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Prophylaxis and management of graft-versus-host disease after stem-cell transplantation for haematological malignancies: updated consensus recommendations of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Penack, O., Marchetti, M., Aljurf, M., Arat, M., Bonifazi, F., Duarte, R. F., Giebel, S., Greinix, H., Hazenberg, M. D., Kröger, N., et al
The Lancet. Haematology. 2024
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major factor contributing to mortality and morbidity after allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). In the last 3 years, there has been regulatory approval of new drugs and considerable change in clinical approaches to prophylaxis and management of GVHD. To standardise treatment approaches, the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) has updated its clinical practice recommendations. We formed a panel of one methodologist and 22 experts in the field of GVHD management. The selection was made on the basis of their role in GVHD management in Europe and their contributions to the field, such as publications, presentations at conferences, and other research. We applied the GRADE process to ten PICO (patient, intervention, comparator, and outcome) questions: evidence was searched for by the panel and graded for each crucial outcome. In two consensus meetings, we discussed the evidence and voted on the wording and strengths of recommendations. Key updates to the recommendations include: (1) primary use of ruxolitinib in steroid-refractory acute GVHD and steroid-refractory chronic GVHD as the new standard of care, (2) use of rabbit anti-T-cell (thymocyte) globulin or post-transplantation cyclophosphamide as standard GVHD prophylaxis in peripheral blood stem-cell transplantations from unrelated donors, and (3) the addition of belumosudil to the available treatment options for steroid-refractory chronic GVHD. The EBMT proposes to use these recommendations as the basis for routine management of GVHD during allogenic HSCT. The current recommendations favour European practice and do not necessarily represent global preferences.
PICO Summary
Population
Panel of 22 experts and one methdologist convened by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
Intervention
Update of the EBMT consensus recommendations
Comparison
Outcome
Key updates to the recommendations include: (1) primary use of ruxolitinib in steroid-refractory acute GVHD and steroid-refractory chronic GVHD as the new standard of care, (2) use of rabbit anti-T-cell (thymocyte) globulin or post-transplantation cyclophosphamide as standard GVHD prophylaxis in peripheral blood stem-cell transplantations from unrelated donors, and (3) the addition of belumosudil to the available treatment options for steroid-refractory chronic GVHD.
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Post-transplant cyclophosphamide-based graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis in HLA-matched and haploidentical donor transplants for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma: a comparative study of the LWP EBMT.: GVHD prophylaxis for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma
Montoro, J., Boumendil, A., Finel, H., Bramanti, S., Castagna, L., Blaise, D., Dominietto, A., Kulagin, A., Yakoub-Agha, I., Tbakhi, A., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2023
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) has emerged as a promising approach for preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). However, there is a lack of studies examining the impact of this GVHD prophylaxis when different donor types are used in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). OBJECTIVE To compare the outcomes of patients with HL undergoing HSCT from both HLA-matched donors, which include matched sibling donors (MSD) and matched unrelated donors (MUD), and haploidentical donors, using PTCy as GVHD prophylaxis approach in all cohorts. STUDY DESIGN We retrospectively compared transplant outcomes of allo-HSCT from 166 HLA-matched donors (96 siblings and 70 unrelated) and 694 haploidentical donors using PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis in patients with HL registered in the EBMT database from 2010 to 2020. RESULTS Haploidentical transplantation showed significantly lower platelet engraftment (86% vs 94%, p<0.001) and higher rates of grades II-IV acute GVHD (24% vs 34%, p=0.01) compared to HLA-matched transplantation. The 2-year cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM) was significantly lower in the HLA-matched cohort compared to haploidentical cohort (10% vs 18%, p=0.02), resulting in a higher overall survival (OS) rate (82% vs 70%, p=0.002). There were no significant differences observed in terms of relapse, progression-free survival, or GVHD-free relapse-free survival between the groups. In multivariable analysis, haploidentical transplantation was associated with an increased risk of grades II-IV acute GVHD, NRM, and worse OS compared to HLA-matched transplantation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that, in the context of PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis, transplantation from HLA-matched donors appears to be a more favorable option compared to haploidentical transplantation.
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Posttransplant cyclophosphamide versus antithymocyte globulin in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation from matched unrelated donors. A study from the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Giebel, S., Labopin, M., Salmenniemi, U., Socié, G., Bondarenko, S., Blaise, D., Kröger, N., Vydra, J., Grassi, A., Bonifazi, F., et al
Cancer. 2023
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare two immunosuppressive strategies, based on the use of either rabbit antithymocyte globulin (ATG) or posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY), as a prophylaxis of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first complete remission who underwent hematopoietic cells transplantation from matched unrelated donors. METHODS Overall, 117 and 779 adult patients who received PTCY and ATG, respectively, between the years 2015 and 2020 were included in this retrospective study. The median patient age was 40 and 43 years in the PTCY and ATG groups, respectively, and 37% and 35% of patients, respectively, had Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL. RESULTS In univariate analysis, the cumulative incidence of acute and chronic GVHD did not differ significantly between the study groups. The cumulative incidence of relapse at 2 years was reduced in the PTCY group (18% vs. 25%; p = .046) without a significant impact on nonrelapse mortality (11% vs. 16% in the ATG group; p = .29). The rates of leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival were 71% versus 59%, respectively (p = .01), and 82% versus 74%, respectively (p = .08). In multivariate analysis, the receipt of ATG compared with PTCY was associated with a reduced risk of extensive chronic GVHD (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-0.98; p = .04) and an increased risk of low LFS (hazard ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.45; p = .045). CONCLUSIONS The receipt of ATG compared with PTCY, despite the reduced risk of extensive chronic GVHD, is associated with inferior LFS in adults with ALL who undergo hematopoietic cell transplantation from 10/10 human leukocyte antigen-matched unrelated donors. These findings warrant verification in prospective trials.
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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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Should anti-thymocyte globulin be added in post-transplant cyclophosphamide based matched unrelated donor peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia? A study on behalf of the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the EBMT
Spyridonidis, A., Labopin, M., Brissot, E., Moiseev, I., Cornelissen, J., Choi, G., Ciceri, F., Vydra, J., Reményi, P., Rovira, M., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2022
Abstract
In this registry-based study which includes acute myeloid leukemia patients who underwent a matched unrelated donor allogeneic peripheral-blood stem cell transplantation in complete remission and received post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis, we compared 421 recipients without anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) with 151 patients with ATG. The only significant differences between PTCY and PTCY + ATG cohorts were the median year of transplant and the follow-up period (2017 vs 2015 and 19.6 vs 31.1 months, respectively, p < 0.0001). Overall, 2-year survival was 69.9% vs 67.1% in PTCY and PTCY + ATG, respectively, with deaths related to relapse (39% vs 43.5%), infection (21.9% vs 23.9%) or GvHD (17.1% vs 17.4%) not differing between groups. On univariate comparison, a significantly lower rate of extensive chronic GvHD was found when ATG was added (9.9% vs 21%, p = 0.029), a finding which was not confirmed in the multivariate analysis. The Cox-model showed no difference between PTCY + ATG and PTCY alone with respect to acute and chronic GvHD of all grades, non-relapse mortality, relapse, leukemia-free survival, overall survival, and GvHD-free-relapse-free survival between study cohorts. Our results highlight that the addition of ATG in PTCY does not provide any extra benefit in terms of further GvHD reduction, better GRFS or better survival.
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Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis with Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide versus Cyclosporine A and Methotrexate in Matched Sibling Donor Transplantation
Nagler, A., Labopin, M., Dholaria, B., Wu, D., Choi, G., Aljurf, M., Ciceri, F., Gedde-Dahl, T., Meijer, E., Niittyvuopio, R., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2021
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Cyclosporine A and methotrexate (CSA/MTX) is the standard graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimen for matched sibling donor (MSD) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Recently, post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) has been shown to be effective in GVHD prevention. In this registry-based study, we compared outcomes of 118 patients with PTCy and 1202 patients with CSA/MTX who underwent MSD allo-HCT for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In a matched-pair analysis, PTCy was associated with a higher incidence of relapse at 2-year (41.1% versus 21.3%, p=0.039) compared to CSA/MTX. The incidence of day 180 grade II-IV acute GVHD (25.2% versus 25.4%, p=0.90) and 2-year chronic GVHD (42.6% versus 42.6%, p=0.84) were comparable between PTCy and CSA/MTX, respectively. Similarly, 2-year leukemia-free survival (LFS, 54.4% versus 74.32%, p=0.052), overall survival (OS, 70.6% versus 79.7%, p=0.15) and GVHD-free-relapse-free survival (GRFS, 38.1% versus 52.5%, p=0.49) were not statistically different between PTCy versus CSA/MTX. In conclusion, GVHD prophylaxis with PTCy is feasible, resulting in similar incidences of GVHD, GRFS, LFS, and OS compared to conventional CSA/MTX in patients undergoing allo-HCT from MSD. The higher relapse observed with PTCy needs further evaluation in a prospective study.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients who underwent matched sibling donor (MSD) allogeneic transplant for acute myeloid leukemia, (AML) reported to the EBMT registry (n=1320)
Intervention
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy, n=118)
Comparison
Cyclosporine A and methotrexate (CSA/MTX, n=1202)
Outcome
In a matched-pair analysis, PTCy was associated with a higher incidence of relapse at 2-year (41.1% versus 21.3%) compared to CSA/MTX. The incidence of day 180 grade II-IV acute GVHD (25.2% versus 25.4%) and 2-year chronic GVHD (42.6% versus 42.6%) were comparable between PTCy and CSA/MTX, respectively. Similarly, 2-year leukemia-free survival (LFS, 54.4% versus 74.32%), overall survival (OS, 70.6% versus 79.7%) and GVHD-free-relapse-free survival (GRFS, 38.1% versus 52.5%) were not statistically different between PTCy versus CSA/MTX. In conclusion, GVHD prophylaxis with PTCy is feasible, resulting in similar incidences of GVHD, GRFS, LFS, and OS compared to conventional CSA/MTX in patients undergoing allo-HCT from MSD. The higher relapse observed with PTCy needs further evaluation in a prospective study.
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Prophylaxis and management of graft versus host disease after stem-cell transplantation for haematological malignancies: updated consensus recommendations of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Penack, O., Marchetti, M., Ruutu, T., Aljurf, M., Bacigalupo, A., Bonifazi, F., Ciceri, F., Cornelissen, J., Malladi, R., Duarte, R. F., et al
The Lancet. Haematology. 2020;7(2):e157-e167
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major factor contributing to mortality and morbidity after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. Because of the small number of results from well designed, large-scale, clinical studies there is considerable variability in the prevention and treatment of GVHD worldwide. In 2014, to standardise treatment approaches the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation published recommendations on the management of GVHD in the setting of HLA-identical sibling or unrelated donor transplantation in adult patients with haematological malignancies. Here we update these recommendations including the results of study published after 2014. Evidence was searched in three steps: first, a widespread scan of published trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews; second, expert opinion was added for specific issues following several rounds of debate; and third, a refined search to target debated or rapidly updating issues. On the basis of this evidence and the 2014 recommendations, five members of the EBMT Transplant Complications Working Party created 38 statements on GVHD prophylaxis, drug management, and treatment of acute and chronic GVHD. Subsequently, they created the EBMT GVHD management recommendation expert panel by recruiting 20 experts with expertise in GVHD management. An email-based, two-round Delphi panel approach was used to manage the consensus. Modified National Comprehensive Cancer Network categories for evidence and consensus were applied to the approved statements. We reached 100% consensus for 29 recommendations and 95% consensus for nine recommendations. Key updates to these recommendations include a broader use of rabbit anti-T-cell globulin; lower steroid doses for the management of grade 2 acute GVHD with isolated skin or upper gastrointestinal tract manifestations; fluticasone, azithromycin, and montelukast should be used for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome; and the addition of newer treatment options for resteroid-refractory acute and chronic GVHD. In addition, we discuss specific aspects of GVHD prophylaxis and management in the setting of haploidentical transplantation and in paediatric patients, but no formal recommendations on those procedures have been provided in this Review. The European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation proposes to use these recommendations as a basis for the routine management of GVHD during stem-cell transplantation.
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Post-transplant cyclophosphamide versus anti-thymocyte globulin for graft-versus-host disease prevention in haploidentical transplantation for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Nagler, A., Kanate, A. S., Labopin, M., Ciceri, F., Angelucci, E., Koc, Y., Gulbas, Z., Arcese, W., Tischer, J., Pioltelli, P., et al
Haematologica. 2020
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis for unmanipulated haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (haplo-HCT) include post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG). Utilizing EBMT registry, we compared ATG versus PTCy based GVHD prophylaxis in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients undergoing haplo-HCT. Included were 434 patients; ATG (n=98) and PTCy (n=336). Median follow-up was ~2 years. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups except that the ATG-group was more likely to have relapsed/refractory ALL (P=0.008), non-TBI conditioning (P<0.001), peripheral blood graft source (P=<0.001) and transplanted at an earlier time-period (median year of HCT 2011 vs. 2015). The 100-day grade II-IV and III-IV acute-GVHD was similar between ATG and PTCy, as was 2-year chronic-GVHD. On multivariate analysis (MVA), leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) was better with PTCy compared to ATG prophylaxis. Relapse incidence (RI) was lower in the PTCy group (P=0.03), while non-relapse mortality (NRM) was not different. Advanced disease and lower performance score were associated with poorer LFS and OS and advanced disease with inferior GVHD-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS). Peripheral grafts were associated with higher GVHD compared to bone marrow grafts. In ALL patients undergoing unmanipulated haplo-HCT, PTCy for GVHD prevention resulted in lower RI and improved LFS and OS compared to ATG.
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Post-transplant cyclophosphamide versus antithymocyte globulin in patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation from 10/10 HLA-matched unrelated donors
Brissot, E., Labopin, M., Moiseev, I., Cornelissen, J. J., Meijer, E., Van Gorkom, G., Rovira, M., Ciceri, F., Griskevicius, L., Blaise, D., et al
Journal of hematology & oncology. 2020;13(1):87
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a major contributor to mortality and morbidity after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The updated recommendations suggest that rabbit antithymocyte globulin or anti-T-lymphocyte globulin (ATG) should be used for GVHD prophylaxis in patients undergoing matched-unrelated donor (MUD) allo-HSCT. More recently, using post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) in the haploidentical setting has resulted in low incidences of both acute (aGVHD) and chronic GVHD (cGVHD). Therefore, the aim of our study was to compare GVHD prophylaxis using either PTCY or ATG in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who underwent allo-HSCT in first remission (CR1) from a 10/10 HLA-MUD. METHODS Overall, 174 and 1452 patients from the EBMT registry receiving PTCY and ATG were included. Cumulative incidence of aGVHD and cGVHD, leukemia-free survival, overall survival, non-relapse mortality, cumulative incidence of relapse, and refined GVHD-free, relapse-free survival were compared between the 2 groups. Propensity score matching was also performed in order to confirm the results of the main analysis RESULTS No statistical difference between the PTCY and ATG groups was observed for the incidence of grade II-IV aGVHD. The same held true for the incidence of cGVHD and for extensive cGVHD. In univariate and multivariate analyses, no statistical differences were observed for all other transplant outcomes. These results were also confirmed using matched-pair analysis. CONCLUSION These results highlight that, in the10/10 HLA-MUD setting, the use of PTCY for GVHD prophylaxis may provide similar outcomes to those obtained with ATG in patients with AML in CR1.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients from the EBMT registry underoing 10/10 matched unrelated stem cell transplantation for AML (n=1626)
Intervention
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY, n=174)
Comparison
Antithymocyte globulin (ATG, n=1452)
Outcome
No statistical difference between the PTCY and ATG groups was observed for the incidence of grade II-IV aGVHD. The same held true for the incidence of cGVHD and for extensive cGVHD. In univariate and multivariate analyses, no statistical differences were observed for all other transplant outcomes.
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Impact of anti-thymocyte globulin on results of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for patients with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: An analysis by the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the EBMT
Giebel, S., Labopin, M., Czerw, T., Socie, G., Blaise, D., Ghavamzadeh, A., Passweg, J., Ljungman, P., Poire, X., Chevallier, P., et al
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990). 2018;106:212-219
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is widely used to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (alloPBSCT). The goal of this study was to retrospectively assess the effect of ATG on outcomes in the setting of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ ALL). METHODS In the analysis, 1170 adult patients undergoing alloPBSCT from human leucocyte antigen-matched sibling or unrelated donors in the first complete remission between 2007 and 2016 were included. ATG was used in 429/575 (75%) and 121/595 (20%) patients transplanted from unrelated or sibling donors, respectively. RESULTS The incidence of chronic GVHD was 35% for patients treated with ATG compared with 52% in those not receiving ATG (p < 0.001), while the rate of extensive chronic GVHD was 16% and 36%, respectively (p < 0.001). The probability of survival free from GVHD and relapse (GRFS) was 42% and 32%, respectively (p = 0.002). In a multivariate model, the use of ATG was associated with reduced risk of overall chronic GVHD (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.52, p < 0.001) and extensive chronic GVHD (HR = 0.46, p < 0.001). It was also associated with better GRFS (HR = 0.77, p = 0.007), despite increased risk of relapse (HR = 1.41, p = 0.02). No significant effect was found with regard to the risk of non-relapse mortality and overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS The use of ATG for patients with Ph+ ALL undergoing alloPBSCT is associated with reduced risk of chronic GVHD without impact on survival and therefore, could be considered. However, increased risk of relapse suggests the need for strict monitoring of minimal residual diseases and appropriate interventions after transplantation.
PICO Summary
Population
1170 adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ ALL) undergoing alloPBSCT
Intervention
Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG)
Comparison
No ATG
Outcome
In a multivariate model, the use of ATG was associated with reduced risk of overall chronic GVHD and extensive chronic GVHD. It was also associated with better GRFS, despite increased risk of relapse. No significant effect was found with regard to the risk of non-relapse mortality and overall mortality.