulation. However, corticosteroid resistance appears in some patients. We report a case of a 25-year-old male patient with oral cGVHD, who has resistance to topical corticosteroid medication, treated with 0.03% tacrolimus ointment and low-dose doxycycline. The patient showed subjective and objective improvement without side effect.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2021

Mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III) or Sanfilippo disease is an orphan-inherited lysosomal storage disease. It is one of the most common MPS subtypes. The classical presentation is an infantile-onset neurodegenerative disease characterized by intellectual regression, behavioral and sleep disturbances, loss of ambulation, and early death. Unlike other MPS, no disease-modifying therapy has been approved. Here, we review the curative therapy developed for MPS III, from historically ineffective hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and substrate reduction therapy to the promising enzyme replacement therapy or adeno-associated/lentiviral vector-mediated gene therapy. Preclinical studies are presented with recent translational first-in-man trials. We also present experimental research with preclinical mRNA and gene-editing strategies. Lessons from animal studies and clinical trials have highlighted the importance of early therapy before extensive neuronal loss. Disease-modifying therapy for MPS III will likely mandate the development of new early diagnosis strategies.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.11
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• pp.1211-1215
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• 2006

Purpose : In this study, we analyzed the short term changes of thyroid function, incidence and risk factors of thyroid dysfunction soon after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children. Methods : We enrolled 80 pediatric patients following allogeneic HSCT, at the Catholic HSCT center between January, 2004 and February, 2006. Serum TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), total serum thyroxine and total serum triiodothyronine levels were systematically measured in 80 patients before the HSCT, and at 1 month, 6 months and 12 months after HSCT. Results : Thyroid function statistically decreased at 1 month after HSCT(P<0.001). Thyroid dysfunction at 1 month was observed in 43 (54 percent) of 80 patients, 31 (39 percent) of whom presented with euthyroid sick syndrome (ETS). Thyroid dysfunction was normalized within 1 year after HSCT. In univariate analysis, malignant disease and the presence of acute graft-versus-host disease (grade ${\geq}II$) were risk factors for ETS (P=0.04, 0.01 respectively). In multivariate analysis, we could not detect an independent risk factor for ETS (P=0.19, 0.06 respectively). Conclusion : The present study suggests that the incidence of thyroid dysfunction is high after allogeneic HSCT. Therefore, regular monitoring of thyroid hormone levels after HSCT is required.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2012

거대세포바이러스(Cytomegalovirus; CMV) 감염은 동종조혈모세포이식 환자의 주요 사망원인 중 하나이다. 용량감소전처치(Reduced-intensity conditioning; RIC)를 이용한 조혈모세포이식은 골수억제전처치(Myeloablative conditioning; MAC)에 비해 골수억제 및 면역억제가 적으므로 CMV 감염 발생율을 감소시킬 것이라 예상되었으나 예방적 면역억제요법, T세포 제거 약제의 사용 등으로 서로 상이한 결과가 보고되고 있다. 2007년 1월부터 2009년 12월까지 총 141명의 환자(MAC 113명, RIC 28명)가 동종조혈모세포이식을 받았으며, CMV 감염은 MAC 62.8%, RIC 57.1% (p = 0.310), CMV 질환은 각각 12.4%, 14.3% (p = 0.785)에서 발생하였다. CMV 감염/질환 발생빈도와 CMV 항원 혈증검사 지속기간, 초기/최고치, 생존율은 두 군간 유의한 차이가 없었다. CMV 감염 위험인자에 대한 다변량분석 결과, 환자가 고령일수록(HR 1.024, 95% CI 1.002-1.045; p = 0.031) 또는 grade 2 이상의 급성 이식편대숙주병이 발생한 경우에(HR 1.849, 95% CI 1.031-3.315; p=0.039) CMV 감염 발생 위험율이 유의하게 높았다. 결론적으로, 전처치요법 강도에 따른 CMV 감염의 발생빈도와 발현양상의 차이는 없었으나, 고령이거나 grade 2 이상의 급성 이식편대숙주병이 발생한 환자의 경우 CMV 감염 발생과 유의한 연관성을 보였다. 이상과 같은 결과에 비춰 봐서 CMV 질환이 대부분 이식 100일 이후에 발생한 점을 고려할 때, 이식 후 CMV 감염 발생 시 ganciclovir 선제요법과 함께 이들 환자들에게 지속적인 모니터링을 실시하는 것이 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2010

Purpose: 본 연구는 한국인 성인 조혈모세포이식환자를 대상으로 경구용 사이클로스포린의 집단약동학 분석을 통하여 사이클로스포린의 약동학적 파라미터에 영향을 미치는 요인 분석을 실시하고자 하였다. Methods: 2000년 12월부터 2006년 8월까지 서울대학교병원에서 동종조혈모세포이식을 받고 면역억제제로 사이클로스포린을 복용한 성인 백혈병환자를 대상으로 후향적으로 자료를 수집하였다. 사이클로스포린의 약동학에 영향을 미치는 인자로는 연령, 성별, 이식 후 날짜, 신기능, 공여자와의 관계, 질병의 종류, 혈중 빌리루빈 농도, 사이클로스포린의 대사를 유도하는 프레드니솔론의 투여량, 헤마토크리트, 사이클로스포린의 대사를 저해하는 약물의 병용여부 등을 검토하였다. 분석은 NONMEM$^{(R)}$ VI 프로그램을 이용하였으며, 변수를 추가하지 않은 기본 모형을 만든 후에 단계적인 요인의 추가와 제거를 통해 최종모형을 제작하였다. Results: 최종 상관 모형은 다음과 같다; CL/F (L/h) = $85.6{\times}e^{(0.646\;{\times}\;HCT/28.9\;+\;0.0464\;{\times}\;Gender)}$. 사이클로스포린의 겉보기 클리어런스는 환자의 성별이 남자일 때 또는 헤마토크릿이 감소할수록 증가하였다. 그 외 파라미터는 다음과 같이 계산되었다; $K_{\alpha}=0.0787\;(h^{-1})$; Q=57.1(L/kg/h); $V_{d-central\;compartment}$=1,100 (L); $V_{d-peripheral\;compartment}$ = 213,000(L). 개체간 편차는 40% 미만이었으며, 개체내 편차를 포함하는 잔차는 24.02%였다. Conclusions: 사이클로스포린의 약동학적 특징과 그 클리어런스에 영향을 끼칠 수 있는 임상적 요인을 이해하는 것은 환자 개개인의 용량과 용법의 결정 및 이상반응 발생의 예방에 유용할 수 있다. 한국인 조혈모세포이식환자에서 사이클로스포린의 약동학에 영향을 미치는 최종 파라미터를 구한 본 연구의 결과는 조혈모세포이식을 받은 한국인 성인환자에서 사이클로스포린의 모니터링 및 용량조절에 유용할 것으로 전망된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.422-428
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• 2003

Umbilical cord blood (UCB), a rich source of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, has been proposed as an alternative to bone marrow and peripheral blood for transplantation treatment. Ex vivo expansion of cord blood stem cells could make the use of cord blood transplant feasible even for adult patients. However, the optimal cytokine cocktail for expansion of stem cells is yet to be established. This study compares proliferation, apoptosis, and telomerase activities in human cord blood stem cells cultured ex vivo with FLT3 ligand (FL)/thrombopoietin (TPO) or FL/TPO/stem cell factor (SCF), with a view to determine optimal combination of cytokines. CD34+ cells were cultured in DMEM containing either FL (50 ng/ml) and TPO (10 ng/ml) (FT group) or FL (50 ng/ml), TPO (10 ng/ml) and SCF (50 ng/ml) (FTS group). The cell proliferation rate was ten times higher in the FTS group. Although cells cultured with the two different combinations of cytokines were maintained for a long term (up to 8 weeks), a large number of cells underwent differentiation during this period. Cells cultured in FTS displayed lower levels of apoptosis compared to those of the FT group during the Initial 7 days of culture. The CD34+ fraction in both groups was markedly decreased to $21-30\%$ , and only $5-6\%$ was detected at 14 days of culture. Telomerase activity detected in human CD34+ cord blood at low levels was upregulated during the early phase of culture and decreased to baseline levels in the later phase. The telomerase activity of cord blood cultured in FT was lower than that of the FTS group. Our results suggest that, on adding stem cell factors to the FT cytokines, cultured CD34+ cord blood cells display a greater degree of cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis. However, during CD34+ cord blood cell culture, a Barge number of cells undergo differentiation, indicating that more potent novel cytokines or new culture conditioning methods should be developed to maintain their ability to engraft and sustain long-term hematopoiesis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.324-335
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• 2011

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA), the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in humans has been known to reside on chromosome 6 and encodes cell-surface antigen-presenting proteins and many other proteins related to immune system function. The HLA is highly polymorphic and the most genetically variable coding loci in humans. In addition to a critical role in transplantation medicine, HLA and disease associations have been widely studied across the populations worldwide and are found to be important in prediction of disease susceptibility, resistance and of evolutionary maintenance of genetic diversity. Because recently developed molecular based HLA typing has several advantages like improved specimen stability and increased resolution of HLA types, the association between HLA alleles and a given disease could be more accurately quantified. Here, in this review, we have collected HLA association data on some autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, cancers, drug responsiveness and other diseases with unknown etiology in Koreans and attempt to summarize some remarkable HLA alleles related with specific diseases.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2022

Busulfan is the most commonly used drug for preconditioning during the transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells and male germ cells. Here, we describe side effects of high doses of busulfan in male mongrel dogs. Busulfan was intravenously administered to three groups of dogs at doses of 10, 15, and 17.5 mg/kg body weight. The total white blood cell, neutrophil, eosinophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and platelet counts steadily reduced in a dose-dependent manner following busulfan treatment. The white blood cell, neutrophil, and monocyte counts recovered after 6 weeks of busulfan treatment, however, the eosinophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts remained unaltered. Additionally, there was one fatality in the each of the groups that were administered 15 and 17.5 mg/kg busulfan. The gross lesions included severe hemorrhage in the stomach, intestinal tracts, mesentery and urinary bladder. Microscopic investigation revealed severe pulmonary edema and hemorrhage in the lungs, and severe multifocal to coalescing transmural hemorrhage in the intestines and urinary bladder. These results indicated that treatment with busulfan at doses higher than 15 mg/kg initiates severe bleeding in the internal organs and can have fatal results.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.68-78
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• 2011

Background: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a huddle for success of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this study, effects of irradiation dose on immune kinetics of GVHD were investigated using B6 ${\rightarrow}$ BALB.B system, a mouse model for GVHD after MHC-matched allogeneic transplantation. Methods: BALB.B mice were transplanted with bone marrow and spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice after irradiation with different doses. Leukocytes residing in the peripheral blood and target organs were collected periodically from the GVHD hosts for analysis of chimerism formation and immune kinetics along the GVHD development via flow cytometry. Myeloid cells were tested for production of IL-17 via flow cytometry. Results: Pre-conditioning of BALB.B hosts with 900 cGy and 400 cGy resulted in different chimerism of leukocytes from the blood and affected survival of GVHD hosts. Profiles of leukocytes infiltrating GVHD target organs, rather than profiles of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs), were significantly influenced by irradiation dose. Proportions of IL-17 producing cells in the infiltrating $Gr-1^+$ or $Mac-1^+$ cells were higher in the GVHD hosts with high does irradiation than those with low dose irradiation. Conclusion: Pre-conditioning dose affected tissue infiltration of leukocytes and cytokine production by myeloid cells in the target organs.