Fewer relapses and increased chronic GVHD in patients transplanted with blood stem cells: a 5-year follow-up in a single centre study

[Allogeneic stem-cell transplantation in adults 1985-2012: results and development]

BACKGROUND

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been a treatment option for patients with serious diseases of the blood and haematopoietic organs in Norway since 1985. Such treatment is potentially curative for selected patients who have a relatively short predicted survival with other treatment modalities. This article summarises the experience and results from ASCT at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The study included all of the 734 adult patients who had undergone allogeneic stem cell transplantation at the Department of Haematology, Rikshospitalet, later Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, from November 1985 to October 2012.

RESULTS

At the time of analysis, altogether 384 patients were alive, and the five and ten-year survival rates were 54% and 48% respectively. The median follow-up time was six years. A total of 339 patients (46%) had developed acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), and 250 (73%) of these had GvHD ≥ grade II. Altogether 280 out of 602 patients who lived ≥ 100 days after the transplantation (46.5%) developed chronic GvHD. The most frequent causes of death included recurrence of the initial disease in 116 patients (33.1 %), multi organ failure after transplantation in 88 patients (25.4%), infections in 54 patients (16%) and GvHD in 33 patients (9.4%).

INTERPRETATION

ASCT is a treatment option with a curative potential for patients with serious haematological diseases when other forms of treatment provide few prospects for recovery. The total survival rate in our study is in accordance with international results for the same time period, and the indications have consistently been in line with what is accepted internationally.

Bone marrow versus peripheral blood allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for haematological malignancies in adults

BACKGROUND

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an established treatment option for many malignant and non-malignant disorders. In the past two decades, peripheral blood stem cells replaced bone marrow as stem cell source due to faster engraftment and practicability. Previous meta-analyses analysed patients treated from 1990 to 2002 and demonstrated no impact of the stem cell source on overall survival, but a greater risk for graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in peripheral blood transplants. As transplant indications and conditioning regimens continue to change, whether the choice of the stem cell source has an impact on transplant outcomes remains to be determined.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of bone marrow versus peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in adult patients with haematological malignancies with regard to overall survival, incidence of relapse and non-relapse mortality, disease-free survival, transplant-related mortality, incidence of GvHD and time to engraftment.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2014, Issue 1), MEDLINE (from 1948 to February 2014), trial registries and conference proceedings. The search was conducted in October 2011 and was last updated in February 2014. We did not apply any language restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing bone marrow and peripheral blood allogeneic stem cell transplantation in adults with haematological malignancies.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors screened abstracts and extracted and analysed data independently. We contacted study authors for additional information. We used the standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration.

MAIN RESULTS

We included nine RCTs that met the pre-defined selection criteria, involving a total of 1521 participants. Quality of data reporting was heterogeneous among the studies. Overall, the risk of bias in the included studies was low.For the primary outcome overall survival, our analysis demonstrated comparable results between bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) (six studies, 1330 participants; hazard ratio (HR) 1.07; 95% CI 0.91 to 1.25; P value = 0.43; high-quality evidence).Disease-free survival (six studies, 1225 participants; HR 1.04; 95% CI 0.89 to 1.21; P value = 0.6; moderate-quality of evidence) and non-relapse or transplant-related mortality (three studies, 758 participants; HR 0.98; 95% CI 0.76 to 1.28; P = 0.91; high-quality evidence) were also comparable between transplantation arms.In the related-donor setting, data from two of eight studies with 211 participants (21%) indicated a higher relapse incidence in participants transplanted with bone marrow stem cells rather than peripheral blood stem cells (HR 2.73; 95% CI 1.47 to 5.08; P value = 0.001). There was no clear evidence of a difference in relapse incidence between transplantation groups in unrelated donors (HR 1.07; 95% CI 0.78 to 1.47; P value = 0.66). The difference between the donor-related and -unrelated subgroups (P-value = 0.008) was considered to be statistically significant.BMT was associated with lower rates of overall and extensive chronic GvHD than PBSCT (overall chronic GvHD: four studies, 1121 participants; HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.85; P value = 0.0001, extensive chronic GvHD: four studies, 765 participants; HR 0.69; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.9; P value = 0.006; moderate-quality evidence for both outcomes). The incidence of acute GvHD grades II to IV was not lower (six studies, 1330 participants; HR 1.03; 95% CI 0.89 to 1.21; P value = 0.67; moderate-quality evidence), but there was a trend for a lower incidence of grades III and IV acute GvHD with BMT than with PBSCT (three studies, 925 participants; HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.55 to 1.02; P value = 0.07; moderate-quality evidence).Times to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were longer with BMT than with PBSCT (neutrophil: five studies, 662 participants; HR 1.96; 95% CI 1.64 to 2.35; P value < 0.00001; platelet: four studies, 333 participants; HR 2.17; 95% CI 1.69 to 2.78; P value < 0.00001).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review  found high-quality evidence that overall survival following allo-HSCT using the current clinical standard stem cell source - peripheral blood stem cells - was similar to that following allo-HSCT using bone marrow stem cells in adults with haematological malignancies. We found moderate-quality evidence that PBSCT was associated with faster engraftment of neutrophils and platelets, but a higher risk of GvHD (in terms of more overall and extensive chronic GvHD). There was an imprecise effect on relapse and on severe (grades III to IV) acute GvHD. Quality of life, which is severely affected by GvHD, was not evaluated.Against the background of transplantation practices that have clearly changed over the past 10 to 15 years, our aim was to provide current data on the best stem cell source for allo-HSCT, by including the results of recently conducted trials. Our review includes participants recruited up to 2009, a proportion of whom were older, had received reduced-intensity conditioning regimens or had been transplanted with stem cells from unrelated donors. However, only one, large, study included relatively recently treated participants. Nevertheless, our findings are comparable to those of previous meta-analyses suggesting that our results hold true for today's practice.

Hyperlipidemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: prevalence, risk factors, and impact on prognosis

Hyperlipidemia is one of the late complications after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Although intrahepatic cholestasis caused by chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or calcineurin inhibitors has been considered as possible etiologies, its prevalence, risk factors, and impact on prognosis have not been investigated well. We performed a retrospective analysis of 194 patients who underwent allogeneic SCT between 1995 and 2008 in our institute and survived more than 100 d after SCT. Overall, 83 (42.8%) and 99 (50.8%) patients developed hypercholesterolemia (≥240 mg/dL) and hypertriglyceridemia (≥200 mg/dL), respectively. In multivariate analysis, the development of chronic GVHD (hazard ratio [HR] 2.04, p < 0.05) and steroid use (HR 2.24, p < 0.01) were independently associated with hypercholesterolemia, while administration of calcineurin inhibitors was not. As for the prognostic impact, multivariate analysis showed that the patients with hypercholesterolemia had a tendency of lower rate of relapse (HR: 0.44, p = 0.07). There was no difference in non-relapse mortality or overall survival between the groups. In conclusion, the development of hypercholesterolemia is regarded as one of the symptoms accompanied with chronic GVHD and might indicate a better control of the primary disease.

A retrospective comparison of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell versus bone marrow transplantation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Disease evolution depends in part on the source of transplanted cells. Therefore, we compared outcomes after allogeneic bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation in patients who underwent transplant at Hospital das Clinicas of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied 364 patients who received allogeneic BM (n = 142) or PBSC transplantation (n = 222) between July 1995 and May 2005. The median age of the patients was 31 years (range, 3.1-58 years). Chronic myeloid leukemia was the predominant diagnosis (41.2%). A conditioning regimen with cyclosphosphamide and busulfan was used in 79.4% (n = 289) and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was cyclosporine/methotrexate in 95.9% (n = 349) of cases.

RESULTS

The patients in the PBSC group had faster neutrophil (P < .001) and platelet engraftment (P = .03) but increased rates of acute GVHD (P < .001) vs. those in the BM group. There was no significant difference between the groups in chronic GVHD, transplant-related mortality, relapse and survival rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Although allogeneic PBSC transplant results in a faster hematopoietic engraftment, there was an increase in acute GVHD. There was no clear benefit in relapse rate and no evidence that transplantation with PBSC benefits patient survival in our institution.

Recent advances in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and perspectives of RNAi applications

In adults, the bone marrow compartment contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) which can differentiate into progenitors with more restricted lineage potential and generate all cellular elements of the blood. HSCs for stem cell transplantation can be obtained by bone marrow collection, mobilization into peripheral blood followed by apheresis, or use of stem cells from cord blood. Currently, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is used to treat patients with various hematological diseases. Although substantial progress has been made, a number of challenges can limit the efficacy of HSC transplantation, including the occurrence of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT), the susceptibility of patients to opportunistic infections and relapse of malignancies after SCT. Recent studies indicate that small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can specifically and efficiently interfere with the expression of oncogenic genes. Therefore, the possibility of interfering with the expression of these proteins in hematopoietic cells may offer a new option to correct cell differentiation and function. In addition to the generation of T cells restricted by nonself MHC as reviewed by Stauss and colleagues in 1999, the modulation of NK cell receptor expression and T-cell activation is a new strategy that could limit GvHD. This chapter reviews the recent advances in ASCT and discusses the potential application of RNAi in hematopoietic cells.

Role of stem cells in cancer therapy and cancer stem cells: a review

For over 30 years, stem cells have been used in the replenishment of blood and immune systems damaged by the cancer cells or during treatment of cancer by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Apart from their use in the immuno-reconstitution, the stem cells have been reported to contribute in the tissue regeneration and as delivery vehicles in the cancer treatments. The recent concept of 'cancer stem cells' has directed scientific communities towards a different wide new area of research field and possible potential future treatment modalities for the cancer. Aim of this review is primarily focus on the recent developments in the use of the stem cells in the cancer treatments, then to discuss the cancer stem cells, now considered as backbone in the development of the cancer; and their role in carcinogenesis and their implications in the development of possible new cancer treatment options in future.

Risk assessment in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Stem cell source

Bone marrow (BM) has been used for many years as the unique source of progenitor cells for allogeneic transplantation. However, two other sources of progenitor cells, peripheral blood (PB) and umbilical cord (UC), are being increasingly used. The type of graft is one of the most important factors in determining the speed and robustness of the reconstitution after the transplant of monocytes, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, NK cells, and dendritic cells. This fact is of especial relevance since the most important reactions after allogeneic transplants - e.g. graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), graft-versus-leukaemia effect (GvL), achievement of full donor chimerism, and fight against infections - are strongly influenced by a rapid and robust reconstitution of these cells. For this reason, the choice of the type of graft for allogeneic transplantation will influence the clinical outcome.

Skin biopsies for early diagnosis and prognosis of graft-versus-host disease in recipients of allogeneic stem cells from blood or bone marrow

A total of 61 patients with haematological malignancies were randomised either to allogeneic transplantation with blood stem cells (BSC) or bone marrow (BM), of whom 37 patients gave their consent to participate in a skin biopsy trial. Skin biopsies were performed before and after transplantation. The main objective was to assess whether biopsies of normal and affected skin from patients allografted with BSC showed a different histopathological and immunohistochemical pattern as compared to biopsies taken from patients allografted with BM. In addition, we wished to clarify whether sequential skin biopsies could be of prognostic value with regard to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Biopsies from normal or affected skin in BSC allografted did not disclose a different pattern as compared to BM transplants. Biopsies taken before the outbreak of acute and chronic GVHD showed no substantial differences between the groups. Irrespective of the type of allograft, the immunohistochemical picture of affected skin consistent with acute GVHD was dominated by a significantly higher number of T-lymphocytes (CD8+). Biopsies from normal skin before the outbreak of GVHD had no predictive value with regard to the development of acute or chronic GVHD. Immunohistochemistry is of supplementary help in distinguishing changes caused by cytotoxic agents from those caused by acute GVHD.

Comparative analysis of clinical outcomes after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation versus peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from a related donor in Japanese patients

A reduced incidence of graft versus host disease (GvHD) has been documented among Japanese allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) patients, as the Japanese are genetically more homogeneous than western populations. To clarify whether this ethnic difference affects the results of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT), we conducted a nationwide survey to compare clinical outcomes of allogeneic PBSCT (n = 214) and BMT (n = 295) from a human leucocyte antigen-identical-related donor in Japanese patients. The cumulative incidence of grades II-IV acute GvHD was 37.4% for PBSCT and 32.0% for BMT. The cumulative incidence of extensive chronic GvHD at 1 year was significantly higher after PBSCT than BMT (42% vs. 27%; P < 0.01). The organ involvement patterns of GvHD were different between the two groups. By multivariate analyses, the incidence of chronic GvHD was significantly increased in PBSCT, whereas the stem cell source did not affect the incidence of acute GvHD, transplant-related mortality, relapse or survival. We concluded that Japanese PBSCT patients have an increased risk of chronic GvHD compared with BMT patients, but the incidence of acute GvHD was still lower than in western populations. Thus, the choice of haematopoietic stem cell source should be considered based on data for individual ethnic populations.

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: indications, clinical developments and future directions

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an established curative treatment for many malignant and non-malignant diseases. Over the last two decades, novel approaches have resulted in significant reductions in the morbidity and mortality associated with HSCT. These include the utilisation of reduced intensity regimens, more effective graft versus host disease prophylaxis, exploration of new sources of progenitor haematopoietic stem cells and better prophylaxis and treatment of infections. Despite current advances, new strategies are needed to further reduce the complications associated with HSCT. This article reviews the current indications for HSCT and the recent progress in the field of both allogeneic- and autologous HSCT.