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1.
Matched unrelated donor transplantation versus haploidentical transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide in children with acute myeloid leukemia: a PDWP-EBMT study
Ruggeri, A., Santoro, N., Galimard, J. E., Kalwak, K., Algeri, M., Zubarovskaya, L., Czyzewski, K., Skorobogatova, E., Sedlacek, P., Besley, C., et al
Haematologica. 2024
Abstract
In children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who lack an HLA identical sibling, the donor can be replaced with an HLA matched unrelated donor (MUD) or a haploidentical donor (haplo). We compared outcomes of patients <18 years with AML in first and second complete remission (CR1 and CR2) undergoing a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) either with a MUD with anti-thymocyte globuline (ATG) (n=420) or a haplo HCT with PT-CY (n=96) after a myeloablative conditioning regimen (MAC) between 2011 and 2021, reported to EBMT. A matched pair analysis was performed to adjust for differences among groups. The final analysis was performed on 253 MUD and 95 haplo-HCTs. In the matched cohort, median age at HCT was 11.2 and 10 years and median year of HCT was 2017 and 2018, in MUD and haplo- HCT recipients, respectively. The risk of grade III-IV aGvHD was significantly higher in the haplo group (HR=2.33, 95%CI1.18-4.58, p=0.03). No significant differences were found in 2 years overall survival (OS; 78.4%vs71.5%; HR 1.39, 0.84-2.31, p=0.19), leukemia-free-survival (LFS; 72.7%vs69.5%; HR1.22, 0.76-1.95, p=0.41), CI of relapse (RI; 19.3%vs19.5%; HR=1.14, 0.62-2.08, p=0.68) non-relapse-mortality (NRM; 8%vs11%; HR=1.39, 0.66-2.93, p=0.39) and graft versus host free-relapse free survival (GRFS; 60.7%vs54.5%, HR=1.38, 0.95-2.02, p=0.09) after MUD and haplo-HCT respectively. Our study suggests that haplo-HCT with PT-CY is a suitable option to transplant children with AML lacking a matched related donor.
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2.
Cytogenetic abnormalities predict survival after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia: a PDWP/EBMT study
Sharma, A., Galimard, J. E., Pryce, A., Bhoopalan, S. V., Dalissier, A., Dalle, J. H., Locatelli, F., Jubert, C., Mirci-Danicar, O., Kitra-Roussou, V., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2024
Abstract
Poor-risk (PR) cytogenetic/molecular abnormalities generally direct pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). We assessed the predictive value of cytogenetic risk classification at diagnosis with respect to post-HSCT outcomes in pediatric patients. Patients younger than 18 years at the time of their first allogeneic HSCT for AML in CR1 between 2005 and 2022 who were reported to the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation registry were subgrouped into four categories. Of the 845 pediatric patients included in this study, 36% had an 11q23 abnormality, 24% had monosomy 7/del7q or monosomy 5/del5q, 24% had a complex or monosomal karyotype, and 16% had other PR cytogenetic abnormalities. In a multivariable model, 11q23 (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.66, P = 0.03) and other PR cytogenetic abnormalities (HR = 0.55, P = 0.02) were associated with significantly better overall survival when compared with monosomy 7/del7q or monosomy 5/del5q. Patients with other PR cytogenetic abnormalities had a lower risk of disease relapse after HSCT (HR = 0.49, P = 0.01) and, hence, better leukemia-free survival (HR = 0.55, P = 0.01). Therefore, we conclude that PR cytogenetic abnormalities at diagnosis predict overall survival after HSCT for AML in pediatric patients.
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3.
Treosulfan vs busulfan conditioning for allogeneic bmt in children with nonmalignant disease: a randomized phase 2 trial
Sykora, K. W., Beier, R., Schulz, A., Cesaro, S., Greil, J., Gozdzik, J., Sedlacek, P., Bader, P., Schulte, J., Zecca, M., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2023
Abstract
Optimal conditioning prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for children with non-malignant diseases is subject of ongoing research. This prospective, randomized, phase 2 trial compared safety and efficacy of busulfan with treosulfan based preparative regimens. Children with non-malignant diseases received fludarabine and either intravenous (IV) busulfan (4.8 to 3.2 mg/kg/day) or IV treosulfan (10, 12, or 14 g/m(2)/day). Thiotepa administration (2 × 5 mg/kg) was at the investigator's discretion. Primary endpoint was freedom from transplantation (treatment)-related mortality (freedom from TRM), defined as death between Days -7 and +100. Overall, 101 patients (busulfan 50, treosulfan 51) with at least 12 months follow-up were analyzed. Freedom from TRM was 90.0% (95% CI: 78.2%, 96.7%) after busulfan and 100.0% (95% CI: 93.0%, 100.0%) after treosulfan. Secondary outcomes (transplantation-related mortality [12.0% versus 3.9%]) and overall survival (88.0% versus 96.1%) favored treosulfan. Graft failure was more common after treosulfan (n = 11), than after busulfan (n = 2) while all patients were rescued by second procedures except one busulfan patient. CTCAE Grade III adverse events were similar in both groups. This study confirmed treosulfan to be an excellent alternative to busulfan and can be safely used for conditioning treatment in children with non-malignant disease.
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4.
Risk factors for a severe disease course in children with SARS-COV-2 infection following hematopoietic cell transplantation in the pre-Omicron period: a prospective multinational Infectious Disease Working Party from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation group (EBMT) and the Spanish Group of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (GETH) study
Averbuch, D., de la Camara, R., Tridello, G., Knelange, N. S., Bykova, T. A., Ifversen, M., Dobsinska, V., Ayas, M., Hamidieh, A. A., Pichler, H., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2023;:1-9
Abstract
Risk factors for severe SARS-Cov-2 infection course are poorly described in children following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In this international study, we analyzed factors associated with a severe course (intensive care unit (ICU) admission and/or mortality) in post-HCT children. Eighty-nine children (58% male; median age 9 years (min-max 1-18)) who received an allogeneic (85; 96%) or an autologous (4; 4%) HCT were reported from 28 centers (18 countries). Median time from HCT to SARS-Cov-2 infection was 7 months (min-max 0-181). The most common clinical manifestations included fever (37; 42%) and cough (26; 29%); 37 (42%) were asymptomatic. Nine (10%) children following allo-HCT required ICU care. Seven children (8%) following allo-HCT, died at a median of 22 days after SARS-Cov-2 diagnosis. In a univariate analysis, the probability of a severe disease course was higher in allo-HCT children with chronic GVHD, non-malignant disease, immune suppressive treatment (specifically, mycophenolate), moderate immunodeficiency score, low Lansky score, fever, cough, coinfection, pulmonary radiological findings, and high C-reactive protein. In conclusion, SARS-Cov-2 infection in children following HCT was frequently asymptomatic. Despite this, 10% needed ICU admission and 8% died in our cohort. Certain HCT, underlying disease, and SARS-Cov-2 related factors were associated with a severe disease course.
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5.
Low rate of nonrelapse mortality in under 4-year-olds with ALL given chemo-conditioning for HSCT: Phase III FORUM study
Bader, P., Poetschger, U., Dalle, J. H., Moser, L. M., Balduzzi, A. C., Ansari, M., Buechner, J., Güngör, T., Ifversen, M., Kriván, G., et al
Blood advances. 2023
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is highly effective for treating pediatric high-risk or relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In young children, total body irradiation (TBI) is associated with severe late sequelae. In the FORUM study (NCT01949129), we assessed safety, event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) of two TBI-free conditioning regimens in children with ALL <4 years old. Patients received fludarabine (Flu), thiotepa (Thio), and either busulfan (Bu) or treosulfan (Treo) before HSCT. From 2013 to 2021, 191 children were transplanted and observed for ≥6 months (median follow-up: 3 years). 3-year OS was 0.63 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.52-0.72) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64-0.84) for Flu/Thio/Bu and Flu/Thio/Treo (p = 0.075), respectively. 3-year EFS was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.41-0.61) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.39-0.62), respectively (p = 0.794). Cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM) and relapse at 3 years were 0.06 (95% CI: 0.02-0.12) versus 0.03 (95% CI: <0.01-0.09) (p = 0.406) and 0.42 (95% CI: 0.31-0.52) versus 0.45 (95% CI: 0.34-0.56) (p = 0.920), respectively. Grade >1 acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) occurred in 29% of patients receiving Flu/Thio/Bu and 17% receiving Flu/Thio/Treo (p = 0.049), while grade 3-4 occurred in 10% and 9% (p = 0.813). 3-year incidence of chronic GvHD was 0.07 (95% CI: 0.03-0.13) versus 0.05 (95% CI: 0.02-0.11), respectively (p = 0.518). In conclusion, both chemo-conditioning regimens were well tolerated and NRM was low. However, relapse was the major cause of treatment failure.
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6.
Management of children and adolescents with chronic myeloid leukemia in blast phase: International pediatric CML expert panel recommendations
Sembill, S., Ampatzidou, M., Chaudhury, S., Dworzak, M., Kalwak, K., Karow, A., Kiani, A., Krumbholz, M., Luesink, M., Naumann-Bartsch, N., et al
Leukemia. 2023
Abstract
Treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia has improved significantly with the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and treatment guidelines based on numerous clinical trials are available for chronic phase disease. However for CML in the blast phase (CML-BP), prognosis remains poor and treatment options are much more limited. The spectrum of treatment strategies for children and adolescents with CML-BP has largely evolved empirically and includes treatment principles derived from adult CML-BP and pediatric acute leukemia. Given this heterogeneity of treatment approaches, we formed an international panel of pediatric CML experts to develop recommendations for consistent therapy in children and adolescents with this high-risk disease based on the current literature and national standards. Recommendations include detailed information on initial diagnosis and treatment monitoring, differentiation from Philadelphia-positive acute leukemia, subtype-specific selection of induction therapy, and combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Given that allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation currently remains the primary curative intervention for CML-BP, we also provide recommendations for the timing of transplantation, donor and graft selection, selection of a conditioning regimen and prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease, post-transplant TKI therapy, and management of molecular relapse. Management according to the treatment recommendations presented here is intended to provide the basis for the design of future prospective clinical trials to improve outcomes for this challenging disease.
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7.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome: an EBMT inborn errors working party analysis
Albert, M. H., Slatter, M. A., Gennery, A. R., Güngör, T., Bakunina, K., Markovitch, B., Hazelaar, S., Sirait, T., Courteille, V., Aiuti, A., et al
Blood. 2022
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment for patients affected by Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS). Reported HSCT outcomes have improved over time with respect to overall survival, but some studies have identified older age and HSCT from alternative donors as risk factors predicting poorer outcome. We analyzed 197 patients transplanted at EBMT centers between 2006 and 2017, who received conditioning as recommended by the inborn errors working party (IEWP): either busulfan (n=103) or treosulfan (n=94) combined with fludarabine ± thiotepa. After a median follow-up after HSCT of 44.9 months, 176 patients were alive, resulting in a 3-year overall survival of 88.7%, and chronic GVHD-free survival (CRFS; events: death, graft failure, severe chronic GVHD) of 81.7%. Overall survival and CRFS were not significantly impacted by conditioning regimen (busulfan- versus treosulfan-based), donor type (MSD/MFD vs MUD/MMUD vs. MMFD), and period of HSCT (2006-2013 vs. 2014-2017). Patients younger than 5 years at HSCT had a significantly better overall survival. The overall cumulative incidences of grade III-IV acute GVHD and extensive/moderate/severe chronic GVHD were 6.6% and 2.1%, respectively. Patients receiving treosulfan-based conditioning had a higher incidence of graft failure, mixed donor chimerism and more frequently received secondary procedures (2nd HSCT, unconditioned stem cell boost, donor lymphocyte infusion, or splenectomy). In summary, HSCT for WAS with conditioning regimens currently recommended by IEWP results in excellent survival and low rates of GVHD, regardless of donor or stem cell source, but age ≥5 years remains a risk factor for overall survival.
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8.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children and adolescents with GATA2-related myelodysplastic syndrome
Bortnick, R., Wlodarski, M., de Haas, V., De Moerloose, B., Dworzak, M., Hasle, H., Masetti, R., Starý, J., Turkiewicz, D., Ussowicz, M., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2021
Abstract
GATA2 deficiency is a heterogeneous multi-system disorder characterized by a high risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and myeloid leukemia. We analyzed the outcome of 65 patients reported to the registry of the European Working Group (EWOG) of MDS in childhood carrying a germline GATA2 mutation (GATA2(mut)) who had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). At 5 years the probability of overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) was 75% and 70%, respectively. Non-relapse mortality and relapse equally contributed to treatment failure. There was no evidence of increased incidence of graft-versus-host-disease or excessive rates of infections or organ toxicities. Advanced disease and monosomy 7 (-7) were associated with worse outcome. Patients with refractory cytopenia of childhood (RCC) and normal karyotype showed an excellent outcome (DFS 90%) compared to RCC and -7 (DFS 67%). Comparing outcome of GATA2(mut) with GATA2(wt) patients, there was no difference in DFS in patients with RCC and normal karyotype. The same was true for patients with -7 across morphological subtypes. We demonstrate that HSCT outcome is independent of GATA2 germline mutations in pediatric MDS suggesting the application of standard MDS algorithms and protocols. Our data support considering HSCT early in the course of GATA2 deficiency in young individuals.
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9.
Hematopoietic cell transplantation in severe combined immunodeficiency: the SCETIDE 2006-2014 European cohort
Lankester, A. C., Neven, B., Mahlaoui, N., von Asmuth, E. G., Courteille, V., Alligon, M., Albert, M. H., Serra, I. B., Bader, P., Balashov, D., et al
The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology. 2021
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents a curative treatment for patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), a group of monogenic immune disorders with an otherwise fatal outcome. OBJECTIVE To perform a comprehensive multicenter analysis of genotype-specific HSCT outcome including detailed analysis of immune reconstitution (IR) and the predictive value for clinical outcome. METHODS HSCT outcome was studied in 338 patients with genetically confirmed SCID, transplanted in 2006-2014 and registered in the SCETIDE registry. In a representative subgroup of n=152 patients data on IR and long-term clinical outcome were analyzed. RESULTS 2-years OS was similar with matched family and unrelated donors and superior to mismatched donor HSCT (p < 0.001). The 2-year EFS was similar in matched and mismatched unrelated donor and less favorable in mismatched related donor (MMRD) HSCT (p < 0.001). Genetic subgroups did not differ in 2-year OS (p=0.1) and EFS (p=0.073). In multivariate analysis, pretransplant infections and use of MMRD were associated with less favorable OS and EFS. With a median follow-up of 6.2 years [range 2.0-11.8 years], 73/152 IR cohort patients were alive and well without immunoglobulin dependency. IL2R?-JAK3-IL7R deficient SCID, myeloablative conditioning, matched donor HSCT, and naïve CD4 T lymphocytes > 0.5x10e3/µL at +1-year were identified as independent predictors of favorable clinical and immunological outcome. CONCLUSION Recent advances in HSCT in SCID patients have resulted in improved OS and EFS in all genotypes and donor types. To achieve a favorable long term outcome, treatment strategies should aim for optimal naïve CD4 T lymphocyte regeneration.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) transplanted in the years 2006-2014 and reported to the SCETIDE registry (n=338) Long-term outcomes were assessed in a representative subgroup (n=152)
Intervention
Assessment of the impact of donor source and SCID genetic diagnosis on transplant outcomes
Comparison
None
Outcome
2-years OS was similar with matched family and unrelated donors and superior to mismatched donor HSCT. The 2-year EFS was similar in matched and mismatched unrelated donor and less favorable in mismatched related donor (MMRD) HSCT. Genetic subgroups did not differ in 2-year OS and EFS. In multivariate analysis, pretransplant infections and use of MMRD were associated with less favorable OS and EFS. With a median follow-up of 6.2 years [range 2.0-11.8 years], 73/152 IR cohort patients were alive and well without immunoglobulin dependency IL-2 receptor gamma chain/Janus kinase 3/IL-7 receptor–deficient SCID, myeloablative conditioning, matched donor HSCT, and naïve CD4 T lymphocytes > 0.5x10e3/µL at +1-year were identified as independent predictors of favorable clinical and immunological outcome.
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10.
Curtability and transferability of atopy with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Whiteside, S., Chin, A., Tripathi, G., Dharmani-Khan, P., Markova, M., Keslova, P., Sedlacek, P., Geddes, M. N., Lewis, V., Modi, M., et al
Bone marrow transplantation. 2020
Abstract
Atopy is excessive production of IgE in response to allergens. We evaluated in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) the following hypotheses: (1) Atopy is "curable" in atopic patients receiving HCT from a nonatopic donor (D-R+), and (2) Atopy is transferable from atopic donors to nonatopic recipients (D+R-). Atopic patients with atopic donors (D+R+) and non-atopic patients with non-atopic donors (D-R-) served as controls. We measured levels of multiallergen-specific IgE (A-IgE, atopy defined as ≥0.35 kUA/L) in sera from 54 patients and their donors pre HCT and from the patients at ≥2 years post HCT. Only 7/12 (58%) D- R+ patients became nonatopic after HCT. Only 1/11 (9%) D+R- patients became atopic. Eleven of 13 (85%) D-R- patients remained nonatopic. Unexpectedly, 11/18 (61%) D+R+ patients became nonatopic. In conclusion, contrary to our hypothesis and previous reports, the "cure" of atopy may occur in only some D-R+ patients and the transfer of atopy may occur rarely. The "cure" may not be necessarily due to the exchange of atopic for nonatopic immune system, as the "cure" may also occur in D+R+ patients.