Recommended screening and preventive practices for long-term survivors after hematopoietic cell transplantation

Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network State of the Science Symposium 2021: Looking Forward as the Network Celebrates its 20th Year

In 2021 the BMT CTN held the 4th State of the Science Symposium where the deliberations of 11 committees concerning major topics pertinent to a particular disease, modality, or complication of transplant, as well as two committees to consider clinical trial design and inclusion, diversity, and access as cross-cutting themes were reviewed. This article summarizes the individual committee reports and their recommendations on the highest priority questions in hematopoietic stem cell transplant and cell therapy to address in multicenter trials.

Co-production of randomized clinical trials with patients: a case study in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant for patients with scleroderma

BACKGROUND

Increasingly, it is argued that clinical trials struggle to recruit participants because they do not respond to key questions or study treatments that patients will be willing or able to use. This study explores how elicitation of patient-preferences can help designers of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) understand the impact of changing modifiable aspects of treatments or trial design on recruitment.

METHODS

Focus groups and a discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey were used to elicit preferences of people with scleroderma for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) treatment interventions. Preferences for seven attributes of treatment (effectiveness, immediate and long-term risk, care team composition and experience, cost, travel distance) were estimated using a mixed-logit model and used to predict participation in RCTs.

RESULTS

Two hundred seventy-eight people with scleroderma answered the survey. All AHSCT treatment attributes significantly influenced preferences. Treatment effectiveness and risk of late complications contributed the most to participants' choices, but modifiable factors of distance to treatment center and cost also affected preferences. Predicted recruitment rates calibrated with participation in a recent trial (33%) and suggest offering a treatment closer to home, at lower patient cost, and with holistic, multidisciplinary care could increase participation to 51%.

CONCLUSIONS

Through a patient engaged approach to preference elicitation for different features of AHSCT treatment options, we were able to predict what drives the decisions of people with scleroderma to participate in RCTs. Knowledge regarding concerns and the trade-offs people are willing to make can inform clinical study design, improving recruitment rates and potential uptake of the treatment of interest.

Late Effects of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in an Asian Patient Population

Background

Long-term survivors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) are at a substantial risk of developing medical late effects. We aimed to determine the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS), cardiovascular (CV) events, bone density loss, and fractures in a cohort of patients who underwent alloHSCT for hematologic disorders. The potential risk factors for MS, CV events, bone density loss, and fractures, as well as the sufficiency of existing monitoring measures in our institution, were also evaluated.

Methods

A single-center, retrospective study was conducted. We included patients who underwent alloHSCT at the Singapore General Hospital between January 2011 and December 2016, were at least 21 years old, and had a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. Patients with MS-related data comprised the CV study population, whereas patients with bone loss-related data comprised the skeletal study population. Associations between risk factors and the development of MS or bone loss were assessed using a univariate analysis followed by multivariate logistic regression. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 23.

Results

A total of 91 patients were included in the CV study population, of which 13 (14.3%) had preexisting MS, 17 (18.7%) developed MS, and 5 (5.5%) developed CV events after alloHSCT. Thirty-one patients were included in the skeletal study population, of which 2 (6.5%) had preexisting bone loss, 23 (71.0%) developed osteopenia or osteoporosis, and 2 (6.5%) had a fracture. After adjusting for preexisting MS, pretransplant abdominal obesity (p=0.002), elevated triglyceride (p<0.001), and fasting hyperglycemia (p<0.001) significantly predicted MS on multivariate analyses. Only female sex predicted the risk of bone loss after alloHSCT on multivariate analyses after adjusting for preexisting osteopenia (p=0.02). Of the 174 patients who underwent alloHSCT during the study period, 83 (47.7%) and 143 (82.2%) patients had no MS-related data and bone loss-related data, respectively.

Conclusion

Long-term alloHSCT survivors are at an increased risk of MS, CV complications, and bone loss. This underscores the importance of close monitoring and timely interventions to reduce long-term morbidity and mortality.

Pulmonary surveillance in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant: A multinational multidisciplinary survey

Background

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) is an established treatment for malignant and non‐malignant conditions and pulmonary disease is a leading cause of late term morbidity and mortality. Accurate and early detection of pulmonary complications is a critical step in improving long term outcomes. Existing guidelines for surveillance of pulmonary complications post‐HSCT contain conflicting recommendations.

Aim

To determine the breadth of current practice in monitoring for pulmonary complications of pediatric HSCT.

Methods

An institutional review board approved, online, anonymous multiple‐choice survey was distributed to HSCT and pulmonary physicians from the United States of America and Australasia using the REDcap platform. The survey was developed by members of the American Thoracic Society Working Group on Complications of Childhood Cancer, and was designed to assess patient management and service design.

Results

A total of 40 (34.8%) responses were received. The majority (62.5%) were pulmonologists, and 82.5% were from the United States of America. In all, 67.5% reported having a protocol for monitoring pulmonary complications and 50.0% reported adhering “well” or “very well” to protocols. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) most commonly involved spirometry and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide. The frequency of PFTs varied depending on time post‐HSCT and presence of complications. In all, 55.0% reported a set threshold for a clinically significant change in PFT.

Conclusions

These results illustrate current variation in surveillance for pulmonary complications of pediatric HSCT. The results of this survey will inform development of future guidelines for monitoring of pulmonary complications after pediatric HSCT.

Pulmonary Complications in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients-A Clinician Primer

Hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) are becoming more widespread as a result of optimization of conditioning regimens and prevention of short-term complications with prophylactic antibiotics and antifungals. However, pulmonary complications post-HSCT remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and are a challenge to clinicians in both diagnosis and treatment. This comprehensive review provides a primer for non-pulmonary healthcare providers, synthesizing the current evidence behind common infectious and non-infectious post-transplant pulmonary complications based on time (peri-engraftment, early post-transplantation, and late post-transplantation). Utilizing the combination of timing of presentation, clinical symptoms, histopathology, and radiographic findings should increase rates of early diagnosis, treatment, and prognostication of these severe illness states.

Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Version 2.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) involves the infusion of hematopoietic progenitor cells into patients with hematologic disorders with the goal of re-establishing normal hematopoietic and immune function. HCT is classified as autologous or allogeneic based on the origin of hematopoietic cells. Autologous HCT uses the patient's own cells while allogeneic HCT uses hematopoietic cells from a human leukocyte antigen-compatible donor. Allogeneic HCT is a potentially curative treatment option for patients with certain types of hematologic malignancies, and autologous HCT is primarily used to support patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy. Advances in HCT methods and supportive care in recent decades have led to improved survival after HCT; however, disease relapse and posttransplant complications still commonly occur in both autologous and allogeneic HCT recipients. Allogeneic HCT recipients may also develop acute and/or chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which results in immune-mediated cellular injury of several organs. The NCCN Guidelines for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation focus on recommendations for pretransplant recipient evaluation and the management of GVHD in adult patients with malignant disease.

How we can mitigate the side effects associated with systemic glucocorticoid after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a potentially curative treatment for patients with a hematologic disease. Although the clinical outcomes after allo-HCT have significantly improved during the last few decades, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is still a major cause of post-HCT morbidity and mortality. Systemic glucocorticoids (GC) remain an integral part of treatment in patients with GVHD including both acute and chronic GVHD. Although it is well-known that usage of systemic GC is associated with various side effects, the short- and long-term effects of GCs in the HCT setting are not well-characterized due to limited published data. In order to clarify this issue, we summarize the information on side effects associated with GCs, focusing specifically on the sequelae of these agents in the early post-HCT period. In instances where limited data are available, we included data from other fields such as autoimmune diseases, given the potential parallels between autoimmune conditions and GVHD.

Late infectious complications in hematopoietic cell transplantation survivors: a population-based study

Few studies have compared the incidence of infections occurring ≥2 years after hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) with other cancer patients and the general population. In this study, ≥2-year HCT survivors who were Washington residents treated from 1992 through 2009 (n = 1792; median age, 46 years; 52% allogeneic; 90% hematologic malignancies) were matched to individuals from the state cancer registry (n = 5455, non-HCT) and driver's license files (n = 16 340; Department of Licensing [DOL]). Based on hospital and death registry codes, incidence rate ratios (IRRs; 95% confidence interval [CI]) of infections by organism type and organ system were estimated using Poisson regression. With 7-year median follow-up, the incidence rate (per 1000 person-years) of all infections was 65.4 for HCT survivors vs 39.6 for the non-HCT group (IRR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3-1.9) and 7.2 for DOL (IRR, 10.0; 95% CI, 8.3-12.1). Bacterial and fungal infections were each 70% more common in HCT vs non-HCT cancer survivors (IRR, 1.7; P < .01), whereas the risk for viral infection was lower (IRR, 1.4; P = .07). Among potentially vaccine-preventable organisms, the IRR was 3.0 (95% CI, 2.1-4.3) vs the non-HCT group. Although the incidences of all infections decreased with time, the relative risk in almost all categories remained significantly increased in ≥5-year HCT survivors vs other groups. Risk factors for late infection included history of relapse and for some infections, history of chronic graft-versus-host disease. Providers caring for HCT survivors should maintain vigilance for infections and ensure adherence to antimicrobial prophylaxis and vaccination guidelines.

National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Project on Criteria for Clinical Trials in Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease: IIa. The 2020 Clinical Implementation and Early Diagnosis Working Group Report

Recognition of the earliest signs and symptoms of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) that lead to severe manifestations remains a challenge. The standardization provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2005 and 2014 consensus projects has helped improve diagnostic accuracy and severity scoring for clinical trials, but utilization of these tools in routine clinical practice is variable. Additionally, when patients meet the NIH diagnostic criteria, many already have significant morbidity and possibly irreversible organ damage. The goals of this early diagnosis project are 2-fold. First, we provide consensus recommendations regarding implementation of the current NIH diagnostic guidelines into routine transplant care, outside of clinical trials, aiming to enhance early clinical recognition of chronic GVHD. Second, we propose directions for future research efforts to enable discovery of new, early laboratory as well as clinical indicators of chronic GVHD, both globally and for highly morbid organ-specific manifestations. Identification of early features of chronic GVHD that have high positive predictive value for progression to more severe manifestations of the disease could potentially allow for future pre-emptive clinical trials.

Long-term treatment burden following allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation in NSW, Australia: a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Allogenic blood and marrow transplant (allo-BMT) is an arduous treatment used increasingly for many life-threatening conditions. Recognition of the profound impacts of the long term and late effects is ever-growing, as is the healthcare workload (treatment burden) of survivorship.

PURPOSE

To quantify the treatment burden of long-term survival following allo-BMT, regarding the range of health services, therapies and investigations accessed by survivors.

METHODS

A large, multi-centre cross-sectional survey of adult allo-BMT survivors transplanted between 2000 and 2012 in Sydney, Australia. Participants completed six validated instruments and one purposed designed for the study, the Sydney Post BMT Study (SPBS), answering questions relating to medication use, medical treatments, referrals, assessments and frequency of hospital/clinic attendance.

RESULTS

Of the 441 allo-BMT survivors, over a quarter who were more than 2 years post BMT attended the hospital clinic at least monthly, and 26.7% required a number of regular medical procedures (e.g. venesection, extracorpororeal photopheresis). Specialist medical and allied health referral was very common, and compliance with internationally recommended long-term follow-up (LTFU) care was suboptimal and decreased as time from BMT increased.

CONCLUSION

Respondents reported a large medication (conventional and complementary), screening, assessment and health care burden.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Treatment burden contributes significantly to the 'workload' of survivorship and can have a severe and negative impact on BMT survivors, carers and the healthcare system-making it difficult to comply with optimal care. Clinicians must be primed with skills to identify survivors who are overburdened by the health care required for survival and develop strategies to help ease the burden.

Stem Cell Therapy as a Treatment for Autoimmune Disease-Updates in Lupus, Scleroderma, and Multiple Sclerosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Evidence for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) in autoimmune disease has been building since the 1990s; however, many clinicians may not yet be aware of its applications to autoimmune disease. We review the basic tenets of HCT and evidence for autologous HCT in multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and lupus with an emphasis on recent advanced phase trials.

RECENT FINDINGS

In MS, the phase 3 randomized MIST trial and the phase 2 randomized ASTIMS trial demonstrated the efficacy of autologous HCT in refractory MS over disease-modifying therapies and mitoxantrone, respectively. In SSc, the phase 3 randomized ASTIS trial and the phase 2 randomized SCOT trial demonstrated the efficacy of autologous HCT in advanced SSc compared to cyclophosphamide. The evidence for HCT in autoimmune diseases continues to grow, particularly in MS and SSc. In lupus, large, comparative trials are still needed. Across autoimmune diseases, questions that still remain to be answered include optimizing patient selection to limit TRM, the appropriate use of MAC, and the necessity for graft manipulation. Furthermore, collaboration between disease-specific and transplant physicians is imperative to expand the appropriate use of HCT in routine clinical practice.

Three resected cases of esophageal carcinoma considered as being secondary solid tumors after bone marrow transplantation

BACKGROUND

Bone marrow transplantation is now an established treatment for some hematopoietic disorders and hematopoietic malignancies, and secondary solid tumors that develop after bone marrow transplantation have begun to attract attention.

CASE PRESENTATION

Herein, we report 3 cases of esophageal carcinoma that developed after bone marrow transplantation. Case 1: 40-year-old female received cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation at 12 Gy for acute myeloid leukemia, followed by related bone marrow transplantation. She developed chronic graft-versus-host disease manifesting as pulmonary complications and was administered cyclosporine. Nine years after the transplantation, she was diagnosed as having esophageal carcinoma Stage II and underwent radical surgery. She died of the primary disease 17 months after the surgery. Case 2: A 45-year-old male patient received cyclophosphamide, VP-16 and total body irradiation at 13.2 Gy for acute lymphocytic leukemia, followed by related bone marrow transplantation. He developed chronic graft-versus-host disease manifesting as liver dysfunction. Fifteen years after the transplantation, he was diagnosed as having esophageal carcinoma Stage II and underwent radical surgery. Seven months after the surgery, he died of the primary disease. Case 3: A 30-year-old female patient received cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation at 3 Gy for Fanconi anemia, followed by unrelated bone marrow transplantation. She developed chronic graft-versus-host disease manifesting as a rash and was administered tacrolimus and methotrexate. Fifteen years after the transplantation, she was diagnosed as having esophageal carcinoma Stage III and underwent radical surgery. She died of sepsis 7 months after the surgery.

CONCLUSION

The esophageal carcinomas developing after bone marrow transplantation had the characteristics of secondary solid tumors in all 3 patients, such as early onset, after total body irradiation, association with chronic graft-versus-host disease, and history of use of immunosuppressive drugs. Patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation require long-term follow-up after the transplantation, considering the possible development of secondary solid tumors, and in regard to secondary solid tumors developing in the gastrointestinal tract, it must be borne in mind that the risk of esophageal carcinoma is particularly high.

Late Effects after Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell Therapy for Lymphoid Malignancies

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell [CAR T] therapy has changed the treatment landscape of relapsed/refractory lymphoid malignancies. With an expanding pool of post CAR T-cell therapy survivors, prevention and management of late toxicities is emerging as an important component of survivorship care. This review summarizes the current state of evidence on late toxicities after CAR T-cell therapy in lymphoid malignancies. Late effects that are well described in clinical trials and observational studies include hypogammaglobulinemia, prolonged cytopenias, late infections, neurologic and neuropsychiatric effects, immune-related late effects, and subsequent malignancies. Hypogammaglobulinemia is the most common late effect in the setting of CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy, which necessitates immunoglobulin replacement. Common determinants of late toxicities are age, underlying tumor type, prior therapy, CAR construct, and acute toxicities. Among currently approved indications, the incidence of hypogammaglobulinemia and prolonged cytopenia is higher in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia compared to aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Patient-reported physical and mental quality of life in long-term survivors is comparable to general population, albeit, with limited data thus far. This review provides an overview of the incidence, known risk-factors, and strategies for prevention and management of late toxicities in this population. Further research is needed to characterize the trajectory of late effects from population-based registries and long-term follow-up of ongoing clinical trials.

Immune Response Following Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Women After Hematopoietic Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is found in about 40% of women who survive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant and can induce subsequent neoplasms.

Objective

To determine the safety and immunogenicity of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine (HPV-6, -11, -16, and -18) in clinically stable women post-allogeneic transplant compared with female healthy volunteers.

Interventions

Participants received the quadrivalent HPV vaccine in intramuscular injections on days 1 and 2 and then 6 months later.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective, open-label phase-1 study was conducted in a government clinical research hospital and included clinically stable women posttransplant who were or were not receiving immunosuppressive therapy compared with healthy female volunteers age 18 to 50 years who were followed up or a year after first receiving quadrivalent HPV vaccination. The study was conducted from June 2, 2010, until July 19, 2016. After all of the results of the study assays were completed and available in early 2018, the analysis took place from February 2018 to May 2019.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Anti-HPV-6, -11, -16, and -18-specific antibody responses using L1 virus-like particle enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were measured in serum before (day 1) and at months 7 and 12 postvaccination. Anti-HPV-16 and -18 neutralization titers were determined using a pseudovirion-based neutralization assay.

Results

Of 64 vaccinated women, 23 (35.9%) were receiving immunosuppressive therapy (median age, 34 years [range, 18-48 years]; median 1.2 years posttransplant), 21 (32.8%) were not receiving immunosuppression (median age, 32 years [range, 18-49 years]; median 2.5 years posttransplant), and 20 (31.3%) were healthy volunteers (median age, 32 years [range, 23-45 years]). After vaccine series completion, 18 of 23 patients receiving immunosuppression (78.3%), 20 of 21 not receiving immunosuppression (95.2%), and all 20 volunteers developed antibody responses to all quadrivalent HPV vaccine types (P = .04, comparing the 3 groups). Geometric mean antibody levels for each HPV type were higher at months 7 and 12 than at baseline in each group (all geometric mean ratios >1; P < .001) but not significantly different across groups. Antibody and neutralization titers for anti-HPV-16 and anti-HPV-18 correlated at month 7 (Spearman ρ = 0.92; P < .001 for both). Adverse events were mild and not different across groups.

Conclusions and Relevance

Treatment with the HPV vaccination was followed by strong, functionally active antibody responses against vaccine-related HPV types and no serious adverse events. These findings suggest that HPV vaccination may be safely administered to women posttransplant to potentially reduce HPV infection and related neoplasia.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01092195.

Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Adolescents and Young Adults With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: Special Considerations and Challenges

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) represent a challenging group of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) patients with specific needs. While there is growing evidence from comparative studies that this age group profits from intensified paediatric-based chemotherapy, the impact and optimal implementation of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the overall treatment strategy is less clear. Over recent years, improved survival rates after myeloablative allogeneic HSCT for ALL have been reported similarly for AYAs and children despite differences in transplantation practise. Still, AYAs appear to have inferior outcomes and an increased risk of treatment-related morbidity and mortality in comparison with children. To further improve HSCT outcomes and reduce toxicities in AYAs, accurate stratification and evaluation of additional or alternative targeted treatment options are crucial, based on specific molecular and immunological characterisation of ALL and minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment during therapy. Age-specific factors such as increased acute toxicities and poorer adherence to treatment as well as late sequelae might influence treatment decisions. In addition, educational, social, work, emotional, and sexual aspects during this very crucial period of life need to be considered. In this review, we summarise the key findings of recent studies on treatment approach and outcomes in this vulnerable patient group after HSCT, turning our attention to the different approaches applied in paediatric and adult centres. We focus on the specific needs of AYAs with ALL regarding social aspects and supportive care to handle complications as well as fertility issues. Finally, we comment on potential areas of future research and concisely debate the capacity of currently available immunotherapies to reduce toxicity and further improve survival in this challenging patient group.

Late Effects After Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in ALL, Long-Term Follow-Up and Transition: A Step Into Adult Life

Haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) can be a curative treatment for children and adolescents with very-high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Improvements in supportive care and transplant techniques have led to increasing numbers of long-term survivors worldwide. However, conditioning regimens as well as transplant-related complications are associated with severe sequelae, impacting patients' quality of life. It is widely recognised that paediatric HSCT survivors must have timely access to life-long care and surveillance in order to prevent, ameliorate and manage all possible adverse late effects of HSCT. This is fundamentally important because it can both prevent ill health and optimise the quality and experience of survival following HSCT. Furthermore, it reduces the impact of preventable chronic illness on already under-resourced health services. In addition to late effects, survivors of paediatric ALL also have to deal with unique challenges associated with transition to adult services. In this review, we: (1) provide an overview of the potential late effects following HSCT for ALL in childhood and adolescence; (2) focus on the unique challenges of transition from paediatric care to adult services; and (3) provide a framework for long-term surveillance and medical care for survivors of paediatric ALL who have undergone HSCT.

Application and Evaluation of Survivorship Care Guides for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a treatment for hematologic malignancies and disorders. Patients who receive HCT can face long-term physical and psychosocial effects. Survivorship care guides (care guides), which describe screening and preventive care practices were mailed to allogenic HCT recipients at clinically important timepoints (6, 12, and 24 months after HCT). The primary objective of this study was to evaluate how patients perceived and used the care guides. A cross-sectional, time-series survey was sent to all National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match allogeneic HCT recipients from September 2012 to November 2016 after the care guides were sent; patients or caregivers could respond. Respondents who returned all 3 surveys were included (554 patients; 65 caregivers), for an overall response rate of 13% (maintenance rate of 45%). The majority of patients and caregivers strongly agreed or agreed that the care guides helped them understand that post-HCT care is important to staying healthy and that they were more familiar with recommended tests at check-up appointments. Most patients who did not share the care guides with their doctors at any of the timepoints believed their doctor knew which tests were needed. Results from this study can help inform and guide development of future tools and evaluations of educational resources for patients after HCT. Tools and educational resources, such as survivorship care guides, have the potential to help empower patients to be more knowledgeable and to understand and advocate for their survivorship care needs.

Secondary oral cancer following hematopoietic cell transplantation

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence and the clinical outcome of secondary oral cancer (SOC) and to assess potential risk factors in a large cohort of patients (n = 908), who received allogeneic hemopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) either for a malignant (n = 733) or nonmalignant hematologic disease (n = 175). The median follow-up of 438 transplant survivors was 17 years. Twelve patients developed SOC at a median of 13.5 years since HCT and at a median age of 47 years. The 35-year cumulative incidence function of SOC development was 3.47%. In univariate analysis, factors associated with increased incidence of SOC were reduced intensity conditioning and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD). On multivariate analysis, nonmalignant disease and duration of oral cGvHD ≥15 months were independent risk factors for SOC development. Nonmalignant disease recipients had 3.94× higher than expected rate of SOC (95% confidence interval, 1.50-10.39%, p = 0.0055). Recipients whose oral cGvHD persisted for more than ≥15 months had 58.6× higher than expected rate of SOC (95% confidence interval, 13.3-258.1%), p < 0.0001). This study demonstrates that oral cGvHD and a diagnosis of nonmalignant hematologic disease are strong risk factors in the SOC development.

Survivorship care for allogeneic transplant patients in the UK NHS: changes centre practice, impact of health service policy and JACIE accreditation over 5 years

Care of long-term survivors of allogeneic transplant is known to be variable despite international guidelines and accreditation standards. In 2014 a survey of UK NHS-based adult transplant centres identified significant barriers to delivery of long-term follow-up services. In 2019, we repeated the survey to assess changes over a 5-year period when health service policies had mandated JACIE accreditation incorporating standards for long-term care. Improvements were seen in the number of centres having a dedicated long-term follow-up clinic for allogeneic transplant recipients (52% versus 33%) and a standard operating procedure (88% versus 69%). Inclusion of psychological support in standard operating procedures remained low at both time points (32% versus 28%). There was ongoing variation in practice regarding vaccination programmes, access to cancer screening, and audit processes between centres. Perceived barriers to implementation of comprehensive long-term follow-up clinics were similar in 2019; mainly resourcing clinical staff and psychological support. Whilst the survey reflects the changing practice of transplant centres, best explained by increasing recognition of late effects and survivorship by clinicians, health service policy and JACIE accreditation standards, further developments are warranted to address unmet healthcare needs of long-term HSCT survivors, especially access to psychological support, cancer screening and vaccinations.

Sexual Functioning in Long-Term Survivors of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

This investigation characterized sexual activity and sexual function in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survivors, compared them with norms, and examined factors associated with sexual dysfunction, with the goal of identifying targets for intervention to improve sexual health. Surviving adults from a large transplantation center were asked to complete an annual survey with a core of health questions and a module on sexual activity and function. Participants completed the Sexual Function Questionnaire, Cancer and Treatment Distress form, and Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Clinical data were collected from the transplantation medical database. Multivariate logistic regressions identified factors associated with sexual activity and function. Participating survivors (n = 1742) were a mean of 11.9 years (range, .4 to 43.1 years) after HCT, mean age 57.6 years, and 53% male. Women were more likely than men to report being sexually inactive in the past year (39% versus 27%) and, among those sexually active, to report low sexual function (64% versus 32%). Male and female survivors reported lower rates of sexual activity and function than comparison norms (all P < .01). In regressions, factors associated with being sexually inactive included older age, having <4 years of college education, low performance status, and not being in a committed relationship. Additional factors for men included receipt of nonmyeloablative conditioning and not being employed or in school. Low sexual functioning for men and women was associated with low performance status, and, for women, a committed relationship of lower quality, while for men the association was with older age. Sexual dysfunction is common in both men and women after HCT, regardless of time since treatment. Survivors need routine evaluation and access to multimodal interventions.

Response to GH Treatment After Radiation Therapy Depends on Location of Irradiation

OBJECTIVES

Cancer survivors with GH deficiency (GHD) receive GH therapy (GHT) after 1+ year observation to ensure stable tumor status/resolution.

HYPOTHESIS

Radiation therapy (RT) to brain, spine, or extremities alters growth response to GHT.

AIM

Identify differences in growth response to GHT according to type/location of RT.

METHODS

The Pfizer International Growth Database was searched for cancer survivors on GHT for ≥5 years. Patient data, grouped by tumor type, were analyzed for therapy (surgery, chemotherapy, RT of the focal central nervous system, cranial, craniospinal, or total body irradiation [TBI] as part of bone marrow transplantation), sex, peak stimulated GH, age at GHT start, and duration from RT to GHT start. Kruskal-Wallis test and quantile regression modeling were performed.

RESULTS

Of 1149 GHD survivors on GHT for ≥5 years (male 733; median age 8.4 years; GH peak 2.8 ng/mL), 431 had craniopharyngioma (251, cranial RT), 224 medulloblastoma (craniospinal RT), 134 leukemia (72 TBI), and 360 other tumors. Median age differed by tumor group (P < 0.001). Five-year delta height SD score (SDS) (5-year ∆HtSDS; median [10th-90th percentile]) was greatest for craniopharyngioma, 1.6 (0.3-3.0); for medulloblastoma, 5-year ∆HtSDS 0.9 (0.0-1.9); for leukemia 5-year ∆HtSDS, after TBI (0.3, 0-0.7) versus without RT (0.5, 0-0.9), direct comparison P < 0.001. Adverse events included 40 treatment-related, but none unexpected.

CONCLUSIONS

TBI for leukemia had significant impact on growth response to GHT. Medulloblastoma survivors had intermediate GHT response, whereas craniopharyngioma cranial RT did not alter GHT response. Both craniospinal and epiphyseal irradiation negatively affect growth response to GH therapy compared with only cranial RT or no RT.

Who Enrolls in an Online Cancer Survivorship Program? Reach of the INSPIRE Randomized Controlled Trial for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Survivors

The internet can be a valuable tool in delivering survivorship care to hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) cancer survivors. We describe the reach of INSPIRE, an Internet and social media-based randomized controlled trial, to address healthcare and psychosocial needs of HCT survivors. All survivors 2-10 years after HCT for hematologic malignancy or myelodysplasia from 6 transplantation centers in the US were approached by mail and follow-up calls. Eligible participants had access to the Internet, an email address, and did not have active disease in the past 2 years. We used logistic regression to determine characteristics of eligible survivors who were more or less likely to enroll. Of 2578 eligible HCT survivors, 1065 (41%) enrolled in the study. The mean age of enrollees was 56.3 ± 12.6 years (range, 19 to 89 years), 52% were male, and 94% were white. Survivors less likely to enroll included those who were male, age <40 years, and who received an autologous transplant (all P < .001). Compared with white survivors, African Americans were less likely to enroll (P < .001), whereas Native Americans/Alaska Natives were more likely to join the study (P = .03). The reach of the INSPIRE program was broad, including to survivors who traditionally have less access to resources, such as Native Americans/Alaskan Natives and rural residents. Strategies are still needed to improve the enrollment of online studies of survivorship resources for males, young adults, African American, and autologous HCT survivors because their use may improve outcomes.

Bone Health Management After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: An Expert Panel Opinion from the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy

Bone health disturbances commonly occur after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and avascular necrosis (AVN) foremost among them. BMD loss is related to pretransplantation chemotherapy and radiation exposure and immunosuppressive therapy for graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) and results from deficiencies in growth or gonadal hormones, disturbances in calcium and vitamin D homeostasis, as well as osteoblast and osteoclast dysfunction. Although the pathophysiology of AVN remains unclear, high-dose glucocorticoid exposure is the most frequent association. Various societal treatment guidelines for osteoporosis exist, but the focus is mainly on menopausal-associated osteoporosis. HCT survivors comprise a distinct population with unique comorbidities, making general approaches to bone health management inappropriate in some cases. To address a core set of 16 frequently asked questions (FAQs) relevant to bone health in HCT, the American Society of Transplant and Cellular Therapy Committee on Practice Guidelines convened a panel of experts in HCT, adult and pediatric endocrinology, orthopedics, and oral medicine. Owing to a lack of relevant prospective controlled clinical trials that specifically address bone health in HCT, the answers to the FAQs rely on evidence derived from retrospective HCT studies, results extrapolated from prospective studies in non-HCT settings, relevant societal guidelines, and expert panel opinion. Given the heterogenous comorbidities and needs of individual HCT recipients, answers to FAQs in this article should be considered general recommendations, with good medical practice and judgment ultimately dictating care of individual patients. Readers are referred to the Supplementary Material for answers to additional FAQs that did not make the core set.

Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Bone Mass After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on bone mineral density (BMD) in young women who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort included 234 female patients with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) who underwent allogeneic HSCT between April 2009 and April 2016 at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in Seoul, Korea. Inclusion criteria included adult patients who were age 40 years or younger at the time of transplantation and were followed for at least 3 years after HSCT.

RESULTS

At the first and second years after HRT, there was a significant increase in the BMD of the lumbar spine of the HRT group (n = 170) compared to that of the non-HRT group (n = 64) (P = .033 and P = .047, respectively). The BMD of the lumbar spine significantly increased from baseline by 4.16 ± 4.39% and 5.42 ± 5.86% after 1 and 2 years of HRT, respectively (P = .037 and P = .021). The BMD of the femoral neck and total hip also showed a significant percentage increase from baseline after 2 years of HRT. These changes were significant even in the presence of graft-versus-host disease or steroid exposure. For HRT that was initiated within 12 months after HSCT, the increase in BMD in the lumbar spine was greatest after 2 years of HRT.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support that early and active hormonal therapy might be beneficial for BMD in female HSCT recipients with POI.

Technology-enabled activation of skin cancer screening for hematopoietic cell transplantation survivors and their primary care providers (TEACH)

BACKGROUND

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a curative option for a growing number of patients with hematologic diseases and malignancies. However, HCT-related factors, such as total body irradiation used for conditioning, graft-versus-host disease, and prolonged exposure to immunosuppressive therapy, result in very high risk for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). In fact, skin cancer is the most common subsequent neoplasm in HCT survivors, tending to develop at a time when survivors' follow-up care has largely transitioned to the primary care setting. The goal of this study is to increase skin cancer screening rates among HCT survivors through patient-directed activation alone or in combination with physician-directed activation. The proposed intervention will identify facilitators of and barriers to risk-based screening in this population and help reduce the burden of cancer-related morbidity after HCT.

METHODS/DESIGN

720 HCT survivors will be enrolled in this 12-month randomized controlled trial. This study uses a comparative effectiveness design comparing (1) patient activation and education (PAE, N = 360) including text messaging and print materials to encourage and motivate skin examinations; (2) PAE plus primary care physician activation (PAE + Phys, N = 360) adding print materials for the physician on the HCT survivors' increased risk of skin cancer and importance of conducting a full-body skin exam. Patients on the PAE + Phys arm will be further randomized 1:1 to the teledermoscopy (PAE + Phys+TD) adding physician receipt of a portable dermatoscope to upload images of suspect lesions for review by the study dermatologist and an online course with descriptions of dermoscopic images for skin cancers.

DISCUSSION

When completed, this study will provide much-needed information regarding strategies to improve skin cancer detection in other high-risk (e.g. radiation-exposed) cancer survivor populations, and to facilitate screening and management of other late effects (e.g. cardiovascular, endocrine) in HCT survivors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04358276 . Registered 24 April 2020.

Long-term Follow-up of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Survivors: A Focus on Screening, Monitoring, and Therapeutics

Annually, ~50,000 patients undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) worldwide with almost 22,000 of these patients receiving HCT in the United States. HCT is a curative option for a wide range of hematologic malignancies, and advances in transplantation medicine have resulted in an increase in HCT survivors. It is anticipated that the number of HCT survivors will more than double from 242,000 in 2020 to ~500,000 in 2030. Survivors of HCT are at an increased risk of developing late complications due to exposure to chemotherapy and/or radiation in the pre-, peri-, and post-HCT phases and these cumulative exposures have the potential to damage normal tissue. This tissue damage leads to the early onset of chronic health conditions resulting in premature mortality in HCT survivors, who have a 15-year cumulative incidence of severe or life-threatening chronic health conditions exceeding 40%. Due to the significant burden of morbidity in HCT survivors and the delay in the development of long-term complications, this delicate patient population requires life-long monitoring due to the risk for neuropsychological, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, ocular, skeletal, cardiac, endocrine, fertility, and sexual health complications, as well as secondary neoplasms. This review will focus on recent advances in screening, monitoring, and therapeutics for late-occurring or long-term complications in HCT survivors.

Thyroid dysfunctions in adult patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid dysfunction (TD) is one of the major endocrinopathies shown after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation over the long term. The incidence and the risk factors for TD have varied widely.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two hundred and fifty-nine patients with pre-transplant normal thyroid function tests who survived at least 1 year after allo-HSCT between 2006-2016 were included in the study.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients (25%) developed TD at median of 34 months (range, 1-112 months). Hypothyroidism was detected in 32 patients (12%): 5 patients had primary hypothyroidism, and subclinical hypothyroidism occurred in 27 patients. 18 patients (7%) were diagnosed with hyperthyroidism: 2 patients (0.07%) were treated for primary hyperthyroidism, and 16 patients (6%) were followed for subclinical hyperthyroidism. Euthyroid sick syndrome occurred in 14 cases. None of the patients with thyroid dysfunction developed secondary thyroid malignancy. Receiving high-dose TBI (P = .001) was found to be significant risk for hypothyroidism; older age than median (P = .01) and pre-transplant active disease (P < .0001) were related to hyperthyroidism.

CONCLUSIONS

Thyroid dysfunction, mostly hypothyroidism, is a long-term complication after allo-HSCT in 25% of patients. Older age, pre-transplant active disease, and receiving TBI are among the risk factors. Sustained long-term monitoring of thyroid function test should be considered post allo-HSCT.

Framingham Risk Score Is an Ineffective Screening Strategy for Coronary Heart Disease in Long-Term Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Survivors

Long-term allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) survivors suffer an elevated risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). We conducted a prospective, nonrandomized, cross-sectional study to screen asymptomatic survivors at a single allo-HCT center using cardiac computed tomography (CT) involving coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. Seventy-nine subjects with a median age of 39 years at allo-HCT and a median follow-up interval of 8 years were evaluated for CHD by Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and cardiac CT. CHD was detected in 33 of 79 (42%) subjects; 91% of lesions were nonobstructive, 19.5% of were noncalcified and 30% had associated valvular calcification. Overall, CAC was significantly superior to FRS in detecting early CHD in allo-HCT survivors [∆C = 0.25; P < 0.0001]. While both FRS and CAC were highly, >95% specific, FRS had a sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of only 28% (95% CI, 14%-47%), 90% (95% CI, 55%-100%) and 60% (95% CI, 47%-73%), respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of CAC were 78% (95% CI, 60%-91%), 96% (95% CI, 80%-100%) and 83% (95% CI, 69%-93%), respectively. Significantly, cardiac CT detected CHD in 23 of the 68 (34%) survivors deemed to have a low Framingham risk. Radiation exposure during cardiac CT was negligible, and there were no adverse events. In conclusion, CAC score with or without CCTA is a safe, feasible and sensitive screening technique for CHD. The FRS greatly underestimates CHD in allo-HCT survivors.

Insights Into the Role of Vitamin D as a Biomarker in Stem Cell Transplantation

Vitamin D was discovered 100 years ago and since then multiple studies have consistently proved its effect on bone health and mineral metabolism. Further research has also explored its so-called "non-classical" biological effects, encompassing immune regulation and control of cell proliferation and differentiation. Vitamin D downregulates pro-inflammatory immune cells and subsequently their cytokine production, while enhancing the anti-inflammatory subsets, thus mediating inflammation and fostering a more tolerogenic environment. Its biological action is exerted through the vitamin D receptor, a nuclear receptor that mediates gene transcription and is expressed in most cells from the innate and adaptive immunity. Owing to its immune-modulatory properties, its role in cancer pathophysiology, hematology disorders and stem cell transplantation has also been investigated. Vitamin D deficiency causes immune imbalance and cytokine dysregulation, contributing to some autoimmune diseases. In the hematopoietic stem cell transplant setting this could lead to complications such as acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, ultimately impacting transplant outcomes. Other factors have also been linked to this, including specific polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor in both stem cell donors and recipients. Nevertheless, studies thus far have shown conflicting results and the use of vitamin D or its receptor as biomarkers has not been validated yet, therefore there are no evidence-based consensus guidelines to guide clinicians in their day-to-day practice. To gain more insight in this topic, we have reviewed the existent literature and gathered the current evidence. This is an overview of the role of serum vitamin D and its receptor as biomarkers for clinical outcomes in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Further prospective studies with larger cohorts are warranted to validate the viability of using serum vitamin D, and its receptor, as biomarkers in potential stem cell donors and patients, to identify those at risk of post-transplant complications and enable early therapeutic interventions.

Engaging hematopoietic cell transplantation patients and caregivers in the design of print and mobile application individualized survivorship care plan tools

PURPOSE

INSPIRE (INteractive Survivorship Program with Information and REsources) is an online health program that includes a mobile app, website, health action plan, and individualized survivorship care plans for adult hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) survivors. The INSPIRE program integrates two previously effective randomized control trials that tested an internet-based program and patient-centered survivorship care plans for HCT survivors.

METHODS

Three focus groups were conducted with a total of 22 participants (20 patients, 2 caregivers/patient advocates) to explore patient and caregiver preferences and to optimize the patient-centered emphasis of INSPIRE. Adult (age > 18 years at the time of study entry) HCT recipients had to be at least 1-year post-HCT to participate; caregivers/patient advocates were also eligible. Participants had to be able to communicate in English, could have any diagnosis, transplant type, or donor source, and could have had multiple transplants.

RESULTS

All patient participants received an allogeneic HCT; average time since HCT was 8 years (range 2-22 years). The majority of participants were female (77.3%). Overall, the tools were well received by participants in this study, particularly the personalized features of all the tools. Major themes included interest in having the ability to tailor features to individual needs, and an interest in tracking information over time.

DISCUSSION

Engaging patients and caregivers is invaluable to optimize tools designed to improve HCT survivorship care. Print, online, and mobile-based tools, tailored to individual patients' treatment history and requisite follow-up care, can provide otherwise unavailable expertise and guidelines for care.

Treatment and disease-related complications in multiple myeloma: Implications for survivorship

New treatments have transformed multiple myeloma into a chronic disease. Hence, optimal management of treatment and disease-related complications remains a critical component of survivorship care. Survivorship care model in cancers requiring a fixed-duration therapy may not be applicable to myeloma, since patients are exposed to multiple lines of continuous therapy along the disease trajectory. The two most common therapy-related causes of death, which require special consideration, are infection and second cancers. Identifying patients at a high risk of toxicities will facilitate individualized treatment selection and designing clinical trials for protective strategies targeting those patients. For example, prophylactic antibiotic or immunoglobulin replacement can be tested for primary prevention of infections in high-risk patients. Long-term follow up of ongoing trials and epidemiologic data will help identify the nature and trajectory of rare toxicities with a long latency, such as secondary cancers. Patients who are frail, have persistent renal insufficiency, and refractory to multiple lines of therapy need special attention regarding treatment toxicity and quality of life. In this review, we discuss the incidence, risk-factors, and management of treatment and disease-related complications in myeloma, discuss knowledge gaps and research priorities in this area, and propose a survivorship care model to improve health-care delivery to a growing pool of myeloma survivors.

Return-to-Work Guidelines and Programs for Post-Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Survivors: An Initial Survey

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) requires absence from work, with potential consequences of unemployment and early retirement. Risk factors for failure to return to work (RTW) following HCT have been reported, but there is little information about how transplant centers facilitate the RTW transition for their post-HCT patients. In the present study, we aimed to determine (1) whether transplant centers have guidelines for RTW post-HCT and the consistency of these guidelines and (2) whether centers have RTW programs for their patients, and the characteristics of these programs. We surveyed representatives from 150 adult transplant centers regarding their RTW guidelines and RTW programs. Centers were selected if they performed at least 50 HCTs (autologous [auto] and/or allogeneic [allo]) annually. The online survey contained 32 open-ended and closed-ended questions and 3 questions each eliciting respondents' demographic and transplant centers information. We received completed surveys from 45 centers (30% response rate). Forty-four percent of centers reported having RTW guidelines. All centers recommend RTW at 6 months or less after HCT for their auto-HCT recipients; recommendations for allo-HCT recipients ranged from 4 months to >1 year after HCT having jobs involving interactions with children, sick people, and animals was considered a reason to delay RTW by most centers. Although 87% of centers endorsed that RTW is a problem for post-HCT recipients, only 36% reported having an RTW program for their patients. The majority validated that RTW programs would be either somewhat helpful (36%) or very helpful (51%) for their patients. The majority of responding HCT centers believe that RTW is a problem for patients after HCT; however, consistent guidelines and RTW programs are lacking. With increasing numbers of HCT survivors, efforts to create standardized guidelines and to develop RTW programs are needed.

To D or not to D: vitamin D in hematopoietic cell transplantation

Vitamin D plays an essential role in bone health, immune tolerance, and immune modulation. Autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients are at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, which may increase risks of bone loss and fracture, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and relapse, and can delay hematologic and immune recovery following HCT. Growing evidence indicates that vitamin D may have a role as an immunomodulator, and supplementation during HCT may decrease the risk of GVHD, infection, relapse, and mortality. In this paper, we review the role of vitamin D and its association with HCT outcomes and discuss prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency after HCT in adult recipients. We review the role of monitoring of vitamin D levels pre- and post-HCT and its supplementation in appropriate patients. We also review the use of bone densitometry prior to HCT and in long-term follow-up and the treatment of osteoporosis in this high-risk population.

Predictors of Loss to Follow-Up Among Pediatric and Adult Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Survivors: A Report from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research

Follow-up is integral for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) care to ensure surveillance and intervention for complications. We characterized the incidence of and predictors for being lost to follow-up. Two-year survivors of first allogeneic HCT (10,367 adults and 3865 children) or autologous HCT (7291 adults and 467 children) for malignant/nonmalignant disorders between 2002 and 2013 reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research were selected. The cumulative incidence of being lost to follow-up (defined as having missed 2 consecutive follow-up reporting periods) was calculated. Marginal Cox models (adjusted for center effect) were fit to evaluate predictors. The 10-year cumulative incidence of being lost to follow-up was 13% (95% confidence interval [CI], 12% to 14%) in adult allogeneic HCT survivors, 15% (95% CI, 14% to 16%) in adult autologous HCT survivors, 25% (95% CI, 24% to 27%) in pediatric allogeneic HCT survivors, and 24% (95% CI, 20% to 29%) in pediatric autologous HCT survivors. Factors associated with being lost to follow-up include younger age, nonmalignant disease, public/no insurance (reference: private), residence farther from the tranplantation center, and being unmarried in adult allogeneic HCT survivors; older age and testicular/germ cell tumor (reference: non-Hodgkin lymphoma) in adult autologous HCT survivors; older age, public/no insurance (reference: private), and nonmalignant disease in pediatric allogeneic HCT survivors; and older age in pediatric autologous HCT survivors. Follow-up focusing on minimizing attrition in high-risk groups is needed to ensure surveillance for late effects.

Brazilian Nutritional Consensus in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Adults

The nutritional status of patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplant is considered an independent risk factor, which may influence on quality of life and tolerance to the proposed treatment. The impairment of nutritional status during hematopoietic stem cell transplant occurs mainly due to the adverse effects resulting from conditioning to which the patient is subjected. Therefore, adequate nutritional evaluation and follow-up during hematopoietic stem cell transplant are essential. To emphasize the importance of nutritional status and body composition during treatment, as well as the main characteristics related to the nutritional assessment of the patient, the Brazilian Consensus on Nutrition in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: Adults was prepared, aiming to standardize and update Nutritional Therapy in this area. Dietitians, nutrition physicians and hematologists from 15 Brazilian centers thar are references in hematopoietic stem cell transplant took part.

Primary Care Physician Perspectives on Caring for Adult Survivors of Hematologic Malignancies and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Primary care physicians (PCPs) may face barriers to caring for hematologic malignancy and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survivors.

METHODS

A Web-based survey consisting of 40 questions and 2 case scenarios was administered to 302 PCPs at 2 large integrated health care systems. The questionnaire assessed perceived barriers to delivery of care to hematologic malignancy/HCT survivors, resources available to care for cancer survivors, practices for care coordination with hematologist-oncologists, and preferred models of care delivery.

RESULTS

Overall response rate was 30% (n = 86). PCPs reported several barriers such as lack of resources to facilitate care (69%), lack of awareness of screening/prevention guidelines (55%) and psychosocial needs of survivors (65%), inadequate time (65%), and patient preference to follow up with their oncologists (66%). They expressed confidence in caring for general medical issues (84%) and general cancer screening (73%), but they preferred that oncologists manage cancer-related medical issues (42%) as well as screen for cancer recurrence (52%) and secondary cancers (55%). In multivariable analysis, PCPs who had previously cared for a large number of hematologic malignancy/HCT survivors and those with a longer time since graduation from medical school had greater confidence in managing cancer-related medical issues.

CONCLUSION

PCPs report several barriers in providing care to hematologic malignancy/HCT survivors. Clinical experience with this patient population is associated with greater confidence in providing survivorship care. Several barriers identified by PCPs in providing survivorship care to hematologic malignancy/HCT survivors are potentially addressable by education and clinical decision support tools and guidelines, thereby enhancing the patients' clinical experience and care coordination with hematologist-oncologists.

Management of adults and children undergoing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy: best practice recommendations of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the Joint Accreditation Committee of ISCT and EBMT (JACIE)

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are a novel class of anti-cancer therapy in which autologous or allogeneic T cells are engineered to express a CAR targeting a membrane antigen. In Europe, tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah™) is approved for the treatment of refractory/relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and young adults as well as relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, while axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta™) is approved for the treatment of relapsed/refractory high-grade B-cell lymphoma and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. Both agents are genetically engineered autologous T cells targeting CD19. These practical recommendations, prepared under the auspices of the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, relate to patient care and supply chain management under the following headings: patient eligibility, screening laboratory tests and imaging and work-up prior to leukapheresis, how to perform leukapheresis, bridging therapy, lymphodepleting conditioning, product receipt and thawing, infusion of CAR T cells, short-term complications including cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, antibiotic prophylaxis, medium-term complications including cytopenias and B-cell aplasia, nursing and psychological support for patients, long-term follow-up, post-authorization safety surveillance, and regulatory issues. These recommendations are not prescriptive and are intended as guidance in the use of this novel therapeutic class.

Conditional Long-Term Survival after Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) is standard therapy for patients with chemosensitive, relapsed, diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We performed a retrospective cohort study to delineate subsequent (conditional) and relative survival in 371 adult patients with DLBCL who underwent AHCT between 2000 and 2014 and had survived for 1, 2, 3, or 5 years after transplant. The probability of overall survival at 10 years after AHCT was 62%, 71%, 77%, and 86%, respectively, for the 4 cohorts, whereas that of progression-free survival (PFS) was 55%, 65%, 72%, and 81%, respectively. The respective cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) at 10 years after transplantation was 13%, 12%, 11%, and 8%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, older age was associated with greater mortality risk among all but 5-year survivors; relapse within the landmark time was associated with greater mortality risk in all groups. Older age and relapse within the landmark time were associated with worse PFS in all groups. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was significantly higher than an age-, gender-, and race-matched general population, with the magnitude of SMR decreasing as the landmark time increased (4.0 for 1-year, 3.0 for 2-year, 2.4 for 3-year, and 1.8 for 5-year survivors). Our study provides information on long-term survival and prognosis that will assist in counseling patients with DLBCL who have received AHCT. Survival improves with longer time in remission post-transplant, although patients continue to remain at risk for NRM, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and prevention of late complications.

Transplant center characteristics and survival after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in adults

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) is a highly specialized procedure. We surveyed adult transplant centers in the United States (US) and then used data reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) (2008–2010) to evaluate associations of center volume, infrastructure, and care delivery models with survival post alloHCT. Based on their 2010 alloHCT volume, centers were categorized as low-volume (≤40 alloHCTs; N=42 centers, 1,900 recipients) or high-volume (>40 alloHCTs; N=41 centers, 9,637 recipients). 100-day survival was 86% (95% CI, 85–87%) in high-volume compared to 83% (95% CI, 81–85%) in low-volume centers (difference 3%; P<0.001). One-year survival was 62% (95% CI, 61–63%) and 56% (95% CI, 54–58%), respectively (difference 6%; P < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses adjusted for patient and center characteristics; alloHCT at high-volume centers (odds ratio [OR] 1.32; P<0.001) and presence of a survivorship program dedicated to HCT recipients (OR 1.23; P=0.009) were associated with favorable 1-year survival compared to low-volume centers. Similar findings were observed in a CIBMTR validation cohort (2012–2014); high-volume centers had better 1-year survival (OR 1.24, P<0.001). Among US adult transplant centers, alloHCT at high-volume centers and at centers with survivorship programs is associated with higher 1-year survival.

Characteristics of graft-versus-host disease occurring after alemtuzumab-containing allogeneic stem cell transplants: incidence, organ involvement, risk factors and survival

T-cell depletion with alemtuzumab represents an effective form of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT); however, little is known regarding the impact of in vivo alemtuzumab on either the incidence or clinical characteristics of acute and chronic GVHD. We therefore studied 201 consecutive adult patients who received an alemtuzumab-based, reduced-intensity conditioned (RIC) allograft. With a median follow-up of 24 months, the cumulative incidence of classic acute and late acute (persistent, recurrent and late onset) GVHD grades II-IV (grades III-IV) was 34% (13%) and 20% (8%) respectively; the cumulative incidence of classic chronic GVHD and overlap syndrome were 4% and 7% respectively. A previous diagnosis of classic acute GVHD is a risk factor for chronic GVHD (hazard ratio 10·91, 95% confidence interval 2·35-50·63, P = 0·0023) while late onset acute GVHD is not a risk factor for later development of chronic GVHD. Unrelated donor transplant is a risk factor for the development of classic acute GVHD but not for late onset or chronic GVHD. In conclusion, this study describes a distinctive pattern of GVHD following alemtuzumab-RIC allografts, identifies the risk factors for GVHD development and provides prognostic information of patients with GVHD.

The utility of cognitive changes in identifying those with acute graft vs. host disease following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant

Objectives: Acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) is a common complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Identifying those at risk for developing aGVHD is crucial for early intervention. The current study assessed whether scores on a brief cognitive screening measure could identify those that develop aGVHD by 100 days post-HCT.Methods: Participants were 37 patients undergoing allogeneic HCT, assessed prior to transplant, and at 30- and 100-days post-HCT. Of those completing all evaluations, patients were divided into those who did (n = 14) and did not (n = 16) develop aGVHD by day 100 post-HCT. At 100 days post-transplant, groups did not differ on relevant demographic factors, disease, conditioning regimen, relatedness of donor, stem cell source, steroid use, total body irradiation use, human leukocyte antigens (HLA) match, or frequency of infection.Results: At 100 days post-HCT, those with aGVHD performed significantly worse on a working memory measure than those without aGvHD. The presence of aGVHD at day 100 increased significantly with every one standard deviation decrease in working memory from baseline to 30 days post-HCT (odds ratio = 3.08; 95% CI: 1.00-9.36). These findings were observed despite a small sample size and statistically controlling for multiple analyses.Conclusions: While this study is exploratory in nature, and has a small sample size, findings suggest that early detection of working memory declines could coincide with, or signal the development of, aGVHD. Potential etiologies are discussed. Implementing early cognitive screening within the first 30 days post-HCT may be useful in identifying patients at risk for aGVHD.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation to Treat Leukodystrophies: Clinical Practice Guidelines from the Hunter's Hope Leukodystrophy Care Network

The leukodystrophies are a heterogeneous group of inherited diseases characterized by progressive demyelination of the central nervous system leading to devastating neurologic symptoms and premature death. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been successfully used to treat certain leukodystrophies, including adrenoleukodystrophy, globoid leukodystrophy (Krabbe disease), and metachromatic leukodystrophy, over the past 30 years. To date, these complex patients have primarily been transplanted at a limited number of pediatric centers. As the number of cases identified through pregnancy and newborn screening is increasing, additional centers will be required to treat these children. Hunter's Hope created the Leukodystrophy Care Network in part to create and standardize high-quality clinical practice guidelines to guide the care of affected patients. In this report the clinical guidelines for the care of pediatric patients with leukodystrophies undergoing treatment with HSCT are presented. The initial transplant evaluation, determination of patient eligibility, donor selection, conditioning, supportive care, and post-transplant follow-up are discussed. Throughout these guidelines the need for early detection and treatment and the role of the partnership between families and multidisciplinary providers are emphasized.