1
|
Pagliuca S, Schmid C, Santoro N, Simonetta F, Battipaglia G, Guillaume T, Greco R, Onida F, Sánchez-Ortega I, Yakoub-Agha I, Kuball J, Hazenberg MD, Ruggeri A. Donor lymphocyte infusion after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation for haematological malignancies: basic considerations and best practice recommendations from the EBMT. Lancet Haematol 2024; 11:e448-e458. [PMID: 38796194 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3026(24)00098-x] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Since the early description of three patients with relapsed leukaemia after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) who obtained complete remission after donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs), the added value of this procedure to induce or maintain graft-versus-leukaemia immunity has been undisputed. For more than 30 years, DLIs have become common practice as prophylactic, pre-emptive, or therapeutic immunotherapy. However, as with many aspects of allogeneic HCT, centres have developed their own routines and practices, and many questions related to the optimal applications and toxicity, or to the immunobiology of DLI induced tumour-immunity, remain. As a part of the Practice Harmonization and Guidelines Committee and the Cellular Therapy and Immunobiology Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation effort, a panel of experts with clinical and translational knowledge in transplantation immunology and cellular therapy met during a 2-day workshop in September, 2023, in Lille, France, and developed a set of consensus-based recommendations for the application of unmanipulated DLI after allogeneic HCT for haematological malignancies. Given the absence of prospective data in the majority of publications, these recommendations are mostly based on retrospective studies and expert consensus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Pagliuca
- Department of Hematology, Nancy University Hospital, Nancy, France; UMR 7365, IMoPA, Lorraine University, CNRS, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Christoph Schmid
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, Augsburg University Hospital and Medical Faculty Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bavarian Cancer Research Center, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Santoro
- Haematology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Santo Spirito Hospital, Pescara, Italy
| | - Federico Simonetta
- Division of Haematology, Department of Oncology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Giorgia Battipaglia
- Haematology Department and Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Thierry Guillaume
- Division of Haematology, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France; INSERM U1232 CNRS, CRCINA, Nantes, France
| | - Raffaella Greco
- Haematology and BMT Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Onida
- Haematology and BMT Unit, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Jurgen Kuball
- Department of Haematology and Center for Translational Immunology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mette D Hazenberg
- Department of Haematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Annalisa Ruggeri
- Haematology and BMT Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gagelmann N, Schuh C, Flossdorf S, Kunadt D, Stelljes M, Blau IW, Brecht A, Bethge W, Schroeder T, Wulf G, Sala E, Bug G, Fleischhauer K, Kröger N. Impact of busulfan versus treosulfan dose intensity in myelofibrosis undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation. Am J Hematol 2024. [PMID: 38742955 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.27363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
One key aspect of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is pretransplant conditioning, balancing risk for relapse versus non-relapse mortality. Conditioning regimens with different alkylators at different doses can influence outcome, but data are missing for myelofibrosis, a challenging cohort of patients usually presenting at older age and with comorbidities. We evaluated in a multicenter retrospective study the comparative efficacy and safety of busulfan versus treosulfan in combination with fludarabine for myelofibrosis patients undergoing HCT. This study included 1115 patients (busulfan, n = 902; treosulfan, n = 213) receiving first HCT between 2005 and 2021. Patients were generally balanced for key patient characteristics. Overall survival at 4 years was 62% for the busulfan group versus 58% for the treosulfan group (p = .22). Impact on outcome was dose-dependent. Overall survival was 65% (95% CI, 61%-69%) for reduced intensity busulfan versus 69% (95% CI, 54%-84%) for reduced intensity treosulfan, 53% (95% CI, 44%-63%) for higher intensity busulfan, and 55% (95% CI, 46%-63%) for higher intensity treosulfan. Incidence of relapse was similar across intensity groups. In multivariable analysis, the hazard for death (with reduced intensity busulfan as reference) was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.39-2.01) for reduced intensity treosulfan (p = .77), 1.42 (95% CI, 0.96-2.10) for higher intensity busulfan (0.08), and 1.61 (95% CI, 1.14-2.26) for higher intensity treosulfan (p = .006). In terms of non-relapse mortality, comparison was not significantly different, while the hazard ratio for higher intensity treosulfan was 1.48 (95% CI, 0.98-2.23; p = .06). Here, we showed comparable outcomes and improved survival in myelofibrosis undergoing HCT with reduced intensity busulfan or treosulfan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nico Gagelmann
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Schuh
- German Registry for Stem Cell Transplantation, DRST, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sarah Flossdorf
- German Registry for Stem Cell Transplantation, DRST, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (IMIBE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Desiree Kunadt
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias Stelljes
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Igor W Blau
- Medical Clinic, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arne Brecht
- DKD HELIOS Hospital Wiesbaden and HELIOS Dr. Horst Schmidt Hospitals Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Bethge
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schroeder
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gerald Wulf
- Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medicine Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elisa Sala
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Gesine Bug
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Katharina Fleischhauer
- German Registry for Stem Cell Transplantation, DRST, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Cellular Therapy, Essen University Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | - Nicolaus Kröger
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Registry for Stem Cell Transplantation, DRST, Ulm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Oechsler S, Gagelmann N, Wolschke C, Janson D, Badbaran A, Klyuchnikov E, Massoud R, Rathje K, Richter J, Schäfersküpper M, Niederwieser C, Kunte A, Heidenreich S, Ayuk F, Kröger N. Graft-versus-host disease and impact on relapse in myelofibrosis undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 2024; 59:550-557. [PMID: 38321269 PMCID: PMC10994836 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-024-02220-7] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) remains the only curative treatment for myelofibrosis (MF). Relapse occurs in 10-30% and remains a major factor for dismal outcomes. Previous work suggested that graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) might be associated with risk of relapse. This study included 341 patients undergoing their first (n = 308) or second (n = 33) alloHSCT. Anti-T-lymphocyte or antithymocyte globulin was used for GVHD prophylaxis in almost all patients. Median time to neutrophile and platelet engraftment was 13 days and 19 days, respectively. The cumulative incidence of acute GVHD grade II-IV was 41% (median, 31 days; range, 7-112). Grade III-IV acute GVHD was observed in 22%. The cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 61%. Liver was affected in 23% of acute GVHD cases and 46% of chronic GVHD cases. Severe acute GVHD was associated with high non-relapse mortality. The development of acute GVHD grade II and moderate GVHD was an independent factor for reduced risk for relapse after transplantation without increased risk for non-relapse mortality, while especially acute GVHD grade IV was associated with high non-relapse mortality. Last, we identified that ongoing response to ruxolitinib, accelerated-phase MF at time of transplantation and splenectomy prior to transplantation were independent predictors for relapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Oechsler
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nico Gagelmann
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Anita Badbaran
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Radwan Massoud
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kristin Rathje
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Richter
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Ameya Kunte
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Francis Ayuk
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicolaus Kröger
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Smallbone P, Louw A, Purtill D. Laboratory methods of monitoring disease response after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for myelofibrosis. Pathology 2024; 56:24-32. [PMID: 38071159 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.10.003] [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: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The era of molecular prognostication in myelofibrosis has allowed comprehensive assessment of disease risk and informed decisions regarding allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, monitoring disease response after transplantation is difficult, and limited by disease and sample-related factors. The emergence of laboratory techniques sensitive enough to monitor measurable residual disease is promising in predicting molecular and haematological relapse and guiding management. This paper summarises the existing literature regarding methods for detecting and monitoring disease response after HSCT in myelofibrosis and explores the therapeutic use of measurable residual disease (MRD) assays in transplant recipients. Laboratory assessment of disease response in myelofibrosis post-allogeneic transplant is limited by disease and treatment characteristics and by the sensitivity of available conventional molecular assays. The identification of MRD has prognostic implications and may allow early intervention to prevent relapse. Further applicability is limited by mutation-specific assay variability, a lack of standardisation and sample considerations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Portia Smallbone
- Department of Haematology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia; PathWest, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Alison Louw
- PathWest, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Duncan Purtill
- Department of Haematology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia; PathWest, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tefferi A, Vannucchi AM. CALR mutations possess unique prognostic relevance in myelofibrosis-before and after transplant. Bone Marrow Transplant 2024; 59:1-3. [PMID: 37821534 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-023-02112-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ayalew Tefferi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Alessandro M Vannucchi
- CRIMM, Center Research and Innovation of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kröger N, Wolschke C, Gagelmann N. How I treat transplant-eligible patients with myelofibrosis. Blood 2023; 142:1683-1696. [PMID: 37647853 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the approval of Janus kinase inhibitors and novel agents for patients with myelofibrosis (MF), disease-modifying responses remain limited, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains the only potentially curative treatment option. The number of HSCTs for MF continues to increase worldwide, but its inherent therapy-related morbidity and mortality limit its use for many patients. Furthermore, patients with MF often present at an older age, with cytopenia, splenomegaly, and severe bone marrow fibrosis, posing challenges in managing them throughout the HSCT procedure. Although implementation of molecular analyses enabled improved understanding of disease mechanisms and subsequently sparked development of novel drugs with promising activity, prospective trials in the HSCT setting are often lacking, making an evidence-based decision process particularly difficult. To illustrate how we approach patients with MF with respect to HSCT, we present 3 different clinical scenarios to capture relevant aspects that influence our decision making regarding indication for, or against, HSCT. We describe how we perform HSCT according to different risk categories and, furthermore, discuss our up-to-date approach to reduce transplant-related complications. Last, we show how to harness graft-versus-MF effects, particularly in the posttransplant period to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolaus Kröger
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christine Wolschke
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nico Gagelmann
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|