Allogeneic and autologous transplantation for haematological diseases, solid tumours and immune disorders: current practice in Europe 2009

Introduction of a quality management system and outcome after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation

PURPOSE

A comprehensive quality management system called JACIE (Joint Accreditation Committee International Society for Cellular Therapy and the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation), was introduced to improve quality of care in hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). We therefore tested the hypothesis that the introduction of JACIE improved patient survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data on 41,623 allogeneic (39%) and 66,281 autologous (61%) HSCTs for an acquired hematologic disorder performed between 1999 and 2007 by 421 teams in Europe were used to assess the outcomes of patients who received a transplantation at baseline (> 3 years before application or no application), during preparation (3 years before application), during application (time from application to accreditation), and after JACIE accreditation. The analysis was clustered by team and stratified for year of HSCT, donor type, disease, conditioning, and gross national income per capita of the respective country. Patient's risks were adjusted for by their European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation score.

RESULTS

Patient outcome was systematically better when the transplantation center was at a more advanced phase of JACIE accreditation, independent of year of transplantation and other risk factors. Improvement was robust as quantified for relapse-free survival after allogeneic HSCT compared with baseline by a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.90 to 1.03; P = .22) for preparation, 0.95 (95% CI, 0.88 to 1.03; P = .20) for application, and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.78 to 0.95; P = .01) for the accreditation (test for trend P = .01). Improvement from baseline was similar after autologous HSCT (HR for accreditation, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.93; P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Even with all the limitations of an observational study, these findings support the hypothesis that introduction of a comprehensive clinical quality management system is associated with improved outcome of patients after HSCT.

[Reduced intensity allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children]

Better understanding of the antitumor effect of allogeneic transplant and the need to reduce the toxicity of the procedure, particularly in elderly patients have spurred the development of reduced-intensity conditioning regimens (RIC). These regimens allow fast engraftment with very low chemotherapy-induced toxicity. They are widely used in adults and there are numerous studies to demonstrate their feasibility and efficiency, but in pediatrics, the place of RIC remains to be determined. They can be proposed in two pediatric populations. First, solid tumors or hematological malignancies remaining unresponsive to the reference strategies according to best practices in pediatrics. Second, in children presenting malignancies for which allografting is the only recognized curative indication but is contraindicated with myeloablative conditioning regimens. More than 100 pediatrics cases have been reported in various pathologies, including blood diseases, acute leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma and solid tumors, and promising results published recently underline how RIC warrants further investigation in prospective comparative multicentric trials. The use of new post-graft treatment modalities is expected to pave the way to the development of RIC in pediatric patients.

First-line matched related donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation compared to immunosuppressive therapy in acquired severe aplastic anemia

Introduction

Acquired severe aplastic anemia (SAA) is a rare and progressive disease characterized by an immune-mediated functional impairment of hematopoietic stem cells. Transplantation of these cells is a first-line treatment option if HLA-matched related donors are available. First-line immunosuppressive therapy may be offered as alternative. The aim was to compare the outcome of these patients in controlled trials.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in the bibliographic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library. To show an overview of various outcomes by treatment group we conducted a meta-analysis on overall survival. We evaluated whether studies reported statistically significant factors for improved survival.

Results

26 non-randomized controlled trials (7,955 patients enrolled from 1970 to 2001) were identified. We did not identify any RCTs. Risk of bias was high except in 4 studies. Young age and recent year of treatment were identified as factors for improved survival in the HSCT group. Advanced age, SAA without very severe aplastic anemia, and combination of anti-lymphocyte globulin with cyclosporine A were factors for improved survival in the IST group. In 19 studies (4,855 patients), summary statistics were sufficient to be included in meta-analysis. Considerable heterogeneity did not justify a pooled estimate. Adverse events were inconsistently reported and varied significantly across studies.

Conclusions

Young age and recent year of treatment were identified as factors for improved survival in the transplant group. Advanced age, SAA without very severe aplastic anemia, and combination of anti-lymphocyte globulin with cyclosporine A were factors for improved survival in the immunosuppressive group. Considerable heterogeneity of non-randomized controlled studies did not justify a pooled estimate. Adverse events were inconsistently reported and varied significantly across studies.

Chronic kidney disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Acute and chronic kidney diseases occur after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These are caused by the transplant itself, and the complications of transplant. Recent estimates show that near 15% of subjects undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation will develop chronic kidney disease, which is a complication rate that can affect outcome and reduce survival. Investigation of the causes of chronic kidney disease is needed, as are ways to prevent, mitigate, and treat it.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for renal cell carcinoma: ten years after

INTRODUCTION

The first series of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated by non-myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) was reported in 2000 and demonstrated an allogeneic graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect that encouraged further investigation of this approach. However, the past 10 years have also witnessed profound changes in the medical management of metastatic RCC with the introduction of targeted therapies directed against VEGF or mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways creating uncertainty about a continued role for allogeneic HCT in the treatment of RCC.

AREAS COVERED

A total of 21 published reports describing clinical outcomes for 398 patients with metastatic RCC treated by allogeneic HCT compiled herein provide a composite overview of the world wide experience for key efficacy and toxicity outcomes. Review of correlative studies that identify donor-derived T cells as mediators of RCC-specific GVT effects offers insight into both the potential as well as the technical barriers to the delivery of antigen-specific post-transplant cellular therapy or vaccination designed to augment the allogeneic GVT effect.

EXPERT OPINION

The future development of non-myeloablative allogeneic HCT for metastatic RCC will require novel treatment protocols designed to augment and sustain post-transplant GVT effects against RCC to generate renewed enthusiasm for this approach.

Unrelated donor peripheral blood stem cell transplants incorporating pre-transplant in-vivo alemtuzumab are not associated with any increased risk of significant acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease

There is little information published comparing peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) with bone marrow (BM) as the stem cell source in the long-term outcome in recipients of T-cell depleted (TCD) unrelated donor (UD) transplants. We present retrospective outcome data on 306 recipients of myeloablative, human leucocyte antigen-matched UD allografts using pre-transplant in-vivo Alemtuzumab. Transplants were performed between 2000 and 2007 for chronic myeloid leukaemia in first chronic phase and acute leukaemia in first or second complete remission; 184 patients received BM and 122 PBSC. The median age was 28·9 years (<1-58) and the median follow-up was 48 months. Overall survival at 8 years was 53%. The incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) was significantly higher in PBSC (65%) than BM recipients (49%; P=0·012). This represented only grade 1 GvHD with no difference in grade II-IV aGvHD (BM 23% PBSC 24%). The incidence of chronic GvHD, either overall (BM 47%, PBSC 49%) or extensive (BM 15%, PBSC 13%) was not increased with PBSC. The incidence of relapse, non-relapse mortality and survival were not significantly different. Whilst accepting the limitations of retrospective analyses, we suggest the increased risk of GvHD in recipients of PBSC in T-replete transplants is offset by in-vivo Alemtuzumab, and that either stem cell source can be used with good outcomes in this setting.

The EBMT activity survey 2009: trends over the past 5 years

Six hundred and twenty-four centers from 43 countries reported a total of 31,322 hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) to this 2009 European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) survey with 28,033 first transplants (41% allogeneic, 59% autologous). The main indications were leukemias (31%; 92% allogeneic), lymphomas (58%; 12% allogeneic), solid tumors (5%; 6% allogeneic) and non-malignant disorders (6%; 88% allogeneic). There were more unrelated than HLA-identical sibling donors (51 vs 43%) for allogeneic HSCT; the proportion of peripheral blood as stem cell source was 99% for autologous and 71% for allogeneic HSCT. Allogeneic and autologous HSCT continued to increase by about 1000 HSCT per year since 2004. Patterns of increase were distinct and different. In a trend analysis, allogeneic HSCT increased in all World Bank Categories (P=0.01, two sided; all categories), autologous HSCT increased in middle- (P=0.01, two sided) and low-income (P=0.01, two sided) countries. EBMT practice guidelines appeared to have an impact on trend, with a clear increase in absolute numbers within the categories 'standard' and 'clinical option' for both allogeneic and autologous HSCT (P=0.01, two sided; for both allogeneic and autologous HSCT) and a clear decrease in autologous HSCT for the 'developmental' and 'generally not recommended' indications (P=0.01, two sided). These data illustrate the status and trends of HST in Europe.

Preventing transmission of infectious agents in the pediatric in-patients hematology-oncology setting: what is the role for non-pharmacological prophylaxis?

The most intensive chemotherapy regimens were used in the past for leukemia patients who were the main focus of trials on infections; today there are increasing numbers of children with solid cancer and considerable risk of infection who do receive intensive standard-dose chemotherapy. Despite a continuous will to protect the immune-compromised child from infections, evidence-based indications for intervention by non-pharmacological tools is still lacking in the pediatric hematology-oncology literature. Guidelines on standard precautions as well as precautions to avoid transmission of specific infectious agents are available. As a result of a consensus discussion, the Italian Association for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology (AIEOP) Cooperative Group centers agree that for children treated with chemotherapy both of these approaches should be implemented and vigorously enforced, while additional policies, including strict environmental isolation, should be restricted to patients with selected clinical conditions or complications. We present here a study by the working group on infectious diseases of AIEOP.

Alternative donors hematopoietic stem cells transplantation for adults with acute myeloid leukemia: Umbilical cord blood or haploidentical donors?

Use of allogeneic transplantation for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) depends mainly on the risk of the disease, and HLA matched donor availability. In patients with high-risk leukemia, in the absence of a HLA (human leukocyte antigen) matched donor, alternative donors such as unrelated umbilical cord blood (UCB) or haploidentical donor (haplo) have been currently used. Both strategies have important advantages such as shorter time to transplant, which is particularly relevant to patients requiring urgent transplantation, and tolerance of HLA mismatched graft that make possible that a donor can be found for virtually all patients. However, in spite of higher incidence of graft failure in UCB transplatation recipients and higher relapse incidence after haplo transplants, final outcomes seem to be comparable with HLA matched unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (bone marrow or peripheral blood). Therefore, the complexity of choosing the best alternative donor will depend on urgency of the transplantation, status and risk of the disease, donor criteria and center experience. Here we review the current status of UCBT and haplo transplants to treat adults with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia and we discuss the main issues associated with the use of both hematopoietic stem cell transplant approaches.

Defibrotide prevents the activation of macrovascular and microvascular endothelia caused by soluble factors released to blood by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Endothelial activation and damage occur in association with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Several of the early complications associated with HSCT seem to have a microvascular location. Through the present study, we have characterized the activation and damage of endothelial cells of both macro (HUVEC) and microvascular (HMEC) origin, occurring early after autologous HSCT, and the potential protective effect of defibrotide (DF). Sera samples from patients were collected before conditioning (Pre), at the time of transplantation (day 0), and at days 7, 14, and 21 after autologous HSCT. Changes in the expression of endothelial cell receptors at the surface, presence and reactivity of extracellular adhesive proteins, and the signaling pathways involved were analyzed. The expression of ICAM-1 at the cell surface increased progressively in both HUVEC and HMEC. However, a more prothrombotic profile was denoted for HMEC, in particular at the time of transplantation (day 0), reflecting the deleterious effect of the conditioning treatment on the endothelium, especially at a microvascular location. Interestingly, this observation correlated with a higher increase in the expression of both tissue factor and von Willebrand factor on the extracellular matrix, together with activation of intracellular p38 MAPK and Akt. Previous exposure and continuous incubation of cells with DF prevented the signs of activation and damage induced by the autologous sera. These observations corroborate that conditioning treatment in autologous HSCT induces a proinflammatory and a prothrombotic phenotype, especially at a microvascular location, and indicate that DF has protective antiinflammatory and antithrombotic effects in this setting.

Comparable survival after HLA-well-matched unrelated or matched sibling donor transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia in first remission with unfavorable cytogenetics at diagnosis

We compared the outcomes of unrelated donor (URD, n = 358) with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor (MSD, n = 226) transplantations in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR1) having unfavorable cytogenetics at diagnosis. Unfavorable cytogenetic abnormalities were: complex (≥ 3 abnormalities), 32%; and noncomplex involving chromosome 7, 25%; chromosome 5, 9%; 11q or MLL rearrangements, 18%; t(6;9), 5%; and other noncomplex, 10%. URDs were HLA-well-matched (n = 254; 71%) or partially-matched (n = 104; 29%). Three-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) for MSD was 42% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35%-48%) compared with 34% (95% CI, 28%-41%) for HLA-well-matched URD and 29% (95% CI, 20%-39%) for partially-matched URD (P = .08). In multivariate analysis, HLA-well-matched URD and MSD yielded similar LFS (relative risk [RR] = 1.1, 95% CI, 0.86-1.40, P = .44) and overall survival (OS; RR = 1.06, 95% CI, 0.83-1.37, P = .63). LFS and OS were significantly inferior for HLA-partially-matched URD recipients, those with prior myelodysplastic syndrome, and those older than 50 years. All cytogenetic cohorts had similar outcomes. Patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease had a significantly lower risk of relapse (RR = 0.68, 95% CI, 0.47-0.99, P = .05). Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) using HLA-well-matched URD and MSD resulted in similar LFS and OS in AML patients in CR1 with unfavorable cytogenetics. Outcomes of HCT from HLA-partially- matched URD were inferior.

Clinical impact of suicide gene therapy in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) from an HLA-matched related or unrelated donor is a curative option for patients with high-risk hematological diseases. In the absence of a matched donor, patients have been offered investigational transplantation strategies such as umbilical cord blood SCT or family haploidentical SCT. Besides the activity of the conditioning regimen, most of the antileukemic potential of allo-SCT relies on alloreactivity, promoted by donor lymphocytes reacting against patient-specific antigens, such as minor and major histocompatibility antigens, ultimately translating into cancer immunotherapy. Unfortunately, alloreactivity is also responsible for the most serious and frequent complication of allo-SCT: graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD). The risk of GvHD increases with the level of HLA disparity between host and donor, and leads to impaired quality of life and reduced survival expectancy, particularly among patients receiving transplants from HLA-mismatched donors. Gene transfer technologies are promising tools to manipulate donor T cell immunity to enforce the graft-versus-tumor effect, to promote functional immune reconstitution (graft vs. infection), and to prevent or control GvHD. To this purpose, several cell and gene transfer approaches have been investigated at the preclinical level, and are being implemented in clinical trials. Suicide gene therapy is to date the most extensive clinical application of T cell-based gene therapy. In several phase I-II clinical studies conducted worldwide this approach proved highly feasible, safe, and effective in promoting a dynamic and patient-specific modulation of alloreactivity. This review focuses on this approach.

The Mannheim Cord Blood Bank: Experiences and Perspectives for the Future

SUMMARY: BACKGROUND AND METHODS: As a source of hematopoietic stem cells, cord blood (CB) is an alternative to bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC). The Mannheim Cord Blood Bank has currently stored about 1,750 allogeneic CB units. Here we report our experiences and discuss future perspectives of CB banking. We analyzed CB units for nucleated cell (NC), mononucleated cell (MNC) and CD34+ cell count, volume, colony-forming units (CFU-GM) as well as ethnic background of the donor. Transplanted CB units were analyzed for patient and transplant characteristics and compared to stored CB units. RESULTS: Only 25% of all collected CB units met storage criteria. Main reasons for exclusion were: i) insufficient volume (57.7%), ii) delayed arrival at the processing site (19.2%) and iii) little cell count (7.2%). Up to now 36 CB units have been released for transplantation mainly to children (62%). Transplant indications were hematological diseases, immune deficiencies and metabolic diseases. Transplanted CB units showed significantly higher cell counts compared to stored units (NC: 12.5 vs. 7.2 x 10(8), MNC: 4.7 vs. 2.9 x 10(8), CD34+ cells: 3.3 vs. 1.8 x 10(6), mean; p < 0.001 each) and were found more often in ethnic minority groups (36 vs. 20%; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Even though cell count and volume are key parameters for the eligibility of CB units, our data indicate that the ethnic background of the donor also plays a major role. Collection and processing of CB should be optimized in order to gain maximum volume and cell counts.

Long-term physiological side effects after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) or stem cell transplantation has the potential to cure a significant proportion of patients with otherwise fatal diseases. At present, immediate survival is no longer the sole concern after allo-BMT, because many patients can survive the acute complications of the procedure and remain free of their original disease for several years. Although long-term allo-BMT survivors generally enjoy good health, for many others cure or control of the underlying disease is not accompanied by full restoration of health. The long-term physiologic effects after allo-BMT include nonmalignant organ or tissue dysfunction; changes in quality of life; infections related to delayed, or abnormal, immune reconstitution; and secondary cancers. These long-term complications and the features of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) symptoms are heterogeneous in nature, time of onset, duration, and severity. The underlying origin of these complications is often multifactorial, with chronic GVHD being the most challenging risk factor. The main aims of this review are to present transplant physicians and health care providers with an overview of these malignant and nonmalignant late complications, with a special focus on chronic GVHD. A close partnership between the transplant center, organ-specific specialties, and local primary care providers is a key component of preventive medicine. The patient can play a major role through engagement in health maintenance behaviors.