Charlotte Jubert

HLA-matched related-donor HSCT in Fanconi anemia patients conditioned with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine

To the editor: Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare, phenotypically heterogeneous inherited disorder clinically characterized by congenital abnormalities, progressive bone marrow failure (BMF), and a predisposition to develop malignancies.[1][1] Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only

Cytogenetics and outcome of allogeneic transplantation in first remission of acute myeloid leukemia: the French pediatric experience

We analyzed the impact of cytogenetics on 193 children enrolled in two successive French trials (LAME89/91 and ELAM02), who received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation during CR1. Detailed karyotype was available for 66/74 (89%) in LAME89/91 and 118/119 (99%) in ELAM02. Several karyotype and transplant characteristics differed according to therapeutic protocol: unfavorable karyotypes were more frequent in ELAM02 (36% vs 18%), pretransplant chemotherapy included high-dose cytarabine in ELAM02 and not in LAME89/91, IV replaced oral busulfan in the conditioning regimen, methotrexate was removed from post-transplant immunosuppression, and matched unrelated donor and cord blood transplantation were introduced. Five-year overall survival (OS) was 78.2% in LAME89 and 81.4% in ELAM02. OS was significantly lower for the unfavorable cytogenetic risk group in LAME89/91 when compared with intermediate and favorable groups (50% vs 90.6 and 86.4%, P=0.001). This difference was no longer apparent in ELAM02 (80.9% vs 71.3% and 5/5, respectively). Survival improvement for children with unfavorable karyotype was statistically significant (P=0.026) and was due to decrease in relapse risk. Five-year transplantation-related mortality was 6.75% in LAME89/91. In ELAM02, it was 3.2% for patients with a sibling donor and 10.9% with an unrelated donor or cord blood. We conclude that the outcome of children with unfavorable karyotype transplanted in CR1 has improved.

Outcome after failure of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with acute leukemia: a study by the société Francophone de greffe de moelle et de thérapie cellulaire (SFGM-TC)

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) contributes to improved outcome in childhood acute leukemia (AL). However, therapeutic options are poorly defined in the case of post-transplantation relapse. We aimed to compare treatment strategies in 334 consecutive children with acute leukemia relapse or progression after SCT in a recent 10-year period. Data could be analyzed in 288 patients (157 ALL, 123 AML and 8 biphenotypic AL) with a median age of 8.16 years at transplantation. The median delay from first SCT to relapse or progression was 182 days. The treatment consisted of chemotherapy alone (n=108), chemotherapy followed by second SCT (n=70), supportive/palliative care (n=67), combination of chemotherapy and donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI; n=30), or isolated reinfusion of donor lymphocytes (DLI; n=13). The median OS duration after relapse was 164 days and differed according to therapy: DLI after chemotherapy=385 days, second allograft=391 days, chemotherapy=174 days, DLI alone=140 days, palliative care=43 days. A second SCT or a combination of chemotherapy and DLI yielded similar outcome (hazard ratio (HR)=0.85, P=0.53) unlike chemotherapy alone (HR=1.43 P=0.04), palliative care (HR=4.24, P<0.0001) or isolated DLI (HR=1,94, P<0.04). Despite limitations in this retrospective setting, strategies including immunointervention appear superior to other approaches, mostly in AML.

Better outcome with haploidentical over HLA-matched related donors in patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation—a study by the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy

The question of the best donor type between haploidentical (HAPLO) and matched-related donors (MRD) for patients with advanced HL receiving an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is still debated. Given the lack of data comparing these two types of donor in the setting of non-myeloablative (NMA) or reduced-intensity (RIC) allo-HCT, we performed a multicentre retrospective study using graft-vs.-host disease-free relapse-free survival (GRFS) as our primary endpoint. We analysed the data of 151 consecutive HL patients who underwent NMA or RIC allo-HCT from a HAPLO (N  =  61) or MRD (N  =  90) between January 2011 and January 2016. GRFS was defined as the probability of being alive without evidence of relapse, grade 3–4 acute GVHD or chronic GVHD. In multivariable analysis, MRD donors were independently associated with lower GRFS compared to HAPLO donors (HR  =  2.95, P   < 0.001). Disease status at transplant other than CR was also associated with lower GRFS in multivariable analysis (HR  =  1.74, P  =  0.01). In addition, the administration of ATG was independently linked to higher GRFS (HR  =  0.52, P  =  0.009). In summary, we observed significantly higher GRFS in HL patients receiving an allo-HCT using the HAPLO PT-Cy platform compared to MRD.

Effect of immune modulation in relapsed peripheral T-cell lymphomas after post-allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a study by the Société Française de Greffe de Moelle et de Thérapie Cellulaire (SFGM-TC)

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma carries a poor prognosis. To document a possible graft-versus-lymphoma effect in this setting, we evaluated the impact of immunomodulation in 63 patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma who relapsed after allogeneic transplant in 27 SFGM-TC centers. Relapse occurred after a median of 2.8 months. Patients were then treated with non-immunologic strategies (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) and/or immune modulation (donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) and/or discontinuation of immunosuppressive therapy). Median overall survival (OS) after relapse was 6.1 months (DLI group: 23.6 months, non-DLI group: 3.6 months). Among the 14 patients who received DLI, 9 responded and 2 had stable disease. Among the remaining 49 patients, a complete response accompanied by extensive chronic GvHD was achieved in two patients after tapering of immunosuppressive drugs. Thirty patients received radio-chemotherapy, with an overall response rate of 50%. In multivariate analysis, chronic GvHD (odds ratio: 11.25 (2.68–48.21), P=0.0009) and skin relapse (odds ratio: 4.15 (1.04–16.50), P=0.043) were associated with a better response to treatment at relapse. In a time-dependent analysis, the only factor predictive of OS was the time from transplantation to relapse (hazards ratio: 0.33 (0.17–0.640), P=0.0009). This large series provides encouraging evidence of a true GvL effect in this disease.

Unrelated cord blood transplantation in patients with idiopathic refractory severe aplastic anemia: a nationwide phase 2 study

Outcomes remain poor for refractory severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients. Alternative donor transplantation may be considered, but results from previous studies are not encouraging. We conducted a prospective nationwide phase 2 study to assess unrelated cord blood (CB) transplantation (CBT) efficacy and safety in refractory SAA patients (Aplastic Anemia and Cord Blood Transplantation protocol). To demonstrate a significant difference in 1-year survival from 20% (null hypothesis) to 50% (alternative hypothesis), we needed to include 25 transplanted patients and therefore included 26 (median age, 16 years). Eligibility criteria required 1 or 2 unrelated CB units, containing separately or together >4 × 107 frozen nucleated cells (NCs) per kilogram of recipient body weight. Conditioning regimen comprised fludarabine (FLU), cyclophosphamide (CY), antithymocyte globulin (ATG), and 2-Gy total body irradiation (TBI). With a median follow-up of 38.8 months, engraftment occurred in 23 patients (88%); cumulative incidences of grade II-IV acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease were 45.8% and 36%, respectively. Twenty-three patients were alive at 1 year, with an 88.5% overall survival (OS) rate, differing significantly from the expected 20% (P < .0001; 84% OS at 2 years). CBT with units containing ≥4 × 107 frozen NCs per kilogram is therefore a valuable curative option for young adults with refractory SAA and no available matched unrelated donors. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01343953.

Design of the DREPAGREFFE trial: A prospective controlled multicenter study evaluating the benefit of genoidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation over chronic transfusion in sickle cell anemia children detected to be at risk of stroke by transcranial Doppler (NCT 01340404)

BACKGROUND Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) have an 11% risk of stroke by the age of 18. Chronic transfusion applied in patients detected to be at risk by transcranial Doppler allows a significant reduction of stroke risk. However, chronic transfusion exposes to several adverse events, including alloimmunization and iron overload, and is not curative. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation allows termination of the transfusion program, but its benefit has not been demonstrated. DESIGN DREPAGREFFE (NCT01340404) is a multicenter, prospective trial enrolling SCA children younger than 15years receiving chronic transfusion due to a history of abnormal transcranial Doppler (velocities ≥200cm/s). Only those with at least one non-SCA sibling and parents accepting HLA-typing and transplantation with a genoidentical donor were eligible. Chronic transfusion was pursued in patients with no available donor, whereas others were transplanted. Comparison between the 2 arms (transfusion vs transplantation) was analyzed using both genetic randomization and propensity-score matching as a sensitivity analysis. The primary end-point was the velocity measure at 1year. Secondary endpoints were the incidence of stroke, silent cerebral infarcts and stenoses, cognitive performance in comparison with siblings, allo-immunization, iron-overload, phosphatidyl-serine, angiogenesis/hypoxia, brain injury-related factor expression, quality of life and cost. OBJECTIVES To show that genoidentical transplantation decreases velocities significantly more than chronic transfusion in SCA children at risk of stroke. DISCUSSION DREPAGREFFE is the first prospective study to evaluate transplantation in SCA children. It compares the outcome of cerebral vasculopathy following genoidentical transplantation versus chronic transfusion using genetic randomization and causal inference methods.

SynthèseSéquelles post-allogreffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiquesPost-hematopietic stem cell transplant complications

Under the long-term monitoring of patients treated in childhood or adolescence for cancer, we present in this article the long-term monitoring and therefore possible effects of patients who underwent allergenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This article is based on a collaborative effort organized by the French Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy (SFGM-TC), which took place during the 4th day of allograft harmonization practices. Patients affected are children and young adults (0-25 years). We defined the monitoring effects beyond 1 year post-transplant. Our recommendations are based on a literature review, in line with the Leucémie Enfant Adulte (LEA) study cohort of long-term monitoring of patients treated for hematological malignancies in childhood, grafted or not. It became important to determine the nature of problems, their risk factors, frequency and monitoring necessary to implement for their detection. We will not address the therapeutic management of sequelae.

Séquelles post-allogreffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiques

Under the long-term monitoring of patients treated in childhood or adolescence for cancer, we present in this article the long-term monitoring and therefore possible effects of patients who underwent allergenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This article is based on a collaborative effort organized by the French Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy (SFGM-TC), which took place during the 4th day of allograft harmonization practices. Patients affected are children and young adults (0-25 years). We defined the monitoring effects beyond 1 year post-transplant. Our recommendations are based on a literature review, in line with the Leucémie Enfant Adulte (LEA) study cohort of long-term monitoring of patients treated for hematological malignancies in childhood, grafted or not. It became important to determine the nature of problems, their risk factors, frequency and monitoring necessary to implement for their detection. We will not address the therapeutic management of sequelae.

Similar outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation after myeloablative and sequential conditioning regimen in patients with refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia: A study from the Société Francophone de Greffe de Moelle et de Thérapie Cellula

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in relapse or refractory to induction therapy have a dismal prognosis. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curative option. In these patients, we aimed to compare the results of a myeloablative transplant versus a sequential approach consisting in a cytoreductive chemotherapy followed by a reduced intensity conditioning regimen and prophylactic donor lymphocytes infusions. We retrospectively analyzed 99 patients aged 18‐50 years, transplanted for a refractory (52%) or a relapsed AML not in remission (48%). Fifty‐eight patients received a sequential approach and 41 patients a myeloablative conditioning regimen. Only 6 patients received prophylactic donor lymphocytes infusions. With a median follow‐up of 48 months, 2‐year overall survival was 39%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (24‐53) in the myeloablative group versus 33%, 95% CI (21‐45) in the sequential groups (P = .39), and 2‐year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was 57% versus 50% respectively (P = .99). Nonrelapse mortality was not higher in the myeloablative group (17% versus 15%, P = .44). In multivariate analysis, overall survival, CIR and nonrelapse mortality remained similar between the two groups. However, in multivariate analysis, sequential conditioning led to fewer acute grade II‐IV graft versus host disease (GVHD) (HR for sequential approach = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.21‐0.65; P < .001) without a significant impact on chronic GVHD (all grades and extensive). In young patients with refractory or relapsed AML, myeloablative transplant and sequential approach offer similar outcomes except for a lower incidence of acute GvHD after a sequential transplant.