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Total body irradiation versus busulfan based intermediate intensity conditioning for stem cell transplantation in ALL patients >45 years-a registry-based study by the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the EBMT
Hirschbühl, K., Labopin, M., Polge, E., Blaise, D., Bourhis, J. H., Socié, G., Forcade, E., Yakoub-Agha, I., Labussière-Wallet, H., Bethge, W., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2023
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is a potentially curative treatment in high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Conditioning regimens based on ≥12 Gray total body irradiation (TBI) represent the current standard in patients ≤45 years, whereas elderly patients frequently receive intermediate intensity conditioning (IIC) to reduce toxicity. To evaluate the role of TBI as a backbone of IIC in ALL, a retrospective, registry-based study included patients >45 years transplanted from matched donors in first complete remission, who had received either fludarabine/TBI 8 Gy (FluTBI8, n = 262), or the most popular, irradiation-free alternative fludarabine/busulfan, comprising busulfan 6.4 mg/kg (FluBu6.4, n = 188) or 9.6 mg/kg (FluBu9.6, n = 51). At two years, overall survival (OS) was 68.5%, 57%, and 62.2%, leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 58%, 42.7%, and 45%, relapse incidence (RI) was 27.2%, 40%, and 30.9%, and non-relapse-mortality (NRM) was 23.1%, 20.7%, and 26.8% for patients receiving FluTBI8Gy, FluBu6.4, and FluBu9.6, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the risk of NRM, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease was not influenced by conditioning. However, RI was higher after FluBu6.4 (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI]: 1.85 [1.16-2.95]), and LFS was lower after both FluBu6.4 (HR: 1.56 [1.09-2.23]) and FluBu9.6 (HR: 1.63 [1.02-2.58]) as compared to FluTBI8. Although only resulting in a non-significant advantage in OS, this observation indicates a stronger anti-leukemic efficacy of TBI-based intermediate intensity conditioning.
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Comorbidities in recipients of low transplant conditioning intensity regimens for acute myeloid leukemia: an ALWP EBMT study
Fein, J. A., Shouval, R., Galimard, J. E., Labopin, M., Socié, G., Finke, J., Cornelissen, J. J., Malladi, R., Itälä-Remes, M., Chevallier, P., et al
Blood advances. 2023
Abstract
Older age and high burden of comorbidities often drive selection of low-intensity conditioning regimens in allogeneic-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients. However, the impact of comorbidities in the low-intensity conditioning setting is unclear. We sought to determine the contribution of individual comorbidities and their cumulative burden on the risk of non-relapse mortality (NRM) in patients receiving low-intensity regimens. In a retrospective analysis of adults (≥ 18 years) transplanted for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR) between 2008-2018, we studied recipients of low-intensity regimens as defined by the Transplantation Conditioning Intensity (TCI) scale. Multivariable Cox models were constructed to study associations of comorbidities with NRM. Comorbidities identified as putative risk factors in the low-TCI setting were included in combined multivariable regression models assessed for overall survival, NRM, and relapse. A total of 1,663 patients with a median age of 61 years received low-TCI regimens. Cardiac comorbidity (including arrhythmia/valvular disease) and psychiatric disease were associated with increased NRM risk (hazard ratio [HR] 1.54 [95% CI 1.13, 2.09] and 1.69 [1.02, 2.82], respectively). Moderate pulmonary dysfunction, though prevalent, was not associated with increased NRM. In a combined model, cardiac, psychiatric, renal, and inflammatory bowel disease were independently associated with adverse transplantation outcomes. These findings may inform patient and regimen selection and reinforce the need for further investigation of cardioprotective transplantation approaches.
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Outcome of human umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation (CBT) for acute myeloid leukemia in patients achieving first complete remission after one versus two induction courses: a study from the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
Nagler, A., Labopin, M., Cornelissen, J. J., Forcade, E., Chevallier, P., Fegueux, N., Sierra, J., Desmier, D., Labussière-Wallet, H., Byrne, J. L., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2022
Abstract
We compared transplantation outcomes of adult patients with AML that underwent cord blood transplantation (CBT) in CR1 following 1 versus 2 induction courses. Study included 325 patients, 243 (75%) with 1 and 82 (25%) with 2 induction courses. Engraftment was lower for patients achieving CR1 after 1 vs. 2 induction courses: 91% vs. 99% (p = 0.02). Incidence of acute GVHD was similar, 38% and 36% (p = 0.81), as was 2-year chronic GVHD at 23.4% and 27.5%, respectively (p = 0.65). Two-year non-relapse mortality (NRM), relapse incidence (RI), leukemia-free survival (LFS), overall survival (OS) and GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) were not statistically different between patients achieving CR1 with 1 vs. 2 induction courses with 23% vs. 24% (p = 0.87), 25% vs. 30% (p = 0.4), 52% vs. 46% (p = 0.3), 59% vs. 50% (p = 0.2), and 44% vs. 41% (p = 0.66), respectively. Results were confirmed by multivariable analysis, NRM (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6-1.8, p = 0.7), RI (HR = 1.4; 95% CI, 0.9-2.3, p = 0.1), LFS (HR = 1.3; 95% CI, 0.9-1.8, p = 0.2), OS (HR = 1.3; 95% CI, 0.9-1.9, p = 0.1), and GRFS (HR = 1.1; 95% CI, 0.8-1.5, p = 0.5). Overall, outcomes of AML patients undergoing CBT in CR1 achieved after 1 or 2 induction courses are similar.
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4.
Retrospective analysis of hematopoietic cell transplantation for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: conditioning intensity matters
Bruch, P. M., Dietrich, S., Finel, H., Boumendil, A., Greinix, H., Heinicke, T., Bethge, W., Beelen, D., Schmid, C., Martin, H., et al
Leukemia. 2022
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasia (BPDCN) is a rare myeloid malignancy with a generally poor prognosis. Although preliminary evidence suggests that hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) could improve outcome in patients with BPDCN, the individual contributions of conditioning and graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effects to HCT success are undefined. We present a retrospective study of 162 adult patients who underwent a first HCT (allogeneic 146, autologous 16) between 2009 and 2017, and were registered with the EBMT. Median age was 57 (range 20-73) years, and disease status at HCT was first complete remission (CR1) in 78%. Among patients receiving allogeneic HCT (alloHCT), myeloablative conditioning (MAC), reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and in-vivo T-cell depletion (TCD) were used in 54%, 46%, and 59% respectively. Total body irradiation (TBI) was the conditioning backbone in 61% of MAC and 26% of RIC transplants. One-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were comparable after alloHCT and autologous HCT (autoHCT). Among alloHCT recipients, MAC with TBI significantly improved OS and PFS, independently of CR1, age, Karnofsky index and TCD. Accordingly, MAC (ideally based on TBI) should be preferred for alloHCT recipients with BPDCN. In patients who are not elegible for MAC alloHCT, autoHCT could be considered.
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5.
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome using treosulfan based compared to other reduced-intensity or myeloablative conditioning regimens. A report of the chronic malignancies working party of the EBMT
Shimoni, A., Robin, M., Iacobelli, S., Beelen, D., Mufti, G. J., Ciceri, F., Bethge, W., Volin, L., Blaise, D., Ganser, A., et al
British journal of haematology. 2021
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Allogeneic haematopoietic-cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a potentially curative therapy for high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) is usually associated with lower non-relapse mortality (NRM), higher relapse rate and similar overall-survival (OS) as myeloablative-conditioning (MAC). Fludarabine/treosulfan (FT) is a reduced-toxicity regimen with intense anti-leukaemia activity and a favourable toxicity profile. We investigated post-transplant outcomes in 1722 MDS patients following allo-HCT with FT (n = 367), RIC (n = 687) or MAC (n = 668). FT and RIC recipients were older than MAC recipients, median age 59, 59 and 51 years, respectively (P < 0·001) but other disease characteristics were similar. The median follow-up was 64 months (1-171). Five-year relapse rates were 25% (21-30), 38% (34-42) and 25% (22-29), after FT, RIC and MAC, respectively, (P < 0·001). NRM was 30% (25-35), 27% (23-30) and 34% (31-38, P = 0·008), respectively. Five-year OS was 50% (44-55), 43% (38-47), and 43% (39-47), respectively (P = 0·03). In multivariate analysis, FT was associated with a lower risk of relapse (HR 0·55, P < 0·001) and better OS (HR 0·72, P = 0·01). MAC was associated with higher NRM (HR 1·44, P = 0·001). In conclusion, FT is associated with similar low relapse rates as MAC and similar low NRM as RIC, resulting in improved OS. FT may be the preferred regimen for allo-HCT in MDS.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients reported to the EBMT registry with a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome, receiving allogeneic transplant (n=1722)
Intervention
Fludarabine/treosulfan based conditioning (FT, n=367)
Comparison
Other reduced intensity conditioning regimens (RIC, n=687) or myeloablative conditioning (MAC, n=668)
Outcome
FT and RIC recipients were older than MAC recipients, median age 59, 59 and 51 years, respectively but other disease characteristics were similar. The median follow-up was 64 months (1-171). Five-year relapse rates were 25% (21-30), 38% (34-42) and 25% (22-29), after FT, RIC and MAC, respectively. NRM was 30% (25-35), 27% (23-30) and 34% (31-38), respectively. Five-year OS was 50% (44-55), 43% (38-47), and 43% (39-47), respectively. In multivariate analysis, FT was associated with a lower risk of relapse (HR 0·55) and better OS (HR 0·72). MAC was associated with higher NRM (HR 1·44).
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Addition of Rituximab in Reduced Intensity Conditioning Regimens for B-Cell Malignancies Does Not Influence Transplant Outcomes: EBMT Registry Analyses Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation for B-Cell Malignancies
Tomaszewska, A., Jagasia, M., Beohou, E., van der Werf, S., Blaise, D., Kanfer, E., Milpied, N., Reményi, P., Ciceri, F., Bourhis, J. H., et al
Frontiers in immunology. 2020;11:613954
Abstract
Rituximab (R) is increasingly incorporated in reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) in patients with B-cell malignancies, not only to improve disease control, but also to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). There are no randomized prospective data to validate this practice, although single center data and the CIBMTR analysis have shown promising results. We aimed at validation of these findings in a large registry study. We conducted a retrospective analysis using the EBMT registry of 3,803 adult patients with B-cell malignancies undergoing alloHCT (2001-2013) with either rituximab (R-RIC-9%) or non-rituximab (RIC-91%) reduced intensity regimens respectively. Median age and median follow up were 55 years (range 19.1-77.3) and 43.2 months (range 0.3-179.8), respectively. There was no difference in transplant outcomes (R-RIC vs RIC), including 1-year overall survival (69.9% vs 70.7%), 1-year disease-free survival (64.4% vs 62.2%), 1-year non-relapse mortality (21% vs 22%), and day-100 incidence of acute GVHD 2-4° (12% vs 12%). In summary, we found that addition of rituximab in RIC regimens for B-cell malignancies had no significant impact on major transplant outcome variables. Of note, data on chronic GVHD was not available, limiting the conclusions that can be drawn from the present study.
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Sequential allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for active refractory/relapsed myeloid malignancies: results of a reduced-intensity conditioning preceded by clofarabine and cytosine arabinoside, a retrospective study on behalf of the SFGM-TC
Le Bourgeois, A., Labopin, M., Marcais, A., de Latour, R. P., Blaise, D., Chantepie, S., N'Guyen, S., Maillard, N., Forcade, E., Yakoub-Agha, I., et al
Annals of hematology. 2020
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Full text
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) represents the most beneficial treatment for patients with active relapsed/refractory (R/R) hematologic malignancies. Recently, sequential regimens combining debulking chemotherapy followed by reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) have shown encouraging results for these patients. In this retrospective study, we report the extended results of a sequential regimen of clofarabine, cytosine arabinoside, and RIC in 131 adults with active R/R myeloid disease at transplant. Conditioning consisted of clofarabine (30 mg/m(2)/day) and cytosine arabinoside (1 g/m(2)/day) for 5 days, followed, after a rest of 3 days, by an RIC combining cyclophosphamide (60 mg/kg) for 1 day, iv busulfan (3.2 mg/kg/day) for 2 days, and anti-thymocyte globulin (2.5 mg/kg/day) for 2 days. Between 2007 and 2016, 131 patients (males n = 75, median age: 52.6 years) were identified from the SFGM-TC registry. There were 111 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and 20 cases with myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative syndrome. Status at transplant was known for all but 4 patients and was primary refractory (n = 81) and 1st or 2nd relapse (n = 46). All patients received allo-SCT from a matched donor (sibling n = 64, unrelated n = 67). Engraftment was observed in 105/122 (86%) evaluable cases and 63% of the patients achieved complete remission (CR) after transplant. The 1-year overall survival, disease-free survival, relapse incidence, non-relapse mortality, and graft-versus-host disease-free/relapse-free survival were 39.2%, 28.1%, 41.0%, 30.8%, and 22.2%, respectively. This study confirms that this sequential clofarabine-based regimen provides a high CR rate in this critical population, although relapse remains a matter of concern.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults with active relapsed/refractory (R/R) myeloid disease at transplant (n=131)
Intervention
Clofarabine, cytosine arabinoside regimen, followed by reduced intensity conditioning and matched donor allogeneic transplantation
Comparison
None
Outcome
Engraftment was observed in 105/122 (86%) evaluable cases and 63% of the patients achieved complete remission (CR) after transplant. The 1-year overall survival, disease-free survival, relapse incidence, non-relapse mortality, and graft-versus-host disease-free/relapse-free survival were 39.2%, 28.1%, 41.0%, 30.8%, and 22.2%, respectively.
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Idelalisib treatment prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a report from the EBMT chronic malignancies working party
Schetelig, J., Chevallier, P., van Gelder, M., Hoek, J., Hermine, O., Chakraverty, R., Browne, P., Milpied, N., Malagola, M., Socié, G., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2020
Abstract
No studies have been reported so far on bridging treatment with idelalisib for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). To study potential carry-over effects of idelalisib and to assess the impact of pathway-inhibitor (PI) failure we performed a retrospective EBMT registry-based study. Patients with CLL who had a history of idelalisib treatment and received a first alloHCT between 2015 and 2017 were eligible. Data on 72 patients (median age 58 years) were analyzed. Forty percent of patients had TP53(mut/del) CLL and 64% had failed on at least one PI. No primary graft failure occurred. Cumulative incidences of acute GVHD °II-IV and chronic GVHD were 51% and 39%, respectively. Estimates for 2-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and cumulative incidences of relapse/progression (CIR) and non-relapse mortality NRM were 59%, 44%, 25%, and 31%. In univariate analysis, drug sensitivity was a strong risk factor. For patients who had failed neither PI treatment nor chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) the corresponding 2-year estimates were 73%, 65%, 15%, and 20%, respectively. In conclusion, idelalisib may be considered as an option for bridging therapy prior to alloHCT. Owing to the high risk for acute GVHD intensified clinical monitoring is warranted.
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Influence of donor type (sibling vs matched-unrelated donor vs haplo-identical donor) on outcomes after clofarabine-based reduced-intensity conditioning allograft for myeloid malignancies
Bouard, L., Guillaume, T., Peterlin, P., Garnier, A., Le Bourgeois, A., Duquenne, A., Mahe, B., Dubruille, V., Blin, N., Touzeau, C., et al
Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2019
Abstract
Clofarabine-based reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens are well-established schedules for allograft in patients with myeloid malignancies. A retrospective study was conducted including all adults allografted in our department with such a regimen and disease with the aim to assess whether or not the donor type (matched sibling (MSD), unrelated (MUD), or haploidentical (haplo)) impacted outcomes. Between October 2009 and February 2018, 118 patients met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-six, 55 and 27 patients respectively received a graft from a MSD, MUD or haplo donor. Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were the source of graft for all patients. The median age of the whole cohort was 62 years old (range: 20-73) and the median follow-up was 31 months (range: 4.5-106). All patients engrafted except 1 haplo recipient. Neutrophils (>0.5 10(9)/L) and platelets (50 10(9)/L) recoveries were significantly delayed in the haplo-group (p=0.0003; and p<0.0001) compared to MSD and MUD. Acute grade 2-4 or 3-4 graft versus host disease (GVHD) incidences were similar between the three groups as well as the incidence of moderate or severe chronic GVHD. Also, similar 2-year overall survival (OS, 64.7% vs 73.9% vs 60.2%, p=0.39), disease-free survival (DFS, 57.7% vs 70.9% vs and 53.6%, p=0.1) and GVHD-relapse free survival (37.9% vs 54.3% vs 38.9%, p=0.23) were observed between MSD vs MUD vs haplo groups. The same was true when considering only acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases. In multivariate analysis, the type of donor remained independent of outcomes in this series while myelodysplastic syndrome (vs AML), high disease-risk index and older donor (>=50 years) were associated with lower OS and DFS. These data suggest that haplo-identical donors are an acceptable alternative for patients receiving a clofarabine-based RIC PBSC allograft for myeloid malignancies who lack a MSD or a MUD.
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10.
Myeloablative and Reduced-intensity conditioned Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Myelofibrosis: A Retrospective Study by the Chronic Malignancies Working Party of EBMT
McLornan, D., Szydlo, R., Koster, L., Chalandon, Y., Robin, M., Wolschke, C., Beelen, D., Socie, G., Bornhauser, M., Angelucci, E., et al
Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2019
Abstract
This retrospective study by the EBMT analysed the outcome of 2224 Myelofibrosis patients who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) between 2000-2014; 781 (35%) underwent myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and 1443 (65%) reduced intensity conditioning (RIC). Median patient age was 52.9 years (r, 18-74) and 57.5 years (range(r), 21-76) in the MAC and RIC cohorts respectively. Donor type was similar: matched sibling donors (MAC- 317 (41%)) and RIC- 552 (38%) and unrelated donors (UD; MAC (464 (59%); RIC- 891 (62%)). Median time to both neutrophil and platelet (>20x10(9)/L) engraftment did not differ between cohorts. Rates of grade II-IV acute (a) GVHD were 28% (MAC) and 31% (RIC; (p=ns). Cumulative cGVHD rates (limited/ extensive) were 22%/27% (MAC) and 19%/ 31% (RIC; p=0.10). Cumulative incidences of Non-relapse mortality (NRM) at 1, 3 and 5-years were: 25.5%, 32.2% and 34.6% (MAC) and 26.3%, 32.8% and 34.4% (RIC). There was a trend towards a higher relapse rate with RIC regimens compared to MAC (p=0.08); rates at 1, 3 and 5-years were: 10.9%, 17.2% and 20.1% (MAC) and 14%, 19.7% and 23.2% (RIC), respectively. No significant difference in 5yr probabilities of overall survival (OS) was noted: MAC 53.0% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 49.1-56.9) and RIC 51.0% (95% CI: 48.3-53.7); p=0.78. Regarding the composite end point of GVHD-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS), the unadjusted Kaplan-Meier estimate of 5-year GRFS was 32.4% (95% CI: 29.0-36.1) in the MAC group and 26.1% (95% CI: 23.9-28.2) in the RIC group (p=0.001). In the MAC cohort, multivariable analysis confirmed worse OS and NRM with older age (>50 yrs), using an unrelated donor and a Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) of 80 or less. For the RIC cohort, worse OS and NRM was associated with age 60- 70 years when compared to younger recipients, use of a mismatched donor and poor performance status. In conclusion, although similar OS rates existed for both cohorts overall, this study suggests that MAC should still be used for younger individuals suitable for such an approach due to a trend towards less relapse and an overall suggested advantage of improved GRFS; albeit this should be examined in a more homogeneous cohort. RIC allo-SCT still offers significant survival advantage in the older, fitter MF allograft patient and optimisation to reduce significant relapse and NRM rates are required.