Real-world clinical characterization, healthcare resource utilization and productivity loss in chronic graft versus host patients exposed to extracorporeal photopheresis in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is frequently used to treat moderate-severe chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD), however limited data exists describing ECP treatment effects on healthcare and societal costs. We aimed to characterize clinical and health economic outcomes and productivity loss in cGVHD patients exposed to ECP. METHODS: We identified 2708 patients aged ≥ 18 years with a record of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the Swedish Patient Register between 2006 and 2020. Patients exposed to ECP from 3-months post HSCT (index) were included (n= 183). Data was linked to the Prescribed Drug Register, the Cause of Death Register, and the Longitudinal Integrated Database for Health Insurance and Labor Market Studies (LISA). RESULTS: The median patient age at index was 51 years (IQR1-3; 38-61). In the 3-month period before ECP initiation compared to 9-12 months post-ECP, the cumulative three-month dose per patient decreased prednisolone/prednisone (1,381 mg vs. 658 mg, p < 0.001) and cyclosporin (12,242 mg vs. 3,501 mg, p < 0.001). Infection incidence also decreased over the same period (79.2% vs 59.1%, p < 0.001). Time spent in healthcare decreased from 68.9% to 22.1% from the first and fifth follow-up year respectively, and corresponding annual healthcare cost reduced from €27,719 to €1,981. Among patients < 66 years of age, sickness-related workplace absence decreased from 73.2% to 31.9% between the first and fifth follow-up year, with median annual productivity loss decreasing from €20,358 to €7,211 per patient. CONCLUSIONS: ECP was associated with reduced use of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and fewer infections. Furthermore, cost and healthcare utilization decreased over time.

Using the World Apheresis Association Registry Helps to Improve the Treatment Quality of Therapeutic Apheresis.

Therapeutic apheresis (TA) is prescribed to patients that suffer from a severe progressive disease that is not sufficiently treated by conventional medications. A way to gain more knowledge about this treatment is usually by the local analysis of data. However, the use of large quality assessment registries enables analyses of even rare findings. Here, we report some of the recent data from the World Apheresis Association (WAA) registry. Data from >104,000 procedures were documented, and TA was performed on >15,000 patients. The main indication for TA was the collection of autologous stem cells (45% of patients) as part of therapy for therapy. Collection of stem cells from donors for allogeneic transplantation was performed in 11% of patients. Patients with indications such as neurological diseases underwent plasma exchange (28%). Extracorporeal photochemotherapy, lipid apheresis, and antibody removal were other indications. Side effects recorded in the registry have decreased significantly over the years, with approximately only 10/10,000 procedures being interrupted for medical reasons. CONCLUSION: Collection of data from TA procedures within a multinational and multicenter concept facilitates the improvement of treatment by enabling the analysis of and feedback on indications, procedures, effects, and side effects.

IgG Endopeptidase in Highly Sensitized Patients Undergoing Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Donor-specific antibodies create an immunologic barrier to transplantation. Current therapies to modify donor-specific antibodies are limited and ineffective in the most highly HLA-sensitized patients. The IgG-degrading enzyme derived from Streptococcus pyogenes (IdeS), an endopeptidase, cleaves human IgG into F(ab')2 and Fc fragments inhibiting complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, which suggests that IdeS might be useful for desensitization. We report on the combined experience of two independently performed open-label, phase 1-2 trials (conducted in Sweden and the United States) that assessed the efficacy of IdeS with regard to desensitization and transplantation of a kidney from an HLA-incompatible donor. METHODS: We administered IdeS to 25 highly HLA-sensitized patients (11 patients in Uppsala or Stockholm, Sweden, and 14 in Los Angeles) before the transplantation of a kidney from an HLA-incompatible donor. Frequent monitoring for adverse events, outcomes, donor-specific antibodies, and renal function was performed, as were renal biopsies. Immunosuppression after transplantation consisted of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and glucocorticoids. Patients in the U.S. study also received intravenous immune globulin and rituximab after transplantation to prevent antibody rebound. RESULTS: Recipients in the U.S. study had a significantly longer cold ischemia time (the time elapsed between procurement of the organ and transplantation), a significantly higher rate of delayed graft function, and significantly higher levels of class I donor-specific antibodies than those in the Swedish study. A total of 38 serious adverse events occurred in 15 patients (5 events were adjudicated as being possibly related to IdeS). At transplantation, total IgG and HLA antibodies were eliminated. A total of 24 of 25 patients had perfusion of allografts after transplantation. Antibody-mediated rejection occurred in 10 patients (7 patients in the U.S. study and 3 in the Swedish study) at 2 weeks to 5 months after transplantation; all these patients had a response to treatment. One graft loss, mediated by non-HLA IgM and IgA antibodies, occurred. CONCLUSIONS: IdeS reduced or eliminated donor-specific antibodies and permitted HLA-incompatible transplantation in 24 of 25 patients. (Funded by Hansa Medical; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT02224820 , NCT02426684 , and NCT02475551 .).

Safety, immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of degradation of anti-HLA antibodies by IdeS (imlifidase) in chronic kidney disease patients.

Safety, immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of the IgG-degrading enzyme of Streptococcus pyogenes (IdeS [imlifidase]) were assessed in a single-center, open-label ascending-dose study in highly sensitized patients with chronic kidney disease. Eight patients with cytotoxic PRAs (median cytotoxic PRAs of 64%) at enrollment received 1 or 2 intravenous infusions of IdeS on consecutive days (0.12 mg/kg body weight ×2 [n = 3]; 0.25 mg/kg ×1 [n = 3], or 0.25 mg/kg ×2 [n = 2]). IgG degradation was observed in all subjects after IdeS treatment, with <1% plasma IgG remaining within 48 hours and remaining low up to 7 days. Mean fluorescence intensity values of HLA class I and II reactivity were substantially reduced in all patients, and C1q binding to anti-HLA was abolished. IdeS also cleaved the IgG-type B cell receptor on CD19+ memory B cells. Anti-IdeS antibodies developed 1 week after treatment, peaking at 2 weeks. A few hours after the second IdeS infusion, 1 patient received a deceased donor kidney offer. At enrollment, the patient had a positive serum crossmatch (HLA-B7), detected by complement-dependent cytotoxicity, flow cytometry, and multiplex bead assays. After IdeS infusion (0.12 mg/kg ×2) and when the HLA-incompatible donor (HLA-B7+ ) kidney was offered, the HLA antibody profile was negative. The kidney was transplanted successfully.

Identification of the novel HLA-DQA1*03:79 allele in a candidate bone marrow donor by next generation sequencing.

A single nucleotide mismatch within exon 3 of HLA-DQA1 differentiates the novel allele DQA1*03:79 from DQA1*03:15.

Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals the Novel HLA-DQA1*06:01:04 Allele in a Bone Marrow Donor.

A single nucleotide mismatch within exon 2 of HLA-DQA1 differentiates the novel DQA1*06:01:04 allele from DQA1*06:01:01:01.

Identification of the novel HLA-A*02:01:01:251 allele in a candidate bone marrow donor by next-generation sequencing.

A single nucleotide mismatch within intron 1 differentiates HLA-A*02:01:01:251 from the HLA-A*02:01:01:01 allele.

Calcium: A Crucial Potentiator for Efficient Enzyme Digestion of the Human Pancreas.

BACKGROUND: Effective digestive enzymes are crucial for successful islet isolation. Supplemental proteases are essential because they synergize with collagenase for effective pancreatic digestion. The activity of these enzymes is critically dependent on the presence of Ca2+ ions at a concentration of 5-10 mM. The present study aimed to determine the Ca2+ concentration during human islet isolation and to ascertain whether the addition of supplementary Ca2+ is required to maintain an optimal Ca2+ concentration during the various phases of the islet isolation process. METHODS: Human islets were isolated according to standard methods and isolation parameters. Islet quality control and the number of isolations fulfilling standard transplantation criteria were evaluated. Ca2+ was determined by using standard clinical chemistry routines. Islet isolation was performed with or without addition of supplementary Ca2+ to reach a Ca2+ of 5 mM. RESULTS: Ca2+ concentration was markedly reduced in bicarbonate-based buffers, especially if additional bicarbonate was used to adjust the pH as recommended by the Clinical Islet Transplantation Consortium. A major reduction in Ca2+ concentration was also observed during pancreatic enzyme perfusion, digestion, and harvest. Additional Ca2+ supplementation of media used for dissolving the enzymes and during digestion, perfusion, and harvest was necessary in order to obtain the concentration recommended for optimal enzyme activity and efficient liberation of a large number of islets from the human pancreas. CONCLUSIONS: Ca2+ is to a large extent consumed during clinical islet isolation, and in the absence of supplementation, the concentration fell below that recommended for optimal enzyme activity. Ca2+ supplementation of the media used during human pancreas digestion is necessary to maintain the concentration recommended for optimal enzyme activity. Addition of Ca2+ to the enzyme blend has been implemented in the standard isolation protocols in the Nordic Network for Clinical Islet Transplantation.

No beneficial effect of two-layer storage compared with UW-storage on human islet isolation and transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Shipment of pancreata between distant centers is frequently associated with prolonged cold ischemia time (CIT) that leads to poorer outcomes for islet transplantation. Clinical pilot trials have indicated that oxygenation of explanted human pancreata utilizing the two-layer method (TLM) allows the use of marginal donor pancreata for islet transplantation. The present study aimed to clarify whether TLM enhances the ischemic tolerance of human pancreata. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively the outcome of 200 human islet isolations performed after TLM preservation or storage in University of Wisconsin solution (UWS). RESULTS: Donor characteristics and digestion parameters did not vary significantly between TLM-preserved and UWS-stored pancreata. No differences were observed between experimental groups with regard to islet yield, purity, or dynamic glucose stimulation index after either short or prolonged CIT. However, CIT and stimulation index were negatively correlated in each experimental group. The isolation outcome in donors aged > or =60 years was not increased after TLM preservation when compared to UWS storage. No effect was observed regarding islet posttransplant function in recipients with established kidney grafts. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that the ischemic tolerance of human pancreata cannot be extended by TLM preservation. In addition, TLM does not seem to improve the isolation outcome for pancreata from elderly donors.

Positron emission tomography: a real-time tool to quantify early islet engraftment in a preclinical large animal model.

BACKGROUND: Clinical islet transplantation is currently being explored as a therapeutic option for persons with type I diabetes and hypoglycemic unawareness. Techniques to monitor graft survival are urgently needed to optimize the procedure. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to develop a technique for imaging survival of transplanted islets in the peritransplant and early posttransplant phase. METHODS: Isolated porcine islets were labeled in vitro with 2-deoxy-2[F]fluoro-D-glucose ([F]FDG) and infused intraportally into anesthetized pigs (n=10). Dynamic examination was performed on a positron emission tomography/computed tomography hybrid system. RESULTS: More than 95% of the radioactivity was confined to the islets at the time of transplantation. The peak percentage of infused radioactivity within the liver, quantified at the end of the islet infusion, was only 54+/-5.1%. The distribution of the radioactivity in the liver was found to be heterogeneous. A whole-body examination showed no accumulation in the lungs or brain; extrahepatic radioactivity was, except urinary excretion, evenly distributed in the pig body. CONCLUSIONS: Our results imply that almost 50% of the islets were damaged to the extent that the FDG contained was release within minutes after intraportal transplantation. The distribution of radioactivity without accumulation in the brain indicates that the activity is released from lysed islet cells in the form of [F]FDG-6P rather than native [F]FDG. The presented technique shows promise to become a powerful and quantitative tool, readily available in the clinic, to evaluate initial islet engraftment and survival.

Quantification of γδ T cells and HLA-DR+ NK cells does not predict emergence of new contrast enhancing lesions in MS patients suspending natalizumab treatment.

BACKGROUND: Natalizumab (NTZ) is a drug that has been widely used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). NTZ is very effective in suppressing inflammation, but if treatment is suspended many patients will experience relapses. OBJECTIVE: To investigate if quantification of γδ T cells and HLA-DR+ NK cells could predict early disease reactivation after NTZ suspension. METHODS: Absolute counts of γδ T cells and HLA-DR+ NK cells in whole blood were determined with flow cytometry in fifteen patients treated with NTZ. NTZ treatment was then withdrawn and patients were followed with clinical visits and MR investigations. RESULTS: Patients with recurrent disease had higher absolute counts of γδ T cells 129 (±156) cells/µl in comparison to patients with stable disease 50.0 (±51.0) cells/µl but the difference was not statistically significant and largely driven by outliers. Patients with recurrent and stable disease had similar absolute counts of HLA-DR+ NK cells. CONCLUSION: Quantification of γδ T cells and HLA-DR+ NK cells could not predict active disease after NTZ suspension.

Positron Emission Tomography to Assess the Outcome of Intraportal Islet Transplantation.

No imaging methodology currently exists to monitor viable islet mass after clinical intraportal islet transplantation. We investigated the potential of the endocrine positron emission tomography (PET) marker [(11)C]5-hydroxytryptophan ([(11)C]5-HTP) for this purpose. In a preclinical proof-of-concept study, the ex vivo and in vivo [(11)C]5-HTP signal was compared with the number of islets transplanted in rats. In a clinical study, human subjects with an intraportal islet graft (n = 8) underwent two [(11)C]5-HTP PET and MRI examinations 8 months apart. The tracer concentration in the liver as a whole, or in defined hotspots, was correlated to measurements of islet graft function. In rat, hepatic uptake of [(11)C]5-HTP correlated with the number of transplanted islets. In human subjects, uptake in hepatic hotspots showed a correlation with metabolic assessments of islet function. Change in hotspot standardized uptake value (SUV) predicted loss of graft function in one subject, whereas hotspot SUV was unchanged in subjects with stable graft function. The endocrine marker [(11)C]5-HTP thus shows a correlation between hepatic uptake and transplanted islet function and promise as a tool for noninvasive detection of viable islets. The evaluation procedure described can be used as a benchmark for novel agents targeting intraportally transplanted islets.

Refinement of the automated method for human islet isolation and presentation of a closed system for in vitro islet culture.

BACKGROUND: The procedure of human islet isolation needs further optimization and standardization. Here, we describe techniques to enhance enzymatic digestion and minimize mechanical forces during the digestion process. The isolation protocol has also been modified to meet current GMP (cGMP) standards. Moreover, the impact of donor- and process-related factors was correlated to the use of islets for clinical transplantation. METHODS: One hundred twelve standardized consecutive islet isolations were evaluated. Metyltioninklorid and indermil (topical tissue adhesive) were applied to detect leakage of collagenase injected and to repair the damaged pancreatic glands. The effects of dye and glue were evaluated in terms of islet yield, islet function using the perifusion assay, and success rate of the isolation. To analyze key factors for successful isolations, both univariate and multivariate regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: Both Metyltioninklorid and Indermil were effective to prevent leakage of enzyme solutions from the pancreatic glands. Both islet yield and success rate were higher when these tools were applied (4,516.1+/-543.0 vs. 3,447.7+/-323.5, P=0.02; 50.0% vs. 21.3%, P=0.02, respectively). No adverse effects on islet function or collagenase activity were observed. Multivariate regression analysis identified the maximal recorded amylase >100 U/L (P=0.026), BMI (P=0.03), and the use of catecholamine (P=0.04) as crucial donor-related factors. In addition, cold ischemia time (P=0.005), the dissection procedure using whole glands with duodenum (P=0.02), and the local procurement team (P=0.03) were identified as crucial isolation-related variables. CONCLUSIONS: A standardized technique of islet isolation is presented applying novel means to improve enzymatic digestion and to meet cGMP standards.

Distribution of adoptively transferred porcine T-lymphoblasts tracked by (18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose and position emission tomography.

INTRODUCTION: Autologous or allogeneic transfer of tumor-infiltrating T-lymphocytes is a promising treatment for metastatic cancers, but a major concern is the difficulty in evaluating cell trafficking and distribution in adoptive cell therapy. This study presents a method of tracking transfusion of T-lymphoblasts in a porcine model by (18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ([(18)F]FDG) and positron emission tomography. METHODS: T-lymphoblasts were labeled with the positron-emitting tracer [(18)F]FDG through incubation. The T-lymphoblasts were administered into the bloodstream, and the distribution was followed by positron emission tomography for 120 min. The cells were administered either intravenously into the internal jugular vein (n=5) or intraarterially into the ascending aorta (n=1). Two of the pigs given intravenous administration were pretreated with low-molecular-weight dextran sulphate. RESULTS: The cellular kinetics and distribution were readily quantifiable for up to 120 min. High (78.6% of the administered cells) heterogeneous pulmonary uptake was found after completed intravenous transfusion. The pulmonary uptake was decreased either by preincubating and coadministrating the T-lymphoblasts with low-molecular-weight dextran sulphate or by administrating them intraarterially. CONCLUSIONS: The present work shows the feasibility of quantitatively monitoring and evaluating cell trafficking and distribution following administration of [(18)F]FDG-labeled T-lymphoblasts. The protocol can potentially be transferred to the clinical setting with few modifications.

A new method for incorporating functional heparin onto the surface of islets of Langerhans.

A novel technique is described to conjugate macromolecular heparin complexes to cell surfaces. The method is based on the dual properties of avidin-expressing binding sites for both biotin and a macromolecular complex of heparin. A quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) revealed sequential binding of biotin, avidin, and heparin complexes. Large particle flow cytometry confirmed functional integrity. Confocal microscopy of the heparinized islets showed evenly distributed fluorescence. An in vitro Chandler loop model demonstrated that the biocompatibility of the new method is comparable to the previous method used on artificial materials with regard to coagulation and antithrombin uptake. The technique presented allows human islets of Langerhans to successfully be covered with functional heparin as a means to reduce instant blood-mediated inflammatory reactions induced by the innate immune system.