Cytokine levels following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: a match-pair analysis of home care versus hospital care.

Following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), patients living near the hospital were treated at home instead of in isolation in the hospital. We analyzed cytokines using Luminex assays for the first 3 weeks after HCT and compared patients treated at home (n = 42) with matched patients isolated in the hospital (n = 37). In the multivariate analysis, patients treated at home had decreased GM-CSF, IFN-γ (p < 0.01), IL-13, IL-5 (p < 0.05), and IL-2 (p < 0.07). Bloodstream infections, anti-thymocyte globulin, G-CSF treatment, immunosuppression, reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC), related vs. unrelated donors, and graft source affected various cytokine levels. When patients with RIC were analyzed separately, home care patients had reduced G-CSF (p = 0.04) and increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, p = 0.001) at 3 weeks compared with hospital care patients. Patients with low GM-CSF (p < 0.036) and low IFNγ (p = 0.07) had improved survival. Acute GVHD grades III-IV was seen in 7% and 16% of home care and hospital care patients, respectively. One-year transplantation-related mortality was 7% and 16% and survival at 5 years was 69% and 57% in the two groups, respectively. To conclude, patients treated in the hospital showed varying increased levels of GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-13, G-CSF, IL-5, and IL-2 and decreased VEGF, which may contribute to acute GVHD.

Long-term outcome in patients treated at home during the pancytopenic phase after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were given the option to be treated at home during the pancytopenic phase. Daily visits by a nurse and phone calls from a physician from the unit were part of the protocol. During almost two decades, 252 patients with haematological malignancies and non-malignant disorders were included. Median age was 47 (range 0-72) years. Myeloablative conditioning was given to 102 patients and reduced intensity to 150. Donors were matched unrelated (n = 160), HLA-identical siblings (n = 71), or HLA-mismatched (n = 21). Cumulative incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 35% and that of chronic GVHD was 46%. Non-relapse mortality was 14% 10 years after HSCT. In patients with haematological malignancies (n = 229), the 10-year probability of relapse was 34%. No patients died at home. Overall survival was 59% and relapse-free survival was 50% after 10 years. We conclude that patients treated at home after HSCT have an encouraging long-term outcome.

Safety and Side Effects of Using Placenta-Derived Decidual Stromal Cells for Graft-versus-Host Disease and Hemorrhagic Cystitis.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are increasingly used in regenerate medicine. Placenta-derived decidual stromal cells (DSCs) are a novel therapy for acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) and hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). DSCs are more immunosuppressive than MSCs. We assessed adverse events and safety using DSCs among 44 treated patients and 40 controls. The median dose of infused cells was 1.5 (range 0.9-2.9) × 106 DSCs/kg. The patients were given 2 (1-5) doses, with a total of 82 infusions. Monitoring ended 3 months after the last DSC infusion. Three patients had transient reactions during DSC infusion. Laboratory values, hemorrhages, and transfusions were similar in the two groups. The frequency of leukemic relapse (2/2, DSC/controls) and invasive fungal infections (6/6) were the same in the two groups. Causes of death were those seen in HSCT patients: infections (5/3), respiratory failure (1/1), circulatory failure (3/1), thromboembolism (1/0), multiorgan failure (0/1), and GVHD and others (2/7). One-year survival for the DSC patients with GVHD was 67%, which was significantly better than achieved previously at our center. One-year survival was 90% in the DSC-treated HC group. DSC infusions appear safe. Randomized studies are required to prove efficacy.

Transplanted Bone Marrow-Derived Cells Contribute to Human Adipogenesis.

Because human white adipocytes display a high turnover throughout adulthood, a continuous supply of precursor cells is required to maintain adipogenesis. Bone marrow (BM)-derived progenitor cells may contribute to mammalian adipogenesis; however, results in animal models are conflicting. Here we demonstrate in 65 subjects who underwent allogeneic BM or peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation that, over the entire lifespan, BM/PBSC-derived progenitor cells contribute ∼10% to the subcutaneous adipocyte population. While this is independent of gender, age, and different transplantation-related parameters, body fat mass exerts a strong influence, with up to 2.5-fold increased donor cell contribution in obese individuals. Exome and whole-genome sequencing of single adipocytes suggests that BM/PBSC-derived progenitors contribute to adipose tissue via both differentiation and cell fusion. Thus, at least in the setting of transplantation, BM serves as a reservoir for adipocyte progenitors, particularly in obese subjects.

General health, symptom occurrence, and self-efficacy in adult survivors after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a cross-sectional comparison between hospital care and home care.

PURPOSE: Earlier studies have shown that home care during the neutropenic phase after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is medically safe, with positive outcomes. However, there have been few results on long-term outcomes after home care. The aims of this study were to compare general health, symptom occurrence, and self-efficacy in adult survivors who received either home care or hospital care during the early neutropenic phase after allo-HSCT and to investigate whether demographic or medical variables were associated with general health or symptom occurrence in this patient population. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, 117 patients (hospital care: n = 78; home care: n = 39) rated their general health (SF-36), symptom occurrence (SFID-SCT, HADS), and self-efficacy (GSE) at a median of 5 (1-11) years post-HSCT. RESULTS: No differences were found regarding general health, symptom occurrence, or self-efficacy between groups. The majority of patients in both hospital care (77 %) and home care (78 %) rated their general health as "good" with a median of 14 (0-36) current symptoms. Symptoms of fatigue and sexual problems were among the most common. Poor general health was associated with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), low self-efficacy, and cord blood stem cells. A high symptom occurrence was associated with female gender, acute GVHD, and low self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: No long-term differences in general health and symptom occurrence were observed between home care and hospital care. Thus, home care is an alternative treatment method for patients who for various reasons prefer this treatment option. We therefore encourage other centers to offer home care to patients.

Home care during neutropenia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children and adolescents is safe and may be more advantageous than isolation in hospital.

After ASCT, children are isolated in hospital to prevent neutropenic infections. Patients living within two-h drive from the hospital were given the option of treatment at home after ASCT. Daily visits by an experienced nurse and phone calls from a physician from the unit were included in the protocol. We compared 29 children and adolescents treated at home with 58 matched hospital controls. The children spent a median time of 13 days at home (range 2-24 days) and 6 (0-35) days in hospital. The cumulative incidence of acute GVHD grades II-IV was 21% in the home-care children and 39% in the controls (p = 0.1). Chronic GVHD and probability of relapse were similar in the two groups. TRM at five yr was 11% in the home-care patients and 18% in the controls. Overall survival at three yr was 77% and 62%, respectively (p = 0.33). None of the patients died at home. Median costs were 38,748 euros in the home-care patients and 49,282 euros in those treated in the hospital (p = 0.2). We conclude that it is safe for children and adolescents to be treated at home during the pancytopenic phase after ASCT.

A high antithymocyte globulin dose increases the risk of relapse after reduced intensity conditioning HSCT with unrelated donors.

The study included 110 consecutive patients with hematological malignancies receiving fludarabine-based reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from matched unrelated donors. The median age was 55 yr (range 11-68) and all but 15 patients received peripheral blood stem cell grafts. Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) (Thymoglobulin, Genzyme) at a total dose of 6 mg/kg (n = 66) or 8 mg/kg (n = 44) was given to all patients according to protocol. The ATG dose did not affect time-to-neutrophil or platelet engraftment. The incidences of acute GVHD grades II-IV were 34% and 18% (p = 0.11) and of chronic GVHD were 40% and 26% (p = 0.46) in patients receiving 6 and 8 mg/kg of ATG, respectively. The five-yr relapse-free survival (RFS) was 61% and 36% (p = 0.14) in patients, given low and high ATG dose, respectively. In patients given low-dose ATG, the incidence of relapse was lower compared to those given high-dose ATG, 19% vs. 41% (p = 0.04). In multivariate analysis, age >50 yr (p < 0.001), absence of acute (p < 0.001) and chronic GVHD (p = 0.001) were correlated to relapse, and low-dose ATG was associated with improved RFS (p < 0.05). A high dose (8 mg/kg) of ATG in RIC HSCT with unrelated donors increased the risk for relapse and reduced the RFS.

Hospital care or home care after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation--patients' experiences of care and support.

PURPOSE: Treatment at home during the pancytopenic phase after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been an option for patients at our center since 1998. Earlier studies have shown that home care is safe and has medical advantages. In this study, we present patients' experiences of care and support while being treated in hospital or at home during the acute post-transplantation phase. METHOD: Patients (n = 41, 22 in hospital care and 19 in home care) answered the SAUC questionnaire at discharge (when home, or from hospital). Both statistical analysis and deductive content analysis were used. RESULTS: The patients were highly satisfied with the care and support during the acute post-transplantation phase. Patients in home care were found to be more satisfied with care in general than patients in hospital care. The importance of safety, empathy, and encouragement from healthcare staff were expressed regardless of where care was given. Patients also felt that receipt of continuous, updated information during treatment was important and they had a strong belief in HSCT but were uncertain of the future regarding recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The main findings of this study were that in comparison to hospital care, home care does not appear to have a significant negative effect on patients' experiences of care and support during the acute post-transplantation phase. In addition patients in home care felt safe, seen as a person and encouragement seem to empower the patients at home. Thus, this study may encourage other transplantation centers to provide home care if the patients want it.

Many days at home during neutropenia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation correlates with low incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease.

Patients are isolated in the hospital during the neutropenic phase after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We challenged this by allowing patients to be treated at home. A nurse from the unit visited and checked the patient. One hundred forty-six patients treated at home were compared with matched hospital control subjects. Oral intake was intensified from September 2006 and improved (P = .002). We compared 4 groups: home care and control subjects before and after September 2006. The cumulative incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of grades II to IV was 15% in the "old" home care group, which was significantly lower than that of 32% to 44% in the other groups (P < .03). Transplantation-related mortality, chronic GVHD, and relapse were similar in the groups. The "new" home care patients spent fewer days at home (P = .002). In multivariate analysis, GVHD of grades 0 to I was associated with home care (hazard ratio [HR], 2.46; P = .02) and with days spent at home (HR, .92; P = .005) but not with oral nutrition (HR, .98; P = .13). Five-year survival was 61% in the home care group as compared with 49% in the control subjects (P = .07). Home care is safe. Home care and many days spent at home were correlated with a low risk of acute GVHD.

WITHDRAWN: Treatment with mesenchymal stromal cells does not improve long-term survival in patients with severe acute GVHD.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

Improved survival after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in recent years. A single-center study.

We analyzed the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) over the past 2 decades. Between 1992 and 2009, 953 patients were treated with HSCT, mainly for a hematologic malignancy. They were divided according to 4 different time periods of treatment: 1992 to 1995, 1996 to 2000, 2001 to 2005, and 2006 to 2009. Over the years, many factors have changed considerably regarding patient age, diagnosis, disease stage, type of donor, stem cell source, genomic HLA typing, cell dose, type of conditioning, treatment of infections, use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), use of mesenchymal stem cells, use of cytotoxic T cells, and home care. When we compared the last period (2006-2009) with earlier periods, we found slower neutrophil engraftment, a higher incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) of grades II-IV, and less chronic GVHD (cGHVD). The incidence of relapse was unchanged over the 4 periods (22%-25%). Overall survival (OS) and transplant-related mortality (TRM) improved significantly in the more recent periods, with the best results during the last period (2006-2009) and a 100-day TRM of 5.5%. This improvement was also apparent in a multivariate analysis. When correcting for differences between the 4 groups, the hazard ratio for mortality in the last period was 0.59 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44-0.79; P < .001) and for TRM it was 0.63 (CI: 0.43-0.92; P = .02). This study shows that the combined efforts to improve outcome after HSCT have been very effective. Even though we now treat older patients with more advanced disease and use more alternative HLA nonidentical donors, OS and TRM have improved. The problem of relapse still has to be remedied. Thus, several different developments together have resulted in significantly lower TRM and improved survival after HSCT over the last few years.

Case-control comparison of at-home and hospital care for allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation: the role of oral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was reduced using home care compared with hospital care after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). METHODS: Between March 1998 and December 2006, 601 patients underwent ASCT at our unit. Requirements for at-home ASCT were fulfilled by 76 patients. A control group of 76 patients treated in the hospital were matched for age, sex, diagnosis, stage of disease, conditioning, stem-cell source, type of donor, and immunosuppression. Oral nutrition was determined as median kcal/kg/day for the first 21 days after ASCT. RESULTS: The home-care patients received more oral nutrition per day than hospital controls (P<0.05). Number of days at home correlated with oral nutrition (P=0.004). In multivariate analysis, acute GVHD of grades II to IV was associated with poor oral nutrition (P=0.003) and hospital care (P=0.06). Transplant-related mortality was associated with acute GVHD grades II to IV (P<0.0001) and bacteremia (P=0.004). In addition to acute GVHD and bacteremia, death was associated with absence of chronic GVHD (P=0.012). Five-year survival was 65% in patients treated at home, when compared with 47% in the controls (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Better oral nutrition may be one reason for the reduced probability of acute GVHD and better survival with at-home care than with hospital care.

Genomic tissue typing and optimal antithymocyte globuline dose using unrelated donors results in similar survival and relapse as HLA-identical siblings in haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation for leukaemia.

UNLABELLED: Sixty-one leukaemia patients treated with haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from a genomic human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A, -B and -DRbeta1 matched unrelated donor (MUD) were compared with 121 patients with an HLA-identical sibling donor. All patients received conventional conditioning. We selected all patients with unrelated donors who received optimal antithymocyte globuline (ATG) dose, 6 mg/kg. One hundred and seven patients received stem cells from peripheral blood and 75 patients received bone marrow (BM) cells. The incidences of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grades II-IV were 33.4% and 34.7% in the MUD and sibling group, respectively. After year 2001, the incidence of chronic GVHD was similar in the two groups (27.8% vs. 25.8%). There was no difference in overall survival (60% vs. 60%), transplant-related mortality (18.6% vs. 16.6%) and relapse (23% vs. 26.4%) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation with unrelated donors results in similar GVHD, relapse and survival as compared to using sibling donors. Reasons for this may be improved tissue-typing techniques and supportive care and optimisation of the ATG dose.

Hemorrhagic cystitis: a retrospective single-center survey.

Severe hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) may be a life-threatening complication in allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). In order to improve the strategies for prophylaxis and treatment, we retrospectively analyzed data on patients who underwent SCT at our center from 1990 through 2005. Patients with HC were identified through our database and their medical charts were reviewed. Grades 2-5 and 3-5 HC developed in 109/834 patients (13.1%) and 27/834 patients (3.2%), respectively. The frequency of HC decreased over the time from 18.0% in 1990-1992 to 9.5% in 2002-2005 (p = 0.005). HC started on a median of 35 (0-166) days post-transplant and persisted for a median of 23 (2-270) days. Transplant-related mortality was 21% in patients without HC, 15% in those with HC of grade 2, 55% in those with grade 3, and 71% in patients with HC of grades 4-5 (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the risk factors for HC were myeloablative conditioning, busulphan, cytomegalovirus infection, hematological malignancy, and acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). With four risk factors, the risk of HC development was 31%. Risk factors for severe HC of grades 3-5 were aGVHD and bacteremia.

Costs of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine the total costs after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and factors associated with increases or decreases in costs. METHODS: We collected all in- and outpatient costs during 5 years in 93 patients who had undergone ASCT in 1998 and 1999 at our unit. The inpatient costs included all those related to a patient from the first day of admission until discharge and then all costs of readmission in the Stockholm area. RESULTS: The total median cost of five posttransplant years was 139,414 (52,095-345,640) euros (euros) or 167,296 US dollars (the rate of 1 euro is approximately 1.2 US dollars). The costs were highest during the first year-median inpatient and outpatient costs 100,650 euros and 13,066 euros, respectively. The total costs during the first year were higher in patients with acute graft-versus-host disease grades III-IV (relative hazards [RH] 1.35, P = 0.003), bacteremia (RH 1.33, P = 0.005), veno-occlusive disease of the liver (RH 1.32, P = 0.005), prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; RH 1.31, P = 0.01), acute leukemia (RH 1.32, P = 0.008), and treatment in hospital instead of at home (RH 1.20, P < 0.07). During the early transplant period, a second transplantation (RH 1.28, P = 0.014) and hemorrhagic cystitis (HC; RH 1.24, P = 0.03) were also associated with higher costs. The total 5-year cost declined with longer survival rates (r = 0.4028, P < 0.001) and reduced intensity conditioning (RH 0.79, P=0.024). CONCLUSION: Higher costs of ASCT were associated with retransplantation, acute leukemia, G-CSF prophylaxis, hospital care, myeloablative conditioning, and major transplant-related complications.

Treatment costs and survival in patients with grades III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation during three decades.

To determine development of treatment, costs, and survival for patients with grades III/IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), data from 88 patients with grades III/IV acute GVHD were collected. The patients were divided into three groups: patients who received transplants from 1977 through 1989 (group A), 1990 through 1999 (group B), and 2000 through 2004 (group C). The costs for treatment, enumerated to year 2003 costs, were calculated. An increased 1-year survival rate was found in group C, at 21% versus 9% and 8% for groups A and B, respectively (P=0.02). Death by acute GVHD was increased by repeat transplantation (P<0.001), grade IV acute GVHD (P<0.001), human leukocyte antigen mismatch (P=0.009), and transplantation before 2000 (P=0.015). Transplantation after 1990 (P=0.003) and grade IV acute GVHD (P=0.03) were associated with higher treatment costs. It was found that the time the patients had GVHD did not differ among the three groups. In conclusion, the costs and survival rates associated with severe acute GVHD has increased in recent years.

The incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis and BK-viruria in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients according to intensity of the conditioning regimen.

The influence of BK-viruria, donor background, and conditioning on the development of hemorrhagic cystitis was examined in 90 allogeneic hematopoetic stem cell transplant patients, of whom 15 developed hemorrhagic cystitis. Thirty-two patients had related and 58 had unrelated donors, while 44 received full, and 46 received reduced intensity conditioning (RIC). BK-viruria was more common in patients with hemorrhagic cystitis than in those without (p<0.01), and hemorrhagic cystitis was less common in patients with related donors than in those with unrelated donors (p=0.02). Finally, hemorrhagic cystitis and BK-viruria were less common in patients receiving RIC, rather than full conditioning (p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively).

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for inherited disorders: experience in a single center.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a possible cure for many inherited disorders. METHODS: We report 20 years of experience in 71 patients. The disorders include 7 immunodeficiencies, 21 hematological disorders, 13 histiocytic disorders, 9 mucopolysaccharoidoses, 7 metachromatic leukodystrophies (MLD), 3 adrenoleukodystrophies (ALD), 2 adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), 6 patients with Gaucher's disease, 1 Sandhoff's disease, and 2 patients with aspartylglucosaminuria. Their median age was 4 (0-39) years. The donors were 29 HLA-identical related, 27 matched unrelated (MUD) and 15 HLA mismatches. RESULTS: In recipients of HLA-identical sibling grafts, none developed acute GVHD grades II-IV as against 22% in all others. The overall cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 17%. The 5-year survival rates were 93%, 84%, and 46% in recipients of grafts from HLA-identical siblings, MUD and HLA-mismatches, respectively. The overall 10-year survival rate was 69%. All of the surviving patients with immunodeficiencies and hemoglobinopathies are well. Four patients with Hurler's disease are also well, apart from skeletal problems. Five patients with Gaucher's disease are between 14 and 22 years after the transplant. Two infants with MLD deteriorated, a girl with the juvenile form has stable disease and one woman with the adult form has improved. Among four survivors with ALD/AMN, three are well and one has dementia. Two patients with aspartylglucosaminuria have stable disease. CONCLUSION: In patients with inborn errors of metabolism, ASCT gives a high survival rate using HLA-matched donors. Beneficial effects are seen in those who are transplanted early.

A prospective randomized trial of a prophylactic platelet transfusion trigger of 10 x 10(9) per L versus 30 x 10(9) per L in allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: The impact of lowering the platelet (PLT) count threshold for prophylactic PLT transfusion on bleeding and PLT use in allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) transplant recipients is a matter of debate. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In 166 patients, randomly assigned to receive prophylactic PLT transfusion at a trigger level less than 10 x 10(9) PLTs per L (T10; n = 79) or less than 30 x 10(9) per L (T30; n = 87), the number of PLT and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions given and the number of hemorrhagic events (WHO Grades 2-4) were recorded. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the clinical outcome variables (i.e., bacteremia, engraftment, graft-vs.-host disease [GVHD], hospital stay, death, and survival) or in the median total number of RBC transfusions given. The incidence, in Group T10 18 percent (14/79) and in Group T30 15 percent (13/87), as well as the type of bleeding were comparable. No deaths were attributed to hemorrhages. The number of PLT units transfused, however, was significantly lower in Group T10 (median, 4; range, 0-32), than in Group T30 (median, 10; range, 0-48; p < 0.001). Apart from the trigger level, the day of engraftment, the presence of acute GVHD, or bacteremia also affected the number of PLT transfusions. CONCLUSION: A prophylactic PLT transfusion trigger level of less than 10 x 10(9) PLTs per L instead of less than 30 x 10(9) PLTs per L in allogeneic HPC transplant recipients was found to be safe and resulted in a decreased use of PLTs.

Dose study of thymoglobulin during conditioning for unrelated donor allogeneic stem-cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Thymoglobulin given before allo-hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) from unrelated donors reduces acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), but the optimal dose is unknown. METHOD: Four different doses of Thymoglobulin were given to 162 patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing unrelated donor HSCT: 4, 6, 8, and 10 mg/kg. Stem-cell source was bone marrow in 102 cases and peripheral blood stem cells in 60. Conditioning was cyclophosphamide combined with total-body irradiation or busulfan. GvHD prophylaxis was cyclosporine and methotrexate. RESULTS: The lowest dose of Thymoglobulin significantly increased the risk for acute GvHD II or greater (odds ratio [OR] 2.67, P=0.015) and III or greater (OR 4.12, P=0.03). GvHD-associated deaths were more common in the lowest Thymoglobulin dose (6/51) compared with higher doses (2/111), P<0.01. No difference in bacteremia and cytomegalovirus reactivation was found. A trend for more infectious death (11/55 vs. 11/107, P=0.09) was found in the 10 mg/kg group compared with lower doses. Median dose of Thymoglobulin (6-8 mg/kg) was associated with lower transplant-related mortality (TRM) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.35, P=0.03) and better survival (HR 0.45, P=0.027) in multivariate analysis, whereas no effect on relapse and relapse-free survival was found. CONCLUSION: Low-dose (4 mg/kg) of Thymoglobulin increased the risk for severe acute GvHD, whereas 10 mg/kg increased the risk for infectious death. Median doses (6-8 mg/kg) of Thymoglobulin resulted in the lowest TRM and best survival.