Liisa Volin

Standard graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis with or without anti-T-cell globulin in haematopoietic cell transplantation from matched unrelated donors: a randomised, open-label, multicentre phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation from unrelated donors. Anti-T-cell globulins (ATGs) might lower the incidence of GVHD. We did a prospective, randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 trial to compare standard GVHD prophylaxis with ciclosporin and methotrexate with or without anti-Jurkat ATG-Fresenius (ATG-F). METHODS Between May 26, 2003, and Feb 8, 2007, 202 patients with haematological malignancies were centrally randomly assigned using computer-generated centre-stratified block randomisation between treatment groups receiving ciclosporin and methotrexate with or without additional ATG-F. One patient in the ATG-F group did not undergo transplantation, thus 201 patients who underwent transplantation with peripheral blood (n=164; 82%) or bone marrow (n=37; 18%) grafts from unrelated donors after myeloablative conditioning were included in the full analysis set, and were analysed according to their randomly assigned treatment (ATG-F n=103, control n=98). The primary endpoint was severe acute GVHD (aGVHD) grade III-IV or death within 100 days of transplantation. The trial is registered with the numbers DRKS00000002 and NCT00655343. FINDINGS The number of patients in the ATG-F group who had severe aGVHD grade III-IV or who died within 100 days of transplantation was 12 and 10 (21.4%, 95% CI 13.4-29.3), respectively, compared with 24 and nine (33.7%, 24.3-43.0) patients, respectively, in the control group (adjusted odds ratio 0.59, 95% CI 0.30-1.17; p=0.13). The cumulative incidence of aGVHD grade III-IV was 11.7% (95% CI 6.8-19.8) in the ATG-F group versus 24.5% (17.3-34.7) in the control group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.50, 95% CI 0.25-1.01; p=0.054), and cumulative incidence of aGVHD grade II-IV was 33.0% (n=34; 95% CI 25.1-43.5) in the ATG-F group versus 51.0% (n=50; 95% CI 42.0-61.9) in the control group (adjusted HR 0.56, 0.36-0.87; p=0.011). The 2-year cumulative incidence of extensive chronic GVHD was 12.2% (n=11; 95% CI 7.0-21.3) versus 42.6% (n=34; 95% CI 33.0-55.0; adjusted HR 0.22, 0.11-0.43; p<0.0001). There were no differences between treatment groups with regard to relapse, non-relapse mortality, overall survival, and mortality from infectious causes. INTERPRETATION The addition of ATG-F to GVHD prophylaxis with ciclosporin and methotrexate resulted in decreased incidence of acute and chronic GVHD without an increase in relapse or non-relapse mortality, and without compromising overall survival. The use of ATG-F is safe for patients who are going to receive a haematopoietic cell transplantation from matched unrelated donors. FUNDING Fresenius Biotech GmbH.

Incidence and risk factors for invasive fungal infections in allogeneic BMT recipients

In order to analyze the incidence and risk factors for invasive fungal infection (IFI) after allogeneic BMT, 142 consecutive adult BMT recipients (131 sibling donors, 11 unrelated donors) transplanted in 1989–1993 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 21 cases with definite or probable IFI (incidence 15%) (Aspergillus, 15; Candida, four; Fusarium, one; Absidia, one). The median time to the diagnosis of IFI was 136 days after BMT (range 6–466 days). Only 14% of the IFIs were found during the neutropenic period post-BMT. Of the pretransplant characteristics, hematological disease (MDS vs other) (P = 0.001) and unrelated donor (P = 0.01) were risk factors for IFI. Acute GVHD grade III–IV (P = 0.03) and extensive chronic GVHD (P = 0.0002) were also found to be significant risk factors. Only three patients with IFI (14%) became long-term survivors. Invasive fungal infections tended to develop late after BMT, were usually caused by Aspergillus sp., and were strongly associated with GVHD and its treatment. Better prophylaxis and treatment of IFI are needed. More effective prophylaxis for GVHD might decrease the risk of IFI after allogeneic BMT.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease: long-term results from a randomized trial on graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis with or without anti-T-cell globulin ATG-Fresenius

Previous randomized graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-prophylaxis trials have failed to demonstrate reduced incidence and severity of chronic GVHD (cGVHD). Here we reanalyzed and updated a randomized phase 3 trial comparing standard GVHD prophylaxis with or without pretransplantation ATG-Fresenius (ATG-F) in 201 adult patients receiving myeloablative conditioning before transplantation from unrelated donors. The cumulative incidence of extensive cGVHD after 3 years was 12.2% in the ATG-F group versus 45.0% in the control group (P < .0001). The 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse and of nonrelapse mortality was 32.6% and 19.4% in the ATG-F group and 28.2% and 33.5% in the control group (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.21, P = .47, and HR = 0.68, P = .18), respectively. This nonsignificant reduction in nonrelapse mortality without increased relapse risk led to an overall survival rate after 3 years of 55.2% in the ATG-F group and 43.3% in the control group (HR = 0.84, P = .39, nonsignificant). The HR for receiving immunosuppressive therapy (IST) was 0.31 after ATG-F (P < .0001), and the 3-year probability of survival free of IST was 52.9% and 16.9% in the ATG-F versus control, respectively. The addition of ATG-F to standard cyclosporine, methotrexate GVHD prophylaxis lowers the incidence and severity of cGVHD, and the risk of receiving IST without raising the relapse rate. ATG-F prophylaxis reduces cGVHD morbidity.

Autologous/reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation vs autologous transplantation in multiple myeloma: long-term results of the EBMT-NMAM2000 study

Long-term follow-up of prospective studies comparing allogeneic transplantation to autologous transplantation in multiple myeloma is few and controversial. This is an update at a median follow-up of 96 months of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Non-Myeloablative Allogeneic stem cell transplantation in Multiple Myeloma (NMAM)2000 study that prospectively compares tandem autologous/reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic transplantation (auto/RICallo) to autologous transplantation alone (auto). There are 357 myeloma patients up to age 69 years enrolled. Patients with an HLA-identical sibling were allocated to auto/RICallo (n = 108) and those without to auto alone (n = 249). At 96 months progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 22% and 49% vs 12% (P = .027) and 36% (P = .030) with auto/RICallo and auto respectively. The corresponding relapse/progression rate (RL) was 60% vs 82% (P = .0002). Non-relapse mortality at 36 months was 13% vs 3% (P = .0004). In patients with the del(13) abnormality corresponding PFS and OS were 21% and 47% vs 5% (P = .026), and 31% (P = .154). Long-term outcome in patients with multiple myeloma was better with auto/RICallo as compared with auto only and the auto/RICallo approach seemed to overcome the poor prognostic impact of del(13) observed after autologous transplantation. Follow up longer than 5 years is necessary for correct interpretation of the value of auto/RICallo in multiple myeloma.

Quality of life and factors related to perceived satisfaction with quality of life after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

The quality of life after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was studied in 109 adult allogeneic BMT recipients transplanted on at the Helsinki University Central hospital for a haematological malignancy. Physical, functional, emotional and social well-being was measured on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale (FACT-BMT) and a shortened version of the Profile of Mood States Scale (POMS) and by the MOS social support survey and a Brief Measure of Social Support (SSQ6). The results of the present study replicate those of previous investigations by finding that physical well-being, educational level, age at BMT and social support have an impact on the perceived quality of life of BMT patients. Our results indicate that these factors have a varying impact at different time points during the post-BMT recovery process. During the first three years after BMT, physical well-being proved to be a highly significant (P<0.001) factor for perceived life satisfaction. Moreover, physical well-being showed an average significant improvement after the first post-BMT year. The percentage of the recipients experiencing the highest levels of satisfaction with life increased from 51% during the first year after BMT to 81% for those patients five years post-BMT. One year after BMT, 75.6% of the BMT recipients were able to work, 67.8% of the patients were actively participating in work/school and 7.8% were unemployed.

CMV serostatus still has an important prognostic impact in de novo acute leukemia patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a report from the Acute Leukemia Working Party of EBMT

We analyzed the prognostic impact of donor and recipient cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus in 16,628 de novo acute leukemia patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Compared with CMV-seronegative recipients who underwent allograft from a CMV-seronegative donor, cases of CMV seropositivity of the donor and/or the recipient showed a significantly decreased 2-year leukemia-free survival (44% vs 49%, P < .001) and overall survival (50% vs 56%, P < .001), and increased nonrelapse mortality (23% vs 20%, P < .001). Both groups showed a comparable relapse incidence and 2-year probability of graft-versus-host disease. The negative prognostic effects of CMV seropositivity of the donor and/or the recipient (vs CMV seronegativity of both) were significantly stronger for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) than for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), resulting in a markedly reduced 2-year overall survival (46% vs 55% for ALL compared with 52% vs 56% for AML). The important prognostic impact of donor/recipient CMV serostatus remained in a multivariate Cox regression analysis including the other prognostic variables. We conclude that donor and/or recipient CMV seropositivity is still associated with an adverse prognosis in de novo acute leukemia patients after allo-SCT despite the implementation of sophisticated strategies for prophylaxis, monitoring, and (preemptive) treatment of CMV.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a survey of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)

Summary. A survey was carried out among the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) centres to determine the incidence, risk factors, treatment and outcome of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. TTP was defined as the simultaneous occurrence of red cell fragmentation, laboratory findings of haemolysis, red cell transfusion requirement and de novo or persistant thrombocytopenia caused by consumption, in the absence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Forty‐five centres reported all patients (n = 406) transplanted between July and December 1996. Twenty‐three patients developed TTP; the risk of developing TTP was 6·7% at 2 years (95% CI: 4·1% to 9·3%). The median time of onset was 44 d (range 13–319) post transplantation. Significant risk factors for the development of TTP were female gender (P = 0·005) and an unrelated donor (P = 0·046). To treat TTP, cyclosporin administration was discontinued in 10 cases, plasma exchanges were performed in five cases and 12 patients received plasma infusions without plasma exchange. TTP resolved in 13 of the 23 patients (57%). The only factor predictive of resolution of TTP was the absence of nephropathy. Seven patients (30%) were alive at follow‐up of 38–45 months from the onset of TTP. Sixteen patients died; the causes were multiple, only three patients had TTP as a central factor. The median time to death was 41 d (range 1–762 d) from the onset of TTP. TTP is a relatively frequent complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation and it is associated with high mortality, though death is usually caused by multiple factors.

Gender-associated differences in the quality of life after allogeneic BMT

The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of life (QOL) of male and female allogeneic BMT recipients. One hundred and nine BMT patients participated in this cross-sectional survey and completed the following instruments: Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment (FACT-BMT version 3), shortened version of Profile of Mood States (POMS), MOS Survey of Social Support, and A Brief Measure of Social Support (SSQ6). Independent of the time post-BMT, perceived physical well-being, age at BMT, and education, females reported worse emotional well-being and more fatigue than males. Females also indicated more tiredness and less quality sleep. Males were found to experience less satisfaction with social support regardless of marital status. On the other hand, married males were more satisfied with their sexual life, more interested in sexual relationships, and more sexually active compared to married females. However, no significant differences between males and females were found in terms of overall physical, functional, and social well-being assessed by the FACT-BMT. The present results indicated that important gender differences exist among allogeneic BMT recipients which need to be addressed when designing post-treatment intervention programs for BMT recipients. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2001) 28, 503–509.

Syngeneic transplantation in multiple myeloma: a case-matched comparison with autologous and allogeneic transplantation

Twenty-five patients with multiple myeloma received bone marrow grafts (n = 24) or peripheral blood stem cells (n = 1) from twin donors. The outcome was compared in a case-matched analysis to 125 patients who underwent autologous transplantation, and 125 who underwent allogeneic transplantation. Seventeen patients (68%) receiving twin transplants entered complete remission, which was not significantly different from that of autologous (48%) or allogeneic (58%) transplants. The median overall and progression-free survival for the twins was 73 and 72 months, respectively. The overall survival tended to be better (73 vs 44 months) and the progression-free survival was significantly better (72 vs 25 months) than with autologous transplantation and both were significantly better than with allogeneic transplantation. Three of 17 patients who entered complete remission following transplantation had relapsed at follow-up. This relapse rate was significantly lower than following autologous transplantation and similar to the relapse rate with allogeneic transplantation. Only two twins died of transplant-related toxicity. Six further patients died of progressive or relapsing disease. Syngeneic transplantation in multiple myeloma appears to be the treatment of choice if a twin donor is available. A lower relapse risk than in autotransplantation may be due to reinfusion of malignant cells in some patients treated with this modality or to the presence of a graft-versus-myeloma effect in some syngeneic transplants.

Factors predicting outcome after unrelated donor stem cell transplantation in primary refractory acute myeloid leukaemia.

Treatment options for adults with primary refractory acute myeloid leukaemia (PREF AML) are extremely limited. Although sibling allogeneic stem cell transplantation can result in long-term survival, most patients lack a matched family donor and are destined to die of refractory disease. Greater availability of unrelated donors and improvements in supportive care have increased the proportion of patients with PREF AML in whom allografting is technically feasible, but the outcome of unrelated donor transplantation in this population has not been studied. We therefore analysed overall survival in 168 patients with PREF AML, who underwent unrelated donor transplantation between 1994 and 2006. The 5-year overall survival for the whole group was 22%. In multivariate analysis, fewer than three courses of induction chemotherapy, a lower percentage of bone marrow blasts at transplant and patient cytomegalovirus seropositivity were associated with improved survival. This allowed the development of a scoring system that identified four groups with survival rates between 44±11% and 0%. This study demonstrates an important role for unrelated donor transplantation in the management of selected patients with PREF AML and confirms the importance of initiating an urgent unrelated donor search in patients with no matched sibling donor, who fail to respond to induction chemotherapy.