The emerging role of melflufen and peptide-conjugates in multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The past two decades have witnessed an impressive expansion in the treatment landscape of multiple myeloma, leading to significant improvements in progression-free; as well as overall survival. However, almost all patients still experience multiple relapses during their disease course, with biological and cytogenetic heterogeneity affecting response to subsequent treatments. The purpose of this review is to provide a historical background regarding the role of alkylating agents and an updated data regarding the use of peptide-drug conjugates such as melflufen for patients with multiple myeloma. RECENT FINDINGS: The combination of daratumumab-melflufen-dexamethasone evaluated in the LIGHTHOUSE study showed a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival compared to single-agent daratumumab (not reached vs. 4.9 months respectively; P  = 0.0032), with improvement in overall response rate to 59% vs. 30% respectively; P  = 0.03. SUMMARY: There have been an interest in developing and utilizing peptide-drug conjugates such as melflufen for treatment of patients with multiple myeloma, especially in the relapsed setting given historical results with alkylating agents, the use of which has been limited by dose-related toxicities in a disease that remains largely incurable. Single agent melflufen initially showed promising results especially in specific subgroups of heavily pretreated patients before the decision to suspend all clinical trials evaluating this agent after results from the OCEAN phase 3 trial. Subsequent reported analyses especially for melflufen-based combinations appear promising and suggest a potential use of peptide-drug conjugates provided optimal patient selection, as well as identification of the best companion agent.

Psychological and physical side effects during G-CSF mobilization in related donors of allo-HCT.

The psychological side effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor mobilization in related donors of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) and impacts of psychological/physical side effects on harvest outcomes remain largely unknown. We prospectively analyzed 349 consecutive related peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors for allo-HCT at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine from March 2021 to August 2023. Higher baseline peripheral blood white blood cell counts (p = 0.046), monocyte counts (p < 0.001), platelet counts (p = 0.001), and hemoglobin (p < 0.001) had a positive correlation to CD34+ cell counts in the first leukapheresis, while female donors (male vs. female, p < 0.001) and older age (> 40 vs. < = 40, p = 0.003) were negatively related to CD34+ cell counts. Bone pain was the most observed physical side effect and was more frequent in female donors (p = 0.032). The incidence of fatigue was higher in female donors and older donors (female vs. male, p = 0.016; > 40 vs. < = 40, p = 0.015). Donor depression (pre vs. during mobilization, p < 0.001), anxiety (pre vs. during mobilization, p = 0.043) and insomnia (pre vs. during mobilization, p = 0.011) scores increased during the mobilization period. Donors with higher depression, anxiety and stress scores at admission were more likely to experience nausea. At 1 month after the last leukapheresis, the counts of white blood cell, neutrophil, monocyte and hemoglobin were significant lower than baseline counts, while the platelet counts recovered to baseline. The mobilization and harvest process can increase the depression, anxiety and insomnia scores. Poor psychological status of the donor can aggravate the occurrence of physical side effects.

Impact of additional cytogenetic aberrations at diagnosis on prognosis of adults patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: a retrospective analysis.

Additional chromosomal abnormalities(ACAs) at diagnosis are associated with inferior prognosis in chronic myeloid leukemia. However, the prognostic significance of ACAs in adult patients with Philadelphia Chromosome Positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph + ALL) receiving TKI-targeted drugs and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT) is unknown. One hundred thirty-six adult patients with Ph + ALL were included in the study and retrospectively analysed, evaluating the effect of ACAs on outcomes of transplantation. ACAs are observed in 60 cases (44%). ACAs detected in more than 5% of cases were defined as major-route and encompass: +der(22), +der(9), + 8, -7 and complex karyotype. The median follow-up was 26.4 months. In the subgroup analyses of major route ACAs, three-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) and progression-free survival(PFS) are statistically significant in + 8[66.7% vs.23.7%, P = 0.024; 77.8% vs. 23.7%, P = 0.0087], -7[53.8% vs. 23.7%, P = 0.035%; 61.5% vs. 32.9%, P = 0.033], and complex karyotypes[42.9% vs. 23.7%, P = 0.027; 47.6% vs. 23.7%] compared with t(9;22) sole. Additionally, the 3-year CIR for Ph + ALL with + der(22) is 44% vs. 23.7% for t(9;22) sole(P = 0.045). The 3-year overall survival (OS) in the - 7 group is 46.5%, which is statistically significant compared with the other groups(P = 0.001). In multivariate analyses, three years CIR and PFS are statistically significant in + der(22), + 8, -7 and complex karyotype compared with t(9;22) sole(P < 0.05). More importantly, Ph + ALL with - 7 was negatively associated with the rate of 3-year OS(P = 0.012). Thus, ACAs at diagnosis appear to have a significant prognostic impact on transplantation outcomes in patients with Ph + ALL.

Clinical characteristics of membranous nephropathy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A real-world multicenter study.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a rare complication that can occur after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). MN patients may develop nephrotic syndrome or even kidney failure, which greatly affects their quality of life and prognosis. However, current knowledge regarding MN after allo-HSCT is limited. Thus, a multicenter nested case‒control study was conducted. Patients who had been diagnosed with MN after allo-HSCT were retrospectively identified at 8 HSCT centers. A total of 51 patients with MN after allo-HSCT were included. The median age of MN patients after allo-HSCT was 38 years, and the median duration from HSCT to MN was 18 months. The use of HLA-matched donors (P = 0.0102) and peripheral blood as the graft source (P = 0.0060) were identified as independent predisposing risk factors for the onset of MN after allo-HSCT. Compared to those in the control group, the incidence of extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease was greater in the MN patients (P = 0.0002). A total of 31 patients developed nephrotic syndrome. Patients receiving combination treatments of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants appeared to have better outcomes. In conclusion, MN is a rare but occasionally severe complication following HSCT and may require active treatment.

Lower relapse incidence with haploidentical versus matched sibling or unrelated donor hematopoietic cell transplantation for core-binding factor AML patients in CR2: A study from the Global Committee and the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is recommended for core-binding factor mutated (CBF) AML patients achieving second complete remission (CR2). However, approximately 20% of patients may relapse after transplant and donor preference remains unclear. We compared in this EBMT global multicenter registry-based analysis the allo-HCT outcomes using either haploidentical (Haplo), matched siblings donors (MSD), or 10/10 matched unrelated donors (MUD). Data from 865 de novo adult CBF AML patients in CR2 receiving allo-HCT in 227 EBMT centers from 2010 to 2022 were analyzed, in which 329 MSD, 374 MUD, and 162 Haplo-HCTs were included. For the entire cohort, 503 (58%) patients were inv(16)/CBFB-MYH11 and 362 patients (42%) were t(8;21)/RUNX1-RUNX1T1 AML. On multivariate analysis, Haplo-HCT was associated with a lower Relapse Incidence (RI) compared to either MSD (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.56, 95% CI 0.32-0.97; p < .05) or MUD (HR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.33-0.99, p < .05). No significant difference was observed among the 3 types of donors on LFS, OS and GRFS. CBF-AML with t(8;21) was associated with both higher RI (HR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.3-2.47; p < .01) and higher NRM (HR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.1-2.27; p < .01) than CBF-AML with inv(16), which led to worse LFS, OS and GRFS. To conclude, for CBF-AML patients in CR2, Haplo-HCTs were associated with a lower RI compared to MSD and MUD allo-HCTs. There was no difference on LFS, OS or GRFS. CBF AML patients with inv(16) had a better progonosis than those with t(8;21) after allo-HCT in CR2.

Guillain-Barr Syndrome Caused by Cytomegalovirus after Multiple Myeloma Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Both humoral and cell-mediated immunity of the patient affected by multiple myeloma (MM) are impaired; thus, infection is the main cause of the onset of symptoms and death caused by MM. Bortezomib is a first-line drug approved for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and has significantly increased their overall survival. However, bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy (PN) remains a significant side effect that has led to its discontinuation in some patients. Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is thought to be related to immune damage, and most patients have cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), or mycoplasma infection before onset. Cases of GBS secondary to MM are rare. METHODS: We provide a case of GBS caused by cytomegalovirus infection after MM treatment, and briefly review the existing literature. RESULTS: Secondary GBS after MM. This patient received active treatment. The clinical symptoms are gradually improving. CONCLUSIONS: The use of bortezomib has the risk of reactivating the virus. It is more about the reactivation of hep-atitis B virus. Nonetheless, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus shall have our attention. Patients with MM need to monitor CMV, regularly, especially during the treatment of bortezomib. At the same time, they also need to closely monitor the symptoms and signs of the nervous system to guard against the occurrence of GBS.

Development and implementation of evidence-based, nurse-leading early warning model and healthcare quality improvement project for transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy: a mixed-methods, before-and-after study.

OBJECTIVE: The early identification and diagnosis of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) are essential yet difficult in patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To develop an evidence-based, nurse-leading early warning model for TA-TMA, and implement the healthcare quality review and improvement project. METHODS: This study was a mixed-methods, before-and-after study. The early warning model was developed based on quality evidence from literature search. The healthcare quality review and improvement project mainly included baseline investigation of nurse, improvement action and effectiveness evaluation. The awareness and knowledge of early parameter of TA-TMA among nurses and the prognosis of patients underwent HSCT were compared before and after the improvement. RESULTS: A total of 1 guideline, 1 evidence synthesis, 4 expert consensuses, 10 literature reviews, 2 diagnostic studies, and 9 case series were included in the best evidence. The early warning model including warning period, high-risk characteristics and early manifestation of TA-TMA was developed. The improvement action, including staff training and assessment, suspected TA-TMA identification and patient education, was implemented. The awareness and knowledge rate of early parameter of TA-TMA among nurses significantly improved after improvement action (100% vs. 26.7%, P < 0.001). The incidence of TA-TMA was similar among patients underwent HSCT before and after improvement action (2.8% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.643), while no fall event occurred after improvement action (0 vs. 1.2%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The evidence-based early warning model and healthcare quality improvement project could enhance the awareness and knowledge of TA-TMA among healthcare providers and might improve the prognosis of patients diagnosed with TA-TMA.

Double filtration plasmapheresis combined with rituximab for donor-specific antibody desensitization in haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) are a major cause of engraftment failure in patients receiving haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Haplo-HSCT). Double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) avoids the unnecessary loss of plasma proteins and increases the efficiency of purification. To investigate the effectiveness of the desensitization protocol including DFPP and rituximab, we conducted a nested case-control study. Thirty-three patients who had positive DSA were desensitized by the protocol and 99 patients with negative DSA were randomly matched as control. The median DSA mean fluorescence intensity values before and after DFPP treatment were 7505.88 ± 4424.38 versus 2013.29 ± 4067.22 (p < 0.001). All patients in DSA group achieved haematopoietic reconstitution and the median neutrophils and platelets engraftment times were 13 (10-21) and 13 (10-29) days respectively. Although the cumulative incidence of II-IV aGVHD (41.4% vs. 28.1%) and 3-year moderate to severe cGVHD (16.8% vs. 7.2%) were higher in DSA cohort than in the control, no statistical significance was observed. The 3-year non-relapse mortality and the overall survival were 6.39% and 72.0%, respectively, in the DSA cohort, which were comparable to the negative control. In conclusion, DFPP and rituximab could be effectively used for desensitization and overcome the negative effects of DSA in Haplo-HSCT.

Outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation following Venetoclax-based therapy among AML and MDS patients.

The use of Bcl-2 inhibitor Venetoclax (VEN) combined with hypomethylating agents or chemotherapy has shown efficacy in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as frontline treatment and for relapse, allowing more patients to bridge to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). However, the influence of VEN-based therapy on the prognosis of subsequent allogeneic HSCT remains unknown. We retrospectively collected data from patients who proceeded to allo-HSCT between November 2018 and November 2020 after VEN-based therapy at five transplant centers in Zhejiang Province, China. A total of 39 patients were analyzed. Thirty-one patients were diagnosed with AML (28 de novo, 3 secondary to MDS), 6 with MDS, and 2 with CMML. The majority (74.4%) of patients received VEN-based therapy for the treatment of relapse (38.5%) or refractory disease (35.9%); 5 (12.8%) received it as an initial treatment, and 5 (12.8%) patients who were already in complete remission (CR) received VEN for further consolidation or deep remission before HSCT. Twenty-seven (69.2%) patients were in CR at the time of HSCT. Day + 100 cumulative incidences of grade I-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and grade II-IV aGVHD were 43.6% and 15.4%, respectively. Of 34 evaluable patients, 6.4% and 25.6% developed chronic GVHD at 1 year and 2 years. The 100-day cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation occurred in 76.3% of patients and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation occurred in 29.7% of patients. With a median follow-up of 14.7 months, overall survival, progression-free survival, relapse, and non-relapse mortality incidence at 1 year were 75.5%, 61.6%, 16.7%, and 21.7%, respectively. Both univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease was associated with inferior PFS (HR 4.849, 95% CI 1.009-23.30; p = 0.049). Prior poor response to VEN was found to be a significant factor predicting higher risk of relapse (HR 4.37, 95% CI 1.130-16.9; p = 0.033). Our results showed that VEN-based regimen therapy followed by allo-HSCT in AML patients is feasible and does not increase the risk of transplant-related mortality and toxicity.

Determining Whether Prophylactic Antiviral Treatment Is Necessary in HBsAg-Negative/HBcAb-Positive Patients Receiving Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

The incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is high in the Asian population. Increasing attention is being given to the risk of HBV reactivation in hepatitis B core antibody-positive [HBcAb(+)] patients during immunosuppressive therapy. Knowledge of HBV reactivation in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is limited. Moreover, the effect of hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) on HBV reactivation in HBcAb(+) patients during HSCT remains uncertain. We sought to investigate the role of HBsAb and the need for prophylactic antiviral treatment in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative [HBsAg(-)]/HBcAb(+) patients during HSCT. We classified 665 HBsAg(-) HSCT recipients into 4 groups: HBcAb(-)HBsAb(-) (n = 189), HBcAb(-)HBsAb(+) (n = 176), HBcAb(+)HBsAb(-) (n = 49), and HBcAb(+)HBsAb(+) (n = 251). HBV reactivation was identified in 16 patients after HSCT. The median time to HBV reactivation was 645 days (range, 455 to 1957 days) after transplantation. The cumulative HBV reactivation rate was significantly higher in the HBcAb(+)HBsAb(-) group compared with the HBcAb(+)HBsAb(+), HBcAb(-)HBsAb(-), and HBcAb(-)HBsAb(+) groups, respectively (P< .001). Notably, the risk of HBV reactivation was significantly higher in the HBcAb(+)HBsAb(-) group compared with the HBcAb(+)HBsAb(+) group (P= .007; hazard ratio, 4.750; 95% confidence interval, 1.531 to 14.737). Our results point to a protective role of HBsAb in HBV-resolved patients undergoing HSCT and indicate that prophylactic anti-HBV treatment might not be mandatory for HBsAg(-), HBcAb(+)HBsAb(+) patients following HSCT. The surveillance protocol of intense follow-up early (HBV DNA and HBsAg monthly) might not be necessary.

Incidence, risk factors and outcome of extramedullary relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Extramedullary relapse (EMR) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) continues to remain a clinical challenge. The data on EMR in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are currently limited. Herein, a retrospective analysis of 268 adult ALL patients who underwent allo-HSCT in our center between March 2008 and December 2017 was performed to analyze post-HSCT EMR. Ninety patients (33.58%) experienced relapse; 51(19.03%) experienced bone marrow relapse (BMR), whereas 39 (14.55%) experienced EMR. The 5-year cumulative EMR incidence (CEMRI) revealed that matched sibling donor (MSD)-HSCTs were more likely to develop EMR than unrelated donor (URD)- and haploidentical-related donor (HRD)-HSCTs (CEMRI: 24.02%, 7.69%, and 14.69% for MSD, URD, and HRD, respectively). Notably, MSD-HSCTs (URD vs MSD hazard ratio (HR) = 0.26, p = 0.015; HRD vs MSD HR = 0.46, p = 0.032), history of extramedullary disease (EMD) (HR = 2.45, p = 0.041), and T cell ALL (HR = 2.80, p = 0.012) were independent risk factors for EMR in the multivariate analysis. The median overall survival (OS) for all patients was 15.23 months. However, the OS of EMR patients was significantly longer (19.50 months) than that of BMR patients (12.90 months) (p = 0.003). Multivariate analyses revealed that the leading risk factors for post-relapse deaths were shorter intervals between HSCT and relapse (> 12 months vs ≤ 12 months, HR = 0.30, p < 0.001) and BMR (HR = 0.41, p = 0.002). In conclusion, EMR patients have better survival than BMR patients. ALL patients with allo-HSCT from MSDs, a history of EMD, and the T cell type were significantly associated with EMR.

Obesity is correlated with poor outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with acute leukemia.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between body mass index and overall survival has been controversial in patients who suffered from hematological malignancies and underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS: We collected the data of 686 acute leukemia patients who received only one allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in our center from 2008 to 2017. Patients were divided into four groups (underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity) according to their body mass index pre-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. RESULTS: 56.4% of patients had normal body mass indices, 17.3% were underweight, 20.4% were overweight and 5.8% were with obesity. Concerning long-term follow-up, the probability of overall survival was significantly lower in overweight (P = 0.010) and patients with obesity (P = 0.065) as compared with normal weight patients, and no statistically significant difference between underweight and normal weight individuals (P = 0.810). The results demonstrated that higher body mass index was associated with poorer overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.79; 95% confidence interval: 1.33-2.40, P < 0.001) and shorter leukemia-free survival (hazard ratio: 1.78; 95% confidence interval: 1.35-2.34, P < 0.001). Additionally, patients exhibiting a higher body mass index were more likely to face the problem of relapse (30.6 vs 20.9%, P < 0.001). Furthermore, non-relapse mortality of patients with obesity was statistically higher than normal weight patients (22.5 vs 9.6%, P = 0.027). Besides, individuals with a higher abdominal girth had shorter survival (hazard ratio: 1.73; 95% confidence interval: 1.29-2.31, P < 0.001) and higher relapse rate (hazard ratio: 1.78; 95% confidence interval: 1.29-2.45, P = 0.001) as compared with those with a lower abdominal girth. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that obesity at pre-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation stage, whether characterized by higher body mass index or abdominal girth, is correlated with poorer outcome.

Circulating follicular helper T cells are increased in systemic sclerosis and promote plasmablast differentiation through the IL-21 pathway which can be inhibited by ruxolitinib.

OBJECTIVES: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterised by widespread fibrosis, microangiopathy and autoantibodies. Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ cooperate with B lymphocytes to induce the differentiation of plasmocytes secreting immunoglobulins (Ig). Circulating Tfh (cTfh) cells are increased in several autoimmune diseases. However, there are no data about cTfh cells and their interaction with B cells in SSc. The aim of this study was to perform a quantitative and functional analysis of cTfh cells in SSc. METHODS: Using flow cytometry, we analysed cTfh cells from 50 patients with SSc and 32 healthy controls (HC). In vitro coculture experiments of sorted cTfh and B cells were performed for functional analysis. IgG and IgM production were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: We observed that cTfh cell numbers are increased in patients with SSc compared with HC. Furthermore, the increase in cTfh cells was more potent in patients with severe forms of SSc such as diffuse SSc and in the presence of arterial pulmonary hypertension. cTfh cells from patients with SSc present an activated Tfh phenotype, with high expression of BCL-6, increased capacity to produce IL-21 in comparison with healthy controls. In vitro, cTfh cells from patients with SSc had higher capacity to stimulate the differentiation of CD19+CD27+CD38hi B cells and their secretion of IgG and IgM through the IL-21 pathway than Tfh cells from healthy controls. Blocking IL-21R or using the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib reduced the Tfh cells' capacity to stimulate the plasmablasts and decreased the Ig production. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating Tfh cells are increased in SSc and correlate with SSc severity. The IL-21 pathway or JAK1/2 blockade by ruxolitinib could be a promising strategy in the treatment of SSc.

Reduction of Foxp3+ T cell subsets involved in incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Foxp3+ T cells (CD4+ Tregs and CD8+ Treg) have been demonstrated to play roles in the maintenance of tolerance after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT). We have found that Foxp3+ γδTCR+ Treg cells (γδTregs) exerted regulatory functions. In the current study, patients were recruited and divided as non-cGVHD, limited cGVHD and extensive cGVHD groups. Healthy volunteers were recruited as healthy group. Treg cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. Serum cytokine levels of IL-2, tumour necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) were evaluated by ELISA. The results showed that percentages of CD4+ Tregs, CD8+ Tregs and γδTregs were all significantly increased in non-cGVHD group compared with those in healthy group, limited cGVHD group and extensive cGVHD group. Moreover, compared with extensive cGVHD group, percentages of these three types of Tregs were significantly increased in limited cGVHD group. The levels of TGF-ß1 increased dramatically in non-cGVHD group compared with other groups. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the increased levels of TGF-ß1 and IL-2 were positively associated with increased Treg subsets, indicating that TGF-ß1 and IL-2 participated in the expansion process of Foxp3+ Tregs in vivo. Our findings support that increasing the number of Tregs following allo-HSCT would be a preferential strategy for controlling cGVHD. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Risk and prognostic factors of transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a nested case control study.

Transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is a significant complication of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, it remains controversial which clinical or laboratory markers are of evident risk and prognostic value. From 2006 to 2013, a nested case control study was carried out in our centre to study the risk and prognostic factors of TA-TMA. A total of 654 consecutive patients who underwent allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation were studied. Twenty-six (4.0%) patients matched the established diagnostic criteria. Subjects with TA-TMA had significantly higher 3-year none relapse mortality compared with those without (65.4% vs 15.4%, P < 0.0001). Grades 2 to 4 aGVHD and cytomegalovirus viremia were independent risk factors, and serum LDH level >500U/L as well as hypertension were early signs of TA-TMA occurrence. Liver dysfunction and significant gastric bleeding were independent risk factors for TA-TMA related mortality. Subjects with either liver dysfunction or significant gastric bleeding had significantly higher 3 year TA-TMA related mortality cumulative incidence than subjects without. These observations lead to the conclusion that allo-HSCT recipients with grades 2 to 4 aGVHD or cytomegalovirus viremia should be monitored for TA-TMA. Liver dysfunction and significant gastric bleeding are prognostic factors for TA-TMA. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Mendelian Randomisation Analysis of Causal Association between Lifestyle, Health Factors, and Keratoconus.

Keratoconus (KC), a leading cause of vision impairment, has an unclear aetiology. This study used Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal links between various factors (smoking, asthma, Down syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels) and KC. A two-sample MR design, grounded in genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics, was adopted using data from FinnGen, UK Biobank, and other GWAS-related articles. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was employed, complemented by the Wald ratio method for factors with only one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Sensitivity and stability were assessed through Cochrane's Q test, the MR-Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO outlier test, and the leave-one-out analysis. The IVW results for the ORA (Ocular Response Analyzer) biomechanical parameters indicated significant associations between tobacco smoking (CH: p < 0.001; CRF: p = 0.009) and inflammatory bowel disease (CH: p = 0.032; CRF: p = 0.001) and corneal biomechanics. The Wald ratio method showed tobacco smoking was associated with a lower risk of KC (p = 0.024). Conversely, asthma (p = 0.009), atopic dermatitis (p = 0.012), inflammatory bowel disease (p = 0.017), and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (p = 0.039) were associated with a higher risk of KC by IVW, and the same applied to Down syndrome (p = 0.004) using the Wald ratio. These results underscore the role of corneal biomechanics as potential mediators in KC risk, warranting further investigation using Corvis ST and Brillouin microscopy. The findings emphasise the importance of timely screening for specific populations in KC prevention and management.

Post-transplant de novo anti-HLA donor specific antibodies may contribute to poor graft function after haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

De novo anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) were rarely reported in stem cell transplantation patients. We present a case of 39-year-old acute myelogenous leukaemia patient who developed de novo DSAs only 16 days after transplantation with the highest mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of 7406.23, which were associated with poor graft function (PGF). We used plasma exchange (PE) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) to reduce DSA level. A series of treatment including mesenchymal stem cells and donor cell transfusion were used to help recover graft function. On day 130, the patient achieved a successful engraftment.

Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation During the Omicron Wave: A Single-Center Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to characterize the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 492 patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) during the Omicron wave. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from patient charts and the electronic medical record systems at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine between December 2022 and January 2023. Results: The median follow-up period of the entire cohort was 62 days. Myeloid malignancies (58.5%) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (30.5%) constituted the most common underlying disease. Among the 492 patients, 415, 67, and 10 exhibited mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19, respectively. The incidence of moderate-to-severe COVID-19 was 15.7%. The 60-day overall survival and complete resolution rates were 98.1% and 80.6%, respectively. The risk factors for moderate-to-severe COVID-19 included corticosteroid use within 3 months before diagnosis, <6 months interval between allo-HSCT and COVID-19 diagnosis, and antithymocyte globulin use for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. Conclusions: During the Omicron wave, patients with allo-HSCT demonstrated a low COVID-19-related mortality rate and high moderate-to-severe and prolonged disease incidence. Prevention in the early posttransplantation period is critical for allo-HSCT recipients receiving corticosteroids.

Establishment of a humanized mouse model using steady-state peripheral blood-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells facilitates screening of cancer-targeted T-cell repertoires.

Background: Cancer-targeted T-cell receptor T (TCR-T) cells hold promise in treating cancers such as hematological malignancies and breast cancers. However, approaches to obtain cancer-reactive TCR-T cells have been unsuccessful. Methods: Here, we developed a novel strategy to screen for cancer-targeted TCR-T cells using a special humanized mouse model with person-specific immune fingerprints. Rare steady-state circulating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells were expanded via three-dimensional culture of steady-state peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and then the expanded cells were applied to establish humanized mice. The human immune system was evaluated according to the kinetics of dendritic cells, monocytes, T-cell subsets, and cytokines. To fully stimulate the immune response and to obtain B-cell precursor NAML-6- and triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231-targeted TCR-T cells, we used the inactivated cells above to treat humanized mice twice a day every 7 days. Then, human T cells were processed for TCR ß-chain (TRB) sequencing analysis. After the repertoires had been constructed, features such as the fraction, diversity, and immune signature were investigated. Results: The results demonstrated an increase in diversity and clonality of T cells after treatment. The preferential usage and features of TRBV, TRBJ, and the V-J combination were also changed. The stress also induced highly clonal expansion. Tumor burden and survival analysis demonstrated that stress induction could significantly inhibit the growth of subsequently transfused live tumor cells and prolong the survival of the humanized mice. Conclusions: We constructed a personalized humanized mouse model to screen cancer-targeted TCR-T pools. Our platform provides an effective source of cancer-targeted TCR-T cells and allows for the design of patient-specific engineered T cells. It therefore has the potential to greatly benefit cancer treatment.