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Eltrombopag improves platelet engraftment after haploidentical bone marrow transplantation: Results of a Phase II study
Ahmed, S., Bashir, Q., Bassett, R. L., Jr., Ullah, F., Aung, F., Valdez, B. C., Alousi, A. M., Hosing, C., Kebriaei, P., Khouri, I., et al
American journal of hematology. 2024
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Slow platelet recovery frequently occurs after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) with bone marrow graft and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PCy)-based graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Improved platelet recovery may reduce the need for transfusions and improve outcomes. We investigated the safety and efficacy of eltrombopag, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, at enhancing platelet recovery post-haplo-HSCT. The prospective study included patients ≥18 years of age who received haplo-HSCT with bone marrow graft and PCy. Patients received eltrombopag 300 mg/day starting on Day +5. The primary objective was to estimate platelet engraftment (>50 000/μL by Day 60). In a post hoc analysis, they were compared to a contemporary matched control group who did not receive eltrombopag. One hundred ten patients were included in the analysis (30 eltrombopag and 80 control). Seventy-three percent and 50% of patients in the eltrombopag group and control group, respectively, attained >50 000/μL platelet count by Day 60 (p = .043). No eltrombopag-related grade ≥4 adverse events were observed. Median time to platelet recovery (>20 000/μL) was 29 days with eltrombopag and 31 days for controls (p = .022), while its cumulative incidence was 90% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 78%-100%) with eltrombopag versus 67.5% (95% CI: 57%-78%) for controls (p = .014). Number of platelet transfusions received, overall survival, progression-free survival, GVHD rate, relapse rate, and non-relapse mortality were similar between groups. Overall, eltrombopag is safe and improves platelet recovery in patients undergoing haplo-HSCT with bone marrow graft and PCy.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults underoing haploidentical transplant with bone marrow graft and post-transplant cyclophosphamide from a single centre in USA (n=110)
Intervention
Eltrombopag 300 mg/day starting on Day +5 (n=30)
Comparison
contemporary matched control group who did not receive eltrombopag (n=80)
Outcome
Seventy-three percent and 50% of patients in the eltrombopag group and control group, respectively, attained >50 000/μL platelet count by Day 60. No eltrombopag-related grade ≥4 adverse events were observed. Median time to platelet recovery (>20 000/μL) was 29 days with eltrombopag and 31 days for controls, while its cumulative incidence was 90% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 78%-100%) with eltrombopag versus 67.5% (95% CI: 57%-78%) for controls. Number of platelet transfusions received, overall survival, progression-free survival, GVHD rate, relapse rate, and non-relapse mortality were similar between groups.
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Outcomes of toxoplasmosis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the role of antimicrobial prophylaxis
Malek, A. E., Al-Juhaishi, T., Milton, D. R., Ramdial, J. L., Daher, M., Olson, A. L., Srour, S. A., Alatrash, G., Oran, B., Mehta, R. S., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2024
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Incidence and Risk Factors of Early Onset VOD/SOS Differ in Younger vs Older Adults After Stem Cell Transplantation
Marcoux, C., Saliba, R. M., Wallis, W., Khazal, S. J., Ragoonanan, D., Rondon, G., Tewari, P., Popat, U. R., Oran, B., Olson, A. L., et al
Blood advances. 2024
Abstract
Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). While increasing awareness and modern transplant techniques have mitigated risk, the interaction of historic risk factors in the current era with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is unknown. We performed a retrospective single center analysis of adult patients 18 years or older undergoing allo-SCT (N=1561) using predominately PTCy as GVHD prophylaxis (72%). We found a higher rate of VOD at 16.8% (20/119) in those aged ≤ 25 years compared to 3.8% (55/1442) in those >25 years, with unique predictors of VOD within each cohort. Multivariate classification and regression tree (CART) analysis confirmed age as the primary independent determinant of the rate of VOD. Within patients aged 18-25 years, disease risk index (DRI) (31% with high/very high DRI vs 12% low/intermediate DRI; p=0.03) and prior lines of chemotherapy (24% with >1 vs 6% with ≤1, p=0.03) were the strongest predictors of VOD. Incidence of VOD in patients > 25 years of age consistently ranged between 3-5% across most risk factors evaluated, with only hepatic factors (baseline elevation of bilirubin, aspartate transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) or gemtuzumab exposure associated with increased rates of VOD. There was no significant difference in rates of VOD in those receiving PTCy compared to those receiving alternate GVHD prophylaxis. Our data highlight the differences in incidence and predictors in VOD between younger (≤25) and older (>25) adults undergoing allo-SCT.
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Outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma and 1q gain/amplification receiving autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant: the MD Anderson cancer center experience
Pasvolsky, O., Ghanem, S., Milton, D. R., Rauf, M., Tanner, M. R., Bashir, Q., Srour, S., Saini, N., Lin, P., Ramdial, J., et al
Blood cancer journal. 2024;14(1):4
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
The prognostic impact of additional copies of chromosome 1q (1q + ) on outcomes of newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients undergoing autologous transplantation (autoSCT) is unclear. We conducted a retrospective single-center analysis of NDMM patients with 1q21 gain/amplification (3 or ≥4 copies of 1q, respectively) that received autoSCT between 2008-2018. 213 patients were included (79% 1q gain; 21% 1q amplification). The most commonly used induction regimen was bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (41%). At day100 post-autoSCT and at best post-transplant response, 78% and 87% of patients achieved ≥VGPR, and 38% and 50% achieved MRD-negative ≥VGPR, respectively. Median PFS and OS for the entire cohort were 35.5 months and 81.4 months, respectively. On multivariable assessment for PFS, MRD negative ≥VGPR before autoSCT (HR 0.52, p = 0.013) was associated with superior PFS, whereas 1q amplification was associated with inferior PFS (2.03, p = 0.003). On multivariate analysis for OS, achieving MRD negative ≥VGPR at best post-transplant response was associated with superior survival (0.29, p < 0.001), whereas R-ISS III and concomitant del17p or t(4:14) were associated with inferior survival (6.95, p = 0.030, 2.33, p = 0.023 and 3.00, p = 0.047, respectively). In conclusion, patients with 1q+ NDMM, especially 1q amplification, have inferior survival outcomes compared to standard-risk disease after upfront autoSCT, though outcomes are better than other high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults with newly-diagnosed myeloma (NDMM) patients with 1q21 gain/amplification (3 or >/=4 copies of 1q, respectively) that received autoSCT between from a single centre in USA (n=213)
Intervention
Assess the prognostic impact of additional copies of chromosome 1q (1q+) on autologous transplantation outcomes
Comparison
None
Outcome
At day100 post-autoSCT and at best post-transplant response, 78% and 87% of patients achieved very good partial response or better (>/=VGPR) and 38% and 50% achieved MRD-negative >/=VGPR, respectively. Median PFS and OS for the entire cohort were 35.5 months and 81.4 months, respectively. On multivariable assessment for PFS, MRD negative >/=VGPR before autoSCT (HR 0.52) was associated with superior PFS, whereas 1q amplification was associated with inferior PFS (2.03). On multivariate analysis for OS, achieving MRD negative >/=VGPR at best post-transplant response was associated with superior survival (0.29), whereas R-ISS III and concomitant del17p or t(4:14) were associated with inferior survival (6.95, 2.33, and 3.00, respectively).
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5.
Myeloablative Fractionated Busulfan for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant in Older Patients or Patients with Comorbidities
Popat, U. R., Pasvolsky, O., Bassett, R., Mehta, R. S., Olson, A. L., Chen, J., Alousi, A. M., Al-Atrash, G., Bashir, Q., Gulbis, A. M., et al
Blood advances. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Traditional conditioning regimens for patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHCT) provide suboptimal outcomes, especially for older patients and those with comorbidities. We hypothesized that a fractionated myeloablative busulfan dose delivered over an extended period would reduce non-relapse mortality (NRM), while retaining anti-leukemic effects. Here, we performed a phase II trial for adults with hematological malignancies receiving matched related or unrelated alloHCT. Participants received busulfan 80mg/m2 outpatient on days -20 and -13 before transplant. Fludarabine 40mg/m2 was given on days -6 to -2 followed by busulfan dosed to achieve a target area under the curve of 20,000mol/min for the whole course. The primary endpoint was day 100 NRM. Seventy-eight patients were included, with a median age of 61 (range 39-70) years, transplanted for acute leukemia (24%), MDS (27%), or MPD/CML (44%). HCT specific comorbidity index (HCT-CI) was >3 in 34 (44%). With a median follow-up of 36.4 (range 2.9-51.5) months, 100-day, 1-year and 3-year NRM was 3.8% (95%CI, 0-8.1%), 8% (95%CI, 2-14%), and 9.3% (95%CI, 2.6-15.9%), without a significant difference by age or HCT-CI score. One-year and 3-year relapse incidence was 10% (95%CI, 4-17%) and 18% (95%CI, 9-27%), respectively. Three-year overall survival was 80% (95%CI, 72-90%) and was similar for patients >60 and <60 years of age, as well as those with HCT-CI>3 and HCT-CI<3. Overall, we found that a myeloablative fractionated busulfan regimen has low NRM without an increase in relapse rate, resulting in promising survival, even in older patients or in patients with comorbidities.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults with haematological malignancies receiving matched related or unrelated allogeneic transplant, from a single centre in USA (n=78).
Intervention
Busulfan 80mg/m2 outpatient on days -20 and -13 before transplant, fludarabine 40mg/m2 on days -6 to -2 followed by busulfan dosed to achieve a target area under the curve of 20,000mol/min for the whole course
Comparison
None
Outcome
With a median follow-up of 36.4 (range 2.9-51.5) months, 100-day, 1-year and 3-year non-relapse mortality was 3.8% (95%CI, 0-8.1%), 8% (95%CI, 2-14%), and 9.3% (95%CI, 2.6-15.9%), without a significant difference by age or HCT-CI score. One-year and 3-year relapse incidence was 10% (95%CI, 4-17%) and 18% (95%CI, 9-27%), respectively. Three-year overall survival was 80% (95%CI, 72-90%) and was similar for patients >60 and <60 years of age, as well as those with HCT-CI>3 and HCT-CI<3.
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6.
Effect of donor age in patients with acute myeloid leukemia undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation vary by conditioning intensity and recipient age
Saliba, R. M., Kanakry, C. G., Gadalla, S., Kebriaei, P., Rezvani, K., Champlin, R. E., Shpall, E. J., Weisdorf, D., Mehta, R. S.
American journal of hematology. 2023
Abstract
We investigated the impact of donor age (younger [≤35 years] vs. older [>35 years]) after accounting for other non-HLA and HLA factors on outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukemia undergoing HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (n = 790). The effect differed by conditioning-partly related to the differences in the recipient age in myeloablative (MAC; median 46 years) versus reduced-intensity/non-myeloablative conditioning (RIC/NMA; median 61 years) groups. With MAC (n = 320), donor age had no impact on acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), but older donors were associated with a significantly higher risk of chronic GVHD (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-2.30, p = .02) independent of recipient age and other factors. Donor age had no impact on either relapse or non-relapse mortality (NRM). The impact of donor/recipient age on overall survival changed over time. Older donors were associated with significantly higher late overall mortality (>6 months) in younger recipients (≤ 50 years; HR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.03-4.6, p = .04) but not older recipients. With RIC/NMA (n = 470), neither recipient's nor donor's age influenced the risk of GVHD. Donor age had no significant impact on the risk of relapse, but older donors were associated with a significantly higher risk of NRM (HR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.02-2.6, p = .04) independent of recipient age. Older donor age was associated with significantly higher late overall mortality (>9 months) in older recipients (>50 years; HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.0-2.67; p = .049) but not in younger recipients. Donor selection based on donor age may require a tailored approach for a particular recipient.
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Molecular disparity of HLA-DPB1 is associated with the development of subsequent solid cancer after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Zou, J., Kongtim, P., Oran, B., Srour, S. A., Greenbaum, U., Carmazzi, Y., Rondon, G., Ciurea, S. O., Ma, Q., Shpall, E. J., et al
Cancer. 2023
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increased incidence of subsequent solid cancers (SSCs) has been reported in long-term survivors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), and SSC is associated with inferior mortality and morbidity. Previous studies showed that the incidence of SSC is significantly higher in those who underwent allo-HSCT from HLA-mismatched donors, suggesting that persistent alloimmunity may predispose patients to SSCs. It was recently reported that, in a cohort of patients who received allo-HSCT from an unrelated donor matched at HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1/3/4/5, and -DQB1 loci, HLA-DPB1 alloimmunity determined by high mismatched eplets (MEs) and Predicted Indirectly Recognizable HLA Epitopes (PIRCHE) score (PS), was associated with relapse protection and increased risk of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). METHODS In the present study, the impact of HLA-DPB1 alloimmunity assessed by molecular mismatch algorithms on the development of SSCs in a cohort of 1514 patients who underwent allo-HSCT for hematologic malignancies was further investigated. ME load at the HLA-DPB1 locus was measured using the HLAMatchmaker module incorporated in HLA Fusion software, and the PS for mismatched HLA-DPB1 was calculated using the HSCT module from the PIRCHE online matching service. RESULTS In multivariable analysis after adjusting for baseline risk factors, higher ME, PS-I, and PS-II in the GVH direction, but not in the HVG direction, were associated with an increased risk of SSCs (ME: subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] 1.58, p = .01; PS-I: SHR 1.59, p = .009; PS-II: SHR 1.71, p = .003). In contrast, nonpermissive HLA-DPB1 mismatches defined by the conventional T-cell epitope algorithm were not predictive of the risk of SSCs. Moreover, posttransplant cyclophosphamide-based GVHD prophylaxis was associated with a reduced risk of SSC (SHR 0.34, p = .021). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate for the first time that increased GVH alloreactivity could contribute to the development of SSCs in allo-HSCT survivors.
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Transplant Outcomes of Myelofibrosis with Busulfan and Fludarabine Myeloablative Conditioning
Joseph, J., Srour, S. A., Milton, D. R., Ramdial, J. L., Saini, N. Y., Olson, A. L., Bashir, Q., Oran, B., Alousi, A. M., Hosing, C., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outcomes of myelofibrosis with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) have improved over the past decade and are partly related to advances in supportive treatments and conditioning regimens. Several factors are known to predict transplant outcomes. However, most studies lack homogeneity in the conditioning regimen used, which limits their ability to assess prognostic factors on transplant outcomes. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the risk factors that predict transplant outcomes in patients with myelofibrosis who underwent matched or mismatched allo-SCT using a uniform myeloablative conditioning regimen consisting of busulfan and fludarabine with tacrolimus and methotrexate-based graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. STUDY DESIGN This single-center study included patients with myelofibrosis who underwent allo-SCT with a matched unrelated donor (MUD), matched related donor (MRD), or mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) and received busulfan and fludarabine conditioning with methotrexate/tacrolimus-based GVHD prophylaxis. RESULTS Sixty-five patients with myelofibrosis met the criteria and were included in the study. At a median follow-up of 35.6 months, the 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), non-relapse mortality (NRM), and overall survival (OS) for all study patients were 27%, 20%, and 65%, respectively. In a multivariable analysis for CIR, prior use of JAK inhibitors was significantly associated with a decreased risk of relapse (HR [95% CI], 0.33 [0.11-0.99]; p = 0.048). For NRM, HCT-CI (≥3 vs. <3, 10.09 [2.09-48.76]; p=0.004) and donor type (MUD vs. MRD, 5.38 [1.14-25.30]; p=0.033 and MMUD vs. MRD, 10.73 [1.05-109.4]; p=0.045) were associated with an increased risk of mortality. Likewise for OS, HCT-CI (≥3 vs. <3, 3.31 [1.22-8.99]; p = 0.019) and donor type (MMUD vs. MRD, 5.20 [1.35-19.98]; p = 0.016) were significantly associated with inferior survival. Longer time from diagnosis to allo-SCT seemed to confer worse survival but this didn't reach statistical significance (>12 months vs. ≤12 months: NRM, 7.20 [0.96-53.94]; p=0.055 and OS, 2.60 [0.95-7.14]; p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS In a homogenous cohort of myelofibrosis patients uniformly treated with busulfan/fludarabine myeloablative conditioning and methotrexate-based GVHD prophylaxis, we showed that donor choice and HCT-CI are the two strongest predictors for improved survival after allo-SCT.
PICO Summary
Population
People with myelofibrosis who underwent allo-SCT with a matched unrelated donor (MUD), matched related donor (MRD), or mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) at a single centre in USA (n=176)
Intervention
Cohort for analysis: all who received myeloablative conditioning regimen consisting of busulfan and fludarabine with tacrolimus and methotrexate-based graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis (n=65)
Comparison
None
Outcome
At a median follow-up of 35.6 months, the 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), non-relapse mortality (NRM), and overall survival (OS) for all study patients were 27%, 20%, and 65%, respectively. In a multivariable analysis for CIR, prior use of JAK inhibitors was significantly associated with a decreased risk of relapse (HR [95% CI], 0.33 [0.11-0.99]). For NRM, HCT-CI (>/=3 vs. <3, 10.09 [2.09-48.76]) and donor type (MUD vs. MRD, 5.38 [1.14-25.30] and MMUD vs. MRD, 10.73 [1.05-109.4]) were associated with an increased risk of mortality. Likewise for OS, HCT-CI (>/=3 vs. <3, 3.31 [1.22-8.99];) and donor type (MMUD vs. MRD, 5.20 [1.35-19.98]) were significantly associated with inferior survival. Longer time from diagnosis to allo-SCT seemed to confer worse survival but this didn't reach statistical significance (>12 months vs. </=12 months: NRM, 7.20 [0.96-53.94] and OS, 2.60 [0.95-7.14]).
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Impact of Type of Induction Therapy on Outcomes in Older Adults with AML after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
Short, N. J., Ong, F., Ravandi, F., Nogueras Gonzalez, G. M., Kadia, T. M., Daver, N. G., DiNardo, C. D., Konopleva, M. Y., Borthakur, G., Oran, B., et al
Blood advances. 2023
Abstract
Although venetoclax-based lower-intensity regimens have greatly improved outcomes for older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are unfit for intensive chemotherapy, the optimal induction for older patients with newly diagnosed AML who are suitable candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is controversial. We retrospectively analyzed post-HSCT outcomes of 127 patients ≥60 years of age who received induction therapy at our institution with intensive chemotherapy (IC, n=44), lower-intensity therapy (LIT) without venetoclax (n=29) or LIT with venetoclax (n=54) and who underwent allogeneic HSCT in first remission. The 2-year relapse-free survival with LIT with venetoclax was 60%, versus 54% with IC and 41% with LIT without venetoclax, and 2-year overall survival for LIT with venetoclax was 72%, versus 58% with IC and 41% with LIT without venetoclax. The benefit to LIT with venetoclax induction was greatest in patients with adverse-risk AML (2-year OS 74%, 46%, and 29%, respectively). Induction with LIT, with or without venetoclax, was associated with the lowest rate of non-relapse mortality (NRM) (2-year NRM 17% versus 27% with IC; P=0.04). By multivariate analysis, type of induction therapy did not significantly impact any of the post-HSCT outcomes evaluated; hematopoietic cell transplantation-specific comorbidity index (HCT-CI) was the only factor that independently predicted for RFS and OS. LIT plus venetoclax followed by HSCT is feasible treatment strategy in older, fit, and HSCT-eligible patients with newly diagnosed AML and may be particularly beneficial in those with adverse-risk disease.
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10.
Clinical relevance of MYC/BCL2 expression and cell of origin in patients with diffuse large b-cell lymphoma treated with autologous transplant
Al-Juhaishi, T., Wang, Y., Milton, D. R., Xu-Monette, Z. Y., Jabbour, E., Daher, M., Im, J. S., Bashir, Q., Iyer, S. P., Marin, D., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2023
Abstract
Dual expression of MYC and BCL2 proteins (double-expressor lymphoma [DEL]) as well as cell of origin (COO) are important prognostic factors in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after conventional chemotherapy. We studied the prognostic impact of DEL and COO in patients with relapsed DLBCL treated with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Three-hundred and three patients with stored tissue samples were identified. Classification was successful in 267 patients: 161 (60%) were DEL/non-double hit (DHL), 98 (37%) were non-DEL/non-DHL, and 8 (3%) were DEL/DHL. Compared to non-DEL/non-DHL, DEL/DHL had worse overall survival while DEL/non-DHL did not significantly differ in overall survival. On multivariable analysis, DEL/DHL, age >60 years, and >2 prior therapies, but not COO, were important prognostic factors for overall survival. When we explored the interaction of COO and BCL2 expression, patients with germinal center B-cell (GCB)/BCL2 (+) had inferior progression-free survival (PFS) compared to GCB/BCL2 (-) patients (HR, 4.97; P = 0.027). We conclude that the DEL/non-DHL and non-DEL/non-DHL subtypes of DLBCL have similar survival after ASCT. The negative impact of GCB/BCL2 (+) on PFS warrants future trials targeting BCL2 after ASCT. The inferior outcomes in DEL/DHL need to be verified in a larger number of patients.