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A randomized study (acronym: MC-FludT.14/L Trial II) demonstrated that fludarabine plus treosulfan (30 g/m²) was an effective and well tolerated conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). To further evaluate this regimen, all 252 study patients aged 50 to 70 years were compared with similar patients, who underwent allo-HCT after fludarabine/melphalan (140 mg/m²) (FluMel) or busulfan (12.8 mg/kg)/cyclophosphamide (120 mg/kg) (BuCy) regimens and whose data was provided by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation registry. In 1:1 propensity-score matched-paired analysis (PSA) of AML patients, there was no difference in 2-year-relapse-incidence after FluTreo compared with either FluMel (n= 110, p= 0.28) or BuCy (n= 78, p= 0.98). However, 2-year-non-relapse-mortality (NRM) was lower compared with FluMel (p= 0.019) and BuCy (p< 0.001). Consequently, 2-year-overall-survival (OS) after FluTreo was higher compared with FluMel (p= 0.04) and BuCy (p< 0.001). For MDS patients, no endpoint differences between FluTreo and FluMel (n= 30) were evident, whereas 2-year-OS after FluTreo was higher compared with BuCy (n= 25, p= 0.01) due to lower 2-year-NRM. Multivariate sensitivity analysis confirmed all significant results of PSA. Consequently, FluTreo (30 g/m²) seems to retain efficacy compared with FluMel and BuCy, but is better tolerated by older patients.

We previously analyzed trends in incidence and factors associated with lethal complications in ALL/AML/CML patients (causes of deaths; COD-1 study). The objective of this study was the analysis of incidence and specific causes of death after HCT, with focus on infectious deaths in two time periods, 1980–2001 (cohort-1) and 2002–2015 (cohort-2). All patients with HCT for lymphoma, plasma cell disorders, chronic leukemia (except CML), myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disorders, registered in the EBMT-ProMISe-database were included (n= 232,618) (COD-2 study). Results were compared to those in the ALL/AML/CML COD-1 study. Mortality from bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections decreased in very early, early and intermediate phases. In the late phase, mortality from bacterial infections increased, while mortality from fungal, viral, or unknown infectious etiology did not change. This pattern was similar for allo- and auto-HCT in COD-1 and COD-2 studies, with a distinct and constant lower incidence of all types of infections at all phases, after auto-HCT. In conclusion, infections were the main cause of death before day +100, followed by relapse. Mortality from infectious deaths significantly decreased, except late phase. Post-transplant mortality has significantly decreased in all phases, from all causes after auto-HCT; it has decreased in all phases after allo-HCT except late phase.

•This European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation study evaluated the role of maternal donors in haploidentical transplantation for leukemia.•Maternal donors provided lower relapse incidence in T cell-depleted and in a limited series of unmanipulated (in vivo T cell-depleted) transplantations.•Maternal donors provided better graft-versus-host disease/relapse-free survival in T cell-depleted transplantations.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class-I mismatches that trigger donor-versus-recipient natural killer (NK)-cell alloreactivity reduce the incidence of leukemia relapse and improve survival of acute myeloid leukemia patients after T-cell-depleted HLA-haplotype mismatched (“haploidentical”) hematopoietic transplantation. In murine graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) models, alloreactive NK-cells also prevent GvHD. Here we report the results of a non-interventional, prospective study performed on behalf of the Cellular Therapy and Immunobiology Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. The study was aimed at re-assessing the role of NK-cell alloreactivity in a cohort of haploidentical transplants performed in Europe between 2012 and 2015 and composed of unmanipulated, as well as T-cell-depleted transplants. One hundred thirty-eight patients with acute myeloid or lymphoid leukemias were analyzed. Eighty-six patients received ex-vivo T-cell-depleted transplants, 52 patients received unmanipulated transplants. Fifty patients were transplanted from NK alloreactive donors, 88 from non-NK alloreactive donors. NK cell alloreactivity did not impact on GvHD/relapse-free survival (GRFS) in unmanipulated transplants (HR: 1.66 (0.9–3.1), p= 0.1). In contrast, it did impact beneficially on GRFS in T-cell-depleted transplants (HR: 0.6, (0.3–1.2), p= 0.14, interaction p< 0.001). This effect was the consequence of reduced incidences of acute and chronic GvHD and non-relapse mortality.

Plerixafor plus granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) enhances the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for collection and subsequent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). This international, multicenter, noninterventional registry study (NCT01362972), evaluated long-term outcomes for MM patients who received plerixafor versus other mobilization regimens. The comparisons were: G-CSF + plerixafor (G-CSF + P) versus G-CSF-; G-CSF + P versus G-CSF + chemotherapy (G-CSF + C); and G-CSF + P + C versus G-CSF + C. Propensity score matching was used to balance groups. Primary outcome measures were progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) after transplantation. After propensity matching, 77 versus 41 patients in the G-CSF + P versus G-CSF cohorts, 129 versus 129 in the G-CSF + P versus G-CSF + C cohorts, and 117 versus 117 in the G-CSF + P + C versus G-CSF + C cohorts were matched, respectively. Propensity score matching resulted in a smaller sample size and imbalances were not completely overcome. For both PFS and OS, the upper limits of the hazard ratio 95% confidence intervals exceeded prespecified boundaries; noninferiority was not demonstrated. CIR rates were higher in the plerixafor cohorts. G-CSF + P remains an option for the mobilization of HSCs in poor mobilizers with MM with no substantial differences in PFS, OS, and CIR in comparison with other regimens.

Information on incidence, and factors associated with mortality is a prerequisite to improve outcome after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Therefore, 55′668 deaths in 114′491 patients with HSCT (83.7% allogeneic) for leukemia were investigated in a landmark analysis for causes of death at day 30 (very early), day 100 (early), at 1 year (intermediate) and at 5 years (late). Mortality from all causes decreased from cohort 1 (1980–2001) to cohort 2 (2002–2015) in all post-transplant phases after autologous HSCT. After allogeneic HSCT, mortality from infections, GVHD, and toxicity decreased up to 1 year, increased at 5 years; deaths from relapse increased in all post-transplant phases. Infections of unknown origin were the main cause of infectious deaths. Lethal bacterial and fungal infections decreased from cohort 1 to cohort 2, not unknown or mixed infections. Infectious deaths were associated with patient-, disease-, donor type, stem cell source, center, and country- related factors. Their impact varied over the post-transplant phases. Transplant centres have successfully managed to reduce death after HSCT in the early and intermediate post-transplant phases, and have identified risk factors. Late post-transplant care could be improved by focus on groups at risk and better identification of infections of “unknown origin”.

A survey was carried out among EBMT centers about the use of busulfan for conditioning in allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Of 109 responding centers, 106 used busulfan for conditioning, 102 in conventional myeloablative doses, and 93 in reduced doses (RIC). The route of administration was mostly intravenous, but ~10% of the centers gave the drug orally. The number of doses in i.v. administration varied and was in myeloablative conditioning mostly one (50 centers) or four (43 centers) doses a day. Seventeen of the 106 centers used pharmacokinetics for dose adjustment in myeloablative conditioning, nine in RIC. The details of pharmacokinetic monitoring varied markedly. Three quarters of the centers reported adjusting the dose based on obesity in myeloablative conditioning and about 60% in RIC. The most common method for dose calculation was ideal body weight + 0.25 × (actual body weight − ideal body weight). In conclusion, the present survey showed marked heterogeneity in the current practices of busulfan administration for conditioning. The impact of the heterogeneity is not well known. Due to this and the scarcity of support from controlled clinical studies, no clear guidelines can be presented, but some prevailing policies to be recommended were identified.

Introduction: Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a multi-systemic disorder affecting patients who undergo allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality both in its acute (a) and chronic (c) forms, particularly in patients with steroid-refractory (SR)-GvHD (Flinn AM and Gennery AR. Fac Rev 2023).Given the lack of real-life data on GvHD, this study was conducted using a large European database with the objective to provide evidence on the epidemiology and treatment patterns in patients with aGvHD, cGvHD, and SR-GvHD.

HLA-haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) is increasingly offered to patients with high-risk acute leukaemia. Unfortunately, haplo-HSCT is followed by a delayed immunoreconstitution. The aim of this EBMT registry study was to explore the clinical impact of lymphocyte subset counts after haplo-HSCT. We considered 144 leukaemic patients transplanted in the period 2001–2012. Pre-transplantation clinical variables and differential immune-cell counts (CD3, CD4, CD8 T cells, NK and B cells) measured before day 100 were evaluated for their capacity to predict overall survival, relapse mortality or non-relapse mortality (NRM). Negative prognostic factors for overall survival were advanced disease state at transplantation, host age and CMV seropositivity. Higher CD3, CD4 and CD8 counts were associated with a better overall survival and a lower NRM. Strikingly, when tested in multivariable analysis, higher CD3 and CD8 counts were still significantly associated with a lower NRM. These results indicate that an accelerated T-cell reconstitution correlates with less transplantation mortality, likely due to the protective role of T cells against viral infections. This observation suggests that CD8+ T-cell counts should be investigated as surrogate biomarkers of outcome in prospective haplo-HSCT trials.

IMPORTANCE: Incidence and risk factors of second solid cancers (SSCs) that occur after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are well documented. However, clinical outcome data of patients who developed an SSC after HSCT are limited. OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of patients with an SSC occurring after HSCT from the time of SSC diagnosis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study used data of 4065 patients from 26 countries registered with the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, which has maintained clinical data since 1977 of patients who received a transplant. Information from all patients who underwent a transplant in Europe and had an SSC diagnosis between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2014, was extracted. The cohort included patients with 18 different cancers. Data analysis was conducted from September 3, 2017, to March 17, 2018. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Median and 5-year age-standardized overall survival, causes of death, risk factor multivariate analysis using a clustered Cox proportional hazard regression model, and standardized mortality ratio were calculated for each of the 18 types of SSC. RESULTS: In total, 220 617 patients underwent a transplant, of whom only 4065 (1.8%) patients with a second solid cancer after HSCT were included in the study. Among the 4065 patients, 2321 (57.1%) were men and 1744 (42.9%) were women, with a mean (range) age of 59.1 (3.2-82.3) years at diagnosis of second solid cancer. The 5-year age-standardized overall survival was 47% (95% CI, 45%-49%). The 5-year overall survival rate after SSC diagnosis was poor for pancreas, lung, hepatobiliary, esophageal, brain, and gastric cancers, with a median survival between 0.6 and 1 year. The 5-year overall survival was intermediate for endometrial, colorectal, sarcomas, ovarian, bladder, oropharyngeal, and kidney cancers, with a median survival between 2 and 10 years. The 5-year overall survival was more favorable for melanoma, breast, prostate, cervix, and thyroid cancers, with a median survival of 10 or more years. Additional transplant-associated factors for mortality for patients treated with allogeneic HSCT were age at transplant, donor type, conditioning regimen, and graft-vs-host disease. In total, 1777 patients (43.7%) died, of which 1256 (74.8%) were from SSC, 344 (20.5%) from primary disease, and 79 (4.7%) from other causes. Standardized mortality ratio was higher, compared with de novo solid cancers, for melanoma, prostate, breast, kidney, bladder, colorectal, and endometrial cancers but not for the other cancers. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The outcome of SSC is mainly dependent on the type of second cancer; thus, future studies should investigate the reasons the standardized mortality ratio is higher for some cancers to identify whether patients with these cancers should be treated differently and to help in screening and counseling patients who developed an SSC after HSCT.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative treatment of severe congenital neutropenia (SCN), but data on outcome are scarce. We report on the outcome of 136 SCN patients who underwent HSCT between 1990 and 2012 in European and Middle East centers. The 3-year overall survival (OS) was 82%, and transplant-related mortality (TRM) was 17%. In multivariate analysis, transplants performed under the age of 10 years, in recent years, and from HLA-matched related or unrelated donors were associated with a significantly better OS. Frequency of graft failure was 10%. Cumulative incidence (day +90) of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grade 2-4 was 21%. In multivariate analysis, HLA-matched related donor and prophylaxis with cyclosporine A and methotrexate were associated with lower occurrence of acute GVHD. Cumulative incidence (1 year) of chronic GVHD was 20%. No secondary malignancies occurred after a median follow-up of 4.6 years. These data show that the outcome of HSCT for SCN from HLA-matched donors, performed in recent years, in patients younger than 10 years is acceptable. Nevertheless, given the TRM, a careful selection of HSCT candidates should be undertaken.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative treatment of severe congenital neutropenia (SCN), but data on outcome are scarce. We report on the outcome of 136 SCN patients who underwent HSCT between 1990 and 2012 in European and Middle East centers. The 3-year overall survival (OS) was 82%, and transplant-related mortality (TRM) was 17%. In multivariate analysis, transplants performed under the age of 10 years, in recent years, and from HLA-matched related or unrelated donors were associated with a significantly better OS. Frequency of graft failure was 10%. Cumulative incidence (day +90) of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grade 2-4 was 21%. In multivariate analysis, HLA-matched related donor and prophylaxis with cyclosporine A and methotrexate were associated with lower occurrence of acute GVHD. Cumulative incidence (1 year) of chronic GVHD was 20%. No secondary malignancies occurred after a median follow-up of 4.6 years. These data show that the outcome of HSCT for SCN from HLA-matched donors, performed in recent years, in patients younger than 10 years is acceptable. Nevertheless, given the TRM, a careful selection of HSCT candidates should be undertaken.

Long-term follow-up of prospective studies comparing allogeneic transplantation to autologous transplantation in multiple myeloma is few and controversial. This is an update at a median follow-up of 96 months of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Non–Myeloablative Allogeneic stem cell transplantation in Multiple Myeloma (NMAM)2000 study that prospectively compares tandem autologous/reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic transplantation (auto/RICallo) to autologous transplantation alone (auto). There are 357 myeloma patients up to age 69 years enrolled. Patients with an HLA-identical sibling were allocated to auto/RICallo (n = 108) and those without to auto alone (n = 249). At 96 months progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 22% and 49% vs 12% (P = .027) and 36% (P = .030) with auto/RICallo and auto respectively. The corresponding relapse/progression rate (RL) was 60% vs 82% (P = .0002). Non-relapse mortality at 36 months was 13% vs 3% (P = .0004). In patients with the del(13) abnormality corresponding PFS and OS were 21% and 47% vs 5% (P = .026), and 31% (P = .154). Long-term outcome in patients with multiple myeloma was better with auto/RICallo as compared with auto only and the auto/RICallo approach seemed to overcome the poor prognostic impact of del(13) observed after autologous transplantation. Follow up longer than 5 years is necessary for correct interpretation of the value of auto/RICallo in multiple myeloma.

Long-term follow-up of prospective studies comparing allogeneic transplantation to autologous transplantation in multiple myeloma is few and controversial. This is an update at a median follow-up of 96 months of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Non–Myeloablative Allogeneic stem cell transplantation in Multiple Myeloma (NMAM)2000 study that prospectively compares tandem autologous/reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic transplantation (auto/RICallo) to autologous transplantation alone (auto). There are 357 myeloma patients up to age 69 years enrolled. Patients with an HLA-identical sibling were allocated to auto/RICallo (n = 108) and those without to auto alone (n = 249). At 96 months progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 22% and 49% vs 12% (P= .027) and 36% (P= .030) with auto/RICallo and auto respectively. The corresponding relapse/progression rate (RL) was 60% vs 82% (P= .0002). Non-relapse mortality at 36 months was 13% vs 3% (P= .0004). In patients with the del(13) abnormality corresponding PFS and OS were 21% and 47% vs 5% (P= .026), and 31% (P= .154). Long-term outcome in patients with multiple myeloma was better with auto/RICallo as compared with auto only and the auto/RICallo approach seemed to overcome the poor prognostic impact of del(13) observed after autologous transplantation. Follow up longer than 5 years is necessary for correct interpretation of the value of auto/RICallo in multiple myeloma.

In this multicenter retrospective study, the outcomes of 836 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who underwent transplantation with a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–identical sibling donor were analyzed according to 2 types of conditioning: reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) in 215 patients, and standard myeloablative (or high-dose) conditioning (SMC) in 621 patients. In multivariate analysis, the 3-year relapse rate was significantly increased after RIC (hazard ratio [HR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.2-2.2; P= .001), but the 3-year nonrelapse mortality (NRM) rate was decreased in the RIC group (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.41-0.91; P= .015). The 3-year probabilities of progression-free and overall survivals were similar in both groups (39% after SMC vs 33% in RIC; multivariate P= .9; and 45% vs 41%, respectively; P= .8). In conclusion, the lower 3-year NRM after RIC is encouraging, since these patients were older (age > 50 years in 73% RIC vs 28% in SMC, P< .001) and had more adverse pretransplantation variables. However, based on the higher risk of relapse, patients with no contraindications for SMC should not receive RIC outside of prospective randomized trials, which are needed to establish the position of RIC-based transplantation in the treatment of patients with MDS.

In this multicenter retrospective study, the outcomes of 836 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who underwent transplantation with a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–identical sibling donor were analyzed according to 2 types of conditioning: reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) in 215 patients, and standard myeloablative (or high-dose) conditioning (SMC) in 621 patients. In multivariate analysis, the 3-year relapse rate was significantly increased after RIC (hazard ratio [HR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.2-2.2; P = .001), but the 3-year nonrelapse mortality (NRM) rate was decreased in the RIC group (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.41-0.91; P = .015). The 3-year probabilities of progression-free and overall survivals were similar in both groups (39% after SMC vs 33% in RIC; multivariate P = .9; and 45% vs 41%, respectively; P = .8). In conclusion, the lower 3-year NRM after RIC is encouraging, since these patients were older (age > 50 years in 73% RIC vs 28% in SMC, P < .001) and had more adverse pretransplantation variables. However, based on the higher risk of relapse, patients with no contraindications for SMC should not receive RIC outside of prospective randomized trials, which are needed to establish the position of RIC-based transplantation in the treatment of patients with MDS.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is the only proven cure for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a rare disease in childhood. We report outcomes of 314 children with Philadelphia-chromosome–positive (Ph+) CML undergoing SCT from HLA-matched siblings (n = 182) or volunteer-unrelated donors (VUD; n = 132). Three-year overall survival (OS) and leukemia-free survival (LFS) rates were 66% and 55% (n = 314). For 156 children in first chronic phase (CP1) who underwent transplantation from HLA-identical siblings, OS and LFS rates were 75% and 63%. For 97 children who underwent SCT in CP1 from VUD, 3-year OS and LFS rates were 65% and 56%, reflecting higher transplantation-related mortality (TRM) after VUD SCT (35% vs 20%; multivariate hazard ratio [HR], 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-3.5; P = .05). In a multivariate model for OS and LFS, outcomes were superior in CP1 than in advanced phase (AP/CP1) (OS HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-3; P = .001; LFS HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.6; P = .003). For relapse, donor source (VUD/sibling) (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.19-0.76; P = .006) and disease stage (AP/CP1) (HR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.36-4.3; P = .003) were significant. This is the first large series to show that SCT confers long-term LFS in most children with CML and helps assess alternative therapy, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is the only proven cure for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a rare disease in childhood. We report outcomes of 314 children with Philadelphia-chromosome–positive (Ph+) CML undergoing SCT from HLA-matched siblings (n = 182) or volunteer-unrelated donors (VUD; n = 132). Three-year overall survival (OS) and leukemia-free survival (LFS) rates were 66% and 55% (n = 314). For 156 children in first chronic phase (CP1) who underwent transplantation from HLA-identical siblings, OS and LFS rates were 75% and 63%. For 97 children who underwent SCT in CP1 from VUD, 3-year OS and LFS rates were 65% and 56%, reflecting higher transplantation-related mortality (TRM) after VUD SCT (35% vs 20%; multivariate hazard ratio [HR], 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-3.5;P= .05). In a multivariate model for OS and LFS, outcomes were superior in CP1 than in advanced phase (AP/CP1) (OS HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-3;P= .001; LFS HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.6;P= .003). For relapse, donor source (VUD/sibling) (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.19-0.76;P= .006) and disease stage (AP/CP1) (HR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.36-4.3;P= .003) were significant. This is the first large series to show that SCT confers long-term LFS in most children with CML and helps assess alternative therapy, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

In this multicenter retrospective study, the outcomes of 234 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who underwent transplantation between 1995 and 1999 from HLA-identical siblings were analyzed according to the hematopoietic stem cell source used, that is, bone marrow (BM, n = 132) or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor–mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs, n = 102). There were 69 cases of refractory anemia (RA), 86 RA with excess blasts (RAEB), 75 RAEB in transformation (RAEB-t), and 4 unclassified MDS at diagnosis. The International Prognostic Scoring System was intermediate-2 or high in 104 of the 158 available scores. Multivariate analyses focused on transplantation-related mortality (TRM), 2-year treatment failure incidence, and survival. Use of PBPCs reduced the median duration of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia by 4 and 12 days, respectively. The incidence of acute GVHD was similar whatever the graft type used. Chronic GVHD was more likely to have occurred with PBPCs (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87-3.02). Two-year TRM was significantly reduced with PBPCs (relative risk [RR], 0.33; 95% CI, 0.15-0.73; P < .007), except for patients who had either RA or high-risk cytogenetics. The 2-year treatment failure incidence was significantly decreased with PBPCs, from 38% to 13% (RR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.10-0.48;P < .001). Estimate of the 2-year event-free survival was 50% with PBPCs versus 39% with BM. In multivariate analysis, the outcome was significantly improved with PBPCs (RR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.13-0.52; P < .001), except for patients with either RA or high-risk cytogenetics. In conclusion, PBPCs might be preferred for allogeneic transplantation in MDS patients at high risk for relapse on the basis of morphologic criteria because the use of this hematopoietic stem cell was associated with lower treatment failure incidence and improved survival.

In this multicenter retrospective study, the outcomes of 234 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who underwent transplantation between 1995 and 1999 from HLA-identical siblings were analyzed according to the hematopoietic stem cell source used, that is, bone marrow (BM, n = 132) or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor–mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs, n = 102). There were 69 cases of refractory anemia (RA), 86 RA with excess blasts (RAEB), 75 RAEB in transformation (RAEB-t), and 4 unclassified MDS at diagnosis. The International Prognostic Scoring System was intermediate-2 or high in 104 of the 158 available scores. Multivariate analyses focused on transplantation-related mortality (TRM), 2-year treatment failure incidence, and survival. Use of PBPCs reduced the median duration of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia by 4 and 12 days, respectively. The incidence of acute GVHD was similar whatever the graft type used. Chronic GVHD was more likely to have occurred with PBPCs (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87-3.02). Two-year TRM was significantly reduced with PBPCs (relative risk [RR], 0.33; 95% CI, 0.15-0.73; P< .007), except for patients who had either RA or high-risk cytogenetics. The 2-year treatment failure incidence was significantly decreased with PBPCs, from 38% to 13% (RR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.10-0.48;P< .001). Estimate of the 2-year event-free survival was 50% with PBPCs versus 39% with BM. In multivariate analysis, the outcome was significantly improved with PBPCs (RR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.13-0.52; P< .001), except for patients with either RA or high-risk cytogenetics. In conclusion, PBPCs might be preferred for allogeneic transplantation in MDS patients at high risk for relapse on the basis of morphologic criteria because the use of this hematopoietic stem cell was associated with lower treatment failure incidence and improved survival.

Intensive chemotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) may provide an alternative therapy for young patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia following MDS (sAML) lacking a suitable donor. We report the results for 79 patients with MDS/sAML transplanted with autologous marrow in first complete remission (CR). Within the total group of 79, a cohort of 55 patients for whom the duration of first CR was known were compared with a matched control group of 110 patients with de novo AML. The 2-year survival, disease-free survival (DFS), and relapse rates for the 79 patients transplanted in first CR were 39%, 34%, and 64%, respectively. The relapse risk was greater than 55% for all stages and all disease categories. Patients younger than 40 years had a significantly (P = .04) better DFS (39%) than patients older than 40 years (25%). The DFS at 2 years was 28% for the cohort of 55 patients transplanted for MDS/sAML and 51% for those transplanted for de novo AML (P = .025). Relapse rates were 69% for patients with MDS/sAML and 40% for those with de novo AML (P = .007). ABMT for MDS or secondary leukemia results in a lower DFS when compared with similarly treated patients with de novo AML due to a higher relapse rate. The DFS of 28% for these patients suggests that autotransplantation may be a valuable therapy for this disease. The low treatment-related mortality rate of less than 10% supports the view that sufficient numbers of hematopoietic stem cells are present in patients with MDS to allow adequate repopulation after autologous stem-cell transplantation.

Intensive chemotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) may provide an alternative therapy for young patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia following MDS (sAML) lacking a suitable donor. We report the results for 79 patients with MDS/sAML transplanted with autologous marrow in first complete remission (CR). Within the total group of 79, a cohort of 55 patients for whom the duration of first CR was known were compared with a matched control group of 110 patients with de novo AML. The 2-year survival, disease-free survival (DFS), and relapse rates for the 79 patients transplanted in first CR were 39%, 34%, and 64%, respectively. The relapse risk was greater than 55% for all stages and all disease categories. Patients younger than 40 years had a significantly (P= .04) better DFS (39%) than patients older than 40 years (25%). The DFS at 2 years was 28% for the cohort of 55 patients transplanted for MDS/sAML and 51% for those transplanted for de novo AML (P= .025). Relapse rates were 69% for patients with MDS/sAML and 40% for those with de novo AML (P= .007). ABMT for MDS or secondary leukemia results in a lower DFS when compared with similarly treated patients with de novo AML due to a higher relapse rate. The DFS of 28% for these patients suggests that autotransplantation may be a valuable therapy for this disease. The low treatment-related mortality rate of less than 10% supports the view that sufficient numbers of hematopoietic stem cells are present in patients with MDS to allow adequate repopulation after autologous stem-cell transplantation.

Beelen: Medac GmbH Wedel Germany: Consultancy, Honoraria. Stoelzel:Neovii: Other: Travel funding; Shire: Consultancy, Other: Travel funding; JAZZ Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Dreger:MSD: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Sponsoring of Symposia; Neovii, Riemser: Research Funding; AbbVie, Gilead, Novartis, Riemser, Roche: Speakers Bureau; AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Riemser, Roche: Consultancy.

Background: Malnutrition after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can occur rapidly in the absence of nutritional support and may have a negative impact on mortality and morbidity as well as serious long-term effects. The nutritional care process in the transplant setting is dynamic, consisting of screening, assessment, development of a nutritional care plan, monitoring and follow up. It needs a multidisciplinary approach, education and patient/care giver's compliance. Following the general policy of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) to aim at standardizing transplantation procedures, the Complications and Quality of Life Working Party and Nursing Research Group have carried out a survey among EBMT centers about their current nutritional practices.

Background: With the introduction of an intravenous formulation, options for the administration of busulfan in conditioning for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have increased. Practical issues in which the policies of transplant centers are likely to vary include the route of administration, number of daily doses, and the use of pharmacokinetic (PK) measurements for dose adjustment. Following the general policy of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) to aim at standardizing transplantation procedures, the Complications and Quality of Life Working Party has carried out a survey among EBMT centers about their practice in the use of busulfan for conditioning in allogeneic transplantation.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Montoto: Roche: Honoraria; Gilead: Research Funding. Dreger:Novartis: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy. Goldschmidt:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Chugai: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Millennium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Onyx: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Garderet:BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy.

Dreger: Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy. Gramatzki:Janssen: Other: Travel/Accommodation/Expenses, Research Funding. Delgado:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis/GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Infinity: Research Funding. Schoenland:Jansen: Honoraria, Other: financial support of conference participation, Research Funding; Prothena: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; GSK: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Schetelig:Sanofi: Honoraria.

Garderet: Takeda: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy. Dreger:Janssen: Consultancy; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy. Leleu:TEVA: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria; LeoPharma: Honoraria; Pierre Fabre: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Peschel:MophoSys: Honoraria. Meuleman:Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy. Ciceri:MolMed SpA: Consultancy. Schönland:Janssen, Prothena, GSK: Consultancy, Employment, Equity Ownership, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, accommations, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Kröger:Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding; Neovii: Honoraria, Research Funding; Riemser: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Kröger: Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding. Maertens:Amgen: Consultancy; Merck Sharp & Dohme: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Astellas: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Schetelig:Sanofi: Honoraria.

Schetelig: Sanofi: Honoraria. Gramatzki:Janssen: Other: Travel/Accommodation/Expenses, Research Funding. Dreger:Gilead: Consultancy; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy.

Dreger: Novartis: Consultancy; Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy. Montoto:Roche: Honoraria; Gilead: Research Funding. Niederwieser:Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Novartis Oncology Europe: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

Foà: Ariad: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Genetech: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Garderet:Takeda: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Ciceri: MolMed SpA: Consultancy. Bonini:TxCell: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Molmed SpA: Consultancy.

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Introduction:Even in the era of novel targeted therapies for the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) patients, such as BTK, PI3K and BCL2 inhibitors, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (alloHCT) will remain an important treatment option for a subset of patients with very high risk CLL. The current study focused on the impact of center and procedure-related factors on outcomes after alloHCT, taking into account the impact of patient- and disease-related risk factors.

Introduction

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Background

Introduction

Kröger: Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Maertens:Merck Sharp & Dohme: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Astellas: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy. Kobbe:Jansen: Honoraria, Other: travel support; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: travel support, Research Funding.

Introduction:Wider indications and improvements in outcome continue to increase the number of HCT recipients requiring long term post-HCT survivorship care. The Institute of Medicine of the US National Academy of Sciences specifically recognizes the importance of coordination of care to optimize delivery in cancer survivors. HCT recipients have particularly complex clinical needs (Majhail et al; Bone Marrow Transplant 2012), but existing evidence on which to base models of care is weak in relation to either cost-effectiveness or quality of care. Additional complexity occurs where models of care require transition from pediatric to adult services.

Age is no longer a barrier to successful allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). However, reports of alloHCT outcomes in elderly patients aged 65 years (yo) and older are limited. These patients are underrepresented in clinical trials and data usually come from relatively small series and subgroup analyses from the main indications, namely acute leukemia (AL) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Here, we sought to evaluate the feasibility and general outcomes of the alloHCT procedure in a large cohort of elderly patients reported to the EBMT.

Age is no longer a barrier to successful autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT). Improved stem cell mobilization and supportive care are potentially making autoHCT more feasible in elderly patients in recent years. However, reports of autoHCT outcomes in elderly patients aged 65 years-old (yo) and older are limited. These patients are underrepresented in clinical trials and data usually come from relatively small series and subgroup analyses in the main indications, namely multiple myeloma (MM) and lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD). Here, we sought to evaluate the feasibility and general outcomes of the autoHCT procedure in a large cohort of elderly patients reported to the EBMT.