Dendritic cells in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

In allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT), dendritic cells (DCs) as the most potent antigen-presenting cells play a central role in the development of acute and chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD), in graft-vs-leukemia or -malignancy reactions and in fighting infectious complications. Functional maturity and distribution of DC sub-types (DC1 and DC2) differ between the different stem cell sources used (bone marrow, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilised peripheral blood and cord blood) resulting in various rates of graft-vs-host disease and graft-vs-leukemia activity. Although DC recovery following stem cell transplantation is prompt, graft-vs-host disease and the use of immunosuppressive drugs result in qualitative and quantitative disturbances in DC  homeostasis and have been observed for up to 1 year after transplantation. Complete donor DC chimerism seems to be a pre-requisite for the development of chronic GVHD and for graft-vs-leukemia activity, at least following reduced-intensity transplants, although in the early phase of acute graft-vs-host disease the presence of host antigen-presenting cells is essential. Preliminary data show promising results with DC-based immunotherapy for treatment of viral and fungal infections and of leukemic relapse following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. More information on the mechanisms and interactions between dendritic cells and regulatory T cells is needed for DC vaccination concepts for modulation of graft-vs-host disease.     

异基因造血干细胞移植后复发研究进展

血液肿瘤复发仍是异基因造血干细胞移植(allo-HSCT)主要死亡原因之一,allo-HSCT后复发的预测、防治等问题的解决是提高疗效、改善预后的关键。文章结合第60届美国血液学会年会的代表性报道,总结了allo-HSCT后的复发预测、防治及预后评估的相关研究进展。     

Long-term remission of primary refractory ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+ ALCL) has a favorable prognosis in general; however, some cases are resistant to chemotherapy, which leads to a poor clinical outcome. We herein report the case of a 32-year-old male with aggressive ALK+ ALCL who presented with hemorrhage from a large tumor in the duodenum and multiple tumors in the lungs, mediastinum, and peritoneal cavity. Although induction chemotherapy resulted in a marked reduction of the tumor lesions, premature progression with massive pulmonary infiltration and central nervous system invasion occurred immediately after the completion of chemotherapy. The patient was then promptly treated with brentuximab vedotin (BV) and high-dose methotrexate, which resulted in complete remission. Subsequently, he successfully underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from an unrelated donor and has been healthy and did not relapse for more than 3 years after transplantation without any additional therapy. Allo-HSCT may be a promising treatment option for ALK+ ALCL due to its graft-versus-lymphoma effect. In addition, molecular targeting agents, such as BV, may be promising as a bridging therapy before allo-HSCT to achieve disease remission.     

Kaposi's sarcoma developed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

A 33-year-old Chinese male patient with severe aplastic anemia received matched sibling allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using antithymocyte globulin containing conditioning regimen after 4 months of unsuccessful treatment with cyclosporine A. Following transplantation, the patient was immunosuppressed demonstrated by intermittent infections, including a varicella 3 months after transplantation. Although DNA-STR results on day +30 confirmed complete donor engraftment, repeat DNA-STR analysis performed more than 3 months after transplantation showed a mosaic phenotype. Cyclosporine tapering commenced early, but the last DNA-STR result confirmed complete graft rejection. On day +198, the patient presented with fever, skin boil in the right temporal region, severe pancytopenia, intrabodominal lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Within 1 month, superficial lymphadenopathy and right exophthalmos developed. Excisional lymph node biopsy pathology confirmed Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). The patient succumbed due to intracranial bleeding as a result of thrombocytopenia. This is the first study of KS that developed following stem cell transplantation for severe aplastic anemia. The precipitating factors underlying KS development in this case and its differentiation from post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders are analyzed.     

异基因造血干细胞移植在复发难治淋巴瘤中的应用

复发难治淋巴瘤的治疗仍然是临床上的一大难题,目前主要以大剂量化疗联合自体造血干细胞移植及新药、细胞免疫治疗为主。近年减低强度预处理方案异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）及替代供者的应用,使allo-HSCT成为复发难治淋巴瘤有价值的治疗选择。疾病特征、患者临床特点、替代供者的选择、预处理强度及移植相关并发症的管理等因素均影响着患者移植后的生存。allo-HSCT治疗复发难治淋巴瘤的数据主要来源于各移植中心的回顾性报道,前瞻性试验仍缺乏,移植患者的选择及移植时机的把握、移植物来源、预处理强度的选择等仍无统一的标准。文章将围绕这些方面对allo-HSCT在复发难治淋巴瘤中的应用进展进行介绍。     

Second solid cancers after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to establish the incidence and risk factors for the development of second solid cancers after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). METHODS: The authors reviewed the case files of 926 consecutive patients who underwent allo-HSCT at their institution between 1985 and 2003. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients developed 30 solid malignancies at a median of 6.8 years after allo-HSCT (range, 0.12-17.3 years) for a 10-year cumulative incidence of 3.1% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2-5%; all solid tumors) and 2.3% (95% CI 1-4%; excluding basal cell carcinoma and carcinoma in situ). The risk ratio of developing a second solid malignancy after allografting, compared with the general population of British Columbia adjusted for age and sex, was 1.85 (95% CI, 1.04-3.06; P = .019). In multivariate analysis, recipient age at allo-HSCT >40 years (P = .005) and having a woman donor (P = .0008) were associated with a greater risk of developing a second solid cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that patients undergoing allografting are at increased risk of developing a second solid cancer compared with the general population, particularly those of advanced age at the time of allograft. It is noteworthy that patients who had women as graft donors had an increased risk for developing a second solid cancer. This unexpected finding is a new observation and has not been reported previously. Extended follow-up will be needed to assess more fully the incidence and risk factors for the development of solid cancers, because the latency can be prolonged.     

Clinical evidence of a graft-versus-lymphoma effect against relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation

BackgroundA graft-versus-lymphoma effect against diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is inferred by sustained relapse-free survival after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation; however, there are limited data on a direct graft-versus-lymphoma effect against DLBCL following immunotherapeutic intervention by either withdrawal of immunosuppression or donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI).Materials and methodsAn analysis was carried out to determine whether a direct graft-versus-lymphoma effect exists against DLBCL. The analysis was restricted to patients with DLBCL, who were either not in complete remission at day +100 after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation or subsequently relapsed beyond this time point.ResultsFifteen patients were identified as either not in complete remission (n = 13) at their day +100 evaluation or subsequently relapsed (n = 2) and were assessed for subsequent responses after withdrawal of immunosuppression or DLI. Eleven patients were treated with either withdrawal of immunosuppression (n = 10) or a DLI (n = 1) alone; four patients received chemotherapy with DLI to reduce tumor bulk. Nine (60%) patients subsequently responded (complete = 8, partial = 1). Six responses occurred after withdrawal of immunosuppression alone. Six patients are alive (range 42–83+ months) in complete remission without further treatment.ConclusionThe demonstration of sustained complete remission following immunotherapeutic intervention provides direct evidence of a graft-versus-lymphoma effect against DLBCL.     

Usefulness of hematopoietic cell transplantation-specific comorbidity index after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

We retrospectively investigated the hematopoietic cell transplantation-specific comorbidity index(HCT-CI)to predict non relapse mortality. Of 127 patients who underwent transplantation between January 2000 and December 2003 with conditioning consisting of total body irradiation, cyclophosphamide and thiotepa, HCT-CI scores were obtained for 83 patients. Median age was 42 years. The sources of stem cells included HLA-identical bone marrow or peripheral blood from sibling(30), HLA-matched bone marrow from unrelated donors(45), and HLA-mismatched bone marrow or peripheral blood from family donors(8). Hematological disease was divided into two groups, standard risk(47)and high risk(36). Standard risk indicates acute leukemia in first or second remission and chronic myelocytic leukemia in first chronic phase, while high risk indicates all other diagnoses. There were 45 patients with moderate or severe pulmonary comorbidities. 55 patients with HCT-CI scores of 2 or less had higher 2-year overall survival than 28 patients with HCT-CI scores of 3 or more(65% vs. 36%, p=0.0009). Although the non relapse mortality rate was not different, HCT-CI scores were a more useful indicator to predict survival in high risk patients than in standard risk patients. Prospective evaluation is warranted to clarify the usefulness of HCT-CI.     

Targets of tumor immunity after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The effectiveness of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies results from the donor immunity to antigens expressed in leukemia cells in the recipient. Similar immune responses have now been identified in patients with renal cell cancer with tumor regression after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Further studies to identify relevant antigens and mechanisms of resistance may improve the effectiveness of this approach in patients with solid tumors.     

异基因造血干细胞移植治疗复发难治性淋巴瘤的临床研究

目的 探讨异基因造血干细胞移植(allo-HSCT)治疗复发难治性淋巴瘤的疗效和安全性.方法 北京军区总医院血液科2007年1月至2012年1月应用allo-HSCT共治疗7例复发难治性淋巴瘤患者,其中男4例,女3例,年龄18～ 48岁,平均年龄33.7岁.原发病为非霍奇金淋巴瘤6例,其中弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤(DLBCL)2例,T淋巴母细胞淋巴瘤(T-LL)1例,皮肤结外鼻型NK/T细胞淋巴瘤(ENKTCL-N)1例,肝脾T细胞淋巴瘤(HSTCL)1例,伯基特淋巴瘤(BL)1例;霍奇金淋巴瘤1例,为混合细胞型.首次复发4例,2次及以上复发2例,原发难治1例;自体移植后复发2例(均为2次及以上复发者);移植时有3例缓解,4例未取得缓解.供受者HLA全相合3例,HLA不全相合4例,采用骨髓加外周血干细胞联合移植,预处理均采用氟达拉滨替代环磷酰胺(Cy)的改良白消安(Bu)+Cy方案,移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)的预防采用经典环孢素(CsA)和甲氨蝶呤(MTX),移植后观察患者并发症和无病生存等情况.结果 6例患者能较好耐受预处理方案,均获造血重建,植入证据检测证实100％为完全供者造血,1例预处理后死亡.全部患者中位随访29.6个月(1～70个月).共5例发生急性GVHD,4例发生慢性GVHD;死亡2例(因感染死亡1例、复发死亡1例),其余5例患者无病生存,无病生存率为71.4％,最长无病生存时间已达70个月.结论 allo-HSCT治疗复发难治性淋巴瘤安全有效,可作为挽救治疗的关键技术,可在临床广泛开展.     

The role of autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Hodgkin lymphoma

Patients with Hodgkin lymphoma are usually cured by primary therapy using chemotherapy alone or combined modality therapy with external beam radiation. Patients who do not experience a complete remission or those who experience relapse may by salvaged by high-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Success of this approach is largely dependent on the tumor being sensitive to salvage chemotherapy before transplant. More studies are showing the predictive value of functional imaging in this setting. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has greater risk of nonrelapse mortality and is generally reserved for patients who experience relapse post-ASCT, but may provide long-term survival for some patients through graft-versus-tumor immune effects.     

Graft versus Burkitt's lymphoma effect after allogeneic marrow transplantation

While modern intensive chemotherapy protocols cure the majority of patients with Burkitt's lymphoma, the prospects of cure with salvage chemotherapy for relapsed or refractory disease are minimal. There are limited data on the results of allografting for well characterised Burkitt's lymphoma and in particular little on the impact of GVHD on transplant outcome. We report a patient with t(8;22) Burkitt's lymphoma who underwent an HLA-identical sibling allograft in second complete remission. Relapse occurred at day 60 post-transplant, without pre-existing GVHD. GVHD subsequently developed after withdrawal of immunosuppression and administration of alpha-interferon. Concomitantly the lymphoma regressed, consistent with a graft versus Burkitt's effect, until progression at day 200. A delayed, partial and transient response subsequently occurred to rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the CD20 antigen. These observations suggest that immunotherapeutic approaches should be considered for Burkitt's lymphoma unable to be cured by conventional chemotherapy.     

Molecular remission after allogeneic or autologous transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells for multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical relevance of minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), 50 patients were monitored while they were in complete clinical remission (CCR) after autologous or allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Stringent molecular monitoring using clonal markers based on rearranged immunoglobulin heavy-chain genes was performed in 44 of 50 MM patients in CCR. Molecular clinical remission (MCR) was defined as more than one consecutive negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result. RESULTS: Twelve (27%) of 44 molecularly monitored patients achieved MCR; four of the 12 became PCR-positive, and one of these four relapsed. In comparison with patients who did not achieve MCR, patients who achieved MCR had a significantly lower relapse rate (41% v 16%; P <.05) and longer relapse-free survival (35 v 110 months; P <.005). Fourteen of 26 patients in CCR who had received allografts were evaluated on a molecular basis: seven (50%) of the 14 achieved MCR and did not relapse; one of the seven remaining patients relapsed. Thirty of 47 patients in CCR who received autografts were evaluated on a molecular basis: five (16%) of the 30 achieved MCR; two of these five became PCR-negative, and one of these two relapsed. Ten of the 25 remaining patients later relapsed. For these nonrandomized groups, the higher MCR rate after allograft procedures was statistically significant (P <.01; Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: MCR can be obtained in a relatively high proportion of MM patients who have achieved CCR after undergoing allograft procedures and in a smaller fraction of patients after undergoing autograft procedures. In approximately one fourth of MM patients who achieve CCR after transplantation, it may be possible to keep the disease burden constantly below the PCR threshold. Because MCR was associated with prolonged relapse-free survival, these patients could have a relatively favorable clinical outcome.     

Risk score for outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND:

It was investigated whether the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation risk score, previously established for chronic myeloid leukemia, could be used to predict outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for hematological disease in general.

METHODS:

Age of patient, disease stage, time interval from diagnosis to transplant, donor type, and donor‐recipient sex combination were used to establish a score from 0 to 7 points. Its validity was tested in 56,505 patients, 33,113 (58%) male, 23,392 female, median age 33 years (range, 0.5‐77 years), with an allogeneic HSCT for a hematological disorder between 1980 and 2005.

RESULTS:

Survival probability at 5 years decreased from 71% (95% confidence interval [CI], 69%‐73%) for risk score 0 for the whole cohort (75%, 95% CI, 72%‐78% for the most recent time cohort) to 24% (95% CI, 21%‐27% for risk score 6 and 7; 25%, 95% CI, 22%‐29% most recent cohort). Transplant‐related mortality increased from 15% (95% CI, 14%‐17%) for risk score 0 (11%, 95% CI, 9%‐13%, most recent cohort) to 47% with risk score 6 and 7 (95% CI, 44%‐50%) for the whole cohort (45%, 95% CI, 42%‐48%, most recent cohort). The risk score was predictive in all disease categories, over all time periods, and was not altered by transplant techniques.

CONCLUSIONS:

Five well‐defined pretransplant patient and donor characteristics give a reasonable risk estimate of allogeneic HSCT. This risk score can provide a basis for the decision between transplant and nontransplant strategies. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

细胞因子在移植相关移植物抗宿主病诊断中的作用

目的探讨异基因造血干细胞移植（allo—HSCT）后外周血细胞因子（CK）表达水平的变化及其与移植物抗宿主病（GVHD）的关系。方法21例行allo—HSCT的血液病和实体瘤患者,根据预处理方案分为非清髓性（A组）和清髓性allo—HSCT组（B组）;根据发生GVHD情况分为1组（A组发生aGVHD）,2组（A组发生cGVHD）,3组（B组发生aGVHD）,4组（B组未发生GVHD）,5组（A组未发生GVHD）。采用半定量反转录聚合酶链反应（RT—PCR）和双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）对21例allo—HSCT患者动态监测外周血可溶性白细胞介素-2受体（sIL-2R）、干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）、转化生长因子β1（TGF—β1）表达变化情况。结果21例患者均获得造血重建,A、B两组发生GVHD情况无差别（χ^2=3．711,P=0．144）;RT—PCR方法及ELISA法检测CK,术后患者IL-2R、IFN-γ的表达均逐渐增高,IL-2R在＋7天时已明显高于术前（P〈0．05）,发生GVHD时达高峰,TGF-β1的表达随时间延长而逐渐降低,发生GVHD时最低;经治疗后,各指标逐渐接近术前水平;三指标在A组和B组表达不同（P〈0．01）;发生GVHD组与无GVHD组相比,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．001）。结论slL-2R、IFN-γ、TGF—β1可以作为allo—HSCT后预测aGVHD早期发生的指标;slL-2R、TGF—β1独立于其他参数,更能影响GVHD发生;RT—PCR和ELISA两种方法检测CK的敏感性无差别。     

异基因造血干细胞移植相关研究进展

近年来,单倍体相合造血干细胞移植的发展使“人人都有移植供者”成为现实.因此,选择合适的供者以及解决移植相关并发症,如促进植入、降低移植后移植物抗宿主病的发生率和复发率成为改善移植预后的关键问题.文章介绍了异基因造血干细胞移植的相关研究进展.     

异基因造血干细胞移植治疗外周T细胞淋巴瘤现状

外周T细胞淋巴瘤作为一组异质性肿瘤,大多侵袭性强,易出现复发和耐药,预后极差.以化疗和自体造血干细胞移植(ASCT)为基础的治疗,5年无病生存率不足30％.异基因造血干细胞移植(allo-HSCT)治疗外周T细胞淋巴瘤具有移植物抗淋巴瘤效应,治疗复发难治性外周T细胞淋巴瘤的长期无病生存率达35％～50％.allo-HSCT可作为治疗外周T细胞淋巴瘤的有效手段.     

Graft-versus-tumor effects after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with nonmyeloablative conditioning.

PURPOSE: We have used a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen consisting of total-body irradiation (2 Gy) with or without fludarabine (30 mg/m(2)/d for 3 days) for related and unrelated hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients with hematologic malignancies who were not candidates for conventional HCT because of age, medical comorbidities, or preceding high-dose HCT. This approach relied on graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effects for control of malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed GVT effects in 322 patients given grafts from HLA-matched related (n = 192) or unrelated donors (n = 130). RESULTS: Of the 221 patients with measurable disease at HCT, 126 (57%) achieved complete (n = 98) or partial (n = 28) remissions. In multivariate analysis, there was a higher probability trend of achieving complete remissions in patients with chronic extensive graft-versus-host disease (GVHD; P = .07). One hundred eight patients (34%) relapsed or progressed. In multivariate analysis, achievement of full donor chimerism was associated with a decreased risk of relapse or progression (P = .002). Grade 2 to 4 acute GVHD had no significant impact on the risk of relapse or progression but was associated with increased risk of nonrelapse mortality and decreased probability of progression-free survival (PFS). Conversely, extensive chronic GVHD was associated with decreased risk of relapse or progression (P = .006) and increased probability of PFS (P = .003). CONCLUSION: New approaches aimed at reducing the incidence of grade 2 to 4 acute GVHD might improve survival after allogeneic HCT after nonmyeloablative conditioning.