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1.
Busulfan-fludarabine- or treosulfan-fludarabine-based conditioning before allogeneic HSCT from matched sibling donors in paediatric patients with sickle cell disease: A study on behalf of the EBMT Paediatric Diseases and Inborn Errors Working Parties
Cseh, A., Galimard, J. E., de la Fuente, J., Isgro, A., Zecca, M., Garwer, B., Biffi, A., Aljurf, M., Sundin, M., Belendez, C., et al
British journal of haematology. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
How important is choice of conditioning regimen in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for sickle cell disease (SCD)? We compared HSCT outcomes by conditioning regimen in paediatric patients with SCD from the EBMT registry. In 2010-2020, 251 patients aged <18 years underwent a first matched sibling donor (MSD) HSCT with conditioning based on busulfan-fludarabine (bu-flu; n = 89) or treosulfan-fludarabine (treo-flu; n = 162). In the bu-flu and treo-flu groups, 51.7% and 99.4% of patients, respectively, received thiotepa. Median follow-up was 2.7 years. Two-year overall survival (OS) was 98.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 90.9-99.8) with bu-flu and 99.3% (95% CI: 95.2-99.9) with treo-flu (p = 0.63). Grade III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) at 100 days was 2.4% (95% CI: 0.4-7.5) and 0.6% (0.1%-3.2%) for bu-flu and treo-flu respectively (p = 0.25). The 2-year incidence of extensive chronic GVHD was 1.5% (95% CI: 0.1-7.3) with bu-flu and 8.0% (95% CI: 4.1-13.3) with treo-flu (p = 0.057). These multinational data confirm the excellent curative capacity of MSD HSCT with myeloablative conditioning. Both conditioning regimens yielded excellent OS, low rates of acute and chronic GVHD, and low rates of graft failure.
PICO Summary
Population
Children who underwent transplant for sickle cell disease, identified from the EBMT registry (n=251)
Intervention
Conditioning based on busulfan-fludarabine (bu-flu, n=89)
Comparison
Conditoning based on treosulfan-fludarabine (treo-flu, n=162).
Outcome
Median follow-up was 2.7 years. Two-year overall survival (OS) was 98.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 90.9-99.8) with bu-flu and 99.3% (95% CI: 95.2-99.9) with treo-flu. Grade III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) at 100 days was 2.4% (95% CI: 0.4-7.5) and 0.6% (0.1%-3.2%) for bu-flu and treo-flu respectively. The 2-year incidence of extensive chronic GVHD was 1.5% (95% CI: 0.1-7.3) with bu-flu and 8.0% (95% CI: 4.1-13.3) with treo-flu.
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2.
Busulfan-fludarabine- or treosulfan-fludarabine-based myeloablative conditioning for children with thalassemia major
Lüftinger, R., Zubarovskaya, N., Galimard, J. E., Cseh, A., Salzer, E., Locatelli, F., Algeri, M., Yesilipek, A., de la Fuente, J., Isgrò, A., et al
Annals of hematology. 2022
Abstract
Significant advances in supportive care for patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia major (TDT) have improved patients' life expectancy. However, transfusion-associated iron overload remains a significant barrier to long-term survival with good quality of life. Today, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the current curative standard of care. Alongside selection of the best available donor, an optimized conditioning regimen is crucial to maximize outcomes for patients with TDT undergoing HSCT. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the role of busulfan-fludarabine-based and treosulfan-fludarabine-based conditioning in TDT patients undergoing HSCT. We included 772 patients registered in the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) database who underwent first HSCT between 2010 and 2018. Four hundred ten patients received busulfan-fludarabine-based conditioning (median age 8.6 years) and 362 patients received treosulfan-fludarabine-based conditioning (median age 5.7 years). Patient outcomes were retrospectively compared by conditioning regimen. Two-year overall survival was 92.7% (95% confidence interval: 89.3-95.1%) after busulfan-fludarabine-based conditioning and 94.7% (95% confidence interval: 91.7-96.6%) after treosulfan-fludarabine-based conditioning. There was a very low incidence of second HSCT overall. The main causes of death were infections, graft-versus-host disease, and rejection. In conclusion, use of busulfan or treosulfan as the backbone of myeloablative conditioning for patients with TDT undergoing HSCT resulted in comparably high cure rates. Long-term follow-up studies are warranted to address the important issues of organ toxicities and gonadal function.
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3.
Myeloablative conditioning for allo-HSCT in pediatric ALL: FTBI or chemotherapy?-A multicenter EBMT-PDWP study
Willasch, A. M., Peters, C., Sedlacek, P., Dalle, J. H., Kitra-Roussou, V., Yesilipek, A., Wachowiak, J., Lankester, A., Prete, A., Hamidieh, A. A., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2020
Abstract
Although most children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receive fractionated total body irradiation (FTBI) as myeloablative conditioning (MAC) for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), it is an important matter of debate if chemotherapy can effectively replace FTBI. To compare outcomes after FTBI versus chemotherapy-based conditioning (CC), we performed a retrospective EBMT registry study. Children aged 2-18 years after MAC for first allo-HSCT of bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) from matched-related (MRD) or unrelated donors (UD) in first (CR1) or second remission (CR2) between 2000 and 2012 were included. Propensity score weighting was used to control pretreatment imbalances of the observed variables. 3.054 patients were analyzed. CR1 (1.498): median follow-up (FU) after FTBI (1.285) and CC (213) was 6.8 and 6.1 years. Survivals were not significantly different. CR2 (1.556): median FU after FTBI (1.345) and CC (211) was 6.2 years. Outcomes after FTBI were superior as compared with CC with regard to overall survival (OS), leukemia-free survival (LFS), relapse incidence (RI), and nonrelapse mortality (NRM). However, we must emphasize the preliminary character of the results of this retrospective "real-world-practice" study. These findings will be prospectively assessed in the ALL SCTped 2012 FORUM trial.
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4.
High dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for Wilms tumor: a study of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Spreafico, F., Dalissier, A., Potschger, U., Locatelli, F., Michon, J. M., Peters, C., Bader, P., Bisogno, G., Yeomanson, D., Willasch, A., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2019
Abstract
Survival for subgroups of patients with Wilms tumor (WT), such as those who suffer from relapse, is disappointing. Some patients' treatment plans include high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) with autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (aHCT), although proof for its benefit is lacking. To increase the level of evidence regarding children with WT receiving aHCT as consolidation of first or second remission (after first relapse), we extracted relevant data from the European Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry concerning 69 patients. Different HDT regimens were administered, mostly either melphalan-containing (n = 34) or thiotepa-containing (n = 14). For the whole population, 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) probabilities were 0.67 (+/-0.06) and 0.63 (+/-0.06), respectively (median observation time 7.8 years); for children transplanted in first remission, OS and EFS were 0.69 (+/-0.09) and 0.72 (+/-0.08). In univariate analysis, male gender and relapse in multiple sites were associated with lower OS probabilities. The use of a given pretransplant regimen (i.e. melphalan alone versus regimens with multiple drugs) did not seem to influence EFS/OS probability after aHCT, but significantly influenced platelet engraftment (more delayed with thiotepa). We here provide further data to improve the basis for future evidence-based clinical decision-making when using HDT and aHCT in relapsed/refractory WT.
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Second Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Post-Transplant Relapsed Acute Leukemia in Children: a Retrospective EBMT- PDWP Study
Yaniv, I., Krauss, A. C., Beohou, E., Dalissier, A., Corbacioglu, S., Zecca, M., Afanasyev, B. V., Berger, M., Diaz, M. A., Kalwak, K., et al
Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2018
Abstract
Outcome data were collected from the EBMT registry on 373 children from 120 centers with relapsed leukemia (214 ALL, 159 AML) who underwent second allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) between 2004 and 2013. At 2 and 5 years, respectively, overall survival (OS) was 38% and 29%, and leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 30% and 25%. Median follow-up after second HSCT was 36.4 months in the ALL group and 50.2 months in the AML group. In the ALL group, at 2 and 5 years, respectively, OS was 43% and 33%, and LFS, 34% and 31%; corresponding values in the AML group were OS 32% and 24%, LFS 24% and 17%. Non-relapse mortality rates at 2 years were 22% (ALL) and 18% (AML). Favorable prognostic factors (P <0.05) for OS and LFS included >12 months between transplants and chronic graft-versus-host disease after the first SCT (both groups), complete response before the second HSCT (ALL only), and age >12 years (AML only). Findings were more consistent over time in the ALL group, with no significant differences between 2-year and 5-year rates of relapse, non-relapse mortality, and LFS. Children with relapsed acute leukemias have a substantial chance at long-term survival following second HSCT. Given the many novel targeted and immune-modulation therapies currently under development, it is important to identify specific patient subpopulations that may benefit from a second HSCT versus those better suited to new approaches.
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6.
Unrelated Cord Blood Transplantation for Acute Leukemia Diagnosed in the First Year of Life: Outcomes and Risk Factor Analysis
Ruggeri, A., Volt, F., Locatelli, F., Michel, G., Diaz de Heredia, C., Abecasis, M., Zecca, M., Vora, A., Yakouben, K., O'Brien, T. A., et al
Biology of Blood & Marrow Transplantation. 2017;23(1):96-102
Abstract
Infant acute leukemia still has a poor prognosis, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is indicated in selected patients. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an attractive cell source for this population because of the low risk of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the strong graft-versus-leukemia effect, and prompt donor availability. This retrospective, registry-based study reported UCB transplantation (UCBT) outcomes in 252 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL; n=157) or acute myelogenous leukemia (AML; n=95) diagnosed before 1 year of age who received a single-unit UCBT after myeloablative conditioning between 1996 and 2012 in European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation centers. Median age at UCBT was 1.1 years, and median follow-up was 42 months. Most patients (57%) received a graft with 1 HLA disparity and were transplanted in first complete remission (CR; 55%). Cumulative incidence function (CIF) of day 100 acute GVHD (grades II to IV) was 40%+/-3% and of 4-year chronic GVHD was 13%+/-2%. CIF of 1-year transplant-related mortality was 23%+/-3% and of 4-year relapse was 27%+/-3%. Leukemia-free-survival (LFS) at 4 years was 50%+/-3%; it was 40% and 66% for those transplanted for ALL and AML, respectively (P=.001). LFS was better for patients transplanted in first CR, regardless of diagnosis. In multivariate model, diagnosis of ALL (P=.001), advanced disease status at UCBT (<.001), age at diagnosis younger than 3 months (P=.012), and date of transplant before 2004 were independently associated with worse LFS. UCBT is a suitable option for patients diagnosed with infant acute leukemia who achieve CR. In this cohort, patients with AML had better survival than those with ALL. Copyright © 2017 The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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More chronic GvHD and non-relapse mortality after peripheral blood stem cell compared with bone marrow in hematopoietic transplantation for paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a retrospective study on behalf of the EBMT Paediatric Diseases Working Party
Simonin, M., Dalissier, A., Labopin, M., Willasch, A., Zecca, M., Mouhab, A., Chybicka, A., Balduzzi, A., Volin, L., Peters, C., et al
Bone Marrow Transplantation. 2017;52(7):1071-1073
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Impact of Conditioning Regimen on Outcomes for Children with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Undergoing Transplantation in First Complete Remission. An Analysis on Behalf of the Pediatric Disease Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Lucchini, G., Labopin, M., Beohou, E., Dalissier, A., Dalle, J. H., Cornish, J., Zecca, M., Samarasinghe, S., Gibson, B., Locatelli, F., et al
Biology of Blood & Marrow Transplantation. 2017;23(3):467-474
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents the cornerstone of treatment in pediatric high-risk and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The aim of the present study was to compare outcomes of pediatric patients with AML undergoing HSCT using 3 different conditioning regimens: total body irradiation (TBI) and cyclophosphamide (Cy); busulfan (Bu) and Cy; or Bu, Cy, and melphalan (Mel). In this retrospective study, registry data for patients>2 and <18 years age undergoing matched allogeneic HSCT for AML in first complete remission (CR1) in 204 European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation centers between 2000 and 2010 were analyzed. Data were available for 631 patients; 458 patients received stem cells from a matched sibling donor and 173 from a matched unrelated donor. For 440 patients, bone marrow was used as stem cell source, and 191 patients received peripheral blood stem cells. One hundred nine patients received TBICy, 389 received BuCy, and 133 received BuCyMel as their preparatory regimen. Median follow-up was 55 months. Patients receiving BuCyMel showed a lower incidence of relapse at 5 years (14.7% versus 31.5% in BuCy versus 30% in TBICy, P<.01) and higher overall survival (OS) (76.6% versus 64% versus 64.5%, P=.04) and leukemia-free survival (LFS) (74.5% versus 58% versus 61.9%, P<.01), with a comparable nonrelapse mortality (NRM) (10.8% versus 10.5% versus 8.1%, P=.79). Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grades III and IV but not chronic GVHD, was higher in patients receiving BuCyMel. Older age at HSCT had an adverse impact on NRM and the use of peripheral blood as stem cell source was associated with increased chronic GVHD and NRM as well as lower LFS and OS. Among pediatric patients receiving HSCT for AML in CR1, the use of BuCyMel conditioning proved superior to TBICy and BuCy in reducing relapse and improving LFS. Copyright © 2017 The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. All rights reserved.
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European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Analysis of Treosulfan Conditioning Before Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children and Adolescents With Hematological Malignancies
Boztug, H., Sykora, K. W., Slatter, M., Zecca, M., Veys, P., Lankester, A., Cant, A., Skinner, R., Wachowiak, J., Glogova, E., et al
Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2016;63(1):139-48
Abstract
BACKGROUND Standard myeloablative conditioning regimens for children with hematological malignancies undergoing allogeneic HSCT are based mainly on total body irradiation or busulfan. Their serious short- and long-term side effects warranted the exploration of less toxic alternatives. Treosulfan is increasingly used for adults and children before HSCT due to its potent immunosuppressive and cytotoxic effects combined with low organ toxicity. PROCEDURE To further investigate the role of treosulfan conditioning in children, the EBMT Pediatric diseases working party performed a retrospective analysis of 193 children with hematological malignancies (ALL n=71, AML n=47, MDS/MPS n=40, other leukemia/lymphoma n=25) undergoing allogeneic HSCT following treosulfan between January 2005 and July 2010. RESULTS Early regimen-related toxicity was low and mainly gastrointestinal. Veno-occlusive disease and neurological toxicity were rare. There was no association of toxicity with type of disease or treosulfan dose. High-grade early toxicity was not higher in infants or patients undergoing second or later transplantation. Treatment related mortality was low at 14%. Three-year event-free survival was 45+/-4% and not significantly influenced by number of transplants, however it appeared to be significantly better for infants (P=0.022). When compared to treosulfan plus fludarabine, the combination of treosulfan, fludarabine and an alkylator (either thiotepa or melphalan) resulted in significantly better overall survival (OS, P=0.048) and a trend toward better EFS. CONCLUSIONS Treosulfan based conditioning is a safe and effective approach for children with hematological malignancies, including and importantly for infants and those patients undergoing second or later transplantation. Copyright © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Incidence and severity of crucial late effects after allogeneic HSCT for malignancy under the age of 3 years: TBI is what really matters
Bresters, D., Lawitschka, A., Cugno, C., Potschger, U., Dalissier, A., Michel, G., Vettenranta, K., Sundin, M., Al-Seraihy, A., Faraci, M., et al
Bone Marrow Transplantation. 2016;51(11):1482-1489
Abstract
Younger children are considered to be more vulnerable to late effects (LE), which prompted us to study LE in patients after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for a haematological malignancy before the age of 3. In this multicentre EBMT study, cumulative incidence (CI) and severity of endocrine LE, central nervous system complications and secondary malignancies at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years of follow-up were assessed. Risk factors (RF) like gender, diagnosis, age at and year of HSCT, TBI- or chemo-conditioning and GVHD were analysed. CI of any LE was 0.30, 0.52, 0.66 and 0.72 at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years after HSCT, respectively. In 25% of the patients, LE were severe at a median follow-up of 10.4 years. In multivariate analysis, only TBI was a RF for having any LE and for thyroid dysfunction and growth disturbance. Female gender was a RF for delayed pubertal development. Some more insight could be gained by descriptive analysis regarding the role of TBI and GVHD on the severity of LE. Although only five selected LE have been studied and median follow-up is relatively short, the incidence and severity of these LE are considerable but not different from what has been found in older children and TBI is the main RF.