Comparison of biosimilar filgrastim and originator filgrastim for peripheral blood stem cell mobilization for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Nivestym, a biosimilar granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to the originator filgrastim (Neupogen), is now being used for the mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We aim to compare the efficacy of Nivestym and Neupogen for PBSC mobilization in healthy allogeneic donors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single-center study including 541 adult allo-HSCT donors receiving Nivestym (January 2013-July 2020), or Neupogen (July 2020-June 2023) for donor PBSC mobilization. Bivariate analysis was conducted using SPSS version 28. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value <.05. RESULTS: Our study included 541 allo-HSCT donors who received Neupogen (n = 345, 64%) or Nivestym (n = 196, 36%) for PBSC mobilization. The median age was 47 years (range 17-76). The median donor weight was 86 kg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 87-91). Donors receiving Neupogen had similar pre-G-CSF white blood cell count, CD34+ percentages, and circulating CD34+ count compared with donors receiving Nivestym. The Neupogen group had similar median PBSC product total neutrophil count, CD34+ percentage, absolute CD34+ count, and infused CD34+ dose compared with the Nivestym group. For donors aged 35 years or younger, the median CD34+ dose was higher in donors who received Neupogen compared with Nivestym (6.9 vs. 6.3 million cells/kg, p = .044). CONCLUSIONS: Nivestym demonstrated similar efficacy for PBSC mobilization compared with Neupogen among allo-HSCT donors. In donors aged 35 years or younger, a slightly lower PBSC product CD34+ count was noted with Nivestym compared with Neupogen.

Use of Endpoints in Phase III Randomized Controlled Trials for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Over the Last 15 Years: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the proportion of primary and secondary endpoints in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) phase III randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and analyze their trends in time and study sponsorship status. The Chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 28. A total of 147 HSCT phase III RCTs from 2006 to 2021 reported 197 primary and 600 secondary endpoints. Overall survival (OS, 17 %), progression-free survival (PFS, 15 %), graft versus host disease (GVHD, 8 %), event-free survival (EFS, 8 %), and organ function (8 %) were the most common primary endpoints. GVHD (12.3 %, n = 74), safety/toxicity/adverse events (11.8 %, n = 71), OS (11.5 %, n = 69), PFS (9.3 %, n = 56), and relapse rate (RR; 7.5 %, n = 45) were the most common secondary endpoints during 2006-2021. After 2013, an increase was noted in the use of PFS as a primary endpoint (12 %-18 %, p = 0.196), while the use of OS as a primary endpoint declined (20 %-13 %, p = 0.170). An increase was observed in using the secondary endpoints RR (5 %-10 %, p = 0.047) and NRM (3 %-6 %, p = 0.047). EFS was used more (14 % vs. 4 %, p = 0.012) than ORR (11 % vs. 2 %, p = 0.003) as a primary endpoint in pharmaceutical-compared to non-pharmaceutical-sponsored studies. As secondary endpoints, the use of EFS (4 % vs. 1 %, p = 0.013) and ORR (4 % vs. 1 %, p = 0.028) was higher, whereas that of organ systems/functions (1.5 % vs. 5.5 %, p = 0.022) and GVHD (6.5 % vs. 15 %, p = 0.002) was lower in pharmaceutical-compared to non-pharmaceutical sponsored studies. GVHD-free relapse-free survival was reported as a primary endpoint in 2 % of studies, while only 5 % reported quality of life as a secondary endpoint. We described commonly used endpoints in HSCT phase III RCTs and patterns in their use over time by funding source and study intervention category.

Predictors of cytomegalovirus reactivation after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: Insights from a real-world experience.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate factors associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia and CMV disease and its impact on post-transplant outcomes including overall survival (OS) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT). METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study including 452 Allo-SCT recipients (matched unrelated donor, MUD 61%; haploidentical, haplo 39%) from 2016 to 2021. Data were analyzed using SPSS v28. Descriptive (chi-square and t-test), Kaplan-Meier and regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The median age was 57 years. Sixty-one percent were males and 84.3% were Caucasians. CMV serostatus was positive in 59.1% of recipients. The median follow-up was 24.4 months. CMV viremia and CMV disease were observed in 181 (40%) and 32 (7%) patients, respectively. Among CMV seropositive recipients, 65% developed CMV viremia and 11% were noted to have CMV disease compared to 4% and 1% in seronegative recipients, respectively (p < 0.001). Patients with CMV disease had significantly lower OS than those without CMV disease (median 14.1 months vs. not reached, p = 0.024); however, OS was not associated with CMV viremia (median not reached in both groups, p = 0.640). Letermovir prophylaxis was used in 66% (n = 176/267) of CMV seropositive recipients, but no impact was observed on the incidence of CMV viremia or CMV disease and OS. CONCLUSIONS: CMV disease leads to significantly inferior survival after an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Recipient CMV seropositive status was associated with the risk of CMV viremia and CMV disease, and this was not abrogated with the use of Letermovir prophylaxis.

Outcomes with HLA-matched unrelated donor versus haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation.

We investigated the outcomes after adult haploidentical (haplo) and matched unrelated donor (MUD) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in a single-center study (n = 452) including 276 MUD and 176 haplo transplants. Myeloablative (37%) and reduced-intensity conditioning (63%) were performed. Graft sources included peripheral blood (50%) and bone marrow (50%). GVHD prophylaxis included tacrolimus/methotrexate (53%) and post-transplant cyclophosphamide-based (47%). In MUD versus haplo HCT recipients, a similar incidence of neutrophil engraftment (18 vs 17 days, p = 0.895), grade II-IV acute GVHD (51% vs 50%, p = 0.773), relapse (26% vs 23%, p = 0.578), non-relapse mortality (22% vs 23%, p = 0.817), 1-year disease-free survival (62% vs 63%. p = 0.921), and 1-year overall survival (73% vs 74%, p = 0.744) were observed. Earlier platelet engraftment (22 vs 27 days, p < 0.001) and higher chronic GVHD (45% vs 35%, p = 0.040) were noted in MUD as compared to haplo HCT. Allogeneic transplantation should be done promptly whenever indicated, utilizing either matched unrelated or haploidentical donors.

Early intervention of extracorporeal photopheresis for advancing/progressing cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with progressive disease typically undergo a series of skin-directed and systemic therapy regimens during cycles of response and relapse. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an effective and safe systemic treatment option, often reserved for later stages of disease and typically employed after failure of several other therapies. ECP has benefits in response rate, time to next treatment, and tolerability that may support its use earlier in the treatment cycle for advancing/progressing disease.

"Waitlist mortality" is high for myeloma patients with limited access to BCMA therapy.

Background: The first-in-class approved BCMA CAR-T therapy was idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel), approved in March 2021, for RRMM patients who progressed after 4 or more lines of therapy. Despite the promising outcomes, there were limited apheresis/production slots for ide-cel. We report outcomes of patients at our institution who were on the "waitlist" to receive ide-cel in 2021 and who could not secure a slot. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of RRMM patients evaluated at the University of Kansas Cancer Center for ide-cel from 3/2021-7/2021. A retrospective chart review was performed to determine patient and disease characteristics. Descriptive statistics were reported using medians for continuous variables. Survival analysis from initial consult was performed using Kaplan-Meier Survival estimator. Results: Forty patients were eligible and were on the "waitlist" for CAR-T. The median follow-up was 14 months (2-25mo). Twenty-four patients (60%) secured a production slot and 16 (40%) did not. The median time from consult to collection was 38 days (8-703). The median time from collection to infusion was 42 days (34-132 days). The median overall survival was higher in the CAR-T group (NR vs 9 mo, p<0.001). Conclusions: Many patients who were eligible for ide-cel were not able to secure a timely slot in 2021. Mortality was higher in this group, due to a lack of comparable alternatives. Increasing alternate options as well as improvement in manufacturing and access is an area of high importance to improve RRMM outcomes.

Lessons learned from COVID-19 pandemic: outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection in hematopoietic cell transplant and cell therapy recipients.

We investigated the outcomes after Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID) in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) or chimeric antigen receptor-T cell (CART) therapy recipients in a single-centre study including all (n = 261)HCT/CART recipients (allogeneic-HCT 49%, autologous-HCT 40%, CART 11%). The median age was 60 (22-80) years. COVID severity was mild (74%), moderate (11%), and severe/critical (16%) with a mortality rate of 7% and a median duration of infection of 5.7 weeks. Significant predictors of COVID severe disease or mortality included concurrent infection (HR 14.9, 95% CI 2.2-5.6) and immunosuppressive therapy (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.2-3.4).HCT/CART recipients have a higher risk of mortality with COVID and warrant vigilant interventions.

Phase 2 study of natalizumab plus standard corticosteroid treatment for high-risk acute graft-versus-host disease.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the main cause of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Ann Arbor (AA) scores derived from serum biomarkers at onset of GVHD quantify GI crypt damage; AA2/3 scores correlate with resistance to treatment and higher NRM. We conducted a multicenter, phase 2 study using natalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks T-cell trafficking to the GI tract through the α4 subunit of α4ß7 integrin, combined with corticosteroids as primary treatment for patients with new onset AA2/3 GVHD. Seventy-five patients who were evaluable were enrolled and treated; 81% received natalizumab within 2 days of starting corticosteroids. Therapy was well tolerated with no treatment emergent adverse events in >10% of patients. Outcomes for patients treated with natalizumab plus corticosteroids were compared with 150 well-matched controls from the MAGIC database whose primary treatment was corticosteroids alone. There were no significant differences in overall or complete response between patients treated with natalizumab plus corticosteroids and those treated with corticosteroids alone (60% vs 58%; P = .67% and 48% vs 48%; P = 1.0, respectively) including relevant subgroups. There were also no significant differences in NRM or overall survival at 12 months in patients treated with natalizumab plus corticosteroids compared with controls treated with corticosteroids alone (38% vs 39%; P = .80% and 46% vs 54%; P = .48, respectively). In this multicenter biomarker-based phase 2 study, natalizumab combined with corticosteroids failed to improve outcome of patients with newly diagnosed high-risk GVHD. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as # NCT02133924.

Outcomes of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Maintenance Therapy with or without Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in First Complete Remission: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare outcomes of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) maintenance therapy with or without allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first remission (CR1). A literature search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane, and Clinical trials.gov. After screening 1720 articles, 12 studies were included. Proportions and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. I2 provides an estimate of the percentage of variability in results across studies that is due to real differences and not due to chance. Of 1039 patients, 635 (61%) had TKI alone and 404 (39%) patients had HSCT followed by TKI. At 3 years, a trend towards poor overall survival (OS; OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.39-1.15, I2 = 68%), (disease-free survival; OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.26-1.29, I2 = 76%), and higher relapse rate (RR; OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.66-3.83, I2 = 26%) was seen with TKI alone compared to HSCT-TKI. Although HSCT followed by TKI maintenance in Ph+ ALL has long been considered standard of care, the introduction of potent third-generation TKIs and bispecific T-cell engagers such as Blinatumomab has significantly improved outcomes while sparing the need for HSCT in newly diagnosed patients.

Outcomes with mismatched unrelated donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative therapy for various hematologic disorders. Alternative donor strategies such as mismatched unrelated donors (MMUD) offer the option of HSCT to patients lacking a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched donor. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate outcomes after MMUD-HSCT. Methods: A literature search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from the inception date through April 6, 2022. After screening 2477 manuscripts, 19 studies were included. Data was extracted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Pooled analysis was done using the meta-package by Schwarzer et al. Proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. Results: A total of 3336 patients from 19 studies were included. The median age was 52.1 years, and 53% of recipients were males. The graft source was bone marrow in 19% and peripheral blood stem cells in 81% of recipients. The median time to transplant from hematologic diagnosis was 10 (1-247) months. Hematologic diagnoses included myeloid (82.9%), lymphoid (41.1%), and other disorders (3%). The reduced intensity and myeloablative conditioning were used in 65.6% and 32% of recipients, respectively. In-vivo T-cell depletion was performed in 56.7% of the patients. Most patients had one (87.9%) or two (11.4%) antigen HLA-mismatch. The pooled 1-year overall survival (OS) was 63.9% (95% CI 0.57-0.71, n=1426/2706), and the pooled 3-year OS was 42.1% (95% CI 0.34.2-0.50, n=907/2355). The pooled progression-free survival was 46.6% (95% CI 0.39-0.55, n=1295/3253) after a median follow-up of 1.8 (range 1-6) years. The pooled relapse rate was 26.8% (95% CI 0.22-0.32, n=972/3253) after a median follow-up of 2.25 (1-3) years. The pooled incidence of acute (grade II-IV) graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and chronic GVHD was 36.4% (95% CI 0.31-0.42, n=1131/3030) and 41.2% (95% CI 0.35-0.48, n=1337/3228), respectively. The pooled non-relapse mortality was 22.6% (95% CI 0.17-0.29, n=888/3196) after a median follow-up of 2.6 (1-5) years. Conclusion: MMUD-HSCT has demonstrated favorable outcomes with an acceptable toxicity profile. It represents a promising option in patients lacking an HLA-matched or haploidentical donor and may expand HSCT access to underrepresented racial and ethnic populations.

Impact of natural killer cells on outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells play a vital role in early immune reconstitution following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods: A literature search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane, and Clinical trials.gov through April 20, 2022. We included 21 studies reporting data on the impact of NK cells on outcomes after HSCT. Data was extracted following the PRISMA guidelines. Pooled analysis was done using the meta-package (Schwarzer et al.). Proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. Results: We included 1785 patients from 21 studies investigating the impact of NK cell reconstitution post-HSCT (8 studies/1455 patients), stem cell graft NK cell content (4 studies/185 patients), therapeutic NK cell infusions post-HSCT (5 studies/74 patients), and pre-emptive/prophylactic NK cell infusions post-HSCT (4 studies/77 patients). Higher NK cell reconstitution was associated with a better 2-year overall survival (OS) (high: 77%, 95%CI 0.73-0.82 vs low: 55%, 95%CI 0.37-0.72; n=899), however, pooled analysis for relapse rate (RR) or graft versus host disease (GVHD) could not be performed due to insufficient data. Higher graft NK cell content demonstrated a trend towards a better pooled OS (high: 65.2%, 95%CI 0.47-0.81 vs low: 46.5%, 95%CI 0.24-0.70; n=157), lower RR (high: 16.9%, 95%CI 0.10-0.25 vs low: 33%, 95%CI 0.04-0.72; n=157), and lower acute GVHD incidence (high: 27.6%, 95%CI 0.20-0.36 vs low: 49.7%, 95%CI 0.26-0.74; n=157). Therapeutic NK or cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell infusions for hematologic relapse post-HSCT reported an overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) of 48.9% and 11% with CIK cell infusions and 82.8% and 44.8% with NK cell infusions, respectively. RR, acute GVHD, and chronic GVHD were observed in 55.6% and 51.7%, 34.5% and 20%, and 20.7% and 11.1% of patients with CIK and NK cell infusions, respectively. Pre-emptive donor-derived NK cell infusions to prevent relapse post-HSCT had promising outcomes with 1-year OS of 69%, CR rate of 42%, ORR of 77%, RR of 28%, and acute and chronic GVHD rates of 24.9% and 3.7%, respectively. Conclusion: NK cells have a favorable impact on outcomes after HSCT. The optimal use of NK cell infusions post-HSCT may be in a pre-emptive fashion to prevent disease relapse.

Human Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells prevent acetaminophen-induced liver injury in a mouse model unlike human dermal fibroblasts.

The persistence of hepatotoxicity induced by N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (Acetaminophen or Paracetamol, abbreviated as APAP) as the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States, despite the availability of N-acetylcysteine, illustrates the clinical relevance of additional therapeutic approaches. While human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown protection in mouse models of liver injury, the MSCs used are generally not cleared for human use and it is unclear whether these effects are due to xenotransplantation. Here we evaluated GMP manufactured clinical grade human Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs), which are currently being investigated in human clinical trials, in a mouse model of APAP hepatotoxicity in comparison to human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) to address these issues. C57BL6J mice were treated with a moderate APAP overdose (300 mg/kg) and WJMSCs were administered 90 min later. Liver injury was evaluated at 6 and 24 h after APAP. WJMSCs treatment reduced APAP-induced liver injury at both time points unlike HDFs, which showed no protection. APAP-induced JNK activation as well as AIF and Smac release from mitochondria were prevented by WJMSCs treatment without influencing APAP bioactivation. Mechanistically, WJMSCs treatment upregulated expression of Gclc and Gclm to enhance recovery of liver GSH levels to attenuate mitochondrial dysfunction and accelerated recovery of pericentral hepatocytes to re-establish liver zonation and promote liver homeostasis. Notably, preventing GSH resynthesis with buthionine sulfoximine prevented the protective effects of WJMSCs. These data indicate that these GMP-manufactured WJMCs could be a clinically relevant therapeutic approach in the management of APAP hepatotoxicity in humans.

Top 100 Cited Articles on Clinical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Bibliometric Analysis.

We conducted a bibliometric analysis to identify scholarly impact and factors associated with the top 100 cited articles on clinical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In January 2021, a title-specific search was conducted. Non-HSCT and pre-clinical (in-vitro and animal) studies were excluded. A total of 39,406 records were identified and a list of the top 100 articles was made. Articles included in our study were characterized by the citations received, publication year, topic, study design, authors, h-index, and institutions. Linear regression analyses were performed. The 100 most cited articles were published over 52 years from 1968 to 2020, with a maximum number of articles (n = 40) published in the 1990s decade. Top-100 articles were cited 62,002 times with a median citation count of 465 (range 336-2240). The top-cited articles originated from 12 countries. United States contributed 69 articles. The University of Washington Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (n = 15) was the leading institution. Blood (n = 32) and New England Journal of Medicine (n = 31) made the greatest contribution, and 52 manuscripts were clinical trials. The first author's H-index significantly correlated with citation count while journal impact factor, years since publication, first author's gender, and the number of authors did not have a significant association with the number of citations. In a multivariate regression model, the first author's h-index (regression coefficient 5.46, 95% confidence interval 2.99 to 7.93, p < 0.001) independently correlated with the citation count. Our study highlights the most influential articles on clinical HSCT and provides valuable insight for future research needs of the specialty.

Age is no barrier for adults undergoing HCT for AML in CR1: contemporary CIBMTR analysis.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) has a median age at diagnosis of 67 years. The most common curative therapy remains an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT), yet it is complicated by treatment-related mortality (TRM) and ongoing morbidity including graft versus host disease (GVHD) that may impact survival, particularly in older patients. We examined the outcomes and predictors of success in 1321 patients aged 60 years and older receiving a HCT for AML in first complete remission (CR1) from 2007-2017 and reported to the CIBMTR. Outcomes were compared in three age cohorts (60-64; 65-69; 70+). With median follow-up of nearly 3 years, patients aged 60-64 had modestly, though significantly better OS, DFS and lower TRM than those either 65-69 or 70+; cohorts with similar outcomes. Three-year OS for the 3 cohorts was 49.4%, 42.3%, and 44.7% respectively (p = 0.026). TRM was higher with increasing age, cord blood as graft source and HCT-CI score of ≥3. Conditioning intensity was not a significant predictor of OS in the 60-69 cohort with 3-year OS of 46% for RIC and 49% for MAC (p = 0.38); MAC was rarely used over age 70. There was no difference in the relapse rate, incidence of Grade III/IV acute GVHD, or moderate-severe chronic GVHD across the age cohorts. After adjusting for other predictors, age had a small effect on OS and TRM. High-risk features including poor cytogenetics and measurable residual disease (MRD) prior to HCT were each significantly associated with relapse and accounted for most of the adverse impact on OS and DFS. Age did not influence the incidence of either acute or chronic GVHD; while graft type and associated GVHD prophylaxis were most important. These data suggest that age alone is not a barrier to successful HCT for AML in CR1 and should not exclude patients from HCT. Efforts should focus on minimizing residual disease and better donor selection.

Gender disparities in the National Institutes of Health funding for hematologic malignancies and cellular therapies.

We investigated gender inequality in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for hematologic malignancies and cellular therapies (HMCT). The data were retrieved from the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT). In 2018-2019, 1834 grants totaling $799 million were awarded (men 71% vs. women 29%) to 975 principal investigators (PIs), including 680 (70%) male PIs and 295 (30%) female PIs. There was no significant gender difference in the mean grant amount per PI. Male PIs as compared to female PIs had a higher h-index (44 vs 31, p < 0.001), a higher number of publications (159.5 vs 94, p < 0.001), and higher years of active research (26 vs 21, p < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, a higher h-index independently predicted a higher mean grant amount per PI (p = 0.010), and female PIs were independently less likely to have a higher h-index (p < 0.001). Our study shows significant gender disparity in the NIH funding for HMCT research.

Impact of COVID-19 in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are at increased risk of mortality and morbidity with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to severe immune dysfunction. METHODS: A literature search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane, and Clinical trials.gov from the date of inception to 12/08/2021. We identified 19 original studies reporting data on COVID-19 in HSCT recipients after screening 292 articles. Data were extracted following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. Quality evaluation was done using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) quality assessment tool. Inter-study variance was calculated using Der Simonian-Laird Estimator. Pooled analysis was conducted using MetaXL. A random-effects model was used to estimate the proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Of 6711 patients in 19 studies, 2031 HSCT patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were analyzed. The median age of patients was 56.9 (range 1-81.6) years, and 63% patients were men according to 14 studies. The median time from transplant to SARS-CoV-2 infection for autologous (auto) and allogeneic (allo) HSCT patients was 23.2 (0.33-350.5) months and 16.4 (0.2-292.7) months, respectively. The median follow-up time after COVID-19 diagnosis was 28 (0-262) days. The COVID-19 mortality rate was 19% (95% CI 0.15-0.24, I2  = 76%, n = 373/2031). The pooled mortality rate was 17% (95% CI 0.12-0.24, I2  = 78%, n = 147/904) in auto-HSCT patients and 21% (95% CI 0.16-0.25, I2  = 60%, n = 231/1103) in allo-HSCT patients. CONCLUSIONS: HSCT recipients have a high risk of mortality and clinical complications due to COVID-19. There is a need for ongoing vigilance, masks, and social distancing, vaccination, and aggressive management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HSCT recipients.

Functional characterization of NPM1-TYK2 fusion oncogene.

Gene fusions are known to drive many human cancers. Therefore, the functional characterization of newly discovered fusions is critical to understanding the oncobiology of these tumors and to enable therapeutic development. NPM1-TYK2 is a novel fusion identified in CD30 + lymphoproliferative disorders, and here we present the functional evaluation of this fusion gene as an oncogene. The chimeric protein consists of the amino-terminus of nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) and the carboxyl-terminus of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), including the kinase domain. Using in vitro lymphoid cell transformation assays and in vivo tumorigenic xenograft models we present direct evidence that the fusion gene is an oncogene. NPM1 fusion partner provides the critical homodimerization needed for the fusion kinase constitutive activation and downstream signaling that are responsible for cell transformation. As a result, our studies identify NPM1-TYK2 as a novel fusion oncogene and suggest that inhibition of fusion homodimerization could be a precision therapeutic approach in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma patients expressing this chimera.

Efficacy and safety of itacitinib versus placebo in combination with corticosteroids for initial treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease (GRAVITAS-301): a randomised, multicentre, double-blind, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common and life-threatening complication of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); there is an urgent unmet need for effective therapies. We aimed to evaluate the Janus kinase 1 inhibitor itacitinib versus placebo, both in combination with corticosteroids, for initial treatment of acute GVHD. METHODS: GRAVITAS-301 was an international, double-blind, adaptive (group sequential design) phase 3 study conducted at 129 hospitals and community practices in 19 countries. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older, had previously received allogeneic HSCT for a haematological malignancy, developed grades II-IV acute GVHD, and received up to 2 days of systemic corticosteroids. Patients were stratified by clinical standard-risk or high-risk acute GVHD and randomly assigned (1:1), via a centralised interactive voice response system, to receive either oral itacitinib (200 mg) or placebo once daily, both in addition to corticosteroids. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) at day 28 (defined as the proportion of patients with complete response, very good partial response, or partial response 28 days after the start of treatment). For sample size determination, an absolute improvement in ORR at day 28 over standard therapy of 16% was considered clinically meaningful. Efficacy analyses were performed in the intention-to-treat population; safety analyses included patients who received at least one dose of study drug. GRAVITAS-301 is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03139604) and is complete. FINDINGS: Between July 19, 2017, and Oct 3, 2019, 439 patients were randomly assigned to receive either itacitinib plus corticosteroids (n=219; itacitinib group) or placebo plus corticosteroids (n=220; placebo group). 173 (39%) patients were female and 390 (89%) were White. At baseline, 107 (24%) of 439 patients (itacitinib 51 [23%] of 219; placebo 56 [25%] of 220) had clinical high-risk acute GVHD. The ORR at day 28 was 74% (95% CI 67·6-79·7; 162 of 219; complete response 53% [116 of 219]) for itacitinib and 66% (59·7-72·6; 146 of 220; complete response, 40% [89 of 220]) for placebo (odds ratio for ORR 1·45, 95% CI 0·96-2·20; two-sided p=0·078). Grade 3 or worse adverse events occurred in 185 (86%) of 215 itacitinib recipients and 178 (82%) of 216 placebo recipients, and most commonly included thrombocytopenia or platelet count decreased (78 [36%] vs 68 [31%]), neutropenia or neutrophil count decreased (49 [23%] vs 45 [21%]), anaemia (42 [20%] vs 26 [12%]), and hyperglycaemia (26 [12%] vs 28 [13%]). Treatment-related deaths occurred in three of 215 patients (1%) in the itacitinib group and four of 216 (2%) in the placebo group. INTERPRETATION: The observed improvement in ORR at day 28 with the addition of itacitinib versus placebo to corticosteroids did not reach the prespecified significance level. Further studies might provide additional insight into the utility of selective JAK1 inhibition for the treatment of acute GVHD. FUNDING: Incyte.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease presenting as acute polymyositis: A case series and systematic review.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) remains a significant complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Commonly targeted organs are skin, eyes, mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and liver. Muscular involvement and presentation as acute polymyositis (APM) remain a rare manifestation of cGvHD. We present a case series of three patients who presented with APM as a sole presentation of cGvHD and were treated successfully with corticosteroids and ruxolitinib. We also conducted a systematic review including 72 patients to summarize current literature regarding APM associated with cGvHD after allo-HSCT. The estimated incidence of cGvHD-associated APM is up to 3.4%, with a median time to onset of 1.6 years post-allo-HSCT. Most cases (85%) presented with myalgia and progressive bilateral proximal muscle weakness with elevated creatine kinase and/or aldolase. Over half of the patients had a prior history of acute GvHD. Isolated APM presenting without other clinical manifestations of cGvHD was rare. Biopsy of affected muscles usually shows characteristic myonecrosis, which remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Most cases respond to systemic steroids and immunosuppressive therapy. However, refractory cases remain challenging to treat and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Ruxolitinib appears to be an effective therapy in this setting.