Optimizing the conditioning regimen for allogeneic stem-cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia; dose intensity is still in need

Allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (SCT) is potentially curative therapy in AML by providing both dose-intensive chemo-radiotherapy and induction of graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect. Historically, more emphasis was given to the intensity of conditioning. Over the last decade the pendulum turned more towards induction of GvL as the primary goal. A plethora of non-myeloablative (NMA) and reduced-intensity conditioning regimens (RIC) were introduced trying to reduce transplant-related toxicities and allow SCT in elderly and medically infirm patients. In addition, reduced-toxicity myeloablative regimens (RTC) based on fludarabine and myeloablative alkylating-agent doses were designed to allow safer administration of dose-intensive therapy. Conditioning dose-intensity is highly correlated with outcome after SCT. Increased dose-intensity is associated with reduced relapse risk, but also with higher non-relapse mortality. Overall outcome is determined by the net effect of these opposing effects as may be predicted by patient age, comorbidities and disease status at transplantation. Retrospective comparative trials showed that while outcome may be similar with the various regimens in patients given SCT in remission, NMA/RIC are inferior when SCT is given in advanced disease, due to high relapse risk. RTC regimens may be more effective in this setting yet better tolerated by patients not eligible for myeloablative conditioning. Randomized studies are needed to define the role of different regimens. Future studies will also focus on the design of more accurate models to select the best regimen in each setting. A search for novel regimens or post-transplant approaches with more intensive anti-leukemic activity, but limited toxicity will also be of marked benefit.     

The role of allogeneic stem-cell transplantation in Hodgkin's disease

Abstract:  The role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation is still controversial. Early results of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation after conventional conditioning indicated high transplant-related mortality (TRM) (>50%) and disappointing survival (<20%). The introduction of reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) prior to transplantation has reduced TRM. Unfortunately graft-vs.-host disease, relapse rates and survival have not substantially changed. Modifications of allogeneic transplantation in patients with Hodgkin's disease should be restricted to prospective trials.     

利妥昔单抗治疗异基因造血干细胞移植后EB病毒病的疗效和安全性

 目的 了解利妥昔单抗治疗异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）后EB病毒（EBV）病的疗效和安全性。方法 回顾性分析2006年6月—2012年3月在北京大学人民医院诊断为allo-HSCT后EBV病并应用利妥昔单抗治疗的26例患者,其中临床诊断EBV病15例,活检确诊（移植后淋巴组织增殖性疾病,PTLD）11例。利妥昔单抗静脉输注375 mg/m²,每周1次。采用非霍奇金淋巴瘤（NHL）的疗效标准判定疗效,采用通用的毒性分级标准判定输注过程中的不良反应。结果共应用利妥昔单抗78例次,中位3（1~6）例次。利妥昔单抗输注过程中无严重不良反应发生。治疗后1、2、3、4、8周的累积完全缓解（CR）率分别为（11.5±6.3）%、（42.2±10.2）%、（64.4±10.0）%、（74.6±9.4）%、（87.3±7.9）%。总有效率84.6%,CR率73.1%;单个器官受累患者的CR率高于多器官受累患者（10/10比9/16,P=0.023）,临床诊断的EBV病患者CR率高于PTLD患者(13/15比6/11,P=0.095）,但差异无统计学意义。自首剂利妥昔单抗应用后的1年和2年总生存（OS）率分别为（55.7±10.2）%和（39.6±12.4）%。单器官受累患者的存活率高于多器官受累患者（8/10比5/16,P=0.041）,临床诊断的患者存活多于PTLD患者(11/15比2/11,P=0.015）。结论 利妥昔单抗治疗EBV病安全有效,建议根据临床诊断在单器官受累时即开始治疗,同时争取尽早获取病理结果。利妥昔单抗的治疗方案需要前瞻性研究提供循证医学的证据来进一步规范。     

Infectious complications after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: incidence in matched-related and matched-unrelated transplant settings

Abstract: Background. Bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens frequently cause severe, life‐threatening infections in immunocompromised patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Objective. To compare the frequency of infections in patients with matched‐related (Group A) or with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐matched‐unrelated donors (Group B). Patients and methods. Patients treated at our transplantation unit between April 2004 and April 2005 were enrolled into this analysis. Documentation comprised demographic data, conditioning treatment, stem cell source, clinical course, as well as microbiological and clinical data and mortality. Results. We analyzed 59 patients, 22 in Group A and 37 in Group B. Both groups were well balanced regarding demographic data. Diagnoses were acute myeloid leukemia (30 of 59 patients, 50.8%), multiple myeloma (15.2%), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (11.9%), and chronic myeloid leukemia (10.2%). Patients in Group A developed infections in 95.5% of the cases compared with 97.3% in patients in Group B. Most frequently detected pathogens were Staphylococcus species, human herpesvirus‐6, and Epstein–Barr virus. Three proven fungal infections were detected in Group A compared with 9 proven fungal infections in Group B. Lung infiltrations were observed in equivalent incidence in both groups. Two years after transplantation, 55.9% of patients were alive (Group A: 68.2%; Group B: 48.6%, not significant). Conclusion. Allogeneic SCT from HLA‐matched‐unrelated donors does not have a higher infection risk than patients transplanted from matched‐related donors.     

Treatment of T-prolymphocytic leukemia with nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation

AIM: T-prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare disease of the elderly characterized by a high white blood cell count and organomegaly, and is currently incurable. Our aim was to elicit graft-versus-leukemia reactions in a patient with T-PLL. METHODS: A 52-yr-old woman with refractory T-PLL underwent a nonmyeloablative regimen followed by allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (a "minitransplant") from her HLA-matched sibling. RESULTS: There was no treatment related toxicity other than neutropenia. Engraftment was successful. The patient experienced no graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) at any time but, on day 84 after transplantation, had a relapse in the central nervous system. Despite infusion of donor lymphocytes and intralumbar chemotherapy, she died on day 157 of systemic disease. CONCLUSION: The reasons why treatment may have failed are discussed (nature of disease, disease progression, treatment schedule).     

Localized relapse in bone marrow of extremities after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

We report a patient with a relapsed in bone marrow of extremities after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The patient complained of pain in the right upper arm and left leg 15 months after transplantation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed abnormal findings in bone marrow of upper and lower extremities. There were no findings of relapse in aspirates from the sternum and iliac bone marrow. Biopsy specimen from the iliac bone marrow showed normocellular marrow without leukemic cells. Biopsy specimen from the right humerus revealed marked leukemic cell infiltration in the bone marrow. This is apparently the first case of localized relapse of ALL in bone marrow of extremities. Physicians should be aware of unusual relapse sites of leukemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. MRI and FDG-PET may be of value in detecting this type of relapse.     

Stem-cell transplantation in multiple myeloma

In patient with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM), randomized studies have shown that autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is superior to conventional chemotherapy, and ASCT is now standard care, at least for younger patients. The best conditioning regimen is melphalan 200 mg/m2, and the best stem-cell source is unselected peripheral progenitor cells. Recent results of the IFM94 trial show that double ASCT is superior to single ASCT, at least in patients who do not achieve a 90% response after one transplant. By combining biologic markers (beta2-microglobulin, albumin) and genetic markers (hypodiploidy, chromosome 13 deletion) it is possible to accurately predict prognosis after ASCT. The results of allogeneic SCT remain disappointing due to a high transplant mortality. Strategies combining ASCT and reduced-intensity allogeneic SCT are currently being studied.     

Cytopenia and leukocyte recovery shape cytokine fluctuations after myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is associated with profound changes in levels of various cytokines. Emphasis has been placed on conditioning-associated mucosal damage and neutropenia and associated bacterial translocation as the initiating conditions predisposing to acute graft-versus-host disease. The post-transplant period is, however, also associated with increases in certain homeostatic cytokines. It is unclear how much the homeostatic drive to lymphocyte recovery and the production of cytokines from the engrafting donor immune system determine cytokine fluctuations in the peri- and immediate post-transplant period. The aim of this study was to examine the contributions of the conditioning regimen, donor engraftment, infections, and graft-versus-host disease to fluctuations in cytokines involved in homeostasis and inflammation.

Design and Methods

We examined the levels of 33 cytokines in relation to peri- and post-transplant events such as conditioning regimen, chimerism, and acute graft-versus-host disease in myeloablative, non-T cell-replete HLA-identical sibling donor stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies.

Results

We identified two cytokine storms. The first occurred following conditioning and reached peak levels when all the leukocytes were at their lowest concentrations. The second cytokine storm occurred concurrently with hematopoietic reconstitution and subsided with the achievement of full donor lymphocyte chimerism.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that both recipient-related and donor-related factors contribute to the changes in cytokine levels in the recipient following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The study reported here was performed using plasma samples drawn from patients enrolled in the ClinicalTrials.gov-registered trials {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00467961","term_id":"NCT00467961"}}NCT00467961 and {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00378534","term_id":"NCT00378534"}}NCT00378534     

Prognostic factors of chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic blood stem-cell transplantation

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in peripheral blood transplantation (alloPBSCT) or bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT) have different biological characteristics which may affect differently prognostic factors for incidence and severity of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). To determine the prognostic factors of cGVHD in patients receiving alloPBSCT, data on 87 patients who survived at least 100 days after matched related donor myeloablative transplantation were analyzed. Factors significantly associated with higher incidence of cGVHD after alloPBSCT included CMV-positive donor, acute skin GVHD, and diagnoses other than lymphoma. Factors predictive for poor survival following cGVHD diagnosis included platelet count < 100,000/mm3 and history of acute liver GVHD. Acute liver GVHD and etoposide in the preparative regimen significantly increased risk of death due to cGVHD after alloPBSCT. All alloPBSCT multivariate models were fit to an independent cohort of comparable matched related donor alloBMT patients (n=75). After alloBMT, only acute skin GVHD and diagnoses other than lymphoma retained prognostic significance for predicting cGVHD. Low platelet count was the only variable predictive for poor survival in cGVHD patients after alloBMT. Acute liver GVHD was the only factor that retained prognostic significance for risk of death due to cGVHD after alloBMT. These data suggest there are some cGVHD prognostic factors that may be unique to recipients of alloPBSCT. More studies are needed to determine whether cGVHD prognostic systems should be used interchangeably in patient populations receiving different stem-cell products.     

异基因外周血造血干细胞移植治疗急性白血病(附1例报告)

目的 :探索异基因外周血造血干细胞移植 (allo PBSCT)治疗急性白血病的疗效和移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)的防治。方法 :急性淋巴细胞白血病 (ALL )患者 1例 ,HLA配型完全相合。预处理采用白消安、环磷酰胺(BU/CTX )方案 ;GVHD的预防采用常规环胞菌素A(CsA)加短程甲氨蝶呤 (MTX)加霉酚酸酯 (MMF)方案。治疗慢性GVHD(cGVHD)采用MMF加CsA加硫唑嘌呤 (6 mp)加泼尼松加酞咪哌啶酮 (反应停 ,Thalidomide)。移植有核细胞数 (NC)为 12 .32× 10 8/kg ,CD34+ 细胞为 14 .78× 10 6/kg。结果 :移植 +13d获造血重建 ,同时DNA指纹图提示供者型。移植 +2 2d检测染色体核型为 4 6 ,XX ,10 0 %嵌合。移植 +98d血型由B型转变为A型。移植 +2 10d发生cGVHD ,随访 19个月 ,cGVHD已控制 ,患者现无病生存。结论 :异基因外周血造血干细胞移植可有效治疗急性白血病 ,本例造血重建迅速 ,cGVHD通过治疗后可有效控制     

Non-myeloablative conditioning with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for the treatment of high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Background

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is a potentially curative treatment for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, the majority of older adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia are not candidates for myeloablative conditioning regimens. A non-myeloablative preparative regimen is a reasonable treatment option for this group. We sought to determine the outcome of non-myeloablative conditioning and allogeneic transplantation in patients with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Design and Methods

Fifty-one patients (median age 56 years) underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation from sibling or unrelated donors after fludarabine and 2 Gray total body irradiation. Twenty-five patients had Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Eighteen of these patients received post-grafting imatinib.

Results

With a median follow-up of 43 months, the 3-year overall survival was 34%. The 3-year relapse/progression and non-relapse mortality rates were 40% and 28%, respectively. The cumulative incidences of grades II and III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease were 53% and 6%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease was 44%. Hematopoietic cell transplantation in first complete remission and post-grafting imatinib were associated with improved survival (P=0.005 and P=0.03, respectively). Three-year overall survival rates for patients with Philadelphia-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first remission and beyond first remission were 52% and 8%, respectively. For patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first remission who received post-grafting imatinib, the 3-year overall survival rate was 62%; for the subgroup without evidence of minimal residual disease at transplantation, the overall survival was 73%.

Conclusions

For patients with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first complete remission, non-myeloablative conditioning and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, with post-grafting imatinib for Philadelphia chromosome-positive disease, can result in favorable long-term survival. (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT0036738)     

Phenotype, function and chimaerism of monocyte-derived blood dendritic cells after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Dendritic cells (DCs) are essential for initiating T-cell responses against either host- or leukaemia-specific antigens. We analysed phenotype, allostimulatory capacity and chimaerism of monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) serially in 28 patients receiving allogeneic stem cell grafts after conventional myeloablative (n = 14) or reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC, n = 14). Although the recovery of phenotype and function of moDCs after myeloablative stem cell transplantation (SCT) was prompt, there was a trend to a lower expression of co-stimulatory molecules and major histocompatibility antigen class II antigens on mature moDCs in patients who had received RIC transplants. Similarly, the allostimulatory capacity of mature moDCs after RIC transplants was reduced for up to 6 months. Six out of 14 (43%) RIC transplant patients showed a pattern of mixed chimaerism within the first 3 months after transplant. RIC transplant patients with a mixed donor DC chimaerism had a significantly higher risk of relapse (75% versus 35% for patients with full donor DC chimaerism, P = 0.03) but a lower incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (25% versus 56% for patients with full donor DC chimaerism, P = 0.157). These data, although preliminary, provide evidence that DC function is impaired after RIC transplants and that DC chimaerism may have an impact on graft-versus-host and graft-versus-leukaemia reactions.     

Acute myeloid leukemia of donor origin after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for precursor T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: case report and review of the literature

We report a case of donor-derived acute myeloid leukemia (AML) occurring in a 33-year-old man after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for precursor T-cell acute lymphoblastic -leukemia (T-ALL). The cells for BMT were from his human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sister. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed the AML to be of donor origin (i.e., karyotypically female) with an 11q23 (mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene) translocation, while the original T-ALL exhibited a male karyotype with abnormalities of chromosomes 6, 8, and a t(10;14)(q24;q11.2). Subsequent molecular short tandem repeat studies confirmed the AML to be of donor origin. Donor-cell leukemia (DCL) after allogeneic BMT is a rare, yet well-documented, event. Our report presents clinicopathologic information about a case of DCL and a review of the recent literature.     

Prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia harboring monosomal karyotype in patients treated with or without allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation after achieving complete remission

To evaluate the prognostic impact of monosomal karyotype on post-remission outcome in acute myeloid leukemia, we retrospectively analyzed 2,099 patients who had achieved complete remission. Monosomal karyotype was noted in 73 patients (4%). Of these, the probability of overall survival from first complete remission was 14% at four years, which was significantly lower than that reported in patients without monosomal karyotype, primarily due to a high relapse rate (86%). Monosomal karyotype remained significantly associated with worse overall survival among patients with unfavorable cytogenetics or complex karyotype, and even in patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation during first complete remission. These findings confirm that monosomal karyotype has a significantly adverse effect on post-remission outcome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated with and without allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in first complete remission, emphasizing the need for the development of alternative therapies for this patient population.     

Long-term immune deficiency after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: B-cell deficiency is associated with late infections

Immune reconstitution was analyzed in 140 consecutive patients who were 2-year disease-free and who underwent myeloablative allogeneic transplantation. A CD4 and CD8 defect was observed involving naive, terminally differentiated, memory and competent cells and above limits values for activated subsets. Natural killer cells normalize at six months while we observed expansion of CD19⁺/CD5⁺ B cells after three months and a persisting defect of memory B cells. Chronic graft-versus-host disease did not influence significantly those parameters for CD8 subsets while the naïve and competent CD4 subsets were strongly affected. But the most profound impact of chronic graft-versus-host disease was on B-cell subsets, especially on the memory B population. The cumulative incidence of late severe infections was low (14% at four years). Using Cox’s models, only low B-cell counts at 12 (P=0.02) and 24 (P=0.001) months were associated with the hazard of developing late infection, in particular if patients did not develop chronic graft-versus-host disease.     

异基因造血干细胞移植治疗AML1/ETO(+)急性髓系白血病的疗效

目的:分析AML1/ETO(+)急性髓系白血病进行异基因造血干细胞移植后的临床疗效。方法:总结北京市道培医院2003年11月-2009年1月完成的24例AML1/ETO(+)急性髓系白血病患者进行异基因造血干细胞移植后的资料,使用Kaplan-Meier统计方法计算总体存活率、无白血病存活率和累积复发率,使用Logrank统计方法进行单因素分析。结果:24例患者移植后1年的总体存活率为(86.47±7.29)%,2年和3年的总体存活率为(69.00±10.77)%;移植后1年的无白血病存活率为(73.89±9.21)%,2年和3年的无白血病存活率为(67.17±10.54)%;移植后1、2年时的累积复发率分别为(27.75±8.09)%和(31.46±11.13)%。在单因素分析中,移植类型(同胞全合/单倍体/无关供者)、自确诊白血病到进行移植的时间间隔(12个月和12个月2组)、确诊时有无附加染色体异常、确诊时有无髓外浸润、确诊时的缓解状态(CR1和CR2/复发2组)等对总体存活率的影响均差异无统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论:异基因造血干细胞移植对AML1/ETO(+)急性髓系白血病患者具有良好疗效,是具有高危因素患者的治疗选择之一。