Investigating risk factors and treatment options for severe, partially steroid responsive, and steroid-refractory checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer care with incredible reductions in mortality. One of the most devastating complications of treatment is ICI-related pneumonitis (ICI-p). Despite this, little is known regarding risk factors for severe pneumonitis and treatment effectiveness of various therapeutic options for steroid-refractory disease. To address this, we conducted a retrospective study on patients with cancer who developed ICI-p. METHODS: We examined consecutive patients who received ICIs and developed ICI-p. Risk factors of interest for severe disease and steroid-refractory ICI-p, including pre-treatment pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and chest imaging, were compared between patients with severe (grades 3-5) and mild (grades 1-2) pneumonitis. The clinical and treatment courses for patients with steroid-refractory ICI-p were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients developed ICI-p, with 60 patients having mild and 72 with severe disease. We found that lower forced vital capacity percent predicted (66.24 vs 85.05, P = .05), lower total lung capacity percent predicted (85.23 vs 99.71, P = .13), and specific radiographic patterns on pre-treatment chest imaging were predictors of severe disease. Initial corticosteroid dose of less than 1 milligram per kilogram prednisone equivalent (P = .14) was correlated with partially steroid-responsive or steroid-refractory ICI-p. Ten patients had steroid refractory ICI-p, and those who received IVIG alone as the immune suppressant beyond corticosteroids had improved survival (P = 05). CONCLUSIONS: We are the first to identify pre-treatment PFTs and chest imaging abnormalities as risk factors for severe ICI-p. We also found that lower corticosteroid doses were associated with partially steroid-responsive and steroid-refractory ICI-p. Larger, prospective studies are needed to validate our results.

Mesenchymal stromal cells plus basiliximab improve the response of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease as a second-line therapy: a multicentre, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: For patients with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (SR-aGVHD), effective second-line regimens are urgently needed. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been used as salvage regimens for SR-aGVHD in the past. However, clinical trials and an overall understanding of the molecular mechanisms of MSCs combined with basiliximab for SR-aGVHD are limited, especially in haploidentical haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HID HSCT). METHODS: The primary endpoint of this multicentre, randomized, controlled trial was the 4-week complete response (CR) rate of SR-aGVHD. A total of 130 patients with SR-aGVHD were assigned in a 1:1 randomization schedule to the MSC group (receiving basiliximab plus MSCs) or control group (receiving basiliximab alone) (NCT04738981). RESULTS: Most enrolled patients (96.2%) received HID HSCT. The 4-week CR rate of SR-aGVHD in the MSC group was obviously better than that in the control group (83.1% vs. 55.4%, P = 0.001). However, for the overall response rates at week 4, the two groups were comparable. More patients in the control group used ≥ 6 doses of basiliximab (4.6% vs. 20%, P = 0.008). We collected blood samples from 19 consecutive patients and evaluated MSC-derived immunosuppressive cytokines, including HO1, GAL1, GAL9, TNFIA6, PGE2, PDL1, TGF-ß and HGF. Compared to the levels before MSC infusion, the HO1 (P = 0.0072) and TGF-ß (P = 0.0243) levels increased significantly 1 day after MSC infusion. At 7 days after MSC infusion, the levels of HO1, GAL1, TNFIA6 and TGF-ß tended to increase; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Although the 52-week cumulative incidence of cGVHD in the MSC group was comparable to that in the control group, fewer patients in the MSC group developed cGVHD involving ≥3 organs (14.3% vs. 43.6%, P = 0.006). MSCs were well tolerated, no infusion-related adverse events (AEs) occurred and other AEs were also comparable between the two groups. However, patients with malignant haematological diseases in the MSC group had a higher 52-week disease-free survival rate than those in the control group (84.8% vs. 65.9%, P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: For SR-aGVHD after allo-HSCT, especially HID HSCT, the combination of MSCs and basiliximab as the second-line therapy led to significantly better 4-week CR rates than basiliximab alone. The addition of MSCs not only did not increase toxicity but also provided a survival benefit.

Efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease: a retrospective analysis.

Steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, with ruxolitinib being the first drug approved for its treatment. We retrospectively analyzed the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib for treatment of cGvHD at our center between 07/2015 and 12/2022 and identified 48 patients receiving ruxolitinib as second (18/48) or advanced (30/48) treatment line. Ruxolitinib was started on median day 340 (range 119-595) after cGvHD onset; median duration of administration was 176 (range, 79-294) days with 16/48 patients continuing treatment at last follow-up. National Institutes of Health organ grading and the intensity of immunosuppression were assessed at the start of ruxolitinib treatment and repeated after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Response assessment was terminated at the start of any additional new immunosuppressant treatment. The median time of follow-up was 582 (range, 104-1161) days. At the primary analysis after six months on ruxolitinib treatment, the overall response rate was 33%, and failure-free survival was 58%. Infectious adverse events ≥ CTCAE grade III were observed in 10/48 patients. The response rate was not associated with the severity of cGvHD, number of previous treatment lines, or number of additional agents combined with ruxolitinib applying a univariate regression model. At the time of the 12-month follow-up, four patients experienced recurrence of the underlying malignancy and two patients had experienced non-relapse-related mortality. Overall, ruxolitinib was relatively well-tolerated and showed outcomes comparable to the REACH3 trial in a heavily pretreated patient population.

[Recent advances in prevention and treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) negatively impacts long-term survival and quality of life (QOL) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Corticosteroids are the first-line treatment for cGVHD, but approximately 30% to 70% of patients develop steroid-refractory cGVHD (SR-cGVHD), which has an extremely poor prognosis. The pathophysiology of cGVHD is more complicated than acute GVHD, but recent advances using murine models in conjunction with human studies indicate three major phases: 1) acute inflammation, 2) chronic inflammation with loss of immune tolerance, and 3) disrupted target organ homeostasis and fibrosis. Strategies that help prevent cGVHD include optimal donor selection and choice of conditioning regimen as well as pharmacologic and graft manipulation strategies. The key cellular mediators of SR-cGVHD are T cells, B cells, antigen-presenting cells, and fibroblasts. T cells and B cells are now targetable with the inhibitors ibrutinib and ruxolitinib, respectively. Recently, promising results have been obtained by modulating pathologic T cell responses with Rock2 inhibitors and targeting fibrosis with CSF-1R inhibitors. To optimize the use of these medications, a better understanding of the biological and target organ-specific mechanisms of cGVHD is needed. Here we review recent advances in cGVHD pathogenesis and discuss how best to implement recently approved biology-driven treatments for cGVHD.

Differential protein expression in endothelial cells exposed to serum from patients with acute graft-vs-host disease, depending on steroid response.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a complication of allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation. Endothelial injury is crucial as pathophysiological substrate for GVHD. GVHD first-line treatment is high-dose corticosteroids, although some patients are steroid-refractory. Through the present study, we compared the endothelial proteomic profiles in response to serum from steroid-refractory acute GVHD (SR-aGVHD) and steroid-sensitive acute GVHD (SS-aGVHD) patients. Blood samples from SR-aGVHD (n = 4) and SS-aGVHD (n = 8) patients were collected at aGVHD diagnosis. Endothelial cell cultures were exposed (48 h) to patients' serum. Protein extraction and proteomic analysis were performed. Differences were statistically evaluated by multivariate analysis. Forty-four proteins contributed to separate all samples into the two study groups, among which 15 participated significantly (p < 0.05), 10 exhibiting a fold change >1.2. Differentially expressed proteins were mainly associated with oxidative phosphorylation (Cytochrome C oxidase subunit 6B1, CX6B1), inflammation and angiogenesis (Apolipoprotein D, APOD), cell survival (Rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR, RICTR), and oxidative stress (Riboflavin kinase, RIFK). This pilot study used a novel approach to distinguish the aGVHD response to steroid treatment. The proteins differentially expressed could constitute potential biomarkers for steroid-treatment response. These findings signify a step forward to identify the mechanisms of response to steroids, of high clinical relevance considering the SR-aGVHD elevated mortality.

Real-world data suggest effectiveness of the allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells preparation MSC-FFM in ruxolitinib-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) not tolerating/responding to ruxolitinib (RR-aGvHD) have a dismal prognosis. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed real-world outcomes of RR-aGvHD treated with the random-donor allogeneic MSC preparation MSC-FFM, available via Hospital Exemption in Germany. MSC-FFM is provided as frozen cell dispersion for administration as i.v. infusion immediately after thawing, at a recommended dose of 1-2 million MSCs/kg body weight in 4 once-weekly doses. 156 patients, 33 thereof children, received MSC-FFM; 5% had Grade II, 40% had Grade III, and 54% had Grade IV aGvHD. Median (range) number of prior therapies was 4 (1-10) in adults and 7 (2-11) in children. RESULTS: The safety profile of MSC-FFM was consistent with previous reports for MSC therapies in general and MSC-FFM specifically. The overall response rate at Day 28 was 46% (95% confidence interval [CI] 36-55%) in adults and 64% (45-80%) in children; most responses were durable. Probability of overall survival at 6, 12 and 24 months was 47% (38-56%), 35% (27-44%) and 30% (22-39%) for adults, and 59% (40-74%), 42% (24-58%) and 35% (19-53%) for children, respectively (whole cohort: median OS 5.8 months). CONCLUSION: A recent real-world analysis of outcomes for 64 adult RR-aGvHD patients not treated with MSCs reports survival of 20%, 16% and 10% beyond 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively (median 28 days). Our data thus suggest effectiveness of MSC-FFM in RR-aGvHD.

Ruxolitinib versus basiliximab for steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease: a retrospective study.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) remains a major limitation of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; not all patients respond to standard glucocorticoids treatment. This study retrospectively evaluated the effects of ruxolitinib compared with basiliximab for steroid-refractory aGVHD (SR-aGVHD). One hundred and twenty-nine patients were enrolled, 81 in ruxolitinib and 48 in basiliximab group. The overall response (OR) at day 28 was higher in ruxolitinib group (72.8% vs. 54.2%, P = 0.031), as with complete response (CR) (58.0% vs. 35.4%, P = 0.013). Ruxolitinib led to significantly lower 1-year cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) (29.6% vs. 43.8%, P = 0.021). Besides, ruxolitinib showed higher 1-year overall survival (OS) and 1-year cumulative incidence of failure-free survival (FFS) (OS: 72.8% vs. 50.0%, P = 0.008; FFS: 58.9% vs. 39.6%, P = 0.014). The 1-year cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM) was lower in ruxolitinib group (16.1% vs. 37.5%, P = 0.005), and the 1-year relapse was not different. The 1-year cumulative incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia, CMV-associated diseases and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated diseases was similar between the two groups, but EBV viremia was significantly lower in ruxolitinib group (6.2% vs. 29.2%, P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed that OR and survival were similar in ruxolitinib 5 mg twice daily (bid) and 10 mg bid groups. However, ruxolitinib 10 mg bid treatment markedly reduced 1-year cumulative incidence of cGVHD compared with 5 mg bid (21.1% vs. 50.0%, P = 0.016). Our study demonstrated that ruxolitinib was superior to basiliximab in SR-aGVHD treatment and cGVHD prophylaxis, therefore should be recommended.

[Steroid-refractory gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease treated with vedolizumab and ruxolitinib in a pediatric patient with therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia].

A 12-year-old girl developed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myeloid leukemia due to therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome with monosomy 7 following neuroblastoma treatment. She underwent allogenic bone marrow transplantation from a human leukocyte antigens-DR1 locus-mismatched unrelated donor. However, on day 49 post transplantation, she presented with diarrhea due to gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), and treatments with prednisolone, budesonide rectal foam, and human mesenchymal stem cells were ineffective. Therefore, vedolizumab was administered from day 100, which improved the symptoms from gut stage 3 to gut stage 1. Consequently, prednisolone was withdrawn without any serious adverse effects. However, the symptoms worsened to gut stage 3 again; therefore, ruxolitinib was administered to achieve complete remission. Vedolizumab exhibits gut-selective action without systemic immunosuppressive activity. Hence, vedolizumab administration before other systemic immunosuppressive agents may be recommended in patients with steroid-refractory gastrointestinal aGVHD. Thus far, only a few reports have been published regarding the administration of vedolizumab and ruxolitinib for steroid-refractory gastrointestinal aGVHD in children. Further evidence should be obtained from patients treated with vedolizumab and ruxolitinib to confirm their effectiveness for pediatric steroid-refractory gastrointestinal aGVHD.

Current challenges of hematologic complications due to immune checkpoint blockade: a comprehensive review.

Immune checkpoint blockade has demonstrated durable clinical benefits in a variety of malignancies. These immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) produce unwanted autoimmune reactions due to an impaired self-tolerance. Hematologic immune-related adverse events (heme-irAEs) have been increasingly reported in the literature with a reported fatality rate of 12%. In this review, we illustrate 3 cases treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital for ICI-induced agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. We then summarize the available evidence regarding the incidence and prevalence of heme-irAEs. We identified immune thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia as the most commonly reported heme-irAEs which are more commonly observed with nivolumab therapy. Median time to onset of heme-irAEs varies between patients but occurs earlier with CTLA-4 inhibitors than with anti-PD-L1/PD-1 agents. We also describe the current challenges regarding the recurrence of heme-irAEs despite immune checkpoint blockade termination. We provide the available evidence supporting a mixed T-cell and B-cell immune-mediated response. Finally, we review the treatment algorithm of these complications and provide treatment alternatives to steroid-refractory cases.

Ruxolitinib in the management of steroid-resistant/-dependent acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease: results of routine practice in an academic centre.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is an important complication after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Corticosteroids are the standard first-line treatment. Steroid-resistant/-dependent (SR/D) acute and chronic GVHD (aGVHD, cGVHD) lead to significant morbidity/mortality. The JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib has recently been shown in clinical trials to be effective in SR/D aGVHD and cGVHD. We retrospectively analysed the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in a cohort of SR/D aGVHD and cGVHD patients treated in a non-trial setting. In the aGVHD cohort, there were 14 men and 12 women, median age at 38 (19-63) years. At day 28 post-ruxolitinib, the overall response rate (ORR) was 86% (complete response, CR, 36%; partial response, PR, 50%). Continued ruxolitinib beyond day 28 resulted in a final CR of 68%. However, 3/15 (20%) of CR patients developed cGVHD. In the cGVHD cohort, there were 16 men and 15 women, median age at 33 (21-64) years. The ORR, CR and PR rates changed with continued ruxolitinib treatment, being 86%, 17% and 69% at 1 month; 79%, 38% and 41% at 3 months; and 83%, 52% and 31% at 6 months. Five patients had overlap GVHD, four of whom achieved CR. Multivariate analysis showed that superior overall survival and failure-free survival were associated with CR at day 28 for aGVHD, and CR at 1 year for cGVHD. Ruxolitinib treatment was efficacious for SR/D aGVHD and cGVHD, and continued treatment for at least 6 months was needed to maximize benefit.

Tocilizumab combined with ruxolitinib in the treatment of children with steroid resistant graft versus host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: report of 6 cases.

Six children with steroid resistant graft versus host disease (GVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation admitted in the hospital, including 4 cases of acute GVHD and 2 cases of chronic GVHD. Among the 4 acute GVHD cases, the main manifestations were large area rash and fever in 2 cases, and abdominal pain and diarrhea in 2 cases. In 2 chronic GVHD cases, one presented lichenoid dermatosis, and the other showed repeated oral ulcers with difficult mouth opening. Patients received tocilizumab (8 mg/kg per dose every 3 weeks) and ruxolitinib (5-10 mg/d, 28 d), at least 2 courses were completed. All patients had complete responses (100%), and 5 patients responded after completion of two treatment courses, with the median time of remission was 26.7 d. The median follow-up period was 11 (7-25) months, and no severe treatment-related adverse reactions were observed.

α4ß7 Integrin expression and blockade in pediatric and young adult gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that α4ß7 integrin expression on effector memory T cells (TEMs) would be elevated in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients before and at diagnosis of acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GI GVHD) symptoms compared to patients without GVHD, and that clinical blockade of α4ß7 integrin with vedolizumab would be effective in pediatric GI GVHD. METHODS: We analyzed surface expression of α4ß7 integrin on T cells from 48 pediatric allogeneic HSCT recipients from our biorepository with known clinical outcomes as follows: acute GI GVHD (n = 22), isolated skin GVHD (n = 12), and no GVHD (n = 14). T-cell analyses were performed 1 week before and at GVHD diagnosis in patients with GVHD, and day +30 after HSCT in patients without GVHD. We describe clinical outcomes of seven additional patients, different from above-described 48 patients, who received vedolizumab (anti-α4ß7 integrin antibody) for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute GI GVHD. RESULTS: Expression of α4ß7 integrin on CD8+ TEMs was upregulated in patients with GI GVHD compared to the no GI GVHD (skin GVHD + no GVHD) group 1 week prior to clinical symptoms (p = .02) and at acute GI GVHD diagnosis (p = .05). Four of seven treated patients with clinical steroid-refractory acute GI GVHD were evaluable for response to vedolizumab. One patient had a complete response at day +28, while two had a partial response, and one had no response. No adverse effects directly attributable to vedolizumab were observed. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a rationale for the blockade of α4ß7 integrin for acute GI GVHD management in children.

Mesenchymal stromal cells: Getting ready for clinical primetime.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are multipotent precursor cells that can be derived from a variety of tissue sources, with a working definition based on immunophenotyping and cell differentiation capacity. Despite historical roots in the field of tissue engineering, they have generated great interest as cell therapies for their immune regulatory function, which has led to numerous clinical trials for a range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Importantly, due to the lack of traditional MHC expression and their expression of other immune regulatory proteins, they can be used from third party donors without generating a dangerous alloreactivity. After 20 years of clinical trials, they have earned themselves an excellent safety record but are currently only approved for use in Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Europe due to a lack of consistent efficacy data. In the United States, the indication that has seen the most progress is steroid refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (SR-aGVHD). Issues with early clinical trials can be attributed to both challenges with defining optimal patient populations and trial design as well as limitations related to commercial manufacturing. Earlier this year, the encouraging data for a repeat Phase III trial in pediatric patients with SR-aGVHD was published. This review provides information on the proposed mechanism of action of MSCs, clinical utilization of MSCs with focus on SR-aGVHD and potential modalities that can improve the efficacy of MSCs.

Biomarker profile predicts clinical efficacy of extracorporeal photopheresis in steroid-resistant acute and chronic graft-vs-host disease after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

We conducted a multicenter interventional study to assess the efficacy of Therakos ECP to treat steroid-resistant graft-vs-host disease (SRes-GVHD) after allogeneic HSCT and to identify biomarkers of GVHD response. A total of 62 patients were treated for acute SRes-GVHD (n = 37) or chronic SRes-GVHD (n = 25). Median time to best response was 35 days (range, 28-85) and 90 days (range, 27-240) in acute and chronic SRes-GVHD, respectively. Overall, 27 patients (72.9%) with SRes-aGVHD responded to treatment (40.5% CR and 32.4% PR). The response rate was significantly higher in grade I-II than in grade III-IV aGVHD (100% vs 50.0%, respectively, P-value = .001). In chronic SRes-GVHD, 22 patients (88%) achieved a clinical response (24.0% CR and 64% PR). Response was higher in moderate than in severe SRes-cGVHD (100% vs 75%, P = .096). In both acute and chronic SRes-GVHD patients, the percentage of peripheral blood CD3+ CD4+ was higher and CD3+ CD8+ lower in responding than nonresponding patients. Acute SRes-GVHD responding patients presented a higher number of Treg cells (CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/- ) at day 0 (P = .028) than nonresponding patients, differences that were maintained over the observation period. Phenotypic analysis of T-cell maturation showed a trend toward reduction in TCD8 naive cells, along with an increased percentage of TCD8 Mem Efect T cells after starting ECP in responding patients. None of the studied serum cytokines displayed statistically significant changes in either acute or chronic SRes-GVHD. ECP is an effective treatment for patients with SRes-GVHD. Biomarkers could help guide decision-making on ECP treatment initiation and duration.

[Recent advances in pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease].

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major life-threating complication that occurs after allogeneic cell transplantation. Although steroids remain the first-line treatment, approximately one-third of patients will eventually develop steroid-resistant or steroid-refractory GVHD (SR-GVHD), which has an extremely poor prognosis. Many novel strategies that showed promising response rates in early phase I/II trials for the prevention and treatment of acute GVHD exhibited disappointing effects on patient survival in the SR-GVHD setting. The discovery of novel treatments has been further complicated by the absence of a clinically-relevant animal model. Nevertheless, the combined knowledge from translational studies using bone marrow transplantation models and clinical trials including SR-GVHD patients has begun to reveal novel mechanisms for inhibiting T cell signaling and promoting tissue regeneration, which has contributed to a better understanding of the SR-GVHD pathophysiology. Herein, we discuss recently elucidated cellular and molecular mechanisms that may provide the rational for novel biologically-driven treatments for SR-GVHD.

Basiliximab as Treatment for Steroid-Refractory Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease in Pediatric Patients after Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Basiliximab has been used successfully as a second-line treatment for steroid-refractory (SR) acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in adult patients after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant (haplo-HSCT) but has not been studied separately in the pediatric setting. We retrospectively reviewed 100 pediatric patients after haplo-HSCT receiving basiliximab for grades II (57%), III (27%), and IV (16%) SR aGVHD between January 2015 and December 2017. The median number of basiliximab doses was 4 (range, 2 to 9). The day 28 overall response rate was 85%, with complete response in 74% of patients, partial response in 11% of patients, and no response in 15% of patients. The day 28 overall response rates were 94.6% in skin SR aGVHD, 81.6% in gut SR aGVHD, and 66.7% in liver SR aGVHD. Infectious complications included bacterial infection (11%), presumed or documented fungal infections (7%), cytomegalovirus viremia (53%), Epstein-Barr virus viremia (11%), human herpesvirus-6 viremia (7%), and herpes simplex virus viremia (1%). The 3-year overall survival, disease-free survival, nonrelapse mortality, and relapse rates between responders and nonresponders were 81.3% versus 46.7% (P < .001), 79.0% versus 46.7% (P = .001), 6.1% versus 33.3% (P < .001), and 14.9% versus 20.0% (P = .46), respectively. We conclude that basiliximab is an effective second-line agent for pediatric patients with SR aGVHD after haplo-HSCT, particularly for skin SR aGVHD.

Inpatient Healthcare Resource Utilization, Costs, and Mortality in Adult Patients with Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease, Including Steroid-Refractory or High-Risk Disease, following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) contributes to poor outcomes following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Data are limited regarding the economic burden of acute GVHD, particularly steroid-refractory or high-risk (SR/HR) disease. This retrospective analysis of the Premier Healthcare Database reports inpatient healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), costs, and mortality during initial hospitalization for allogeneic HCT and through 100 days post-HCT among patients who developed acute GVHD, including a subgroup with SR/HR disease, compared with patients without GVHD. The analysis included adults discharged for first HCT between January 1, 2011, and June 30, 2016 (acute GVHD, n = 906; SR/HR acute GVHD, n = 158; no GVHD, n = 1529). During the initial hospitalization for HCT, patients with acute GVHD and SR/HR acute GVHD (n = 455 and 125, respectively) had significantly longer median lengths of stay (31 and 46 days versus 24 days) and higher median total costs ($153,849 and $205,880 versus $97,417) versus patients with no GVHD (n = 1529; P < .0001 for all). During the 100-day post-HCT period, patients with acute GVHD and SR/HR acute GVHD had higher readmission rates (78.3% and 77.2% versus 28.3%; P < .0001) and inpatient mortality rates (20.2% and 35.4% versus 8.9%; P < .0001) versus patients with no GVHD. In summary, acute GVHD, especially SR/HR disease, is associated with longer inpatient stays, higher readmission rates, and higher inpatient mortality compared with no GVHD.

Successful treatment of steroid-refractory immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis with triple combination therapy: a case report.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related pneumonitis is a relatively rare but clinically serious and potentially life-threatening adverse event. The majority of cases can be managed by drug discontinuation, with the administration of corticosteroids added in severe cases. However, worsening of pneumonitis can develop in a subset of patients despite treatment with high doses of corticosteroids. We herein report a case of steroid-refractory ICI-related pneumonitis in a recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient treated with pembrolizumab that was successfully improved by triple combination therapy (high-dose corticosteroids, tacrolimus, and cyclophosphamide). After 3 weeks of initial pembrolizumab administration, the patient was diagnosed with ICI-related pneumonitis. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed patchy distributed bilateral consolidation and ground-glass opacities (GGOs) with traction bronchiectasis and bronchiolectasis resembling the diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) radiographic pattern. Although methylprednisolone pulse therapy was initiated, worsening of respiratory failure resulted in the patient being transferred to the intensive care unit. Because of an insufficient therapeutic response to high-dose corticosteroids, tacrolimus and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy were additively performed as triple combination therapy according to the treatment strategy for pulmonary complications of clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM). In response to this triple combination therapy, the patient's respiratory condition gradually improved, and chest CT showed the marked amelioration of pulmonary opacities. This is the first report suggesting the efficacy of triple combination therapy (high-dose corticosteroids, tacrolimus, and cyclophosphamide) for steroid-refractory ICI-related pneumonitis complicated with respiratory failure.

Adult macrophage activation syndrome-haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: 'of plasma exchange and immunosuppressive escalation strategies' - a single centre reflection.

OBJECTIVE: In the context of systemic autoimmunity, that is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH; also referred to as macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) or more recently MAS-HLH) is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication. Pathophysiological hallmarks are aberrant macrophage and T cell hyperactivation and a systemic cytokine flare, which generate a sepsis-like, tissue-damaging, cytopenic phenotype. Unfortunately, for adult MAS-HLH we lack standardized treatment protocols that go beyond high-dose corticosteroids. Consequently, outcome data are scarce on steroid refractory cases. Aside from protocols based on treatment with calcineurin inhibitors, etoposide, cyclophosphamide and anti-IL-1, favourable outcomes have been reported with the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIG) and plasma exchange (PE). METHODS: Here we report a retrospective series of steroid refractory MAS-HLH, the associated therapeutic regimes and outcomes. RESULTS: In this single-centre experience, 6/8 steroid refractory patients survived (median follow-up: 54.4 (interquartile range: 23.3-113.3) weeks). All were initially treated with PE, which induced partial response in 5/8 patients. Yet, all patients required escalation of immunosuppressive therapies. One case of MAS-HLH in new-onset AOSD had to be escalated to etoposide, whereas most SLE-associated MAS-HLH patients responded well to cyclophosphamide. Relapses occurred in 2/8 cases. CONCLUSION: Together, early use of PE is at most a supportive measure, not a promising monotherapy of adult MAS-HLH. In refractory cases, conventional cytoreductive therapies (i.e. cyclophosphamide and etoposide) constitute potent and reliable rescue approaches, whereas IvIG, anti-thymoglobulin, and biologic agents appear to be less effective.

Bortezomib treatment of steroid-refractory Evans syndrome in children.

Treatment of refractory Evans syndrome (ES) remains a challenge in hematology practice. Due to rarity of this condition, evidence-based approaches are limited and often treatment choices stem from small case series or anecdotal experiences. There is mounting evidence that some patients have genetic defects that could be targeted with promising preliminary results. Here, we describe three very refractory pediatric ES cases treated on bortezomib without adverse effects. Two of the three patients had dramatic and long-lasting recovery that started following the initial doses of the drug. Clinical trials to assess the role of bortezomib in ES treatment are warranted.