Search

THE BRAZILIAN SOCIETY FOR BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION (SBTMO) PRESENTS THE BRAZILIAN GUIDELINES ON HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION

THE BRAZILIAN SOCIETY FOR BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION (SBTMO) PRESENTS THE BRAZILIAN GUIDELINES ON HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation remains one of the main infectious complications following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In this study, we explored the role of anti-CMV antibody titers in HSCT from alternative donors and to compare the risk of CMV reactivation between posttransplant cyclophosphamide-based haploidentical HSCT and antithymocyte globulin-based unrelated donor (URD) HSCT. We included 98 CMV-positive patients, 30 undergoing haploidentical HSCT and 68 undergoing URD HSCT. The majority of patients had a malignant disease (84%), received a myeloablative conditioning regimen (78%), and received a bone marrow graft (90%). The median pretransplantation anti-CMV IgG level was 109 U/mL. With median follow-up of 2.2 years, a total of 72 CMV reactivations occurred in 50 patients. There was no difference in CMV reactivation pattern between haploidentical HSCT recipients and URD HSCT recipients. In multivariable analysis until the first event, the incidence of CMV reactivation was higher in patients with anti-CMV IgG levels >100 U/mL (hazard ratio [HR], 2.38; P = .005) and in patients diagnosed with grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (HR, 10.8; P = .003) after day +50 and lower in patients who received higher doses of CD34 cells (HR, .44; P = .006). In multivariable analysis for recurring events, the incidence of CMV reactivation was higher in patients receiving reduced-intensity conditioning (HR, 1.69: P = .04) and in patients with acute GVHD (HR, 1.88; P = .02), and lower in those who received higher doses of CD34 cells (HR, .55; P = .01). In summary, we have shown that pretransplantation anti-CMV IgG titers are correlated with CMV reactivation risk. More studies are needed to assess how this information can be incorporated in HSCT. The use of high-dose cellular grafts, a modifiable risk factor, also protects against CMV reactivation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers the opportunity for cure to patients with malignant and non-malignant diseases. Given the myriad advances in the past few decades, coupled with the rising numbers of transplants worldwide, the number of long-term survivors, many of whom are free of the disease for which they were transplanted, is constantly increasing. Despite the improved prognosis observed overall, long-term outcome may be undermined by transplant-associated morbidity and mortality. Long-term survivors may present a variety of complications, comprising physical, psychological, social, and economic arenas, with a deep impact on quality of life. Therefore, drawing greater attention to and raising awareness of the potential long-term effects of HSCT is key to providing a tailored approach to pretransplant counseling and to devising appropriate recommendations for post-transplant screening, prevention, and timely treatment of secondary events. In 2020, the Brazilian Group for Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation of the Brazilian Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SBTMO) convened a task force to provide updated, evidence-based guidance for the long- term follow-up of pediatric patients undergoing HSCT, the results of which are presented here.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), either in its acute or chronic form, is the main contributory factor for morbidity and non-relapse mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Recent advancements in the classification of this disease, with better applicability and reproducibility of standardized criteria, coupled with improvements in the management of steroid-refractory or resistant cases, have led to promising results. In 2020, the Brazilian Group for Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation of the Brazilian Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SBTMO) convened a task force to provide updated, evidence-based guidance for the diagnosis, classification, staging, prophylaxis, and treatment of GVHD, with a focus on the pediatric population, the results of which are presented here.

The 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus emerged and caused considerable morbidity and mortality in the third world, especially in Brazil. Although circulating strains of A(H1N1)pdm09 are A/California/04/2009-like (CA-04-like) viruses, various studies have suggested that some mutations in the viral hemagglutinin (HA) may be associated with enhanced severity and fatality. This phenomenon is particularly challenging for immunocompromised individuals, such as those who have undergone bone marrow transplant (BMT), because they are more likely to display worse clinical outcomes to influenza infection than non-immunocompromised individuals. We studied the clinical and viral aspects of post-BMT patients with confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 diagnosis in the largest cancer hospital in Brazil. We found a viral strain with K-15E, P83S and Q293H polymorphisms in the HA, which is presumably more virulent, in these individuals. Despite that, these patients showed only mild symptoms of infection. Our findings complement the discovery of mild cases of infection with the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus with the K-15E, P83S and Q293H mutations in Brazil and oppose other studies that have linked these changes with increased disease severity. These results could be important for a better comprehension of the impact of the pandemic influenza in the context of BMT.