Current practice in nutrition after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation - Results from a survey among hematopoietic stem cell transplant centers.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) is frequently associated with impaired oral intake and malnutrition, which potentially increases morbidity and mortality. Therefore, nutrition is one of the major challenges in the post-transplant period. METHODS: To document the current clinical approach in nutritional treatment, we designed a questionnaire concerning the current practice in nutrition after alloHSCT and distributed it to German speaking centers performing alloHSCT in Germany, Austria and Switzerland between November 2018 and March 2020. Twenty-eight (39%) of 72 contacted centers completed the survey, 23 from Germany, two from Austria and three from Switzerland, representing 50% of alloHSCT activity within the participating countries in 2018. RESULTS: All centers reported having nutritional guidelines for patients undergoing alloHSCT, whereby 86% (n = 24) provided a low-microbial diet during the neutropenic phase. The criteria to start parenteral nutrition (PN) directly after alloHSCT seemed to be consistent, 75% (n = 21) of the corresponding centers started PN if the oral nutritional intake or the bodyweight dropped below a certain limit. In the setting of intestinal graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) the current practice appeared to be more heterogenous. About 64% (n = 18) of the centers followed a special diet, added food stepwise modulated by GvHD symptoms, while only four centers regularly stopped oral intake completely (intestinal GvHD grade >1). Half of the centers (54%, n = 15) applied a lactose-free diet, followed by 43% (n = 12) which provided fat- and 18% (n = 5) gluten-free food in patients with intestinal GvHD. Supplementation of micronutrients in acute intestinal GvHD patients was performed by 54% (n = 15) of the centers, whereas vitamin D (89%, n = 25) and vitamin B12 (68%, n = 19) was added regularly independently of the presence of GvHD. Only 5 (18%) participating centers ever observed a food-associated infection during hospitalization, whereas food-associated infections were reported to occur more often in the outpatient setting (64%, n = 18). CONCLUSION: The survey documented a general consensus about the need for nutritional guidelines for patients undergoing alloHSCT. However, the nutritional treatment in clinical practice (i.e. lactose-, gluten- or fat-free in intestinal GvHD) as well as the use of food supplements was very heterogeneous. In line with current general recommendations the centers seemed to focus on safe food handling practice rather than providing a strict neutropenic diet. More high-quality data are required to provide evidence-based nutrition to patients during and after alloHSCT.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for advanced mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. An updated experience of the Lymphoma Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment option in advanced-stage mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS). This study presents an updated analysis of the initial experience of the Lymphoma Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) describing the outcomes after allo-HSCT for MF and SS, with special emphasis on the impact of the use of unrelated donors (URD). METHODS AND PATIENTS: Eligible for this study were patients with advanced-stage MF or SS who underwent a first allo-HSCT from matched HLA-identical related or URD between January/1997 and December/2011. Sixty patients have been previously reported. RESULTS: 113 patients were included [77 MF (68%)]; 61 (54%) were in complete or partial remission, 86 (76%) received reduced-intensity protocols and 44 (39%) an URD allo-HSCT. With a median follow up for surviving patients of 73 months, allo-HSCT resulted in an estimated overall survival (OS) of 38% at 5 years, and a progression-free survival (PFS) of 26% at 5 years. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that advanced-phase disease (complete remission/partial remission >3, primary refractory or relapse/progression in patients that had received 3 or more lines of systemic treatment prior to transplant or the number of treatment lines was not known), a short interval between diagnosis and transplant (<18 months) were independent adverse prognostic factors for PFS; advanced-phase disease and the use of URDs were independent adverse prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSIONS: This extended series supports that allo-HSCT is able to effectively rescue over one third of the population of patients with advanced-stage MF/SS. High relapse rate is still the major cause of failure and needs to be improved with better strategies before and after transplant. The negative impact of URD is a matter of concern and needs to be further elucidated in future studies.

European dermatology forum: Updated guidelines on the use of extracorporeal photopheresis 2020 - Part 2.

BACKGROUND: Following the first investigational study on the use of extracorporeal photopheresis for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma published in 1983, this technology has received continued use and further recognition for additional earlier as well as refractory forms. After the publication of the first guidelines for this technology in the JEADV in 2014, this technology has maintained additional promise in the treatment of other severe and refractory conditions in a multidisciplinary setting. It has confirmed recognition in well-known documented conditions such as graft-vs.-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, systemic sclerosis, solid organ transplant rejection including lung, heart and liver and to a lesser extent inflammatory bowel disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to further provide recognized expert practical guidelines for the use of this technology for all indications, the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) again proceeded to address these questions in the hands of the recognized experts within and outside the field of dermatology. This was done using the recognized and approved guidelines of EDF for this task. All authors had the opportunity to review each contribution as it was added. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: These updated 2020 guidelines provide at present the most comprehensive available expert recommendations for the use of extracorporeal photopheresis based on the available published literature and expert consensus opinion. The guidelines were divided into two parts: PART I covers Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, chronic graft-vs.-host disease and acute graft-vs.-host disease, while PART II will cover scleroderma, solid organ transplantation, Crohn's disease, use of ECP in paediatric patients, atopic dermatitis, type 1 diabetes, pemphigus, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and erosive oral lichen planus.

European dermatology forum - updated guidelines on the use of extracorporeal photopheresis 2020 - part 1.

BACKGROUND: Following the first investigational study on the use of extracorporeal photopheresis for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma published in 1983, this technology has received continued use and further recognition for additional earlier as well as refractory forms. After the publication of the first guidelines for this technology in the JEADV in 2014, this technology has maintained additional promise in the treatment of other severe and refractory conditions in a multi-disciplinary setting. It has confirmed recognition in well-known documented conditions such as graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, systemic sclerosis, solid organ transplant rejection including lung, heart and liver and to a lesser extent inflammatory bowel disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to further provide recognized expert practical guidelines for the use of this technology for all indications, the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) again proceeded to address these questions in the hands of the recognized experts within and outside the field of dermatology. This was done using the recognized and approved guidelines of EDF for this task. All authors had the opportunity to review each contribution as it was added. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: These updated 2020 guidelines provide at present the most comprehensive available expert recommendations for the use of extracorporeal photopheresis based on the available published literature and expert consensus opinion. The guidelines are divided in two parts: PART I covers cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, chronic graft-versus-host disease and acute graft-versus-host disease while PART II will cover scleroderma, solid organ transplantation, Crohn's disease, use of ECP in paediatrics practice, atopic dermatitis, type 1 diabetes, pemphigus, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and erosive oral lichen planus.

Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT) recommendations for establishing a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program in countries with limited resources (Part II): Clinical, technical and socio-economic considerations.

The development of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) programs can face significant challenges in most developing countries because such endeavors must compete with other government health care priorities, including the delivery of basic services. While this is may be a limiting factor, these countries should prioritize development of the needed expertise to offer state of the art treatments including transplantation, by providing financial, technological, legal, ethical and other needed support. This would prove beneficial in providing successful programs customized to the needs of their population, and potentially provide long-term cost-savings by circumventing the need for their citizens to seek care abroad. Costs of establishing HSCT program and the costs of the HSCT procedure itself can be substantial barriers in developing countries. Additionally, socioeconomic factors intrinsic to specific countries can influence access to HSCT, patient eligibility for HSCT and timely utilization of HSCT center capabilities. This report describes recommendations from the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT) for establishing HSCT programs with a specific focus on developing countries, and identifies challenges and opportunities for providing this specialized procedure in the resource constrained setting.

Alloreactivity: the Janus-face of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Differences in major and minor histocompatibility antigens between donor and recipient trigger powerful graft-versus-host reactions after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The clinical effects of alloreactivity present a Janus-face: detrimental graft-versus-host disease increases non-relapse mortality, beneficial graft-versus-malignancy may cure the recipient. The ultimate consequences on long-term outcome remain a matter of debate. We hypothesized that increasing donor-recipient antigen matching would decrease the negative effects, while preserving antitumor alloreactivity. We analyzed retrospectively a predefined cohort of 32 838 such patients and compared it to 59 692 patients with autologous HSCT as reference group. We found a significant and systematic decrease in non-relapse mortality with decreasing phenotypic and genotypic antigen disparity, paralleled by a stepwise increase in overall and relapse-free survival (Spearman correlation coefficients of cumulative excess event rates at 5 years 0.964; P<0.00; respectively 0.976; P<0.00). We observed this systematic stepwise effect in all main disease and disease-stage categories. The results suggest that detrimental effects of alloreactivity are additive with each step of mismatching; the beneficial effects remain preserved. Hence, if there is a choice, the best match should be donor of choice. The data support an intensified search for predictive genomic and environmental factors of 'no-graft-versus-host disease'.

The proteome pattern cGvHD_MS14 allows early and accurate prediction of chronic GvHD after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) may be curative, but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD), characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of multiple target organs, considerably contributes to the morbidity and mortality even years after allo-HSCT. Diagnosis of cGvHD is based on clinical features and histology of biopsies. Here, we report the generation of a urinary cGvHD-specific proteome-pattern (cGvHD_MS14) established by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry to predict onset and severity of cGvHD as an unbiased laboratory test. cGvHD_MS14 was evaluated on samples from 412 patients collected prospectively in four transplant centers. Sensitivity and specificity was 84 and 76% by cGvHD_MS14 classification. Sensitivity further increased to 93% by combination of cGvHD_MS14 with relevant clinical variables to a logistic regression model. cGvHD was predicted up to 55 days prior to clinical diagnosis. Acute GvHD is not recognized by cGvHD_MS14. cGvHD_MS14 consists of 14 differentially excreted peptides, six of those have been sequenced to date and are fragments from thymosin ß-4, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4γ2, fibrinogen ß-chain or collagens. In conclusion, the cGvHD_MS14-pattern allows early, highly sensitive and specific prediction of cGvHD as an independent diagnostic criterion of clinical diagnosis potentially allowing early therapeutic intervention.

The EBMT-ELN working group recommendations on the prophylaxis and treatment of GvHD: a change-control analysis.

In 2013, recommendations for a standardized practice in the prophylaxis and treatment of GvHD were adopted and published by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and the European LeukemiaNet. One year later, all 341 European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation centres performing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation were contacted for a change-control analysis and asked to fill in a questionnaire; 111 centres (33%) responded. Of these, 83% had been aware of the recommendations. Paediatric centres (P=0.004), centres with shorter programme duration (P=0.049), not JACIE (the Joint Accreditation Committee of the International Society for Cellular Therapy and the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation)-accredited centres (P=0.010) and centres from middle-income countries (P=0.033) were more likely to be unaware of the recommendations. Thirty-eight per cent of the centres regarded the recommendations as relevant guidelines affecting their policies, 61% as interesting information. Thirty per cent had decided to make changes in their institutional protocols based on the recommendations. More than 80% were willing to use the recommendations for a control arm in randomized studies. This survey shows that the published recommendations had some, though insufficient, impact on the strategies and methods of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation applied by the centres. It also identified some of the weaknesses to be addressed when releasing recommendations in the future.

Impact of genomic risk factors on survival after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with acute leukaemia.

The EBMT risk score is an established tool successfully used in the prognosis of survival post-HSCT and is applicable for a range of haematological disorders. One of its main advantages is that score generation involves summation of clinical parameters that are available pretransplant. However, the EBMT risk score is recognized as not being optimal. Previous analyses, involving patients with various diagnoses, have shown that non-HLA gene polymorphisms influence outcome after allogeneic HSCT. This study is novel as it focuses only on patients having acute leukaemia (N = 458) and attempts to demonstrate how non-HLA gene polymorphisms can be added to the EBMT risk score in a Cox regression model to improve prognostic ability for overall survival. The results of the study found that three genetic factors improved EBMT risk score. The presence of MAL (rs8177374) allele T in the patient, absence of glucocorticoid receptor haplotype (consisting of rs6198, rs33389 and rs33388) ACT in the patient and absence of heat-shock protein 70-hom (+2437) (rs2227956) allele C in the patient were associated with decreased survival time. When compared to the EBMT risk score, the scores combining EBMT risk score with the genetic factors had an improved correlation with clinical outcome and better separation of risk groups. A bootstrapping technique, involving repeated testing of a model using multiple validation sets, also revealed that the newly proposed model had improved predictive value when compared to the EBMT risk score alone. Results support the view that non-HLA polymorphisms could be useful for pretransplant clinical assessment and provide evidence that polymorphisms in the recipient genotype may influence incoming donor cells, suppressing the initiation of the graft versus leukaemia effect and reducing survival.

Alemtuzumab-BEAM as conditioning for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma: a single-center analysis.

PURPOSE: Treatment of refractory Hodgkin disease deserves specific considerations. Recently, alemtuzumab-BEAM has been introduced in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in these patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of 20 patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) who received allogeneic HSCT following conditioning therapy with alemtuzumab-BEAM. RESULTS: Treatment-related toxicity was tolerable. Half of the patients (50 %) had infections. Of these, 50 % were found to have pneumonia or catheter-related infections. In 20 %, an oral mucositis was observed. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) (≥grade 2) was seen in three patients. Complete remission (CR) could be achieved in 17 patients (85 %), 2 patients had persistent Hodgkin disease, and 1 patient died from infection prior to CR evaluation. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 17.9 and 67.5 months, respectively. From the 17 CR patients, 8 had a relapse after a median of 10 months. Notably, of the eight patients relapsing after HSCT, all patients received another salvage treatment and four patients are still alive, whereas the other four patients died due to further progress. Six out of the remaining nine patients are still in CR, whereas the other three died from chronic GvHD and multi-organ failure. Overall, seven patients experienced chronic GvHD. CONCLUSION: In summary, alemtuzumab-BEAM is a well-tolerated conditioning therapy for allogeneic HSCT with high response rates in refractory HL.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation activity worldwide in 2012 and a SWOT analysis of the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group including the global survey.

Data on 68 146 hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs) (53% autologous and 47% allogeneic) gathered by 1566 teams from 77 countries and reported through their regional transplant organizations were analyzed by main indication, donor type and stem cell source for the year 2012. With transplant rates ranging from 0.1 to 1001 per 10 million inhabitants, more HSCTs were registered from unrelated 16 433 donors than related 15 493 donors. Grafts were collected from peripheral blood (66%), bone marrow (24%; mainly non-malignant disorders) and cord blood (10%). Compared with 2006, an increase of 46% total (57% allogeneic and 38% autologous) was observed. Growth was due to an increase in reporting teams (18%) and median transplant activity/team (from 38 to 48 HSCTs/team). An increase of 167% was noted in mismatched/haploidentical family HSCT. A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis revealed the global perspective of WBMT to be its major strength and identified potential to be the key professional body for patients and authorities. The limited data collection remains its major weakness and threat. In conclusion, global HSCT grows over the years without plateauing (allogeneic>autologous) and at different rates in the four World Health Organization regions. Major increases were observed in allogeneic, haploidentical HSCT and, to a lesser extent, in cord blood transplantation.

Predicting survival using clinical risk scores and non-HLA immunogenetics.

Previous studies of non-histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on subgroups of patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) revealed an association with transplant outcome. This study further evaluated the association of non-HLA polymorphisms with overall survival in a cohort of 762 HSCT patients using data on 26 polymorphisms in 16 non-HLA genes. When viewed in addition to an already established clinical risk score (EBMT-score), three polymorphisms: rs8177374 in the gene for MyD88-adapter-like (MAL; P=0.026), rs9340799 in the oestrogen receptor gene (ESR; P=0.003) and rs1800795 in interleukin-6 (IL-6; P=0.007) were found to be associated with reduced overall survival, whereas the haplo-genotype (ACC/ACC) in IL-10 was protective (P=0.02). The addition of these non-HLA polymorphisms in a Cox regression model alongside the EBMT-score improved discrimination between risk groups and increased the level of prediction compared with the EBMT-score alone (gain in prediction capability for EBMT-genetic-score 10.8%). Results also demonstrated how changes in clinical practice through time have altered the effects of non-HLA analysis. The study illustrates the significance of non-HLA genotyping prior to HSCT and the importance of further investigation into non-HLA gene polymorphisms in risk prediction.

Secondary solid cancer screening following hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients have a substantial risk of developing secondary solid cancers, particularly beyond 5 years after HCT and without reaching a plateau overtime. A working group was established through the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research and the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation with the goal to facilitate implementation of cancer screening appropriate to HCT recipients. The working group reviewed guidelines and methods for cancer screening applicable to the general population and reviewed the incidence and risk factors for secondary cancers after HCT. A consensus approach was used to establish recommendations for individual secondary cancers. The most common sites include oral cavity, skin, breast and thyroid. Risks of cancers are increased after HCT compared with the general population in skin, thyroid, oral cavity, esophagus, liver, nervous system, bone and connective tissues. Myeloablative TBI, young age at HCT, chronic GVHD and prolonged immunosuppressive treatment beyond 24 months were well-documented risk factors for many types of secondary cancers. All HCT recipients should be advised of the risks of secondary cancers annually and encouraged to undergo recommended screening based on their predisposition. Here we propose guidelines to help clinicians in providing screening and preventive care for secondary cancers among HCT recipients.

Impact of CR before and after allogeneic and autologous transplantation in multiple myeloma: results from the EBMT NMAM2000 prospective trial.

Previous studies have shown that obtaining complete hematologic remission (CR) in multiple myeloma is an important predictor of PFS and OS. This applies both to autologous and allogeneic transplantation. However, the importance of CR obtained before vs after second transplant or following allogeneic vs autologous transplantation is not clear. We investigated the role of CR analyzing data from the EBMT-NMAM2000 interventional prospective study comparing tandem autologous/reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic transplantation (auto/RICallo) to autologous transplantation-single or double (auto/auto). Allocation to treatment was performed according to availability of a matched sibling donor. Cox regression and multi-state models were applied. The long-term probability of survival in CR was superior in auto/RICallo, both comparing groups according to treatment allocated at start (28.8 vs 11.4% at 60 months, P=0.0004) and according to actual administration of second transplant (25.6 vs 9.6% at 60 months, P=0.008). CR achieved before the second transplant was predictive for PFS (hazard ratio (HR)=0.44, P= 0.003) and OS (HR 0.51, P=0.047) irrespective of the type of second transplant. CR achieved after auto/RICallo was more beneficial for PFS (HR=0.53, P=0.027) than CR after auto/auto (HR=0.81, P=0.390), indicating a better durability of CR obtained after an allotransplant procedure.

Consensus on performing skin biopsies, laboratory workup, evaluation of tissue samples and reporting of the results in patients with suspected cutaneous graft-versus-host disease.

BACKGROUND: Histopathological diagnosis including selection of lesions, the determination of the best point of time for biopsy and workup is not trivial in cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). OBJECTIVES: To develop interdisciplinary recommendations on performing, the laboratory work up and reporting of the results of skin biopsies in patients with suspected cutaneous GvHD. METHODS: A working group consisting of dermatopathologists, dermatologists, transplant-physicians and transplant-pathologists prepared recommendations for performing skin biopsies, laboratory workup and evaluation of tissue samples, and reporting of the results in patients with cutaneous GvHD. After achieving a consensus within the working group, a survey that comprised the core issues of the recommendations was electronically sent out to 72 alloHSCT centres within Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and their Departments of Pathology. The answers were discussed in a Consensus Conference and final recommendations were established. RESULTS: Twenty-five centres responded to the clinical and 17 centres to the histopathological survey. Questions addressed to the clinicians comprised the indication for skin biopsy in chronic GvHD (cGvHD) and acute GvHD (aGvHD) and the appropriate point of time for skin biopsy. Eighty-eight per cent agreed that the skin biopsy is generally indicated in patients with suspected cGvHD lacking diagnostic features. In contrast, with suspected aGvHD, only 62% of respondents felt that skin biopsy was necessary even if GvHD had not been confirmed in another organ. Although restricted due to the fact that immunosuppression is often applied in an emergency setting most centres supported skin biopsies before initiation of topical or systemic immunosuppression. The majority of pathologists agreed that in non-sclerotic GvHD a punch biopsy is adequate, whereas in sclerotic GvHD a scalpel biopsy is preferred. CONCLUSION: While a consensus on the need for biopsies in cGvHD was reached the value of skin biopsies in aGvHD and subsequent biopsies during therapy requires further evaluation.

Clinical guidelines for gynecologic care after hematopoietic SCT. Report from the international consensus project on clinical practice in chronic GVHD.

Despite similarities relevant age- and gender-specific issues exist in the care of patients after allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (HSCT). Female genital chronic GVHD (cGVHD) has been markedly underreported in the past but has a significant impact on the patients' health and quality of life. Data on prevention and treatment of this complication are still limited. Here we present a comprehensive review summarizing the current knowledge, which was discussed during several meetings of the German, Austrian and Swiss Consensus Project on clinical practice in cGVHD. In this report, we provide recommendations for post-transplant gynecological care of cGVHD manifestations agreed upon by all participants. This includes guidelines for diagnosis, prevention, and therapeutic options and topical treatments in female patients with genital cGVHD and hormonal replacement treatment of premature ovarian failure for adult and pediatric patients and underlines the necessity for regular gynecological care and screening programs for women after HSCT.

Health-related quality of life in pediatric patients after allogeneic SCT: development of the PedsQL Stem Cell Transplant module and results of a pilot study.

With increased survival after pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic SCT health-related quality of life (HRQL) has emerged as an essential health outcome. The impact of transplant and chronic GVHD (cGVHD)-associated morbidity remains a major obstacle. In 2005, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference on Criteria for Clinical Trials in cGVHD recommended HRQL tools as an independent measure of the impact of disease burden. The NIH recommendations did not provide a cGVHD-specific tool for HRQOL measures in children. This report focuses on the development of an SCT-specific instrument to assess HRQL in children and adolescents. For the assessment of generic HRQL we chose the PedsQL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) Generic Cores Scales, which have been used in a large number of healthy, acutely ill and chronically ill children and adolescents. To capture SCT- and, specifically, cGVHD-related problems, we developed the PedsQL Stem Cell Transplant module by reviewing the literature, taking over some items/scales of other PedsQL modules, interviewing patients, parents and members of the health-care team, and applying the PedsQL measurement methods. The final PedsQL Stem Cell Transplant module consists of the HRQL domains: pain and hurt, fatigue/sleeping problems/weakness, nausea, worry/anxiety about disease/treatment, nutritional problems, neurocognitive problems, communication about disease/treatment, loneliness, physical functioning and additional somatic complaints (pruritus, skin inflammation, oral problems, eyes or breathing) including patients' and parents' assessment. It was tested in 35 pediatric patients, who were referred to our SCT Outpatient Clinic about 100 days post SCT. Both the generic PedsQL and the SCT-specific scales showed high internal consistency, with Cronbach alpha levels of ⩾0.70 in almost all scales. Most problems were detected within the HRQL domains of physical functioning and pain. The summary scores of the generic PedsQL and the PedsQL Stem Cell Transplant module showed high correlations (r=0.89 in patients' and r=0.81 in parents' assessments). Moreover, both tools discriminated between patients with and without cGVHD. The PedsQL Stem Cell Transplant module is practical for use and suitable across a broad age range (2-18 years) both in patients with and without cGVHD. However, it is still a pilot instrument and needs further development and testing in a larger patient population.

Proteomic peptide profiling for preemptive diagnosis of acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is one curative treatment for hematological malignancies, but is compromised by life-threatening complications, such as severe acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD). Prediction of severe aGvHD as early as possible is crucial to allow timely initiation of treatment. Here we report on a multicentre validation of an aGvHD-specific urinary proteomic classifier (aGvHD_MS17) in 423 patients. Samples (n=1106) were collected prospectively between day +7 and day +130 and analyzed using capillary electrophoresis coupled on-line to mass spectrometry. Integration of aGvHD_MS17 analysis with demographic and clinical variables using a logistic regression model led to correct classification of patients developing severe aGvHD 14 days before any clinical signs with 82.4% sensitivity and 77.3% specificity. Multivariate regression analysis showed that aGvHD_MS17 positivity was the only strong predictor for aGvHD grade III or IV (P<0.0001). The classifier consists of 17 peptides derived from albumin, ß2-microglobulin, CD99, fibronectin and various collagen α-chains, indicating inflammation, activation of T cells and changes in the extracellular matrix as early signs of GvHD-induced organ damage. This study is currently the largest demonstration of accurate and investigator-independent prediction of patients at risk for severe aGvHD, thus allowing preemptive therapy based on proteomic profiling.