Imaging of subclinical haemopoiesis after stem-cell transplantation in patients with haematological malignancies: a prospective pilot study

This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01338987. Findings Between April 1, 2014, and Dec 31, 2015, 23 patients were enrolled and assessable for toxic effects after completing accrual. 18F-FLT was not associated with any adverse events or delayed engraftment. 18F-FLT imaging objectively identified subclinical bone-marrow recovery within 5 days of HSC infusion, which was up to 20 days before engraftment became clinically evident. Quantitatively, 18F-FLT intensity differed significantly between myeloablative infusion before HSCT and subclinical HSC recovery (p=0ยท00031). 18F-FLT biodistribution over time revealed a previously unknown path of cellular recovery of haemopoiesis in vivo that mirrored fetal ontogeny. Interpretation 18F-FLT allowed quantification and tracking of subclinical bone-marrow repopulation in human beings and revealed new insights into the biology of HSC recovery after HSCT. Funding National Institutes of Health, Ben's Run/Ben's Gift, Albert and Elizabeth Tucker Foundation, Mex Frates Leukemia Fund, Jones Family fund, and Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research.
Source: The Lancet Haematology - Category: Hematology Source Type: research