Haploidentical HSCT with post transplantation cyclophosphamide versus unrelated donor HSCT in pediatric patients affected by acute leukemia.

T-cell replete hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from a haploidentical donor followed by high doses of cyclophosphamide has been demonstrated to provide the best chances of a cure for many children in need of an allograft but who lack both a sibling and an unrelated donor. In this study we retrospectively compared the outcome of pediatric patients undergoing T-replete haploidentical HSCT (Haplo) for acute leukemia with those undergoing transplantation from unrelated HLA-matched donor (MUD) and HLA mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) from 2012 to 2017 at our Center. Both univariable and multivariable analyses showed similar 5-year overall survival rates for MUD, MMUD, and Haplo patients: 71% (95% CI 56-86), 72% (95% CI 55-90), and 75% (95% CI 54-94), respectively (p = 0.97). Haplo patients showed reduced event-free survival rates compared to MUD and MMUD patients: 30% (95% CI 12-49) versus 70% (95% CI 55-84) versus 53% (95% CI 35-73), respectively (p = 0.007), but these data were not confirmed by a multivariable analysis. Non-relapse mortality (NRM) and relapse incidence (RI) were similar for the three groups. Therefore, our data confirm that Haplo is a suitable clinical option for pediatric patients needing HSCT when lacking both an MUD and an MMUD donor.

Toxicity of high-dose chemotherapy with etoposide, thiotepa and CY in treating poor-prognosis Ewing's sarcoma family tumors: the experience of the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital.

We report the toxicity of high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) based on etoposide, thiotepa and CY (ETC) in children with poor-prognosis Ewing's sarcoma family tumors (ESFTs). A total of 26 patients with high-risk ESFT (metastasis or axis localization or tumor volume >200 ml or necrosis <95%) were reviewed. The conditioning was based on etoposide (600 mg/m(2)), thiotepa (750 mg/m(2)) and CY (120 mg/kg) followed by autologous BM or PBSC rescue. The conditioning regimen was well tolerated, without any toxic deaths. The median time from transplant to a neutrophil count of >0.5 x 10(9)/l was 10 days (range 6-27) and 22.5 days (range 9-114) for a plt count of >50 x 10(9)/l. Oral mucositis was recorded in 20 patients, grade 1/2 in 19 and grade 3 in the last patient. Diarrhea grade 1/2 was recorded in four patients and grade 1/2 liver toxicity in four patients. Sepsis was documented in four cases and skin toxicity in three. Lung and tubular toxicity, respectively, were reported in one patient each. We conclude that the ETC regimen presented a limited and manageable toxicity. Further studies would confirm the role of ETC in high-risk ESFT.