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The intensity of the conditioning regimen given before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) can vary substantially. To confirm the ability of the recently developed transplant conditioning intensity (TCI) score to stratify the preparative regimens of allo-HCT, we used an independent and contemporary patient cohort of 4060 transplant recipients with acute myeloid leukemia meeting inclusion criteria from the discovery study (allo-HCT in first complete remission, matched donor), but who were allografted in a more recent period (2018–2021) and were one decade older (55–75 years, median 63.4 years), we assigned them to a TCI category (low n= 1934, 48%; intermediate n= 1948, 48%, high n= 178, 4%) according to the calculated TCI score ([1–2], [2.5–3.5], [4–6], respectively), and examined the validity of the TCI category in predicting early non-relapse mortality (NRM), 2-year NRM and relapse (REL). In the unadjusted comparison, the TCI index provided a significant risk stratification for d100 and d180 NRM, NRM and REL risk. In the multivariate analysis adjusted for significant variables, there was an independent association of TCI with early NRM, NRM and REL. In summary, we confirm in contemporary treated patients that TCI reflects the conditioning regimen related morbidity and anti-leukemic efficacy satisfactorily and across other established prognostic factors.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major factor contributing to mortality and morbidity after allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). In the last 3 years, there has been regulatory approval of new drugs and considerable change in clinical approaches to prophylaxis and management of GVHD. To standardise treatment approaches, the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) has updated its clinical practice recommendations. We formed a panel of one methodologist and 22 experts in the field of GVHD management. The selection was made on the basis of their role in GVHD management in Europe and their contributions to the field, such as publications, presentations at conferences, and other research. We applied the GRADE process to ten PICO (patient, intervention, comparator, and outcome) questions: evidence was searched for by the panel and graded for each crucial outcome. In two consensus meetings, we discussed the evidence and voted on the wording and strengths of recommendations. Key updates to the recommendations include: (1) primary use of ruxolitinib in steroid-refractory acute GVHD and steroid-refractory chronic GVHD as the new standard of care, (2) use of rabbit anti-T-cell (thymocyte) globulin or post-transplantation cyclophosphamide as standard GVHD prophylaxis in peripheral blood stem-cell transplantations from unrelated donors, and (3) the addition of belumosudil to the available treatment options for steroid-refractory chronic GVHD. The EBMT proposes to use these recommendations as the basis for routine management of GVHD during allogenic HSCT. The current recommendations favour European practice and do not necessarily represent global preferences.

•The optimal reduced-intensity conditioning regimen for acute lymphoblastic leukemia remains unknown.•Thiotepa-based and total body irradiation (TBI)-based regimens are possible options.•There were no differences in transplantation outcomes between these 2 regimens.•Thiotepa represents a valid alternative to TBI in the reduced-intensity conditioning setting.

Choice of calcineurin inhibitor may impact the outcome of patients undergoing T-cell replete hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for prophylaxis of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We retrospectively analyzed 2427 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first remission transplanted from a haploidentical (n= 1844) or unrelated donor (UD, n= 583) using cyclosporine A (CSA, 63%) or tacrolimus (TAC, 37%) and PT-Cy/MMF. In univariate analysis, CSA and TAC groups did not differ in 2-year leukemia-free or overall survival, cumulative incidence (CI) of relapse or non-relapse mortality. CI of severe grade III-IV acute GVHD was lower with TAC (6.6% vs. 9.1%, p= 0.02), without difference in grade II-IV acute GVHD or grade III-IV acute GVHD/severe chronic GVHD, relapse-free survival (GRFS). In multivariate analysis, TAC was associated with a lower risk of severe grade III-IV acute GVHD solely with haploidentical donors (HR 0.64 [95% CI, 0.42–0.98], p= 0.04), but not UD (HR 0.49 [95% CI, 0.2–1.21], p= 0.12). There was no significant difference for chronic GVHD. In conclusion, PT-Cy/MMF-based GVHD prophylaxis resulted in favorable OS and GRFS, irrespective of the CNI added. In haploidentical HCT, TAC seemed to prevent severe acute GVHD more effectively than CSA without impact on other outcome parameters.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is a potentially curative treatment in high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Conditioning regimens based on ≥12 Gray total body irradiation (TBI) represent the current standard in patients ≤45 years, whereas elderly patients frequently receive intermediate intensity conditioning (IIC) to reduce toxicity. To evaluate the role of TBI as a backbone of IIC in ALL, a retrospective, registry-based study included patients >45 years transplanted from matched donors in first complete remission, who had received either fludarabine/TBI 8 Gy (FluTBI8, n= 262), or the most popular, irradiation-free alternative fludarabine/busulfan, comprising busulfan 6.4 mg/kg (FluBu6.4, n= 188) or 9.6 mg/kg (FluBu9.6, n= 51). At two years, overall survival (OS) was 68.5%, 57%, and 62.2%, leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 58%, 42.7%, and 45%, relapse incidence (RI) was 27.2%, 40%, and 30.9%, and non-relapse-mortality (NRM) was 23.1%, 20.7%, and 26.8% for patients receiving FluTBI8Gy, FluBu6.4, and FluBu9.6, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the risk of NRM, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease was not influenced by conditioning. However, RI was higher after FluBu6.4 (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI]: 1.85 [1.16–2.95]), and LFS was lower after both FluBu6.4 (HR: 1.56 [1.09–2.23]) and FluBu9.6 (HR: 1.63 [1.02–2.58]) as compared to FluTBI8. Although only resulting in a non-significant advantage in OS, this observation indicates a stronger anti-leukemic efficacy of TBI-based intermediate intensity conditioning.

Pre-transplant detectable measurable residual disease (MRD) is still associated with high risk of relapse and poor outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We aimed at evaluating the impact of disease burden on prediction of relapse and survival in patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in first remission (CR1). We identified a total of 3202 adult AML patients, of these 1776 patients were in CR1 and MRD positive and 1426 patients were primary refractory at time of transplant. After a median follow-up of 24.4 months, non-relapse mortality and relapse rate were significantly higher in the primary refractory group compared to the CR1 MRD positive group (Hazards Ratio (HR) = 1.82 (95% CI: 1.47–2.24) p< 0.001 and HR = 1.54 (95% CI: 1.34–1.77), p< 0.001), respectively. Leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly worse in the primary refractory group (HR = 1.61 (95% CI: 1.44-1.81), p< 0.001 and HR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.51–1.94), p< 0.001, respectively). Our real-life data suggest that patients in CR1 and MRD positive at time of transplant could still be salvaged by allo-HCT with a 2-year OS of 63%, if negative MRD cannot be obtained and their outcomes are significantly better than patients transplanted with active disease.

In this registry-based study we retrospectively compared outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) for adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) following conditioning with total body irradiation (TBI) combined with either cyclophosphamide (Cy) or fludarabine (Flu). TBI 12 Gy + Cy was used in 2105 cases while TBI 12 Gy + Flu was administered to 150 patients in first or second complete remission. In a multivariate model adjusted for other prognostic factors, TBI/Cy conditioning was associated with a reduced risk of relapse (HR = 0.69, p= 0.049) and increased risk of grade 2–4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD, HR = 1.57, p= 0.03) without significant effect on other transplantation outcomes. In a matched-pair analysis the use of TBI/Cy as compared to TBI/Flu was associated with a significantly reduced rate of relapse (18% vs. 30% at 2 years, p= 0.015) without significant effect on non-relapse mortality, GVHD and survival. We conclude that the use of myeloablative TBI/Cy as conditioning prior to allo-HCT for adult patients with ALL in complete remission is associated with lower risk of relapse rate compared to TBI/Flu and therefore should probably be considered a preferable regimen.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) with reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) is an option for elderly patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We retrospectively compared results of RIC-allo-HCT from either a matched sibling donor (MSD, n= 209) or matched unrelated donor (MUD, n= 209) with autologous (auto, n= 142) HCT for patients aged 55 years or more treated in first complete remission (CR1) between 2000 and 2018. The probabilities of leukemia-free survival (LFS) at 5 years were 34% for RIC-allo-HCT versus 39% for auto-HCT (p= 0.11) while overall survival (OS) rates were 42% versus 45% (p= 0.23), respectively. The incidence of relapse (RI) and non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 41% versus 51% (p= 0.22) and 25% versus 10% (p= 0.001), respectively. In a multivariate model, using auto-HCT as reference, the risk of NRM was increased for MSD-HCT (Hazard ratio [HR] = 2.1, p= 0.02) and MUD-HCT (HR = 3.08, p< 0.001), which for MUD-HCT translated into a decreased chance of LFS (HR = 1.55, p= 0.01) and OS (HR = 1.62, p= 0.008). No significant associations were found with respect to the risk of relapse. We conclude that for patients with ALL in CR1, aged above 55 years, auto-HCT may be considered a transplant option alternative to RIC-allo-HCT, although its value requires verification in prospective trials.

Different doses of treosulfan plus fludarabine have shown advantage over reduced intensity regimens. However, data comparing higher doses of treosulfan to myeloablative busulfan are limited. Thus, we compared outcomes between FT14 (fludarabine 150/160 mg/m2and treosulfan 42 g/m2, or FT14) over FB4 (fludarabine 150/160 mg/m2and busulfan 12.8 mg/kg). We retrospectively studied patients from European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation registry: a) adults diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), b) recipients of first allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from unrelated or sibling donor (2010–2020), c) HSCT at first or second complete remission, d) conditioning with FT14 or FB4. FT14 recipients (n= 678) were older, with higher rates of secondary AML, unrelated donors, peripheral blood grafts, and adverse cytogenetics, but lower percentage of female donor to male recipient compared to FB4 (n= 2025). Analysis was stratified on age. In patients aged < 55 years, FT14 was associated with higher relapse incidence (RI) and lower Leukemia-Free Survival (LFS). In patients aged≥55 years, acute GVHD CI was higher in FB4, without significant differences in other outcomes. Although FT14 has been used for higher-risk HSCT patients, our large real-world multicenter study suggests that FB4 is associated with better outcomes compared to FT14 in younger patients.

Baseline cytogenetics and disease status are key factors predicting the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The importance of cytogenetic risk in patients with primary refractory or relapsed (R/R) AML undergoing haploidentical (Haplo) HCT is unknown. We studied the impact of cytogenetic risk in patients with R/R de novo AML with active disease who underwent non-T-cell–depleted Haplo-HCT with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide from 2010 to 2020. Four hundred forty patients with active disease at transplantation from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation database were analyzed (291 [66.1%] with intermediate-risk [AMLint] and 149 [44.1%] with adverse-risk cytogenetics [AMLadv]). Impact of baseline cytogenetic risk on various transplantation outcomes was evaluated. Pre-transplantation disease status was relapse in 48.1% and 26.8% and primary refractory in 51.9% and 73.2% of the patients with AMLint and AMLadv, respectively (P< .0001). Two-year leukemia-free survival (LFS, 35.5% versus 15.5%, P = .001) and overall survival (OS, 39.2% versus 20.1%, P = .001) were better in AMLint versus AMLadv. In multivariate analysis, the relapse rate was significantly higher (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.17 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.57-3.0]) and LFS (HR = 1.71 [95% CI, 1.31-2.22]) and OS (HR = 1.69 [95% CI, 1.29-2.22]), significantly lower for patients with AMLadv compared to AMLint, conditioning intensity did not affect leukemia relapse rate. Non-relapse mortality (HR = 1.1 [95% CI, 0.7-1.74]) and graft-versus-host disease–free, relapse-free survival (HR = 1.37 [95% CI, 1.06-1.77]) did not differ significantly between the risk groups. Disease status before transplant (primary refractory versus relapsed) or conditioning intensity did not impact main transplant outcomes. Baseline cytogenetic risk remains a key prognostic factor for patients with R/R AML with persistent disease before non-T-cell–depleted Haplo-HCT.

There are no data indicating whether the number of induction courses needed to achieve first complete remission (CR1) is of prognostic significance in Haploidentical transplantation (HaploSCT). We compared transplantation outcomes of adults with AML that underwent HaploSCT in CR1, achieved following one or two induction courses. A total of 635 patients were included: 469 (74%) with 1 and 166 (26%) with two induction chemotherapy courses. A total of 429 (91.5%) and 151 (91%) patients had de novo AML and 40 (8.5%) and 15 (9%) had secondary AML (p= 0.84). Engraftment rates were 97.2 and 97.6%. Day 180 incidence of acute GVHD II-IV and III-IV was similar in both induction groups (31.1 and 34.8%, and 10 and 10.6 %), as was 2–4 year total and extensive chronic GVHD (33.7 and 36.5 %, and 12.2 and 12.1%), respectively. Two-year relapse incidence (RI) was higher while leukemia-free survival (LFS), overall survival (OS) and GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) were inferior for patients achieving CR1 with 2 vs 1 course and were 29.1% vs 15.1%, 88 (p= 0.001), 56.2% vs 66.9% (p= 0.03), 58.8% vs 72.2% (p= 0.044) and 44% vs 55.6% (p= 0.013), respectively. Non-relapse mortality (NRM) did not differ, 18% vs 14.6% 90 (p= 0.25). These results were confirmed by multivariate analysis.

Optimal conditioning for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (haplo-HCT) and post-transplant cyclophosphamide has not been established so far. We retrospectively compared outcomes for two myeloablative regimens: fludarabine + total body irradiation (Flu-TBI, n= 117) and thiotepa + iv. busulfan + fludarabine (TBF, n= 119). Patients transplanted either in complete remission (CR) or with active disease were included in the analysis. The characteristics of both groups were comparable except for patients treated with TBF were older. In univariate analysis the incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM) at 2 years was increased for TBF compared to Flu-TBI (31% vs. 19.5%, p= 0.03). There was a tendency towards reduced incidence of relapse after TBF (p= 0.11). Results of multivariate analysis confirmed a reduced risk of NRM using Flu-TBI (HR = 0.49, p= 0.03). In the analysis restricted to patients treated in CR1 or CR2, the use of Flu-TBI was associated with a decreased risk of NRM (HR = 0.34, p= 0.009) but an increased risk of relapse (HR = 2.59, p= 0.01) without significant effect on survival and graft-versus-host disease. We conclude that for haplo-HCT recipients with ALL, Flu-TBI may be preferable for individuals at high risk of NRM while TBF should be considered in cases at high risk of relapse.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common and life-threatening complication of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); there is an urgent unmet need for effective therapies. We aimed to evaluate the Janus kinase 1 inhibitor itacitinib versus placebo, both in combination with corticosteroids, for initial treatment of acute GVHD.

In this registry-based study which includes acute myeloid leukemia patients who underwent a matched unrelated donor allogeneic peripheral-blood stem cell transplantation in complete remission and received post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis, we compared 421 recipients without anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) with 151 patients with ATG. The only significant differences between PTCY and PTCY + ATG cohorts were the median year of transplant and the follow-up period (2017 vs 2015 and 19.6 vs 31.1 months, respectively, p< 0.0001). Overall, 2-year survival was 69.9% vs 67.1% in PTCY and PTCY + ATG, respectively, with deaths related to relapse (39% vs 43.5%), infection (21.9% vs 23.9%) or GvHD (17.1% vs 17.4%) not differing between groups. On univariate comparison, a significantly lower rate of extensive chronic GvHD was found when ATG was added (9.9% vs 21%, p= 0.029), a finding which was not confirmed in the multivariate analysis. The Cox-model showed no difference between PTCY + ATG and PTCY alone with respect to acute and chronic GvHD of all grades, non-relapse mortality, relapse, leukemia-free survival, overall survival, and GvHD-free-relapse-free survival between study cohorts. Our results highlight that the addition of ATG in PTCY does not provide any extra benefit in terms of further GvHD reduction, better GRFS or better survival.

Comparative data of fludarabine, cytarabine and amsacrine (FLAMSA) chemotherapy followed by busulfan (Bu)-based reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) (FLAMSA-Bu) versus RIC regimens are lacking in patients with active relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the time of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). Here, we retrospectively analyzed outcomes after FLAMSA-Bu versus fludarabine/busulfan (FluBu2) conditioning in this patient population. A total of 476 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of whom 257 received FluBu2 and 219 FLAMSA-Bu. Median follow-up was 41 months. Two-year non-relapse mortality (21%), graft-versus-host disease-free, relapse-free survival (24%) and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (29%) were not statistically different between cohorts. FLAMSA-Bu was associated with lower 2-year relapse incidence (RI) (38 vs 49% after FluBu2, p= 0.004), and increased leukemia-free survival (LFS) (42 vs 29%, p= 0.001), overall survival (47 vs 39%, p= 0.008) and grades II-IV acute GVHD (36 vs 20%, p= 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, FLAMSA-Bu remained associated with lower RI (HR 0.69, p= 0.042), increased LFS (HR 0.74, p= 0.048) and a higher risk of acute GVHD (HR 2.06, p= 0.005). Notwithstanding the limitations inherent in this analysis, our data indicate that FLAMSA-Bu constitutes a tolerable conditioning strategy, resulting in a long-term benefit in a subset of patients reaching alloSCT with active disease.

Cyclophosphamide is frequently substituted with fludarabine (Flu) in conditioning regimens before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). We aimed to compare retrospectively, total body irradiation (12 Gy) plus Flu (FluTBI12) versus busulfan (Bu) plus Flu (FB4) as a myeloablative conditioning before allo-HCT in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Out of 3203 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 109 patients treated with FluTBI12 and 213 treated with FB4 were included in a final matched-pair analysis. In both groups, median patient age was 41 years, first or second complete remission (CR1/CR2) proportion was 78%/22%, allo-HCT from an unrelated donor was performed in 78% of patients. The probabilities of leukemia-free survival and overall survival at 2 years in FluTBI12 and FB4 groups were 65% vs. 60% (p= 0.64) and 70% vs. 72% (p= 0.87), respectively. The cumulative incidence of relapse was 19% vs. 29% (p= 0.11), while non-relapse mortality was 16% vs. 11%, respectively (p= 0.13). There were no statistical differences in both acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) incidence. The probability of GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) was 49% for both groups. FluTBI12 and FB4 are comparable myeloablative regimens before allo-HCT in AML patients transplanted in CR1 and CR2.

Optimal donor choice for a second allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) in relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains undefined. We compared outcomes using HLA-matched unrelated donors (MUD) versus haploidentical donors in this population. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The MUD allo-HCT group comprised 104 patients (male = 56, 54%), median age 36 years, mostly (76%) with B-cell phenotype in complete remission (CR) (CR2/CR3 + = 76, 73%). The 61 patients (male = 38, 62%) in the haploidentical group were younger, median age 30 years (p= 0.002), had mostly (79%) a B-cell phenotype and the majority were also in CR at time of the second allo-HCT (CR2/CR3 + = 40, 66%). Peripheral blood stem cells was the most common cell source in both, but a significantly higher number in the haploidentical group received bone marrow cells (26% vs. 4%, p< 0.0001). A haploidentical donor second allo-HCT had a 1.5-fold higher 2-year OS (49% vs. 31%), albeit not statistically significant (p= 0.13). A longer time from first allo-HCT to relapse was associated with improved OS, leukemia-free survival, graft-versus-host disease-free-relapse-free survival, and lower cumulative incidences of relapse and non-relapse mortality. Results suggest no major OS difference when choosing either a MUD or haploidentical donor for ALL patients needing a second allo-HCT.

Adult B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) with t(4;11)(q21;q23);KMT2A/AFF1is a poor-prognosis entity. This registry-based study was aimed to analyze outcome of patients with t(4;11) BCP-ALL treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) in first complete remission (CR1) between 2000 and 2017, focusing on the impact of measurable residual disease (MRD) at the time of transplant. Among 151 patients (median age, 38) allotransplanted from either HLA-matched siblings or unrelated donors, leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) at 2 years were 51% and 60%, whereas relapse incidence (RI) and non-relapse mortality (NRM) were 30% and 20%, respectively. These results were comparable to a cohort of contemporary patients with diploid normal karyotype (NK) BCP-ALL with equivalent inclusion criteria (n= 567). Among patients with evaluable MRD pre-alloHSCT, a negative status was the strongest beneficial factor influencing LFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.2, p< 0.001), OS (HR = 0.14, p< 0.001), RI (HR = 0.23, p= 0.001), and NRM (HR = 0.16, p= 0.002), with a similar outcome to MRD-negative NK BCP-ALL patients. In contrast, among patients with detectable pretransplant MRD, outcome in t(4;11) BCP-ALL was inferior to NK BCP-ALL (LFS: 27% vs. 50%, p= 0.02). These results support indication of alloHSCT in CR1 for t(4;11) BCP-ALL patients, provided a negative MRD status is achieved. Conversely, pre-alloHSCT additional therapy is warranted in MRD-positive patients.

The goal of this phase II trial was to evaluate safety and efficacy of a tandem autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) using sequentially total marrow irradiation (TMI) at the dose of 12 Gy (4 Gy on days −3, −2, and −1) and melphalan 200 mg/m2for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). TMI was performed using helical tomotherapy. Additional “boosts” (total 24 Gy) were applied for patients with active lesions as revealed by PET-FDG. Fifty patients with median age 58 years (41–64 years) were included and received tandem auto-HCT. TMI resulted in absolute neutropenia in all patients. Grade 3 infections were reported in 30% patients. Other toxicities were rare. Proportion of patients who achieved at least very good partial response increased from 46% before the first auto-HCT to 82% after tandem transplantation. Complete remission rates changed from 10% to 42%, respectively. The probabilities of overall and progression-free survival at 5 years were 74% and 55%, respectively. No patient died without progression. We conclude that conditioning with TMI ± PET-guided “boosts” represents personalized treatment approach in MM and is characterized by very good toxicity profile. Tandem auto-HCT using TMI in sequence with high-dose melphalan appears safe with encouraging early efficacy.

Second- and third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) play an important role in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph + ALL). However, data on feasibility and efficacy of using these drugs for persisting or relapsed Ph + ALL after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) are scarce. Based on the EBMT Acute Leukemia Working Party registry, we evaluated the use of second-/third-generation TKI in 140 patients with Ph + ALL, suffering from measurable residual disease (MRD, n= 6), molecular relapse (MRel, n= 23), or hematological relapse (HRel, n= 111) following alloSCT. Treatment included dasatinib in 104, nilotinib in 18, or ponatinib in 18 patients. Forty-nine patients received TKI monotherapy, while 91 received additional treatment. Toxicity of second-/third-generation TKI post alloSCT was comparable to pretransplant use and could be managed with dose reduction or temporary discontinuation. Response rates were 71% (overall) and 61% (following TKI monotherapy). For the entire cohort, 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS) was 49% and 33%, respectively. OS was comparable among patients treated for persisting MRD/MRel and HRel. Among patients treated with TKI monotherapy, 2- and 5-year OS was 38% and 33%, respectively. The data underscore that second-/third-generation TKI are important compounds for the management of active Ph + ALL post alloSCT.

The presence of IKZF1gene mutations is associated with poor prognosis of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in this population. Ninety-five patients transplanted in first (n= 75) or second (n= 20) complete remission (CR) from either HLA-matched sibling (n= 32), unrelated (n= 47) or haploidentical (n= 16) donor were included in the analysis. The probabilities of the overall survival (OS) and leukemia-free survival (LFS) at 2 years were 55% and 47%, respectively. Relapse incidence (RI) was 32% while non-relapse mortality (NRM), 21%. The incidence of grade II–IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and chronic GVHD was 34% and 30%, respectively. The probability of GVHD and relapse-free survival (GRFS) was 35%. In a multivariate analysis positive minimal residual disease (MRD) status was associated with decreased chance of LFS (HR = 3.15, p= 0.004) and OS (HR = 2.37, p= 0.049) as well as increased risk of relapse (HR = 5.87, p= 0.003). Disease stage (CR2 vs. CR1) affected all, LFS, OS, GRFS, RI, and NRM. Results of allo-HCT for patients with BCP-ALL and IKZF1mutations are generally improving, however, individuals with detectable MRD have poor prognosis and require additional intervention prior to transplantation.

CARTITUDE-4 (NCT04181827) is a phase 3 trial comparing ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), a B-cell maturation antigen chimeric antigen receptor-T cell (CAR-T) therapy, with standard of care (SOC; pomalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone [PVd] or daratumumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone [DPd]) in patients (pts) with lenalidomide (len)-refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Pts in the cilta-cel arm had significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS), higher rates of ≥complete response (CR), and higher overall response rate (ORR) versus SOC in the intent-to-treat (ITT) set.

Diagnosis and remission status at the time of allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) are the principal determinants of overall survival following transplantation. We sought to develop a contemporary disease-risk stratification system (DRSS) that accounts for heterogeneous transplantation indications.

The optimal conditioning for patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission treated with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) has not been defined so far. In this retrospective study, we compared two “reduced-toxicity” regimens: intravenous busulfan at a total dose of 9.6?mg/kg (3 days)?+?fludarabine (Bu3/Flu) and total body irradiation at a dose of 8?Gy?+?fludarabine (TBI8Gy/Flu). In the entire study cohort (n?=?518), the probabilities of overall survival (OS), leukemia-free survival (LFS), relapse and non-relapse mortality (NRM) at 2 years for Bu3/Flu and TBI8Gy/Flu were 62% vs. 72.5% (p?=?0.051), 59.5% vs. 65% (p?=?0.15), 30% vs. 20% (p?=?0.01), and 10% vs. 14% (p?=?0.18), respectively. In multivariate model for patients <50 years old, TBI8Gy/Flu was associated with improved LFS (hazard ratio (HR)?=?0.5, p?=?0.04), OS (HR?=?0.31, p?=?0.004), and survival free from both graft-versus-host disease and relapse (HR?=?0.55, p?=?0.03), as well as tendency to reduced risk of relapse (HR?=?0.53, p?=?0.08). Among patients aged 50 years or older the use of TBI8Gy/Flu was associated with increased incidence of NRM (HR?=?3.9, p?=?0.0009), with no significant impact on other outcome measures. We conclude that the use of TBI8Gy/Flu as “reduced-toxicity” regimen may be advised in younger patients with AML referred for allo-HCT.

•TBI-based MAC was associated with lower NRM in the setting of haplo-HCT with PTCy.•TBI-based MAC resulted in better LFS in patients with ALL undergoing haplo-HCT.•There was no difference in relapse, OS, or GRFS between TBI- and CT-based MAC.

We report on 318 patients with acute leukemia, receiving donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) in complete hematologic remission (CHR) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). DLI were applied preemptively (preDLI) for minimal residual disease (MRD, n= 23) or mixed chimerism (MC, n= 169), or as prophylaxis in high-risk patients with complete chimerism and molecular remission (proDLI, n= 126). Median interval from alloSCT to DLI1 was 176 days, median follow-up was 7.0 years. Five-year cumulative relapse incidence (CRI), non-relapse mortality (NRM), leukemia-free and overall survival (LFS/OS) of the entire cohort were 29.1%, 12.7%, 58.2%, and 64.3%. Cumulative incidences of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) grade II–IV°/chronic GvHD were 11.9%/31%. Nineteen patients (6%) died from DLI-induced GvHD. Age ≥60 years (p= 0.046), advanced stage at transplantation (p= 0.003), shorter interval from transplantation (p= 0.018), and prior aGvHD ≥II° (p= 0.036) were risk factors for DLI-induced GvHD. GvHD did not influence CRI, but was associated with NRM and lower LFS/OS. Efficacy of preDLI was demonstrated by decreasing MRD/increasing blood counts in 71%, and increasing chimerism in 70%. Five-year OS after preDLI for MRD/MC was 51%/68% among responders, and 37% among non-responders. The study describes response and outcome of DLI in CHR and helps to identify candidates without increased risk of severe GvHD.

Detectable measurable residual disease (MRD) is a key prognostic factor in both acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Thus, we conducted a survey in EBMT transplant centers focusing on pre- and post-allo-HCT MRD. One hundred and six centers from 29 countries responded. One hundred had a formal strategy for routine MRD assessment, 91 for both ALL and AML. For ALL (n?=?95), assessing MRD has been routine practice starting from 2010 (range, 1990–2019). Techniques used for MRD assessment consisted of PCR techniques alone (n?=?27), multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC, n?=?16), both techniques (n?=?43), next-generation sequencing (NGS)?+?PCR (n?=?2), or PCR?+?MFC?+?NGS (n?=?7). The majority of centers assessed MRD every 2–3 months for 2 (range, 1-until relapse) years. For AML, assessing MRD was routine in 92 centers starting in 2010 (range 1990–2019). Assessment of MRD was by PCR (n?=?23), MFC (n?=?13), both PCR and MFC (n?=?39), both PCR and NGS (n?=?3), and by all three techniques (n?=?14). The majority assesses MRD for AML every 2–3 months for 2 (range, 1-until relapse) years. This survey is the first step in the aim to include MRD status as a routine registry capture parameter in acute leukemia.

The ideal stem cell graft source remains unknown in haploidentical haematopietic cell transplantation (haplo-HCT) with posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy). This study compared outcomes of bone marrow (BM) versus peripheral blood (PB) stem cell graft for haplo-HCT in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A total of 314 patients with ALL (BM—157; PB—157) were included in this study. The cumulative incidence of engraftment at day 30 was higher in the PB group compared with BM (93% vs. 88%, p< 0.01). The incidences of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and chronic GVHD were not significantly different between the study cohorts. In the multivariate analysis, there were tendencies toward a higher incidence of grade II–IV acute GVHD (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.52, p= 0.07), chronic GVHD (HR = 1.58, p= 0.05), and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) (HR = 1.66, p= 0.06) in patients receiving PB versus BM graft, respectively. The use of PB grafts was associated with lower leukemia-free survival (LFS) (HR = 1.43, p= 0.05), overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.59, p= 0.02), and GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) (HR = 1.42, p= 0.03) compared with BM grafts. There was no difference in relapse incidence (HR = 1.23, p= 0.41) between the study groups. In conclusion, use of BM graft results in better survival after haplo-HCT with PTCy in patients with ALL, compared with PB stem cell graft.

Relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains a major therapeutic challenge. Despite the consensus for proceeding to allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in relapsing patients with ALL who achieve second complete remission (CR2) with salvage therapy, most patients lack a suitable matched-related histocompatible donor. The present multicenter retrospective study compared, for ALL patients in CR2, the HSCT outcome from all four possible alternative hematopoietic stem cell sources, namely matched unrelated 10/10 (n= 281), mismatched unrelated 9/10 (n= 125), haploidentical (n= 105), and cord blood (n= 104) donors. The 2-year outcomes were not statistically different between the four donor sources with respect to overall survival (38.3–47.2%), leukemia-free survival (30.5–39.6%), relapse incidence (32.6–37.6%), nonrelapse mortality (27.5–34.6%), and graft-versus-host disease-free relapse survival (21.4–33.1%). Donor choices for ALL patients achieving CR2 post first relapse are broad, ensuring that most patient in need secures a graft. Therefore, in practice, the donor choice should depend on timely availability and policy center.

The optimal reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains unclear. We retrospectively analyzed 417 patients?>?45 years with ALL in first complete remission who underwent a matched sibling or unrelated allo-HSCT and compared outcomes between fludarabine/busulfan (FLUBU, n?=?127), fludarabine/melphalan (FLUMEL, n?=?190), and fludarabine-TBI (FLUTBI, n?=?100) conditioning. At 2 years, there were no differences between the groups in terms of cumulative incidence (CI) of relapse (40% for FLUBU vs 36% for FLUMEL vs 41% for FLUTBI, p?=?0.21); transplant-related mortality (TRM) (18% for FLUBU, 22% for FLUMEL, 14% for FLUTBI, p?=?0.09); overall survival (55% for FLUBU, 50% for FLUMEL, 60% for FLUTBI, p?=?0.62) or leukemia-free survival (43% for FLUBU, 42% for FLUMEL, 45% for FLUTBI, p?=?0.99), but GVHD-relapse-free survival was significantly lower in the FLUTBI group than FLUBU and FLUMEL group (18% vs 35% vs 28%, p?=?0.02). However, this difference was lost in the multivariate analysis when adjusted for the in vivo T-cell depletion. Finally, the FLUMEL regimen was shown to be an independent risk factor for a higher TRM (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.05–3.72, p?=?0.04). We conclude that the three most popular RIC regimens yield similar transplant outcomes.

Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is one of the most serious complications of therapy in patients with immune suppression. It particularly concerns patients treated for malignant hematological diseases, immune deficiencies, or undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Development of IFD can abrogate the effect of previous therapy and contributes to dismal outcome of the underlying disease. The Working Group consisting of members of the Polish Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, the Polish Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, and the Polish Adult Leukemia Study Group has prepared recommendations for the diagnostic and therapeutic management of IFD in adults and children. This paper presents the current recommendations for patients in immune suppression treated in Polish pediatric and adult hematology and HCT centers, based on the guidelines of the European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL) 2015–2019. Levels of diagnosis of IFD (possible, probable, and proven) and antifungal management (prophylaxis, as well as empirical and targeted therapies) are declared according to updated international criteria of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) 2019. Patients with primary diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, severe aplastic anemia, chronic granulomatous disease, and severe combined immunodeficiency, as well as patients after allogeneic HCT, are included in the high-risk groups for development of IFD. For these patients, antifungal prophylaxis based on azoles or micafungin is recommended. In empirical therapy, caspofungin or liposomal/lipid formulas of amphotericin B are recommended. The Working Group has discouraged the use of itraconazole in capsules and amphotericin deoxycholate. Detailed guidelines for first- and second-line targeted therapies for invasive candidiasis, aspergillosis, mucormycosis, fusariosis, and scedosporiosis, as well as the principles of the recommended dosing of antifungals, are presented in this paper.

To address limitations of the currently used reduced-intensity/myeloablative conditioning (RIC/MAC) classification scheme we aimed to develop a tool that can capture more standardized the conditioning intensity of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We assigned intensity weight scores for frequently used conditioning regimen components and used their sum to generate the transplant conditioning intensity (TCI) score. We retrospectively tested the impact of TCI on 8255 adult (45–65 years) acute myeloid leukemia patients who underwent HCT in first complete remission. A Cox model for early nonrelapse mortality (NRM) yielded a 3-group TCI risk scheme (low, intermediate, high) with respective TCI scores of [1–2], [2.5–3.5] and [4–6]. On multivariate modeling, TCI grouping was highly and better predictive for early (day 100 and 180) NRM, 2-year NRM and relapse (REL) as compared with the RIC/MAC classification. Validation was done on 200 bootstrap samples. Moreover, TCI scoring enabled the identification of a distinct subgroup of RIC and MAC conditioning regimens with an intermediate TCI [2.5–3.5] score that had identical outcomes and which are frequently referred as “reduced toxicity conditioning”. TCI scheme provides an improvement of the RIC/MAC classification. We propose TCI as a new tool to define and measure the conditioning regimen intensity.

Treatment of relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (RR-ALL) remains a clinical challenge with generally dismal prognosis. Allogeneic stem-cell transplantation using sequential conditioning (“FLAMSA”-like) has shown promising results in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia, but little is known about its efficacy in RR-ALL. We identified 115 patients (19–66 years) with relapsed (74%) or primary-refractory (26%) ALL allografted from matched related (31%), matched unrelated (58%), or haploidentical donor (11%). Median follow-up was 37 (13–111) months. At day 100, cumulative incidences of grade II–IV/III–IV acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) were 30% and 17%, respectively. Two-year cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 25% with 11% extensive cases. Two-year relapse incidence (RI) was 45%, non-relapse mortality was 41%. Two-year leukemia free survival (LFS) was 14%, overall survival (OS) 17%, and GVHD relapse-free survival (GRFS) was 14%. In multivariable analysis, Karnofsky score <90 negatively affected RI, LFS, OS, and GRFS. Conditioning with chemotherapy alone, compared with total body irradiation (TBI) negatively affected RI (HR = 3.3; p= 0.008), LFS (HR = 1.94; p= 0.03), and OS (HR = 2.0; p= 0.03). These patients still face extremely poor outcomes, highlighting the importance of incorporating novel therapies (e.g., BITE antibodies, inotuzumab, CAR-T cells). Nevertheless, patients with RR-T-cell ALL remain with an unmet treatment need, for which TBI-based sequential conditioning could be one of few available options.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major factor contributing to mortality and morbidity after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. Because of the small number of results from well designed, large-scale, clinical studies there is considerable variability in the prevention and treatment of GVHD worldwide. In 2014, to standardise treatment approaches the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation published recommendations on the management of GVHD in the setting of HLA-identical sibling or unrelated donor transplantation in adult patients with haematological malignancies. Here we update these recommendations including the results of study published after 2014. Evidence was searched in three steps: first, a widespread scan of published trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews; second, expert opinion was added for specific issues following several rounds of debate; and third, a refined search to target debated or rapidly updating issues. On the basis of this evidence and the 2014 recommendations, five members of the EBMT Transplant Complications Working Party created 38 statements on GVHD prophylaxis, drug management, and treatment of acute and chronic GVHD. Subsequently, they created the EBMT GVHD management recommendation expert panel by recruiting 20 experts with expertise in GVHD management. An email-based, two-round Delphi panel approach was used to manage the consensus. Modified National Comprehensive Cancer Network categories for evidence and consensus were applied to the approved statements. We reached 100% consensus for 29 recommendations and 95% consensus for nine recommendations. Key updates to these recommendations include a broader use of rabbit anti-T-cell globulin; lower steroid doses for the management of grade 2 acute GVHD with isolated skin or upper gastrointestinal tract manifestations; fluticasone, azithromycin, and montelukast should be used for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome; and the addition of newer treatment options for resteroid-refractory acute and chronic GVHD. In addition, we discuss specific aspects of GVHD prophylaxis and management in the setting of haploidentical transplantation and in paediatric patients, but no formal recommendations on those procedures have been provided in this Review. The European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation proposes to use these recommendations as a basis for the routine management of GVHD during stem-cell transplantation.

Unmanipulated haploidentical allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT) has become an attractive alternative for patients lacking HLA-matched sibling or unrelated donors. However, data of outcome in ALL is still scarce. The outcomes of 1234 adult patients with ALL in first complete remission (CR1) who underwent Allo-SCT between 2007 and 2016 were analyzed. Comparison was done between haploidentical donor (Haplo) (136 patients), matched unrelated donor (MUD 10/10) (809 patients), and mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD 9/10) (289 patients). Univariate analysis showed similar outcomes in Haplo, MUD, and MMUD, including OS, LFS, RI, NRM, AGVHD, and CGVHD. In multivariate analysis, Haplo was not associated with worse outcomes compared to MUD 10/10 and MMUD 9/10. Indeed, compared to Haplo, the hazard ratio (HR) for LFS, OS, RI, NRM, AGVHD, and CGVHD were 1.1 (p= 0.7), 0.9 (p= 0.4), 1.35 (p= 0.2), 0.7 (p= 0.2), 1.1 (p= 0.8), and 0.8 (p= 0.2) for MUD, respectively, and 1.1 (p= 0.8), 1.0 (p= 1.0), 1.2 (p= 0.3), 0.8 (p= 0.4), 1.2 (p= 0.3), and 0.9 (p= 0.6) for MMUD, respectively. In conclusion, outcomes of adult patients with ALL in CR1 receiving Haplo Allo-SCT are comparable to MUD or MMUD transplants. Haplo should be considered as a clinically relevant option for patients lacking a matched sibling donor.

•The choice of TKI (imatinib or dasatnib) has no impact on survival after allo-HCT in Ph+ ALL.•Pre-transplant dasatinib may result in increased risk of severe acute GVHD.•Results of allo-HCT for Ph+ ALL are improving over time.

•PTCy is associated with a lower risk of chronic GVHD, reduced relapse, and improved OS, PFS, and GRFS vs CNI-based prophylaxis.•PTCy yields superior outcomes compared with CNI-based prophylaxis in adult patients with HL undergoing HSCT from HLA-matched donors.

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