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Prognostic biomarkers in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) are needed to improve risk assessment and help guide therapeutic and surveillance strategies to mitigate the risk of death from the procedure. We previously identified hypoalbuminemia at day +90 post-transplantation as an independent predictor of increased nonrelapse mortality (NRM) and inferior overall survival (OS) in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome who were treated with an allo-HCT. Here, we aim to confirm the prognostic significance of day +90 hypoalbuminemia in 783 patients, median age 52 years (range, 18 to 76), who received an allo-HCT for various hematologic malignancies and bone marrow failure syndromes. Multivariate analysis for NRM demonstrated a negative effect of low serum albumin levels (<3.0 versus 3.0 to 3.5 versus >3.5 g/dL) at day +90 post-transplantation (hazard ratios, 8.03 [95% CI, 3.59 to 17.97] versus 2.84 [95% CI, 1.59 to 5.08] versus reference; P  < .0001). This was also the case for OS (hazard ratios, 6.86 [95% CI, 4.24 to 11.10] versus 1.52 [95% CI, 1.05 to 2.20] versus reference; P  < .0001). Patients with hypoalbuminemia at day +90 post-transplantation are more likely to die from causes other than relapse, particularly infections. This large study confirms the ability of day +90 serum hypoalbuminemia to predict worse NRM and inferior OS. Presence of hypoalbuminemia at day +90 should drive a more rigorous real-time surveillance strategy considering the anticipated high-risk of NRM and poor survival in these patients. Future studies should consider incorporating day +90 serum albumin levels in prognostic models of NRM and OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standard primary therapy for chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is incompletely effective. Based on biologic insights implicating pathogenic B cells, we conducted a phase I trial examining the combination of standard (1 mg/kg/day prednisone) glucocorticoid therapy with ofatumumab, a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, for primary chronic GVHD therapy. Patients ages ≥ 18 with National Institutes of Health Consensus moderate-to-severe chronic GVHD newly requiring 1 mg/kg/day prednisone were treated at 3 escalating dose levels (300 mg, 700 mg, and 1000 mg) of i.v. ofatumumab on days 1 and 14 of initial glucocorticoid therapy. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined by grade 4 infusion reactions, related grade 4 constitutional symptoms, related grade ≥ 3 organ toxicities, or grade 4 neutropenia lasting > 14 days. A total of 12 patients (median age 54; range, 25 to 72) were treated (dose level 1: n = 3; level 2: n = 3; level 3: n = 6). At enrollment, overall chronic GVHD was moderate (n = 7) or severe (n = 5), with diverse organ involvement (skin: n = 8; mouth: n = 8; eye: n = 8; lung: n = 4; gastrointestinal: n = 3; liver: n = 5; genital: n = 2; joint/fascia: n = 5). Infusion of ofatumumab was well tolerated, and no DLT was observed. From the total number of adverse events (n = 29), possibly related adverse events (n = 4) included grade 1 fatigue, grade 1 transaminitis, and 2 infusion reactions (grades 2 and 3). Infectious complications were expected, and there were no cases of hepatitis B reactivation or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Ofatumumab in combination with prednisone is safe and a phase II examination of efficacy is ongoing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL) is an uncommon but aggressive plasma cell malignancy associated with frequent extramedullary involvement, high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, and frequent organ dysfunction, ultimately resulting in poor prognosis. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of the molecular and biological aspects of PCL and summarize therapeutic progress occurring over the past 2 decades. pPCL is distinguished from secondary PCL arising from multiple myeloma. The molecular and immunophenotypic changes of pPCL are often distinct from those seen in secondary PCL and multiple myeloma. The availability of novel agents (ie, proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents) and the increasing use of hematopoietic cell transplantation strategies have resulted in better outcomes, although long-term survival remains poor. Development of complex treatment algorithms that combine novel agents as induction therapy, as part of conditioning regimens for hematopoietic cell transplantation (autologous or allogeneic), or as post-transplantation remission strategies are logical and may translate into improved survival in patients with PCL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: One limitation of reduced-intensity preparative regimens is potential for graft failure. We have developed a regimen that targets CD4+ lymphodepletion to ensure early and durable engraftment. The primary endpoint was achievement of ≥50% CD3+ donor chimerism by day +28. Forty-two patients (median age, 53 years; range, 29 to 73 years) received pentostatin 4 mg/m2 i.v. on days −28, −21, and −14 when the CD4+ cell count was >100 cells/μL and on days −4 and −3 regardless of CD4+ level. Rituximab 375 mg/m2 was administered to patients with CD20+ malignancies on days −21, −14, −7, +1, and +8. Busulfan 200 mg/m2 i.v. was administered on days −4 and −2 at a dose to target a cumulative AUC dose of 16,000 (±10%) μmol·min/L. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of tacrolimus plus methotrexate in 86% of patients. Donors were matched-related (47%), matched unrelated (43%), or mismatched unrelated (10%). Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (45%) and follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma (14%) were the most common diagnoses. Disease status at initiation of the preparative regimen was complete remission in 22%, partial response in 55%, and stable/progression in 24%. The median percent CD4+ cell count decrease from baseline (day −28) was 52% to day −21, 66% to day −14, 62% to day −7, and 91% to day 0. At day +28, all 42 patients (100%) had ≥50% CD3+ donor chimerism. No patient experienced graft failure. Overall response rate was 82% (complete remisson, 67%). The day +100 cumulative incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD was 59% (grade III-IV acute GVHD, 19%), and the 2 year cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 69% (moderate/severe, 58%). Nonrelapse mortality was 2% at day +100 and 17% at 2 years. Two-year PFS was 55%, and OS was 68%. This regimen ensures durable engraftment, is effective against persistent disease, and results in relatively low mortality from causes other than relapse. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fludarabine (FLU) and pharmacokinetic-targeted busulfan (BU) as conditioning regimen for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in adult patients with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). Forty-four patients with ALL (27 in first complete remission [CR1] and 17 in more advanced disease stage: 4 with primary induction failure [PIF], 12 in CR2, and 1 in CR3) received FLU and pharmacokinetic-targeted BU as preparative therapy for HCT. Grafts were T-replete, filgrastim-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC). Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of tacrolimus (TAC) and short-course methotrexate in 36 patients, TAC and sirolimus in 3, and TAC and mycophenolate mofetil in 5. Primary engraftment was achieved in all 44 patients. The cumulative incidence of transplant-related mortality (TRM) was 2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0%-16%) at 100 days and 18% (95% CI 10%-34%) at 2 years. The 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 19% (95% CI 8%-41%) for those transplanted in CR1, and 48% (29%-80%) for those with more advanced disease. After a median follow-up of 32 months (range: 15-69 months), the 2-year overall survival (OS) was 54% (95% CI 39%-69%). Relapse-free survival (RFS) at 2 years was 63% (95% CI 45%-81%) for patients transplanted in CR1 and 34% (95% CI 11%-57%) for patients transplanted in more advanced disease. When compared to irradiation-containing regimens, FLU and PK-targeted BU appear safer and similarly effective in controlling ALL, providing a treatment option for adult patients with ALL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Severe acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) remains a major source of morbidity and mortality following mismatched unrelated donor hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Through a retrospective analysis, we investigated the efficacy of GVHD prophylaxis with rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) 7.5 mg/kg (1 mg/kg given on day −3, then 3.25 mg/kg/day on days −2 and −1 before stem cell infusion) followed by standard tacrolimus plus methotrexate in a consecutive series of 45 HLA partially matched unrelated donor HCT recipients. The cumulative incidence of grade III-IV aGVHD was 11% by 100 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 5%-25%). Moderate to severe chronic GVHD (per NIH consensus criteria) was 19% (95% CI 10%-36%) at 1 year, and 28% (95% CI 16%-48%) at 2 years. With a median follow-up time for surviving patients of 12 months (range: 5-39 months), overall survival was 55% (95% CI 39%-71%) at 1 year, and 45% (95% CI 27%-63%) at 2 years. Nonrelapse mortality was 11% (95% CI 5%-25%) by 100 days post-HCT, 26% (95% CI 16%-44%) by 1 year, and 30% (95% CI 18%-50%) by 2 years. The cumulative incidence of primary disease relapse was 23% (95% CI 13%-41%) at 1 year, and 33% (95% CI 20%-56%) by 2 years after HCT. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection or reactivation varied according to recipient and donor CMV serostatus. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) reactivation occurred in 54% (95% CI 40%-71%) of patients. Preemptive rituximab therapy was administered for EBV reactivation, however, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder was diagnosed in 5 (11%) cases, and was fatal in 1. A regimen of ATG 7.5 mg/kg total ending on day −1 effectively decreased the occurrence of grade III-IV aGVHD and severe chronic GVHD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tacrolimus (Tac) plus methotrexate (MTX) is a standard regimen for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is sometimes used instead of MTX to minimize toxicity, despite the lack of controlled studies demonstrating efficacy. We conducted a single-center, randomized phase II trial comparing Tac + MMF to Tac + MTX. Intent-to-treat analyses included 42 patients randomized to Tac + MMF and 47 to Tac + MTX. Patient characteristics were not different between the study arms. Patients in the Tac + MMF arm were less likely to experience severe mucositis, require narcotic analgesia and parenteral nutrition, and had earlier hospital discharge. The Tac + MMF arm had the same time to neutrophil recovery, but earlier platelet recovery. The cumulative incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD (aGVHD) at 100 days was similar (P = .8), but grade III-IV aGVHD was higher in the Tac + MMF arm (19% versus 4%; P = .03); this was predominantly seen in unrelated donor transplants (26% versus 4%; P = .04), and less in related donor transplants (11% versus 4%; P = n.s.). Moderate or severe chronic GVHD was similar (P = .71). There were no significant differences between the arms in relapse, nonrelapse mortality, or overall and relapse-free survivals. MMF was associated with less early toxicity than MTX but was not as effective in preventing severe aGVHD, especially in unrelated donor transplants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

B-cell homeostasis plays an important role in chronic GVHD (cGVHD). The safety and feasibility of anti-CD20 directed B-cell therapy with ofatumumab and glucocorticoids (GC) were previously established in a phase I trial. A total of 38 adult patients (pts) with moderate/severe cGVHD were enrolled in phase II trial at 3 academic US centers (02/2014-08/2018). Ofatumumab was given at 1000 mg IV on days 0 and 14 of initial 1 mg/kg/day prednisone (or equivalent) therapy. Primary endpoint was the overall (complete and partial) response rate (ORR) at 6 months as reported by the physician (MD). Baseline data are summarized in Table. Six-month ORR for 32 evaluable pts was 62.5% (95%CI, 44-79%) by MD report (15.6% CR; 46.9% PR) and by NIH2014 criteria (9.4% CR; 53.1% PR) with good inter-rater reliability (Cohen's kappa=0.73; discordant responses n=4). Given historical benchmark ORR of 60% at 6 months, the trial did not reach its primary endpoint (p =0.4) of 20% improvement with ofatumumab. Subsequent ORR per MD and NIH2014 were 42% and 31% at 12 months (kappa=0.6) and 36% and 32% at 24 months (kappa=0.9). GC discontinuation was successful in 45% and 54% of pts at 12 and 24 months (Figure 1A). Median follow up of survivors was 24 months (range, 0.7-46). Two-year OS and PFS were 74% and 72%. Failure-free survival (FFS) - composite outcome with death, relapse, and second-line immune suppression as events - was 53% at 12 months and 39% at 24 months. Second-line therapy was the most common failure event (13/22, Figure 1B). 14 non-fatal possibly related AEs occurred in 11 pts, including 5 SAEs in 3 pts. 17 infusion-related AEs (all ≤Gr2) occurred, but resolved with symptom management. Bacterial (13 events), fungal (8), and viral (26) infections were observed in 29%, 13%, and 40% of pts, respectively. 9 deaths occurred within 2 years, none of which was deemed related to study therapy. This multicenter phase II trial did not demonstrate statistical difference in 6 month ORR with ofatumumab+GC vs. GC-based historical benchmark in the frontline therapy of cGVHD. Data on predictors of response, patient-reported outcomes, and immune reconstitution will be presented at the meeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) is being increasingly used for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) across various donor types. However, immune reconstitution after PTCY-based vs. conventional GVHD prophylaxis has not been well studied. We evaluated the pace of immune reconstitution (CD4+ T-cell, CD8+ T-cell, NK-cell and B-cell) at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year post-HCT in 583 adult patients receiving myeloablative (n=223) or reduced intensity conditioning (n=360) HCT (2012-2018). Haploidentical (Haplo; n=75) and 8/8 HLA-matched unrelated (MUD, n=508) donor types were included. GVHD prophylaxis was PTCY-based in 75 Haplo and 38 MUD (MUD-PTCY) HCT, while tacrolimus/methotrexate (TAC/MTX) was used in 89 and TAC/Sirolimus (TAC/SIR) in 381 MUD HCT. Clinical outcomes including viral infections, non-relapse mortality (NRM) and overall survival (OS) were compared across all four treatment groups. The recovery of absolute total CD4+ T-cell count after Haplo-PTCY and MUD-PTCY was significantly lower compared to MUD TAC/MTX or MUD TAC/SIR throughout 1 year of HCT (Figure). In contrast, CD19+ B-cell recovery at 6 months and thereafter was more rapid after Haplo-PTCY and MUD-PTCY HCT in comparison to MUD TAC/MTX and MUD TAC/SIR. In subgroup analysis compared to MUD TAC/MTX HCT, total CD8+ T-cell or NK-cell recovery was not significantly different after Haplo-PTCY or MUD-PTCY HCT. However, patients receiving MUD TAC/SIR vs. MUD TAC/MTX had significantly slower reconstitution of total CD8+ T-cells up to 6 months and CD19+ B-cells at 1 year of HCT, but no significant differences in CD4+ T-cell or NK-cell recovery. The distribution of recipient CMV serostatus was similar in all four groups: 72% in Haplo-PTCY, 62 % in MUD-PTCY HCT, 68% in MUD TAC/MTX and 63% in MUD TAC/SIR (p =0.11). Cumulative incidence of CMV reactivation/infection at 1-year of HCT was higher in patients receiving Haplo-PTCY (39.6%) or MUD TAC-MTX (37.7%) compared to those receiving MUD-PTCY (27.0%) or MUD TAC/SIR (22.8%; p <0.01). Whereas the incidence of EBV reactivation/infection was lower in patients receiving PTCY-based GVHD prophylaxis (5.2% in Haplo-PTCY and 8.1% in MUD-PTCY) as compared to patients receiving MUD TAC/MTX (19.7%) or MUD TAC/SIR (20.5%, p <0.01). The incidences of HHV6, BK- and other viruses were similar between the groups. Overall, the treatment groups had comparable NRM (p =0.27) and OS outcomes (p =0.78). Our data demonstrate that the pattern of immune reconstitution after HCT is different after PTCY-based vs. conventional GVHD prophylaxis with delayed total CD4+ T-cell but more rapid B-cell recovery after PTCY-based GVHD prophylaxis. The rates of CMV and EBV viral infections were different across the donor types. However, these differences had no significant influence on NRM or survival after HCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (haplo-HCT) with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is increasingly offered as a curative treatment for patients with hematological malignancies. In a recent registry study (Bashey et al. JCO 2017), peripheral blood (PB) as a graft source compared to bone marrow reduced the risk of relapse but increased acute and chronic GVHD after haplo-HCT with PTCy in combination with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). In this phase II trial we aimed to assess the efficacy of Sirolimus (Sir) in combination with PTCy and MMF as a CNI-free GVHD prophylaxis after PB haplo-HCT (NCT03018223). The primary end point was the cumulative incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD at day 100 after HCT. With 32 evaluable patients enrolled, the study had a 90% power (α = 0.1) to demonstrate a reduction in 100-day grade II-IV acute GVHD from the historical benchmark of 40% (haplo-HCT and PTCy/Tac/MMF) to 20%. Sir was administrated from days +5 to +90 at target level of 8-14 ng/ml, followed by taper by day +180 in the absence of acute GVHD. A total of 32 patients with hematological malignancies were treated on trial 2/2017- 8/2018. The median age at HCT was 50 years (range, 23-75) and 59% of patients were racial/ethnic minorities. AML (50.0%) was the most common indication for HCT. The majority (66%) received myeloablative Fludarabine (Flu) and Busulfan (AUC of 5300), while 34% received non-myeloablative Flu/Cy/TBI 200 cGy. There were no graft failure events and the median time of neutrophil engraftment was 17 days (range, 12 - 30). With a median follow-up of 15.4 months, the primary endpoint was met with day 100 grade II-IV acute GVHD cumulative incidence of 18.8% (95% CI 7.5 - 34.0; grade III-IV = 9.4%). The cumulative incidence of 1-year NIH moderate/severe chronic GVHD was 20.0% (95% CI 7.9-36.0) (Figure). Only 3 patients required systemic glucocorticoids for chronic GVHD therapy. At last follow up, all immunosuppression was successfully discontinued in 43% (n=12) of all surviving study patients. The 1-year probability of non-relapse mortality was 19.7% (95% CI 7.8 - 35.5), relapse was 23.7% (95% CI 10.2 - 40.4), disease-free survival was 56.6% (95% CI 41.3 - 77.7) and overall survival was 70.2% (95% CI 55.5 - 88.6) for the entire cohort. These data demonstrate that PTCy/Sir/MMF GVHD prophylaxis effectively prevents grade II-IV acute GVHD after PB haplo-HCT and results in successful hematopoietic engraftment. Furthermore, the initial chronic GVHD, relapse and survival outcomes appear favorable. These findings warrant prospective comparison of PTCy/Sir/MMF with PTCy/Tac/MMF after PB haplo-HCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]