Donor lymphocyte infusions combined with systemic PUVA/bexarotene as an effective bimodal immunologic approach in a patient with relapsed cutaneous T cell lymphoma after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Management of relapsed cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Review with representative patient case

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment option for patients with refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) through replacement of the bone marrow responsible for lymphoma cells and possibly induction of a graft-versus-lymphoma effect. However, allo-HSCT is not always curative; relapse of CTCL occurs in about half of patients post-transplant. Treatment of relapsed CTCL after allo-HSCT is challenging because post-transplant patients are at high risk of graft-versus-host disease, and this condition may be precipitated or exacerbated by standard CTCL therapies. The benefit of each potential therapy must therefore be weighed against its risk of graft versus host disease (GVHD). In this article, we review the management of relapsed CTCL after allo-HSCT. We begin with an exemplative patient whose relapsed Sezary syndrome was successfully treated without development of GVHD. We also report high-throughput T-cell receptor sequencing data obtained during the patient's disease relapse and remission. We then review general guidelines for management of relapsed CTCL and summarize all reported cases and outcomes of relapsed CTCL after transplant. We conclude by reviewing the current CTCL therapies and their risk of GVHD.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas

Simple Summary

Advanced-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are aggressive diseases with frequent disease relapses and a reduced overall survival. Most treatment regimens fail to induce long-term remissions. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been associated with treatment-free long-term remissions and holds a potential for cure in this disease but is associated with frequent complications, mostly linked to the development of graft-versus-host disease and infections. Herein, we review the current evidence supporting the use of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in advanced-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.

Abstract

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are non-Hodgkin lymphomas that develop primarily in the skin. They account for almost 80% of primary cutaneous lymphomas. Epidermotropic CTCLs (mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS)) are the most common form of CTCL. The course of the disease ranges from an indolent clinical behavior in early-stage disease to an aggressive evolution in the advanced stages. Advanced-stage disease is defined by the presence of tumors, erythroderma, or significant blood, nodal or visceral involvement. Advanced-stage disease is characterized by frequent disease relapses, refractory disease, a severely impaired quality of life and reduced overall survival. In the last twenty-five years, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has led to prolonged remissions in advanced CTCL, presumably linked to a graft-versus-lymphoma effect and is thus emerging as a potential cure of the disease. However, the high post-transplant relapse rate and severe morbidity and mortality associated with graft-versus-host disease and infections are important issues. Allogeneic HSCT is thus mostly considered in young patients with no comorbidities and an aggressive, advanced-stage CTCL. Allogeneic HSCT gives the best results in patients with a pre-transplant complete remission of the lymphoma. For this reason, one of the challenges is to define the best time to consider allogeneic HSCT in the disease course. Early identification of patients at high risk for progression is important to identify candidates who may benefit from allogeneic HSCT before their disease becomes treatment-refractory. This review describes the role of allogeneic HSCT in CTCL, summarizes the published data and future perspectives in this area.

Discussion on the indication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation for advanced cutaneous T cell lymphomas

Advanced cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients have a dismal prognosis, especially those relapsing or progressing after systemic therapy. No curative therapies are available, but some new agents have prolonged disease-free survival time with a good toxicity profile. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) offers the longest disease-free survival, potentially representing the best therapeutic option for eligible patients. In the present article, we discuss current evidence about allo-SCT for CTCL patients, timing, and new therapeutic options before allo-SCT, taking into account some considerations that may impact clinical outcome.

Photochemotherapy and Graft-versus-Leukemia Reaction in Acute Leukemia: Tumor Immunity and Survival Are Dependent on Timing of Photochemotherapy of the Skin

BACKGROUND

Cure of acute leukemia after transplantation is mediated by the grafted cells. We investigated the graft-versus-leukemia effect (GVL) in patients with cutaneous acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) treated with photochemotherapy (psoralen and ultraviolet light type A).

METHOD

Forty-seven patients with acute leukemia were followed 5,000 days after transplantation to assess survival and GVL by multivariate analysis. The primary predictor was time to treatment of cutaneous acute GVHD by photochemotherapy separated into treatment start during the first week of acute GVHD versus after the first week of acute GVHD.

RESULTS

Photochemotherapy started after the first week of acute GVHD predicted GVL with a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.94 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.67-9.33, p = 0.0018) and survival with preserved GVL with an HR of 2.63 (95% CI 1.30-5.32, p = 0.007). The effects on GVL and survival with preserved GVL were present regardless of whether the patients were transplanted in remission or relapse (p < 0.05). Chronic GVHD came earlier in the group that started photochemotherapy after 1 week of acute GHVD, but chronic GVHD did not increase the GVL.

CONCLUSION

The timing of photochemotherapy after cutaneous acute GVHD may direct the GVL and predict long-term leukemia-free survival.

[Role of stem cell transplantation in treatment of primary cutaneous T‑cell lymphoma]

BACKGROUND

Within the heterogeneous group of cutaneous T‑cell lymphomas (CTCL) the therapeutic options for advanced and progressive forms are particularly limited.

OBJECTIVE

The therapeutic value of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in CTCL was analyzed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A literature search using the keywords "hematopoietic stem cell transplantation" and "cutaneous T‑cell lymphoma" was performed in PubMed. Studies between 1990 and 2017 were taken into account. The studies identified were analyzed for relevance and being up to date.

RESULTS

After reviewing the currently available literature no prospective randomized studies were found. Wu et al. showed a superiority of allogeneic transplantation in a comparison of autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation for cutaneous lymphoma. The graft-versus-lymphoma effect plays a significant role in a prolonged progression-free survival after allogeneic transplantation. By using a non-myeloablative conditioning regimen, stem cell transplantation can also be an option for elderly patients. The most extensive long-term data after allogeneic stem cell transplantation were reported by Duarte et al. in 2014.

CONCLUSION

Autologous stem cell transplantation does not currently represent a therapeutic option, whereas allogeneic stem cell transplantation for advanced cutaneous T‑cell lymphoma, using a non-myeloablative conditioning scheme, does represent a therapeutic option. However, there is no consensus on the appropriate patients and the right timing. Morbidity and mortality of complications should be taken into account. Thus, this procedure is currently subject to an individual case decision.

Skin Recurrence of Transformed Mycosis Fungoides Postumbilical Cord Blood Transplant despite Complete Donor Chimerism

Background. Allogeneic stem cell transplant is the treatment of choice for systemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) which provides graft-versus-lymphoma effect. Herein we discuss a case of recurrence of CTCL skin lesions after cord blood transplant in a patient who continued to have 100% donor chimerism in bone marrow. Case Presentation. A 48-year-old female with history of mycosis fungoides (MF) presented with biopsy proven large cell transformation of MF. PET scan revealed multiple adenopathy in abdomen and chest suspicious for lymphoma and skin biopsy showed large cell transformation. She was treated with multiple cycles of chemotherapy. Posttherapy PET scan showed resolution of lymphadenopathy. Later she underwent ablative preparative regimen followed by single cord blood transplant. Bone marrow chimerism studies at day +60 after transplant showed 100% donor cells without presence of lymphoma. However 5 months after transplant she had recurrence of MF with the same genotype as prior skin lesion. Bone marrow chimerism study continued to show 100% donor cells. Conclusion. A differential graft-versus-lymphoma effect in our case prevented lymphoma recurrence systemically but failed to do so in skin. We hypothesize that this response may be due to presence of other factors in the bone marrow and lymph node microenvironments preventing recurrence in these sites.

Topical and oral bexarotene

Bexarotene is a retinoid that specifically binds retinoid X receptors and has numerous effects on cellular growth and differentiation. It is approved for the treatment of cutaneous T cell lymphoma both topically and systemically. Adverse effects include hyperlipidemia, central hypothyroidism, and neutropenia with bexarotene capsules, and an irritant dermatitis with bexarotene gel. With aggressive management of these potential side effects, bexarotene is an additional option in the armamentarium for management of cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with aggressive primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma - a case series of the ADF working group "cutaneous lymphomas"

BACKGROUND

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is a treatment option for primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas that may induce long-lasting complete remissions. Little information is available on safety and efficacy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data from patients with primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma treated in the Departments of Dermatology of the Universities of Bochum, Mannheim and Cologne who received subsequent alloSCT between 2005 and 2012.

RESULTS

Nine patients with aggressive primary cutaneous T-cell-lymphoma received alloSCT. With a follow-up of 14 to 36 months after transplantation, 4 patients are alive and in complete remission. Two patients had recurrent disease post-transplantation, which was successfully treated with donor lymphocyte infusions. Non-relapse mortality was observed in three patients in advanced disease stages within six months after alloSCT. One patient showed only partial remission and died of disease after 32 months and one patient died 26 months after alloSCT with cause of death unknown.

CONCLUSIONS

This report documents the possible benefit of a graft-versus-lymphoma effect in primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, as has been observed for other T-cell malignancies and emphasizes that alloSCT warrants further studies in this setting.