Análise das complicações tardias após transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas em pacientes com anemia de Fanconi

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Ricardo PasquiniCo-orientadora: Profª. Drª. Neiva Isabel Rodrigues MagdalenaTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente. Defesa: Curitiba, 27/11/2014Inclui referênciasÁrea de concentração: Hematologia e oncologia pediátricaResumo: A anemia de Fanconi (AF) é herdada de maneira autossômica recessiva, excepcionalmente ligada ao cromossomo X e caracterizada por uma falência progressiva de medula óssea, malformações congênitas e uma enorme predisposição ao câncer. O transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas (TCTH) é a única possibilidade de cura para as complicações hematológicas da AF. Os resultados do transplante são excelentes especialmente nos pacientes jovens, em fase de aplasia e com doadores aparentados compatíveis. No entanto, existem poucos dados na literatura em relação às complicações tardias após o TCTH nestes pacientes. Este estudo compreende a avaliação de 157 pacientes que sobreviveram pelo menos 2 anos após o TCTH, cujo seguimento variou de 2 a 25 anos (Mediana de 8,7 anos) e que foram transplantados no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná entre 1988 e 2011. No momento do transplante, 80% dos pacientes encontravam-se em fase de aplasia, 71% foram transplantados com doadores aparentados e 29% com doadores não aparentados. Diversos regimes de condicionamento foram utilizados e a medula óssea foi a fonte de células-tronco em 89% dos casos. Quimerismo completo foi observado em 76% dos casos e a rejeição ocorreu em apenas um paciente após os dois anos. Aos dois anos pós-TCTH, 16 pacientes apresentavam DECH crônica em atividade e 16 estavam em uso de tratamento imunossupressor. A incidência cumulativa do carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) de cavidade oral foi de 8% aos 10 anos e 14% aos 15 anos pós-TCTH. Apenas 2 dos 12 pacientes com CEC estão vivos após 5 anos do diagnóstico do câncer, sem evidência de doença. Os pacientes com DECH crônica desenvolveram o CEC mais jovens e numa fase mais precoce após o TCTH do que aqueles sem DECH crônica. Nos patientes avaliáveis, o hipotireoidismo foi detectado em 25% e o hipogonadismo em 40%. Ao todo, 4 mulheres tiveram gestações normais com fetos saudáveis. Outras complicações neurológicas, auditivas, visuais, pulmonares, hepáticas e renais relacionadas ao procedimento do transplante ou à doença básica também foram descritas em menor frequência. A probabilidade de sobrevida aos cinco anos foi de 95%, aos 10 anos de 90% e aos 15 anos de 79%. A sobrevida global foi influenciada de maneira negativa pela realização de transplantes antes de 2003, pela presença de DECH crônica e pelo diagnóstico do CEC. A maior causa de óbito foi o CEC de cavidade oral seguida pela DECH crônica e suas complicações infecciosas. Esta análise confirma que o TCTH é um tratamento eficaz para os pacientes com AF. A sobrevida foi melhor para os pacientes transplantados recentemente e para aqueles que não tinham DECH ou câncer. A maioria dos pacientes que sobreviveram mais do que 2 anos tinham uma vida normal e com um quimerismo completo. Mais esforços são necessários para diminuir o impacto das complicações tardias relacionadas a doença ou ao procedimento do transplante. A prevenção ou detecção precoce do CEC pode levar a um aumento na sobrevida no futuro. Palavras-chave: Anemia de Fanconi. Complicações tardias. Câncer. Doença do enxerto contra o hospedeiro.Abstract: Fanconi Anemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disorder rarely X-linked, characterized by progressive bone marrow failure, congenital abnormalities and a striking predisposition to cancer. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only treatment able to cure the hematological complications associated with FA. Survival after transplant is excellent especially in young patients with aplastic anemia and matched related donors. However, only limited data are available regarding late complications after HSCT for these patients. This study evaluated late effects among 157 patients followed between 2 and 25 years (median 8.7 years) who survived for at least 2 years after transplant. These patients were transplanted at the Hospital de Clínicas - Federal University of Parana between 1988 and 2011. At the time of transplant, 80% of patients were in aplastic phase, 71% received transplants from related donors while 29% were transplanted using unrelated donors. Several preparatory regimens were used and bone marrow was the stem cell source in 89% of patients. Full donor chimerism was observed in 76% of patients and only one patient rejected after 2 years. At the time of study entry, 16 patients had active chronic GVHD and 16 patients were still receiving immunosuppressive therapy. The probability of survival was 95% at 5 years, 90% at 10 years and 79% at 15 years. Overall survival was negatively impacted by transplants performed before 2003, presence of chronic GVHD and diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The cumulative incidence of SCC of the mouth at 10 years was 8% and at 15 years was 14%. Only 2 patients with SCC are alive, disease free, 5 years after diagnosis. Patients with GVHD developed this complication at a younger age and earlier after transplant when compared to patients who did not have GVHD. In evaluable patients, 25% had hypothyroidism and 40% had the diagnosis of hypogonadism. Normal pregnancies occurred in 4 females with normal offsprings. Other neurological, auditory, visual, pulmonary, hepatic and renal complications related to the disease or to the transplant procedure were also described in a lower frequency. SCC of the mouth was the major cause of death followed by GVHD and its infectious complications. In summary, this analysis confirms that HSCT is an effective treatment for paients with FA. Survival was better for patients transplanted more recently and without chronic GVHD or SCC. The majority of patients who survived beyond 2 years after transplantation had normal lives and full donor chimerism. Further efforts are needed to reduce the burden of late complications related to the disease or to the transplant procedure. Prevention or early detection of SCC may yield further improvement in survival in the future. Keywords: Fanconi anemia. Late complications. Graft versus Host Disease. Cancer. Long term follow up

Early hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a patient with severe mucopolysaccharidosis II : 7 years follow-up

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II - Hunter syndrome) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzyme iduronate-2 sulfatase (I2S), leading to the accumulation of the glycosaminoglycans, affecting multiple organs and systems. Enzyme replacement therapy does not cross the blood brain barrier, limiting results in neurological forms of the disease. Another option of treatment for severe MPS, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has become the treatment of choice for the severe form of MPS type I, since it can preserve neurocognition when performed early in the course of the disease. To date, only few studies have examined the long-term outcomes of HSCT in patients with MPS II. We describe the seven-year follow-up of a prenatally diagnosed MPS II boy with positive family history of severe MPS form, submitted to HSCT with umbilical cord blood cells at 70 days of age. Engraftment after 30 days revealed mixed chimerism with 79% donor cells; after 7 years engraftment remains at 80%. I2S activity 30 days post-transplant was low in plasma and normal in leukocytes and the same pattern is observed to date. At age 7 years growth charts are normal and he is very healthy, although mild signs of dysostosis multiplex are present, as well as hearing loss. The neuropsychological evaluation (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth Edition - WISC-IV), disclosed an IQ of 47. Despite this low measured IQ, the patient continues to show improvements in cognitive, language and motor skills, being quite functional. We believe that HSCT is a therapeutic option for MPS II patients with the severe phenotype, as it could preserve neurocognition or even halt neurodegeneration, provided strict selection criteria are followed

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for children and adolescents with acute myeloid leukemia in Brazil : a multicentric retrospective study

The survival rates of children with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) range from 60% to 70% in high-income countries. The corresponding rate for Brazilian children with AML who undergo HSCT is unknown. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 114 children with AML who underwent HSCT between 2008 and 2012 at institutions participating in the Brazilian Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Working Group. At transplant, 38% of the children were in first complete remission (CR1), 37% were in CR2, and 25% were in CR3þ or had persistent disease. The donors included 49 matched-related, 59 matched-unrelated, and six haploidentical donors. The most frequent source of cells was bone marrow (69%), followed by the umbilical cord (19%) and peripheral blood (12%). The 4-year overall survival was 47% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30%–57%), and the 4-year progression-free survival was 40% (95% CI 30%–49%). Relapse occurred in 49 patients, at a median of 122 days after HSCT. There were 65 deaths: 40 related to AML, 19 to infection, and six to graft versus host disease. In conclusion, our study suggests that HSCT outcomes for children with AML in CR1 or CR2 are acceptable and that this should be considered in the overall treatment planning for children with AML in Brazil. Therapeutic standardization through the adoption of multicentric protocols and appropriate supportive care treatment will have a significant impact on the results of HSCT for AML in Brazil and possibly in other countries with limited resources

Transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells for primary immunodeficiencies in Brazil : challenges in treating rare diseases in developing countries

The results of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) for primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID) have been improving over time. Unfortunately, developing countries do not experience the same results. This first report of Brazilian experience of HSCT for PID describes the development and results in the field. We included data from transplants in 221 patients, performed at 11 centers which participated in the Brazilian collaborative group, from July 1990 to December 2015. The majority of transplants were concentrated in one center (n = 123). The median age at HSCT was 22 months, and the most common diseases were severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) (n = 67) and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) (n = 67). Only 15 patients received unconditioned transplants. Cumulative incidence of GVHD grades II to IV was 23%, and GVHD grades III to IV was 10%. The 5-year overall survival was 71.6%. WAS patients had better survival compared to other diseases. Most deaths (n = 53) occurred in the first year after transplantation mainly due to infection (55%) and GVHD (13%). Although transplant for PID patients in Brazil has evolved since its beginning, we still face some challenges like delayed diagnosis and referral, severe infections before transplant, a limited number of transplant centers with expertise, and resources for more advanced techniques. Measures like newborn screening for SCID may hasten the diagnosis and ameliorate patients’ conditions at the moment of transplant

Transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells for primary immunodeficiencies in Brazil : challenges in treating rare diseases in developing countries

The results of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) for primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID) have been improving over time. Unfortunately, developing countries do not experience the same results. This first report of Brazilian experience of HSCT for PID describes the development and results in the field. We included data from transplants in 221 patients, performed at 11 centers which participated in the Brazilian collaborative group, from July 1990 to December 2015. The majority of transplants were concentrated in one center (n = 123). The median age at HSCT was 22 months, and the most common diseases were severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) (n = 67) and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) (n = 67). Only 15 patients received unconditioned transplants. Cumulative incidence of GVHD grades II to IV was 23%, and GVHD grades III to IV was 10%. The 5-year overall survival was 71.6%. WAS patients had better survival compared to other diseases. Most deaths (n = 53) occurred in the first year after transplantation mainly due to infection (55%) and GVHD (13%). Although transplant for PID patients in Brazil has evolved since its beginning, we still face some challenges like delayed diagnosis and referral, severe infections before transplant, a limited number of transplant centers with expertise, and resources for more advanced techniques. Measures like newborn screening for SCID may hasten the diagnosis and ameliorate patients’ conditions at the moment of transplant

Cytogenetics in Fanconi Anemia: The Importance of Follow-Up and the Search for New Biomarkers of Genomic Instability

Fanconi Anemia (FA) is a disease characterized by genomic instability, increased sensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents, and the presence of clonal chromosomal abnormalities. This genomic instability can compromise the bone marrow (BM) and confer a high cancer risk to the patients, particularly in the development of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The diagnosis of FA patients is complex and cannot be based only on clinical features at presentation. The gold standard diagnostic assay for these patients is cytogenetic analysis, revealing chromosomal breaks induced by DNA cross-linking agents. Clonal chromosome abnormalities, such as the ones involving chromosomes 1q, 3q, and 7, are also common features in FA patients and are associated with progressive BM failure and/or a pre-leukemia condition. In this review, we discuss the cytogenetic methods and their application in diagnosis, stratification of the patients into distinct prognostic groups, and the clinical follow-up of FA patients. These methods have been invaluable for the understanding of FA pathogenesis and identifying novel disease biomarkers. Additional evidence is required to determine the association of these biomarkers with prognosis and cancer risk, and their potential as druggable targets for FA therapy

Early lymphocyte recovery as a predictor of outcome, including relapse, after hematopoieticstem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in the treatment of acute leukemia, many patients need to undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Recent studies show that early lymphocyte recovery may be a predictor of relapse and survival in these patients. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of lymphocyte recovery on Days +30 and +100 post-transplant on the occurrence of relapse and survival. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective study was performed of 137 under 21-year-old patients who were submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute leukemia between 1995 and 2008. A lymphocyte count < 0.3 x 10(9)/L on Day +30 post-transplant was considered to be inadequate lymphocyte recovery and counts > 0.3 x 10(9)/L were considered adequate. Lymphocyte recovery was also analyzed on Day +100 with < 0.75 x 10(9)/Land < 0.75 x 10(9)/L being considered inadequate and adequate lymphocyte recovery, respectively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the occurrence of relapse between patients with inadequate and adequate lymphocyte recovery on Day +30 post-transplant. However, the transplant-related mortality was significantly higher in patients with inadequate recovery on Day +30. Patients with inadequate lymphocyte recovery on Day +30 had worse overall survival and relapse-free survival than patients with adequate recovery. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of infections and acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease. Patients with inadequate lymphocyte recovery on Day +100 had worse overall survival and relapse-free survival and a higher cumulative incidence of relapse. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of lymphocyte recovery on Day +30 is not a good predictor of relapse after transplant however patients with inadequate lymphocyte recovery had worse overall survival and relapse-free survival. Inadequate lymphocyte recovery on Day +100 is correlated with higher cumulative relapse as well as lower overall survival and relapse-free survival