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Severity and organ distribution of chronic graft-versus-host disease with posttransplant cyclophosphamide-based versus methotrexate/calcineurin inhibitor-based allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Chhabra, S., Jerkins, J. H., Monahan, K., Szabo, A., Shah, N. N., Abedin, S., Runaas, L., Fenske, T. S., Pasquini, M. C., Shaw, B. E., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2024
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
The reduced risk of chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) with posttransplant cyclophosphamide (ptCy) in the setting of haploidentical related donor and more recently, with HLA-matched related and matched and mismatched unrelated donor allogeneic transplantation has been established. There is, however, paucity of data to show if ptCy impacts chronic GVHD pathogenesis, its phenotype and evolution after HCT regardless of the donor status. We examined the differences in chronic GVHD incidence and presentation in 314 consecutive patients after receiving their first allogeneic transplantation (HCT) using ptCy-based GVHD prophylaxis (ptCy-HCT; n = 120; including 95 with haploidentical related donor) versus conventional calcineurin inhibitor-based prophylaxis (CNI-MUD; n = 194) between 2012 and 2019. The 1-year cumulative incidence of all-grade chronic GVHD and moderate/severe chronic GVHD was 24% and 12%, respectively, after ptCy-HCT and 40% and 23% in the CNI-MUD recipients (p = 0.0003 and 0.007). Multivariable analysis confirmed that use of CNI-based GVHD prophylaxis and peripheral blood stem cell graft as the risk factors for chronic GVHD. The cumulative incidence of visceral (involving ≥1 of the following organs: liver, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, serous membranes) chronic GVHD was significantly higher with CNI-MUD vs. ptCy-HCT (27% vs. 15% at 1 year, p = 0.009). The incidence of moderate/severe visceral chronic GVHD was 20% in CNI-MUD group vs. 7.7% in the ptCy-HCT group at 1 year (p = 0.002). In addition, significantly fewer ptCy-HCT recipients developed severe chronic GVHD in ≥3 organs (0.8%) vs. 8.8% in the CNI-MUD group at 1-year posttransplant (p = 0.004). There was no significant different in relapse, non-relapse mortality, and relapse-free and overall survival between the two groups. Further investigation is needed to confirm that reduced risk and severity of chronic GVHD, less visceral organ distribution with ptCy-HCT leads to improved quality of life.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults who received their first allogeneic transplantation at a single centre in USA with a matched unrelated donor or haploidentical donor (n=314)
Intervention
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide based GVHD prophylaxis (ptCy-HCT, n =120)
Comparison
Conventional calcineurin inhibitor-based prophylaxis (CNI-MUD, n=194)
Outcome
The 1-year cumulative incidence of all-grade chronic GVHD and moderate/severe chronic GVHD was 24% and 12%, respectively, after ptCy-HCT and 40% and 23% in the CNI-MUD recipients. Multivariable analysis confirmed that use of CNI-based GVHD prophylaxis and peripheral blood stem cell graft as the risk factors for chronic GVHD. The cumulative incidence of visceral (involving ≥1 of the following organs: liver, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, serous membranes) chronic GVHD was significantly higher with CNI-MUD vs. ptCy-HCT (27% vs. 15% at 1 year). The incidence of moderate/severe visceral chronic GVHD was 20% in CNI-MUD group vs. 7.7% in the ptCy-HCT group at 1 year. In addition, significantly fewer ptCy-HCT recipients developed severe chronic GVHD in ≥3 organs (0.8%) vs. 8.8% in the CNI-MUD group at 1-year posttransplant. There was no significant different in relapse, non-relapse mortality, and relapse-free and overall survival between the two groups.
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Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide-Based Graft-versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis
Bolaños-Meade, J., Hamadani, M., Wu, J., Al Malki, M. M., Martens, M. J., Runaas, L., Elmariah, H., Rezvani, A. R., Gooptu, M., Larkin, K. T., et al
The New England journal of medicine. 2023;388(25):2338-2348
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), a calcineurin inhibitor plus methotrexate has been a standard prophylaxis against graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). A phase 2 study indicated the potential superiority of a post-transplantation regimen of cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. METHODS In a phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned adults with hematologic cancers in a 1:1 ratio to receive cyclophosphamide-tacrolimus-mycophenolate mofetil (experimental prophylaxis) or tacrolimus-methotrexate (standard prophylaxis). The patients underwent HSCT from an HLA-matched related donor or a matched or 7/8 mismatched (i.e., mismatched at only one of the HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, and HLA-DRB1 loci) unrelated donor, after reduced-intensity conditioning. The primary end point was GVHD-free, relapse-free survival at 1 year, assessed in a time-to-event analysis, with events defined as grade III or IV acute GVHD, chronic GVHD warranting systemic immunosuppression, disease relapse or progression, and death from any cause. RESULTS In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, GVHD-free, relapse-free survival was significantly more common among the 214 patients in the experimental-prophylaxis group than among the 217 patients in the standard-prophylaxis group (hazard ratio for grade III or IV acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, disease relapse or progression, or death, 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49 to 0.83; P = 0.001). At 1 year, the adjusted GVHD-free, relapse-free survival was 52.7% (95% CI, 45.8 to 59.2) with experimental prophylaxis and 34.9% (95% CI, 28.6 to 41.3) with standard prophylaxis. Patients in the experimental-prophylaxis group appeared to have less severe acute or chronic GVHD and a higher incidence of immunosuppression-free survival at 1 year. Overall and disease-free survival, relapse, transplantation-related death, and engraftment did not differ substantially between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Among patients undergoing allogeneic HLA-matched HSCT with reduced-intensity conditioning, GVHD-free, relapse-free survival at 1 year was significantly more common among those who received cyclophosphamide-tacrolimus-mycophenolate mofetil than among those who received tacrolimus-methotrexate. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and others; BMT CTN 1703 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03959241.).
PICO Summary
Population
Adults with hematologic cancers undergoing HLA-matched related donor or a matched or 7/8 mismatched unrelated donor transplant, enrolled in an RCT in multiple centres in USA (n=431)
Intervention
Cyclophosphamide-tacrolimus-mycophenolate mofetil (experimental prophylaxis, n=214)
Comparison
Tacrolimus-methotrexate (standard prophylaxis (standard prophylaxis, n=217)
Outcome
GVHD-free, relapse-free survival was significantly more common among patients in the experimental-prophylaxis group than among the standard-prophylaxis group (hazard ratio for grade III or IV acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, disease relapse or progression, or death, 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49 to 0.83). At 1 year, the adjusted GVHD-free, relapse-free survival was 52.7% (95% CI, 45.8 to 59.2) with experimental prophylaxis and 34.9% (95% CI, 28.6 to 41.3) with standard prophylaxis. Patients in the experimental-prophylaxis group appeared to have less severe acute or chronic GVHD and a higher incidence of immunosuppression-free survival at 1 year. Overall and disease-free survival, relapse, transplantation-related death, and engraftment did not differ substantially between the groups.
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ASTCT Clinical practice recommendations for transplant and cellular therapies in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Epperla, N., Kumar, A., Abutalib, S. A., Awan, F. T., Chen, Y. B., Gopal, A. K., Holter-Chakrabarty, J., Kekre, N., Lee, C. J., Lekakis, L., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2023
Abstract
Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) has long remained the standard approach for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) chemosensitive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has caused a paradigm shift in the management of R/R DLBCL patients, especially with the recent approval of CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy in the second line setting in high-risk groups (primary refractory and early relapse [≤12 months]). Consensus on the contemporary role, optimal timing, and sequencing of HCT and cellular therapies in DLBCL is lacking. Therefore, the American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) Committee on Practice Guidelines undertook this project to formulate consensus recommendations to address this unmet need. The RAND-modified Delphi method was used to generate 20 consensus statements with a few key statements as follows: 1) in the first-line setting, there is no role of auto-HCT consolidation for those achieving complete remission (CR) following R-CHOP or similar therapy in non-double hit/triple hit cases (DHL/THL) and in DHL/THL cases receiving intensive induction therapies, but auto-HCT may be considered in eligible patients receiving R-CHOP or similar therapies in DHL/THL cases. 2) Auto-HCT consolidation with thiotepa-based conditioning is standard-of-care for eligible patients with primary central nervous system achieving CR with first-line therapy. 3) In the primary refractory and early relapse setting, the preferred option is CAR T-cell therapy, while in late relapse (>12 months), consolidation with auto-HCT is recommended in those achieving chemosensitivity to salvage therapy (CR or partial response), and CAR T-cell therapy is recommended in those not achieving remission. These clinical practice recommendations will serve as a tool to guide clinicians managing patients with newly diagnosed and R/R DLBCL.
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Updated Indications for Immune Effector Cell Therapy: 2023 Guidelines from the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
Kanate, A. S., Majhail, N., DeFilipp, Z. M., Dhakal, B., Dholaria, B., Hamilton, B., Herrera, A. F., Inamoto, Y., Jain, T., Perales, M. A., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2023
Abstract
The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) published its guidelines on indications for autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and immune effector cell therapy (IECT) in 2020. Since then we have witnessed rapid advancements in the field of IECT, resulting in several new chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) products and disease indications being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To keep abreast of these practice changes, the ASTCT Committee on Practice Guidelines commissioned a focused update covering CAR-T therapy indications. This brief manuscript presents updated ASTCT recommendations on indications for CAR-T therapy. Only FDA approved indications for CAR-T were recommended and categorized as "standard of care" (S), where indication is well defined and supported by evidence. The ASTCT will continue to periodically review these guidelines and update them as new evidence becomes available.
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Blood and marrow transplant within 4 weeks of SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with increased risk of mortality: a National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) Study
Mohan, M., Kothari, A., Verhagen, N., Shreenivas, A., Radhakrishnan, S. V., Dhakal, B., Figueroa-Castro, C., Chhabra, S., Janz, S., Pasquini, M., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2023
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Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in the Management of Myelodysplastic Syndrome: An Evidence-Based Review from the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Committee on Practice Guidelines
DeFilipp, Z., Ciurea, S. O., Cutler, C., Robin, M., Warlick, E. D., Nakamura, R., Brunner, A. M., Dholaria, B., Walker, A. R., Kröger, N., et al
Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. 2023;29(2):71-81
Abstract
The sole curative therapy for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Here this therapeutic modality is reviewed and critically evaluated in the context of the evidence. Specific criteria were used for searching the published literature and for grading the quality and strength of the evidence and the strength of the recommendations. A panel of MDS experts comprising transplantation and nontransplantation physicians developed consensus treatment recommendations. This review summarizes the standard MDS indications for HCT and addresses areas of controversy. Recent prospective trials have confirmed that allogeneic HCT confers survival benefits in patients with advanced or high-risk MDS compared with nontransplantation approaches, and the use of HCT is increasing in older patients with good performance status. However, patients with high-risk cytogenetic or molecular mutations remain at high risk for relapse. It is unknown whether administration of novel therapies before or after transplantation may decrease the risk of disease relapse in selected populations. Ongoing and future studies will investigate revised approaches to disease risk stratification, patient selection, and post-transplantation approaches to optimize allogeneic HCT outcomes for patients with MDS.
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Impact of thiotepa dose-intensity in primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system undergoing autologous hematopoietic cell transplant with thiotepa/carmustine conditioning
Arshad, S., Fang, X., Ahn, K. W., Kaur, M., Scordo, M., Sauter, C. S., Furqan, F., Awan, F. T., Hamadani, M.
Bone marrow transplantation. 2023
Abstract
Thiotepa/carmustine (TT-BCNU) is a commonly used autologous transplant (ASCT) conditioning regimen for primary DLBCL of the CNS (PCNSL). The total thiotepa dose varies among TT-BCNU recipients, with some centers administering a total dose of 20 mg/kg, while others using 10 mg/kg. We retrospectively assessed the impact of thiotepa dose intensity on ASCT outcomes in 218 adult PCNSL patients who underwent a first ASCT with TT-BCNU conditioning and received either a total thiotepa dose of 10 mg/kg (TT-10 group; N = 90), or 20 mg/kg (TT-20 group; N = 128). The median follow-up of survivors was 22 months. The cumulative incidence of 1-year non-relapse mortality (NRM) for TT-10 and TT-20 cohorts were 6% (95%CI = 2-12%) vs. 4% (95%CI = 1-8%), respectively (p = 0.66). The 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse (15% vs. 13%; p = 0.67), progression-free survival (PFS) (71% vs. 80%; p = 0.25) and overall survival (OS) (79% vs. 83%; p = 0.56) were similar in the TT-10 and TT-20 groups, respectively. On multivariate analysis compared to TT-10, the TT-20 cohort was not associated with significantly different risk of NRM (Hazard ration [HR] = 0.77; p = 0.64), relapse/progression (HR = 0.87; p = 0.74), PFS (HR = 0.80; p = 0.48) or OS (HR = 1.10; p = 0.80). In conclusion thiotepa dose-intensity in TT-BCNU conditioning does not impact ASCT outcomes of PCNSL patients.
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SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in the first year after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant: a prospective, multicentre, observational study
Hill, J. A., Martens, M. J., Young, J. H., Bhavsar, K., Kou, J., Chen, M., Lee, L. W., Baluch, A., Dhodapkar, M. V., Nakamura, R., et al
EClinicalMedicine. 2023;59:101983
Abstract
BACKGROUND The optimal timing for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines within the first year after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) is poorly understood. METHODS We conducted a prospective, multicentre, observational study of allogeneic HCT recipients who initiated SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations within 12 months of HCT. Participants were enrolled at 22 academic cancer centers across the United States. Participants of any age who were planning to receive a first post-HCT SARS-CoV-2 vaccine within 12 months of HCT were eligible. We obtained blood prior to and after each vaccine dose for up to four vaccine doses, with an end-of-study sample seven to nine months after enrollment. We tested for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (anti-S) IgG; nucleocapsid protein (anti-N) IgG; neutralizing antibodies for Wuhan D614G, Delta B.1.617.2, and Omicron B.1.1.529 strains; and SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell receptors (TCRs). The primary outcome was a comparison of anti-S IgG titers at the post-V2 time point in participants initiating vaccinations <4 months versus 4-12 months after HCT using a propensity-adjusted analysis. We also evaluated factors associated with high-level anti-S IgG titers (≥2403 U/mL) in logistic regression models. FINDINGS Between April 22, 2021 and November 17, 2021, 175 allogeneic HCT recipients were enrolled in the study, of whom all but one received mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. SARS-CoV-2 anti-S IgG titers, neutralizing antibody titers, and TCR breadth and depth did not significantly differ at all tested time points following the second vaccination among those initiating vaccinations <4 months versus 4-12 months after HCT. Anti-S IgG ≥2403 U/mL correlated with neutralizing antibody levels similar to those observed in a prior study of non-immunocompromised individuals, and 57% of participants achieved anti-S IgG ≥2403 U/mL at the end-of-study time point. In models adjusted for SARS-CoV-2 infection pre-enrollment, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination pre-HCT, CD19+ B-cell count, CD4+ T-cell count, and age (as applicable to the model), vaccine initiation timing was not associated with high-level anti-S IgG titers at the post-V2, post-V3, or end-of-study time points. Notably, prior graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) or use of immunosuppressive medications were not associated with high-level anti-S IgG titers. Grade ≥3 vaccine-associated adverse events were infrequent. INTERPRETATION These data support starting mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination three months after HCT, irrespective of concurrent GVHD or use of immunosuppressive medications. This is one of the largest prospective analyses of vaccination for any pathogen within the first year after allogeneic HCT and supports current guidelines for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination starting three months post-HCT. Additionally, there are few studies of mRNA vaccine formulations for other pathogens in HCT recipients, and these data provide encouraging proof-of-concept for the utility of early vaccination targeting additional pathogens with mRNA vaccine platforms. FUNDING National Marrow Donor Program, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Novartis, LabCorp, American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Adaptive Biotechnologies, and the National Institutes of Health.
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Evaluation of children with malignancies for blood and marrow transplantation: A report from the ASTCT Committee on Practice Guidelines
Fraint, E., Abdel-Azim, H., Bhatt, N. S., Broglie, L., Chattha, A., Kohorst, M., Ktena, Y. P., Lee, M. A., Long, S., Qayed, M., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2023
Abstract
Evaluation of a candidate for hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) is a complex process with substantial inter-center variability. Although literature providing guidance for evaluating the eligibility of adults is well established, similar guidance for children is lacking. To address gaps between adult recommendations and the specific needs of children, we convened a panel of pediatric HCT experts from a wide geographic range of American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) member institutions to offer pediatric-focused pre-HCT evaluation recommendations. In this report from the ASTCT Committee on Practice Guidelines, we present a practical framework for evaluating children with malignancies who are candidates for HCT. We also highlight key differences from adults and emphasize areas of unmet need that require additional research to delineate best practices.
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10.
Efficacy, safety, and cost of mobilization strategies in multiple myeloma: a prospective, observational study
Dhakal, B., Zhang, M. J., Burns, L. J., Tang, X., Meyer, C., Mau, L. W., Nooka, A. K., Stadtmauer, E., Micallef, I. N., McGuirk, J., et al
Haematologica. 2023;108(8):2249-2254