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Determinants of survival in myelofibrosis patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Hernandez-Boluda, J. C., Pereira, A., Kroger, N., Beelen, D., Robin, M., Bornhauser, M., Angelucci, E., Vitek, A., Blau, I. W., Niittyvuopio, R., et al
Leukemia. 2020
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the determinants of survival in myelofibrosis patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) and to describe factors predicting the main post-HCT complications. This retrospective study by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation included 2916 myelofibrosis patients who underwent first allo-HCT from an HLA-identical sibling or unrelated donor between 2000 and 2016. After a median follow-up of 4.7 years from transplant, projected median survival of the series was 5.3 years. Factors independently associated with increased mortality were age ≥ 60 years and Karnofsky Performance Status <90% at transplant, and occurrence of graft failure, grades III-IV acute graft-vs.-host disease (aGVHD), and disease progression/relapse during follow-up. The opposing effects of chronic graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) on non-relapse mortality and relapse incidence resulted in a neutral influence on survival. Graft failure increased in unrelated donor recipients and decreased with myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and negative donor/recipient cytomegalovirus serostatus. Risk of grades III-IV aGVHD was higher with unrelated donors and decreased with MAC. Relapse incidence tended to be higher in patients with intermediate-2/high-risk DIPSS categories and to decrease in CALR-mutated patients. Acute and chronic GVHD reduced the subsequent risk of relapse. This information has potential implications for patient counseling and clinical decision-making.
PICO Summary
Population
Myelofibrosis patients (n=2916)
Intervention
First allo-HCT from an HLA-identical sibling or unrelated donor between 2000 and 2016
Comparison
None
Outcome
After a median follow-up of 4.7 years from transplant, projected median survival of the series was 5.3 years. Factors independently associated with increased mortality were age >/= 60 years and Karnofsky Performance Status <90% at transplant, and occurrence of graft failure, grades III-IV acute graft-vs.-host disease (aGVHD), and disease progression/relapse during follow-up. The opposing effects of chronic graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) on non-relapse mortality and relapse incidence resulted in a neutral influence on survival. Graft failure increased in unrelated donor recipients and decreased with myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and negative donor/recipient cytomegalovirus serostatus. Risk of grades III-IV aGVHD was higher with unrelated donors and decreased with MAC. Relapse incidence tended to be higher in patients with intermediate-2/high-risk DIPSS categories and to decrease in CALR-mutated patients. Acute and chronic GVHD reduced the subsequent risk of relapse.
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Comparing transplant outcomes in ALL patients after haploidentical with PTCy or matched unrelated donor transplantation
Al Malki, M. M., Yang, D., Labopin, M., Afanasyev, B., Angelucci, E., Bashey, A., Socie, G., Karduss-Urueta, A., Helbig, G., Bornhauser, M., et al
Blood advances. 2020;4(9):2073-2083
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
We compared outcomes of 1461 adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receiving hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from a haploidentical (n = 487) or matched unrelated donor (MUD; n = 974) between January 2005 and June 2018. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy), calcineurin inhibitor (CNI), and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for haploidentical, and CNI with MMF or methotrexate with/without antithymoglobulin for MUDs. Haploidentical recipients were matched (1:2 ratio) with MUD controls for sex, conditioning intensity, disease stage, Philadelphia-chromosome status, and cytogenetic risk. In the myeloablative setting, day +28 neutrophil recovery was similar between haploidentical (87%) and MUD (88%) (P = .11). Corresponding rates after reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) were 84% and 88% (P = .47). The 3-month incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD (aGVHD) and 3-year chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was similar after haploidentical compared with MUD: myeloablative conditioning, 33% vs 34% (P = .46) for aGVHD and 29% vs 31% for cGVHD (P = .58); RIC, 31% vs 30% (P = .06) for aGVHD and 24% vs 29% for cGVHD (P = .86). Among patients receiving myeloablative regimens, 3-year probabilities of overall survival were 44% and 51% with haploidentical and MUD (P = .56). Corresponding rates after RIC were 43% and 42% (P = .6). In this large multicenter case-matched retrospective analysis, despite the limitations of a registry-based study (ie, unavailability of key elements such as minimal residual disease testing), our analysis indicated that outcomes of patients with ALL undergoing HCT from a haploidentical donor were comparable with 8 of 8 MUD transplantations.
Clinical Commentary
Dr. Julia Wolf, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
What is known?
Allogeneic stem cell transplant is a potentially curative treatment option for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Transplant outcomes are, amongst other factors, dependent on optimal donor selection; despite a plethora of recent advances, donor availability is an area of unmet need for many patients. A fully HLA matched sibling donor is the preferred donor choice but is available in <30% of patients. Several studies have shown that comparable results can be achieved with a fully matched unrelated donor (MUD), but availability can be as low as 20% in non-Caucasian individuals. Haploidentical donor options are available for the vast majority of patients but historically their utility was limited by high rates of GvHD, treatment related morbidity and mortality and graft rejection. The addition of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PtCy), calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) and mycofenolate mofetil (MMF) as GvHD prophylaxis has reduced these risks and is now a frequently employed approach for haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HaploSCT) making it an attractive alternative to conventional donor transplant.
Several recent studies have compared MUD alloSCT and HaploSCT approaches in ALL in recent years. Most notably this has included an analysis of the European Bone Marrow Transplant (EBMT) group registry which included 1234 patients with ALL and shows comparable outcomes between HaploSCT and MUD alloSCT.
What did this paper set out to examine?
This retrospective multicentre cohort study aims to compare outcomes of HaploSCT & PtCy with MUD alloSCT in ALL in terms of engraftment, acute and chronic graft versus host disease (GvHD) incidence and severity, relapse free survival (RFS), non-relapse mortality (NRM) and overall survival (OS).
It is the first study to explicitly compare haploidentical allogeneic stem cell transplant (HaploSCT) with matched unrelated donor allogeneic stem cell transplant (MUD alloSCT) in terms of conditioning intensity, Philadelphia chromosome status and graft source. It also provides additional extensive, multinational data with matched pair analysis on outcomes of patients in both groups.
What did they show?
The authors compared data from 1461 adult patients (HaploSCT = 487 vs MUD = 974). Data from two separate registries was used: the EBMT registry alone was used for MUD alloSCT while the Haploidentical Transplant and Cellular Therapy Research Consortium (TCT-RC) was used in combination with Acute Leukaemia Working Party subgroup of the EBMT registry data for assessment of HaploSCT. The reason for using two databases is not explicitly stated although it is believed that this was done to increase sample size in the HaploSCT cohort.
Patients >18 years old with ALL over a 13.5-year period from January 2005 to June 2018 receiving their first alloSCT were included in the analysis. Exclusion criteria were fairly selected. GvHD prophylaxis was with PtCy, CNI and MMF in the HaploSCT group and with CNI and methotrexate or MMF in the MUD group. 64% of MUD patients also received ATG. Cohorts were matched at 1:2 (HaploSCT : MUD) for sex, cytogenetic risk, Philadelphia chromosome status, disease stage and intensity of conditioning (reduced intensity vs myeloablative). Statistical analysis was appropriate for the question to be answered.
RESULTS: HaploSCT and MUD alloSCT were comparable in terms of neutrophil engraftment, RFS and OS regardless of conditioning intensity, Philadelphia chromosome status and graft source. 3-year OS was 44% in the HaploSCT group vs 51% in the MUD group using myeloablative conditioning (p=5.56) with rates of 43% (HaploSCT) and 42% (MUD) for reduced intensity conditioning (p=5.6).
The overall incidence of acute and chronic GvHD was similar between the groups but there was an increased incidence in grade III-IV GvHD in HaploSCT when peripheral blood stem cells were used. Additionally, mortality form GvHD was higher in the MUD group. This is in keeping with results reported in the literature.
What are the implications for practice and for future work?
HaploSCT is becoming an increasingly attractive option for patients without matched sibling transplant. The comparable overall survival and now much more manageable GvHD risk will afford a previously difficult to manage cohort of patients a further option of curative treatment.
This study adds to the growing evidence base but did have some limitations. Firstly, the study is retrospective and uses registry-based data. While the registries used are of high quality, there are inherent concerns about missing data points and differences between the two databases used. The authors agreed that the variability of the condition regimes used added a further layer of complexity.
Prospective data with intention to treat analysis is required to further assess the comparability of HaploSCT and MUD for ALL patients.
PICO Summary
Population
Adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (n=1461)
Intervention
HSCT from a haploidentical donor (n = 487)
Comparison
HSCT from a matched unrelated donor (n = 974)
Outcome
In the myeloablative setting, day +28 neutrophil recovery was similar between haploidentical (87%) and MUD (88%). Corresponding rates after reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) were 84% and 88%. The 3-month incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD (aGVHD) and 3-year chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was similar after haploidentical compared with MUD: myeloablative conditioning, 33% vs 34% for aGVHD and 29% vs 31% for cGVHD; RIC, 31% vs 30% for aGVHD and 24% vs 29% for cGVHD. Among patients receiving myeloablative regimens, 3-year probabilities of overall survival were 44% and 51% with haploidentical and MUD. Corresponding rates after RIC were 43% and 42%.
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Graft-versus-host disease and graft-versus-leukaemia effects in secondary acute myeloid leukaemia: a retrospective, multicentre registry analysis from the Acute Leukaemia Working Party of the EBMT
Baron, F., Labopin, M., Savani, B. N., Beohou, E., Niederwieser, D., Eder, M., Potter, V., Kroger, N., Beelen, D., Socie, G., et al
British journal of haematology. 2019
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
We assessed the susceptibility of secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (sAML) to graft-versus-leukaemia effects. Data from 2414 sAML patients in first (n = 2194) or second (n = 220) complete remission were included. They were given grafts from human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling (MSD, n = 1085), 10/10 unrelated donor (MUD, n = 1066) or 9/10 mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD, n = 263). The 100-day incidence of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 25% while 2-year incidence of chronic GVHD was 38%. Relapse rates declined steadily by duration of follow-up and were significantly lower in patients with chronic GVHD (P < 0.001). Limited (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.66, P < 0.001) and extensive (HR = 0.52, P < 0.001) chronic GVHD were associated with a lower incidence of relapse. Each grade III-IV acute (HR = 7.04, P < 0.001) as well as limited (HR = 1.42, P = 0.03) and extensive (HR = 3.97, P < 0.001) chronic GVHD were associated with higher non-relapse mortality (NRM). This translated to better overall survival (OS; HR = 0.61, P < 0.001) in patients with limited chronic GVHD. In contrast, grade III-IV acute and extensive chronic GVHD were associated with worse OS (HR = 3.16, P < 0.001 and HR = 1.21, P = 0.03, respectively). Further, in comparison to HLA-identical sibling recipients, MUD recipients had a lower risk of relapse (HR = 0.82, P = 0.03) but higher NRM (HR = 1.38, P = 0.004). In conclusion, these data demonstrate that sAML is susceptible to graft-versus-leukaemia effects.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (sAML) (n=2414)
Intervention
Allo-transplant from human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling (MSD, n = 1085), 10/10 unrelated donor (MUD, n = 1066) or 9/10 mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD, n = 263)
Comparison
None
Outcome
The 100-day incidence of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 25% while 2-year incidence of chronic GVHD was 38%. Relapse rates declined steadily by duration of follow-up and were significantly lower in patients with chronic GVHD. Limited and extensive chronic GVHD were associated with a lower incidence of relapse. Each grade III-IV acute as well as limited and extensive chronic GVHD were associated with higher non-relapse mortality (NRM). This translated to better overall survival (OS) in patients with limited chronic GVHD. In contrast, grade III-IV acute and extensive chronic GVHD were associated with worse OS. Further, in comparison to HLA-identical sibling recipients, MUD recipients had a lower risk of relapse but higher NRM.
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Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation offers the chance of cure for patients with transformed follicular lymphoma
Heinzelmann, F., Bethge, W., Beelen, D. W., Stelljes, M., Dreger, P., Engelhard, M., Finke, J., Kroger, N., Holler, E., Bornhauser, M., et al
Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology. 2018
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
PURPOSE In patients with follicular lymphoma, secondary transformation to aggressive lymphoma (tFL) implies a poor prognosis. In principle, allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) offers a chance of cure for tFL but is rarely practiced. Aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to define the actual significance of allo-HCT in treatment of tFL. METHODS The database of the German Registry for Stem Cell Transplantation (DRST) was screened for patients who underwent allo-HCT for tFL 1998-2008. Confirmation of tFL-diagnosis by local and/or pathologists of the National NHL Board was mandatory for enrolment. Gaps in reported EBMT Minimum Essential Data datasets (MED-A) were filled by local DRST data managers. Relevant HCT outcome variables were evaluated by uni- and multivariate statistical analysis. RESULTS Median age of enrolled 33 patients was 51 years with a post allo-HCT median follow-up of 7.1 years of surviving patients. At time of HCT 24/33 patients had chemosensitive disease. In 24/33 patients reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) was used. Estimated 1, 2, 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival rates were 49/39/33, and 33/30/24%. Cumulative 100 days non-relapse mortality was 25%. Chemosensitive disease, RIC, and limited chronic GvHD were identified as independent prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSIONS Allo-HCT offers the chance of cure for tFL.
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Impact of anti-thymocyte globulin on results of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for patients with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: An analysis by the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the EBMT
Giebel, S., Labopin, M., Czerw, T., Socie, G., Blaise, D., Ghavamzadeh, A., Passweg, J., Ljungman, P., Poire, X., Chevallier, P., et al
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990). 2018;106:212-219
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is widely used to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (alloPBSCT). The goal of this study was to retrospectively assess the effect of ATG on outcomes in the setting of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ ALL). METHODS In the analysis, 1170 adult patients undergoing alloPBSCT from human leucocyte antigen-matched sibling or unrelated donors in the first complete remission between 2007 and 2016 were included. ATG was used in 429/575 (75%) and 121/595 (20%) patients transplanted from unrelated or sibling donors, respectively. RESULTS The incidence of chronic GVHD was 35% for patients treated with ATG compared with 52% in those not receiving ATG (p < 0.001), while the rate of extensive chronic GVHD was 16% and 36%, respectively (p < 0.001). The probability of survival free from GVHD and relapse (GRFS) was 42% and 32%, respectively (p = 0.002). In a multivariate model, the use of ATG was associated with reduced risk of overall chronic GVHD (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.52, p < 0.001) and extensive chronic GVHD (HR = 0.46, p < 0.001). It was also associated with better GRFS (HR = 0.77, p = 0.007), despite increased risk of relapse (HR = 1.41, p = 0.02). No significant effect was found with regard to the risk of non-relapse mortality and overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS The use of ATG for patients with Ph+ ALL undergoing alloPBSCT is associated with reduced risk of chronic GVHD without impact on survival and therefore, could be considered. However, increased risk of relapse suggests the need for strict monitoring of minimal residual diseases and appropriate interventions after transplantation.
PICO Summary
Population
1170 adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ ALL) undergoing alloPBSCT
Intervention
Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG)
Comparison
No ATG
Outcome
In a multivariate model, the use of ATG was associated with reduced risk of overall chronic GVHD and extensive chronic GVHD. It was also associated with better GRFS, despite increased risk of relapse. No significant effect was found with regard to the risk of non-relapse mortality and overall mortality.
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Long-term efficacy of reduced-intensity versus myeloablative conditioning before allogeneic haemopoietic cell transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia in first complete remission: retrospective follow-up of an open-label, randomised phase 3 trial
Fasslrinner, F., Schetelig, J., Burchert, A., Kramer, M., Trenschel, R., Hegenbart, U., Stadler, M., Schafer-Eckart, K., Batzel, M., Eich, H., et al
The Lancet. Haematology. 2018
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of the intensity of conditioning before allogeneic haemopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has been studied in a randomised phase 3 trial comparing reduced-intensity conditioning with myeloablative conditioning in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia in first complete remission. Because of the short follow-up of the original trial, whether reduced-intensity conditioning increases the risk of late relapse compared with myeloablative conditioning remained unclear. To address this question, we present retrospective 10-year follow-up data of this trial and focus on late relapse. METHODS The original randomised phase 3 trial included patients aged 18-60 years, with intermediate-risk or high-risk acute myeloid leukaemia, an adequate organ function, and an available HLA-matched sibling donor or an unrelated donor with at least nine out of ten HLA alleles matched. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to 120 mg/m(2) fludarabine combined with four 2 Gy doses of total-body irradiation (reduced-intensity conditioning) or six 2 Gy doses of total-body irradiation and 120 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (myeloablative conditioning). The primary and secondary efficacy endpoints of this trial have been published previously. In this retrospective, long-term follow-up analysis, data were collected from medical reports from individual participating study centres, and from physician and patient interviews. Endpoints included in this analysis were cumulative relapse incidence, overall survival, disease-free survival, and non-relapse mortality in the original study population and in patients alive and relapse-free at 12 months after HCT (landmark analysis). 10-year time to event rates were calculated in the intention-to-treat population and were compared with the Gray test. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00150878. FINDINGS In the original trial, 195 patients were randomly assigned to receive reduced-intensity conditioning (n=99) or myeloablative conditioning (n=96). For this retrospective analysis, data were collected with a nearly complete follow-up (completeness index 99%). Median follow-up time for surviving patients was 9.9 years (IQR 8.5-11.4), during which the cumulative incidence of relapse in the complete study population was identical in both groups (30% [95% CI 20-39] in the reduced-intensity conditioning group vs 30% [21-40] in the myeloablative conditioning group; Gray test p=0.99). Relapse occurred at a median of 5.0 months (IQR 3.0-8.8) in the reduced-intensity conditioning group versus 9.5 months (4.5-20.5) in the myeloablative conditioning group. 10-year disease-free survival was 55% (95% CI 45-66) in the reduced-intensity conditioning group and 43% (34-55) in the myeloablative conditioning group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.76 [0.51-1.14]; p=0.19). 10-year non-relapse mortality was 16% (95% CI 8-24) in the reduced-intensity conditioning group and 26% (17-36) in the myeloablative conditioning group (subdistribution HR 0.60 [95% CI 0.32-1.11]; Gray test p=0.10). The incidence of long-term toxicities associated with total-body irradiation was comparable; secondary malignancies occurred in six (6%) of 94 patients in the reduced-intensity conditioning group and five (6%) of 90 in the myeloablative conditioning group (p=1.00). INTERPRETATION There is no evidence that reduced-intensity conditioning increases the risk of late relapse compared with myeloablative conditioning. Given that the reduced-intensity conditioning group in the original trial was associated with lower early morbidity and toxicity, reduced-intensity conditioning with moderately reduced total-body irradiation doses could be the preferred conditioning strategy for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia who are younger than 60 years and transplanted in first complete remission. FUNDING None.
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7.
Validation of the Revised PAM Score in Patients with AML Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Middeke, J. M., Kollinger, F., Baldauf, H., Stolzel, F., Wermke, M., von Bonin, M., Sockel, K., Link, C. S., Teipel, R., Rollig, C., 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
PURPOSE Despite recent advances, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) continues to be accompanied by a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Several scores have been developed to predict outcome after HSCT. The PAM score has been recently revised, and utilizes information on patient age, donor type, disease risk, cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus of patients and donors, and the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). The aim of this study was to analyze the predictive power of the PAM score in an independent, large cohort of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS We selected adult AML patients who received their first alloHSCT at the University Hospital of Dresden, a tertiary care hospital with a large transplant program. All adult patients treated from January 1, 2003 to July 1, 2015 were included. The PAM score was calculated as published. Overall survival (OS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) and non-relapse-mortality (NRM) after alloHSCT were analyzed. Age, AML type, sex match, CMV match, donor type, European Leukemia Net (ELN) risk classification, type of conditioning, disease stage, and the PAM score as a continuous variable, were selected a priori for multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS Overall, 544 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 57 years. With a median follow up of 47 months (range, 1 to 161), the estimated OS for the whole cohort at four years was 43%, with a CIR of 30% and a NRM of 31%. The probability of OS at four years for patients in PAM score groups 0, 1, 2, and 3 was 65%, 52%, 33% and 22% respectively (log-rank test, p= <.001). Both the CIR and NRM increased with higher PAM scores (gray-tests, p= .005 and p= <.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, age (Hazard Ration (HR) 1.02 per year, p= .004), disease stage (primary induction failure versus Complete Remission (CR) 1, HR 1.5, p= .03), and the PAM score (HR 1.04, p= .03) had a significant impact on OS. CONCLUSION This is the first independent validation of the revised PAM score allowing for simple and valid estimation of transplant outcome. It can serve as an important tool for the counselling of patients with AML as well as future trial design.
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Impact of ruxolitinib pretreatment on outcomes after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with myelofibrosis
Shahnaz Syed Abd Kadir, S., Christopeit, M., Gerald, W., Wagner, E., Bornhauser, M., Schroeder, T., Crysandt, M., Mayer, K., Jonas, J., Stelljes, M., et al
European journal of haematology. 2018
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ruxolitinib is the first approved drug for treatment of myelofibrosis, but its impact of outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS We reported on 159 myelofibrosis patients (pts) with a median age of 59 years (r: 28 - 74) who received reduced intensity ASCT between 2000 and 2015 in 8 German centers from related (n = 23), matched (n=86) or mismatched (n=50) unrelated donors. Forty-six (29%) patients received ruxolitinib at any time point prior to ASCT. The median daily dose of ruxolitinib was 30mg (range 10-40mg) and the median duration of treatment was 4.9 months (range 0.4 - 39.1 months). RESULTS Primary graft failure was seen in 2 pts (4%) in the ruxolitinib and 3 (2%) in the non-ruxolitinib group. Engraftment and incidence of acute GVHD grade II to IV and III/IV did not differ between groups (37% vs. 39% and 19% vs. 28%, respectively), nor did the non-relapse mortality at 2 years (23% vs. 23%). A trend for lower risk of relapse was seen in the ruxolitinib group (9% vs. 17%, p = 0.2), resulting in a similar 2 year DFS and OS (68% vs. 60% and 73% vs. 70%, respectively). No difference in any outcome variable could be seen between ruxolitinib responders and those who failed or lost response to ruxolitinib. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that ruxolitinib pretreatment in myelofibrosis patient does not negatively influence outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.