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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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Severity and organ distribution of chronic graft-versus-host disease with posttransplant cyclophosphamide-based versus methotrexate/calcineurin inhibitor-based allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Chhabra, S., Jerkins, J. H., Monahan, K., Szabo, A., Shah, N. N., Abedin, S., Runaas, L., Fenske, T. S., Pasquini, M. C., Shaw, B. E., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2024
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
The reduced risk of chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) with posttransplant cyclophosphamide (ptCy) in the setting of haploidentical related donor and more recently, with HLA-matched related and matched and mismatched unrelated donor allogeneic transplantation has been established. There is, however, paucity of data to show if ptCy impacts chronic GVHD pathogenesis, its phenotype and evolution after HCT regardless of the donor status. We examined the differences in chronic GVHD incidence and presentation in 314 consecutive patients after receiving their first allogeneic transplantation (HCT) using ptCy-based GVHD prophylaxis (ptCy-HCT; n = 120; including 95 with haploidentical related donor) versus conventional calcineurin inhibitor-based prophylaxis (CNI-MUD; n = 194) between 2012 and 2019. The 1-year cumulative incidence of all-grade chronic GVHD and moderate/severe chronic GVHD was 24% and 12%, respectively, after ptCy-HCT and 40% and 23% in the CNI-MUD recipients (p = 0.0003 and 0.007). Multivariable analysis confirmed that use of CNI-based GVHD prophylaxis and peripheral blood stem cell graft as the risk factors for chronic GVHD. The cumulative incidence of visceral (involving ≥1 of the following organs: liver, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, serous membranes) chronic GVHD was significantly higher with CNI-MUD vs. ptCy-HCT (27% vs. 15% at 1 year, p = 0.009). The incidence of moderate/severe visceral chronic GVHD was 20% in CNI-MUD group vs. 7.7% in the ptCy-HCT group at 1 year (p = 0.002). In addition, significantly fewer ptCy-HCT recipients developed severe chronic GVHD in ≥3 organs (0.8%) vs. 8.8% in the CNI-MUD group at 1-year posttransplant (p = 0.004). There was no significant different in relapse, non-relapse mortality, and relapse-free and overall survival between the two groups. Further investigation is needed to confirm that reduced risk and severity of chronic GVHD, less visceral organ distribution with ptCy-HCT leads to improved quality of life.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults who received their first allogeneic transplantation at a single centre in USA with a matched unrelated donor or haploidentical donor (n=314)
Intervention
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide based GVHD prophylaxis (ptCy-HCT, n =120)
Comparison
Conventional calcineurin inhibitor-based prophylaxis (CNI-MUD, n=194)
Outcome
The 1-year cumulative incidence of all-grade chronic GVHD and moderate/severe chronic GVHD was 24% and 12%, respectively, after ptCy-HCT and 40% and 23% in the CNI-MUD recipients. Multivariable analysis confirmed that use of CNI-based GVHD prophylaxis and peripheral blood stem cell graft as the risk factors for chronic GVHD. The cumulative incidence of visceral (involving ≥1 of the following organs: liver, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, serous membranes) chronic GVHD was significantly higher with CNI-MUD vs. ptCy-HCT (27% vs. 15% at 1 year). The incidence of moderate/severe visceral chronic GVHD was 20% in CNI-MUD group vs. 7.7% in the ptCy-HCT group at 1 year. In addition, significantly fewer ptCy-HCT recipients developed severe chronic GVHD in ≥3 organs (0.8%) vs. 8.8% in the CNI-MUD group at 1-year posttransplant. There was no significant different in relapse, non-relapse mortality, and relapse-free and overall survival between the two groups.
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Post-transplant cyclophosphamide versus anti-thymocyte globulin after reduced intensity peripheral blood allogeneic cell transplantation in recipients of matched sibling or 10/10 HLA matched unrelated donors: final analysis of a randomized, open-label, multicenter, phase 2 trial
Brissot, E., Labopin, M., Labussière, H., Fossard, G., Chevallier, P., Guillaume, T., Yakoub-Agha, I., Srour, M., Bulabois, C. E., Huynh, A., et al
Blood cancer journal. 2024;14(1):31
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
The use of post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis is not established after reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from fully matched donors. This was a randomized, open-label, multicenter, phase 2 trial. All patients received a RIC regimen with fludarabine, intravenous busulfan for 2 days (Flu-Bu2), and a peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) graft from a matched related or 10/10 HLA-matched unrelated donor. Patients were randomly assigned to receive anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) 5 mg/kg plus standard GVHD prophylaxis or PTCy 50 mg/kg/d at days +3 and +4 plus standard GVHD prophylaxis. The primary endpoint was the composite endpoint of GVHD- and relapse-free survival (GRFS) at 12 months after HSCT. Eighty-nine patients were randomly assigned to receive either PTCy or control prophylaxis with ATG. At 12 months, disease-free survival was 65.9% in the PTCy group and 67.6% in the ATG group (P = 0.99). Cumulative incidence of relapse, non-relapse mortality, and overall survival were also comparable in the two groups. GRFS at 12 months was 54.5% in the PTCy group versus 43.2% in the ATG group (P = 0.27). The median time to neutrophil and platelet count recovery was significantly longer in the PTCy group compared to the ATG group. Except for day +30, where EORTC QLQ-C30 scores were significantly lower in the PTCy compared to the ATG group, the evolution with time was not different between the two groups. Although the primary objective was not met, PTCy is effective for GVHD prophylaxis in patients receiving Flu-Bu2 conditioning with a PBSC graft from a fully matched donor and was well tolerated in term of adverse events and quality of life. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02876679.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults with haematological malignancies undergoing transplant from a matched related or 10/10 HLA-matched unrelated donor with reduced intensity conditioning, recruited from eleven centres in France (n=89)
Intervention
Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg/d at days +3 and +4 plus standard GVHD prophylaxis (PTCy, n=44)
Comparison
Anti-thymocyte globulin 5 mg/kg plus standard GVHD prophylaxis (ATG, n=45)
Outcome
At 12 months, disease-free survival was 65.9% in the PTCy group and 67.6% in the ATG group. Cumulative incidence of relapse, non-relapse mortality, and overall survival were also comparable in the two groups. GRFS at 12 months was 54.5% in the PTCy group versus 43.2% in the ATG group. The median time to neutrophil and platelet count recovery was significantly longer in the PTCy group compared to the ATG group. Except for day +30, where EORTC QLQ-C30 scores were significantly lower in the PTCy compared to the ATG group, the evolution with time was not different between the two groups.
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Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide-Based Graft-versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis
Bolaños-Meade, J., Hamadani, M., Wu, J., Al Malki, M. M., Martens, M. J., Runaas, L., Elmariah, H., Rezvani, A. R., Gooptu, M., Larkin, K. T., et al
The New England journal of medicine. 2023;388(25):2338-2348
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), a calcineurin inhibitor plus methotrexate has been a standard prophylaxis against graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). A phase 2 study indicated the potential superiority of a post-transplantation regimen of cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. METHODS In a phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned adults with hematologic cancers in a 1:1 ratio to receive cyclophosphamide-tacrolimus-mycophenolate mofetil (experimental prophylaxis) or tacrolimus-methotrexate (standard prophylaxis). The patients underwent HSCT from an HLA-matched related donor or a matched or 7/8 mismatched (i.e., mismatched at only one of the HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, and HLA-DRB1 loci) unrelated donor, after reduced-intensity conditioning. The primary end point was GVHD-free, relapse-free survival at 1 year, assessed in a time-to-event analysis, with events defined as grade III or IV acute GVHD, chronic GVHD warranting systemic immunosuppression, disease relapse or progression, and death from any cause. RESULTS In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, GVHD-free, relapse-free survival was significantly more common among the 214 patients in the experimental-prophylaxis group than among the 217 patients in the standard-prophylaxis group (hazard ratio for grade III or IV acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, disease relapse or progression, or death, 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49 to 0.83; P = 0.001). At 1 year, the adjusted GVHD-free, relapse-free survival was 52.7% (95% CI, 45.8 to 59.2) with experimental prophylaxis and 34.9% (95% CI, 28.6 to 41.3) with standard prophylaxis. Patients in the experimental-prophylaxis group appeared to have less severe acute or chronic GVHD and a higher incidence of immunosuppression-free survival at 1 year. Overall and disease-free survival, relapse, transplantation-related death, and engraftment did not differ substantially between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Among patients undergoing allogeneic HLA-matched HSCT with reduced-intensity conditioning, GVHD-free, relapse-free survival at 1 year was significantly more common among those who received cyclophosphamide-tacrolimus-mycophenolate mofetil than among those who received tacrolimus-methotrexate. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and others; BMT CTN 1703 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03959241.).
PICO Summary
Population
Adults with hematologic cancers undergoing HLA-matched related donor or a matched or 7/8 mismatched unrelated donor transplant, enrolled in an RCT in multiple centres in USA (n=431)
Intervention
Cyclophosphamide-tacrolimus-mycophenolate mofetil (experimental prophylaxis, n=214)
Comparison
Tacrolimus-methotrexate (standard prophylaxis (standard prophylaxis, n=217)
Outcome
GVHD-free, relapse-free survival was significantly more common among patients in the experimental-prophylaxis group than among the standard-prophylaxis group (hazard ratio for grade III or IV acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, disease relapse or progression, or death, 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49 to 0.83). At 1 year, the adjusted GVHD-free, relapse-free survival was 52.7% (95% CI, 45.8 to 59.2) with experimental prophylaxis and 34.9% (95% CI, 28.6 to 41.3) with standard prophylaxis. Patients in the experimental-prophylaxis group appeared to have less severe acute or chronic GVHD and a higher incidence of immunosuppression-free survival at 1 year. Overall and disease-free survival, relapse, transplantation-related death, and engraftment did not differ substantially between the groups.
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The role of anti-thymocyte globulin in allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from HLA-matched unrelated donors (MUD) for secondary AML in remission: a study from the ALWP /EBMT
Nagler, A., Labopin, M., Kröger, N., Schroeder, T., Gedde-Dahl, T., Eder, M., Franke, G. N., Blau, I. W., Salmenniemi, U., Socie, G., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
We compared outcomes, of 1609 patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) undergoing allogeneic transplantation (HSCT) in first complete remission (CR1) from matched unrelated donors (MUD) from 2010 to 2021, receiving or not receiving anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) (ATG-1308, no ATG-301). Median age was 60.9 (range, 18.5-77.8) and 61.1 (range, 21.8-75.7) years, (p = 0.3). Graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was cyclosporin-A with methotrexate (41%) or mycophenolate mofetil (38.2%), without significant differences between groups. Day 28, engraftment (ANC > 0.5 × 10(9)/L) was 92.3% vs 95.3% (p = 0.17), respectively. On multivariate analysis, ATG was associated with lower incidence of grade II-IV and grade III-IV acute GVHD (p = 0.002 and p = 0.015), total and extensive chronic GVHD (p = 0.008 and p < 0.0001), and relapse incidence (RI) (p = 0.039), while non-relapse mortality (NRM) did not differ (p = 0.51). Overall survival (OS), and GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) were significantly higher in the ATG vs no ATG group, HR = 0.76 (95% CI 0.61-0.95, p = 0.014) and HR = 0.68 (95% CI 0.57-0.8, p < 0.0001), with a tendency for better leukemia-free survival (LFS), HR = 0.82 (95% CI 0.67-1, p = 0.051). The main causes of death were the original disease, infection, and GVHD. In conclusion, ATG reduces GVHD and improves LFS, OS, and GRFS in sAML patients without increasing the RI, despite sAML being a high-risk disease.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) undergoing allogeneic HSCT) in first complete remission from matched unrelated donors and reported to the EBMT registry (n=1609)
Intervention
Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) included in GvHD prophylaxis (n=1308)
Comparison
No ATG included in GvHD prophylaxis (n=301)
Outcome
Day 28, engraftment (ANC > 0.5 × 10(9)/L) was 92.3% vs 95.3%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, ATG was associated with lower incidence of grade II-IV and grade III-IV acute GVHD, total and extensive chronic GVHD, and relapse incidence (RI), while non-relapse mortality (NRM) did not differ. Overall survival (OS), and GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) were significantly higher in the ATG vs no ATG group, HR = 0.76 (95% CI 0.61-0.95) and HR = 0.68 (95% CI 0.57-0.8), with a tendency for better leukemia-free survival (LFS), HR = 0.82 (95% CI 0.67-1). The main causes of death were the original disease, infection, and GVHD.
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Reduced post-transplant cyclophosphamide dose with antithymocyte globulin in peripheral blood stem cell haploidentical transplantation
Duléry, R., Malard, F., Brissot, E., Banet, A., Sestili, S., Belhocine, R., Calabro, M., Van de Wyngaert, Z., Bonnin, A., Ledraa, T., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) is effective for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis, but it may cause dose-dependent toxicities, particularly in frail patients. Therefore, we compared the outcomes with a reduced PT-Cy total dose (70 mg/kg) to those with the standard PT-Cy dose (100 mg/kg) in haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) patients aged ≥ 65 years and those with cardiac comorbidities. All consecutive patients with a hematological malignancy receiving peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) after a thiotepa-based conditioning with low-dose antithymocyte globulin were included. Thirty-three patients received PT-Cy at 70 mg/kg and 25 at 100 mg/kg. PT-Cy dose reduction did not increase the risk of GVHD and was associated with faster neutrophil and platelet recovery, and lower cumulative incidences of bacteremia (38% versus 72%, p = 0.004) and cardiac complications (12% versus 44%, p = 0.028). At 2 years, GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) was higher with the reduced dose compared to the standard dose (60% versus 33%, p = 0.04). In conclusion, reducing PT-Cy total dose to 70 mg/kg is a safe and valid approach for elderly patients and those with cardiac comorbidities underdoing haploidentical HCT with PBSCs and low-dose antithymocyte globulin. The reduced PT-Cy dose was associated with improved hematological count recovery, lower incidence of toxicities, and higher GRFS.
PICO Summary
Population
Retrospective cohort of adults 65 years and over, or any age with a history of cardiac event, receiving haploidentical transplantation for haematological malignancy with thiotepa based conditioning and ATG prophylaxis, from a single centre in France (n=58)
Intervention
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) at 70 mg/kg (n=33)
Comparison
PT-Cy at 100 mg/kg (n=25)
Outcome
PT-Cy dose reduction did not increase the risk of GVHD and was associated with faster neutrophil and platelet recovery, and lower cumulative incidences of bacteremia (38% versus 72%) and cardiac complications (12% versus 44%). At 2 years, GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) was higher with the reduced dose compared to the standard dose (60% versus 33%).
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A Calcineurin Inhibitor Free Graft Versus Host Disease Prophylaxis for Patients Undergoing Matched Related and Matched Unrelated Donor Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant
Iqbal, M., Nieto, F. A. M., Brannick, K. M., Li, Z., Murthy, H., Foran, J., Roy, V., Kharfan-Dabaja, M. A., Ayala, E.
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) based graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis has shown lower rates of acute and chronic GVHD when compared with the traditional prophylaxis of CNI and methotrexate (MTX) in matched related (MRD) and matched unrelated donor (MUD) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT). The combination of PTCy with sirolimus as a CNI-free GVHD prophylaxis has shown promising results with cumulative rates of grade II-IV acute and chronic GVHD in the range of 15-27% and 20-27%, respectively, in patients undergoing MRD, MUD and haploidentical allo-HCT. We report a single center, nonrandomized comparison of patients undergoing matched donor allo-HCT receiving PTCy in combination with sirolimus (PTCy-Siro) with those receiving the standard GVHD prophylaxis of tacrolimus and MTX (Tac-MTX). One hundred and sixteen consecutive patients who had undergone a MRD or MUD allo-HCT between January 2018 to January 2021 and received either PTCy with sirolimus or tacrolimus with methotrexate as GVHD prophylaxis regimens were eligible for inclusion. Out of a total of 116 patients undergoing MRD and MUD allo-HCT, 29 received PTCy-Siro and 87 Tac-MTX. Patients receiving PTCy-Siro had a significantly shorter median time to immunosuppression withdrawal at 138 (37-312) vs 232(66-1120) days for patients receiving Tac-MTX (p=<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two arms for incidence of grade II to IV acute GVHD, grade III to IV acute GVHD, steroid refractory acute GVHD or clinical infections. At a median follow up of 1.1 (range: 0-1.8) years, patients receiving PTCy-Siro were significantly less likely to have chronic GVHD with 2-year freedom from GVHD of 75% (95%CI: 58-98%) vs 20% (95%CI 10-40%), p=0.005.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults from a single centre in USA undergoing matched-related or matched-unrelated donor allogeneic HSCT (n=116)
Intervention
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide in combination with sirolimus (PTCy-Siro, n=29)
Comparison
Tacrolimus and methotrexate (Tac-MTX, n=87)
Outcome
Patients receiving PTCy-Siro had a significantly shorter median time to immunosuppression withdrawal at 138 (37-312) vs 232(66-1120) days for patients receiving Tac-MTX. No significant difference was observed between the two arms for incidence of grade II to IV acute GVHD, grade III to IV acute GVHD, steroid refractory acute GVHD or clinical infections. At a median follow up of 1.1 (range: 0-1.8) years, patients receiving PTCy-Siro were significantly less likely to have chronic GVHD with 2-year freedom from GVHD of 75% (95%CI: 58-98%) vs 20% (95%CI 10-40%)
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PTCy, Abatacept, and Short Course of Tacrolimus for GvHD Prevention Following Haploidentical Transplantation
Al-Homsi, A. S., Cirrone, F., Wo, S., Cole, K., Suarez-Londono, J. A., Gardner, S. L., Hsu, J., Stocker, K., Bruno, B., Goldberg, J. D., et al
Blood advances. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Reducing the incidence of graft-versus host disease (GvHD) following haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is warranted. Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is the main agent used for GvHD prevention in this setting. It remains unknown if costimulation blockade can be safely combined with PTCy and enhance its efficacy. We performed a phase Ib-II clinical trial to examine the combination of PTCy, abatacept and a short course of tacrolimus (CAST) following peripheral blood haploidentical HSCT. The primary end-point was the incidence of acute GvHD grades II-IV at day +120. The study enrolled 46 patients with a median age of 60 years (range: 18 to 74). The cumulative incidence of acute GvHD grades II-IV and III-IV was 17.4% (95% CI, 9.2% to 32.9%) and 4.4% (95% CI, 1.1% to 17.1%). With a median follow-up of 15.3 months, the cumulative incidence of one-year treatment-related mortality is 4.4% (95% CI, 1.1% to 17.1%). The estimated one-year chronic GvHD moderate to severe rate, relapse rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, and GvHD- and relapse-free survival were 15.9% (95% CI, 8% to 31.7%), 11.7% (95% CI, 5% to 27.2%), 84.1% (95% CI, 73.8% to 95.7%), 85.9% (95% CI, 75.9% to 97.2%) and 66.1% (95% CI, 53.4% to 81.8%), respectively. Toxicities were similar to those expected in patients receiving haploidentical HSCT. This clinical trial showed that CAST regimen is safe and effective in reducing the rate of grades II-IV acute GvHD following haploidentical peripheral blood HSCT (NCT04503616 at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04503616).
PICO Summary
Population
Adults undergoing haploidentical transplant for haematological malignancy in a single centre in USA (n=46)
Intervention
A combination of PTCy, abatacept and a short course of tacrolimus (CAST) as GvHD prophylaxis
Comparison
None
Outcome
The cumulative incidence of acute GvHD grades II-IV and III-IV was 17.4% (95% CI, 9.2% to 32.9%) and 4.4% (95% CI, 1.1% to 17.1%). With a median follow-up of 15.3 months, the cumulative incidence of one-year treatment-related mortality is 4.4% (95% CI, 1.1% to 17.1%). The estimated one-year chronic GvHD moderate to severe rate, relapse rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, and GvHD- and relapse-free survival were 15.9% (95% CI, 8% to 31.7%), 11.7% (95% CI, 5% to 27.2%), 84.1% (95% CI, 73.8% to 95.7%), 85.9% (95% CI, 75.9% to 97.2%) and 66.1% (95% CI, 53.4% to 81.8%), respectively. Toxicities were similar to those expected in patients receiving haploidentical HSCT.
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Posttransplant cyclophosphamide vs tacrolimus-based GVHD prophylaxis: lower incidence of relapse and chronic GVHD
Maurer, K., Ho, V. T., Inyang, E., Cutler, C. S., Koreth, J., Shapiro, R. M., Gooptu, M., Romee, R., Nikiforow, S., Antin, J. H., et al
Blood advances. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
The ability of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) to facilitate stem cell transplantation using HLA-haplotype-mismatched donors has spurred interest in whether PTCY can improve clinical outcomes in patients with HLA-matched unrelated donors undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). We investigated our institutional experience with 8/8 or 7/8 HLA-matched unrelated donor PBSCT using PTCY-based GVHD prophylaxis compared to conventional tacrolimus-based regimens. We compared overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), relapse, non-relapse mortality, and acute and chronic GVHD in 107 adult patients receiving a PTCY-based regimen versus 463 patients receiving tacrolimus-based regimens for GVHD prophylaxis. All patients were transplanted for hematologic malignancies. The two cohorts were well balanced for baseline characteristics except that more patients in the PTCY cohort received 7/8 matched PBSCT. There was no difference in acute GVHD. All-grade chronic GVHD and moderate-severe chronic GVHD were substantially reduced in patients receiving PTCY compared to tacrolimus-based regimens (2-year moderate-severe chronic GVHD 12% vs 36%, p<0.0001). Recipients of PTCY-based regimens also had a lower incidence of relapse compared to recipients of tacrolimus-based regimens (25% vs. 34% at 2-years, p=0.027), primarily in patients who received reduced intensity conditioning. This led to improved PFS in the PTCY cohort (64% vs 54% at 2 years, p=0.02). In multivariable analysis, hazard ratio was 0.59 (p=0.015) for PFS and subdistribution hazard ratio was 0.27 (p<0.0001) for moderate-severe chronic GVHD and 0.59 (p=0.015) for relapse. Our results suggest that PTCY prophylaxis is associated with lower rates of relapse and chronic GVHD in patients who receive HLA-matched unrelated donor PBSCT.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults who underwent allogeneic peripheral blood HSCT from unrelated donor between 2018 and end of 2021 from a single centre in USA (n=570)
Intervention
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY)-based GvHD prophylaxis regimen (n=107)
Comparison
Tacrolimus-based GVHD prophylaxis regimen (n=463)
Outcome
There was no difference in acute GVHD. All-grade chronic GVHD and moderate-severe chronic GVHD were substantially reduced in patients receiving PTCY compared to tacrolimus-based regimens (2-year moderate-severe chronic GVHD: 12% vs 36%). Recipients of PTCY-based regimens also had a lower incidence of relapse compared to recipients of tacrolimus-based regimens (25% vs. 34% at 2-years), primarily in patients who received reduced intensity conditioning. This led to improved progression-free survival (PFS) in the PTCY cohort (64% vs 54% at 2 years). In multivariable analysis, hazard ratio was 0.59 for PFS and subdistribution hazard ratio was 0.27 for moderate-severe chronic GVHD and 0.59 for relapse.
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10.
ATG versus PTCy in matched unrelated donor haematopoietic stem cell transplantations with non-myeloablative conditioning
Aydin, M., de Leeuw, D. C., Rutten, C. E., Visser, O. J., Tang, M. W., van Roessel, C., Janssen, J. J. W., Biemond, B. J., van de Loosdrecht, A. A., Hazenberg, M. D., et al
British journal of haematology. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a serious complication of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Both anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) are used as lymphocyte-depleting strategies, yet a systematic comparison of transplantation outcomes between these two methods in matched unrelated donors (MUD) transplantations with non-myeloablative conditioning (NMC) is lacking. Adult patients with haematological malignancies who had undergone MUD HSCT with NMC regimens between 2014 and 2021 at 2 centres in Amsterdam (ATG: n = 95, PTCy: n = 90), were included in this retrospective study. Patient characteristics were comparable between the groups. The cumulative incidence of acute GvHD grade II-IV was 48% in the ATG group compared to 21% in the PTCy group (p < 0.001). The 3-year moderate/severe chronic GvHD was similar in both groups (p = 0.69). While the relapse rate was comparable between the groups (ATG 31% vs. PTCy 34%, p = 0.94), non-relapse mortality tended to be higher in the ATG group (17% vs. 9%, p = 0.069). Overall survival was similar in both groups (p = 0.12). In conclusion, PTCy-based regimens resulted in a significantly lower rate of acute GvHD than ATG-containing regimens in MUD transplantations with NMC. Whether PTCy results in improved overall survival as compared to ATG needs to be elucidated in larger prospective studies.
PICO Summary
Population
A retrospective cohort of adult patients with haematological malignancies who received matched unrelated HSCT with non-myeloablative regimens, from two centres in Netherlands (n=185)
Intervention
Anti-thymocyte globulin for GvHD prophylaxis (ATG, n = 95)
Comparison
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide for GvHD prophylaxis (PTCy, n = 90)
Outcome
The cumulative incidence of acute GvHD grade II-IV was 48% in the ATG group compared to 21% in the PTCy group. The 3-year moderate/severe chronic GvHD was similar in both groups. While the relapse rate was comparable between the groups (ATG 31% vs. PTCy 34%), non-relapse mortality tended to be higher in the ATG group (17% vs. 9%). Overall survival was similar in both groups.