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PurposeSplenectomies though well-established in the successful management of several resistant haemoglobinopathies, have not been studied in detail in the paediatric population to assess the outcomes. We conducted this review to primarily assess the surgical and anaesthetic outcomes of paediatric splenectomies and secondarily highlight factors predictive for a high-risk splenectomy.MethodsA 5 year retrospective chart review was made, and patient follow-up was done jointly using the hospital electronic medical records and telephonic calls. A p value of ResultsAmong the 69 splenectomised children, 61% were male and the overall mean age was 10.2 years. The cohort consisted of thalassemia’s(46%), ITP’s(30%), haemolytic anemias(19%) and 1 child each with lymphoma, splenic cyst and Kassabach Meritt syndrome. Most(96%) were electively operated and 23% were performed laparoscopically. 61% received intravenous analgesia and the mean volume of fluid administered intra-operatively was 21ml/kg. There was no documented OPSI, and there was one mortality. The mean follow-up period was 43 months.ConclusionSplenectomy was associated with a promising overall outcome with a survival rate of 98.5%. A greater pre-operative transfusion requirement, a larger sized spleen and increased fluid administration intra-operatively, were associated with a worse outcome.

Repurposed drugs may reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with hematological disorders who develop COVID-19 illness. 112 patients with predominantly hematological illnesses were randomized to receive standard of care, ivermectin 12 mg [Iv 12] or 24 mg [Iv24] for asymptomatic, mild, or moderate COVID 19 illness. Serial respiratory samples for rRT-PCR samples were sent on Day 3, 5 and 7. rRT-PCR negativity and ≥ 2 log

S1. Combination of lenalidomide (1uM) and bortezomib (different concentrations) induces apoptosis in myeloma cell lines (MM.1S and U266) compared to bortezomib alone treated cells (n=3) at the end of 48 hours. S2. Representative Immunoblot showing induction of apoptosis in MM.1S cell line upon treatment with lenalidomide (1uM) and bortezomib (5nM), lysates were collected the end of 24 and 48 hours post treatment with drugs (n=3). The proteins analysed were mentioned in the image. S3. a) Immunoblot showing that the combination of lenalidomide and bortezomib degraded IKZF1 in U266 cell line (n=3). b) Immunofluorescence assays showing degradation of IKZF1 in U266 cell line upon treatment with Lenalidomide and bortezomib (n=3). S4. Immunoprecipitation of Ubiquitin after treatment with lenalidomide (1uM) and bortezomib (5nM) revealed an interaction with IKZF1 at 8 hours. S5. Inhibition of autophagy by hydroxycholoroquine (HCQ) and bafilomycin A1 (BAFA1) in MM1.S cell line was confirmed using cyto-ID stain, where accumulation of autophagosome was observed (n=3) which was further confirmed by western blot (n=3). S6. Inhibition of autophagy by hydroxycholoroquine (HCQ) and bafilomycin A1 (BAFA1) did not inhibit the degradation of IKZF1 in U266 cell line (n=3). S7. Inhibition of calpain and caspase by PD150606 and zVAD.fmk inhibited the degradation of IKZF1 in U266 cell line (n=3). S8. Inhibition of calpain and chelation of calcium resulted in inhibition of PARP cleavage and IKZF3 degradation in MM1.S cell line (n=3) at the end of 24 hours of drug treatments. S9. Immunoblot representing modulation of calcium flux with ionomycin in MM.1S cell line enhanced IKZF1 degradation only in Ionomycin alone or in combination with LEN treated cells for 12 hours (n=3). S10. Viability of MM1.S cell line at post LEN (1uM) and BTZ (5nM) treatment after 48 hours (n=3). Viability was assessed by Annexin V- and 7 AAD - viability assay.

Aswin Anand Pai, Ajith Mohan, Esther Sathya Bama Benjamin, Raveen Stephen Stallon Illangeswaran, Infencia Xavier Raj, Nancy Beryl Janet, Arun Kumar Arunachalam, ML Kavitha, Uday Kulkarni, Anup J Devasia, NA Fouzia, Aby Abraham, Alok Srivastava, Biju George, Vikram Mathews, Anu Korula, Poonkuzhali Balasubramanian Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, IndiaCorrespondence: Poonkuzhali BalasubramanianDepartment of Haematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, IndiaEmail bpoonkuzhali@cmcvellore.ac.inPurpose: Severe myelosuppression in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergoing 6-MP-based maintenance therapy is attributed to TPMT gene polymorphisms, which is rare in Asian populations. This study aims to evaluate the role of selected polymorphisms in NUDT15, ITPA, and MRP4 genes in addition to TPMT in predicting 6-MP intolerance during ALL maintenance therapy.Patients and Methods: We screened for the presence of NUDT15&ast;3 (c.415 C>T, rs116855232); MRP4 c.2269 C>T (rs3765534), ITPA c.94 C>A (rs1127354) polymorphisms in addition to TPMT &ast;2 (rs1800462), &ast;3A (&ast;3B and &ast;3C; rs1800460 and rs1142345) in ALL patients with documented severe neutropenia (cohort-1; n=42). These polymorphisms were then screened in a prospective cohort of ALL patients (cohort-2; n=133) and compared with 6-MP dose reduction, early/late myelotoxicity.Results: Nineteen (45%) patients in cohort-1 and 18 (14%) in cohort-2 had NUDT15 c.415 C>T variant while 4 (3%) patients in cohort-2 had TPMT&ast;3C variant. Five (12%) in cohort-1 and 30 (24%) in cohort-2 had ITPA c.94 C>A variant while 9 (22%) and 15 (12%) had MRP4 c.2269 C>T variant in cohorts-1 and 2, respectively. All in cohort-1 and 36 (27%) in cohort-2 had severe myelotoxicity. Twenty-eight patients (66.6%) in cohort-1 and 40 (30%) patients in cohort-2 had significant 6-MP dose reduction. NUDT15 c.415 C>T variant explained severe myelotoxicity in 63% and 33% in cohort 1 and 2. TPMT&ast;3C and ITPA c.94 C>A variants also explained myelotoxicity in cohort-2 (Median ANC: 376 vs 1014 mm3; p=0.04 and 776 vs 1023 mm3; p=0.04 respectively). NUDT15 c.415 C>T polymorphism explained significant myelotoxicity (507 vs 1298 mm3; p< 0.0001) in the multivariate analysis as well (β=− 0.314, p< 0.0001).Conclusion: NUDT15 c.415 C>T (15&ast;3), TPMT&ast;3C, as well as ITPA c.94 C>A and MRP4 c.2269 C>T polymorphisms explain hematotoxicities. Preemptive genotype-based (NUDT15&ast;3, TPMT, ITPA c.94 C>A) 6-MP dosing could improve the outcome after maintenance therapy.Keywords: leukemia, mercaptopurine, myelotoxicity, pharmacogenomics

INTRODUCTION: ZNF384 gene fusions resulting from translocations with several partner genes have been described in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) with a characteristic immunophenotype (aberrant CD13 and or CD33 with dim CD10). The prognosis of patients with this rearrangement appears to depend on the fusion partner. ZNF384 rearrangements have been identified by high through put technologies such as RNA sequencing in most of the studies published. We tested the feasibility of using the characteristic immunophenotype as a tool to screen for patients with ZNF384 translocations which can be subsequently confirmed by cytogenetic / molecular methodologies. METHODS: ZNF384 rearrangements in B-ALL patients at diagnosis with CD10

Objectives:To study the clinical profile and outcomes of patients with paraproteinemic neuropathy (PPN) and to explore the utility of nerve conduction studies (NCSs) to differentiate between the demyelinating subtypes.Methods:We did a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with PPN between January 2010 and December 2019 in an inpatient setting. The study population consisted of patients above 16 years of age presenting with clinical features suggestive of chronic peripheral neuropathy and on evaluation was found to have PPN.Results:A total of 74 patients were identified. The patients were predominantly in the 6th decade, and the majority were males. The subtypes of PPN were monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) (45.9%), POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal plasma cell disorder, and skin changes) (24.3%), solitary plasmacytoma (17.6%), multiple myeloma (8.1%), and AL amyloidosis (4.1%). There are specific features on NCS which can help in identifying POEMS syndrome and IgM MGUS. The majority of patients with PPN tend to stabilize or improve with treatment; however, many have a severe residual disability. New terminology and classification of these entities as ‘monoclonal gammopathies of neurological significance’ can aid in early diagnosis and the development of effective treatment, to prevent residual disability.Conclusion:PPN has a heterogeneous spectrum of clinical, biochemical, and electrophysiological features. NCS can help distinguish POEMS syndrome and IgM MGUS from other demyelinating subtypes.

The standard of care for patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) relapsing after front-line treatment with arsenic trioxide (ATO)-based regimens remains to be defined. A total of 67 patients who relapsed after receiving ATO-based up-front therapy and were also salvaged using an ATO-based regimen were evaluated. The median (range) age of patients was 28 (4-54) years. While 63/67 (94%) achieved a second molecular remission (MR) after salvage therapy, three (4·5%) died during salvage therapy. An autologous stem cell transplant (auto-SCT) was offered to all patients who achieved MR, 35/63 (55·6%) opted for auto-SCT the rest were administered an ATO + all-trans retinoic acid maintenance regimen. The mean (SD) 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimate of overall survival and event-free survival of those who received auto-SCT versus those who did not was 90·3 (5·3)% versus 58·6 (10·4)% (P = 0·004), and 87·1 (6·0)% versus 47·7 (10·3)% (P = 0·001) respectively. On multivariate analysis, failure to consolidate MR with an auto-SCT was associated with a significantly increased risk of relapse [hazard ratio (HR) 4·91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·56-15·41; P = 0·006]. MR induction with ATO-based regimens followed by an auto-SCT in children and young adults with relapsed APL who were treated with front-line ATO-based regimens was associated with excellent long-term survival.

Multiple myeloma had been successfully treated by combining lenalidomide and bortezomib with reports suggesting benefits of such a combination even in relapsed/refractory cases. Recently, it was demonstrated that Ikaros degradation by lenalidomide happens via proteasome-dependent pathway and this process is critical for the eradication of myeloma cells. On the basis of this, an antagonistic effect should be observed if a combination of both these agents were used, which however is not the observation seen in the clinical setting. Our study demonstrates that when these agents are combined they exhibit a synergistic activity against myeloma cells and degradation of Ikaros happens by a proteasome-independent calcium-induced calpain pathway. Our study identifies the crucial role of calcium-induced calpain pathway in inducing apoptosis of myeloma cells when this combination or lenalidomide and bortezomib is used. We also report that this combination enhanced the expression of CD38 compared with lenalidomide alone. Thus, data from our study would establish the rationale for the addition of daratumumab along with this combination to further enhance therapeutic activity against multiple myeloma. Implications: Lenalidomide and bortezomib combination degrades IKZF1 in multiple myeloma through a calcium-dependent calpain and caspase pathway. Visual Overview: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanres/18/4/529/F1.large.jpg.

The standard‐of‐care for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) relapsing after upfront arsenic trioxide (ATO) therapy is not defined. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the safety of addition of bortezomib to ATO in the treatment of relapsed APL based on our previously reported preclinical data demonstrating synergy between these agents. This was an open label, nonrandomized, phase II, single‐center study. We enrolled 22 consecutive patients with relapsed APL. The median age was 26.5 years (interquartile range 17.5 to 41.5). The median time from initial diagnosis to relapse was 23.1 months (interquartile range 15.6 to 43.8). All patients achieved hematological remission at a median time of 45 days (range 40‐63). Nineteen patients were in molecular remission at the end of induction. Grade 3 adverse events occurred in eight instances with one patient requiring discontinuation of therapy for grade 3 neuropathy. Twelve (54.5%) patients underwent autologous transplantation (auto‐SCT) in molecular remission while the rest opted for maintenance therapy. The median follow‐up was 48 months (range 28‐56.3). Of the patients undergoing auto‐SCT, all except one was alive and relapse free at last follow‐up. Of the patients who opted for maintenance therapy, three developed a second relapse. For treatment of APL relapsing after upfront ATO therapy, addition of bortezomib to a standard ATO‐based salvage regimen is safe and effective. This trial was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01950611., The standard‐of‐care for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) relapsing after upfront arsenic trioxide (ATO) therapy is not defined. In this phase II study we demonstrate the safety of adding a proteasome inhibitor with ATO in the management of relapsed APL treated with upfront ATO. We also demonstrate the efficacy of this combination and the potential for its utilization in this setting.

The use of thiotepa-treosulfan-fludarabine conditioning regimen and peripheral blood stem cell grafts is associated with improved outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) in patients with high-risk thalassemia major. However, there remains a need to identify predictors of poor outcomes in this cohort to further optimize outcomes. The Endothelial Activation and Stress Index (EASIX) is a biomarker shown to predict survival in various settings, including graft-versus-host disease, veno-occlusive disease, and nonrelapse mortality following allogeneic HCT. In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated the role of EASIX-PreTx (measured before conditioning therapy) as a biomarker in predicting day +100 transplantation-related mortality (TRM+100) in 281 patients with thalassemia major who underwent HCT with a uniform conditioning regimen using thiotepa-treosulfan-fludarabine at our center between January 2012 and December 2019. The median patient age was 9 years (range, 1 to 25 years), and 109 (38.8%) were females. According to the Pesaro classification (with Vellore modification), 3 patients (1.1%) were class I, 34 (12.1%) were class II, 134 (47.7%) were class III low risk, and 110 (39.1%) were class III high risk. Stem cell donors were matched sibling (n = 218; 77.6%), matched related nonsibling (n = 23; 8.2%), or matched unrelated (n = 40; 14.2%). Five patients (1.8%) received a bone marrow graft, and the others received a peripheral blood stem cell graft. Thirty-eight patients (13.5%) had TRM+100. EASIX-PreTx was available for 184 patients (65.5%). The median EASIX-PreTx was significantly higher in patients with TRM+100 compared with those without TRM+100 (1.09 versus .75; P = .008). An EASIX-PreTx cutoff of .85 had 70.4% sensitivity and 62% specificity for predicting TRM+100. The TRM+100 for patients with EASIX-PreTx.85 was significantly higher than those with EASIX.85 (24.4% versus 7.5%; P = .003). In a uniform subgroup of class III patients undergoing allogeneic HCT (n = 156), EASIX-PreTx was an independent predictor of TRM+100.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has enveloped the globe with 83 million cases and 1,831,703 deaths worldwide, the time of writing.(1) This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Although telomere shortening is seen frequently in patients with aplastic anaemia (AA), there are no data on its association in matched sibling donor (MSD) transplants. We evaluated the effect of pre-transplant telomere length of patients and donors, measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 163 recipients undergoing MSD transplants. The median age of patients and donors was 24 and 26 years, respectively. Fludarabine and cyclophosphamide was the main conditioning regimen used and all received peripheral blood stem cell grafts. Engraftment occurred in 89% with graft failure (primary and secondary) in 6%. Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurred in 28% and 24%, respectively. At a median follow-up of 37 months, 117 patients (72%) were alive. All patients and donors were divided into short and long telomere length based on their median and quartile values. Patient telomere length was not associated with severity of AA, neutrophil recovery, graft failure, acute GVHD or chronic GVHD. Longer donor telomere length was associated with better overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) = 0·2, P = 0·006] but did not influence neutrophil recovery, graft failure, acute or chronic GVHD. The five-year overall survival was significantly better (94·9 ± 3·5% vs 65·4 ± 4·3%, P = 0·002) for donors with long (highest quartile, DTL-HQ) versus short (lower three quartiles, DTL-LQ) telomeres, respectively. On multivariate analysis, longer donor telomere length, recipient age and acute GVHD continued to remain significant. This is the first study demonstrating an association of donor telomere length on overall survival following MSD transplant for AA but it needs to be confirmed in larger studies.

Although haematopoietic stem cell transplant has been successfully employed in the cure of several malignant and non-malignant conditions, survivors often suffer from delayed effects involving the endocrine system and cardio-metabolic risk factors. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of endocrine dysfunction and alterations in metabolic profile in 63 recipients of allogeneic stem cell transplantation as compared to 65 age, sex and body mass index matched controls. Hypogonadism emerged as the most prevalent endocrinopathy, present in 23/60 (38.3%) of subjects, followed by overt and subclinical hypothyroidism in 10/63 (15.9%) of cases. The metabolic parameters, that included plasma glucose and lipid profile were not significantly different between cases and controls. However, insulin resistance, as assessed by surrogate markers employing HOMA IR (3.82 vs. 1.97) and QUICKI (0.338 vs. 0.373) was significantly higher among cases than in controls (P

High dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation is the treatment of choice for relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). We analyzed 100 consecutive patients who underwent ASCT at our center between January 1999 and June 2019 for relapsed or refractory disease with a median age of 28 years (range: 9–65). At ASCT, 59 were in complete remission (CR) while 31 achieved partial remission (PR) and 10 had refractory disease (RD). Most had BEAM conditioning with a median infused cell dose of 4.84 × 10(6) CD 34 cells/kg. Prompt engraftment occurred in 97 patients at a median of 11 days. The day 100 transplant related mortality (TRM) was 5%. At a median of 37 months follow up, 79 patients are alive while 34 have relapsed. The 3-year event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) are 62.3 ± 0.5% and 77.9 ± 4.4% respectively. The 3-year OS for patients in CR, PR and RD were 83.0 ± 5.2%, 78.4 ± 8.1% and 38.9 ± 1.7 respectively [p = 0.007] while the 3-year EFS for CR, PR and RD were 73.1 ± 6.2%, 61.3 ± 9.2% and 25.0 ± 1.5 respectively [p = 0.005]. Only disease status at time of ASCT was found to correlate with both OS and EFS. ASCT for HL is associated with good outcomes and low TRM. Disease status at ASCT impacted both OS and EFS and strategies to improve outcomes in patients with refractory disease needs to be explored.

Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL), albeit rare in pregnancy, needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of neurologic deficits with multifocal brain lesions.

Objectives Azathioprine (AZA) is a commonly used immunosuppressant in patients with autoimmune diseases. The toxic side effect to AZA (myelosuppression, hair loss, and oral ulcers) are highly unpredictable which can be life threatening if not identified earlier and dose adjustments made or the drug is withdrawn. Case presentation Here we report a case series of five patients with severe toxicity while on treatment with AZA for autoimmune hemolytic anemia (n=1) and Immune thrombocytopenia (n=4). The common thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) variants (TPMT*2, *3A, *3B) were not present in these patients. However, all these patients had the NUDT15 415C>T variant that has been reported to explain serious toxicity to thioguanine in Asian patients. Conclusions Our report suggests pre-emptive genotype-based dosing of AZA could reduce adverse toxicity and hence better outcome.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using fludarabine (Flu)-based conditioning regimens are being increasingly being used in patients with aplastic anemia (AA). We describe an antithymocyte globulin (ATG)-free conditioning regimen consisting of Flu and cyclophosphamide (Cy) in patients undergoing matched related donor (MRD) HSCT for AA. Between 2004 and 2019, 212 patients underwent MRD HSCT using Flu (30 mg/m2/day for 6 days) and Cy (60 mg/kg/day for 2 days) for conditioning. The graft source was peripheral blood stem cells in all patients. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted mainly of cyclosporine and methotrexate, although 41 patients received post-transplantation Cy as part of a study. Engraftment occurred in 91% of patients at a median of 16 days, whereas 4 patients (1.8%) experienced primary graft failure and 15 (7.1%) died before achieving engraftment. Toxicity was minimal. The incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD (aGVHD) was 27.9%, and that of grade III-IV aGVHD was 11.3%. Chronic GVHD occurred in 41.6%. 80% were free of immunosuppression at 60 months and long-term complications were seen in 8.4%. At a median of 46 months, 158 patients were alive and well, with a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 75.3 ± 3.0%. The 5-year OS was 80.6 ± 4.1% for patients age 40 years (n = 28) (P = .11). Patients classified as low risk had better OS compared with those at high risk (93.2 ± 2.9% versus 65.7 ± 4.1%; P = .000). Factors affecting OS on multivariate analysis included aGVHD (P = .02) and graft failure (P = .000). This large series using Flu/Cy for conditioning before MRD HSCT confirms good outcomes in patients with AA, with excellent outcomes in low-risk patients. Suitable modifications are needed to improve outcomes in high-risk patients.

Background With the increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms and high mortality rates associated with these infections, we describe the spectrum of the major drug-resistant pathogens identified in fecal surveillance, and re-visit the use of fecal surveillance in predicting infection with these organisms post-allogeneic stem cell transplant. Methods Data from allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients with common drug-resistant strains of bacteria in fecal surveillance (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Enterococcus spp.) were compared with recipients who did not have the same in fecal surveillance cultures. Baseline characteristics and post-transplant outcomes including similar drug resistance in blood cultures, severe sepsis, and 100-day transplant-related mortality were compared. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression model was used to determine independent predictors of outcome. Results In 232 transplants, the prevalence of common drug-resistant isolates in fecal surveillance cultures was 57.7% (134 out of 232 patients—with a single isolate in 115 and ≥2 isolates in the remaining 19 patients. A total of 164 drug-resistant isolates were obtained from 134 patients. Of the 164 isolates, 133 (81%) were positive for ESBL screening, 19 (11.5%) for carbapenem-resistant organisms (CRO) screening, 12 (7.3%) for VRE screening. Patients who had common drug-resistant pathogens detected in fecal surveillance have significantly higher subsequent blood culture positivity with drug resistance, as well as higher 100-day mortality. Factors influencing 100-day mortality included patient's age (P = .001), drug resistance positivity in blood (P < .001), drug resistance in fecal surveillance (P = .011), use of an alternate donor (other than fully matched sibling) (P < .001), GVHD grade 3-4 (P < .001), and severe sepsis (P < .001). On multivariate analysis, only use of an alternate donor (0.024), severe sepsis (P < .001), and grade 3-4 GVHD (P < .001) retained significance in predicting 100-day mortality. Conclusion Organisms resistant to 3rd generation cephalosporins are frequently seen on fecal surveillance in the pre-transplant setting and are associated with a higher incidence of drug-resistant organisms in subsequent blood cultures (not limited to the same drug resistance pattern as seen in fecal surveillance). Drug-resistant organisms in fecal surveillance are associated with poorer outcomes following allogeneic stem cell transplant and may be used as a guide to identify patients at risk of subsequently developing a drug-resistant organism in blood.

Autologous transplantation is the standard of care for transplant-eligible patients with multiple myeloma. Toward making this treatment accessible in developing countries, there are significant challenges like resource constraints and access to cryopreservation facilities. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with multiple myeloma who underwent autologous transplantation using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized non-cryopreserved grafts at our institution from January 1995 to December 2014. Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) were harvested over 1 to 2 days after G-CSF mobilization. After apheresis, PBSCs were stored at 4°C in a blood bank refrigerator for up to 72 hours. During the study period, 224 patients with multiple myeloma underwent autologous transplantation using G-CSF–mobilized non-cryopreserved grafts. The number of days of stem cell harvest was 1 in 91 patients (40.6%) and 2 in 133 patients (59.4%). The median CD34 cell dose was 4.87 × 106/kg (range, 1.15 to 23.7). All patients except 1 engrafted. The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 12 days (range, 9 to 22). The median time to platelet engraftment was 17 days (range, 10 to 44). In a resource-limited setting, the use of G-CSF–mobilized non-cryopreserved grafts results in adequate engraftment for most patients with multiple myeloma undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation.

For patients requiring allogeneic stem cell transplant, in the absence of a HLA-matched sibling, an extended donor search within the family may yield a suitable donor especially in societies with a high prevalence of consanguinity. We describe outcomes in transplants with non-sibling family donors, and compare outcomes with controls having a sibling donor transplant. Retrospective analysis of all matched related (non-sibling) donor transplants between 1995 and 2015. For comparison, appropriate age, sex and disease-matched patients were chosen from the sibling transplants (MSD) performed during the same time period (± 2 years). Comparison between the fully matched non-sibling donor cohort and age, sex and disease-matched sibling donor transplants showed a significant increase in complications in the family donor group (viral infections, acute GVHD and rejection). Event-free survival and overall survival were significantly lower in the non-sibling donor cohort, and HLA disparity (1-2 antigen) further worsened the adverse impact. Though there was a significantly lower event-free and overall survival at 3 years in the family donor cohort, this did not retain significance in the multivariate analysis. This data on allogeneic transplants using family donors showed higher complication rates and poorer outcomes. However in situations where financial constraints prevent access to matched unrelated donor sources, extended family searches may be fruitful in yielding a donor, and modifications in conditioning regimens and improvement in supportive care may help in improving the outcomes in family donor transplants.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). We wanted to study if the high sero-prevalence seen in our population translated into a high incidence of CMV infection following SCT. This is a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent allogeneic SCT between January 2008 and December 2012 at our centre. 475 patients underwent allogeneic SCT for malignant (46.5%) and non-malignant (53.5%) haematological disorders. 463 (97.4%) SCT recipients and 403 (84.8%) SCT donors were IgG seropositive for CMV. CMV reactivation within 100 days post SCT was seen in 174 (36.6%) at a median of 41 days (range 10–100) post SCT. Ganciclovir was used in 166 patients (95.4%) for a mean duration of 16 days (range 5–32). 157 patients (90%) responded to therapy. Sixty-six patients (42.3%) had secondary reactivation of the virus. Use of a male donor (p = 0.000), donor and recipient age > 15 (p = 0.005 and 0.000), unrelated donor (p = 0.000), degree of HLA mismatch (p = 0.000), occurrence of acute GVHD (p = 0.000) and steroid refractory acute GVHD (p = 0.026) were identified as risk factors for CMV reactivation while early neutrophil recovery (

High-dose cyclophosphamide (PTCY) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HSCT) has been shown to be effective in preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after HLA-matched bone marrow transplantation. We performed a phase II study of PTCY given at 50 mg/kg i.v. on days 3 and 4 as the sole GVHD prophylaxis after HSCT for severe aplastic anemia (SAA) in patients receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor–mobilized peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts from HLA-matched related donors after conditioning with fludarabine, CY, and single-dose total body irradiation. Thirty patients with a median age of 29 years (range, 16 to 49) were enrolled in this study. Engraftment was seen in 27 patients (90%) at a median of 16 days (range, 12 to 21) post-HSCT. None of the patients developed veno-occlusive disease of the liver or hemorrhagic cystitis. Grades II to IV acute GVHD was seen in 22% of patients with grades III to IV GVHD in 11.1%. The 2-year cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 22.7%. Fourteen patients (46.6%) did not require any further immunosuppression after receiving PTCY. Comparing with 2 historical cohorts of 30 patients each who received cyclosporine and methotrexate (MTX; at 15 mg/m2 [MTX15] and 10 mg/m2 [MTX10]), the incidence of grades II to IV acute GVHD was lower, albeit not significantly, with the use of PTCY (PTCY, 22.2%, vs MTX15, 37.1%, vs MTX10, 53.8%; P = .056), whereas rates of chronic GVHD were significantly reduced (PTCY, 22.7%, vs MTX15, 63.6%, vs MTX10, 76.2%; P = .013). Viral infections including cytomegalovirus were significantly higher with the use of PTCY (60%) compared with cyclosporine and MTX (MTX15, 23.3%, vs MTX10, 33.3%; P = .008). Overall survival was similar between the 3 groups. We conclude that PTCY as the sole GVHD prophylaxis is associated with low rates of acute and chronic GVHD in patients undergoing PBSC transplant for SAA using HLA-matched donors. This trial is registered at CTRI/2010/091/001480.

Haploidentical stem cell transplantation (SCT) using post-transplantation cyclophosphamide for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis is a reasonable therapeutic option for patients who do not have a matched sibling donor. Between 2010 and June 2020, 257 patients underwent 269 Haploidentical transplantations, including 122 children. Indications included both malignant (56.8%) and non-malignant (43.2%) diseases. Conditioning regimens included both myeloablative (57.6%) and nonmyeloablative regimens (42.4%). Peripheral blood stem cells were the predominant graft source (96.2%). Based on the disease risk index, patients were classified into early-, intermediate-, and late-stage disease. Engraftment was seen in 205 patients (76.2%) whereas 39 (14.4%) died before engraftment and 23 (8.6%) had primary graft failure. The cumulative incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD was 47.8% with a 23.9% incidence of grade III-IV acute GVHD. Chronic GVHD was seen in 41.9% with a 15.4% incidence of extensive chronic GVHD. More than 90% had at least 1 documented infection with a 44% incidence of bacterial, 71% viral, and 38% fungal infection. The 2-year overall survival is 40.5% ± 3.2% with a higher survival among children (48.2% ± 3.4%) compared to adults (34.2% ± 4.1%). Survival was poor with late-stage disease (23.6% ± 4.3%) compared to early- (62.5% ± 7.5%) and intermediate-stage (50.3% ± 4.3%). Factors adversely affecting survival included older age of patient (P = .007), late disease status (P = .000), nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen (P = .003), bone marrow as graft source (P = .006), presence of acute GVHD (P = .069), primary graft failure (P = .000), and presence of a documented bacterial (P = .000) and fungal infection (P = .000). On multivariate analysis, older age (P = .027), presence of acute GVHD (P = .033), documented bacterial infection (P = .000), documented fungal infection (P = .000) and primary graft failure (P = .012) continued to remain significant. Haploidentical SCT offers a reasonable chance of cure for patients with both malignant and nonmalignant hematological diseases. Strategies to reduce aGVHD and infection related mortality needs to be explored further. © 20XX American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), defined as failure of 2 cycles of induction therapy at diagnosis or of 1 cycle at relapse, represents a subgroup with poor clinical outcomes. In our transplant cohort, the 5-year overall survival in this subgroup was 16% (Ganapule at al. JGO 2017). Haploidentical natural killer cell (NK) therapy is a strategy that is being explored in refractory malignancies. Our in-vitro and animal model data suggest that exposure to arsenic trioxide (ATO) results in enhanced NK cytotoxicity (Alex AA et al. Front. Immunol 2018). Historically, at our center, patients with refractory AML have been treated with cytoreductive therapy (FLAG ± idarubicin or mitoxantrone + etoposide for 3 to 5 days) followed by 1-week rest and then a reduced-intensity transplant with fludarabine + melphalan conditioning while in peak cytopenia. From February 2019, we initiated a phase II single arm clinical trial (CTRI/2019/02/017505) enrolling patients with refractory AML planned for a stem cell transplant in peak cytopenia. Patients received CD56-positive cells from an HLA haploidentical related family donor (other than the stem cell donor, wherever feasible) following cytoreductive chemotherapy. The NK cell donor preference strategy included presence of KIR ligand mismatch, greater number of KIR B motifs (or the B score), lower donor age, and negative donor specific antibodies tested using flowcytometry crossmatch (Figure 1a). CD56-positive selection was done using CliniMACS prodigy system. This was followed by overnight incubation of the CD56 positive cells in autologous plasma with 2 micromolar ATO and 500 U/mL of interleukin-2. The CD56 positive cells were then infused to the patient 1-day after the completion of cytoreductive chemotherapy. This was followed by a reduced intensity stem cell transplant (Figure 1b). The primary outcome variable was 1-year relapse free survival. From February 2019, 14 patients with median age 28 years (IQR: 15.75-31.5) were enrolled in this trial. Six were females. Six had primary-refractory AML while 8 had relapsed-refractory AML. The cytoreductive chemotherapy was FLAG ± idarubicin (n=7), Mitoxantrone + Etoposide (n=6) and GCLAC (n=1). The median blast percentage on flowcytometry MRD testing prior to NK infusion was 15.9% (IQR: 9.1%-54.5%) (n=11). The median B score for the NK cell donors was 2 (IQR: 1-3). The median age of the NK cell donor was 43 years (IQR: 36-49.5). KIR ligand mismatch with the patient was noted in 2 donors. The median CD56-cell dose infused was 46.16 x 10 6/kg (IQR: 25.06-70.36) (Figure 1c). Pre-defined release criteria, including sterile cultures, and endotoxin negativity were met in all cases. There was no infusion related toxicity. The median blast percentage on flowcytometry MRD testing done following NK cell infusion was 11.9% (IQR: 4.9%-47.6%) (n=8). One patient withdrew consent after NK cell infusion and did not undergo transplant. For the remaining 13 patients, the stem cell donor was HLA matched (n=4), HLA 9/10 matched (n=1) or HLA haplomatched (n=8). The median CD34 cell dose infused was 10 x 10 6/kg (IQR:7.51-11.6). Five (38.5%) patients died of immediate post-transplant complications (sepsis (n=3) on days 1, 2 and 28, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (n=1) on day 1 in a patient treated with hormonal contraceptives for menorrhagia, and veno-occlusive disease (n=1) on day 15 in a patient undergoing a second transplant) while 2 (15.4%) did not engraft (both subsequently died of infective complications following engraftment post-second transplant). Of the remaining 6 (46.2%) patients who engrafted and survived beyond 1 month of the transplant, the day 28 post-transplant MRD was negative for 5 patients while it was positive in 1 patient (0.13%). On follow up, 2 (15.4%) patients developed disease relapse (on days 54 and 218 respectively) and died. The remaining 4 (30.8%) patients are alive and relapse free at last follow up (mean follow up of surviving patients is 16 months). One patient received a CD34 cell boost on day 96 (cell dose - 8.55 x 10 6/kg) for poor graft function. For the entire cohort, the estimated 1-year event free survival is 28.8% ± 13.1%(Figure 1d). Whereas, acute GVHD was noted in 3 patients (50%; out of 6 evaluable patients) and chronic GVHD was noted in 3 patients (50%; out of the 6 evaluable patients). Thus, haploidentical NK cell therapy as an adjunct to transplant is safe and merits further evaluation in patients with AML. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Mathews: Christian Medical College: Patents & Royalties: US 2020/0345770 A1 - Pub.Date Nov.5, 2020; AML: Other: Co-Inventor.

Introduction Aplastic anemia (AA) is characterized by a hypoplastic marrow and bone marrow failure (BMF), leading to peripheral pancytopenia. The treatment for AA currently consists of either hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) or immunosuppressive therapy (IST) with anti-thymocyte globulin and cyclosporine. We have previously reported poor responses to IST in Indian children with AA while adults (>15 years) show responses of 60%. Therefore, we wanted to study if we could identify constitutional variants in children and young adults with AA. Methods We included 102 young patients (≤40 years of age) diagnosed to have AA between year Jan 2006 to April 2021. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and relative telomere length (rTL) was measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The DNA was used to perform targeted gene capture using a custom capture kit which covered 2196 genes associated with various hematological disorders. Among the 2196 genes, the analysis was restricted to 96 genes associated with AA/IBMFS. Bioinformatics analysis was carried out using Genome Analysis ToolKit (GATK) best practices pipeline. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines, the variants were labelled as pathogenic/likely pathogenic/variant of uncertain significance (VUS)/likely benign/benign. The candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. Results The median age of patients was 9 (0-40) years, including 56 males (55%) and 46 females (45%). There were 15 patients with non-severe AA (NSAA) (15%), 63 with severe AA (SAA) (62%) and 24 with very severe AA (VSAA) (23%). The median relative telomere length of the entire cohort was 0.85 (0.21-3.10). The characteristics of patients age-wise are mentioned in Table 1. Genetic variants were identified in 34 patients (33.3%). This included germline pathological (PAT) genetic variants in 12.7%, variants of limited significance in 9.8% and variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in 10.7% patients. Of the 13 patients who had PAT variants, 6 patients had variants in telomere associated genes. This includes 2 patients with splice site and missense mutation in TINF2 (c.1221+5G>A & R282H); 2 patients with missense mutation in TERT (C828W & S947C); and 2 patients with frameshift and nonsense mutation in RTEL1 (L962S & R1010X). Homozygous MPL mutations [L79Q, R522T & P530L(n=3)] were observed in 5 patients. Two patients had PAT variants in DNAJC21 and NLRP12. Eleven VUS variants were present in the following genes, ATM (n=3), TINF2 (n=1), WRAP53 (n=1), BRCA2 (n=1), AK2 (n=1), FANCA (n=1), FANCN (n=1), ERCC6L2 (n=1) & PRF1 (n=1). The incidence of mutations in the age group ≤5, 6-10, 11-15 and 16-30 years were 51.8%, 25.6%, 27.8% & 33.4% respectively. There was significant difference in median rTL between patients with variants and no variants in the age-group 11-15 years (p=0.043). Discussion Genetic analyses studies in aplastic anemia patients were confined to single genes or limited gene sets. Keel et al., reported 5.1% of AA patients carried pathogenic variants in inherited BMF/MDS genes. We observed a high frequency of causative genetic variants (37%) in children ( Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Mathews: Christian Medical College: Patents & Royalties: US 2020/0345770 A1 - Pub.Date Nov.5, 2020; AML: Other: Co-Inventor.

In the setting of clinical trials, high cure rates have been reported for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with the chemotherapy-free combination of arsenic trioxide (ATO) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) for low-intermediate risk disease, and with the addition of gemtuzumab ozogamicin or minimal anthracycline for high-risk disease. Despite clear in-vitro synergy between ATO and ATRA, most clinical trial protocols in APL have not used these drugs concurrently beyond induction. There is limited real world data on the use of chemotherapy-free combination of ATO and ATRA with minimal anthracycline use in the treatment of APL, especially in the high risk group. We did a retrospective analysis of the clinical outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed APL treated at our center from January 2015 to May 2020 using concurrent ATO, ATRA and minimal anthracycline in a risk stratified manner. The data was frozen and analyzed as on 1st June 2021. During the study period, 167 patients were diagnosed to have APL at our hospital. Of these, we excluded 5 patients who had presented with relapsed disease and 28 patients who were treated with single agent ATO. The remaining 134 patients were treated with a uniform protocol as summarized in Figure 1a. Figure 1b shows the KM plot for EFS (2 year: 90.8±2.5%) for these 134 patients. For analysis of regimen safety and efficacy, we excluded patients who wished to pursue treatment elsewhere within the first 1 week of treatment (n=7), and patients who had severe infections or life-threatening bleeding at presentation or before therapy initiation and subsequently died (n=4). Thus, a total of 123 patients with newly diagnosed APL were included for further analysis. The median age was 35 years (IQR: 24 to 45 years). Forty-six (37.4%) were females. The median duration of symptoms prior to admission was 14 days (IQR: 7 to 28 days). Sixty-one (49.6%) had high risk APL while the remaining 62 (50.4%) had low-intermediate risk APL. During induction, 28 (22.7%) patients had major bleeding while 5 (4%) patients developed major thrombosis. Sixty-seven (55%) patients had at least one documented infection during induction therapy. The median number of packed red cell concentrates, fresh frozen plasma, platelet rich concentrates and cryoprecipitates transfused during induction therapy was 5 (IQR: 3 to 6.5), 10 (IQR: 3 to 30), 40 (IQR: 23 to 55) and 6 (IQR: 0 to 18) respectively. Nineteen (15.4%) patients developed differentiation syndrome; all were treated with steroids, 8 required transient cessation of treatment and 6 required intensive care. Eight (6.5%) patients died during induction. During induction, grade 3 hepatotoxicity was noted in 8 (6.5%) patients, 10 (8.1%) patients had ATRA related headache or benign intracranial hypertension of which 5 required transient cessation of ATRA, while 11 (8.9%) patients had transient QTc prolongation of which 6 required transient cessation of ATO. Seventeen (13.8%) patients developed symptomatic sensory neuropathy requiring treatment. None required permanent discontinuation of therapy. At a median follow up of 854 days, there were 2 (1.6%) hematologic relapses and no deaths beyond induction therapy. The 2-year OS and EFS for the cohort (n=123) are 93.4% ± 2.3% and 91.6% ± 2.6% respectively (Figure 1c). Two (1.6%) patients have developed second malignancies. In a real world setting, concurrently administered ATO and ATRA with minimal anthracycline use results in excellent long term survival, even in the high risk group. Early deaths due to delayed presentation with infections and life threatening bleeding remain an unmet need for future research along with the need for strategies to reduce treatment-related toxicities. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Mathews: Christian Medical College: Patents & Royalties: US 2020/0345770 A1 - Pub.Date Nov.5, 2020; AML: Other: Co-Inventor.

Objective: Fanconi anaemia is a genotypically heterogeneous disease. A fast and reliable genetic diagnosis method helps is important for the clinical care of these patients. The objective of this study was to establish a strategy for expeditious molecular diagnosis for the Indian FA patients. Methods: Exome sequencing was performed for 119 FA patients on Illumina HiSeq X system and the data was analysed by Sentieon (v201808.01) to identify germline variants. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) with an allele frequency of Results: SNVs associated with FA were identified in heterozygous states in 93 (78%) patients. Of the remaining 20 patients, 8 had homozygous deletions, and twelve were compound heterozygous with deletions and SNVs. We detected deletions in 20 patients: 7 with heterozygous and 12 with homozygous deletions in FANCA, and one with a homozygous deletion in FANCT (UBE2T). MLPA confirmed the deletions in the FANCA gene. The homozygous deletion in the FANCT gene was confirmed by the lack of amplification by PCR using the primers binding to the deleted region. By combining the SNVs and deletions, disease-causing genotypes were identified in 113 of 119 (95%) patients. A large number of our patients (81.5 %) were homozygous (Figure) due to the high rate of consanguinity in the population. FANCA was found to be the most frequently mutated gene in (57.5%) while mutations in FANCG gene accounted for 14.2% of our patients. FANCC mutations were found at a very low frequency (1.8%) in our patients. Although mutations in FANCL are rare in all the populations, 24 (21.2%) patients with FANCL mutations were identified in our study. A previously reported synonymous splicing mutation FANCL c.1092G>A;p.K364= was found in homozygous state in 22 (19.5%) patients. Two other FANCL mutations identified includes a missense mutation c.827C>T; p.Pro281Leu in the homozygous state in one patient and a nonsense mutation c.997C>T; p.Gln333Ter in the compound heterozygous state with the common FANCL c.1092G>A;p.K364= mutation in another patient. Mutations in rarely mutated FA genes included 1 patient each in FANCT/UBE2T and FANCI and two each in FANCJ/BRIP1 and FANCF gene. Based on the comprehensive genotype analysis, we could design an algorithm for FA in the Indian population. ~20% of the FA patients who have FANCL c.1092G>A;p.K364= mutation can be diagnosed by Sanger sequencing. MLPA can detect FANCA deletions (16.5% of the overall mutations). The results from these two tests can be obtained in 48 hours. For those who are negative for the mutations by these two methods, LA-NGS can detect SNVs in the FANCA and FANCG genes, which constitute >55% of the FA mutations in the population. We have tested this algorithm for expedited molecular diagnosis in 27 FA patients and found that the disease genotypes could be established in 94% of the patients in less than two weeks. Conclusion/Clinical applicability: Exome sequencing identified several novel mutations in the FA pathway genes in the FA patients. A cost-effective and time-saving algorithm was explicitly established for molecular diagnosis of FA in the Indian population. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is a curative treatment for beta-thalassemia major. The Pesaro risk stratification classifies patients with thalassemia into three groups (class I, II, and III) to predict the transplant-related mortality (TRM) and graft rejection after myeloablative conditioning with busulfan and cyclophosphamide. However, in developing countries, where inadequate chelation therapy prior to transplant is common, most patients would fall under the class III category. There is heterogeneity in the clinical outcomes in this group. Hence, our center introduced a further refinement in this risk stratification, identifying a subset of "class III high risk" as those with age greater than or equal to 7 years and liver size > 5cm (Mathews V et al. BBMT 2007). Subsequently, we showed that the use of a conditioning regimen containing thiotepa, treosulfan, and fludarabine (TTF) along with a peripheral blood stem cell graft led to improved outcomes in this subset with a reduction in early TRM from 46% (with busulfan-cyclophosphamide) to 13% (Mathews V et al. PLoS One 2013). There is still a need to identify predictors of poor clinical outcomes to optimize further the clinical outcomes of these class III high-risk thalassemia patients. Endothelial activation and stress index (EASIX) is a simple biomarker calculated using lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, and platelet counts. EASIX has been shown to be predictive of overall survival in various settings like GVHD following reduced-intensity transplants for malignancies in adults, veno-occlusive disease, and nonrelapse mortality following SCT (Luft T et al. Lancet Haem 2017; Jiang S et al. Haematologica 2021; Luft T et al. BMT 2020). Here, we evaluated the role of EASIX (measured before conditioning therapy) as a biomarker in predicting early TRM in patients with thalassemia major who have undergone SCT with a uniform conditioning regimen using TTF at our center. During the study period from January 2012 to December 2019, 281 patients with thalassemia major underwent SCT with a uniform TTF protocol at our center. The median age was nine years (range 1 to 25 years). One hundred and nine (38.8%) were females. As per Pesaro classification (with Vellore modification), three (1.1%) were class I, 34 (12.1%) were class II, 134 (47.7%) were class III low risk, and 110 (39.1%) were class III high risk. The stem cell donors were matched sibling (n=218, 77.6%), matched related non-sibling (n=23, 8.2%), or matched unrelated donors (n=40, 14.2%). The stem cell donor was HLA matched in all cases except 21 (7.5%), wherein there was a mismatch at one locus. Five (1.8%) had a bone marrow graft, while others had peripheral blood stem cell grafts. Thirty-eight (13.5%) patients had transplant-related mortality by day 100 (TRM100). The median follow-up of the cohort was 31 months (range 0 to 103 months). EASIX score pre-transplant was available for 184 (65.5%) patients. There was no difference in the rate of TRM100 in patients where EASIX was available compared to those where EASIX was not available (14.7% versus 11.3%, p 0.47). Also, there was no difference in overall mortality rate in patients where EASIX was available compared to those where EASIX was not available (21.2% versus 17.5%, p 0.53). Among patients with TRM100 vis-à-vis those who did not, the median EASIX score was significantly higher (1.09 versus 0.75, p 0.008). We then plotted a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for predicting TRM100 using the EASIX score. The area under the curve was 0.661 (Figure 1a). A cut-off of 0.85 for the EASIX score had a 70.4% sensitivity and 62% specificity for predicting TRM100. The TRM100 for patients with EASIX above 0.85 was significantly higher than those with EASIX less than 0.85 (24.4% versus 7.5%, p 0.003). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, the factors independently predicting TRM100 were pre-transplant EASIX score, pre-transplant ferritin, unrelated donor source, and chimerism at day 60 (Figure 1b). In patients with thalassemia major undergoing SCT using a uniform TTF conditioning, EASIX score measured pre-transplant can identify patients at greater risk for Day100 TRM. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Mathews: Christian Medical College: Patents & Royalties: US 2020/0345770 A1 - Pub.Date Nov.5, 2020; AML: Other: Co-Inventor.

Patients and methods All patients with haemophilia A or B who underwent major surgery, either as elective or as emergency, with rFVIIIFc or rFIXFc as the clotting factor concentrate (CFC) for hemostasis were included in this study. None of them were positive for inhibitors before. The factor was administered once daily or once every 36-48 hours depending on the product. The factor assays were done with a one stage APTT method. The CFC support was continued till suture removal, usually 10 days. Other supportive measures included tranexamic acid,at physician discretion. Results A total of 57 patients underwent surgery. There were 45 patients with haemophilia A and 12 with haemophilia B. Of those with haemophilia A, - 37 (82.2%) had severe, 3 (11.1%) moderate and 5 (6.7%) mild disease. Of those with haemophilia B, 7 (58.3%) had severe,3 (25 %) moderate and 2 (16.7%) mild disease. The median age was 30 years (range: 1-70). Among those with haemophilia A, there were 4 with inhibitor titre 5 BU, requiring bypassing agents. None with haemophilia B had inhibitor. The surgical procedures included 40 (70.1%) orthopaedic, 6 (10.5%) abdomino-perineal, 4(7%) urological and 3(5.2%) neurosurgical and 1(1.7%) each - venricular septal defect repair, skin graft, tympanoplasty and coronary angioplasty. The orthopaedic surgeries included pseudotumour excision (n=9), bilateral total knee replacement (bilateral n=4, unilateral n=1), total hip replacement (n=3), open reduction and internal fixation of fracture (n=11), corrective osteotomies/soft tissue release (n=6), amputation (n=1), arthrodesis (n=1), laminectomy (n=1), implant removal (n=1),intra articular repair(n=1)and curettage (n=1). For those with haemophilia A, the median recovery assay pre-op was 108% (range: 50-200).The median trough levels for post- operative days +1,+3,+5 ,+7 were 40% (11-138), 36.5% (13-94), 36.4% (1.4-118), and 27%(1.6-77) respectively. Among 35 patients with severe haemophilia undergoing major surgery, the median total factor used was 305 (125-563)IU/kg. The median recovery assay for those with haemophilia B prior to surgery was 70.1%(50-165).The median trough levels for post operative days+1,+3,+5 ,+7 were 49.8% (28-70.7), 40.7%(31.6-56.2), 42.3%(11.6-58.2), and 40.5%(24.5-59.4) respectively. The median total factor used was 400 (134-1000)IU/kg. Seventeen of those with haemophilia A (37.8%) required transfusion of at least 1 packed red cell each as per expected blood loss in those surgeries. Two patients required FFP and 1 patient required platelet transfusion as well for DIC. One patient had sustained injury to axillary artery during surgery and the other one had undergone resection of extensive pseudotumour. There was no unexpected post-operative bleeding. In those with haemophilia B, 2(16.7%) patients required transfusion of packed red cell as per expected blood loss in those surgeries. No other blood product was required. There was no excessive bleed during the perioperative period. Conclusions Modest doses of rFVIIIFc and rFIXFc can be used safely for major surgery in haemophilia with effective haemostasis and monitored with one stage APTT based assays. The less frequent administration makes these agents a more convenient option. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy were investigated in patients with multiple myeloma receiving both generic and innovator melphalan (MEL) formulation for conditioning pre autologous stem cell transplantation. Both the MEL formulations were comparable in terms of pharmacokinetics and efficacy, suggesting generic MEL as a low-cost alternative to innovator MEL for autologous stem cell transplantation conditioning in multiple myeloma. BACKGROUND: High-dose melphalan (MEL) is the standard conditioning regimen used for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Generic MEL is routinely used in various transplant centers across the world including ours due to its reduced cost and ease of availability. We compared the pharmacokinetics (PK) and the clinical efficacy of generic MEL with that of the innovator formulation in MM patients undergoing ASCT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-three patients diagnosed with MM receiving high-dose MEL were included in this study. MEL levels in plasma were measured using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS-MS) protocol and non-linear mixed effects modeling was used to evaluate the PK of the data. RESULTS: The interindividual variability (IIV) in MEL area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) and clearance (CL) were 4.39, 5.88-fold for generic, and 4.34, 6.85-fold for the innovator formulation, respectively. The median MEL AUC and CL were comparable between the 2 formulations. The population PK analysis showed age and creatinine CL as the only significant covariates explaining IIV in MEL AUC/CL. Analysis of MEL PK parameters with clinical outcome showed no significant differences in terms of onset and severity of mucositis, day to neutrophil and platelet engraftment, as well as response status on day 100 post ASCT between patients receiving generic or innovator formulations of MEL. In addition, neither MEL AUC nor CL was found to be associated with day +100 response. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the PK and efficacy of the generic MEL is comparable to the innovator formulation.

The significant advancements made in the field of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) have ensured increased longevity in transplant recipients. However, they do have late effects that may adversely affect the endocrine system, bone health, and body composition. This study was undertaken to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone score, and body composition in recipients of allo-HSCT and compare them with age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) matched controls. This was a cross-sectional study done in 63 cases and 65 matched controls. The mean femoral neck BMD was found to be lower in cases than in controls (0.777 [0.119] versus 0.846 [0.122] g/cm2, P = .002). Among cases, the mean BMD at the neck of femur was lower in patients who had received myeloablative conditioning compared with those who had received the nonmyeloablative regimen (0.731 [0.090] versus 0.802 [0.126] g/cm2, P = .014]. The mean (SD) bone density at the lumbar spine was significantly lower in the group that had received total body irradiation compared with the group that did not (0.930 [0.111] versus 0.993 [0.127], P = .044). Trabecular bone score did not differ between cases and controls (1.383 [0.877] versus 1.389 [0.750], P = .670). The lean mass was significantly lower (15.9 [2.4] versus 18.6 [4.8] kg/m2, P

Arsenic trioxide (ATO)-based regimens are the standard of care for treating acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) and have replaced chemotherapy-based approaches. However, the cost of "patented" ATO is prohibitive because of patent rights. "Generic" ATO has been used in a few countries, but its implications for health resource utilization (HRU) and cost of treatment are unknown. We hypothesized that treating APL patients using generic ATO (APL-ATO) will be cost effective compared to the chemotherapy-based regimen (APL-CT). In a single-centre retrospective study, we used a bottom-up costing method to compare the direct medical cost of treatment and HRU between APL-ATO and APL-CT. These costs and the survival and relapse probabilities were imputed in a three-state Markov decision model to estimate the cost effectiveness of APL-ATO compared to APL-CT. The mean cost of treatment for APL-ATO (n = 30, $8500 ± 2078) was significantly less than for APL-CT (n = 30, $22 600 ± 5528) (P < 0·001). APL-ATO reduced hospitalization, antibiotic and antifungal usage (P < 0·001). In the Markov model, five-year treatment costs were significantly lower for APL-ATO ($11 131) than for APL-CT ($17 926) (P < 0·001). Treatment cost and health resource utilization were significantly lower for generic ATO-treated APL patients compared to the chemotherapy-based regimen.

We performed a prospective multi-centre observational study to understand the incidence of IFI in patients with AML in India with use of anti-fungal prophylaxis. All patients with AML receiving either induction chemotherapy or salvage chemotherapy between November 2014 and February 2016 were included in this prospective observational study from 10 Indian centres. IFI was defined as per the revised EORTC-MSG criteria. Data on type of chemotherapy used, type of anti-fungal prophylaxis used, time to neutrophil recovery, incidence of IFI and survival were collected. Two hundred patients (118 male and 82 females) with a median age of 35 years (range: 2–66) were recruited. One hundred and eighty-six (93%) had newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) while 14 (7%) had relapsed disease. IFI occurred in 53 patients (26.5%) with proven or probable IFI occurring in 17 (8.5%). Use of posaconazole prophylaxis (p = 0.027) was the only factor found to be associated with a reduced incidence of IFI. The overall survival (OS) at 6 weeks and 3 months respectively was similar among patients who had IFI (83.0 ± 5.2%; 81.0 ± 5.4%) as compared to those without IFI (84.4 + 3.0%; 81.4 ± 3.2%). This prospective study reveals a high incidence of IFI in patients undergoing chemotherapy for AML in India. The use of posaconazole prophylaxis was associated with a significantly lower incidence of IFI. Optimal strategies to prevent IFI need to be studied.