Unrelated donor umbilical cord blood transplant versus unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplant in patients with acute leukemia: A meta-analysis and systematic review

Acute leukemia is a global disease with a poor prognosis for many patients. While an increasing number of patients with acute leukemia are being treated with unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) or umbilical cord blood transplants (UCBT), recent comparative reports of these 2 procedures are lacking. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of the safety and efficacy of unrelated HSCT and unrelated single-unit UCBT for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The primary outcomes were the rates of relapse, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and days to neutrophil and platelet recovery. Pooled effects (odds ratios [OR] or difference in means) were determined with either random- or fixed-effects models. Our meta-analysis included 9 studies that enrolled 6762 patients (UCBT: n = 2026; HSCT: n = 4736). The risk of relapse for patients undergoing UCBT was similar to that of patients who received an HSCT (OR = 1.030; 95%CI, 0.767 to 1.383, P = 0.847). We also found no difference between HSCT and UCBT for OS (pooled OR = 1.417; 95%CI, 0.936 to 2.146; P = 0.100) or PFS (OR = 1.165; 95%CI, 0.996 to 1.362; P = 0.056). However, neutrophil and platelet recovery periods were both shorter after HSCT than after UCBT (neutrophil recovery: difference in means = ? 3.420, 95% CI: -5.491 to ? 1.349, P = 0.001; platelet recovery: difference in means ? 20.350, 95% CI: -33.656 to ? 7.044, P = 0.003). Collectively, our data provide strong evidence to support increased use of cord blood transplants for both adults and children with acute leukemia.     

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a curative treatment modality for select patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), functioning as a restorative agent following intensified chemo- and/or radiotherapy and also engendering the disease-directed immunologic threat of graft-versus-leukemia effect. Advancements in conditioning regimen intensity, donor availability, and supportive care have broadened the eligibility for allogeneic HCT, reduced rates of transplant related mortality, and improved outcomes over time. There are still obstacles to transplant in AML, offering opportunities for ongoing discovery, including poor recipient fitness, insufficient donor availability for certain populations, and limited access to care. Relapse remains the most common cause of treatment failure and a high priority area of investigative efforts. Post-transplant maintenance and novel applications of cellular therapeutics are expected to usher in a new era of promise for successful HCT in AML and will aim to overcome the remaining barriers impeding favorable outcomes for these patients.     

Induction of remission of relapsed acute myeloid leukemia after unrelated donor cord blood transplantation by concomitant low-dose cytarabine and calcitriol in adults

Low-dose cytarabine and calcitriol (LDCA + VD3) combination therapy was performed in two adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that relapsed within 1 yr after unrelated donor cord blood transplantation (URD CBT) performed in a relapse or non-remission stage. Concomitant aclarubicin was also administered in one patient. Remission because of recovery of donor cord blood hematopoiesis was obtained in both patients. The treatment was low intensive, and neither adverse effects in terms of digestive symptoms nor hypercalcemia was observed. Activity of daily life was maintained. The patients were followed as outpatients after remission, and the remission duration was approximately 6 months in both patients. Although LDCA + VD3 therapy is minimally intensive chemotherapy, it may prolong the survival time of patients with relapsed AML after URD CBT.     

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in second chronic phase attained by imatinib after onset of blast crisis

The prognosis for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in blast crisis (BC) remains dismal even with the availability of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib, since it only offers short-term benefit in most cases. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) seems to be a viable option for BC-CML patients who attained remission. We treated ten patients with ablative allogeneic HSCT, who achieved second chronic phase (CP) by the use of imatinib after onset of BC. Median patient age was 32 years (range 17–46). Among them, four patients received HSCT from human leukocyte antigen mismatched haplo-identical family donors. After a median follow-up of 24 months (range 8–42), six out of the ten patients were alive in durable complete cytogenetic remission, one patient died in relapse 4 months after transplantation, the others died of severe acute graft-versus-host disease and associated infections. No unusual organ toxicities and engraftment difficulties were observed. Extensive chronic GVHD developed in three of six patients who could be evaluated. Patients transplanted with haplo-identical donors had a high treatment-related modality. Allogeneic HSCT may represent a feasible treatment for patients with CML in second CP attained by imatinib after onset of BC especially when a suitable donor is available.     

异基因外周血造血干细胞移植治疗急性单核细胞白血病的临床观察

目的评价异基因外周血造血干细胞移植（allo-PBSCT）治疗急性单核细胞白血病（M5）的疗效,并探讨其并发症的预防及处理。方法 16例M5患者接受allo-PBSCT,其中亲缘11例,非亲缘5例。预处理方案：9例采用清髓方案BUCY,7例采用非清髓方案FBC。亲缘的11例均采用环孢素＋短程甲氨蝶呤预防移植物抗宿主病（GVHD）,非亲缘的5例均采用环孢素＋甲氨蝶呤＋吗替麦考酚酯＋ATG。输注的外周血干细胞有核细胞中位数为6.58×108/kg,CD34＋细胞中位数为4.46×106/kg。结果 16例患者中15例均证实植活,余1例在移植早期因HVOD死亡。植入病人中白细胞植入中位时间为13（9~17）d,血小板〉20×109/L的中位时间为16（8~26）d。发生急性GVHD 6例（Ⅰ度4例,Ⅱ度2例）,发生局限性慢性GVHD 7例。目前无病存活10例,中位生存期为45（3~78）个月。结论 Allo-PBSCT是治疗M5的有效手段,并发症少,能有效延长患者生存时间。     

Splenic rupture in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

 Splenic rupture is a rare but well-recognized complication of hematological malignancies. Here, we present the case of a 22-year-old woman with the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia who was undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. On day +10 she developed a hypovolemic shock due to rupture of her spleen and went to emergency laparotomy. This is the first report of splenic rupture during peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Received: May 7, 1998 / Accepted: October 21, 1998     

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia: A review

Increasing numbers of patients are receiving allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Scientific and clinical advances in supportive care, donor selection, and conditioning regimens have resulted in lower transplant-related mortality, extension of care to a wider population of patients, and improvements in survival. Recent era has witnessed an explosive information about the molecular pathophysiology of AML. By early identification of patients at a high risk of relapse, it is expected that a majority of eligible patients will receive HCT in first complete remission. Novel conditioning regimens have been explored to improve transplant outcomes in AML. Currently, a stem cell source can be found for virtually all patients who have an indication to receive HCT. This area of investigation will likely continue to be of intense interest in terms of optimizing transplant outcomes.     

Effectiveness of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Outcomes with conventional chemotherapy for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain disappointing, with few cures. For younger patients with AML, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) offers the best chance for cure, but this strategy is seldomly used for older patients. With recently improved methodologies, transplantation has become increasingly safe, suggesting that its use in older patients be reconsidered. This report will address four issues: the current frequency of transplantation for AML according to patient age; the impact of patient age on transplant outcomes; the comparative outcomes of transplantation versus chemotherapy for older patients with AML; and possible methods to improve the outcome of allogeneic HCT in older patients with AML.     

自体外周血造血干细胞和自体骨髓移植治疗急性髓性白血病的临床疗效比较研究

目的：比较自体外周血干细胞移植（APBSCT）与自体骨髓移植治疗CR1期急性髓性白血病（AML）的临床疗效。方法：用APBSCT治疗AML患者27例，用非净化自体骨髓移植（ABMT）治疗AML患者13例，用净化自体骨髓移植（PABMT）治疗AML患者25例。结果：（1）APBSCT组造血重建校其他两组显著加快；（2）APBSCT组的3年无病生存率（DFS）和复发率（RR）分别为51．％和42．2％，与ABMT组的46．2％、46．7％相当，但与净化ABMT组的72．9％、23．7％相比差异有显著性意义。（3）三组的移植相关死亡率（TRM）差异无显著性意义，死亡的主要原因为感染和内脏出血。结论：APBSCT治疗CR1期AML，其造血重建显著快于ABMT，其疗效与ABMT相当，而显著低于PABMT。     

Liver transplantation after stem cell transplantation with the same living donor in a monozygotic twin with acute myeloid leukemia

Two monozygotic twins from a Swedish, nonconsanguine family—with concordant acute myeloid leukemia and similar morphological and cytogenetic changes, but with additional changes in one twin, suggestive of clonal evolution—are described. Twin I relapsed 4 months after completion of treatment, while twin II was still on treatment and was transplanted with stem cells from the human leukocyte antigen-identical father. An early relapse after transplantation was treated with donor lymphocyte infusions, but twin I relapsed again and died 8 months after stem cell transplantation (SCT). On relapse of twin I, treatment of twin II was reconsidered and consolidation was intensified with SCT in CR1 with peripheral blood stem cells from the father. Due to irreversible liver failure caused by severe venoocclusive disease, a living, related liver transplantation from the father was performed on day +84 post-SCT. Minimal immunosuppression was required, and graft rejection did not occur. The patient was in complete remission 29 months after SCT and 25 months after liver transplantation.     

Research on the clinical effect and in vitro study of HLA-mismatched hematopoietic stem cell infusion for acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Purpose

The treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains an important clinical problem. Recently, hematopoietic stem cell therapy provides promising outcomes. In this study we examined the clinical effect of HLA-mismatched hematopoietic stem cell infusion combined with chemotherapy as a postremission therapy to improve the survival and reduce the graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

Method

Thirty patients who achieved complete remission were divided into two groups and received different therapeutic regimes. Patients in combined therapy group received stem cell infusion with the chemotherapy. The patients' clinical indexes were monitored in both groups to evaluate therapy responses. Furthermore, the collected cells used in the therapy were also tested for their tumoricidal activity toward U937 cell lines.

Results

The combined therapy exhibited an improved effect than conventional chemotherapy. There were no delays in hematopoietic recovery and GVHD after the intense treatment. This method prolonged the 2.5-year disease-free survival as well as overall survival, and increased the therapeutic effect for patients in good/intermediate prognosis. Moreover, the donor microchimerism was detected in four female patients who had male donors. The experimental study revealed that HLA-mismatched hematopoietic stem cell could induce U937 cells death and the tumoricidal activity enhanced proportionally with the increase in effector-target ratio.

Conclusion

HLA-mismatched hematopoietic stem cell infusion combined with chemotherapy improved the clinical outcomes and prevented severe GVHD. This comprehensive treatment can be used as a potential postremission therapy for AML.     

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia: a risk-adapted approach

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is nowadays most frequently applied in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It combines chemoradiotherapy with immunotherapy, also known as the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. While it effectively reduces the relapse rate in patients, transplanted in remission, non-relapse mortality (NRM) may counterbalance that beneficial effect. As a result, alloSCT is generally associated with a modest gain in overall survival. Therefore, alloSCT may especially be applied in patients with a relatively high risk of relapse and a relatively low risk of NRM. Here, we discuss how recent findings that have identified and validated specific prognostic factors may affect our decision making for which category of AML-patients alloSCT may especially be indicated.     

Neoplastic meningitis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia scheduled for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

We analyzed the frequency of neoplastic meningitis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at our institution. Between 1996 and 2009, cerebrospinal fluid samples of 204 adult patients were examined during pre-transplant work-up for cell counts and, if abnormal, morphologically. We found blasts in cerebrospinal fluid samples of 17 patients with either persistent (n=9) or newly diagnosed (n=8) neoplastic meningitis. All patients proceeded to transplant. The proportion of patients with central nervous system involvement was significantly higher in patients with refractory disease at the time of transplantation compared with patients responding to prior systemic therapy (19% vs. 4.6%; P=0.003). Since most of the patients with central nervous system involvement were asymptomatic, cerebrospinal fluid evaluation should be considered at least in patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia.     

Hypomethylating agents as maintenance therapy following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for myeloid malignancies

With improved safety of the procedure, disease recurrence is now the leading cause of treatment failure when allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is used to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Recent studies suggest that maintenance therapy with hypomethylating agents after standard induction and consolidation chemotherapy prolongs disease-free and possibly overall survival in older patients with AML. While these results argue that hypomethylating agents should likewise prolong remission duration if used as maintenance after allogeneic transplantation for AML, trials to date have failed to show a benefit. This failure may be due, in part, to difficulties in administering the drugs in this setting, and in part, because of an inability to identify those patients most likely to benefit. Realizing the full potential of hypomethylating agents in the management of patients with AML will likely require both improved drug formulations as well as an increased understanding of their mechanism of action in the complex post-allogeneic transplant environment.     

异基因造血干细胞移植治疗高危恶性血液病

目的 分析HLA配型相合同胞供者异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）治疗高危恶性血液病的疗效及影响疗效的相关因素。方法 回顾性分析90例有高危因素的恶性血液病患者,其中急性髓细胞白血病（AML）43例,急性淋巴细胞性白血病（ALL）28例,急性混合细胞性白血病（AHL）2例;移植前处于第1次完全缓解期（CR1）11例,均为Ph染色体阳性,第二次及以上CR期23例,未缓解／复发39例;骨髓增生异常综合征（MDS）-难治性贫血伴原始细胞增多或难治性贫血伴原始细胞增多一转化型17例。预处理方案采用全身照射加环磷酰胺（CY／TBI）方案11例,白消安加环磷酰胺方案79例。干细胞来源包括骨髓移植（BMT）27例,外周血造血干细胞移植（PBSCT）30例,BMT＋PBSCT33例;移植物抗宿主病（GVHD）预防采用经典环孢素A加短程甲氨蝶呤（MTX）。平均随访时间为15个月。结果 至随访终点,62．2％（56／90）存活,55．5％（50／90）无病存活,31．1％（28／90）复发。HSCT后预计4年累积总体生存率（OS）为45．5％,无病生存率（DFS）为34．9％。移植前处于CR、未缓解／复发和MDS患者HSCT后4年的累积0s分别为54．0％、28．2％和70．1％（P=0．027）。发生0～Ⅰ和Ⅱ～Ⅳ度GVHD的患者HSCT后的4年OS分别为57．6％和26．7％（P=0．015）,而患者性别、年龄、移植前有无脑膜白血病、预处理方案、干细胞来源均不是OS,DFS及复发的影响因素。多因素分析表明,移植前处于CR期者长期生存率明显提高,而ALL长期生存率明显低于AML／MDS。结论 对有高危因素的血液系统恶性肿瘤患者,选择allo—HSCT可使部分患者延长无病生存乃至根治。移植前处于CR期者长期生存率明显提高,ALL复发率明显高于AML／MDS。对于急性白血病挽救性治疗争取在取得CR后移植;对于MDS患者一经诊断,无需化疗,可尽早移植。     

非清髓异基因外周血造血干细胞移植治疗慢性粒细胞白血病

目的：探索非清髓异基因外周血干细胞移植(NST)治疗不能耐受清髓性异基因造血干细胞移植的慢性粒细胞白血病(CML)患者的疗效。方法：将5例CML患者中的4例以全身放疗加氟达拉宾，1例以马利兰、氟达拉宾加抗人胸腺细胞免疫球蛋白为预处理方案，联合环孢霉素A、霉酚酸酯和(或)短程氨甲蝶呤预防移植物抗宿主病。结果：5例均造血重建，3例完全供者型植入，2例混合型植入，其中1例植入率持续低于50％，经2次清髓性异基因造血干细胞移植后达到完全供者型植入。2例发生Ⅰ度急性移植物抗宿主病，1例发生Ⅳ度急性移植物抗宿主病，无慢性移植物抗宿主病发生。中位随访时间5(3～37)个月，无病生存3例，死亡2例。结论：对不能耐受清髓性异基因造血干细胞移植的CML患者，NST是可行而有效的。     

Acquired pulmonary alveolar proteinosis after umbilical cord blood transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a heterogeneous disease that occasionally develops with hematological malignancy. However, PAP in association with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is quite rare. Here we present the first report of a patient who developed PAP after cord blood transplantation (CBT). A 45-year-old female with AML underwent unrelated CBT. On day +2 after CBT she developed congestive heart failure with diffuse alveolar infiltrates in the bilateral lungs. Despite treatment, the alveolar infiltrates further increased with progression of multiple organ failure (MOF). She died from MOF before hematopoietic recovery on day +27. Post-mortem study revealed that massive amorphous materials positive for periodic acid-Schiff stain filled in the pulmonary alveoli. These findings led to a diagnosis of PAP. The bone marrow was hypocellular without the leukemic cells. The impaired immunity during the period of leukopenia as well as the impaired clearance of surfactant proteins might contribute to the development of PAP.     

Factors predicting long-term survival after T-cell depleted reduced intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia

Background

Reduced intensity conditioning regimens permit the delivery of a potentially curative graft-versus-leukemia effect in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Although T-cell depletion is increasingly used to reduce the risk of graft-versus-host disease its impact on the graft-versus-leukemia effect and long-term outcome post-transplant is unknown.

Design and Methods

We have characterized pre- and post-transplant factors determining overall survival in 168 patients with acute myeloid leukemia transplanted using an alemtuzumab based reduced intensity conditioning regimen with a median duration of follow-up of 37 months.

Results

The 3-year overall survival for patients transplanted in CR1 or CR2/CR3 was 50% (95% CI, 38% to 62%) and 44% (95% CI, 31% to 56%), respectively compared to 15% (95% CI, 2% to 36%) for patients with relapsed/refractory disease. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that both survival and disease relapse were influenced by status at transplant (P=0.008) and presentation cytogenetics (P=0.01). Increased exposure to cyclosporine A (CsA) in the first 21 days post-transplant was associated with an increased relapse risk (P<0.0001) and decreased overall survival (P<0.0001).

Conclusions

Disease stage, presentation karyotype and post-transplant CsA exposure are important predictors of outcome in patients undergoing a T-cell depleted reduced intensity conditioning allograft for acute myeloid leukemia. These data confirm the presence of a potent graft-versus-leukemia effect after a T-cell depleted reduced intensity conditioning allograft in acute myeloid leukemia and identify CsA exposure as a manipulable determinant of outcome in this setting.     

血缘与非血缘供者异基因造血干细胞移植治疗白血病的比较研究

目的探讨血缘供者（RD）与非血缘供者（URD）造血干细胞移植（HSCT）治疗白血病的差异。方法115例白血病患者接受HLA血清学全相合异基因造血干细胞移植。流式细胞仪测定移植后1年内不同时间点患者的T细胞与B细胞重建情况。结果接受骨髓移植的RD-HSCT和URD—HSCT组WBC〉1．0×10^9／L分别为移植后（13．1±2．4）d、（16．3±3．0）d;PLT〉20×10^9／L分别为移植后（14．9±6．6）d、（20．2±7．3）d,两组WBC和PLT重建时间差异均有统计学意义（P值分别为0．003、0．042）;接受外周造血干细胞移植患者RD-HSCT和URD．HSCT组WBC〉1．0×10^9／L分别为（12．5±2．9）d、（13．1±4．1）d（P=0．488）,PLT〉20×10^9／L分另Ⅱ为（12．2±4．2）d、（15．7±7．1）d（P=0．020）。移植后1、3、6、9、12个月CD;CD;,1个月CD45RA^＋CD4^＋,3个月CD;CD;重建两组差异均有统计学意义。两组Ⅱ～Ⅳ度急、慢性移植物抗宿主病（GVHD）的发生率分别为45．5％、52．3％;45．3％、63．2％;GVHD的病死率分别为6．1％、15．9％,差异均无统计学意义。两组移植后复发率分别为18．2％、11．4％（P=0．424）。两组移植后早期感染率分别为42．4％、47．7％（P=0．696）。3年总生存率分别为（67．8±6．9）％、（61．6±7．7）％（P=0．133）,无病生存率分别为（62．3±6．9）％、（56．8±7．9）％（P=0．177）。结论URD-HSCT治疗白血病具有和RD-HSCT近似的疗效。