Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Infusion Research Articles

Automation of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Outcomes Reporting Leads to Dramatic Reduction in Errors Reported to Real-World Data Registry

Institutions that perform hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are required by law to report standardized, structured data on transplantation outcomes. A key post-transplantation outcome is engraftment, the time between HCT infusion and reemergence of circulating neutrophils and platelets. At our center, we found that manual chart abstraction for engraftment data was highly error-prone. We developed a custom R/Shiny application that automatically calculates engraftment dates and displays them in an intuitive format to augment the manual chart review. Our hypothesis was that use of the application to assist with calculating and reporting engraftment dates would be associated with a decreased error rate. The study was conducted at a single tertiary care institution. The application was developed in a collaborative, multidisciplinary fashion by members of an embedded cellular therapy informatics team. Retrospective validation of the application's accuracy was conducted on all malignant HCTs from February 2016 to December 2020 (n=198). Real-world use of the application was evaluated prospectively from April 2021 through April 2022 (n=53). The Welch 2-sample t test was used to compare error rates preimplementation and postimplementation. Data were visualized using p charts, and standard special cause variation rules were applied. The accuracy of reported data postdeployment increased dramatically; the engraftment error rate decreased from 15% to 3.8% for neutrophils (P=.003) and from 28% to 1.9% for platelets (P < .001). This study demonstrates the effective deployment of a custom R/Shiny application that was associated with significantly reduced error rates in HCT engraftment reporting for operational, research, and regulatory purposes. Users reported subjective satisfaction with the application and that it addressed difficulties with the legacy manual process. Identifying and correcting erroneous data in engraftment reporting could lead to a more efficient and accurate nationwide assessment of transplantation success. Furthermore, we show that it is possible and practical for academic medical centers to create and support embedded informatics teams that can quickly build applications for clinical operations in a manner compliant with regulatory requirements.

Safety and feasibility of delayed infusion of stem cell products: a pilot study

Background & Aim: In allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), NMDP guidelines are for stem cell product (SCP) infusion within 48 hrs or as soon as feasible after collection. However, given the possibility of long transit times, staffing limitations, and travel disruptions from natural disasters or pandemics, delays occur in the timing of infusions. We performed a pilot study to evaluate the safety of delayed SCP infusions. Methods, Results & Conclusion: We prospectively determined total transit time (time from end of collection to end of HCT infusion, TTT), viability, and product characteristics of SCP infused 48 hrs cohort. Acute GVHD was 50% and 56.5%, and death from any cause was 39.9% versus 39.1%, in the 48 hrs was associated with no adverse outcomes post-HCT, compared to published parameters. In comparison, cryopreserved products during COVID-19 pandemic showed a delayed time to engraftment. While more definitive randomized studies are necessary, our preliminary results suggest that holding products for >48 hrs may be an acceptable alternative to cryopreservation in times of possible transit delay. [Table presented]

Prospective Trial of Pre-Transplant 5-Azacitidine on Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Outcomes for Myelodysplastic Syndrome and CMML

AbstractAbstract 1333In a prior retrospective analysis, we reported no adverse effects of pre-transplant 5-azacitidine on subsequent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes. We now report the results of a prospective observational clinical trial with the objective of evaluating HCT outcomes following pre-HCT therapy with 5-azacitidine. Twenty-three patients seen in consultation for HCT and medically eligible for a donor search were enrolled and received 5-azacitidine [75mg/m2 for 7 days every 4 weeks] until a suitable donor was identified. Four did not proceed to transplant for the following reasons: failure to obtain insurance approval due to patient age, failure of the pre-HCT organ evaluation although a donor was identified, CNS hemorrhage in setting of chronic anti-coagulation five days prior to HCT admission and one (62 years) declined HCT as only a HLA-A mismatched donor was available. Nineteen patients received a HCT following a myeloablative targeted busulfan fludarabine regimen. Median age at HCT was 57 years (25 – 67), 18 patients were older than 45 years, 7 older than 60 years. Disease at diagnosis was RCMD (3), RAEB2 (11), RAEB1 (3), CMML1 (1) and AMLM6 (1). IPSS at diagnosis was Int-1 (2), Int2 (9) and high (5), CMML1 (1), AMLM6 (1) and not evaluable (NE) (1). Cytogenetic risk was good (7), intermediate (5) and poor (7). Three patients had therapy related MDS. Patients received a median of 4 (1-6) cycles of 5-azacitidine. Median time from diagnosis (or time of progression and start of therapy in 2 patients) to HCT infusion was 195 days (107 – 350). Response to 5-azacitidine prior to HCT by the International Working Group 2006 criteria included partial response (8), stable disease (9) and 2 progressed. Two received leukemic induction chemotherapy prior to HCT. Disease status prior to HCT was RCMD (8), RAEB2 (2), RAEB1 (6), CMML1 (2) and AMLM6 (1). IPSS score prior to HCT was Low (1) Int-1 (6), Int2 (9) and poor (1) and CMML1 (2). Source of donor cells was peripheral blood siblings (7), matched unrelated donors (10) and mismatch unrelated donors (2). Median follow-up from HCT is 440 days (83-696). There are 3 patients who did not achieve remission (1) or relapsed (2) and 1 of the three remains alive with active disease. There are 3 non-relapse deaths, 2 due to infection and 1 due to GVHD. All deaths occurred between days 180 – 262. At one year OS is 69% (SE 0.12) and DFS is 63% (SE 0.12). In conclusion, pre-HCT 5-azacitidine was well tolerated, provided control of disease as a bridge to HCT and did not impose additional toxicity after allogeneic HCT with a promising 1 year progression-free survival. Controlled trials are needed to determine whether post-transplant relapse and survival are improved by pre-transplant 5-azacitidine. Disclosures:Field:Celgene: Research Funding. Perkins:Celgene: Research Funding. Komrokji:Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Lancet:Celgene: Research Funding. Alsina:Celgene: Research Funding. List:Celgene: Research Funding. Anasetti:Celgene: Research Funding.

Feasibility of clofarabine cytoreduction before allogeneic transplant conditioning for refractory AML

To control disease before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for relapsed/refractory AML, we used clofarabine cytoreduction. Seventeen patients received clofarabine 30-40 mg/m(2) i.v. daily for 5 days with plans to initiate conditioning during the nadir, 14 days later. Bone marrow biopsy 12 days after clofarabine showed effective cytoreduction (that is,<20% cellularity with <10% blasts) in 10 of 17 patients (59%). Ineffective cytoreduction correlated with lower PFS (3.8 vs 6.4 months; HR=2.7, 95% CI=1.10-14.29, P=0.035) and OS (5.1 vs 16.6 months; HR=2.5, 95% CI=0.98-12.17, P=0.053). Significant toxicities before HCT, attributable to clofarabine, were grade 1-2 hyperbilirubinemia (18%); grade 1-2 (59%) or grade 3-4 (18%) transaminitis; and grade 1-2 (18%) creatinine elevation. Sixteen patients proceeded to HCT infusion 22 days (median) after initiation of clofarabine. Day 100 and 2-year transplant-related mortality were 6 and 36%. Nine patients relapsed. One year PFS and OS were 25 and 38%, respectively. Two patients are alive in remission at 18 and 52 months. Clofarabine cytoreduction followed by immediate HCT is feasible with acceptable toxicity and TRM. Outcomes for this cohort of patients with refractory AML remain poor and we are studying this approach in a prospective manner.