Successful engraftment without radiation after fludarabine-based regimen in Fanconi anemia patients undergoing genotypically identical donor hematopoietic cell transplantation

BACKGROUND: To potentially reduce late effects of malignancy, chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), endocrinopathy, and infertility in patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) undergoing HLA-matched related donor hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), we developed a regimen using fludarabine (FLU), cyclophosphamide (CY), and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) followed by infusion of T-cell depleted (TCD) bone marrow (BM) or unmanipulated umbilical cord blood (UCB). GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine and short course methylprednisolone. PROCEDURE: Between April 2000 and June 2003, 11 patients (10 aplastic anemia (AA), 1 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)) underwent HCT using this regimen. Stem cell sources were BM and UCB in eight and three patients, respectively. RESULTS: All patients demonstrated primary engraftment. Median days to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were 11 days (range 9-21) and 38 days (range 19-381), respectively. No patient developed GVHD after primary HCT. The patient with MDS relapsed with AML and a maternal donor recipient experienced secondary graft failure. For the nine FA patients with AA who underwent HLA-identical sibling donor HCT, the Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival and event-free survival (EFS) at 2 years are 100% and 82%, respectively, at a median follow-up of 2.9 years (range 1.9-4.8). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, a FLU-based, non-irradiation approach is effective for FA patients with AA undergoing HLA-identical sibling donor HCT.     

Matched sibling donor stem cell transplantation for Fanconi anemia patients with T-cell somatic mosaicism

SCT from HLA-identical sibling donors is generally associated with an excellent survival in FA patients if performed prior to the development of MDS or leukemia. However, the optimal conditioning regimen has not been defined. We report here our experience with 15 Japanese FA patients who underwent HLA-matched sibling donor SCT. The aim of this study is to compare radiation-based conditioning to Flu-based conditioning for FA patients in a Japanese population where the T-cell somatic mosaicism is higher than in the Caucasian population. Eight patients (a-group) received a radiation-based conditioning (500-600 cGy of thoracoabdominal/TBI) with CY dose modification (20-120 mg/kg), and ATG; two patients exhibited rejection. Seven patients (b-group) received CY (40 mg/kg), 150-180 mg/m(2) of Flu, and ATG. Durable engraftment was demonstrated in all patients. In FA patients, Flu-based conditioning may allow stable engraftment in matched sibling donor transplantation without radiation, even in patients with T-cell somatic mosaicism.     

Squamous cell carcinoma development in Fanconi anemia patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

We examined SCC development of 24 FA patients, who received HSCT from HLA‐matched relatives. In our BMT center, we applied low‐dose CY + LFI + ATG (n:13) as conditioning regimen for FA patients between 1992 and 1999, and CY + BU + ATG (n:11) between 1999 and 2002. The aim of this study was to investigate SCC development after HSCT and examine features of the follow‐up patients. The 10‐year overall survival (OS) of the group with LFI + regimen was 43%, whereas the group without LFI regimen was 60%. There was a statistically significant relationship between infections (viral/bacterial) and overall survival (Fisher's Exact test P < .001). Five out of 13 long‐term (>1 year) surviving patients developed SCC in the HNSCC (n:4) and esophagus (n:2) region (a patient with oral SCC developed a second primary esophageal SCC). The SCC rate in our FA patients was 38%, four of the SCC patients were transplanted with irradiation used conditioning regimens, three of them had acuteGvHD (Grade II‐III), only one developed chronic GvHD. The interval between HSCT and SCC diagnosis was median 13 (range 6‐18) years, the age for the development of cancer was median 21 (range 15‐32) years. Survival after SCC was low, median 6 months (range 6‐12), due to delayed SCC diagnosis, tumor progression under therapy and treatment‐related toxicities of the usually reduced RT and/or CT.     

减剂量预处理造血干细胞移植治疗儿童范可尼贫血3例报告

目的 探讨减剂量预处理造血干细胞移植(HSCT)治疗范可尼贫血(FA)的疗效,为优化FA移植方案提供依据.方法 回顾分析2018年1月至2021年1月经HSCT治疗FA患儿的临床资料及随访结果.结果 3例FA患儿,女1例、男2例,中位发病年龄6.1(3.6～13.4)岁,中位移植年龄7.2(5.7～14.0)岁.无关H...     

Matched related donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation results in a long‐term follow‐up of a pediatric acquired severe aplastic anemia subset: A stem cell source perspective

HSCT has substantially improved pediatric acquired SAA patients' outcomes. Retrospectively, we attempted to assess the outcome of MRD HSCT in 65 pediatric patients referred to a single center from 1992 to 2012. We were particularly interested to find out whether source of SC (PB, n = 40 and BM, n = 25) significantly impacts EFS and GVHD incidence. With a median follow‐up of 45 months, total EFS was 87.7%; EFS for PB and BM groups was 87.5% and 88%, respectively. Acute GVHD (grades 3–4) occurred in 13 patients (PB, n = 10 [25%] and BM, n = 3 [12%]), acute GVHD (grades 2–4) occurred in 24 (PB, n = 16 [40%] and BM, n = 8 [32%]). Extensive chronic GVHD occurred in five patients (PB, n = 3 [7.5%] and BM, n = 2 [8%]). Cox regression revealed that elapsed time of <10 months between diagnosis and HSCT is associated with improved survival (hazard ratio, 95% CI = 1.204, 1.010–1.434, p = 0.038). SC source did not significantly affect EFS, incidence of acute GVHD (grades 3–4), or extensive chronic GVHD (p = 0.938, 0.121, and 0.487, respectively). Based on our findings, pediatric acquired SAA patients are benefitted most if MRD‐HSCT is carried out early in disease process and SC source does not affect outcome of MRD‐HSCT in these patients.     

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation without in vivo T‐cell depletion for pediatric aplastic anemia: A single‐center experience

For young patients, HLA‐MRD HSCT is the first‐line treatment of SAA. However, due to China's birth control policy, few patients could find suitable sibling donors and HLA‐MUD. More and more transplantation centers have used Haplo‐D as the donor source for young adult and pediatric patients. However, studies with larger amount of pediatric patients are rare. We retrospectively analyzed the data of children with AA who were treated with allogeneic HSCT and compared the therapeutic efficacy of Haplo‐HSCT and MRD/MUD group. A total of 62 patients were enrolled. Implantation was successfully performed in 58 patients. There was no significant difference in the time for reconstruction of hematopoietic function between patients in the two groups. Thirty‐two had grade I‐IV aGVHD with incidence of 51.61%. The incidence of aGVHD was 79.41% for patients in the Haplo‐HSCT, significantly higher than that of 17.86% for patients in the MRD/MUD group (P < .01). However, the incidence of cGVHD was not significantly different between patients in the two groups (26.47% vs 10.71%, P = .09), the incidence of CMV infection was 28.57% and 52.94% for patients in the MRD/MUD and Haplo group, respectively, showing no significant difference (P = .053). The incidence of EBV infection was 47.06% for patients in the Haplo group and 28.57% for patients in the MRD/MUD group, showing no significant difference (P = .11). However, the 3‐ and 5‐year cumulative OS and FFS rates showed statistically significant difference in the two groups, P = .012 and .045, respectively. Compared to Haplo‐HSCT, MRD/MUD is more economic. In this study, we achieved good Haplo transplantation results. The incidences of cGVHD and CMV/EBV were not significantly different between Haplo group and MRD/MUD group. Although OS and FFS of the Haplo group were not as good as those of the MRD/MUD group, it is still acceptable as an alternative treatment under emergency.     

Idiopathic hyperammonemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A case report

IHA is characterized by a sudden increase in plasma ammonia levels in the absence of any identifiable causes, which mostly results in intractable coma and high mortality. It has been reported in some patients after receiving intensive chemotherapy for hematological malignancy or HSCT. We describe a case of a patient with FA that developed acute idiopathic hyperammonemia after the preparative regimen for HSCT.     

Fludarabine based reduced intensity conditioning regimens in children undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation for severe aplastic anemia

Fourteen children with a median age of 9.8 yr with SAA (10 males, four females) underwent related HLA identical allogeneic stem cell transplantation using Flu, Cy +/- ATG between 2004 and 2006. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine +/- mini methotrexate. Graft source included PBSCs (seven) or BM (seven). One patient expired <7 days post-transplant, while 12 (85.7%) patients engrafted with median neutrophil and platelet engraftment times of 13.8 and 14.5 days each. One patient had primary graft failure and expired on Day +27. Acute GVHD was seen in 25% of evaluable patients while limited chronic GVHD was seen in 33%. At a mean follow-up of 18 months, 12 patients (85.7%) are alive and well. Compared with a historical cohort of 12 children transplanted using Cy/ATG, there was faster engraftment (13.8 vs. 16.4 days; p = 0.002) with lower rejection rates (7.1 vs. 36.3%; p = 0.133) and improved event free (85.7 vs. 54.5%; p = 0.177) and overall survival (85.7 vs. 63.6%; p = 0.350). Flu with Cy +/- ATG reduces rejection and improves overall and event free survival in children with aplastic anemia.     

异基因造血干细胞移植治疗儿童范可尼贫血5例并文献复习

目的初步探讨异基因造血干细胞移植(HSCT)治疗范可尼贫血(FA)的疗效,为探索更加优化移植方案提供依据。方法回顾性分析2012年6月-2016年12月我院收治5例FA患儿进行HSCT的临床资料并复习相关文献。5例患儿中2例行非血缘相合HSCT治疗,3例行单倍体HSCT治疗。预处理方案以氟达拉滨(Flu)、低剂量环磷酰胺(CTX)、抗人胸腺/T淋巴细胞免疫球蛋白(ATG-G/F)为主干,根据移植前输血总量、是否合并白血病,在主干基础上±白消安(Bu)或±全身照射(TBI)。5例患儿回输CD34~+细胞中位计数为8.46(5.46~15.29)×10~6/kg,单个核细胞(MNC)中位计数为13.07(8.33~14.26)×10~8/kg。采用他克莫司和吗替麦考酚酯联合预防移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)。随访中位时间40.7(15~42)个月。结果 5例患儿HSCT预处理过程中,除1例合并严重消化道黏膜反应,其余耐受性尚可;中性粒细胞恢复中位时间10(8~13)d,血小板恢复中位时间16(12~61)d,无原发性植入失败发生;移植后3例发生移植物排斥,分别通过停用全部免疫抑制剂、回输供者干细胞后恢复为完全供者型;4例发生不同程度急性GVHD,3例需升级为二线免疫抑制治疗控制病情,2例发展为慢性GVHD;随访至2016年12月,2例无事件存活,2例存在慢性GVHD,目前病情控制理想,1例死亡。4例存活患儿移植后血细胞未再检测出FA相关基因突变,生长发育同正常同龄儿童,目前尚未发现合并实体肿瘤。结论对于缺乏同胞相合供者的FA患者,其他类型HSCT治疗采用"Flu+低剂量CTX+ATG±Bu或±TBI"预处理方案耐受性尚可,无原发性植入失败发生,但加用Bu或TBI对预处理相关毒性及远期预后的影响还需要深入研究;移植物排斥和GVHD仍是影响患儿生存主要因素,探索个体化、优化HSCT方案治疗FA的临床研究已成为必然。     

Haploidentical stem cell transplantation as a salvage therapy for cord blood engraftment failure in a patient with Fanconi anemia

A 7‐year‐old male with Fanconi Anemia who developed primary graft failure following one antigen‐mismatched unrelated cord blood transplantation and a nonradiation‐based conditioning, underwent a second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from his 2‐loci mismatched haploidentical father, using a nonradiation‐based regimen, 79 days after the first HSCT. A sustained hematological engraftment was achieved at 9 days post‐second HSCT. At 15 months post‐second HSCT; the patient demonstrated normal blood counts, sustained donor chimerism, and no evidence of GVHD. Haploidentical HSCTs as primary or secondary sources of stem cells, with appropriate T‐cell depletion, may be a readily available option in the absence of HLA‐matched related or unrelated donors. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:580–582. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Neurological complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children,a single center experience

In this study, we retrospectively examined the data of children who underwent allo‐HSCT from HLA‐matched family donors. We analyzed the incidence, etiological factors, clinical characteristics, possible reasons, risk factors, and follow‐up of neurologic complications. BU‐based conditioning regimens were used in most of the cases (n = 62). The median duration of follow‐up for the 89 patients was 20 months (range 1–41 months). Eleven percent of transplanted children developed one or more neurological symptoms after HSCT with a median observation time of two months (range ?6 days to 18 months). The median age of the four girls and six boys with neurological complication was 13 yr (range 5.3–17.6 yr). Cylosporine A neurotoxicity was diagnosed in five children, four of them were PRES. The rest of complications were BU and lorazepam toxicity, an intracranial hemorrhage, a sinovenous thrombosis, and a transient ischemic attack during extracorpereal photopheresis. No difference was found between groups of neurological complication according to age, gender, diagnosis, hospitalization time, neutrophil and platelet engraftment time, stem cell source, and conditioning regimen, acute and chronic GVHD or VOD. Neurological complication was the cause of death in one patient (1.1%).     

Azacitidine as a bridge to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in a pediatric patient with Fanconi anemia and acute myeloid leukemia

HCT is the definitive therapy for patients with FA and AML. Conventional cytotoxic agents cause potential DNA damage, and currently, there is no established regimen for these patients prior to HCT. A 13‐year‐old male with FA and refractory AML was given azacitidine, achieved morphologic remission and underwent HCT. At 95 days after HCT, he relapsed. Azacitidine along with DLI was used as first salvage therapy. Azacitidine was overall well tolerated with minimal side effects. In patients with AML and FA, azacitidine can be considered an alternative to conventional chemotherapy.     

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia,an extremely rare cause of neutrophilia in childhood: Cure with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

CNL is a rare myeloproliferative disorder frequently seen in older adults. A significant proportion of patients show progression to AML. Here, we report the case of a patient with FA who was monitored for leukopenia but who developed leukocytosis during the follow‐up and was diagnosed with CNL probably after an acquired CSF3R mutation. Because the patient had FA, which could accelerate the progression to AML, an HSCT was performed, which resulted in cure. This patient (aged 12 years) is one of the youngest patients reported to develop CNL as well as the first FA patient with a diagnosis of CNL.     

异基因造血干细胞移植治疗儿童再生障碍性贫血临床分析

目的探讨异基因造血干细胞移植在儿童再生障碍性贫血治疗中的作用。方法10例再障患儿中,5例行HLA相合同胞供者异基因外周造血干细胞移植,3例行无关供者异基因外周造血干细胞移植,1例行无关供者骨髓移植,1例行脐血移植。结果1例接受脐血移植者未植活,其余9例均植入。中位植入时间14d（8～24d）,中性粒细胞〉0.5×10^9/L中位时间12d（8～19d）,血小板〉20×10^9/L中位时间17d（9～40d）。2例发生排斥,1例接受了第二次移植,1例移植后3个月血象开始自行恢复。结论如有HLA相合的同胞供者,异基因造血干细胞移植可作为儿童再障的一线治疗;临床重症感染无法控制的患儿,并非移植绝对反指征,相反可通过移植后的造血重建控制感染。     

外周血造血干细胞移植联合间充质干细胞输注治疗范可尼贫血患儿1例并文献复习

目的分析造血干细胞移植联合间充质干细胞输注对范可尼贫血(FA)患儿的治疗效果。方法通过分析1例.FA患儿外周血造血干细胞移植联合间充质干细胞输注治疗的临床资料,观察此种治疗方法对患儿的治疗效果及预后的影响。结果患儿于移植+13 d中性粒细胞植活,+15 d血小板植活,移植后供受者基因嵌合率为99.83%。移植后1.5个月血清CMV-DNA、EBV-DNA阳性,经免疫抑制剂减量及抗病毒治疗后转阴。移植后2个月出现皮肤GVHD(I度),未调整免疫抑制剂剂量,行间充质干细胞输注治疗4次后GVHD消失。移植后6个月,患儿出现血红蛋白水平下降,复查供受者基因嵌合率为57.8%,考虑出现移植物排斥,逐渐减停免疫抑制剂,供受者基因嵌合率复升至81.83%,血象恢复正常,无GVHD表现。现为移植后1.5年,患儿血象持续正常,供受者基因嵌合率维持在95%以上,FA相关基因检测持续转阴。结论造血干细胞移植是根治FA的重要治疗手段,健康供者骨髓间充质干细胞输注对于本例患儿造血干细胞植入、GVHD控制可能具有重要辅助作用。     

Outcomes of pediatric identical living‐donor liver and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Chronic IS is associated with significant morbidity in transplant recipients. Moreover, IS does not prevent chronic graft failure frequently. Allograft immune tolerance in LT can be induced by complete donor chimerism through allogenic HSCT combined with identical LDLT. This approach may exempt patients from chronic lifelong IS. However, it is unclear whether its benefits justify its risks. Here, we present three cases from our institution and analyze seven additional reports of children treated with HSCT/LDLT, all receiving HSCT due to hemato‐oncological indications. In eight of 10 cases, donor macrochimerism resulted in allograft tolerance. Nine patients survived. One patient died due to fulminant ADV infection. Further complications were GvHD (n = 3) and bone marrow failure (n = 2). In conclusion, donor‐specific allograft tolerance can be achieved by identical‐donor HSCT/LDLT. However, at present, this approach should generally be limited to selected indications due to a potentially unfavorable risk–benefit ratio. Novel toxicity‐reduced conditioning protocols for HSCT/LDLT in the absence of malignant or non‐hepatic disease may prove to be a sufficiently safe approach for inducing graft tolerance in children receiving a LDLT in the future. This concept may reduce the burden of lifelong IS.