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Non-T-depleted haploidentical transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide in patients with secondary versus de novo AML in first complete remission: a study from the ALWP/EBMT
Nagler, A., Labopin, M., Blaise, D., Raiola, A. M., Corral, L. L., Bramanti, S., Sica, S., Kwon, M., Koc, Y., Pavlu, J., et al
Journal of hematology & oncology. 2023;16(1):58
Abstract
We compared outcomes of adult patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) versus de novo AML after non-T-depleted haploidentical stem cell transplant (HaploSCT) with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy). Seventeen hundred and eleven AML patients (sAML-231, de novo-1480) in first complete remission transplanted from 2010 to 2021, were included. Patients with de novo AML were younger, median age 55.8 versus 60.8 years, p < 0.0001, had better transplantation comorbidity index (HCT-CI) ≥ 3 21.3% versus 40.8%, p < 0.0001 and Karnofsky performance status (KPS) with KPS ≥ 90 in 78% versus 68.5%, respectively, p = 0.002. The two patient groups did not differ with respect to gender, cytomegalovirus serostatus, and cell source. Median time from diagnosis to HaploSCT was 5.2 versus 4.9 months, respectively, p = 0.005. Fewer sAML patients received myeloablative conditioning 35.1% versus 50.1%, p < 0.0001. Two hundred and eleven sAML and 410 de novo AML patients were included in the matched-pair analysis matching two de novo AML with each sAML. No significant difference was observed in any transplantation outcome parameter between the sAML versus de novo AML groups. Two-year non-relapse mortality and relapse incidence did not differ with HaploSCT for de novo versus sAML; 21.4% versus 21%, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.98, p = 0.9 and 23.4% versus 20.6%, HR = 0.92, p = 0.67, respectively. Two-year leukemia-free survival, overall survival, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-free, relapse-free survival were also not different between the de novo AML and sAML groups 55.2% versus 58.4%, HR = 0.95, p = 0.67; 61.4% versus 66.4%, HR = 0.91, p = 0.51 and 46.3% versus 48.2%, HR = 0.92, p = 0.48, respectively. Similarly, the incidence of engraftment as well as acute and chronic GVHD was similar between the 2 cohorts. In conclusion, HaploSCT with PTCy may be able to overcome the bad prognosis of sAML as results are not significantly different to those of HaploSCT in de novo AML.
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Prediction of Nonrelapse Mortality in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Receiving Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation With Posttransplantation Cyclophosphamide-based Graft Versus Host Disease Prophylaxis
Hermans, S. J. F., Versluis, J., Labopin, M., Giebel, S., van Norden, Y., Moiseev, I., Blaise, D., Díez Martín, J. L., Meijer, E., Rovira, M., et al
HemaSphere. 2023;7(3):e846
Abstract
Graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCY) has been established to reduce severe GVHD, and thereby potentially reducing nonrelapse mortality (NRM) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). We evaluated the predictive capacity of established NRM-risk scores in patients receiving PTCY-based GVHD prophylaxis, and subsequently developed and validated a novel PTCY-specific NRM-risk model. Adult patients (n = 1861) with AML or ALL in first complete remission who received alloSCT with PTCY-based GVHD prophylaxis were included. The PTCY-risk score was developed using multivariable Fine and Gray regression, selecting parameters from the hematopoietic cell transplantation-comorbidity index (HCT-CI) and European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) score with a subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) of ≥1.2 for 2-year NRM in the training set (70% split), which was validated in the test set (30%). The performance of the EBMT score, HCT-CI, and integrated EBMT score was relatively poor for discriminating 2-year NRM (c-statistic 51.7%, 56.6%, and 59.2%, respectively). The PTCY-risk score included 10 variables which were collapsed in 3 risk groups estimating 2-year NRM of 11% ± 2%, 19% ± 2%, and 36% ± 3% (training set, c-statistic 64%), and 11% ± 2%, 18% ± 3%, and 31% ± 5% (test set, c-statistic 63%), which also translated into different overall survival. Collectively, we developed an NRM-risk score for acute leukemia patients receiving PTCY that better predicted 2-year NRM compared with existing models, which might be applicable to the specific toxicities of high-dose cyclophosphamide.
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The Benefits of the Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide in Both Haploidentical and Mismatched Unrelated Donor Setting in Allogeneic Stem Cells Transplantation
Dybko, J., Sobczyk-Kruszelnicka, M., Makuch, S., Agrawal, S., Dudek, K., Giebel, S., Gil, L.
International journal of molecular sciences. 2023;24(6)
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHSCT) is a standard therapeutic approach for acute leukemias and many other hematologic malignancies. The proper choice of immunosuppressants applicable to different types of transplantations still requires strict and careful consideration, and data in this regard are divergent. For this reason, in this single-centered, retrospective study, we aimed to compare the outcome of 145 patients who received post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) for MMUD and haplo-HSCT or GvHD prophylaxis for MMUD-HSCT alone. We attempted to verify if PTCy is an optimal strategy in MMUD setting. Ninety-three recipients (93/145; 64.1%) underwent haplo-HSCT while 52 (52/145; 35.9%) underwent MMUD-HSCT. There were 110 patients who received PTCy (93 in haplo and 17 in MMUD group) and 35 patients received conventional GvHD prophylaxis based on antithymocyte globulin (ATG), cyclosporine (CsA), and methotrexate (Mtx) in the MMUD group only. Our study revealed that patients receiving post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) show decreased acute GvHD rates and CMV reactivation as well as a statistically lower number of CMV copies before and after antiviral treatment compared to the CsA + Mtx + ATG group. Taking into account chronic GvHD, the main predictors are donor age, ≥40 years, and haplo-HSCT administration. Furthermore, the survival rate of patients following MMUD-HSCT and receiving PTCy with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil was more than eight times greater in comparison to patients receiving CsA + Mtx + ATG (OR = 8.31, p = 0.003). These data taken together suggest that the use of PTCy displays more benefits in terms of survival rate compared to ATG regardless of the type of transplantation performed. Nevertheless, more studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm the conflicting results in the literature studies.
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4.
Validation of the transplant conditioning intensity (TCI) index for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Spyridonidis, A., Labopin, M., Gedde-Dahl, T., Ganser, A., Stelljes, M., Craddock, C., Wagner-Drouet, E. M., Versluis, J., Schroeder, T., Blau, I. W., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2023
Abstract
The intensity of the conditioning regimen given before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) can vary substantially. To confirm the ability of the recently developed transplant conditioning intensity (TCI) score to stratify the preparative regimens of allo-HCT, we used an independent and contemporary patient cohort of 4060 transplant recipients with acute myeloid leukemia meeting inclusion criteria from the discovery study (allo-HCT in first complete remission, matched donor), but who were allografted in a more recent period (2018-2021) and were one decade older (55-75 years, median 63.4 years), we assigned them to a TCI category (low n = 1934, 48%; intermediate n = 1948, 48%, high n = 178, 4%) according to the calculated TCI score ([1-2], [2.5-3.5], [4-6], respectively), and examined the validity of the TCI category in predicting early non-relapse mortality (NRM), 2-year NRM and relapse (REL). In the unadjusted comparison, the TCI index provided a significant risk stratification for d100 and d180 NRM, NRM and REL risk. In the multivariate analysis adjusted for significant variables, there was an independent association of TCI with early NRM, NRM and REL. In summary, we confirm in contemporary treated patients that TCI reflects the conditioning regimen related morbidity and anti-leukemic efficacy satisfactorily and across other established prognostic factors.
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5.
Reduced 8-Gray Compared to Standard 12-Gray Total Body Irradiation for Allogeneic Transplantation in First Remission Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Study of the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the EBMT
Spyridonidis, A., Labopin, M., Savani, B., Giebel, S., Bug, G., Schönland, S., Kröger, N., Stelljes, M., Schroeder, T., McDonald, A., et al
HemaSphere. 2023;7(1):e812
Abstract
In this registry-based study, we compared outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) transplanted in first complete remission (CR-1), following conditioning with total body irradiation (TBI) at a standard 12-Gray or at a lower 8-Gray total dose. Patients received fludarabine (flu) as the sole chemotherapy complementing TBI. Eight-Gray TBI/flu was used in 494 patients and 12-Gray TBI/flu in 145 patients. Eighty-eight (23.1%) and 36 (29%) of the patients had Ph-negative B-ALL, 222 (58.3%) and 53 (42.7%) had Ph-positive B-ALL, 71 (18.6%) and 35 (28.2%) T-ALL, respectively (P = 0.008). Patients treated with 8-Gray were older than ones received 12-Gray (median 55.7 versus 40.3 years, P < 0.0001) and were more frequently administered in vivo T-cell depletion (71% versus 40%, P <0.0001). In a multivariate model adjusted for age, type of ALL, and other prognostic factors, leukemia-free survival (primary endpoint) as well as relapse, nonrelapse mortality, overall survival, and GVHD-free, relapse-free survival were not influenced by the TBI dose. These results were confirmed when we focused on patients <55 years of age (median 47 years). Patients with Ph-positive ALL or T-ALL had significantly better survival outcomes than ones with Ph-negative B-ALL, mainly due to significantly fewer relapses. We conclude that 8-Gray TBI is sufficient for adult patients with ALL transplanted in CR-1 with no additional benefit of augmenting the conditioning intensity to 12-Gray.
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Total body irradiation versus busulfan based intermediate intensity conditioning for stem cell transplantation in ALL patients >45 years-a registry-based study by the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the EBMT
Hirschbühl, K., Labopin, M., Polge, E., Blaise, D., Bourhis, J. H., Socié, G., Forcade, E., Yakoub-Agha, I., Labussière-Wallet, H., Bethge, W., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2023
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is a potentially curative treatment in high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Conditioning regimens based on ≥12 Gray total body irradiation (TBI) represent the current standard in patients ≤45 years, whereas elderly patients frequently receive intermediate intensity conditioning (IIC) to reduce toxicity. To evaluate the role of TBI as a backbone of IIC in ALL, a retrospective, registry-based study included patients >45 years transplanted from matched donors in first complete remission, who had received either fludarabine/TBI 8 Gy (FluTBI8, n = 262), or the most popular, irradiation-free alternative fludarabine/busulfan, comprising busulfan 6.4 mg/kg (FluBu6.4, n = 188) or 9.6 mg/kg (FluBu9.6, n = 51). At two years, overall survival (OS) was 68.5%, 57%, and 62.2%, leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 58%, 42.7%, and 45%, relapse incidence (RI) was 27.2%, 40%, and 30.9%, and non-relapse-mortality (NRM) was 23.1%, 20.7%, and 26.8% for patients receiving FluTBI8Gy, FluBu6.4, and FluBu9.6, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the risk of NRM, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease was not influenced by conditioning. However, RI was higher after FluBu6.4 (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI]: 1.85 [1.16-2.95]), and LFS was lower after both FluBu6.4 (HR: 1.56 [1.09-2.23]) and FluBu9.6 (HR: 1.63 [1.02-2.58]) as compared to FluTBI8. Although only resulting in a non-significant advantage in OS, this observation indicates a stronger anti-leukemic efficacy of TBI-based intermediate intensity conditioning.
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7.
Thiotepa-based regimens are a valid alternative to total body irradiation-based reduced-intensity conditioning regimens in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a retrospective study on behalf of the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the EBMT
Battipaglia, G., Labopin, M., Mielke, S., Ruggeri, A., Nur Ozkurt, Z., Henri Bourhis, J., Rabitsch, W., Yakoub-Agha, I., Grillo, G., Sanz, J., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2023
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Total body irradiation (TBI) at myeloablative doses is superior to chemotherapy-based regimens in young patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). However, in elderly and unfit patients, where reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens are preferred, whether a TBI- or chemotherapy-based approach is better, is unexplored. Thiotepa can be used as part of ALL conditioning regimens. The aim of the current study is to compare transplant outcomes after RIC with TBI- or thiotepa-based regimens in ALL. METHODS Included were patients aged ≥40 years undergoing allo-HSCT for ALL in first complete remission between 2000-2020, receiving a RIC regimen containing either TBI- (4-6 Gray, Gy) or thiotepa. RESULTS We identified a total of 265 patients, including 117 receiving TBI- and 148 receiving a thiotepa-based RIC regimen. In univariate analysis, no differences were observed in transplant outcomes (for TBI versus thiotepa: relapse, 23% versus 28%, p=0.24; non-relapse mortality, 20% versus 26%, p=0.61; leukemia-free survival, 57% versus 46%, p=0.12; overall survival, 67% versus 56%, p=0.18; graft-versus-host disease [GVHD]/relapse-free survival, 45% versus 38%, p=0.21; grade II-IV acute GVHD, 30% in both groups, p=0.84; grade III-IV acute GVHD, 9% versus 10%, p=0.89) except for chronic GVHD which was higher for TBI-based regimens (43% versus 29%, p=0.03). However, on multivariate analysis no differences in transplant outcomes were observed. CONCLUSION In patients ≥40 years receiving a RIC regimen, use of a thiotepa-based regimen may represent a valid alternative to TBI-based regimens as no differences were observed in the main transplant outcomes.
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8.
Significance of HLA-E and its two NKG2 receptors in development of complications after allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells
Siemaszko, J., Łacina, P., Szymczak, D., Szeremet, A., Majcherek, M., Czyż, A., Sobczyk-Kruszelnicka, M., Fidyk, W., Solarska, I., Nasiłowska-Adamska, B., et al
Frontiers in immunology. 2023;14:1227897
Abstract
Transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCT) is a procedure commonly used in treatment of various haematological disorders which is associated with significantly improved survival rates. However, one of its drawbacks is the possibility of development of post-transplant complications, including acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) or CMV infection. Various studies suggested that NK cells and their receptors may affect the transplant outcome. In the present study, patients and donors were found to significantly differ in the distribution of the NKG2A rs7301582 genetic variants - recipients carried the C allele more often than their donors (0.975 vs 0.865, p<0.0001). Increased soluble HLA-E (sHLA-E) levels detected in recipients' serum 30 days after transplantation seemed to play a prognostic and protective role. It was observed that recipients with higher sHLA-E levels were less prone to chronic GvHD (11.65 vs 6.33 pg/mL, p=0.033) or more severe acute GvHD grades II-IV (11.07 vs 8.04 pg/mL, p=0.081). Our results also showed an unfavourable role of HLA-E donor-recipient genetic incompatibility in CMV infection development after transplantation (OR=5.92, p=0.014). Frequencies of NK cells (both CD56dim and CD56bright) expressing NKG2C were elevated in recipients who developed CMV, especially 30 and 90 days post-transplantation (p<0.03). Percentages of NKG2C+ NK cells lacking NKG2A expression were also increased in these patients. Moreover, recipients carrying a NKG2C deletion characterized with decreased frequency of NKG2C+ NK cells (p<0.05). Our study confirms the importance of NK cells in the development of post-transplant complications and highlights the effect of HLA-E and NKG2C genetic variants, sHLA-E serum concentration, as well as NKG2C surface expression on transplant outcome.
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9.
Posttransplant cyclophosphamide-based anti-graft-vs-host disease prophylaxis in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated in complete remission with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation from human leukocyte antigen-mismatched unrelated donors versus haploidentical donors: A study on behalf of the ALWP of the EBMT
Nagler, A., Labopin, M., Arat, M., Reményi, P., Koc, Y., Blaise, D., Angelucci, E., Vydra, J., Kulagin, A., Socié, G., et al
Cancer. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) and haploidentical (haplo) transplantation are valid options in patients with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) lacking a matched donor. METHODS The study compared the outcomes of adult patients with ALL in complete remission (CR) who underwent 9/10 MMUD versus haplo transplantation with posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) as graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis in 2010-2020. RESULTS The study included 781 patients (MMUD, 103; haplo, 678). The median age was 40 (19-73) and 38 (18-75) years, respectively (p = .51). The most frequent immunosuppression agents added to PTCy were mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)/cyclosporine A and MMF/tacrolimus. In vivo T-cell depletion (anti-thymocyte globulin) was administered to 21% and 8% of the transplants, respectively (p < .0001). Neutrophil (absolute neutrophil count >0.5 × 10(9) /L) recovery was achieved in 97.1% versus 96.7% versus (p = 1) in MMUD and haplo, respectively. Nonrelapse mortality and relapse incidence were not significantly different between MMUD and haplo, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-2.62; p = .21) and HR = 0.81 (95% CI, 0.52-1.28, p = .38), respectively. HRs for leukemia-free survival, overall survival, and GVHD-free, relapse-free survival were respectively, HR = 1.05 (95% CI, 0.73-1.50, p = .8), HR = 1.17 (95% CI, 0.77-1.76, p = .46), and HR = 1.07 (95% CI, 0.78-1.46, p = .7) for haplo compared to MMUD. Acute (a)GVHD grade 2-4 was significantly higher with haplo, HR = 1.73 (95% CI, 1.08-2.76, p = .023), whereas aGVHD grade 3-4 and chronic GVHD did not differ significantly between the two transplant groups. CONCLUSION Outcomes of MMUD and haplo transplants with PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis for ALL patients in CR are similar, apart from a higher incidence of aGVHD with haplo transplants.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in complete remission, lacking a matched donor (n=781)
Intervention
9/10 mismatched unrelated donor transplantation (MMUD, n=103)
Comparison
Haploidentical transplantation (haplo, n=678)
Outcome
Neutrophil (absolute neutrophil count >0.5 × 10(9) /L) recovery was achieved in 97.1% versus 96.7% versus in MMUD and haplo, respectively. Nonrelapse mortality and relapse incidence were not significantly different between MMUD and haplo, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-2.62) and HR = 0.81 (95% CI, 0.52-1.28), respectively. HRs for leukemia-free survival, overall survival, and GVHD-free, relapse-free survival were respectively, HR = 1.05 (95% CI, 0.73-1.50), HR = 1.17 (95% CI, 0.77-1.76), and HR = 1.07 (95% CI, 0.78-1.46) for haplo compared to MMUD. Acute (a)GVHD grade 2-4 was significantly higher with haplo, HR = 1.73 (95% CI, 1.08-2.76), whereas aGVHD grade 3-4 and chronic GVHD did not differ significantly between the two transplant groups.
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Impact of Cytogenetic Risk on Outcomes of Non-T Cell Depleted Haploidentical Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Nagler, A., Labopin, M., Dholaria, B., Ciceri, F., Fraccaroli, A., Blaise, D., Fanin, R., Bruno, B., Forcade, E., Vydra, J., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2022
Abstract
BACKGROUND Baseline cytogenetics and disease status are key factors predicting the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The importance of cytogenetic risk in patients with primary refractory or relapsed (R/R) AML undergoing haploidentical (Haplo) HCT is unknown. We studied the impact of cytogenetic risk in patients with R/R de novo AML with active disease who underwent non-T cell depleted Haplo-HCT with post-transplant cyclophosphamide from 2010-2020. OBJECTIVES Four hundred and forty patients with active disease at transplantation from EBMT database were analyzed [291 (66.1%) with intermediate-risk (AMLint) and 149 (44.1%) with adverse-risk cytogenetics (AMLadv)]. Impact of baseline cytogenetic risk on various transplant outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS Pre-transplant disease status was relapse in 48.1% and 26.8% and primary refractory in 51.9% and 73.2% of the patients with AMLint and AMLadv, respectively (p<0.0001). Two-year leukemia-free survival (LFS, 35.5% vs. 15.5%, p=0.001) and overall survival (OS, 39.2% vs. 20.1%, p=0.001) were better in AMLint versus AMLadv. In multivariate analysis, the relapse rate was significantly higher [hazard ratio (HR)=2.17 (95% CI 1.57-3.0)] and LFS [HR=1.71 (95% CI 1.31-2.22)] and OS [HR=1.69 (95% CI 1.29-2.22)], significantly lower for patients with AMLadv compared to AMLint, conditioning intensity did not affect leukemia relapse rate. Non-relapse mortality [HR=1.1 (95% CI: 0.7-1.74)] and GVHD-free, relapse-free survival [GRFS, HR=1.37 (95% CI: 1.06-1.77)] did not differ significantly between the risk groups. Disease status before transplant (primary refractory versus relapsed) or conditioning intensity did not impact main transplant outcomes. CONCLUSION Baseline cytogenetic risk remains a key prognostic factor for patients with R/R AML with persistent disease before non-T cell depleted Haplo-HCT.