Outcomes of patients with detectable CMV DNA at randomization in the phase III trial of letermovir for the prevention of CMV infection in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Letermovir, a cytomegalovirus (CMV) terminase‐complex inhibitor, is indicated for prophylaxis of CMV infection and disease in adult CMV‐seropositive recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In a phase III, double‐blind, randomized trial, letermovir significantly reduced the risk of clinically significant CMV infection (CS‐CMVi) vs placebo through Week 24 post‐HCT. This analysis investigated outcomes in participants with detectable CMV DNA at randomization, who were excluded from the primary efficacy analysis. In total, 70 of 565 randomized participants had detectable CMV DNA at randomization (letermovir 48; placebo 22). Study treatment completion rates were greater in letermovir‐treated participants compared with placebo (52.1% vs 9.1%). The incidence of CS‐CMVi or imputed primary endpoint events through Week 24 were 64.6% and 90.9% in the letermovir and placebo groups, respectively (treatment difference ?26.1%; P = .010). Kaplan‐Meier event rates for CS‐CMVi onset through Week 14 (end‐of‐treatment period) were 33.1% for letermovir and 86.6% for placebo (P < .001). Median viral loads at the CS‐CMVi events was similar in both treatment arms. All‐cause mortality through Week 24 posttransplant was 15.0% for letermovir and 18.2% for placebo; through Week 48, mortality rates were 26.5% and 40.9%, respectively (P = .268). Overall, clinical outcomes were similar to those reported for participants with undetectable CMV DNA at randomization.     

第三方脐血预防异基因造血干细胞移植后移植物抗宿主病

目的 探讨无关供者和单倍型亲缘供者异基因造血干细胞移植(allo-HSCT)前输注第三方脐血预防移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)的效果.方法 2007年至2011年接受无关供者及单倍型亲缘供者allo-HSCT的受者共41例.脐血预防组(25例),于移植前1d予以HLA配型为4/6～6/6的第三方脐血细胞输注,平均输入有核细胞数为(1.64±0.49)×107/kg,次日再输入供者造血干细胞.其余患者作为对照组(16例).两组均采用抗胸腺细胞球蛋白+环孢素A+甲氨蝶呤+吗替麦考酚酯预防急性GVHD.比较两组间急性GVHD的发生率、严重程度以及移植相关死亡率.结果 脐血预防组和对照组aGVHD累积发生率分别为44.0％(11/25)和68.8％(11/16),两组比较,差异无统计学意义(x2=2.403,P＞0.05);Ⅲ～Ⅳ度aGVHD累积发生率分别为16.0％(4/25)和37.5％(6/16),两组比较,差异无统计学意义(x2=2.445,P＞0.05),100 d治疗相关病死率分别为12.0％(3/25)和12.5％(2/16),两组比较,差异无统计学意义(x2=0.002,P＞0.05).结论 在无关供者及单倍型亲缘供者allo-HSCT前应用第三方脐血细胞,可能有效预防GVHD的发生或减轻GVHD的严重度,但尚需要进一步设计扩大规模的随机对照临床试验验证其有效性.     

Micafungin as antifungal prophylaxis in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: results of different dosage levels in clinical practice

Micafungin has been approved for the prophylaxis of Candida infections in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). Here, we report a single‐center experience of three different dose levels regarding efficacy, toxicity, and colonization with Candida ssp. in clinical practice. In total, 150 consecutive adult patients who underwent allo‐HSCT received micafungin at a dosage of 50, 100, or 150 mg once daily for primary antifungal prophylaxis. Of those patients receiving more than six d of micafungin prophylaxis, 12/46 (26%), 6/44 (14%), and 9/46 (20%) were switched to empiric antifungal treatment. The frequency of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) according to EORTC criteria did not differ significantly (7/46; 15% vs. 5/44; 11% vs. 5/46; 11%) across the different dosage groups. In the 50‐mg group, there was one case of candidemia with C. parapsilosis after 12 d of micafungin prophylaxis. In all three groups, micafungin prophylaxis was well tolerated without any case of toxicity‐related treatment discontinuation. Renal function was not significantly altered, while increase of bilirubin was mainly due to concomitant ATG application. The incidence of IFIs is similar irrespective of the micafungin dosage while there was a trend toward more frequent change to empiric antifungal treatment as well as oropharyngeal colonization with candida in the lowest dosage group.     

The relationship between body mass index and outcomes in leukemic patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is being used increasingly in an attempt to cure many hematological disorders. Obesity has become a world wide phenomenon and is a known risk factor for numerous medical conditions, but its role in transplant outcomes remained controversial. Total of 192 patients with acute leukemia who underwent sibling HLA matched HSCT were analyzed to find the effect of pre-transplant body mass index (BMI) on transplant outcomes such as time to engraftment, infections, graft vs. host disease (GvHD), and overall survival (OS) for the period of three yr (April 2006-March 2009). There was a significant correlation between higher pre-transplant BMI and shorter engraftment time (p = 0.010); but no relation between BMI and GvHD, infection, and OS was found. The results of this study showed that patients with higher BMI may have a shorter engraftment time; but lower, although not significant, survival rate compared to non-obese patients.     

含去甲氧柔红霉素的预处理方案在异基因造血干细胞移植治疗高危难治性白血病中的疗效分析

目的  探讨含去甲氧柔红霉素（IDA）的预处理方案在异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）治疗高危难治性白血病中的临床疗效。方法  对116例接受了allo-HSCT的高危难治性白血病患者,采用7种含IDA的预处理方案。总结116例受者的植入情况。采用Kaplan-Meier曲线对2年总生存率（OS）、2年无病生存率（DFS）、累积复发率、复发病死率、移植相关病死率（TRM）、急性移植物抗宿主疾病（aGVHD）及慢性移植物抗宿主疾病（cGVHD）的累积发生率进行统计学分析。结果  116例受者均成功植入。中位随访时间为28（7~70）个月,64例受者存活,2年OS为55.2%,2年DFS为51.7%,2年复发病死率23.3%,2年TRM为18.1%。116例受者中有72例发生aGVHD,aGVHD 2年累积发生率为62.1%,其中Ⅲ~Ⅳ度aGVHD 20例,2年累积发生率为17.2%。59例发生cGVHD,2年累积发生率为55.4%,其中广泛型cGVHD 2年累积发生率为14.7%。116例受者中有30例复发,2年累积复发率为25.9%。结论  含IDA的预处理方案安全性和有效性均较高,可以作为高危难治性白血病患者移植预处理的有效方案。     

非亲缘异基因造血干细胞移植治疗白血病患者疗效观察

目的探讨非亲缘异基因造血干细胞移植(URD-HSCT)治疗白血病的效果。方法 10例白血病患者(急性髓细胞白血病第1次缓解期3例,急性淋巴细胞白血病第1次缓解期3例、第2次缓解期1例,慢性髓细胞白血病慢性期3例)接受URD-HSCT治疗。所有患者均采用经典的或改良的白消安联合环磷酰胺预处理方案。4例采用环孢素+短程甲氨蝶呤+吗替麦考酚酯预防移植物抗宿主病(GVHD),另6例患者加用抗胸腺细胞免疫球蛋白。输注供者有核细胞中位数为5.6×108/kg,CD34+细胞中位数为3.3×106/kg。结果除1例在移植后早期死亡不能评估外,其余9例均证实植活。发生急性GVHDⅠ度3例和Ⅱ度、Ⅲ度、Ⅳ度各1例,局限性慢性GVHD7例;发生真菌感染4例、CMV血症3例、出血性膀胱炎3例。10例患者目前无病存活7例,生存期为3个月～10年。结论 URD-HSCT安全而耐受性好,移植相关并发症仍是影响URD-HSCT效果的主要问题。     

Molecular monitoring of T-cell chimerism early after allogeneic stem cell transplantation may predict the occurrence of acute GVHD grades II-IV

Mixed chimerism (MC) within CD4+ and CD8+ T cell days 7 and 10 after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) was compared with the occurrence of acute graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) in 34 patients after SCT. Acute GVHD was diagnosed in 22 patients within the first 3 months after SCT, 15 of these developed acute GVHD grades II-IV. The difference in the clearance rate of host T cell between the two days were compared. We found a significantly higher risk (p = 0.005) for developing acute GVHD grades II-IV in patients with complete donor CD4+ T-cell chimerism day 7 after SCT together with patients who increased 50% or more in donor CD4+ T cells between days 7 and 10 after SCT. Our data suggest that molecular monitoring of MC early after transplantation may be useful as a diagnostic tool in predicting the occurrence of moderate to severe acute GVHD after SCT.     

Comparative outcomes of reduced intensity and myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients under 50 with hematologic malignancies

We have conducted a direct comparison of the outcomes of reduced intensity and myeloablative conditioning in younger adults with hematological malignancies<50 yr. One hundred and five patients received transplants from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched donors, via either reduced intensity (n=35) or myeloablative conditioning (n=70). The median ages of the reduced intensity and myeloablative groups were 36 and 33 yr (p=0.014). Neutrophil engraftment (i.e. time to absolute neutrophil count>0.5x10(9)/L) occurred more rapidly in the reduced intensity group (median: 10 d; range: 0-21 d) than in the myeloablative group (median: 18 d; range: 11-38 d; p<0.0001). The incidence of grades 2-4 acute graft-vs.-host disease were similar between the reduced intensity and myeloablative groups, at 17% vs. 24% respectively (p=0.40). The cumulative incidence of day 100 non-relapse mortality was 18% in the reduced intensity group, and 21% in the myeloablative group (p=0.88). The overall two-yr survival rates were 43% in the reduced intensity group, and 35% in the myeloablative group (p=0.72). In conclusion, reduced intensity transplantation yielded outcomes comparable with those of myeloablative transplantation in patients under 50 with hematological malignancies.     

自体造血干细胞移植后序贯异基因造血干细胞移植治疗浆母细胞淋巴瘤一例

正浆母细胞淋巴瘤(plasmablastic lymphoma,PBL)是一种罕见的非霍奇金淋巴瘤,来源于B细胞,侵袭性高、预后差,具有独特的临床特征。宁波市第一医院血液科采用自体造血干细胞移植(autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,auto-HSCT)后序贯异基因造血干细胞移植(allogeneic     

T helper 17 and regulatory T-cell profile and graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric patients with beta-thalassemia

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an effective treatment option for hereditary hemoglobin disorders, such as beta-thalassemia; However, this procedure is not without constraints, mainly engendering complications such as acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD), chronic GvHD (cGvHD), and susceptibility to infections. The clinical outcomes of allo-HSCT are highly dependant on the quality and quantity of T-cell subsets reconstitution. Following the allo-HSCT of six pediatric patients afflicted with beta-thalassemia, their mononuclear cells were isolated, and then cultured with a combination of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)/ionomycin and Brefeldin A. The content of CD4 T-cell subsets, including T helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), were determined by specific conjugated-monoclonal antibodies three and six months post-HSCT. An increased frequency of total CD4 T-cells, Tregs and Th17 cells was observed at day 90 and 180 after allo-HSCT, albeit the numbers were still lower than that of our healthy controls. In patients who developed cGvHD, a lower Th17/Treg ratio was observed, owing it to a decreased proportion of Th17 cells. In conclusion, creating balance between Th17 and Treg subsets may prevent acute and chronic GvHD in patients after allo-HSCT.     

Prediction of nonrelapse mortality for patients surviving 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND: Patients who survive 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) are at risk for chronic graft-versus-host disease and other potentially fatal complications. As the symptoms overlap and the differential diagnosis is difficult, the goal of this study was to verify whether basic laboratory evaluation performed on day +100 may allow identification of patients who are at high risk for nonrelapse mortality (NRM), independent of the underlying complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 255 patients, mean age 29 years (range, 10-56 years), who remained alive and disease-free on day +100 after myeloablative alloHSCT from an HLA-identical sibling (n=177) or a matched unrelated volunteer (n=78), performed in a single institution between 1992 and 2003. RESULTS: Upon univariate analysis, the following laboratory parameters were associated with increased incidence of NRM: peripheral blood neutrophils<1.5x10(9)/L, platelets<100x10(9)/L, hemoglobin<11 g/dL, total protein<60 g/L, elevated plasma aspartate aminotransferase, elevated alkaline phosphatase, and elevated bilirubin. Upon multivariate analysis, only decreased protein (hazard ratio [HR]=6.97 [3.3-14.7], P<.0001) and elevated bilirubin (HR=3.52 [1.91-6.48], P<.0001) independently influenced the risk for NRM. The cumulative incidence of NRM equaled 6% if none of the above factors was present; 10% for hyperbilirubinemia alone; 22% for hypoproteinemia alone; and 70% for hyperbilirubinemia and hypoproteinemia, both present. CONCLUSIONS: A simple laboratory evaluation is highly predictive of the risk for NRM in patients surviving 100 days after alloHSCT. The prognosis is particularly poor for patients with hypoproteinemia and hyperbilirubinemia. These abnormalities may reflect impaired liver and intestine functions due to various posttransplantation complications.     

A retrospective study of treatment and outcomes of patients with lymphoma undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A single-center experience

BackgroundEarly evaluation of symptoms and taking appropriate preventive measures can improve outcomes for patients with lymphoma undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study aimed to examine the treatment and outcomes of patients with lymphoma undergoing HSCT.MethodsPatients with lymphoma undergoing SCT at a university hospital between 15.06.2018 and 15.06.2020, were selected for a retrospective study. The medical treatments of patients were obtained from the records on the Hospital Information Management System (HIMS) database. The study was reported following the STROBE checklist.ResultsSixty-four patients were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 48.25 ± 16.93 (p = 0.76). Although relapse developed in 26 (40.6%) patients with lymphoma, remission was achieved in 38 (59.4%) patients. The incidence of skin graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) symptoms in patients with relapse [14(53.8%)] was found to be significantly higher than in patients in remission [4(10.5%)] (p < 0.001). The most common symptoms seen in patients undergoing HSCT were oral mucositis (78.1%), febrile neutropenia (68.8%), and anemia (56.3%). In the treatments applied after SCT, the administration of antifungal (p = 0.033), analgesic (p = 0.001), and anticoagulant (p = 0.008) treatments to the patients who were in remission compared with the relapsed patients was significant. Less courses (OR: 0.446; 95% CI: 0.22–0.907; p = 0.026), analgesic therapy (OR:6.22; 95% CI: 1.61–24.027; p = 0.008), and anticoagulant treatment (OR:7.13; %) 95 CI: 1.374–37.1; p = 0.019) were found to increase the risk of relapse. Because of the increase in the number of cures in SCT, the incidence of diarrhea (p = 0.016) and GIS GVHD (p = 0.022) was high. It was determined that the hospitalization period was shorter in patients with febrile neutropenia (p = 0.021), thrombocytopenia/bleeding (p = 0.031), and secretion (p = 0.036) symptoms.ConclusionsPatients experienced severe symptoms such as oral mucositis, febrile neutropenia, and anemia due to HSCT, and necessary treatment was applied for the symptoms. Further clinical studies must determine the symptoms and patient outcomes associated with SCT. It is predicted that patients will benefit from regular follow-up of their symptoms and planning of appropriate evidence-based nursing interventions and that this will improve the quality of care to be offered to them and increase their life span.     

Pretransplantation minimal residual disease monitoring by multiparameter flow cytometry predicts outcomes of AML patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background and purposeIs minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) prognostic for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients before allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT)? And if so, what level of MRD eradication can be used to help guide the timing of HSCT? Can haplo-HSCT improve the prognosis of AML patients with MRD positive? To figure out these questions, we initiated this retrospective study.Methods96 AML patients were included retrospectively and divided into 5 groups, according to pre-transplantation MRD levels (from 5 × 10⁻² to <1 × 10⁻⁴), to analyze the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR). Secondly, we compared the prognosis of MRD-negative (MRD^neg) and MRD-positive (MRD^pos) AML patients (cutoff value = 1 × 10⁻³) who underwent allo-HSCT, and further analyzed the prognosis of MRD^pos patients after received different transplantation modalities.ResultsIt is found that the 2-year OS and DFS of MRD negative group were better than the MRD positive group, and that the deeper the eradication of MRD before transplantation, the better the prognosis of patients. The CIR in patients received HLA-identical transplantation, was higher in the MRD^pos than in the MRD^neg. Haploid transplantation reduced the CIR disparity between MRD^pos and MRD^neg group. Subsequently, in AML patients who remain MRD positive before HSCT, we show that haplo-HSCT offered a better prognosis than HLA-identical transplantation (MSDT and MUDT).ConclusionIt is suggested that achieving MFC-MRD <10⁻³ (10⁻⁴ or even better) before allo-HSCT could reduce the relapse of AML and improve OS and DFS significantly, while haplo-HSCT may be preferred for patients not achieving MRD negativity.     

Immunoglobulin prophylaxis against cytomegalovirus infection in patients at high risk of infection following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Reports on the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) prophylaxis against cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) have often sparked controversy. In addition, we are not aware of any study that has examined whether prophylaxis with IVIG affects the incidence of CMV infection in high-risk patients—those who are elderly or have received human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatched HCT. In the present open-label, phase II study, we addressed this question. We enrolled 106 patients in the study. The cumulative incidences of CMV infection at 100 days after HCT were similar in the intervention and the control groups (68% and 64%, P = .89; 89% and 87%, P = .79, respectively, for patients 55 years or older and those who received HLA-mismatched HCT). In those who received HLA-mismatched HCT, 1-year overall survival after HCT was 46% in the intervention group and 40% in the control group (P = .31); for age ≥ 55 years, the corresponding values were 46% and 40% (P = .27). Our data showed that prophylaxis with regular polyvalent IVIG did not affect the incidence of CMV infections or survival among older patients or those who receive HLA-mismatched HCT.     

非清髓性外周血干细胞移植后白血病复发的防治

目的探讨非清髓性造血干细胞移植后白血病复发的防治。方法7例合并有其它系统疾病的白血病患者接受非清髓性外周血干细胞移植,移植后采用环孢素A及短程甲氨蝶呤预防移植物抗宿主病(GVHD),造血细胞植入后,动态检测骨髓单个核细胞嵌合体的变化,根据嵌合体状态,采用供者淋巴细胞输注(DLI),并配合环孢素A用量的调整来防治白血病复发。结果7例患者移植后造血功能得到恢复,3例移植前合并的疾病有所加重,经处理缓解,移植早期相关并发症少而轻。移植后有3例嵌合体由混合嵌合体(MC)转为完全供者型嵌合体(CC),再转为MC,伴Ph染色体阳性,DLI5~6次后Ph染色体转为阴性,嵌合体状态又转为CC,其中2例发生广泛皮肤慢性GVHD;3例的嵌合体持续为CC,无复发,其中2例接受了1次DLI,此2例在环孢素A减量过程中发生GVHD;1例的嵌合体持续为MC,虽经3次DLI,但无效,患者死于白血病复发。结论非清髓性造血干细胞移植后应动态监测嵌合体状态,采用供者淋巴细胞输注,并配合环孢素A用量的调整,对白血病的复发有一定的效果。     

异基因造血干细胞移植患者心理痛苦及其来源的纵向研究

目的 探讨异基因造血干细胞移植患者移植期间的心理痛苦程度及其来源,为心理护理提供参考.方法 采用方便抽样法选取180例异基因造血干细胞移植患者,使用心理痛苦温度计及问题列表分别于入层流病房当日、预处理结束后1d、移植后第7天和移植后第14天开展调查.结果 不同时间点心理痛苦得分分别为0.92±0.92、3.13±1.5...     

Limiting dilution analysis of interleukin-2 producing helper T-cell frequencies as a tool in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

BACKGROUND: A reliable in vitro test that estimates the level of ongoing alloreactivity would be valuable in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) as a help to guide clinical interventions such as donor lymphocyte infusions and changes in the immunosuppression. In the present study, the use of limiting dilution analysis of interleukin-2 (IL-2) producing helper T lymphocyte frequencies (HTL assay) as a way to quantify alloreactivity following HCT was investigated. METHODS: Serial HTL assays were performed following allogeneic HCT with myeloablative or nonmyeloablative conditioning in 26 patients with hematologic malignancies. RESULTS: Deviations from single-hit kinetics were frequently observed in the HTL assays and a nonlinear model was therefore used for analysis. The results of this analysis suggested the presence of an inhibitory cell population. Inhibition was observed in the majority of patients and was not restricted to a specific transplant regimen. Inhibition occurred more often with high frequencies of IL-2 producing cells, indicating a physiological role of the putative inhibitory cell population in the regulation of an immune response. Higher frequencies of IL-2 producing cells were observed in patients with acute graft-versus-host disease grades II-IV than in patients with grades 0-I (P = 0.046), indicating that the degree of ongoing alloreactivity is indeed quantified by the HTL assay. CONCLUSIONS: We find that the HTL assay may yield interesting insight into regulation of immune responses following allogeneic HCT, but because of the complexity of the results obtained, its use as a routine procedure to guide immunosuppression cannot be recommended.