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A predictive classifier of poor prognosis in transplanted patients with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia: a study on behalf of the Société Francophone de Greffe de Moelle et de Thérapie Cellulaire
Meyran, D., Arfeuille, C., Chevret, S., Neven, Q., Caye-Eude, A., Lainey, E., Petit, A., Rialland, F., Michel, G., Plantaz, D., et al
Haematologica. 2024
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is an aggressive pediatric myeloproliferative neoplasm requiring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in most cases. We retrospectively analyzed 119 JMML patients who underwent first allogeneic HSCT between 2002 and 2021. The majority (97%) carried a RAS-pathway mutation, and 62% exhibited karyotypic alterations or additional mutations in SETBP1, ASXL1, JAK3 and/or the RAS pathway. Relapse was the primary cause of death, with a 5-year cumulative incidence of 24.6% (95%CI: 17.1-32.9). Toxic deaths occurred in 12 patients, resulting in treatmentrelated mortality (TRM) of 9.0% (95%CI: 4.6-15.3). The 5-year overall (OS) and event-free survival were 73.6% (95%CI: 65.7-82.4) and 66.4% (95%CI: 58.2-75.8), respectively. Four independent adverse prognostic factors for OS were identified: age at diagnosis >2 years, time from diagnosis to HSCT >6 months, monocyte count at diagnosis >7.2x109/L, and the presence of additional genetic alterations. Based on these factors, we proposed a predictive classifier. Patients with three or more predictors (21% of the cohort) had a 5-year OS of 34.2%, whereas those with none (7%) had a 5-year OS of 100%. Our study demonstrates improved transplant outcomes compared to prior published data, which can be attributed to the synergistic impacts of a low TRM and a reduced yet still substantial relapse incidence. By integrating genetic information with clinical and hematological features, we have devised a predictive classifier. This classifier effectively identifies a subgroup of patients who are at a heightened risk of unfavorable post-transplant outcomes who would benefit novel therapeutic agents and post-transplant strategies.
PICO Summary
Population
Consecutive children diagnosed with Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) in centres in France (n=119)
Intervention
First allogeneic HSCT between 2002 and 2021
Comparison
None
Outcome
The majority (97%) carried a RAS-pathway mutation, and 62% exhibited karyotypic alterations or additional mutations in SETBP1, ASXL1, JAK3 and/or the RAS pathway. Relapse was the primary cause of death, with a 5-year cumulative incidence of 24.6% (95%CI: 17.1-32.9). Toxic deaths occurred in 12 patients, resulting in treatment related mortality (TRM) of 9.0% (95%CI: 4.6-15.3). The 5-year overall (OS) and event-free survival were 73.6% (95%CI: 65.7-82.4) and 66.4% (95%CI: 58.2-75.8), respectively. Four independent adverse prognostic factors for OS were identified: age at diagnosis >2 years, time from diagnosis to HSCT >6 months, monocyte count at diagnosis >7.2x109/L, and the presence of additional genetic alterations. Based on these factors, we proposed a predictive classifier. Patients with three or more predictors (21% of the cohort) had a 5-year OS of 34.2%, whereas those with none (7%) had a 5-year OS of 100%.
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Efficacy of haematopoietic stem cell boost as a rescue for poor graft function after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A multicentre retrospective study on behalf of the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC)
Gaffet, M., Wiedemann, A., Dalle, J. H., Bilger, K., Forcade, E., Robin, M., Cornillon, J., Labussière-Wallet, H., Ceballos, P., Bulabois, C. E., et al
British journal of haematology. 2023;201(6):1153-1158
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Haematopoietic stem cell reinjection may be a curative option for poor graft function after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation; however, literature supporting its use remains limited. We conducted a multicentre retrospective study on behalf of the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, including 55 patients. We demonstrated response rates of nearly 40% and two-year survival of more than 60% in the context of an otherwise deadly complication and we observed that the timing of injection and the degree of cytopenia are strongly associated with outcomes. This study shows the feasibility of the procedure informing on its epidemiology, outcomes and prognostic factors, setting the stage for future guidelines.
PICO Summary
Population
Children and adults with poor graft function following allogeneic transplant, from 12 centres in France (n=55)
Intervention
Haematopoietic stem cell boost injection
Comparison
None
Outcome
Response rate was nearly 40% and two year survival was more than 60%
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Real-world use of defibrotide for veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome: the DEFIFrance Registry Study
Mohty, M., Blaise, D., Peffault de Latour, R., Labopin, M., Bourhis, J. H., Bruno, B., Ceballos, P., Detrait, M., Gandemer, V., Huynh, A., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2022
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Abstract
Veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS) is a potentially life-threatening complication of haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) conditioning. The DEFIFrance post-marketing registry study evaluated effectiveness and safety in patients who received defibrotide. It collected retrospective/prospective patient data from 53 French HCT centres from July 2014 to March 2020. Primary endpoints were survival and complete response (CR; total serum bilirubin <2 mg/dL, multiorgan failure resolution) at Day 100 post-HCT among patients with severe/very severe VOD/SOS. A secondary endpoint was evaluation of treatment-emergent serious adverse events (TESAEs) of interest. Of 798 patients analysed, 251 and 81 received defibrotide treatment for severe/very severe VOD/SOS and mild/moderate VOD/SOS post-HCT, respectively; 381 received defibrotide for VOD/SOS prophylaxis. In patients with severe/very severe VOD/SOS post-HCT, Kaplan-Meier-estimated CR at Day 100 was 74% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 66%, 81%). At Day 100, 137/251 (55%) were alive and in CR. Kaplan-Meier-estimated Day 100 post-HCT survival was 61% (95% CI: 55%, 67%) in patients with severe/very severe VOD/SOS. TESAEs of interest occurred in 29% of these patients; VOD/SOS-related mortality at 12 months was 15%. DEFIFrance represents the largest collection of real-world data on post-registration defibrotide use, supporting the real-world utility of defibrotide for patients with severe/very severe VOD/SOS post-HCT.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults and children receiving defibrotide for treatment or prophylaxis of veno-occlusive disease / sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS) between July 2014 to March 2020 at 53 French HCT centres (n=798)
Intervention
Defibrotide for severe/very severe VOD/SOS (n=251); Defibrotide for mild/moderate VOD/SOS (n=81)
Comparison
Defibrotide for VOD/SOS prophylaxis (n=381)
Outcome
In patients with severe/very severe VOD/SOS post-HCT, Kaplan-Meier-estimated complete remission (CR) at Day 100 was 74% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 66%, 81%). At Day 100, 137/251 (55%) were alive and in CR. Kaplan-Meier-estimated Day 100 post-HCT survival was 61% (95% CI: 55%, 67%) in patients with severe/very severe VOD/SOS. TESAEs of interest occurred in 29% of these patients; VOD/SOS-related mortality at 12 months was 15%.
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Unrelated cord blood transplantation in children, adolescents, and young adults with acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome: a retrospective comparative study from the French Society for Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC) between Real-World Data and previously reported results of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Teyssier, A. C., Michel, G., Jubert, C., Rialland, F., Visentin, S., Ouachée, M., Bilger, K., Gandemer, V., Beguin, Y., Marie-Cardine, A., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously reported results of a French randomized clinical trial (RCT) comparing the risk of transplantation failure (including transplant-related mortality (TRM), engraftment failure, and autologous recovery) in single and double unrelated cord blood (UCB) transplantation in children and young adults with hematologic malignancies. We concluded that single-UCB transplantation with an adequate cell dose is the standard of care, leading to a 70% two-year overall survival (OS). It remains unclear, however, whether RCT participants have better outcomes than comparable patients not treated in the setting of a clinical trial. We previously reported results of a French randomized clinical trial (RCT) comparing the risk of transplantation failure (including transplant-related mortality (TRM), engraftment failure, and autologous recovery) in single and double unrelated cord blood (UCB) transplantation in children and young adults with hematologic malignancies. We concluded that single-UCB transplantation with an adequate cell dose is the standard of care, leading to a 70% two-year overall survival (OS). It remains unclear, however, whether RCT participants have better outcomes than comparable patients not treated in the setting of a clinical trial. We compared the characteristics and outcomes of RCT participants (n = 137) to a Francophone population-based registry of patients (real-world (RW) group) fulfilling the eligibility criteria used in our RCT and transplanted with one or two UCB units after a myeloablative conditioning (MAC) regimen between March 2015 (end of inclusion in the RCT) and February 2019 (n = 141). The primary endpoint was the two-year cumulative incidence (CI) of transplantation strategy failure as defined in our RCT. The two groups were comparable in terms of age, disease distribution, hematologic status at transplantation, follow-up, and HLA compatibility. Patients in the RW group were more likely to be transplanted with a single-unit UCB (87.9% versus 49.6%, p < 0.001) and to receive a radiation-free regimen (39.0% vs. 60.6%, p < 0.001). The two-year CI of transplantation strategy failure, TRM, and the two-year probability of OS were similar between the two groups, although the relapse risk was higher in the RW group (31.2% ± 7.7% vs. 20.4% ± 6.8%, p = 0.01), resulting in a significantly lower DFS (59.2% ± 8.4% vs. 69.3% ± 8.0%, p = 0.047). This difference remained statistically significant only in the group of patients with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) who did not receive the conditioning regimen recommended by the RCT (fludarabine 75 mg/m2, total body irradiation 12 Gy, cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg). The results of our RCT appear to be reproducible in real-world conditions, provided that the same cord blood selection criteria and conditioning regimen are used. OBJECTIVES AND STUDY DESIGN We compared the characteristics and outcomes of RCT participants (n = 137) to a Francophone population-based registry of patients (real-world (RW) group) fulfilling the eligibility criteria used in our RCT and transplanted with one or two UCB units after a myeloablative conditioning (MAC) regimen between March 2015 (end of inclusion in the RCT) and February 2019 (n = 141). The primary endpoint was the two-year cumulative incidence (CI) of transplantation strategy failure as defined in our RCT. RESULTS The two groups were comparable in terms of age, disease distribution, hematologic status at transplantation, follow-up, and HLA compatibility. Patients in the RW group were more likely to be transplanted with a single-unit UCB (87.9% versus 49.6%, p < 0.001) and to receive a radiation-free regimen (39.0% vs. 60.6%, p < 0.001). The two-year CI of transplantation strategy failure, TRM, and the two-year probability of OS were similar between the two groups, although the relapse risk was higher in the RW group (31.2% ± 7.7% vs. 20.4% ± 6.8%, p = 0.01), resulting in a significantly lower DFS (59.2% ± 8.4% vs. 69.3% ± 8.0%, p = 0.047). This difference remained statistically significant only in the group of patients with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) who did not receive the conditioning regimen recommended by the RCT (fludarabine 75 mg/m2, total body irradiation 12 Gy, cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg). CONCLUSION The results of our RCT appear to be reproducible in real-world conditions, provided that the same cord blood selection criteria and conditioning regimen are used.
PICO Summary
Population
Children, adolescents and young adults with acute leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome
Intervention
Participants in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) (n=137)
Comparison
Patients from a real-world cohort reported to a Francohpone regisistry, receiving onr or two cord blood units after myeloablative conditioning (RW group, n=141)
Outcome
The two groups were comparable in terms of age, disease distribution, hematologic status at transplantation, follow-up, and HLA compatibility. Patients in the RW group were more likely to be transplanted with a single-unit UCB (87.9% versus 49.6%) and to receive a radiation-free regimen (39.0% vs. 60.6%). The two-year CI of transplantation strategy failure, Transplant related mortality, and the two-year probability of overall survival were similar between the two groups, although the relapse risk was higher in the RW group (31.2% ± 7.7% vs. 20.4% ± 6.8%), resulting in a significantly lower DFS (59.2% ± 8.4% vs. 69.3% ± 8.0%). This difference remained statistically significant only in the group of patients with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) who did not receive the conditioning regimen recommended by the RCT (fludarabine 75 mg/m2, total body irradiation 12 Gy, cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg).
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Reduced-toxicity myeloablative conditioning regimen using fludarabine and full doses of intravenous busulfan in pediatric patients not eligible for standard myeloablative conditioning regimens: Results of a multicenter prospective phase 2 trial
Rialland, F., Grain, A., Labopin, M., Michel, G., Gandemer, V., Paillard, C., Pochon, C., Clement, L., Brissot, E., Jubert, C., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Data regarding the safety and efficacy of reduced-toxicity conditioning regimen (RTC) prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) to treat hematological malignancies in pediatric patients are limited. This prospective multicenter, phase 2 trial investigated a RTC regimen based on the combination of intravenous busulfan (3.2 mg/kg/d x 4 days), fludarabine (30 mg/m(2)/d x 5 days) and antithymocyte globulin (Thymoglobulin®, Genzyme; 5 mg/kg total dose) with the aim of delivering high dose myeloablation that would allow optimal disease control while minimizing toxicity, in a subgroup of children at very high risk of non-relapse mortality (NRM). The primary endpoint was NRM at 1 year after allo-SCT. A total of 48 high risk patients were included (median age, 13 years; range, 3-24). At 1 year, the cumulative incidence of recurrence/disease progression and NRM were 33% and 8%, respectively. With a median follow-up of 23 months, the Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 1 year were 69% and 58%, respectively. We conclude that the RTC regimen used in this prospective trial is safe, with a < 10% NRM rate noted among high-risk children and adolescents, paving the way for larger phase 3 trials incorporating novel agents pre- and post-allo-SCT.(ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01572181).
PICO Summary
Population
Children and adolescents with haematological malignancies, but not eligible for standard myeloablative conditioning regimens, in 16 centres in France (n=48)
Intervention
30 mg/m2/d fludarabine for 5 consecutive days (day -6 to -2), 3.2 mg/kg/day IV Busulfan administered four times daily in a 2 h infusion for 4 consecutive days (day -5, -4, -3, and -2), and 2.5 mg/Kg/d antithymocyte globulin for 2 consecutive days (day -2 and -1).
Comparison
None
Outcome
At 1 year, the cumulative incidence of recurrence/disease progression and non-relapse mortality (NRM) were 33% and 8%, respectively. With a median follow-up of 23 months, the Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 1 year were 69% and 58%, respectively.
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Ibrutinib treatment of pediatric chronic graft-versus-host disease: primary results from the phase 1/2 iMAGINE study
Carpenter, P. A., Kang, H. J., Yoo, K. H., Zecca, M., Cho, B., Lucchini, G., Nemecek, E. R., Schultz, K. R., Stepensky, P., Chaudhury, S., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic graft-vs-host disease (cGVHD) is a potentially life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Clinical data surrounding cGVHD therapies in younger children is limited and critically needed. OBJECTIVES Primary endpoints were to determine the recommended pediatric equivalent dose (RPED) and assess PK and safety. Secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR; complete response and partial response) per 2014 NIH criteria at 24 weeks, overall survival, and duration of response (DOR). STUDY DESIGN We present the primary results from the open-label, multicenter, international phase 1/2 iMAGINE study (PCYC-1146-IM), which evaluated pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and efficacy of ibrutinib in patients aged ≥1 to <22 years with treatment-naive (TN) or relapsed/refractory (R/R) moderate/severe chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Patients aged <12 years received once-daily ibrutinib starting at 120 mg/m(2) and escalating to 240 mg/m(2) (full adult dose equivalent) after 14 days if free from ibrutinib-related grade ≥3 toxicity; patients aged ≥12 years received once-daily ibrutinib 420 mg. RESULTS Fifty-nine patients (12 TN and 47 with R/R cGVHD; median age 13 years [range 1-19]) were enrolled. Plasma concentration-time profiles for ibrutinib 240 mg/m(2) (RPED) were comparable to those observed in adults with cGVHD at a dose of 420 mg/day. Safety was consistent with the known profile of ibrutinib in cGVHD. ORR by 24 weeks was 64% (38/59): 83% (10/12) for the TN subgroup and 60% (28/47) for R/R. Among 46 responders (median follow-up, 20 months [range 2-32]), 12-month DOR (95% confidence interval) for each subgroup was 60% (25-83%) in TN and 58% (35-75%) in R/R. CONCLUSIONS Responses were durable, with the rates numerically higher than previously observed with ibrutinib in adults, demonstrating that ibrutinib provides clinically meaningful activity with acceptable safety in children with moderate/severe cGVHD.
PICO Summary
Population
Children aged ≥1 to <22 years with treatment-naive (TN) or relapsed/refractory (R/R) moderate/severe chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) enrolled in the iMAGINE study (n=59)
Intervention
Children aged <12 years: once-daily ibrutinib starting at 120 mg/m(2) and escalating to 240 mg/m(2) (full adult dose equivalent) after 14 days if free from ibrutinib-related grade ≥3 toxicity; Children aged ≥12 years: once-daily ibrutinib 420 mg.
Comparison
None
Outcome
Plasma concentration-time profiles for ibrutinib 240 mg/m(2) (RPED) were comparable to those observed in adults with cGVHD at a dose of 420 mg/day. Safety was consistent with the known profile of ibrutinib in cGVHD. ORR by 24 weeks was 64% (38/59): 83% (10/12) for the TN subgroup and 60% (28/47) for R/R. Among 46 responders (median follow-up, 20 months [range 2-32]), 12-month DOR (95% confidence interval) for each subgroup was 60% (25-83%) in TN and 58% (35-75%) in R/R.
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The impact of donor type on the outcome of pediatric patients with very high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A study of the ALL SCT 2003 BFM-SG and 2007-BFM-International SG
Dalle, J. H., Balduzzi, A., Bader, P., Pieczonka, A., Yaniv, I., Lankester, A., Bierings, M., Yesilipek, A., Sedlacek, P., Ifversen, M., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2020
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Allogeneic HSCT represents the only potentially curative treatment for very high risk (VHR) ALL. Two consecutive international prospective studies, ALL-SCT-(I)BFM 2003 and 2007 were conducted in 1150 pediatric patients. 569 presented with VHR disease leading to any kind of HSCT. All patients >2 year old were transplanted after TBI-based MAC. The median follow-up was 5 years. 463 patients were transplanted from matched donor (MD) and 106 from mismatched donor (MMD). 214 were in CR1. Stem cell source was unmanipulated BM for 330 patients, unmanipulated PBSC for 135, ex vivo T-cell depleted PBSC for 62 and cord-blood for 26. There were more advanced disease, more ex vivo T-cell depletion, and more chemotherapy based conditioning regimen for patients transplanted from MMD as compared to those transplanted from MSD or MD. Median follow up (reversed Kaplan Meier estimator) was 4.99 years, median follow up of survivals was 4.88, range (0.01-11.72) years. The 4-year CI of extensive cGvHD was 13?±?2% and 17?±?4% (p?=?NS) for the patients transplanted from MD and MMD, respectively. 4-year EFS was statistically better for patients transplanted from MD (60?±?2% vs. 42?±?5%, p?0.001) for the whole cohort. This difference does not exist if considering separately patients treated in the most recent study. There was no difference in 4-year CI of relapse. The 4-year NRM was lower for patients transplanted from MD (9?±?1% vs. 23?±?4%, p?0.001). In multivariate analysis, donor-type appears as a negative risk-factor for OS, EFS, and NRM. This paper demonstrates the impact of donor type on overall results of allogeneic stem cell transplantation for very-high risk pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia with worse results when using MMD stem cell source.
PICO Summary
Population
Children with very high risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (n=569)
Intervention
Matched donor (MD) or matched sibling donor (MSD) transplantation (n=463)
Comparison
Mismatched donor transplantation (MMD, n=106)
Outcome
There were more advanced disease, more ex vivo T-cell depletion, and more chemotherapy based conditioning regimen for patients transplanted from MMD as compared to those transplanted from MSD or MD. Median follow up (reversed Kaplan Meier estimator) was 4.99 years,median follow up of survivals was 4.88 years. The 4-year CI of extensive cGvHD was 13± 2% and 17 ± 4% (p=NS) for the patients transplanted from MD and MMD, respectively. 4-year EFS was statistically better for patients transplanted from MD (60±2% vs. 42±5%) for the whole cohort. This difference does not exist if considering separately patients treated in the most recent study. There was no difference in 4-year CI of relapse. The 4-year NRM was lower for patients transplanted from MD (9±1% vs. 23±4%). In multivariate analysis, donor-type appears as a negative risk-factor for OS, EFS, and NRM.
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Total Body Irradiation or Chemotherapy Conditioning in Childhood ALL: A Multinational, Randomized, Noninferiority Phase III Study
Peters, C., Dalle, J. H., Locatelli, F., Poetschger, U., Sedlacek, P., Buechner, J., Shaw, P. J., Staciuk, R., Ifversen, M., Pichler, H., et al
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2020;:Jco2002529
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
PURPOSE Total body irradiation (TBI) before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is efficacious, but long-term side effects are concerning. We investigated whether preparative combination chemotherapy could replace TBI in such patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS FORUM is a randomized, controlled, open-label, international, multicenter, phase III, noninferiority study. Patients = 18 years at diagnosis, 4-21 years at HSCT, in complete remission pre-HSCT, and with an HLA-compatible related or unrelated donor were randomly assigned to myeloablative conditioning with fractionated 12 Gy TBI and etoposide versus fludarabine, thiotepa, and either busulfan or treosulfan. The noninferiority margin was 8%. With 1,000 patients randomly assigned in 5 years, 2-year minimum follow-up, and one-sided alpha of 5%, 80% power was calculated. A futility stopping rule would halt random assignment if chemoconditioning was significantly inferior to TBI (EudraCT: 2012-003032-22; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01949129). RESULTS Between April 2013 and December 2018, 543 patients were screened, 417 were randomly assigned, 212 received TBI, and 201 received chemoconditioning. The stopping rule was applied on March 31, 2019. The median follow-up was 2.1 years. In the intention-to-treat population, 2-year overall survival (OS) was significantly higher following TBI (0.91; 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.95; P < .0001) versus chemoconditioning (0.75; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.81). Two-year cumulative incidence of relapse and treatment-related mortality were 0.12 (95% CI, 0.08 to 0.17; P < .0001) and 0.02 (95% CI, < 0.01 to 0.05; P = .0269) following TBI and 0.33 (95% CI, 0.25 to 0.40) and 0.09 (95% CI, 0.05 to 0.14) following chemoconditioning, respectively. CONCLUSION Improved OS and lower relapse risk were observed following TBI plus etoposide compared with chemoconditioning. We therefore recommend TBI plus etoposide for patients > 4 years old with high-risk ALL undergoing allogeneic HSCT.
Clinical Commentary
Dr. Julia Wolf, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
What is known?
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) provides a potential curative treatment option for paediatric patients with high risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Pre-transplant conditioning regimes with total body irradiation (TBI) have resulted in encouraging overall and relapse-free survival but may cause serious long-term side effects. As a result, several studies have investigated TBI-free regimes. A large meta-analysis (1) which included seven randomised controlled trials comparing TBI-based with chemoconditioning regimes demonstrated significantly lower treatment related mortality (TRM) but no overall survival (OS) advantage with TBI-based regimes. A further small randomised study (2) found significantly higher event-free survival (EFS) with TBI-based regimes in patients with unrelated donors, but a non-significant difference only in patients with matched sibling donors. Concerns about late effects of TBI on growth, cognitive function and secondary malignancy however remain. A single centre retrospective study (3) in paediatric ALL concluded that triosulphan based regimes were safe and efficacious while a similar review (4) in adult patients suggested that busulphan and clofarabine could provide an alternative to TBI. This paper reports on the FORUM study. It compares TBI with chemoconditioning regimes to investigate whether optimal chemoconditioning regimens could replace TBI in paediatric patients with high-risk ALL.
What did this paper set out to examine?
This is the largest randomised, controlled, open-label, international, multicentre, phase III trial comparing TBI plus etoposide with chemoconditioning (fludarabine, thiotepa and busulfan or triosulfan) in paediatric ALL to date. It investigates whether chemoconditioning is non-inferior to TBI-based regimes with the primary endpoint of OS. It is also the first study to directly and prospectively compare these regimes in terms of disease-free survival and short- and long-term adverse events. The study aimed to recruit 1000 patients.
What did they show?
Improved OS and lower relapse risk were observed following TBI plus etoposide compared with chemoconditioning. Patients ≤18 years old at diagnosis and aged 4-21 at HSCT with high risk ALL in complete morphological remission with HLA compatible related or unrelated donor were included in the study. Patients were randomised 1:1 to 12Gy TBI with etoposide versus fludarabine, thiotepa and busulfan or triosulphan conditioning. Patients were well matched for baseline characteristics and demographics. Randomisation was stopped early due significant inferiority of chemoconditioning compared with TBI-based regime.
Results
Following randomisation of 417 patients, a futility stopping rule was applied because patients receiving chemoconditioning with fludarabine, thiotepa, and busulfan or treosulfan had inferior OS to those receiving TBI plus etoposide. Two-year OS was 0.91 (95% CI, P <.0001) following TBI versus 0.75 (95% CI) following chemoconditioning. Median follow up was 2.1 years. Relapse was the commonest reason for treatment failure and out of 67 patients who relapsed, there was no difference in OS between conditioning regimes. There was no difference in serious adverse events or GvHD rates between the groups.
What are the implications for practice and for future work?
While TBI is associated with potentially serious long-term side effects, this study supports growing evidence demonstrating improved outcomes for patients undergoing TBI-based conditioning. Here patients receiving TBI-based conditioning had a significantly lower risk of relapse and TRM than those given chemoconditioning.
Of note, TRM in this trial was low compared to previously reported studies. FOCUS reported a 2-year OS and EFS rate of 0.91 and 0.91 respectively, which is the lowest documented TRM in HSCT for high-risk paediatric ALL to date. Additionally, other risk factors thought to impact on outcomes (e.g. leukaemia phenotype, MRD pre-transplant, donor type, etc) were not found to be significant in FOCUS. Only remission status (CR1 vs CR2) and conditioning regime influenced OS and EFS. This may be in part explained by the strong attempts within this study to reduce MRD prior to HSCT in all patients.
This was a noninferiority study which required a sample size of 1000 patients with 2-year minimum follow-up to make analysis of primary outcomes feasible. As the majority of relapses in paediatric ALL occur in the first 24 months, it is unlikely that longer follow up would result in dramatic changes to outcomes.
Non-randomised recruitment in FORUM to assess long-term side effects of TBI, such as secondary malignancy, in FORUM is ongoing. However, no difference in adverse events or incidence of GvHD was found between study groups. The study reports a composite end point of 2-year GVHD-free, relapse-free survival of 72% (95% CI) following TBI plus etoposide and 51% (95% CI, p= .0003) following chemoconditioning which might be a benchmark for future investigations.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at or before 18 years of age, who underwent HSCT aged 4-21 years (n=413)
Intervention
TBI conditioning (n=212)
Comparison
Chemoconditioning: fludarabine, thiotepa, and either busulfan or treosulfan (n=201)
Outcome
The median follow-up was 2.1 years. In the intention-to-treat population, 2-year overall survival (OS) was significantly higher following TBI (0.91) versus chemoconditioning (0.75). Two-year cumulative incidence of relapse and treatment-related mortality were 0.12 and 0.02 following TBI and 0.33 and 0.09 following chemoconditioning, respectively.
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More precisely defining risk peri-HCT in pediatric ALL: pre- vs post-MRD measures, serial positivity, and risk modeling
Bader, P., Salzmann-Manrique, E., Balduzzi, A., Dalle, J. H., Woolfrey, A. E., Bar, M., Verneris, M. R., Borowitz, M. J., Shah, N. N., Gossai, N., et al
Blood advances. 2019;3(21):3393-3405
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) pre- and post-hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been associated with relapse and poor survival. Published studies have had insufficient numbers to: (1) compare the prognostic value of pre-HCT and post-HCT MRD; (2) determine clinical factors post-HCT associated with better outcomes in MRD+ patients; and (3) use MRD and other clinical factors to develop and validate a prognostic model for relapse in pediatric patients with ALL who undergo allogeneic HCT. To address these issues, we assembled an international database including sibling (n = 191), unrelated (n = 259), mismatched (n = 56), and cord blood (n = 110) grafts given after myeloablative conditioning. Although high and very high MRD pre-HCT were significant predictors in univariate analysis, with bivariate analysis using MRD pre-HCT and post-HCT, MRD pre-HCT at any level was less predictive than even low-level MRD post-HCT. Patients with MRD pre-HCT must become MRD low/negative at 1 to 2 months and negative within 3 to 6 months after HCT for successful therapy. Factors associated with improved outcome of patients with detectable MRD post-HCT included acute graft-versus-host disease. We derived a risk score with an MRD cohort from Europe, North America, and Australia using negative predictive characteristics (late disease status, non-total body irradiation regimen, and MRD [high, very high]) defining good, intermediate, and poor risk groups with 2-year cumulative incidences of relapse of 21%, 38%, and 47%, respectively. We validated the score in a second, more contemporaneous cohort and noted 2-year cumulative incidences of relapse of 13%, 26%, and 47% (P < .001) for the defined risk groups.
PICO Summary
Population
Paediatric patients (age 1-21 years) with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (n=616)
Intervention
An international database of patients in complete remission following myeloablative allogeneic transplant, with at least one minimal residual disease (MRD) measurement prior to transplant
Comparison
None
Outcome
Although high and very high MRD pre-HCT were significant predictors in univariate analysis, with bivariate analysis using MRD pre-HCT and post-HCT, MRD pre-HCT at any level was less predictive than even low-level MRD post-HCT. Patients with MRD pre-HCT must become MRD low/negative at 1 to 2 months and negative within 3 to 6 months after HCT for successful therapy. Factors associated with improved outcome of patients with detectable MRD post-HCT included acute graft-versus-host disease.
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Transplantation in children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia from a matched donor versus an hla-identical sibling: Is the outcome comparable? Results from the international bfm all sct 2007 study
Balduzzi, A., Dalle, J. H., Wachowiak, J., Yaniv, I., Yesilipek, A., Sedlacek, P., Bierings, M., Ifversen, M., Sufliarska, S., Kalwak, K., et al
Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2019
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Eligibility criteria for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) vary according to disease characteristics, response to treatment and type of available donor; as the risk profile of the patient worsens, a wider degree of HLA mismatching is considered acceptable. METHODS A total of 138 children and adolescents transplanted from HLA-identical siblings (MSD) and 210 from matched donors (MD) (median 9 years, 68% male) in 10 countries were enrolled within the International-BFM ALL SCT 2007 prospective study to assess the impact of donor type in pediatric ALL. RESULTS The 4-year event-free survival (65%+/-5 vs 61%+/-4; p-value 0.287), overall survival (72%+/-4 vs 68%+/-4; p-value 0.235), cumulative incidence of relapse (24%+/-4 vs 25%+/-3; p-value 0.658) and non-relapse mortality (10%+/-3 vs 14%+/-3; p-value 0.212) were not significantly different between MSD and MD graft recipients. The risk of extensive chronic (cGVHD) was lower in MD than in MSD recipients (HR 0.38, p-value 0.002) and the risks of severe acute GVHD (aGVHD) and cGVHD were higher in peripheral blood than in bone marrow recipients (HR 2.06, p-value 0.026). Compared with the absence of aGVHD, grade I-II was associated with a lower risk of failure (HR 0.63, p-value 0.042) and grade III-IV with a higher risk of failure (HR 1.85, p-value 0.020) and non-leukemic death (HR 8.76, p-value <0.0001), despite a lower risk of relapse (HR 0.32, p-value 0.021). Compared with the absence of cGVHD, extensive cGVHD was associated with a higher risk of non-leukemic death (HR 8.12, p-value <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Since the outcome of transplantation from a matched donor was not inferior to transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling, eligibility criteria for transplantation might be reviewed in pediatric ALL and, possibly, in other malignancies. Bone marrow should be the preferred stem cell source and the addition of MTX should be considered in MSD recipients.
PICO Summary
Population
Children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, receiving allo-transplantation in 10 countries. (n=348).
Intervention
HLA-identical sibling donor (MSD) (n=138).
Comparison
Matched donor (MD) (n=210).
Outcome
The 4-year event-free survival, overall survival, cumulative incidence of relapse and non-relapse mortality were not significantly different between MSD and MD graft recipients. The risk of extensive chronic (cGVHD) was lower in MD than in MSD recipients and the risks of severe acute GVHD (aGVHD) and cGVHD were higher in peripheral blood than in bone marrow recipients. Compared with the absence of aGVHD, grade I-II was associated with a lower risk of failure and grade III-IV with a higher risk of failure and non-leukemic death, despite a lower risk of relapse. Compared with the absence of cGVHD, extensive cGVHD was associated with a higher risk of non-leukemic death.