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1.
Once-Daily Foscarnet Is Effective for Human Herpesvirus 6 Reactivation after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Vittayawacharin, P., E'Leimat, G., Lee, B. J., Griffin, S., Doh, J., Nam, H., Blodget, E., Jeyakumar, D., Kongtim, P., Ciurea, S. O.
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2023;29(6):397.e1-397.e6
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) reactivation is common after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and is associated with higher mortality and increased transplantation-related complications. We hypothesized that preemptive treatment with a short course of foscarnet at a lower cutpoint of plasma HHV-6 viral load would be effective in treating early HHV-6 reactivation, preventing complications and precluding hospitalization of these patients. We reviewed outcomes of adult patients (age ≥18 years) who received preemptive treatment with once-daily foscarnet 60 to 90 mg/kg for 7 days for HHV-6 reactivation after allo-HSCT at our institution between May 2020 and November 2022. Plasma HHV-6 viral load was monitored by quantitative PCR twice monthly in the first 100 days post-transplantation and twice weekly after reactivation until resolution. Eleven patients with a median age of 46 years (range, 23 to 73 years) were included in the analysis. HSCT was performed with a haploidentical donor in 10 patients and with an HLA-matched related donor in 1 patient. The most common diagnosis was acute leukemia (9 patients). Myeloablative and reduced-intensity conditioning regimens were used in 4 and 7 patients, respectively. Ten of the 11 patients received post-transplantation cyclophosphamide-based graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. The median follow-up was 440 days (range, 174 to 831 days), and the median time to HHV-6 reactivation was 22 days post-transplantation (range, 15 to 89 days). The median viral load at first reactivation was 3,100 copies/mL (range, 210 to 118,000 copies/mL), and the median peak viral load was 11,300 copies/mL (range, 600 to 983,000 copies/mL). All patients received a short course of foscarnet at either 90 mg/kg/day (n = 7) or 60 mg/kg/day (n = 4). In all patients, plasma HHV-6 DNA was undetectable at completion of 1 week of treatment. No HHV-6 encephalitis or pneumonitis occurred. All patients achieved neutrophil and platelet engraftment after a median of 16 days (range, 8 to 22 days) and 26 days (range, 14 to 168 days), respectively, with no secondary graft failure. No complications related to foscarnet administration were noted. One patient with very high HHV-6 viremia had recurrent reactivation and received a second course of foscarnet as an outpatient. A short course of once-daily foscarnet is effective in treating early HHV-6 reactivation post-transplantation and may reduce the incidence of HHV-6-related and treatment-related complications and preclude hospitalization in these patients.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults who underwent allo-HSCT from a single centre in USA (n=43)
Intervention
HHV-6 DNA monitoring twice monthly. For reactivation, once-daily foscarnet 60 to 90 mg/kg for 7 days for HHV-6 reactivation (n=11)
Comparison
None
Outcome
The median follow-up was 440 days (range, 174 to 831 days), and the median time to HHV-6 reactivation was 22 days post-transplantation (range, 15 to 89 days). The median viral load at first reactivation was 3,100 copies/mL (range, 210 to 118,000 copies/mL), and the median peak viral load was 11,300 copies/mL (range, 600 to 983,000 copies/mL. In all patients, plasma HHV-6 DNA was undetectable at completion of 1 week of treatment. No HHV-6 encephalitis or pneumonitis occurred. All patients achieved neutrophil and platelet engraftment after a median of 16 days (range, 8 to 22 days) and 26 days (range, 14 to 168 days), respectively, with no secondary graft failure. No complications related to foscarnet administration were noted. One patient with very high HHV-6 viremia had recurrent reactivation and received a second course of foscarnet as an outpatient.
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2.
Treatment of Allosensitized Patients Receiving Allogeneic Transplantation
Ciurea, S. O., Al Malki, M. M., Kongtim, P., Zou, J., Aung, F. M., Rondon, G., Chen, J., Taniguchi, M., Otoukesh, S., Nademanee, A., et al
Blood advances. 2021
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) are a major cause of engraftment failure in patients receiving haploidentical stem cell transplantation (HaploSCT). Effective treatments are needed for these patients who often have no other donor options and/or are in need to proceed urgently to transplantation. We studied a multimodality treatment with alternate day plasma exchange, rituximab, intravenous gamma globulin (IvIg) and an irradiated donor buffy coat for patients with DSA at two institutions. Thirty-seven patients with a median age of 51 years were treated with this desensitization protocol. Treatment outcomes were compared with a control group of HaploSCT patients without DSA (N=345). Majority of patients in the DSA group were females (83.8% vs. 37.1% in controls, p<0.001) and received stem cells from a child as donor (67.6% vs. 44.1%, p=0.002). Mean DSA level before and after desensitization was 10,198 and 5,937 MFI, respectively with mean differences of 4,030 MFI. Fourteen of 30 tested patients (46.7%) had C1q positivity while 8 of 29 tested patients (27.6%) remained positive after desensitization. In multivariable analysis, patients with initial DSA >20,000 MFI and with persistent C1q+ after desensitization had a significantly lower engraftment rate, resulted in a significantly higher non-relapse mortality (NRM) and worse overall survival (OS) than controls whereas graft outcome and survivals of patients with initial DSA <20,000 MFI and those with negative C1q after treatment were comparable with controls. In conclusion, treatment with plasma exchange, rituximab, IvIg and donor buffy coat is effective in promoting engraftment in patients with DSA up to 20,000 MFI.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with donor specific antibodies (DSAs) from two US centres, receiving allogeneic transplantation (DSA group, n=37)
Intervention
Desensitisation protocol: alternate day plasma exchange, rituximab, intravenous gamma globulin (IvIg) and an irradiated donor buffy coat (n=37)
Comparison
Patients without DSAs undergoing haploidentical transplantation (Control, n=345)
Outcome
The majority of patients in the DSA group were female (83.8% vs 37.1% in controls,) and received stem cells from a child as the donor (67.6% vs 44.1%). Mean DSA level before and after desensitization was 10 198 and 5937 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), respectively, with mean differences of 4030 MFI. Fourteen of 30 tested patients (46.7%) had C1q positivity, while 8 of 29 tested patients (27.6%) remained positive after desensitization. In multivariable analysis, patients with initial DSA > 20 000 MFI and persistent positive C1q after desensitization had a significantly lower engraftment rate, which resulted in significantly higher non-relapse mortality and worse overall survival (OS) than controls, whereas graft outcome and survival of patients with initial DSA < 20 000 MFI and those with negative C1q after treatment were comparable with controls.
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3.
Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is Associated with Increased Cytomegalovirus Infection: A CIBMTR Analysis
Goldsmith, S. R., Abid, M. B., Auletta, J. J., Bashey, A., Beitinjaneh, A., Castillo, P., Chemaly, R. F., Chen, M., Ciurea, S. O., Dandoy, C. E., et al
Blood. 2021
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Prior studies suggest increased CMV infection following haploidentical donor transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (HaploCy). The role of allograft source and PTCy in CMV infection and disease is unclear. We analyzed the effect of graft source and PTCy on incidence of CMV infection as well as transplant outcomes as it relates to CMV serostatus and occurrence of CMV infection by d180. We examined patients reported to CIBMTR between 2012-2017 who had received HaploCy (n = 757), Sib with PTCy (SibCy, n=403), or Sib with calcineurin inhibitor-based prophylaxis (SibCNI, n=1605) for AML/ALL/MDS. Cumulative incidences of CMV infection by d180 were 42% (99% CI, 37-46), 37% (31 - 43), and 23% (20 - 26), respectively [p<0.001]. CMV end-organ disease was statistically comparable. CMV infection risk was highest for CMV-Seropositive recipients (R+), but significantly higher in PTCy recipients regardless of donor [HaploCy (n=545): HR 50.3 (14.4 - 175.2); SibCy (n=279): HR 47.7 (13.3 - 171.4); SibCNI (n=1065): HR 24.4 (7.2 - 83.1); p<0.001]. D+/R- patients also had increased risk for CMV infection. Among seropositive recipients or those developing CMV infection, HaploCy had worse OS and NRM. Relapse was unaffected by CMV infection or serostatus. PTCy was associated with lower chronic GVHD overall, but CMV infection in PTCy recipients was associated with higher cGVHD (p=0.006). PTCy, regardless of donor, is associated with higher incidence of CMV infection, augmenting the risk of seropositivity. Additionally CMV infection may negate the cGVHD protection of PTCy. This study supports aggressive prevention strategies in all patients receiving PTCy.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with acute myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or myelodysplastic synrome (n=2765)
Intervention
Haploidentical transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (HaploCy, n=757),
Comparison
Sibling donor with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (SibCy, n=403), or Sibling donor with calcineurin inhibitor-based prophylaxis (SibCNI, n=1605)
Outcome
Cumulative incidences of CMV infection by day 180 were 42% (HaploCy), 37% (SibCy), and 23% (SibCNI), respectively. CMV end-organ disease was statistically comparable. CMV infection risk was highest for CMV-Seropositive recipients (R+), but significantly higher in PTCy recipients regardless of donor [HaploCy (n=545): HR 50.3; SibCy (n=279): HR 47.7; SibCNI (n=1065): HR 24.4. D+/R- patients also had increased risk for CMV infection. Among seropositive recipients or those developing CMV infection, HaploCy had worse OS and NRM. Relapse was unaffected by CMV infection or serostatus. PTCy was associated with lower chronic GVHD overall, but CMV infection in PTCy recipients was associated with higher cGVHD. PTCy, regardless of donor, is associated with higher incidence of CMV infection, augmenting the risk of seropositivity. Additionally CMV infection may negate the cGVHD protection of PTCy.
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4.
Randomized phase II trial of extracorporeal phototherapy and steroids vs. steroids alone for newly diagnosed acute GVHD
Mehta, R. S., Bassett, R., Rondon, G., Overman, B. J., Popat, U. R., Hosing, C. M., Rezvani, K., Qazilbash, M. H., Anderlini, P., Jones, R. B., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2021
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Steroids remain the initial therapy for acute graft-vs.-host disease (AGVHD). Strategies to improve response and minimize steroid exposure are needed. We report results of a randomized, adaptive, Bayesian-designed, phase II trial of prednisone with or without extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) as an initial therapy for patients with newly diagnosed AGVHD. The primary endpoint was success at day 56 defined as: alive, in remission, achieving AGVHD response without additional therapy, and on <1?mg/kg at day 28 and <0.5?mg/kg on day 56 of steroids. Eighty-one patients were randomized to the ECP arm (n?=?51) or steroids alone (n?=?30). Median age was 54 years (range: 17-75); 90% had grade II AGVHD and 10% had grades III and IV AGVHD, with skin (85%), upper (22%)/lower (22%) gastrointestinal, and liver (10%) involvement. The ECP arm had a higher probability of success (0.815) and exceeded the predefined threshold for determining the investigational arm promising. ECP was potentially more beneficial than steroids-alone in skin-only AGVHD (response rate: 72% vs. 57%, respectively) than for visceral-organ AGVHD (47% vs. 43%, respectively). The addition of ECP to steroids may result in higher GVHD response as initial therapy for AGVHD, especially for patients with skin-only involvement.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with newly-diagnosed acute graft-versus-host disease (AGVHD, n=81)
Intervention
Prednisone with extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP, n=51)
Comparison
Prednisone alone (n=30)
Outcome
The ECP arm had a higher probability of success (0.815) and exceeded the predefined threshold for determining the investigational arm promising. ECP was potentially more beneficial than steroids-alone in skin-only AGVHD (response rate: 72% vs. 57%, respectively) than for visceral-organ AGVHD (47% vs. 43%, respectively).
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Bone Marrow versus Peripheral Blood Graft for Haploidentical HCT with Post Transplantation Cyclophosphamide
Mehta, R. S., Saliba, R. M., Alsfeld, L. C., Jorgensen, J. L., Wang, S. A., Anderlini, P., Al-Atrash, G., Bashir, Q., Ciurea, S. O., Hosing, C. M., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2021
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the COVID-19 pandemic era, the numbers of haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with peripheral blood (PB) versus bone marrow (BM) grafts increased significantly, which may be associated with adverse outcomes. METHODS We compared outcomes of BM vs PB grafts in patients =18 years with hematological malignancy who underwent T-cell replete haploidentical HCT and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. FINDINGS Of 264 patients, 180 (68%) received BM and 84 (32%) received PB graft. Median age was 50 years in both groups. Majority (n=199, 75%) received reduced-intensity conditioning. More patients had acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome in BM (n=152, 85%) than PB (n=46, 55%), p<0.01. The median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment, and incidence of grade II-IV and III-IV acute GVHD (aGVHD) was comparable in both groups. Among grade II-IV aGVHD, steroid-refractory aGVHD (SR-aGVHD) was 9% (95% CI 5-18) in BM vs 32% (95% CI 19-54) in PB; hazard ratio (HR) 3.7, 95% CI 1.5-9.3, p=0.006. Chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was 8% (95% CI 4-13) vs 22% (95% CI 14-36); HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4-6.6, p=0.005 and systemic therapy-requiring cGVHD was 2.5% (95% CI 1-7) vs 14% (95% CI 7-27), respectively; HR 5.6, 95% CI 1.7-18, p=0.004 at 1 year. PB group had a significantly higher risk of bacterial and viral infections with no appreciable advantage in the duration of hospitalization, immune reconstitution, relapse, non-relapse mortality, or survival. INTERPRETATION Our data suggest the use of BM over PB graft for haploidentical HCT.
PICO Summary
Population
Adult patients with haematological malignancies undergoing haploidentical transplantation (n=264)
Intervention
Bone marrow graft (n=180)
Comparison
Peripheral blood graft (n=84)
Outcome
Median age was 50 years in both groups. Majority (n=199, 75%) received reduced-intensity conditioning. More patients had acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome in BM (n=152, 85%) than PB (n=46, 55%). The median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment, and incidence of grade II-IV and III-IV acute GVHD (aGVHD) was comparable in both groups. Among grade II-IV aGVHD, steroid-refractory aGVHD (SR-aGVHD) was 9% (95% CI 5-18) in BM vs 32% (95% CI 19-54) in PB; hazard ratio (HR) 3.7, 95% CI 1.5-9.3. Chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was 8% (95% CI 4-13) vs 22% (95% CI 14-36); HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4-6.6, and systemic therapy-requiring cGVHD was 2.5% (95% CI 1-7) vs 14% (95% CI 7-27), respectively; HR 5.6, 95% CI 1.7-18 at 1 year. PB group had a significantly higher risk of bacterial and viral infections with no appreciable advantage in the duration of hospitalization, immune reconstitution, relapse, non-relapse mortality, or survival
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6.
Molecular disparity in human leukocyte antigens is associated with outcomes in haploidentical stem cell transplantation
Zou, J., Ciurea, S. O., Kongtim, P., Yi, M., Carmazzi, Y., Rondon, G., Srour, S., Partlow, D., Champlin, R. E., Cao, K.
Blood advances. 2020;4(15):3474-3485
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Haploidentical donors are increasingly used for patients requiring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Although several factors have been associated with transplant outcomes, the impact of HLA disparity in haploidentical HSCT (haplo-HSCT) remains unclear. We investigated the impact of HLA disparity quantified by mismatched eplets (ME) load of each HLA locus on the clinical outcome of 278 consecutive haploidentical transplants. Here, we demonstrated that the degree of HLA molecular mismatches, at individual HLA loci, may be relevant to clinical outcome in the haplo-HSCT. A significantly better overall survival was associated with higher ME load from HLA-A (hazard ratio [HR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95-0.99; P = .003) and class I loci (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97-0.99; P = .045) in the host-versus-graft direction. The apparent survival advantage of HLA-A ME was primarily attributed to reduced risk in relapse associated with an increase in HLA-A ME load (subdistribution HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.98; P = .004). Furthermore, we have identified an association between the risk of grade 3-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and a higher ME load at HLA-B and class I loci in graft-versus-host (GVH) direction. Additionally, GVH nonpermissive HLA-DPB1 mismatch defined by T-cell epitope grouping was significantly associated with relapse protection (subdistribution HR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.06-0.59; P = .004) without a concurrent increase in GVHD. These findings indicate that alloreactivity generated by HLA disparity at certain HLA loci is associated with transplant outcomes, and ME analysis of individual HLA loci might assist donor selection and risk stratification in haplo-HSCT.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients receiving haploidentical transplantation (n=278)
Intervention
HLA disparity quantified by mismatched eplets (ME)
Comparison
None
Outcome
A significantly better overall survival was associated with higher ME load from HLA-A (hazard ratio [HR], 0.97) and class I loci (HR, 0.99) in the host-versus-graft direction. The apparent survival advantage of HLA-A ME was primarily attributed to reduced risk in relapse associated with an increase in HLA-A ME load (subdistribution HR, 0.95). Furthermore, we have identified an association between the risk of grade 3-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and a higher ME load at HLA-B and class I loci in graft-versus-host (GVH) direction. Additionally, GVH nonpermissive HLA-DPB1 mismatch defined by T-cell epitope grouping was significantly associated with relapse protection (subdistribution HR, 0.19) without a concurrent increase in GVHD.
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7.
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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8.
Haploidentical Transplantation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients with Minimal/ Measurable Residual Disease at Transplantation
Srour, S. A., Saliba, R. M., Bittencourt, M. C., Ramos Perez, J. M., Kongtim, P., Alousi, A., Al-Atrash, G., Olson, A., Betul, O., Mehta, R., et al
American journal of hematology. 2019
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
There have been conflicting results regarding impact of minimal/measurable disease at transplant on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) outcomes after haploidentical transplantation (haplo-SCT). We assessed the impact of pre-transplant disease status on post-transplant outcomes of 143 patients treated with haplo-SCT using fludarabine-melphalan (FM) conditioning and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy). With a median follow-up of 29 months, the two-year PFS for all patients was 41%. Compared to patients in complete remission (CR) at transplant, those with active disease (n = 29) and CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) (n = 39) had worse PFS. They had hazard ratios (HR) of 3.5 (95% CI: 2.05-6.1; P < .001) and 2.3 (95% CI: 1.3-3.9; P = 0.002), respectively. Among patients who were in CR at transplant, there were no differences in PFS between those who had minimal residual disease (MRD) positive (n = 24), and MRD negative (n = 41) (HR 1.85, 95%CI: 0.9-4.0; P = 0.1). In multivariable analysis for patients in CR, only age was predictive for outcomes, while MRD status at transplant did not influence the treatment outcomes. Our findings suggest that haplo-SCT with FM conditioning regimen and PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis has a protective effect, and may potentially abrogate the inferior outcomes of MRD positivity for patients with AML. Patients with positive MRD may benefit from proceeding urgently to a haplo-SCT, as this does not appear to negatively impact transplant outcomes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (n=143)
Intervention
Haplo-SCT using fludarabine-melphalan (FM) conditioning and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy).
Comparison
None
Outcome
The two-year PFS for all patients was 41%. Compared to patients in complete remission (CR) at transplant, those with active disease (n = 29) and CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) (n = 39) had worse PFS. They had hazard ratios (HR) of 3.5 and 2.3 respectively. Among patients who were in CR at transplant, there were no differences in PFS between those who had minimal residual disease (MRD) positive (n = 24), and MRD negative (n = 41). In multivariable analysis for patients in CR, only age was predictive for outcomes, while MRD status at transplant did not influence the treatment outcomes.
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9.
Haploidentical vs haplo-cord transplant in adults under 60 years receiving fludarabine and melphalan conditioning
van Besien, K., Artz, A., Champlin, R. E., Guarneri, D., Bishop, M. R., Chen, J., Gergis, U., Shore, T., Liu, H., Rondon, G., et al
Blood advances. 2019;3(12):1858-1867
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Haplo-identical transplant with posttransplant cyclophosphamide (haplo) and umbilical cord blood transplant supported by third-party CD34 cells (haplo-cord) are competing approaches to alternative donor transplant. We compared, in adults younger than age 60 years, the outcomes of 170 haplo at 1 institution with that of 137 haplo-cord at 2 other institutions. All received reduced intensity conditioning with fludarabine and melphalan +/- total body irradiation. GVHD prophylaxis for haplo consisted of cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate, whereas haplo-cord received antithymocyte globulin, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate. Haplo transplant used mostly bone marrow, and peripheral blood stem cells were used in haplo-cord transplants. Haplo-cord were older and had more advanced disease. Haplo-cord hastened median time to neutrophil (11 vs 18 days, P = .001) and platelet recovery (22 vs 25 days, P = .03). At 4 years, overall survival (OS) was 50% for haplo-cord vs 49% for haplo. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 40% for haplo-cord vs 45% for haplo. In multivariate analysis, the disease risk index was significant for OS (hazard ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.48-2.17; P = .00) and PFS. Total body irradiation was associated with decreased recurrence and improved PFS, age >40 with increased nonrelapse mortality. The type of transplant had no effect on OS, PFS, relapse, or nonrelapse mortality. Cumulative incidence of grade 2-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) by day 100 was 16% after haplo-cord vs 33% after haplo (P < .0001), but grade 3-4 GVHD was similar. Chronic GVHD at 1 year was 4% after haplo-cord vs 16% after haplo (P < .0001). Haplo or haplo-cord results in similar and encouraging outcomes. Haplo-cord is associated with more rapid neutrophil and platelet recovery and lower acute and chronic GVHD. Institutional review board authorization for this retrospective study was obtained at each institution. Some patients participated in trials registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01810588 and NCT01050946.
PICO Summary
Population
We compared, in adults younger than age 60 years, the outcomes of 170 haplo at 1 institution with that of 137 haplo-cord at 2 other institutions
Intervention
Haploidentical transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (n=170)
Comparison
Umbilical cord blood transplant supported by third-party CD34 cells (haplo-cord) (n=137)
Outcome
The type of transplant had no effect on OS, PFS, relapse, or nonrelapse mortality. Cumulative incidence of grade 2-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) by day 100 was 16% after haplo-cord vs 33% after haplo, but grade 3-4 GVHD was similar. Chronic GVHD at 1 year was 4% after haplo-cord vs 16% after haplo.
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10.
Myeloablative vs reduced intensity T-cell-replete haploidentical transplantation for hematologic malignancy
Solomon, S. R., St Martin, A., Shah, N. N., Fatobene, G., Al Malki, M. M., Ballen, K. K., Bashey, A., Bejanyan, N., Bolanos Meade, J., Brunstein, C. G., et al
Blood advances. 2019;3(19):2836-2844
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
In the absence of prospective studies that examine the effect of conditioning regimen intensity after T-cell-replete haploidentical transplant for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a retrospective cohort analysis was performed. Of the 1325 eligible patients (AML, n = 818; ALL, n = 286; and MDS, n = 221), 526 patients received a myeloablative regimen and 799 received a reduced-intensity regimen. Graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis was uniform with posttransplant cyclophosphamide, a calcineurin inhibitor, and mycophenolate mofetil. The primary end point was disease-free survival. Cox regression models were built to study the effect of conditioning regimen intensity on transplant outcomes. For patients aged 18 to 54 years, disease-free survival was lower (hazard ratio [HR], 1.34; 42% vs 51%; P = .007) and relapse was higher (HR, 1.51; 44% vs 33%; P = .001) with a reduced-intensity regimen compared with a myeloablative regimen. Nonrelapse mortality did not differ according to regimen intensity. For patients aged 55 to 70 years, disease-free survival (HR, 0.97; 37% vs 43%; P = .83) and relapse (HR, 1.32; 42% vs 31%; P = .11) did not differ according to regimen intensity. Nonrelapse mortality was lower with reduced-intensity regimens (HR, 0.64; 20% vs 31%; P = .02). Myeloablative regimens are preferred for AML, ALL, and MDS; reduced-intensity regimens should be reserved for those unable to tolerate myeloablation.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with haematological malignancies (n=1325)
Intervention
Myeloablative conditioning regimen (n=526)
Comparison
Reduced-intensity conditioning regimen (n=799)
Outcome
For patients aged 18 to 54 years, disease-free survival was lower and relapse was higher with a reduced-intensity regimen compared with a myeloablative regimen. Non-relapse mortality did not differ according to regimen intensity. For patients aged 55 to 70 years, disease-free survival and relapse did not differ according to regimen intensity. Nonrelapse mortality was lower with reduced-intensity regimens.