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Features of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) expansion following allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a long-term analysis

Leukemia volume 16, pages 2129–2133 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Large granular lymphocyte (LGL) proliferation typically follows a chronic course during which major features are cytopenia and immune abnormalities. Elevated numbers of LGL were reported in a few cases following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). In this report, we present a retrospective analysis of LGL cases that occurred following allo-SCT in a cohort of 201 consecutive patients transplanted over a period of 7 years. Six cases were identified and LGL expansion occurred more frequently following a reduced fludarabine and anti-T lymphocyte globulin-based preparative regimen (4 cases/49), than after a conventional myeloablative regimen (2 cases/152). Expansion of LGL was seen between 3 and 15 months following allo-SCT. Hematopoiesis, with mild to severe cytopenia, was a favored target for LGL. Autoimmune manifestations including polyarthritis and hypergammaglobulinemia were also observed. LGL proliferation was observed in the context of chronic antigenic stimulation associated with recurrent viral infections especially CMV. Moreover, five out of these six high risk patients achieved a long-term complete remission concomitant or following LGL expansion. These data suggest that LGL might be a subset of effector lymphocytes which may participate to the graft-versus-tumor effect.

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Acknowledgements

M Mohty was supported by a grant from the ‘Société Française de Greffe de Moelle et de Thérapie Cellulaire (SFGM-TC)’, and from the ‘Fondation de France’ (Paris, France). We thank B Calmels (CTCG, Institut Paoli-Calmettes) for helpful discussions. This work was made possible through access to the tumor cell collection of the Biothèque-Tumorothèque at the Institut Paoli-Calmettes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unité de Transplantation et de Thérapie Cellulaire (UTTC), Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France

    M Mohty, C Faucher & D Blaise

  2. Laboratoire d'Immunologie des Tumeurs, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France

    M Mohty, B Gaugler & D Olive

  3. Département d'Hématologie, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France

    N Vey, D Sainty, C Arnoulet, JA Gastaut, D Maraninchi & D Blaise

  4. Centre de Thérapie Cellulaire et Génique (CTCG), Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France

    C Chabannon

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Mohty, M., Faucher, C., Vey, N. et al. Features of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) expansion following allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a long-term analysis. Leukemia 16, 2129–2133 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2402645

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