Busulfan plus cyclophosphamide versus busulfan plus fludarabine as a preparative regimen for allogeneic haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia: an open-label, multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: The standard busulfan-cyclophosphamide myeloablative conditioning regimen is associated with substantial non-relapse mortality in patients older than 40 years with acute myeloid leukaemia who are undergoing allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. Because the combination of busulfan plus fludarabine has been proposed to reduce non-relapse mortality, we aimed to compare this treatment with busulfan plus cyclophosphamide as a preparative regimen in these patients. METHODS: We did an open-label, multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia at 25 hospital transplant centres in Italy and one in Israel. Eligible patients were aged 40-65 years, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status less than 3, and were in complete remission. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive intravenous busulfan plus cyclophosphamide or busulfan plus fludarabine. Treatment allocations were not masked to investigators or patients. Randomisation was done centrally via a dedicated web-based system using remote data entry, with patients stratified by donor type and complete remission status. Patients allocated to busulfan plus cyclophosphamide received intravenous busulfan 0·8 mg/kg four times per day during 2 h infusions for four consecutive days (16 doses from days -9 through -6; total dose 12·8 mg/kg) and cyclophosphamide at 60 mg/kg per day for two consecutive days (on days -4 and -3; total dose 120 mg/kg). Patients allocated to busulfan plus fludarabine received the same dose of intravenous busulfan (from days -6 through -3) and fludarabine at 40 mg/m(2) per day for four consecutive days (from days -6 through -3; total dose 160 mg/m(2)). The primary endpoint was 1-year non-relapse mortality, which was assessed on an intention-to-treat basis; safety outcomes were assessed in the per-protocol population. This trial has been completed and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01191957. FINDINGS: Between Jan 3, 2008, and Dec 20, 2012, we enrolled and randomly assigned 252 patients to receive busulfan plus cyclophosphamide (n=125) or busulfan plus fludarabine (n=127). Median follow-up was 27·5 months (IQR 9·8-44·3). 1-year non-relapse mortality was 17·2% (95% CI 11·6-25·4) in the busulfan plus cyclophosphamide group and 7·9% (4·3-14·3) in the busulfan plus fludarabine group (Gray's test p=0·026). The most frequently reported grade 3 or higher adverse events were gastrointestinal events (28 [23%] of 121 patients in the busulfan plus cyclophosphamide group and 26 [21%] of 124 patients in the busulfan plus fludarabine group) and infections (21 [17%] patients in the busulfan plus cyclophosphamide group and 13 [10%] patients in the busulfan plus fludarabine group had at least one such event). INTERPRETATION: In older patients with acute myeloid leukaemia, the myeloablative busulfan plus fludarabine conditioning regimen is associated with lower transplant-related mortality than busulfan plus cyclophosphamide, but retains potent antileukaemic activity. Accordingly, this regimen should be regarded as standard of care during the planning of allogeneic transplants for such patients. FUNDING: Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco.

Rituximab added to conditioning regimen significantly improves erythroid engraftment in major incompatible ABO-group hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

ABO-group major incompatibility hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) increases the risk of delayed red cell engraftment and other immunological complications. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of pre-transplant infusion of rituximab in patients with ABO-incompatibility in improving red blood cell engraftment after HSCT, measured by time to reach transfusion independence. We performed a retrospective, single-center study including 131 consecutive patients transplanted with major or bidirectional ABO-incompatible grafts between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2019. Fifty-one patients received an infusion of rituximab during the conditioning regimen, while 80 patients did not receive any additional preventive treatment. Time to transfusion independence was significantly reduced for patients treated with rituximab (1 month, 95% CI, 0.5-2) compared with the control group (3.2 months, 95% CI 1.5-3.2, p = 0.02). By multivariable analysis, rituximab use was associated with a faster red blood cell (RBC) engraftment (RR 1.88, 95% CI 1.17-3.03, p = 0.009), while a pre-transplant anti-donor isohemagglutinins titer >1:128 was associated with delayed transfusion independence (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.37-0.99, p = 0.05). Although limited by the retrospective nature of the study, the results of this analysis suggest that rituximab added to conditioning regimens is feasible, safe, and able to improve post-transplant red blood cell engraftment.

Safety and efficacy of narsoplimab in pediatric and adult patients with transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy: a real-world experience.

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is a severe complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). No approved treatments are currently available. This study presents real-world data obtained with narsoplimab, a human immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody that inhibits MASP-2, the effector enzyme of the lectin pathway of the complement system. Between January 2018 and August 2023, 20 (13 adult and 7 pediatric) patients diagnosed with TA-TMA received narsoplimab under an ongoing compassionate use program. The diagnosis was based on internationally defined criteria for pediatric and adult patients. Fifteen patients fulfilled the criteria recently established by an international consensus on TA-TMA. Nineteen patients exhibited high-risk characteristics. Thirteen patients (65%) responded to narsoplimab, achieving transfusion independence and significant clinical improvement. The one-hundred-day Overall Survival (OS) post-TA-TMA diagnosis was 70%, and 100% for responders. Narsoplimab proved to be effective and safe in the treatment of high-risk TA-TMA, with no increased infectious complications or other safety signals of concern across all age groups. The high response rates and the encouraging survival outcomes underscore the potential of narsoplimab as a valuable therapeutic option, particularly for high-risk cases.

Optimizing maintenance therapy in acute myeloid leukemia: where do we stand in the year 2024?

INTRODUCTION: Despite the prognosis of patients affected by acute myeloid leukemia (AML) improved in the last decade, most patients relapse. Maintenance therapy after a chemotherapy approach with or without allogeneic stem cell transplantation could be a way to control the undetectable residual burden of leukemic cells. Several studies are being carried out as maintenance therapy in AML. Some critical points need to be defined, how the physician can choose among the various drugs available. AREAS COVERED: This review discusses the advances and controversies surrounding maintenance therapy for AML patients. EXPERT OPINION: Patients withFLT3-positive AML should receive midostaurin or quizartinib in the first-linesetting. For a patient initially receiving midostaurin, consider switching to sorafenib in the post-transplant setting. Because of the improved safety profile and potency, many experts will lean toward using a second-generation FLT3 inhibitor such as quizartinib or gilteritinib. Finally, no data indicate whether maintenance therapy should be prolonged until progression or for a defined period.

Molecular prognostication for transplant decision making of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: A retrospective single-center study.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains the only curative option for patients with Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). For many years, the selection of patients to allogeneic HSCT has been largely based on use of the International Prognostic Scoring System-Revised (IPSS-R). However, the recent broader application of next generation sequencing in clinical practice provided an abundance of molecular data and led to the introduction of molecular prognostic scores as IPSS-Molecular (IPSS-M). In this paper, we retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 57 consecutive MDS patients treated with allogeneic HSCT in our center. Re-stratification from IPSS-R to IPSS-M occurred in almost half of patients. The application of IPSS-M to our cohort demonstrated a stronger prognostic separation compared to IPSS-R and improved the C-index. Very high-risk IPSS-M patients showed worse outcomes following HSCT compared to high-risk patients. This study provides data supporting the need of integrating molecular information in the transplant decision making of patients with MDS. This allows an earlier and better identification of patients to whom the transplant should be advised.

First-Line Use of Daratumumab in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Shows Delayed Neutrophil and Platelet Engraftment after Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: Results from a Real-Life Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: This real-life study aimed to investigate the possible impact of D-VTd induction therapy on hematopoietic engraftment after autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT). METHODS: Sixty consecutive NDMM patients received four cycles of induction therapy with D-VTd. The conditioning regimen consisted of melphalan 200 mg/m2. These patients were compared with a historical control group of 80 patients who received four cycles of VTd as induction therapy. RESULTS: The median days to reach neutrophil and platelet engraftment significantly differed between patients treated with D-VTd (11 and 13 days, respectively) and VTd (10 and 12 days). Univariate Cox analyses show that patients treated with D-VTd had a hazard ratio of neutrophil engraftment that was 42% significantly lower than those in the VTd arm (HR: 0.58, p = 0.002), and a multivariate model confirmed this result. Patients treated with D-VTd developed FN more frequently. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions revealed an association between D-VTd and FN. Delayed engraftment did not correlate with more extended hospitalization. No patients died in the first six months after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Our real-life study showed that a four-drug induction therapy containing DARA does not impact transplant safety outcomes.

Busulfan-fludarabine versus busulfan-cyclophosphamide for allogeneic transplant in acute myeloid leukemia: long term analysis of GITMO AML-R2 trial.

We report the long-term results of a randomized trial (GITMO, AML-R2), comparing 1:1 the combination of busulfan and cyclophosphamide (BuCy2, n = 125) and the combination of busulfan and fludarabine (BuFlu, n = 127) as conditioning regimen in acute myeloid leukemia patients (median age 51 years, range 40-65) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. With a median follow-up of 6 years, significantly better non-relapse mortality (NRM) was confirmed in BuFlu recipients, which is sustained up to 4 years after transplant (10% vs. 20%, p = 0.0388). This difference was higher in patients older than 51 years (11% in BuFlu vs. 27% in BuCy2, p = 0.0262). The cumulative incidence of relapse, which was the first cause of death in the entire study population, did not differ between the two randomized arms. Similarly, the leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) were not different in the two cohorts, even when stratifying patients per median age. Graft-and relapse-free survival (GRFS) in BuFlu arm vs. the BuCy2 arm was 25% vs. 20% at 4 years and 20% vs. 17% at 10 years. Hence, the benefit gained by NRM reduction is not offsets by an increased relapse. Leukemia relapse remains a major concern, urging the development of new therapeutic approaches.

ECP versus ruxolitinib in steroid-refractory chronic GVHD - a retrospective study by the EBMT transplant complications working party.

Ruxolitinib has become the new standard of care for steroid-refractory and steroid-dependent chronic GVHD (SR-cGVHD). Our aim was to collect comparative data between ruxolitinib and extracorporeal photophoresis (ECP). We asked EBMT centers if they were willing to provide detailed information on GVHD grading, -therapy, -dosing, -response and complications for each included patient. 31 centers responded positively and we included all patients between 1/2017-7/2019 treated with ECP or ruxolitinib for moderate or severe SR-cGVHD. We identified 84 and 57 patients with ECP and ruxolitinib, respectively. We performed multivariate analyses adjusted on grading and type of SR-cGVHD (steroid dependent vs. refractory vs. intolerant to steroids). At day+180 after initiation of treatment for SR-cGVHD the odds ratio in the ruxolitinib group to achieve overall response vs. the ECP group was 1.35 (95% CI = [0.64; 2.91], p = 0.43). In line, we detected no statistically significant differences in overall survival, progression-free survival, non-relapse mortality and relapse incidence. The clinical significance is limited by the retrospective study design and the current data can't replace prospective studies on ECP in SR-cGVHD. However, the present results contribute to the accumulating evidence on ECP as an effective treatment option in SR-cGVHD.

Sequential allogeneic transplantation and ruxolitinib maintenance for a synchronous PCM1-JAK2 positive myeloid sarcoma and acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia.

The translocation t(8;9)(p22;p24) results in the production of a chimeric PCM1-JAK2 fusion protein leading to the constitutive activation of the Janus Kinase 2 that renders this disease potentially sensitive to ruxolitinib. Here, we report an interesting case of PCM1-JAK2 myeloproliferative neoplasm evolving in myeloid sarcoma and B precursor ALL.

Neurological complications in adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: Incidence, characteristics and long-term follow-up in a multicenter series.

Neurological complications (NCs) represent a diagnostic and clinical challenge in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) patients. We retrospectively analyzed NC incidence, etiology, timing, characteristics, outcome, and long-term effects in 2384 adult patients transplanted in seven Italian institutions between January 2007 and December 2019. Ninety-three (3.9%) patients were affected by 96 NCs that were infectious (29.2%), immune/inflammatory (26%), drug-related (12.5%), cerebrovascular (5.2%), metabolic (3.1%), related to central nervous system disease relapse (11.5%) and malignancy (3.1%), or undefined (9.4%). Six patients (6.4%) had neurological manifestations of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). NCs occurred on average at day +128 (from -5 to +4063). Early (< day +120) and late NCs had similar frequencies (46.9% vs 53.1%, p = 0.39). Thirty-one patients (33.3%) were affected by acute or chronic GVHD at the NC onset. With a median follow-up of 25.4 (0.4-163) months, the overall mortality due to NCs was 22.6%. The median time between NC onset and death was 36 (1-269) days. Infectious NCs were the main cause (61.9%) of NC-related mortality. A persistent neurological impairment occurred in 20.4% patients, 57.9% of whom being affected by immune/inflammatory NCs. This study highlights the rare, yet severe impact of alloHSCT-associated NCs on patient survival and long-term functional ability.

Endothelial injury and thrombotic microangiopathy in COVID-19: Treatment with the lectin-pathway inhibitor narsoplimab.

In COVID-19, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and thrombotic events are frequent, life-threatening complications. Autopsies commonly show arterial thrombosis and severe endothelial damage. Endothelial damage, which can play an early and central pathogenic role in ARDS and thrombosis, activates the lectin pathway of complement. Mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2), the lectin pathway's effector enzyme, binds the nucleocapsid protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulting in complement activation and lung injury. Narsoplimab, a fully human immunoglobulin gamma 4 (IgG4) monoclonal antibody against MASP-2, inhibits lectin pathway activation and has anticoagulant effects. In this study, the first time a lectin-pathway inhibitor was used to treat COVID-19, six COVID-19 patients with ARDS requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or intubation received narsoplimab under compassionate use. At baseline and during treatment, circulating endothelial cell (CEC) counts and serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assessed. Narsoplimab treatment was associated with rapid and sustained reduction of CEC and concurrent reduction of serum IL-6, IL-8, CRP and LDH. Narsoplimab was well tolerated; no adverse drug reactions were reported. Two control groups were used for retrospective comparison, both showing significantly higher mortality than the narsoplimab-treated group. All narsoplimab-treated patients recovered and survived. Narsoplimab may be an effective treatment for COVID-19 by reducing COVID-19-related endothelial cell damage and the resultant inflammation and thrombotic risk.

Treosulfan or busulfan plus fludarabine as conditioning treatment before allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation for older patients with acute myeloid leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome (MC-FludT.14/L): a randomised, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Further improvement of preparative regimens before allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an unmet medical need for the growing number of older or comorbid patients with acute myeloid leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of conditioning with treosulfan plus fludarabine compared with reduced-intensity busulfan plus fludarabine in this population. METHODS: We did an open-label, randomised, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial in 31 transplantation centres in France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and Poland. Eligible patients were 18-70 years, had acute myeloid leukaemia in first or consecutive complete haematological remission (blast counts <5% in bone marrow) or myelodysplastic syndrome (blast counts <20% in bone marrow), Karnofsky index of 60% or higher, and were indicated for allogeneic HSCT but considered at an increased risk for standard myeloablative preparative regimens based on age (≥50 years), an HSCT-specific comorbidity index of more than 2, or both. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either intravenous 10 g/m2 treosulfan daily applied as a 2-h infusion for 3 days (days -4 to -2) or 0·8 mg/kg busulfan applied as a 2-h infusion at 6-h intervals on days -4 and -3. Both groups received 30 mg/m2 intravenous fludarabine daily for 5 days (days -6 to -2). The primary outcome was event-free survival 2 years after HSCT. The non-inferiority margin was a hazard ratio (HR) of 1·3. Efficacy was assessed in all patients who received treatment and completed transplantation, and safety in all patients who received treatment. The study is registered with EudraCT (2008-002356-18) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00822393). FINDINGS: Between June 13, 2013, and May 3, 2016, 476 patients were enrolled (240 in the busulfan group received treatment and transplantation, and in the treosulfan group 221 received treatment and 220 transplanation). At the second preplanned interim analysis (Nov 9, 2016), the primary endpoint was met and trial was stopped. Here we present the final confirmatory analysis (data cutoff May 31, 2017). Median follow-up was 15·4 months (IQR 8·8-23·6) for patients treated with treosulfan and 17·4 months (6·3-23·4) for those treated with busulfan. 2-year event-free survival was 64·0% (95% CI 56·0-70·9) in the treosulfan group and 50·4% (42·8-57·5) in the busulfan group (HR 0·65 [95% CI 0·47-0·90]; p<0·0001 for non-inferiority, p=0·0051 for superiority). The most frequently reported grade 3 or higher adverse events were abnormal blood chemistry results (33 [15%] of 221 patients in the treosulfan group vs 35 [15%] of 240 patients in the busulfan group) and gastrointestinal disorders (24 [11%] patients vs 39 [16%] patients). Serious adverse events were reported for 18 (8%) patients in the treosulfan group and 17 (7%) patients in the busulfan group. Causes of deaths were generally transplantation-related. INTERPRETATION: Treosulfan was non-inferior to busulfan when used in combination with fludarabine as a conditioning regimen for allogeneic HSCT for older or comorbid patients with acute myeloid leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. The improved outcomes in patients treated with the treosulfan-fludarabine regimen suggest its potential to become a standard preparative regimen in this population. FUNDING: medac GmbH.