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1.
Matched unrelated donor transplantation versus haploidentical transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide in children with acute myeloid leukemia: a PDWP-EBMT study
Ruggeri, A., Santoro, N., Galimard, J. E., Kalwak, K., Algeri, M., Zubarovskaya, L., Czyzewski, K., Skorobogatova, E., Sedlacek, P., Besley, C., et al
Haematologica. 2024
Abstract
In children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who lack an HLA identical sibling, the donor can be replaced with an HLA matched unrelated donor (MUD) or a haploidentical donor (haplo). We compared outcomes of patients <18 years with AML in first and second complete remission (CR1 and CR2) undergoing a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) either with a MUD with anti-thymocyte globuline (ATG) (n=420) or a haplo HCT with PT-CY (n=96) after a myeloablative conditioning regimen (MAC) between 2011 and 2021, reported to EBMT. A matched pair analysis was performed to adjust for differences among groups. The final analysis was performed on 253 MUD and 95 haplo-HCTs. In the matched cohort, median age at HCT was 11.2 and 10 years and median year of HCT was 2017 and 2018, in MUD and haplo- HCT recipients, respectively. The risk of grade III-IV aGvHD was significantly higher in the haplo group (HR=2.33, 95%CI1.18-4.58, p=0.03). No significant differences were found in 2 years overall survival (OS; 78.4%vs71.5%; HR 1.39, 0.84-2.31, p=0.19), leukemia-free-survival (LFS; 72.7%vs69.5%; HR1.22, 0.76-1.95, p=0.41), CI of relapse (RI; 19.3%vs19.5%; HR=1.14, 0.62-2.08, p=0.68) non-relapse-mortality (NRM; 8%vs11%; HR=1.39, 0.66-2.93, p=0.39) and graft versus host free-relapse free survival (GRFS; 60.7%vs54.5%, HR=1.38, 0.95-2.02, p=0.09) after MUD and haplo-HCT respectively. Our study suggests that haplo-HCT with PT-CY is a suitable option to transplant children with AML lacking a matched related donor.
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2.
Long-term complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for pediatric patients with acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome given either a Treosulfan- or a Busulfan-based conditioning regimen: results of an AIEOP (Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica) retrospective study
Saglio, F., Pagliara, D., Zecca, M., Balduzzi, A., Cattoni, A., Prete, A., Tambaro, F. P., Faraci, M., Calore, E., Locatelli, F., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2024
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients given hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) during their childhood for hematological malignancies have an increased risk of developing long-term sequelae that are in part attributable to the conditioning regimen. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to assess the occurrence of long-term toxicities in a population of children undergone to HSCT for hematological malignancies using either Treosulfan or Busulfan in the conditioning regimen. STUDY DESIGN Cumulative Incidence of growth impairment, alteration of gonadal function, alteration of the thyroid function, cataract, incidence of secondary malignant neoplasia and alteration of pulmonary function were retrospectively evaluated by univariable and multivariable analysis in a population of 521 pediatric patients affected by acute leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes treated in 20 Italian Transplant Centers affiliated to AIEOP (Associazione Italiana Ematologia ed Oncologia Pediatrica) RESULTS The median duration of the follow up of the entire study population was of 7,1 years (range 1 -16 years). Overall, patients given Busulfan developed long-term toxicities in a larger proportion of cases compared to patients treated with Treosulfan (34% versus 20% p=0.01). In univariable analysis, patients having received Treosulfan developed gonadal toxicity in 10% (95%CI: 3-15) of the cases compared with 38% (95%CI: 24-39) of Bu-treated patients (p=0,02) and this finding was confirmed by multivariable analysis (Relative Risk: 0,51 95%CI: 0,34-0,76 p=0.0009). For all the other long-term toxicities our study did not show a statistically significant association between their occurrence and the use of either Busulfan or Treosulfan. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that the use of Treosulfan is correlated with a reduced incidence of gonadal toxicity in children undergoing HSCT for hematological malignancies.
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3.
Cytogenetic abnormalities predict survival after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia: a PDWP/EBMT study
Sharma, A., Galimard, J. E., Pryce, A., Bhoopalan, S. V., Dalissier, A., Dalle, J. H., Locatelli, F., Jubert, C., Mirci-Danicar, O., Kitra-Roussou, V., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2024
Abstract
Poor-risk (PR) cytogenetic/molecular abnormalities generally direct pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). We assessed the predictive value of cytogenetic risk classification at diagnosis with respect to post-HSCT outcomes in pediatric patients. Patients younger than 18 years at the time of their first allogeneic HSCT for AML in CR1 between 2005 and 2022 who were reported to the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation registry were subgrouped into four categories. Of the 845 pediatric patients included in this study, 36% had an 11q23 abnormality, 24% had monosomy 7/del7q or monosomy 5/del5q, 24% had a complex or monosomal karyotype, and 16% had other PR cytogenetic abnormalities. In a multivariable model, 11q23 (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.66, P = 0.03) and other PR cytogenetic abnormalities (HR = 0.55, P = 0.02) were associated with significantly better overall survival when compared with monosomy 7/del7q or monosomy 5/del5q. Patients with other PR cytogenetic abnormalities had a lower risk of disease relapse after HSCT (HR = 0.49, P = 0.01) and, hence, better leukemia-free survival (HR = 0.55, P = 0.01). Therefore, we conclude that PR cytogenetic abnormalities at diagnosis predict overall survival after HSCT for AML in pediatric patients.
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4.
Treosulfan vs busulfan conditioning for allogeneic bmt in children with nonmalignant disease: a randomized phase 2 trial
Sykora, K. W., Beier, R., Schulz, A., Cesaro, S., Greil, J., Gozdzik, J., Sedlacek, P., Bader, P., Schulte, J., Zecca, M., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2023
Abstract
Optimal conditioning prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for children with non-malignant diseases is subject of ongoing research. This prospective, randomized, phase 2 trial compared safety and efficacy of busulfan with treosulfan based preparative regimens. Children with non-malignant diseases received fludarabine and either intravenous (IV) busulfan (4.8 to 3.2 mg/kg/day) or IV treosulfan (10, 12, or 14 g/m(2)/day). Thiotepa administration (2 × 5 mg/kg) was at the investigator's discretion. Primary endpoint was freedom from transplantation (treatment)-related mortality (freedom from TRM), defined as death between Days -7 and +100. Overall, 101 patients (busulfan 50, treosulfan 51) with at least 12 months follow-up were analyzed. Freedom from TRM was 90.0% (95% CI: 78.2%, 96.7%) after busulfan and 100.0% (95% CI: 93.0%, 100.0%) after treosulfan. Secondary outcomes (transplantation-related mortality [12.0% versus 3.9%]) and overall survival (88.0% versus 96.1%) favored treosulfan. Graft failure was more common after treosulfan (n = 11), than after busulfan (n = 2) while all patients were rescued by second procedures except one busulfan patient. CTCAE Grade III adverse events were similar in both groups. This study confirmed treosulfan to be an excellent alternative to busulfan and can be safely used for conditioning treatment in children with non-malignant disease.
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5.
Use of eculizumab in children with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation associated thrombotic microangiopathy - a multicentre retrospective PDWP and IEWP EBMT study
Svec, P., Elfeky, R., Galimard, J. E., Higham, C. S., Dalissier, A., Quigg, T. C., Bueno Sanchez, D., Han Lum, S., Faraci, M., Cole, T., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2022
Abstract
Terminal complement blockade by humanised monoclonal antibody eculizumab has been used to treat transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) in recent years. This retrospective international study conducted by the Paediatric Diseases (PDWP) and Inborn Error Working Party (IEWP) of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) describes outcome and response of 82 paediatric patients from 29 centres who developed TA-TMA and were treated with eculizumab between January 2014 and May 2019. The median time from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to TA-TMA manifestation was 92 days (range: 7-606) and from TA-TMA diagnosis to the start of eculizumab treatment 6 days (range: 0-135). Most patients received eculizumab weekly (72%, n = 55) with a standard weight (kg)-based dose (78%, n = 64). Six months from beginning of eculizumab therapy, the cumulative incidence of TA-TMA resolution was 36.6% (95% CI: 26.2-47) and the overall survival (OS) was 47.1% (95% CI: 35.9-57.5). All 43 patients with unresolved TA-TMA died. The cause of death was HSCT-related in 41 patients. This study also documents poor outcome of patients without aGvHD and their frequent concomitant viral infections. Considering recent publications, intensified eculizumab dosing and complement monitoring could potentially improve upon outcomes observed in this study.
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6.
HSCT with mismatched unrelated donors: Bone marrow versus peripheral blood stem cells sources in pediatric patients
Berger, M., Barone, M., Spadea, M., Saglio, F., Pessolano, R., Fagioli, F.
Pediatric transplantation. 2022;:e14233
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from an unrelated HLA-mismatched donor (MMUD) is one of the alternatives where an HLA-matched donor is not found. The aim of this study was to compare bone marrow (BM) versus peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) as hematopoietic rescue following allogeneic unrelated mismatched stem cell transplantation (MMUD). METHODS The patients were divided into two groups: 43 pediatric patients were treated with BM and 17 pediatric patients with PBSC. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04598789. RESULTS The 3-year Overall Survival (OS) was 74% versus 31% (p = .0011). Transplant related mortality (TRM) was 16% versus 33% (p = .025), and relapse incidence (RI) was 16% versus 35% (p = .005). The day-100 acute Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) incidence grade II-IV and III-IV was 30% versus 28% (p = NS) and 17% versus 17% (p = NS). The 3-year chronic GvHD incidence was 22% versus 33% (p = NS). CONCLUSION Despite all the limits of this retrospective study we were able to show how the combination of BM and ATG is able to prevent GvHDs and guarantee a high OS. Future studies addressing the issue of a post-transplant cellular therapy approach may potentially reduce relapses when GvHD is absent.
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7.
Rehabilitation in children and adolescents undergoing stem cell transplantation: A pilot study focused on motor performance
Rossi, F., Zucchetti, G., Esposito, M., Berchialla, P., Sciannameo, V., Vassallo, E., Saglio, F., Chamorro Viña, C., Scarrone, S., Vittorini, R., et al
European journal of cancer care. 2022;:e13711
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this pilot trial is evaluating the preliminary effectiveness of two in-hospital interventions in the maintenance of motor performance in children/adolescents undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Secondary objectives investigated the interventions' feasibility, impact on fatigue and to what degree the subjects' maintained their ankle dorsiflexion range of movement (ROM), functional mobility, muscle strength and flexibility. METHODS This trial included 5- to 18-year-old participants, affected by oncological and non-oncological diseases during hospitalisation for autologous/allogenic HSCT. The subjects were assigned to an exercise group (EG), or a counselling group based on a cluster model based on inpatient timeframe. The EG subjects performed strengthening, stretching and aerobic exercises for 30 min/5 days a week. Both groups followed rehabilitation counselling indications (RCI), 7 days a week. RESULTS Forty-nine participants were enrolled (median age = 12.9 years) (EG n = 36). In both groups the participants maintained their baseline motor performance and ankle ROM, and the children/adolescents and parents reduced their levels of fatigue. However, the interventions were not effective in maintaining strength. CONCLUSION In maintaining the subjects' motor performance, the RCI results are significant because they pave the way for the application in clinical practice contexts where there are poor rehabilitation resources. Clinical Trials registration NCT03842735.
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Outcomes of Unmanipulated Haploidentical Transplantation Using Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) in Pediatric Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Ruggeri, A., Galimard, J. E., Paina, O., Fagioli, F., Tbakhi, A., Yesilipek, A., Navarro, J. M. F., Faraci, M., Hamladji, R. M., Skorobogatova, E., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2021;27(5):424.e1-424.e9
Abstract
HLA-haploidentical transplantation (haplo-HCT) using post-transplantation-cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) is a feasible procedure in children with malignancies. However, large studies on Haplo-HCT with PT-Cy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are lacking. We analyzed haplo-HCT outcomes in 180 children with ALL. Median age was 9 years, and median follow-up was 2.7 years. Disease status was CR1 for 24%, CR2 for 45%, CR+3 for 12%, and active disease for 19%. All patients received PT-Cy day +3 and +4. Bone marrow (BM) was the stem cell source in 115 patients (64%). Cumulative incidence of 42-day engraftment was 88.9%. Cumulative incidence of day-100 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grade II-IV was 28%, and 2-year chronic GVHD was 21.9%. At 2 years, cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was 19.6%. Cumulative incidence was 41.9% for relapse and 25% for patients in CR1. Estimated 2-year leukemia free survival was 65%, 44%, and 18.8% for patients transplanted in CR1, CR2, CR3+ and 3% at 1 year for active disease. In multivariable analysis for patients in CR1 and CR2, disease status (CR2 [hazard ratio {HR} = 2.19; P = .04]), age at HCT older than 13 (HR = 2.07; P = .03) and use of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) (HR = 1.98; P = .04) were independent factors associated with decreased overall survival. Use of PBSC was also associated with higher NRM (HR = 3.13; P = .04). Haplo-HCT with PT-Cy is an option for children with ALL, namely those transplanted in CR1 and CR2. Age and disease status remain the most important factors for outcomes. BM cells as a graft source is associated with improved survival.
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9.
Multivariate Analysis of Immune Reconstitution and Relapse Risk Scoring in Children Receiving Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation for Acute Leukemias
Spadea, M., Saglio, F., Tripodi, S. I., Menconi, M., Zecca, M., Fagioli, F.
Transplantation direct. 2021;7(11):e774
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Abstract
A timely and effective immune reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is of crucial importance to enhance graft-versus-leukemia reaction in hematological malignancies. Several factors can influence the yield of this process, and new mathematical models are needed to describe this complex phenomenon. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed immune reconstitution in the early post-HSCT period in a multicenter cohort of 206 pediatric patients affected by acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, and myelodysplastic syndrome who received their first allo-HSCT. All patients were in complete morphological remission at transplantation and were followed-up at least 26 mo post-HSCT. Blood samples for analysis of lymphocyte subset numbers were collected at day 100 (±20 d). RESULTS The 2-y cumulative incidence of relapse was 22.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.3-27). Using principal component analysis, we identified based on 16 input variables a new multivariate model that enables patients' description in a low-dimensional model, consisting of the first 2 principal components. We found that the numbers of CD3(+)/CD4(+)/CD8(+) lymphocyte subsets at day 100 post-HSCT and acute graft-versus-host disease had the greatest impact in preventing relapse. We ultimately derived a risk score defining high- or medium-low-risk groups with 2-y cumulative incidence of relapse: 35.3% (95% CI, 25.6-45) and 15.6% (95% CI, 10.1-20.7), respectively (P ?=?0.001*). CONCLUSIONS Our model describes immune reconstitution and its main influencing factors in the early posttransplantation period, presenting as a reliable model for relapse risk prediction. If validated, this model could definitely serve as a predictive tool and could be used for clinical trials or for individualized patient counseling.
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Safety and efficacy of brincidofovir for Adenovirus infection in children receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation: an AIEOP retrospective analyses
Perruccio, K., Menconi, M., Galaverna, F., Pagliara, D., Carraro, F., Fagioli, F., Calore, E., Biffi, A., Baretta, V., Massei, M. S., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2021