A new semi-empirical method for calculating free energies of binding from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is presented. It is based on standard thermodynamic cycles and on a linear approximation ...of polar and non-polar free energy contributions from the corresponding MD averages. The method is tested on a set of endothiapepsin inhibitors and found to give accurate results both for absolute as well as relative free energies.
Global gene expression profiling of highly purified 5q-deleted CD34+CD38−Thy1+ cells in 5q− myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) supported that they might originate from and outcompete normal ...CD34+CD38−Thy1+ hematopoietic stem cells. Few but distinct differences in gene expression distinguished MDS and normal stem cells. Expression of BMI1, encoding a critical regulator of self-renewal, was up-regulated in 5q− stem cells. Whereas multiple previous MDS genetic screens failed to identify altered expression of the gene encoding the myeloid transcription factor CEBPA, stage-specific and extensive down-regulation of CEBPA was specifically observed in MDS progenitors. These studies establish the importance of molecular characterization of distinct stages of cancer stem and progenitor cells to enhance the resolution of stage-specific dysregulated gene expression.
Low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), including refractory anemia and sideroblastic anemia, are characterized by increased apoptotic death of erythroid progenitors. The signaling pathways that ...elicit this pathologic cell death in MDS have, however, remained unclear. Treatment with erythropoietin in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) may synergistically improve the anemia in patients with MDS, with a concomitant decrease in the number of apoptotic bone marrow precursors. Moreover, we have previously reported that G-CSF inhibits Fas-induced caspase activation in sideroblastic anemia (RARS). The present data demonstrate that almost 50% of erythroid progenitor cells derived from patients with MDS exhibit spontaneous release of cytochrome c from mitochondria with ensuing activation of caspase-9, whereas normal erythroid progenitors display neither of these features. G-CSF significantly inhibited cytochrome c release and suppressed apoptosis, most noticeably in cells from patients with sideroblastic anemia. Furthermore, inhibition of caspase-9 suppressed both spontaneous and Fas-mediated apoptosis of erythroid progenitors in all low-risk MDS cases studied. We propose that the increased sensitivity of MDS progenitor cells to death receptor stimulation is due to a constitutive activation of the mitochondrial axis of the apoptotic signaling pathway in these cells. These studies yield a mechanistic explanation for the beneficial clinical effects of growth factor administration in patients with MDS, and provide a model for the study of growth factor–mediated suppression of apoptosis in other bone marrow disorders.
To determine the risk of a wide range of second malignancies in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), we conducted a large population-based study and compared the results to matched ...controls. From national Swedish registers, 9379 patients with MPNs diagnosed between 1973 and 2009, and 35,682 matched controls were identified as well as information on second malignancies, with follow-up until 2010. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox regression and a flexible parametric model. There was a significantly increased risk of any non-hematologic cancer with HR of 1.6 (95% CI: 1.5-1.7). The HRs for non-melanoma skin cancer was 2.8 (2.4-3.3), kidney cancer 2.8 (2.0-4.0), brain cancer 2.8 (1.9-4.2), endocrine cancers 2.5 (1.6-3.8), malignant melanoma 1.9 (1.4-2.7), pancreas cancer 1.8 (1.2-2.6), lung cancer 1.7 (1.4-2.2), and head and neck cancer 1.7 (1.2-2.6). The HR of second malignancies was similar across all MPN subtypes, sex, and calendar periods of MPN diagnosis. The risk of developing a hematologic malignancy was also significantly increased; the HR for acute myeloid leukemia was 46.0 (32.6-64.9) and for lymphoma 2.6 (2.0-3.3). In conclusion, our study provides robust population-based support of an increased cancer risk in MPN patients.
Purpose: Erythroid apoptosis in low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) maybe mediated via mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and subsequent caspase activation. In the present study, we compared ...the in vitro and in vivo effects of proerythroid treatment with erythropoietin + granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on myelodysplastic
erythropoiesis regarding apoptosis and preferential growth of clones with cytogenetic abnormalities.
Experimental Design: We enrolled 15 refractory anemia (RA) and 11 refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), including 5q– aberration,
monosomy 7, and trisomy 8, before initiation of treatment and followed nine patients after successful treatment. The effects
of G-CSF and erythropoietin were assessed. The expression of G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) was explored during erythroid maturation.
The relative growth of erythroid progenitors with cytogenetic aberrations in presence of erythropoietin was investigated.
Results: Significant redistribution of cytochrome c was seen before treatment at all stages of erythroid differentiation. This release was blocked by G-CSF during the whole
culture period and by erythropoietin during the latter phase. Both freshly isolated glycophorin A + bone marrow cells and intermediate erythroblasts during cultivation retained their expression of G-CSFR. Cytochrome c release and caspase activation were significantly less pronounced in progenitors obtained from successfully treated nonanemic
patients and showed no further response to G-CSF in vitro . Moreover, erythropoietin significantly promoted growth of cytogenetically normal cells from 5q– patients, whereas no such
effect was observed on erythroblasts from monosomy 7 or trisomy 8 patients.
Conclusion: We conclude that growth factors such as erythropoietin and G-CSF can act both via inhibition of apoptosis of myelodysplastic
erythroid precursors and via selection of cytogenetically normal progenitors.
Infections are a common complication in patients with many hematologic malignancies, however, whether patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) also are at an increased risk of infections is ...largely unknown. To assess the risk of serious infections, we performed a large population-based matched cohort study in Sweden including 8 363 MPN patients and 32,405 controls using high-quality registers between the years 1992-2013 with follow-up until 2015. The hazard ratio (HR) of any infection was 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.9-2.0), of bacterial infections 1.9 (1.8-2.0), and of viral infections 2.1 (1.9-2.3). One of the largest risk increases was that of sepsis, HR 2.6 (2.4-2.9). The HR of any infection was highest in primary myelofibrosis 3.7 (3.2-4.1), and significantly elevated in all MPN subtypes; 1.7 (1.6-1.8) in polycythemia vera and 1.7 (1.5-1.8) in essential thrombocythemia. There was no significant difference in risk of infections between untreated patients and patients treated with hydroxyurea or interferon-α during the years 2006-2013. These novel findings of an overall increased risk of infections in MPN patients, irrespective of common cytoreductive treatments, suggest the increased risk of infection is inherent to the MPN.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are associated with inferior pregnancy outcome, however, little is known about fertility and childbearing potential in women with MPN. In this study we aimed to ...describe reproductive patterns, as well as to quantify risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Women aged 15-44 years with an MPN diagnosis 1973-2018, were identified in Swedish health care registers, and age-matched 1:4 to population controls. We identified 1141 women with MPN and 4564 controls. Women with MPN had a lower rate of childbirth (hazard ratio HR with 95% confidence interval was 0.78 (0.68-0.90)). Subgroup analysis showed that the rate was not significantly reduced in essential thrombocythemia, HR 1.02 (0.86-1.22) while the HR was 0.50 (0.33-0.76) in PV and 0.45 (0.28-0.74) in PMF. The risk of miscarriage was not significantly increased before MPN diagnosis, the HR during follow-up after diagnosis was 1.25 (0.89-1.76). Women with MPN were more likely to have had a previous stillbirth. Women with MPN had fewer children at diagnosis, and fewer children in total. In conclusion, the childbirth rate was lower among women with MPN than controls, but not among women with essential thrombocythemia.
Background
The reported incidence of Philadelphia‐negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) differs substantially between previous reports, likely due to true regional differences in incidence ...and/or variations in the quality and coverage of the cancer registers.
Objective
We therefore assessed MPN incidence in Sweden during recent years using prospectively collected information captured in Swedish health registers.
Methods
Patients with MPNs were identified through the Swedish Cancer Register and Swedish Blood Cancer Register between 2000 and 2014. Information on the Swedish population was obtained from the Human Mortality Database. Crude and age‐standardized incidence rates of MPNs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.
Results
A total of 6281 MPN cases were reported to the Swedish Cancer Register and Swedish Blood Cancer Register during 2000–2014. The age‐standardized, to the Swedish population in 2000, incidence for all MPNs was 4.45 (95% confidence interval CI 4.34–4.56)/100 000 person‐years. The age‐standardized incidence for polycythemia vera was 1.48 (1.42–1.54), for essential thrombocythemia 1.60 (1.53–1.66) and for primary myelofibrosis 0.52 (0.48–0.56)/100 000 person‐years, respectively. The incidence rate of MPNs was substantially higher in the older compared to the younger age groups. The incidence increased during the study period, likely to do better reporting and increasing age of the general population.
Conclusion
The reported MPN incidences in our study, which were in the higher interval of previously published studies, are likely more accurate compared to previous reports due to the population‐based setting and high level of coverage in the Swedish Cancer and Blood Cancer Registers.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms – a global view Tefferi, Ayalew; Ianotto, Jean‐Christophe; Mathews, Vikram ...
British journal of haematology,
September 2022, Letnik:
198, Številka:
6
Journal Article