Venous Thromboembolism Post-Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant: Risk Factors, Incidence and Outcomes.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-documented complication of both solid and hematologic malignancies, but there are fewer data on allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. Therefore, we studied the incidence, risk factors, and impact of VTE on post-HCT outcomes in a contemporary cohort. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent allogeneic HCT between 1/2014 and 8/2019 to identify patients with post-HCT VTE. Patient, disease, and transplant-related risk factors for VTE were investigated using competing risk analysis. A total of 431 patients were included in this study. Median (IQR) age in years was 59 (46-65) at transplant. The most common indication for transplant was acute myelogenous leukemia (49.4%). Within our cohort, 64 patients (14.8%) developed post-HCT VTE with a median (IQR) follow up time of 24.6 (8.4- 47.1) months. The cumulative incidence of VTE was 4.2% at 6-month, 9.0% at 12-month, 12.6% at 24-month and 13.8% at 36-months. In multivariable analysis, older age (HR per 10-year increase, 95% CI: 1.36, 1.09-1.70) history of VTE (HR, 95% CI : 1.95, 1.09-3.49), and grade 2-4 acute GVHD (HR, 95% CI: 1.75, 1.05-2.94) were independently associated with VTE. VTE was significantly associated with an increased risk of non-relapse mortality (NRM) (HR4.09, 95% CI 2.47-6.74) and decreased overall survival (OS) (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.48-3.24). VTE is an important complication after allogeneic HCT and is significantly associated with increased NRM and decreased OS. Older patients, those with prior VTE, and patients with acute GVHD are at increased risk for development of VTE after HCT.

Real-world outcomes of patients with resected stage III melanoma treated with adjuvant therapies.

BACKGROUND: Both immunotherapy (IO) and targeted therapy (TT) are used as adjuvant (adj) treatment for stage III melanoma, however, data describing real-world outcomes are limited. In addition, a significant proportion of patients relapse, for whom best management is unclear. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy, and safety of adj anti-PD1 IO and TT in a real-world cohort of patients with resected stage III melanoma, and further delineate patterns of recurrence and treatment strategies. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 130 patients who received adj therapy (100 anti-PD1 IO and 30 TT). RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 30 months, median relapse-free survival (RFS) was 24.6 (95% CI, 17-not reached [NR]) versus 64 (95% CI, 29.5-NR) months for the TT and IO groups, respectively (p = 0.26). Median overall survival (OS) was NR for either subgroup. At data cutoff, 77% and 82% of patients in TT and IO arms were alive. A higher number of grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were noted in the IO group (11% vs. 3%), however, a higher proportion of patients permanently discontinued adj therapy in the TT group (43% vs. 11%) due to toxicity. Strategies at relapse and outcomes were variable based on location and timing of recurrence. A significant number of patients who relapsed after adj IO received a second round of IO. Among them, patients who were off adj IO at relapse had superior second median RFS (mRFS2), compared to those who relapsed while on adj IO; mRFS2 was NR versus 5.1 months (95% CI, 2.5-NR), respectively, p = 0.02. CONCLUSION: In summary, both TT and IO yielded prolonged RFS in a real-world setting, however, longer follow-up is needed to determine any potential OS benefit. Adj therapy, particularly TT, may not be as well tolerated as suggested in clinical trials, with lower completion rates (59% vs. 74%) in a real-life setting. Overall, patients who relapse during adj therapy have poor outcomes, while patients who relapse after discontinuation of adj IO therapy appear to benefit from IO re-treatment.

Late complications after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant: What primary care physicians can do.

Survivors of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) face the risk of many serious complications in the long term, which primary care physicians play an integral role in recognizing and treating. In this review, the authors summarize the most common complications that primary care physicians see after HCT recipients return to their care: chronic graft-vs-host disease; cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, rheumatologic, orthopedic, infectious, neurologic, and cognitive complications; secondary malignancies; psychiatric disorders; and impairments in quality of life and sexual health. Also discussed are health maintenance and screening recommendations for this patient population.

Immunotherapy response in patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck with cranial nerve involvement.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) can be treated with immunotherapy (IO). Cranial nerve involvement (CNI) is uncommon in cSCC and is a poor prognostic factor. Our aim is to describe how patients with CNI respond to IO monotherapy and/or as an adjunct to RT. METHODS: Under an IRB approved protocol, patients with histologically proven cSCC of the head and neck with CNI treated with IO were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Twelve patients were included and received cemiplimab or pembrolizumab. Eight patients had CNI at diagnosis, and 4 at time of recurrence after non-IO therapy. Best responses were complete response (1), partial response (7), stable disease (1), progressive disease (2), and pending response (1). Nine patients are alive, 6 of which remain on IO. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, IO showed clinical response in 83% of patients, indicating IO can be an effective monotherapy, reserving RT for instances of local failure after IO.