An economic analysis of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) in the treatment of new onset type 1 diabetes

Stem Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: From Insulin Replacement to Beta-Cell Replacement

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease that attacks pancreatic β-cells, leading to the destruction of insulitis-related islet β-cells. Islet β-cell transplantation has been proven as a curative measure in T1DM. However, a logarithmic increase in the global population with diabetes, limited donor supply, and the need for lifelong immunosuppression restrict the widespread use of β-cell transplantation. Numerous therapeutic approaches have been taken to search for substitutes of β-cells, among which stem cell transplantation is one of the most promising alternatives. Stem cells have demonstrated the potential efficacy to treat T1DM by reconstitution of immunotolerance and preservation of islet β-cell function in recent research. cGMP-grade stem cell products have been used in human clinical trials, showing that stem cell transplantation has beneficial effects on T1DM, with no obvious adverse reactions. To better achieve remission of T1DM by stem cell transplantation, in this work, we explain the progression of stem cell transplantation such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), and bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (BM-HSCs) to restore the immunotolerance and preserve the islet β-cell function of T1DM in recent years. This review article provides evidence of the clinical applications of stem cell therapy in the treatment of T1DM.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Type 1 Diabetes

Despite the increasing knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D), the quest for therapeutic options capable of delaying/reverting the diseases is still ongoing. Among all strategies currently tested in T1D, the use of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-based approaches and of teplizumab, showed the most encouraging results. Few clinical trials have already demonstrated the beneficial effects of HSCs in T1D, while the durability of the effect is yet to be established. Investigators are also trying to understand whether the use of selected and better-characterized HSCs subsets may provide more benefits with less risks. Interestingly, ex vivo manipulated HSCs showed promising results in murine models and the recent introduction of the humanized mouse models accelerated the translational potentials of such studies and their final road to clinic. Indeed, immunomodulatory as well as trafficking abilities can be enhanced in genetically modulated HSCs and genetically engineered HSCs may be viewed as a novel "biologic" therapy, to be further tested and explored in T1D and in other autoimmune/immune-related disorders.

Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) in Severe Crohn's Disease: A Review on Behalf of ECCO and EBMT

Despite the major recent progress in the treatment of Crohn's disease [CD], there is a subset of patients in whom the disease runs an aggressive course with progressive tissue damage requiring early and repeated surgical management. Increasing evidence supports sustained and profound improvement in gastrointestinal parameters and quality of life following high-dose immunosuppressive therapy and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation [AHSCT] compared to standard therapy in this context. In addition, international transplant registry data reflect the use of AHSCT in CD outside of trials in selected patients. However, AHSCT may be associated with significant treatment-related complications with risk of transplant-related mortality. In a joint initiative, the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] and the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation [EBMT] have produced a state-of-the-art review of the rationale, evaluation, patient selection, stem cell mobilization and transplant procedures and long-term follow up. Given the unique spectrum of issues, we recommend that AHSCT should only be performed in experienced centres with expertise in both haematological and gastroenterological aspects of the procedure. Where possible, patients should be enrolled on clinical trials and data registered centrally. Future development should be coordinated at both national and international levels.

Evolution, trends, outcomes, and economics of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in severe autoimmune diseases

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has evolved for >20 years as a specific treatment of patients with autoimmune disease (AD). Using European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation registry data, we summarized trends and identified factors influencing activity and outcomes in patients with AD undergoing first autologous HSCT (n = 1951; median age, 37 years [3-76]) and allogeneic HSCT (n = 105; median age, 12 years [<1-62]) in 247 centers in 40 countries from 1994 to 2015. Predominant countries of activity were Italy, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Spain, France, and Australia. National activity correlated with the Human Development Index (P = .006). For autologous HSCT, outcomes varied significantly between diseases. There was chronological improvement in progression-free survival (PFS, P < 10-5), relapse/progression (P < 10-5), and nonrelapse mortality (P = .01). Health care expenditure was associated with improved outcomes in systemic sclerosis and multiple sclerosis (MS). On multivariate analysis selecting adults for MS, systemic sclerosis, and Crohn disease, better PFS was associated with experience (≥23 transplants for AD, P = .001), learning (time from first HSCT for AD ≥6 years, P = .01), and Joint Accreditation Committee of the International Society for Cellular Therapy and European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation accreditation status (P = .02). Despite improved survival over time (P = .02), allogeneic HSCT use remained low and largely restricted to pediatric practice. Autologous HSCT has evolved into a treatment modality to be considered alongside other modern therapies in severe AD. Center experience, accreditation, interspecialty networking, and national socioeconomic factors are relevant for health service delivery of HSCT in AD.

Immunoablation and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus: long-term observations

The activity of the autoimmune mechanism underlying type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) can be suppressed when immunoablation and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) are applied early in the course of the disease. We report here a single centre experience with this treatment modality. Twenty-four patients underwent a AHSCT preceded by immunoablative conditioning with high-dose cyclophosphamide and anti-thymocyte globulin. During the 52-month median time of follow-up 20 out of 23 patients (87%) remained for at least 9.5 months without the use of exogenous insulin. The median time of T1DM remission for these patients was 31 months (range of 9.5-80 months). Among the patients available for follow-up (n=20), four remain insulin free (for 80, 61, 42 and 34 months). The average glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations were 10.9% at diagnosis, 5.9% at 1 year, 6.4% at 2 years, 6.8% at 3 years and 7.1% at 4 years after AHSCT. No severe complications of diabetes were seen, however one of the patients died of pseudomonas sepsis in the course of neutropenia after AHSCT. AHSCT leads to a remission of T1DM with good glycemic control in the vast majority of patients, with the period of remission lasting over 5 years in some patients.

Predictive factors for prolonged remission after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND AIMS

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) followed by immunoablation is a promising therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) treatment due to the immunosuppression and immunomodulation mechanisms. Indeed, a considerable number of patients have been able to discontinue insulin use with this treatment. However, nonresponse and relapse occur after auto-HSCT. It is important to select the patients who can potentially benefit from this treatment, but the factors that might influence the therapeutic outcome are unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the predictors for prolonged remission after auto-HSCT therapy.

METHODS

The data for this study were extracted from an open-label prospective study, which was performed to treat new-onset T1DM patients with auto-HSCT. The 128 patients were categorized into insulin-free (IF) or insulin-dependent (ID) groups according to their response to treatment during the follow-up. We compared the baseline data of the two groups and explored possible prognostic factors and their odd ratios (ORs) with univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were performed to test the model discrimination function.

RESULTS

During a follow-up of 28.5 ± 8.3 months, 71 of 128 patients in the IF group discontinued insulin use, whereas 57 of 128 patients in the ID group did not decrease their insulin dose or resumed insulin treatment after a transient remission. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that prolonged remission was positively correlated with fasting C-peptide level (OR = 2.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-5.85) but negatively correlated with onset age (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.14-0.88) and tumor necrosis factor-α levels (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.14-0.73). ROC analysis confirmed the combined predictive function of these three variables (AUC = 0.739, 95% CI: 0.655-0.824).

CONCLUSIONS

Age and fasting C-peptide and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were identified as possible predictors for prolonged remission following auto-HSCT therapy.