Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Diamond-Blackfan anemia: a report from the Aplastic Anemia Committee of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Hematology

Transfusion-dependent Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) patients opt for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as curative therapy. Clinical outcomes of 19 transplanted Japanese patients were analyzed. Prior to HSCT, 10 patients (53%) suffered hemosiderosis with organ dysfunction, and all eight with short stature (42%) had adverse effects of prednisolone. Median age at the time of HSCT was 56 months. Transplantation sources were 13 bone marrow [six human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched siblings, and six HLA-matched and one HLA-mismatched unrelated donors], five cord blood (two HLA-matched siblings and three HLA-mismatched unrelated donors), and one peripheral blood from haploidentical mother. All 13 patients with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and two with sibling cord blood transplantation (CBT) had successful engraftment. Of three patients who underwent unrelated CBT, one died after engraftment, and the other two had graft failure but succeeded in a second BMT from an HLA-disparate father and unrelated donor, respectively. One died shortly after haploidentical PBSCT. The five-yr failure-free survival rate after BMT was higher than CBT (100%: 40%, p=0.002). Platelet recovery was slower in seven unrelated BMT than in six sibling BMT (p=0.030). No other factors were associated with engraftment and survival. These results suggest that allogeneic BMT, but not unrelated CBT, is an effective HSCT for refractory DBA.     

Bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of alpha-mannosidosis.

Bone marrow transplantation was performed in a patient with alpha-mannosidosis. To our knowledge this is the first time such treatment has been attempted. The patient died 18 weeks after successful grafting and specimens of tissues were obtained at necropsy. Alpha-mannosidase activity in spleen and liver was just below normal (spleen 102 mumol/g/hour, control 113-330; liver 29 mumol/g/hour, control 30-131). Splenic alpha-mannosidase activity was indistinguishable from the control enzyme with respect to the Michaelis constant, heat stability, and inhibition by cobalt ions, as was 86% of the liver enzyme. In brain tissue alpha-mannosidase activity was 7% of controls, and less than one third had the properties of the normal enzyme. Oligosaccharides were present only in small amounts in liver and spleen, whereas they were greatly increased in brain tissue. Electron microscopic pictures of liver and spleen tissue showed normal morphology, but brain tissue showed definite vacuolation. These findings suggest that transplantation reversed the somatic changes of alpha-mannosidosis but did not affect lysosomal storage within brain tissue. It is concluded that marrow transplantation may not be a suitable treatment for alpha-mannosidosis.     

HHV‐6 encephalitis in pediatric unrelated umbilical cord transplantation: A role for ganciclovir prophylaxis?

Cheng FWT, Lee V, Leung WK, Chan PKS, Leung TF, Shing MK, Li CK. HHV‐6 encephalitis in pediatric unrelated umbilical cord transplantation: A role for ganciclovir prophylaxis?
Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14:483–487. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: The role of ganciclovir as HHV‐6 prophylaxis in unrelated HSCT setting remains controversial. We performed an eight‐yr retrospective review of patients received unrelated HSCT from January 2000 to September 2008. From January 2002, ganciclovir prophylaxis 5 mg/kg twice daily for seven days for all unrelated HSCT before transplant was adopted. The prevalence of HHV‐6 encephalitis was studied before and after the change in policy. Fifty‐four unrelated HSCT were performed from January 2000 to September 2008. Four cases (7.4%) of HHV‐6 encephalitis were diagnosed. All of them were due to variant B infection. Two cases out of 16 cases (12.5%) were diagnosed before adoption of the policy; two cases out of 38 cases (5.3%) were diagnosed afterward. All of them were unrelated UCB transplant recipients. They were all seropositive to HHV‐6 before transplant. Two cases complicated with significant residual neurological deficit and refractory seizure. The other two cases died of other transplant‐related mortalities. We conclude that HHV‐6 encephalitis is still a rare complication of unrelated HSCT and may be more common in unrelated UCB transplant. Routine use of ganciclovir as HHV‐6 prophylaxis in all unrelated HSCT recipients may not be justified but may have a role in unrelated UCB transplant.     

Successful treatment of Wolman disease by unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation

Wolman disease is a rapidly fatal lysosomal storage disease caused by the complete absence of lysosomal acid lipase activity. We report the cure of an infant with Wolman disease following transplantation of unrelated HLA-mismatched umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells. Umbilical cord blood was chosen as the stem-cell source because of its immediate availability and reduced tendency to cause graft-versus-host disease. The transplantation resulted in restoration of normal acid lipase levels before the onset of permanent end-organ damage. Four years after transplantation, the patient is thriving and has normal levels of acid lipase in peripheral blood cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a successful unrelated cord blood transplant in a patient with Wolman disease. Umbilical cord stem cells transplantation can restore acid lipase levels in Wolman disease, and if performed early, can cure the disease.     

Unrelated CD3/CD19-Depleted Peripheral Stem Cell Transplantation for Hurler Syndrome

For patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type IH (MPS1-H; Hurler syndrome), early allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the treatment of choice. One boy and one girl aged 20.5 and 22 months, respectively, with MPS1-H received a conditioning regimen consisting of thiotepa, fludarabine, treosulfan, and ATG. Grafts were peripheral blood stem cells from unrelated donors (10/12 and 11/11 matched), that were manipulated by CD3/CD19 depletion and contained 20.3 and 28.2 × 10⁶ CD34+ cells/kg body weight, respectively. Both patients achieved stable hematopoietic engraftment and stable donor chimerism. Neither acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) nor other severe transplant-related complications occurred. At a follow-up of 48 and 37 months, both patients are alive and well with normal levels of α-L-iduronidase and have made major neurodevelopmental progress. Treosulfan-based conditioning offers the advantage of reduced toxicity; the use of unrelated CD3/CD19-depleted peripheral stem cell grafts allows transfusion of high CD34+ cell numbers together with a “tailored” number of CD3+ cells as well as engraftment facilitating cells in order to achieve rapid hematopoietic engraftment while reducing the risk of graft rejection and GVHD. This regimen might be an additional option when unrelated donor HSCT is considered for a patient with MPS1-H.     

儿童第二次非血缘供者造血干细胞移植2例

目的探索非血缘造血干细胞移植后复发病例进行第二次移植的可行性。方法患幼年型慢性粒单细胞性白血病(JMML)及重型β-地中海贫血的两例患儿接受非血缘供者造血干细胞移植后分别于移植后的10个月和1个月后原疾病复发,前者给予福达华加环磷酰胺预处理后输注原供者干细胞,降低预防移植物抗宿主病强度;后者给予含TBI预处理,移植另一非血缘供者外周血干细胞。结果两例患者第二次移植后均获得稳定植入,JMML患者并发急慢性移植物抗宿主病,完全缓解至+24月;地中海贫血患者已完全脱离输血状态至+23月。结论对于非血缘造血干细胞移植后复发的患儿,第二次非血缘供者造血干细胞移植是可行的。     

Effective treatment of alpha-mannosidosis by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

OBJECTIVES: To study the efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) for ameliorating the clinical manifestations of alpha-mannosidosis. STUDY DESIGN: Four patients with alpha-mannosidosis underwent allogeneic HCT at the University of Minnesota. Diagnosis was established by assay of leukocyte alpha-mannosidase activity level. Physical features, donor engraftment, leukocyte alpha-mannosidase activity, neuropsychologic function, and hearing were monitored before and after transplantation, with follow-up ranging from 1 to 6 years. RESULTS: All 4 patients showed slowing of their neurocognitive development and sensorineural hearing loss before HCT. All patients are alive, with normalization of leukocyte enzyme activity after HCT. Intellectual function has stabilized, with improvement in adaptive skills and verbal memory function in 3 of 4 patients. Hearing has improved to normal or near normal for speech frequencies in 3 patients. No new skeletal abnormalities have developed. CONCLUSIONS: HCT can halt the progressive cognitive loss in patients with alpha-mannosidosis. Early diagnosis and treatment with HCT is critical for optimal results.     

Late recurrence of precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia 9 years and 7 months after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

We present the case of a 15-year-old adolescent boy with recurrent precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which appeared 9 years and 7 months after a first unrelated allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The patient received chemotherapy and a subsequent second unrelated allogeneic HSCT, and was free of the disease 3 years after the second HSCT. A molecular study revealed the same rearrangement pattern at IGK@ in both the first relapse and the later relapse, confirming the common origin of the leukemic blasts at different time points. However, a new Vδ2-Dδ3 rearrangement of TRD@ emerged at the later relapse. A subsequent, more sensitive examination revealed a minor subpopulation with rearrangements at both IGK@ and TRD@, even during the first relapse. This finding suggests that the minor clone, related to the major clone, was present at the first relapse, leading to the later recurrence, even though the major clone at the first relapse had been eradicated by the first allogeneic HSCT. Although a later relapse after allogeneic HSCT is a rare phenomenon, clinicians should keep in mind that later relapses can occur, even after allogeneic HSCT.     

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from unrelated donors in children with DOCK8 deficiency

DIDS is a unique form of combined immune deficiency characterized by an unusual susceptibility to cutaneous viral infections, severe allergies with eosinophilia and elevated immunoglobulin E titers, autoimmunity, and cancer. HSCT is considered the standard of care for this deadly disease. We have retrospectively analyzed the outcome of allogeneic HSCT from unrelated donors in patients with DIDS. Data from four patients, with five transplants, are presented. All patients received transplants from unrelated donors' BM, except for one patient who received a cord blood transplant. The conditioning regimens were based on myeloablative protocols for BM derived transplants; a NM regimen was pursued for the patient who received a cord blood transplant, which resulted in graft rejection. Although recurrent pneumonia and skin infections resolved immediately after transplantation, all patients subsequently developed human herpesvirus infection, including cutaneous herpetic lesions, cytomegalovirus reactivation, and zona zoster, which could be attributed to the use of ATG. Despite the presence of serious morbidities prior to transplantation, all patients recovered successfully. DIDS can be successfully treated with allogeneic HSCT from unrelated donors following a myeloablative conditioning regimen, with a reasonable safety profile.     

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.     

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.     

Allogeneic cord hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in an infant with primary myelofibrosis

Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is rare in children. An allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only known curative therapy for severe cases. Here, we report the case of a female infant with PMF treated with allogeneic HSCT using an unrelated cord blood unit. She had successful reversal of her disease, but experienced complications related to transplant. This is the seventh reported case of HSCT for PMF in children, and the second using umbilical cord blood. We conclude that cord HSCT is a useful curative treatment option in children with PMF, but that efforts must be taken to reduce complications.     

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造血干细胞移植是目前治疗儿童白血病的重要手段之一。造血干细胞移植的适应证因白血病类型和供者种类不同而有所不同;供者以往以同胞供者为主,目前无关供者移植的生存率已接近同胞供者,半相合移植治疗白血病也越来越被临床所接受;各种细胞辅助治疗逐渐突显优势。造血干细胞移植治疗白血病进展迅速,临床应有所了解。     

Stem cell transplantation in 6 children with parvovirus B19- induced severe aplastic anaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome

Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) induced severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is rare, and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in this condition has not been reported so far. 6 children with SAA (n=4) or MDS (n=2) caused by acute PVB19 infection underwent HSCT under the protection of intravenous immunoglobulines. The 4 children with SAA received matched HLA bone marrow from a sibling (n=3) or peripheral unrelated blood stem cells (n=1). 1 patient had delayed erythrocyte engraftment, whereas 3 patients had an uneventful transplantation course. HSCT in one of the 2 children with MDS was complicated by poor graft function, the other patient engrafted without complications. In conclusion, HSCT in children with PVB19 induced SAA or MDS is feasible, even though some patients may develop delayed engraftment or prolonged poor graft function.     

造血干细胞移植治疗β地中海贫血

异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）是目前临床根治重型β地中海贫血的惟一方法。对有人类白细胞抗原（HLA）全相合同胞供者的患者,应尽早进行HSCT,治愈率可达80%～90%。高分辨HLA配型相合的无关供体移植亦取得良好结果。血缘相关HLA 不全相合和单倍型HSCT扩大了移植物来源,移植效果尚不肯定。移植后需密切检测嵌合体变化,优化预处理方案,提高移植相关并发症防治技术,将进一步改善移植效果。     

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??Abstract??Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation ??HSCT?? is the only curative therapy for severe beta-thalassemia major. Patients with an available human leukocyte antigen ??HLA?? identical sibling donor should be offered HSCT as soon as possible before development of iron overload and transfusion associated complications?? and the cure rate was up to 80%??90%. High-resolution HLA typing matched unrelated donor transplants also achieved good results. HSCT from HLA-mismatched relatives or HLA-phenotypically-identical donor is an option to be performed in expert centers. Optimization of conditioning regimen and techniques to control transplant-related complications will further improve outcomes.     

Bullous pemphigoid after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by subepidermal blisters due to deposit of autoantibody against dermal basement membrane protein. It has been reported that BP can occur after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We describe a patient with BP having autoantibody against BP180 after unrelated‐donor HSCT against T lymphoblastic leukemia. The patient was treated with steroid leading to complete resolution of BP, but T lymphoblastic leukemia progressed rapidly after steroid hormone treatment. Given that immunosuppressant may reduce graft‐versus‐tumor effect, immunomodulatory agents such as nicotinamide and tetracycline, erythromycin, and immunoglobulin may be appropriate as soon as typical blister lesions are seen after HSCT.     

Acute neurological complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children

Children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may develop toxicity-related neurological complications (NC). Known risk factors include total body irradiation (TBI) and the use of busulfan or cyclosporine A, but other risk factors might also be of importance. The medical records of 144 children (0-18 yr) who underwent their first HSCT at Karolinska University Hospital (Huddinge) between 1995 and 2002 were reviewed retrospectively concerning pretransplantation parameters and clinical course during the first 3 months after HSCT. Sibling donors were used in 49 transplantations, unrelated donors in 88 and haploidentical donors in seven cases. Nineteen patients (13%) developed NC within the first 3 months after HSCT. A significant association was seen between pretransplant viral status, defined as a higher number of positive herpes group viral serologies in the recipient before transplantation, and NC (p = 0.04). A significant association was also seen for CMV-positive recipients and NC (p = 0.01) as well as for disturbances in serum levels of sodium, potassium and calcium and NC. No association was found between sex, age at HSCT, underlying disease, previous neurological symptoms, the conditioning regimen, GVHD, donor type and NC. Number of positive herpes group viral serologies in the recipient before transplantation and certain electrolyte disturbances may contribute to neurological complications after HSCT.     

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 12 patients with cerebral X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy

In an attempt to elucidate prognostic factors, the data on 12 boys who underwent haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for cerebral X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy were evaluated. Two further patients received HSCT but died from transplantation-related complications. The data included neurological examination, neuropsychological testing and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Follow-up after HSCT was up to 5.5 years. Six patients showed a moderate to severe clinical deterioration after HSCT including two who died within 6 months. In this group, a MRI severity score of 10 or higher before HSCT was associated with severe impairment and a score of more than 12 was followed by rapid deterioration and death after HSCT. The presence of neurological symptoms before HSCT also affected prognosis. Six patients showed no deterioration in neurological or neuropsychological assessment after HSCT. CONCLUSION: our data confirm that haematopoietic stem cell transplantation can stop the progress of demyelination when performed at a critical early stage of the disease. The prognosis in an individual patient for the clinical course after stem cell transplantation can in general be given based on the status before transplantation, although individual patients may show an unexpected course.     

Non‐sibling hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using myeloablative conditioning regimen in children with Maroteaux‐Lamy syndrome: A brief report

Maroteaux‐Lamy syndrome is a rare inherited lysosomal storage disorder with a progressive course. HSCT is a curable option for treatment in these patients. The following report describes our experience in HSCT for three patients with Maroteaux‐Lamy syndrome using non‐sibling donors. All of the patients received the same myeloablative regimen consisting of intravenous busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and rabbit antithymocyte globulin. Patients underwent HSCT from haploidentical other‐related (n=1), full‐matched other‐related (n=1), and one‐locus‐mismatched unrelated donor. Stem cell sources included bone marrow (n=1), peripheral blood (n=1), and cord blood (n=1). Currently, two patients who received transplant from other‐related donors showed full engraftment and regression of the symptoms of the disease, while for the patient with unrelated cord blood donor, graft failure resulted in progression of the disease and death. The result of our study showed beneficial effects of HSCT even from heterozygote donor. Due to rarity of the disease, future multicenter studies are recommended to find the best treatment approaches based on the patients’ status.