Single-Unit Transfusion Policy in Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Less is Not Worse.

Single-unit red blood cell (1-RBC) transfusion policy has shown to effectively reduce transfusion burden while maintaining comparable clinical outcomes in hematological patients compared to the classical double-unit policy. However, its effects specifically after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) have not been previously studied. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the 1-RBC policy on transfusion burden in a homogeneous cohort of patients undergoing ASCT. We retrospectively compared the transfusion requirements and the clinical outcomes of 187 patients transplanted from May 2019 to December 2022 under a 1-RBC policy, with a historical cohort of 153 patients transplanted from January 2016 to April 2019 under a double-unit policy. The 1-RBC policy was associated with a 32% reduction in RBC utilization and lower number of RBC transfusions at day 30 after transplantation (median 2 versus 3 units; P < .0001), with an odds ratio of 0.49 in multivariate analysis (P = .03). However, the number of transfusion episodes remained similar (median of 2 in both arms; P = .34). No significant differences in length of stay, hemoglobin levels at discharge or 30-day mortality were observed. In conclusion, transitioning to the 1-RBC represents a straightforward action in current practice that significantly reduces blood transfusions in patients undergoing ASCT, without negatively impacting clinical outcomes.

NLRP3 inflammasome activation and symptom burden in KRAS-mutated CMML patients is reverted by IL-1 blocking therapy.

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is frequently associated with mutations in the rat sarcoma gene (RAS), leading to worse prognosis. RAS mutations result in active RAS-GTP proteins, favoring myeloid cell proliferation and survival and inducing the NLRP3 inflammasome together with the apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), which promote caspase-1 activation and interleukin (IL)-1ß release. Here, we report, in a cohort of CMML patients with mutations in KRAS, a constitutive activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in monocytes, evidenced by ASC oligomerization and IL-1ß release, as well as a specific inflammatory cytokine signature. Treatment of a CMML patient with a KRASG12D mutation using the IL-1 receptor blocker anakinra inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation, reduces monocyte count, and improves the patient's clinical status, enabling a stem cell transplant. This reveals a basal inflammasome activation in RAS-mutated CMML patients and suggests potential therapeutic applications of NLRP3 and IL-1 blockers.

Transfusion Burden in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation over Time: Experience from a Single Institution.

INTRODUCTION: Transfusion plays a main role in supportive treatment for patients who receive an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In this study, we compare the transfusion requirements of patients undergoing different modalities of HSCT according to different time periods. The objective is to assess the evolution of HSCT transfusion requirements over time, from a single institution. METHODS: The clinical charts and transfusion records of patients who underwent HSCT of different modalities at La Fe University Hospital during a twelve-year period were reviewed (2009-2020). For analysis, we divided the overall time into three periods: 1 from 2009 to 2012, 2 from 2013 to 2016 and 3 from 2017 to 2020. The study included 855 consecutive adult HSCT: 358 HLA-matched related donors (MRD), 134 HLA-matched unrelated donors (MUD), 223 umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) and 140 haploidentical transplants (Haplo-HSCT). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in RBC and PLT requirements or transfusion independence among the three time periods for MUD and Haplo-HSCT. However, the transfusion burden increased significantly for MRD HSCT during the 2017-2020 period. CONCLUSION: despite HSCT modalities having evolved and changed over time, overall transfusion requirements have not significantly decreased and continue to be a cornerstone of transplantation-supportive care.

Impact of Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide on Transfusion Requirements in HLA-Matched Sibling Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation.

Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy)-based graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis is being increasingly used in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from HLA-matched related donors (MRDs); however, information regarding the transfusion needs in this setting is lacking. This study compared RBC and platelet units transfused and time to transfusion independence according to the GVHD prophylaxis regimen in MRD HSCT. We performed a matched-pair analysis comparing the transfusion requirements and the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent MRD peripheral blood HSCT using PTCy between January 2017 and June 2021 (n = 100) with historical MRD HSCTs using standard cyclosporine A (CsA)-based prophylaxis (n = 100). Neutrophil engraftment was significantly delayed in the PTCy group compared with the CsA group (16 days versus 13 days; P = .003). PTCy was associated with increased RBC (median, 5 units versus 4 units; P = .04) and platelet (median, 6 units versus 3 units; P = .01) transfusion requirements during the first 30 days after transplantation. The proportion of patients requiring platelet transfusion during days 31 to 90 after transplantation was also higher in the PTCy group (55% versus 25%; P < .0001). In multivariate analysis, PTCy was associated with delayed RBC and platelet transfusion independence (hazard ratio, .61 [P = .007] and .51 [P < .0001], respectively). The cumulative incidence (CuI) of BK polyomavirus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis grade ≥2 at 100 days was higher in the PTCy group (34% versus 12%; P < .0001); however, the PTCy group had lower rates of grade II-IV acute GVHD (100-day CuI, 57% versus 23%; P < .0001) and moderate to severe chronic GVHD (1-year CuI, 49% versus 28%; P = .003), as well as better 2-year overall survival (74% versus 56%; P = .01). Our study shows that although PTCy increases the transfusion burden in MRD HSCT, it is associated with a low incidence of severe GVHD and with encouraging survival outcomes.

Evolving patterns of care and outcomes in relapsed/refractory FLT3 mutated acute myeloid leukemia adult patients.

We have analyzed treatment patterns and outcomes of relapsed/refractory(R/R) FLT3mut AML adult patients registered in our institutional data base between 1998 and 2018. Overall, 147 patients were evaluable: 34 from 1998 to 2009, 113 from 2010 to 2018. Salvage treatments were intensive chemotherapy (n = 25, 74%), and supportive care (n = 9, 26%) in the 1998-2009 period, and intensive chemotherapy (n = 63, 56%), hypomethylating agent (n = 7, 6%), low-dose cytarabine-based (n = 8, 7%), clinical trial (n = 16, 14%) and supportive care (n = 19, 17%) in the 2010-2018 period. Complete remission (CR) or with incomplete recovery (CRi) rate was 44%, 49% among patients treated intensively (vs 30% with non-intensive p = 0.005). Median overall survival since first R/R was 5.8 months, and 16.3 months in subjects receiving an allo-HSCT in CR/CRi after first salvage (vs 3.8 in the remaining patients p < 0.0001). Clinical outcomes of R/R FLT3mut AML remain unsatisfactory. Inclusion in clinical trials and expanding options could lead to improved outcomes.

Healthcare resource utilization in adult patients with relapsed/refractory FLT3 mutated acute myeloid leukemia: A retrospective chart review from Spain.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding impact on healthcare systems of relapsed or refractory (R/R) FLT3 mutated (FLT3mut) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess the time and reimbursement associated with hospitalizations of patients with R/R FLT3mut AML in a tertiary Spanish hospital. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical charts identified patients aged ≥ 18 years with R/R FLT3mut AML between 1998 and 2018. Data were collected from the date of first diagnosis of R/R FLT3mut AML (index) until death or loss to follow-up. The primary end point was duration and frequency of hospitalization, use of outpatient resources and transfusion burden. Reimbursement associated with hospitalizations (including associated chemotherapy) was also assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were eligible for inclusion. Their median age was 52 years, and 30 (79%) received intensive salvage chemotherapy; FLAG-IDA-based regimens were the most frequent (24 patients, 63%). Overall, there were 150 hospitalizations (mean 3.9/patient; mean duration 21 days). Patients spent a mean of 24% of the study period in hospital. Total mean reimbursement was €108 293 per patient; the majority (€89 834) attributable to inpatient stays (€22 576 /hospitalization). During chemotherapy period (prior to first alloHSCT), there were 73 hospitalizations (mean duration 22 days); mean reimbursement was €19 776 per hospitalization and €49 819 per patient. AlloHSCT (n = 16) involved 77 hospitalizations (mean duration 21 days), mean reimbursement €25 231/hospitalization and €131 515 per patient. CONCLUSION: Data from this study suggest that there is a substantial healthcare resource utilization and cost burden on R/R FLT3mut AML patients in Spain receiving active treatments.

Pure red cell aplasia after major or bidirectional ABO incompatible hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: to treat or not to treat, that is the question.

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a complication related to major or bidirectional ABO mismatched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This disorder is characterized by anemia, reticulocytopenia, and the absence or virtual absence of erythroid progenitors, other causes such as infections, hemolysis, disease relapse, or drug toxicity having been excluded. Patients with PRCA may become RBC transfusion dependent for long periods, suffering an important long-term iron overload, alloimmunization, and transfusion reactions. The persistence of recipient isoagglutinins against donor ABO antigens produced by host residual plasmatic cells has been considered as the immunological cause of the prolonged erythroid aplasia. PRCA behaves in many cases as a self-limited condition and resolution may occur spontaneously within weeks, months, and even years. Many different therapeutic approaches have been reported for posttransplant PRCA as plasmapheresis, high doses of erythropoietin, donor lymphocyte infusions, anti-thymocyte globulin, Rituximab and steroids, among others. However, to date there is no standard of care and the question if patients with PRCA should be treated and at which point remains. The objective of this article is to review the natural evolution of PRCA, and the treatments that have been used over time focusing on their suitability and efficacy.

RNA Sequencing Analysis for the Identification of a PCM1/PDGFRB Fusion Gene Responsive to Imatinib.

The platelet-derived growth factor receptor ß (PDGFRB) gene translocations lead to a spectrum of chronic myeloid neoplasms, frequently associated with eosinophilia. Clinical heterogeneity is associated with a molecular one. Here, we report a novel case of a patient harboring a t(5;8)(q33;p22) translocation, resulting in the PCM1/PDGFRB fusion. Conventional cytogenetics and RNA sequencing were performed to identify the chromosomes and the genes involved in the rearrangement, respectively. This study shows that the combination of different strategies is pivotal to fine-tune the diagnosis and the clinical management of the patient. After 1 year of treatment with imatinib, the patient achieves hematological and molecular remission. We present an attractive strategy to identify novel and/or cryptic fusions, which will be relevant for clinicians dealing with the diagnosis of the patients with myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative diseases with atypical manifestations.