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Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Apr 2022Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) causes morbidity and mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Naive T cells (T) cause severe GVHD in murine...
PURPOSE
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) causes morbidity and mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Naive T cells (T) cause severe GVHD in murine models. We evaluated chronic GVHD (cGVHD) and other outcomes in three phase II clinical trials of T-depletion of peripheral blood stem-cell (PBSC) grafts.
METHODS
One hundred thirty-eight patients with acute leukemia received T-depleted PBSC from HLA-matched related or unrelated donors following conditioning with high- or intermediate-dose total-body irradiation and chemotherapy. GVHD prophylaxis was with tacrolimus, with or without methotrexate or mycophenolate mofetil. Subjects received CD34-selected PBSC and a defined dose of memory T cells depleted of T. Median follow-up was 4 years. The primary outcome of the analysis of cumulative data from the three trials was cGVHD.
RESULTS
cGVHD was very infrequent and mild (3-year cumulative incidence total, 7% [95% CI, 2 to 11]; moderate, 1% [95% CI, 0 to 2]; severe, 0%). Grade III and IV acute GVHD (aGVHD) occurred in 4% (95% CI, 1 to 8) and 0%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of grade II aGVHD, which was mostly stage 1 upper gastrointestinal GVHD, was 71% (95% CI, 64 to 79). Recipients of matched related donor and matched unrelated donor grafts had similar rates of grade III aGVHD (5% [95% CI, 0 to 9] and 4% [95% CI, 0 to 9]) and cGVHD (7% [95% CI, 2 to 13] and 6% [95% CI, 0 to 12]). Overall survival, cGVHD-free, relapse-free survival, relapse, and nonrelapse mortality were, respectively, 77% (95% CI, 71 to 85), 68% (95% CI, 61 to 76), 23% (95% CI, 16 to 30), and 8% (95% CI, 3 to 13) at 3 years.
CONCLUSION
Depletion of T from PBSC allografts results in very low incidences of severe acute and any cGVHD, without apparent excess risks of relapse or nonrelapse mortality, distinguishing this novel graft engineering strategy from other hematopoietic cell transplantation approaches.
Topics: Humans; Graft vs Host Disease; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Recurrence; Transplantation Conditioning; Unrelated Donors
PubMed: 35007144
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.21.01755 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021Although the majority of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with intensive chemotherapy achieve a complete remission (CR), many are destined to relapse... (Review)
Review
Although the majority of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with intensive chemotherapy achieve a complete remission (CR), many are destined to relapse if treated with intensive chemotherapy alone. Allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) represents a pivotally important treatment strategy in fit adults with AML because of its augmented anti-leukemic activity consequent upon dose intensification and the genesis of a potent graft-versus-leukemia effect. Increased donor availability coupled with the advent of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens has dramatically increased transplant access and consequently allo-SCT is now a key component of the treatment algorithm in both patients with AML in first CR (CR1) and advanced disease. Although transplant related mortality has fallen steadily over recent decades there has been no real progress in reducing the risk of disease relapse which remains the major cause of transplant failure and represents a major area of unmet need. A number of therapeutic approaches with the potential to reduce disease relapse, including advances in induction chemotherapy, the development of novel conditioning regimens and the emergence of the concept of post-transplant maintenance, are currently under development. Furthermore, the use of genetics and measurable residual disease technology in disease assessment has improved the identification of patients who are likely to benefit from an allo-SCT which now represents an increasingly personalized therapy. Future progress in optimizing transplant outcome will be dependent on the successful delivery by the international transplant community of randomized prospective clinical trials which permit examination of current and future transplant therapies with the same degree of rigor as is routinely adopted for non-transplant therapies.
Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Disease-Free Survival; Graft vs Leukemia Effect; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid; Remission Induction; Transplantation Conditioning; Transplantation, Homologous
PubMed: 34012445
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.659595 -
Blood Jan 2023Advances in conditioning, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis and antimicrobial prophylaxis have improved the safety of allogeneic hematopoietic cell... (Review)
Review
Advances in conditioning, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis and antimicrobial prophylaxis have improved the safety of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), leading to a substantial increase in the number of patients transplanted each year. This influx of patients along with progress in remission-inducing and posttransplant maintenance strategies for hematologic malignancies has led to new GVHD risk factors and high-risk groups: HLA-mismatched related (haplo) and unrelated (MMUD) donors; older recipient age; posttransplant maintenance; prior checkpoint inhibitor and autologous HCT exposure; and patients with benign hematologic disorders. Along with the changing transplant population, the field of HCT has dramatically shifted in the past decade because of the widespread adoption of posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy), which has increased the use of HLA-mismatched related donors to levels comparable to HLA-matched related donors. Its success has led investigators to explore PTCy's utility for HLA-matched HCT, where we predict it will be embraced as well. Additionally, combinations of promising new agents for GVHD prophylaxis such as abatacept and JAK inhibitors with PTCy inspire hope for an even safer transplant platform. Using 3 illustrative cases, we review our current approach to transplantation of patients at high risk of GVHD using our modern armamentarium.
Topics: Humans; Graft vs Host Disease; Cyclophosphamide; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Hematologic Neoplasms; Tissue Donors; Unrelated Donors; Transplantation Conditioning; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35405017
DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021015129 -
Blood Advances Oct 2019Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is curative therapy for the treatment of patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). However, several conditioning regimens...
Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is curative therapy for the treatment of patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). However, several conditioning regimens can be used for BMT. We evaluated transplant conditioning regimens for BMT in SAA after HLA-matched sibling and unrelated donor BMT. For recipients of HLA-matched sibling donor transplantation (n = 955), fludarabine (Flu)/cyclophosphamide (Cy)/antithymocyte globulin (ATG) or Cy/ATG led to the best survival. The 5-year probabilities of survival with Flu/Cy/ATG, Cy/ATG, Cy ± Flu, and busulfan/Cy were 91%, 91%, 80%, and 84%, respectively (P = .001). For recipients of 8/8 and 7/8 HLA allele-matched unrelated donor transplantation (n = 409), there were no differences in survival between regimens. The 5-year probabilities of survival with Cy/ATG/total body irradiation 200 cGy, Flu/Cy/ATG/total body irradiation 200 cGy, Flu/Cy/ATG, and Cy/ATG were 77%, 80%, 75%, and 72%, respectively (P = .61). Rabbit-derived ATG compared with equine-derived ATG was associated with a lower risk of grade II to IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.39; P < .001) but not chronic GVHD. Independent of conditioning regimen, survival was lower in patients aged >30 years after HLA-matched sibling (HR, 2.74; P < .001) or unrelated donor (HR, 1.98; P = .001) transplantation. These data support Flu/Cy/ATG and Cy/ATG as optimal regimens for HLA-matched sibling BMT. Although survival after an unrelated donor BMT did not differ between regimens, use of rabbit-derived ATG may be preferred because of lower risks of acute GVHD.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia, Aplastic; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Clinical Decision-Making; Disease Management; Graft vs Host Disease; HLA Antigens; Histocompatibility Testing; Humans; Prognosis; Severity of Illness Index; Siblings; Transplantation Conditioning; Transplantation, Homologous; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 31648332
DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000722 -
Blood Reviews Jan 2020Solid organ transplant (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are at increased risk for developing infections due to underlying... (Review)
Review
Solid organ transplant (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are at increased risk for developing infections due to underlying immunosuppression. Antibiotic use, and in HSCT recipients, the use of preparative regimens prior to transplantation can deplete gut commensal bacteria, resulting in intestinal dysbiosis. Emerging evidence in transplant patients, particularly HSCT, suggest that disturbances in gut microbiota populations are associated with a number of adverse outcomes. Here, we review the outcomes of HSCT and SOT recipients with gut microbiota imbalance or dysbiosis, explore the nascent field of gut microbiome therapeutic approaches including fecal microbiota transplantation and the use of precision probiotics in HSCT and SOT recipients.
Topics: Fecal Microbiota Transplantation; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Organ Transplantation; Transplantation Conditioning
PubMed: 31492463
DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2019.100614 -
Blood Aug 2022Patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) can have an unrecognized inherited bone marrow failure syndrome (IBMFS) because of phenotypic heterogeneity. We curated...
Patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) can have an unrecognized inherited bone marrow failure syndrome (IBMFS) because of phenotypic heterogeneity. We curated germline genetic variants in 104 IBMFS-associated genes from exome sequencing performed on 732 patients who underwent hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) between 1989 and 2015 for acquired SAA. Patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants fitting known disease zygosity patterns were deemed unrecognized IBMFS. Carriers were defined as patients with a single P/LP variant in an autosomal recessive gene or females with an X-linked recessive P/LP variant. Cox proportional hazard models were used for survival analysis with follow-up until 2017. We identified 113 P/LP single-nucleotide variants or small insertions/deletions and 10 copy number variants across 42 genes in 121 patients. Ninety-one patients had 105 in silico predicted deleterious variants of uncertain significance (dVUS). Forty-eight patients (6.6%) had an unrecognized IBMFS (33% adults), and 73 (10%) were carriers. No survival difference between dVUS and acquired SAA was noted. Compared with acquired SAA (no P/LP variants), patients with unrecognized IBMFS, but not carriers, had worse survival after HCT (IBMFS hazard ratio [HR], 2.13; 95% confidence interval[CI], 1.40-3.24; P = .0004; carriers HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.62-1.50; P = .86). Results were similar in analyses restricted to patients receiving reduced-intensity conditioning (n = 448; HR IBMFS = 2.39; P = .01). The excess mortality risk in unrecognized IBMFS attributed to death from organ failure (HR = 4.88; P < .0001). Genetic testing should be part of the diagnostic evaluation for all patients with SAA to tailor therapeutic regimens. Carriers of a pathogenic variant in an IBMFS gene can follow HCT regimens for acquired SAA.
Topics: Adult; Anemia, Aplastic; Congenital Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes; Female; Genetic Testing; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Transplantation Conditioning
PubMed: 35776903
DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022016508 -
American Journal of Hematology Aug 2022The phase III study was designed to compare event-free survival (EFS) after treosulfan-based conditioning with a widely applied reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC)... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Treosulfan compared with reduced-intensity busulfan improves allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation outcomes of older acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome patients: Final analysis of a prospective randomized trial.
The phase III study was designed to compare event-free survival (EFS) after treosulfan-based conditioning with a widely applied reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) busulfan regimen in older or comorbid patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). A previously reported confirmatory interim analysis of the randomized clinical study including 476 patients demonstrated statistically significant noninferiority for treosulfan with clinically meaningful improvement in EFS. Here, the final study results and pre-specified subgroup analyses of all 570 randomized patients with completed longer-term follow-up are presented. Patients presenting HCT-specific comorbidity index >2 or aged ≥50 years were randomly assigned (1:1) to intravenous (IV) fludarabine with either treosulfan (30 g/m IV) or busulfan (6.4 mg/kg IV) after stratification by disease risk group, donor type, and participating institution. The primary endpoint was EFS with disease recurrence, graft failure, or death from any cause as events. EFS of patients (median age 60 years) was superior after treosulfan compared to RIC busulfan: 36-months-EFS rate 59.5% (95% CI, 52.2-66.1) vs. 49.7% (95% CI, 43.3-55.7) with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.64 (95% CI, 0.49-0.84), p = 0.0006. Likewise, overall survival (OS) with treosulfan was superior compared to busulfan: 36-month-OS rate 66.8% vs. 56.3%; HR 0.64 (95% CI, 0.48-0.87), p = 0.0037. Post hoc analyses revealed that these differences were consistent with the confirmatory interim analysis, and thereby the treosulfan regimen appears particularly suitable for older AML and MDS patients.
Topics: Aged; Busulfan; Graft vs Host Disease; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Middle Aged; Myelodysplastic Syndromes; Prospective Studies; Transplantation Conditioning; Vidarabine
PubMed: 35617104
DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26620 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Mar 2021Allogeneic transplantation remains the most definitive curative option for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, given the median age of diagnosis of AML... (Review)
Review
Allogeneic transplantation remains the most definitive curative option for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, given the median age of diagnosis of AML in the late 60s, patients and clinicians have been reluctant to offer transplant to many in the older population. In this age group, AML presents with higher risk molecular and cytogenetic phenotype and patients' comorbidities, performance status, frailty and life views all impact the decision-making about whether to proceed with transplantation. Recent analyses suggest promising outcomes and thus acknowledgement of chronological age should be tempered with assessments of performance status, frailty, donor availability and careful balancing of a patient's wishes, life goals and understanding of the risks before restricting access of older patients to the curative potential of allotransplantation.
Topics: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Retrospective Studies; Transplantation Conditioning; Transplantation, Homologous
PubMed: 33762098
DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2021.101243 -
Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Apr 2021For cord blood transplantation (CBT), appropriate patient and conditioning regimen selection is necessary to achieve long-term disease-free survival. This review aims to... (Review)
Review
For cord blood transplantation (CBT), appropriate patient and conditioning regimen selection is necessary to achieve long-term disease-free survival. This review aims to provide comprehensive guidelines on these issues using evidence from the literature and experience at dedicated CBT centers. Topics include patient and disease characteristics that make CBT a good or poor choice and a review of outcomes in commonly used conditioning regimens in CBT. This is accompanied with recommendations on regimen intensity based on disease, organ function, and patient performance status and age. In addition, the use of antithymocyte globulin in CBT is discussed, as is the choice of conditioning in aplastic anemia patients who have access to acceptable CB units.
Topics: Adult; Anemia, Aplastic; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; Hematologic Neoplasms; Humans; Patient Selection; Transplantation Conditioning
PubMed: 33836867
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2020.11.008 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022
Topics: Transplantation Conditioning; Transplantation, Homologous
PubMed: 35812424
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.953185