Donor natural killer (NK) cells can destroy residual leukemic cells after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This effect is based on the interaction of killer-cell ...immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) of donor NK cells with ligands of the major histocompatibility complex found on the surface of the target cells. HLA-C1 subtypes provide the ligand for KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 and the HLA-C2 subtypes for KIR2DL1. We have studied the probability of relapse (PR) after single-unit unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) in relation to the potential graft-vs.-leukemia effect mediated by NK cells present in the umbilical cord blood (UCB) by analyzing KIR-ligand and HLA-C typing of the receptor. Data from 33 consecutive patients given a single unit UCBT were included. We have considered two groups of patients based on the absence or the presence of one of the C-ligands for inhibitory KIR and the incompatibility HLA-C1/2 between UCB and patients. Group 1 (
= 21): the patient lacks a C-ligand for inhibitory KIR present in UCB NK cells, i.e., patients homozygous C1/C1 or C2/C2. Group 2 (
= 12): patients heterozygous C1/C2 in which KIR-mediated graft-vs.-leukemia effect is not expected (presence of both C ligands for inhibitory KIR in the receptor). With a median follow-up post-UCBT of 93 months, patients with absence of a C-ligand for inhibitory KIRs (Group 1) showed a lower actuarial PR than patients with both C-ligands (group 2): 21 ± 10 vs. 68 ± 18% at 2 year and 36 ± 13 vs. 84 ± 14% at 5 years (
= 0.025), respectively. In patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the 2-year PR was 36 ± 21% for group 1 and 66 ± 26% for 2 (
= 0.038). Furthermore, group 1 had a lower incidence of grades II-IV acute graft-vs.-host disease (
= 0.04). In the setting of UCBT, the absence of a C-ligand (C1 or C2) of inhibitory KIR in the patient is associated with lower PR, which is probably due to the graft-vs.-host leukemia effect caused by UCB NK cells that lack a ligand for the inhibitory KIR 2DL1/2DL2/2DL3.
•Severe thrombocytopenia is a common complication after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.•Treatment options are not well defined and are based mostly on platelet transfusions.•We confirm the ...efficacy of thrombopoietin receptor agonists in this setting.•No significant adverse events were noted.•The number of megakaryocytes in bone marrow can predict the response to treatment.
Persistent thrombocytopenia is a common complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Romiplostim and eltrombopag are the currently available thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs), and some studies with very small numbers of cases have reported their potential efficacy in the allo-SCT setting. The present retrospective study evaluated the safety and efficacy of TPO-RAs in 86 patients with persistent thrombocytopenia after allo-HSCT. Sixteen patients (19%) had isolated thrombocytopenia (PT), and 71 (82%) had secondary failure of platelet recovery (SFPR). TPO-RA therapy was started at a median of 127 days (range, 27 to 1177 days) after allo-SCT. The median initial and maximum administered doses were 50 mg/day (range, 25 to 150 mg/day) and 75 mg/day (range, 25 to 150 mg/day), respectively, for eltrombopag and 1 µg/kg (range, 1 to 7 µg/kg) and 5 µg/kg (range, 1 to 10 µg/kg), respectively, for romiplostin. The median platelet count before initiation of TPO-RA therapy was 14,000/µL (range, 1000 to 57,000/µL). Platelet recovery to ≥50,000/µL without transfusion support was achieved in 72% of patients at a median time of 66 days (range, 2 to 247 days). Eighty-one percent of the patients had a decreased number of megakaryocytes before treatment, showing a slower response to therapy (P = .011). The median duration of treatment was 62 days (range, 7 to 700 days). Grade 3-4 adverse events (hepatic and asthenia) were observed in only 2% of the patients. At last follow-up, 81% of patients had discontinued TPO-RAs and maintained response, and 71% were alive. To our knowledge, this is the largest series analyzing the use of TPO-RAs after allo-SCT reported to date. Our results support the efficacy and safety in this new setting. Further prospective trials are needed to increase the level of evidence and to identify predictors of response.
During the initial stage of a study to recruit universal intestinal microbiota donors in Mexico City, we found multiple “healthy” subjects that colonized with MDRO (Multidrug-resistant organisms). We ...aimed to describe clinical and demographic characteristics of these individuals. This was a prospective observational study. Participants were consecutively recruited among blood donors. A fecal sample was collected from each subject and analyzed at the same day in search of MDRO through chromographic culture media and, if growth observed, later confirmed by MALDI-TOF and susceptibility testing in Vitek 2 system. From July 2018 to March 2019, 85 individuals were screened for fecal colonization. Median age was 35 years (IQR 27–46 years), and 48/85 (56.4%) were males. Seventy-two (84.7%) subjects harbored at least one MDRO. ESBL-producing microorganisms were found in 72/85 (84.3%) subjects, and
E. coli
was the most frequent (63/85, 74.1%). Four samples (2
E. coli
, 2
P. aeruginosa
, 2.4% each) harbored carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
(CRE), together with an ESBL-producing microorganism. Antibiotic use (
p
= 0.06) and PPIs or H2-blockers intake (
p
= 0.03) were more common in the colonized subjects during the previous 6-month period. We report a high incidence of enteric colonization of healthy subjects with MDRO, a condition that may be related to antibiotics or PPIs/H2-blockers consumption. This surprisingly high MDRO colonization rate in potential FMT donors emphasizes the need for careful screening of donors to avoid possible transmission to FMT recipients.
As part of previous studies, we introduced a new type of basis function named Simplified Box Orbitals (SBOs) that belong to a class of spatially restricted functions which allow the zero differential ...overlap (ZDO) approximation to be applied with complete accuracy. The original SBOs and their Gaussian expansions SBO‐3G form a minimal basis set, which was compared to the standard Slater‐type orbital basis set (STO‐3G). In the present paper, we have developed the SBO basis functions at double‐zeta (DZ) level, and we have assessed the option of expanding the SBO‐DZ as a combination of Gaussian functions. Finally, we have determined the quality of the new basis set by comparing the molecular properties calculated with SBO‐nG with those achieved with some standard basis sets.
Spatially restricted functions have a value of zero outside a certain radius from atomic center. These approximations are analogous to the ZDO approximation of the semiempirical methods, but in a completely ab‐initio context. New Simplified Box Orbitals (SBOs) at Double Z level (SBO‐DZ) are introduced for H‐Kr and can be applied in molecular and atomic calculations. Results on model systems show an improvement over calculations using 6‐311G(d,p) standard basis set.
This study evaluated cost-effectiveness of defibrotide vs best supportive care (BSC) for the treatment of hepatic veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (VOD/SOS) with multiorgan ...dysfunction (MOD) post-hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in Spain.
A two-phase Markov model, comprising a 1-year acute phase with daily cycles and a lifetime long-term phase with annual cycles, was adapted to the Spanish setting. The model included a cohort of patients with severe VOD/SOS (defined as VOD/SOS with MOD) post-HCT. For the acute phase, efficacy and VOD/SOS-related length of stay were obtained from a phase 3 defibrotide study (NCT00358501). VOD/SOS-related hospital stays were 7.5 and 23.2 days in defibrotide-treated and BSC patients, respectively. Defibrotide-treated patients spent 30% of their stay in the intensive care unit vs 60% in BSC patients. Assumptions for the long-term phase and utility values were obtained from the literature. Costs were from the Spanish Health System perspective (€2019). Defibrotide cost was based on 25 mg/kg/day over 17.5 days, using local expert opinion. Life-years (LYs), quality-adjusted LYs (QALYs), and costs were estimated over a lifetime horizon, applying a 3% discount rate for costs and outcomes. Sensitivity analyses assessed the robustness of the results.
Defibrotide produced an additional 1.214 QALYs and 1.348 LYs vs BSC, with a total cost of €33,708 more than BSC alone. However, defibrotide resulted in savings up to €16,644/patient for cost of hospital stay. Difference between costs and effective measures led to ratios of €27,757/QALY and €25,007/LY gained. Additional hospital stays had the greatest influence on base-case results. Probabilistic analysis confirmed the robustness of the deterministic results.
Limitations include use of historical controls and assumptions extrapolated from the literature.
This cost-effectiveness model, adapted to the Spanish setting, showed that defibrotide is a cost-effective alternative to BSC alone in patients with severe VOD/SOS post-HCT.
Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of rare lymphoid malignancies that mostly have poor prognoses with currently available treatments. Upfront consolidation with autologous ...stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is frequently carried out, but its efficacy has never been investigated in randomized trials. We designed a multicenter, international, retrospective study with the main objective of comparing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with PTCL who underwent ASCT in complete remission (CR) after first-line chemotherapy with a control group who did not undergo ASCT. From the initial population of 286 registered patients, 174 patients with PTCL other than anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK-positive, deemed fit for ASCT at the time of diagnosis, and who were in CR or uncertain CR after induction therapy (CR1) were included in our analysis. 103 patients underwent ASCT, whereas 71 did not, in most cases (n=53) because the physician decided against it. With a median follow-up of 65.5 months, PFS was significantly better in the transplanted patients than in the non-transplanted group: 63% vs. 48% at 5 years (p=0.042). OS was significantly longer for ASCT patients in the subgroup with advanced stage at diagnosis (5-year OS: 70% vs. 50%, p=0.028). In the multivariate analysis, first-line ASCT was associated with significantly prolonged PFS (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.35-0.93) and OS (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.33-0.99). In conclusion, our study supports the use of ASCT as a consolidation strategy for patients with PTCL in CR1. These results should be confirmed in a prospective randomized study.
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is the only curative strategy for relapsed/refractory T cell lymphoma (T-NHL). In the past ten years, there have been several improvements ...in conditioning regimens and graft versus host disease prophylaxis (GVHD), which have contributed to lower transplant-related mortality (TRM). Also, selective and low toxicity therapies, might improve response quality in some T-NHL Recently, haploidentical stem cell transplantation (Haplo) with post-transplant cyclophosphamide is a new option for those patients who do not have an HLA-identical sibling or a suitable unrelated donor, but also it has shortened the time for urgent cases.
This study analyzes overall outcomes of 211 consecutive patients diagnosed with T-NHL who received an alloSCT from 1995 to 2018 in GELTAMO/GETH centers. Previous therapies (chemotherapies and autologous stem cell transplantation) and baseline diagnostic parameters were recorded.
RESULTS
The median age at alloSCT was 47 years (range, 17-69). (see table 1). Forty-nine (23%) had primary extranodal disease. Disease status pre alloSCT was available in 202 patientes: 54% were in complete response (CR), 30% in partial response (PR) and 16% with stable/progressive disease (PD). Since 2013 BV was used as a bridge therapy in ≥ 3rd line in 25 patients with CD30+ tumor expression, it was effective in 20 (CR 68% (n=17), PR 12% (n=3) PD 16% (n=4), not assessed in 1 case). The use of BV was not associated with a better response probability pre alloSCT compared with other regimens used after third line and it did not impact on post alloSCT outcomes. Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) was the most frequent (76%, n=156). (see table 2) GVHD prophylaxis were Methotrexate + CsaA or Tacrolimus (n=72, 35,8%), sirolimus-tacrolimus (n=37; 18,4%), Cy-post based (n=44, 21,9%; used in Haplo setting n= 29). The median follow-up of all cohort was 22.5 months (range, 0-280). The two year overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were 60% (CI95%, 53-67%) and 76.7% (CI95%, 69.3-82.5%) (Figure 1A) We observed a significant improvement in alloSCT outcomes since 2011 (OS <2011 51.4% vs ≥2011 64.8%, p=0,04).(Figure 1B)
Disease status was the only pre alloSCT variable that impacts 2 years - OS: CR 72.8% (CI95%, 63-80.4%), PR 52%(38.7-63.7%), PD 43.8 (26.5-59.8%) (p=0.002) (Figure 1C). Forty-three (21%) cases relapsed after alloSCT.
To analyze the impact of GVHD on OS and DFS we selected landmark time point at day +100 and +1 year after alloSCT for acute (aGVHD) and chronic GVHD (cGVHD) respectively, which allowed us to capture the majority of events that could interfere with the analysis. A landmark analysis (day +100) showed a 2 year OS for grade 3-4 aGVHD was 18% and for 1-2 aGVHD 54,6% (p<0,001). The severity of aGVHD had no impact on DFS. Different grades of cGVHD did not impact OS nor DFS significantly.
Cumulative incidence of acute GVHD at 90 days was 51.6% (CI95%, 43.9-58.2%) being 27% grade 3-4. Chronic GVHD at 6 months was 53.9% (46.1-60.5), 54% of cases were grade 3-4). The 2 years non relapse mortality (NRM) was 30.2% (CI95%, 23.3-36.5%); the main causes contributing to NRM were GVHD (40%) and infections (44%)
Haploidentical (Haplo) alloSCT was introduced in 2012 (29 of 128). With a median follow up of 13 months (range, 0-60) we found that outcomes in terms of 1 year OS (Haplo 60.7% vs. others 67,5%), 1 year DFS (Haplo 74.8% vs. others 83.8%) and 1 year NRM (Haplo 29.7% vs. 26%) are similar to other alloSCT modalities (Figure 1D). Not additional analysis could be estimated due to the low number of population at risk for each category.
CONCLUSION
Overall outcomes of alloSCT for T-NHL have improved over time. Complete response pre alloSCT is the only determinant for OS. Haploidentical alloSCT is not significantly different from other approaches and should be considered as an alternative.
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Sierra:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Astellas: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Daiichi-Sankyo: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria.
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Introduction
Thrombocytopenia is a common complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Underlying mechanisms are poorly known and usually multifactorial. Its ...treatment is not well defined, mostly based in platelet transfusion. Thus, is important to identify new strategies to manage this important post-SCT complication. Romiplostim and Eltrombopag are currently available thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) that stimulate platelet production. Some studies with very small number of cases have reported their potential efficacy in the allo-SCT setting. For this reason, the aim of our study is to analyze the efficacy and safety of TPO-RAs for severe and persistent thrombocytopenia after allo-SCT.
Patients and methods
We performed a retrospective multicenter study including patients from centers of GETH with prolonged isolated thrombocytopenia (PT) or secondary failure of platelet recovery (SFPR) after allo-SCT. PT was defined as the engraftment of all peripheral blood cell lines but with platelet count ≤20000/µL for 7 consecutive days or requirement of transfusion for more than 60 days after allo-SCT. SFPR was defined as a decline of platelet counts to ≤20000/µL for 7 consecutive days or requirement of transfusion after achievement platelets ≥50000/µL without transfusion for 7 days post-SCT. The primary endpoint was platelet recovery to ≥50000/µL.
Results
Eighty-six patients with thrombocytopenia after allo-SCT were included. The characteristic of the patients, are summarized in table 1. Sixteen (19%) of the patients had PT and 71 (82%) SFPR. TPO-RA was started at a median time of 127 days (27-1177) after allo-SCT (41% Romiplostim / 59% Eltrombopag). Median initial and maximum administered doses were 50 mg/daily (25-150) and 75 (25-150) for Eltrombopag and 1 µg/kg (1-7) and 5 (1-10) for Romiplostin, respectively. Eighteen patients (21%) were previously treated with cell infusion (67% mesenchymal cells and 33% CD34+ boost). Median platelet count before TPO-RA onset was 14000/µL (1000-57000). Platelet recovery to ≥50000/µL was 60% and the response was achieved at a median time of 56 days (2-247). Responses were similar considering all potential causes of thrombocytopenia evaluated. 81% of the patients had decrease number of megakaryocytes prior to treatment showing a worse response to therapy: median time to ≥20000/µL platelets 43 days versus 28 days (p=0.011), with also a lower rate of platelet recovery to ≥50000/µL (62% versus 85% if normal megakaryocytes). In patients treated with Eltrombopag, 27% had neutropenia <1000/µL and 74% achieved >1000/µL after therapy. The median treatment duration was 62 days (7-700) and 62% discontinued TPO-Ra maintaining response. Grade 3-4 adverse events (hepatic and asthenia) were observed in only 2% of the cases. At last follow up with a median of 10 months (1-59), 72% of the patients maintained the response and 61 (71%) were alive. Death rate was significantly lower in responder-patients to TPO-RAs, 15% versus 53% in non-responders (p<0.001). Causes of death were disease progression (28%), infections (48%), graft versus host disease (GvHD) (16%) and others (8%).
Conclusion
To our knowledge this is the biggest series analyzing the use of TPO-Ra after allo-SCT. Our results support the efficacy and safety in this new setting with responses around 60% and a low number of side effects. Additional studies to identify predictors of response are needed.
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No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
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