Chronic graft-versus-host disease: unresolved complication or ancient history?

ABSTRACT: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is associated with morbidity, mortality, impaired quality of life, prolonged immunosuppressive therapy, and infection risk after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Major strides have occurred in the understanding of cGVHD biology; National Institutes of Health Consensus meetings have refined rigorous approaches to diagnosis, staging, and response criteria; major interventional trials have established standard benchmarks for treatment outcome; and 3 agents to date have been US Food and Drug Administration approved for treating corticosteroid-refractory cGVHD. Promising results from several recent trials have led some, but not others, to conclude that the risk of developing cGVHD is sufficiently low to be considered a major post-HCT complication of the past. We propose that it is time to critically examine the results of contemporary graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimens and discuss the state of the science and associated controversies in the spectrum of conclusions reached as to the risk of cGVHD. With these data, the current cGVHD incidence can be most precisely determined, and the present and future burden of cGVHD-affected patients can be accurately modeled. Through review of existing evidence, we highlight unresolved needs and opportunities to refine best GVHD prophylaxis or preemptive therapy approaches and optimize established cGVHD therapy, and make the argument that support of preclinical and clinical research is critical in improving patient outcomes.

HA-1-targeted T-cell receptor T-cell therapy for recurrent leukemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

ABSTRACT: Relapse is the leading cause of death after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) for leukemia. T cells engineered by gene transfer to express T cell receptors (TCR; TCR-T) specific for hematopoietic-restricted minor histocompatibility (H) antigens may provide a potent selective antileukemic effect post-HCT. We conducted a phase 1 clinical trial using a novel TCR-T product targeting the minor H antigen, HA-1, to treat or consolidate treatment of persistent or recurrent leukemia and myeloid neoplasms. The primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of administration of HA-1 TCR-T after HCT. CD8+ and CD4+ T cells expressing the HA-1 TCR and a CD8 coreceptor were successfully manufactured from HA-1-disparate HCT donors. One or more infusions of HA-1 TCR-T following lymphodepleting chemotherapy were administered to 9 HCT recipients who had developed disease recurrence after HCT. TCR-T cells expanded and persisted in vivo after adoptive transfer. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred. Although the study was not designed to assess efficacy, 4 patients achieved or maintained complete remissions following lymphodepletion and HA-1 TCR-T, with 1 patient still in remission at >2 years. Single-cell RNA sequencing of relapsing/progressive leukemia after TCR-T therapy identified upregulated molecules associated with T-cell dysfunction or cancer cell survival. HA-1 TCR-T therapy appears feasible and safe and shows preliminary signals of efficacy. This clinical trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT03326921.

An 8-year pragmatic observation evaluation of the benefits of allogeneic HCT in older and medically infirm patients with AML.

We designed a prospective, observational study enrolling patients presenting for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at 13 institutions to analyze associations between hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and survival, quality of life (QOL), and function in: the entire cohort, those aged ≥65 years, those with high comorbidity burden, intermediate cytogenetic risk, adverse cytogenetic risk, and first complete remission with or without measurable residual disease. Patient were assessed 8 times over 2 years. Time-dependent regression models were used. Among 692 patients that were evaluable, 46% received HCT with a 2-year survival of 58%. In unadjusted models, HCT was associated with reduced risks of mortality most of the subgroups. However, after accounting for covariates associated with increased mortality (age, comorbidity burden, disease risks, frailty, impaired QOL, depression, and impaired function), the associations between HCT and longer survival disappeared in most subgroups. Although function, social life, performance status, and depressive symptoms were better for those selected for HCT, these health advantages were lost after receiving HCT. Recipients and nonrecipients of HCT similarly ranked and expected cure as main goal of therapy, whereas physicians had greater expectations for cure than the former. Accounting for health impairments negates survival benefits from HCT for AML, suggesting that the unadjusted observed benefit is mostly owing to selection of the healthier candidates. Considering patients' overall expectations of cure but also the QOL burdens of HCT motivate the need for randomized trials to identify the best candidates for HCT. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01929408.

HLA-DQ heterodimers in hematopoietic cell transplantation.

HLA-DQ heterodimers increase the susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, but their role in hematopoietic cell transplantation is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that outcome after HLA-matched and HLA-DQ-mismatched hematopoietic cell transplantation is influenced by HLA-DQ heterodimers. Heterodimers were defined in 5164 HLA-matched and 520 HLA-DQ-mismatched patients and their transplant donors according to well-established crystallographic criteria. Group 1 (G1) heterodimers are any DQA1*02/03/04/05/06α paired with any DQB1*02/03/04ß. Group 2 (G2) heterodimers are DQA1*01α paired with any DQB1*05/06ß. Multivariable models identified significantly higher relapse risk in G1G2 and G2G2 compared with G1G1 HLA-matched patients with malignant disease; risk increased with an increasing number of G2 molecules. In HLA-DQ-mismatched transplantation for malignant diseases, matching or mismatching for G2 increased relapse risk. G2 lowered disease-free survival after both HLA-matched and HLA-DQ-mismatched transplantation. A paradigm based on HLA-DQ heterodimers provides a functional definition of the hematopoietic cell transplantation barrier and a means to lower risks for future patients.

Dental evaluation and clearance prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Dental examination and stabilization are performed prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation to decrease infection risk during neutropenia. Burden of dental disease and treatment need is not well characterized in this population. OBJECTIVES: This report describes the dental status of a cohort of patients within the Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease Consortium and treatment rendered prior to transplant. METHODS: The cohort included 486 subjects (Fred Hutchinson: n = 245; Dana-Farber: n = 241). Both centers have institutional-based dental clearance programs. Data were retrospectively abstracted from medical records by calibrated oral health specialists. RESULTS: The median age at transplant was 55.9 years, 62.1% were male, and 88% were white. Thirteen patients were edentulous (2.7%). The mean teeth among dentate patients before clearance was 26.0 (SD, 4.6). Dental findings included untreated caries (31.2%), restorations (91.6%), endodontically treated teeth (48.1%), and dental implants (5.7%). Pretransplant procedures during clearance included endodontic therapy (3.6%; mean = 0.1 teeth), restorations (25.1%; mean = 0.7), dental prophylaxis (59.2%), scaling/root planing (5.1%), and extraction (13.2%; mean = 0.3). The mean teeth after clearance was 25.6 (SD, 5.0). CONCLUSIONS: Retrospective analysis of pre-AlloHCT dental data in subjects at two large transplant centers identified low levels of dental need. Findings suggest high access to care.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Use in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review.

Chronic immunosuppression in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) leads to an increased risk of a wide variety of cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is indicated for many of these; however, the risks and benefits of ICI use in the SOTR population have not been well characterized. We performed a systematic literature review identifying 119 reported cases of ICI use among SOTRs. Treatments used included PD-1 inhibition (75.6%), CTLA-4 inhibition (12.6%), PD-L1 inhibition (1.7%), and combination and/or sequential ICI therapy (10.1%). The most common cancers included cutaneous melanoma (35.3%), hepatocellular carcinoma (22.7%), and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (18.5%). The overall objective response rate (ORR) was 34.5%, with a median duration of response of 8.0 months. Ongoing response was seen in 21.0%. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma had significantly better ORR compared with other cancer types (68.2% vs 26.8%; odds ratio [OR], 5.85; P =.0006). Factors associated with improved ORR included increasing time from transplant to ICI (OR, 1.09; P =.008) and preemptive reduction in intensity of the graft maintenance immunosuppressive regimen (50.0% vs 18.5%; OR, 4.40; P =.0088). Rejection occurred in 41.2%, graft failure in 23.5%, and immune-related adverse events in 18.5%. Factors significantly associated with allograft rejection included allograft PD-L1 positivity (100% vs 0%; P<.0001) and absence of tacrolimus in the immunosuppressive regimen (48.7% vs 25.6%; OR, 0.36; P =.019). The most common cause of death was progressive malignancy (64.0%), followed by graft failure (24.0%). Our analysis provides current benchmark data to help inform management of SOTRs with advanced cancers that are reflected by our patient cohort. Biomarker development, more robust datasets, and prospective study of concomitant immunosuppression management may help refine decision-making in this complex scenario in the future. Close coordination of care between the medical oncologist and transplant specialist is encouraged to help optimize treatment outcomes.

Factors associated with durable EFS in adult B-cell ALL patients achieving MRD-negative CR after CD19 CAR T-cell therapy.

Autologous T cells engineered to express a CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) have produced impressive minimal residual disease-negative (MRD-negative) complete remission (CR) rates in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). However, the factors associated with durable remissions after CAR T-cell therapy have not been fully elucidated. We studied patients with relapsed/refractory B-ALL enrolled in a phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating lymphodepletion chemotherapy followed by CD19 CAR T-cell therapy at our institution. Forty-five (85%) of 53 patients who received CD19 CAR T-cell therapy and were evaluable for response achieved MRD-negative CR by high-resolution flow cytometry. With a median follow-up of 30.9 months, event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly better in the patients who achieved MRD-negative CR compared with those who did not (median EFS, 7.6 vs 0.8 months; P < .0001; median OS, 20.0 vs 5.0 months; P = .014). In patients who achieved MRD-negative CR by flow cytometry, absence of the index malignant clone by IGH deep sequencing was associated with better EFS (P = .034). Stepwise multivariable modeling in patients achieving MRD-negative CR showed that lower prelymphodepletion lactate dehydrogenase concentration (hazard ratio [HR], 1.38 per 100 U/L increment increase), higher prelymphodepletion platelet count (HR, 0.74 per 50 000/µL increment increase), incorporation of fludarabine into the lymphodepletion regimen (HR, 0.25), and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) after CAR T-cell therapy (HR, 0.39) were associated with better EFS. These data allow identification of patients at higher risk of relapse after CAR T-cell immunotherapy who might benefit from consolidation strategies such as allogeneic HCT. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01865617.

Survival, Nonrelapse Mortality, and Relapse-Related Mortality After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Comparing 2003-2007 Versus 2013-2017 Cohorts.

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is indicated for refractory hematologic cancer and some nonmalignant disorders. Survival is limited by recurrent cancer and organ toxicity. Objective: To determine whether survival has improved over the past decade and note impediments to better outcomes. Design: The authors compared cohorts that had transplants during 2003 to 2007 versus 2013 to 2017. Survival outcome measures were analyzed, along with transplant-related complications. Setting: A center performing allogeneic transplant procedures. Participants: All recipients of a first allogeneic transplant during 2003 to 2007 and 2013 to 2017. Intervention: Patients received a conditioning regimen, infusion of donor hematopoietic cells, then immunosuppressive drugs and antimicrobial approaches to infection control. Measurements: Day-200 nonrelapse mortality (NRM), recurrence or progression of cancer, relapse-related mortality, and overall mortality, adjusted for comorbidity scores, source of donor cells, donor type, patient age, disease severity, conditioning regimen, patient and donor sex, and cytomegalovirus serostatus. Results: During the 2003-to-2007 and 2013-to-2017 periods, 1148 and 1131 patients, respectively, received their first transplant. Over the decade, decreases were seen in the adjusted hazards of day-200 NRM (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66 [95% CI, 0.48 to 0.89]), relapse of cancer (HR, 0.76 [CI, 0.61 to 0.94]), relapse-related mortality (HR, 0.69 [CI, 0.54 to 0.87]), and overall mortality (HR, 0.66 [CI, 0.56 to 0.78]). The degree of reduction in overall mortality was similar for patients who received myeloablative versus reduced-intensity conditioning, as well as for patients whose allograft came from a matched sibling versus an unrelated donor. Reductions were also seen in the frequency of jaundice, renal insufficiency, mechanical ventilation, high-level cytomegalovirus viremia, gram-negative bacteremia, invasive mold infection, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, and prednisone exposure. Limitation: Cohort studies cannot determine causality, and current disease severity criteria were not available for patients in the 2003-to-2007 cohort. Conclusion: Improvement in survival and reduction in complications were substantial after allogeneic transplant. Relapse of cancer remains the largest obstacle to better survival outcomes. Primary Funding Source: National Institutes of Health.

Yttrium-90-labeled anti-CD45 antibody followed by a reduced-intensity hematopoietic cell transplantation for patients with relapsed/refractory leukemia or myelodysplasia.

Outcomes of patients with persistent high-risk leukemia or myelodysplasia prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation are dismal. We therefore conducted a phase I trial evaluating the use of CD45-targeted radiotherapy preceding hematopoietic cell transplantation with the goal of improving outcomes for this high-risk scenario. Fifteen patients, median age 62 (range 37-76) years, were treated: ten with advanced acute myeloid leukemia, five with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. All patients had evidence of disease prior to treatment including nine with marrow blast counts ranging from 7-84% and six with minimal residual disease. Patients received escalating doses of yttrium-90-labeled anti-CD45 antibody followed by fludarabine and 2 Gy total body irradiation prior to human leukocyte antigen-matched, related or unrelated hematopoietic cell transplantation. Although a maximum dose of 30 Gy was delivered to the liver, no dose-limiting toxicity was observed. Therefore, the maximum-tolerated dose could not be estimated. Treatment led to complete remission in 13 patients (87%). All patients engrafted by day 28. Six patients relapsed, median of 59 (range 6-351) days, after transplantation. The 1-year estimate of relapse was 41%. Eight patients (53%) are surviving with median follow up of 1.8 (range 0.9-5.9) years. Estimated overall survival at one and two years was 66% and 46%, respectively, with progression-free survival estimated to be 46% at each time point. In conclusion, the combination of 90Y-DOTA-BC8 with an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation regimen was feasible and tolerable. This approach appears promising in this high-risk leukemia/myelodysplasia patient population with active disease. (Trial registered at clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01300572).

Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria in the Age of Eculizumab.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired clonal hematopoietic cell disease characterized by the destruction of hematopoietic cells through activation of the complement system with manifestations that can be life-threatening including hemolysis, thrombosis, and marrow failure. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains the sole cure for PNH, but eculizumab, a terminal complement inhibitor of C5, has been used to prevent complement-mediated hemolysis in patients with PNH since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2007. We examined outcomes of HCT in patients with PNH to evaluate the effects of disease subtype, conditioning intensity, and eculizumab use either pre-HCT or post-HCT. Fifty-five patients with a diagnosis of PNH underwent at least 1 HCT, with 4 patients requiring a second HCT for graft failure. The median age at the time of first HCT was 30.0 years (range, 4.2 to 66.9 years). Seventeen patients (30.9%) had classical PNH, and the remaining 38 patients had PNH associated with another marrow disorder (aplastic anemia in 26 of the 38). Indications for HCT included pancytopenia in 47.3% of the patients, myeloid malignancy (myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative neoplasm, or acute myelogenous leukemia) in 21.8%, recurrent hemolysis in 20.0%, and thrombosis in 10.9%. Of the 55 first HCTs, 26 were performed with myeloablative conditioning, 27 were performed with reduced-intensity conditioning, and 2 sets of identical twins underwent HCT without any conditioning. Donor types included HLA-matched related in 38.2%, HLA-matched unrelated in 34.5%, single HLA-allele mismatched unrelated in 16.4%, umbilical cord blood in 5.5%, syngeneic in 3.6%, and HLA-haploidentical in 1.8%. The median duration of follow-up in surviving patients was 6.1 years (range, 2.1 to 46.1 years) after first HCT. The median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 17 days and 19 days, respectively; all but 2 patients (96.3%) had sustained engraftment. Overall survival was 70% at 5 years. Neither the choice of conditioning intensity nor PNH subtype affected survival. Nineteen patients died during follow-up, including 12 patients before day +365. Six patients received treatment with eculizumab before HCT, and 2 were treated after HCT. All patients treated with eculizumab were alive at a median follow-up of 2.3 years (range, .2 to 6.9 years). Both patients treated with eculizumab after HCT had minimal to no acute GVHD (aGVHD), with grade I skin aGVHD in 1 patient and no aGVHD in the other patient, and no chronic GVHD at 2.1 and 4.1 years post-HCT, respectively. With the approval of eculizumab, the indications for HCT include persistent hemolysis, persistent thrombosis, and associated marrow failure. Administration of eculizumab before and after HCT warrants further study, particularly considering our observation of minimal to no GVHD in 2 patients who received eculizumab after HCT.

Graft-Derived Reconstitution of Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells express a semi-invariant Vα7.2+ T cell receptor (TCR) that recognizes ligands from distinct bacterial and fungal species. In neonates, MAIT cells proliferate coincident with gastrointestinal (GI) bacterial colonization. In contrast, under noninflammatory conditions adult MAIT cells remain quiescent because of acquired regulation of TCR signaling. Effects of inflammation and the altered GI microbiota after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) on MAIT cell reconstitution have not been described. We conducted an observational study of MAIT cell reconstitution in myeloablative (n = 41) and nonmyeloablative (n = 66) allogeneic HCT recipients and found that despite a rapid and early increase to a plateau at day 30 after HCT, MAIT cell numbers failed to normalize for at least 1 year. Cord blood transplant recipients and those who received post-HCT cyclophosphamide for graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis had profoundly impaired MAIT cell reconstitution. Sharing of TCRß gene sequences between MAIT cells isolated from HCT grafts and blood of recipients after HCT showed early MAIT cell reconstitution was due at least in part to proliferation of MAIT cells transferred in the HCT graft. Inflammatory cytokines were required for TCR-dependent MAIT cell proliferation, suggesting that bacterial Vα7.2+ TCR ligands might promote MAIT cell reconstitution after HCT. Robust MAIT cell reconstitution was associated with an increased GI abundance of Blautia spp. MAIT cells suppressed proliferation of conventional T cells consistent with a possible regulatory role. Our data identify modifiable factors impacting MAIT cell reconstitution that could influence the risk of GVHD after HCT.

Bendamustine with rituximab, etoposide and carboplatin (T(R)EC) in relapsed or refractory aggressive lymphoma: a prospective multicentre phase 1/2 clinical trial.

We sought to develop a safe and effective outpatient salvage regimen by replacing ifosfamide within the (R)ICE (rituximab, ifosfomide, carboplatin, etoposide) regimen with bendamustine (T(R)EC) via a multicentre phase I/II study for patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and classic Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Therapy consisted of 60-120 mg/m2 per day bendamustine on days 1 and 2 in combination with carboplatin, etoposide and rituximab (only for CD20+ lymphoma) used in the (R)ICE regimen for up to 2 cycles. The objectives were to define a maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of bendamustine, determine safety and toxicity, assess efficacy, and evaluate impact on stem cell collection. Forty-eight patients were treated of which 71% had refractory disease. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. The recommended phase II dose of bendamustine was 120 mg/m2 per day on days 1 and 2. Response rates were 85% (70% complete response, CR) in HL, and 65% (40% CR) in DLBCL. Stem cell collection was successful in 30 of 32 patients. The most common non-haematological toxicities ≥grade 3 were febrile neutropenia (8%) and dehydration (8%). The T(R)EC regimen safely yields high response rates, successfully mobilizes peripheral blood stem cells and compares favourably to RICE, offering an effective outpatient treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL and HL.

Anti-CD45 radioimmunotherapy without TBI before transplantation facilitates persistent haploidentical donor engraftment.

Many patients with hematologic malignancies cannot tolerate hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), whereas others may not have a compatible human leukocyte antigen-matched donor. To overcome these limitations, we optimized a conditioning regimen employing anti-CD45 radioimmunotherapy (RIT) replacing total body irradiation (TBI) before haploidentical HCT in a murine model. Mice received 200 to 400 µCi (90)Y-anti-CD45 antibody (30F11), with or without fludarabine (5 days starting day -8), with cyclophosphamide (CY; days -2 and +2) for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis, and 1.5 × 10(7) haploidentical donor bone marrow cells (day 0). Haploidentical bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with 300 µCi (90)Y-anti-CD45 RIT and CY, without TBI or fludarabine, led to mixed chimeras with 81.3 ± 10.6% mean donor origin CD8(+) cells detected 1 month after BMT, and remained stable (85.5 ± 11% mean donor origin CD8(+) cells) 6 months after haploidentical BMT. High chimerism levels were induced across multiple hematopoietic lineages 28 days after haploidentical BMT with 69.3 ± 14.1%, 75.6 ± 20.2%, and 88.5 ± 11.8% CD3(+) T cells, B220(+) B cells, and CD11b(+) myeloid cells, respectively. Fifty percent of SJL leukemia-bearing mice treated with 400 µCi (90)Y-DOTA-30F11, CY, and haploidentical BMT were cured and lived >200 days. Mice treated with 200 µCi (90)Y-DOTA-30F11 had a median overall survival of 73 days, while untreated leukemic mice had a median overall survival of 34 days (P < .001, Mantel-Cox test). RIT-mediated haploidentical BMT without TBI may increase treatment options for aggressive hematologic malignancies.

Graft-versus-Host Disease of the Gut: A Histologic Activity Grading System and Validation.

The pathologic interpretation of gut biopsies in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients to assess graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is well accepted and supplements clinical and endoscopic findings. However, the histologic activity grading of GVHD is controversial, with attempts to predict prognosis or response to treatment largely unsuccessful. GVHD is being diagnosed earlier in its course, raising the possibility that the pathologic grading system can be profitably modified. We developed a histologic activity grading system designed to replace the commonly used modified Lerner grading systems. Our system stratifies the low-level Lerner grade I category into 4 activity grade categories, based on the average frequency of apoptotic cells. The results are expressed as ordinal categories: GVHD of minimal, mild, moderate, severe histologic activity, or severe histologic activity with destruction (activity grades 1 to 5). In a retrospective study, we studied 87 consecutive cases with 201 post-transplantation specimens (median, 48 days; range, 18 to 1479 days) of stomach, duodenum, and colorectum, which had been activity graded at the time of the original diagnosis. Most of the biopsies diagnosed as GVHD were low grade-minimal (11%) or mild (71%) histologic activity. We hypothesized that the higher activity grades would be associated with more therapeutic intervention. The odds of increased therapy in the combined all-site specimens were increased as activity grade increased (odds ratio, 2.9 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.9 to 4.5]; P = < .0001). Thus, our grading system was validated. To investigate whether the activity grade was associated with therapy within the formerly undivided Lerner grade I category, the analysis was restricted to these 174 all-site specimens. The validation result was similar (odds ratio, 3.1 [95% CI, 1.3 to 7.2]; P = .009). This result interestingly suggests that there is useful information hidden in the Lerner grade I category, which could potentially guide immediately actionable treatment decisions. This histologic activity grade system has been in use at our institution for over 2 years with good acceptance.

Results of a phase I-II study of fenretinide and rituximab for patients with indolent B-cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.

Fenretinide, a synthetic retinoid, induces apoptotic cell death in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) and acts synergistically with rituximab in preclinical models. We report results from a phase I-II study of fenretinide with rituximab for B-NHLs. Eligible diagnoses included indolent B-NHL or mantle cell lymphoma. The phase I design de-escalated from fenretinide at 900 mg/m2 PO BID for days 1-5 of a 7-day cycle. The phase II portion added 375 mg/m2 IV rituximab weekly on weeks 5-9 then every 3 months. Fenretinide was continued until progression or intolerance. Thirty-two patients were treated: 7 in phase I, and 25 in phase II of the trial. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. The phase II component utilized fenretinide 900 mg/m2 twice daily with rituximab. The most common treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or higher were rash (n = 3) and neutropenia (n = 3). Responses were seen in 6 (24%) patients on the phase II study, with a median duration of response of 47 months (95% confidence interval, 2-56). The combination of fenretinide and rituximab was well tolerated, yielded a modest overall response rate, but with prolonged remission durations. Further study should focus on identifying the responsive subset of B-NHL.

Frequent PIK3CA Mutations in Colorectal and Endometrial Tumors With 2 or More Somatic Mutations in Mismatch Repair Genes.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Some colorectal and endometrial tumors with microsatellite instability not attributable to MLH1 hypermethylation or germline mutations contain 2 or more somatic mutations in genes encoding mismatch repair (MMR) proteins. We sought to define the molecular phenotype of this newly recognized tumor subtype. METHODS: From 2 prospective studies of the efficacy of screening for Lynch syndrome, we identified patients with colorectal and endometrial tumors who had 2 or more somatic (but not germline) mutations in genes encoding MMR proteins (double somatic). We determined the frequencies of tumor mutations in PIK3CA, BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, and PTEN by targeted next-generation sequencing and used logistic-regression models to compare them with those from patients with Lynch syndrome, MLH1-hypermethylated, or microsatellite-stable tumors. We validated our findings using independent data sets from The Cancer Genome Atlas. RESULTS: Among colorectal cancer cases, we found that 14 of 21 (67%) patients with double somatic tumors also had PIK3CA mutations, compared with 4 of 18 (22%) tumors from patients with Lynch syndrome, 2 of 10 (20%) tumors with MLH1 hypermethylation, and 12 of 78 (15%) tumors with microsatellite stability (P < .0001 for patients with double somatic tumors vs other subgroups). Mutations in PIK3CA were detected in all 13 patients with double somatic endometrial cancers (P = .04 compared with other subgroups). We did not detect BRAF mutations in patients with double somatic colorectal tumors or Lynch syndrome. We found highly similar results in a validation cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (113 patients with colorectal tumors, 178 endometrial tumors); 100% of double somatic cases had a somatic mutation in PIK3CA (P < .0001 compared with other subgroups). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with colorectal or endometrial tumors with 2 or more somatic (but not germline) mutations in MMR proteins also have mutations in PIK3CA; mutations in PIK3CA are detected at substantially higher frequencies in these double somatic tumors than in other microsatellite-instability subgroups. PIK3CA mutation status might be used to identify a specific group of colorectal tumors, and to select treatment or determine prognosis.

Idiopathic pneumonia syndrome after hematopoietic cell transplantation: evidence of occult infectious etiologies.

Newer diagnostic methods may link more idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) cases to an infectious agent. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples from 69 hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients with IPS diagnosed between 1992 and 2006 were tested for 28 pathogens (3 bacteria and 25 viruses) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and for Aspergillus by galactomannan assay. Research BALs from 21 asymptomatic HCT patients served as controls. Among 69 HCT patients with IPS, 39 (56.5%) had a pathogen detected. The most frequent pathogens were human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) (N = 20 [29%]) followed by human rhinovirus (HRV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Aspergillus (N = 8 [12%] in each). HHV-6 and HRV were rarely detected in controls, whereas CMV and Aspergillus were occasionally detected with low pathogen load. Patients with pathogens had worse day-100 survival than those without (hazard ratio, 1.88; P = .03). Mortality in patients with only pathogens of "uncertain" significance in lung was similar to that in patients with pathogens of "established" significance. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing did not reveal additional significant pathogens. Our study demonstrated that approximately half of patients with IPS had pathogens detected in BAL, and pathogen detection was associated with increased mortality. Thus, an expanded infection detection panel can significantly increase the diagnostic precision for idiopathic pneumonia.

Human Metapneumovirus Infections Following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Factors Associated With Disease Progression.

BACKGROUND: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a newly identified pulmonary pathogen that can cause fatal lower respiratory tract disease (LRD) in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients. Little is known about progression rates from upper respiratory tract infection (URI) to LRD and risk factors associated with progression. METHODS: A total of 118 HCT recipients receiving transplantation between 2004 and 2014 who had HMPV detected in nasopharyngeal, bronchoalveolar lavage, or lung biopsy samples by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: More than 90% of the cases were identified between December and May. Among the 118 HCT patients, 88 and 30 had URI alone and LRD, respectively. Among 30 patients with LRD, 17 patients progressed from URI to LRD after a median of 7 days (range, 2-63 days). The probability of progression to LRD within 40 days after URI was 16%. In Cox regression analysis, steroid use ≥1 mg/kg prior to URI diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR], 5.10; P = .004), low lymphocyte count (HR, 3.43; P = .011), and early onset of HMPV infection after HCT (before day 30 after HCT; HR, 3.54; P = .013) were associated with higher progression to LRD. The median viral load in nasal wash samples was 1.1 × 10(6) copies/mL (range, 3.3 × 10(2)-1.7 × 10(9)) with no correlation between the viral load and progression. CONCLUSIONS: Progression from URI to LRD occurred in up to 60% of HCT recipients with risk factors such as systemic corticosteroid use or low lymphocyte counts. Further studies are needed to define the role of viral load in the pathogenesis of progressive disease.

Reevaluation of the pretransplant assessment of mortality score after allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation.

The Pretransplant Assessment of Mortality (PAM) score was developed in 2006 to predict risk of mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Transplant practices have evolved during the past decade, suggesting the need to reevaluate the performance of the PAM score. We used statistical modeling to analyze and recalibrate mortality based on overall PAM scores, its components, and conditioning regimen in a retrospective cohort of 1549 patients who had HCT from 2003 through 2009. PAM scores correlated with mortality, but the effect size was smaller in the current study than in previous studies. PAM scores also demonstrated a stronger association with mortality in patients who received myeloablative conditioning than in those who received reduced-intensity conditioning. In contrast to the original study, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, serum alanine aminotransferase, and serum creatinine concentrations were no longer significantly associated with 2-year mortality, whereas patient and donor cytomegalovirus serology was associated with mortality in the current cohort. Based on our findings, we developed and tested a revised PAM score for clinicians to estimate survival after allogeneic HCT with myeloablative conditioning regimens for patients with hematologic malignancy. Prognostic models such as the PAM score should be updated and recalibrated periodically to accommodate changes in clinical practice.