ABSTRACT
Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) has curative potential counterbalanced by its toxicity. Prognostic scores fail to include current era patients and alternative donors. We examined adult patients from the EBMT registry who underwent alloHCT between 2010 and 2019 for oncohaematological disease. Our primary objective was to develop a new prognostic score for overall mortality (OM), with a secondary objective of predicting non-relapse mortality (NRM) using the OM score. AI techniques were employed. The model for OM was trained, optimized, and validated using 70%, 15%, and 15% of the data set, respectively. The top models, "gradient boosting" for OM (AUC = 0.64) and "elasticnet" for NRM (AUC = 0.62), were selected. The analysis included 33,927 patients. In the final prognostic model, patients with the lowest score had a 2-year OM and NRM of 18 and 13%, respectively, while those with the highest score had a 2-year OM and NRM of 82 and 93%, respectively. The results were consistent in the subset of the haploidentical cohort (n = 4386). Our score effectively stratifies the risk of OM and NRM in the current era but do not significantly improve mortality prediction. Future prognostic scores can benefit from identifying biological or dynamic markers post alloHCT.
Subject(s)
Artificial Intelligence , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Humans , Adult , Transplantation, Homologous , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/methods , Prognosis , Chronic Disease , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia remains a life-threatening late complication of HCT with an incidence of 5-20%. Currently, there is no approved drug for the treatment of persistent thrombocytopenia post HCT and platelet transfusion is the maintain stay of treatment. Eltrombopag is approved for the treatment of thrombocytopenia associated with different diseases, however; data on eltrombopag treatment post HCT are limited. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study evaluating the effect of eltrombopag on platelet recovery in patients with persistent thrombocytopenia post HCT. The primary endpoint was platelet recovery to ≥ 20,000/µL for 7 consecutive days without transfusion support after starting eltrombopag. Secondary endpoint was platelet recovery to ≥ 50,000/µL for 7 consecutive days. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were included. Twelve (75%) of 16 patients became independent from platelet transfusions. Median time from starting eltrombopag to last transfusion was 60 days (range, 9-226 days). Ten (63%) of 16 transfusion dependent patients with platelet count < 20,000/µL achieved the primary endpoint. Seven (33%) patients of 21 included had successful platelet recovery (ie, ≥50,000/µL without transfusion support) and the median time to platelet recovery in patients who achieved it was 32 days (range, 13-265 days). Ten patients (48%) were able to successfully discontinue eltrombopag without recurrence of thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that eltrombopag appears to have a clinically significant impact on platelet recovery in persistent thrombocytopenic patients post HCT.
Subject(s)
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Thrombocytopenia , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Hydrazines/therapeutic use , Thrombocytopenia/drug therapy , Thrombocytopenia/etiology , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Background: Evidence about the impact of marital status before hematopoietic cell transplantation (hct) on outcomes after hct is conflicting. Methods: We identified patients 40 years of age and older within the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research registry who underwent hct between January 2008 and December 2015. Marital status before hct was declared as one of: married or living with a partner, single (never married), separated or divorced, and widowed. We performed a multivariable analysis to determine the association of marital status with outcomes after hct. Results: We identified 10,226 allogeneic and 5714 autologous hct cases with, respectively, a median follow-up of 37 months (range: 1-102 months) and 40 months (range: 1-106 months). No association between marital status and overall survival was observed in either the allogeneic (p = 0.58) or autologous (p = 0.17) setting. However, marital status was associated with grades 2-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (gvhd), p < 0.001, and chronic gvhd, p = 0.04. The risk of grades 2-4 acute gvhd was increased in separated compared with married patients [hazard ratio (hr): 1.13; 95% confidence interval (ci): 1.03 to 1.24], and single patients had a reduced risk of grades 2-4 acute gvhd (hr: 0.87; 95% ci: 0.77 to 0.98). The risk of chronic gvhd was lower in widowed compared with married patients (hr: 0.82; 95% ci: 0.67 to 0.99). Conclusions: Overall survival after hct is not influenced by marital status, but associations were evident between marital status and grades 2-4 acute and chronic gvhd. To better appreciate the effects of marital status and social support, future research should consider using validated scales to measure social support and patient and caregiver reports of caregiver commitment, and to assess health-related quality of life together with health care utilization.
Subject(s)
Graft vs Host Disease , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Graft vs Host Disease/epidemiology , Graft vs Host Disease/etiology , Humans , Marital Status , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Bone Marrow Transplantation/methods , Developing Countries/statistics & numerical data , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/methods , Transplantation Conditioning/methods , Humans , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
Using the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) registry, we analyzed 1404 umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) patients (single (<18 years)=810, double (⩾18 years)=594) with acute leukemia to define the incidence of acute GvHD (aGvHD) and chronic GvHD (cGvHD), analyze clinical risk factors and investigate outcomes. After single UCBT, 100-day incidence of grade II-IV aGvHD was 39% (95% confidence interval (CI), 36-43%), grade III-IV aGvHD was 18% (95% CI, 15-20%) and 1-year cGvHD was 27% (95% CI, 24-30%). After double UCBT, 100-day incidence of grade II-IV aGvHD was 45% (95% CI, 41-49%), grade III-IV aGvHD was 22% (95% CI, 19-26%) and 1-year cGvHD was 26% (95% CI, 22-29%). For single UCBT, multivariate analysis showed that absence of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) was associated with aGvHD, whereas prior aGvHD was associated with cGvHD. For double UCBT, absence of ATG and myeloablative conditioning were associated with aGvHD, whereas prior aGvHD predicted for cGvHD. Grade III-IV aGvHD led to worse survival, whereas cGvHD had no significant effect on disease-free or overall survival. GvHD is prevalent after UCBT with severe aGvHD leading to higher mortality. Future research in UCBT should prioritize prevention of GvHD.
Subject(s)
Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation , Graft vs Host Disease/mortality , Graft vs Host Disease/prevention & control , Leukemia/mortality , Leukemia/therapy , Acute Disease , Adolescent , Antilymphocyte Serum/administration & dosage , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Graft vs Host Disease/etiology , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Registries , Survival Rate , Transplantation ConditioningABSTRACT
To describe the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) activities for children in the Eastern Mediterranean (EM) region, data on transplants performed for children less than 18 years of age between 1984 and 2011 in eight EM countries (Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia) were collected. A total of 5187 transplants were performed, of which 4513 (87%) were allogeneic and 674 (13%) were autologous. Overall, the indications for transplantation were malignant diseases in 1736 (38.5%) and non-malignant in 2777 (61.5%) patients. A myeloablative conditioning regimen was used in 88% of the allografts. Bone marrow (BM) was the most frequent source of stem cells (56.2%), although an increasing use of PBSC was observed in the last decade. The stem cell source of autologous HSCT has shifted over time from BM to PBSC, and 80.9% of autologous HSCTs were from PBSCs. The donors for allogeneic transplants were matched-related in 94.5% of the cases, and unrelated transplants, mainly cord blood (99%) in 239 (5.5%) cases. This is the first report to describe the pediatric HSCT activities in EM countries. Non-malignant disorders are the main indication for allogeneic transplantation. Frequency of alternate donor transplantation is low.
Subject(s)
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Neoplasms/therapy , Transplantation Conditioning , Adolescent , Allografts , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Mediterranean Region/epidemiology , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Patients with prior invasive fungal infection (IFI) increasingly proceed to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HSCT). However, little is known about the impact of prior IFI on survival. Patients with pre-transplant IFI (cases; n=825) were compared with controls (n=10247). A subset analysis assessed outcomes in leukemia patients pre- and post 2001. Cases were older with lower performance status (KPS), more advanced disease, higher likelihood of AML and having received cord blood, reduced intensity conditioning, mold-active fungal prophylaxis and more recently transplanted. Aspergillus spp. and Candida spp. were the most commonly identified pathogens. 68% of patients had primarily pulmonary involvement. Univariate and multivariable analysis demonstrated inferior PFS and overall survival (OS) for cases. At 2 years, cases had higher mortality and shorter PFS with significant increases in non-relapse mortality (NRM) but no difference in relapse. One year probability of post-HSCT IFI was 24% (cases) and 17% (control, P<0.001). The predominant cause of death was underlying malignancy; infectious death was higher in cases (13% vs 9%). In the subset analysis, patients transplanted before 2001 had increased NRM with inferior OS and PFS compared with later cases. Pre-transplant IFI is associated with lower PFS and OS after allogeneic HSCT but significant survivorship was observed. Consequently, pre-transplant IFI should not be a contraindication to allogeneic HSCT in otherwise suitable candidates. Documented pre-transplant IFI is associated with lower PFS and OS after allogeneic HSCT. However, mortality post transplant is more influenced by advanced disease status than previous IFI. Pre-transplant IFI does not appear to be a contraindication to allogeneic HSCT.
Subject(s)
Aspergillosis , Aspergillus , Candida , Candidiasis , Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation , Hematologic Neoplasms , Registries , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Allografts , Aspergillosis/etiology , Aspergillosis/mortality , Aspergillosis/therapy , Candidiasis/etiology , Candidiasis/mortality , Candidiasis/therapy , Child , Child, Preschool , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Hematologic Neoplasms/mortality , Hematologic Neoplasms/therapy , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Survival RateABSTRACT
We report a rare case of intracranial hypertension following high dose cytosine arabinoside (HiDAC) in a 20-year-old man, with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A five drug induction protocol for ALL was initiated; post induction consolidation was with HiDAC (3 g/m2 IV every 12 h on days 1, 3 and 5). Post consolidation, cytogenetic remission was attained and he received an intensification and maintenance regimen for ALL, for a period of approximately 24 months. Four months following the completion of his treatment, the patient relapsed within the central nervous system (CNS). Intravenous salvage chemotherapy was initiated using a combination of fludarabine 30 mg/m2, followed by cytarabine 2 g/m2 4 h later on days 1 through 5 (FA). On day # 23 of FA, he developed a severe headache. A gadolinium-enhanced brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed increased intracranial pressure. On day # 25, ophthalmology examination suggested bilateral papilledema. He was started on acetazolamide 250 mg twice daily. He had spontaneous resolution of his symptoms. The patient had no recurrence of papilledema or any other neurological symptoms. Intracranial hypertension secondary to HiDAC, is an exceedingly rare complication and is not regularly associated as a common side effect of cytarabine administration. Prompt action in diagnosing and treating intracranial hypertension will save the patient from consequences, such as loss of vision, that are prevalent in this condition.
Subject(s)
Cytarabine/adverse effects , Intracranial Hypertension/chemically induced , Adult , Cytarabine/therapeutic use , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Humans , Male , Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy , Recurrence , Young AdultABSTRACT
Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, also known as veno-occlusive disease (SOS/VOD), is a potentially life threatening complication that can develop after hematopoietic cell transplantation. Although SOS/VOD progressively resolves within a few weeks in most patients, the most severe forms result in multi-organ dysfunction and are associated with a high mortality rate (>80%). Therefore, careful attention must be paid to allow an early detection of SOS/VOD, particularly as drugs have now proven to be effective and licensed for its treatment. Unfortunately, current criteria lack sensitivity and specificity, making early identification and severity assessment of SOS/VOD difficult. The aim of this work is to propose a new definition for diagnosis, and a severity-grading system for SOS/VOD in adult patients, on behalf of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.
Subject(s)
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects , Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease/diagnosis , Adult , Biomarkers , Early Diagnosis , Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease/etiology , Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease/therapy , Humans , Risk Factors , Sensitivity and Specificity , Severity of Illness IndexSubject(s)
Algorithms , Decision Making , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/trends , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/therapy , Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Assessment , Transplantation, Homologous , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Global Health/statistics & numerical data , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , Bone Marrow Transplantation , Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation , Humans , Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation , Tissue Donors , Transplantation, Haploidentical , Transplantation, HomologousABSTRACT
Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) is associated with high morbidity and mortality after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Little is known about PJP infections after HSCT because of the rarity of disease given routine prophylaxis. We report the results of a Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research study evaluating the incidence, timing, prophylaxis agents, risk factors and mortality of PJP after autologous (auto) and allogeneic (allo) HSCT. Between 1995 and 2005, 0.63% allo recipients and 0.28% auto recipients of first HSCT developed PJP. Cases occurred as early as 30 days to beyond a year after allo HSCT. A nested case cohort analysis with supplemental data (n=68 allo cases, n=111 allo controls) revealed that risk factors for PJP infection included lymphopenia and mismatch after HSCT. After allo or auto HSCT, overall survival was significantly poorer among cases vs controls (P=0.0004). After controlling for significant variables, the proportional hazards model revealed that PJP cases were 6.87 times more likely to die vs matched controls (P<0.0001). We conclude PJP infection is rare after HSCT but is associated with high mortality. Factors associated with GVHD and with poor immune reconstitution are among the risk factors for PJP and suggest that protracted prophylaxis for PJP in high-risk HSCT recipients may improve outcomes.
Subject(s)
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Pneumocystis carinii , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis , Allografts , Autografts , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/etiology , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/mortality , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/prevention & control , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is a therapeutic option for adult patients with T-cell ALL (T-ALL). Meanwhile, few allo-SCT data specific to adult T-ALL have been described thus far. Specifically, the optimal myeloablative conditioning regimen is unknown. In this retrospective study, 601 patients were included. Patients received allo-SCT in CR1, CR2, CR >2 or in advanced disease in 69%, 15%, 2% and 14% of cases, respectively. With an overall follow-up of 58 months, 523 patients received a TBI-based regimen, whereas 78 patients received a chemotherapy-based regimen including IV busulfan-cyclophosphamide (IV Bu-Cy) (n=46). Unlike patients aged ⩾35 years, patients aged <35 years who received a TBI-based regimen displayed an improved outcome compared with patients who received a chemotherapy-based regimen (5-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) of 50% for TBI versus 18% for chemo-only regimen or IV Bu-Cy regimens, P=10(-5) and 10(-4), respectively). In multivariate analysis, use of TBI was associated with an improved LFS (hazard ratio (HR)=0.55 (0.34-0.86), P=0.01) and overall survival (HR=0.54 (0.34-0.87), P=0.01) in patients aged <35 years. In conclusion, younger adult patients with T-ALL entitled to receive a myeloablative allo-SCT may benefit from TBI-based regimens.
Subject(s)
Busulfan/administration & dosage , Cyclophosphamide/administration & dosage , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Registries , Transplantation Conditioning/methods , Whole-Body Irradiation , Adult , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/mortality , Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/therapy , Survival RateABSTRACT
Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome or veno-occlusive disease (SOS/VOD) is a potentially life-threatening complication of hematopoietic SCT (HSCT). This review aims to highlight, on behalf of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, the current knowledge on SOS/VOD pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis and treatments. Our perspectives on SOS/VOD are (i) to accurately identify its risk factors; (ii) to define new criteria for its diagnosis; (iii) to search for SOS/VOD biomarkers and (iv) to propose prospective studies evaluating SOS/VOD prevention and treatment in adults and children.
Subject(s)
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects , Postoperative Complications , Vascular Diseases , Adult , Biomarkers/blood , Humans , Postoperative Complications/blood , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Postoperative Complications/physiopathology , Postoperative Complications/therapy , Risk Factors , Vascular Diseases/blood , Vascular Diseases/diagnosis , Vascular Diseases/etiology , Vascular Diseases/physiopathology , Vascular Diseases/therapyABSTRACT
The aim of this analysis was to explore the diversity of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) in paediatric allo-SCT in daily practice across Europe. Data from the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Promise database from 1994 to 2008 were supplemented by a survey of EBMT centres performing paediatric allo-SCT on the current policy asking for the underlying diseases and for the drug combinations. Records from 161 centres from 30 countries were analysed and 139 various RIC regimens were reported. More centres applied RIC for malignant rather than for non-malignant diseases. In general, fludarabine (FLU)-based regimens predominated except for BU-based regimens in myeloid malignancies and haemoglobinopathies. Treosulfan (TREO) was mainly applied for unspecified malignant diseases and for haemophagocytic diseases. FLU-based regimens revealed the greatest number of different combinations. Correlating the number of regimens with the number of treating centres revealed the lowest variety in FLU and the highest variety in TBI and TREO. FLU/melphalane and FLU/CY were the most frequent combinations. This extreme heterogeneity in RIC may influence both the efficacy and the safety of the procedures, which requires further investigation. Optimization and standardization of RIC is the final goal to provide a platform for future prospective studies.
Subject(s)
Databases, Factual , Hematologic Diseases/therapy , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Quality of Life , Transplantation Conditioning/methods , Adolescent , Allografts , Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/administration & dosage , Busulfan/administration & dosage , Busulfan/analogs & derivatives , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Myeloablative Agonists/administration & dosage , Quality of Health Care , Retrospective Studies , Vidarabine/administration & dosage , Vidarabine/analogs & derivativesABSTRACT
Alternative donor transplantation is increasingly used for high-risk lymphoma patients. We analyzed 1593 transplant recipients (2000-2010) and compared transplant outcomes in recipients of 8/8 allele HLA-A, -B, -C and DRB1 matched unrelated donors (MUDs; n=1176), 7/8 allele HLA mismatched unrelated donors (MMUDs; n=275) and umbilical cord blood donors (1 or 2 units UCB; n=142). Adjusted 3-year non-relapse mortality of MMUD (44%) was higher as compared with MUD (35%; P=0.004), but similar to UCB recipients (37%; P=0.19), although UCB had lower rates of neutrophil and platelet recovery compared with unrelated donor groups. With a median follow-up of 55 months, 3-year adjusted cumulative incidence of relapse was lower after MMUD compared with MUD (25% vs 33%, P=0.003) but similar between UCB and MUD (30% vs 33%; P=0.48). In multivariate analysis, UCB recipients had lower risks of acute and chronic GVHD compared with adult donor groups (UCB vs MUD: hazard ratio (HR)=0.68, P=0.05; HR=0.35; P<0.001). Adjusted 3-year OS was comparable (43% MUD, 37% MMUD and 41% UCB). These data highlight the observation that patients with lymphoma have acceptable survival after alternative donor transplantation. MMUD and UCB can extend the curative potential of allotransplant to patients who lack suitable HLA matched sibling or MUD.
Subject(s)
HLA Antigens , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Histocompatibility Testing , Lymphoma/mortality , Lymphoma/therapy , Unrelated Donors , Acute Disease , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Allografts , Chronic Disease , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Graft vs Host Disease/mortality , Graft vs Host Disease/therapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Survival RateABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Numerous international organisations have advocated the preparation of vincristine in small volume intravenous bags in order to eliminate inadvertent intrathecal administration. However, the risk of extravasation is a significant deterrent, and adoption of this practice has been variable and only hesitantly accepted in the clinical setting. PURPOSE: We carried out a study with the aims of establishing the incidence of reported extravasation of vincristine administration to paediatric and adult patients in mini-bags; here we describe motivating factors and barriers faced by clinical staff. The secondary aim was to support the need for change and implementation of the international recommendations. METHODS: Chemotherapy-certified nurses completed a survey spanning August 2009 to August 2011, to ascertain the incidence of extravasation associated with the administration of vincristine in mini-bags. RESULTS: This period captured 421 occasions of vincristine administration in 25-ml or 50-ml mini-bags (in 0.9% sodium chloride). The median age of patients was 13 years (range 2.5 months to 99 years). Vincristine was administered through peripheral lines (26.4%), portacath (52.0%), PICC line (15.9%) and Hickman line (5.7%). The majority of infusions were over at least 10 minutes (50.1%). There were no cases of extravasation reported. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of vincristine in small volume intravenous bags was safe, practical, and feasible in all patient groups. The successful implementation of the international recommendations for vincristine administration in mini-bags to eliminate potential inadvertent intrathecal administration was dependent on stakeholder buy-in.