Acute graft-versus-host disease and steroid treatment impair CD11c+ and CD123+ dendritic cell reconstitution after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

AbstractHuman dendritic cells (DC) comprise 2 subsets—plasmacytoid CD123+ and myeloid CD11c+ DC—that may have distinct roles in the regulation of immunity after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this study, we analyzed the kinetics of CD123+ DC and CD11c+ DC reconstitution in 31 patients who underwent transplantation with allogeneic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood (PB) stem cells from HLA-identical sibling donors after myeloablative conditioning. Lineage marker-negative HLA-DR+ CD11c+ CD11c+ DC and lineage marker-negative HLA-DR+ CD123+ CD123+ DC, as well as monocytes and lymphoid subsets, were enumerated in donor grafts and in the PB of patients at various time points after transplantation. Reconstitution of both CD11c+ DC and CD123+ DC to normal levels occurred within 6 to 12 months and was not affected by the diagnosis, preparatory regimen, or graft composition. However, PB CD11c+ DC and CD123+ DC counts were significantly reduced in patients with acute GVHD grade II to IV (at 1 and 3 months) and grade I (at 1 month). Patients with chronic GVHD instead showed reduced CD123+ DC counts only 6 months after transplantation. Moreover, treatment with steroids (>0.1 mg/kg) was significantly associated with reduced PB CD11c+ DC and CD123+ DC counts at all time points after transplantation. In multivariate analysis, only acute GVHD affected DC reconstitution early after transplantation. These results will prompt new studies addressing whether DC reconstitution correlates with immunity against infectious agents or with graft-versus-tumor reactions after PB stem cell allotransplantation

GITMO REGISTRY STUDY ON ALLOGENEIC TRANSPLANTATION IN PATIENTS AGED OVER 60 FROM 2000 TO 2017. IMPROVEMENTS AND CRITICISMS

Background: Nowadays, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT) can be offered to patients up to the age of 70-72 years and represents one of the most effective curative treatments for many hematological malignancies. Objectives: The primary objective of the study is to collect data from the allo-SCTs performed in Italy from 2000 to 2017 in patients over 60 years of age to evaluate the changes in safety and efficacy outcomes as well as their distribution and characteristics over time. Study design: The GITMO AlloEld study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04469985) is a retrospective, analysis of the allo-SCTs performed 30 Italian transplant Centers on older patients (≥ 60 years) from 2000 to 2017 (n=1,996). Results: For the purpose of analysis, patients were grouped into three time periods: time A: 2000-2005, n=256 (12%); time B: 2006-2011, n=584 (29%); and time C: 2012-2017, n=1156 (59%). After a median follow-up of 5.6 years, the 5-year Non Relapse Mortality (NRM) remained stable (time A: 32.8%; time B: 36.2%; and time C: 35.0%, p = 0.5); the Overall Survival (OS) improved (time A: 28.4%; time B: 31.8%; and time C: 37.3%, p = 0.012); and the Cumulative Incidence of Relapse (CIR) reduced (time A: 45.3%; time B: 38.2%; time C: 30.0%, p < 0.0001). The 2-year incidence of extensive cGVHD reduced significantly (time A: 17.2%; time B: 15.8%; and time C: 12.2%, p = 0.004). Considering times A and B together (2000-2011), the 2-year NRM was positively correlated to the HCT-CI score; patients with HCT-CI of 0, 1 or 2, or ≥3 had rates of NRM of 25.2%, 33.9%, and 36.1%, respectively, (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, after 2012, the HCT-CI score was not significantlly predictive of NRM. Conclusions: The study shows that the transplant procedure in elderly patients became more effective over time. Relapse incidence remains the major problem and strategies to prevent it are under investigation (e.g. post-transplant maintenance). Today, the selection of patients aged over 60 could be improved by combining HCT-CI and frailty assessments to better predict NRM

Busulfan or Treosulfan Conditioning Platform for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients Aged >60 Y With Acute Myeloid Leukemia/Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A Subanalysis of the GITMO AlloEld Study

Unlabelled: The conditioning regimens with different alkylators at different doses can influence the outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), but conclusive data are missing. Methods: With the aim to analyze real-life allogeneic SCTs performed in Italy between 2006 and 2017 in elderly patients (aged >60 y) with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, we collected 780 first transplants data. For analysis purposes, patients were grouped according to the type of alkylator included in the conditioning (busulfan [BU]-based; n = 618; 79%; treosulfan [TREO]-based; n=162; 21%). Results: No significant differences were observed in nonrelapse mortality, cumulative incidence of relapse, and overall survival, although in the TREO-based group, we observed a greater proportion of elderly patients (P < 0.001); more active diseases at the time of SCT (P < 0.001); a higher prevalence of patients with either hematopoietic cell transplantation-comorbidity index ≥3 (P < 0.001) or a good Karnofsky performance status (P = 0.025); increased use of peripheral blood stem cells as graft sources (P < 0.001); and greater use of reduced intensity conditioning regimens (P = 0.013) and of haploidentical donors (P < 0.001). Moreover, the 2-y cumulative incidence of relapse with myeloablative doses of BU was significantly lower than that registered with reduced intensity conditioning (21% versus 31%; P = 0.0003). This was not observed in the TREO-based group. Conclusions: Despite a higher number of risk factors in the TREO group, no significant differences were observed in nonrelapse mortality, cumulative incidence of relapse, and overall survival according to the type of alkylator, suggesting that TREO has no advantage over BU in terms of efficacy and toxicity in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome

GITMO Registry Study on Allogeneic Transplantation in Patients Aged ≥60 Years from 2000 to 2017: Improvements and Criticisms

none37: Today, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) can be offered to patients up to age 70 to 72 years and represents one of the most effective curative treatments for many hematologic malignancies. The primary objective of the study was to collect data from the allo-SCTs performed in Italy between 2000 and 2017 in patients aged ≥60 years to evaluate the changes in safety and efficacy outcomes, as well as their distribution and characteristics over time. The Italian Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation, Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Cell Therapy (GITMO) AlloEld study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04469985) is a retrospective analysis of allo-SCTs performed at 30 Italian transplantation centers in older patients (age ≥60 years) between 2000 and 2017 (n = 1996). For the purpose of this analysis, patients were grouped into 3 time periods: time A, 2000 to 2005 (n = 256; 12%); time B, 2006 to 2011 (n = 584; 29%); and time C, 2012 to 2017 (n = 1156; 59%). After a median follow-up of 5.6 years, the 5-year nonrelapse mortality (NRM) remained stable (time A, 32.8%; time B, 36.2%; and time C, 35.0%; P = .5), overall survival improved (time A, 28.4%; time B, 31.8%; and time C, 37.3%; P = .012), and the cumulative incidence of relapse was reduced (time A, 45.3%; time B, 38.2%; time C, 30.0%; P < .0001). The 2-year incidence of extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease was reduced significantly (time A, 17.2%; time B, 15.8%; time C, 12.2%; P = .004). Considering times A and B together (2000 to 2011), the 2-year NRM was positively correlated with the Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI) score; NRM was 25.2% in patients with an HCT-CI score of 0, 33.9% in those with a score of 1 or 2, and 36.1% in those with a score of 3 (P < .001). However, after 2012, the HCT-CI score was not significantly predictive of NRM. This study shows that the transplantation procedure in elderly patients became more effective over time. Relapse incidence remains the major problem, and strategies to prevent it are currently under investigation (eg, post-transplantation maintenance). The selection of patients aged ≥60 could be improved by combining HCT-CI and frailty assessment to better predict NRM.noneMalagola, Michele; Polverelli, Nicola; Rubini, Vicky; Martino, Massimo; Patriarca, Francesca; Bruno, Benedetto; Giaccone, Luisa; Grillo, Giovanni; Bramanti, Stefania; Bernasconi, Paolo; De Gobbi, Marco; Natale, Annalisa; Terruzzi, Elisabetta; Olivieri, Attilio; Chiusolo, Patrizia; Carella, Angelo Michele; Casini, Marco; Nozzoli, Chiara; Mazza, Patrizio; Bassi, Simona; Onida, Francesco; Vacca, Adriana; Falcioni, Sadia; Luppi, Mario; Iori, Anna Paola; Pavone, Vincenzo; Skert, Cristina; Carluccio, Paola; Borghero, Carlo; Proia, Anna; Selleri, Carmine; Sacchi, Nicoletta; Mammoliti, Sonia; Oldani, Elena; Ciceri, Fabio; Russo, Domenico; Bonifazi, FrancescaMalagola, Michele; Polverelli, Nicola; Rubini, Vicky; Martino, Massimo; Patriarca, Francesca; Bruno, Benedetto; Giaccone, Luisa; Grillo, Giovanni; Bramanti, Stefania; Bernasconi, Paolo; De Gobbi, Marco; Natale, Annalisa; Terruzzi, Elisabetta; Olivieri, Attilio; Chiusolo, Patrizia; Carella, Angelo Michele; Casini, Marco; Nozzoli, Chiara; Mazza, Patrizio; Bassi, Simona; Onida, Francesco; Vacca, Adriana; Falcioni, Sadia; Luppi, Mario; Iori, Anna Paola; Pavone, Vincenzo; Skert, Cristina; Carluccio, Paola; Borghero, Carlo; Proia, Anna; Selleri, Carmine; Sacchi, Nicoletta; Mammoliti, Sonia; Oldani, Elena; Ciceri, Fabio; Russo, Domenico; Bonifazi, Francesc

Busulfan or Treosulfan Conditioning Platform for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients Aged >60 Y With Acute Myeloid Leukemia/Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A Subanalysis of the GITMO AlloEld Study

Background. The conditioning regimens with different alkylators at different doses can influence the outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), but conclusive data are missing. Methods. With the aim to analyze real-life allogeneic SCTs performed in Italy between 2006 and 2017 in elderly patients (aged >60 y) with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, we collected 780 first transplants data. For analysis purposes, patients were grouped according to the type of alkylator included in the conditioning (busulfan [BU]-based; n = 618; 79%; treosulfan [TREO]-based; n=162; 21%). Results. No significant differences were observed in nonrelapse mortality, cumulative incidence of relapse, and overall survival, although in the TREO-based group, we observed a greater proportion of elderly patients (P < 0.001); more active diseases at the time of SCT (P < 0.001); a higher prevalence of patients with either hematopoietic cell transplantation-comorbidity index ≥3 (P < 0.001) or a good Karnofsky performance status (P = 0.025); increased use of peripheral blood stem cells as graft sources (P < 0.001); and greater use of reduced intensity conditioning regimens (P = 0.013) and of haploidentical donors (P < 0.001). Moreover, the 2-y cumulative incidence of relapse with myeloablative doses of BU was significantly lower than that registered with reduced intensity conditioning (21% versus 31%; P = 0.0003). This was not observed in the TREO-based group. Conclusions. Despite a higher number of risk factors in the TREO group, no significant differences were observed in nonrelapse mortality, cumulative incidence of relapse, and overall survival according to the type of alkylator, suggesting that TREO has no advantage over BU in terms of efficacy and toxicity in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome

Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcome of Pre-engraftment Gram-Negative Bacteremia after Allogeneic and Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: An Italian Prospective Multicenter Survey

Abstract BACKGROUND: Gram-negative bacteremia (GNB) is a major cause of illness and death after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and updated epidemiological investigation is advisable. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the epidemiology of pre-engraftment GNB in 1118 allogeneic HSCTs (allo-HSCTs) and 1625 autologous HSCTs (auto-HSCTs) among 54 transplant centers during 2014 (SIGNB-GITMO-AMCLI study). Using logistic regression methods. we identified risk factors for GNB and evaluated the impact of GNB on the 4-month overall-survival after transplant. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of pre-engraftment GNB was 17.3% in allo-HSCT and 9% in auto-HSCT. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most common isolates. By multivariate analysis, variables associated with GNB were a diagnosis of acute leukemia, a transplant from a HLA-mismatched donor and from cord blood, older age, and duration of severe neutropenia in allo-HSCT, and a diagnosis of lymphoma, older age, and no antibacterial prophylaxis in auto-HSCT. A pretransplant infection by a resistant pathogen was significantly associated with an increased risk of posttransplant infection by the same microorganism in allo-HSCT. Colonization by resistant gram-negative bacteria was significantly associated with an increased rate of infection by the same pathogen in both transplant procedures. GNB was independently associated with increased mortality at 4 months both in allo-HSCT (hazard ratio, 2.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-3.13; P <.001) and auto-HSCT (2.43; 1.22-4.84; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-engraftment GNB is an independent factor associated with increased mortality rate at 4 months after auto-HSCT and allo-HSCT. Previous infectious history and colonization monitoring represent major indicators of GNB. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02088840