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Impact of Donor Age on Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Outcomes in Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Abid, M. B., Estrada-Merly, N., Zhang, M. J., Chen, K., Allan, D., Bredeson, C., Sabloff, M., Guru Murthy, G. S., Badar, T., Hashmi, S., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2023
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) provides cure for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML); however, disease relapse remains a major concern. Based on recent data suggesting that younger donor age confers the greatest benefit among matched unrelated donors (MUD), we attempted to answer a practical question: which donor type provides the best outcomes when an older patient with AML has a matched sibling donor (MSD, also older) vs the best MUD? METHODS This retrospective cohort registry study accessed data from Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research database (CIBMTR) in patients with AML 50 years or older undergoing alloHCT from older MSD (aged≥50) or younger MUD (aged≤35) between 2011 and 2018. The study included common allograft types, conditioning regimens, and graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. The primary outcome was relapse risk. Secondary outcomes included non-relapse mortality (NRM), GVHD, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Among 4684 eligible patients, 1736 underwent alloHCT with an older MSD whereas 2948 received transplant from a younger MUD. In multivariable analysis, compared to an alloHCT from older MSDs, younger MUDs conferred a decreased relapse risk (HR 0.86; p=.005) and a significantly lower adjusted 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse (35% vs 41%; p=.003), but was associated with an increased risk for chronic GVHD (HR 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08-1.29; p=.0002) and greater NRM only in the earlier period from 2011-2015 (HR 1.24; p=.016). The corresponding NRM rates were significantly lower in the more recent period from 2016-2018 (HR 0.78; p=.017). The adjusted 5-year DFS probability was 44% (95% CI, 42%-46%) with an alloHCT from younger MUDs compared to 41% (95% CI, 38%-43%) with an older MSD (p=.04). CONCLUSION In older patients with AML undergoing alloHCT, the use of younger MUDs is associated with a decreased relapse risk and improved DFS compared to older MSDs.
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Can GCSF-stimulated donor lymphocyte infusions improve outcomes for relapsed disease following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Kirkham, A. M., Bailey, A. J. M., Masurekar, A., Shorr, R., Bredeson, C., Sabloff, M., Allan, D. S.
Leukemia & lymphoma. 2022;:1-12
Abstract
Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) can produce graft-versus tumor effects to treat relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, however, durable responses remain uncommon. A systematic review and meta-analysis are needed to clarify whether DLI collected after stimulation with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF; G-DLI) can improve clinical outcomes. Sixteen studies (4 controlled) involving 585 patients were identified in a systematic search up to 17 September 2020. A meta-analysis demonstrated no significant difference in the risk of all-cause mortality (RR: 0.94, 95% CI 0.52-1.68, p = 0.82; n = 3 studies) or relapse-related mortality (RR: 0.72, 0.44-1.18, p = 0.19; n = 3 studies) between G-DLI and conventional DLI (C-DLI) groups. G-DLI products had similar mean CD3+ cells compared to C-DLI products, but median CD34+ cells/kg were increased. No improvement in disease progression, complete response rates, or risk of developing GVHD was observed with G-DLI, however, greater non-relapse mortality was observed compared to C-DLI. Alternative approaches to enhancing graft-versus-tumor effects are needed.
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Outcomes of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in T-cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia: A Contemporary Analysis from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research
Murthy, H. S., Ahn, K. W., Estrada-Merly, N., Alkhateeb, H. B., Bal, S., Kharfan-Dabaja, M. A., Dholaria, B., Foss, F., Gowda, L., Jagadeesh, D., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare, aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options and poor long-term survival. Previous studies of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) for T-PLL are limited by small numbers, and descriptions of patient and transplant characteristics and outcomes after alloHCT are sparse. OBJECTIVE To describe outcomes of alloHCT in T-PLL and identify predictors of post-transplant relapse and survival. STUDY DESIGN We conducted an analysis of data using the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) database on 266 patients with T-PLL who underwent alloHCT during 2008-2018. RESULTS The 4-year rates of overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), relapse, and treatment-related mortality (TRM) were 30.0% (95% CI, 23.8-36.5%), 25.7% (95% CI, 20-32%), 41.9% (95% CI, 35.5-48.4%), and 32.4% (95% CI, 26.4-38.6%), respectively. In multivariable analyses, three variables were associated with inferior OS: myeloablative conditioning (MAC) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.18, p<0.0001); age older than 60 years (HR 1.61, p=0.0053); and suboptimal performance status defined by Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) <90 (HR 1.53, p=0.0073). MAC also was associated with increased TRM (HR 3.31, p<0.0001), increased cumulative incidence of grade 2-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (HR 2.94, p=0.0011) and an inferior disease-free survival (HR 1.86, p=0.0004). Conditioning intensity was not associated with relapse; however stable disease/progression correlated with increased risk of relapse (HR 2.13, p=0.0072). Both in vivo T cell depletion (TCD) as part of conditioning and KPS <90 were associated with worse TRM and inferior DFS. Total Body Irradiation was not found to have any significant effect on OS, DFS or TRM. CONCLUSION Our data showed that reduced-intensity conditioning without in vivo T-cell depletion (that is, without ATG or alemtuzumab) prior to alloHCT was associated with long-term disease-free survival in patients with T-PLL who were 60 or younger or who had KPS >90 or had chemo-sensitive disease.
PICO Summary
Population
People with T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia (T-PLL), identified from the CIBMTR database (n=266)
Intervention
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Comparison
None
Outcome
The 4-year rates of overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), relapse, and treatment-related mortality (TRM) were 30.0% (95% CI, 23.8-36.5%), 25.7% (95% CI, 20-32%), 41.9% (95% CI, 35.5-48.4%), and 32.4% (95% CI, 26.4-38.6%), respectively. In multivariable analyses, three variables were associated with inferior OS: myeloablative conditioning (MAC) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.18); age older than 60 years (HR 1.61); and suboptimal performance status defined by Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) <90 (HR 1.53). MAC also was associated with increased TRM (HR 3.31), increased cumulative incidence of grade 2-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (HR 2.94) and an inferior disease-free survival (HR 1.86). Conditioning intensity was not associated with relapse; however stable disease/progression correlated with increased risk of relapse (HR 2.13). Both in vivo T cell depletion (TCD) as part of conditioning and KPS <90 were associated with worse TRM and inferior DFS. Total Body Irradiation was not found to have any significant effect on OS, DFS or TRM.
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The mutational landscape in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and its impact on allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation outcomes: a Center for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Research (CIBMTR) analysis
Mei, M., Pillai, R., Kim, S., Estrada-Merly, N., Afkhami, M., Yang, L., Meng, Z., Abid, M. B., Aljurf, M., Bacher, U., et al
Haematologica. 2022
Abstract
Somatic mutations are recognized as an important prognostic factor in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). However, limited data are available regarding their impact on outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). In this registry analysis conducted in collaboration with the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry (CIBMTR) database/sample repository, we identified 313 adult patients with CMML (median age: 64 years, range: 28-77) who underwent alloHCT during 2001-2017 and had an available biospecimen in the form of a peripheral blood sample obtained prior to the start of conditioning. In multivariate analysis, a CMML-specific prognostic scoring system (CPSS) score of intermediate-2 (HR=1.46, p=0.049) or high (HR=3.22, p=0.0004) correlated significantly with overall survival (OS). When the molecularly informed CPSS-Mol was applied, a high CPSS-Mol score (HR=2 p=0.0079) correlated significantly with OS. The most common somatic mutations were ASXL1 (62%), TET2 (35%), KRAS/NRAS (33% combined), and SRSF2 (31%). DNMT3A and TP53 mutations were associated with decreased OS (HR=1.70 [95%CI: 1.11-2.60], p=0.0147 and HR=2.72 [95%CI: 1.37-5.39], p=0.0042, respectively) while DNMT3A, JAK2, and TP53 mutations were associated with decreased disease-free survival (DFS) (HR=1.66 [95%CI: 1.11-2.49], p=0.0138, HR=1.79 [95%CI: 1.06- 3.03], p=0.0293, and HR=2.94 [95%CI: 1.50-5.79], p=0.0018 respectively). The only mutation associated with increased relapse was TP53 (HR=2.94, p=0.0201). Nonetheless, the impact specifically of TP53 mutations should be interpreted cautiously given its rarity in CMML. We calculated the goodness of fit measured by Harrell's C-index for both the CPSS and CPSS-Mol, which were very similar. In summary, via registry data we have provided the mutational landscape in patients with CMML who underwent alloHCT, and we demonstrated an association between CPSS-Mol and transplant outcomes although without major improvement in the risk prediction beyond the CPSS.
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Impact of Pretransplantation Renal Dysfunction on Outcomes after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Farhadfar, N., Dias, A., Wang, T., Fretham, C., Chhabra, S., Murthy, H. S., Broglie, L., D'Souza, A., Gadalla, S. M., Gale, R. P., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2021
Abstract
Renal dysfunction is a recognized risk factor for mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT), yet our understanding of the effect of different levels of renal dysfunction at time of transplantation on outcomes remains limited. This study explores the impact of different degrees of renal dysfunction on HCT outcomes and examines whether the utilization of incremental degrees of renal dysfunction based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) improve the predictability of the hematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index (HCT-CI). The study population included 2 cohorts: cohort 1, comprising patients age =40 years who underwent alloHCT for treatment of hematologic malignancies between 2008 and 2016 (n = 13,505; cohort selected given a very low incidence of renal dysfunction in individuals age <40 years), and cohort 2, comprising patients on dialysis at the time of HCT (n = 46). eGFR was measured using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) method. The patients in cohort 1 were assigned into 4 categories-eGFR =90 mL/min (n = 7062), eGFR 60 to 89 mL/min (n = 5264), eGFR 45 to 59 mL/min (n = 897), and eGFR <45 mL/min (n=282)-to assess the impact of degree of renal dysfunction on transplantation outcomes. Transplantation outcomes in patients on dialysis at the time of alloHCT were analyzed separately. eGFR <60 mL/min was associated with an increased risk for nonrelapse mortality (NRM) and requirement for dialysis post-HCT. Compared with the eGFR =90 group, the hazard ratio (HR) for NRM was 1.46 (P = .0001) for the eGFR 45 to 59 mL/min group and 1.74 (P = .004) for the eGFR <45 mL/min group. Compared with the eGFR =90 mL/min group, the eGFR 45 to 59 mL/min group (HR, 2.45; P < .0001) and the eGFR <45 mL/min group (HR, 3.09; P < .0001) had a higher risk of renal failure necessitating dialysis after alloHCT. In addition, eGFR <45 mL/min was associated with an increased overall mortality (HR, 1.63; P < .0001). An eGFR-based revised HCT-CI was also developed and shown to be predictive of overall survival (OS) and NRM, with predictive performance similar to the original HCT-CI. Among 46 patients on dialysis at alloHCT, the 1-year probability of OS was 20%, and that of NRM was 67%. The degree of pretransplantation renal dysfunction is an independent predictor of OS, NRM, and probability of needing dialysis after alloHCT. An eGFR-based HCT-CI is a validated index for predicting outcomes in adults with hematologic malignancies undergoing alloHCT. The outcomes of alloHCT recipients on dialysis are dismal; therefore, one should strongly weigh the significant risks of being on hemodialysis as a factor in determining alloHCT candidacy.
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Fludarabine and Melphalan Compared with Reduced Doses of Busulfan and Fludarabine Improves Transplant Outcomes in Older MDS Patients
Oran, B., Ahn, K. W., Fretham, C., Beitinjaneh, A., Bashey, A., Pawarode, A., Wirk, B., Scott, B. L., Savani, B. N., Bredeson, C., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2021
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens developed to extend allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to older patients have resulted in encouraging outcomes. We aimed to compare the two most commonly used RIC regimens, intravenous use of fludarabine with busulfan (FluBu) and fludarabine with melphalan (FluMel), in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Through CIBMTR, we identified 1045 MDS patients aged = 60 years who underwent first HSCT with a matched related or matched (8/8) unrelated donor using RIC. CIBMTR's definition of RIC was used: a regimen that incorporated an intravenous busulfan total dose = 7.2 mg/kg, or a low-dose melphalan total dose of = 150 mg/m(2). The two groups, FluBu (n=697) and FluMel (n=448), were comparable for disease and transplant-related characteristics except for the more frequent use of anti-thymocyte globulin or alemtuzumab in the FluBu group (39% vs. 31%). The median age was 67 in both groups. FluMel was associated with a reduced relapse incidence (RI) compared with FluBu, with a 1-year adjusted incidence of 26% vs. 44% (p=0.0001). Transplant-related mortality (TRM) was higher with FluMel compared with FluBu (26% vs. 16%, p=0.0001). Since the magnitude of improvement with FluMel in RI was greater than the improvement in TRM with FluBu, disease-free survival (DFS) was improved at 1-year and beyond with FluMel compared with FluBu (48% vs. 40% at 1 year, p=0.02, and 35% vs. 27% at 3 years, p=0.01). Overall survival (OS) was comparable at 1 year (63% vs. 61%, p=0.4) but significantly improved with FluMel compared with FluBu at 3 years (46% vs. 39%, p=0.03). Our results suggest that FluMel is associated with superior DFS compared with FluBu due to reduced RI in older MDS patients.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome aged >/=60 years who underwent first HSCT with a matched related or matched (8/8) unrelated donor, and were reported to the CIBMTR registry (n=1045)
Intervention
Reduced intensity regimen incorporating an intravenous busulfan total dose = 7.2 mg/kg (FluBu, n=697)
Comparison
Reduced intensity regimen incorporating a low-dose melphalan total dose of = 150 mg/m(2) (FluMel, n=448)
Outcome
The two groups were comparable for disease and transplant-related characteristics except for the more frequent use of anti-thymocyte globulin or alemtuzumab in the FluBu group (39% vs. 31%). The median age was 67 in both groups. FluMel was associated with a reduced relapse incidence (RI) compared with FluBu, with a 1-year adjusted incidence of 26% vs. 44%. Transplant-related mortality (TRM) was higher with FluMel compared with FluBu (26% vs. 16%). Since the magnitude of improvement with FluMel in RI was greater than the improvement in TRM with FluBu, disease-free survival (DFS) was improved at 1-year and beyond with FluMel compared with FluBu (48% vs. 40% at 1 year, and 35% vs. 27% at 3 years). Overall survival (OS) was comparable at 1 year (63% vs. 61%) but significantly improved with FluMel compared with FluBu at 3 years (46% vs. 39%). Our results suggest that FluMel is associated with superior DFS compared with FluBu due to reduced RI in older MDS patients.
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Myeloablative Conditioning for Allogeneic Transplantation Results in Superior Disease-Free Survival for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes with Low/Intermediate, but not High Disease Risk Index: A CIBMTR Study: Superior DFS with MAC compared to RIC HCT in AML/MDS with low/intermediate risk DRI
Bejanyan, N., Zhang, M., Bo-Subait, K., Brunstein, C., Wang, H., Warlick, E. D., Giralt, S., Nishihori, T., Martino, R., Passweg, J., et al
Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2020
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Myeloablative (MAC) as compared to reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) is generally associated with lower relapse risk after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, disease specific risk factors in AML/MDS can further inform when MAC vs. RIC may yield differential outcomes. We analyzed HCT outcomes stratified by the disease risk index (DRI) in 4387 adults (age 40-65 years) to identify the impact of conditioning intensity. In the low/intermediate risk DRI cohort, RIC was associated with lower non-relapse mortality (NRM) (HR=0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.88; p<0.001), but significantly higher relapse risk (HR=1.54, 95% CI 1.35-1.76; p<0.001) and thus inferior disease-free survival (DFS) (HR=1.19, 95% CI 1.07-1.33; p=0.001). In the high/very high risk DRI cohort, RIC resulted in marginally lower NRM (HR=0.83, 95% CI 0.68-1.00; p=0.051), and significantly higher relapse risk (HR=1.23, 95% CI 1.08-1.41; p=0.002) leading to similar DFS using either RIC or MAC. These data support MAC over RIC as the preferred conditioning intensity for AML/MDS with low/intermediate risk DRI, but similar benefit to RIC in high/very high risk DRI. Novel MAC regimens with less toxicity could benefit all, but more potent anti-neoplastic approaches are needed for the high/very high risk DRI group.
PICO Summary
Population
Adult patients aged 40-65 years with acute myeloid leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS) (n=4387)
Intervention
Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and low/intermediate risk (n=999), RIC and high/very high risk (n=728)
Comparison
Myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and low/intermediate risk (n=1539), MAC and high/very high risk (n=1121)
Outcome
In the low/intermediate risk disease risk index (DRI) cohort, RIC was associated with lower non-relapse mortality (NRM) , but significantly higher relapse risk and thus inferior disease-free survival (DFS). In the high/very high risk DRI cohort, RIC resulted in marginally lower NRM, and significantly higher relapse risk leading to similar DFS using either RIC or MAC.
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Association of Reduced-Intensity Conditioning Regimens With Overall Survival Among Patients With Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Undergoing Allogeneic Transplant
Ghosh, N., Ahmed, S., Ahn, K. W., Khanal, M., Litovich, C., Aljurf, M., Bacher, V. U., Bredeson, C., Epperla, N., Farhadfar, N., et al
JAMA oncology. 2020
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Abstract
Importance: Reduced-intensity conditioning and nonmyeloablative conditioning (RIC-NMAC) regimens are frequently used in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, the optimal RIC-NMAC regimen in allogeneic HCT for non-Hodgkin lymphoma is not known. Objective: To investigate whether RIC-NMAC regimens at a higher end of the intensity spectrum are associated with increased nonrelapse mortality and lower overall survival compared with RIC-NMAC regimens at the lower end of the intensity spectrum in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma undergoing allogeneic HCT. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used data from 1823 adult patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research registry. Included patients underwent allogeneic HCT using matched related or unrelated donors between January 2008 and December 2016. Statistical analysis was performed from June 1, 2019, to February 10, 2020. Interventions: Patients received 1 of 4 RIC-NMAC regimens: fludarabine-intravenous busulfan (Flu-Bu), approximately 6.4 mg/kg (n = 458); fludarabine-melphalan (Flu-Mel140), 140 mg/m2 (n = 885); fludarabine-cyclophosphamide (Flu-Cy) (n = 391); or Flu-Cy with 2 Gy total body irradiation (Flu-Cy-2GyTBI) (n = 89). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes were nonrelapse mortality, incidence of relapse, progression-free survival, and the incidence of acute and chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). Results: Of 1823 patients, 1186 (65%) were male, with a mean (SD) age of 54.8 (9.9) years. The 4-year adjusted OS was 58% in the Flu-Bu cohort, 67% in the Flu-Cy-2GyTBI cohort, 49% in the Flu-Mel140 cohort, and 63% in the Flu-Cy cohort (P < .001). After adjustment for age, Karnofsky performance score, HCT comorbidity index, NHL subtype, remission status at HCT, and the use of antithymocyte globulin or alemtuzumab, the regression analysis showed a significantly higher mortality risk associated with Flu-Mel140 compared with Flu-Bu (hazard ratio [HR], 1.34; 95% CI, 1.13-1.59; P < .001). Compared with the Flu-Cy cohort, the Flu-Mel140 cohort had a higher risk of chronic GVHD (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.15-1.65; P < .001). The Flu-Mel140 regimen was associated with a higher nonrelapse mortality risk (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.37-2.31; P < .001) compared with the Flu-Bu regimen. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings suggest that use of the more intense RIC-NMAC regimen, Flu-Mel140, may have a negative association with overall survival and may be associated with higher nonrelapse mortality. The Flu-Bu and Flu-Cy regimens with or without 2GyTBI regimens appeared to provide comparable overall survival.
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Weighty choices: selecting optimal G-CSF doses for stem cell mobilization to optimize yield
Farhadfar, N., Hsu, J. W., Logan, B. R., Sees, J. A., Chitphakdithai, P., Sugrue, M. W., Abdel-Azim, H., Anderlini, P. N., Bredeson, C., Chhabra, S., et al
Blood advances. 2020;4(4):706-716
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Abstract
There are limited data on the effect of donor body mass index (BMI) on peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), especially in unrelated donors. Obesity has been associated with persistent leukocytosis, elevated circulating progenitor cells, and enhanced stem cell mobilization. Therefore, we hypothesized that adequate collection of CD34+ cells may be achieved with lower doses (per kilogram of body weight) of G-CSF in donors with higher BMI compared with donors with lower BMI. Using the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research database, we evaluated the impact of donor BMI on G-CSF-mobilized PBSC yield in healthy unrelated donors. We examined 20 884 PBSC donations collected at National Marrow Donor Program centers between 2006 and 2016. We found significantly higher collection yields in obese and severely obese donors compared with normal and overweight donors. An increase in average daily G-CSF dose was associated with an increase in stem cell yield in donors with normal or overweight BMI. In contrast, an increase in average daily G-CSF dose beyond 780 mug per day in obese and 900 mug per day in severely obese donors did not increase cell yield. Pain and toxicities were assessed at baseline, during G-CSF administration, and postcollection. Obesity was associated with higher levels of self-reported donation-related pain and toxicities in the pericollection and early postdonation recovery periods. This study suggests a maximum effective G-CSF dose for PBSC mobilization in obese and severely obese donors, beyond which higher doses of G-CSF add no increased yield.
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The concentration of total nucleated cells in harvested bone marrow for transplantation has decreased over time
Prokopishyn, N. L., Logan, B. R., Kiefer, D. M., Sees, J. A., Chitphakdithai, P., Ahmed, I. A., Anderlini, P. N., Beitinjaneh, A. M., Bredeson, C., Cerny, J., et al
Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2019
Abstract
Bone Marrow (BM) is an essential hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) source for many allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, including adult patients (for specific diseases and transplant strategies) and the majority of pediatric transplants. However, since the advent of Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), there has been a significant decrease in utilization of BM in transplant patients, predominantly thought to be due to the increased logistical challenges around BM harvesting compared to PBSC, and generally no significant survival advantage of BM or PBSC. The decreased frequency of collection has the potential to impact the quality of BM harvests. In this study, we examined >15,000 BM donations collected at National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) centers between 1994 and 2016, and revealed a significant decline in the quality of BM products (defined by concentration of total nucleated cells (TNC) - TNC/mL). TNC concentration dropped from 21.8x10(6)/mL in the earliest era (1994-1996) to 18.7 TNC x10(6)/mL in the most recent era (2012-2016) (Means Ratio 0.83, p<0.001). This decline in BM quality was seen despite selection of more donors perceived to be optimal (e.g. younger age and male). Multivariate regression analysis showed that higher volume centers, performing more than 30 collections per era, had better quality harvests with higher concentrations of TNC collected. In conclusion, we show a significant decrease in the quality of BM collections over time and lower volume collection centers had poorer quality harvests. In this analysis we could not elucidate the direct cause for this finding, suggesting that further studies investigating the key factors responsible, as well as exploring the impact on the transplant recipient, are required.