1.
An ISCT Stem Cell Engineering Committee Position Statement on Immune Reconstitution: the importance of predictable and modifiable milestones of immune reconstitution to transplant outcomes
Bertaina, A., Abraham, A., Bonfim, C., Cohen, S., Purtill, D., Ruggeri, A., Weiss, D., Wynn, R., Boelens, J. J., Prockop, S.
Cytotherapy. 2022;24(4):385-392
Abstract
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a potentially curative therapy for some malignant and non-malignant disease. There have been substantial advances since the approaches first introduced in the 1970s, and the development of approaches to transplant with HLA incompatible or alternative donors has improved access to transplant for those without a fully matched donor. However, success is still limited by morbidity and mortality from toxicity and imperfect disease control. Here we review our emerging understanding of how reconstitution of effective immunity after allogeneic transplant can protect from these events and improve outcomes. We provide perspective on milestones of immune reconstitution that are easily measured and modifiable.
2.
Veno-occlusive Disease in HSCT Patients: Consensus-based Recommendations for Risk Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management by the GITMO Group
Bonifazi, F., Sica, S., Angeletti, A., Marktel, S., Prete, A., Iori, A. P., Olivari, D., Rossetti, G., Bertaina, A., Botti, S., et al
Transplantation. 2020
Abstract
Variation in clinical practice affects veno-occlusive disease (VOD) management, mainly in patients who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Disputes about diagnostic criteria, treatment and prophylaxis, due to the lack of high-quality data, are at the base of this variability. With the aim of limiting inconsistency in clinical care, thus improving both patient outcomes and data collection reliability, the Italian Society of Stem cell transplant (GITMO) launched a collaborative effort to formulate recommendations based on integration of available evidence and expert's consensus. A systematic method, according to US National Institute of Health (NIH) guidelines and Italian National System for Guidelines, was used. Twenty-nine recommendations were approved with a strong (20) or weak (9) level of agreement, while 26 were rejected. In particular, the Panel pointed out the need to achieve an early diagnosis, encouraging the adoption of EBMT criteria and the prompt use of ultrasonography. Moreover, our experts strongly recommended in favour of prophylactic use of ursodeoxicolic acid (UDCA). As soon as a VOD diagnosis is established, treatment with defibrotide should be started for at least 21d. A number of areas of uncertainty, particularly concerning risk stratification and use of diagnostic tools such as elastography has been identified and discussed.
3.
Supportive care during pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: beyond infectious diseases. A report from workshops on supportive care of the Pediatric Diseases Working Party (PDWP) of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
Nava, T., Ansari, M., Dalle, J. H., de Heredia, C. D., Gungor, T., Trigoso, E., Falkenberg, U., Bertaina, A., Gibson, B., Jarisch, A., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2020
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is currently the standard of care for many malignant and nonmalignant blood diseases. As several treatment-emerging acute toxicities are expected, optimal supportive measurements critically affect HSCT outcomes. The paucity of good clinical studies in supportive practices gives rise to the establishment of heterogeneous guidelines across the different centers, which hampers direct clinical comparison in multicentric studies. Aiming to harmonize the supportive care provided during the pediatric HSCT in Europe, the Pediatric Diseases Working Party (PDWP) of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) promoted dedicated workshops during the years 2017 and 2018. The present paper describes the resulting consensus on the management of sinusoidal obstructive syndrome, mucositis, enteral and parenteral nutrition, iron overload, and emesis during HSCT.