1.
Azithromycin promotes relapse by disrupting immune and metabolic networks after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Vallet, N., Le Grand, S., Bondeelle, L., Hoareau, B., Corneau, A., Bouteiller, D., Tournier, S., Lew-Derivry, L., Bohineust, A., Tourret, M., et al
Blood. 2022
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Abstract
Administration of azithromycin after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematological malignancies has been associated with relapse in a randomized phase 3 controlled clinical trial. Studying 240 samples from patients randomized in this trial is a unique opportunity to better understand the mechanisms underlying relapse, the first cause of mortality after transplantation. We used multi-omics on patients' samples to decipher immune alterations associated with azithromycin intake and post-transplant relapsed malignancies. Azithromycin was associated with a network of altered energy metabolism pathways and immune subsets, including T cells biased toward immunomodulatory and exhausted profiles. In vitro, azithromycin exposure inhibited T cells cytotoxicity against tumor cells and impaired T cells metabolism through glycolysis inhibition, mitochondrial genes downregulation, and immunomodulatory genes upregulation, notably SOCS1. These results highlight that azithromycin directly affects immune cells that favor relapse, which raises caution about long-term use of azithromycin treatment in patients at high risk of malignancies.
PICO Summary
Population
Participants with haematological malignancies enrolled in the ALLOZITHRO trial (n=240)
Intervention
Azithromycin 250 mg x 3/week (n=123)
Comparison
Placebo (n=117)
Outcome
Azithromycin was associated with a network of altered energy metabolism pathways and immune subsets, including T cells biased toward immunomodulatory and exhausted profiles. In vitro, azithromycin exposure inhibited T cells cytotoxicity against tumor cells and impaired T cells metabolism through glycolysis inhibition, mitochondrial genes downregulation, and immunomodulatory genes upregulation, notably SOCS1.
2.
Usefulness of daily surveillance blood cultures in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients on steroids: a 1-year prospective study
Colombier, M. A., Lafaurie, M., de Fontbrune, F. S., Resche-Rigon, M., Donay, J. L., Pons, J. L., Molina, J. M., Socie, G.
Transplant Infectious Disease. 2016;18(4):504-11
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bloodstream infections (BSI) are frequent and potentially severe complications in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) recipients. In patients on steroids, surveillance blood cultures (SBCs) are routinely performed to detect asymptomatic BSI but their usefulness remains controversial. METHODS We performed a 1-year, observational, prospective, single-center study to assess the utility of daily SBCs in AHSCT recipients on steroids and a case-control study to identify risk factors associated with positive SBCs. All blood cultures (BCs) obtained from adults hospitalized in the HSCT unit were prospectively studied throughout 1 year. Characteristics, treatments, and outcome of patients were retrieved from medical charts. RESULTS A total of 3594 BCs were obtained in 177 patients, including 1450 SBCs in 82 AHSCT recipients on steroids. In 33 patients, 103 SBCs (7%) were positive. Low-virulence bacteria were identified in 74% of episodes. When analyzing first episode of positive SBCs (28 patients), 6 (21%) true BSI were identified. CONCLUSIONS Patients with positive SBCs were receiving antibiotic treatment less frequently at the time of SBCs (P < 0.001) and had more frequently BCs obtained through central venous access (P < 0.04) when compared to patients with negative SBCs. Daily SBCs in AHSCT recipients on steroids only rarely identify BSI and clear benefit for patients could not be demonstrated.