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Brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab after autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation for adult patients with high-risk classic Hodgkin lymphoma: a multicentre, phase 2 trial
Herrera, A. F., Chen, L., Nieto, Y., Holmberg, L., Johnston, P., Mei, M., Popplewell, L., Armenian, S., Cao, T., Farol, L., et al
The Lancet. Haematology. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND After autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), consolidation with brentuximab vedotin in patients with high-risk relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma has been shown to improve progression-free survival compared with placebo. Brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab is a safe and effective treatment for relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma; therefore, we aimed to evaluate the safety and activity of this drug combination post-autologous HSCT consolidation in patients with high-risk relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma. METHODS We did a multicentre phase 2 trial at five centres in the USA. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with high-risk relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma, had an ECOG performance status of 0-2, and had adequate organ and bone marrow function. Enrolled patients received brentuximab vedotin (1·8 mg/kg) and nivolumab (3 mg/kg) intravenously starting 30-60 days after autologous HSCT on day 1 of each 21-day cycle for up to 8 cycles. Nivolumab dose reduction was not allowed. Brentuximab vedotin dose reduction to 1·2 mg/kg was permitted. If one drug was discontinued because of a toxic effect, the other could be continued. The primary endpoint was 18-month progression-free survival in all treated patients. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03057795. FINDINGS Between May 3, 2017, and July 13, 2019, 59 patients were enrolled and received the study therapy. Patients initiated brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab for a median of 54 days (IQR 46-58) after autologous HSCT and received a median of 8 cycles (8-8). 34 (58%) of 59 patients were male, 29 (49%) completed 8 cycles of brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab, and 45 (76%) completed 8 cycles of at least one drug. The median follow-up time was 29·9 months (IQR 24·6-34·8). The 18-month progression-free survival in all 59 patients was 94% (95% CI 84-98). The most common adverse events were sensory peripheral neuropathy (31 [53%] of 59) and neutropenia (25 [42%]), and immune-related adverse events requiring corticosteroids occurred in 17 (29%) of 59 patients. No treatment-related deaths were observed. INTERPRETATION Brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab was highly active post-autologous HSCT consolidation for patients with high-risk relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma, most of whom had previous exposure to either brentuximab vedotin or PD-1 blockade. Combination immunotherapy in this setting should be further studied in patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma with further refinement of the regimen to mitigate toxic effects, particularly in high-risk patients in whom more intensive therapy to prevent relapse is warranted. FUNDING Bristol Myers Squibb, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation, and National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults with high-risk relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma from five centres in the USA (n=59)
Intervention
Brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab for a median of 54 days (IQR 46-58) after autologous HSCT
Comparison
None
Outcome
Patients initiated brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab for a median of 54 days (IQR 46-58) after autologous HSCT and received a median of 8 cycles (8-8). 34 (58%) of 59 patients were male, 29 (49%) completed 8 cycles of brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab, and 45 (76%) completed 8 cycles of at least one drug. The median follow-up time was 29·9 months (IQR 24·6-34·8). The 18-month progression-free survival in all 59 patients was 94% (95% CI 84-98). The most common adverse events were sensory peripheral neuropathy (31 [53%] of 59) and neutropenia (25 [42%]), and immune-related adverse events requiring corticosteroids occurred in 17 (29%) of 59 patients. No treatment-related deaths were observed.
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Burden of Long-Term Morbidity Borne by Survivors of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated With Blood or Marrow Transplantation: The Results of the BMT Survivor Study
Armenian, S. H., Chen, Y., Hageman, L., Wu, J., Landier, W., Bosworth, A., Francisco, L., Schlichting, E., Bhatia, R., Salzman, D., et al
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2022;:Jco2102829
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Abstract
PURPOSE Blood or marrow transplantation (BMT) is an integral part of consolidation and/or salvage therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). With the growing population of AML survivors, there is a need to understand the quality of their survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS This multisite study included 1,369 2-year survivors who underwent BMT for AML between 1974 and 2014 at age ≥ 21 years and 1,310 siblings. Using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, severe/life-threatening and fatal chronic health conditions were identified. Multivariable regression analysis was used to compare the risk of severe/life-threatening conditions and health status between survivors and siblings, and to identify risk factors for health conditions among BMT survivors. RESULTS The prevalence of severe/life-threatening conditions was 54.9% in BMT survivors compared with 28.5% in siblings (P < .001), yielding 3.8-fold higher odds of severe/life-threatening conditions (95% CI, 3.1 to 4.7) among the BMT survivors. The most prevalent conditions included subsequent neoplasms, diabetes, cataracts, venous thromboembolism, and joint replacement. Survivors were more likely to report poor general health (odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% CI, 2.8 to 5.1), activity limitation (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 3.0 to 4.5), and functional impairment (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 2.3 to 3.6). Among BMT recipients, the 20-year cumulative incidence of severe/life-threatening/fatal conditions was 68%. History of chronic graft-versus-host disease was associated with a higher risk of pulmonary disease (hazard ratio [HR], 3.1; 95% CI, 1.0 to 9.3), cataract (HR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.8), and venous thromboembolism (HR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.7). Relapse-related mortality (RRM) plateaued at 30%, whereas non-RRM increased to 50% at 30 years. CONCLUSION The burden of severe/life-threatening conditions is substantially higher in BMT recipients when compared with an unaffected comparison group, contributing to an increasing incidence of non-RRM over time. Chronic graft-versus-host disease was an important risk factor for severe/life-threatening/fatal conditions among BMT recipients, informing the need for close monitoring to anticipate and manage morbidity.
PICO Summary
Population
People who were treated for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) between 1974 and 2014 and their siblings (n=2679)
Intervention
Single bone marrow transplant at 21 years or younger and surviving at least 2 years (BMT surviviors, n=1369)
Comparison
Nearest age siblings of the cohort of transplant survivors (siblings, n=1310)
Outcome
The prevalence of severe/life-threatening conditions was 54.9% in BMT survivors compared with 28.5% in siblings, yielding 3.8-fold higher odds of severe/life-threatening conditions (95% CI, 3.1 to 4.7) among the BMT survivors. The most prevalent conditions included subsequent neoplasms, diabetes, cataracts, venous thromboembolism, and joint replacement. Survivors were more likely to report poor general health (odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% CI, 2.8 to 5.1), activity limitation (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 3.0 to 4.5), and functional impairment (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 2.3 to 3.6). Among BMT recipients, the 20-year cumulative incidence of severe/life-threatening/fatal conditions was 68%. History of chronic graft-versus-host disease was associated with a higher risk of pulmonary disease (hazard ratio [HR], 3.1; 95% CI, 1.0 to 9.3), cataract (HR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.8), and venous thromboembolism (HR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.7). Relapse-related mortality (RRM) plateaued at 30%, whereas non-RRM increased to 50% at 30 years.
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Biologic Assignment Trial of Reduced-Intensity Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Based on Donor Availability in Patients 50-75 Years of Age With Advanced Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Nakamura, R., Saber, W., Martens, M. J., Ramirez, A., Scott, B., Oran, B., Leifer, E., Tamari, R., Mishra, A., Maziarz, R. T., et al
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2021;:Jco2003380
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Abstract
PURPOSE Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only potentially curative therapy for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), although it is infrequently offered to older patients. The relative benefits of HCT over non-HCT therapy in older patients with higher-risk MDS have not been defined. METHODS We conducted a multicenter biologic assignment trial comparing reduced-intensity HCT to hypomethylating therapy or best supportive care in subjects 50-75 years of age with intermediate-2 or high-risk de novo MDS. The primary outcome was overall survival probability at 3 years. Between January 2014 and November 2018, we enrolled 384 subjects at 34 centers. Subjects were assigned to the Donor or No-Donor arms according to the availability of a matched donor within 90 days of study registration. RESULTS The median follow-up time for surviving subjects was 34.2 months (range: 2.3-38 months) in the Donor arm and 26.9 months (range: 2.4-37.2 months) in the No-Donor arm. In an intention-to-treat analysis, the adjusted overall survival rate at 3 years in the Donor arm was 47.9% (95% CI, 41.3 to 54.1) compared with 26.6% (95% CI, 18.4 to 35.6) in the No-Donor arm (P = .0001) with an absolute difference of 21.3% (95% CI, 10.2 to 31.8). Leukemia-free survival at 3 years was greater in the Donor arm (35.8%; 95% CI, 29.8 to 41.8) compared with the No-Donor arm (20.6%; 95% CI, 13.3 to 29.1; P = .003). The survival benefit was seen across all subgroups examined. CONCLUSION We observed a significant survival advantage in older subjects with higher-risk MDS who have a matched donor identified and underwent reduced-intensity HCT, when compared with those without a donor. HCT should be included as an integral part of MDS management plans in fit older adults with higher-risk MDS.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with de novo myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) aged 50-75 years (n=384)
Intervention
Allogeneic stem cell transplant: patients with an available donor within 90 days of registration (Donor arm, n=260)
Comparison
No transplant: patients with no donor available within 90 days of registration (No-Donor arm, n=124)
Outcome
The median follow-up time for surviving subjects was 34.2 months (range: 2.3-38 months) in the Donor arm and 26.9 months (range: 2.4-37.2 months) in the No-Donor arm. In an intention-to-treat analysis, the adjusted overall survival rate at 3 years in the Donor arm was 47.9% compared with 26.6% in the No-Donor arm with an absolute difference of 21.3%. Leukemia-free survival at 3 years was greater in the Donor arm (35.8%) compared with the No-Donor arm (20.6%). The survival benefit was seen across all subgroups examined.
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Cytokine Release Syndrome Following Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Haploidentical HCT with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide: CRS post haploidentical HCT with PTCy
Otoukesh, S., Elmariah, H., Yang, D., Clark, M. C., Siraj, M., Ali, H., Mogili, K., Arslan, S., Nishihori, T., Nakamura, R., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2021
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is a safe and efficacious graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) prophylaxis following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from haploidentical (haplo) donors. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a common complication of this platform. Early fever post-haplo HCT using bone marrow grafts is associated with higher CD3+ cell dose and CRS. However, the impact of CD3+ and CD34+ cell dose on CRS post-haplo HCT using peripheral blood stem cell (PBSCT) grafts is unknown. OBJECTIVE Our goals were to evaluate the incidence of CRS following PBSCT and to identify factors that can be modified to prevent the development of severe CRS in this setting. STUDY DESIGN In 271 patients, we investigated factors associated with development of CRS following haplo PBSCT and examined the impact of CRS on clinical outcomes. RESULTS Ninety-three percent of patients developed CRS of any grade post-haplo PBSCT. In multivariate analysis, severe CRS (grade 3-4 vs. grade 0-1) was associated with higher non-relapse mortality (HR=6.42; 95% CI: 2.68-15.39; p<0.001), worse 1-year overall survival (HR=3.40; 95% CI: 1.63-7.08; p=0.005), and disease-free survival (HR=4.02, 95% CI: 1.99-8.08; p<0.001). Moderate to severe CRS (grade 2-4) did not impact 1-year relapse and acute GvHD (grade II-IV and III-IV) at 100 days (p=0.71 and p=0.19, respectively). Importantly, higher CD3+ cell dose but not CD34+ cell dose predicted higher incidence of CRS grades 2-4 (HR=1.20, 95% CI:1.07-1.36; p 0.003) and grades 3-4 (HR=1.40, 95% CI:1.05-1.86; p=0.022). Older age (HR=8.57, 95% CI: 1.73-42.36; p<0.001) and non-radiation-based RIC (fludarabine/melphalan; HR=15.38, 955 CI: 2.06-114.67; p<0.001) were both predictors of CRS grade 3-4. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we observed that severe CRS (grade 3-4) negatively affected transplant outcome and that higher CD3 cell dose was associated with development of any grade and severe CRS.
PICO Summary
Population
Adult patients with haematological malignancies who underwent haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell (PBSCT) grafts at two centres in USA (n=271)
Intervention
Identification of risk factors that are predictive of severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS)
Comparison
None
Outcome
Ninety-three percent of patients developed CRS of any grade post-haplo PBSCT. In multivariate analysis, severe CRS (grade 3-4 vs. grade 0-1) was associated with higher non-relapse mortality (HR=6.42; 95% CI: 2.68-15.39), worse 1-year overall survival (HR=3.40; 95% CI: 1.63-7.08), and disease-free survival (HR=4.02, 95% CI: 1.99-8.08). Moderate to severe CRS (grade 2-4) did not impact 1-year relapse and acute GvHD (grade II-IV and III-IV) at 100 days. Importantly, higher CD3+ cell dose but not CD34+ cell dose predicted higher incidence of CRS grades 2-4 (HR=1.20, 95% CI:1.07-1.36) and grades 3-4 (HR=1.40, 95% CI:1.05-1.86). Older age (HR=8.57, 95% CI: 1.73-42.36) and non-radiation-based RIC (fludarabine/melphalan; HR=15.38, 955 CI: 2.06-114.67) were both predictors of CRS grade 3-4.
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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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Conditional Survival, Cause-specific Mortality, Risk Factors of Late Mortality After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Wong, F. L., Berano, J., Atencio, L., Stiller, T., Kim, H., Chanson, D., Forman, S. J., Nakamura, R., Armenian, S. H.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2020
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term mortality after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is conventionally calculated from the time of HCT, ignoring temporal changes in survivors' mortality risks. Conditional survival rates, accounting for time already survived, are relevant for optimal delivery of survivorship care, but have not been widely quantified. We estimated conditional survival by elapsed survival time in allogeneic HCT patients and examined cause-specific mortality. METHODS We calculated conditional survival rates and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for overall and cause-specific mortality in 4485 patients who underwent HCT for malignant hematologic diseases at a large transplant center during 1976-2014. Statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS The 5-year survival rate from HCT was 48.6%. After surviving 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 years, the subsequent 5-year survival rates were 71.2%, 78.7%, 87.4%, 93.5%,86.2%, respectively. The SMR was 30.3 (95% CI = 29.2 to 35.5). Although SMR declined in longer surviving patients, it was still elevated by 3.6-fold in ≥ 15-year survivors (95% CI = 3.0 to 4.1). Primary disease accounted for 50% of deaths in the overall cohort, and only 10% in 15-year survivors; the leading causes of non-disease-related mortality were subsequent malignancy (26.1%) and cardiopulmonary diseases (20.2%). We also identified the risk factors for non-disease-related mortality in 1- and 5-year survivors. CONCLUSION Survival probability improves the longer patients survive after HCT. However, HCT recipients surviving ≥15 years remain at elevated mortality risk, largely due to health conditions other than their primary disease. Our study findings help inform preventive and interventional strategies to improve long-term outcomes after allogeneic HCT.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with malignant hematologic diseases treated at a large transplant centre (n=4485)
Intervention
Allogeneic transplant during the years 1976-2014
Comparison
None
Outcome
The 5-year survival rate from HCT was 48.6%. After surviving 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 years, the subsequent 5-year survival rates were 71.2%, 78.7%, 87.4%, 93.5%,86.2%, respectively. The SMR was 30.3. Although SMR declined in longer surviving patients, it was still elevated by 3.6-fold in >/= 15-year survivors. Primary disease accounted for 50% of deaths in the overall cohort, and only 10% in 15-year survivors; the leading causes of non-disease-related mortality were subsequent malignancy (26.1%) and cardiopulmonary diseases (20.2%). We also identified the risk factors for non-disease-related mortality in 1- and 5-year survivors
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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.
Autologous transplantation as consolidation for high risk aggressive T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a SWOG 9704 intergroup trial subgroup analysis
Al-Mansour, Z., Li, H., Cook, J. R., Constine, L. S., Couban, S., Stewart, D. A., Shea, T. C., Porcu, P., Winter, J. N., Kahl, B. S., et al
Leukemia & lymphoma. 2019;:1-8
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Phase II data suggest a benefit to autotransplantation for aggressive T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (T-NHL) in first remission; randomized trials have yet to validate this. We performed a retrospective analysis of aggressive T-NHL patients in the intergroup randomized consolidative autotransplant trial (SWOG 9704). Of the 370 enrolled, 40 had T-NHL: 12 were not randomized due to ineligibility (n = 1), choice (n = 2), or progression (n = 9), leaving 13 randomized to control and 15 to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Two ASCT patients refused transplant and one failed mobilization. The 5-year landmark PFS/OS estimates for ASCT vs. control groups were 40% vs. 38% (p = .56), and 40% vs. 45% (p = .98), respectively. No difference was seen based on IPI, or histologic subtype. Only 1/7 receiving BCNU-based therapy survived vs. 4/5 receiving TBI. Aggressive T-NHL autotransplanted in first remission did not appear to benefit from consolidative ASCT. This and the 30% who dropped out pre-randomization mostly to progression, suggests that improved induction regimens be developed.
PICO Summary
Population
Aggressive T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, treated with five cycles of CHOP/CHOP-R administered every three weeks; those who achieved at least a partial response were eligible for randomization (n=28).
Intervention
One further cycle of CHOP/CHOP-R followed by autologous stem cell transplantation
Comparison
Three further cycles of CHOP/CHOP-R
Outcome
Aggressive T-NHL autotransplanted in first remission did not appear to benefit from consolidative ASCT. . The 5-year landmark PFS/OS estimates for ASCT vs. control groups were 40% vs. 38%, and 40% vs. 45%, respectively. No difference was seen based on IPI, or histologic subtype. Only 1/7 receiving BCNU-based therapy survived vs. 4/5 receiving TBI.
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MIPSS70+ v2.0 predicts long-term survival in myelofibrosis after allogeneic HCT with the Flu/Mel conditioning regimen
Ali, H., Aldoss, I., Yang, D., Mokhtari, S., Khaled, S., Aribi, A., Afkhami, M., Al Malki, M. M., Cao, T., Mei, M., et al
Blood advances. 2019;3(1):83-95
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Although allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is the only curative treatment for myelofibrosis (MF), data are limited on how molecular markers predict transplantation outcomes. We retrospectively evaluated transplantation outcomes of 110 consecutive MF patients who underwent allo-HCT with a fludarabine/melphalan (Flu/Mel) conditioning regimen at our center and assessed the impact of molecular markers on outcomes based on a 72-gene next-generation sequencing panel and Mutation-Enhanced International Prognostic Scoring System 70+ v2.0 (MIPSS70+ v2.0). With a median follow-up of 63.7 months, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 65% and the nonrelapse mortality (NRM) rate was 17%. In mutational analysis, JAK2 V617F and ASXL1 mutations were the most common. By univariable analysis, higher Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System scores, unrelated donor type, and very-high-risk cytogenetics were significantly associated with lower OS. Only CBL mutations were significantly associated with lower OS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.64; P = .032) and increased NRM (HR, 3.68; P = .004) after allo-HCT, but CALR, ASXL1, and IDH mutations did not have an impact on transplantation outcomes. Patient classification per MIPSS70 showed worse OS for high-risk (HR, 0.49; P = .039) compared with intermediate-risk patients. Classification per MIPSS70+ v2.0 demonstrated better OS when intermediate-risk patients were compared with high-risk patients (HR, 0.291) and much lower OS when very-high-risk patients were compared with high-risk patients (HR, 5.05; P ≤ .001). In summary, we present one of the largest single-center experiences of Flu/Mel-based allo-HCT, demonstrating that revised cytogenetic changes and MIPSS70+ v2.0 score predict transplantation outcomes, and thus can better inform physicians and patients in making decisions about allo-HCT.
PICO Summary
Population
110 consecutive MF patients who underwent allo-HCT with a fludarabine/melphalan (Flu/Mel) conditioning regimen
Intervention
Retrospective cohort study assessing the impact of molecular markers on outcomes based on a 72-gene next-generation sequencing panel and Mutation-Enhanced International Prognostic Scoring System
Comparison
none
Outcome
In the entire cohort, 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 65% and the nonrelapse mortality (NRM) rate was 17%. Higher Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System scores, unrelated donor type, and very-high-risk cytogenetics were significantly associated with lower OS. Only CBL mutations were significantly associated with lower OS. Patient classification per MIPSS70 showed worse OS for high-risk compared with intermediate-risk patients. Classification per MIPSS70+ v2.0 demonstrated better OS when intermediate-risk patients were compared with high-risk patients and much lower OS when very-high-risk patients were compared with high-risk patients.