Genetic polymorphism related to monocyte-macrophage function is associated with graft-versus-host disease

Despite detailed human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching and modern immunosuppressive therapy, severe graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) remains a major hurdle for successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). As the genetic diversity in GvHD complicates the systematic discovery of associated variants across populations, we studied 122 GvHD-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 492 HLA-matched sibling HSCT donor-recipient pairs from Finland and Spain. The association between these candidate SNPs and grade III-IV acute GvHD and extensive chronic GvHD was assessed. The functional effects of the variants were determined using expression and cytokine quantitative trait loci (QTL) database analyses. Clear heterogeneity was observed in the associated markers between the two populations. Interestingly, the majority of markers, such as those annotated to IL1, IL23R, TLR9, TNF, and NOD2 genes, are related to the immunological response by monocytes-macrophages to microbes, a step that precedes GvHD as a result of intestinal lesions. Furthermore, cytokine QTL analysis showed that the GvHD-associated markers regulate IL1 beta, IFN gamma, and IL6 responses. These results support a crucial role for the anti-microbial response in GvHD risk. Furthermore, despite apparent heterogeneity in the genetic markers associated with GvHD, it was possible to identify a biological pathway shared by most markers in both populations.Peer reviewe

Long term impact of hyperleukocytosis in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation : An analysis from the acute leukemia working party of the EBMT

Up to 20% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients present initially with hyperleukocytosis, placing them at increased risk for early mortality during induction. Yet, it is unknown whether hyperleukocytosis still retains prognostic value for AML patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Furthermore, it is unknown whether hyperleukocytosis holds prognostic significance when modern molecular markers such as FLT3-ITD and NPM1 are accounted for. To determine whether hyperleukocytosis is an independent prognostic factor influencing outcome in transplanted AML patients we performed a retrospective analysis using the registry of the acute leukemia working party of the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. A cohort of 357 patients with hyperleukocytosis (159 patients with white blood count [WBC] 50 K-100 K, 198 patients with WBC >= 100 K) was compared to 918 patients without hyperleukocytosis. Patients with hyperleukocytosis were younger, had an increased rate of favorable risk cytogenetics, and more likely to be FLT3 and NPM1 mutated. In multivariate analysis, hyperleukocytosis was independently associated with increased relapse incidence (hazard ratio [HR] of 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-2.12; P = .004), decreased leukemia-free survival (HR of 1.38, 95% CI, 1.07-1.78; P = .013), and inferior overall survival (HR of 1.4, 95% CI, 1.07-1.84; P = .013). Hyperleukocytosis retains a significant prognostic role for AML patients undergoing HSCT.Peer reviewe

Extracorporeal photopheresis in the treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease : a single-center experience

BACKGROUND: Steroid-refractory acute graft-versushost disease (aGVHD) is a serious complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The long-term outcome of the patients is poor. Various immunosuppressive agents have been proposed as the second-line therapy but none of them has turned out more effective than the others. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a treatment option that does not predispose the patients to severe side effects of the immunosuppressive drugs. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed the treatment results of ECP in 52 patients with steroidrefractory or steroid-dependent aGVHD. Eighty-one percent of the patients suffered from a severe, Grade III or IV, aGVHD. ECP was started alone as the second-line treatment in 23 patients and in combination with an immunosuppressive drug in 18 patients. Eleven patients received ECP as the third-line or later treatment. RESULTS: A total of 62% of the patients responded, with 48% achieving complete response. In the patients with complete or partial response, the probabilities of survival at 4 years were 54 and 17%, respectively. The outcome of nonresponders was poor. The 1-year overall survivals of the patients with ECP as the second-line treatment either alone or in combination with an immunosuppressive drug or as the third-line treatment were 51, 28, and 18%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, starting ECP no later than 10 days after the start of the first-line treatment correlated with a good response and a consequent survival benefit. CONCLUSION: Extracorporeal photopheresis is an effective and well-tolerated treatment that should be considered as a second-line treatment for aGVHD.Peer reviewe

Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association and Gene Expression Studies Implicates Donor T Cell Function and Cytokine Pathways in Acute GvHD

Graft-vs.-host disease (GvHD) is a major complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation that causes mortality and severe morbidity. Genetic disparities in human leukocyte antigens between the recipient and donor are known contributors to the risk of the disease. However, the overall impact of genetic component is complex, and consistent findings across different populations and studies remain sparse. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the genes responsible for GvHD, we combined genome-wide association studies (GWAS) from two distinct populations with previously published gene expression studies on GvHD in a single gene-level meta-analysis. We hypothesized that genes driving GvHD should be associated in both data modalities and therefore could be detected more readily through their combined effects in the integrated analysis rather than in separate analyses. The meta-analysis yielded a total of 51 acute GvHD-associated genes (false detection rate [FDR]Peer reviewe

Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association and Gene Expression Studies Implicates Donor T Cell Function and Cytokine Pathways in Acute GvHD

Graft-vs.-host disease (GvHD) is a major complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation that causes mortality and severe morbidity. Genetic disparities in human leukocyte antigens between the recipient and donor are known contributors to the risk of the disease. However, the overall impact of genetic component is complex, and consistent findings across different populations and studies remain sparse. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the genes responsible for GvHD, we combined genome-wide association studies (GWAS) from two distinct populations with previously published gene expression studies on GvHD in a single gene-level meta-analysis. We hypothesized that genes driving GvHD should be associated in both data modalities and therefore could be detected more readily through their combined effects in the integrated analysis rather than in separate analyses. The meta-analysis yielded a total of 51 acute GvHD-associated genes (false detection rate [FDR] <0.1). In support of our hypothesis, this number was significantly higher than that in a permutation meta-analysis involving the whole data set, as well as in separate meta-analyses on the GWAS and gene expression data sets. The genes indicated by the meta-analysis were significantly enriched in 277 Gene Ontology terms (FDR < 0.05), such as T cell function and cytokine-mediated signaling pathways, and the results highlighted several established immune mediators, such as interleukins and JAK-STAT signaling, and presented TRAF6 and TERT as potential effector candidates. Altogether, the results support the chosen methodological approach, implicate a role of gene-level variation in donors' key immunological regulators predisposing patients to acute GVHD, and present potential targets for therapeutic intervention

Veritautipotilaiden syvät sienitulehdukset

Invasive fungal infections constitute a potentially lethal complication in patients with acute leukaemia and in allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) recipients. The poor prognosis is associated with delays in the diagnosis of these infections. Colonization of the mucous membranes is the first step in the pathogenesis of IFI. With Candida infections the colonization occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. Aspergillus spores enter the body from the air to the lungs. Air filtration reduces the number of spores in the air and the risk of invasive aspergillosis (IA). The studies in this thesis had their focus on the prevention and serological diagnostic methods of IA and invasive candidiasis (IC). The following factors were investigated in 102 adult allogeneic SCT recipients transplanted in 2001-2002: nasal colonization with Aspergillus species, oral colonization with Candida species, the feasibility of two antigen tests (Aspergillus galactomannan and Candida mannan) as diagnostic tools, and the incidence of IA and IC. Simultaneously with the patient sampling, environmental samples were obtained from the HEPA-filtered SCT ward to asses the role of environmental exposure to moulds as a risk factor for IA. Nasal samples yielded positive results in three patients. Two patients had IA. Of the 2071 serum samples, 12 (0.6%) yielded positive results with the galactomannan antigen test in nine patients (8.8%). One of these patients had IA. The oral samples yielded positive results in 38 patients but only one patient had IC. In this patient, the Candida mannan test yielded the first positive result seven weeks before the infection. Single false positive test results were common; they were detected in 54 patients. False results were associated with the use of acyclovir and valacyclovir. Aspergillus species were detected in only 6.1% of the environmental samples. The air quality also remained good during a period of heavy construction activity in the immediate vicinity of the SCT ward. Such periods can cause outbreaks of IA. Fluconazole prophylaxis was assessed in 1089 adult patients with acute leukaemia by comparing the incidence of IC in 847 patients not receiving prophylaxis (years 1978-1999) to 242 patients receiving fluconazole prophylaxis (years 2000-2004). The incidence of IC was 8.7% and 1.6% (P less than 0.001). The efficacy of Amphotericin B (AmB) inhalation prophylaxis was analysed in allogeneic SCT recipients. Antifungal prophylaxis was not given to 257 patients transplanted in 1996-2000 (Period I). In the 354 patients transplanted in 2001-2005 (Period II) AmB inhalation prophylaxis was started in cases of acute graft-versus-host disease requiring therapy with high-dose methylprednisolone. IA was detected in 17 (6.6%) vs. 9 (2.5%) of the patients in Period I and Period II (P = 0.007).Veritautipotilaiden syviin sienitulehduksiin liittyy suuri kuolleisuus. Hoidon aloitus viivästyy usein. Oireet ovat yleisluonteisia ja diagnostiset keinot rajallisia. Kandida-hiivasienet leviävät elimistöön suolistosta käsin. Aspergillus-rihmasienitulehdukset syntyvät keuhkoissa, jonne sieni-itiöt pääsevät hengitysilmasta. Ilmansuodatus vähentää ilman sieni-itiöiden määrää ja pienentää sienitulehdusten riskiä. Väitöstyössä tutkittiin syvien sienitulehdusten ennaltaehkäisyä ja diagnostiikkaa akuuttia leukemiaa sairastavilla ja allogeenisen kantasolujensiirron (toisen ihmisen kantasolut) saaneilla potilailla. Potilaiden nenän ja suun limakalvojen sienikasvua, kahta sienisolun rakenneosaa tunnistavaa diagnostista verikoemenetelmää ja syvien sienitulehdusten ilmaantuvuutta tutkittiin vuosina 2001-2002 kantasolujensiirron saaneilta 102 potilaalta. Samanaikaisesti tutkittiin kantasolujensiirto-osaston ilman itiömääriä. Osasto on varustettu tehokkaalla ilmastointijärjestelmällä. Nenän limakalvoilta löytyi rihmasieni kolmelta potilaalta. Rihmasienitulehdus havaittiin vain kahdella potilaalla. Verinäytteitä oli 2071. Aspergillustesti osoittautui positiiviseksi 12 näytteestä yhdeksällä potilaalla. Yhdellä näistä potilaista todettiin sienitulehdus. Suussa hiivakasvua todettiin lähes 40 prosentilla potilaista mutta hiivasienitulehdus vain yhdellä potilaalla. Kandidatesti tuotti väärän positiivisen tuloksen 54 potilaan verinäytteestä. Testi muuttui positiiviseksi varhain ennen tulehdusta ainoalla potilaalla, jolla todettiin syvä hiivasienitulehdus. Rihmasieni-itiöitä havaittiin vain kuudessa prosentissa osastolta otetuista näytteistä. Ilman laatu pysyi hyvänä myös silloin kun kantasolujensiirto-osaston lähellä tehtiin rakennustöitä jotka vapauttavat ilmaan suuren määrän itiöitä ja voivat aiheuttaa sieniepidemian. Ennaltaehkäisevän flukonatsoli-sieniantibiootin vaikutusta hiivatulehdusten ilmaantuvuuteen tutkittiin 1089:lla vuosina 1978-2004 akuuttiin leukemiaan solunsalpaajahoitoa saaneella aikuispotilaalla. Syvien hiivasienitulehdusten määrä väheni merkitsevästi sieniantibiootin käytön aikana. Keuhkojen rihmasienitulehdusten ennaltaehkäisemiseen käytettiin hengitettävää sieniantibioottisumutetta (amfoterisiini B) niillä vuosina 2001-2005 kantasolujensiirron saaneista 354 potilaasta, joilla todettiin suuriannoksista kortisonihoitoa vaatinut käänteishyljintä. Kortisonihoito lisää sienitulehdusten riskiä. Rihmasienitulehduksia havaittiin selvästi vähemmän ennaltaehkäisevää lääkettä saaneilla potilailla kuin edeltävällä viisivuotisjaksolla ilman suojalääkitystä hoidetuilla 257 potilaalla

Long-term outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma

The role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) in multiple myeloma is controversial. We analyzed the results of 205 patients transplanted in one center during 2000-2017. Transplantation was performed on 75 patients without a previous autologous SCT (upfront-allo), on 74 as tandem transplant (auto-allo), and on 56 patients after relapse. Median overall survival (OS) was 9.9 years for upfront-allo, 11.2 years for auto-allo, and 3.9 years for the relapse group (p = 0.015). Progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.4, 2.4, and 0.9 years, respectively (p < 0.001). Non-relapse mortality at 5 years was 8% overall, with no significant difference between the groups. Post-relapse survival was 4.1 years for upfront-allo and auto-allo, and 2.6 years for the relapse group (p = 0.066). Survival of high-risk patients was reduced. In multivariate analysis, the auto-allo group had improved OS and chronic graft-versus-host disease was advantageous in terms of PFS, OS, and relapse incidence. Late relapses occurred in all groups. Allo-SCT resulted in long-term survival in a small subgroup of patients. Our results indicate that auto-allo-SCT is feasible and could be considered for younger patients in the upfront setting.Peer reviewe

Deep Immune Profiling of Multiple Myeloma at Diagnosis and under Lenalidomide Maintenance Therapy

The bone marrow microenvironment interacts with malignant cells and regulates cancer survival and immune evasion in multiple myeloma (MM). We investigated the immune profiles of longitudinal bone marrow samples from patients with newly diagnosed MM (n = 18) using cytometry by time-of-flight. The results before and during treatment were compared between patients with good (GR, n = 11) and bad (BR, n = 7) responses to lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone-based treatment. Before treatment, the GR group had a lower tumor cell burden and a higher number of T cells with a phenotype shifted toward CD8+ T cells expressing markers attributed to cytotoxicity (CD45RA and CD57), a higher abundance of CD8+ terminal effector cells, and a lower abundance of CD8+ naïve T cells. On natural killer (NK) cells, increased expression of CD56 (NCAM), CD57, and CD16 was seen at baseline in the GR group, indicating their maturation and cytotoxic potential. During lenalidomide-based treatment, the GR patients showed an increase in effector memory CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets. These findings support distinct immune patterns in different clinical contexts, suggesting that deep immune profiling could be used for treatment guidance and warrants further exploration

Deep Immune Profiling of Multiple Myeloma at Diagnosis and under Lenalidomide Maintenance Therapy

The bone marrow microenvironment interacts with malignant cells and regulates cancer survival and immune evasion in multiple myeloma (MM). We investigated the immune profiles of longitudinal bone marrow samples from patients with newly diagnosed MM (n = 18) using cytometry by time-of-flight. The results before and during treatment were compared between patients with good (GR, n = 11) and bad (BR, n = 7) responses to lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone-based treatment. Before treatment, the GR group had a lower tumor cell burden and a higher number of T cells with a phenotype shifted toward CD8+ T cells expressing markers attributed to cytotoxicity (CD45RA and CD57), a higher abundance of CD8+ terminal effector cells, and a lower abundance of CD8+ naïve T cells. On natural killer (NK) cells, increased expression of CD56 (NCAM), CD57, and CD16 was seen at baseline in the GR group, indicating their maturation and cytotoxic potential. During lenalidomide-based treatment, the GR patients showed an increase in effector memory CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets. These findings support distinct immune patterns in different clinical contexts, suggesting that deep immune profiling could be used for treatment guidance and warrants further exploration