Lower Gastrointestinal Involvement Research Articles

Polypoid Kaposi Sarcoma Involving the Lower Gastrointestinal Tract: Clinicopathologic Study of 15 Cases.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of Kaposi sarcoma are rare but may cause morbidity. Lower gastrointestinal involvement is particularly rare and lesions may resemble conventional bowel polyps. To study 15 patients who presented with lower gastrointestinal tract Kaposi sarcoma with polypoid architecture. The surgical pathology files of the departments of pathology at multiple institutions were searched for cases of Kaposi sarcoma forming polyps in the lower gastrointestinal tract (jejunum, colon, rectum); 15 cases with such features were identified. Clinicopathologic information was extracted from the medical record and documented by reviewing individual hematoxylin-eosin stained slides. The patients were 13 men and 2 women aged 26-80 years (median = 44 years). Gastrointestinal tract involvement was multifocal in 11 cases and unifocal in 4. The tumors involved the rectum, recto-sigmoid junction, cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, and descending colon and presented as polypoid lesions measuring 0.2-2.1 cm. Six patients had upper gastrointestinal tract involvement in addition to lower gastrointestinal lesions. Histologically the tumors were characterized in 6 cases by a dense spindle cell proliferation in the lamina propria; however, the remaining cases showed only a subtle fascicular spindle cell proliferation in the lamina propria that did not form an expansile mass. Biopsies of gastrointestinal polyps showing absence of the common features of hyperplastic or adenomatous polyps, particularly in immunocompromised patients, should be carefully examined for the presence of a stromal spindle cell proliferation. Use of immunohistochemical stains, particularly human herpesvirus-8, can help in establishing the correct diagnosis.

Gastrointestinal involvement refines prognosis in minnesota standard risk acute graft-vs.-host disease.

Minnesota acute graft versus host disease (AGVHD) risk score is a validated tool to stratify newly-diagnosed patients into standard-risk (SR) and high-risk (HR) groups with ~85% having SR AGVHD. We aimed to identify factors for further risk-stratification within Minnesota SR patients. A single-center, retrospective analysis of consecutive patients between 1/2010 and 12/2014 was performed. Patients who developed AGVHD within 100 days and treated with systemic corticosteroids were included (N = 416), 356 (86%) of which were Minnesota SR and 60 (14%) had HR AGVHD. Isolated upper gastrointestinal (GI) AGVHD patients had significantly better day 28 and 56 CR/PR rates (90% vs. 72%, p = 0.004) and (83% vs 66%, p = 0.01), respectively, and lower 1-year non-relapse mortality (NRM; 10% vs. 22%; HR 0.4, p = 0.03). Lower GI AGVHD had less favorable outcomes with 1-year NRM of 40% (HR 2.1, p = 0.001), although CR/PR rates were not statistically different. In multivariate analysis, lower GI involvement (HR 2.6, p < 0.001), age ≥ 50 (HR 2.9, p < 0.001) and HCT-CI > 3 (HR 2.1, p = 0.002) predicted for 1-year NRM. Heterogeneity within Minnesota SR patients requires consideration in clinical trials, as distinct outcomes are observed in those with isolated upper GI and lower GI AGVHD, highlighting the importance of stratification in clinical trial design.

Flares of acute graft-versus-host disease: a Mount Sinai Acute GVHD International Consortium analysis

AbstractThe absence of a standardized definition for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) flares and data on its clinical course are significant concerns. We retrospectively evaluated 968 patients across 23 Mount Sinai Acute GVHD International Consortium (MAGIC) transplant centers who achieved complete response (CR) or very good partial response (VGPR) within 4 weeks of treatment. The cumulative incidence of flares within 6 months was 22%, and flares were associated with a higher risk of nonrelapse mortality (NRM; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 4.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.19-7.36; P < .001). Flares were more severe (grades 3/4, 41% vs 16%; P < .001) and had more frequent lower gastrointestinal (LGI) involvement (55% vs 32%; P < .001) than the initial GVHD. At CR/VGPR, elevated MAGIC biomarkers predicted the future occurrence of a flare, along with its severity and LGI involvement. In multivariate analyses, higher Ann Arbor (AA) biomarker scores at CR/VGPR were significant risk factors for flares (AA2 vs AA1: aHR, 1.81 [95% CI, 1.32-2.48; P = .001]; AA3 vs AA1: aHR, 3.14 [95% CI, 1.98-4.98; P < .001]), as were early response to initial treatment (aHR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.21-2.80; P = .004) and HLA-mismatched unrelated donor (aHR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.00-3.02; P = .049). MAGIC biomarkers also stratified the risk of NRM both at CR/VGPR and at the time of flare. We conclude that GVHD flares are common and carry a significant mortality risk. The occurrence of future flares can be predicted by serum biomarkers that may serve to guide adjustment and discontinuation of immunosuppression.

Upper gastrointestinal involvement of Behçet's disease in Japan: endoscopic findings and clinical features.

Behçet's disease (BD) can involve any gastrointestinal (GI) tract site. We analyzed the characteristics, risk factors, and treatment responses to upper GI (UGI) involvement in patients with BD. This retrospective cohort study analyzed UGI findings in 101 patients with BD who underwent endoscopy between April 2005 and December 2022 at the University of Tokyo Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of UGI findings. Patient backgrounds, clinical symptoms, colonoscopy (CS) findings, and blood test findings were compared between the groups. In total, 18.8% (19/101) of the patients had UGI lesions. The prevalence rates in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum were 6.9%, 6.9%, and 8.9%, respectively. Of these 19 patients, BD treatment were intensified in 10 (52.6%) patients after esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and all showed improvement in symptoms or endoscopic findings. In the multivariate analysis, symptoms (OR: 37.1, P<0.001), CRP>1mg/dL (OR: 11.0, P=0.01), and CS findings (OR: 5.16, P=0.04) were independent predictors of UGI involvement in BD patients. The prediction model for UGI involvement using these three factors was highly accurate, with an AUC of 0.899 on the ROC curve. In the subgroup analysis of intestinal BD, symptoms (OR: 12.8, P=0.01) and ESR>20mm/h (OR: 11.5, P=0.007) were independent predictors. EGD should be conducted in BD patients with high CRP, GI symptoms, and lower GI involvement, which leads to better management of BD in terms of improving symptoms and endoscopic findings.

TCRαβ +/CD19 + - Depleted HLA-Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Traansplantation in Pediatric Patient with Fanconi Anemia

Background Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) currently represents the only proven treatment able to rescue bone marrow failure and prevent the occurrence of clonal evolution in patients with Fanconi Anemia (FA). If HSCT from HLA-identical related donor (MRD) is reported to be associated with better outcomes, this is not available for most patients. On the other hand, the identification of a fully matched unrelated donor (MUD) may be unsuccessful, or require times incompatible with a prompt treatment of the haematological condition. For patients who lack a MRD or MUD, the preferred donor choice is debated. HLA partially matched haploidentical donor (haplo) is virtually immediately available for all patients and haplo-HSCT has been reported over the last few years as a promising alternative for those patients. Following the favorable results already reported from our group of a cohort of pediatric and young adult FA patients underwent haplo-HSCT, based on the selective depletion of TCRαβ + and CD19 + cells graft manipulation, here we present the outcome of an enlarged cohort of patients who received HSCT in 3 different centers. Methods Patients diagnosed with FA and eligible for an allogeneic transplantation, but lacking a MRD or MUD, and with a suitable HLA-haploidentical donor were eligible to this study. The conditioning regimen included intravenous fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and single-dose total body irradiation for most patients. Pretransplant anti-T-lymphocyte globulin was administered in all patient to control in vivo bidirectional donor-recipient alloreactivity. Apheresis and graft manipulation were performed as previously reported (Li Pira, Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2016). Results Thirty-five patients (19 males and 16 females) underwent haplo-HSCT between September 2011 and April 2023 in 3 different centers (Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy; Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy; Tokyo; National Center for Child Health and Development, Children's Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan). Twenty-four patients have been previously reported (Strocchio, Blood Adv 2021). Details on patients and donor characteristics, graft composition and conditioning regimen are listed in table 1. One patient with clonal evolution and 1 with AML received fludarabine and AraC 3 weeks before the start of the conditioning. Primary engraftment was achieved in 33 patients (94.3%), with median time for neutrophil and platelet recovery of 12 days (range, 9-20 days) and 10 days (range, 7-14 days), respectively. Primary graft failure occurred in 2 patients and both were successfully transplanted from the other haploidentical parent. The monitoring of chimerism analysis confirmed a stable engraftment of donor hemopoiesis in all engrafted patients. Within 33 evaluable patients, 9 (27.3%) experienced grade 1-2 aGvHD (7 with stage I-II skin-only involvement, 1 with stage I lower gastrointestinal involvement) at a median time of 35.5 days (range, 16-67 days) after HSCT. One patient developed late-onset skin only grade 2 aGvHD at day +211 after HSCT. One patient (3%) experienced grade IV aGvHD (liver and gastrointestinal involvement) at day + 100 from HSCT, 4 weeks after the infusion of adenoviral-specific donor T cells; he is currently receiving ruxolitinib and the complete resolution of GvHD was obtained. Only one patient (3%), developed cGvHD with mild skin involvement. Thirteen patients (39.4%) experienced one or more viral infections or reactivations (6 cytomegalovirus, 4 herpesvirus-6, 2 adenovirus, 1 parainfluenzae); the specific antiviral treatment was administered with a complete resolution of infection in all cases. With a median follow up of 5.5 years (range, 0.6-11.4 years) all the patients are alive and with resolution of hematological complications. Except for the already reported vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, no additional posttransplant malignancy was observed Conclusions Our data obtained from enlarged cohort of patients previously reported, confirm excellent results in terms of survival and a good rate of engraftment also in a multicenter setting. The low incidence of acute and chronic GvHD, a particularly detrimental complication in patients with DNA repair disorder, makes this approach attractive in this patient population. In FA patients lacking a standard donor, TCRab +/CD19 + haplo-HSCT is confirmed to be a promising strategy.

Case Report: Malignant melanoma in a patient with Crohn’s disease treated with ustekinumab

The cornerstone of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment is immunomodulators. IBD patients are at increased risk of intestinal and extraintestinal malignancy. Ustekinumab is a fully humanized monoclonal anti-IL12/23 antibody with a good safety profile. Malignancies of breast, colon, head and neck, kidney, prostate, thyroid, and non-melanoma skin cancer have been reported among patients who received ustekinumab. We report the case of a 42-year-old Crohn’s patient on long-term treatment with ustekinumab, who developed achromatic malignant melanoma. Crohn’s was diagnosed at the age of 15, with upper and lower gastrointestinal involvement and was initially treated with azathioprine (2mg/kg for 4 years) and infliximab (5mg/kg for 6 weeks). Due to ileal obstruction, the patient underwent stricturoplasty and received adalimumab (40mg every other week) for two years. He then discontinued therapy and a year later underwent right hemicolectomy. Adalimumab was reinstituted (40mg every other week) and the patient remained in clinical remission for two years. His overall exposure to adalimumab was four years. Ustekinumab was initiated due to a relapse and after 3 years, an incident of scalp itching led to the diagnosis metastatic achromatic malignant melanoma bearing BRAF V600E mutation. He received targeted therapy with an initial good response. We aim to point out the risk of dermatologic malignancy in IBD patients on long-term immunosuppression and the lifelong and meticulous evaluation that is required.

Disease Progression, Hospital Readmissions, and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Steroid-Refractory Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease: A Multicenter Chart Review

Background: Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) has a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. The standard first-line therapy for grade II-IV aGVHD is systemic corticosteroids (CS), which provide effective control in 40%-60% of patients. Patients may be unable to taper steroids due to new organ involvement or aGVHD flares. The objective of this retrospective multicenter study was to describe the clinical course, outcomes, and hospital readmissions for patients with aGVHD who were refractory to or dependent on systemic CS. Methods: A multicenter retrospective chart review was conducted at 11 large US academic and community transplant centers to identify patients who had their first HCT between Jan 1, 2014, and June 30, 2016, and subsequently developed grade II-IV aGVHD (defined by International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry Severity Index). Patients who participated in a GVHD prophylaxis trial or used Janus kinase inhibitors were excluded. Steroid dependence (SD)/steroid refractory (SR) was defined as the use of additional systemic anti-GVHD therapy, inability to taper high-dose steroids (≥1 mg/kg) by ≥25%, or tapering of CS dose by ≥25% but not &lt;10 mg/day. Clinical outcomes included changes in aGVHD grade or organs involved, aGVHD reoccurrence, and all-cause mortality. Results: Patient (N=168) mean age was 55 years, and 64% were male. The stem cell source was peripheral blood for 74% of patients. Median time from transplant to aGVHD diagnosis was 30 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 21-49). At the time of aGVHD diagnosis, most patients had grade I or II (65%; Figure 1) disease: 39% had skin involvement only; 38% had lower gastrointestinal (GI) involvement; and 37% had ≥2 organs involved (Figure 2). At the time of maximum aGVHD grade, most patients (66%) had grade III-IV disease: 25% had skin involvement only; 54% of patients had lower GI involvement; and 54% had ≥2 organs involved. Between the time of diagnosis and maximum aGVHD grade, 54% of patients had new organ involvement or an increase in aGVHD grade. Median time from diagnosis to maximum grade was 6.0 days. Of the 146 patients with grade II-IV aGVHD at diagnosis, 82% (119/146) were given systemic CS as first-line therapy, and 49% (72/146) initiated systemic CS on the day of diagnosis. Among the 119 patients, the average starting daily dose was 77 mg (0.9 mg/kg) for prednisone and 166 mg (1.8 mg/kg) for methylprednisolone. During follow-up (median 194 days from aGVHD diagnosis to death/last visit, IQR: 58-720), 36% of patients had an increase in steroid dose, and 88% were unable to taper below 10 mg/day. aGVHD recurred in 42% of patients (70/168) and was managed by increasing the CS dose in 79% of these patients. Over half of patients (53%; 89/168) received additional systemic anti-GVHD therapy; of those, 41% had an increase in CS dose before receiving additional therapy. Median time from CS initiation to additional therapy was 21 days. Frequently used additional therapies included sirolimus (19%), polyclonal antibodies (antithymocyte globulin/antilymphocyte globulin; 18%), mycophenolate mofetil (17%), tocilizumab (16%), extracorporeal photopheresis, and etanercept (both 13%). 26% (23/89) used ≥2 additional therapies. Overall, 57% of patients (95/168) required hospital readmission(s); 24% had ≥2 readmissions within 100 days post-HCT, with a mean inpatient length of stay of 50 days. Half (51%) of patients experienced an infection within the first 100 days post-HCT. Relapse of the underlying malignancy was reported in 35 patients (21%). Overall, 70% of patients (118/168) died at a median of 118 days (IQR: 62.0-234.1) from aGVHD diagnosis; 82% of patients with aGVHD progression died at a median of 116.0 days (IQR: 49-223), and 80% of patients with maximum grade III-IV aGVHD died at a median of 80 days (IQR: 42-216). Additionally, 86% of patients with lower GI aGVHD died at a median of 74.0 days (IQR: 44-174) (Figure 3). Conclusions: The majority of patients with aGVHD had severe and rapidly progressing disease. These findings indicate that clinical outcomes were poor among patients with SR and SD, with a mortality rate of 70% within 4 months of aGVHD diagnosis. Most patients required hospital readmission with an extended length of stay. The rapidly worsening clinical course further emphasizes the need for effective and tolerable therapies that prevent or reverse disease progression. Disclosures Yu: Incyte: Employment, Equity Ownership. Hanna:Asclepius Analytics: Employment. Paranagama:Incyte: Employment, Equity Ownership. Tang:Asclepius Analytics: Employment. Naim:Incyte: Employment, Equity Ownership. Galvin:Incyte: Consultancy.

A Phase 1b Study of Intravenous Vedolizumab Plus Standard of Care for Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis in Subjects Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Hematologic Malignancies: 6-Month Results

BackgroundSubjects with lower gastrointestinal (GI) acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) generally respond poorly to therapy, and therefore have increased morbidity and mortality. Vedolizumab, a gut-selective antibody targeting α4β7 integrin, is approved for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. Vedolizumab interferes with gut-trafficking of immunocompetent donor T-lymphocytes and may have a role in preventing GI aGvHD. Here we present the 6-month results of a phase 1b study of the safety, tolerability and clinical activity of vedolizumab combined with standard graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis.MethodsThis is an open-label, dose-finding study of the addition of vedolizumab to standard GvHD prophylaxis in adults undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). Cohort 1 comprised subjects aged 18-60 years with a hematologic malignancy undergoing human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched or 1 locus-mismatched, unrelated-donor myeloablative transplantation. These subjects received intravenous (IV) vedolizumab (75 mg, on days -1, +13 and +42 of HCT). If subjects in cohort 1 experienced no engraftment failures or dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), then subsequent subjects were enrolled into a dose-expansion cohort of IV vedolizumab 300 mg (cohort 2), following the same schedule. Key inclusion criteria for cohort 2 were myeloablative regimens (subjects aged 18-60 years) or reduced-intensity conditioning regimens (subjects aged 18-75 years), donor-recipient pairs who were HLA-matched or 1-locus mismatched, and subjects receiving peripheral blood- or bone-marrow-derived stem cells. All subjects received standard GvHD prophylaxis (tacrolimus and methotrexate). The primary objective was to identify an efficacious vedolizumab dose with an acceptable safety profile for future studies, using the following primary safety endpoints: frequency of DLTs from day -1 to day 28, and the number of patients experiencing treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and serious adverse events from administration of the first dose of vedolizumab until 18 weeks after the final dose. Secondary endpoints included time to neutrophil engraftment, cumulative incidence of grade II-IV aGvHD and frequency by maximum severity of aGvHD by modified Glucksberg criteria. Exploratory endpoints included overall survival (OS) and aGvHD-free survival.ResultsIn total, 24 subjects were enrolled at 5 centers (3 in cohort 1, then 21 in cohort 2). The median age was 55 years (range 18-72 years). Most subjects underwent an unrelated donor HCT (83%), and all except 1 were HLA-matched (Table 1). At 6 months after HCT, no DLTs were observed in either cohort. All subjects engrafted within 28 days; the median time to neutrophil engraftment was 14 days in cohort 2. All subjects experienced at least 1 TEAE, which was serious in 13 subjects (2 in cohort 1, 11 in cohort 2). TEAEs were considered vedolizumab-related in 2 subjects in cohort 1 and 6 in cohort 2, including 1 subject in cohort 2 who experienced 2 serious TEAEs: hypotension and febrile neutropenia. The most frequent infections were cytomegalovirus (4 cases) and Clostridium difficile colitis (3 cases). No adverse events led to discontinuation of vedolizumab. There were no cases of grade II-IV aGvHD at 6 months after HCT in cohort 1. In cohort 2, 4 subjects (19%) developed grade II-IV aGvHD at 6 months after HCT; 3 (14%) grade II (1 skin only involvement, 2 skin and lower GI involvement) and 1 (5%) grade III (liver, skin and lower GI involvement). All cases of lower GI aGvHD were limited to stage 1 disease. At 6 months after HCT, 1 subject died from disease relapse in cohort 1, and 2 subjects died in cohort 2; 1 from disease relapse and 1 from aGvHD-related complications. Among subjects in cohort 2, 6-month OS and non-relapse mortality were 90% and 5%, respectively, and grade II-IV and grade III-IV aGvHD-free survival were 76% and 90%, respectively (Table 2).ConclusionsIn subjects receiving vedolizumab in addition to standard GvHD prophylaxis, there were no DLTs or engraftment failures at 6 months after HCT, and the TEAEs observed have been as expected in this population. The low cumulative incidences of grade II-IV and grade III-IV aGvHD are promising; there were no cases of lower GI aGvHD greater than stage 1. Intravenous vedolizumab 300 mg added to standard GvHD prophylaxis for the prevention of GI aGvHD merits further study. DisclosuresChen:Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Magenta Therapeutics: Consultancy; REGiMMUNE: Consultancy. Shah:Lentigen Technology: Research Funding; Oncosec: Equity Ownership; Exelexis: Equity Ownership; Miltenyi: Other: Travel funding, Research Funding; Juno Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Geron: Equity Ownership. Jansson:Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Akbari:Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Chen:Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Quadri:Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Parfionovas:Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Devine:Kiadis Pharma: Consultancy.

Gastrointestinal Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis: An Update.

Gastrointestinal Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis: An Update.

Polyarteritis nodosa in north India: clinical manifestations and outcomes.

There has been a significant decrease in the number of published reports of classical polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) in the post-Chapel Hill consensus conference (CHCC) nomenclature era with only two series published from Asia. We report a case series of PAN from north India. A retrospective study of all patients diagnosed to have PAN according to American College of Rheumatology criteria/CHCC nomenclature. The details of clinical presentation, investigation findings, treatment details and outcomes were noted from the records. These findings between the hepatitis B positive and negative groups were compared. Twenty-seven patients (20 male, seven female) were diagnosed as having PAN, out of which seven (25.9%) were hepatitis B surface antigen positive. Nervous system involvement was most common with 24 patients (88.9%) having mononeuritis multiplex. Weight loss was present in 20 (74%), fever in 14 (51.9%), renal involvement in 16 (59.3%), cutaneous in nine (33.3%), peripheral gangrene in eight (29.6%), gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in eight (29.6%), testicular pain in 6/20 (30%) and cardiac involvement in four (14.8%). Twenty-three (85.2%) patients recovered, three died (11.1%) and one was lost to follow-up. Median follow-up duration was 37 (interquartile range 22.00-69.75) months. The cumulative survival was 114.16 months (95% CI: 98.27-129.95). There was no significant difference in five factor score (FFS) or revised FFS between those patients who died and those who survived (P = 0.248, 0.894, respectively). Hepatitis B-related PAN had a lower FFS compared to non-hepatitis B-related PAN (P = 0.039). No other significant differences were noted between the two groups. In comparison to classic PAN in other populations, classic PAN in north India is associated with higher neurological involvement and lower GI involvement.

Oxalate nephropathy in systemic sclerosis: Case series and review of the literature

ObjectiveTo increase awareness of oxalate nephropathy as a cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) among systemic sclerosis patients with small intestinal dysmotility and malabsorption, and to prompt consideration of dietary modification and early treatment of predisposing causes of oxalate nephropathy in this population. MethodsTwo cases of biopsy-proven oxalate nephropathy were identified among systemic sclerosis patients in the course of direct clinical care. Subsequently, a retrospective search of the Johns Hopkins Pathology databases identified a third patient with systemic sclerosis who developed oxalate nephropathy. ResultsAmong the three patients with qualifying biopsies, all three had systemic sclerosis with lower gastrointestinal involvement. All three presented with diarrhea, malabsorption, and AKI. In two of the three patients, diarrhea was present for at least 2 years before the development of AKI; in the third, incidental oxalate nephropathy was noted 3 years before she developed AKI and extensive oxalate nephropathy in the setting of a prolonged mycobacterium avium-intracellulare enteritis. In the first case, oxalate crystals were present by urinalysis months before diagnosis by biopsy; in the second, hyperoxaluria was diagnosed by urine collection immediately after; and in the third, oxalate crystals had been noted incidentally on post-transplant renal biopsy 3 years before the development of fulminant oxalate nephropathy. All three patients died within a year after diagnosis. ConclusionsPatients with systemic sclerosis and bowel dysmotility associated with chronic diarrhea and malabsorption may be at risk for an associated oxalate nephropathy. Regular screening of systemic sclerosis patients with small bowel malabsorption syndromes through routine urinalysis or 24-h urine oxalate collection, should be considered. Further studies defining the prevalence of this complication in systemic sclerosis, the benefit of dietary modification on hyperoxaluria, the effect of treating small intestinal bowel overgrowth with antibiotics, and the effectiveness of probiotics, calcium supplements, or magnesium supplements to prevent hyperoxaluria-associated renal disease in these patients, are warranted.

Failure-free survival after second-line systemic treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease

AbstractThis study attempted to characterize causes of treatment failure, identify associated prognostic factors, and develop shorter-term end points for trials testing investigational products or regimens for second-line systemic treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The study cohort (312 patients) received second-line systemic treatment of chronic GVHD. The primary end point was failure-free survival (FFS) defined by the absence of third-line treatment, nonrelapse mortality, and recurrent malignancy during second-line treatment. Treatment change was the major cause of treatment failure. FFS was 56% at 6 months after second-line treatment. Lower steroid doses at 6 months correlated with subsequent withdrawal of immunosuppressive treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that high-risk disease at transplantation, lower gastrointestinal involvement at second-line treatment, and severe NIH global score at second-line treatment were associated with increased risks of treatment failure. These three factors were used to define risk groups, and success rates at 6 months were calculated for each risk group either without or with various steroid dose limits at 6 months as an additional criterion of success. These success rates could be used as the basis for a clinically relevant and efficient shorter-term end point in clinical studies that evaluate agents for second-line systemic treatment of chronic GVHD.

Analysis of Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Chronic Grant-versus-Host Disease Manifestations on Major Outcomes: A Chronic Grant-versus-Host Disease Consortium Study

Although data support adverse prognosis of overlap subtype of chronic grant-versus-host disease (GVHD), the importance of site of gastrointestinal (GI) and type of hepatic involvement is not known. Using data from the Chronic GVHD Consortium observational cohort study (N = 567, total of 2115 visits), we examined whether the site of GI (esophageal, upper GI, or lower GI) and type of hepatic (bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase) involvement are associated with overall survival (OS) and nonrelapse mortality (NRM), symptoms, quality of life (QOL) and functional status measures. In multivariate analysis utilizing data from enrollment visits only, lower GI involvement (HR, 1.67; P = .05) and elevated bilirubin (HR, 2.46; P = .001) were associated with OS; both were also associated with NRM. In multivariable analysis using all visits (time-dependent covariates), GI score greater than zero (HR, 1.69; P = .02) and elevated bilirubin (HR, 3.73; P < .001) were associated with OS; results were similar for NRM. Any esophageal involvement and GI score greater than zero were associated with both symptoms and QOL, whereas elevated bilirubin was associated with QOL. We found no consistent evidence that upper GI involvement, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, or NIH liver score add prognostic value for survival, overall symptom burden, or QOL. These data support important differences in patient-reported outcomes according to GI and hepatic involvement among chronic GVHD-affected patients and identify those with elevated bilirubin or higher GI score at any time, or lower GI involvement at cohort enrollment, as patients at greater risk for mortality under current treatment approaches.

Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Involvement in Chronic Gvhd: An Analysis From the Chronic Gvhd Consortium

AbstractAbstract 1940 Background:Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a significant source of morbidity, mortality, impaired patient-reported quality of life (QOL), greater symptom burden, and prolonged duration of immune suppressive therapy following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). While available data support the adverse prognosis of overlap subtype of chronic GVHD, the relative importance of site of gastrointestinal (GI) and type of hepatic involvement is not known. Methods:We analyzed prospectively acquired observational cohort data to examine whether the site of GI involvement (esophageal, upper GI, lower GI) and type of hepatic laboratory test abnormality (bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (AP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation over the upper limit of normal based on study site-specific laboratory reference ranges) among chronic GVHD-affected patients are associated with overall survival (OS) and non-relapse mortality (NRM), symptoms (Lee Symptom Scale), and quality of life (QOL) per SF-36 and FACT-BMT instruments. Results:This analysis included 567 individual subjects with baseline and 1548 follow up visits. The majority were incident cases (59%), adults (98%), and predominantly White/Non-Hispanic. Median time from HCT to cohort enrollment was 11.9 months (range 3–294 months). Overall NIH chronic GVHD severity was mild in 10%, moderate in 52%, and severe in 38% at enrollment. Prior acute GVHD was noted in 66%, KPS < 80% in 17%, and platelet count at chronic GVHD onset of < 100 K/uL in 23%. At enrollment, GI involvement was seen in 40% (upper GI 20%, esophagus 16%, lower GI 13%), and liver involvement was seen in 52% (AP 38%, ALT 38%, bilirubin 10%). Time from transplant to cGVHD onset was not different for patients with or without GI involvement or hepatic involvement. In multivariate analysis utilizing data from enrollment visits only and adjusting for patient and transplant variables, lower GI involvement (HR 1.7, p=0.03) and elevated bilirubin (HR 2.36, p=0.001) were associated with OS; both were also associated with NRM. In multivariable analysis using all visits (time-dependent covariates), GI score greater than zero (HR 1.7, p=0.01) and elevated bilirubin (HR 3.7, p<0.001) were associated with OS; results were similar for NRM. Separate models were constructed to examine the relationship of severity of GI and hepatic involvement (0–3 severity score per NIH consensus) and mortality: Increasing lower GI severity at enrollment was significantly associated with non-relapse mortality, with progressively increasing HR for greater severity levels (lower GI score 2/3 vs. 0: HR 5.5, 95% CI 2.3–13.1, p = 0.0001). Increasing bilirubin was also associated with NRM (bilirubin score 2/3 vs. 0: HR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3–8.4, p=0.01). A similar association was observed for bilirubin elevation and NRM in the time-dependent model (bilirubin 2/3 vs. 0: HR 8.9, 95% CI 3.3–24, p < 0.0001). When analyzing all visits, any esophageal involvement and GI score greater than zero were associated with both symptoms and QOL while elevated bilirubin was associated with QOL. We found no consistent evidence that upper GI involvement, AP, ALT, or NIH liver score add prognostic value for survival, overall symptom burden, or quality of life. Conclusion:These data support important differences in patient-reported outcomes according to GI and hepatic involvement among chronic GVHD affected patients, and identify those with elevated bilirubin or higher GI score at any time, or lower GI involvement at cohort enrollment, as patients at greater risk for mortality under current treatment approaches. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Prospective Evaluation of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Severe GVHD carries significant morbidity and mortality and remains one of the leading causes of treatment failure. Unfortunately, intestinal GVHD may present with a variety of non-specific symptoms and diagnosis based on clinical presentation is often inaccurate; biopsy is therefore needed for definitive diagnosis. At present, the optimal endoscopic approach to the diagnosis of gastrointestinal GVHD remains uncertain. The primary aims of our study were: (1) to evaluate the yield of upper versus lower endoscopy, and (2) to determine which anatomic regions were most likely to provide a histologic diagnosis. We conducted a prospective study of 27 consecutive patients who had undergone stem cell transplantation within the past 100 days and were referred to the Yale Gastrointestinal Procedure center between August 2002 and February 2006 for the evaluation of suspected acute GVHD. All patients underwent standardized endoscopic evaluation of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract with biopsies. The diagnostic yield of upper versus lower endoscopy was compared in all patients. GVHD was identified in 18 of the 27 patients (67%). Of those with GVHD, 15 patients (83%) had diffuse intestinal involvement. Six of 10 patients (60%) with an endoscopically normal EGD had GVHD on biopsies of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Six of 13 (46%) patients with an endoscopically normal appearing colonoscopy had GVHD on colonic biopsies. Two of 18 (11%) patients had isolated GVHD of the upper intestinal tract and 1 (6%) had isolated colonic GVHD. Rectal biopsy alone identified 89% (16 of 18) of GVHD cases and all 16 cases of GVHD with colonic involvement. A diagnosis of GVHD was not altered by the additional performance of biopsy of the proximal colon or terminal ileum. In the present study, the majority of cases of acute GVHD demonstrate diffuse upper and lower gastrointestinal involvement with rectal, sigmoid, gastric and duodenal biopsies having similarly diagnostic yield. Based on our findings, we recommend starting with flexible sigmoidoscopy with rectal biopsy alone in patients who are poor candidates to undergo full colonoscopy with sedation or in those in whom GVHD is strongly suspected based on clinical findings. However, more extensive evaluations may be necessary to rule out infection and should be considered in those with no contraindications to sedation and in whom other differential diagnoses are also being considered.

Gastrointestinal involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis

Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement is a serious complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of GI manifestations in SSc. We studied 73 patients with SSc (60 women and 13 men). Diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) was diagnosed in 30 patients and limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) in 43 patients. Upper GI involvement was assessed based on clinical symptoms such as dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux-related complications. The majority of patients underwent radiographic examination including a barium swallow. Lower GI involvement was evaluated on the basis of such clinical symptoms as constipation and diarrhea. GI symptoms were observed in 54 (74%) SSc patients. Upper GI symptoms were observed in 54 (74%) patients and lower GI symptoms in 22 (30%) patients. The presence of anticentromere antibodies is associated with a lower risk of GI involvement. There are no significant differences in the incidence of pulmonary involvement between SSc patients with and without GI symptoms. GI involvement is observed in the majority of SSc patients. Clinical symptoms of GI involvement are significantly more common in patients with dcSSc. The incidence of upper GI symptoms is significantly higher than that of lower GI symptoms.