Partially Matched Related Donor Transplantation Can Achieve Outcomes Comparable with Unrelated Donor Transplantation for Patients with Hematologic Malignancies

Prognostic Factors and Outcomes in Patients With Septic Shock After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Septic shock remains a potentially life-threatening complication among allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) recipients. There is a paucity of information on the clinical characteristics, outcome and prognostic factors of septic shock patients after allo-HSCT. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of septic shock after allo-HSCT and its associated health outcomes and to evaluate the role of patient demographics, transplantation-related laboratory and clinical variables associated with the short-term mortality of septic shock after allo-HSCT. We retrospectively studied 242 septic shock patients from 6105 consecutive patients allografted between 2007 and 2021. We assessed 29 risk factors as candidate predictors and used multivariable logistic regression to establish clinical model. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. The median age of the subjects was 34 (IQR 24 to 45) years. A total of 148 patients (61.2%) had positive blood cultures. Gram-negative bacilli accounted for 61.5% of the positive isolates, gram-positive cocci accounted for 12.2%, and fungi accounted for 6.1%. Coinfections were found in 30 (20.3%) patients. Escherichia coli was the dominant isolated pathogen (31.1%), followed by Pseudomonas spp. (12.8%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (10.1%). With a median follow-up of 34 (IQR: 2 to 528) days, a total of 142 (58.7%) patients died, of whom 118 (48.8%) died within the first 28 days after septic shock diagnosis, 131 (54.1%) died within 90 days, and 141 (58.3%) died within 1 year. A large majority of deaths (83.1% [118/142]) occurred within 28 days of septic shock diagnosis. Finally, 6 independent predictive variables of 28-day mortality were identified by multivariable logistic regression: time of septic shock, albumin, bilirubin, PaO2/FiO2, lactate, and sepsis-induced coagulopathy. Patients with late onset shock had higher 28-day mortality rates (64.6% versus 25.5%, P < .001) and more ICU admission (32.6% versus 7.1%, P < .001) than those with early onset shock. We highlight the poor survival outcomes in patients who develop septic shock, emphasizing the need for increasing awareness regarding septic shock after allo-HSCT. The information from the current study may help to assist clinicians in identifying high-risk patients.

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from haploidentical related donor could achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes for intermediate- or high-risk adult acute myeloid leukemia patients

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the most important curative method for intermediate- and high-risk adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. We aimed to identify the clinical outcomes of haploidentical related donor (HID) peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) who receiving peripheral blood (G-PB) harvest, and the patients receiving bone marrow (BM) plus G-PB harvest (BM + PB) as grafts were enrolled as control. The engraftments of neutrophil and platelet in G-PB group were both faster than those in BM + PB group. The cumulative incidences of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), and moderate to severe chronic GVHD (cGVHD) were all comparable between G-PB and BM + PB groups. The cumulative incidence of relapse and non-relapse mortality at 3 years after HID HSCT was 12.6% versus 13.7% (p = 0.899) and 3.6% versus 7.3% (p = 0.295), respectively, in G-PB and BM + PB group. While the probabilities of GVHD-free/relapse-free survival, leukemia-free survival, and overall survival at 3 years after HID HSCT were 60.6% versus 53.4% (p = 0.333), 83.8% versus 79.0% (p = 0.603), and were 87.3% versus 82.9% (p = 0.670), respectively. We confirmed the safety and efficacy of HID PBSCT in intermediate- and high-risk AML patients in a large cohort.

Thrombopoietin level predicts the response to avatrombopag treatment for persistent thrombocytopenia after haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Persistent thrombocytopenia (PT) has an unsatisfactory response to therapy after haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). We retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of avatrombopag treatment in 69 patients with PT following haplo-HSCT and assessed whether baseline thrombopoietin (TPO) levels could predict treatment response. Overall response (OR) and complete response (CR) were defined as increased platelet levels to over 20 × 109/L or 50 × 109/L independent of platelet transfusion during or within 7 days of the end of avatrombopag treatment, respectively. The incidences of OR and CR were 72.5% and 58.0%, with a median of 11 and 29 days to OR and CR, respectively. ROC analysis suggested that the optimally discriminant baseline TPO level threshold for both OR and CR to avatrombopag was ≤ 1714 pg/mL. In multivariate analysis, a lower baseline TPO level (P = 0.005) was a significant independent factor of response to avatrombopag. For patients resistant to other TPO receptor agonists (TPO-RAs), 9/16 (56.3%) exhibited a response after switching to avatrombopag. Avatrombopag was well tolerated, and responders achieved improved overall survival (79.0% vs. 91.1%, P = 0.001). In conclusion, avatrombopag is a potential safe and effective treatment for PT after haplo-HSCT, and lower baseline TPO levels predicted a better response.

Total body irradiation-free haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplantation compared to related and unrelated donor transplantation in pediatrics with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most prevalent childhood cancer under the age of 15 years. Despite the recent advances in therapeutic regimens, relapse occurs in 15%-20% of pediatric patients after chemotherapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the best treatment option. However, donor availability is one of the major challenges. Over the last decade, haploidentical donor (HID) transplantation has evolved as an alternative option. Herein, we aimed to compare the transplant outcomes in pediatric patients receiving total body irradiation (TBI)-free myeloablative regimens, between non-HID and HID transplant.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 60 pediatric ALL patients who had undergone HSCT from October 2016 until September 2020. Forty-three patients received non-HID HSCT, while 17 patients received HID. The sources of stem cells (SC) were peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) for all the patients. The conditioning regimen was based on busulfan and cyclophosphamide. For graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis, patients received cyclosporine and methotrexate in the setting of non-HID transplantation, where HIDs received post-transplant cyclosporine and cyclophosphamide.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidences of 3-year overall survival (OS) were 73.1%, 66.6%, and 69.5%, for matched sibling donor-matched related donor (MSD-MRD), matched unrelated donor-mismatched unrelated donor (MUD-MMUD), and HID groups, respectively (p = .85). The cumulative incidences of grade II-IV acute GvHD for the MRD, MUD-MMUD, and HID groups were 29%, 41%, and 49%, respectively (p = .47). Furthermore, the 3-year cumulative incidence of chronic GvHD was MSD-MRD: 70% versus MUD-MMUD: 42% versus HID: 45% (p = .64). The 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse post transplantation was 45%, 18%, and 45%, respectively, for the MSD-MRD, MUD-MMUD, and HID groups, and the differences were not statistically significant (p = .55). There was a higher risk for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in patients receiving HID transplants compared to those of non-HIDs (p < .01).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that PBSC-HID transplant outcomes in the setting of non-TBI conditioning are comparable to those of non-HIDs in pediatric ALL patients.

Preemptive interferon-α therapy could prevent relapse of acute myeloid leukemia following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A real-world analysis

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.

Machine learning algorithm as a prognostic tool for Epstein-Barr virus reactivation after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation is one of the most important infections after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using haplo-identical related donors (HID). We aimed to establish a comprehensive model with machine learning, which could predict EBV reactivation after HID HSCT with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. We enrolled 470 consecutive acute leukemia patients, 60% of them (n = 282) randomly selected as a training cohort, the remaining 40% (n = 188) as a validation cohort. The equation was as follows: Probability (EBV reactivation) =   1 1       +       e x p ( - Y ) , where Y = 0.0250 × (age) - 0.3614 × (gender) + 0.0668 × (underlying disease) - 0.6297 × (disease status before HSCT) - 0.0726 × (disease risk index) - 0.0118 × (hematopoietic cell transplantation-specific comorbidity index [HCT-CI] score) + 1.2037 × (human leukocyte antigen disparity) + 0.5347 × (EBV serostatus) + 0.1605 × (conditioning regimen) - 0.2270 × (donor/recipient gender matched) + 0.2304 × (donor/recipient relation) - 0.0170 × (mononuclear cell counts in graft) + 0.0395 × (CD34+ cell count in graft) - 2.4510. The threshold of probability was 0.4623, which separated patients into low- and high-risk groups. The 1-year cumulative incidence of EBV reactivation in the low- and high-risk groups was 11.0% versus 24.5% (P < .001), 10.7% versus 19.3% (P = .046), and 11.4% versus 31.6% (P = .001), respectively, in total, training and validation cohorts. The model could also predict relapse and survival after HID HSCT. We established a comprehensive model that could predict EBV reactivation in HID HSCT recipients using ATG for GVHD prophylaxis.

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

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.

Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells treatment for multidrug-resistant graft-versus-host disease after haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

PURPOSE

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is an important complication after human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haploidentical donor (HID) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which may lead to poor prognosis. Our study intends to identify the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for multidrug-resistant (MDR)-GVHD after HID HSCT.

METHODS

MDR-GVHD was referring to GVHD remaining no response to at least two types of therapy, and hUCB-MSCs were given at the dose of (1.0-2.0) × 106/kg once a week.

RESULTS

A total of 21 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study (acute GVHD (aGVHD): n = 14, chronic GVHD (cGVHD): n = 7). The median dose of MSCs was 1.2 × 106 cells/kg (range, 0.8-1.8 × 106) cells/kg, and the median numbers of infusion were 2 (range, 1-7) and 3 (range, 2-12) for MDR-aGVHD and MDR-cGVHD patients, respectively. In MDR-aGVHD patients, the overall response rate (ORR) was 57.1%, including 50.0% complete response (CR) and 7.1% partial response (PR), and the median time to response was 49.5 days (range, 16-118) days. The 2-year probability of overall survival after MSCs was 64.3%. Five patients (35.7%) developed infections after MSCs, and no obvious hematologic toxicities were observed. Five MDR-aGVHD patients died after MSCs treatments because of GVHD progression (n = 1), severe infection (bacterial central nervous system infection: n = 1; fungal pneumonia: n = 2), and poor graft function (n = 1). In MDR-cGVHD patients, three patients (42.9%) achieved PR after MSCs and the median time to response was 56 days (22-84) days. The ORRs for moderate and severe cGVHD were 50.0% and 33.3%, respectively. Four MDR-cGVHD patients died after MSCs treatments because of GVHD progression (n = 2), severe fungal pneumonia (n = 1), and relapse (n = 1).

CONCLUSION

MSCs treatment may be safe and effective for MDR-GVHD after HID HSCT.

Preemptive Immunotherapy for Minimal Residual Disease in Patients With t(8;21) Acute Myeloid Leukemia After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

In patients with t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), recurrent minimal residual disease (MRD) measured by RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels can predict relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). This study aimed to compare the efficacy of preemptive interferon (IFN)-α therapy and donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) in patients with t(8;21) AML following allo-HSCT. We also evaluated the appropriate method for patients with different levels of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcripts. In this retrospective study, consecutive patients who had high-risk t(8;21) AML and received allo-HSCT were enrolled. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) age ≤65 years; (2) regained MRD positive following allo-HSCT. MRD positive was defined as the loss of a ≥4.5-log reduction and/or <4.5-log reduction in the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcripts, and high-level, intermediate-level, and low-level MRDs were, respectively, defined as <2.5-log, 2.5-3.5-log, and 3.5-4.5-log reductions in the transcripts compared with the pretreatment baseline level. Patients with positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1 could receive preemptive IFN-α therapy or DLI, which was primarily based on donor availability and the intentions of physicians and patients. The patients received recombinant human IFN-α-2b therapy by subcutaneous injection twice a week every 4 weeks. IFN-α therapy was scheduled for six cycles or until the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcripts were negative for at least two consecutive tests. The rates of MRD turning negative for patients with low-level, intermediate-level, and high-level RUNX1-RUNX1T1 receiving IFN-α were 87.5%, 58.1%, and 22.2%, respectively; meanwhile, for patients with intermediate-level and high-level RUNX1-RUNX1T1 receiving DLI, the rates were 50.0% and 14.3%, respectively. For patients with low-level and intermediate-level RUNX1-RUNX1T1, the probability of overall survival at 2 years was higher in the IFN-α group than in the DLI group (87.6% vs. 55.6%; p = 0.003). For patients with high levels of RUNX1-RUNX1T1, the probability of overall survival was comparable between the IFN-α and DLI groups (53.3% vs. 83.3%; p = 0.780). Therefore, patients with low-level and intermediate-level RUNX1-RUNX1T1 could benefit more from preemptive IFN-α therapy compared with DLI. Clinical outcomes were comparable between preemptive IFN-α therapy and DLI in patients with high-level RUNX1-RUNX1T1; however, they should be further improved.

Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Current Therapies, Challenges and Future Prospective

Haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT), an alternative donor source, offers a curative therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are transplant candidates. Advances in transplantation techniques, such as donor selection, conditioning regimen modification, and graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis, have successfully improved the outcomes of AML patients receiving haplo-SCT and extended the haploidentical transplant indictions for AML. Presently, treating de novo AML, secondary AML, therapy-related AML and refractory and relapsed AML with haplo-SCT can achieve comparable outcomes to those of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor transplantation (MSDT), unrelated donor transplantation or umbilical cord blood transplantation. For some subgroups of AML subjects, such as patients with positive pretransplantation minimal/measurable residual disease, recent studies suggest that haplo-SCT might be superior to MSDT in decreasing relapse and improving survival. Unfortunately, for patients with AML after haplo-SCT, relapse and infections remain the causes of death that restrict further improvement in clinical outcomes. In this review, we discuss the recent advances and challenges in haplo-SCT for AML treatment, mainly focusing on unmanipulated haplo-SCT protocols. We provide an outlook on future prospects and suggest that relapse prophylaxis, intervention, and treatment, as well as infection prevention and therapy, are areas of active research in AML patients who receive haploidentical allografts.

CMV Infection and CMV-Specific Immune Reconstitution Following Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation: An Update

Haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haploSCT) has advanced to a common procedure for treating patients with hematological malignancies and immunodeficiency diseases. However, cure is seriously hampered by cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections and delayed immune reconstitution for the majority of haploidentical transplant recipients compared to HLA-matched stem cell transplantation. Three major approaches, including in vivo T-cell depletion (TCD) using antithymocyte globulin for haploSCT (in vivo TCD-haploSCT), ex vivo TCD using CD34 + positive selection for haploSCT (ex vivo TCD-haploSCT), and T-cell replete haploSCT using posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy-haploSCT), are currently used worldwide. We provide an update on CMV infection and CMV-specific immune recovery in this fast-evolving field. The progress made in cellular immunotherapy of CMV infection after haploSCT is also addressed. Groundwork has been prepared for the creation of personalized avenues to enhance immune reconstitution and decrease the incidence of CMV infection after haploSCT.

Real-world experience: Introduction of T cell replete haploidentical transplantations in a single center

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe real-world data on outcomes of T cell replete haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after the introduction of this modality in a single center and to compare them with different donor types.

Method

Outcomes of 30 consecutive patients with hematological malignancies that received T cell replete haploidentical HSCT with posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCY) from 2016 to 2018 in our center were analyzed and compared to the outcome of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-related and unrelated matched donor HSCT (n = 97) and to a historical cohort of T cell depleted haploidentical HSCT (n = 11).

Results

One year graft-versus-host-free, relapse-free survival in haploidentical HSCT was comparable with other donor types (haplo 40%, matched related donor [MRD] 33%, matched unrelated donor [MUD] 25%, p = 0.55). Non relapse mortality was high in haploidentical HSCT (50%), mostly due to infectious complications. However, relapse rates were only 3%, and OS and progression-free survival after 1 year were 47% and thereby also similar to HLA-matched HSCT in our center (MRD 53%, MUD 48%).

Conclusion

Our data show that T cell replete haploidentical HSCT has similar outcomes to HLA identical HSCT after introduction in our center. More strict adaptation on infection prevention was a crucial aspect of our learning curve. Overall, this type of transplantation is a feasible option when lacking an HLA-identical donor. This option has advantages over an unrelated donor as it brings less logistical challenges than MUD transplantations.

Wilms' tumor gene 1 is an independent prognostic factor for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND

Sequential monitoring of Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) could predict relapse in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the prognostic role of WT1 in pediatric AML after allo-HSCT is unclear. Thus, we determined to see whether sequential monitoring of WT1 after allo-HSCT could predict relapse in AML children.

METHODS

Pediatric AML patients receiving allo-HSCT from January 21, 2012 to December 20, 2018 at the Peking University Institute of Hematology were included in this study. WT1 expression level was determined by TaqMan-based reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. WT1 sequential monitoring was performed 1, 2, 3, 4.5, 6, 9, and 12 months post-transplantation and at 6-month intervals thereafter. The primary end point was relapse. The secondary end points included disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and non-relapse mortality (NRM). Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for DFS and OS estimates, while competing risk analysis was used for estimating relapse and NRM.

RESULTS

Of the 151 consecutive patients included, the median age was 10 years (range, 1-17). The optimal cutoff value of WT1 within 1 year after allo-HSCT to predict relapse was 0.8% (80 WT1 copies/104 ABL copies), with a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 79%. Compared with WT1 expression < 0.8%, WT1 expression ≥0.8% indicated significantly higher 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR, 35.1% vs. 11.3%; P = 0.001), lower 5-year disease-free survival (DFS, 60.4% vs. 80.8%; P = 0.009), and lower 5-year overall survival (OS, 64.9% vs. 81.6%; P = 0.038) rates. Multivariate analyses showed that WT1 was an independent risk factor for relapse (HR 2.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.25-6.71; P = 0.014). Both the CIR (5-year CIR: 8.3% vs. 11.3%; P = 0.513) and DFS (5-year DFS: 91.7% vs. 80.8%; P = 0.208) were comparable between patients achieving minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity after preemptive interferon-α (IFN-α) treatment and those without MRD after allo-HSCT, which were better than those of MRD-positive patients without preemptive therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Sequential monitoring of WT1 could predict relapse in pediatric AML after allo-HSCT. WT1-directed immunotherapy may have the potential to prevent relapse and improve survival.

Minimal residual disease monitoring and preemptive immunotherapies for frequent 11q23 rearranged acute leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The prognosis of 11q23/KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-r) acute leukemia (AL) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is poor. Minimal residual disease (MRD) is an important prognostic factor for relapse. Thus, we aimed to identify the evolution of KMT2A before and after allo-HSCT and the efficacy of preemptive immunotherapies for KMT2A-r AL patients receiving allo-HSCT. KMT2A expression was determined through TaqMan-based RQ-PCR technology. Preemptive immunotherapies included interferon-α and donor lymphocyte infusion. We collected 1751 bone marrow samples from 177 consecutive KMT2A-r AL patients. Pre-HSCT KMT2A positivity was correlated with post-HSCT KMT2A positivity (correlation coefficient=0.371, P<0.001). The rates of achieving KMT2A negativity after allo-HSCT were 96.6%, 92.9%, and 68.8% in the pre-HSCT low-level group (>0, <0.1%), intermediate-level group (≥ 0.1%, <1%), and high-level group (≥1%), respectively. The rates of regaining KMT2A positivity after allo-HSCT were 7.7%, 35.7%, 38.5%, and 45.5% for the pre-HSCT KMT2A-negative, low-level, intermediate-level, and high-level groups, respectively (P<0.001). The 4-year cumulative incidence of relapse after allo-HSCT was as high as 53.7% in the pre-HSCT KMT2A expression ≥ 0.1% group, which was compared to the KMT2A-negative group (15.1%) and KMT2A <0.1% group (31.2%). The clinical outcomes of patients with post-HSCT KMT2A positivity were poorer than those of patients with persistent KMT2A negativity. Although post-HSCT preemptive immunotherapies might help to achieve KMT2A negativity, the long-term efficacy was unsatisfactory. Thus, pre-HSCT KMT2A positivity was significantly associated with post-HSCT KMT2A positivity. The clinical outcomes of patients with post-HSCT KMT2A positivity were poor, which might not be overcome by commonly used immunotherapies.

Preemptive interferon-α treatment could protect against relapse and improve long-term survival of ALL patients after allo-HSCT

Relapse was the major cause of treatment failure in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We aimed to identify the efficacy and safety of preemptive interferon-α (IFN-α) treatment in ALL patients who had minimal residual disease (MRD) after allo-HSCT. Multiparameter flow cytometry and polymerase chain reaction assays were applied for MRD monitoring. Recombinant human IFN-α-2b injections were administered subcutaneously twice weekly in every 4 weeks cycle. Twenty-four (35.3%), 5 (7.4%), 6 (8.8%), and 13 (19.1%) patients achieved MRD negativity at 1, 2, 3, and > 3 months, respectively, after treatment. Seven patients showed grade ≥ 3 toxicities after IFN-α treatment. The 4-year cumulative incidence of total acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), severe aGVHD, total chronic GVHD (cGVHD), and severe cGVHD after treatment was 14.7%, 2.9%, 40.0%, and 7.5%, respectively. The 4-year cumulative incidences of relapse and non-relapse mortality after treatment was 31.9% and 6.0%, respectively. The 4-year probabilities of disease-free survival and overall survival after IFN-α treatment were 62.1% and 71.1%, respectively. Thus, preemptive IFN-α treatment could protect against relapse and improve long-term survival for ALL patients who had MRD after allo-HSCT. The study was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02185261 (09/07/2014).

Ruxolitinib is an effective salvage treatment for multidrug-resistant graft-versus-host disease after haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation without posttransplant cyclophosphamide

The purpose of our study is to identify the efficacy of ruxolitinib in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) recipients with multidrug-resistant (MDR)-graft-versus-host disease (GVHD, n = 34). MDR-GVHD was defined as GVHD showing no improvement after at least 3 types of treatments. The median number of previous GVHD-therapies was 4 for both MDR-acute GVHD (aGVHD) and MDR-chronic GVHD (cGVHD). For MDR-aGVHD (n = 15), the median time to response was 10 days (range 2 to 65), and the overall response rate (ORR) was 60.0% (9/15), including 40.0% (6/15) complete response (CR) and 20.0% (3/15) partial response (PR). The 1-year probability of overall survival after ruxolitinib was 66.7%. The rates of hematologic and infectious toxicities were 73.3% and 46.7% after ruxolitinib treatment. For MDR-cGVHD (n = 19), the median time to response was 29 days (range 6 to 175), and the ORR was 89.5% (17/19), including 26.3% (5/19) CR and 63.2% (12/19) PR. All patients remained alive until our last follow-up. The rates of hematologic and infectious toxicities were 36.8% and 47.4% after ruxolitinib treatment. Ruxolitinib is an effective salvage treatment for MDR-GVHD in haplo-HSCT recipients.

Haploidentical related donor vs matched sibling donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome aged over 50 years: A single-center retrospective study

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potentially curative therapeutic option for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Increasing data suggest that haploidentical donor (HID) transplantation achieve comparable outcomes with HLA-matched sibling donor (MSD) in adult AML/MDS. This retrospective study compared the outcomes of AML or MDS patients age ≥50 years underwent HID and MSD transplantation. One hundred and fifty-six patients were enrolled in this study, including 75 HID and 81 MSD transplantation. The 100-day cumulative incidence of II-IV° acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 33.3 ± 5.4% vs 22.2 ± 4.6%, respectively, in HID and MSD groups (P = .066), and III-IV° acute GVHD was not significantly different between two groups (5.3%±2.6% vs 6.2%±2.7%, respectively, P = .823). The 2-year cumulative incidence of limited and extensive chronic GVHD was not statistically different in HID and MSD groups (20.9 ± 5.5% vs 18.9 ± 4.8% and 13.0 ± 4.7% vs 19.7 ± 5.0%, P = .889 and P = .269, respectively). The 2-year cumulative incidences of relapse (27.0 ± 5.6% vs 22.7 ± 5.1%, P = .509), 2-year overall survival (63.0 ± 5.8% vs 66.7 ± 5.4%, P = .454), 2-year transplant-related mortality (17.2 ± 4.6% vs 17.4 ± 4.4%, P = .847), 2-year progression-free survival (59.3 ± 5.8% vs 64.5 ± 5.4%, P = .437), 2-year GVHD-free relapse-free survival (42.6 ± 5.9% vs 40.9 ± 5.6%, P = .964) were not significantly different in the two groups. The present data showed equivalent outcomes in AML or MDS patients age ≥50 years underwent HID and MSD transplantation.

Outcomes of symptomatic venous thromboembolism after haploidentical donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and comparison with human leukocyte antigen-identical sibling transplantation

BACKGROUND

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is regarded as a curative therapy for majority of hematologic malignancies and some non-malignant hematologic diseases. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has become increasingly recognized as a severe complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

OBJECTIVES

To show the characteristics of VTE after haploidentical donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HID-HSCT) and make comparisons with matched related donor HSCT (MRD-HSCT).

PATIENTS/METHODS

A retrospective nested case-control study design was used, cases with VTE and matched controls were selected, with 3534 patients underwent HID-HSCT and 1289 underwent MRD-HSCT.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 114 patients with VTE were identified. The incidence of VTE in HID-HSCT group was similar to that of MRD-HSCT group (2.4% versus 2.3%, P = 0.92). In HID-HSCT group, VTE occurred at a median time of 92.5 days, which was earlier than MRD-HSCT group (243.5 days). For HID-HSCT, advanced disease status, cardiovascular risk factors, acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), and relapse were the independent risk factors for VTE. For MRD-HSCT, cardiovascular risk factors, aGVHD, and relapse were associated with VTE. Overall survival (OS) of patients following HID-HSCT and MRD-HSCT were similar, but the OS in patients with VTE was significantly lower than patients without VTE.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no statistical difference in the incidence of VTE after HID-HSCT compared with MRD-HSCT. The development of VTE adversely impacted the OS after allo-HSCT.

A retrospective analysis on anti-CD20 antibody-treated Epstein-Barr virus-related posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder following ATG-based haploidentical T-replete hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferation disorder (PTLD) is a life-threatening complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Anti-CD20 antibody is the most widely used antibody to eliminate infected B cells. Few studies have focused on prognostic factors predicting the outcome of EBV (Epstein-Barr virus)-PTLD. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 2571 haplo-HSCTs performed between 2010 and 2017 at the Peking University Institute of Hematology; seventy patients who had been treated with rituximab for PTLD were enrolled. The overall EBV-related PTLD frequency was 3.1%. With a median follow-up time of 365 days (range, 54-2659), the overall survival rate was 51.43% (36/70). The cumulative incidence of EBV-PTLD complete remission with anti-CD20 antibody monotherapy was 68.57% (48/70). EBV-PTLD-related mortality was 11.43% (8/70), while the transplantation-related mortality was 38.57% (27/70). Multivariate analysis showed that a decrease in EBV viral load 1 week after therapy was associated with high response rate of EBV-PTLD (p = 0.007, 0.106 (0.021-0.549)), low PTLD-related mortality (p = 0.010, HR 0.058 (0.007-0.503)), and transplantation-related mortality (p = 0.051, HR 0.441 (0.194-1.003)). For EBV-PTLD patients after haplo-HSCT who received rituximab as first-line therapy, non-decreased EBV viral load 1 week after anti-CD20 therapy could be high risk factor for poor outcomes.

[Effects of chemotherapy combined with donor lymphocyte infusion on chronic graft-versus-host disease and prognosis in minimal residual disease positive patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Objective: To explore clinical features and severity of chronic graft- versus- host disease (cGVHD) after chemotherapy plus donor lymphocyte infusion (Chemo-DLI) in a consecutive cohort of acute leukemia patients who were minimal residual disease (MRD) positive after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: The global scoring system proposed by National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference was used to identify the characteristics and severity of cGVHD in patients who MRD positive after Chemo-DLI. Results: 54 (59.3%) patients were diagnosed with cGVHD after Chemo-DLI, with the median time of onset of 70 (13-504) days. There were 6 cases (6.6%) of mild cGVHD, 21 cases (23.1%) of moderate cGVHD and 27 cases (29.7%) of severe cGVHD.The 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse after Chemo-DLI was 61.9% (95%CI 45.3%-78.5%) , 15.1% (95%CI 1.1%-29.1%) , and 26.6% (95%CI 9.2%-44.0%) (χ(2)=18.901, P<0.001) in non-cGVHD, mild to moderate cGVHD, and severe cGVHD groups, respectively. The 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse after Chemo-DLI was 61.9% (95%CI 45.3%-78.5%) , 19.9% (95%CI 8.1%-31.7%) , and 28.6% (95%CI 0.0%-65.0%) (χ(2)=18.307, P<0.001) in non-cGVHD, classical cGVHD, and overlap syndrome groups, respectively. cGVHD was not associated with non-relapse morality after Chemo-DLI. Probabilities of 5-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) after Chemo-DLI were 24.0% (95%CI 9.1%-38.9%) , 77.2% (95%CI 60.8%-93.6%) , and 64.9% (95%CI 45.7%-84.1%) (χ(2)=24.447, P<0.001) in non-cGVHD, mild to moderate cGVHD, and severe cGVHD groups, respectively. Probabilities of 5-year LFS after Chemo-DLI were 24.0% (95%CI 9.1%-38.9%) , 75.5% (95%CI 62.7%-88.3%) , and 42.9% (95%CI 1.8%-84.0%) (χ(2)=25.665, P<0.001) in non-cGVHD, classical cGVHD, and overlap syndrome groups, respectively. Probabilities of 5-year overall survival (OS) after Chemo-DLI were 50.0% (95%CI 31.1%-68.9%) , 87.9% (95%CI 74.7%-100.0%) , and 71.0% (95%CI 52.0%-90.0%) (χ(2)=9.517, P=0.009) in non-cGVHD, mild to moderate cGVHD, and severe cGVHD groups, respectively. Probabilities of 5-year OS after Chemo-DLI were 50.0% (95%CI 31.1%-68.9%) , 83.9% (95%CI 72.8%-95.0%) , and 51.4% (95%CI 6.2%-96.6%) (χ(2)=10.673, P=0.005) in non-cGVHD, classical cGVHD, and overlap syndrome groups, respectively. In multivariate analysis, patients receiving allo-HSCT in first complete remission stage and classical cGVHD after Chemo-DLI were associated with lower relapse risk and better survival. Conclusions: These findings highlight the close relation between cGVHD and the graft-versus-leukemia effect in patients who were MRD positive and received Chemo-DLI after allo-HSCT. However, overlap syndrome could not improve the clinical outcomes of these patients.

Minimal residual disease-directed immunotherapy for high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The efficacy of minimal residual disease (MRD)-directed immunotherapy, including interferon-α (IFN- α) treatment and chemotherapy plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-primed donor leukocyte infusion (chemo-DLI), was investigated in patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who were MRD-positive after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). High-risk MDS patients who received non-T-cell-depleted allo-HSCT at the Peking University Institute of Hematology and were MRD-positive after allo-HSCT were studied (n = 47). The MRD-positive status was considered if leukemia-associated aberrant immune phenotypes or Wilms' tumor gene 1 expression is present in a single bone marrow sample. The cumulative incidence of the relapse and non-relapse mortality 2 years after immunotherapy were 14.5% and 21.4% (P = 0.377) and 9.1% and 0.0% (P = 0.985) for patients in the IFN-α and chemo-DLI groups, respectively. The probability of disease-free and overall survival 2 years after immunotherapy were 76.4% and 78.6% (P = 0.891) and 84.3% and 84.6% (P = 0.972) for patients in the IFN-α and chemo-DLI groups, respectively. Persistent MRD after immunotherapy was associated with poor survival. Thus, the MRD-directed immunotherapy was effective for patients with high-risk MDS who were MRD-positive after allo-HSCT, and the efficacy was comparable between chemo-DLI and IFN-α treatment.

Reduced β2-GPI is associated with increased platelet aggregation and activation in patients with prolonged isolated thrombocytopenia after allo-HSCT

We aimed to measure platelet function and its relationship with β2-GPI in prolonged isolated thrombocytopenia (PT) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Fifty-six patients with PT and 60 allo-HSCT recipients without PT (non-PT controls) were enrolled. Platelet aggregation and activation, β2-GPI and anti-β2-GPI antibody levels, vWF antigen, and vWF activity were analyzed. The effect of β2-GPI on platelet aggregation was also measured ex vivo. Results showed that ADP-induced platelet aggregation significantly increased (39%±7.5% vs. 23%±8.5%, P=0.032), and the platelet expression of both CD62p (33.6%±11.6% vs. 8.5%±3.5%, P<0.001) and PAC-1 (42.4%±7.6% vs. 6.8%±2.2%, P<0.001) was significantly higher in patients with PT than in those without PT. Significantly lower β2-GPI levels (164.2±12 μg mL^-1 vs. 234.2±16 μg mL^-1, P<0.001), higher anti-β2-GPI IgG levels (1.78±0.46 U mL^-1 vs. 0.94±0.39 U mL^-1, P<0.001), and increased vWF activity (133.06%±30.50% vs. 102.17%±25.90%, P<0.001) were observed in patients with PT than in those without PT. Both ADP-induced platelet aggregation (n=116, r²=-0.5042, P<0.001) and vWF activity (n=116, r²=-0.2872, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with β2-GPI levels. In summary, our data suggested that platelet aggregation and activation were significantly higher in patients with PT than in those without PT, which might be associated with reduced β2-GPI levels. The reduced β2-GPI levels might be due to the existence of anti-β2-GPI IgG.

[Effects of pre-transplant course on prognosis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of pre-transplant course on transplant outcomes in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) . Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 107 patients with AML who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the first complete remission stage (CR(1)) from January 2012 to June 2014. Results: ①46 cases received allo-HSCT within 6 months upon diagnosis, including 25 males and 21 females, with a median age of 26 (12-60) y. 61 cases received allo-HSCT after 6 months upon diagnosis, including 34 males and 27 females, with a median age of 31 (14-58) years. There is no statistical significance in patients' age, gender, NCCN risk stratification, courses for induction, minimal residual disease (MRD) status, transplantation type and infection rates prior to transplantation. Total courses of chemotherapy before allo-HSCT were 4 (3-5) and 5 (4-10) for the two groups, respectively. ②Incidences of Grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD were 26.09% (12/46) for the <6-month group and 24.59% (15/61) for the ≥6 months group (P=0.860) . Incidences of Grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ aGVHD were 2.17% (1/46) for the <6-month group and 14.75% (9/61) for the ≥6 months group (P=0.027) . ③ Probabilities of 2-year overall survival (OS) were (90.3±4.6) % for the <6 months group and (75.7±5.7) % for the ≥6 months group (P=0.042) . Probabilities of 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) were (90.7±4.4) % for the <6 months group and (76.3±5.5) % for the ≥6 months group (P=0.038) . ④ During the median follow-up of 863 (26-2 026) days, cumulative incidences of non-relapse mortality were (4.4±3.1) % for the <6 months group and (18.2±5.0) % for the ≥6 months group (P=0.047) . ⑤ Univariate analysis showed that age, NCCN risk stratification, MRD status before transplantation and rates of infection was not related to transplantation outcomes. Chemotherapy courses before allo-HSCT (≤4 or >4) was related to OS and DFS (P=0.044, P=0.039) , but not to NRM (P=0.079) . Conclusion: AML patients who obtained CR(1) could achieve better long-term survival by receiving allo-HSCT within 6 months after diagnosis.

FLT3 internal tandem duplication does not impact prognosis after haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in AML patients

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients with fetal liver tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) internal tandem duplications (ITDs) have poor prognoses if treated with chemotherapy only, primarily as they experience increased relapse rates. To determine whether this alteration also affects outcomes after haploidentical donor (HID) allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), we compared 334 consecutive FLT3-ITD-positive vs -negative patients with AML (other than acute promyelocytic leukemia) who underwent HID-HSCT. FLT3-ITD was detected in 39 of 334 patients (11.7%). The 2-year relapse rates for FLT3-ITD-positive and -negative patients were 16% and 17%, respectively (P = 0.774). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for FLT3-ITD-positive and -negative patients were 74% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 64-81) and 73% (95% CI: 70-81), respectively; P = 0.872); while the 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 72% (95% CI: 67-81) and 77% (95% CI: 72-84), respectively (P = 0.862). FLT3-ITD mutation had no influence on non-relapse mortality (NRM 15% vs 14%, P = 0.463). Multivariate analyses showed that disease status at HSCT and white blood cell count at diagnosis were independent risk factors associated with relapse, DFS, and OS. In conclusion, FLT3 mutation status has no impact on outcomes after HID-HSCT in patients with AML. HID-HSCT is therefore a valid option for AML patients with FLT3-ITD mutation.

Comparable Outcomes after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation from Mother Donors and Matched Unrelated Donors in Patients with Hematopoietic Malignancies

Haploidentical transplantations have achieved comparable survival as HLA fully matched unrelated donors (URDs). When choosing the best donor for HLA haploidentical transplantations, most institutions prioritize using young male donors over mother donors. In a retrospective study we compared outcomes in mother donor and URD transplantations. We found that both 2-year overall survival and 2-year leukemia-free survival were comparable between the mother donor group and URD group (74.8% versus 72.9%, P = .937, and 71.7% versus 67.0%, P = .580, respectively). Higher incidences of grades II to IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and chronic GVHD were observed in the mother donor group than in the URD group (43.5% versus 14.0%, P = .001, and 62.2% versus 38.7%, P = .007, respectively). The 2-year cumulative incidences of relapse were significantly decreased in the mother donor group (7.6% versus 20.9%, P = .036). These findings suggest mother donor transplantations could achieve comparable survival with URD transplantations and exhibited decreased rates of relapse but increased rates of GVHD, indicating that mother donors would be a suitable choice for patients without an identical sibling donor.

G-CSF-induced macrophage polarization and mobilization may prevent acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Macrophages (MΦs) are an important immune cell population that are essential for tissue homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. MΦs are now classified as either M1, which produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, or M2, which produce antiinflammatory cytokines. The impact of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on MΦs in humans is unclear. Moreover, little is known about the association between MΦ subsets in allografts and the occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in patients who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). In the current study, we found that the M1/M2 ratio was markedly decreased in both G-CSF-treated bone marrow (post-BM) and G-CSF-treated peripheral blood from healthy donors. Post-BM MΦs exhibited reduced migration and increased phagocytosis. Moreover, post-BM MΦs reduced the percentage of Th1 and Tc1 lineages and increased the percentage of Th2, Tc2, and Treg lineages. Patients who received BM grafts with a higher M1/M2 ratio exhibited a higher incidence of grade 2-4 aGVHD. In summary, our data indicate that G-CSF decreases the M1/M2 ratio in BM grafts from healthy donors, which may contribute to preventing the occurrence of grade 2-4 aGVHD in patients after allo-HSCT.

Myeloablative Haploidentical Transplantation Is Superior to Chemotherapy for Patients with Intermediate-risk Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in First Complete Remission

PURPOSE

Although myeloablative HLA haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) following pretransplant anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) stimulated grafts (ATG+G-CSF) has been confirmed as an alternative to HSCT from HLA-matched sibling donors (MSD), the effect of haplo-HSCT on postremission treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with intermediate risk (int-risk AML) who achieved first complete remission (CR1) has not been defined.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this prospective trial, among 443 consecutive patients ages 16-60 years with newly diagnosed de novo AML with int-risk cytogenetics, 147 patients with molecular int-risk AML who achieved CR1 within two courses of induction and remained in CR1 at 4 months postremission either received chemotherapy (n = 69) or underwent haplo-HSCT (n = 78).

RESULTS

The 3-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly higher in the haplo-HSCT group than in the chemotherapy group (74.3% vs. 47.3%; P = 0.0004 and 80.8% vs. 53.5%; P = 0.0001, respectively). In the multivariate analysis with propensity score adjustment, postremission treatment (haplo-HSCT vs. chemotherapy) was an independent risk factor affecting the LFS [HR 0.360; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.163-0.793; P = 0.011], OS (HR 0.361; 95% CI, 0.156-0.832; P = 0.017), and cumulative incidence of relapse (HR 0.161; 95% CI, 0.057-0.459; P = 0.001) either in entire cohort or stratified by minimal residual disease after the second consolidation.

CONCLUSIONS

Myeloablative haplo-HSCT with ATG+G-CSF is superior to chemotherapy as a postremission treatment in patients with int-risk AML during CR1. Haplo-HSCT might be a first-line postremission therapy for int-risk AML in the absence of HLA-MSDs. Haplo-HSCT might be superior to chemotherapy as a first-line postremission treatment of intermediate-risk AML in CR1.

Interferon-α Is Effective for Treatment of Minimal Residual Disease in Patients with t(8;21) Acute Myeloid Leukemia After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Results of a Prospective Registry Study

BACKGROUND

RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels were established as a powerful marker for predicting relapse in patients with t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We aimed to identify the efficacy of minimal residual disease (MRD)-directed interferon-alpha (IFN-α) treatment in patients with t(8;21) AML who were positive for MRD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT; n=42).

SUBJECTS, MATERIALS, AND METHODS

MRD-positive status was defined as a <4.5-log reduction from diagnosis in RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcripts and/or the loss of a ≥4.5-log reduction after 3 months after HSCT. Patients with positive MRD received six cycles of IFN-α treatment (twice or thrice weekly of every 4 weeks cycle).

RESULTS

The 1-year cumulative incidence of severe acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease after MRD-directed IFN-α treatment was 7.1% and 4.8%, respectively. After the treatment, 15 (35.7%), 5 (11.9%), 3 (7.1%), and 9 (21.5%) patients achieved MRD negativity at 1, 2, 3, and >3 months, respectively. Three patients relapsed after the IFN-α treatment, in which the 1-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 7.2%. One patient died of severe infection at 460 days after treatment. The 1-year probabilities of event-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival after treatment were 76.0%, 92.4%, and 92.5%, respectively. The clinical outcomes in patients who received MRD-directed IFN-α treatment were significantly better than those of the MRD-positive patients without any interventions in the historical cohort.

CONCLUSION

MRD-directed IFN-α treatment is effective for patients with t(8;21) AML who were MRD-positive after allo-HSCT. The study was registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02027064.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

In patients with t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the presence of post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) minimal residual disease (MRD), measured by RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels, has been established as a powerful marker for predicting relapse. Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) could exert a relatively strong graft-versus-leukemia effect, and MRD-directed IFN-α treatment is effective for patients with t(8;21) AML who were MRD-positive after allo-HSCT.

Efficacy of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation compared to HLA-matched transplantation for primary refractory acute myeloid leukemia

Newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) failed to achieve complete remission after two courses of intensive chemotherapy. This was considered as primary refractory AML (PRR-AML), and still has a dismal prognosis. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation could be the only cure for these patients. However, the role of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HID-HCT) for PRR-AML is still undetermined. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 45 adult patients with PRR-AML who underwent HID-HCT, and compared it with the result of 53 patients who received HLA-matched related or unrelated donor transplantation (MD-HCT) during the same treatment period. The 3-year overall survival (OS), leukemia-free survival (LFS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), and non-relapse mortality (NRM) rates in the HID-HCT group were 19.0, 16.5, 70.0, and 35.2%, respectively, but showed no significant differences from the results of MD-HCT. Multivariate analysis showed that complex karyotype with del(7) and time > 6 months from diagnosis to transplantation were associated with lower OS and LFS, and chronic GVHD demonstrated better OS and LFS in the entire cohort. Complex karyotype with del(7) was related with higher CIR and chronic GVHD with lower CIR. In conclusion, HID-HCT could be an alternative treatment strategy to improve the long-term survival in PRR-AML adult patients who have no HLA-matched donors.

Unmanipulated haploidentical in comparison with matched unrelated donor stem cell transplantation in patients 60 years and older with acute myeloid leukemia: a comparative study on behalf of the ALWP of the EBMT

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is both more common and with more biologically aggressive phenotype in the elderly. Allogenic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is the best treatment option in fit patients. Either HLA-matched unrelated donor (MUD) or haploidentical (Haplo) donor are possible alternative for patients in need.

Methods

We retrospectively compared non-T-cell-depleted Haplo (n = 250) to 10/10 MUD (n = 2589) in AML patients ≥ 60 years.

Results

Median follow-up was 23 months. Disease status at transplant differs significantly between the two groups (p < 10⁻⁴). Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) was administrated to 73 and 77% of Haplo and MUD, respectively (p = 0.23). Stem cell source was the bone marrow (BM) in 52% of the Haplo and 6% of MUD (p < 10⁻⁴). Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) was most frequently used in MUD (p < 10⁻⁴) while post-Tx cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) was given in 62% of Haplo. Engraftment was achieved in 90% of the Haplo vs 97% of MUD (p < 10⁻⁴). In multivariate analysis, no significant difference was found between Haplo and MUD for acute (a)graft versus host disease (GVHD) grade II–IV, relapse incidence (RI), non-relapse mortality (NRM), leukemia free survival (LFS), graft-versus-host-free-relapse free survival (GRFS), and overall survival (OS). Extensive chronic (c)GVHD was significantly higher for MUD as compared to Haplo (HR 2, p = 0.01, 95% CI 1.17–3.47). A propensity score analysis confirmed the higher risk of extensive cGVHD for MUD without differences for other outcomes.

Conclusions

Allo-SCT from both Haplo and MUD are valid option for AML patients ≥ 60 years of age with similar results. Transplantation from MUD was associated with higher extensive cGVHD. Our findings suggest that Haplo is a suitable and attractive graft source for patients≥ 60 with AML in need of allo-SCT.

Treatment of late-onset hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: the role of corticosteroids

We aimed to evaluate the treatments, particularly the role of corticosteroids, in patients with late-onset hemorrhagic cystitis (LOHC) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). One hundred and sixty-three consecutive patients who underwent non-T-cell-depleted allo-HSCT and met the criterion of LOHC after allo-HSCT were enrolled in this study. The median time from allo-HSCT to the occurrence of LOHC was 29 (range, 4–155) days. Pathogens identified in blood and/or urine samples from 143 patients were mostly viruses. All of the patients with LOHC received intravenous fluid hydration, alkalization, and forced diuresis, of which 2 patients achieved complete remission (CR) after these treatments. The remaining 161 patients received anti-infection therapies and 71 achieved CR after the therapies. Corticosteroids were additionally applied to 83 out of 90 patients who did not achieve CR after anti-infection therapies, and 88.0% (n = 73) of them showed a grade 3 to 4 LOHC at the beginning of corticosteroid therapy. Thirty-five patients showed an immediate response (CR or downgraded at least one grade) within 1 week after the beginning of the corticosteroid therapy. Sixty-four patients (77.1%) achieved CR after corticosteroid therapy, and the median period from the beginning of corticosteroid therapy to CR was 17 days. Thus, we observed that viruses were the most common pathogens in LOHC after allo-HSCT and that anti-infection therapies were critical. For patients not showing a satisfactory response to anti-infection therapies, additional corticosteroid therapy may help to achieve CR.

The consensus on indications, conditioning regimen, and donor selection of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for hematological diseases in China-recommendations from the Chinese Society of Hematology

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is widely used to treat malignant hematological neoplasms and non-malignant hematological disorders. Approximately, 5000 allo-HSCT procedures are performed in China annually. Substantial progress has been made in haploidentical HSCT (HID-HSCT), pre-transplantation risk stratification, and donor selection in allo-HSCT, especially after the establishment of the "Beijing Protocol" HID-HSCT system. Transplant indications for selected subgroups in low-risk leukemia or severe aplastic anemia (SAA) differ from those in the Western world. These unique systems developed by Chinese doctors may inspire the refining of global clinical practice. We reviewed the efficacy of allo-HSCT practice from available Chinese studies on behalf of the HSCT workgroup of the Chinese Society of Hematology, Chinese Medical Association and compared these studies to the consensus or guideline outside China. We summarized the consensus on routine practices of all-HSCT in China and focused on the recommendations of indications, conditioning regimen, and donor selection.

Perianal Infections in the Phase before Engraftment after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantations: A Study of the Incidence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Outcomes

In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of perianal infections during the pre-engraftment phase after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Consecutive patients who underwent non-T-cell-depleted allo-HSCT at the Peking University Institute of Hematology from January 1 to December 31, 2016 were enrolled (n = 646). Ninety-nine patients were found to have perianal infections during the pre-engraftment phase, and 80 were found to have neutropenia on perianal infection diagnosis. The cumulative incidence of perianal infection during the pre-engraftment phase after allo-HSCT was 15.3%. A history of perianal infection (hazard ratio [HR] = 15.28, p < 0.001) or hemorrhoids before allo-HSCT (HR = 3.09, p = 0.001) was significantly associated with the new occurrence of perianal infection after allo-HSCT. All patients received empirical broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapies, and 97 were cured after treatment. The clinical outcomes at 100 days after allo-HSCT were comparable in patients with and without perianal infections. In summary, patients who had perianal infection or hemorrhoids before allo-HSCT had a higher risk of new occurrence of perianal infection after allo-HSCT. With appropriate treatment, perianal infection during the pre-engraftment phase did not influence the clinical outcomes.

Haploidentical transplantation compared with matched sibling and unrelated donor transplantation for adults with standard-risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in first complete remission

We retrospectively investigated outcomes of haploidentical donor (HID) transplant for adults with standard-risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in first complete remission (CR1) compared with human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor (MSD) and HLA-matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplants. A total of 348 adult patients were enrolled, including 127 HID, 144 MSD and 77 MUD recipients. The cumulative incidence of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) was 39·5%, 24·0% and 40·3% for HID, MSD and MUD, respectively (P = 0·020). However, there was no difference in grade III-IV aGVHD (11·4%, 7·7%, 13·5%, respectively, P = 0·468). The 5-year cumulative transplant-related mortality was 16·4%, 11·6% and 19·6% (P = 0·162), the 5-year relapse rate post-transplantation was 14·8%, 21·1% and 16·7% (P = 0·231), the 5-year overall survival was 70·1%, 73·7% and 69·8% (P = 0·525), and the 5-year disease-free survival was 68·7%, 67·3% and 63·7%, respectively (P = 0·606). Furthermore, the 3-year GVHD-free, relapse-free survival was not different (50·8%, 54·9% and 52·2%, respectively, P = 0·847). Our results indicate that the outcomes of HID transplants are equivalent to those of MSD and MUD, and that HID transplantation is a valid alternative for standard-risk adults with ALL in CR1 who lack matched donors.

Donor and recipient age, gender and ABO incompatibility regardless of donor source: validated criteria for donor selection for haematopoietic transplants

Prior data indicate similar outcomes after transplants from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-haplotype-matched relatives, HLA-identical siblings and HLA-matched unrelated donors. We used our prospective data set to answer a clinically important question: who is the best donor for a person with acute leukaemia transplanted in first complete remission. Patients were randomly divided into training (n=611) and validation (n=588) sets. A total of 1199 consecutive subjects received a transplant from an HLA-haplotype-matched relative using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and anti-thymocyte globulin (n=685) or an HLA-identical sibling (n=514); 3-year leukaemia-free survivals (LFSs) were 75 and 74% (P=0.95), respectively. The multivariate model identified three major risk factors for transplant-related mortality (TRM): older donor/recipient age, female-to-male transplants and donor-recipient ABO major-mismatch transplants. A risk score was developed based on these three features. TRMs were 8%, 15% and 31% for subjects with scores of 0-1, 2 and 3, respectively, (P<0.001). Three-year LFSs were 78%, 74% and 58%, respectively, (P=0.003). The risk score was validated in an independent cohort. In conclusion, our data confirm donor source is not significantly correlated with transplant outcomes. Selection of the best donor needs to consider donor-recipient age, matching for gender and ABO incompatibility among persons with acute leukaemia receiving related transplants under our transplant modality.

A review of hematopoietic cell transplantation in China: data and trends during 2008-2016

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) activity in China was surveyed to assess its current status. A record number of HCTs (21 884: 16 631 allogeneic (76%) and 5253 autologous (24%)) were reported by 76 centers in China between 1 January 2008 and 30 June 2016. HCT trends included continued growth in transplant activity, a continued rapid increase in haploidentical donors (HID), and slower growth for unrelated donors, matched-related donors (MRD) and cord blood transplantation (CBT). The proportion of HID HCT among allogeneic HCTs increased from 29.6% (313/1062) in 2008 to 48.8% (1939/3975) in 2015, even 51.7% (1157/2237) in the first half of 2016. During this time frame, the proportion of MRD HCTs among allogeneic HCTs decreased from 48.1% (511/1062) to 33.0% (332/3975). The proportion of unrelated donor HCTs among allogeneic HCTs decreased from 20.4 (216/1062) to 13.6% (540/3975). The proportion of CBTs among allogeneic HCTs was increased from 2.1% (22/1062) to 4.2% (184/3975). HCTs have been increasing continuously for all indications except chronic myelogenous leukemia. Severe aplastic anemia is a common HCT indication among non-malignant diseases in China. The number of cases of allogeneic HCT for this disorder has increased annually, from 59 (5.6%) in 2008 to 569 (14.3%) in 2015, even 334 (14.9%) in the first half year in 2016. This survey clearly shows recent trends for HCTs in China.

Antithymocyte globulin improves the survival of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome undergoing HLA-matched unrelated donor and haplo-identical donor transplants

Significant advances have been achieved in the outcomes of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) after both HLA-matched sibling donor transplants (MSDT) and non-MSDT, the latter including HLA-matched unrelated donor (MUDT) and haplo-identical donor transplants (HIDT). In this retrospective study, we analyzed the data of 85 consecutive patients with MDS who received allogeneic HSCT between Dec 2007 and Apr 2014 in our center. These patients comprised 38 (44.7%) who received MSDT, 29 (34.1%) MUDT, and 18 (21.2%) HIDT. The median overall survival (OS) was 60.2 months, the probabilities of OS being 63%, 57%, and 48%, at the first, second, and fifth year, respectively. Median OS post-transplant (OSPT) was 57.2 months, the probabilities of OSPT being 58%, 55%, and 48% at the first, second, and fifth year, respectively. The survival of patients receiving non-MSDT was superior to that of MSDT, median OSPT being 84.0 months and 23.6 months, respectively (P = 0.042); the findings for OS were similar (P = 0.028). We also found that using ATG in conditioning regimens significantly improved survival after non-MSDT, with better OS and OSPT (P = 0.016 and P = 0.025). These data suggest that using ATG in conditioning regimens may improve the survival of MDS patients after non-MSDT.

Improved clinical outcomes of rhG-CSF-mobilized blood and marrow haploidentical transplantation compared to propensity score-matched rhG-CSF-primed peripheral blood stem cell haploidentical transplantation: a multicenter study

The effects of haploidentical rhG-CSF-mobilized blood and marrow transplantation (HBMT) on hematological malignances are well established. Previous prospective single-center studies have demonstrated better survival after HBMT versus haploidentical rhG-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (HPBSCT) for acute leukemia (AL) not in remission (NR) or in more than the second complete remission (>CR2). To test the hypothesis that HBMT is still superior to HPBSCT for patients with AL, multiple myeloma (MM), or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in CR1/CR2 and for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the first and second chronic phase lacking a matched donor, we designed a propensity score method-based multicenter study. Hematopoietic recovery, acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), and chronic GVHD were comparable between the HBMT group (n=168) and the HPBSCT group (n=42). No significant differences were found in non-relapse mortality rate (20.17%±3.58% and 27.24%±7.16%, P=0.18) or relapse rate (19.96%±3.72% and 28.49%±8.25%, P=0.32) between the HBMT group and the HPBSCT group. HBMT recipients had better overall survival (65.0%±4.2% and 54.2%±8.3%, P=0.037) and disease-free survival (59.9%±4.6% and 44.3%±8.7%, P=0.051). Multivariate analysis showed that HPBSCT was associated with poorer DFS (HR (95%CI), 1.639 (0.995-2.699), P=0.052). Our comparisons showed that HBMT was superior to HPBSCT as a post-remission treatment for patients lacking an identical donor.

Late-onset severe pneumonia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: prognostic factors and treatments

Background

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors associated with and treatments for late‐onset severe pneumonia (LOSP) in patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT).

Methods

Fifty consecutive patients who underwent non‐T‐cell‐depleted allo‐HSCT at the Peking University Institute of Hematology and met the criterion of LOSP after allo‐HSCT were enrolled.

Results

The median time from allo‐HSCT to the occurrence of LOSP was 231 (90–1487) days. Twenty‐eight patients harbored 1 or more pathogens (infectious LOSP, I‐LOSP), whereas 22 did not harbor any pathogens (non‐infectious LOSP, NI‐LOSP). The 100‐day survival rate of LOSP patients was 31.1%. Patients smoking before allo‐HSCT (0% vs. 35.4%, P = 0.002) and male gender (20.0% vs. 61.9%, P = 0.026) had lower 100‐day survival rate. Patients with a lower bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) neutrophil percentage had higher 100‐day survival rate relative to those with higher BALF neutrophil percentage (45.5% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.012). The 100‐day survival rate of patients with I‐LOSP was lower than that of patients with NI‐LOSP (19.1% vs. 46.9%, P = 0.043). Patients given late (≥1 week after LOSP diagnosis) and low‐dose methylprednisolone (MP) therapy (≤2 mg/kg/day) had the best 100‐day survival rate. In the multivariate analysis, nonsmoking before allo‐HSCT and late and low‐dose MP therapy were significantly associated with a better survival after LOSP.

Conclusion

LOSP is a severe complication after allo‐HSCT. The correct timing and corticosteroid dosage in the context of broad‐spectrum antimicrobial therapy might further improve the outcomes of patients with LOSP.

Minimal residual disease monitoring and preemptive immunotherapy in myelodysplastic syndrome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

This study investigated the efficacy of minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring and MRD-directed preemptive immunotherapy in high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). MRD assessment consisted of Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1) detection with PCR and leukemia-associated immunophenotypic pattern examination with multiparameter flow cytometry (FCM). Post-HSCT, 31 patients were positive for WT1, and 8, for FCM; positivity for WT1 (18.6 vs. 6.1 %, P = 0.040) or FCM (62.5 vs. 3.6 %, P < 0.001) indicated a higher 2-year relapse rate. Twenty-one patients met our combined criteria for MRD, and the presence of MRD was associated with a higher 2-year relapse rate (27.3 vs. 4.5 %, P = 0.003). Preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) expression alone was not an appropriate MRD marker; however, it suggested that the MRD-positive patients may fail to respond to preemptive immunotherapy. In patients positive for both PRAME and MRD, the relapse rate was 60 % despite preemptive immunotherapy. Multivariate analysis confirmed the association between the increased relapse rate and positivity for both PRAME and MRD (hazard ratio = 42.8, P = 0.001). MRD monitoring predicted relapse in high-risk MDS post-HSCT patients, and PRAME- and MRD-positive patients did not benefit from preemptive immunotherapy.

Fludarabine, idarubicin, and cytarabine regimen together with TKI followed by haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a success for relapsed Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia

In this report, a case of relapsed Ph+ ALL was remedied by reinduction, and consolidation regimen of TKI and Flu+ Ara-C+ IDA (FLAI) combination, followed by haploidentical SCT. Results suggest that FLAI together with TKI and subsequently with haploidentical SCT could be applied for relapsed Ph+ ALL.

Controlled, Randomized, Open-Label Trial of Risk-Stratified Corticosteroid Prevention of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Haploidentical Transplantation

PURPOSE

This study evaluated whether a prophylaxis strategy directed by the graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) biomarker might reduce the 100-day incidence of acute GVHD grades II to IV.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This controlled, open-label, randomized trial included 228 patients who underwent haploidentical transplantation. On the basis of bone marrow allogeneic graft CD4:CD8 ratios, patients were categorized as low risk (n = 83; group A) or high risk (n = 145). Patients at high risk were randomly assigned to either receive (n = 72; group B) or not receive (n = 73; group C) low-dose corticosteroid prophylaxis.

RESULTS

The incidence in group B was 21% (95% CI, 11% to 31%) compared with 26% (95% CI, 16%to 36%; P = .43) in group A and 48% (95% CI, 32% to 60%; P < .001) in group C. Low-dose corticosteroid prophylaxis was significantly associated with a relatively low risk of acute GVHD grades II to IV (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.89; P = .007) and rapid platelet recovery (hazard ratio, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.47; P < .001). The incidence of moderate-to-severe chronic GVHD in group B (21%) was lower than that in both group A (50%; P = .025) and group C (36%; P = .066). The 100-day corticosteroid doses were 205 ± 111 mg in group B, 229 ± 149 mg in group A (P = .256), and 286.54 ± 259.67 mg in group C (P = .016). Compared with group C, group B showed significantly lower incidences of femoral head necrosis (P = .034) and hypertension (P = .015). Infection rates were comparable among these groups.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that risk stratification-directed, low-dose corticosteroid prophylaxis significantly decreased the incidence of acute GVHD grades II to IV, accelerated platelet recovery, and reduced adverse events without increasing infections.