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1.
Pre-Conditioning Frailty Phenotypes Influence Survival and Relapse for Older Allogeneic Transplantation Recipients
Sung, A. D., Koll, T., Gier, S. H., Racioppi, A., White, G., Lew, M., Free, M., Agarwal, P., Bohannon, L. M., Johnson, E. J., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2024
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hematologic malignancies disproportionately affect older adults. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is potentially curative, but poor overall survival (OS) has limited its use in older adults. Fried's frailty phenotype (FFP) is a geriatric assessment that combines objective and subjective performance measures: gait speed, grip strength, activity level, exhaustion, and weight loss. People fulfilling ≥3 criteria are classified as frail, 1-2 as pre-frail, and 0 as fit. OBJECTIVE We sought to evaluate the association of pre-HCT FFP with post-HCT outcomes. STUDY DESIGN We assessed FFP prior to conditioning for 280 HCT recipients ≥60 years old with acute leukemia or a myeloid neoplasm at three institutions. RESULTS When analyzing survival by age group, patients ≥70 years old had inferior OS compared with patients age 60-69 years old (p=0.002) with corresponding estimates for OS of 38.9% (95% CI: 27.8-49.9) and 59.3% (95% CI: 51.9-65.9). Nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was also significantly greater in the older patients (p=0.0005) with 2-year cumulative incidences (CuI) of NRM of 38.5% (95% CI 27.5-49.2) and 17.2% (95% CI: 12.3-22.8), respectively. CuI of relapse was not different by age group (p=0.3435). 35.5%, 57.5%, and 7.5% of patients were fit, pre-frail, and frail, respectively, with corresponding 2-year OS of 68.4% (95% CI: 57.9-76.8), 45.5% (95% CI: 37.4-53.2), and 45.8% (95% CI: 23.4-65.8) (p=0.013). FFP was not significantly associated with NRM, but being frail or pre-frail was associated with a higher rate of disease-related deaths (33.3% and 27.3%, respectively, compared with 17.4% for fit patients, p=0.043). We performed univariate and multivariate modeling of restricted mean survival time with a 3-year horizon (RMST_3y). The factors significantly associated in univariate modeling of RMST_3y were FFP, age, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), disease risk index (DRI), and HCT-specific Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI). Of those factors, only FFP (p=0.006), age (p=0.006), KPS (p=0.004), and DRI (p=0.005) were significantly associated in multivariate modeling. Estimates of RMST_3y were computed and five groups created with survival ranging from 31.4 months for those who were 60-69 years old, fit, with KPS 90-100, and low/intermediate-risk DRI compared to 10.5 months for those who had high-risk features for the evaluated factors. In univariate and multivariate analyses for restricted mean time to relapse (RMRT) FFP (pre-frail vs. fit, p=0.007 and frail vs. fit, p=0.061) and DRI (p=0.001) were significantly associated with RMRT_3y. Predicted RMRT_3y was longest (30.6 months) for those who were fit and had low or int-risk DRI scores and shortest (19.1 months) for those who were frail and had high or very high-risk DRI scores. CONCLUSION Age and FFP were significantly associated with RMST. Incorporation of FFP into pre-HCT evaluations may improve decision-making and counseling regarding HCT risk for older adults. This research also supports future trials designed to reverse frailty, such as pre-HCT supervised exercise programs. Exploration of novel HCT platforms to reduce relapse in pre-frail and frail patients as well as to lessen NRM in adults over 70 years old are warranted. Finally, correlative studies to unravel the connection of frailty and relapse may translate to future targets for intervention.
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2.
Clofarabine and busulfan myeloablative conditioning in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant for patients with active myeloid malignancies
Connor, M. P., Loren, A. W., Hexner, E. O., Martin, M. E., Gill, S. I., Luger, S. M., Mangan, J. K., Perl, A. E., McCurdy, S. R., Pratz, K. W., et al
Transplantation and cellular therapy. 2022
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with refractory or relapsed and refractory myeloid malignancies have a poor prognosis. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) with myeloablative conditioning (MAC) in patients with active, chemotherapy-refractory myeloid disease is historically associated with high rates of relapse and non-relapse mortality. A MAC regimen combining clofarabine with busulfan (Clo/Bu4) has been described to exhibit anti-leukemic activity with acceptable toxicity in patients ≤ 70 years old. OBJECTIVES To describe clinical outcomes of a real-world population of patients with active myeloid malignancies undergoing allogeneic HCT with Clo/Bu4 MAC. STUDY DESIGN In a single-center, retrospective descriptive analysis, we identified patients who underwent HCT for myeloid malignancies not in remission using Clo/Bu4 MAC between 2012 and 2020. We report event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS), cumulative incidence of relapse, non-relapse mortality (NRM), and incidence and severity of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). RESULTS We identified 69 patients with a median age of 60 years (range 22-70). Most patients had relapsed/refractory or primary refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML, n = 55), or refractory myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS, n = 12); one patient had chronic myeloid leukemia and one had blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. Fifty patients (72.5%) had complete remission at day 100 after transplant. Two-year EFS and OS were 30% (95% CI 20-44) and 40% (95% CI 29-54), respectively. Patients with AML had 2-year EFS and OS of 28% (95% CI 18-44) and 38% (95% CI 27-54), respectively; those with MDS had 2-year EFS and OS of 47% (95% CI 25-88) and 56% (95% CI 33-94), respectively. Cumulative incidence of relapse at 2 years was 39% (95% CI 27-51) for all patients: 45% (95% CI 31-58) in AML and 18% (95% CI 2-45) in MDS. NRM at 2 years was 31% (95% CI 20-42): 27% (95% CI 15-39) in AML and 35% (95% CI 10-63) in MDS. The total incidence of aGVHD of any severity was 80%. Incidence of grade 3-4 aGVHD at was 22%. In patients who achieved remission, those who required systemic immunosuppression for aGVHD (58%) had poorer 2-year EFS (29% versus 54%, p = 0.05) and 2-year OS (39% versus 70%, p = 0.04) compared to those who did not. The 2-year cumulative incidence of cGVHD was 44% (95% CI 28-58). CONCLUSIONS Clo/Bu4 MAC followed by allogeneic HCT for patients with active myeloid malignancies is an effective transplant strategy up to age 70, particularly for those with advanced MDS. High incidence of and poor outcomes associated with aGVHD highlight the importance of optimizing preventative strategies.
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3.
Day 4 vs. day 12 G-CSF administration following reduced intensity peripheral blood allogeneic stem cell transplant
Hatch, R. V., Freyer, C. W., Carulli, A., Redline, G., Babushok, D. V., Frey, N. V., Gill, S. I., Hexner, E. O., Luger, S. M., Martin, M. E., et al
Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners. 2022;:10781552221080710
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) hastens neutrophil engraftment and reduces infections after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT), yet the optimal start date is unknown. Additionally, concurrent G-CSF and methotrexate for graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis may potentiate myelosuppression, and prolonged G-CSF is costly. Our institution changed from day + 4 to day + 12 G-CSF initiation following reduced intensity (RIC) alloHCT with methotrexate GVHD prophylaxis. METHODS We retrospectively compared day + 4 and day + 12 G-CSF initiation after RIC alloHCT from 2017-2021. The primary endpoint was the time to neutrophil engraftment. Secondary endpoints included length of stay (LOS) and the time to platelet engraftment as well as the incidence of infectious events, acute GVHD (aGVHD), and mucositis. RESULTS Thirty-two patients were included in each group with similar baseline characteristics. We observed faster neutrophil engraftment (median 12 vs. 15 days, p = 0.01) and platelet engraftment (median 13 vs. 15 days, p = 0.026) with day + 4 vs. day + 12 G-CSF initiation. Median LOS was 23 days (range, 19-32) with day + 4 initiation vs. 24 days (21-30) with day + 12 (p = 0.046). The incidence of culture-negative febrile neutropenia (p = 0.12), any grade aGVHD (p = 0.58), and grade 2-4 mucositis (p = 0.8) were similar between groups. CONCLUSION Compared to day + 4, day + 12 G-CSF initiation following RIC alloHCT had a longer time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment. Day + 12 initiation also resulted in longer LOS, which while statistically significant, was potentially of limited clinical significance. These findings are hypothesis generating.
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4.
Allogeneic transplantation for Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia with posttransplantation cyclophosphamide
Webster, J. A., Luznik, L., Tsai, H. L., Imus, P. H., DeZern, A. E., Pratz, K. W., Levis, M. J., Gojo, I., Showel, M. M., Prince, G., et al
Blood advances. 2020;4(20):5078-5088
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (alloBMT) is standard of care for adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) in first complete remission (CR1). The routine pretransplant and posttransplant use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has dramatically improved outcomes, but the optimal conditioning regimen, donor type, and TKI remain undefined. The bone marrow transplant database at Johns Hopkins was queried for adult patients with de novo Ph+ ALL who received alloBMT using posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) as a component of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis from 2008 to 2018. Among transplants for Ph+ ALL, 69 (85%) were performed in CR1, and 12 (15%) were performed in second or greater remission (CR2+). The majority of transplants (58%) were HLA haploidentical. Nearly all patients (91.4%) initiated TKI posttransplant. For patients in CR1, the 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) was 66%. The use of nonmyeloablative conditioning, absence of measurable residual disease (MRD) according to flow cytometry at transplant, and the use of dasatinib vs imatinib at diagnosis were associated with improved overall survival (OS) and RFS. Neither donor type nor recipient age ≥60 years affected RFS. When analyzing all transplants, alloBMT in CR1 (vs CR2+) and the absence of pretransplant MRD were associated with improved RFS. Most relapses were associated with the emergence of kinase domain mutations. The cumulative incidence of grade 3 to 4 acute GVHD at 1 year was 9%, and moderate to severe chronic GVHD at 2 years was 8%. Nonmyeloablative alloBMT with PTCy for Ph+ ALL in an MRD-negative CR1 after initial treatment with dasatinib yields favorable outcomes.
PICO Summary
Population
Adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) undergoing allogeneic transplantation (n=76)
Intervention
Myeloablative conditioning in first complete remission (CR1 MAC, n=26); Non-myeloablative conditioning in first complete remission (CR1 NMAC, n=43)
Comparison
Patients in second or subsequent remission (CR2+, n=12)
Outcome
For patients in CR1, the 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) was 66%. The use of nonmyeloablative conditioning, absence of measurable residual disease (MRD) according to flow cytometry at transplant, and the use of dasatinib vs imatinib at diagnosis were associated with improved overall survival (OS) and RFS. Neither donor type nor recipient age ≥60 years affected RFS. When analyzing all transplants, alloBMT in CR1 (vs CR2+) and the absence of pretransplant MRD were associated with improved RFS. Most relapses were associated with the emergence of kinase domain mutations. The cumulative incidence of grade 3 to 4 acute GVHD at 1 year was 9%, and moderate to severe chronic GVHD at 2 years was 8%.
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A prospective study of peri-transplant sorafenib for FLT3-ITD AML patients undergoing allogeneic transplantation
Pratz, K. W., Rudek, M. A., Smith, B. D., Karp, J., Gojo, I., Dezern, A., Jones, R. J., Greer, J., Gocke, C., Baer, M. R., et al
Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2019
Abstract
FLT3-ITD mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a therapeutic challenge. FLT3 inhibition in the setting of minimal residual disease and a new immune system via allogeneic transplantation offers a promise of improved survival for these patients. We performed a prospective study of patients with FLT3-ITD AML undergoing allogeneic transplant was conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and outcome of sorafenib administered peri-transplant. Sorafenib dosing was individualized, starting at 200 mg BID, and titrated based on tolerability or toxicities until a tolerable dose was identified. Forty-four patients, with a median age of 52, undergoing allogeneic transplant were started on sorafenib in the peri-transplant period (21 pre-transplant). The median duration of post-transplant follow up is 27.6 months (range, 5.2-60.4). Overall survival was 76% at both 24 and 36 months. Event-free survival at 24 and 36 months was 74% and 64%, respectively. Ten patients died in the post-transplant period, with six deaths due to relapsed leukemia and four from transplant-associated toxicity. Tolerable doses ranged from 200 mg QOD to 400 mg BID with similar exposure. Correlative studies evaluating FLT3 inhibition via a plasma inhibitory activity assay showed consistent inhibition of FLT3 at all tolerability-determined dosing levels. Sorafenib is well tolerated in the peri-transplant setting irrespective of the conditioning intensity or the donor source. Our findings indicate that sorafenib dosing can be individualized in the post-transplantation setting according to patient tolerability. This approach results in effective in vivo FLT3 inhibition and yields encouraging survival results.
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Comparable composite endpoints after HLA-matched and HLA-haploidentical transplantation with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide
McCurdy, S. R., Kasamon, Y. L., Kanakry, C. G., Bolanos-Meade, J., Tsai, H. L., Showel, M. M., Kanakry, J. A., Symons, H. J., Gojo, I., Smith, B. D., et al
Haematologica. 2017;102(2):391-400
Abstract
Composite endpoints that not only encompass mortality and relapse, but other critical post-transplant events such as graft-versus-host disease, are being increasingly utilized to quantify survival without significant morbidity after allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation. High-dose, post-transplantation cyclophosphamide reduces severe graft-versus-host disease with allogeneic marrow transplantation, making composite endpoints after this management particularly interesting. We retrospectively analyzed 684 adults with hematologic malignancies who received T-cell-replete bone marrow grafts and cyclophosphamide after myeloablative HLA-matched related (n=192) or unrelated (n=120), or non-myeloablative HLA-haploidentical (n=372) donor transplantation. The median follow up was 4 (range, 0.02-11.4) years. Graft-versus-host disease-free, relapse-free survival was defined as the time after transplantation without grade III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease, chronic graft-versus-host disease requiring systemic treatment, relapse, or death. Chronic graft-versus-host disease-free, relapse-free survival was defined as the time after transplantation without moderate or severe chronic graft-versus-host disease, relapse, or death. One-year graft-versus-host disease-free, relapse-free survival and chronic graft-versus-host disease-free, relapse-free survival estimates were, respectively, 47% (95% CI: 41-55%) and 53% (95% CI: 46-61%) after myeloablative HLA-matched related, 42% (95% CI: 34-52%) and 52% (95% CI: 44-62%) after myeloablative HLA-matched unrelated, and 45% (95% CI: 40-50%) and 50% (95% CI: 45-55%) after non-myeloablative HLA-haploidentical donor transplantation. In multivariable models, there were no differences in graft-versus-host disease-free, or chronic graft-versus-host disease-free, relapse-free survival after either myeloablative HLA-matched unrelated or non-myeloablative HLA-haploidentical, compared with myeloablative HLA-matched related donor transplantation. Although limited by inclusion of dissimilar cohorts, we found that post-transplantation cyclophosphamide-based platforms yield comparable composite endpoints across conditioning intensity, donor type, and HLA match.