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Acute graft-vs.-host disease (aGvHD) is one of the most frequent causes of transplant-related mortality (TRM) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). Its treatment is complex and costly. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the impact of country-specific socioeconomic factors on outcome of patients who experience severe aGvHD. Adults with hematological malignancies receiving alloHCT from either HLA-matched siblings ( n = 1,328) or unrelated donors ( n = 2,824) developing grade 3 or 4 aGvHD were included. In univariate analysis, the probability of TRM at 2 years was increased for countries with lower current Health Care Expenditure (HCE, p = 0.04), lower HCE as % of Gross Domestic Product per capita ( p = 0.003) and lower values of the Human Development Index ( p = 0.02). In a multivariate model, the risk of TRM was most strongly predicted by current HCE (HR = 0.76, p = 0.006). HCE >median was also associated with reduced risk of the overall mortality (HR 0.73, p = 0.0006) and reduced risk of treatment failure (either relapse or TRM; HR 0.77, p = 0.004). We conclude that country-specific socioeconomic factors, in particular current HCE, are strongly associated with survival of patients who experience severe aGvHD., (Copyright © 2020 Frankiewicz, Peczynski, Giebel, Harrington, Socié, Niederwieser, Scheid, Bornhäuser, Kröger, Elmaagacli, Afanasyev, Dreger, Rössig, Blaise, Kratz, Yakoub-Agha, Kremens, Niemeyer, Wulf, Blau, Penack, Greinix and Basak.)

In the absence of an HLA-matched donor, the best treatment for acquired aplastic anemia patients refractory to immunosuppression is unclear. We collected and analyzed data from all acquired aplastic anemia patients who underwent a haploidentical transplantation with posttransplant cyclophosphamide in Europe from 2011 to 2017 (n = 33). The cumulative incidence of neutrophil engraftment was 67% (CI 95% : 51-83%) at D +28 and was unaffected by age group, stem cell source, ATG use, or Baltimore conditioning regimen. The cumulative incidence of grades II-III acute GvHD was 23% at D +100, and limited chronic GvHD was 10% (0-20) at 2 years, without cases of grade IV acute or extensive chronic GvHD. Two-year overall survival was 78% (64-93), and 2-year graft-versus-host disease-free survival was 63% (46-81). In univariate analysis, the 2-year OS was higher among patients who received the Baltimore conditioning regimen (93% (81-100) versus 64% (41-87), p = 0.03), whereas age group, stem cell source, and ATG use had no effect. Our results using unmanipulated haploidentical transplantation and posttransplant cyclophosphamide for treating refractory AA patients are encouraging, but warrant confirmation in a prospective study with a larger number of patients and longer follow-up.

This retrospective study by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation analyzed the outcome of 2224 patients with myelofibrosis (MF) who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) between 2000 and 2014; 781 (35%) underwent myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and 1443 (65%) reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC). Median patient age was 52.9 years (range, 18 to 74 years) and 57.5 years (range, 21 to 76 years) in the MAC and RIC cohorts, respectively. Donor type was similar: matched sibling donors (MAC, 317 [41%]; RIC, 552 [38%]) and unrelated donors (MAC, 464 [59%]; RIC, 891 [62%]). Median time to both neutrophil and platelet (>20 × 10 9 /L) engraftment did not differ between cohorts. Rates of grade II to IV acute GVHD were 28% (MAC) and 31% (RIC; P = NS). Cumulative chronic GVHD rates (limited/extensive) were 22%/27% (MAC) and 19%/31% (RIC; P = .10). Cumulative incidences of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) at 1, 3, and 5 years were 25.5%, 32.2%, and 34.6% (MAC) and 26.3%, 32.8%, and 34.4% (RIC), respectively. There was a trend toward a higher relapse rate with RIC regimens compared with MAC (P = .08); rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 10.9%, 17.2%, and 20.1% (MAC) and 14%, 19.7%, and 23.2% (RIC), respectively. No significant difference in 5-year probabilities of overall survival (OS) was noted: MAC (53.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 49.1% to 56.9%) and RIC (51.0%; 95% CI, 48.3% to 53.7%); P = .78. Regarding the composite end point of GVHD-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS), the unadjusted Kaplan-Meier estimate of 5-year GRFS was 32.4% (95% CI, 29.0% to 36.1%) in the MAC group and 26.1% (95% CI, 23.9% to 28.2%) in the RIC group (P = .001). In the MAC cohort, multivariable analysis confirmed worse OS and NRM with older age (>50 years), using an unrelated donor and a Karnofsky Performance Status of 80 or less. For the RIC cohort, worse OS and NRM were associated with age 60 to 70 years compared with younger recipients, use of a mismatched donor, and poor performance status. In conclusion, although similar OS rates existed for both cohorts overall, this study suggests that MAC should still be used for younger individuals suitable for such an approach due to a trend toward less relapse and an overall suggested advantage of improved GRFS, albeit this should be examined in a more homogeneous cohort. RIC allo-SCT still offers significant survival advantage in the older, fitter MF allograft patient, and optimization to reduce significant relapse and NRM rates is required., (Copyright © 2019 American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. All rights reserved.)

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.

Background: Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is widely used to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (alloPBSCT). The goal of this study was to retrospectively assess the effect of ATG on outcomes in the setting of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ ALL)., Methods: In the analysis, 1170 adult patients undergoing alloPBSCT from human leucocyte antigen-matched sibling or unrelated donors in the first complete remission between 2007 and 2016 were included. ATG was used in 429/575 (75%) and 121/595 (20%) patients transplanted from unrelated or sibling donors, respectively., Results: The incidence of chronic GVHD was 35% for patients treated with ATG compared with 52% in those not receiving ATG (p < 0.001), while the rate of extensive chronic GVHD was 16% and 36%, respectively (p < 0.001). The probability of survival free from GVHD and relapse (GRFS) was 42% and 32%, respectively (p = 0.002). In a multivariate model, the use of ATG was associated with reduced risk of overall chronic GVHD (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.52, p < 0.001) and extensive chronic GVHD (HR = 0.46, p < 0.001). It was also associated with better GRFS (HR = 0.77, p = 0.007), despite increased risk of relapse (HR = 1.41, p = 0.02). No significant effect was found with regard to the risk of non-relapse mortality and overall mortality., Conclusions: The use of ATG for patients with Ph+ ALL undergoing alloPBSCT is associated with reduced risk of chronic GVHD without impact on survival and therefore, could be considered. However, increased risk of relapse suggests the need for strict monitoring of minimal residual diseases and appropriate interventions after transplantation., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Total-body irradiation (TBI) is a major constituent of myeloablative conditioning regimens. The standard technique consists of 12 Gy in 6 fractions over a period of 3 days. The Standard-fractionation compAred to one-daily fRaction total body irrAdiation prior to tranSplant In LEUkemia patieNts (SARASIN) study aimed to compare standard fractionation with once-daily fractionation before transplant in leukemia., Methods and Materials: We retrospectively compared TBI regimens delivered in 2993 patients from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation database, who underwent transplantation between 2000 and 2014 for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, n = 1729) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML, n = 1264). TBI was delivered as either 12 Gy in 6 fractions (group 1, considered the reference group; 1362 ALL and 857 AML patients), 9 to 12 Gy in 2 fractions (group 2, 173 ALL and 256 AML patients), or 12 Gy in 3 to 4 fractions (group 3, 194 ALL and 151 AML patients)., Results: The median follow-up was 60 and 84 months in ALL and AML patients, respectively. At 5 years, the leukemia-free survival rate, overall survival rate, relapse incidence, and nonrelapse mortality rate were 46.6%, 50.4%, 28.8%, and 24.6%, respectively, in ALL patients and 46.6%, 48.9%, 29.7%, and 23.6%, respectively, in AML patients. In multivariate analyses, the outcomes of groups 2 and 3 were not statistically different from those in group 1. The cumulative incidence of secondary malignancies (SMs) was significantly higher in group 2 (7.2%; P < 10 -6 for group 2 vs group 1). However, group 2 was not associated with an increase in SMs when we considered non-T-cell-depleted transplant patients., Conclusions: We showed that the 12-Gy fractionated TBI dose delivered either in 2 fractions or in 1 fraction per day over a period of 3 to 4 days resulted in nonsignificant differences in disease control and survival. However, 1-day fractionation may be associated with a higher risk of mucositis and hemorrhagic cystitis. The absence of a significant difference in the SM incidence in the non-T-cell-depleted group should be interpreted with caution in the context of a retrospective study design. Our findings are important to consider for radiation therapy department organization. In-depth analyses of other nonlethal toxicities and late effects are required., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Busulfan/fludarabine (BuFlu) is a widely used conditioning regimen for patients with myeloid malignancies. The sequential FLAMSA (fludarabine + Ara-C + amsacrine chemotherapy) protocol followed by either cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation (FLAMSA-TBI) or cyclophosphamide and busulfan (FLAMSA-Bu) has shown remarkable activity in high-risk acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients. Here we compare the outcomes of AML patients transplanted in first complete remission (CR1) or second complete remission (CR2) after conditioning with BuFlu or FLAMSA. Eligible patients had their first allogeneic stem cell transplantation for AML in CR1 or CR2 between January 2005 and June 2016. Donors were matched related or unrelated with up to 1 mismatch. Conditioning consisted of either BuFlu or FLAMSA. Propensity score matching was applied and comparisons were performed using weighted Cox regression. BuFlu conditioning was used in 1197 patients, whereas FLAMSA-TBI and FLAMSA-Bu were used in 258 and 141 patients, respectively. Median follow-up of survivors was 24.72 months. In univariate analysis, relapse incidence (RI) was 30.3%, 21.9%, and 23.1% in the BuFlu, FLAMSA-TBI, and FLAMSA-Bu groups, respectively (P < .01), and nonrelapse mortality at 2 years was 16.1%, 16.4%, and 26.7%, respectively (P < .01). Leukemia-free survival (LFS) at 2 years was 53.6%, 61.6%, and 50.1%, respectively (P = .03). Weighted Cox regression revealed that FLAMSA-TBI compared with BuFlu was associated with lower RI (hazard ratio [HR], .64; 95% confidence interval [CI], .42 to .98; P = .04) and a trend for better LFS (HR, .72; 95% CI, .49 to 1.06; P = .09). These results suggest that compared with BuFlu, conditioning with FLAMSA-TBI leads to reduced RI at 2 years in AML patients transplanted in CR1 or CR2., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in morphological first complete remission (CR1) pre-allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) may have measurable residual disease (MRD) by molecular and immunophenotyping criteria. We assessed interactions of MRD status with HCT conditioning regimen intensity in patients aged <50 years (y) or ≥50y. This was a retrospective study by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation registry. Patients were >18y with AML CR1 MRD NEG/POS and recipients of HCT in 2000-2015. Conditioning regimens were myeloablative (MAC), reduced intensity (RIC) or non-myeloablative (NMA). Outcomes included leukemia free survival (LFS), overall survival (OS), relapse incidence (RI), non-relapse mortality (NRM), chronic graft-vs-host (cGVHD), and GVHD-free and relapse-free survival (GRFS). The 2292 eligible patients were categorized into four paired groups: <50y MRD POS MAC (N = 240) vs RIC/NMA (N = 58); <50y MRD NEG MAC (N = 665) vs RIC/NMA (N = 195); ≥50y MRD POS MAC (N = 126) vs RIC/NMA (N = 230), and ≥50y MRD NEG MAC (N = 223) vs RIC/NMA (N = 555). In multivariate analysis RIC/NMA was only inferior to MAC for patients in the <50y MRD POS group, with worse RI (HR 1.71) and LFS (HR 1.554). Patients <50Y MRD NEG had less cGVHD after RIC/NMA HCT (HR 0.714). GRFS was not significantly affected by conditioning intensity in any group. Patients aged <50y with AML CR1 MRD POS status should preferentially be offered MAC allo-HCT. Prospective studies are needed to address whether patients with AML CR1 MRD NEG may be spared the toxicity of MAC regimens. New approaches are needed for ≥50y AML CR1 MRD POS., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) is considered a standard treatment for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ ALL) achieving complete remission after induction containing tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)., Methods: We retrospectively compared results of myeloablative alloHSCT from either matched sibling donor (MSD) or unrelated donor (URD) with autologous (auto) HSCT for adults with Ph+ ALL in molecular remission, treated between 2007 and 2014., Results: In univariate analysis, the incidence of relapse at 2 years was 47% after autoHSCT, 28% after MSD-HSCT and 19% after URD-HSCT (P = 0.0002). Respective rates of non-relapse mortality were 2%, 18%, and 22% (P = 0.001). The probabilities of leukaemia-free survival were 52%, 55% and 60% (P = 0.69), while overall survival rates were 70%, 70% and 69% (P = 0.58), respectively. In multivariate analysis, there was a trend towards increased risk of overall mortality after MSD-HSCT (hazard ratio [HR], 1.5, P = 0.12) and URD-HSCT (HR, 1.6, P = 0.08) when referred to autoHSCT. The use of total body irradiation (TBI)-based regimens was associated with reduced risk of relapse (HR, 0.65, P = 0.02) and overall mortality (HR, 0.67, P = 0.01)., Conclusion: In the era of TKIs, outcomes of myeloablative autoHSCT and alloHSCT for patients with Ph+ ALL in first molecular remission are comparable. Therefore, autoHSCT appears to be an attractive treatment option potentially allowing for circumvention of alloHSCT sequelae. Irrespective of the type of donor, TBI-based regimens should be considered the preferable type of conditioning for Ph+ ALL., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Dose intensity of the conditioning regimen has significant impact on the outcomes after stem cell transplantation (SCT) for acute myeloid leukemia. Most studies have shown more relapse, less nonrelapse mortality (NRM), and similar overall survival after reduced-intensity and myeloablative conditioning. There are limited data on the dose equivalence and expected outcomes of treosulfan-based compared with busulfan-based conditioning. We compared SCT outcomes after fludarabine with either intravenous busulfan at a myeloablative dose (FB4, 12.8 mg/kg, n = 1265) or a reduced dose (FB2, 6.4 mg/kg, n = 1456) or treosulfan at 42 g/m 2 (FT14, n = 403) or 36 g/m 2 (FT12, n = 168). Median patient age was 48, 60, 57, and 60 years in the FB4, FB2, FT14, and FT12 groups, respectively (P < .0001). Two-year overall survival was 58%, 53%, 53%, and 51%, respectively (P = .25). Multivariate analysis identified advanced age, advanced disease status, and secondary leukemia to be associated with worse survival. Relapse rate was 30%, 35%, 34%, and 40%, respectively. Relapse was more common after FB2, advanced age and disease status, secondary leukemia, and sibling donors. NRM was 17%, 18%, 21%, and 16%, respectively. NRM was least common after FT12 and more common with advanced age and disease status and unrelated donors. Treosulfan-based regimens were associated with lower rates of graft-versus-host disease. There was no difference in any outcome among patients in first complete remission at transplantation. However, there was better survival with treosulfan-based conditioning in advanced leukemia. In conclusion, survival is determined mostly by disease biology and is similar after various regimens. Treosulfan-based conditioning is more similar to myeloablative than to reduced-intensity conditioning but can be administered safely in older patients, with lower rates of graft-versus-host disease and possibly better outcomes in patients with active leukemia., (Copyright © 2017 The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We have analyzed 1448 patients with acquired aplastic anemia grafted between 2005 and 2009, and compared outcome of identical sibling (n=940) versus unrelated donor (n=508) transplants. When compared to the latter, sibling transplants were less likely to be performed beyond 180 days from diagnosis (39% vs. 85%), to have a cytomegalovirus negative donor/recipient status (15% vs. 23%), to receive antithymocyte globulin in the conditioning (52% vs. 61%), and more frequently received marrow as a stem cell source (60% vs. 52%). Unrelated donor grafts had significantly more acute grade II-IV (25% vs. 13%) and significantly more chronic graft-versus-host disease (26% vs. 14%). In multivariate analysis, the risk of death of unrelated donor grafts was higher, but not significantly higher, compared to a sibling donor (P=0.16). The strongest negative predictor of survival was the use of peripheral blood as a stem cell source (P<0.00001), followed by an interval of diagnosis to transplant of 180 days or more (P=0.0005), patient age 20 years or over (P=0.0005), no antithymocyte globulin in the conditioning (P=0.003), and donor/recipient cytomegalovirus sero-status, other than negative/negative (P=0.04). In conclusion, in multivariate analysis, the outcome of unrelated donor transplants for acquired aplastic anemia, is currently not statistically inferior when compared to sibling transplants, although patients are at greater risk of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease. The use of peripheral blood grafts remains the strongest negative predictor of survival., (Copyright© Ferrata Storti Foundation.)

One hundred and forty patients who had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) transformation after treatment of severe aplastic anemia (SAA) were identified in the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) database. The median age at HSCT was 29 years (range, 1 to 66 years). The transplant donor was related in 49% cases and unrelated in 51% cases. The 5-year probability of relapse was 17%, and that of nonrelapse mortality was 41%. The 5-year overall survival was 45% ± 9%, better for patients untreated and patients in remission compared with patients with refractory disease. Our data indicate that allogeneic HSCT leads to prolonged survival in close to one-half of the patients transforming to MDS or AML from SAA., (Copyright © 2014 American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We performed a retrospective analysis on 421 adult patients who underwent unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) for ALL. Median age was 32 years; 46% were in first CR (CR1), 32% in CR2 and 22% had advanced disease. Double UCBT was performed in 173 patients (41%). Myeloablative conditioning (MAC) was given to 314 patients (75%). Cumulative incidence (CI) of 60-day neutrophil recovery was 78%. CI of acute and chronic GVHD was 33 and 26%, respectively. Non-relapse mortality (NRM) at 2 years was 42%. Age⩾35 years (P<0.0001), advanced disease at UCBT (P<0.0001) and use of MAC (P<0.0001) were associated with increased NRM. Relapse incidence (RI) at 2 years was 28%; use of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) (P=0.0002) was associated with increased RI. Two-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 39% for patients in CR1, 31% for CR2 and 8% for advanced disease. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with decreased LFS rate were: age ⩾35 years (P=0.034), use of MAC (P=0.032) and advanced disease (P<0.0001). These results show that UCBT is a valuable option to treat high-risk adult ALL when in remission. Strategies to decrease toxicity and relapse are needed to improve final outcomes.

For adults with acute leukemia, it is important to know whether the therapeutic schemes initially planned were actually implemented. The European Group for Blood and Marrow transplantation Acute Leukemia Working Party prospectively followed 695 consecutive patients who were registered at the time of HLA typing. Of 304 patients with an available matched sibling donor (MSD), SCT was planned in 264, chemotherapy in 33 and autografting in 7. For the rest, an unrelated donor (UD) search was initiated in 198. Among these, 117 were transplanted, 114 received chemotherapy and 77 underwent autografting. Probabilities of receiving a planned treatment were 60 and 65% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Patients scheduled to receive MSD SCT had an 82% probability, whereas those scheduled to undergo UD SCT had a 57% probability, of receiving their transplant at 1 year. The only factor associated with a lower probability of MSD SCT in first remission was delayed HLA typing (HR=0.82; P=0.03). One year after enrollment, 40% of patients did not follow their initial treatment plan. Because OS was 50% only at 3 years and only 57% of the patients without a MSD underwent SCT, this suggests room for improvement in outcomes for adults with acute leukemia.

Aplastic anemia is usually treated with immunosuppression or allogeneic transplant, depending on patient and disease characteristics. Syngeneic transplant offers a rare treatment opportunity with minimal transplant-related mortality, and offers an insight into disease mechanisms. We present here a retrospective analysis of all syngeneic transplants for aplastic anemia reported to the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Between 1976 and 2009, 88 patients received 113 transplants. Most transplants (n=85) were preceded by a conditioning regimen, 22 of these including anti-thymocyte globulin. About half of transplants with data available (39 of 86) were followed by posttransplant immunosuppression. Graft source was bone marrow in the majority of cases (n=77). Transplant practice changed over time with more transplants with conditioning and anti-thymocyte globulin as well as peripheral blood stem cells performed in later years. Ten year overall survival was 93% with 5 transplant-related deaths. Graft failure occurred in 32% of transplants. Risk of graft failure was significantly increased in transplants without conditioning, and with bone marrow as graft source. Lack of posttransplant immunosuppression also showed a trend towards increased risk of graft failure, while anti-thymocyte globulin did not have an influence. In summary, syngeneic transplant is associated with a significant risk of graft failure when no conditioning is given, but has an excellent long-term outcome. Furthermore, our comparatively large series enables us to recommend the use of pre-transplant conditioning rather than not and possibly to prefer peripheral blood as a stem cell source.

Background: Relapse and transplant-related complications are leading causes of mortality after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Suicides and accidents have not been studied in these patients. This study sought to determine whether there is an excess of suicide and accidental deaths after HSCT, and to determine risk factors., Methods: The incidence of suicidal and accidental death in patients after undergoing HSCT, standardized mortality ratio (SMR), and absolute excess risk (AER) of suicide and accidental deaths was determined, compared with the general European population. A case-control analysis was done to define factors associated with suicide and accidental deaths. Data were derived from the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry, including 294,922 patients who underwent autologous or allogeneic HSCT from 1980 to 2009., Results: The 10-year cumulative incidence of suicide and accidental deaths was 101.8 and 55.6 per 100,000 patients, respectively. SMR and AER of suicide after HSCT were 2.12 (P < .001) and 10.91, higher than in the European general population for 100,000 deaths, respectively. SMR and AER of accidental death were 1.23 (P < .05) and 2.54, respectively. In the case-control study, relapses were more frequent among patients who committed suicide after autologous HSCT (37% versus 18%; P < .0001). Chronic graft-versus-host disease was higher among patients who committed suicide after allogeneic HSCT (64% versus 37%; P = .001)., Conclusions: There is an excess of deaths due to suicide and accidents in patients after undergoing HSCT as compared with the European general population. Relapse was associated with more suicide and accidental deaths after autologous HSCT, and chronic graft-versus-host disease was associated with more deaths by suicide after allogeneic HSCT., (Copyright © 2013 American Cancer Society.)

Because information on management and outcome of AML relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) is scarce, a retrospective registry study was performed by the Acute Leukemia Working Party of EBMT. Among 2815 RIC transplants performed for AML in complete remission (CR) between 1999 and 2008, cumulative incidence of relapse was 32% ± 1%. Relapsed patients (263) were included into a detailed analysis of risk factors for overall survival (OS) and building of a prognostic score. CR was reinduced in 32%; remission duration after transplantation was the only prognostic factor for response (P = .003). Estimated 2-year OS from relapse was 14%, thereby resembling results of AML relapse after standard conditioning. Among variables available at the time of relapse, remission after HSCT > 5 months (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-0.67, P < .001), bone marrow blasts less than 27% (HR = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.40-0.72, P < .001), and absence of acute GVHD after HSCT (HR = 0.67, 95% CI, 0.49-0.93, P = .017) were associated with better OS. Based on these factors, 3 prognostic groups could be discriminated, showing OS of 32% ± 7%, 19% ± 4%, and 4% ± 2% at 2 years (P < .0001). Long-term survival was achieved almost exclusively after successful induction of CR by cytoreductive therapy, followed either by donor lymphocyte infusion or second HSCT for consolidation.

This retrospective study assessed the outcome of 576 adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients aged ≥ 45 years, and who received a reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC; n = 127) or myeloablative conditioning (MAC; n = 449) allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) from a human leukocyte antigen-identical sibling while in complete remission. With a median follow-up of 16 months, at 2 years, the cumulative incidences of nonrelapse mortality and relapse incidence were 29% ± 2% (MAC) versus 21% ± 5% (RIC; P = .03), and 31% ± 2% (MAC) versus 47% ± 5% (RIC; P < .001), respectively. In a multivariate analysis, nonrelapse mortality was decreased in RIC recipients (P = .0001, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.98) whereas it was associated with higher relapse rate (P = .03, HR = 0.59). At 2 years, LFS was 38% ± 3% (MAC) versus 32% ± 6% (RIC; P = .07). In multivariate analysis, the type of conditioning regimen (RIC vs. MAC) was not significantly associated with leukemia-free survival (P = .23, HR = 0.84). Despite the need for randomized trials, we conclude that RIC allo-SCT from a human leukocyte antigen-identical donor is a potential therapeutic option for acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients aged ≥ 45 years in complete remission and not eligible for MAC allo-SCT.

In order to assess the epidemiology of Hepatitis-Associated Aplasia (HAA) and compare treatment outcome of HAA with non-HAA patients, we evaluated 3916 aplastic anaemia patients reported to the European Registry between 1990 and 2007. Year, month, season of diagnosis, type and outcome of first-line therapy were analysed. Prevalence of HAA (n = 214) in Europe was 5%. Compared to non-HAA patients, HAA patients were younger (15 vs. 20 years, P < 0.001), with a male prevalence (68% vs. 58% P = 0.002), and were treated earlier after diagnosis (46 vs. 62 d; P < 0.001). No significant differences were found regarding the year or month of diagnosis. No geographic clusters could be identified. Actuarial survival at 10 years after first-line immunosuppression was 69%, and did not differ according to aetiology. The 10-year actuarial survival after transplantation was 70%, and was comparable in HAA and non-HAA patients, when stratified for age and donor type. In a multivariate Cox analysis, increasing age and delayed treatment were significant negative indicators for survival. In conclusion, the incidence of HAA was 5% and was evenly distributed over time and geographic areas in Europe. Treatment outcome and predictive variables, were comparable in patients with or without HAA.

Background and Objectives: The treatment of acquired aplastic anemia (AA) is based on allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and immunosuppressive therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of children and adults with AA treated in the last decade, and to determine whether results have improved in two sequential time periods,1991-1996 and 1997-2002., Design and Methods: Two-thousands and seventy-nine consecutive patients with AA, classified according to first-line treatment: BMT (n=1567) or immunosuppressive therapy (n= 912), the patients for the two sequential time periods were studied. Analyses included variables related to patients, disease and transplant., Results: The actuarial 10-year survival was 73% and 68% for BMT or immunosuppressive treatment, respectively (p=0.002). BMT outcome improved significantly with time (69% and 77%, p=001) for both matched sibling donor (MSD) (74% and 80%; p=0.003 ), alternative donor (38% and 65% p=0.0001), and was better in children (79% versus 68%, p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis: favorable predictors (p<0.001) were younger age, transplant beyond 1996, MSD, a short interval diagnosis-transplant , no irradiation. IS: no significant improvement over time (69% and 73% p=0.29). Survival was significantly better in children (81% versus 70%, p=0.001), especially in vSAA(83% versus 62%, p=0.0002). Combined IS was superior to single drug treatment (77% versus 62%, p=0.002). Multivariate analysis: significant predictors of survival: age > or =16 years (p=0.0009), longer interval between diagnosis -treatment (p=0.04), single drug versus combined IS (p=0.02)., Interpretation and Conclusions: Outcome has improved in subsets of AA patients: those receiving first- line BMT and children with vSAA treated with IS. Age remains a major predictor for both treatments. Early intervention is associated with a significantly better outcome and is strongly recommended, whatever the first-line therapy.

More than 40,000 hematopoietic cell transplants (HCTs) are performed worldwide each year. With improvements in transplant technology, larger numbers of transplant recipients survive free of the disease for which they were transplanted. However, there are late complications that can cause substantial morbidity. Many survivors are no longer under the care of transplant centers and many community health-care providers may be unfamiliar with health matters relevant to HCT. The Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), and American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) have developed these recommendations to offer care providers suggested screening and prevention practices for autologous and allogeneic HCT survivors.

More than 40000 hematopoietic cell transplants (HCTs) are performed worldwide each year. With improvements in transplant technology, larger numbers of transplant recipients survive free of the disease for which they were transplanted. However, there are late complications that can cause substantial morbidity. Many survivors are no longer under the care of transplant centers, and many community health care providers may be unfamiliar with health matters relevant to HCT. The Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), and American Society for Bone Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) have developed these recommendations to offer care providers suggested screening and prevention practices for autologous and allogeneic HCT survivors.

Patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) can be successfully treated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or immunosuppressive therapy (IS). The current outcome using both forms of therapy among 3,669 patients treated in Europe between 1976 and 1998 is reviewed. Significant progress has been made and the overall risk of failure is now low, with survival rates greater than 80% for both treatments. Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) remains a problem for BMT patients, and carries a high risk of lethal complications. On the other hand, IS patients are exposed to late failure due to relapse or clonal/malignant diseases. First-line BMT from identical siblings is compared with IS therapy in an intent-to-treat analysis of 1,765 patients, regardless of subsequent transplant status. The outcome of SAA patients has improved considerably over time and is influenced by patient variables such as severity of the disease and age, but also by the choice of the initial treatment.

The European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Late-Effects Working Party collected data on patients who survived more than 5 years after BMT. Height at transplant and at the latest follow-up examination were evaluated in 79/258 subjects who were below the age of 15 at BMT. A significant decrease in height-standard deviation score (SDS) was observed in leukemic children conditioned with total body irradiation (TBI) and in those who received both cranial irradiation and TBI. The majority of these patients, however, received single-dose TBI (28/41). A significant decrease in height-SDS was also seen in children who received thoraco-abdominal irradiation suggesting that the deleterious effect of irradiation on growth after BMT is not entirely due to injury to cranial neuroendocrine structures, but also probably due to damage to bone epiphyses, thyroid and gonads. A non-significant decrease in height was observed in children transplanted using chemotherapy alone. Nutritional status, expressed as body-mass index (BMI), was found unchanged in the adult group (n = 158). A significant increase in BMI was observed in the younger patients (n = 88), which parallels the normal increase in BMI observed during childhood. This suggests that on long-term analysis, a good nutritional status is maintained in patients undergoing BMT at any age.