Fludarabine melphalan versus fludarabine treosulfan for reduced intensity conditioning regimen in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a retrospective analysis.

Various reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens are used to decrease toxicity while providing comparable outcomes to myeloablative regimens. We compared toxicity and outcomes between two RIC regimens, fludarabine with melphalan (Flu-Mel) and fludarabine with treosulfan (Flu-Treo), retrospectively over a 10-year period in two donor groups, matched related donor (MRD)/matched unrelated donor (MUD) and haploidentical (Haplo) transplants. The study included 138 patients, of which 105 received MRD/MUD (Flu-Mel: 94, Flu-Treo: 11) and 33 Haplo (Flu-Mel: 17, Flu-Treo: 16) transplants. In the MRD/MUD group, 44 (47%) of patients who received Flu-Mel had grade 3/4 oral mucositis compared to 1 (9%) who received Flu-Treo (P = 0.02). Corresponding numbers in the Haplo group were 7 (41%) and 1 (6%). Grade 3/4 diarrhoea was more frequent with Flu-Mel than Flu-Treo in the Haplo group (41% vs 6%; P = 0.039), but not the MRD/MUD group. Median follow-up time for all patients was 4.8 years. Five-year OS in the MRD/MUD group was 62% with Flu-Mel versus 53% with Flu-Treo (P = 0.0694). Similarly, 5-year OS was 41% with Flu-Mel and 28% with Flu-Treo (P = 0.770) in the Haplo group. Severe mucositis and diarrhoea were significantly less frequent with Flu-Treo than Flu-Mel. Flu-Treo provided comparable outcomes to Flu-Mel in all donor transplants.

Lenalidomide with or without dexamethasone for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma post autologous stem cell transplant.

Background: The prognosis of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) relapsing post autologous transplant (AuSCT) is poor. Even with novel therapies, only approximately 20%-25% of patients attain complete remissions, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of approximately 5-15 months. Lenalidomide has been shown to have activity in relapsed HL. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of patients with relapsed HL post AuSCT treated with lenalidomide alone or in combination with dexamethasone at our center. Patients and methods: Records of 143 patients transplanted from November 2007 to October 2021 were reviewed. Of these patients, 41 (28%) relapsed, and 16 (39%) received lenalidomide alone or in combination with dexamethasone. Data collected included demographic, pathological, staging, and prior therapy details. Lenalidomide was administered at 10-25 mg/day on an intermittent or continuous schedule alone or in combination with dexamethasone (20-40 mg weekly). Response was assessed using PET-CT scan in accordance with Lugano criteria. Standard definitions were used for response, PFS, and overall survival (OS). Toxicities were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 21. Results: The median age of the patients was 25.5 years, and 10 were males. Eleven (69%) had advanced disease, and 7 (44%) were refractory to last systemic therapy. Nine patients received lenalidomide alone and 7 with dexamethasone. Four (25%) had complete response, and another four (25%) had partial response, with an overall response rate of 50%. The 3-year PFS and OS were 31% and 38%, respectively. Grade III/IV toxicities were only hematological, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in four and three patients, respectively. No therapy-related deaths were recorded. Conclusions: Lenalidomide alone or in combination with dexamethasone is a safe and effective therapy for relapsed HL post AuSCT and results in durable response and long-term survival in approximately one-third of the patients. However, these results needs verification in larger prospective studies.

Low levels of CD26 on certain cellular subtypes of donor harvest is associated with better clinical outcomes post allogeneic stem cell transplantation through regulation of NF-κB pathway and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

BACKGROUND: We had previously reported significant association of immunoectoenzyme CD26 expression on donor harvest with acute Graft-versus-Host-Disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) patients. The current study was aimed at analysing CD26 signaling pathway molecules and understanding their impact on immune reconstitution and clinical outcomes post-ASCT. SUBJECTS AND METHODOLOGY: The study cohort included 26 transplant donors/patients who underwent reduced intensity (n = 21), myeloablative (n = 4) and non-myeloablative (n = 1) ASCT for hematological malignancies. Donors were matched related donors (n = 19) and haploidentical donors (n = 7). Surface expression of CD26, CD73 and ADA, and various immune cell subtypes were assessed by multicolour-flow cytometry. Soluble CD26 (sCD26) and cytokine levels were measured in plasma samples by ELISA and Multiplex Luminex assay, respectively. Immune cells from healthy individuals were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in the presence or absence of CD26 inhibitor. Effect of CD26 inhibition on NF-κB localization in PHA stimulated cells was analysed by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Pro-inflammatory cytokines from the culture supernatants were detected with Cytometric bead array flow cytometry. Association of all measured markers with clinical outcomes was evaluated using appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS: CD26 surface expression on PBSC donor harvest cells showed increased risk of chronic GVHD (cGVHD, p = 0.055). Amongst the various immune cell subtypes, decreased B cells in harvest showed significant association with aGVHD (p = 0.022) whereas increased myeloid dendritic cells and CD3+T cells at Day100 in peripheral blood of transplant recipients correlated with cGVHD (p = 0.046) and aGVHD (p = 0.035), respectively. Further, high sCD26 in transplant recipients at Day100 exhibited association with reduced event-free survival (EFS) (p = 0.011). Higher CD26 expression on more & less mature NK cells, naïve & post-switched memory B cells and Treg cells in the donor harvest (p < 0.05) led to lower EFS in transplant recipients. Mechanistically, CD26 inhibitor caused dose-dependent reduction in CD26 enzyme activity and in pro-inflammatory cytokine production in post mitogen-stimulated T cell cultures. CONCLUSION: Our study has implicated that lower CD26 expression on immune cell subtypes of the donor stem cell harvest is associated with reduced risk of GVHD and better survival. The underlying mechanism was found to be through NF-κB pathway and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Based on these observations, chemically designed or natural resources-based CD26 inhibitors can be explored further in clinical trials for improving ASCT outcomes.

Relevance of vitamin D in patients undergoing HLA matched allogeneic stem cell transplant for acute leukemia.

BACKGROUND: In hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), vitamin D deficiency has been variably associated with increased complications, primarily graft versus host disease (GvHD), with a potential impact on survival. Results from various studies however, have not been consistent. This analysis was conducted to study the impact of peri-transplant vitamin D levels on transplant outcomes in patients with acute leukemia (AL) who underwent HLA matched (related/unrelated) HSCT. METHODS: This was a single center retrospective study. Patients of AL including Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) or Mixed Phenotypic Acute Leukemia (MPAL) who underwent fully matched or 9/10 transplants (related/unrelated) between 2008 and 2019 were included. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels ≤20 ng/ml. Those with deficiency received replacement with oral vitamin D at a dose of 60,000 IU weekly for 8 weeks followed by maintenance with daily vitamin D (800 IU/day). Vitamin D levels were repeated at 4 months from start of replacement. For patients who received correction, repeat levels >20 ng/ml were considered replete. Based on vitamin D levels in the peri-transplant period (within 120 days of transplant), patients were categorised as either vitamin D replete (> 20 ng/ml) or deplete (≤ 20 ng/ml). Peri-transplant vitamin D status was correlated with transplant outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 133 patients included, 31 were deplete (median vitamin D 15.0 ng/ml) and 102 were replete (median vitamin D 34 ng/ml) at time of transplant. Both groups were matched for age, diagnosis, EBMT score and disease risk index (DRI). There were no differences in time to neutrophil or platelet engraftment, CMV reactivation, acute GvHD (aGvHD) or chronic GvHD (cGvHD) between the two groups. Relapse rate, Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS) were also comparable between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The incidence of vitamin D deficiency was high in our patient cohort. Patients who were vitamin D deficient at the time of transplant did not have inferior outcomes, suggesting a limited role of vitamin D in influencing transplant outcomes.

Characterization of a Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Enthesitis and Arthritis in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis Treated With Dupilumab, an Interleukin-4/13 Inhibitor.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the presentation and outcomes of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who developed musculoskeletal symptoms after treatment with dupilumab, a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that blocks the functions of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13, key pathologic pathways in AD. METHODS: This article reports an observational cohort of patients receiving dupilumab who developed new-onset musculoskeletal symptoms after dupilumab therapy at our center. All patients had a comprehensive rheumatologic history and examination, with imaging by ultrasonography (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in most patients. RESULTS: Between October 2018 and February 2021, we recorded 470 patients with AD commencing dupilumab treatment from routine clinical care records. Of 36 patients referred for rheumatologic assessment, we identified 26 patients (14 male, 12 female) with a musculoskeletal syndrome of inflammatory enthesitis, arthritis, and/or tenosynovitis. Clinical findings were confirmed by US and MRI. All patients had very good response to dupilumab treatment, and no specific predictors of musculoskeletal syndrome were noted. Symptoms were mild in 16 patients, moderate in 6 patients, and severe in 4 patients. Receipt of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs or cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors, reduction of dupilumab dose/frequency, and cessation of dupilumab therapy led to improvement, but moderate or severe symptoms persisted for many months. CONCLUSION: We report a new musculoskeletal syndrome of inflammatory enthesitis/arthritis/tenosynovitis in some patients receiving the IL-4 receptor antagonist dupilumab. This response to a cytokine-targeting therapy provides key insights into the pathogenesis of enthesitis.

Comparison of Outcomes of Donor Lymphocyte Infusions With or Without Lenalidomide in Patients with Hematological Malignancies Post Allogeneic HSCT.

Outcomes with DLI alone for post-transplant relapsed hematological malignancies are poor especially in acute leukemias. Addition of immunomodulatory drugs to DLI may augment GVL effect. Use of lenalidomide with DLI to augment GVL has not been previously reported. This retrospective analysis was to compare the outcomes of DLI with or without lenalidomide. All consecutive patients who received DLI from 01/2010 through 01/2020 were included. DLIs were given without any immunosuppression. Lenalidomide, when used, was given continuously, starting with 1st or subsequent DLI. Patients who received lenalidomide were compared with those who did not. Event (hematological relapse or death) free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from 1st DLI. Primary objective was to compare OS. Secondary objectives were EFS, CR rates, acute GVHD, lenalidomide toxicities and DLI related mortality (TRM). Total 61 patients received DLI-43 without and 18 with lenalidomide; all outcomes in the 2 groups were similar. There were 26 patients with HLA-A*24 and/or HLA-B*40. Among these, trend towards improvement in OS (median OS not reached vs. 8 months, 4 year OS was 62% vs. 32%, p = 0.1) and EFS (median 9 vs. 1 month, 4 year EFS 50% vs. 22%, p = 0.1) was seen with lenalidomide. Overall, there was no improvement in outcomes by adding lenalidomide to DLI. However, among patients with HLA*24 or B*40, there was a trend to improved survival with lenalidomide. Use of lenalidomide to augment the GVL effect of DLI warrants further exploration.

CD26 expression on donor harvest as a risk predictive biomarker for developing graft-versus-host disease post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A ten-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the preferred treatment option for patients with several hematologic disorders and immunodeficiency syndromes. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is an immune mediated post-transplant complication which has a major impact on long-term transplant outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Current efforts are focused on identification of new markers that serve as potential predictors of GVHD and other post-transplant clinical outcomes. METHODS: This study includes donor harvests collected from twenty-three allogeneic donors during period 2008-2009 and respective transplant recipients followed for clinical outcomes till March 2019. Percent CD26+ and CD34+ cells in donor harvest were analyzed using flow cytometry. Percent expression and infused dose of CD26+ and CD34+ cells were evaluated for association with various clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Total 23 healthy donors with median age of 28 years (13 males), and transplant recipients with median age of 24 years (17 males) formed the study cohort. The diagnosis included malignant (n= 13) and non-malignant (n= 10) hematological disorders. Median CD34brCD45lo HSC expression was 0.57% (IQR 0.24-1.03) while median CD26 expression was 19.64% (IQR 8.96-33.56) of all nucleated cells. CD26 expression was associated with donor age (P= 0.037). CD26 percent expression correlated with WBC engraftment (P= 0.015) and with acute GVHD (P= 0.023) whereas infused CD26 cell dose correlated with WBC engraftment (P= 0.004) and risk of CMV reactivation (P= 0.020). There was no statistically significant correlation of either CD26 expression or cell dose with chronic GVHD, EFS or OS. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a role of CD26 expression on human donor harvest as a potential predictor of acute GVHD. This association warrants further exploration.

Pre-transplant use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and transplant associated thrombotic microangiopathy - a single centre analysis of incidence, risk factors and outcomes.

Transplant associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is life-threatening complication post allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT). Risk factors and prognosis of TA-TMA are not well defined. We retrospectively studied consecutive ASCT patients with AML, ALL, and CML from January 2008 to March 2019 to study the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of TMA. Definitive and probable TA-TMA was defined using Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT-CTN) and Cho criteria, respectively. Risk factors explored were age, gender, diagnosis, type of transplant, use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) pre transplant, conditioning regimen, and acute GVHD. Standard statistical methods were used. Total 241 patients, 179 (74.2 %) males, median age of 29 years were studied. Diagnoses were AML in 104, ALL in 85 (Ph+ve 23) and CML 52. Total 26 (10.7%) patients (22 males) developed TA-TMA at median of day+102. On multivariate analysis, pre-HSCT TKI (OR 2.7, p = 0.028), haplo-HSCT (OR 3.16, p = 0.018) and presence of acute GVHD (OR 4.17, p = 0.003) were significant risk factors. With a median follow up of 60 months, median OS with and without TA-TMA was 18 and 97 months respectively (p = 0.021). The association of pre-HSCT with TKI with TA-TMA merits further exploration in prospective studies.

Bortezomib and cyclophosphamide based chemo-mobilization in multiple myeloma.

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) mobilization regimens in multiple myeloma typically use filgrastim (GCSF) alone or combination of GCSF with plerixafor or high-dose cyclophosphamide. Murine model and human studies have shown HSPC mobilization potential of bortezomib. A total of 37 patients underwent mobilization using bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 on day 1, 4, 8 and 11, cyclophosphamide 1 g/m2 on day 8 and 9, and GCSF 10 µg/kg from day 10 (B-Cy-GCSF). This regimen was compared with our earlier cohort of patients where cyclophosphamide was given at dose of 1 g/m2 on day 1 and day 2 followed by GCSF 10 µg/kg from day 4 (Cy-GCSF). In B-Cy-GCSF group, median CD34 cells collected were 9.21 × 106/kg (range 4.95-17.1) while in the Cy-GCSF cohort, the median CD34 cell yield was 8.2 × 106/kg (0.4-24.2). Target CD34 cells yield of 5 × 106/kg was achieved with single apheresis in 58.6% of patients after B-Cy-GCSF mobilization as compared to 44.3% in Cy-GCSF group (p = 0.07). Three patients failed mobilization after Cy-GCSF, while no patients failed mobilization in bortezomib group. Addition of bortezomib to Cy-GCSF mobilization showed a trend towards increased CD34 collection and reduced need for apheresis sessions.

Lomustine, cytarabine, cyclophosphamide, etoposide - An effective conditioning regimen in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant for primary refractory or relapsed lymphoma: Analysis of toxicity, long-term outcome, and prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND: High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the treatment of choice for patients with relapsed and refractory (RR) lymphoma. We analyzed toxicity and long-term outcome with lomustine, cytarabine, cyclophosphamide, etoposide (LACE) conditioning in patients with primary refractory or relapsed lymphoma undergoing autologous transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred patients with primary refractory (23), chemotherapy sensitive relapse (74) or RR (3) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL - 70 patients), and non-HL (NHL - 30 patients) underwent HSCT with LACE (lomustine 200 mg/m 2 day-7, etoposide 1000 mg/m 2 day-7, cytarabine 2000 mg/m 2 day-6 to day-5, and cyclophosphamide 1800 mg/m 2 day-4 to day-2) conditioning between November 2007 and December 2013. At transplant, 68 patients were in complete remission (CR), 29 in partial remission, 2 had stable disease, and 1 had progressive disease. Patients were followed up for development of transplant-related toxicities and long-term survival outcome. RESULTS: The incidence of grades 3-4 oral mucositis and grades 3-4 diarrhea was 8% and 4%, respectively. Median days to myeloid and platelet engraftment were 10 and 13. Transplant-related mortality was 7%. At median follow-up of 3 years, probability of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) at 3 years was 70% and 58% in entire cohort, 78% and 62% in HL and 51% and 46% in NHL subgroup, respectively. International Prognostic Score (IPS) >2 at relapse prognosticated for poor OS (P = 0.002) and PFS (P < 0.001) in HL subgroup. Positron emission tomography positivity pretransplant (HL subgroup) and at day + 100 (NHL subgroup) predicted for poor survival. CONCLUSION: We conclude that LACE is effective and well-tolerated conditioning regimen. IPS at relapse is the most important prognostic factor in HL transplant.

Long term clinical outcomes of adult hematolymphoid malignancies treated at Tata Memorial Hospital: An institutional audit.

INTRODUCTION: There is paucity of data from India about the outcomes of patients with various hematological malignancies. Since its formation in 2009, the adult hematolymphoid disease management group of the Tata Memorial Centre is dedicated to the treatment of hematological malignancies alone. In this report, we present the outcomes of patients treated at our centre over a 5 year period for various haematological malignancies in both transplant and non-transplant setting. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of all patients registered in adult hematolymphoid disease management group between 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2014. Patients not treated at our centre were excluded from survival analysis. The cut off date for survival analysis was 31st January 2016. RESULTS: Overall, 1869, 3633 and 544 patients with acute leukemias, various lymphomas and myeloma respectively were registered at our centre from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2014. Of these, 1178 (63%), 3091 (85%) and 454 (83%) respectively received treatment at our centre. The cumulative probability of 5 year overall survival for patients with acute leukemias, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma treated at our centre is 40%, 85%, 78% and 40% respectively. Four hundred and fifteen stem cell transplants were done between 14th November 2007 to 31st December 2014 with 46% being allogeneic and 54% being autologous. The 5 year overall survival of patients with allogenic and autologous transplant was 52% and 63% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest single centre data on outcomes of various haematological malignancies from India. This real world data identifies areas which need further attention to improve outcomes.

Analysis of factors affecting initial cyclosporine level and its impact on post transplant outcomes in acute leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Trough cyclosporine (CsA) blood level can influence incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and relapse in patients with acute leukemia undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). We sought to determine factors affecting initial trough CsA level (CsA-1) and its impact on transplant outcome in acute leukemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven patients underwent HSCT for acute leukemia between January 2008 and March 2013 and were included. GVHD prophylaxis included CsA + methotrexate. (MTX) in 53 patients and CsA + mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in 24 patients CsA-1 was measured on day 3-5 of starting CsA and subsequent dose was modified to achieve therapeutic level of 150-200. ng/mL. According to CsA-1, patients were divided into three groups - 27 in Group A (dose escalated), 13 in Group B (dose de-escalated), and 37 in Group C (same dose continued). RESULTS: On univariate analysis, cyclophosphamide with total-body irradiation (TBI) based conditioning regimen and lower body mass index (BMI) were associated with lower CsA-1, while use of fludarabine and higher BMI were associated with higher CsA-1. On multivariate analysis, only fludarabine use and BMI affected CsA-1. Incidence of acute and chronic GVHD (aGVHD and cGVHD), transplant-related mortality, relapse incidence, and relapse-free and overall survival (OS) were similar in the three groups. CONCLUSION: While fludarabine use in conditioning regimen and higher BMI leads to higher CsA-1, transplant outcomes are not affected by CsA-1.

Cyclosporine Plus Methotrexate or Cyclosporine Plus Mycophenolate Mofetil as Graft Versus Host Disease Prophylaxis in Acute Leukemia Transplant: Comparison of Toxicity, Engraftment Kinetics and Transplant Outcome.

We sought to compare two graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimen, cyclosporine and methotrexate (CsA+MTX) with CsA+mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in 77 acute leukemia patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) between January 2008 and March 2013. Fifty-three patients received CsA+MTX while 24 received CsA+MMF. The incidence of grade 3-4 mucositis and grade 3-4 diarrhea was 74 and 6 % with CsA+MTX compared to 33 % and 21 % with CsA+MMF (P = 0.001 and 0.09 respectively). Forty-two (79 %) patients in CsA+MTX group required total parenteral nutrition compared to 14 (58 %) in CsA+MMF group (P = 0.09). The incidence of engraftment fever was 17 % with CsA+MTX and 41 % with CsA+MMF (P = 0.02). The median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 14 days and 13 days with CsA+MTX compared to 12 days and 10 days with CsA+MMF (P = 0.003 and 0.08 respectively). The incidence of any grade and grade II-IV acute GVHD was 45 and 13 % with CsA+MTX compared to 42 and 29 % with CsA+MMF (P = NS). Incidence of overall and extensive chronic GVHD was 57 and 38 % with CsA+MTX compared to 42 and 17 % with CsA+MMF (P = NS). Incidence of relapse was 38 % with CsA+MTX compared to 33 % with CsA+MMF (P = NS). TRM was 6 % with CsA+MTX and 21 % with CsA+MMF (P = NS). At 2 years, overall survival (OS) was 64 % in CsA+MTX group compared to 46 % in CsA+MMF group (P = NS). We conclude that CsA+MMF is associated with lesser toxicity, faster myeloid engraftment and similar rates of acute and chronic GVHD, TRM, relapse and OS compared to CsA+MTX in acute leukemia transplant.

Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease in Acute Leukemia Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: Analysis of Risk Factors, Pattern and Long Term Outcome.

Chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) is a common late complication of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). We analyzed risk factors, pattern and long term transplant outcomes of cGVHD at a tertiary cancer centre. Seventy-seven consecutive patients who underwent HSCT for acute leukemia were included. Forty (52 %) patients developed cGVHD; 24 (60 %) extensive stage while 16 (40 %) limited stage. Oral cavity was the commonest site of involvement (25 patients) followed by liver, skin and lung. We found that female donor to male recipient transplant and diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were the only factors associated with increased risk of cGVHD. The incidence of leukemia relapse was 18 % in patients who developed cGVHD compared to 51 % in those who did not (P = 0.002). Four year overall survival and relapse free survival (RFS) were 62 and 46 % in patients who developed cGVHD compared to 29 % (P < 0.001) and 29 % (P < 0.001) in patients who did not develop cGVHD, respectively. We conclude that cGVHD is more common in male patients with female donors and in patients transplanted for ALL. Oral cavity is the commonest site of cGVHD in our patients and transplant related survival outcomes are superior in patients who develop cGVHD.

Hepatitis B-related serological events in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients and efficacy of lamivudine prophylaxis against reactivation.

Reactivation of remote hepatitis B infection (RHBI) is an important cause of morbidity in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patients. We analyzed the prevalence of RHBI in 205 patients who underwent HCT in our centre, serological events related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation and role of lamivudine prophylaxis in HCT patients with RHBI. The prevalence of RHBI was 14% (28/205 patients). Of these 28 patients, 15 received lamivudine prophylaxis (14 anti-HBcIgG positive and 1 only anti-HBs positive) while 13 did not receive lamivudine prophylaxis (12 anti-HBs positive and 1 anti-HBcIgG positive). None in prophylaxis group developed HBV reactivation while 12 of 13 in no-prophylaxis group reactivated (P < 0.001). The rate of HBV reactivation was 10% (21/205 patients), which included 9 patients with no evidence of RHBI pre-transplant. We conclude that lamivudine prophylaxis protects against HBV reactivation in HCT patients with evidence of RHBI. Lamivudine prophylaxis should be used not only in patients with anti-HBcIgG positivity but also in those with isolated anti-HBs positivity pre-transplant given the high rate of HBV reactivation in these patients. HBV serology cannot identify all cases with RHBI and therefore does not preclude HBV reactivation post-transplant. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Risk Factors, Pattern and Clinical Outcome of Acute Graft Versus Host Disease in Acute Leukemia Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant.

We sought to determine risk factors, pattern and outcome of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) in seventy-seven acute leukemia patients who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplant at our centre from January 2008 to March 2013. GVHD prophylaxis with cyclosporine-methotrexate or cyclosporine-mycophenolate mofetil was used. Patients were divided in 2 groups, grade II-IV aGVHD (group A) and grade 0-I aGVHD (group B). Incidence of any grade and grade II-IV aGVHD was 44 and 18 %, respectively. The most common site of aGVHD was gastro-intestinal tract (65 %) followed by skin (35 %). Higher total nucleated cell (TNC) dose infused was associated with increased incidence of grade II-IV aGVHD. Incidence of relapse and incidence of slippage of chimerism was 21 and 36 % in group A while 37 and 27 % in group B respectively. Transplant related mortality (TRM) was 21 % in group A and 13 % in group B. Probability of OS and RFS at 4 years was 63 and 34 % in group A compared with 40 and 38 % in group B, respectively. We conclude that higher TNC dose infused is a risk factor for grade II-IV aGVHD with gut being the commonest site. Grade II-IV aGVHD did not have a significant impact on incidence of relapse, TRM and OS.