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Impact of Donor Age on Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Outcomes in Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Abid, M. B., Estrada-Merly, N., Zhang, M. J., Chen, K., Allan, D., Bredeson, C., Sabloff, M., Guru Murthy, G. S., Badar, T., Hashmi, S., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2023
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) provides cure for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML); however, disease relapse remains a major concern. Based on recent data suggesting that younger donor age confers the greatest benefit among matched unrelated donors (MUD), we attempted to answer a practical question: which donor type provides the best outcomes when an older patient with AML has a matched sibling donor (MSD, also older) vs the best MUD? METHODS This retrospective cohort registry study accessed data from Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research database (CIBMTR) in patients with AML 50 years or older undergoing alloHCT from older MSD (aged≥50) or younger MUD (aged≤35) between 2011 and 2018. The study included common allograft types, conditioning regimens, and graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. The primary outcome was relapse risk. Secondary outcomes included non-relapse mortality (NRM), GVHD, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Among 4684 eligible patients, 1736 underwent alloHCT with an older MSD whereas 2948 received transplant from a younger MUD. In multivariable analysis, compared to an alloHCT from older MSDs, younger MUDs conferred a decreased relapse risk (HR 0.86; p=.005) and a significantly lower adjusted 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse (35% vs 41%; p=.003), but was associated with an increased risk for chronic GVHD (HR 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08-1.29; p=.0002) and greater NRM only in the earlier period from 2011-2015 (HR 1.24; p=.016). The corresponding NRM rates were significantly lower in the more recent period from 2016-2018 (HR 0.78; p=.017). The adjusted 5-year DFS probability was 44% (95% CI, 42%-46%) with an alloHCT from younger MUDs compared to 41% (95% CI, 38%-43%) with an older MSD (p=.04). CONCLUSION In older patients with AML undergoing alloHCT, the use of younger MUDs is associated with a decreased relapse risk and improved DFS compared to older MSDs.
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Younger Matched Unrelated Donors Confer Decreased Relapse Compared to Older Sibling Donors in Older B-cell ALL Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Abid, M. B., Merly, N. E., Zhang, M. J., Chen, K., Bredeson, C., Allan, D., Sabloff, M., Marks, D. I., Litzow, M., Hourigan, C., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2023
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) offers cures for older patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), disease relapse remains a major issue. Whether matched sibling donors (MSD) are still the preferred donor choice compared to younger matched unrelated donors (MUD), in the contemporary era of improved transplant practices, remains unknown. METHODS This retrospective cohort registry study queried the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research database (CIBMTR) data in B-cell ALL patients 50 years or older, undergoing alloHCT from older MSDs (donor age ≥ 50) or younger MUDs (donor age ≤ 35) between 2011 and 2018. The study included common allograft types, conditioning regimens, and graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis strategies. The primary outcome was relapse risk whereas secondary outcomes included non-relapse mortality (NRM), GVHD, leukemia-free survival (LFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Among 925 eligible patients in the study cohort, 386 underwent alloHCT with an older MSD (median donor age, 58) whereas 539 received transplant from a younger MUD (median donor age, 25). In multivariable analysis, younger MUDs conferred a significantly decreased risk of relapse (HR 0.68; p=.002) vs older MSDs. The adjusted cumulative incidence of relapse at 5 years was significantly lower with younger MUDs compared to older MSDs (26% vs 37%; p=.001). Younger MUDs were associated with a greater risk of chronic GVHD compared to older MSDs (HR 1.33; 95% CI, 1.10-1.61; p=.003). Compared to older MSDs, younger MUDs conferred an increased NRM (HR 1.38; p=.02) and higher adjusted cumulative incidence of NRM at 5 years (31% vs 22%; p=.006). There were no differences in OS or LFS rates of alloHCT with younger MUDs vs older MSDs (OS: HR 1.09; p=.37; DFS: HR 0.95; p=.57). CONCLUSION Younger MUDs could be considered as a possible way to prevent relapse after alloHCT in older adults with ALL. Combining the use of younger MUDs with improved strategies to reduce GVHD is worth further exploration to improve outcomes.
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Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm: a CIBMTR analysis
Murthy, H. S., Zhang, M. J., Chen, K., Ahmed, S., Deotare, U., Ganguly, S., Kansagra, A., Michelis, F. V., Nishihori, T., Patnaik, M. M., et al
Blood advances. 2023
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematological malignancy with a poor prognosis and considered incurable with standard conventional chemotherapy. Small observational studies have shown that allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) offers durable remissions in patients with BPDCN. We conducted an analysis of 164 patients with BPDCN from 78 centers who underwent allo-HCT between 2007-2018 using data reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR). Results: Median follow up of survivors was 49 months (range 6-121). 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), relapse, and non-relapse (NRM) rates were 51.2% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 42.5-59.8%), 44.4% (95%CI: 36.2-52.8%), 32.2% (95%CI: 24.7-40.3%), and 23.3% (95%CI: 16.9-30.4%), respectively. Disease relapse was the most common cause of death. On multivariate analyses, age ≥60 was predictive for inferior OS (hazard ratio [HR]= 2.16, 95% CI 1.35-3.46, p= 0.001), and higher NRM [HR= 2.19, 95% CI 1.13-4.22, p= 0.02]. Remission status at time of allo-HCT (CR2/PIF/Relapse vs CR1) was predictive of inferior OS [HR= 1.87, 95% CI 1.14-3.06, p= 0.01] and DFS [HR= 1.75, 95% CI 1.11-2.76, p= 0.02]. Use of myeloablative conditioning with total body irradiation (TBI) was predictive for improved DFS and reduced risk of relapse. Conclusion: Allo-HCT is effective in providing durable remissions and long-term survival in BPDCN. Younger age and allo-HCT in CR1 predicted for improved survival, while myeloablative conditioning with TBI predicted for less relapse and improved DFS. Novel strategies incorporating allo-HCT are needed to further improve outcomes.
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Impact of pre-transplant induction and consolidation cycles on AML allogeneic transplant outcomes: a CIBMTR analysis in 3113 AML patients
Boyiadzis, M., Zhang, M. J., Chen, K., Abdel-Azim, H., Abid, M. B., Aljurf, M., Bacher, U., Badar, T., Badawy, S. M., Battiwalla, M., et al
Leukemia. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
We investigated the impact of the number of induction/consolidation cycles on outcomes of 3113 adult AML patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) between 2008 and 2019. Patients received allo-HCT using myeloablative (MAC) or reduced-intensity (RIC) conditioning in first complete remission (CR) or with primary induction failure (PIF). Patients who received MAC allo-HCT in CR after 1 induction cycle had 1.3-fold better overall survival (OS) than 2 cycles to CR and 1.47-fold better than ≥3 cycles. OS after CR in 2 or ≥3 cycles was similar. Relapse risk was 1.65-fold greater in patients receiving ≥3 cycles to achieve CR. After RIC allo-HCT, the number of induction cycles to CR did not affect OS. Compared to CR in 1 cycle, relapse risk was 1.24-1.41-fold greater in patients receiving 2 or ≥3 cycles. For patients receiving only 1 cycle to CR, consolidation therapy prior to MAC allo-HCT was associated with improved OS vs. no consolidation therapy. Detectable MRD at the time of MAC allo-HCT did not impact outcomes while detectable MRD preceding RIC allo-HCT was associated with an increased risk of relapse. For allo-HCT in PIF, OS was significantly worse than allo-HCT in CR after 1-3 cycles.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who received allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in 450 centres worldwide (n=3113)
Intervention
Patients achieving complete remission (CR) after 1 induction cycle (n=862)
Comparison
Patients requiring 2 cycles to CR (n=454) or 3 or more cycles to CR (n=157).
Outcome
Patients who received myeloablative (MAC) allo-HCT in CR after 1 induction cycle had 1.3-fold better overall survival (OS) than 2 cycles to CR and 1.47-fold better than ≥3 cycles. OS after CR in 2 or ≥3 cycles was similar. Relapse risk was 1.65-fold greater in patients receiving ≥3 cycles to achieve CR. After reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) allo-HCT, the number of induction cycles to CR did not affect OS. Compared to CR in 1 cycle, relapse risk was 1.24-1.41-fold greater in patients receiving 2 or ≥3 cycles. For patients receiving only 1 cycle to CR, consolidation therapy prior to MAC allo-HCT was associated with improved OS vs. no consolidation therapy. Detectable MRD at the time of MAC allo-HCT did not impact outcomes while detectable MRD preceding RIC allo-HCT was associated with an increased risk of relapse. For allo-HCT in PIF, OS was significantly worse than allo-HCT in CR after 1-3 cycles.
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Age is no barrier for adults undergoing HCT for AML in CR1: contemporary CIBMTR analysis
Maakaron, J. E., Zhang, M. J., Chen, K., Abhyankar, S., Bhatt, V. R., Chhabra, S., El Jurdi, N., Farag, S. S., He, F., Juckett, M., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2022
Abstract
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) has a median age at diagnosis of 67 years. The most common curative therapy remains an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT), yet it is complicated by treatment-related mortality (TRM) and ongoing morbidity including graft versus host disease (GVHD) that may impact survival, particularly in older patients. We examined the outcomes and predictors of success in 1321 patients aged 60 years and older receiving a HCT for AML in first complete remission (CR1) from 2007-2017 and reported to the CIBMTR. Outcomes were compared in three age cohorts (60-64; 65-69; 70+). With median follow-up of nearly 3 years, patients aged 60-64 had modestly, though significantly better OS, DFS and lower TRM than those either 65-69 or 70+; cohorts with similar outcomes. Three-year OS for the 3 cohorts was 49.4%, 42.3%, and 44.7% respectively (p = 0.026). TRM was higher with increasing age, cord blood as graft source and HCT-CI score of ≥3. Conditioning intensity was not a significant predictor of OS in the 60-69 cohort with 3-year OS of 46% for RIC and 49% for MAC (p = 0.38); MAC was rarely used over age 70. There was no difference in the relapse rate, incidence of Grade III/IV acute GVHD, or moderate-severe chronic GVHD across the age cohorts. After adjusting for other predictors, age had a small effect on OS and TRM. High-risk features including poor cytogenetics and measurable residual disease (MRD) prior to HCT were each significantly associated with relapse and accounted for most of the adverse impact on OS and DFS. Age did not influence the incidence of either acute or chronic GVHD; while graft type and associated GVHD prophylaxis were most important. These data suggest that age alone is not a barrier to successful HCT for AML in CR1 and should not exclude patients from HCT. Efforts should focus on minimizing residual disease and better donor selection.
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Impact of depth of clinical response on outcomes of acute myeloid leukemia patients in first complete remission who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Percival, M. E., Wang, H. L., Zhang, M. J., Saber, W., de Lima, M., Litzow, M., Kebriaei, P., Abdel-Azim, H., Adekola, K., Aljurf, M., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2021
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients often undergo allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) in first complete remission (CR). We examined the effect of depth of clinical response, including incomplete count recovery (CRi) and/or measurable residual disease (MRD), in patients from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplantation Research (CIBMTR) registry. We identified 2492 adult patients (1799 CR and 693 CRi) who underwent alloHCT between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2015. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Multivariable analysis was performed to adjust for patient-, disease-, and transplant-related factors. Baseline characteristics were similar. Patients in CRi compared to those in CR had an increased likelihood of death (HR: 1.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.13-1.43). Compared to CR, CRi was significantly associated with increased non-relapse mortality (NRM), shorter disease-free survival (DFS), and a trend toward increased relapse. Detectable MRD was associated with shorter OS, shorter DFS, higher NRM, and increased relapse compared to absence of MRD. The deleterious effects of CRi and MRD were independent. In this large CIBMTR cohort, survival outcomes differ among AML patients based on depth of CR and presence of MRD at the time of alloHCT. Further studies should focus on optimizing post-alloHCT outcomes for patients with responses less than CR.
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An adapted European LeukemiaNet genetic risk stratification for acute myeloid leukemia patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. A CIBMTR analysis
Jimenez Jimenez, A. M., De Lima, M., Komanduri, K. V., Wang, T. P., Zhang, M. J., Chen, K., Abdel-Azim, H., Abid, M. B., Aljurf, M., Alkhateeb, H., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2021
Abstract
Cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities are known to influence post-transplant outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) but data assessing the prognostic value of combined genetic models in the HCT setting are limited. We developed an adapted European LeukemiaNet (aELN) risk classification based on available genetic data reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, to predict post-transplant outcomes in 2289 adult AML patients transplanted in first remission, between 2013 and 2017. Patients were stratified according to aELN into three groups: favorable (Fav, N?=?181), intermediate (IM, N?=?1185), and adverse (Adv, N?=?923). Univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences in 2-year overall survival (OS) (Fav: 67.7%, IM: 64.9% and Adv: 53.9%; p?0.001); disease-free survival (DFS) (Fav: 57.8%, IM: 55.5% and Adv: 45.3; p?0.001) and relapse (Fav: 28%, IM: 27.5% and Adv: 37.5%; p?0.001). Multivariate analysis (MVA) revealed no differences in outcomes between the Fav and IM groups, thus they were combined. On MVA, patients in the Adv risk group had the highest risk of relapse (HR 1.47 p?=?0.001) and inferior DFS (HR 1.35 p?0.001) and OS (HR 1.39 p?0.001), even using myeloablative conditioning or in those without the pre-HCT measurable-residual disease. Novel approaches to mitigate relapse in this high-risk group are urgently needed.
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Risk classification at diagnosis predicts post-HCT outcomes in intermediate-, adverse-risk, and KMT2A-rearranged AML
Menghrajani, K., Gomez-Arteaga, A., Madero-Marroquin, R., Zhang, M. J., Bo-Subait, K., Sanchez, J., Wang, H. L., Aljurf, M., Assal, A., Bacher, U., et al
Blood advances. 2021
Abstract
Little is known about whether risk classification at diagnosis predicts post-hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. We evaluated 8709 AML patients from the CIBMTR database and, after selection and manual curation of cytogenetics data, 3779 patients in CR1 were included in the final analysis: 2384 with intermediate-risk, 969 with adverse-risk, and 426 with KMT2A-rearranged disease. An adjusted multivariable analysis compared to intermediate-risk patients detected an increased risk of relapse for KMT2A-rearranged and adverse-risk patients (HR 1.27, p = 0.01 and HR 1.71, p < 0.001, respectively). Leukemia-free survival (LFS) was similar for KMT2A and adverse-risk patients (HR 1.26, p = 0.002 and HR 1.47, p < 0.001), as was overall survival (OS) (HR 1.32, p < 0.001 and HR 1.45, p < 0.001). No differences in outcome could be detected when patients were stratified by KMT2A fusion partner. This is the largest study conducted to date on post-HCT outcomes in AML using manually curated cytogenetics for risk stratification. Our work demonstrates that risk classification at diagnosis remains predictive of post-HCT outcomes in AML. It also highlights the critical need to develop novel treatment strategies for patients with KMT2A rearrangements and adverse-risk disease.
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Reduced intensity conditioning for acute myeloid leukemia using melphalan- vs busulfan-based regimens: a CIBMTR report
Zhou, Z., Nath, R., Cerny, J., Wang, H. L., Zhang, M. J., Abdel-Azim, H., Agrawal, V., Ahmed, G., Al-Homsi, A. S., Aljurf, M., et al
Blood advances. 2020;4(13):3180-3190
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
There is a lack of large comparative study on the outcomes of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) transplantation using fludarabine/busulfan (FB) and fludarabine/melphalan (FM) regimens. Adult AML patients from Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research who received first RIC allo-transplant between 2001 and 2015 were studied. Patients were excluded if they received cord blood or identical twin transplant, total body irradiation in conditioning, or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with in vitro T-cell depletion. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS), secondary end points were leukemia-free survival (LFS), nonrelapse mortality (NRM), relapse, and GVHD. Multivariate survival model was used with adjustment for patient, leukemia, and transplant-related factors. A total of 622 patients received FM and 791 received FB RIC. Compared with FB, the FM group had fewer transplant in complete remission (CR), fewer matched sibling donors, and less usage of anti-thymocyte globulin or alemtuzumab. More patients in the FM group received marrow grafts and had transplantation before 2005. OS was significantly lower within the first 3 months posttransplant in the FM group (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.82, P < .001), but was marginally superior beyond 3 months (HR = 0.87, P = .05). LFS was better with FM compared with FB (HR = 0.89, P = .05). NRM was significantly increased in the FM group during the first 3 months of posttransplant (HR = 3.85, P < .001). Long-term relapse was lower with FM (HR = 0.65, P < .001). Analysis restricted to patients with CR showed comparable results. In conclusion, compared with FB, the FM RIC showed a marginally superior long-term OS and LFS and a lower relapse rate. A lower OS early posttransplant within 3 months was largely the result of a higher early NRM.
PICO Summary
Population
Adult AML patients from Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research who received first RIC allo-transplant between 2001 and 2015 (n=1413)
Intervention
Fludarabine/busulfan reduced intensity conditioning regimen (FB, n=791)
Comparison
Fludarabine/melphalan reduced intensity conditioning regimen (FM, n=622)
Outcome
Compared with FB, the FM group had fewer transplant in complete remission (CR), fewer matched sibling donors, and less usage of anti-thymocyte globulin or alemtuzumab. More patients in the FM group received marrow grafts and had transplantation before 2005. OS was significantly lower within the first 3 months posttransplant in the FM group (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.82), but was marginally superior beyond 3 months (HR = 0.87). LFS was better with FM compared with FB (HR = 0.89). NRM was significantly increased in the FM group during the first 3 months of posttransplant (HR = 3.85). Long-term relapse was lower with FM (HR = 0.65). Analysis restricted to patients with CR showed comparable results.
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Myeloablative Conditioning for Allogeneic Transplantation Results in Superior Disease-Free Survival for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes with Low/Intermediate, but not High Disease Risk Index: A CIBMTR Study: Superior DFS with MAC compared to RIC HCT in AML/MDS with low/intermediate risk DRI
Bejanyan, N., Zhang, M., Bo-Subait, K., Brunstein, C., Wang, H., Warlick, E. D., Giralt, S., Nishihori, T., Martino, R., Passweg, J., et al
Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2020
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Myeloablative (MAC) as compared to reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) is generally associated with lower relapse risk after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, disease specific risk factors in AML/MDS can further inform when MAC vs. RIC may yield differential outcomes. We analyzed HCT outcomes stratified by the disease risk index (DRI) in 4387 adults (age 40-65 years) to identify the impact of conditioning intensity. In the low/intermediate risk DRI cohort, RIC was associated with lower non-relapse mortality (NRM) (HR=0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.88; p<0.001), but significantly higher relapse risk (HR=1.54, 95% CI 1.35-1.76; p<0.001) and thus inferior disease-free survival (DFS) (HR=1.19, 95% CI 1.07-1.33; p=0.001). In the high/very high risk DRI cohort, RIC resulted in marginally lower NRM (HR=0.83, 95% CI 0.68-1.00; p=0.051), and significantly higher relapse risk (HR=1.23, 95% CI 1.08-1.41; p=0.002) leading to similar DFS using either RIC or MAC. These data support MAC over RIC as the preferred conditioning intensity for AML/MDS with low/intermediate risk DRI, but similar benefit to RIC in high/very high risk DRI. Novel MAC regimens with less toxicity could benefit all, but more potent anti-neoplastic approaches are needed for the high/very high risk DRI group.
PICO Summary
Population
Adult patients aged 40-65 years with acute myeloid leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS) (n=4387)
Intervention
Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and low/intermediate risk (n=999), RIC and high/very high risk (n=728)
Comparison
Myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and low/intermediate risk (n=1539), MAC and high/very high risk (n=1121)
Outcome
In the low/intermediate risk disease risk index (DRI) cohort, RIC was associated with lower non-relapse mortality (NRM) , but significantly higher relapse risk and thus inferior disease-free survival (DFS). In the high/very high risk DRI cohort, RIC resulted in marginally lower NRM, and significantly higher relapse risk leading to similar DFS using either RIC or MAC.