HLA-identical Sibling Donor Research Articles

Analysis of Cell Subsets in Donor Lymphocyte Infusions from HLA Identical Sibling Donors after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant

Donor lymphocytes infusions (DLIs) are a major therapeutic approach to treat relapse and mixed chimerism after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT). The impact of the composition regarding different cell subsets in the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is not fully understood. We performed a cell subsets analysis of 56 DLIs from fully HLA-compatible identical matched sibling donors (MSDs) in 36 alloHCT patients and studied its association with GVHD. A median of one DLI was infused per patient. Fourteen patients (38%) developed GVHD. The cell composition analysis of the first DLI (DLI1) showed that a high dose of B cells (P=.03) and CD27+ B cells (P < .01) was associated with GVHD. We identified DLI dose cutoff points for several cell populations above which GVHD was more frequent (CD8+ TN >3×106 cells/kg, CD27+ B cells >2.6×106/kg, CD27+ NK >0.35×106 cells/kg, and mononuclear cells >0.83×108/kg). Noteworthy, the proportion of CD4+ naive T cells (TN) or unselected TN was not linked with GVHD and a DLI1 containing a higher dose of regulatory T cells was not protective for GVHD. We studied several transplant clinical variables and did not find any association with GVHD. Altogether, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the cell populations in a DLI from MSDs and identifies potential key cell subsets, which provides insight for the understanding of GVHD after DLI.

Early Treatment of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease With High- or Low-Dose 6-Methylprednisolone: A Multicenter Randomized Trial From the Italian Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation

Ninety-five patients undergoing an allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) and developing acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) were randomized to receive low-dose intravenous 6-methylprednisolone (6MPred; 2 mg/kg /d; n = 47) or high-dose 6MPred (10 mg/kg/d; n = 48) for 5 days, with subsequent tapering doses. On day 5 patients not responding or progressing on low-dose 6MPred could be switched to high-dose 6MPred. All patients, aged 1 to 55 years, were recipients of unmanipulated BMT from HLA identical sibling donors. Patients were stratified at randomization for age (</≥ 20 years), disease (acute leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia [CML], nonneoplastic disease), disease status (early/advanced), and GvHD prophylaxis (cyclosporin/cyclosporin + methotrexate). Primary endpoints were response to treatment and evolution of aGvHD to grade III-IV. Secondary endpoints were cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, transplant-related mortality (TRM), and relapse. The median interval between BMT and treatment was 12 days (6 to 43). Results in the two groups (2 v10 mg/kg) were as follows: response of aGvHD 68% versus 71% (P= .9), evolution to aGvHD grade III-IV 17% versus 20% (P= .6), CMV infections 55% versus 60% (P = .7), 3-year actuarial TRM 28% versus 32% (P = .7), relapse 17% versus 7% (P = .1). The actuarial survival at 3 years was 63% versus 62% (P = .9) with a median follow up of 580 and 778 days. On day 5 of therapy, 26 patients assigned to low-dose (2 mg/kg) 6MPred were switched to a higher dose of 6MPred because of no response or progression. Their actuarial TRM was 46%, which is significantly higher than TRM of patients who responded on 2 mg/kg and continued with tapering doses (TRM = 16%, P = .007). In conclusion, early treatment of acute GvHD with 6MPred 10 mg/kg/d does not improve the response rate as compared with 2 mg/kg/d, nor does it prevent evolution to aGvHD grade III-IV. CMV infections, TRM, and survival were also comparable. A group of patients at high risk of TRM can be identified after 5 days of treatment with 6MPred 2 mg/kg and could be eligible for alternative forms of therapy.

Allogeneic compared with autologous stem cell transplantation in the treatment of patients younger than 46 years with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR1): an intention-to-treat analysis of the EORTC/GIMEMAAML-10 trial

AbstractIn the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Leukemia Group and Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche dell’ Adulto (EORTC-LG/GIMEMA) acute myeloid leukemia (AML)–10 trial, patients in first complete remission (CR1) received a single intensive consolidation (IC) course. Subsequently, those patients younger than 46 years with an HLA-identical sibling donor were assigned to undergo allogeneic (allo) stem cell transplantation (SCT), and patients without such a donor were planned for autologous (auto) SCT. Between November 1993 and December 1999, of 1198 patients aged younger than 46 years, 822 achieved CR. The study group constituted 734 patients who received IC: 293 had a sibling donor and 441 did not. Allo-SCT and auto-SCT were performed in 68.9% and 55.8%, respectively. Cytogenetic determination was successfully performed in 446 patients. Risk groups were good (t(8;21), inv16), intermediate (NN or –Y only), and bad/very bad (all others). Median follow-up was 4 years; 289 patients relapsed, 66 died in CR1, and 293 died. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed that the 4-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of patients with a donor versus those without a donor was 52.2% versus 42.2%,P= .044; hazard ratio = 0.80, 95% confidence interval (0.64, 0.995), the relapse incidence was 30.4% versus 52.5%, death in CR1 was 17.4% versus 5.3%, and the survival rate was 58.3% versus 50.8% (P= .18). The DFS rates in patients with and without a sibling donor were similar in patients with good/intermediate risk but were 43.4% and 18.4%, respectively, in patients with bad/very bad risk cytogenetics. In younger patients (15-35 years), the difference was more pronounced. The strategy to perform early allo-SCT led to better overall results than auto-SCT, especially for younger patients or those with bad/very bad risk cytogenetics.

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation for Low-Grade Lymphoma

Advanced low-grade lymphomas are usually incurable with conventional-dose chemotherapy. It is uncertain whether cures are possible with high-dose therapy and bone marrow transplant from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling. We sought to determine the outcome of HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplants in advanced low-grade lymphoma in an observational study of 113 patients conducted at 50 centers participating in the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry (IBMTR). The median patient age was 38 years (range, 15 to 61). Eighty percent had stage IV disease at the time of transplantation. The median number of prior chemotherapy regimens was two (range, 0 to 5). Thirty-eight percent had refractory disease and 29% a Karnofsky performance score (KPS) less than 80%. All patients underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from a HLA-identical sibling donor. The conditioning regimen included total-body irradiation (TBI) in 82% of patients; cyclosporine was used for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis in 74%. Survival, disease-free survival, recurrence rate, treatment-related mortality, and causes of death were determined. Three-year probabilities of recurrence, survival, and disease-free survival were 16% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9% to 27%), 49% (95% CI, 39% to 60%), and 49% (95% CI, 39% to 59%), respectively. Higher survival was associated with pretransplant KPS ≥90%, chemotherapy-sensitive disease, use of a TBI-containing conditioning regimen, and age less than 40 years. We conclude that high-dose therapy followed by transplantation from a HLA-identical sibling leads to prolonged survival in some patients with advanced low-grade lymphoma. Most mortality is treatment-related, and recurrences are rare.© 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.

Risk assessment in patients with Ph+ chronic myelogenous leukemia at first relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplant: an EBMT retrospective analysis

AbstractPatients with Ph+ chronic myelogenous leukemia who relapse after a first allogeneic stem cell transplant still have a possibility of long-term survival. To assess the value of the individual therapeutic options, the factors predicting outcome should be identified. We investigated data from 500 patients who relapsed before July 1996; follow-up was updated during 1998. The actuarial survival from relapse was 34.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 29.9%-38.5%) at 5 years and 23.4% (95% CI: 18.9%-27.9%) at 10 years. Survival after relapse was significantly related to 5 factors: time from diagnosis to transplant (< 2 years vs ≥ 2 years), disease phase at transplant (first chronic phase vs other), disease stage at relapse (cytogenetic or chronic phase vs advanced phase), time from transplant to relapse (< 1 year vs ≥ 1 year), and donor type (HLA-identical sibling vs volunteer unrelated donor). The effects of individual adverse risk factors were cumulative: The probability of survival at 10 years decreased stepwise from 42% (0 factors), 32% (1 factor), 14% (2 factors), 3% (3 factors), to 0% (4 or 5 factors). Novel strategies for high-risk patients are warranted. We conclude that these 5 factors should be taken into account when comparing results of salvage therapies in patients with Ph+ chronic myeloid leukemia relapsing after allogeneic stem cell transplant.

Evidence That CD31, CD49b, and CD62L Are Immunodominant Minor Histocompatibility Antigens in HLA Identical Sibling Bone Marrow Transplants

Despite complete matching of siblings for the HLA loci, after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), approximately 20% develop graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This is presumably due to incompatibility of minor histocompatibility antigens (mHa). We investigated the polymorphisms of 14 adhesion molecules (CD2, CD28, CD31, CD34, CD36, CD42, CD44, CD48, CD49b, CD54, CD62L, CD86, CD102, and CD106) in Japanese subjects and their association with the occurrence of GVHD after allogeneic HLA identical BMT. Six molecules (CD2, CD31, CD42, CD49b, CD54, and CD62L), which were found to be polymorphic, were then examined in 118 HLA identical sibling donors and recipients who had undergone BMT. Association of the incompatibility of the polymorphic molecules with the presence or absence of GVHD was examined. In these six, we observed a significant correlation between acute GVHD and the compatibility of CD31 (codons 563/670) (Pcorrected = .018), and CD31 (codons 563/670) + CD62L (Pcorrected = .018) in patients with the HLA-B44–like superfamily. In patients with the HLA-A3–like superfamily, the compatibility of CD62L (Pcorrected= .03) and CD62L + CD49b (P = .004,Pcorrected = .078) was associated with acute GVHD. Therefore, CD31, CD49b, and CD62L might be candidates for immunodominant mHa.© 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Hepatitis-associated Aplastic Anemia Following Liver Transplantation for Nonviral Hepatitis: A Retrospective Analysis and a Review of the Literature by the Severe Aplastic Anemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

Hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia (HAAA) has been reported in 23% to 33% of patients who received orthotopic liver transplantation (LT) for acute liver disease of unknown origin (nonviral hepatitis). In this situation, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) might be a curative option. Here the authors report on 6 patients who received HSCT after LT for nonviral HAAA hepatitis. The outcomes were interpreted in the context of recently reported immune suppressive therapy (IST) outcomes in 8 patients with HAAA and to HSCT outcomes in patients with HAAA who recovered from hepatitis without undergoing LT. All patients transplanted by using HLA-identical sibling donors (3 of 6) were alive and had normal liver function and hematopoiesis without graft versus host disease. Both patients receiving bone marrow from a matched unrelated donor (MUD) experienced extensive graft versus host disease that was fatal for one patient. Thereby, the authors conclude that HSCT can be considered as a first-choice treatment for this category of patients when HLA-identical donors are available. When no HLA-identical donor is available, IST should be applied as HSCT with other donor sources might be reserved for IST nonresponders or poor responders.

Younger HLA-Matched Unrelated Donor Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (allo-HCT) for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Is Associated with Superior Disease-Free Survival Compared to Older HLA-Identical Sibling Donors: CIBMTR Analysis

Background: When older MDS patients present for allo-HCT, HLA-identical sibling donors who are eligible to donate are usually the preferred choice. The age of the HLA-identical sibling donor is likely to be advanced as well. However, the choice between an older HLA-identical sibling donor and younger HLA-matched unrelated donor remains unclear. Methods: Using the center for international blood and marrow transplant research (CIBMTR) database, we identified adults aged ≥50 years with MDS who underwent allo-HCT from older HLA-identical sibling donor (age ≥50) or younger 8/8 (HLA-A, -B, -C and -DRB1) well matched unrelated donor (MUD) (age ≤ 35) between the years 2011-2017. In prior studies, compared to older MUD, allo-HCT from MUD younger than age 35 was associated with superior outcomes (Shaw BE et al. BBMT 2018, Kollman C et al. Blood 2016, CIBMTR internal data). Hence, in the current analysis, the MUD arm was restricted to those aged ≤35. Key exclusion criteria were allo-HCT from mismatched unrelated donor, haploidentical donor, cord blood donor and ex-vivo T-cell depleted grafts. Overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), non-relapse mortality (NRM), relapse, acute and chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) were evaluated. Survival analysis was done using Kaplan-Meier method and significant predictors were evaluated using Cox-proportional hazard regression method. Multivariate regression model included main effect (donor age group) and covariates (patient age, gender match, CMV match, disease subtype, R-IPSS at HCT, comorbidities score (HCT-CI), Karnofsky performance status, prior therapy, interval between diagnosis and transplant, conditioning intensity, stem cell source, GVHD prophylaxis, ATG/campath use, transplant year, and center affect). Fine and Gray (F-G) model for competing risks was used for analysis of NRM and relapse. Results: Of 1761 patients who met the study criteria, 646 patients received allo-HCT from older HLA-identical sibling and 1115 patients from younger MUD. Cohorts were similar for age, sex, Karnofsky performance status, HCT-CI, R-IPSS at HCT, time from diagnosis to transplant, prior therapy, graft type and conditioning intensity. Notable differences between donor groups included donor age (HLA identical sibling donor- median age 61.3 years vs. MUD- median age 25.2 years) and use of ATG/campath (HLA identical sibling donor 14% vs MUD 37%). In multivariable analysis, there was a significant difference in DFS (p=0.01) but not OS (p=0.14) among donor groups. Compared to MUD ≤35 years, DFS was inferior in HLA identical sibling donor age ≥60 but not in HLA-identical sibling donor age 50-59 (Table 1) (Figure 1A). In multivariate analysis using Fine and Gray model, the risk of relapse was significantly higher in patients receiving allo-HCT from HLA-identical sibling donor compared to MUD≤35 (Table 1, figure 1B). There was no significant difference in NRM between HLA-identical sibling donors and MUD ≤35 (overall p=0.07, table 1). HLA-identical sibling donor cohort was associated with lower risk of acute GVHD (p&amp;lt;0.001) and chronic GVHD (overall p=0.007) as compared to MUD ≤35 cohort (table 1). Results were consistent across all subgroups. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a superior DFS that is mediated by superior disease control for MDS patients undergoing allo-HCT from younger MUD compared to older HLA-identical sibling donors. Our results should inform donor selection algorithms for older MDS patients undergoing allo-HCT. Disclosures Nakamura: Alexion: Other: Support on a meeting presentation; Kadmon Corporation: Other: Advisory board meeting; Kyowa-Kirin: Other: Support on a meeting presentation; Merck: Other: advisory board meeting; Magenta Therapeutics: Other: Advisory board meeting; Viracor: Consultancy; Celgene: Other: Support on seminar; NapaJen Pharma: Consultancy. Oran:Celgene: Consultancy; ASTEX: Research Funding; Arog Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Scott:BMS, Novartis: Research Funding; Alexion, Incyte, Novartis, Regeneron: Consultancy; Agios, BMS: Honoraria.

Feasibility, and Efficacy of Donor-Derived cd19-Targeted Car t-Cell Therapy in Refractory/Relapsed(r/r)b-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (b-all) Patients

Backgrounds As CAR T-cell therapy is a highly personalized therapy, process of generating autologous CAR-T cells for each patient is complex and can still be problematic, particularly for heavily pre-treated patients and patients with significant leukemia burden. Here, we analyzed the feasibility and efficacy in 37 patients with refractory/relapsed (R/R) B-ALL who received CAR T-cells derived from related donors. Patients and Methods From April 2017 to May 2020, 37 R/R B-ALL patients with a median age of 19 years (3-61 years), were treated with second-generation CD19 CAR-T cells derived from donors. The data was aggregated from three clinical trials (www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT03173417; NCT02546739; and www.chictr.org.cn ChiCTR-ONC-17012829). Of the 37 patients, 28 were relapsed following allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) and whose lymphocytes were collected from their transplant donors (3 HLA matched sibling and 25 haploidentical). For the remaining 9 patients without prior transplant, the lymphocytes were collected from HLA identical sibling donors (n=5) or haploidentical donors (n=4) because CAR-T cells manufacture from patient samples either failed (n=5) or blasts in peripheral blood were too high (&amp;gt;40%) to collect quality T-cells. The median CAR-T cell dose infused was 3×105/kg (1-30×105/kg). Results For the 28 patients who relapsed after prior allo-HSCT, 27 (96.4%) achieved CR within 30 days post CAR T-cell infusion, of which 25 (89.3%) were minimal residual disease (MRD) negative. Within one month following CAR T-cell therapy, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurred in 3 patients including 1 with rash and 2 with diarrhea. A total of 19 of the 28 (67.9%) patients had cytokine release syndrome (CRS), including two patients (7.1%) with Grade 3-4 CRS. Four patients had CAR T-cell related neurotoxicity including 3 with Grade 3-4 events. With a medium follow up of 103 days (1-669days), the median overall survival (OS) was 169 days (1-668 days), and the median leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 158 days (1-438 days). After CAR T-cell therapy, 15 patients bridged into a second allo-HSCT and one of 15 patients (6.7%) relapsed following transplant, and two died from infection. There were 11 patients that did not receive a second transplantation, of which three patients (27.3%) relapsed, and four parents died (one due to relapse, one from arrhythmia and two from GVHD/infection). Two patients were lost to follow-up. The remaining nine patients had no prior transplantation. At the time of T-cell collection, the median bone marrow blasts were 90% (range: 18.5%-98.5%), and the median peripheral blood blasts were 10% (range: 0-70%). CR rate within 30 days post CAR-T was 44.4% (4/9 cases). Six patients developed CRS, including four with Grade 3 CRS. Only one patient had Grade 3 neurotoxicity. No GVHD occurred following CAR T-cell therapy. Among the nine patients, five were treated with CAR T-cells derived from HLA-identical sibling donors and three of those five patients achieved CR. One patient who achieved a CR died from disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) on day 16. Two patients who achieved a CR bridged into allo-HSCT, including one patient who relapsed and died. One of two patients who did not response to CAR T-cell therapy died from leukemia. Four of the nine patients were treated with CAR T-cells derived from haploidentical related donors. One of the four cases achieved a CR but died from infection on day 90. The other three patients who had no response to CAR T-cell therapy died from disease progression within 3 months (7-90 days). Altogether, seven of the nine patients died with a median time of 19 days (7-505 days). Conclusions We find that manufacturing CD19+ CAR-T cells derived from donors is feasible. For patients who relapse following allo-HSCT, the transplant donor derived CAR-T cells are safe and effective with a CR rate as high as 96.4%. If a patient did not have GVHD prior to CAR T-cell therapy, the incidence of GVHD following CAR T-cell was low. Among patients without a history of transplantation, an inability to collect autologous lymphocytes signaled that the patient's condition had already reached a very advanced stage. However, CAR T-cells derived from HLA identical siblings can still be considered in our experience, no GVHD occurred in these patients. But the efficacy of CAR T-cells from haploidentical donors was very poor. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Mixed Chimerism after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with β Thalassemia: Impact on Outcome and Risk Factors

Background: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the most effective curative option for patients with thalassemia major(TM). Early post-transplant mixed chimerism (MC) has known to be a predictor of secondary graft rejection. However, the impact of the persisting mixed chimerism on transplant outcome remains controversial. Recently Thiotepa(TT) has been decreased to reduce toxicity.There was no data available on reduced intensity conditioning on mixed chimersim in a large group of patients with thalassemia to date. Aims: To assess risk factors of mixed chimerism and to evaluate possible correlations between mixed chimerism and the development of complications after HSCT, in terms of graft versus host disease (GVHD) development, OS, TFS and GR. Patients and methods: From December2008 until December 2019, 618 patients with TM underwent HSCT at our center with median age of 6 (1-23) and median follow up time of 70 months(1-135), from HLA-identical sibling donors (SD) (n=212; 34.3%), unrelated donors (UD, n=313; 50.6%),sibling Cord blood(CB, n=49,7.9%)and parent donors (PD, n=44,7.1%). Source of graft were 538 (87.1%) from peripheral stem cells, 32(5.2%) from bone marrow and 48(7.8%)from sibling cord blood. Cy+Bu+Flu+TT+ATG conditioning regimen was used in 416 pts while a reduced conditioning regimen Cy+Bu+Flu+ATG was used for 167pts and Cy+Bu+Flu for the other 35 pts. Results Overall Survival (OS), Thalassemia-Free survival (TFS), Transplantation-related mortality (TRM) and graft rejection (GR) for the entire group were 94.8%, 92.7% ,5.2% and 2.4% respectively. MC was presented in 70 pts with 52 male and 18 female, defined as the presence of &amp;gt;5% residual recipient cells. Cumulative incidence of MC was 12.4% (Figure1). 5 pts had secondary graft failure and another 5 patients persisting MC post-transplant refractory to DLI following a second HSCT. There were two deaths ineffective to DLI and one die of idiopathic pneumonia and one of hemolytic uremic syndrome. The median MC present time was 4 months (1-59 months).No significant difference was observed in OS and Thalassemia-Free survival (TFS) between MC and PC pts. The cumulative probability of OS, TFS between MC pts and FC pts was 97.1% vs. 94.4% (P=0.343) and 89.6% vs. 93.2% (P=0.272). However, the incidence of MC was significantly associated with the development of graft failure/rejection. Graft failure occurred in 5 pts in the MC group vs.7 pts in the full donor chimerism (PC) group, the corresponding incidence were 7.6% vs. 1.6 % respectively. (P =0.001, Figure 2). Acute GVHD incidence was much lower in MC pts than in PC pts (2.9% vs. 12.7%, P=0.022, Figure 3 A), whereas MC pts had significantly higher chronic GVHD(16.8% vs. 4.2%, P=0.000 Figure 3 B). 2 of 70 MC pts developed I-II aGVHD. No MC pts develop II-IV aGVHD. MC patients were unlikely to have severe acute GVHD. MC was associated with an increased risk of chronic GVHD, mostly were DLI derived Patients receiving stem cells from cord blood of matched sibling donors had a high risk of MC.MC incidence of stem cell source from peripheral blood(PB), bone marrow(BM), cord blood (CB)were 10.6%, 10%, 34.2% respectively.(P=0.000, Figure 4). Unrelated donors had a lower risk of MC than sibling donors. Incidence of MC from unrelated donors was 9.5% vs. 16.1% from sibling donors (P=0.007, Figure 5) Intravenous Thiotepa (TT) in combination with Busulfan (Bu) , cyclophosphamide (Cy) anti-thymocyte globulin(ATG) on HSCT could reduce the risk of MC. The corresponding incidence of MC in Cy+Bu+Flu+TT+ATG, Cy+Bu+Flu+ATG, Cy+Bu+Flu conditioning regimen were 9.2%,15.9%,40.9% resepectively(P=0.000, Figure 6). There was also a significant difference in chimerism based on donor-recipient gender pairing (P = 0.041): male grafts into male patients having the greatest risk of MC and female grafts into female patients having the least. Patients who under 9 years old had a higher risk of MC than that of pts&amp;gt;9 years old (P=0.018, Figure 7), Summary: Our results show that patients who presented mixed chimerism showed a similar post-transplant outcome in OS and TFS but was associated with higher risk of graft failue.Patients receiving stem cells from CB had a high risk of MC than from PBSC. Reduced nonmyeloablative approach capable of achieving allogeneic mixed hematopoietic chimerism. Our data suggests that Cy+Bu+Flu+TT+ATG is a preferred conditioning regimenfor TM patients could reduce the risk of mixed chimerism. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Comparison of Haploidentical Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Using Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide to Matched-Sibling, Matched-Unrelated, Mismatched-Unrelated, and Umbilical Cord Blood Donor Transplantation in Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A CIBMTR Study

Background The relative benefits of haploidentical HCT using PTCy compared to traditional matched-sibling donor, traditional unrelated donor and umbilical cord blood (UCB) allogeneic HCT for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is still being defined. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis using the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) database comparing post-HCT outcomes of haploidentical donors with PTCy to HLA-identical sibling donors, 8/8 HLA-MUDs, 7/8 HLA-MUDs, and UCB. Outcomes were overall survival (OS) leukemia-free survival (LFS), relapse, non-relapse mortality (NRM), grade 2-4 and grade 3-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), and chronic GVHD (cGVHD). Eligible patients were adults with ALL in complete remission (CR1, CR2, or CR3) undergoing first allogeneic HCT from 2013 to 2017. Key exclusion included not receiving PTCy for haploidentical HCT and ex vivo T-cell depleted or CD34-selected grafts. Cox proportional hazards multivariable regression analysis was used to compare the treatment groups. Results 4201 patients were studied: 393 haploidentical donor (92 centers), 1627 HLA-identical sibling donor (206 centers), 1646 8/8 HLA-MUD (181 centers), 230 7/8 HLA-MUD (90 centers), and 305 UCB (79 centers). Groups were well matched, however, notable differences between included race, time from diagnosis to HCT (CR1 only), conditioning regimen intensity, donor age, graft source for non-cord (peripheral blood or bone marrow), GVHD prophylaxis modality, and the use of in vivo T-cell depletion. Compared to other groups, haploidentical HCT had the lowest percentage of non-Hispanic white patients (43% vs. 49-74%), was more likely to use reduced-intensity conditioning (42% vs 17-25%), and was more likely to use bone marrow (41% vs. 14-29%). In multivariate analysis comparing haploidentical to matched-sibling donor HCT, no differences were observed in OS, LFS, NRM, relapse, or aGVHD. Compared to haploidentical HCT, the risk of cGVHD was significantly higher with matched-sibling donor HCT (D/R sex match F/M, HR 2.59, P&amp;lt;0.001, D/R sex match, other, HR 1.37, P=0.003). Comparing haploidentical to 8/8 HLA-MUD HCT, no differences were seen in OS, LFS, relapse, or Grade 2-4 aGVHD but 8/8 HLA-MUD HCT was associated with increased incidences of NRM (HR 1.42, P=0.02), grade 3-4 aGVHD (HR 1.59, P=0.005), and cGVHD (HR D/R sex match F/M, HR 2.91, P&amp;lt;0.001, D/R sex match, other, HR 1.38, P=0.001). Comparing haploidentical to 7/8 HLA-MUD HCT, no differences were seen in LFS or relapse but 7/8 HLA-MUD HCT was associated with worse OS (HR 1.38, P=0.01) and increased incidences of NRM (HR 2.13, P=&amp;lt;0.001), grade 2-4 aGVHD (HR 1.33, P=0.04) , grade 3-4 aGVHD (HR 1.86, P=0.003), and cGVHD (HR 1.72, P=&amp;lt;0.001). Comparing haploidentical to UCB HCT, no differences were seen in late OS (&amp;gt;18 months), late LFS, relapse, or cGVHD. Compared to haploidentical HCT, UCB HCT was associated with worse early OS (≤18 months, HR 1.93, P&amp;lt;0.001), worse early LFS (HR 1.40, P=0.007) and increased incidences of NRM (HR 2.08, P&amp;lt;0.001), grade 2-4 aGVHD (HR 1.83, P&amp;lt;0.001), and grade 3-4 aGVHD (HR 1.97, P&amp;lt;0.001). Similar outcomes were observed in sensitivity analyses restricting cohorts to (1) MA conditioning with peripheral blood stem cells and (2) calcineurin inhibitor-based GVHD prophylaxis for matched-sibling, unrelated donor, and UCB HCT. Conclusions For OS and LFS, haploidentical HCT using PTCy for adult ALL was superior to traditional HCT using 7/8 HLA-MUDs and UCB but equivalent to traditional HCT using matched-sibling donors and 8/8 HLA-MUDs. Results were consistent across all subgroups. Haploidentical HCT had a lower incidence of aGVHD compared to 8/8 HLA-MUD, 7/8 HLA-MUD, and UCB HCT and a lower incidence of cGVHD compared to matched-sibling donor, 8/8 HLA-MUD, and 7/8 HLA-MUD HCT. Based on these data, haploidentical HCT with PTCy results in similar survival with less GVHD compared to traditional matched-sibling and 8/8 HLA-matched donor HCT and is the superior alternative donor option for adult patients with ALL needing allogeneic HCT in CR. Figure Disclosures Wieduwilt: Leadiant: Research Funding; Shire: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Macrogeneics: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. de Lima:Incyte: Other: Personal Fees, advisory board; BMS: Other: Personal Fees, advisory board; Pfizer: Other: Personal fees, advisory board, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Kadmon: Other: Personal Fees, Advisory board. Kebriaei:Novartis: Other: Served on advisory board; Pfizer: Other: Served on advisory board; Kite: Other: Served on advisory board; Ziopharm: Other: Research Support; Amgen: Other: Research Support; Jazz: Consultancy. Hourigan:Merck: Other: Research Support (CRADA); Sellas: Other: Research Support (CRADA). Weisdorf:FATE Therapeutics: Consultancy; Incyte: Research Funding.

A Monocentric Clinical Observation of Haploidientical Transplantation in 27 Patients with Acute Megakaryocytic Leukemia

Background Acute Megakaryocytic Leukemia (AMKL) accounts for approximately 10% of childhood AML and 1% of adult AML cases. Although AMKL with Down syndrome has a good prognosis, the prognosis for non-DS-AMKL is quite poor with a 3-years survival rate of less than 40%. At present, only allogeneic HSCT is curative. In our study, we followed 27 patients with AMKL who received a modified Bu/Cy/Mel protocol and underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The patients were then followed up with monocentric clinical observation. Methods From August 2015 to July 2020, 27 AMKL patients (14 males, 13 females, all non-Down-AMKL) with a median age of 2 years (range: 1-9 years) were continuously treated in our hospital (Hebei Yanda Lu Daopei Hospital) including 18 cases of chromosome abnormality including 3 cases of CBFA2T3/GLIS2 gene fusion (11.1%). Gene mutation included WT1(8), EVI1(5), JAK2(5): 18.51%, TET2(4), ASXL1(4), PTPN11(4): 14.81%, GATA1(2), GATA2(2): 7.4%. Bone marrow status before transplantation: 19 complete remission (CR) cases, 3 partial response (PR) cases, and 5 no response (NR) cases. There were 24 haploidentical transplants (including one patient going through 3 transplants), one transplant from a HLA-identical sibling donor and two from matched unrelated donors. Source of donor stem cells: parents in 23 cases, brothers in 2 cases, non-blood relationship in 2 cases, and none from offspring. HLA matching between the donor and recipient: 21 cases with HLA 5/10, 6 cases with ≥HLA 6/10. Haplo stem cells all came from BM+PBSC, with a median MNC input of 20.32x108/kg (10.1-26.7), CD34+ 11.68106/kg (4.05-22.44), and CD3+ 4.66x108/kg (2.11-11.29). Pre-treatment protocol: 27 patients received a modified Bu/Cy/Mel and were treated with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) to prevent CsA+MMF+sMTX. Results During a median follow-up period of 10 months (range: 2-48 months), the 27 patients remained alive, with a median of +13 days (range: 9-21 days) to leukocyte transplantation and a median of +9 days (range: 4-38 days) to platelet transplantation. One month following transplantation, the bone marrow of all patients was 100% donor type. The overall survival (OS) rate was 63.0%, event-free survival (EFS) was 59.3%. OS was 84.2%, 33.3%, and 0% in the CR, PR, and NR groups, respectively (P&amp;lt;0.001). There were 7 cases of relapse and 10 deaths, among which 4 were caused by GVHD and 5 due to relapse. Incidence of acute GVHD (aGVHD) was 59.25% Grade I-IV and 18.51% Grade III-IV. Incidence of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was 56%, with cystitis accounting for 14.81% of cases, 29.62% cytomegalovirus (CMV), 3.7% EBV, 0% thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and 18.51% infection. Conclusion For high-risk AMKL patients with poor long-term prognosis, the application of a modified Bu/Cy/Mel pretreatment significantly improves the efficacy of haploid transplantation without increasing pretreat-related death. For non-Down syndrome AMKL, we conclude that it is feasible to perform hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in CR status patients. Additional studies and multicenter and large-scale clinical studies with long-term follow-up are still needed to confirm these results. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Total Marrow Irradiation for Second Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Advanced Acute Leukemia

Background. Relapse after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with very poor outcomes. A myeloablative conditioning regimen for patients with advanced acute leukemia before second allogeneic HSCT is crucial to better control the disease, but the risk of transplant mortality due to toxic complications is very high. Total Marrow Irradiation (TMI) is a novel high precision radiation treatment, alternative to standard Total Body Irradiation (TBI) conditioning regimen, allows to deliver therapeutic radiation doses over extensive selected targets while substantially reducing radiation to vital organs to preserve their functions. Aim of the pilot study. To evaluate the efficacy of high dose per fraction TMI in combination with thiotepa, fludarabine and alkeran as conditioning regimen in 9 patients with acute leukemia relapsed after a first allogeneic HSCT. Patients and Methods. Nine patients relapsed after first allogeneic HSCT received a second allogeneic HSCT, 7 from haploidentical, 1 from unrelated (UD) 10/10 and 1 from HLA-identical sibling (SIB) donor. The conditioning regimen consisted of: TMI 8 Gy in 5 patients on day -8 -7 or TMI 12 Gy in 4 patients on day -9 -8 -7, plus Thiotepa 5 mg/Kg on day -6, Fludarabine 50 mg/mq on day -5 -4 -3, alkeran 140 mg/mq on day -2. TMI was delivered in daily single fraction dose of 4 Gy, instead of the conventional 2 Gy in order to potentially enhance the biological effective dose approximately 20% to 60% (for a total dose of 12 Gy), considering alpha/beta ratio between 10-1.49, while total dose of 8 Gy in 2 fractions schedule is potentially equivalent to six fractions of conventional TBI for low alpha/beta ratio. Graft versus host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis for SIB and UD consisted of cyclosporine methotrexate and ATG, whereas for HAPLO it was high dose post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PT-CY), cyclosporine and mycophenolate. The median age was 45 years (range, 19-70 years); 3 patients were in remission, 6 had active disease at the time of the second allogeneic HSCT. The median number of nucleated cells infused was 4.3 x 10e8/Kg (range 2.6-7.7). Four patients received peripheral blood and 5 patients received unmanipulated bone marrow cells. Results. The median time to neutrophil counts of &amp;gt; 0.5 x 10e9/L was 16 days (range 13-22) and to platelet counts of &amp;gt; 20 x 10e9/L was 19 days (range 11-27) respectively. All the patients showed a full donor chimerism on day 30 after transplant; none of the patients had rejection. Three patients developed acute graft versus-host disease (aGvHD) grade I-II and 1 patient had moderate chronic GvHD. During the neutropenic phase of the transplant one patient developed a sepsis from Pseudomonas Aeruginosa; one patient had pericardial effusion and one patient had mucositis grade II. The median follow up was 528 days (range 227-858). Day +30 and day +100 transplant related mortality were 0. Two patients died of transplant related complications; both died of interstitial pneumonia and received TMI 12 Gy. Two patients died of leukemia and they were not in remission at the time of the transplant. The actuarial 17 months disease free-survival (DFS) is 53%. Conclusions. This is the first report demonstrating the safety and the efficacy of the TMI conditioning regimen in patients with advanced acute leukemia receiving second allogeneic transplantation with encouraging outcome in terms of engraftment, early toxocity, GvHD and relapse. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Upfront Alternative Donor Transplant Versus Immunosuppressive Therapy in Patients with Severe Aplastic Anemia Who Lack Fully HLA Matched Related Donor: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Retrospective Studies. on Behalf of the Severe Aplastic Anemia Working Party of European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (SAAWP of EBMT)

Upfront Alternative Donor Transplant Versus Immunosuppressive Therapy in Patients with Severe Aplastic Anemia Who Lack Fully HLA Matched Related Donor: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Retrospective Studies. on Behalf of the Severe Aplastic Anemia Working Party of European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (SAAWP of EBMT)

Outcomes of Non-Myeloablative HLA-Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplant with Thiotepa and Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide in Children and Adults with Severe Sickle Cell Disease, a Phase II Trial: Vanderbilt Global Haploidentical Transplant Learning Collaborative (VGC2)

Introduction: HLA-Haploidentical bone marrow transplant (haplo-BMT) is a curative approach for individuals with severe sickle cell disease (SCD) who lack an HLA-identical sibling donor. Haplo-BMT expands the donor pool among adults and children with SCD to &amp;gt; 90% and is a less toxic treatment option than myeloablative matched related donor transplant, gene therapy or gene editing. In 2013, our research team developed a multi-institution learning collaborative with the main objective of optimizing haplo-BMT. In a Phase II clinical trial, to improve engraftment rates, we augmented the original Hopkins haplo-BMT protocol (Bolaños-Meade et al. Blood 2012) with thiotepa (10 mg/kg). The trial was conducted at 3 sites and showed durable engraftment in 93% (14/15) of participants (including 2 with previous graft rejection), and a 100% overall survival after a median follow-up of 13.3 months (de la Fuente et al. BBMT 2019). We present results of extension of this ongoing trial comprising additional sites and participants. Material and methods: The trial was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at each participating site and opened in October 2013 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01850108). The global learning collaborative includes 22 sites, in 10 countries, meets weekly via conference calls for sharing of SCD Haplo-BMT knowledge and patient related questions. Each site has a standalone institutionally IRB protocol, with similar eligibility criteria, and data sharing agreement with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The agreements for aggregate REDCap data sharing and DSMB assessment of the outcomes with stopping rules. Common conditioning regimen included: rabbit ATG 4.5 mg/kg, thiotepa (10 mg/kg), fludarabine 150 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 29 mg/kg and TBI 2Gy. GVHD prophylaxis included posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) 100 mg/kg, mycophenolate mofetil and sirolimus. Bone marrow mobilized with filgrastim (5-10 μg/kg/d x5 days) was initially used, 27% (11/41), but later stopped at several sites. Primary graft failure was defined as &amp;lt;5% donor myeloid chimerism or &amp;lt; 5% donor cells by whole blood chimerism by day +42 posttransplant. Secondary graft rejection was defined &amp;lt;5% donor myeloid chimerism or &amp;lt; 5% donor cells by whole blood chimerism with prior documentation of &amp;gt; 5% donor (myeloid) cells by day +42. The primary endpoint was 1-year EFS. Primary or secondary graft rejection, stroke, and death were considered events. Safety stopping rules were implemented, independent of age, using graft failure, death, grade III or IV acute GVHD or moderate or severe chronic GVHD. Results: We enrolled 41 consecutive participants from 8/14/2014 - 6/30/2020. Participant genotype included 39 patients with HbSS, 1 patient each with HbSC and Sβ0 thalassemia. Median age was 16.9 years (range 1.3 to 43), and 51% (21/41) of participants were &amp;lt;18 years of age. Donors included siblings (14/41, 34%), parents (27/41, 61%), and 88% (36/41) had sickle cell trait. Median TNC dose was 5.8 x 108 /kg (4.2, 8.0), and median CD34+ and CD3+ cell doses were 3.9 x 106/kg (2.6, 6.1) and 32.3 x 108/kg (27.1, 50.8), respectively. A total of 93% of participants engrafted. Median times to neutrophil (&amp;gt; 500/mcL) and platelet (&amp;gt;50 x 109/L) counts were 20 days (17.0, 24.2) and 32 days (27.0, 36.8) respectively. Incidence of grades III-IV acute and moderate chronic GVHD were 9.7% (4/41) and 12.1% (5/41), respectively. No participant had severe GVHD. Among durably engrafted participants, 81.8% (27/33) were off immunosuppression at 1-year posttransplant. Kaplan-Meier probabilities of EFS and OS were 75.5% (95% CI 61.3%, 92.9%) and 87.9% (95% CI 75.5%, 100.0%) at one year, respectively (Figure). Mortality was 7.3% (3/41). Graft failure was 12% (5/41; 3-primary and 2-secondary). All graft failures were in participants &amp;lt;18 years of age, and all had autologous reconstitution (Table). Conclusion: Our novel global learning collaborative effort for haplo-BMT for SCD is a scalable and efficient approach to sharing knowledge and implementing curative therapy for SCD. Importantly all haplo-BMT candidate had donors. An unexpected outcome in this trial, not likely to occur by chance, is that all graft rejections occurred in young participants (&amp;lt; 18 years), and all older participants (&amp;gt; 18 years) engrafted. The trial will add new stopping rules by age strata (&amp;lt;18, &amp;gt; or = to 18 years) and will modify the conditioning regimen in pediatric stratum. Disclosures Black: HRSA: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Micelle BioPharma: Research Funding; NHLBI: Research Funding. DeBaun:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from sibling and unrelated donors in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease-A single center experience.

HSCT is curative in SCD. Patients with HLA-identical sibling donor have an excellent outcome ranging from 90%-100% overall and event-free survival. However, due to the lack of matched sibling donors this option is out of reach for 70% of patients with SCD. The pool of potential donors needs to be extended. Transplantations from HLA-matched unrelated donors were reported to be less successful with shorter event-free survival and higher incidences of complications including graft-vs-host disease, especially in patients with advanced stage SCD. Here we report transplantation outcomes for 25 children with SCD transplanted using HLA-matched grafts from related or unrelated donors. Overall survival was 100% with no severe (grade III-IV) graft-vs-host disease and a 12% rejection rate. Mixed donor chimerisms only occurred in transplantations from siblings, while transplantations from unrelated donors resulted in either complete donor chimerism or rejection. Despite the small patient number, overall and disease-free survival for unrelated donor transplantations is excellent in this cohort. The advanced disease state, higher alloreactive effect and stronger immunosuppression in unrelated donor transplantations raises patient risk, for which possible solutions could be found in optimization of transplant preparation, graft manipulation or haploidentical transplantation using T cell receptor α/β-depleted grafts.

Individual HLAs influence immunological events in allogeneic stem cell transplantation from HLA-identical sibling donors.

In allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), the effects of patient and donor human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching status on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) have been extensively elucidated, but the effects of specific HLAs on acute GVHD remain unclear. Using data from a Japanese registry, we retrospectively analyzed 4392 patients with leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome who received transplants from HLA-identical sibling donors to investigate the effects of HLAs on acute GVHD. From unbiased searches of HLA-A, -B, and -DR, HLA-B60 was significantly associated with an increased risk of grades II-IV acute GVHD (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.13-1.59; P = 0.001). In contrast, HLA-B62 was significantly associated with a decreased risk of grades II-IV (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.62-0.87; P < 0.001) and III-IV acute GVHD (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.46-0.87; P = 0.005). The risk of leukemia relapse was significantly higher in HLA-B62-positive patients than in HLA-B62-negative patients (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.05-1.43; P = 0.01). Both HLA-B60 and -B62 did not affect overall survival. The findings of this study may by implication suggest the possibility that the effects of specific HLAs on transplant outcomes may reflect inherent biological features, and thus consideration of specific HLAs may be helpful to predict transplant outcomes.

Better leukemia-free survival with allogeneic than with autologous HCT in AML patients with isolated trisomy 8: a study from the ALWP of the EBMT

The indication for performing an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in patients with isolated trisomy 8 AML in first complete remission (CR) is still debated. Here, we compared outcomes of such patients given either allo-HCT or autologous (auto)-HCT. Inclusion criteria consisted of adult patients with de novo AML, isolated trisomy 8, first HCT between 2000 and 2018, CR1 at transplantation, and either auto-HCT or allo-HCT with a HLA-identical sibling donor (MSD) or a 10/10 HLA-matched unrelated donor (UD 10/10). A total of 401 patients met the inclusion criteria. They underwent an auto-HCT (n = 81), allo-HCT with a MSD (n = 186) or allo-HCT with a 10/10 UD (n = 134). At 3 years, relapse incidence, nonrelapse mortality and leukemia-free survival (LFS) were 59%, 5%, and 37%, respectively, in auto-HCT recipients; 31% (P < 0.001), 14% (P = 0.04), and 55% (P = 0.033), respectively, in MSD recipients and 29% (P < 0.001), 13% (P = 0.15), and 59% (P = 0.03), respectively, in UD 10/10 recipients. In multivariate analysis, in comparison to auto-HCT, MSD and UD 10/10 were associated with a lower risk of relapse (HR = 0.47, P < 0.001 and HR = 0.40, P < 0.001, respectively) translating to better LFS (HR = 0.69, P = 0.04 and HR = 0.60, P = 0.03, respectively). There was also a similar trend for overall survival (HR = 0.73, P = 0.12 and HR = 0.65, P = 0.08).

MM-269: Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is not standard of care in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), but it is a potential treatment option and associated with a high risk of severe complications. Aim: To study the effectiveness of allo-HSCT for young patients with MM. Materials and methods: From 2013 to 2018, eight patients (6 male, 2 female) with MM, aged from 27 to 55 years (median 39 years), underwent allo-HSCT. All patients had adverse prognostic factors. During the induction therapy, the patients received from 2 to 4 lines of therapy. Before the auto-HSCT, a VGPR was achieved in 1 patient, a PR in 4 patients and a progression of disease in 3 patients. Seven patients underwent a tandem auto/allo-HSCT and one patient underwent an allo-HSCT. In all cases, an HLA-identical sibling donor was used. Reduced intensity conditioning regimen (fludarabine + busulfan + ATG) was performed in all patients. Immunosuppressive therapy included cyclophosphamide at +3 and +4 days. Results: The duration of agranulocytosis ranged from 12 to 26 days (median 19 days) after allo-HSCT. Acute GVHD was developed in 62.5% of cases, of which severe GVHD was noted in 25% of patients. 5 patients achieved CR; 3 patients had a VGPR 5 months after allo-HSCT. All patients achieved 100% donor molecular chimerism. When observed for 15 to 79 months (median 51 months) after allo-HSCT, CR was achieved in 62.5% of the patients. One patient died due to complications of severe GVHD. In 2 cases, 12 and 19 months after allo-HSCT, against the background of 100% molecular chimerism, myeloma progression was observed. 6-year PFS was 75%, 6-year OS was 89%, with a median observation of 51 months. Conclusion: Allo-HSCT can be considered as an effective treatment for young patients with high-risk MM. 6-year PFS and 6-year OS were 75% and 89%, respectively. A stringent CR was achieved in 62.5% of patients. Myeloma progression was noted in 2 cases against the background of 100% donor bone marrow chimerism. Severe acute GVHD was observed in 25% of cases. The high frequency of GVHD requires close monitoring and timely treatment. The transplant-related mortality rate was 12.5%.

Australasian Trends in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation for Myelofibrosis in the Molecular Era: A Retrospective Analysis from the Australasian Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient Registry.

To review the updated trends of national practice and outcomes in transplantation to treat myelofibrosis (MF), we retrospectively evaluated 142 patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for primary (n=94) or secondary (n=48) MF at an Australian/New Zealand transplantation center between 2006 and 2017. The median duration of follow-up was 51.8 months (range, 3.1 to 148 months). The median age at allo-HSCT was 56 years (range, 26 to 69 years). Fifty-two percent of the patients had HLA-identical sibling donors, and 45% had matched unrelated donors (UD). Conditioning regimens were predominantly reduced intensity (83%). Before transplantation, 16% of the patients had undergone splenectomy or splenic irradiation, and 38% (n=54) received JAK inhibitor therapy. JAK2 mutation testing was performed in 66.9% of the patients, whereas other mutations (CALR, MPL, ASXL1, SRSF2, U2AF1Q57, EZH2, and IDH1/2) were rarely tested (1.4% to 8.4%). Only 4.2% of patients had next-generation sequencing mutation analysis. The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 19 days (range, 10 to 43 days), and the median time to platelet engraftment was 27 days (range, 13 to 230 days). The cumulative incidence of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) was 21.4% at 100 days, and that of extensive chronic GVHD (cGVHD) at 5 years was 18.1%. Overall survival (OS) was 67% at 1 year and 57% at 5 years. GVHD-free, relapse-free survival was 54% at 1 year and 42% at 5 years. The cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was 16% at 100 days and 25% at 1 year. In multivariate analysis, age ≥65 years and use of an UD were identified as significant unfavorable risk factors for OS and NRM. Use of an UD increased the incidence of aGVHD, whereas administration of antithymocyte globulin/alemtuzumab lowered the risk of both aGVHD and cGVHD. Pretransplantation splenectomy/splenic irradiation had a positive influence on time to engraftment. There have been no improvements in the outcomes of allo-HSCT for MF in Australasia over the last decade, with a low uptake of molecular genomic technology due to limited access to funding.