Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for pediatric patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases at All Children’s Hospital/University of South Florida

Impact of Genetic Diagnosis on the Outcome of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders

To evaluate the relationship between knowledge of genetic diagnosis before HSCT and outcome, we reviewed all HSCTs for primary immune deficiencies (PID) performed at UCSF from 2007 through 2018. SCID, a distinct entity identified since 2010 in California by newborn screening and treated early, was considered separately. The underlying genetic condition was known at the time of HSCT in 85% of cases. Graft failure was less frequent in patients with a genetic diagnosis (19% with a genetic diagnosis versus 47% without, p = 0.020). Furthermore, event-free survival and overall survival (OS) at 5 years were better for those with a genetic diagnosis (78% with versus 44% without, p = 0.006; and 93% versus 60% without, p = 0.0002, respectively). OS at 5 years was superior for known-genotype patients with both SCID (p = 0.010) and non-SCID PID (p = 0.010). There was no difference in OS between HSCT done in 2007-2010 compared to more recently (p = 0.19). These data suggest that outcomes of HSCT for PID with known genotype may reflect specific experience and literature, or that a substantial proportion of patients with PID of undetermined genotype may have had underlying conditions for which HSCT may carry greater risk. The higher rate of graft failure in PID with unknown genotype may be in part explained by insufficient conditioning, which in turn could be dictated by compromised organ function in patients undergoing HSCT late in the course. Widespread availability of PID gene sequencing as standard care can provide genetic diagnoses for most patients with PID prior to HSCT, permitting optimization of transplant approach.

Modeling, optimization, and comparable efficacy of T cell and hematopoietic stem cell gene editing for treating hyper-IgM syndrome

Precise correction of the CD40LG gene in T cells and hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) holds promise for treating X‐linked hyper‐IgM Syndrome (HIGM1), but its actual therapeutic potential remains elusive. Here, we developed a one‐size‐fits‐all editing strategy for effective T‐cell correction, selection, and depletion and investigated the therapeutic potential of T‐cell and HSPC therapies in the HIGM1 mouse model. Edited patients’ derived CD4 T cells restored physiologically regulated CD40L expression and contact‐dependent B‐cell helper function. Adoptive transfer of wild‐type T cells into conditioned HIGM1 mice rescued antigen‐specific IgG responses and protected mice from a disease‐relevant pathogen. We then obtained ~ 25% CD40LG editing in long‐term repopulating human HSPC. Transplanting such proportion of wild‐type HSPC in HIGM1 mice rescued immune functions similarly to T‐cell therapy. Overall, our findings suggest that autologous edited T cells can provide immediate and substantial benefits to HIGM1 patients and position T‐cell ahead of HSPC gene therapy because of easier translation, lower safety concerns and potentially comparable clinical benefits.

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis Due to Pneumocystis carinii in Type 1 Hyper-IgM Syndrome: A Case Report

Background: Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare diffuse lung disease. Reports of rare cases of PAP due to Pneumocystis jirovecii (P. jirovecii) exist in infants with immunodeficiency diseases, but no cases have been reported to date in pediatric patients with type 1 hyper-IgM syndrome (HIGM1). Case Presentation: Herein, we present a case of PAP secondary to P. jirovecii on an infant with HIGM1. He was admitted to our unit because of cough and tachypnea. Lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of PAP, whereas hexamine-silver staining of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid identified P. jirovecii infection. No other probable cause of PAP was observed. Whole exome sequencing indicated a novel c.511dupA (p.I171N^*30) hemizygous mutation in the CD40 ligand (CD40LG) gene. He was cured with bronchoalveolar lavage and compound sulfamethoxazole tablets. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of P. jirovecii infection as a reversible cause of PAP in an infant with HIGM1.

Site-Specific Gene Editing of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells for X-Linked Hyper-IgM Syndrome

X-linked hyper-immunoglobulin M (hyper-IgM) syndrome (XHIM) is a primary immunodeficiency due to mutations in CD40 ligand that affect immunoglobulin class-switch recombination and somatic hypermutation. The disease is amenable to gene therapy using retroviral vectors, but dysregulated gene expression results in abnormal lymphoproliferation in mouse models, highlighting the need for alternative strategies. Here, we demonstrate the ability of both the transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) platforms to efficiently drive integration of a normal copy of the CD40L cDNA delivered by Adeno-Associated Virus. Site-specific insertion of the donor sequence downstream of the endogenous CD40L promoter maintained physiologic expression of CD40L while overriding all reported downstream mutations. High levels of gene modification were achieved in primary human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), as well as in cell lines and XHIM-patient-derived T cells. Notably, gene-corrected HSCs engrafted in immunodeficient mice at clinically relevant frequencies. These studies provide the foundation for a permanent curative therapy in XHIM.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for CD40 ligand deficiency: Results from an EBMT/ESID-IEWP-SCETIDE-PIDTC study

BACKGROUND

CD40 ligand (CD40L) deficiency, an X-linked primary immunodeficiency, causes recurrent sinopulmonary, Pneumocystis and Cryptosporidium species infections. Long-term survival with supportive therapy is poor. Currently, the only curative treatment is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

OBJECTIVE

We performed an international collaborative study to improve patients' management, aiming to individualize risk factors and determine optimal HSCT characteristics.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data on 130 patients who underwent HSCT for CD40L deficiency between 1993-2015. We analyzed outcome and variables' relevance with respect to survival and cure.

RESULTS

Overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were 78.2%, 58.1%, and 72.3% 5 years after HSCT. Results were better in transplantations performed in 2000 or later and in children less than 10 years old at the time of HSCT. Pre-existing organ damage negatively influenced outcome. Sclerosing cholangitis was the most important risk factor. After 2000, superior OS was achieved with matched donors. Use of myeloablative regimens and HSCT at 2 years or less from diagnosis associated with higher OS and DFS. EFS was best with matched sibling donors, myeloablative conditioning (MAC), and bone marrow-derived stem cells. Most rejections occurred after reduced-intensity or nonmyeloablative conditioning, which associated with poor donor cell engraftment. Mortality occurred mainly early after HSCT, predominantly from infections. Among survivors who ceased immunoglobulin replacement, T-lymphocyte chimerism was 50% or greater donor in 85.2%.

CONCLUSION

HSCT is curative in patients with CD40L deficiency, with improved outcome if performed before organ damage development. MAC is associated with better OS, EFS, and DFS. Prospective studies are required to compare the risks of HSCT with those of lifelong supportive therapy.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES

The only curative treatment for many patients with primary immunodeficiency disease is hematopoietic stem cell transplant. In this study, we report the transplant outcomes of patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Herein, we present the transplant outcomes of 20 patients with primary immunodeficiency disease seen at our center in Kayseri, Turkey, from 2010 to 2015.

RESULTS

The disease distribution of the 20 patients were as follows: 6 patients with severe combined immunodeficiency, 4 patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, 2 patients with chronic granulomatous disease, 2 patients with type 2 Griscelli syndrome, 2 patients with B-cell deficiency plus bone marrow failure, 1 patient with severe congenital neutropenia, 1 patient with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease, 1 patient with T-cell deficiency plus relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 1 patient with type 1 leukocyte adhesion deficiency. Of the 20 patients, 11 received related HLA-matched, 6 received haploidentical, 2 received unrelated HLA-matched, and 1 received HLA-mismatched transplant. The median age at transplant was 21 months, and median follow-up was 5 months. Overall survival rate was 65%. Mean engraftment times for neutrophils and platelets were 14.25 ± 3.08 and 24.7 ± 11.4 days. Graft-versus-host disease was observed in 30% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with primary immunodeficiency disease treated at our center had acceptable transplant outcomes. This study supports the use of hematopoietic stem cell transplant in patients with primary immunodeficiency disease.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant for hyper-IgM syndrome due to CD40L defects: A single-center experience

HIGMI is a disease with a high risk for morbidity and mortality. HSCT has been shown to be a curative option. This study retrospectively reviewed and analyzed data from five patients who received HSCT at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 2005 and 2013. Five patients with HIGMI syndrome underwent HSCT at a median age of 41 months (range, 9-72 months). The median time from diagnosis to transplantation was 30 months (range, 5-58 months). For all five patients, the donors were HLA-identical siblings. In three patients, the conditioning regimen was composed of BU and CY. Fludarabine and melphalan with either ATG or alemtuzumab was used in two patients. For GVHD prophylaxis, cyclosporine was used in two patients, and the combination of cyclosporine and MTX was used in three patients. The survival rate was 100%, with a median follow-up of 69 months (range, 13-100 months). All patients engrafted. Two patients developed acute GVHD. Four patients showed complete immune recovery with positive CD40L expression in activated T cells and discontinued IVIG replacement. HSCT in early stage from an HLA-matched sibling donor is potentially effective at curing the disease.

Clinical characteristics and genetic profiles of 44 patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID): report from Shanghai, China (2004-2011)

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), a rare type of genetic associated immune disorder, is poorly characterized in mainland China. We retrospectively reviewed 44 patients with SCID who received treatment from 2004 to 2011 in Shanghai, China, and herein summarize their clinical manifestations and immunological and preliminary genetic features. The male-to-female ratio was 10:1. Twenty five patients presented with X-SCID symptoms. Only one patient was diagnosed before the onset of symptoms due to positive family history. The mean time of delay in the diagnosis of X-SCID was 2.69 months (range, 0.5-8.67). Thirty-seven of the 44 patients died by the end of 2011 with the mean age of death being 7.87 months (range, 1.33-31). Six patients received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); only one of them survived, who was transplanted twice. The time between onset and death was shorter in the HSCT-treated group compared with the untreated group (2.87 ± 1.28 and 3.34 ± 0.59 months, respectively), probably due to active infections during transplantation. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) complications occurred in 14 of the 34 patients who received BCG vaccination. Transfusion-induced graft-versus-host disease occurred in 5 patients. Total 20 mutations in interleukin-2 receptor subunit gamma (IL2RG) were identified in 22 patients, including 11 novel mutations. Most patients were misdiagnosed before referred to our SCID Center. Therefore, establishing more diagnostic centers dedicated to the care of PID and accessible by primary immunodeficiency patients will facilitate early, correct diagnosis and better care of SCID in China.

Stem cell transplantation for primary immunodeficiency disease: experience of a singapore hospital

Abstract

We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 7 patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases treated at the National University Hospital, Singapore, over the period from December 1996 to January 2010. The primary immunodeficiency diseases managed were X-linked hyperimmunoglobulin M syndrome (n = 3), severe combined immunodeficiency (n = 1), leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1 (n = 1), chronic granulomatous disease (n = 1), and Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (n = 1). The age of the patients ranged from 5 months to 17 years. Conditioning regimen depended on the type of immunodeficiency, whereas supportive treatment was tailored for differing pretransplant conditions. Eight stem cell transplantations were performed for 7 patients. Donors were HLA-matched sibling donors for 2 patients and unrelated donors for the rest. At the median follow-up of 8.6 years (range 2.2–15.0 years) as of December 2011, 6 patients were alive and cured of their primary diseases.

Bone marrow transplantation using HLA-matched unrelated donors for patients suffering from severe combined immunodeficiency

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is fatal in infancy unless corrected with allogeneic bone marrow transplants (BMT), preferably from a family-related genotypically HLA-identical donor (RID) or phenotypically HLA-matched family donor (PMD). For the majority of SCID patients, such donors are not available; Therefore, parents who are HLA-haploidentical donors (HID) or HLA-matched unrelated donors (MUD) have been used. MUD BMT are associated with increased frequency of acute graft versus host disease, which can be controlled by high doses of steroids. HID BMT are associated with increased frequency of short- and long-term graft failure, need for repeated transplants, fatal pneumonitis, impaired immune reconstitution, and long-term complications, contributing to lower survival. In conclusion, the excellent long-term survival, immune reconstitution, and normal quality of life after MUD BMT suggests that in the absence of RID or PMD, MUD BMT should be offered for patients suffering from SCID.

Chronic granulomatous disease: overview and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) still causes significant morbidity and mortality. The difficulty in considering high-risk yet curative treatments, such as allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, lies in the unpredictable courses of both CGD and bone marrow transplantation in different patients. Some patients with CGD can have frequent infections, granulomatous or autoimmune disorders necessitating immunosuppressive therapy, or both but also experience long periods of relative good health. However, the risk of death is clearly higher in patients with CGD of all types, and the complications of CGD short of death can still cause significant morbidity. Therefore, with recent developments and improvements, bone marrow transplantation, previously considered an experimental or high-risk procedure, has emerged as an important option for patients with CGD. We will discuss the complications of CGD that result in significant morbidity and mortality, particularly the most common infections and autoimmune/inflammatory complications, as well as their typical management. We will then discuss the status of bone marrow transplantation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for chronic granulomatous disease

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency disease that is caused by the lack of 1 of 5 subunits of the superoxide-producing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase of neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is currently the only curative treatment for CGD and can be offered to selected patients. Improved outcome with supportive care and high clinical variability in the disease course, however, make selection of eligible patients for HSCT difficult. This article addresses recent progress in HSCT for CGD, delineates present limitations, and points to future developments.