Late infectious complications in hematopoietic cell transplantation survivors: a population-based study

Assessing the Predictive Value of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Nares Colonization Among Transplant Recipients and Patients With Neutropenia

Background

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nares screening has been shown to be a powerful antibiotic stewardship tool for MRSA infections within 7 days of screening across a variety of anatomical locations given the high negative predictive value (NPV). However, the utility outside of 7 days and among transplant recipients and patients with neutropenia is less clear.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study across Veterans Affairs medical centers in the United States from 1 January 2007 to 1 January 2023 of patients tested for MRSA colonization and who had a subsequent positive bacterial culture within 28 days of MRSA sc---reening. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and NPV were calculated across different time points and anatomical culture locations.

Results

The cohort consisted of 686 174 patients, 6 277 437 MRSA nares tests, and 2 446 766 positive bacterial cultures within 28 days of MRSA testing. The NPV of MRSA nares screening for ruling out a MRSA infection within 28 days was 95.8% across all anatomical culture sites. The NPV was 97.9% among patients with neutropenia and 97.5% in solid organ and hemopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Conclusions

MRSA nares screening can reliably be used for de-escalation of anti-MRSA therapy within 28 days of bacterial culture for all patients, including solid organ and hematopoietic transplant recipients and patients with neutropenia.

International recommendations for screening and preventative practices for long-term survivors of transplantation and cellular therapy: a 2023 update

As hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy expand to new indications and international access improves, the volume of HCT performed annually continues to rise. Parallel improvements in HCT techniques and supportive care entails more patients surviving long-term, creating further emphasis on survivorship needs. Survivors are at risk for developing late complications secondary to pre-, peri- and post-transplant exposures and other underlying risk-factors. Guidelines for screening and preventive practices for HCT survivors were originally published in 2006 and updated in 2012. To review contemporary literature and update the recommendations while considering the changing practice of HCT and cellular therapy, an international group of experts was again convened. This review provides updated pediatric and adult survivorship guidelines for HCT and cellular therapy. The contributory role of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) to the development of late effects is discussed but cGVHD management is not covered in detail. These guidelines emphasize special needs of patients with distinct underlying HCT indications or comorbidities (e.g., hemoglobinopathies, older adults) but do not replace more detailed group, disease, or condition specific guidelines. Although these recommendations should be applicable to the vast majority of HCT recipients, resource constraints may limit their implementation in some settings.

Return to school practices after hematopoietic cell transplantation: a survey of transplant centers in the United States

To understand transplant center recommendations on return-to-school timing and related support for hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) survivors, we conducted a two-phase, cross-sectional, web-based survey: In Phase I, medical directors of pediatric HCT centers from the National Marrow Donor Program/ Be The Match Registry were asked regarding the availability of a return to school standardized operating procedure (SOP). In Phase II, HCT physician members of the Pediatric Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Consortium were approached to study inter-physician practice variability regarding return to school post-HCT, factors affecting their decision-making, and support provided by HCT centers for return to school. Out of 46 respondents in Phase I (55% response rate), 28 (61%) reported having a SOP. Wide variations in recommendations were noted in 12 received SOPs. In Phase II, 122 physicians (60 centers) responded (30.6% response rate). The majority (60%) recommended autologous HCT recipients return to school within 6 months post-HCT but 65% recommended allogeneic HCT recipients return to school after 6 months or once off immunosuppression. Our findings indicate a lack of consensus within and across HCT centers regarding recommended return to school timing and underscore need for a guideline to standardize this process to ensure patient safety and re-integration into school.

International Recommendations for Screening and Preventative Practices for Long-Term Survivors of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy: A 2023 Update

As hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy expand to new indications and international access improves, the number of HCTs performed annually continues to rise. Parallel improvements in HCT techniques and supportive care entails more patients surviving long term, creating further emphasis on survivorship needs. Survivors are at risk for developing late complications secondary to pretransplantation, peritransplantation, and post-transplantation exposures and other underlying risk factors. Guidelines for screening and preventive practices for HCT survivors were originally published in 2006 and then updated in 2012. An international group of experts was convened to review the contemporary literature and update the recommendations while considering the changing practices of HCT and cellular therapy. This review provides updated pediatric and adult survivorship guidelines for HCT and cellular therapy. The contributory role of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) to the development of late effects is discussed, but cGVHD management is not covered in detail. These guidelines emphasize the special needs of patients with distinct underlying HCT indications or comorbidities (eg, hemoglobinopathies, older adults) but do not replace more detailed group-, disease-, or condition-specific guidelines. Although these recommendations should be applicable to the vast majority of HCT recipients, resource constraints may limit their implementation in some settings.

Facilitators and Barriers to Successful Revaccination after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation among Adult Survivors: A Scoping Review

Post-transplantation revaccination uptake of childhood vaccines in adult hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) survivors is suboptimal, increasing the risk of infectious morbidity and mortality within this population. We systematically reviewed the literature for factors related to revaccination uptake, as well as the barriers and facilitators that affect successful revaccination. We conducted a scoping review searching PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science in March 2023. Two independent reviewers performed study selection using the complete dual review process. Data were extracted using a standard form. Factors were characterized as demographic, clinical, or social determinants of health that affected revaccination uptake. Barriers and facilitators were categorized using the constructs from the World Health Organization Behavioural and Social Drivers Framework. Our searches yielded 914 sources, from which 15 publications were selected (5 original research and 10 quality improvement initiatives). More than one-half of the reports listed factors associated with poorer uptake, predominately clinical factors, followed by social determinants of health, then demographic factors. Nearly all the reports described barriers to successful revaccination uptake, with most of these falling into the "practical issues" construct. Most of the reports described facilitators, nearly all related to health care system improvements associated with improved revaccination uptake. Although this review provides a good starting point for understanding impediments to successful revaccination after HSCT, this review reveals that we lack sufficient evidence to drive targeted interventions to improve uptake. More research is needed, focusing on survivors' voices to inform our knowledge of barriers and facilitators to complete revaccination after HSCT, exploring behavioral and social drivers within this population, and examining the care delivery models that may complicate vaccine delivery in this population.

Association of β₂ microglobulin level and glomerular filtration rate in patients with acute leukemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a life-saving therapy in patients suffering from acute leukemia. However, kidney complications developed after performing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can affect the course and prognosis of the disease in patients with acute leukemia. This study is aimed at assessing the functional status of the kidneys in patients with acute leukemia who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The study has observed a group of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It has been discovered that β2 microglobulin is a sensitive method of analyzing renal function, with the β2 microglobulin threshold urine level not exceeding 0.3 mg/L. The complex diagnostics of kidney function in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients has given the opportunity to identify the relationship between increased β2 microglobulin levels and decreased glomerular filtration rate. It has been determined that β2 microglobulin is a biomarker of renal disorders. The obtained data have showed that β2 microglobulin can be used as a diagnostic marker of reduced kidney function.

A Population-Based Study of the Long-Term Risk of Infections Associated With Hospitalization in Childhood Cancer Survivors

PURPOSE

Infections pose a significant risk during therapy for childhood cancer. However, little is known about the risk of infection in long-term survivors of childhood cancer.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective observational study of children and adolescents born in Washington State diagnosed with cancer before age 20 years and who survived at least 5 years after diagnosis. Survivors were categorized as having a hematologic or nonhematologic malignancy and were matched to individuals without cancer in the state birth records by birth year and sex with a comparator:survivor ratio of 10:1. The primary outcome was incidence of any infection associated with a hospitalization using diagnostic codes from state hospital discharge records. Incidence was reported as a rate (IR) per 1,000 person-years. Multivariate Poisson regression was used to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRR) for cancer survivors versus comparators.

RESULTS

On the basis of 382 infection events among 3,152 survivors and 771 events among 31,519 comparators, the IR of all hospitalized infections starting 5 years after cancer diagnosis was 12.6 (95% CI, 11.4 to 13.9) and 2.4 (95% CI, 2.3 to 2.6), respectively, with an IRR 5.1 (95% CI, 4.5 to 5.8). The survivor IR during the 5- to 10-year (18.1, 95% CI, 15.9 to 20.5) and > 10-year postcancer diagnosis (8.3, 95% CI, 7.0 to 9.7) periods remained greater than comparison group IRs for the same time periods (2.3, 95% CI, 2.1 to 2.6 and 2.5, 95% CI, 2.3 to 2.8, respectively). When potentially vaccine-preventable infections were evaluated, survivors had a greater risk of infection relative to comparators (IRR, 13.1; 95% CI, 7.2 to 23.9).

CONCLUSION

Infectious complications continue to affect survivors of childhood cancer many years after initial diagnosis. Future studies are needed to better understand immune reconstitution to determine specific factors that may mitigate this risk.

Evaluation of Kidneys’ Functional State in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) has recently been a widely used method of therapy in various fields of current medicine, particularly in hematology.Some patients develop renal disorders following HSCT. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the dynamics of changes in the functional state of the kidneys in patients with ALL after HSCT. METHODS: In the period from 2015 to 2021, for the first time in Kazakhstan, patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who underwent allogeneic and haploidentical HSCT were prospectively examined. RESULTS: We determined that the greatest decrease in glomerular filtration rate occurred in the group of patients who underwent haploidentical bone marrow transplantation. Moreover, we believe that our results are related to known contributing risk factors, such as the type of performed transplantation and the duration of taking medications for the prevention of graft versus host disease. Our results also indicate that the lethal outcome in the group with haploidentical HSCT in the studied patients with ALL was greater than in the group with allogeneic HSCT. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, a decrease in kidney function in patients who have survived HSCT is probably a common complication; however, further prospective studies are required to confirm these results to develop additional algorithms for the treatment and prevention of renal disorders in patients with acute leukemia after HSCT.

Late Mortality, Subsequent Malignant Neoplasms and Hospitalisations in Long-Term Survivors of Adolescent and Young Adult Hematological Cancers

Background

Increased success in the treatment of hematological cancers contributed to the increase of 5-year survival for most adolescent and young adults (AYAs) with these tumours. However, as 5-year survival increased, it became clear that AYA long-term survivors were at increased risk for severe late effects. Moreover, limited information on long-term cancer impact is available for AYAs, since most studies focused on children and adolescents. We aimed to assess various long-term outcomes on AYA survivors of hematological cancers.

Methods

We selected patients diagnosed with a first primary hematological cancer between 1997 and 2006, in the Italian nationwide population-based cohort of AYA cancer survivors (i.e. alive at least 5 years after cancer diagnosis). Long-term outcomes of interest were: second malignant neoplasms (SMNs), hospitalizations and overall mortality. We calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), standardized hospitalization rate ratios (SHRs) and standardized mortality rate ratios (SMRs). To study morbidity patterns over time, we modeled observed incidence rates by fitting flexible parametric models for nonlinear patterns and we used linear regression for linear patterns.

Results

The study cohort included 5,042 AYA hematological cancer survivors of which 1,237 and 3,805 had a leukaemia and lymphoma diagnosis, respectively. AYA survivors were at substantially increased risk for SMN (SIR=2.1; 95%CI=1.7; 2.6), hospitalisation (SHR=1.5; 95%CI=1.5; 1.6), and mortality (SMR=1.4; 95%CI=1.2; 1.6) with differences between leukaemia and lymphoma survivors. The highest excess risks of hospitalisations were for infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, and diseases of blood and blood-forming organs. The morbidity pattern differs over time by morbidity type.

Conclusions

Our results support the need for strict follow-up plans for survivors, and call for further study to better personalised follow-up plans for AYA cancer survivors.

A Population-Based Study of COVID-19 Infection Among Childhood Cancer Survivors

Childhood cancer survivors are known to be at risk of chronic co-morbidities, although their risk of COVID-19 infection remains uncertain. Understanding the risk of COVID-19 in this population is necessary to counsel survivors and inform potential mitigation strategies. The objective of this study was to determine whether the rates of COVID-19 infection differed between childhood cancer survivors and the general population. Administrative health care data from a population-based registry of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer in Ontario, Canada, were linked with a universal health insurance registry and a repository of laboratory data. Rates of COVID-19 testing, test positivity and infection between March 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021 among childhood cancer survivors (n = 10 242) were compared to matched controls from the general population (n = 49 068). Compared to the general population, childhood cancer survivors were more likely to have COVID-19 testing (35.9% [95% CI, 34.5–37.4%] vs. 32.0% [95% CI, 31.4–32.6%]), but had a lower likelihood of positive COVID-19 result among those tested (4.3% [95% CI, 3.6–4.9%] vs. 5.5% [95% CI, 5.1–5.8%]) and a similar rate of infection among all subjects at risk (1.5% [95% CI, 1.3–1.8%] vs. 1.7% [95% CI, 1.6–1.9%]). These findings can inform counseling of survivors and clinician recommendations for this population.

Incidence of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia utilizing a polymerase chain reaction-based diagnosis in patients receiving bendamustine

BACKGROUND

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a life-threatening infection occurring in patients receiving bendamustine. The poorly defined incidence, particularly when utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic techniques, precipitates unclear prophylaxis recommendations. Our objective was to determine the cumulative incidence of PJP diagnosed by single copy target, non-nested PCR in patients receiving bendamustine.

METHODS

Patients were evaluated for PJP from initiation of bendamustine through 9 months after the last administration. The cumulative incidence of PJP was estimated using the Aalen-Johansen method. Cox proportional hazard models were used to demonstrate the strength of association between the independent variables and PJP risk.

RESULTS

This single-center, retrospective cohort included 486 adult patients receiving bendamustine from 1 January 2006 through 1 August 2019. Most patients received bendamustine-based combination therapy (n = 461, 94.9%), and 225 (46.3%) patients completed six cycles. Rituximab was the most common concurrent agent (n = 431, 88.7%). The cumulative incidence of PJP was 1.7% (95% CI 0.8%-3.3%, at maximum follow-up of 2.5 years), after the start of bendamustine (n = 8 PJP events overall). Prior stem cell transplant, prior chemotherapy within 1 year of bendamustine, and lack of concurrent chemotherapy were associated with the development of PJP in univariate analyses. Anti-Pneumocystis prophylaxis was not significantly associated with a reduction in PJP compared to no prophylaxis (HR 0.37, 95% CI (0.05, 3.04), p = 0.36).

CONCLUSIONS

Our incidence of PJP below 3.5%, the conventional threshold for prophylaxis implementation, indicates routine anti-Pneumocystis prophylaxis may not be necessary in this population. Factors indicating a high-risk population for targeted prophylaxis require further investigation.

Late-occurring infections in a contemporary cohort of hematopoietic cell transplantation survivors

Background

There is a paucity of studies describing the incidence and risk factors for late‐occurring (≥1 year) infectious complications in contemporary survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 641 1‐year survivors of HCT, transplanted between 2010 and 2013 as adults, and in remission from their primary disease. Standardized definitions were used to characterize viral, fungal, and bacterial infections. Cumulative incidence of infections was calculated, with relapse/progression considered as a competing risk event. Fine‐Gray subdistribution hazard ratio estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained, adjusted for relevant covariates.

Results

Median age at HCT was 55.2 years (range 18.1–78.1 years); 54.0% were survivors of allogeneic HCT. The 5‐year cumulative incidence of a late‐occurring infection for the entire cohort was 31.6%; the incidence of polymicrobial (≥2) infections was 10.1%. In survivors who developed at least one infection, the 5‐year incidence of a subsequent infection was 45.3%. Among allogeneic HCT survivors, patients with acute lymphoblastic (HR = 1.82 95% CI [1.12–2.96]) or myeloid (HR = 1.50 95% CI [1.02–2.20]) leukemia, and those with an elevated HCT‐Comorbidity index score (HR = 1.09 95% CI [1.01–1.17]) were more likely to develop late‐occurring infections; there was an incremental risk associated with severity of graft versus host disease (GVHD) at 1‐year post‐HCT (mild: HR = 2.17, 95% CI [1.09–4.33]; moderate/severe: HR = 3.78, 95% CI [1.90–7.53]; reference: no GVHD).

Conclusions

The burden of late‐occurring infections in HCT survivors is substantial, and there are important patient‐ and HCT‐related modifiers of risk over time. These findings may help guide personalized screening and prevention strategies to improve outcomes after HCT.

Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide and Tacrolimus-Mycophenolate Mofetil Combination Governs GVHD and Immunosuppression Need, Reducing Late Toxicities in Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation from HLA-Matched Donors

Combined direct antineoplastic activity and the long-lasting immunological effects of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) can cure many hematological malignancies, but broad adoption requires non-relapse mortality (NRM) rates and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) control. Recently, posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) given after a bone marrow transplant significantly reduced GVHD-incidence, while PTCy given with tacrolimus/mofetil mycophenolate (T/MMF) showed activity following allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (alloPBSCT). Here, we report the experience of a larger cohort (85 consecutive patients) and expanded follow-up period (03/2011-12/2019) with high-risk hematological malignancies who received alloPBSCT from Human-Leukocyte-Antigens HLA-matched unrelated/related donors. GVHD-prophylaxis was PTCy 50 mg/kg (days+3 and +4) combined with T/MMF (day+5 forward). All patients stopped MMF on day+28 with day+110 = median tacrolimus discontinuation. Cumulative incidences were 12% for acute and 7% for chronic GVHD- and no GVHD-attributed deaths. For surviving patients, the 12, 24, and 36-month probabilities of being off immunosuppression were 92, 96, and 96%, respectively. After a 36-month median follow-up, NRM was 4%; median event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) had yet to occur. One- and two-year chronic GVHD-EFS results were 57% (95% CI, 46-68%) and 53% (95% CI, 45-61%), respectively, with limited late infections and long-term organ toxicities. Disease relapse caused the most treatment failures (38% at 2 years), but low transplant toxicity allowed many patients (14/37, 38%) to receive donor lymphocyte infusions as a post-relapse strategy. We confirmed that PTCy+T/MMF treatment effectively prevented acute and chronic GVHD and limited NRM to unprecedented low rates without loss of disease control efficacy in an expanded patient cohort. This trial is registered at U.S. National Library of Medicine as #NCT02300571.

Challenges and Opportunities for COVID-19 Vaccines in Patients with Cancer

Given the rapidly expanding global spread of the SARS-Co-V-2 virus and the expanding number of individuals with the serious and potentially fatal illness, COVID-19, there is an urgent need for safe and effective vaccines. Based on compelling evidence that patients with cancer are at increased risk for greater morbidity and mortality with COVID-19, several professional organizations have provided early guidance on the role of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with malignant disease. In this commentary we review the available data on the efficacy and safety of the approved and forthcoming vaccines in patients with cancer. Based on a review of the totality of available evidence, we recommend that most patients with cancer should receive the recommended dose and schedule of one of the COVID-19 vaccines when available. We encourage industry, regulators and professional research organizations to carefully track the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with cancer in the real world setting and routinely report unanticipated adverse events and signs of loss of efficacy. Particular attention is needed for patients on active cancer therapy to carefully evaluate efficacy and safety in relationship to the timing of vaccination relative to that of active cancer treatment and immunosuppression.

Late Kidney Morbidity and Mortality in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Survivors

Increasing numbers of patients are undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT); however, further characterization of late kidney outcomes in HCT recipients is needed. This study investigated long-term kidney outcomes in HCT survivors and compared the risk of late kidney morbidity/mortality in these survivors with that in non-HCT cancer survivors and the general population. A cohort of long-term (≥2 years) allogeneic and autologous HCT survivors treated for cancer at our institution between 1992 and 2009 (n = 1792) was compared with a non-HCT cancer cohort selected from the state cancer registry (n = 5455) matched on diagnosis, sex, and age at year of cancer diagnosis/HCT (index date). Additional comparisons were made with a matched general population sample drawn from state driver's licensing files (DOL; n = 16,340). Statewide hospital discharge codes and death registry codes (International Classification of Diseases 9/10) were used to identify cases of acute kidney failure (AKF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurring ≥2 years after the index date. Cumulative incidence rates and hazard ratios (HRs; according to multivariable proportional hazard models) estimated the absolute and relative risks of AKF and CKD. Among HCT survivors, we examined the influence of additional characteristics including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 1-year post-HCT. The cumulative incidence rates of late kidney complications were slightly greater in the HCT survivors versus the non-HCT cancer survivors at 10 years after the index date. Both groups were more likely to experience late AKF or CKD morbidity/mortality compared with the general population (AKF: HCT, 9.4%; non-HCT, 7.7%; DOL, 1.8%; CKD: HCT, 5.7%; non-HCT, 5.0%; DOL, 1.2%). Differences between HCT survivors and non-HCT survivors were seen primarily starting 5 years after the index date, with increased hazards for late AKF (HR, 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 1.9) and CKD (HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3 to 2.8). Among allogeneic HCT survivors, the presence of hypertension at <2 years post-HCT was significantly associated with subsequent AKF (HR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.7 to 5.0) and CKD (HR, 5.2; 95% CI, 2.7 to 10.0) at 2 to 10 years post-HCT, with similar associations seen for autologous HCT survivors. Low eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m²) at 1 year post-HCT was associated with late AKF morbidity/mortality for both allogeneic (HR, 5.3; 95% CI, 2.1 to 13.2) and autologous HCT (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2 to 6.3) compared with survivors with normal eGFR (>90 mL/min/1.73 m²). Overall, the risk for hospitalization or death from AKF or CKD continued to increase with time from HCT and exceeded that of non-HCT cancer survivors at >5 years after treatment. Appropriate screening and early intervention with medication adjustments or lifestyle modifications in those with hypertension or evidence of abnormal eGFR post-HCT could potentially mitigate this risk.