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Prophylaxis and management of graft-versus-host disease after stem-cell transplantation for haematological malignancies: updated consensus recommendations of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Penack, O., Marchetti, M., Aljurf, M., Arat, M., Bonifazi, F., Duarte, R. F., Giebel, S., Greinix, H., Hazenberg, M. D., Kröger, N., et al
The Lancet. Haematology. 2024
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major factor contributing to mortality and morbidity after allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). In the last 3 years, there has been regulatory approval of new drugs and considerable change in clinical approaches to prophylaxis and management of GVHD. To standardise treatment approaches, the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) has updated its clinical practice recommendations. We formed a panel of one methodologist and 22 experts in the field of GVHD management. The selection was made on the basis of their role in GVHD management in Europe and their contributions to the field, such as publications, presentations at conferences, and other research. We applied the GRADE process to ten PICO (patient, intervention, comparator, and outcome) questions: evidence was searched for by the panel and graded for each crucial outcome. In two consensus meetings, we discussed the evidence and voted on the wording and strengths of recommendations. Key updates to the recommendations include: (1) primary use of ruxolitinib in steroid-refractory acute GVHD and steroid-refractory chronic GVHD as the new standard of care, (2) use of rabbit anti-T-cell (thymocyte) globulin or post-transplantation cyclophosphamide as standard GVHD prophylaxis in peripheral blood stem-cell transplantations from unrelated donors, and (3) the addition of belumosudil to the available treatment options for steroid-refractory chronic GVHD. The EBMT proposes to use these recommendations as the basis for routine management of GVHD during allogenic HSCT. The current recommendations favour European practice and do not necessarily represent global preferences.
PICO Summary
Population
Panel of 22 experts and one methdologist convened by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
Intervention
Update of the EBMT consensus recommendations
Comparison
Outcome
Key updates to the recommendations include: (1) primary use of ruxolitinib in steroid-refractory acute GVHD and steroid-refractory chronic GVHD as the new standard of care, (2) use of rabbit anti-T-cell (thymocyte) globulin or post-transplantation cyclophosphamide as standard GVHD prophylaxis in peripheral blood stem-cell transplantations from unrelated donors, and (3) the addition of belumosudil to the available treatment options for steroid-refractory chronic GVHD.
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Genetic Findings of Potential Donor Origin following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Recommendations on Donor Disclosure and Genetic Testing from the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA): WMDA Guidelines on Genetic Findings of Donor Origin
Pryce, A., Van, E. E., Cody, M., Oakes, J., DeSalvo, A., Bannon, S., Burlton, C., Pawson, R., Fingrut, W., Barriga, F., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Following hematopoietic cell transplantation, recipients are subjected to extensive genetic testing to monitor the efficacy of the transplant and identify relapsing malignant disease. This testing increasingly includes the use of large gene panels which may lead to incidental identification of genetic and molecular information of potential donor origin. Deciphering whether variants are of donor origin, and if so, whether there are clinical implications for the donor, can prove challenging. In response to queries from donor registries and transplant centers regarding best practice in managing donors when genetic mutations of potential donor origin are identified, the Medical Working Group of the World Marrow Donor Association established an expert group to review available evidence and to develop a framework to aid decision-making. These guidelines aim to provide recommendations on pre-donation consenting, post-donation testing of recipients and informing and managing donors when findings of potential donor origin are identified in recipients post-transplantation. It is recognised that registries will have different access to resources and financing structures. Therefore, where possible, we have made suggestions on how recommendations can be adapted.
PICO Summary
Population
An expert group convened by the Medical Working Group of the World Marrow Donor Association
Intervention
Provide recommendations on pre-donation consenting, post-donation testing of recipients
Comparison
None
Outcome
These guidelines aim to provide recommendations on pre-donation consenting, post-donation testing of recipients and informing and managing donors when findings of potential donor origin are identified in recipients post-transplantation.
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3.
Indications for haematopoietic cell transplantation for haematological diseases, solid tumours and immune disorders: current practice in Europe, 2022
Snowden, J. A., Sánchez-Ortega, I., Corbacioglu, S., Basak, G. W., Chabannon, C., de la Camara, R., Dolstra, H., Duarte, R. F., Glass, B., Greco, R., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2022;:1-23
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
For over two decades, the EBMT has updated recommendations on indications for haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) practice based on clinical and scientific developments in the field. This is the eighth special EBMT report on the indications for HCT for haematological diseases, solid tumours and immune disorders. Our aim is to provide general guidance on HCT indications according to prevailing clinical practice in EBMT countries and centres. In order to inform patient decisions, these recommendations must be considered in conjunction with the risk of the disease, risk of HCT procedure and non-transplant strategies, including evolving cellular therapies. HCT techniques are constantly evolving and we make no specific recommendations, but encourage harmonisation of practice, where possible, to ensure experience across indications can be meaningfully aggregated via registry outputs. We also recommend working according to JACIE accreditation standards to maintain quality in clinical and laboratory components of practice, including benchmarking of survival outcomes. Since the last edition, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected clinical decision making and activity across indications. Although the full impact of the pandemic is yet to be determined, we recommend that decision making across indications is delivered with ongoing reference to EBMT and national COVID-19 guidance, in accordance with current local conditions.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with haematological diseases, solid tumours and immune disorders
Intervention
Updated recommendations on indications for haematopoietic cell transplantation, according to prevailing clinical practice in EBMT countries and centres
Comparison
None
Outcome
Although the full impact of the pandemic is yet to be determined, we recommend that decision making across indications is delivered with ongoing reference to EBMT and national COVID-19 guidance, in accordance with current local conditions.
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The challenge of COVID-19 and hematopoietic cell transplantation; EBMT recommendations for management of hematopoietic cell transplant recipients, their donors, and patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy
Ljungman, P., Mikulska, M., de la Camara, R., Basak, G. W., Chabannon, C., Corbacioglu, S., Duarte, R., Dolstra, H., Lankester, A. C., Mohty, M., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2020;55(11):2071-2076
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread over the world causing the disease by WHO called COVID-19. This pandemic poses unprecedented stress on the health care system including programs performing allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy such as with CAR T cells. Risk factors for severe disease include age and predisposing conditions such as cancer. The true impact on stem cell transplant and CAR T-cell recipients in unknown. The European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) has therefore developed recommendations for transplant programs and physicians caring for these patients. These guidelines were developed by experts from the Infectious Diseases Working Party and have been endorsed by EBMT's scientific council and board. This work intends to provide guidelines for transplant centers, management of transplant candidates and recipients, and donor issues until the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.
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Clinical utilization of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-T) in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)-an expert opinion from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT)
Kansagra, A. J., Frey, N. V., Bar, M., Laetsch, T. W., Carpenter, P. A., Savani, B. N., Heslop, H. E., Bollard, C. M., Komanduri, K. V., Gastineau, D. A., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2019
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
On August 30, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) approved tisagenlecleucel (KYMRIAH, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland), a synthetic bioimmune product of anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor-T cells (CAR-T), for the treatment of children and young adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). With this new era of personalized cancer immunotherapy, multiple challenges are present ranging from implementation of a CAR-T program to safe delivery of the drug, long-term toxicity monitoring and disease assessments. To address these issues, experts representing the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplant (ASBMT), the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), the International Society of Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT), and the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), formed a global CAR-T task force to identify and address key questions pertinent for hematologists and transplant physicians regarding the clinical use of anti CD19 CAR-T therapy in patients with B-ALL. This article presents an initial roadmap for navigating common clinical practice scenarios that will become more prevalent now that the first commercially available CAR-T product for B-ALL has been approved.
PICO Summary
Population
Children and young adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Intervention
Expert opinion on clinical utilization of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-T) in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Comparison
None
Outcome
An initial roadmap for navigating common clinical practice scenarios since the approval of the first commercially available CAR-T product for B-ALL.
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6.
Selection of Unrelated Donors and Cord Blood Units for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Guidelines from NMDP/CIBMTR
Dehn, J., Spellman, S., Hurley, C. K., Shaw, B. E., Barker, J. N., Burns, L. J., Confer, D. L., Eapen, M., Fernandez-Vina, M. A., Hartzman, R., et al
Blood. 2019
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation involves consideration of both donor and recipient characteristics to guide the selection of a suitable graft. Sufficient high resolution donor-recipient human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match is of primary importance in transplantation with adult unrelated donors, using conventional graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. In cord blood transplantation, optimal unit selection requires consideration of unit quality, cell dose and HLA-match. In this summary, the National Marrow Donor Program((R)) (NMDP) and the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research((R)) (CIBMTR), jointly with the NMDP Histocompatibility Advisory Group, provide evidence-based guidelines for optimal selection of unrelated donors and cord blood units.
PICO Summary
Population
Adult and paediatric patients with AML, ALL, CML or MDS (n=8003).
Intervention
Transplantation with 8/8 HLA matched donor (n=54449).
Comparison
7/8 matched donor (n=2071) or 6/8 matched donor (n=483).
Outcome
Any single mismatch at HLA-A, -B, -C, or -DRB1 was associated with significantly worse OS, and there was no evidence that mismatch at any of the individual loci was better tolerated than others. Sufficient high resolution donor-recipient human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match is of primary importance in transplantation with adult unrelated donors, using conventional graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. In cord blood transplantation, optimal unit selection requires consideration of unit quality, cell dose and HLA-match. In this summary, the National Marrow Donor Program((R)) (NMDP) and the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research((R)) (CIBMTR), jointly with the NMDP Histocompatibility Advisory Group, provide evidence-based guidelines for optimal selection of unrelated donors and cord blood units.
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Vaccination of haemopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: guidelines of the 2017 European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL 7)
Cordonnier, C., Einarsdottir, S., Cesaro, S., Di Blasi, R., Mikulska, M., Rieger, C., de Lavallade, H., Gallo, G., Lehrnbecher, T., Engelhard, D., et al
The Lancet. Infectious diseases. 2019
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Infection is a main concern after haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and a major cause of transplant-related mortality. Some of these infections are preventable by vaccination. Most HSCT recipients lose their immunity to various pathogens as soon as the first months after transplant, irrespective of the pre-transplant donor or recipient vaccinations. Vaccination with inactivated vaccines is safe after transplantation and is an effective way to reinstate protection from various pathogens (eg, influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae), especially for pathogens whose risk of infection is increased by the transplant procedure. The response to vaccines in patients with transplants is usually lower than that in healthy individuals of the same age during the first months or years after transplant, but it improves over time to become close to normal 2-3 years after the procedure. However, because immunogenic vaccines have been found to induce a response in a substantial proportion of the patients as early as 3 months after transplant, we recommend to start crucial vaccinations with inactivated vaccines from 3 months after transplant, irrespectively of whether the patient has or has not developed graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) or received immunosuppressants. Patients with GvHD have higher risk of infection and are likely to benefit from vaccination. Another challenge is to provide HSCT recipients the same level of vaccine protection as healthy individuals of the same age in a given country. The use of live attenuated vaccines should be limited to specific situations because of the risk of vaccine-induced disease.
PICO Summary
Population
Haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, with or without GvHD
Intervention
Vaccination with inactivated vaccines
Comparison
None
Outcome
Immunogenic vaccines have been found to induce a response in a substantial proportion of the patients as early as 3 months after transplant. ECIL recommends starting crucial vaccinations with inactivated vaccines from 3 months after transplant, irrespective of whether the patient has or has not developed graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) or received immunosuppressants.
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Diagnosis, grading, and treatment recommendations for children, adolescents, and young adults with sinusoidal obstructive syndrome: an international expert position statement
Mahadeo, K. M., Bajwa, R., Abdel-Azim, H., Lehmann, L. E., Duncan, C., Zantek, N., Vittorio, J., Angelo, J., McArthur, J., Schadler, K., et al
The Lancet. Haematology. 2019
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Sinusoidal obstructive syndrome, also known as hepatic veno-occlusive disease, is a potentially life-threatening complication that occurs in children undergoing haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Differences in the incidence of genetic predisposition and clinical presentation of sinusoidal obstructive syndrome between children and adults have rendered the historical Baltimore and Seattle diagnostic criteria insufficient for children. In 2017, the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) proposed the first paediatric diagnostic and severity grading guidelines for sinusoidal obstructive syndrome, intended for implementation across European centres. However, universally accepted paediatric criteria are needed to ensure prompt diagnosis, definitive treatment, and improved outcomes for children, adolescents, and young adults with sinusoidal obstructive syndrome, and to facilitate international clinical research collaboration. We convened an international panel of multidisciplinary experts including physicians with expertise in HSCT, paediatric intensive care, nephrology, hepatology, radiology, pathology, and transfusion medicine; HSCT advanced-practice providers and medical trainees; pharmacists; and translational and basic science researchers from the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators Network, the EBMT, the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortia, and several other institutions with extensive experience in sinusoidal obstructive syndrome. Panellists convened at The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX, USA) in February, 2019, to evaluate the available evidence. In this expert position statement paper, we provide consensus recommendations for the international implementation of guidelines for the diagnosis, severity grading, and treatment of sinusoidal obstructive syndrome among children, adolescents, and young adults. We endorse universal adoption of paediatric diagnostic guidelines for sinusoidal obstruction syndrome as proposed by the EBMT, and provide implementation guidance for standardisation across centres; we have further proposed adjunctive use of age-appropriate organ-specific toxicity criteria for severity grading and provided prophylaxis and treatment considerations among children and adolescent and young adult patients. Key recommendations include: (1) liver biopsy, portal venous wedge pressure, and reversal of portal venous flow on Doppler ultrasonography should not be used for the routine diagnosis of sinusoidal obstructive syndrome in children, adolescents, and young adults; (2) platelet refractoriness can be defined as a corrected count increment of less than 5000-7500 following at least two sequential ABO-compatible fresh platelet transfusions; (3) hepatomegaly is best defined as an absolute increase of at least 1 cm in liver length at the midclavicular line; and if a baseline measurement is not available, hepatomegaly can be defined as greater than 2 SDs above normal for age; and (4) the presence and volume of ascites can be categorised as mild (minimal fluid by liver, spleen, or pelvis), moderate (<1 cm fluid), or severe (fluid in all three regions with >1 cm fluid in at least two regions).
PICO Summary
Population
Paediatric patients with sinusoidal obstruction syndrome / hepatic veno-occlusive disease
Intervention
Guidelines produced by an international panel of multidisciplinary experts from the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators Network, the EBMT, the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortia, and several other institutions with extensive experience in sinusoidal obstructive syndrome.
Comparison
None
Outcome
Key recommendations include: (1) liver biopsy, portal venous wedge pressure, and reversal of portal venous flow on Doppler ultrasonography should not be used for the routine diagnosis of sinusoidal obstructive syndrome in children, adolescents, and young adults; (2) platelet refractoriness can be defined as a corrected count increment of less than 5000-7500 following at least two sequential ABO-compatible fresh platelet transfusions; (3) hepatomegaly is best defined as an absolute increase of at least 1 cm in liver length at the midclavicular line; and if a baseline measurement is not available, hepatomegaly can be defined as greater than 2 SDs above normal for age; and (4) the presence and volume of ascites can be categorised as mild (minimal fluid by liver, spleen, or pelvis), moderate (<1 cm fluid), or severe (fluid in all three regions with >1 cm fluid in at least two regions).
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Philadelphia chromosome-negative classical myeloproliferative neoplasms: revised management recommendations from European LeukemiaNet
Barbui, T., Tefferi, A., Vannucchi, A. M., Passamonti, F., Silver, R. T., Hoffman, R., Verstovsek, S., Mesa, R., Kiladjian, J. J., Hehlmann, R., et al
Leukemia. 2018
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
This document updates the recommendations on the management of Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph-neg MPNs) published in 2011 by the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) consortium. Recommendations were produced by multiple-step formalized procedures of group discussion. A critical appraisal of evidence by using Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was performed in the areas where at least one randomized clinical trial was published. Seven randomized controlled trials provided the evidence base; earlier phase trials also informed recommendation development. Key differences from the 2011 diagnostic recommendations included: lower threshold values for hemoglobin and hematocrit and bone marrow examination for diagnosis of polycythemia vera (PV), according to the revised WHO criteria; the search for complementary clonal markers, such as ASXL1, EZH2, IDH1/IDH2, and SRSF2 for the diagnosis of myelofibrosis (MF) in patients who test negative for JAK2V617, CALR or MPL driver mutations. Regarding key differences of therapy recommendations, both recombinant interferon alpha and the JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib are recommended as second-line therapies for PV patients who are intolerant or have inadequate response to hydroxyurea. Ruxolitinib is recommended as first-line approach for MF-associated splenomegaly in patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk disease; in case of intermediate-1 disease, ruxolitinib is recommended in highly symptomatic splenomegaly. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is recommended for transplant-eligible MF patients with high or intermediate-2 risk score. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is also recommended for transplant-eligible MF patients with intermediate-1 risk score who present with either refractory, transfusion-dependent anemia, blasts in peripheral blood > 2%, adverse cytogenetics, or high-risk mutations. In these situations, the transplant procedure should be performed in a controlled setting.
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10.
Staging Systems for Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Patients undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplant: The Revised International Staging System shows the most Differentiation between Groups
Scott, E. C., Hari, P., Kumar, S., Fraser, R., Davila, O., Shah, N., Gale, R. P., Diaz, M. A., Agrawal, V., Cornell, R. F., et al
Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2018
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
The revised International Staging System (R-ISS) and the International Myeloma Working Group 2014 (IMWG 2014) are newer staging systems used to prognosticate multiple myeloma (MM) outcomes. We hypothesized that these would provide better prognostic differentiation for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) compared to ISS. We analyzed the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research database from 2008-2014 to compare the 3 systems (N=628) among newly diagnosed MM undergoing upfront AHCT. The median follow up of survivors was 48 (3-99) months. The R-ISS provided the greatest differentiation between survival curves for each stage (for OS, the differentiation was 1.74 using the R-ISS, 1.58 using ISS, and 1.60 using the IMWG 2014) . Univariate analyses at 3 years for overall survival showed R-ISS I at 88 (CI 95% 83-93)%, II at 75 (70-80)% and III at 56 (43-69)% (p<0.001). An integrated Brier score function demonstrated the R-ISS had the best prediction for PFS, though all systems had similar prediction for OS. Among available systems, the R-ISS is the most optimal among available prognostic tools for newly diagnosed MM undergoing AHCT. We recommend that serum LDH and cytogenetic data be performed on every MM patient at diagnosis to allow accurate prognostication.