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Relapsed and/or refractory (R/R) primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) has a poor prognosis. A 57-year-old man diagnosed with PCNSL achieved a complete response by high-dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The disease was not cured, so he was treated with the anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy tisagenlecleucel after the third relapse. However, the disease relapsed again 28 days after CAR T-cell therapy. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) was attempted as curative therapy after bridging with second ASCT and tirabrutinib monotherapy. Although a temporary response was achieved, the disease relapsed 98 days after allo-HSCT. While receiving tirabrutinib for relapse after allo-HSCT, the patient developed acute respiratory failure due to transplant-related toxicity and post-transplant thrombotic microangiopathy. He died 175 days after allo-HSCT. Although various treatments for PCNSL have been investigated in recent years, the treatment strategy for R/R PCNSL has not been established. Further studies are warranted to improve the outcomes of patients with R/R PCNSL.

The feasibility of lymphocyte isolation and flow cytometry using a single endoscopic biopsy specimen from the gastrointestinal tract of patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has not been investigated. We acquired 51 endoscopic biopsy specimens from the gastrointestinal tract of 35 patients. We divided the flow cytometry samples into two groups: group A, successful lymphocyte isolation (n=24), and group B, incomplete isolation (n=27). We compared the backgrounds of the samples between the groups to reveal crucial elements in the successful isolation of lymphocytes residing in the gastrointestinal tract. Comparison between the groups revealed lymphocyte isolation success rates differed between biopsy sites. Isolation was most successful in samples from the duodenum (8/9, 88.9%), followed by the ileum (4/8, 50.0%), large intestine (4/11, 36.4%), and stomach (8/23, 34.8%). Tacrolimus was used more frequently in group B (92.6%) than in group A (62.5%) (p=0.015). Logistic regression analysis revealed that isolation from the duodenum or ileum was a significant factor for successful isolation, while tacrolimus use was not statistically significant. In conclusion, the duodenum and ileum are more suitable sites than the stomach and colorectum for acquiring samples for flow cytometry., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is associated with a low incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) following hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. Previous studies have shown the important roles of B cell immunity in cGVHD development. Here, we investigated the long-term reconstitution of B lymphopoiesis after PTCy using murine models. We first demonstrated that the immune homeostatic abnormality leading to cGVHD is characterized by an initial increase in effector T cells in the bone marrow and subsequent B and Treg cytopenia. PTCy, but not cyclosporine A or rapamycin, inhibits the initial alloreactive T cell response, which restores intra-bone marrow B lymphogenesis with a concomitant vigorous increase in Tregs. This leads to profound changes in posttransplant B cell homeostasis, including decreased B cell activating factors, increased transitional and regulatory B cells, and decreased germinal center B cells. To identify the cells responsible for PTCy-induced B cell tolerance, we selectively depleted Treg populations that were graft or HSC derived using DEREG mice. Deletion of either Treg population without PTCy resulted in critical B cytopenia. PTCy rescued B lymphopoiesis from graft-derived Treg deletion. In contrast, the negative effect of HSC-derived Treg deletion could not be overcome by PTCy, indicating that HSC-derived Tregs are essential for maintaining favorable B lymphopoiesis following PTCy. These findings define the mechanisms by which PTCy restores homeostasis of the B cell lineage and reestablishes immune tolerance.

Non-infectious pulmonary complications (NIPCs) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are associated with poor outcomes. It is important to maximize the effectiveness of primary treatment because secondary treatment has not been established. We analyzed data from 393 patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT during a 10-year period. Thirty-seven were diagnosed with NIPCs, which consisted of idiopathic pneumonia syndrome, bronchiolitis obliterans, and interstitial lung disease including cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. Among these, 18 died (Dead group) while 19 remained alive (Alive group) during the study period. The median time between NIPC diagnosis and first administration of ≥ 1 mg/kg/day corticosteroids (prednisolone dose equivalent) was significantly longer in the Dead group than the Alive group, at 9 days versus 4 days (p = 0.01). We further divided these cases into those who received prednisolone within seven days and after 8 days. We found that the ≤ 7 days group were more likely to survive after their NIPC diagnosis compared to the ≥ 8 days group (p = 0.06). Our analysis showed that early initiation of corticosteroid therapy is associated with long-term survival in NIPCs., (© 2022. Japanese Society of Hematology.)

Active infection at the time of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a risk for non-relapse mortality (NRM) after HSCT. Granulocyte transfusion (GTX) has been used to prevent or treat life-threatening infections in patients with severe neutropenia. However, data are limited on the clinical benefits of GTX during HSCT. We retrospectively analyzed the transplant outcomes of HSCT patients who had undergone GTX between 2012 and 2020. Altogether, 20 patients with documented infection had received 55 GTXs during HSCT. No adverse events were observed during the GTX infusion. The average number of granulocytes was 0.40 (range, 0.10-1.59) × 10 9 /kg. The median neutrophil increment one day after GTX was 515 (range, -6 to 6630)/μl, which was significantly correlated with the infused granulocyte dose (p = 0.0007). A total of 17 of 20 patients achieved neutrophil engraftment. The number of infused granulocytes tended to higher in clinical responders (p = 0.12), and patients receiving ≥ 0.5 × 10 9 /kg showed trend toward to better transplant outcomes (GTX-high vs. GTX-low, 1-year OS; 33% vs. 11%, p = 0.19. 1-year NRM; 44% vs.77%, p = 0.11). The type of red blood sedimenting agents was significantly correlated with the amounts of granulocyte collection. In conclusion, GTX, especially with a high amount of containing granulocytes, could be a safe bridging therapy for neutrophil engraftment after HSCT in patients with active infection., Competing Interests: Declaration of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

A bloodstream infection (BSI) is the most common serious infectious complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). BSI promotes an inflammatory state, which exacerbates acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We investigated whether a Gram-negative rod bloodstream infection (GNR-BSI), which develops early after allo-HSCT, affected the onset or exacerbated acute GVHD in 465 patients who underwent allo-HSCT from 1995 through 2015 at a single institution. Eighty-eight patients (19%) developed BSI during the study period. Among the cultures, 50 (57%) were Gram-positive cocci (GPC) and 31 (35%) were GNR. Of the 465 patients, 187 (40%) developed acute GVHD of grade II or higher within the first 100 days post-allogeneic HSCT: 124 (27%) had acute GVHD grade II, 47 (10%) had grade III, and 16 (3%) had grade IV. Multivariate analysis revealed that GNR-BSI was a significant risk factor for grade II-IV acute GVHD (grade II-IV: hazard ratio [HR] 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-2.97; grade III-IV: HR 2.37, 95% CI 1.03-5.43). These results suggest that GNR-BSI may predict the onset and exacerbation of acute GVHD., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Hematological diseases after solid organ transplant (SOT) are an emerging issue as the number of long-term SOT survivors increases. Expertise in managing patients requiring allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after SOT from independent donors is needed; however, clinical reports of HSCT after SOT are limited, and the feasibility and risk are not well understood. In particular, HSCT in prior lung transplant recipients is thought to be complicated as the lung is immunologically distinct and is constantly exposed to the surrounding environment. Herein, we describe a case of successful HSCT in a patient with myelodysplastic syndromes who had previously received a lung transplant from a deceased donor for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Reports about cases of HSCT after lung transplant are quite rare; thus, we discuss the mechanisms of immune tolerance through the clinical course of our case. This case suggests that HSCT after SOT can be considered a therapeutic option in cases where the transplanted organ is functionally retained and the hematological disease is in remission.

We herein report four patients with desquamative esophagitis that developed one to nine days after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Three patients underwent allogeneic PBSCT for leukemia, and the other underwent autologous PBSCT for pineoblastoma. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed mucosal sloughing and fresh blood in the esophagus. Fasting and intravenous proton pump inhibitor therapy in addition to blood transfusion improved the esophageal lesions within five to seven days in three patients. These cases indicate that desquamative esophagitis can occur in patients who receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Although blood transfusions may be required, it can be resolved within seven days.

Breast involvement of Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL) is extremely rare, and the data on the characteristics are limited. We herein describe a 49-year-old woman who presented with skin involvement of ATLL. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed bilateral breast lesions. Although the patient once achieved a complete metabolic response, a relapse of her ATLL occurred. The patient received subsequent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To our knowledge, only four cases of ATLL with breast involvement have previously been reported, and the prognoses have generally been poor. Breast lesions of ATLL have aggressive features, and intensive systemic chemotherapy and HSCT are required to improve survival.

Background: Cross-matched platelet (cross-matched PLT) transfusion is effective for immune-mediated platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR), but is more costly and time-consuming for physical cross-match than using standard PLT units. Recent studies have reported the utility of human leucocyte antigens (HLA) virtual cross-matched PLT (HLA-matched PLT) that is defined as HLA-A/B matched or no antibody against donor-specific antigen. Here, we evaluated the effect of HLA-matched PLTs for PTR in post hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients., Study Design and Methods: Our study included a total of 241 PLTs in 16 patients who underwent HSCT at Okayama University Hospital between 2010 and 2017, receiving either HLA-matched or cross-matched PLTs. We calculated the 24-hour corrected count increments (CCI-24) to evaluate the effect of PLTs. A CCI-24 ≥ 4500 was considered to be a successful transfusion., Results: We analyzed 139 cross-matched PLTs and 102 HLA-matched PLTs. In the immune-mediated PTR, the rate of successful transfusion was 60.5% for cross-matched PLT and 63.4% for HLA-matched PLT (p = 0.825). On the other hand, the median CCI-24 for cross-matched PLT transfusions and HLA-matched PLT transfusions were 1856 and 5824 (p < 0.001), with a success rate of 28.1 and 54.1% in cases with non-immune-mediated PTR, respectively (p = 0.001)., Conclusion: The effectiveness of HLA-matched PLT is not inferior to cross-matched PLT. This result indicates that physical cross-match can be omitted in post HSCT PTR., (© 2020 AABB.)

Second allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is a potentially curative therapy for patients who relapse after first allo-SCT. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-haploidentical related donors provide the broad opportunity to conduct second SCT at the appropriate time, but the efficacy of second SCT from haploidentical donors after relapse has not been established. We retrospectively analyzed the records of 33 patients who underwent second SCT. Twenty patients underwent haplo-SCT with low-dose antithymocyte globulin (ATG), and the other 13 patients underwent conventional- SCTs, including HLA-matched related peripheral blood, unrelated bone marrow or cord blood. Three years after the second SCT, the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of all patients were 32.5% and 23.9%. Multivariate analyses indicated that non-complete response at second SCT, less than 1-year interval to relapse after first- SCT, and total score ≥ 3 on the hematopoietic cell transplantation-specific comorbidity index were significantly associated with a lower PFS rate. The haplo- and conventional- SCT groups showed equivalent results regarding OS, PFS, cumulative incidences of relapse, non-relapse mortality and graft-versus-host disease. The neutropenic period after transplantation was significantly shorter in haplo- SCT than conventional- SCT (10.5 days vs. 16 days, p=0.001). Our analysis revealed that haplo-SCT could be an alternative therapeutic option for relapsed patients after first SCT., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The prognosis for patients with advanced or refractory extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL) is extremely poor. Thus, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) should be considered for this disease. However, reports of allo-HSCT for ENKL are limited because of the rarity of the disease. Here, we describe the clinical course of 12 cases of advanced and refractory ENKL treated with allo-HSCT, including five cases with cord blood transplant. With a median follow-up of 13 months (range, 1-168 months), seven patients are alive in remission, five have died, and one treatment-related death occurred. All patients with disease progression at transplant died of disease progression, whereas seven of eight patients with a complete or partial response are long-term survivors. Allo-HSCT is a feasible and promising consolidation therapy for advanced and relapsed ENKL. The disease status before allo-HSCT is well associated with general outcome, and thus induction treatment is very important for this disease.

Posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) has become a popular option for haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, personalized methods to adjust immune intensity after PTCy for each patient's condition have not been well studied. Here, we investigated the effects of reducing the dose of PTCy followed by α-galactosylceramide (α-GC), a ligand of iNKT cells, on the reciprocal balance between graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. In a murine haploidentical HSCT model, insufficient GVHD prevention after reduced-dose PTCy was efficiently compensated for by multiple administrations of α-GC. The ligand treatment maintained the enhanced GVL effect after reduced-dose PTCy. Phenotypic analyses revealed that donor-derived B cells presented the ligand and induced preferential skewing to the NKT2 phenotype rather than the NKT1 phenotype, which was followed by the early recovery of all T cell subsets, especially CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. These studies indicate that α-GC administration soon after reduced-dose PTCy restores GVHD-preventing activity and maintains the GVL effect, which is enhanced by reducing the dose of PTCy. Our results provide important information for the development of a novel strategy to optimize PTCy-based transplantation, particularly in patients with a potential relapse risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]