Prospective analysis of the attendance behaviour of the participants of a facilitated support group for patients after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

PURPOSE: Support groups might help survivors of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantations (HCT) to cope with medical, psychological, and social challenges. The aim of this project was (1) to establish a facilitated post-HCT support group and (2) to assess the participation behaviour. METHODS: From 11/2013 until 7/2017, all adult patients who had received a HCT at our centre were invited to participate in a professionally facilitated support group. The format of the group was unstructured without any rules regarding regular attendance. The attendance was prospectively minuted by the facilitator. Reasons for non-attendance were assessed by a survey. RESULTS: During the observation period, 53 group meetings were scheduled. Nine meetings were cancelled because of low attendance. Altogether 23 different patients (F: n=10; M: n=13) and 10 spouses (F: n=9; M: n=1) participated. Median participation was 5 [range 2-11]. With respect to all HCT patients who had the theoretical opportunity to attend, the mean participation rate was 7%. Thirteen patients and four spouses attended more than one meeting. The median count of participations among those participants was 8 [2-32]. The median interval from the first until the last participation was 16 months. The main reason reported for non-participation was the effort to get to the venue of the support group. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first analysis on the attendance behaviour of the participants of a support group for HCT survivors. The results provide guidance for the organization of future support groups and indicate what participation rates can be expected and how they might be increased.

General condition and comorbidity of long-term survivors of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Cure rates in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) improved using pediatric-based chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation (SCT). However, limited data on the health condition of cured adults are available whereas pediatric data cannot be transferred. The GMALL analyzed the health status in survivors of adult ALL retrospectively. Physicians answered a questionnaire on general condition (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] status) and comorbidity or syndrome occurrence observed after treatment. Five hundred and thirty-eight patients with a median age of 29 (range, 15-64) years at diagnosis were analyzed, median follow-up was 7 (range, 3-24) years. Thirty-one percent had received SCT. ECOG status was 0-1 in 94%, 34% had not developed significant comorbidities. Most frequent comorbidities involved the neurologic system (27%), endocrine system (20%), skin (18%), graft-versus-host-disease (15%), cardiac system (13%), fatigue (13%). SCT impacted ECOG status and comorbidity occurrence significantly. ECOG 0-1 was observed in 86% of SCT and 98% of non-SCT patients (P<0.0001); comorbidity was observed in 87% and 57% respectively (P<0.0001). Our analysis elucidates the spectrum of comorbidities in cured adult ALL patients, with higher risk for transplanted patients, providing stimulations for the design of adequate aftercare programs. Overall, a large proportion of non-SCT patients achieved unrestricted general condition. The data provide a reference for new patient-centered endpoints in future trials.

The insertion site is the main risk factor for central venous catheter-related complications in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Central venous catheters (CVC) placed either via the internal jugular vein (IJV) or the subclavian vein (SCV) are routinely used in patients with hematologic malignancies. In this retrospective study, we systematically compared CVC-associated complications for both insertion sites, IJV and SCV. Between January 2011 and June 2013, all consecutive patients (n = 87) were included with at least one CVC (n = 153; n = 94 IJV; n = 59 SCV) at our institution due to induction/consolidation for AML/ALL or autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Primary study endpoints were central line-associated (CLABSI), catheter-related (CRBSI) blood stream infections and local inflammation (LI) at the insertion site. CRBSI occurred earlier and more frequently in the IJV- versus the SCV-group with an incidence rate of CRBSI at day 15 of 10% versus 0% (p = .04) and a rate of CRBSI per 1000 CVC days of 5.7 versus 1.2. In addition, CLABSI was detected more often in IJV- compared to SCV-CVC (26% vs. 8%, p = .009). Conversely, LI occurred more frequently and earlier in SCV- versus IJV-CVC (88% vs. 56%, p < .0001) with a median time to LI of 9 versus 14 days (p < .0001). The strongest risk factor for the endpoints CRBSI, CLABSI, and LI was the insertion site. However, SCV insertion was a risk factor for LI (p = .001, HR: 2.0), insertion in the IJV a risk factor for CLABSI (p = .044, HR: 2.7) and CRBSI (p = .036, HR: 5.4). These results demonstrate a differential effect of the insertion site of CVC in neutropenic patients with a significantly reduced frequency of CVC-related blood stream infections in SCV-CVC.

Standardized monitoring of cytomegalovirus-specific immunity can improve risk stratification of recurrent cytomegalovirus reactivation after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Recurrence of cytomegalovirus reactivation remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Monitoring cytomegalovirus-specific cellular immunity using a standardized assay might improve the risk stratification of patients. A prospective multicenter study was conducted in 175 intermediate- and high-risk allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients under preemptive antiviral therapy. Cytomegalovirus-specific cellular immunity was measured using a standardized IFN-γ ELISpot assay (T-Track® CMV). Primary aim was to evaluate the suitability of measuring cytomegalovirus-specific immunity after end of treatment for a first cytomegalovirus reactivation to predict recurrent reactivation. 40/101 (39.6%) patients with a first cytomegalovirus reactivation experienced recurrent reactivations, mainly in the high-risk group (cytomegalovirus-seronegative donor/cytomegalovirus-seropositive recipient). The positive predictive value of T-Track® CMV (patients with a negative test after the first reactivation experienced at least one recurrent reactivation) was 84.2% in high-risk patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a higher probability of recurrent cytomegalovirus reactivation in high-risk patients with a negative test after the first reactivation (hazard ratio 2.73; p=0.007). Interestingly, a post-hoc analysis considering T-Track® CMV measurements at day 100 post-transplantation, a time point highly relevant for outpatient care, showed a positive predictive value of 90.0% in high-risk patients. Our results indicate that standardized cytomegalovirus-specific cellular immunity monitoring may allow improved risk stratification and management of recurrent cytomegalovirus reactivation after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02156479.

A multicenter prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled phase II/III trial for preemptive acute graft-versus-host disease therapy.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) contributes to about 50% of transplant-related mortality (non-relapse mortality) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Here the predictive value of a urinary proteomic profile (aGvHD_MS17) was tested together with preemptive prednisolone therapy. Two-hundred and fifty-nine of 267 patients were eligible for analysis. Ninety-two patients were randomized upon aGvHD_MS17 classification factor above 0.1 to receive either prednisolone (2-2.5 mg/kg, N = 44) or placebo (N = 47; N = 1 randomization failure) for 5 days followed by tapering. The remaining 167 patients formed the observation group. The primary endpoint of the randomized trial was incidence of aGvHD grade II between randomization and day +100 post HSCT. Analysis of the short-term preemptive prednisolone therapy in the randomized patients showed no significant difference in incidence or severity of acute GvHD (HR: 1.69, 95% CI: 0.66-4.32, P = 0.27). Prednisolone as preemptive treatment did not lead to an increase in relapse (20.2% in the placebo and 14.0% in the prednisolone group (P = 0.46)). The frequency of adverse events was slightly higher in the placebo group (64.4% versus 50%, respectively). Taken together, the results of the Pre-GvHD trial demonstrated the feasibility and safety of preemptive prednisolone treatment in the randomized patients.

Treatment of myeloid malignancies relapsing after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with venetoclax and hypomethylating agents-a retrospective multicenter analysis on behalf of the German Cooperative Transplant Study Group.

Treatment of relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) remains a great challenge. Aiming to evaluate the combination of venetoclax and hypomethylating agents (HMAClax) for the treatment of relapse of myeloid malignancies after alloHSCT, we retrospectively collected data from 32 patients treated at 11 German centers. Venetoclax was applied with azacitidine (n = 13) or decitabine (n = 19); 11 patients received DLI in addition. HMAClax was the first salvage therapy in 8 patients. The median number of cycles per patient was 2 (1-19). All but 1 patient had grade 3/4 neutropenia. Hospital admission for grade 3/4 infections was necessary in 23 patients (72%); 5 of these were fatal. In 30 evaluable patients, overall response rate (ORR) was 47% (14/30, 3 CR MRDneg, 5 CR, 2 CRi, 1 MLFS, 3 PR). ORR was 86% in first salvage patients versus 35% in later salvage patients (p = 0.03). In 6 patients with molecular relapse (MR), ORR was 67% versus 42% in patients with hematological relapse (HR) (n = 24, p = n.s.). After a median follow-up of 8.4 months, 25 patients (78%) had died and 7 were alive. Estimated median overall survival was 3.7 months. Median survival of patients with HMAClax for first versus later salvage therapy was 5.7 and 3.4 months (p = n.s.) and for patients with MR (not reached) compared to HR (3.4 months, p = 0.024). This retrospective case series shows that venetoclax is utilized in various different combinations, schedules, and doses. Toxicity is substantial and patients who receive venetoclax/HMA combinations for MR or as first salvage therapy derive the greatest benefit.

Topical Treatment of Acyclovir-Resistant Herpes Simplex Virus Stomatitis after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: We report on patients who developed severe acyclovir-resistant (ACVr) herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) stomatitis after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). PATIENTS: HCT patients suffering from HSV-1 stomatitis without response after 1 week of high-dose acyclovir (ACV) were tested for ACV resistance. Patients with proven ACV resistance were treated either topically with cidofovir solution and gel or with topical foscavir cream or with intravenous foscavir. RESULTS: Among 214 consecutive HCT patients, 6 developed severe ACVr HSV-1 stomatitis (WHO grade III n = 1, WHO grade IV n = 5). All 6 patients suffered from relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after HCT. ACVr stomatitis was treated topically with first-line (n = 4) or second-line (n = 2) cidofovir. Topical foscavir cream was applied as first-line (n = 1) or second-line (n = 1) therapy. Intravenous foscavir was used in 3 patients (first-line therapy, n = 1; second-line therapy, n = 2). Complete remission was reached by topical cidofovir (n = 3), topical foscavir (n = 1), and intravenous foscavir (n = 1), respectively. Five of the 6 patients died due to progression of leukemia. Only 1 patient survived. CONCLUSIONS: ACVr HSV-1 stomatitis is a severe complication in AML patients relapsing after HCT. It reflects the seriously impaired general condition of these patients. This analysis shows that topical treatment with cidofovir or foscavir might be a sufficient first-line therapy approach in ACVr HSV-1 stomatitis. It might serve as a less toxic alternative to intravenous foscavir.

Influence of the Insertion Site on Central Venous Catheter-Related Complications in Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are extensively used in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In these patients CVC are placed routinely either via the internal jugular vein (IJV) or the subclavian vein (SCV). Purpose of this study was to systematically analyze complications of CVC at different insertion sites in HCT recipients. In this retrospective analysis, all consecutive patients (n = 56) who received a CVC (n = 101) due to allogeneic HCT at our institution between January 2011 and June 2013 were included. Three-lumen standard, nontunneled CVCs were placed via either the IJV (n = 60; 59%) or the SCV (n = 41; 41%). Study endpoints were time to local inflammation at the insertion site, time to fever, time to a combined endpoint of inflammation and fever, central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), duration of catheterization, catheter lumen obstruction, deep-vein thrombosis, pneumothorax, and catheter-related death. The median duration of catheterization per CVC was almost identical for the IJV and SCV sites (18 days versus 17 days; P not significant). There were no differences in the frequency of CLABSI, deep-vein thrombosis, pneumothorax, and catheter lumen obstruction between IJV and SCV CVC insertion sites. None of the patients died due to a CVC-related cause. Local inflammation occurred less frequently (48% versus 71%; P = .025) and later (median time to local inflammation, 25 days versus 12 days; P = .01) in IJV CVCs versus SCV CVCs. There was a trend toward a median longer time to the occurrence of fever for IJV CVCs compared with SCV CVCs (20 days versus 13 days; P = .07). In the multivariate analysis, diagnosis of acute leukemia (hazard ratio [HR], 1.696; P = .036), SCV CVC (HR, 1.617; P  = .039), and neutropenic CVC-days (HR, 2.477; P = .01) were identified as risk factors for the occurrence of local inflammation or fever. In contrast to earlier studies in patients without hematologic malignancies, these data demonstrate that CVCs placed in the SCV are not superior over IJV CVCs. Moreover, local inflammation occurred earlier and more frequently in patients with an SCV CVC.

Multidrug-resistant organisms in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are a challenge in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). However, in the literature there is no comprehensive analysis on MDRO in HCT. In this retrospective, single-center analysis, we appraised prevalence and clinical impact of MDRO in 98 consecutive allogeneic HCT patients. METHOD: Prior to the conditioning (baseline) and whenever clinically indicated patients underwent a full screening for MDRO (stool and urine cultures, swabs from several body regions). RESULTS: It turned out that 26 patients were colonized by 33 MDRO, either at baseline (n=16) or at any other time until day 100 post-transplantation. Of these 26 patients, eight developed an infection with MDRO, four of them by 4MRGN Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and three of them died MDRO-related. However, there was no significant difference between MDRO-colonized and non-colonized patients regarding overall survival (OS) and non-relapse-mortality (NRM). There was only a trend toward a higher NRM in patients already colonized by MDRO at baseline. This was due to the high NRM in multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa-colonized patients. CONCLUSION: In summary, colonization with MDRO other than P. aeruginosa had no negative impact on NRM and OS. Patients colonized by multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa had a dismal outcome. HCT of these patients should be considered with care. Screening for MDRO in the pretransplant work-up is suggested.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after systemic consolidation therapy with high-dose intravenous cytarabine in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is characterized by the abrupt onset of cardiac dysfunction, with transient apical and midventricular hypo-/akinesia with a compensatory hypercontractility of the remaining segments. The clinical presentation appears to be similar to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the myocardial dysfunction is reversible. CASE REPORT: We report on the case of a 58-year-old man with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who was admitted to our hospital to receive the second course of consolidation chemotherapy with intravenous cytarabine. Subsequently, the patient developed severe dyspnea at rest, with cardiogenic shock after the central venous catheter was removed. Echocardiography revealed severe dyskinesia of the mid and apical portions of both ventricles, accompanied by a highly reduced left ventricular function (LVF). 5 months later, 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) did not show any evidence of repolar-ization disorders and echocardiographic evaluation revealed a normal LVF. We suppose that the underlying mechanism was TC. CONCLUSIONS: TC can occur in patients with AML under systemic chemotherapy, which possibly represents a triggering factor for TC development. Cardiogenic shock is a serious life-threatening complication of TC. Nevertheless, the prognosis of TC is favorable and a complete recovery of the LVF is possible.

Assessment of acute intestinal graft versus host disease by abdominal magnetic resonance imaging at 3 Tesla.

OBJECTIVES: After allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), a reliable diagnosis of acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) is essential for an early and successful treatment. It is the aim of this analysis to assess intestinal aGvHD by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Prior to allogeneic SCT, 64 consecutive patients underwent abdominal MRI examination on a 3 T MR system, including axial and coronal T2w sequences and a three-dimensional dynamic T1w, contrast enhanced sequence. After SCT, 20 patients with suspected aGvHD received a second MRI as well as an endoscopic examination. RESULTS: Nine patients suffered from histologically proven intestinal aGvHD. In eleven patients intestinal aGvHD was excluded. In all aGvHD patients typical MRI findings with long-segment bowel wall thickening--always involving the terminal ileum--with profound submucosal oedema, were detected. The bowel wall was significantly thickened in patients with intestinal aGvHD. Bowel contrast enhancement spared the submucosa while demonstrating strong mucosal hyperemia. CONCLUSIONS: In intestinal aGvHD, a characteristic MR-appearance can be detected. This MRI pattern might facilitate an early and non-invasive diagnosis of intestinal aGvHD. MRI might thus be used as a sensitive tool to rule out or support the clinical diagnosis of aGvHD. KEY POINTS: • Acute intestinal graft versus host disease (aGvHD) can be assessed by MRI. • The aGvHD of the bowel demonstrates a characteristic MR imaging pattern. • Bowel wall shows extensive long-segment wall thickening with profound submucosal oedema. • Terminal ileum seems invariably affected; other bowel segments show variable involvement. • Colonoscopy in suspected aGvHD should include inspection of terminal ileum.

In vitro quality control of red blood cell concentrates outdated in clinical practice.

The properties of red blood cell (RBC) concentrates stored in different additive solutions have been previously examined under laboratory conditions at the end of shelf-life. However, whether these data are representative for RBC units used in clinical practice has not been shown. Therefore, we examined 164 RBC units from six manufacturers outdated after clinical usage in a hospital-based transfusion service for cellular content, hemolysis, adenosin triphosphate, 2,3-DPG, pH, oxygen saturation and levels of beta-thromboglobulin and proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL) 1beta (IL-1), IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). Results were correlated with the number of interruptions of recommended storage conditions and with different manufacturers. TNFalpha and IL-8 levels in the supernatant of RBC concentrates showed a weak correlation with the number of interruptions of recommended storage conditions (TNFalpha: r = 0.25, P < 0.01; IL-8: r = 0.20, P < 0.01) for the whole series. We detected no significant correlation between hemolysis and interruptions of recommended storage conditions or any of the remaining studied parameters. However, we found significant differences between RBC concentrates supplied by different manufacturers with respect to cellular content and most of the studied parameters. RBC concentrates containing SAG-M from one single manufacturer had higher in vitro hemolysis at the end of shelf-life compared to all other manufacturers (P < 0.05). We conclude from our data that interruptions of optimal conditions for storage of red cell components during cross-match testing and transport in our setting play a minor role for in vitro properties of RBC units at the end of shelf-life. The influence of processes of production, storage and/or transport until entry of RBC units into our blood component depot seems to be much more important for final product quality at the end of shelf-life than subsequent events.