Graft versus leukemia effect against juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia after unrelated cord blood transplantation

A 13-month-old female underwent unrelated cord blood transplantation (CBT) for juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). In spite of progression of the disease after a conditioning regimen with high-dose chemotherapy, a complete remission was induced in concordance with development of acute GVHD after reduction of the immunosupressant. She has been in complete remission for 1 year after transplantation. This case illustrates that CBT can provide a potent graft versus leukemia (GVL) effect against JMML.     

Same sibling marrow following cord allogeneic transplantation as therapy for second relapse acute promyelocytic leukemia in a pediatric patient

Optimal therapy for relapsed APL in pediatric patients is controversial. Allogeneic HSCT is an alternative, with event‐free survival of 70–75%. We report a pediatric patient with APL who relapsed 28 months after CBT from her sibling and then was treated with BMT from the same donor. Bone marrow was selected for higher cell dose, donor availability, and partial donor chimerism. Persistent molecular remission was achieved, currently at 65 months after BMT. This case suggests the potential role of GVL activity in APL and illustrates the use of different cell sources from the same donor in allogeneic transplantation for pediatric patients.     

Second transplant with two unrelated cord blood units for early graft failure after cord blood transplantation for thalassemia

Abstract:  Early GF is a frequent complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with thalassemia. We report the outcome of double-unit CBT in three patients who developed early GF after CBT. The initial conditioning regimen consisted of i.v. Bu 14 mg/kg (day −9 to −6), i.v. Cy 200 mg/kg (day −5 to −2) and ATG at 120 mg/kg (day −4 to −1). They received GVHD prophylaxis with cyclosporine-A from day −3 and a short course of methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg i.v., every 12 h on days 5–19 with a taper, thereafter 25% decrease every other day). The interval between two transplants was seven and 10 months. The retransplant recipients were preconditioned with i.v. Bu 14 mg/kg (day −7 to −4), i.v. Cy 120 mg/kg (day –3 to –2) and ATG at 150 mg/kg (day −5 to −1 and +1 to +5). GVHD prophylaxis regimen was the same as the first transplant. Neutrophil engraftment were observed in all patients between day +15 and +26. All are alive, between nine and 11 months after retransplant. Our group reported successful utilization of double umblical cord blood grafts in thalassemia patients with early GF.     

Treatment of leukemia relapse with recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) following unrelated umbilical cord blood transplant: Induction of graft-vs.-leukemia

An infant with congenital leukemia in complete remission (CR1) received an unrelated donor umbilical cord blood cell transplant from a one-HLA disparate donor. The conditioning regimen consisted of thiotepa, busulfan and cyclophosphamide. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of tacrolimus and mini-methotrexate. Engraftment occurred and a bone marrow aspirate obtained on day 28 showed 100% donor cells. The post-transplant course was complicated by skin and liver GVHD, grade III, that responded to therapy with methylprednisolone, anti-thymocyte globulin and daclizumab (Zenapax), in addition to tacrolimus. A bone marrow aspirate obtained on day 187 showed relapse, with 17% blasts. The patient was then treated for 30 days with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor treatment (rhGM-CSF). A bone marrow aspirate obtained 17 days after the initiation of rhGM-CSF treatment showed 2% blasts. Ascites was the predominant side-effect of the rhGM-CSF treatment. The patient remains in complete remission 24 months after relapse and 30 months after transplantation. This case documents that rhGM-CSF and withdrawal of immunosuppression can induce a durable complete remission after relapse following an unrelated donor cord blood transplant.     

同胞脐血移植治疗儿童急性白血病

脐血移植可以根治白血病、再生障碍性贫血、血红蛋白病及先天性免疫缺陷等疾病，尤其适合于儿童患者。临床资料表明同胞脐血移植的效果优于无关供者的脐血移植。对12例白血病或重症再障患儿进行了脐血HLA配型，结果配型完全相合4例，进行脐血移植3例，均成功植活，体重最大50kg。可以在胎儿出生时留取脐血配型，同时将脐血进行低温保存。提示剖宫产和自然分娩、体内采集脐血和体外采集脐血对脐血的采集体积无明显影响。单份同胞脐血可以重建几乎全部儿童患者的造血功能。对同胞脐血移植的病例，主张在分娩时留取脐血进行HLA配型，减少产前穿刺对孕妇及胎儿的损伤，同时脐血进行冷冻，若配型相合再进行脐血移植。     

Unrelated cord blood and bone marrow transplantation in pediatric leukemia

To investigate the role of cord blood as an alternative stem cell source for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for pediatric acute leukemia, we retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 35 unrelated cord blood transplantations (UCBT) and 56 unrelated bone marrow transplantations (UBMT) with myeloablative conditioning. The 5 year overall survival (OS) probability was 49.8% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 35.6–62.4%) for UBMT and 53.8% (95%CI: 34.0–70.1%) for UCBT (P = 0.92). The 5 year event‐free survival (EFS) probability was 47.3% (33.6–59.8%) for UBMT and 33.0% (15.9–51.2%) for UCBT (P = 0.38). OS and EFS were not significantly different between the groups. On multivariate analysis there was no significant difference between the groups. In conclusion, UCBT can have a role as important as that of UBMT in pediatric acute leukemia.     

白细胞介素-11对急性淋巴细胞白血病幼龄小鼠骨髓移植后的影响

目的　研究白细胞介素 11(IL 11)对急性淋巴细胞白血病 (ALL)幼龄小鼠骨髓移植后移植物抗宿主病 (GVHD)及移植物抗白血病 (GVL)的影响及其可能机制。方法　流式细胞术检测IL 11对移植前后ALL幼龄小鼠CD4、CD8T细胞亚群影响 ;记录ALL小鼠骨髓移植后的存活时间 ;观察移植后ALL小鼠内脏的GVHD病理变化 ;ELISA检测与GVHD密切相关的肿瘤坏死因子 α(TNF α)水平。结果　IL 11降低CD4T细胞亚群的同时增加CD8T细胞亚群的数量 ;明显提高ALL小鼠的生存时间 (P <0 .0 0 1) ;推迟GVHD发生时间 ,减轻GVHD发生程度 ;下调TNF α水平 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　IL 11一定程度降低移植后ALL小鼠的GVHD发生 ,并且保留GVL。     

Decitabine prior to salvaged unrelated cord blood transplantation for refractory or relapsed childhood acute leukemia

No clinical studies have investigated the role of decitabine as a part of the myeloablative conditioning regimen prior to UCBT for refractory or relapsed childhood AL in patients in NR status. The aim of this study was to identify the potential benefits of decitabine as a prior therapy before salvaged unrelated UCBT for refractory or relapsed childhood AL. Eight consecutive patients with childhood refractory/relapsed AL were enrolled in our study between 2013 and 2014. All patients were in NR status before the time of transplant and had features associated with poor outcomes, such as CNSL, MDS‐AML, high WBC count at diagnosis, and hypodiploid status (FLT3+/ITD+). Additionally, all patients had one of the following disease statuses: PIF, multiple relapse, or early relapse. All transplants were performed with decitabine as part of the myeloablative conditioning regimen, which was decitabine+Flu/Bu/CY±BCNU or decitabine+Ara‐c/BU/CY2±BCNU. A total of seven patients (7 of 8) achieved neutrophil engraftment and platelet engraftment, and one patient experienced primary graft failure. All eight patients (100%) developed PES at a median of 7 days. Three patients developed stage II‐IV acute GVHD at a median of 18 days. Additionally, three patients developed chronic GVHD, but it was not extensive in any of those three patients. The median follow‐up time after CBT was 19.9 months (range, 9.2–30.7 months). The estimated probability of OS was 75%. Two patients (2 of 8) experienced a testis relapse, and two patients (2 of 8) died. Our experience suggests that the additional application of decitabine as part of the myeloablative conditioning regimen prior to UCBT for refractory or relapsed childhood AL among patients who are not in remission is safe and might be an effective treatment option.     

非血缘相关脐血移植治疗儿童高危白血病的临床观察

目的：非血缘脐血具有快速寻求、容易得到和HLA配型不严格的特点，该文进行了非血缘相关脐血移植（UD-UCBT）治疗儿童恶性白血病的研究并探讨其疗效问题。方法：对6例难治性白血病患儿，包括3例急性淋巴细胞白血病（2例高危CR1，1例标危CR2），2例幼年慢性粒单细胞白血病（1例缓解期，1例加速期）和1例急性髓系白血病（AML- M5，CR1）进行了非血缘相关脐血移植，HLA高分辨1例全相合，1例5个位点相合，1例4个位点相合，3例3个位点相合。预处理选用白消安/环磷酰胺/ATG或全身放疗/环磷酰胺/ATG为主方案。于 0 d 回输脐血，有核细胞中位数为8.51×107/kg，CD34+细胞中位数为1.81×105/kg。预防移植物抗宿主病（GVHD）采用环孢霉素A、甲基泼尼松龙和骁悉或CD25单抗。结果：中性粒细胞绝对值（ANC）≥0.5×109/L和PLT≥20×109/L的中位天数分别是+13 d、+30 d，移植证据均为供者型。4例出现Ⅰ~Ⅲ度GVHD，均控制。随访中位时间12个月，未发生慢性GVHD，现存活4例血型均转为供者型，无复发。结论：脐血提供快速有效的造血干细胞，为治疗儿童白血病提供良好时机，非血缘相关脐血移植能耐受HLA多个位点不相合。急性GVHD发生率也较高，存在移植物抗白血病作用。     

Unrelated cord blood transplantation for second hemopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND: The Kanagawa Cord Blood Bank (KCBB) reports the treatment of 12 patients who received umbilical cord blood transplantation (CBT) from unrelated donors as their second hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: Provided by the KCBB, between February 1997 and September 2000, 12 patients had unrelated CBT as a second HSCT. Six patients were male and six female; nine patients were in malignant, and three were in non-malignant conditions. The median age of the patients was 7.9 years (range, 2.2-28.0), and the median bodyweight was 22.5 kg (12.0-55.0). The HLA-A and -B serological and DR genotypical disparities between the patients and CBT donors were as follows: one patient was a 0-mismatch, six were 1-mismatches, and five were 2-mismatches. RESULTS: The median time between first and second HSCT was 14.0 months (1.0-47.0). The overall survival rate was 25.0%, three years after CBT (Kaplan-Meier estimate). Mortality after CBT as a second HSCT accounted for nine cases, six from infection and three from treatment-related mortality other than infection. CONCLUSION: Cord blood transplantation offers the advantage of rapid availability, absence of donor risk, and possibly less HLA restriction. In these contexts, unrelated CBT should be considered as a source of HSCT for a second transplant.     

Secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis after unrelated cord blood hematopoietic cell transplantation

PAP is a rare alveolointerstitial lung disorder characterized histologically by the intra-alveolar accumulation of eosinophilic and PAS-positive material. We observed two cases of PAP after unrelated CB hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation in children with ALL. No antagonist activity toward GM-CSF was identified in the patient tested. The putative multifactorial PAP etiology is discussed. This potentially curable condition should be considered in a CB allograft recipient with alveolointerstial lung disorder.     

Similar outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation from unrelated donor and umbilical cord blood vs. sibling donor for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia: Multicenter experience in China

In a multicenter study, we have conducted a retrospective study on 73 pediatric AML patients who were primary refractory or in greater than CR1 and investigated MSD (or MMSD) (n = 20), URD (n = 23), and UCB (n = 30) HCT between January 1998 and October 2009. The median day to neutrophil engraftment was similar in all groups. The median day to platelet engraftment was longer in the UCB group. The number of HLA mismatch was higher in the UCB group (p = 0.034); however, the cumulative incidence of grade III–IV aGVHD was not different among all groups (p = 0.125); furthermore, cGVHD was lower in the UCB group (p = 0.078). The risk of relapse did not differ among all groups (RR = 1.28, p = 0.125), but the patients of MSD (or MMSD) grafts had a trend of higher risk recurrence. Sixty‐two patients survived with a median follow‐up of 58.2 months. Five‐yr LFS was 73.1%, 59.8%, and 59.6% for URD, UCB, and MSD (or MMDS), respectively (p = 0.426). Five‐yr LFS in CR1 was 68.9%, with a significantly better result compared to 41.7% in CR2 (p = 0.025). Our comparisons suggest that pediatric AML patients receiving UCB had a higher early TRM, a lower cGVHD rate, and a similar long‐term survival. The outcome of URD and UCB is comparable to that of a suitable sibling for pediatric AML.     

Donor cell-derived acute myeloid leukemia after second allogenic cord blood transplantation in a patient with Fanconi anemia

DCL following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been reported in approximately 5% of all leukemic relapses. There have been several reports on DCL, mainly AML after umbilical cord blood transplantation. In this case study, we present a young boy diagnosed with Fanconi anemia who underwent an umbilical cord blood transplantation. Because of the graft failure, he was retransplanted one month later, also with a cord blood transplant. Two years after the second transplant, he developed AML, where 100% of the cells were of female donor origin. The donor, a now 14-yr-old female, was recently reported healthy.     

Staphylococcus aureus pericardial abscess in a child with beta-thalassemia major following double-unit unrelated cord blood transplantation

The authors describe a 10-year-old boy with β-thalassemia major who received double-unit unrelated cord blood transplantation and had a rocky post-transplantation course that included an episode of massive pericardial effusion. Pericardial tube drainage was performed for evacuating fluid. Results showed hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. A Staphylococcus aureus pericardial abscess eventually developed despite antibiotics coverage. Temporary drain placement was unsuccessful and the patient underwent radical pericardiectomy. Although cyclosporine therapy had to be stopped before the 6-month withdrawal, the patient did well with full donor chimerism 14 months post-transplant.     

Early transplantation of unrelated cord blood in a two-month-old infant with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

This report exemplified a success of unrelated CBT in a two-month-old boy with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome. Umbilical cord blood was chosen as the stem-cell source because of its immediate availability and reduced tendency to cause GVHD. The conditioning regimen was cyclophosphamide, busulfan, and antithymocyte globulin. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporin and methylprednisolone. The patient received an HLA 1-locus-mismatched cord blood unit, and the total number of infused nucleated cells was 11.14 x 10(7)/kg. Neutrophil engraftment was achieved on day +11, and a platelet count greater than 50 x 10(9)/L was achieved on day +71. He is currently alive and doing well at nine months post-transplant and free of any bleeding episodes. This case suggests that unrelated donor CBT may be safe and technically feasible, even in early infancy, when an appropriately matched related or unrelated donor is unavailable.     

Successful unrelated mismatched cord blood transplantation in a child with malignant infantile osteopetrosis

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation represents the only curative option for malignant infantile osteopetrosis (MIOP), a rare disease of infants and young children, characterized by excessive accumulation of mineralized bone and abnormal hematopoiesis. We report a case of successful engraftment and stable full-donor chimerism in a patient with MIOP who underwent unrelated donor cord blood transplantation (CBT). The donor was 2-loci human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatch. After a conditioning regimen based on the combination of busulfan, cyclophosphamide, total body irradiation, and antithymocyte globulin, the patient received a dose of 3.85 x 10(7)/kg of nucleated cells. Neutrophil and platelet engraftment had been achieved by day +33 and +82, respectively, and the patient was discharged home on day +89. A successful engraftment of donor hematopoiesis was demonstrated and the child experienced grade II acute graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) involving the skin only. A remarkable but non-progressive decrease in lumbar spine bone mineral density was observed in the first nine months post-transplant. This case suggests that unrelated donor CBT may be a feasible option in case of unavailability of a fully HLA-matched related or unrelated donor.     

CD34+CXCR4+与非亲缘脐血移植后粒细胞和血小板重建关系的研究

目的　研究回输CD34+CXCR4 +的输入量在非亲缘脐血移植治疗儿童急性白血病中对中性粒细胞(ANC)和血小板 (BPC)恢复时间的影响。方法　用流式细胞术分析回输CD34+CXCR4 +细胞数 ,并对 2 3例儿童急性白血病在非亲缘脐血移植后的ANC和BPC恢复时间等临床资料进行测定。结果　 2 3例患儿中 ,CD34+CXCR4 +输入量为 (2 1～ 198 6 )× 10 4/kg(中位数 19 9× 10 4/kg)。在 2 1例植入成功患儿中 ,ANC >0 5× 10 9/L的时间为 11～ 4 1d(中位数 2 0d) ;而在 2 0例获得统计资料的患儿中 ,BPC >2 0× 10 9/L的时间为 12～ 12 0d(中位数4 4 5d)。CD34+细胞输入量与ANC、BPC恢复时间的r值分别为 - 0 35 4 (P =0 116 )、- 0 4 30 (P =0 0 5 8) ,CD34+CXCR4 +细胞输入量与ANC、BPC恢复时间的r值分别为 - 0 5 2 7(P =0 0 17)、- 0 6 2 9(P =0 0 0 4 )。结论　CD34+CXCR4 +输入量与非亲缘脐血移植后的造血重建有关。     

Disseminated toxoplasmosis resulting in graft failure in a cord blood stem cell transplant recipient

Toxoplasmosis is an infrequent infection with a high mortality rate in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, and is usually caused by reactivation of prior, latent infection upon intensive immunosuppression. We report a case of fatal disseminated toxoplasmosis, diagnosed at autopsy, in a 7-year-old boy who received a cord blood graft for recurrent acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This case represents both the first reported case of toxoplasmosis in an engrafted cord blood recipient, and also of graft failure due to toxoplasmosis. Recommendations for toxoplasmosis diagnosis, treatment, and prophylaxis in stem cell transplant recipients are reviewed.     

Successful unrelated donor cord blood transplantation for Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia

Kitko CL, Levine JE, Matthews DC, Carpenter PA. Successful unrelated donor cord blood transplantation for Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia.
Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: e42–e46. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: GT, a rare disorder of platelet function, can lead to life‐threatening bleeding, particularly following the development of antiplatelet antibodies. Curative therapy includes HCT but previous reports are limited predominantly to matched siblings and have excluded CBT. Delayed or non‐engraftment of platelets because of antiplatelet antibodies might be particularly concerning after CBT for GT. Here, we report two successful unrelated cord blood transplants for GT. Recurrent life‐threatening bleeding was the primary indication for HCT, with one patient developing antiplatelet antibodies pre‐HCT. Bleeding risks associated with delivery of the conditioning regimen and the toxicity that follows should be carefully considered, including tunneled central venous line catheter placement, inclusion of B cell‐specific therapy to potentially decrease antiplatelet antibody production, and targeted busulfan dosing. This is the first report of successful unrelated cord blood HCT for GT and indicates that modifications to supportive care can improve the safety of this potentially curative therapy for patients with severe, life‐threatening disease manifestations.     

Successful treatment of primary refractory acute myeloid leukemia with megadose stem cell transplantation, bone marrow boost and reduced intensity conditioning avoiding chronic graft vs. host disease and severe late toxicity

We report on a 9-yr-old boy suffering from primary refractory AML. Remission was not achieved after two courses of induction therapy, leading to prolonged aplasia for more than 3 months and severe infection. Therefore, the boy was treated with a reduced intensity conditioning regimen consisting of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and OKT3. Megadose transplantation of highly enriched CD34+ peripheral stem cells from his HLA-identical brother, followed on day +11 by a boost of unmanipulated bone marrow, was performed. Regeneration of donor hematopoiesis was rapid and led to resolution of infection. No additional donor lymphocyte infusions were necessary. More than 4 1/2 yr after the transplant the boy remains in complete continuous remission with no evidence for chronic GvHD or other late effects. Therefore, we conclude that reduced intensity conditioning in combination with allogeneic megadose stem cell transplantation and bone marrow boost may have helped to achieve cure from primary refractory AML as well as a good quality of life for this boy.