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Alessandra Micozzi,1 Clara Minotti,2 Saveria Capria,2 Claudio Cartoni,2 Silvia Maria Trisolini,2 Giovanni Manfredi Assanto,1 Walter Barberi,2 Maria Luisa Moleti,2 Stefania Santilli,3 Maurizio Martelli,1 Giuseppe Gentile1 1Haematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; 2Department of Haematology, Oncology and Dermatology, Azienda Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy; 3Department of Diagnostics, Azienda Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, ItalyCorrespondence: Alessandra Micozzi, Haematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Benevento 6, Rome, 00161, Italy, Tel +39 6 857951, Fax +39 6 44241984, Email alessandra.micozzi@uniroma1.itPurpose: To evaluate the benefits and safety of the empiric antibiotic treatment (EAT) active against KPC-K. pneumoniae in febrile neutropenic patients with acute leukaemia (AL) who are colonised by KPC-K. pneumoniae.Patients and Methods: A 7-year (2013– 2019) retrospective observational cohort study was conducted at the Haematology, Sapienza Rome University (Italy) on 94 febrile neutropenia episodes (FNE) in AL patients KPC-K. pneumoniae carriers treated with active EAT.Results: Eighty-two (87%) FNE were empirically treated with antibiotic combinations [38 colistin-based and 44 ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZAVI)-based], 12 with CAZAVI monotherapy. Successful outcomes were observed in 88/94 (94%) FNE, 46/49 (94%) microbiologically documented infections, and 24/27 (89%) gram-negative bloodstream infections (GNB-BSI). Mortality due to infective causes was 4.2% (2.1% within 1 week). KPC-K. pneumoniae infections caused 28/94 FNE (30%) and KPC-K. pneumoniae-BSI was documented in 22 FNE (23.4%) (85% of GNB-BSI), in all cases patients received active EAT, and 21 survived. KPC-K.pneumoniae-BSI mortality rate was 4.5%. CAZAVI-based EAT showed better results than colistin-based EAT (55/56 vs 33/38, p = 0.037), overall and without EAT modification (41/56 vs 20/38, p = 0.02). Empirical combinations including CAZAVI were successful in 98% of cases (43/44 vs 33/38 for colistin-based EAT, p = 0.01), without modifications in 82% (36/44 vs 20/28, p = 0.02). All deaths occurred in patients treated with colistin-based EAT (4/38 vs 0/56, p = 0.02). CAZAVI-containing EAT was the only independent factor for an overall successful response (HR 0.058, CI 0.013– 1.072, p = 0.058). Nephrotoxicity occurred in 3(8%) patients undergoing colistin-based EAT (none in those undergoing CAZAVI-based EAT, p = 0.02).Conclusion: KPC-K. pneumoniae infections are frequent in colonised AL patients with FNE. EAT with active antibiotics, mainly CAZAVI-based combinations, was effective, safe, and associated with low overall and KPC-K. pneumoniae-BSI-related mortality.Keywords: ceftazidime-avibactam, colistin, haematological malignancies, KPC-K. pneumoniae-BSI mortality rate

Purpose. Peripherally-inserted central catheters (PICCs) are successfully increasingly used in children in onco-hematologic setting. PICC insertion, especially in oncologic patients, can be associated with adverse events (thrombosis, obstruction and infections). Data regarding the use of PICC, as long-term access in pediatric patients with severe hematologic diseases, are still limited. Methods. We retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of 218 PICC, inserted in 154 pediatric patients diagnosed and treated at Pediatric Hematology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, for severe hematologic disease in a 11-year period (98 acute lymphoblastic leukemias, 20 acute myeloid leukemias, 20 Hodgkin lymphomas, 6 non-Hodgkin lymphomas, 8 severe aplastic anemias, 2 acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenias). Results. The 218 PICC analyzed were in situ for a median dwell time of 160 days (range 12–898). In 38 children, PICC was inserted twice and in 10, three times or more due to hematopoietic stem cell transplant, disease recurrence or PICC-related complications. The overall complication rate was 32%: central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) occurred in 21% of cases after a median time of 105 days; a catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) in 3% and mechanical complications in 8% of cases. Premature removal for complications occurred in 36.7% of PICC. No death related to PICC complications was observed. Conclusion. In our experience, PICC was a cheap, safe and reliable device for long-term intravenous access in children with severe hematologic illnesses. This has been possible with the help of dedicated PICC team.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer with the majority of cases being of B lineage [1]. B-cell precursor ALL (BCP-ALL) is a heterogeneous disease in which risk ass...

Background. KPC-K.pneumoniae bloodstream infection (KPC-KpBSI) mortality rate in patients with hematological malignancies is reported about 60%. The initial treatment active against KPC-K.pneumoniae is crucial for survival and KPC-K.pneumoniae rectal colonization usually precedes KPC-KpBSI. We evaluated the impact on KPC-KpBSI mortality of the preemptive use of antibiotics active against KPC-K.pneumoniae, as opposed to inactive or standard empiric antibiotics, for the empiric treatment of febrile neutropenia episodes in patients with hematological malignancy identified as KPC-K.pneumoniae intestinal carriers. Methods. We compared the outcomes of KPC-KpBSIs occurring in high-risk patients with hematological malignancy known to be colonized with KPC-K.pneumoniae, during two time periods: March 2012-December 2013 (Period 1, initial approach to KPC-K.pneumoniae spread) and January 2017-October 2018 (Period 2, full application of the preemptive strategy). The relative importance of the various prognostic factors that could influence death rates were assessed by forward stepwise logistic regression models.Results. KPC-KpBSI-related mortality in patients with hematological malignancies identified as KPC-K.pneumoniae carriers dropped from 50% in Period 1 to 6% in Period 2 (pK.pneumoniae carriers were treated with initial active therapy in 56% and 100% of cases in Period 1 and Period 2, respectively (pConclusions. In high-risk patients with hematological malignancies colonized by KPC-K.pneumoniae, the empiric treatment of febrile neutropenia active against KPC-K.pneumoniae reduced KPC-KpBSI-related mortality to 6% and prevented fatal breakthrough KPC-KpBSI.

The aim of the study was to observe the effectiveness of a photo-biomodulation (PBM) protocol for the prevention of oral mucositis (OM) in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT). A case-control study was conducted on 40 patients undergoing aHSCT. The patients were divided into two groups, the preventive group (PG) included 20 patients (7 females and 13 males) who were subjected to intra-oral PBM for five sessions a week, starting one day before the conditioning regimen and continuing until the 10th day after transplantation (D+10). In each session, ten points on the at-risk mucosal surfaces were irradiated using a double diode laser that emits two wavelengths simultaneously at 650 nm and at 904&ndash, 910 nm with the following parameters at each point: energy of 4 J, and power of 88.9 mW. The control group (CG) included 20 patients (10 females and 10 males) who were not subjected to laser therapy and were selected retrospectively to compare the obtained results. For all patients, OM was assessed by the World Health Organization (WHO) grading scale. Eight patients in the PG did not experience OM during their hospitalization period (with grade 0). Severe OM was observed in 40% of the patients in the PG, while in the CG, severe OM was shown in 85% of the patients. The mean duration of OM in the PG was significantly lower than that of CG (4.7 days in the PG and 15 days in the CG) (p &lt, 0.001). The study demonstrated that the preventive PBM protocol reduced the severity and duration of OM in patients undergoing aHSCT.

Central venous catheters (CVC) are essential for the management of patients with hematologic malignancies, facilitating chemotherapy infusion, antibiotics, parenteral nutrition, blood products, and blood samples collection. In this population, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) seem to be associated with lower complications, compared with conventional percutaneously inserted devices (CICC). Data on the PICC in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients (allo-HSCT) are limited. We have prospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of 100 polyurethanes or silicone PICC, inserted into 100 adult allo-HSCT recipients, at the Hematology of Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), between October 2012 and August 2017. The median duration of PICC placement was 117 days. Overall, 68% of patients maintained the device for the entire transplant procedure and PICC were removed after day 100 from allo-HSCT; of these, 44% did not experienced any PICC-related complications. Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) occurred in 32% of patients (2.5/1000 PICC days), associated with thrombosis in 8 cases. CRBSI were observed in 42% of patients with polyurethane and 20% with silicone PICC (p = 0.02). Catheter-related thrombosis occurred in 9% of patients, never requiring anticipated PICC removal. Mechanical complications occurred in 15% of cases (1.2/1000 PICC days). On the whole, adverse events were manageable and did not affect transplant outcome. No deaths related to PICC-complications were observed. PICC are a safe and reliable long-term venous access in allo-HSCT recipients.

Indolent non-Hodgkin lymphomas (iNHL) remain incurable with standard approaches. The timing of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is changing following the introduction of new drugs that can potentially defer the transplant, improved reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and haploidentical allogeneic SCT (allo-SCT).The most relevant aspects concerning the role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the management of iNHL are discussed. Literature search methodology included examination of PubMed index and meeting presentations. Expert commentary: ASCT is not currently employed as consolidation in first-line, being reserved to patients with refractory/relapsed disease. The curative potential of graft-versus-lymphoma (GVL) after RIC allo-SCT could be particularly beneficial in patients with iNHL relapsing after ASCT. This scenario could be modified in the near future by better definition of high-risk patients at diagnosis, by the improvement of minimal residual disease (MRD) evaluation and by the introduction of new drugs in the therapeutic algorithm.

Relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may occur in extramedullary sites, mainly central nervous system (CNS) and testis. Optimal post-remissional treatment for isolated extramedullary relapse (IEMR) is still controversial. We collected data of children treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for ALL IEMR from 1990 to 2015 in Italy. Among 281 patients, 167 had a relapse confined to CNS, 73 to testis, 14 to mediastinum, and 27 to other organs. Ninety-seven patients underwent autologous HSCT, 79 received allogeneic HSCT from a matched family donor, 75 from a matched unrelated donor, and 30 from an HLA-haploidentical donor. The 10-year overall survival was 56% and was not influenced by gender, ALL blast immune-phenotype, age, site of relapse, duration of first remission, and type of HSCT. In multivariable analysis, the only prognostic factors were disease status at HSCT and year of transplantation. Patients transplanted in third or subsequent complete remission (CR) had a risk of death 2.3 times greater than those in CR2. Children treated after 2000 had half the risk of death than those treated before that year. Our results suggest that both autologous and allogeneic HSCT may be considered for the treatment of pediatric ALL IEMR after the achievement of CR2.

Indication and timing of trough plasma-voriconazole (VCZ)-concentration (t-PVC) measurement during VCZ treatment is a debated issue. Patterns of t-PVC were prospectively evaluated in pediatric (50 courses) and adult (95 courses) hematologic patients. Efficacy patterns were defined: adequate, t-PVC always ≥1 mcg/ml; borderline, at least one t-PVC measurement1 mcg/ml but median value of the measurements ≥1 mcg/ml; inadequate, median value of the measurements1 mcg/ml. Toxicity patterns were defined: favorable, t-PVC always ≤5 mcg/ml; borderline, one or more t-PVC measurements5 mcg/ml but median value of the measurements ≤5 mcg/ml; unfavorable, median value of the measurements5 mcg/ml. In children and adults the mean t-PVCs were higher during intravenous treatments. The t-PVC efficacy pattern was adequate, borderline and inadequate in 48%, 12%, and 40% of courses, respectively, in children, and in 66.3%, 16.8%, and 16.8% of courses, respectively, in adults. Adequate efficacy pattern was more frequent in children with body weight above the median (≥25 kg) (OR 4.8; P = .011) and in adults with active hematological disease receiving intravenous therapy (OR 3.93; P = .006). Favorable toxicity pattern was more frequent in children receiving VCZ daily dosage below the median (14 mg/kg) (OR 4.18; P = .027) and in adults with body weight below the median (68 kg) (OR 0.22; P = .004). T-PVC measurement is generally needed, however, a non t-PVC guided approach may be considered in heavier adults receiving intravenous VCZ. The risk of supratherapeutic levels does not seem an absolute indication for t-PVC monitoring.

Traditionally, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from both HLA-matched related and unrelated donors (UD) has been used for treating children with acute leukemia (AL) in need of an allograft. Recently, HLA-haploidentical HSCT after αβ T-cell/B-cell depletion (αβhaplo-HSCT) was shown to be effective in single-center studies. Here, we report the first multicenter retrospective analysis of 127 matched UD (MUD), 118 mismatched UD (MMUD), and 98 αβhaplo-HSCT recipients, transplanted between 2010 and 2015, in 13 Italian centers. All these AL children were transplanted in morphological remission after a myeloablative conditioning regimen. Graft failure occurred in 2% each of UD-HSCT and αβhaplo-HSCT groups. In MUD vs MMUD-HSCT recipients, the cumulative incidence of grade II to IV and grade III to IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 35% vs 44% and 6% vs 18%, respectively, compared with 16% and 0% in αβhaplo-HSCT recipients (P < .001). Children treated with αβhaplo-HSCT also had a significantly lower incidence of overall and extensive chronic GVHD (P < .01). Eight (6%) MUD, 32 (28%) MMUD, and 9 (9%) αβhaplo-HSCT patients died of transplant-related complications. With a median follow-up of 3.3 years, the 5-year probability of leukemia-free survival in the 3 groups was 67%, 55%, and 62%, respectively. In the 3 groups, chronic GVHD-free/relapse-free (GRFS) probability of survival was 61%, 34%, and 58%, respectively (P < .001). When compared with patients given MMUD-HSCT, αβhaplo-HSCT recipients had a lower cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality and a better GRFS (P < .001). These data indicate that αβhaplo-HSCT is a suitable therapeutic option for children with AL in need of transplantation, especially when an allele-matched UD is not available.

In Italy in 2016, acute flaccid myelitis developed in a woman who had received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Enterovirus D68 viral genome was detected in respiratory and cerebrospinal fluid samples, and the viral protein 1 sequence clustered with lineage B3. Immunocompromised adults may be at risk for enterovirus D68–associated neurologic complications.

Background. Hematologic and, to a lesser extent, molecular relapsed/refractory in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R ALL) is associated with a poor outcome, with low rates of subsequent complete remission (CR) and short survival. Blinatumomab has shown to be effective in both settings. Aims and methods. In this retrospective, single center study we aimed at: 1) evaluating the efficacy of blinatumomab in both hematologic and molecular R/R patients enrolled in clinical trials and in a real life setting; 2) identifying predictive factors impacting on overall and disease free-survival (OS and DFS), and 3) establishing the feasibility and the role of a subsequent allogenic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Thirty-six adult patients (≥18 years) in hematologic or molecular R/R ALL were treated with blinatumomab between January 2012 and March 2017. Blinatumomab was administered either in the context of a clinical trial (Blast, MT103-211, Tower, Alcantara), in a compassionate use program or according to AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco) guidelines. Blinatumomab was administered as continuous infusion for 4 weeks, followed by a 2-week wash out. A stepwise dose of 9 µg/day during the first week of cycle 1 followed by 28 µg/day thereafter, was administered for hematologic R/R cases and a flat dose of 15 µg /m2/day for molecular R/R patients. Patients who witnessed a response received up to 4 additional cycles or underwent a HSCT; patients showing after 1 cycle an increase in the blast count or of minimal residual disease levels, discontinued treatment. Results. Thirty-six patients were analyzed: 21 (58.4%) were in hematologic R/R and 15 (41.6%) in molecular R/R. Four patients had high-risk genetic features (2 BCR/ABL1 and 2 MLL/AF4). Thirteen patient were treated in the context of a clinical trial. All patients received at least one cycle of blinatumomab. At the end of the first cycle, among the 21 hematologic R/R pts, 14 (67%) achieved a CR and 10/14 (71%) also a CMR, while in the molecular R/R group 12/15 (80%) achieved a CMR. As expected, the rate of CMR was significantly higher in the molecular R/R cases as opposed to hematologic R/R (80% vs 52%, p=0.05). Notably, all 4 patients treated for a primary refractory disease, achieved a CR and CMR after the first cycle as opposed to hematologic relapsed cases (p=0.08). With a median follow-up of 33.9 months (range 1-89), the overall OS and DFS at 3 years are 34% and 42.5%, respectively. OS was significantly better for molecular R/R cases than for hematologic R/R cases (54.2% vs 26.1%, p=0.05), while no significant differences were observed in DFS. OS and DFS are 100%, respectively, for refractory cases. Median OS is 6.75 months for hematological R/R, while it is not reached for molecular R/R. Median DFS is 26 months for both groups. Predictive factors for non-response were the status of disease prior to blinatumomab (hematologic vs molecular R/R) and primary refractoriness. A better, though not significant, outcome was observed for patients treated in first rather than in subsequent relapse, and in cases without molecular aberrations (p=0.07, p=0.09). Overall, 14 patients - 9 with molecular and 5 with hematologic R/R at enrollment - underwent a HSCT: 8 are in continuous CR (median follow-up: 17 months, range 5-73). Among the 22 patients who did not receive a HSCT, including 16 molecular and 6 hematologic R/R at enrollment), 7 are in continuous CR (median follow-up: 51 months, range 10-89). Due to the small sample size, we cannot define the role of transplant; transplant-related mortality (TRM) was observed in 3/14 (21.4%). Treatment was well tolerated: the most common adverse events were pyrexia (55%), infectious events (33.3%) and neurotoxicity (19.4%); hematologic toxicity was rare and more frequent in hematologic R/R. Conclusions. Treatment with blinatumomab was safe and effective. As expected, patients treated in molecular R/R had better survival rates than hematologic R/R patients. Despite the small number, all primary refractory patients responded to blinatumomab, suggesting that in these cases immunotherapeutic strategies can be extremely effective, irrespective of a chemo-insensitive disease. HSCT did not impact on OS and DFS, possibly due to the small number of the cohort. Finally, no differences in terms of adverse events, DFS or OS were observed between patients treated in the context of a clinical trial or in a real-life setting. Disclosures Chiaretti: Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Shire: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Foà:Abbvie: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Shire: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Shire: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celltrion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celltrion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Use of defibrotide to treat transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy: a retrospective study of the Paediatric Diseases and Inborn Errors Working Parties of the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation

We analysed the long-term outcome of 35 children and adolescents (

The immunologic reconstitution is ultimately responsible of the clinical outcome of patients who have undergone an allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). The occurrence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which represents the major cause of morbidity and mortality after the transplant correlates with the concentration in the peripheral blood (PB) of regulatory T cells (Tregs). In this study we aim at demonstrating that not only the concentration but also the functional capacities and the degree of activity of Tregs act as an important regulator of alloreactivity and may help to predict the risk of acute and chronic GVHD in the post-transplant period. Sixteen patients who underwent an allogeneic SCT were evaluated at 1 year from transplant. Tregs were expanded from the PB of these patients and from 8 normal donors; their expansion capacity, phenotype, suppressor activity and IL-10 production were measured. Tregs expanded from patients without GVHD exerted a higher suppressive function on the proliferative reaction of T cells and showed a higher IL-10 production capacity compared to patients with acute or chronic GVHD. These results document that the functional activity and the suppressor capacity of Tregs after an allogeneic SCT may protect from GVHD, and support the design of clinical protocols based on the infusion of expanded and activated Tregs.