Long-term outcome of patients receiving haematopoietic allogeneic stem cell transplantation as first transplant for high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma: a retrospective analysis from the Lymphoma Working Party-EBMT.

We analysed long-term outcome of patients receiving haematopoietic allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) as a first transplant for high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). One hundred and ninety patients were included in this study, 63% of them had previously received brentuximab vedotin and/or checkpoint inhibitors. Seventy patients (37%) received an unrelated donor allo-HSCT, 99 (51%) had myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and 60% had in vivo T-cell/depleted grafts (TCD). The 100-day cumulative incidence (CI) of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 25% and the 3-year CI of chronic GVHD was 38%. The 3-year CI of non-relapse mortality (NRM) and relapse rate were 21% and 38% respectively. After a median follow-up of 58 months, 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 58% and 41% respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that, in comparison to reduced-intensity conditioning regimens with or without TCD, MAC using TCD had similar NRM and a lower risk of relapse leading to significantly better OS and PFS. MAC without TCD was associated with higher NRM and worse survival outcomes. These results suggest that in patients with high-risk HL and candidates of allo-HSCT, a MAC strategy with TCD might be the best option.

No difference in survival after HLA mismatched versus HLA matched allogeneic stem cell transplantation in Ewing sarcoma patients with advanced disease.

Patients with advanced Ewing sarcoma (AES) carry a poor prognosis. Retrospectively, we analyzed 66 AES patients treated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) receiving HLA-mismatched (group A, n = 39) versus HLA-matched grafts (group B, n = 27). Median age at diagnosis was 13 years, and 15 years (range 3-49 years) at allo-SCT. The two groups did not differ statistically in distribution of gender, age, remission status/number of relapses at allo-SCT, or risk stratum. 9/39 (23%) group A versus 2/27 (7%) group B patients developed severe acute graft versus host disease (GvHD). Of patients alive at day 100, 7/34 (21%) group A versus 9/19 (47%) group B patients had developed chronic GvHD. In group A, 33/39 (85%) versus 20/27 (74%) group B patients died of disease and 1/39 (3%) versus 1/27 (4%) patients died of complications, respectively. Altogether 12/66 (18%) patients survived in CR. Median EFS 24 months after allo-SCT was 20% in both groups, median OS was 27% (group A) versus 17% (group B), respectively. There was no difference in EFS and OS in AES patients transplanted with HLA-mismatched versus HLA-matched graft in univariate and multivariate analyses. In this analysis, CR at allo-SCT is a condition for survival (p < 0.02).

[Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance: consensus of hematologists and nephrologists of Russia on the establishment of nosology, diagnostic approach and rationale for clone specific treatment].

Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) is a new nosology in modern nephrology and oncohematology. MGRS is defined as kidney injury due to nephrotoxic monoclonal immunoglobulin produced by the B-cell line clone which does not reach the hematological criteria for specific treatment initiation. Monoclonal proteins pathological effects on kidney parenchyma result in irreversible decline of kidney function till the end stage renal disease that in line with the position of International Consensus of hematologists and nephrologists determinates critical necessity for clone specific treatment in patients with MGRS despite the absence of hematological indications for treatment initiation. Main challenge of MGRS in Russian Federation is an inaccessibility of an in-time diagnostic and appropriate treatment for the great majority of patients due to the following reasons: 1) limited knowledge about the MGRS among hematologists and nephrologists; 2) lack of necessary diagnostic resources in most health-care facilities; 3) lack of approved clinical recommendations and medical economic standards for treatment of this pathological entity. Consensus document comprises the opinion of experts leading nephrologists and hematologists of Russian Federation on the problem of MGRS including the incoherence in nosology classification, diagnostics approach and rationale for clone specific treatment. Consensus document is based on conclusions and agreements reached during the conference of leading nephrologists and hematologists of Russia which was held in the framework of symposia Plasma cell dyscrasias and lymphoproliferative diseases: modern approaches to therapy, 1516 of March 2019, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University. The present Consensus is intended to define the principal practical steps to resolve the problem of MGRS in Russian Federation that are summarized as final clauses.

Long-term outcomes of ruxolitinib therapy in steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease in children and adults.

Acute and chronic steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease (srGVHD) is a life-threatening complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. There are a number of reports on case series describing efficacy of ruxolitinib in both acute and chronic srGVHD. We conducted a prospective study (NCT02997280) in 75 patients with srGVHD (32 acute, 43 chronic, 41 adults, and 34 children). Patients with chronic GVHD had severe disease in 83% of cases, and acute GVHD patients had grade III-IV disease in 66% of cases. The overall response rate (ORR) was 75% (95% CI 57-89%) in acute GVHD and 81% (95% CI 67-92%) in chronic. Overall survival was 59% (95% CI 49-74%) in acute group and 85% (95% CI 70-93%). The major risk factors for lower survival were grade III-IV gastrointestinal involvement (29% vs 93%, p = 0.0001) in acute form and high disease risk score in chronic (65% vs 90%, p = 0.038). Toxicity was predominantly hematologic with 79% and 44% of grade III-IV neutropenia in acute and chronic groups, respectively. There was no difference between adults and children in terms of ORR (p = 0.31, p = 0.35), survival (p = 0.44, p = 0.12) and toxicity (p > 0.93). The study demonstrated that ruxolitinib is an effective option in acute and chronic srGVHD and can be used both in adults and children.

Contrasts between mucormycosis and aspergillosis in oncohematological patients.

In retrospective multicenter study from years 2007-2017, we evaluated 59 oncohematological patients with mucormycosis and 541 with invasive aspergillosis (IA). Mucormycosis developed more often in children and adolescents (P = .001), as well as after the emergence of graft versus host disease (P = .0001). Patients with mucormycosis had more severe neutropenia (88% vs 82%), the median duration was 30 versus 14 days (P = .0001) and lymphocytopenia (77% vs 65%), with a median duration (25 vs 14 days, P = .001) as compared to patients with IA. The lung infection was less frequent in patients with mucormycosis than in IA patients (73% vs 97%, P = .02), but more frequent was involvement of 2 or more organs (42% vs 8%, P = .001) and involvement of paranasal sinuses (15% vs 6%, P = .04). Typical clinical features of mucormycosis were localized pain syndrome (53% vs 5%, P = .0001), hemoptysis (32% vs 6%, P = .001), pleural effusion on lung CT scan (53% vs 7%, P = .003), lesions with destruction (38% vs 8%, P = .0001), and a "reverse halo" sign (17% vs 3%). The overall 12-week survival was significantly lower in patients with mucormycosis than for IA patients (49% vs 81%, P = .0001). In both groups unfavorable prognosis factors were ≥2 organs involvement (P = .0009), and concomitant bacterial or viral infection (P = .001, P = .008, respectively). In mucormycosis patients favorable prognosis factor was remission of underlying disease (P = .006).

Profiles of pro-inflammatory cytokines in allogenic stem cell transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide.

Large number of studies was published about predictive value of cytokines for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Recently, there has been a growing interest in GVHD prophylaxis with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy). Clinical data on the dynamics of proinflammatory cytokines with this prophylaxis is lacking. In this study, we have measured the levels of IL-17, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ and TNF-α in plasma on days -7, 0, +7, +14 and after engraftment in 20 patients with acute GVHD and 40 matched control patients with PTCy-based prophylaxis. Low levels of IL-8 (p=0.04) on day +7 and IFN-γ (p=0.03) after engraftment were associated with grade II-IV acute GVHD. The same pattern was observed for severe acute GVHD. Low IFN-γ after engraftment was also associated with increased non-relapse mortality (p=0.014). No impact of cytokine levels on overall survival and relapse incidence was observed (p>0.05). In conclusion, the dynamics of IL-8 and IFN-γ in GVHD patients after PTCy was different from previously reported after conventional prophylaxis.

Identification of the novel HLA-DQB1*02:85 and HLA-DRB1*01:01:30 alleles in Russian individuals.

Two novel HLA class II alleles, HLA-DQB1*02:85 and HLA-DRB1*01:01:30, were detected in Russian individuals.

Detection of a new HLA-B*44 allele, HLA-B*44:02:45, by monoallelic Sanger sequencing.

Sequence of the novel allele, HLA-B*44:02:45, differs from HLA-B*44:02:01:01 by 1-nucleotide exchange in exon 2.

Identification of a new HLA-DQB1*06 allele, HLA-DQB1*06:210, by monoallelic Sanger sequencing.

Sequence of the novel allele, HLA-DQB1*06:210, differs from HLA-DQB1*06:03:01 by 1 nucleotide exchange in exon 2.

First experience of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation treatment of Shwachman-Diamond syndrome using unaffected HLA-matched sibling donor produced through preimplantation HLA typing.

The only proven cure for Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) bone marrow failure is allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However HSCT with donors other than HLA-identical siblings is associated with high mortality and unfavorable prognosis. This paper presents the first experience of HSCT treatment of SDS using an unaffected HLA-identical sibling produced through preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). The patient was a 6-year-old blood transfusion-dependent SDS baby girl with secondary myelodysplastic syndrome, for whom no HLA-identical donor was available. As a result of PGD, two unaffected HLA matched embryos were identified; one of them was randomly selected for transfer, resulting in a clinical pregnancy and birth of an apparently healthy child. The patient underwent allogeneic transplantation of cord blood hematopoietic stem cells, together with bone marrow from this sibling, resulting in complete hemopoietic recovery. The patient was no longer transfusion-dependent and had normal blood values 160 days after transplantation.

Efficacy of Dasatinib in a CML Patient in Blast Crisis with F317L Mutation: A Case Report and Literature Review.

The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has significantly increased survival rate and quality of life for patients with CML. Despite the high efficacy of imatinib, not all patients benefit from this treatment. Resistance to imatinib can develop from a number of mechanisms. One of the main reasons for treatment failure is a mutation in the BCR-ABL gene, which leads to therapy resistance and clonal evolution. Clearly, new treatment approaches are required for patients who are resistant to imatinib. However, mutated clones are usually susceptible to second-generation TKIs, such as nilotinib and dasatinib. The choice of the therapy depends on the type of mutation. A large trial program showed that dasatinib is effective in patients previously exposed to imatinib. However, for a minority of patients who experience treatment failure with TKI or progress to advanced-phase disease, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) remains the therapeutic option. In spite of the high curative potential of allo-SCT, its high relapse rate still requires a feasible strategy of posttransplant treatment and prophylaxis. We report a case of a CML patient with primary resistance to first-line TKI therapy. The patient developed an undifferentiated blast crisis. Before dasatinib therapy, the patient was found to have an F317L mutation. He was successfully treated with dasatinib followed by allo-SCT. In the posttransplant period, preemptive dasatinib treatment was used to prevent disease relapse.

[Bacterial infections in the early period after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation].

AIM: To study the incidence and risk factors of bacterial infections and the efficiency of empirical antibacterial therapy in patients in the early period after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 155 patients who had undergone allo-HSCT. Myeloablative conditioning was used in 39% of the patients. All the patients with neutropenia (NP) received antibiotic prophylaxis with fluoroquinolones until recovery of white blood cell counts or before systemic antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic therapy and a change of antibiotics were considered effective in achieving persistent apyrexia and positive clinical changes. RESULTS: The incidence of febrile neutropenia (FNP) in the patients after allo-HSCT was 63%. The duration of grade 4 leukopenia did not depend on the conditioning regimen. Neutropenic fever was noted in 68% of the patients with NP lasting longer 10 days. In shorter-duration NP, the rate of fever was 52%. Among the patients with mucositis, the frequency of FNP episodes was significantly higher (69% versus 52%; p=0.02). The diverse spectrum of isolated bacteria was represented as gram-positive cocci in 45% of cases; Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae were more common among gram-negative ones (24%). The efficiency of empirical antibiotic therapy was 57% (25% for monotherapy, 53% for combined treatment regimens); the early mortality was 2%. CONCLUSION: Infection-related FNP is noted in 68% of the patients in the early posttransplantation period and the risk factors of its development are NP duration, oral colonization with pathogens, and the absence of invasive mycosis after allo-HSCT. Antibacterial prophylaxis significantly decreases the incidence of bacterial complications. Empirical monotherapy with third- or fourth-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems against infections in a transplantation patient is as effective as their combination with aminoglycosides.

Prophylaxis and treatment of GVHD: EBMT-ELN working group recommendations for a standardized practice.

GVHD remains the major impediment to broader application of allogeneic haematopoietic SCT. It can be prevented completely, but at the expense of other complications, rejection, relapse or delayed immune reconstitution. No optimal prevention or treatment method has been defined. This is reflected by enormous heterogeneity in approaches in Europe. Retrospective comparisons between different policies, although warranted, do not give definite answers. In order to improve the present situation, an European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and the European LeukemiaNet working group has developed in a Delphi-like approach recommendations for prophylaxis and treatment of GVHD in the most common allogeneic transplant setting, transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling or unrelated donor for standard risk malignant disease. The working group proposes these guidelines to be adopted as routine standard in transplantation centres and to be used as comparator in systematic studies evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of practices differing from these recommendations.

No improvement of survival with reduced- versus high-intensity conditioning for allogeneic stem cell transplants in Ewing tumor patients.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes of Ewing tumor (ET) patients treated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) were compared regarding the use of reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) and high-intensity conditioning (HIC) regimens as well as human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched and HLA-mismatched grafts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 87 ET patients from the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Pediatric Registry for Stem Cell Transplantations, Asia Pacific Blood and Marrow Transplantation and MetaEICESS registries treated with allo-SCT. Fifty patients received RIC (group A) and 37 patients received HIC (group B). Twenty-four patients received HLA-mismatched grafts and 63 received HLA-matched grafts. RESULTS: Median overall survival was 7.9 months [±1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.44-10.31] for group A and 4.4 months (±1.06, 95% CI 2.29-6.43) for group B patients (P = 1.3). Death of complications (DOC) occurred in 4 of 50 (0.08) and death of disease (DOD) in 33 of 50 (0.66) group A and in 16 of 37 (0.43) and 17 of 37 (0.46) group B patients, respectively. DOC incidence was decreased (P < 0.01) and DOD/relapse increased (P < 0.01) in group A compared with group B. HLA mismatch was not generally associated with graft-versus-Ewing tumor effect (GvETE). CONCLUSIONS: There was no improvement of survival with RIC compared with HIC due to increased DOD/relapse incidence after RIC despite less DOC incidence. This implicates general absence of a clinically relevant GvETE with current protocols.

Reduced-intensity conditioning regimens for allogeneic transplantation in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Reduced-intensity conditioning regimens have been used extensively in adults with hematologic malignancies. To address whether this is a feasible approach for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, we evaluated transplant outcomes in 38 recipients transplanted from 1995-2005 for whom this was their first transplant. The median age at transplant was 12 years, and 47% had performance scores <90%. Disease status was first complete remission (CR) in 13%, > or =CR2 in 60% of patients, and 22% had active disease at transplantation. Matched related donors were available for a third of patients, about half of whom received bone marrow (BM) and the others, peripheral blood progenitor cells. Sixty percent of unrelated donor transplant recipients received peripheral blood progenitor cells. The day-100 probability of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease was 37% and the 3-year probability of chronic graft-versus-host disease, 26%. At 3 years, the probability of treatment-related mortality was 40%, relapse 37%, and disease-free survival 30%. These data indicate long-term DFS can be achieved using reduced-intensity conditioning regimens in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Given the relatively small cohort, these findings must be validated in a larger population.

Abraxane, a novel Cremophor-free, albumin-bound particle form of paclitaxel for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Abraxane (ABI-007) is a novel 130-nm, albumin-bound (nab) particle form of paclitaxel designed to utilize endogenous albumin pathways to increase intratumor concentrations of the active drug. This multicenter phase II study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Abraxane 260 mg/m2 every 3 weeks in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with histologically confirmed, measurable NSCLC received Abraxane as first-line therapy. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were enrolled. The overall response rate was 16%; the disease control rate was 49%. Median time to progression was 6 months, and median survival was 11 months. The probability of not having progressed by 1 year was 13%; the probability of surviving 1 year was 45%. No severe hypersensitivity reactions were reported despite the lack of premedication; 95% of patients were treated without dose reduction. Two patients (5%) discontinued therapy because of treatment-related toxicities (neuropathy, fatigue [1 each]). No grade 4 treatment-related toxicity occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Abraxane 260 mg/m2 administered IV over 30 min without premedication was well tolerated. Significant tumor responses and prolonged disease control were documented in this group of patients with NSCLC. Exploration of higher doses of ABI-007 alone and in combination with other drugs active in NSCLC is warranted.

Successful non-myeloablative allogeneic transplantation for treatment of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome.

In this report, we describe two patients with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) who received a non-myeloablative allogeneic transplantation following a reduced-intensity preparative regimen of melphalan and fludarabine. In both cases, complete donor chimaerism and remission were achieved, and have lasted for more than 10 months. This report provides proof of principle for the feasibility of non-myeloablative transplantation for patients with idiopathic HES, who can show co-morbidity due to eosinophilic infiltration of their organs.