Impact of TP53 on outcome of patients with myelofibrosis undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

TP53 mutations (TP53MTs) have been associated with poor outcomes in various hematologic malignancies, but no data exist regarding its role in patients with myelofibrosis undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Here, we took advantage of a large international multicenter cohort to evaluate the role of TP53MT in this setting. Among 349 included patients, 49 (13%) had detectable TP53MT, of whom 30 showed a multihit configuration. Median variant allele frequency was 20.3%. Cytogenetic risk was favorable (71%), unfavorable (23%), and very high (6%), with complex karyotype present in 36 patients (10%). Median survival of patients with TP53MT was 1.5 vs 13.5 years for those with wild-type TP53 (TP53WT; P < .001). Outcome was driven by multihit TP53MT constellation (P < .001), showing 6-year survival of 56% for individuals with single-hit vs 25% for those with multihit TP53MT vs 64% for those with TP53WT. Outcome was independent of current transplantation-specific risk factors and conditioning intensity. Similarly, cumulative incidence of relapse was 17% for single-hit vs 52% for multihit vs 21% for TP53WT. Ten patients with TP53MT (20%) presented as leukemic transformation vs only 7 (2%) in the TP53WT group (P < .001). Out of the 10 patients with TP53MT, 8 showed multihit constellation. Median time to leukemic transformation was shorter for multihit and single-hit TP53MT (0.7 and 0.5 years, respectively) vs 2.5 years for TP53WT. In summary, multihit TP53MT represents a very high-risk group in patients with myelofibrosis who are undergoing HSCT, whereas single-hit TP53MT alone showed similar outcome to patients with nonmutated TP53, informing prognostication for survival and relapse together with current transplantation-specific tools.

Splenic irradiation for myelofibrosis prior to hematopoietic cell transplantation: A global collaborative analysis.

Splenomegaly is the clinical hallmark of myelofibrosis. Splenomegaly at the time of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is associated with graft failure and poor graft function. Strategies to reduce spleen size before HCT especially after failure to Janus kinase (JAK) inhibition represent unmet clinical needs in the field. Here, we leveraged a global collaboration to investigate the safety and efficacy of splenic irradiation as part of the HCT platform for patients with myelofibrosis. We included 59 patients, receiving irradiation within a median of 2 weeks (range, 0.9-12 weeks) before HCT. Overall, the median spleen size prior to irradiation was 23 cm (range, 14-35). Splenic irradiation resulted in a significant and rapid spleen size reduction in 97% of patients (57/59), with a median decrease of 5.0 cm (95% confidence interval, 4.1-6.3 cm). The most frequent adverse event was thrombocytopenia, with no correlation between irradiation dose and hematological toxicities. The 3-year overall survival was 62% (95% CI, 48%-76%) and 1-year non-relapse mortality was 26% (95% CI, 14%-38%). Independent predictors for survival were severe thrombocytopenia and anemia before irradiation, transplant-specific risk score, higher-intensity conditioning, and present portal vein thrombosis. When using a propensity score matching adjusted for common confounders, splenic irradiation was associated with significantly reduced relapse (p = .01), showing a 3-year incidence of 12% for splenic irradiation versus 29% for patients with immediate HCT and 38% for patients receiving splenectomy. In conclusion, splenic irradiation immediately before HCT is a reasonable approach in patients experiencing JAK inhibition failure and is associated with a low incidence of relapse.

Newly diagnosed isolated myeloid sarcoma-paired NGS panel analysis of extramedullary tumor and bone marrow.

Isolated myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare malignancy in which myeloid blast forms tumors at various locations while the bone marrow (BM) remains cytomorphologically free from disease. We analyzed isolated MS from four patients and their BMs at initial diagnosis and follow-up, using a custom next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel. We observed possible clonal evolution and a clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP)-like finding in the BM of one of three cases with detectable mutations. Clinical presentation of one patient suggested extramedullary confined homing of blasts to distal sites in the relapse situation still sparing the BM. In summary, our findings shall motivate future work regarding signals of extramedullary blast trafficking and clonal evolution in MS.

Impact of Molecular Genetics on Outcome in Myelofibrosis Patients after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Molecular genetics may influence outcome for patients with myelofibrosis. To determine the impact of molecular genetics on outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation, we screened 169 patients with primary myelofibrosis (n = 110), post-essential thrombocythemia/polycythemia vera myelofibrosis (n = 46), and myelofibrosis in transformation (n = 13) for mutations in 16 frequently mutated genes. The most frequent mutation was JAK2V617F (n = 101), followed by ASXL1 (n = 49), calreticulin (n = 34), SRSF2 (n = 16), TET2 (n = 10), U2AF1 (n = 11), EZH2 (n = 7), MPL (n = 6), IDH2 (n = 5), IDH1 (n = 4), and CBL (n = 1). The cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) at 1 year was 21% and of relapse at 5 years 25%. The 5-year rates progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were and 56%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis CALR mutation was an independent factor for lower NRM (HR, .415; P = .05), improved PFS (HR, .393; P = .01), and OS (HR, .448; P = .03). ASXL1 and IDH2 mutations were independent risk factors for lower PFS (HR, 1.53 [P = .008], and HR, 5.451 [P = .002], respectively), whereas no impact was observed for "triple negative" patients. Molecular genetics, especially CALR, IDH2, and ASXL1 mutations, may thus be useful to predict outcome independently from known clinical risk factors after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for myelofibrosis.

Individual outcome prediction for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and secondary acute myeloid leukemia from MDS after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

We integrated molecular data with available prognostic factors in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) from MDS to evaluate their impact on prognosis. Three hundred four patients were sequenced for mutations in 54 genes. We used a Cox multivariate model and competing risk analysis with internal and cross validation to identify factors prognostic of overall survival (OS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), and non-relapse mortality (NRM). In multivariate analysis, mutated NRAS, U2AF1, IDH2, and TP53 and/or a complex karyotype were significant prognostic markers for OS besides age above 60 years, remission status, IPSS-R cytogenetic risk, HCT-CI > 2 and female donor sex. Mutated NRAS, IDH1, EZH2, and TP53 and/or a complex karyotype were genetic aberrations with prognostic impact on CIR. No molecular markers were associated with the risk of NRM. The inclusion of molecular information results in better risk prediction models for OS and CIR when assessed by the Akaike information criterion. Internal cross validation confirmed the robustness of our comprehensive risk model. In summary, we propose to combine molecular, cytogenetic, and patient- and transplantation-associated risk factors into a comprehensive risk model to provide personalized predictions of outcome after alloHCT.

Anti-T-lymphocyte globulin improves GvHD-free and relapse-free survival in myelofibrosis after matched related or unrelated donor transplantation.

Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) are major complications of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). In vivo T-cell depletion with anti-T-lymphocyte globulin (ATLG) as part of the conditioning regimen prior to alloHCT is frequently used as GvHD prophylaxis, but data on its role in myelofibrosis is scarce. We took advantage of an international collaborative network to investigate the impact of ATLG in myelofibrosis undergoing first alloHCT. We included 707 patients (n = 469 ATLG and n = 238 non-ATLG prophylaxis). The cumulative incidence of acute GvHD grade II-IV was 30% for the ATLG group vs. 56% for the non-ATLG group (P < 0.001). Acute GvHD grade III-IV occurred in 20% vs. 25%, respectively (P = 0.01). Incidence of mild-to-severe chronic GvHD was 49% vs. 50% (P = 0.52), while ATLG showed significantly lower rates of severe chronic GvHD (7% vs. 18%; P = 0.04). GvHD-free and relapse-free survival (GRFS) at 6 years was 45% for the ATLG group vs. 37% for the non-ATLG group (P = 0.02), driven by significantly improved GRFS of ATLG in matched related and matched unrelated donors. No significant differences in risk for relapse, non-relapse mortality, and overall survival were observed. Multivariable modeling for GRFS showed a 48% reduced risk of GvHD, relapse, or death when using ATLG.

Binding of oxidized low-density lipoprotein on circulating platelets is increased in patients with acute coronary syndromes and induces platelet adhesion to vascular wall in vivo--brief report.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperlipidemia is associated with platelet hyperactivity. In the present study, we evaluated the binding of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) on the surface of circulating platelets in patients with stable coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndromes and its possible association with platelet activation. Furthermore, the role of oxLDL binding on platelet adhesion to collagen and endothelial cells in vitro as well as after carotid ligation in mice was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using flow cytometry, patients with acute coronary syndromes (n=174) showed significantly enhanced oxLDL binding compared with patients with stable coronary artery disease (n=182; P=0.007). Platelet-bound oxLDL positively correlated with the degree of platelet activation (expression of P-selectin and activated fibrinogen receptor; P<0.001 for both). Plasma oxLDL was increased in patients with acute coronary syndromes compared with stable angina pectoris patients. Preincubation of isolated platelets with oxLDL, but not with native LDL, resulted in enhanced platelet adhesion to collagen and activated endothelial cells under high shear stress in vitro, as well as after carotid ligation in C57BL/6J mice and apolipoprotein E(-/-) mice fed a high cholesterol diet. CONCLUSIONS: Increased platelet-bound oxLDL in patients with acute coronary syndromes may play an important role in atherothrombosis, thus providing a potential future therapeutic target.

Clinical Implications and Dynamics of Clonal Hematopoiesis in Anti-CD19 CAR T-cell Treated Patients.

Recent evidence revealed important interactions between clonal hematopoiesis (CH) and cellular therapies established for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. The impact of CH on safety, efficacy, and outcome of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is currently under investigation. We analyzed 110 patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 105) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (n = 5), treated with Axicabtagene-Ciloleucel (39%), Tisagenlecleucel (51%), or Brexucabtagene autoleucel (10%). Using error-corrected targeted sequencing, a high CH prevalence of 56.4% (variant allele frequency [VAF] ≥1%) at the time of CAR T-cell infusion was detected. The most frequently mutated gene was PPM1D followed by DNMT3A, TET2, ASXL1, and TP53. Variant allele frequencies were significantly lower in B and T cells compared with monocytes and granulocytes. CH did not increase the risk of CAR T-related toxicities. The incidences of cytokine release syndrome and immune effector-cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome were similar between CHpos and CHneg patients, regardless of clone size, age, or CAR T product. Prolonged cytopenias were not associated with CH. Best overall response rates (ORRs) were numerically but not significantly higher in CHpos patients (ORR 76.7% versus 62.2%; P = 0.13). Furthermore, CH status did not predict progression-free survival or overall survival. Lastly, sequential analysis showed a modest VAF increase of 1.3% and acquisition of novel mutations within 100 days postinfusion. CH was frequent in large B-cell lymphoma/ALL patients receiving CAR T-cells but did not affect toxicity nor treatment response or outcome.

Expression of junctional adhesion molecule-C on the surface of platelets supports adhesion, but not differentiation, of human CD34 cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: CD34(+) progenitor cells play an important role in haematopoiesis and vascular homeostasis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of platelet-derived junctional adhesion molecule-C (JAM-C) in adhesion and differentiation of human CD34(+) cells in vitro, as well as its association with platelet-derived P-selectin in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using flow cytometry we observed that JAM-C expression on the surface of washed platelets is increased after activation with thrombin receptor activating peptide-6 in vitro and correlated with platelet-derived P-selectin expression in patients with coronary artery disease (r=0.326, P=0.007). The role of JAM-C and its counter receptor Mac-1 in adhesion of human CD34(+) cells over immobilized platelets was investigated by using a neutralizing soluble protein (sJAM-C-Fc) and a monoclonal antibody against JAM-C or integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18). Treatment with soluble JAM-C-Fc or anti-JAM-C or anti-Mac-1, but not with control-Fc or IgG1, resulted in a significantly decreased adhesion of human CD34(+) cells to platelets under static conditions (P<0.05). In order to validate our findings under high shear stress we performed flow chamber experiments. In a similar manner, inhibiting JAM-C interaction with Mac-1 resulted in a significantly decreased adhesion of CD34(+) cells over immobilized platelets under high shear stress (P<0.05). Colony forming unit assays and coculture assays revealed that inhibition of JAM-C/Mac-1 axis did not influence the platelet-mediated differentiation of CD34(+) cells to endothelial cells or to macrophages/foam cells. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together a platelet-derived JAM-C supports CD34(+) cell adhesion, a mechanism potentially involved in homing as well as domiciliation of human CD34(+) cells.

Long-Term Outcomes after Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia.

Vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), or thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), is a rare but serious complication of adenovirus-based vaccines against severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Observation of long-term outcomes is important to guide treatment of affected patients. This single-center consecutive cohort study included all patients diagnosed based on (1) vaccination 4 to 21 days before symptom onset, (2) signs or symptoms of venous or arterial thrombosis, (3) thrombocytopenia < 150/nL, (4) positive anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibody, and (5) elevated D-Dimer > 4 times the upper limit of normal. Nine patients were enrolled. Acute management consisted of parenteral anticoagulants, corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and/or eculizumab. Eculizumab was successfully used in two patients with recurrent thromboembolic events after IVIG. Direct oral anticoagulants were given after hospital discharge. Median follow-up duration was 300 days (range 153 to 380). All patients survived the acute phase of the disease and were discharged from hospital. One patient died from long-term neurological sequelae of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis 335 days after diagnosis. Eight out of nine patients were alive at last follow-up, and seven had fully recovered. Anti-PF4 antibodies remained detectable for at least 12 weeks after diagnosis, and D-Dimer remained elevated in some patients despite oral anticoagulation. No recurrent thromboembolic events, other signs of VITT relapse, or bleeding complications occurred after discharge. In conclusion, VITT appears to be a highly prothrombotic condition. IVIG is not always successful, and eculizumab may be considered a rescue agent. Long-term management with direct oral anticoagulants appears to be safe and effective.

High genetic stability of co-circulating human adenovirus type 31 lineages over 59 years.

Type 31 of human adenovirus species A (HAdV-A31) is a significant pathogen primarily associated with diarrhoea in children but also with life-threatening disseminated disease in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Nosocomial outbreaks of HAdV-A31 have been frequently described. However, the evolution of HAdV-A31 has not been studied in detail. The evolution of other HAdV types is driven either by intertypic recombination, where different types exchange genome regions, or by immune escape selection of neutralisation determinants. Complete genomic HAdV-A31 sequences from sixty diagnostic specimens of the past 18 years (2003-21) were generated, including fourteen specimens of a presumed outbreak on two HSCT wards. Additionally, twenty-three complete genomes from GenBank were added to our phylogenetic analysis as well as in silico generated and previously published restriction fragment polymorphism (RFLP) data. Phylogenetic analysis of eighty-three genomes indicated that HAdV-A31 evolved slowly with six lineages co-circulating. The two major lineages were lineage 1, which included the prototype from 1962 and nine recent isolates, and lineage 2, which split into four sublineages and included most isolates from 2003 to 2021. The average nucleotide identity within lineages was high (99.8 per cent) and identity between lineages was 98.7 and 99.2 per cent. RFLP data allowed the construction of a lower-resolution phylogeny with two additional putative lineages. Surprisingly, regions of higher diversity separating lineages were found in gene regions coding for non-structural and minor capsid proteins. Intertypic recombinations were not observed, but the phylogeny of lineage 3 was compatible with an interlineage recombination event in the fibre gene. Applying the phylogenetic analysis to the presumed nosocomial outbreak excluded two suspected transmission events and separated it into two different, simultaneous outbreaks caused by different sublineages of lineage 2. However, due to the high nucleotide identity within HAdV-A31 lineages, the proof of infection chains remains debatable. This in-depth study on the molecular phylogeny of HAdV-A31 highlights the high genetic stability of co-circulating HAdV-A31 lineages over almost six decades. It also supports the epidemiological hypothesis that HAdV-A31 circulates as an etiological agent of a childhood disease infecting immunologically naive patients without strong positive selection of immune escape variants and recombinants.

Increased Late Noncardiac Nonrelapse Mortality in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosed During Their Hospital Stay for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in adults but its impact on allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is not well characterized. We studied AF manifestation during the hospital stay for allogeneic SCT, referred to as AF in hospital (AFiH), and analyzed the incidence of, risk factors for, and clinical impact of AFiH on intensive care unit (ICU)-/hospital-/ and overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), nonrelapse mortality (NRM), and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS). This retrospective matched cohort study comprised 553 consecutive SCT recipients at Hannover Medical School between January 2013 and October 2019. Patients with AFiH were compared with a non-AFiH control cohort matched for Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Specific Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI), European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) risk score, disease, conditioning regimen and availability of molecular genetic data for patients with myeloid diseases. AFiH occurred in 46 patients (8%) at a median of 2 days (interquartile range, 0 to 8 days) after SCT. Patient history of AF and elevated NT-proBNP and high-sensitivity troponin T levels, but not conventional echocardiographic parameters, were predictive for AFiH. AFiH occurred more often in patients with mutations in DNMT3A, TET2, and ASXL1 genes related to clonal hematopoiesis compared with patients with wild-type alleles, with the greatest impact from DMT3A mutations. ICU admission was significantly higher in the AFiH cohort (46% versus 7%), without significant differences in ICU or post-ICU hospital survival (62% versus 40% and 52% versus 40%, respectively). The main cause of death was sepsis. In terms of long-term outcomes, the incidences of relapse and grade II-IV acute GVHD did not differ significantly between the AFiH and the non-AFiH groups; however, OS was significantly shorter in the AFiH group (1 year OS, 39% versus 65%), owing to late noncardiac NRM (1 year NRM, 49% versus 27%). Although the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain to be characterized in further detail, these data clearly demonstrate the impact of inpatient AF manifestation/AFiH on long-term outcomes of SCT recipients.

Reduced intensity hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for accelerated-phase myelofibrosis.

Accelerated-phase myelofibrosis, currently defined by circulating blasts 10% to 19%, usually confers very high risk for progression and poor outcome. The outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for accelerated-phase myelofibrosis has not been evaluated yet. We analyzed the outcome of 349 clinically and genetically annotated patients with primary or secondary myelofibrosis undergoing reduced intensity transplantation, of whom 35 had accelerated-phase myelofibrosis. In comparison with chronic-phase (<10% blasts) myelofibrosis, median leukocyte counts were higher, more patients had constitutional symptoms, and RAS mutations were detected more frequently in the accelerated-phase group. After a median follow-up of 5.9 years, estimated 5-year overall survival was 65% (95% confidence interval [CI], 49% to 81%) vs 64% (95% CI, 59% to 69%) for the chronic-phase group (P = .91), and median overall survival was not reached. In terms of relapse-free survival, estimated 5-year outcome for the accelerated-phase group was 49% (95% CI, 32% to 67%) vs 55% (95% CI, 50% to 61%) for the chronic-phase group (P = .65). Estimated 5-year nonrelapse mortality was 20% (95% CI, 8% to 33%) for the accelerated-phase group vs 30% (95% CI, 24% to 35%; P = .25) for the chronic-phase group. In terms of relapse, 5-year incidence was 30% (95% CI, 14% to 46%) for the accelerated-phase group vs 15% (95% CI, 11% to 19%) for the chronic-phase group (P = .02). Results were confirmed in multivariable analysis and propensity score matching. In conclusion, reduced intensity transplantation showed excellent survival but higher relapse for accelerated-phase myelofibrosis.

Neurological management and work-up of neurotoxicity associated with CAR T cell therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment with CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells is an innovative therapeutic approach for patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (r/rDLBCL) and B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/rALL). However, convincing therapeutic response rates can be accompanied by cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and severe neurotoxicity termed immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). METHODS: Single center, prospective observational study of fifteen consecutive r/r DLBCL patients treated with Tisagenlecleucel within 1 year at Hannover Medical School. Extensive neurological work-up prior to CAR T cell infusion included clinical examination, cognitive testing (Montreal-Cognitive-Assessment), brain MRI, electroencephalogram, electroneurography, and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. After CAR T cell infusion, patients were neurologically examined for 10 consecutive days. Afterwards, all patients were assessed at least once a week. RESULTS: ICANS occurred in 4/15 patients (27%) within 6 days (4-6 days) after CAR T cell infusion. Patients with ICANS grade 2 (n = 3) exhibited similar neurological symptoms including apraxia, expressive aphasia, disorientation, and hallucinations, while brain MRI was inconspicuous in either case. Treatment with dexamethasone rapidly resolved the clinical symptoms in all three patients. Regarding baseline parameters prior to CAR T cell treatment, patients with and without ICANS did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, ICANS occurred in only every fourth patient and rather low grade neurotoxicity was found during daily examination. Our results demonstrate that a structured neurological baseline examination and close monitoring are helpful to detect CAR T cell related neurotoxicity already at an early stage and to potentially prevent higher grade neurotoxicity.

Common Variable Immunodeficiency-Associated Cancers: The Role of Clinical Phenotypes, Immunological and Genetic Factors.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of cancer and associating clinical, immunological, and genetic factors in a German cohort of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). METHODS: In this retrospective monocenter cohort study, we estimated the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for different forms of cancer diagnosed in CVID patients. Furthermore, we evaluated the likely association of infectious and non-infectious CVID-related phenotypes with the diagnosis of cancer by calculation of the odds ratio. The genetic background of CVID in patients with cancer was evaluated with sequential targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) and whole-exome sequencing (WES). Patients' family history and WES data were evaluated for genetic predisposition to cancer. RESULTS: A total of 27/219 patients (12.3%) were diagnosed with at least one type of cancer. Most common types of cancer were gastric cancer (SIR: 16.5), non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) (SIR: 12.7), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) (SIR: 12.2). Immune dysregulation manifesting as arthritis, atrophic gastritis, or interstitial lung disease (ILD) was associated with the diagnosis of cancer. Furthermore, diagnosis of NMSC associated with the diagnosis of an alternative type of cancer. Studied immunological parameters did not display any significant difference between patients with cancer and those without. tNGS and/or WES yielded a definite or likely genetic diagnosis in 11.1% of CVID patients with cancer. Based on identified variants in cancer-associated genes, the types of diagnosed cancers, and family history data, 14.3% of studied patients may have a likely genetic susceptibility to cancer, falling under a known hereditary cancer syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric cancer, NMSC, and NHL are the most frequent CVID-associated types of cancer. Manifestations of immune dysregulation, such as arthritis and ILD, were identified as risk factors of malignancy in CVID, whereas studied immunological parameters or the identification of a monogenic form of CVID appears to have a limited role in the evaluation of cancer risk in CVID.

High Molecular and Cytogenetic Risk in Myelofibrosis Does Not Benefit From Higher Intensity Conditioning Before Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: An International Collaborative Analysis.

There is no direct evidence to recommend specific conditioning intensities in myelofibrosis undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, especially in the molecular era. We aimed to compare outcomes of reduced intensity (RIC) or myeloablative conditioning (MAC) transplantation in myelofibrosis with molecular information. The study included 645 genetically annotated patients (with at least driver mutation status available), of whom 414 received RIC and 231 patients received MAC. The median follow-up time from transplantation was 6.0 years for RIC and 9.4 years for MAC. The 6-year overall survival rates for RIC and MAC were 63% (95% confidence interval [CI], 58%-68%) and 59% (95% CI, 52%-66%; P = 0.34) and progression-free survival was 52% (95% CI, 47%-57%) and 52% (95% CI, 45%-59%; P = 0.64). The 2-year cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality was 26% (95% CI, 21%-31%) for RIC and 29% (95% CI, 23%-34%) for MAC (P = 0.51). In terms of progression/relapse, the 2-year cumulative incidence was 10% (95% CI, 5%-19%) for RIC and 9% (95% CI, 4%-14%) for MAC (P = 0.46). Higher intensity conditioning did not seem to improve outcomes for higher-risk disease, according to mutational, cytogenetic, and clinical profile. In contrast, patients with reduced performance status, matched unrelated donors, and ASXL1 mutations appeared to benefit from RIC in terms of overall survival.

Junctional adhesion molecule A expressed on human CD34+ cells promotes adhesion on vascular wall and differentiation into endothelial progenitor cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A) on adhesion and differentiation of human CD34(+) cells into endothelial progenitor cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: Tissue healing and vascular regeneration is a multistep process requiring firm adhesion of circulating progenitor cells to the vascular wall and their further differentiation into endothelial cells. The role of JAM-A in platelet-mediated adhesion of progenitor cells was investigated by adhesion assays in vitro and with the help of intravital fluorescence microscopy in mice. Preincubation of human CD34(+) progenitor cells with soluble JAM-A-Fc (sJAM-A-Fc) resulted in significantly decreased adhesion over immobilized platelets or inflammatory endothelium under high shear stress in vitro and after carotid ligation in vivo or ischemia/reperfusion injury in the microcirculation of mice. Human CD34(+) cells express JAM-A, as defined by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. JAM-A mediates differentiation of CD34(+) cells to endothelial progenitor cells and facilitates CD34(+) cell-induced reendothelialization in vitro. Pretreatment of human CD34(+) cells with sJAM-A-Fc resulted in increased neointima formation 3 weeks after endothelial denudation in the carotid arteries of nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the expression of JAM-A on CD34(+) cells mediates adhesion to the vascular wall after injury and differentiation into endothelial progenitor cells, a mechanism potentially involved in vascular regeneration. Human CD34(+) cells express JAM-A, mediating their interaction with platelets and endothelial cells. Specifically, JAM-A expressed on human CD34(+) progenitor cells regulates their adhesion over immobilized platelets or inflammatory endothelium under high shear stress in vitro and after carotid ligation in vivo or ischemia/reperfusion injury in the microcirculation of mice. Moreover, it mediates differentiation of CD34(+) cells to endothelial progenitor cells and facilitates reendothelialization.

Long-Term Survival Benefit after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia.

The critical question in the management of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is which patients may benefit from allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Using ad hoc statistical analysis, we designed a multicenter retrospective study to determine outcomes in 261 patients age ≤70 years at diagnosis who underwent allo-HCT (n = 119) compared with those who did not (n = 142) according to the current CMML-specific prognostic scoring system (CPSS). Categorizing patients as lower risk (CPSS low/intermediate-1) or higher risk (intermediate-2/high) showed significantly improved outcomes after transplantation in higher-risk patients, with a 37% reduced hazard for death. However, although higher CPSS was associated with worse outcomes in the nontransplantation group, the score was of limited utility for post-transplantation risk stratification. This study may provide further support for the potentially beneficial role of allo-HCT in terms of long-term survival in higher-risk patients but also underscores the need for transplantation-specific risk assessment. Recognizing limitations of retrospective comparisons, larger and prospective comparisons are needed to further refine the indication for allo-HCT and thus counseling of patients with CMML.

A prognostic score including mutation profile and clinical features for patients with CMML undergoing stem cell transplantation.

The inclusion of mutation status improved risk stratification for newly diagnosed patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Stem cell transplantation is a potentially curative treatment option, and patient selection is critical because of relevant transplant-related morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the impact of mutation status together with clinical presentations on posttransplant outcome. Our study included 240 patients with a median follow-up of 5.5 years. A significant association with worse survival was identified for the presence of mutations in ASXL1 and/or NRAS. In multivariable analysis, ASXL1- and/or NRAS-mutated genotype (hazard ratio [HR], 1.63), marrow blasts >2% (HR, 1.70), and increasing comorbidity index (continuous HR, 1.16) were independently associated with worse survival. A prognostic score (CMML transplant score) was developed, and the following points were assigned: 4 points for an ASXL1- and/or NRAS-mutated genotype or blasts >2% and 1 point each for an increase of 1 in the comorbidity index. The CMML transplant score (range, 0-20) was predictive of survival and nonrelapse mortality (P < .001 for both). Up to 5 risk groups were identified, showing 5-year survival of 81% for a score of 0 to 1, 49% for a score of 2 to 4, 43% for a score of 5 to 7, 31% for a score of 8 to 10, and 19% for a score >10. The score retained performance after validation (concordance index, 0.68) and good accuracy after calibration. Predictions were superior compared with existing scores designed for the nontransplant setting, which resulted in significant risk reclassification. This CMML transplant score, which incorporated mutation and clinical information, was prognostic in patients specifically undergoing transplantation and may facilitate personalized counseling.