Mobilization-based chemotherapy-free engraftment of gene-edited human hematopoietic stem cells.

Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell gene therapy (HSPC-GT) is proving successful to treat several genetic diseases. HSPCs are mobilized, harvested, genetically corrected ex vivo, and infused, after the administration of toxic myeloablative conditioning to deplete the bone marrow (BM) for the modified cells. We show that mobilizers create an opportunity for seamless engraftment of exogenous cells, which effectively outcompete those mobilized, to repopulate the depleted BM. The competitive advantage results from the rescue during ex vivo culture of a detrimental impact of mobilization on HSPCs and can be further enhanced by the transient overexpression of engraftment effectors exploiting optimized mRNA-based delivery. We show the therapeutic efficacy in a mouse model of hyper IgM syndrome and further developed it in human hematochimeric mice, showing its applicability and versatility when coupled with gene transfer and editing strategies. Overall, our findings provide a potentially valuable strategy paving the way to broader and safer use of HSPC-GT.

Gene therapy for adenosine deaminase severe combined immune deficiency-An unexpected journey of four decades.

Severe combined immune deficiency due to adenosine deaminase deficiency (ADA SCID) is an inborn error of immunity with pan-lymphopenia, due to accumulated cytotoxic adenine metabolites. ADA SCID has been treated using gene therapy with a normal human ADA gene added to autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) for over 30 years. Iterative improvements in vector design, HSC processing methods, and clinical HSC transplant procedures have led nearly all ADA SCID gene therapy patients to achieve consistently beneficial immune restoration with stable engraftment of ADA gene-corrected HSC over the duration of observation (as long as 20 years). One gene therapy for ADA SCID is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the European Union (EU) and another is being advanced to licensure in the U.S. and U.K. Despite the clear-cut benefits and safety of this curative gene and cell therapy, it remains challenging to achieve sustained availability and access, especially for rare disorders like ADA SCID.

Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells to treat severe traumatic brain injury in children.

Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) infused after severe traumatic brain injury have shown promise for treating the injury. We evaluated their impact in children, particularly their hypothesized ability to preserve the blood-brain barrier and diminish neuroinflammation, leading to structural CNS preservation with improved outcomes. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-sham-controlled Bayesian dose-escalation clinical trial at two children's hospitals in Houston, TX and Phoenix, AZ, USA (NCT01851083). Patients 5-17 years of age with severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8) were randomized to BMMNC or placebo (3:2). Bone marrow harvest, cell isolation and infusion were completed by 48 h post-injury. A Bayesian continuous reassessment method was used with cohorts of size 3 in the BMMNC group to choose the safest between two doses. Primary end points were quantitative brain volumes using MRI and microstructural integrity of the corpus callosum (diffusivity and oedema measurements) at 6 months and 12 months. Long-term functional outcomes and ventilator days, intracranial pressure monitoring days, intensive care unit days and therapeutic intensity measures were compared between groups. Forty-seven patients were randomized, with 37 completing 1-year follow-up (23 BMMNC, 14 placebo). BMMNC treatment was associated with an almost 3-day (23%) reduction in ventilator days, 1-day (16%) reduction in intracranial pressure monitoring days and 3-day (14%) reduction in intensive care unit (ICU) days. White matter volume at 1 year in the BMMNC group was significantly preserved compared to placebo [decrease of 19 891 versus 40 491, respectively; mean difference of -20 600, 95% confidence interval (CI): -35 868 to -5332; P = 0.01], and the number of corpus callosum streamlines was reduced more in placebo than BMMNC, supporting evidence of preserved corpus callosum connectivity in the treated groups (-431 streamlines placebo versus -37 streamlines BMMNC; mean difference of -394, 95% CI: -803 to 15; P = 0.055), but this did not reach statistical significance due to high variability. We conclude that autologous BMMNC infusion in children within 48 h after severe traumatic brain injury is safe and feasible. Our data show that BMMNC infusion led to: (i) shorter intensive care duration and decreased ICU intensity; (ii) white matter structural preservation; and (iii) enhanced corpus callosum connectivity and improved microstructural metrics.

Development and IND-enabling studies of a novel Cas9 genome-edited autologous CD34+ cell therapy to induce fetal hemoglobin for sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common, severe genetic blood disorder. Current pharmacotherapies are partially effective and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is associated with immune toxicities. Genome editing of patient hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to reactivate fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in erythroid progeny offers an alternative potentially curative approach to treat SCD. Although the FDA released guidelines for evaluating genome editing risks, it remains unclear how best to approach pre-clinical assessment of genome-edited cell products. Here, we describe rigorous pre-clinical development of a therapeutic γ-globin gene promoter editing strategy that supported an investigational new drug application cleared by the FDA. We compared γ-globin promoter and BCL11A enhancer targets, identified a potent HbF-inducing lead candidate, and tested our approach in mobilized CD34+ hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) from SCD patients. We observed efficient editing, HbF induction to predicted therapeutic levels, and reduced sickling. With single-cell analyses, we defined the heterogeneity of HbF induction and HBG1/HBG2 transcription. With CHANGE-seq for sensitive and unbiased off-target discovery followed by targeted sequencing, we did not detect off-target activity in edited HSPCs. Our study provides a blueprint for translating new ex vivo HSC genome editing strategies toward clinical trials for treating SCD and other blood disorders.

Gene editing of hematopoietic stem cells restores T-cell response in familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

BACKGROUND: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory disorder characterized by a life-threatening cytokine storm and immunopathology. Familial HLH type 3 (FHL3) accounts for approximately 30% of all inborn HLH cases worldwide. It is caused by mutations in the UNC13D gene that result in impaired degranulation of cytotoxic vesicles and hence compromised T-cell- and natural killer-cell-mediated killing. Current treatment protocols, including allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, still show high mortality. OBJECTIVE: We sought to develop and evaluate a curative genome editing strategy in the preclinical FHL3 Jinx mouse model. Jinx mice harbor a cryptic splice donor site in Unc13d intron 26 and develop clinical symptoms of human FHL3 upon infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). METHODS: We employed clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas technology to delete the disease-causing mutation in HSCs and transplanted Unc13d-edited stem cells into busulfan-conditioned Jinx recipient mice. Safety studies included extensive genotyping and chromosomal aberrations analysis by single targeted linker-mediated PCR sequencing (CAST-Seq)-based off-target analyses. Cure from HLH predisposition was assessed by LCMV infection. RESULTS: Hematopoietic cells isolated from transplanted mice revealed efficient gene editing (>95%), polyclonality of the T-cell receptor repertoire, and neither signs of off-target effects nor leukemogenesis. Unc13d transcription levels of edited and wild-type cells were comparable. While LCMV challenge resulted in acute HLH in Jinx mice transplanted with mock-edited HSCs, Jinx mice grafted with Unc13d-edited cells showed rapid virus clearance and protection from HLH. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that transplantation of CRISPR-Cas edited HSCs supports the development of a functional polyclonal T-cell response in the absence of genotoxicity-associated clonal outgrowth.

Recent advances in the adjunctive management of diabetic foot ulcer: Focus on noninvasive technologies.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most costly and serious complications of diabetes. Treatment of DFU is usually challenging and new approaches are required to improve the therapeutic efficiencies. This review aims to update new and upcoming adjunctive therapies with noninvasive characterization for DFU, focusing on bioactive dressings, bioengineered tissues, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) based therapy, platelet and cytokine-based therapy, topical oxygen therapy, and some repurposed drugs such as hypoglycemic agents, blood pressure medications, phenytoin, vitamins, and magnesium. Although the mentioned therapies may contribute to the improvement of DFU to a certain extent, most of the evidence come from clinical trials with small sample size and inconsistent selections of DFU patients. Further studies with high design quality and adequate sample sizes are necessitated. In addition, no single approach would completely correct the complex pathogenesis of DFU. Reasonable selection and combination of these techniques should be considered.

Modulating endothelial cell dynamics in fat grafting: the impact of DLL4 siRNA via adipose stem cell extracellular vesicles.

In the context of improving the efficacy of autologous fat grafts (AFGs) in reconstructive surgery, this study delineates the novel use of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and their extracellular vesicles (EVs) as vehicles for delivering delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) siRNA. The aim was to inhibit DLL4, a gene identified through transcriptome analysis as a critical player in the vascular endothelial cells of AFG tissues, thereby negatively affecting endothelial cell functions and graft survival through the Notch signaling pathway. By engineering ADSC EVs to carry DLL4 siRNA (ADSC EVs-siDLL4), the research demonstrated a marked improvement in endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and lumen formation, and enhanced angiogenesis in vivo, leading to a significant increase in the survival rate of AFGs. This approach presents a significant advancement in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, offering a potential method to overcome the limitations of current fat grafting techniques.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study introduces a groundbreaking method for enhancing autologous fat graft survival using adipose-derived stem cell extracellular vesicles (ADSC EVs) to deliver DLL4 siRNA. By targeting the delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) gene, crucial in endothelial cell dynamics, this innovative approach significantly improves endothelial cell functions and angiogenesis, marking a substantial advancement in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Genetic Susceptibility in Endothelial Injury Syndromes after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Other Cellular Therapies: Climbing a Steep Hill.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains a cornerstone in the management of patients with hematological malignancies. Endothelial injury syndromes, such as HSCT-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (HSCT-TMA), veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS/VOD), and capillary leak syndrome (CLS), constitute complications after HSCT. Moreover, endothelial damage is prevalent after immunotherapy with chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) and can be manifested with cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). Our literature review aims to investigate the genetic susceptibility in endothelial injury syndromes after HSCT and CAR-T cell therapy. Variations in complement pathway- and endothelial function-related genes have been associated with the development of HSCT-TMA. In these genes, CFHR5, CFHR1, CFHR3, CFI, ADAMTS13, CFB, C3, C4, C5, and MASP1 are included. Thus, patients with these variations might have a predisposition to complement activation, which is also exaggerated by other factors (such as acute graft-versus-host disease, infections, and calcineurin inhibitors). Few studies have examined the genetic susceptibility to SOS/VOD syndrome, and the implicated genes include CFH, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and heparinase. Finally, specific mutations have been associated with the onset of CRS (PFKFB4, CX3CR1) and ICANS (PPM1D, DNMT3A, TE2, ASXL1). More research is essential in this field to achieve better outcomes for our patients.

Rising Prevalence of Low-Frequency PPM1D Gene Mutations after Second HDCT in Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) first-line treatment algorithms include immuno-chemotherapy (ICT) induction, high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) consolidation, followed by lenalidomide maintenance. After these initial therapies, most patients suffer a disease relapse and require subsequent treatment lines including ICT, additional HDCT and ASCT, or novel immunotherapies. The presence of somatic mutations in peripheral blood cells has been associated with adverse outcomes in a variety of hematological malignancies. Nonsense and frameshift mutations in the PPM1D gene, a frequent driver alteration in clonal hematopoiesis (CH), lead to the gain-of-function of Wip1 phosphatase, which may impair the p53-dependent G1 checkpoint and promote cell proliferation. Here, we determined the presence of PPM1D gene mutations in peripheral blood cells of 75 subsequent myeloma patients in remission after first or second HDCT/ASCT. The prevalence of truncating PPM1D gene mutations emerged at 1.3% after first HDCT/ASCT, and 7.3% after second HDCT/ASCT, with variant allele frequencies (VAF) of 0.01 to 0.05. Clinical outcomes were inferior in the PPM1D-mutated (PPM1Dmut) subset with median progression-free survival (PFS) of 15 vs. 37 months (p = 0.0002) and median overall survival (OS) of 36 vs. 156 months (p = 0.001) for the PPM1Dmut and PPM1Dwt population, respectively. Our data suggest that the occurrence of PPM1D gene mutations in peripheral blood cells correlates with inferior outcomes after ASCT in patients with multiple myeloma.

The impact of daratumumab pretreatment on multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous transplantation.

The anti-CD38 antibody daratumumab (Dara) has been reported to improve the prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) patients, but its use before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains controversial. To clarify the prognostic impact of Dara before ASCT on MM, we performed a retrospective observational analysis. We analyzed 2626 patients who underwent ASCT between 2017 and 2020. In the comparison between patients not administered Dara (Dara- group) and those administered Dara (Dara+ group), the 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 87.4% and 77.3% and the 1-year overall survival (OS) rates were 96.7% and 90.0%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, age <65 years (p = 0.015), low international staging system (ISS) stage (p < 0.001), absence of unfavorable cytogenic abnormalities (p < 0.001), no Dara use before ASCT (p = 0.037), and good treatment response before ASCT (p < 0.001) were independently associated with superior PFS. In matched pair analysis, the PFS/OS of the Dara- group were also significantly superior. For MM patients who achieved complete or very good partial response (CR/VGPR) by Dara addition before ASCT, both PFS and OS significantly improved. However, in patients who did not achieve CR/VGPR before ASCT, the PFS/OS of the Dara+ group were significantly inferior to those of the Dara- group.

Autologous HSCT with novel agent-based induction and consolidation followed by lenalidomide maintenance for untreated multiple myeloma.

Triplet regimen comprising proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, and dexamethasone (DEX) is a recommended induction/consolidation therapy for multiple myeloma (MM) patients eligible for transplant. In this Japanese phase II study conducted from 2017 to 2019, newly diagnosed MM patients aged 20-65 received four induction cycles with bortezomib (Bor), lenalidomide (Len), and DEX (VRD), followed by Bor and high-dose melphalan with autologous stem cell rescue. Subsequently, they underwent four consolidation cycles with carfilzomib, Len, and DEX (KRD), followed by Len maintenance until disease progression. A total of 141 patients were analyzed. In an intent-to-treat population, the complete or better response post induction was 19.9%, rising to 39.7%, 58.9%, and 62.4% after transplant, consolidation, and 1-year maintenance, respectively. With a median follow-up of 38 months, the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 83.5% and the 3-year overall survival rate was 92.5%. Severe adverse events (≥grade 3) occurred in ~30% of patients; however, there was no treatment-related mortality. These findings clearly showed the tolerability and effectiveness of this protocol. Nevertheless, patients with high-risk cytogenetics showed a trend toward lower 3-year PFS than those without (77.8% vs. 89.4%, p = 0.051), and ultra-high-risk cytogenetics (≥2 high-risk cytogenetics) had an even worse prognosis, with 61.2% 3-year PFS. To overcome this situation, a more potent treatment strategy incorporating novel agents such as the CD38-antibody should be assessed in future studies.

Impact of pretransplant minimal residual disease in patients with multiple myeloma and a very good partial response or better receiving autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) status before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) has not been clearly elucidated. METHODS: Retrospective single-center study of adult MM patients who achieved ≥very good partial response (VGPR) after induction therapy from 2015 to 2021 received upfront autoHCT and had available pretransplant MRD status by next-generation flow cytometry. The cohort was divided into pretransplant MRD-negative (MRDneg) and MRD-positive (MRDpos) groups. RESULTS: A total of 733 patients were included in our analysis; 425 were MRDneg and 308 MRDpos at autoHCT. In the MRDpos group, more patients had high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (48% vs. 38%, respectively; p = .025), whereas fewer patients achieved ≥CR before autoHCT (14% vs. 40%; p < .001). At day 100 after autoHCT, 37% of the MRDpos versus 71% of the MRDneg achieved ≥CR, and at best posttransplant response 65% versus 88% achieved ≥CR, respectively. After a median follow-up of 27.6 months (range, 0.7-82.3), the median PFS was significantly shorter for patients in the MRDpos group compared to the MRDneg group: 48.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-80.5) versus 80.1 months (95% CI, 0.5-80.1), respectively (p < .001). There was no significant difference in overall survival between the two groups (p = .41). Pretransplant MRDpos status was predictive of shorter PFS in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.31-2.46; p < .001). The impact of pretransplant MRD status was retained in most of the examined subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients achieving ≥VGPR to induction, pretransplant MRDpos status was associated with a lower CR rate after autoHCT and a shorter PFS.

Health care utilization by long-term survivors of blood or marrow transplantation-A Bone Marrow Transplant Survivor Study report.

BACKGROUND: Blood or marrow transplantation (BMT) survivors carry a high burden of morbidity, yet health care utilization by this vulnerable population remains understudied. Patterns and predictors of various domains of health care utilization in long-term BMT survivors were evaluated. METHODS: Study participants were drawn from the Bone Marrow Transplant Survivor Study (BMTSS). Patients transplanted between 1974 and 2014 at one of three transplant centers who had survived ≥2 years after BMT and were aged ≥18 years at the time of the study were included. A BMTSS survey served as the source of data for health care utilization, sociodemographics, and chronic health conditions. Domains of health care utilization in the 2 years preceding study participation included routine checkups, BMT-related visits, transplant/cancer center visits, emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, and high health care utilization (≥7 physician visits during the 2 years before the study). Clinical characteristics and therapeutic exposures were abstracted from medical records. RESULTS: In this cohort of 3342 BMT survivors (52% allogeneic), the prevalence of health care utilization declined over time since BMT for both allogeneic and autologous BMT survivors, such that among those who had survived ≥20 years, only 49%-53% had undergone routine checkups, 37%-38% reported BMT-related visits, and 28%-29% reported transplant/cancer center visits. The presence of severe/life-threatening conditions and chronic graft-vs-host disease increased the odds of health care utilization across all domains. Lower education, lack of insurance, and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with a lower prevalence of routine checkups and/or transplant/cancer center visits. Lower income increased the odds of ER visits but reduced the odds of hospitalizations or high health care utilization. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified vulnerable populations of long-term BMT survivors who would benefit from specialized risk-based anticipatory care to reduce high health care utilization, ER visits, and hospitalizations.

Busulfan, melphalan and carfilzomib high-dose chemotherapy and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma.

The standard of care for fit, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients includes induction therapy followed by consolidative high-dose chemotherapy with melphalan and autologous stem cell transplant (AHSCT). Intensified preparative regimens, such as busulfan and melphalan (BuMel), have shown promise to lengthen progression-free survival (PFS). We previously reported that the addition of bortezomib to BuMel improved PFS compared to melphalan alone in CIBMTR-matched controls. We now integrate the second-generation protease inhibitor, carfilzomib, before and after BuMel (BuMelCar) in a phase I/II trial with carfilzomib. Patients with NDMM, relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) and those failing prior AHSCT were eligible. Primary end-points were safety and tolerability. Secondary end-points included minimal residual disease negativity rates, PFS and OS. The study enrolled 19 patients. 73% were high risk either due to R-ISS III status, adverse genetics or relapsed after prior AHSCT. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of carfilzomib was determined to be 36 mg/m2. Noted grade 3 toxicities were febrile neutropenia (79%), mucositis (21%) and diarrhoea (16%). The 2-year PFS for the whole cohort and MTD was 89% and 100% respectively. 80% of all patients and 82% of patients in the MTD cohort achieved MRD negativity. Further studies regarding this regimen are planned.

Up-front autologous stem cell transplant in peripheral T-cell lymphoma patients achieving complete response after first-line treatment: A multicentre real-world analysis.

We conducted a retrospective, multicentre study to compare consolidation therapy with or without first-line autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) for peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) patients in a real-world setting. We enrolled 347 PTCL patients who achieved complete response after first-line treatment. Of these, 257 received consolidation chemotherapy (non-ASCT group) and 90 received ASCT (ASCT group). Clinical outcomes were comparable between ASCT and non-ASCT groups. After propensity score matching, the 2-year cumulative incidence of treatment-related mortality and relapse remained similar between groups (1.9% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.985; 24.7% vs. 47.1%, p = 0.021). However, significant differences emerged in progression-free survival and overall survival probabilities. Within the T-cell lymphoma subgroup, ASCT patients exhibited favourable outcomes compared to non-ASCT patients: 2-year progression-free survival (73.4% vs. 50.8%, p = 0.024) and overall survival (92.1% vs. 73.5%, p = 0.021). Notably, no significant differences were observed for patients with NK/T-cell lymphoma. These real-world data suggest that up-front ASCT is a safe and effective consolidation option for PTCL patients in remission, particularly those with T-cell lymphoma.

Early M-protein immune reconstitution after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a good prognostic marker for patients with high-risk cytogenetic multiple myeloma.

The presence of transient abnormal protein banding (M-protein immune reconstitution) in serum immunofixation electrophoresis after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma has been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of post-transplant M-protein immune reconstitution on the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma. M-protein immune reconstitution was observed in 25.9% (75/290) of patients. The CR rate and MRD negativity were higher in the M-protein immune reconstitution group (85.3% vs. 69.3%, p = 0.013, 81.9% vs. 66.5%, p = 0.014). Although there were no significant differences between the groups, the overall median survival time was longer in the M-protein immune reconstruction group (80 vs. 72 m, p = 0.076; not reached vs. 105 m, p = 0.312). Among patients in the cytogenetic high-risk group, the occurrence of M-protein immune reconstitution predicted better PFS and OS (80 vs. 31 m, p = 0.010; not reached vs. 91 m, p = 0.026). Additionally, in revised-International Staging System stage III patients, PFS and OS were better in those who achieved M-protein immune reconstitution (80 vs. 20 m, p = 0.025; 57 vs. 32 m, p = 0.103). The better prognosis of M-protein immune reconstitution patients may be associated with the acquisition of a deeper response. In high-risk patients, early acquisition of M-protein immune reconstitution may suggest a better prognosis.

The Treatment of Burkitt Lymphoma With the Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster Protocol With Rituximab and Consolidative Autologous Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Intensive treatment approaches are required for adult patients with Burkitt lymphoma (BL), although an univocal standard of care still does not exist. The use of frontline autologous stem cells transplantation (ASCT) is debated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2004 and 2020, 50 patients with BL were treated with the Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (BFM). Treatment plan consisted of 3 blocks, A (ifosfamide, vincristine, methotrexate, etoposide, and cytarabine), B (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and doxorubicin), and C (vindesine, methotrexate, etoposide, and cytarabine), each repeated twice, every 28 days. Rituximab was given at day 1 each block. Intrathecal prophylaxis was given once per each block. ASCT was scheduled at the end of the 6 blocks after conditioning. RESULTS: Median age at onset was 38 years (range 16-72); stages III-IV disease was observed in 82% of cases; bulky disease occurred in 44% of the patients, with B-symptoms in 38%. Stem cell harvest was performed in 72% of patients, who all received a subsequent ASCT. The full 6 blocks treatment was completed in 70% of the patients. The overall response rate was 74%, with a complete response rate of 60%. Ten-year overall survival and progression-free survival were 83.7% and 76.0%, respectively, without reaching the median. Ten-year disease-free survival was 80.3%. Grades 3-4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and mucositis were seen in 96%, 60%, 32%, and 24% of patients. Infections occurred in 60% of patients. CONCLUSION: Intensive treatment according to BFM protocol, with rituximab and ASCT, appears feasible, safe, and highly effective in adult patients with BL, as confirmed by long-term survival rates reflecting response maintenance.

Radioimmunotherapy versus autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma: a Fondazione Italiana Linfomi multicenter, randomized, phase III trial.

BACKGROUND: Optimal consolidation for young patilents with relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) remains uncertain in the rituximab era, with an unclear benefit of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The multicenter, randomized, phase III FLAZ12 (NCT01827605) trial compared anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with ASCT as consolidation after chemoimmunotherapy, both followed by rituximab maintenance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (age 18-65 years) with R/R FL and without significant comorbidities were enrolled and treated with three courses of conventional, investigator-chosen chemoimmunotherapies. Those experiencing at least a partial response were randomized 1 : 1 to ASCT or RIT before CD34+ collection, and all received postconsolidation rituximab maintenance. Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint. The target sample size was 210 (105/group). RESULTS: Between August 2012 and September 2019, of 164 screened patients, 159 were enrolled [median age 57 (interquartile range 49-62) years, 55% male, 57% stage IV, 20% bulky disease]. The study was closed prematurely because of low accrual. Data were analyzed on 8 June 2023, on an intention-to-treat basis, with a 77-month median follow-up from enrollment. Of the 141 patients (89%), 70 were randomized to ASCT and 71 to RIT. The estimated 3-year PFS in both groups was 62% (hazard ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval 0.69-1.80, P = 0.6662). The 3-year overall survival also was similar between the two groups. Rates of grade ≥3 hematological toxicity were 94% with ASCT versus 46% with RIT (P < 0.001), and grade ≥3 neutropenia occurred in 94% versus 41%, respectively (P < 0.001). Second cancers occurred in nine patients after ASCT and three after radioimmunotherapy (P = 0.189). CONCLUSIONS: Even if prematurely discontinued, our study did not demonstrate the superiority of ASCT versus RIT. ASCT was more toxic and demanding for patients and health services. Both strategies yielded similar, favorable long-term outcomes, suggesting that consolidation programs milder than ASCT require further investigation in R/R FL.

A phase I trial of autologous RAK cell immunotherapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) remains a challenge worldwide. Here, we introduced a phase I trial of autologous RAK cell therapy in patients with mRCC whose cancers progressed after prior systemic therapy. Although RAK cells have been used in clinic for many years, there has been no dose-escalation study to demonstrate its safety and efficacy. METHODS: We conducted a phase I trial with a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design to investigate the dose-related safety and efficacy of RAK cells in patients with mRCC whose cancers have failed to response to systemic therapy (ChiCTR1900021334). RESULTS: Autologous RAK cells, primarily composed of CD8+ T and NKT cells, were infused intravenously to patients at a dose of 5 × 109, 1 × 1010 or 1.5 × 1010 cells every 28 days per cycle. Our study demonstrated general safety of RAK cells in a total of 12 patients. Four patients (33.3%) showed tumor shrinkage, two of them achieved durable partial responses. Peripheral blood analysis showed a significant increase in absolute counts of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells after infusion, with a greater fold change observed in naive CD8+ T cells (CD8+CD45RA+). Higher peak values of IL-2 and IFN-γ were observed in responders after RAK infusion. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that autologous RAK cell immunotherapy is safe and has clinical activity in previously treated mRCC patients. The improvement in peripheral blood immune profiling after RAK cell infusion highlights its potential as a cancer treatment. Further investigation is necessary to understand its clinical utility.

Ten-year trend analysis of breast cancer, oncoplastic, and reconstructive breast surgery in a single institution (2010-2019), what has not changed?

PURPOSE: There has been a UK national directive to ensure that patients are offered reconstructive surgical options. We aimed to assess any change in oncoplastic practice over a 10-year period. METHODS: The surgical management of 7019 breast cancers was retrospectively assessed at Nightingale Breast Centre, Manchester University UK, from 2010 to 2019. The procedures were categorised into breast conservative surgery (BCS) and mastectomy ± immediate reconstruction. The data were analysed using inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: The overall rates of BCS and mastectomy were 60.1% and 39.9% respectively. No statistically significant change in the overall rates of BCS or mastectomy was observed over the last decade (p = 0.08). The rate of simple wide local excision (WLE) decreased from 98.7% to 89.3% (p < 0.001), whilst the rate of therapeutic mammoplasty (TM) increased from 1.3% to 8% (p < 0.01). The rate of chest wall perforator flaps (CWPF) changed from zero to account for 2.7% of all BCS by 2019. The overall rate of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) did not significantly change over the study period, but it consistently remained above the national average of 27%. The rate of implant-based IBR increased from 61.3% to 76.5% (p = 0.012), whilst the rate of Latissimus Dorsi (LD) reconstruction decreased from 26.7% to 5.1% (p < 0.05). Additionally, the rate of nipple-sparing mastectomy significantly increased from 5.2% to 24%. CONCLUSION: No significant changes in the overall rates of BCS was observed, the rates of advanced breast conservation techniques, nipple-sparing mastectomy, and implant-based IBR all have increased, whilst the use of LD reconstruction decreased.