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Coiteux V, Abellan I, Ahmad I, Boisnard A, Busquet C, Ceballos P, Coman T, Godin S, Hermet É, Marcais A, Mamez AC, Quessar A, Souchet L, Magro L, Simon N. [Preventing relapse of acute leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes in post-allograft transplantation: Prophylactic and preemptive strategies (SFGM-TC)]. Bull Cancer 2024:S0007-4551(24)00277-7. [PMID: 39242256 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2024.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Disease relapse remains the first cause of mortality of hematological malignancies after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) for acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemia (AML and ALL) and for myelodysplastic syndroms (MDS). More and more patients are eligible for allo-HCT over the years and for many of them, only reduced intensity conditioning is possible, which is associated with a higher risk of relapse. Knowledge and biotechnology allow us to better identify diseases at very high risk of relapse and to measure residual disease before allo-HCT. Planning post-transplant maintenance treatment as part of a prophylaxis strategy is now feasible. Monitoring biomarkers of residual disease and post-transplant chimerism after allo-HCT allows a preemptive strategy. Within the frame of the 14th annual workshops of the Francophone Society for Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy, the working group reviewed the literature and discussed novel strategies and therapies used to prevent relapse post-allo-HCT. Innovative drugs have been developed recently. Their toxicity profile allows their use post-allo-HCT, albeit with precaution. We reviewed the use of FLT3 inhibitors for AML, BCR::ABL inhibitors for Philadelphia chromosome for ALL, hypomethylating agents and Bcl-2 inhibitors for AML and MDS. The indications of immunomodulation and infusion of donor lymphocytes have been reviewed. Finally, we outlined methods of follow-up and support for patients receiving these prophylactic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Coiteux
- CHU de Lille, service des maladies du sang, unité de greffe de moelle osseuse et thérapie cellulaire, Lille, France.
| | - Isabelle Abellan
- CHU de Montpellier, service d'onco-hématologie pédiatrique, Montpellier, France
| | - Imran Ahmad
- Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, université de Montréal, institut universitaire d'hématologie-oncologie et de thérapie cellulaire, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Anne Boisnard
- AP-HP, hôpital Necker-Enfants malades, hématologie adultes, Paris, France
| | - Clémence Busquet
- CHU de Limoges, service d'hématologie clinique et thérapie cellulaire, Limoges, France
| | - Patrice Ceballos
- CHU de Montpellier, service d'hématologie clinique, Montpellier, France
| | - Tereza Coman
- CNRS ERL8254 Imagine Institute, Inserm U1163, Paris, France; Institut Gustave-Roussy, département d'hématologie, Villejuif, France
| | - Sandrine Godin
- CHU de Lille, service d'hématologie pédiatrique, Lille, France
| | - Éric Hermet
- CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, hématologie clinique, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ambroise Marcais
- AP-HP, hôpital Necke-Enfants malades, hématologie adultes, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, institut Necker, CNRS, Inserm UMR 1151, Paris, France
| | - Anne-Claire Mamez
- Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, université de Genève, faculté de médecine, département d'hématologie, Genève, Suisse
| | - Asmaa Quessar
- CHU d'Ibn-Rochd, service d'hématologie clinique et d'oncologie pédiatrique, Casablanca, Maroc
| | - Laetitia Souchet
- AP-HP, Sorbonne université, Pitié-Salpétrière, service d'hématologie clinique, Paris, France
| | - Léonardo Magro
- CHU de Lille, service des maladies du sang, unité de greffe de moelle osseuse et thérapie cellulaire, Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Simon
- CHU de Lille, institut de pharmacie, 59000 Lille, France; Université Lille, ULR 7365, GRITA - groupe de recherche sur les formes injectables et les technologies associées, 59000 Lille, France
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2
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Aydin S, Schmitz J, Dellacasa CM, Dogliotti I, Giaccone L, Busca A. WT1 Expression Is Associated with Poor Overall Survival after Azacytidine and DLI in a Cohort of Adult AML and MDS Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:3070. [PMID: 39272929 PMCID: PMC11394520 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16173070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Post-transplant relapse of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome faces restricted effective salvage regimens. We retrospectively analyzed the use of Azacitidine-donor lymphocyte infusion (AZA/DLI) in this setting. Furthermore, data on bone marrow Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1) expression were collected. Methods: A Cox proportional hazards model, an outcome-oriented approach for the lowest smoothed plot of the martingale residuals, was performed for the cut-point determination of the respective WT1 expression levels. Finally, a Cox proportional hazards model investigated the association of overall survival (OS) with predictors. Results: An overall response of 41.4% with a median duration of 11.9 months for stable disease and 19.5 months for complete response (CR) patients was achieved. The disease risk index (DRI) high-/very high-risk patients had a shorter OS of 4.4 months than intermediate-risk patients, with 14.5 months, p = 0.007. At transplant, WT1-overexpressing patients (>150 copies) had a shorter median OS of 5.3 months than low-WT1-expressing ones, with 13.5 months, p = 0.024. Furthermore, patients with ≤1000 WT1 copies at relapse had a significantly longer OS with 15.3 months than patients overexpressing WT1, with 4.4 months, p = 0.0002. Conclusions: DRI and WT1 expression associate significantly with OS after AZA/DLI. Hence, WT1 may represent an MRD marker, especially in CR patients at high risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semra Aydin
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Immuno-Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Division of Hematology, Department of Oncology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Jennifer Schmitz
- Institute of Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Chiara M Dellacasa
- Stem Cell Transplant Center, Citta della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Irene Dogliotti
- Stem Cell Transplant Center, Hematology U, Città della Salute e della Scienza Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Luisa Giaccone
- Stem Cell Transplant Center, Hematology U, Città della Salute e della Scienza Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Busca
- Stem Cell Transplant Center, Citta della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
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3
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Kaito S, Najima Y, Sadato D, Hirama C, Kishida Y, Nagata A, Konishi T, Yamada Y, Kurosawa S, Yoshifuji K, Shirane S, Shingai N, Toya T, Shimizu H, Haraguchi K, Kobayashi T, Harada H, Okuyama Y, Harada Y, Doki N. Azacitidine and gemtuzumab ozogamicin as post-transplant maintenance therapy for high-risk hematologic malignancies. Bone Marrow Transplant 2024; 59:1169-1175. [PMID: 38783125 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-024-02311-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Disease recurrence remains the principal cause of treatment failure after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Post-transplant maintenance therapy with azacitidine (AZA) is promising to prevent relapse but the outcomes are unsatisfactory in patients at high risk of recurrence. Herein, we evaluated the outcome in patients who received AZA and gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO), anti-CD33 antibody-calicheamicin conjugate, as post-transplant maintenance therapy. Twenty-eight patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies harboring CD33-positive leukemic blasts received the maintenance therapy. AZA (30 mg/m2) was administered for 7 days, followed by GO (3 mg/m2) on day 8. The maximum number of cycles was 4. At transplant, 21 patients (75.0%) had active disease. Their 2-year overall survival, disease-free survival, relapse, and non-relapse mortality rates were 53.6%, 39.3%, 50.0%, and 10.7%, respectively. Of these patients, those with minimal residual disease at the start of maintenance therapy (n = 9) had a higher recurrence rate (66.7% vs. 42.1% at 2 years, P = 0.069) and shorter disease-free survival (11.1% vs. 52.6% at 2 years, P = 0.003). Post-transplant maintenance therapy with AZA and GO was generally tolerable but more than half of the patients eventually relapsed. Further improvements are needed to prevent relapse after transplantation in patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Kaito
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuho Najima
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Daichi Sadato
- Clinical Research Support Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chizuko Hirama
- Clinical Research Support Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuya Kishida
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihito Nagata
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Konishi
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuta Yamada
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuhei Kurosawa
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kota Yoshifuji
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuichi Shirane
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Shingai
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Toya
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Shimizu
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyoko Haraguchi
- Division of Transfusion and Cell Therapy, Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kobayashi
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hironori Harada
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Oncology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Okuyama
- Division of Transfusion and Cell Therapy, Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuka Harada
- Clinical Research Support Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriko Doki
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Tan JL, Curtis DJ, Muirhead J, Swain MI, Fleming SA, Cirone B, O'Brien ME, Wong SM, Inam S, Patil S, Spencer A. CD34 Chimerism Directed Donor Lymphocyte Infusion With or Without Azacitidine Results in Reduced Relapse and Superior Overall Survival When Full Donor Chimerism is Achieved in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients With Acute Myeloid Leukaemia/Myelodysplastic Syndrome. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA, MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2024:S2152-2650(24)00263-5. [PMID: 39181858 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2024.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regular monitoring of CD34 donor chimerism (DC) is a highly sensitive method of predicting relapse in allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) recipients with AML/MDS. A fall of CD34 DC below 80% is an indicator of ensuing relapse. There are limited studies assessing the efficacy of donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) triggered by mixed CD34 DC (MDC), in addressing falling chimerism. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive alloHSCT patients between 2012 to 2023 who received DLI (with or without azacitidine) for CD34 MDC without morphologic relapse at the time of infusion. RESULTS Of the 21 patients with follow up CD34 DC available, 14 (66.7%) achieved CD34 full donor chimerism (FDC) following DLI with or without azacitidine (dli-FDC), while 7 (33.3%) did not (dli-MDC). The 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was significantly lower in dli-FDC compared to dli-MDC (21.4% vs. 85.7%, P < 0.001), correlating with superior overall survival (OS; median years not reached vs. 0.67 years [95% CI, 0.58-ND], P < .001). Rates of grade II-IV acute GVHD post-DLI were 14.9%, and moderate-severe cGVHD was 42.8% in the dli-FDC group. The 5-year nonrelapse mortality (NRM) of the dli-FDC group was 7.1% following DLI. CONCLUSION Our study shows the restoration of CD34 FDC post-DLI is associated with reduced relapse and improved overall survival, with low NRM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Lc Tan
- Department of Malignant Haematology, Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
| | - David J Curtis
- Department of Malignant Haematology, Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jenny Muirhead
- Department of Malignant Haematology, Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael I Swain
- Department of Malignant Haematology, Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shaun A Fleming
- Department of Malignant Haematology, Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bianca Cirone
- Department of Malignant Haematology, Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maureen E O'Brien
- Department of Malignant Haematology, Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shu M Wong
- Department of Malignant Haematology, Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shafqat Inam
- Department of Malignant Haematology, Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sushrut Patil
- Department of Malignant Haematology, Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Spencer
- Department of Malignant Haematology, Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia
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5
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Huang C, Jia Y, Yang J, Cai Y, Tong Y, Qiu H, Zhou K, Xia X, Zhang Y, Shen C, Wan L, Song X. Azacitidine combined with interferon-α for pre-emptive treatment of AML/MDS after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: A prospective phase II study. Br J Haematol 2024. [PMID: 38960381 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
This prospective clinical study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the pre-emptive treatment modality of azacitidine in combination with interferon-α (IFN-α) in AML/MDS patients post-transplantation. Forty-seven patients aged 17-62 were enrolled with 14 patients having completed the planned 12 cycles. Following initiation, 72.3% responded positively after the first cycle, peaking at 77.2% by the fifth cycle. Notably, 24 patients maintained sustained responses throughout a median follow-up of 1050 days (range, 866-1234). Overall survival, leukaemia-free survival and event-free survival probabilities at 3 years were 69.5%, 60.4% and 35.7% respectively. Cumulative incidences of relapse and non-relapse mortality were 36.5% and 4.3% respectively. Multivariate analysis identified that receiving pre-emptive treatment for fewer than six cycles and the absence of chronic graft-versus-host disease after intervention was significantly associated with poorer clinical outcomes. The combination of azacitidine with IFN-α was well-tolerated with no observed severe myelotoxicity, and the majority of adverse events were reversible and manageable. In conclusion, the use of azacitidine in conjunction with IFN-α as pre-emptive therapy is a safe and effective treatment to prevent disease progression in AML/MDS patients with MRD positivity post-allo-HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongmei Huang
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yannan Jia
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Cai
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yin Tong
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiying Qiu
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinxin Xia
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang Shen
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Wan
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianmin Song
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Kinsella FAM, Maroto MAL, Loke J, Craddock C. Strategies to reduce relapse risk in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukaemia. Br J Haematol 2024; 204:2173-2183. [PMID: 38602216 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a centrally important curative strategy in adults with acute myeloid leukaemia; however, relapse occurs in a significant proportion of patients and remains the leading cause of treatment failure. The prognosis for patients who relapse post-transplant remains poor, and the development of new strategies with the ability to reduce disease recurrence without increasing transplant toxicity remains a priority. In this review, within the context of our understanding of disease biology and the graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL) effect, we will discuss established, evolving and novel approaches for increasing remission rates, decreasing measurable residual disease pretransplant, future methods to augment the GVL effect and the opportunities for post-transplant maintenance. Future progress depends upon the development of innovative trials and networks, which will ensure the rapid assessment of emerging therapies in prospective clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca A M Kinsella
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
| | - Maria A L Maroto
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Justin Loke
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
| | - Charles Craddock
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- Clinical Trials Unit, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
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7
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Schmälter AK, Ngoya M, Galimard JE, Bazarbachi A, Finke J, Kröger N, Bornhäuser M, Stelljes M, Stölzel F, Tischer J, Schroeder T, Dreger P, Blau IW, Savani B, Giebel S, Esteve J, Nagler A, Schmid C, Ciceri F, Mohty M. Continuously improving outcome over time after second allogeneic stem cell transplantation in relapsed acute myeloid leukemia: an EBMT registry analysis of 1540 patients. Blood Cancer J 2024; 14:76. [PMID: 38697960 PMCID: PMC11066014 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-024-01060-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Second allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT2) is among the most effective treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapse after first alloSCT (alloSCT1). Long-term EBMT registry data were used to provide large scale, up-to-date outcome results and to identify factors for improved outcome. Among 1540 recipients of alloSCT2, increasing age, better disease control and performance status before alloSCT2, more use of alternative donors and higher conditioning intensity represented important trends over time. Between the first (2000-2004) and last (2015-2019) period, two-year overall and leukemia-free survival (OS/LFS) increased considerably (OS: 22.5-35%, LFS: 14.5-24.5%). Cumulative relapse incidence (RI) decreased from 64% to 50.7%, whereas graft-versus-host disease and non-relapse mortality (NRM) remained unchanged. In multivariable analysis, later period of alloSCT2 was associated with improved OS/LFS (HR = 0.47/0.53) and reduced RI (HR = 0.44). Beyond, remission duration, disease stage and patient performance score were factors for OS, LFS, RI, and NRM. Myeloablative conditioning for alloSCT2 decreased RI without increasing NRM, leading to improved OS/LFS. Haploidentical or unrelated donors and older age were associated with higher NRM and inferior OS. In summary, outcome after alloSCT2 has continuously improved over the last two decades despite increasing patient age. The identified factors provide clues for the optimized implementation of alloSCT2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Kristin Schmälter
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Augsburg University Hospital and Medical Faculty, Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF) and Comprehensive Cancer Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Maud Ngoya
- EBMT Paris Study Unit, Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Jacques-Emmanuel Galimard
- EBMT Paris Study Unit, Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Ali Bazarbachi
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Program, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut, Medical Center, Beirut, Libanon
| | - Jürgen Finke
- University of Freiburg, Department of Medicine, Hematology, Oncology, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nicolaus Kröger
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- University Hospital Dresden, TU Dresden, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias Stelljes
- University of Muenster, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Muenster, Germany
| | - Friedrich Stölzel
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Immunotherapies, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Johanna Tischer
- University Hospital of Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Department of Internal Medicine III, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Schroeder
- University Hospital Essen, Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Essen, Germany
| | - Peter Dreger
- University of Heidelberg, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik V, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Igor-Wolfgang Blau
- Medizinische Klinik Hämatologie, Onkologie und Tumorimmunologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bipin Savani
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn, USA
| | - Sebastian Giebel
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Hematology-Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Jordi Esteve
- Hematology Department, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arnon Nagler
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Division, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Christoph Schmid
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Augsburg University Hospital and Medical Faculty, Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF) and Comprehensive Cancer Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- Unit of Hematology and BMT, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Mohamad Mohty
- EBMT Paris Study Unit, Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
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8
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Sackstein P, Williams A, Zemel R, Marks JA, Renteria AS, Rivero G. Transplant Eligible and Ineligible Elderly Patients with AML-A Genomic Approach and Next Generation Questions. Biomedicines 2024; 12:975. [PMID: 38790937 PMCID: PMC11117792 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12050975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The management of elderly patients diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is complicated by high relapse risk and comorbidities that often preclude access to allogeneic hematopoietic cellular transplantation (allo-HCT). In recent years, fast-paced FDA drug approval has reshaped the therapeutic landscape, with modest, albeit promising improvement in survival. Still, AML outcomes in elderly patients remain unacceptably unfavorable highlighting the need for better understanding of disease biology and tailored strategies. In this review, we discuss recent modifications suggested by European Leukemia Network 2022 (ELN-2022) risk stratification and review recent aging cell biology advances with the discussion of four AML cases. While an older age, >60 years, does not constitute an absolute contraindication for allo-HCT, the careful patient selection based on a detailed and multidisciplinary risk stratification cannot be overemphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Sackstein
- Lombardi Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007, USA; (P.S.); (R.Z.); (J.A.M.)
| | - Alexis Williams
- Department of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA;
| | - Rachel Zemel
- Lombardi Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007, USA; (P.S.); (R.Z.); (J.A.M.)
| | - Jennifer A. Marks
- Lombardi Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007, USA; (P.S.); (R.Z.); (J.A.M.)
| | - Anne S. Renteria
- Lombardi Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007, USA; (P.S.); (R.Z.); (J.A.M.)
| | - Gustavo Rivero
- Lombardi Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007, USA; (P.S.); (R.Z.); (J.A.M.)
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9
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Tobiasson M, Pandzic T, Illman J, Nilsson L, Weström S, Ejerblad E, Olesen G, Björklund A, Olsnes Kittang A, Werlenius O, Lorentz F, Rasmussen B, Cammenga J, Weber D, Lindholm C, Wiggh J, Dimitriou M, Moen AE, Yip Lundström L, von Bahr L, Baltzer-Sollander K, Jädersten M, Kytölä S, Walldin G, Ljungman P, Groenbaek K, Mielke S, Jacobsen SEW, Ebeling F, Cavelier L, Smidstrup Friis L, Dybedal I, Hellström-Lindberg E. Patient-Specific Measurable Residual Disease Markers Predict Outcome in Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Related Diseases After Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation. J Clin Oncol 2024; 42:1378-1390. [PMID: 38232336 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.01159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Clinical relapse is the major threat for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) undergoing hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Early detection of measurable residual disease (MRD) would enable preemptive treatment and potentially reduced relapse risk. METHODS Patients with MDS planned for HSCT were enrolled in a prospective, observational study evaluating the association between MRD and clinical outcome. We collected bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood samples until relapse, death, or end of study 24 months after HSCT. Patient-specific mutations were identified with targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel and traced using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). RESULTS Of 266 included patients, estimated relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates 3 years after HSCT were 59% and 64%, respectively. MRD results were available for 221 patients. Relapse was preceded by positive BM MRD in 42/44 relapses with complete MRD data, by a median of 71 (23-283) days. Of 137 patients in continuous complete remission, 93 were consistently MRD-negative, 39 reverted from MRD+ to MRD-, and five were MRD+ at last sampling. Estimated 1 year-RFS after first positive MRD was 49%, 39%, and 30%, using cutoff levels of 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%, respectively. In a multivariate Cox model, MRD (hazard ratio [HR], 7.99), WHO subgroup AML (HR, 4.87), TP53 multi-hit (HR, 2.38), NRAS (HR, 3.55), and acute GVHD grade III-IV (HR, 4.13) were associated with shorter RFS. MRD+ was also independently associated with shorter OS (HR, 2.65). In a subgroup analysis of 100 MRD+ patients, presence of chronic GVHD was associated with longer RFS (HR, 0.32). CONCLUSION Assessment of individualized MRD using NGS + ddPCR is feasible and can be used for early detection of relapse. Positive MRD is associated with shorter RFS and OS (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02872662).
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Tobiasson
- Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Centre for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tatjana Pandzic
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johanna Illman
- Division of Hematology, Helsinki University Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lars Nilsson
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Lund, Sweden
| | - Simone Weström
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Ejerblad
- Unit of Haematology, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gitte Olesen
- Department of Hematology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andreas Björklund
- Department of Cellular Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation, Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Astrid Olsnes Kittang
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Olle Werlenius
- Section of Hematology and Coagulation, Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Fryderyk Lorentz
- Department of Hematology, Norrlands University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Bengt Rasmussen
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Jörg Cammenga
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Lund, Sweden
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Duruta Weber
- Department of Hematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Carolin Lindholm
- Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Centre for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joel Wiggh
- Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Centre for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marios Dimitriou
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Centre for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ann Elin Moen
- Department of Hematology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Laimei Yip Lundström
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lena von Bahr
- Section of Hematology and Coagulation, Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin Baltzer-Sollander
- Department of Genetics, HUS Diagnostic Centre, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Martin Jädersten
- Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Centre for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Soili Kytölä
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunilla Walldin
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Centre for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Ljungman
- Department of Cellular Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation, Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kirsten Groenbaek
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stephan Mielke
- Department of Cellular Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation, Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Insititutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sten Eirik W Jacobsen
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Centre for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Freja Ebeling
- Division of Hematology, Helsinki University Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lucia Cavelier
- Department of Genetics, HUS Diagnostic Centre, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Ingunn Dybedal
- Department of Hematology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eva Hellström-Lindberg
- Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Centre for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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10
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Zhang L, Deeb G, Deeb KK, Vale C, Peker Barclift D, Papadantonakis N. Measurable (Minimal) Residual Disease in Myelodysplastic Neoplasms (MDS): Current State and Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1503. [PMID: 38672585 PMCID: PMC11048433 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic Neoplasms (MDS) have been traditionally studied through the assessment of blood counts, cytogenetics, and morphology. In recent years, the introduction of molecular assays has improved our ability to diagnose MDS. The role of Measurable (minimal) Residual Disease (MRD) in MDS is evolving, and molecular and flow cytometry techniques have been used in several studies. In this review, we will highlight the evolving concept of MRD in MDS, outline the various techniques utilized, and provide an overview of the studies reporting MRD and the correlation with outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linsheng Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - George Deeb
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kristin K. Deeb
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Colin Vale
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Deniz Peker Barclift
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Nikolaos Papadantonakis
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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11
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Accorsi Buttini E, Doran C, Malagola M, Radici V, Galli M, Rubini V, Leoni A, Farina M, Polverelli N, Re F, Bernardi S, Mohty M, Russo D, Brissot E. Donor Lymphocyte Infusion in the Treatment of Post-Transplant Relapse of Acute Myeloid Leukemias and Myelodysplastic Syndromes Significantly Improves Overall Survival: A French-Italian Experience of 134 Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1278. [PMID: 38610955 PMCID: PMC11011045 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disease relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is the main challenge for curing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We investigated the overall survival (OS) after allo-SCT relapse according to different therapeutic approaches. METHODS We analyzed 134 patients who relapsed after allo-SCT performed between 2015 and 2021 at Saint-Antoine University Hospital, Paris and Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia. Of these, 103 (77%) were treated, comprising 69/103 (67%) who received therapy in overt relapse and 34/103 (33%) who were treated in a pre-emptive manner when molecular/cytogenetics recurrence or mixed chimerism occurred. The treatment was donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI)-based for 40/103 (39%) patients. RESULTS The 1-, 2-, and 5-year OS of patients treated with DLI (n = 40) was 67%, 34%, and 34%, respectively, for those treated preventively (n = 20) and 43%, 20%, and 20%, respectively, for those treated in overt relapse (n = 20) (p < 0.01). The 1-, 2-, and 5-year OS of patients treated without DLI (n = 63) was 54%, 40%, and 26%, respectively, for those treated preventively (n = 14) and 17%, 5%, and 0%, respectively, for those treated in overt relapse (n = 49) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Relapse treatment with a pre-emptive strategy was associated with improved outcomes, particularly when DLI was employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Accorsi Buttini
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Cell Therapies and Hematology, Research Program, Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.M.); (V.R.); (M.G.); (V.R.); (M.F.); (S.B.); (D.R.)
| | - Cristina Doran
- Service d’ Hématologie Clinique et Thérapie Cellulaire, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Sorbonne Université, 75012 Paris, France (E.B.)
| | - Michele Malagola
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Cell Therapies and Hematology, Research Program, Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.M.); (V.R.); (M.G.); (V.R.); (M.F.); (S.B.); (D.R.)
| | - Vera Radici
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Cell Therapies and Hematology, Research Program, Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.M.); (V.R.); (M.G.); (V.R.); (M.F.); (S.B.); (D.R.)
| | - Marco Galli
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Cell Therapies and Hematology, Research Program, Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.M.); (V.R.); (M.G.); (V.R.); (M.F.); (S.B.); (D.R.)
| | - Vicky Rubini
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Cell Therapies and Hematology, Research Program, Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.M.); (V.R.); (M.G.); (V.R.); (M.F.); (S.B.); (D.R.)
| | - Alessandro Leoni
- Research Center Ail (CREA), Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.L.); (F.R.)
| | - Mirko Farina
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Cell Therapies and Hematology, Research Program, Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.M.); (V.R.); (M.G.); (V.R.); (M.F.); (S.B.); (D.R.)
| | - Nicola Polverelli
- Division of Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Federica Re
- Research Center Ail (CREA), Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.L.); (F.R.)
| | - Simona Bernardi
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Cell Therapies and Hematology, Research Program, Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.M.); (V.R.); (M.G.); (V.R.); (M.F.); (S.B.); (D.R.)
- Research Center Ail (CREA), Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.L.); (F.R.)
| | - Mohamad Mohty
- Service d’ Hématologie Clinique et Thérapie Cellulaire, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Sorbonne Université, 75012 Paris, France (E.B.)
| | - Domenico Russo
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Cell Therapies and Hematology, Research Program, Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.M.); (V.R.); (M.G.); (V.R.); (M.F.); (S.B.); (D.R.)
| | - Eolia Brissot
- Service d’ Hématologie Clinique et Thérapie Cellulaire, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Sorbonne Université, 75012 Paris, France (E.B.)
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12
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Murdock HM, Ho VT, Garcia JS. Innovations in conditioning and post-transplant maintenance in AML: genomically informed revelations on the graft-versus-leukemia effect. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1359113. [PMID: 38571944 PMCID: PMC10987864 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1359113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is the prototype of cancer genomics as it was the first published cancer genome. Large-scale next generation/massively parallel sequencing efforts have identified recurrent alterations that inform prognosis and have guided the development of targeted therapies. Despite changes in the frontline and relapsed standard of care stemming from the success of small molecules targeting FLT3, IDH1/2, and apoptotic pathways, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) and the resulting graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect remains the only curative path for most patients. Advances in conditioning regimens, graft-vs-host disease prophylaxis, anti-infective agents, and supportive care have made this modality feasible, reducing transplant related mortality even among patients with advanced age or medical comorbidities. As such, relapse has emerged now as the most common cause of transplant failure. Relapse may occur after alloHSCT because residual disease clones persist after transplant, and develop immune escape from GVL, or such clones may proliferate rapidly early after alloHSCT, and outpace donor immune reconstitution, leading to relapse before any GVL effect could set in. To address this issue, genomically informed therapies are increasingly being incorporated into pre-transplant conditioning, or as post-transplant maintenance or pre-emptive therapy in the setting of mixed/falling donor chimerism or persistent detectable measurable residual disease (MRD). There is an urgent need to better understand how these emerging therapies modulate the two sides of the GVHD vs. GVL coin: 1) how molecularly or immunologically targeted therapies affect engraftment, GVHD potential, and function of the donor graft and 2) how these therapies affect the immunogenicity and sensitivity of leukemic clones to the GVL effect. By maximizing the synergistic action of molecularly targeted agents, immunomodulating agents, conventional chemotherapy, and the GVL effect, there is hope for improving outcomes for patients with this often-devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Moses Murdock
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Vincent T. Ho
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jacqueline S. Garcia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
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13
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Garcia JS, Kim HT, Murdock HM, Ansuinelli M, Brock J, Cutler CS, Gooptu M, Ho VT, Koreth J, Nikiforow S, Romee R, Shapiro R, DeAngelo DJ, Stone RM, Bat-Erdene D, Ryan J, Contreras ME, Fell G, Letai A, Ritz J, Lindsley RC, Soiffer RJ, Antin JH. Prophylactic maintenance with venetoclax/azacitidine after reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic transplant for high-risk MDS and AML. Blood Adv 2024; 8:978-990. [PMID: 38197938 PMCID: PMC10883823 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023012120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT We conducted a phase 1 trial assessing safety and efficacy of prophylactic maintenance therapy with venetoclax and azacitidine (Ven/Aza) for patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)/acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing reduced intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) after Ven and fludarabine/busulfan conditioning (Ven/FluBu2 allo-SCT) with tacrolimus and methotrexate as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Among 27 patients who underwent Ven/FluBu2 allo-SCT (55.6% with prior Ven exposure, and 96% with positive molecular measurable residual disease), 22 received maintenance therapy with Aza 36 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1 to 5, and Ven 400 mg by mouth on days 1 to 14 per assigned dose schedule/level (42-day cycles × 8, or 28-day cycles × 12). During maintenance, the most common grade 3-4 adverse events were leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia, which were transient and manageable. Infections were uncommon (n = 4, all grade 1-2). The 1-year and 2-year moderate/severe chronic GVHD rates were 4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3%-18%) and 22% (95% CI, 9%-40%), respectively. After a median follow-up of 25 months among survivors, the median overall survival (OS) was not reached. Among the 22 patients who received Ven/Aza maintenance, the 2-year OS, progression-free survival, nonrelapse mortality, and cumulative incidence of relapse rates were 67% (95% CI, 43%-83%), 59% (95% CI, 36%-76%), 0%, and 41% (95% CI, 20%-61%), respectively. Immune monitoring demonstrated no significant impact on T-cell expansion but identified reduced B-cell expansion compared with controls. This study demonstrates prophylactic Ven/Aza maintenance can be safely administered for patients with high-risk MDS/AML, but a randomized study is required to properly assess any potential benefit. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03613532.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Haesook T. Kim
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - H. Moses Murdock
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Michela Ansuinelli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Jennifer Brock
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Corey S. Cutler
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Mahasweta Gooptu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Vincent T. Ho
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - John Koreth
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Sarah Nikiforow
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Rizwan Romee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Roman Shapiro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Daniel J. DeAngelo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Richard M. Stone
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Denbaa Bat-Erdene
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Jeremy Ryan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | | | - Geoffrey Fell
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Anthony Letai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Jerome Ritz
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | | | - Robert J. Soiffer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Joseph H. Antin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
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14
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Qimudesiren, Yin W, Wang Y, Qing G, Bao J, Chaomurilige, Chen S, Qian L. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in the Management of Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A Retrospective, Current, and Future Perspective. Cell Transplant 2024; 33:9636897241284283. [PMID: 39374074 DOI: 10.1177/09636897241284283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal disorder that affects hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), primarily occurring in the elderly population. Lower-risk MDS is characterized by a decrease in blood cells, whereas higher-risk MDS is associated with an increased risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Currently, the treatment of MDS is still unsatisfactory, although demethylating agents, azacitidine (AZA), and decitabine (Dec) have been successfully used to treat MDS and improve survival rates. However, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains the only curative treatment for MDS patients, effectively increasing patient survival and quality of life. Nevertheless, treatment-related toxicity, graft-versus-host disease, infectious complications, and relapse are still major post-transplant issues. In this review, through a retrospective analysis of past and present HSCT for the treatment of MDS, we provide insights for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qimudesiren
- School of Clinical Medicine, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, China
| | - Wenjie Yin
- Department of Hematology, International Mongolian Hospital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, China
| | - Yuhong Wang
- Department of Hematology, International Mongolian Hospital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, China
| | - Guo Qing
- Department of Hematology, International Mongolian Hospital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, China
| | - Jinhua Bao
- Department of Hematology, International Mongolian Hospital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, China
| | - Chaomurilige
- Department of Hematology, International Mongolian Hospital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, China
- School of Mongolian Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Shana Chen
- Department of Hematology, International Mongolian Hospital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, China
| | - Liren Qian
- Senior Department of Hematology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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15
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Guo W, Liu X, Wang M, Liu J, Cao Y, Zheng Y, Zhai W, Chen X, Zhang R, Ma Q, Yang D, Wei J, He Y, Pang A, Feng S, Han M, Jiang E. Application of prophylactic or pre-emptive therapy after allogeneic transplantation for high-risk patients with t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia. Hematology 2023; 28:2205739. [PMID: 37104677 DOI: 10.1080/16078454.2023.2205739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the impact of pretransplant measurable residual disease (pre-MRD) and the efficacy of maintenance therapy in t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 100 t(8;21) AML patients who underwent allo-HCT between 2013 and 2022. 40 patients received pre-emptive therapy including immunosuppressant adjustment, azacitidine, and donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) combined with chemotherapy. 23 patients received prophylactic therapy, including azacitidine or chidamide. RESULTS Patients with a positive pre-MRD (pre-MRDpos) had a higher 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) (25.90% [95% CI, 13.87%-39.70%] vs 5.00% [95% CI, 0.88%-15.01%]; P = 0.008). Pre-MRDpos patients were less likely to have a superior 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) (40.83% [95% CI, 20.80%-80.16%]) if their MRD was still positive at 28 days after transplantation (post-MRD28pos). The 3-year DFS and CIR were 53.17% (95% CI, 38.31% - 73.80%) and 34.87% (95% CI, 18.84% - 51.44%), respectively, for patients receiving pre-emptive interventions after molecular relapse. The 3-year DFS and CIR were 90.00% (95%CI, 77.77% - 100%) and 5.00% (95%CI, 0.31% - 21.10%), respectively, for high-risk patients receiving prophylactic therapy. In most patients, epigenetic-drug-induced adverse events were reversible with dose adjustment or temporary discontinuation. CONCLUSION Patients with pre-MRDpos and post-MRD28pos were more likely to have higher rates of relapse and inferior DFS, even after receiving pre-emptive interventions. Prophylactic therapy may be a better option for high-risk t(8;21) AML patients; however, this warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yigeng Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yawei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Weihua Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiaoling Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Donglin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jialin Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi He
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Aiming Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Sizhou Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingzhe Han
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Erlie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
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16
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Gournay V, Robin M. [Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for myelodysplastic syndromes]. Bull Cancer 2023; 110:1168-1175. [PMID: 37516649 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2023.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is one of the treatment options for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). This treatment is indicated as first-line treatment for high-risk MDS according to the IPSS and R-IPSS classifications and improves overall survival and progression-free survival. However, allo-HSCT is not indicated in first intention for low-risk MDS. It can be discussed in case of cytopenias needing transfusions, poor evolution under other treatment, or in case of poor prognosis molecular anomaly. Allo-HSCT is a treatment that can be complicated by early or late toxicities (graft versus host disease, infections, chemotherapy toxicity…). The decision to do an allo-HSCT is based on the benefit/risk ratio between the risk of progression from MDS to myeloid leukemia and the risk of transplant related mortality, which increases with the patient's age and comorbidities. The indication of a cytoreductive treatment before allo-HSCT depends on the blasts count, and on the delay before the allograft. The use of reduced intensity conditioning regimen and alternative donors such as haploidentical donors, expanded the indications for allo-HSCT. Relapse remains one of the main causes of mortality after allo-HSCT. Some genetic mutations and karyotype anomalies increase the risk of post-transplant relapse. Preventive treatments for relapse are currently being studied. Treatments such as azacytidine, donor lymphocytes infusions or targeted therapies can be used, prophylactically or preemptively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Gournay
- AP-HP, université de Paris Cité, hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
| | - Marie Robin
- AP-HP, université de Paris Cité, hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
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17
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Montoro J, Balaguer-Roselló A, Sanz J. Recent advances in allogeneic transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia. Curr Opin Oncol 2023; 35:564-573. [PMID: 37820092 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review highlights recent advancements in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). RECENT FINDINGS Important improvements have been observed throughout the allo-HSCT procedure and patient management. Universal donor availability and reduced risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) have been achieved with the introduction of posttransplant cyclophosphamide for GVHD prophylaxis. It has contributed, together with advances in conditioning regimens, GVHD treatment and supportive care, to a reduced overall toxicity of the procedure. Relapse is now the most frequent cause of transplant failure. With increased knowledge of the biological characterization of AML, better prediction of transplant risks and more profound and standardized minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring, pharmacological, and immunological strategies to prevent relapse are been developed. SUMMARY Allo-HSCT remains the standard of care for high-risk AML. Increased access to transplant, reduced toxicity and relapse are improving patient outcomes. Further research is needed to optimize MRD monitoring, refine conditioning regimens, and explore new GVHD management and relapse prevention therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Montoro
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad Católica de Valencia
| | - Aitana Balaguer-Roselló
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe
- CIBERONC, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid
| | - Jaime Sanz
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe
- CIBERONC, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Spain
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18
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Xu Z, Choi J, Cooper M, King J, Fiala MA, Liu J, Pusic I, Romee R, Cashen A, Jacoby MA, Stockerl-Goldstein K, Abboud C, Vij R, Uy G, Westervelt P, Walter MJ, DiPersio JF, Schroeder MA. Phase I-II Trial of Early Azacitidine after Matched Unrelated Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Transplant Cell Ther 2023; 29:699.e1-699.e9. [PMID: 37597685 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2023.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). The hypomethylating agent azacitidine (AZA) has been shown to be effective in preclinical and clinical studies for the prevention of acute GVHD (aGVHD). We sought to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of AZA when given on days 1 to 5 of a 28-day cycle for 4 cycles, starting on day +7 after allo-HCT, as well as its impact on aGVHD and chronic GVHD (cGVHD), relapse, and overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing matched unrelated donor allo-HCT. This study was a single-arm, single-center, open-label phase I-II study with a total of 15 and 38 patients enrolled in the phase I and II portions of the trial, respectively. A standard 3+3 study design was used in phase I, and all patients in phase II received AZA at the MTD determined in phase I. The MTD of AZA starting at day +7 post-transplantation was 45 mg/m2. Phase II of the study was halted after enrolling 38 of the planned 46 patients following an interim analysis that suggested futility. Overall, AZA at 45 mg/m2 exhibited a side effect profile consistent with prior reports and had a minimal impact on engraftment. The cumulative incidence of clinically significant aGVHD by day +180 was 39.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22% to 53.7%). The incidence of all-grade cGVHD was 61.4% (95% CI, 40.3% to 75%). At 1 year, OS was 73.7% (95% CI, 60.9% to 89.1%), and the disease relapse rate was 11.4% (95% CI, .2% to 21.3%). Our results suggest that early post-allo-HCT AZA has limited efficacy in preventing aGVHD and cGVHD but could have a beneficial effect in preventing disease relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziheng Xu
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jaebok Choi
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Matthew Cooper
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jeffrey King
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Mark A Fiala
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jingxia Liu
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Iskra Pusic
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Rizwan Romee
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amanda Cashen
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Meagan A Jacoby
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Keith Stockerl-Goldstein
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Camille Abboud
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ravi Vij
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Geoffrey Uy
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Peter Westervelt
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Matthew J Walter
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - John F DiPersio
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Mark A Schroeder
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
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19
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Schroeder T, Stelljes M, Christopeit M, Esseling E, Scheid C, Mikesch JH, Rautenberg C, Jäger P, Cadeddu RP, Drusenheimer N, Holtick U, Klein S, Trenschel R, Haas R, Germing U, Kröger N, Kobbe G. Azacitidine, lenalidomide and donor lymphocyte infusions for relapse of myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia after allogeneic transplant: the Azalena-Trial. Haematologica 2023; 108:3001-3010. [PMID: 37259567 PMCID: PMC10620594 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2022.282570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Azacitidine (Aza) combined with donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) is an established treatment for relapse of myeloid malignancies after allogeneic transplantation. Based on its immunomodulatory and anti-leukemic properties we considered Lenalidomide (Lena) to act synergistically with Aza/DLI to improve outcome. We, therefore, prospectively investigated tolerability and efficacy of this combination as first salvage therapy for adults with post-transplant relapse of acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Patients were scheduled for eight cycles Aza (75 mg/m2 day 1-7), Lena (2.5 or 5 mg, days 1-21) and up to three DLI with increasing T-cell dosages (0.5×106-1.5×107 cells/kg). Primary endpoint was safety, while secondary endpoints included response, graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and overall survival (OS). Fifty patients with molecular (52%) or hematological (48%) relapse of myelodysplastic syndromes (n=24), acute myeloid leukemia (n=23) or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (n=3) received a median of seven (range, 1-8) cycles including 14 patients with 2.5 mg and 36 with 5 mg Lena daily dosage. Concomitantly, 34 patients (68%) received at least one DLI. Overall response rate was 56% and 25 patients (50%) achieved complete remission being durable in 80%. Median OS was 21 months and 1-year OS rate 65% with no impact of type of or time to relapse and Lena dosages. Treatment was well tolerated indicated by febrile neutropenia being the only grade ≥3 non-hematologic adverse event in >10% of patients and modest acute (grade 2-4 24%) and chronic (moderate/severe 28%) GvHD incidences. In summary, Lena can be safely added to Aza/DLI without excess of GvHD and toxicity. Its significant anti-leukemic activity suggests that this combination is a novel salvage option for post-transplant relapse (clinicaltrials gov. Identifier: NCT02472691).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schroeder
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf.
| | - Matthias Stelljes
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology and Oncology, University of Muenster, Muenster
| | | | - Eva Esseling
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology and Oncology, University of Muenster, Muenster
| | - Christoph Scheid
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne
| | - Jan-Henrik Mikesch
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology and Oncology, University of Muenster, Muenster
| | - Christina Rautenberg
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen
| | - Paul Jäger
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf
| | - Ron-Patrick Cadeddu
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf
| | - Nadja Drusenheimer
- Coordination Center for Clinical Trials, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf
| | - Udo Holtick
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne
| | - Stefan Klein
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim
| | - Rudolf Trenschel
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen
| | - Rainer Haas
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf
| | - Ulrich Germing
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf
| | - Nicolaus Kröger
- University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Clinic for Stem Cell Transplantation, Hamburg
| | - Guido Kobbe
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf
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20
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Zhao Y, Guo H, Chang Y. MRD-directed and risk-adapted individualized stratified treatment of AML. Chin J Cancer Res 2023; 35:451-469. [PMID: 37969959 PMCID: PMC10643342 DOI: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2023.05.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Measurable residual disease (MRD) has been widely recognized as a biomarker for deeply evaluating complete remission (CR), predicting relapse, guiding pre-emptive interventions, and serving as an endpoint surrogate for drug testing. However, despite the emergence of new technologies, there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the proper techniques, sample materials, and optimal time points for MRD assessment. In this review, we summarized the MRD methods, sample sources, and evaluation frequency according to the risk category of the European Leukemia Net (ELN) 2022. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of properly utilizing and combining these technologies. We have also refined the flowchart outlining each time point for pre-emptive interventions and intervention paths. The evaluation of MRD in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is sophisticated, clinically applicable, and technology-dependent, and necessitates standardized approaches and further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijing Zhao
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Hanfei Guo
- Stanford University Medical School, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto 94304, USA
- the First Hospital of Jilin University, Cancer Center, Changchun 133021, China
| | - Yingjun Chang
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing 100044, China
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21
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Kanaan SB, Urselli F, Radich JP, Nelson JL. Ultrasensitive chimerism enhances measurable residual disease testing after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6066-6079. [PMID: 37467017 PMCID: PMC10582300 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing mixed chimerism (reemerging recipient cells) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) can indicate relapse, the leading factor determining mortality in blood malignancies. Most clinical chimerism tests have limited sensitivity and are primarily designed to monitor engraftment. We developed a panel of quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays using TaqMan chemistry capable of quantifying chimerism in the order of 1 in a million. At such analytic sensitivity, we hypothesized that it could inform on relapse risk. As a proof-of-concept, we applied our panel to a retrospective cohort of patients with acute leukemia who underwent allo-HCT with known outcomes. Recipient cells in bone marrow aspirates (BMAs) remained detectable in 97.8% of tested samples. Absolute recipient chimerism proportions and rates at which these proportions increased in BMAs in the first 540 days after allo-HCT were associated with relapse. Detectable measurable residual disease (MRD) via flow cytometry in BMAs after allo-HCT showed limited correlation with relapse. This correlation noticeably strengthened when combined with increased recipient chimerism in BMAs, demonstrating the ability of our ultrasensitive chimerism assay to augment MRD data. Our technology reveals an underappreciated usefulness of clinical chimerism. Used side by side with MRD assays, it promises to improve identification of patients with the highest risk of disease reoccurrence for a chance of early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami B. Kanaan
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
- Research and Development, Chimerocyte Inc, Seattle, WA
| | - Francesca Urselli
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Jerald P. Radich
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - J. Lee Nelson
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
- Research and Development, Chimerocyte Inc, Seattle, WA
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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22
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Liberatore C, Di Ianni M. Novel Approaches to Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Relapse Post Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15019. [PMID: 37834466 PMCID: PMC10573608 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241915019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapsed post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains a clinical challenge. Intensive treatment approaches are limited by severe toxicities in the early post-transplantation period. Therefore, hypomethylating agents (HMAs) have become the standard therapeutic approach due to favorable tolerability. Moreover, HMAs serve as a backbone for additional anti-leukemic agents. Despite discordant results, the addition of donor lymphocytes infusions (DLI) generally granted improved outcomes with manageable GvHD incidence. The recent introduction of novel targeted drugs in AML gives the opportunity to add a third element to salvage regimens. Those patients harboring targetable mutations might benefit from IDH1/2 inhibitors Ivosidenib and Enasidenib as well as FLT3 inhibitors Sorafenib and Gilteritinib in combination with HMA and DLI. Conversely, patients lacking targetable mutations actually benefit from the addition of Venetoclax. A second HSCT remains a valid option, especially for fit patients and for those who achieve a complete disease response with salvage regimens. Overall, across studies, higher response rates and longer survival were observed in cases of pre-emptive intervention for molecular relapse. Future perspectives currently rely on the development of adoptive immunotherapeutic strategies mainly represented by CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Liberatore
- Hematology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Santo Spirito Hospital, 65124 Pescara, Italy;
| | - Mauro Di Ianni
- Hematology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Santo Spirito Hospital, 65124 Pescara, Italy;
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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23
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Du Y, Li C, Zhao Z, Liu Y, Zhang C, Yan J. Efficacy and safety of venetoclax combined with hypomethylating agents for relapse of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:764. [PMID: 37592239 PMCID: PMC10433628 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11259-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, there is no standard treatment for managing relapse in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Venetoclax-based therapies have been increasingly used for treating post-transplantation relapse of AML. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of Venetoclax combined with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) for AML/MDS relapse post-transplantation. METHODS We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Excerpta Medica Database, Cochrane Library, and Clinical. gov for eligible studies from the inception to February 2022. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies was used to evaluate the quality of the included literatures. The inverse variance method calculated the pooled proportion and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS This meta-analysis included 10 studies involving a total of 243 patients. The pooled complete response and complete response with incomplete blood count recovery rate of Venetoclax combined with HMAs for post-transplantation relapse in AML/MDS was 32% (95% CI, 26-39%, I2 = 0%), with an overall response rate of 48% (95% CI, 39-56%, I2 = 37%). The 6-month survival rate was 42% (95% CI, 29-55%, I2 = 62%) and the 1-year survival rate was 23% (95% CI, 11-38%, I2 = 78%). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated a moderate benefit of Venetoclax in combination with HMAs for patients with relapsed AML/MDS post-transplantation (including those who have received prior HMAs therapy), and may become one of treatment options in the future. Large-scale prospective studies are needed to confirm the potential benefit from venetoclax combined with HMAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Du
- Department of Hematology, Dalian Key Laboratory of hematology, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, China
- Blood Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Chunhong Li
- Department of Hematology, Dalian Key Laboratory of hematology, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, China
| | - Zhijia Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Dalian Key Laboratory of hematology, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, China
| | - Yikun Liu
- School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Chengtao Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Dalian Key Laboratory of hematology, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, China.
| | - Jinsong Yan
- Department of Hematology, Dalian Key Laboratory of hematology, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, China.
- Blood Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.
- Department of Pediatric, Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Center, Diamond Bay institute of Hematology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, China.
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24
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Wong ZC, Dillon LW, Hourigan CS. Measurable residual disease in patients undergoing allogeneic transplant for acute myeloid leukemia. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2023; 36:101468. [PMID: 37353292 PMCID: PMC10291441 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2023.101468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
The most common indication for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) is maintenance of remission after initial treatment for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Loss of remission, relapse, remains however the most frequent cause of alloHCT failure. There is strong evidence that detectable persistent disease burden ("measurable residual disease", MRD) in patients with AML in remission prior to alloHCT is associated with increased risk of post-transplant relapse. MRD status as a summative assessment of response to pre-transplant therapy may allow superior patient-personalized risk stratification compared with models solely incorporating pre-treatment variables. An optimal methodology for AML MRD detection has not yet been established, but molecular methods such as DNA-sequencing may have additional prognostic utility compared to current approaches. There is growing evidence that intervention on AML MRD positivity may improve post-transplant outcomes. New initiatives will generate actionable data on the clinical utility of AML MRD testing for patients undergoing alloHCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë C Wong
- Laboratory of Myeloid Malignancies, Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Myeloid Malignancies Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Laura W Dillon
- Laboratory of Myeloid Malignancies, Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Myeloid Malignancies Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher S Hourigan
- Laboratory of Myeloid Malignancies, Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Myeloid Malignancies Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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25
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Srinivasan Rajsri K, Roy N, Chakraborty S. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells in Minimal/Measurable Residual Disease Detection. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2866. [PMID: 37345204 PMCID: PMC10216329 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy characterized by an abundance of incompletely matured or immature clonally derived hematopoietic precursors called leukemic blasts. Rare leukemia stem cells (LSCs) that can self-renew as well as give rise to leukemic progenitors comprising the bulk of leukemic blasts are considered the cellular reservoir of disease initiation and maintenance. LSCs are widely thought to be relatively resistant as well as adaptive to chemotherapy and can cause disease relapse. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the molecular bases of LSC forms and functions during different stages of disease progression, so we can more accurately identify these cells and design therapies to target them. Irrespective of the morphological, cytogenetic, and cellular heterogeneity of AML, the uniform, singularly important and independently significant prognosticator of disease response to therapy and patient outcome is measurable or minimal residual disease (MRD) detection, defined by residual disease detection below the morphology-based 5% blast threshold. The importance of LSC identification and frequency estimation during MRD detection, in order to make MRD more effective in predicting disease relapse and modifying therapeutic regimen is becoming increasingly apparent. This review focuses on summarizing functional and cellular composition-based LSC identification and linking those studies to current techniques of MRD detection to suggest LSC-inclusive MRD detection as well as outline outstanding questions that need to be addressed to improve the future of AML clinical management and treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Srinivasan Rajsri
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (K.S.R.); (N.R.)
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Nainita Roy
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (K.S.R.); (N.R.)
| | - Sohini Chakraborty
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (K.S.R.); (N.R.)
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26
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Ogbue O, Unlu S, Ibodeng GO, Singh A, Durmaz A, Visconte V, Molina JC. Single-Cell Next-Generation Sequencing to Monitor Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation: Current Applications and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092477. [PMID: 37173944 PMCID: PMC10177286 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are genetically complex and diverse diseases. Such complexity makes challenging the monitoring of response to treatment. Measurable residual disease (MRD) assessment is a powerful tool for monitoring response and guiding therapeutic interventions. This is accomplished through targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS), as well as polymerase chain reaction and multiparameter flow cytometry, to detect genomic aberrations at a previously challenging leukemic cell concentration. A major shortcoming of NGS techniques is the inability to discriminate nonleukemic clonal hematopoiesis. In addition, risk assessment and prognostication become more complicated after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) due to genotypic drift. To address this, newer sequencing techniques have been developed, leading to more prospective and randomized clinical trials aiming to demonstrate the prognostic utility of single-cell next-generation sequencing in predicting patient outcomes following HSCT. This review discusses the use of single-cell DNA genomics in MRD assessment for AML/MDS, with an emphasis on the HSCT time period, including the challenges with current technologies. We also touch on the potential benefits of single-cell RNA sequencing and analysis of accessible chromatin, which generate high-dimensional data at the cellular resolution for investigational purposes, but not currently used in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olisaemeka Ogbue
- Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital, Cleveland, OH 44111, USA
| | - Serhan Unlu
- Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital, Cleveland, OH 44111, USA
| | - Gogo-Ogute Ibodeng
- Internal Medicine, Infirmary Health's Thomas Hospital, Fairhope, AL 36607, USA
| | - Abhay Singh
- Department of Hematology Medical Oncology, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Arda Durmaz
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Valeria Visconte
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - John C Molina
- Department of Hematology Medical Oncology, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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27
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Najima Y. Overcoming relapse: prophylactic or pre-emptive use of azacitidine or FLT3 inhibitors after allogeneic transplantation for AML or MDS. Int J Hematol 2023:10.1007/s12185-023-03596-w. [PMID: 37036626 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-023-03596-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Relapse remains the most critical obstacle in treatment by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Non-relapse mortality has improved annually, but relapse mortality remains high. Post-transplant maintenance treatment, such as hypomethylating agents and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitors, has been investigated for decades as a means of preventing disease relapse after HSCT. Other factors besides the relapse tendency of the primary disease that can affect the transition of estimated disease burden in patients undergoing HSCT are disease status at HSCT (non-remission, remission with minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD), and remission without MRD) and conditioning regimen intensity. Optimal selection of patients at high risk for relapse who can tolerate a long duration of therapy is pivotal for successful post-transplant maintenance therapy. In this review, we provide an overview of current progress in research on post-transplant maintenance treatment using azacitidine or FLT3 inhibitors for preventing disease relapse after HSCT for AML or MDS, and discuss the future outlook in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuho Najima
- Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, 3-8-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8677, Japan.
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28
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Neuendorff NR, Gagelmann N, Singhal S, Meckstroth S, Thibaud V, Zhao Y, Mir N, Shih YY, Amaro DMC, Roy M, Lombardo J, Gjærde LK, Loh KP. Hypomethylating agent-based therapies in older adults with acute myeloid leukemia - A joint review by the Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology and European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Trainee Committee. J Geriatr Oncol 2023; 14:101406. [PMID: 36435726 PMCID: PMC10106360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with poor outcomes in older adults. A major goal of treatment is to balance quality of life and functional independence with disease control. With the approval of new, more tolerable regimens, more older adults are able to receive AML-directed therapy. Among these options are hypomethylating agents (HMAs), specifically azacitidine and decitabine. HMAs have become an integral part of AML therapy over the last two decades. These agents are used either as monotherapy or nowadays more commonly in combination with other agents such as the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Biological AML characteristics, such as molecular and cytogenetic risk factors, play crucial roles in guiding treatment decisions. In patients with high-risk AML, HMAs are increasingly used rather than intensive chemotherapy, although further trials based on a risk-adapted approach using patient- and disease-related factors are needed. Here, we review trials and evidence for the use of HMA monotherapy and combination therapy in the management of older adults with AML. Furthermore, we discuss the use of HMAs and HMA combination therapies in AML, mechanisms of action, their incorporation into hematopoietic stem cell transplantation strategies, and their use in patients with comorbidities and reduced organ function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Rosa Neuendorff
- Clinic for Hematology and Stem-Cell Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45147 Essen, Germany.
| | - Nico Gagelmann
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Surbhi Singhal
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shelby Meckstroth
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Vincent Thibaud
- Department of Hematology, Hôpital Saint-Vincent, Université Catholique de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Nabiel Mir
- Section of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Yung-Yu Shih
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Clinic Favoriten Vienna, Austria
| | - Danielle M C Amaro
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mukul Roy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Joseph Lombardo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lars Klingen Gjærde
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kah Poh Loh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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29
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Das TP, North D, Fleming SA, Tan JLC, Ivey A, Cummings NJ, Spencer A, Patil SS, Widjaja JML, Swain MI, Bourke C, O'Brien ME, Kliman DS, Curtis DJ. Peripheral Blood CD34 Donor Chimerism has Greater Clinical Utility Than CD3 for Detecting Relapse after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Transplant Cell Ther 2023:S2666-6367(23)01202-2. [PMID: 36966870 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2023.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring of donor chimerism (DC) may detect early relapse following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Most centers use unfractionated peripheral blood or T cells to monitor DC, although CD34+ DC may be more predictive. The limited adoption of CD34+ DC may be due to the lack of detailed, comparative studies. To address this knowledge gap, we compared peripheral blood CD34+ and CD3+ DC in 134 patients who underwent allo-SCT for AML or MDS. In July 2011, the Alfred Hospital Bone Marrow Transplantation Service adopted routine monitoring of DC in the lineage-specific CD34+ and CD3+ cell subsets from peripheral blood at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months post-transplantation for AML or MDS. Immunologic interventions, including rapid withdrawal of immunosuppression, azacytidine, and donor lymphocyte infusion, were prespecified for CD34+ DC ≤80%. Overall, CD34+ DC ≤80% detected 32 of 40 relapses (positive predictive value [PPV], 68%; negative predictive value [NPV], 91%), compared with 13 of 40 relapses for CD3+ DC ≤80% (PPV, 52%; NPV, 75%). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed the superiority of CD34+ DC, with the greatest value at day 120 post-transplantation. CD3+ DC provided additional value in only 3 cases, preceding CD34+ DC ≤80% by 1 month. We further show that the CD34+ DC sample can be used to detect NPM1mut, with the combination of CD34+ DC ≤80% and NPM1mut identifying the highest risk of relapse. Among the 24 patients in morphologic remission at the time of CD34+ DC ≤80%, 13 (54%) responded to immunologic interventions (rapid withdrawal of immunosuppression, azacitidine, or donor lymphocyte infusion) with recovery of CD34+ DC >80%, and 11 of these patients remained in complete remission for a median of 34 months (range, 28 to 97 months). In contrast, the other 9 patients did not respond to the clinical intervention and relapsed within a median of 59 days after detecting CD34+ DC ≤80%. The CD34+ DC was significantly higher in responders than in nonresponders (median, 72% versus 56%; P = .015, Mann-Whitney U test). Overall, monitoring of CD34+ DC was considered clinically useful (with early diagnosis of relapse enabling preemptive therapy or predicting low risk of relapse) in 107 of 125 evaluable patients (86%). Our findings show that peripheral blood CD34+ DC is feasible and superior to CD3+ DC for predicting relapse. It also provides a source of DNA for measurable residual disease testing, which may further stratify the risk of relapse. If validated by an independent cohort, our results suggest that CD34+ should be used in preference to CD3+ DC for detecting early relapse and guiding immunologic interventions following allo-SCT for AML or MDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongted P Das
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Daniel North
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shaun A Fleming
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joanne L C Tan
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Adam Ivey
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Andrew Spencer
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia; Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sushrut S Patil
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Michael I Swain
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Catherine Bourke
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Maureen E O'Brien
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David S Kliman
- Department of Haematology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - David J Curtis
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia; Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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30
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Tiong IS, Loo S. Targeting Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Moving beyond Prognostication. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:4790. [PMID: 36902217 PMCID: PMC10003715 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Measurable residual disease (MRD) assessment in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has an established role in disease prognostication, particularly in guiding decisions for hematopoietic cell transplantation in first remission. Serial MRD assessment is now routinely recommended in the evaluation of treatment response and monitoring in AML by the European LeukemiaNet. The key question remains, however, if MRD in AML is clinically actionable or "does MRD merely portend fate"? With a series of new drug approvals since 2017, we now have more targeted and less toxic therapeutic options for the potential application of MRD-directed therapy. Recent approval of NPM1 MRD as a regulatory endpoint is also foreseen to drastically transform the clinical trial landscape such as biomarker-driven adaptive design. In this article, we will review (1) the emerging molecular MRD markers (such as non-DTA mutations, IDH1/2, and FLT3-ITD); (2) the impact of novel therapeutics on MRD endpoints; and (3) how MRD might be used as a predictive biomarker to guide therapy in AML beyond its prognostic role, which is the focus of two large collaborative trials: AMLM26 INTERCEPT (ACTRN12621000439842) and MyeloMATCH (NCT05564390).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ing S. Tiong
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Sun Loo
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- The Northern Hospital, Epping, VIC 3076, Australia
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31
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Fan S, Pan TZ, Dou LP, Zhao YM, Zhang XH, Xu LP, Wang Y, Huang XJ, Mo XD. Preemptive interferon-α therapy could prevent relapse of acute myeloid leukemia following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A real-world analysis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1091014. [PMID: 36817493 PMCID: PMC9932895 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1091014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Measurable residual disease (MRD)-directed interferon-a treatment (i.e. preemptive IFN-α treatment) can eliminate the MRD in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Therefore, this study aimed to further assess its efficacy in a multicenter retrospective study in a real-world setting. Methods A total of 247 patientswho received preemptive IFN-α treatment were recruited from 4 hospitals in China. The protocols for MRD monitoring mainly based on quantitative polymerase chain reaction [qPCR] and multiparameter flow cytometry [MFC]. Results The median duration of IFN-α treatment was 56 days (range, 1-1211 days). The cumulative incidences of all grades acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), all grades chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), and severe cGVHD at 3 years after IFN-α therapy were 2.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-3.8%), 53.2% (95% CI, 46.8-59.7%), and 6.2% (95% CI, 3.1-9.2%), respectively. The cumulative incidence of achieving MRD negative state at 2 years after IFN-α treatment was 78.2% (95% CI, 72.6-83.7%). The 3-year cumulative incidences of relapse and non-relapse mortality following IFN-α therapy were 20.9% (95% CI, 15.5-26.3%) and 4.9% (95%CI, 2.0-7.7%), respectively. The probabilities of leukemia-free survival and overall survival at 3 years following IFN-α therapy were 76.9% (95% CI, 71.5-82.7%) and 84.2% (95% CI, 78.7-90.1%), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that MRD positive state by qPCR and MFC before IFN-α treatment, high-risk disease risk index before allo-HSCT, and receiving identical sibling donor HSCT were associated with a higher risk of relapse and a poorer leukemia-free survival. Severe cGVHD was associated with an increased risk of non-relapse mortality. Discussion Thus, real-world data suggest that preemptive IFN-α is effective for treating patients with AML with MRD after allo-HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China
| | - Tian-Zhong Pan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Li-Ping Dou
- Department of Hematology, The First Medical Center of People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Min Zhao
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China
| | - Lan-Ping Xu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Huang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Key Technique for Diagnosis and Treatments of Hematologic Malignancies, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Mo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Key Technique for Diagnosis and Treatments of Hematologic Malignancies, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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32
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Vittayawacharin P, Kongtim P, Ciurea SO. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. Am J Hematol 2023; 98:322-337. [PMID: 36251347 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogenous group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell neoplasms primarily affecting older persons, associated with dysplastic changes of bone marrow cells, peripheral cytopenias, and various risk of leukemic transformation. Although treatment with several drugs has shown improved disease control, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains the only curative treatment for MDS. The number of patients receiving a transplant, as well as survival, have increased past years because of the use of reduce-intensity conditioning regimens (RIC) as well as the use of haploidentical donors for transplantation. With treatment-related mortality as main limitation, pre-transplant evaluation is essential to assess risks for this older group of patients. In a recent randomized study, allo-HSCT with RIC for patients >50 years old with higher-risk MDS demonstrated superiority in survival compared with hypomethylating agents. Genetic mutations have been shown to significantly impact treatment outcomes including after transplant. Recently, a transplant-specific risk score (which includes age, donor type, performance status, cytogenetic category, recipient's cytomegalovirus status, percentage of blasts, and platelet count) has shown superiority in transplantation outcome prediction, compared with previous scoring systems. Survival remains low for most patients with TP53 mutations and novel treatment strategies are needed, such as administration of natural killer cells post-transplant, as there is no clear evidence that maintenance therapy after transplantation can improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pongthep Vittayawacharin
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Piyanuch Kongtim
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Stefan O Ciurea
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
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33
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Ciurea SO, Kothari A, Sana S, Al Malki MM. The mythological chimera and new era of relapse prediction post-transplant. Blood Rev 2023; 57:100997. [PMID: 35961800 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2022.100997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation is the treatment of choice for high-risk or relapsed acute leukemia. However, unfortunately, relapse post-transplant continues to be the most common cause of treatment failure with 20-80% of patients relapsing based on disease risk and status at transplant. Advances in molecular profiling of different hematological malignancies have enabled us to monitor low level disease before and after transplant and develop a more personalized approach to the management of these disease including early detection post-transplant. While, in general, detectable disease by morphology remains the gold standard to diagnosing relapse, multiple approaches have allowed detection of cancer cells earlier, using peripheral blood-based methods with sensitivities as high as 1:106, together called minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) detection. However, a in significant number of patients with acute leukemia where no such molecular markers exist it remains challenging to detect early relapse. In such patients who receive transplantation, chimerism monitoring remains the only option. An increase in mixed chimerism in post allogeneic HCT patients has been correlated with relapse in multiple studies. However, chimerism monitoring, while commonly accepted as a tool for assessing engraftment, has not been routinely used for relapse detection, at least in part because of the lack of standardized, high sensitivity, reliable methods for chimerism detection. In this paper, we review the various methods employed for MRD and chimerism detection post-transplant and discuss future trends in MRD and chimerism monitoring from the viewpoint of the practicing transplant physician.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan O Ciurea
- University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, United States of America.
| | | | - Sean Sana
- CareDx Inc., Brisbane, CA, United States of America
| | - Monzr M Al Malki
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States of America
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Transplant for TP53-mutated MDS and AML: because we can or because we should? HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2022; 2022:522-527. [PMID: 36485102 PMCID: PMC9820679 DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2022000354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
TP53 mutations impair the cellular response to genotoxic stress and drive intrinsic resistance to conventional cytotoxic therapies. Clinical outcomes in patients with TP53-mutated myeloid malignancies are poor and marked by high-risk clinical features, such as complex karyotype and prior exposure to leukemogenic therapies, and short survival due to a high risk of relapse after allogeneic transplantation. TP53 mutations are thus included as adverse markers in clinical prognostic models, including European LeukemiaNet recommendations and the Molecular International Prognostic Scoring System for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Recent data indicate that the TP53 allelic state, co-occurring somatic mutations, and the position of the TP53 mutation within the clonal hierarchy define genetic heterogeneity among TP53-mutated MDS and acute myeloid leukemia that may influence clinical outcomes, thereby informing the selection of patients most suitable for transplantation. Further, novel therapeutic methods such as antibody-based agents (monoclonals or dual-affinity retargeting antibodies), cellular therapies (natural killer cells, chimeric antigen receptor T cells), or targeted agents (eprenetapopt) may offer opportunities to modify the approach to pretransplant conditioning or posttransplant maintenance and improve clinical outcomes.
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Blachly JS, Walter RB, Hourigan CS. The present and future of measurable residual disease testing in acute myeloid leukemia. Haematologica 2022; 107:2810-2822. [PMID: 36453518 PMCID: PMC9713561 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2022.282034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made in the past several years in the scientific understanding of, and available treatments for, acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Achievement of a conventional remission, evaluated cytomorphologically via small bone marrow samples, is a necessary but not sufficient step toward cure. It is increasingly appreciated that molecular or immunophenotypic methods to identify and quantify measurable residual disease (MRD) - populations of leukemia cells below the cytomorphological detection limit - provide refined information on the quality of response to treatment and prediction of the risk of AML recurrence and leukemia-related deaths. The principles and practices surrounding MRD remain incompletely determined however and the genetic and immunophenotypic heterogeneity of AML may prevent a one-sizefits- all approach. Here, we review the current approaches to MRD testing in AML, discuss strengths and limitations, highlight recent technological advances that may improve such testing, and summarize ongoing initiatives to generate the clinical evidence needed to advance the use of MRD testing in patients with AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S. Blachly
- Division of Hematology/Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University - The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH,Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH,J.S. Blachly
| | - Roland B. Walter
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA,Division of Hematology/Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA,Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA,Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Christopher S. Hourigan
- Laboratory of Myeloid Malignancies, Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Maffini E, Ursi M, Barbato F, Dicataldo M, Roberto M, Campanini E, Dan E, De Felice F, De Matteis S, Storci G, Bonafè M, Arpinati M, Bonifazi F. The prevention of disease relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1066285. [DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1066285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease relapse represents by far the most frequent cause of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) failure. Patients with acute leukemia suffering relapse after HCT have limited conventional treatment options with little possibility of cure and represent, de facto, suitable candidates for the evaluation of novel cellular and biological-based therapies. Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) has been one of the first cellular therapies adopted to treat post HCT relapse of acute leukemia patients and still now, it is widely adopted in preemptive and prophylactic settings, with renewed interest for manipulated cellular products such as NK-DLI. The acquisition of novel biological insights into pathobiology of leukemia relapse are translating into the clinic, with novel combinations of target therapies and novel agents, helping delineate new therapeutical landscapes. Hypomethylating agents alone or in combination with novel drugs demonstrated their efficacy in pre-clinical models and controlled trials. FLT3 inhibitors represent an essential therapeutical instrument incorporated in post-transplant maintenance strategies. The Holy grail of allogeneic transplantation lies in the separation of graft-vs.-host disease from graft vs. tumor effects and after more than five decades, is still the most ambitious goal to reach and many ways to accomplish are on their way.
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Yang G, Wang X, Huang S, Huang R, Wei J, Wang X, Zhang X. Generalist in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for MDS or AML: Epigenetic therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1034438. [PMID: 36268012 PMCID: PMC9577610 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1034438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains the only curative treatment for patients with myeloid malignancies such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, relapse and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) still affect the survival of patients who receive allo-HSCT, and more appropriate therapeutic strategies should be applied at all stages of transplantation to prevent these adverse events. The use of epigenetics agents, such as hypomethylating agents (HMAs), has been explored to decrease the risk of relapse by epigenetic modulation, which is especially effective among AML patients with poor mutations in epigenetic regulators. Furthermore, epigenetic agents have also been regarded as prophylactic methods for GvHD management without abrogating graft versus leukemia (GvL) effects. Therefore, the combination of epigenetic therapy and HSCT may optimize the transplantation process and prevent treatment failure. Existing studies have investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of using HMAs in the pretransplant, transplant and posttransplant stages among MDS and AML patients. This review examines the application of HMAs as a bridge treatment to reduce the tumor burden and the determine appropriate dose during allo-HSCT. Within this review, we also examine the efficacy and safety of HMAs alone or HMA-based strategies in posttransplant settings for MDS and AML. Finally, we provide an overview of other epigenetic candidates, which have been discussed in the nontransplant setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guancui Yang
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Shiqin Huang
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Ruihao Huang
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Wei
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Xiaoqi Wang
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Xi Zhang, ; Xiaoqi Wang,
| | - Xi Zhang
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- *Correspondence: Xi Zhang, ; Xiaoqi Wang,
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Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Pediatric Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Transplant Cell Ther 2022; 28:530-545. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Azenkot T, Jonas BA. Clinical Impact of Measurable Residual Disease in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153634. [PMID: 35892893 PMCID: PMC9330895 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Advances in immunophenotyping and molecular techniques have allowed for the development of more sensitive diagnostic tests in acute leukemia. These techniques can identify low levels of leukemic cells (quantified as 10−4 to 10−6 ratio to white blood cells) in patient samples. The presence of such low levels of leukemic cells, termed “measurable/minimal residual disease” (MRD), has been shown to be a marker of disease burden and patient outcomes. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, new agents are highly effective at eliminating MRD for patients whose leukemia progressed despite first line therapies. By comparison, the role of MRD in acute myeloid leukemia is less clear. This commentary reviews select data and remaining questions about the clinical application of MRD to the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Abstract Measurable residual disease (MRD) has emerged as a primary marker of risk severity and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). There is, however, ongoing debate about MRD-based surveillance and treatment. A literature review was performed using the PubMed database with the keywords MRD or residual disease in recently published journals. Identified articles describe the prognostic value of pre-transplant MRD and suggest optimal timing and techniques to quantify MRD. Several studies address the implications of MRD on treatment selection and hematopoietic stem cell transplant, including patient candidacy, conditioning regimen, and transplant type. More prospective, randomized studies are needed to guide the application of MRD in the treatment of AML, particularly in transplant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tali Azenkot
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Brian A. Jonas
- Division of Cellular Therapy, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Malignant Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-916-734-3772
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Kreidieh F, Abou Dalle I, Moukalled N, El-Cheikh J, Brissot E, Mohty M, Bazarbachi A. Relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia: an overview of prevention and treatment. Int J Hematol 2022; 116:330-340. [PMID: 35841458 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-022-03416-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite therapeutic progress in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), relapse post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains a major challenge. Here, we aim to provide an overview of prevention and treatment of relapse in this population, including cell-based and pharmacologic options. Post-transplant maintenance therapy is used in patients who have undetectable measurable residual disease (MRD), while pre-emptive treatment is administered upon detection of MRD. Prompt transfusion of prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) was found to be effective in preventing relapse and overcoming the negative impact of detectable MRD. In addition, patients with persistent targetable mutations can benefit from targeted post-transplant pharmacological interventions. IDH inhibitors have shown promising results in relapsed/refractory AML. Hypomethylating agents, such as decitabine and azacitidine, have been studied in the post-allo-HSCT setting, both as pre-emptive and prophylactic. Venetoclax has been shown effective in combination with hypomethylating agents or low-dose cytarabine in patients with newly diagnosed AML, especially those unfit for intensive chemotherapy. FLT3 inhibitors, the topic of another section in this review series, have significantly improved survival in FLT-3-ITD mutant AML. The role of other cell-based therapies, including CAR-T cells, in AML is currently being investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firas Kreidieh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center, Bone Marrow Transplant Program, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Iman Abou Dalle
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center, Bone Marrow Transplant Program, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nour Moukalled
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center, Bone Marrow Transplant Program, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jean El-Cheikh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center, Bone Marrow Transplant Program, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Eolia Brissot
- Department of Clinical Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Saint-Antoine Hospital, INSERM UMR 938 and Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Mohamed Mohty
- Department of Clinical Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Saint-Antoine Hospital, INSERM UMR 938 and Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Ali Bazarbachi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center, Bone Marrow Transplant Program, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Liberatore C, Stanghellini MTL, Lorentino F, Vago L, Carrabba MG, Greco R, Marktel S, Assanelli A, Farina F, Corti C, Bernardi M, Peccatori J, Sockel K, Middeke JM, Schetelig J, Bergmann A, Rautenberg C, Ciceri F, Bornhäuser M, Schroeder T, Stölzel F. Azacitidine and donor lymphocytes infusions in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome relapsed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from alternative donors. Ther Adv Hematol 2022; 13:20406207221090882. [PMID: 35747461 PMCID: PMC9210096 DOI: 10.1177/20406207221090882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Azacitidine (AZA) either single-agent or with donor lymphocytes infusions (DLI) has been used as a salvage treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) relapsing after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To date, the majority of data come from patients relapsed after HSCT from full-matched donors. Methods We report a multicenter, collaborative, retrospective analysis of 71 patients with hematologic (n = 40, 56%) and molecular relapse (n = 31, 44%) of myeloid neoplasms after HSCT from alternative donors (mismatched unrelated, n = 39, 55%; haploidentical, n = 29, 41%) consecutively treated at three European centers with AZA ± DLI. Results Median time from HSCT to relapse was 9 months. Additional DLI were given to 33 patients (46%). After a median of four cycles, overall response rate (ORR) was 49% and complete response (CR) rate was 38%. CR lasted for a median of 17 months (range 5-89 months). Median follow-up in the entire cohort was 11 months (range 1-115 months). Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) at 1 year were 26% and 53%, respectively. Treatment of molecular relapse granted higher CR rate (65% versus 15%; p = 0.0001), 1-year EFS (43% versus 13%; p = 0.006), and 1-year OS (79% versus 34%; p < 0.001) compared to hematologic relapses. Addition of DLI resulted in significantly higher responses and longer 1-year EFS and OS (Mantel-Byar test, p = 0.004 and p = 0.002, respectively). When applied to our cohort, the APSS-R score confirmed its ability to stratify patients into distinct prognostic groups with significantly different response rates (p = 0.0005) and survival (p < 0.0001). Treatment was well tolerated, with the incidence of late acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease of 27% and 18%, respectively. Conclusion AZA ± DLI proved feasible and effective in AML and MDS relapsing after HSCT from alternative donors. Despite modest efficacy among hematologic relapses, pre-emptive treatment with AZA ± DLI fared better in molecular relapse. Additional DLI contributed to improving efficacy and ensuring longer survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Liberatore
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Lorentino
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Vago
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Giovanni Carrabba
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Greco
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sarah Marktel
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Assanelli
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Farina
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Consuelo Corti
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Bernardi
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Peccatori
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Katja Sockel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Moritz Middeke
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johannes Schetelig
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anika Bergmann
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Christina Rautenberg
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 60, Milano 20132, Italy
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Schroeder
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine - University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Friedrich Stölzel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Single-agent 5-azacytidine as post-transplant maintenance in high-risk myeloid malignancies undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Ann Hematol 2022; 101:1321-1331. [PMID: 35352216 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-022-04821-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Relapse is a major cause of treatment failure after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in myeloid malignancies. Additional strategies have been devised to further maximize the immunologic effect of allo-HCT, notably through maintenance therapy with hypomethylating agents such as 5-azacytidine (AZA). We conducted a single-center retrospective study to investigate the efficacy of AZA after allo-HCT for high-risk myeloid malignancies. All patients transplanted between Jan 2014 and Sept 2019 for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (n = 123), myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 51), or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (n = 11) were included. Patients who died, relapsed, or developed grade ≥ 2 acute graft-versus-host disease before day + 60 were excluded, as well as those who were eligible for anti-FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 maintenance. Of the 185 included patients, 65 received AZA while 120 did not. Median age at transplant was 59 years; 51.9% of patients were males. The median follow-up was 24 months for both groups. Regarding main patient characteristics and transplantation modalities, the two groups were comparable. In multivariate analyses, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse (HR = 1.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-2.12; p = 0.55), overall survival (HR = 0.62; 95%CI 0.35-1.12; p = 0.12) and event-free survival (HR = 0.97; 95%CI 0.60-1.58; p = 0.91) rates. In conclusion, single-agent AZA does not appear to be an optimal drug for preventing post-transplant relapse in patients with high-risk myeloid malignancies. This study highlights the need for prospective studies of alternative therapies or combination approaches in the post-transplant setting.
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Deep sequencing in CD34+ cells from peripheral blood allows sensitive detection of measurable residual disease in AML. Blood Adv 2022; 6:3294-3303. [PMID: 35320339 PMCID: PMC9198930 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021006233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The combination of FACS for enrichment of CD34+ PB cells and deep sequencing enables detection of MRD at levels down to 1:106. NGS in CD34+ PB cells improved early prediction of molecular relapse compared with NGS of unsorted PB or CD34+ donor chimerism.
Monitoring of measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is predictive of disease recurrence and may identify patients who benefit from treatment intensification. Current MRD techniques rely on multicolor flow cytometry or molecular methods, but are limited in applicability or sensitivity. We evaluated the feasibility of a novel approach for MRD detection in peripheral blood (PB), which combines immunomagnetic preenrichment and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for isolation of CD34+ cells with error-reduced targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). For clinical validation, we retrospectively analyzed 429 PB and 55 bone marrow (BM) samples of 40 patients with AML or high-risk MDS, with/without molecular relapse based on CD34+ donor chimerism (DC), in complete remission after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Enrichment of CD34+ cells for NGS increased the detection of mutant alleles in PB ∼1000-fold (median variant allele frequency, 1.27% vs 0.0046% in unsorted PB; P < .0001). Although a strong correlation was observed for the parallel analysis of CD34+ PB cells with NGS and DC (r = 0.8601), the combination of FACS and NGS improved sensitivity for MRD detection in dilution experiments ∼10-fold to levels of 10−6. In both assays, MRD detection was superior using PB vs BM for CD34+ enrichment. Importantly, NGS on CD34+ PB cells enabled prediction of molecular relapse with high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (91%), and significantly earlier (median, 48 days; range, 0-281; P = .0011) than by CD34+ DC or NGS of unsorted PB, providing additional time for therapeutic intervention. Moreover, panel sequencing in CD34+ cells allowed for the early assessment of clonal trajectories in hematological complete remission.
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Abou Dalle I, El Cheikh J, Bazarbachi A. Pharmacologic Strategies for Post-Transplant Maintenance in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: It Is Time to Consider! Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1490. [PMID: 35326641 PMCID: PMC8946578 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia are offered allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in first remission to reduce risk of relapse. However, disease recurrence remains the major reason of allo-HCT failure, occurring in around 35-45% of patients, and leading to dismal outcomes. Strategies to reduce the risk of relapse are greatly needed, especially in the early post-transplant phase where the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect is not yet activated. Some practices include the use of myeloablative conditioning regimens, close monitoring of measurable residual disease and donor chimerism, rapid tapering of immunosuppression, and implementation of pre-emptive strategies as the use of donor lymphocyte infusion. However, it's time to consider prophylactic pharmacologic interventions post allo-HCT that aim at maintaining leukemic clones under control by both direct cytotoxic activity and by enhancing the GVL effect. In this current review, available data on drugs targeting epigenetic pathways like azacitidine, or actionable mutations like FLT3 and IDH1/2 inhibitors used as maintenance post allo-HCT, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ali Bazarbachi
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (I.A.D.); (J.E.C.)
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Lindahl H, Vonlanthen S, Valentini D, Björklund AT, Sundin M, Mielke S, Hauzenberger D. Lineage-specific early complete donor chimerism and risk of relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia. Bone Marrow Transplant 2022; 57:753-759. [PMID: 35210563 PMCID: PMC9090632 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-022-01615-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Recipient–donor chimerism is routinely analyzed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to monitor engraftment and graft rejection. For malignancies, chimerism can also be used to screen for disease relapse post-HSCT but methodology and interpretation of results are not standardized and likely depend on underlying diagnosis. We have implemented highly sensitive and accurate methodologies for chimerism analysis for the purpose of improving relapse prediction. Here, we report an exploratory retrospective analysis of clinical routine chimerism results from all 154 HSCTs for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) performed at our center during the years 2015–2020 with the aim of suggesting a clinically useful threshold at which risk of relapse is high. Relapse was not reliably predicted based on single elevated chimerism values obtained before time of overt relapse. However, early complete donor chimerism, here defined as recipient DNA < 0.2% in CD33+ cells in any blood or bone marrow sample taken during the first 60 days after HSCT, correlated inversely with relapse during the observation time (log-rank test P = 0.033). We propose that achievement of complete chimerism determined early after HSCT using sensitive methods can be used for risk-stratification of AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Lindahl
- Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Sofie Vonlanthen
- Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Davide Valentini
- Department of Cellular Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (CAST), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas T Björklund
- Department of Cellular Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (CAST), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Sundin
- Pediatric Hematology, Immunology and HCT, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Pediatrics, CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stephan Mielke
- Department of Cell Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (CAST), Department of Laboratory Medicine (LabMED), Karolinska University Hospital and Institutet, Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dan Hauzenberger
- Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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46
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Lin CH, Chen TC, Shih YH, Chou CW, Hsu CY, Li PH, Teng CLJ. Acute myeloid leukemia relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a retrospective study from a single institution. J Int Med Res 2022; 50:3000605221078466. [PMID: 35187981 PMCID: PMC8864276 DOI: 10.1177/03000605221078466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who relapse after
allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) are poor.
However, the risk factors for relapse in this context remain unclear. Methods We retrospectively assessed 84 consecutive adult AML patients who underwent
allo-HSCT and achieved complete remission (CR). These patients were
dichotomized into non-relapse (n = 58) and relapse (n = 26) groups, and the
cumulative relapse rates and associated risk factors were examined. We also
examined the treatments for and outcomes of patients with AML relapse after
allo-HSCT. Results Non-CR status before allo-HSCT and high-risk cytogenetics were significant
risk factors for AML relapse in univariate analysis, and non-CR status was
also identified as a risk factor in multivariate analysis. The cumulative
AML relapse rates after allo-HSCT were significantly higher in patients with
non-CR (70.0%) compared with patients with CR (25.6%). Only 2 of the 26
relapsed patients remained alive on the study-censored day. Conclusions Non-CR status before allo-HSCT was a significant risk factor for AML relapse
after allo-HSCT. Patients with AML relapse after allo-HSCT had poor outcomes
due to a lack of response to salvage remission-induction chemotherapy or
treatment-related adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Hsien Lin
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung
| | - Tsung-Chih Chen
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei
| | - Yu-Hsuan Shih
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung
| | - Cheng-Wei Chou
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung
| | - Chiann-Yi Hsu
- Biostatistics Task Force, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung
| | - Po-Hsien Li
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung
| | - Chieh-Lin Jerry Teng
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung
- College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung
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47
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Hell S, Jentzsch M, Franke GN, Jäkel N, Schulze S, Edelmann J, Nenoff K, Grieb N, Jeremic V, Cross M, Leiblein S, Bach E, Pönisch W, Al-Ali HK, Schwind S, Platzbecker U, Lange T, Niederwieser D, Vucinic V. Prospective phase II study of preemptive chimerism-driven reduction of immunosuppression after non-myeloablative conditioning-Eudract #: 2007-002420-15. Bone Marrow Transplant 2022; 57:824-826. [PMID: 35181744 PMCID: PMC9090627 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-022-01609-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Hell
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Madlen Jentzsch
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Georg-Nikolaus Franke
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nadja Jäkel
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Susann Schulze
- Krukenberg Cancer Center, University Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jeanett Edelmann
- Leipzig Medical Center, Institute of Legal Medicine, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kolja Nenoff
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nora Grieb
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Veljko Jeremic
- Department for Operations Research and Statistics, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Michael Cross
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabine Leiblein
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Enrica Bach
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wolfram Pönisch
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Schwind
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uwe Platzbecker
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thoralf Lange
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dietger Niederwieser
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Vladan Vucinic
- Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic 1, Hematology, Cellular Therapy and Hemostaseology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
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Georgi JA, Stasik S, Bornhäuser M, Platzbecker U, Thiede C. Analysis of Subset Chimerism for MRD-Detection and Pre-Emptive Treatment in AML. Front Oncol 2022; 12:841608. [PMID: 35252010 PMCID: PMC8892234 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.841608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHCT) represents the only potentially curative treatment in high-risk AML patients, but up to 40% of patients suffer from relapse after alloHCT. Treatment of overt relapse poses a major therapeutic challenge and long-term disease control is achieved only in a minority of patients. In order to avoid post-allograft relapse, maintenance as well as pre-emptive therapy strategies based on MRD-detection have been used. A prerequisite for the implementation of pre-emptive therapy is the accurate identification of patients at risk for imminent relapse. Detection of measurable residual disease (MRD) represents an effective tool for early relapse prediction in the post-transplant setting. However, using established MRD methods such as multicolor flow cytometry or quantitative PCR, sensitive MRD monitoring is only applicable in about half of the patients with AML and advanced MDS undergoing alloHCT. Donor chimerism analysis, in particular when performed on enriched leukemic stem and progenitor cells, e.g. CD34+ cells, is a sensitive method and has emerged as an alternative option in the post alloHCT setting. In this review, we will focus on the current strategies for lineage specific chimerism analysis, results of pre-emptive treatment using this technology as well as future developments in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia-Annabell Georgi
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus der Technischen Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian Stasik
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus der Technischen Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus der Technischen Universität, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
- *Correspondence: Martin Bornhäuser ,
| | - Uwe Platzbecker
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Hämatologie, Zelltherapie und Hämostaseologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Thiede
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus der Technischen Universität, Dresden, Germany
- AgenDix GmbH, Dresden, Germany
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Shen MZ, Zhang XH, Xu LP, Wang Y, Yan CH, Chen H, Chen YH, Han W, Wang FR, Wang JZ, Zhao XS, Qin YZ, Chang YJ, Liu KY, Huang XJ, Mo XD. Preemptive Interferon-α Therapy Could Protect Against Relapse and Improve Survival of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Long-Term Results of Two Registry Studies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:757002. [PMID: 35154096 PMCID: PMC8831731 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.757002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
For allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients, preemptive interferon-α (IFN-α) therapy is considered as a useful method to eliminate the minimal residual disease (MRD). Our purpose is to assess the long-term efficacy of preemptive IFN-α therapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients following allo-HSCT based on two registry studies (#NCT02185261 and #NCT02027064). We would present the final data and unpublished results of long-term clinical outcomes with extended follow-up. We adopted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) to monitor MRD, and a positive result of bone marrow specimen examined by either of them would be identified as the MRD-positive status. Subcutaneous injections of recombinant human IFN-α-2b were performed for 6 cycles, and prolonged IFN-α therapy could be permitted at the request of patients. The median cycles were 3.5 (range, 0.5-30.5) cycles. A total of 9 patients suffered from grade ≥3 toxicities (i.e., infectious: n = 6; hematologic: n = 3). The 6-year cumulative incidences of relapse and non-relapse mortality following IFN-α therapy were 13.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4-20.6%) and 3.9% (95%CI, 0.0-17.6%), respectively. The probability of disease-free survival at 6 years following IFN-α therapy was 83.1% (95%CI, 75.2-91.9%). The probability of overall survival at 6 years following IFN-α therapy was 88.3% (95%CI, 81.4-95.8%). The cumulative incidences of total chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and severe cGVHD at 6 years following IFN-α therapy were 66.2% (95%CI, 55.5-77.0%) and 10.4% (95%CI, 3.6-17.2%), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that an alternative donor was associated with a lower risk of relapse and the better disease-free survival. Thus, preemptive IFN-α therapy could clear MRD persistently, prevent relapse truly, and improve long-term survival in AML patients following allo-HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Zhu Shen
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Zhang
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Lan-Ping Xu
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Chen-Hua Yan
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Chen
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Hong Chen
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Han
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Feng-Rong Wang
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Zhi Wang
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Su Zhao
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Zhen Qin
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Jun Chang
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Kai-Yan Liu
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Huang
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Key Technique for Diagnosis and Treatments of Hematologic Malignancies, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Mo
- Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Key Technique for Diagnosis and Treatments of Hematologic Malignancies, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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50
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Ciotti G, Marconi G, Martinelli G. Hypomethylating Agent-Based Combination Therapies to Treat Post-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Relapse of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 11:810387. [PMID: 35071015 PMCID: PMC8770807 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.810387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation still represents the best curative option for most patients with acute myeloid leukemia, but relapse is still dramatically high. Due to their immunologic activity and safety profile, hypomethylating agents (HMAs) represent an interesting backbone for combination therapies. This review reports mechanism of action, safety, and efficacy data on combination strategies based on HMAs in the setting of post-allogeneic stem cell transplant relapse. Several studies highlighted how HMAs and donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) combination may be advantageous. The combination strategy of HMA with venetoclax, possibly in association with DLI, is showing excellent results in terms of response rate, including molecular responses. Lenalidomide, despite its well-known high rates of severe graft-versus-host disease in post-transplant settings, is showing an acceptable safety profile in association with HMAs with a competitive response rate. Regarding FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutant AML, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and particularly sorafenib have promising results as monotherapy and in combination with HMAs. Conversely, combination strategies with gemtuzumab ozogamicin or immune checkpoint inhibitors did not show competitive response rates and seem to be currently less attractive strategies. Associations with histone deacetylase inhibitors and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) inhibitors represent new possible strategies that need to be better investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ciotti
- Ematologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale e di Precisione, Università La Sapienza, Azienda Ospedaliera Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marconi
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
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