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Background: Palbociclib in combination with endocrine therapy (ie, an aromatase inhibitor [AI] or fulvestrant) is a current standard of care for patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) advanced or metastatic breast cancer (ABC/mBC). Findings from the PALOMA clinical trials have shown that patients receiving palbociclib with AI or fulvestrant maintained stable quality of life (QoL). However, no data are currently available from real-world settings regarding patients’ QoL experiences while receiving palbociclib. Methods: This noninterventional, prospective, multicenter study evaluated female and male patients diagnosed with HR+/HER2- ABC/mBC and treated with palbociclib as indicated by the attending physician in the routine course of care. QoL was assessed using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). The EORTC QLQ-C30 was collected at enrollment prior to receiving palbociclib (baseline), monthly for the first 3 months of treatment with palbociclib, and then every 3 months until the end of treatment or patient withdrawal or death. The EORTC QLQ-C30 could be completed using an interactive Web response system or a paper questionnaire. Here we report demographic characteristics and interim analysis of QoL assessments as measured by EORTC QLQ-C30 at baseline and at 3 and 6 months postbaseline. Descriptive analyses are presented for subscales of the EORTC QLQ-C30. Results: 522 patients who completed ≥6 months of palbociclib treatment as of May 20, 2019, were included in this interim analysis; 394 were prescribed palbociclib as first-line treatment. The remaining 128 patients initiated palbociclib in second and later lines. Median age at enrollment was 64 years, 98% of patients were female, and 83% were white. More than half of all patients (n=285) received palbociclib in combination with letrozole or anastrozole; of the remaining patients, 218 received palbociclib plus fulvestrant and 19 received palbociclib plus exemestane. Mean (SD) EORTC QLQ-C30 scores remained similar over the first 6 months of treatment: 66.2 (22.6) at baseline, 68.3 (19.7) at 3 months, and 70.2 (21.3) at 6 months. In addition, the mean scores for each functional scale and symptom scale on the EORTC QLQ-C30 also remained stable over the first 6 months (Table). With the exception of pain scores (which declined by 7 points), the change from baseline at 6 months generally was less than 5 points across the different subscales of EORTC QLQ-C30. Conclusions: The 522 patients examined in this interim analysis experienced stable to modestly improved QoL from baseline to 6 months after starting palbociclib. Changes from baseline in EORTC QLQ-C30 scores generally were below the 10-point threshold regarded as clinically meaningful. These early findings indicate that patients enrolled in the study have maintained their baseline QoL while being treated with palbociclib. Funding: Pfizer (NCT03280303) EORTC QLQ-C30Baseline3 Months6 MonthsGlobal Health/Quality of Life*n (missing)474 (48)292 (230)409 (113)Mean (SD) score66.2 (22.6)68.3 (19.7)70.2 (21.3)Functional scales score, mean (SD)*Physical functioning75.6 (23.3)75.8 (21.9)77.2 (21.4)Role functioning72.5 (31.9)76.7 (26.1)77.1 (26.8)Emotional functioning74.8 (22.8)77.7 (22.3)79.7 (20.5)Cognitive functioning78.8 (24.6)82.7 (20.6)80.1 (22.0)Social functioning76.4 (28.3)79.5 (25.5)81.5 (24.7)Symptom scales score, mean (SD)†Fatigue34.3 (25.7)35.0 (23.6)33.7 (22.2)Nausea and vomiting11.3 (20.2)10.4 (16.4)10.6 (19.3)Pain33.5 (30.0)27.3 (27.2)26.5 (26.9)Dyspnea22.2 (28.3)18.7 (22.5)18.8 (24.1)Insomnia29.3 (30.1)27.5 (31.7)27.4 (27.9)Appetite loss21.1 (27.9)19.4 (26.4)17.9 (26.5)Constipation18.4 (26.6)15.2 (23.8)16.0 (23.8)Diarrhea12.3 (22.1)12.0 (20.8)12.6 (22.0)Financial difficulties25.0 (32.4)23.9 (30.4)22.1 (29.5)*Higher scores indicate a better level of functioning. †Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. Citation Format: Gabrielle Rocque, Joanne L Blum, Aldemar Montero, Ibrahim Nakhoul, Sobha Kurian, Richard C Frank, Bijoy Telivala, Mayank Ajmera, David Coblentz, Joseph C Cappelleri, Yao Wang, Debu Tripathy. Quality of life in patients with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative advanced breast cancer treated with palbociclib in real-world practice settings [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD10-03.

1071 Background: Racial disparities in breast cancer incidence, mortality, and care are well documented. PAL plus endocrine therapy is indicated for patients (pts) with HR+/HER2− ABC. Findings from the PALOMA clinical trials have shown that pts receiving PAL maintained stable QoL; however, limited QoL data are available from real-world settings for BIPOC receiving PAL. Methods: POLARIS is a noninterventional, prospective, primarily US-based study in pts with HR+/HER2– ABC receiving PAL. QoL was assessed with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) at baseline, monthly for the first 3 mo of treatment (Tx) with PAL, and then every 3 mo. In this interim analysis, we report Tx patterns and QoL assessments at baseline and at 6 mo and 12 mo in BIPOC from POLARIS. Results: Of 1280 pts treated with PAL as November 10, 2020, 233 were included in the BIPOC subgroup of whom 159 (68.2%) completed PAL Tx for ≥6 mo and 112 (48.1%) for ≥12 mo. In the BIPOC cohort, 59.2% of pts were black, 35.2% Hispanic, 3.4% American Indian or Alaskan native, 2.1% Pacific Islander. PAL in combination with letrozole/anastrozole was received by 116 pts, 94 received PAL plus fulvestrant, 13 received PAL plus exemestane, and 10 received PAL plus another Tx; 175 pts (75.1%) received PAL as first-line Tx. Mean EORTC QLQ-C30 global health QoL and functional scales scores remained stable over the first 12 mo of PAL Tx, without any changes at or above the 10-point threshold considered clinically meaningful, and were similar to those previously reported in an earlier analysis of the entire POLARIS population (Table and Rocque et al SABCS 2019). Symptom scales scores, including nausea and vomiting, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, and diarrhea, also remained stable over 12 mo. Conclusions: In this subgroup analysis, PAL had no significant adverse impact on QOL in BIPOC with HR+/HER2– ABC, consistent with previous findings from the total POLARIS study population. Pfizer (NCT03280303). Clinical trial information: NCT03280303 .[Table: see text]

200 Background: Real-world practice patterns often differ from treatment in clinical trials. We assessed real-world standard-of-care treatment with palbociclib (PAL) in the context of previously reported PALOMA trial results. Methods: POLARIS is a prospective, observational study of PAL in patients (pts) with hormone receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative advanced breast cancer. Baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, initial treatment dose, dose modifications, dose delays, and adverse events (AEs) during the first 6 months (mo) of treatment were analyzed. Results: 412 pts enrolled at 92 US sites had at least 6 mo of PAL treatment; 73% received PAL in the first-line setting and 27% in second or later line. While a majority of pts received the recommended dose of 125 mg/d; 6% and 1% started at 100 mg and 75 mg, respectively. Physician-reported reasons for choosing a lower dose were: comorbidities (31%), pt age (21%), past treatment (10%), patient preference (3%), and other (34%). Selected pt and clinical characteristics, dosing, and treatment outcomes in POLARIS and in PALOMA-2 are shown in Table. Conclusions: In a real-world data set of 6 mo of PAL treatment, most pts started at the recommended dose, with tolerability and safety outcomes consistent with those reported in clinical trials. Differing populations, treatment patterns, and outcome reporting in real world vs trial settings underscore the need to study real-world practices and outcomes. Clinical trial information: NCT03280303 [Table: see text]

One hundred thirty-eight patients with hematologic malignancies received myeloablative T cell-depleted peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT) from an HLA-identical sibling donor. The T cell dose was adjusted to 0.2-1 x 10(5) CD3(+) cells/kg. The CD34 dose was 2.7-16 x 10(6)/kg. Patients with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grade2 received 1 or 2 donor lymphocyte infusions of 10(7) CD3(+) cells/kg between days 45 and 100. Patients were designated according to relapse probability as standard or high relapse risk (77 and 61, respectively). Overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival, relapse, and transplant-related mortality (TRM) were 58%, 46%, 40%, and 20%, respectively, after a median follow-up of 4 years. Fifty-three (39%) and 21 (15%) patients developed grade 2-4 and 3-4 acute GVHD. Forty-two (36%) had limited and 29 (25%) had extensive chronic GVHD. In multivariate analysis, disease risk was an independent factor for OS and relapse, day-30 lymphocyte count for OS and TRM, and chronic GVHD for OS and relapse. PBSCT with early T cell add back leads to comparable rates of chronic GVHD compared with T cell-replete PBSCT. However, this chronic GVHD after T cell add back is associated with less mortality and retains a protective effect in terms of relapse, at least in the standard-risk patients.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) that constitutively express FOXP3 are instrumental to the maintenance of tolerance and may suppress graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in humans. To determine whether regulatory T cells in allogeneic stem cell transplants (SCTs) ameliorate GVHD after transplantation, we quantitated the coexpression of FOXP3 on CD4+ T cells in 32 donor SCTs infused into HLA-matched siblings and examined GVHD incidence in respective recipients. High CD4+FOXP3+ T-cell count in the donor was associated with a reduced risk of GVHD. We monitored Tregs during immune reconstitution in 21 patients with leukemia undergoing a T-cell–depleted allogeneic SCT. Early after SCT, there was a significant expansion in the CD4+FOXP3+ T-cell compartment. A low CD4+FOXP3+ T-cell count early after SCT (day 30) was associated with an increased risk of GVHD, and the ratio of CD4+FOXP3+ T cells to CD4+CD25+FOXP3– T cells was significantly reduced in patients with GVHD, suggesting diminished control of effector T cells. Our findings suggest that graft Treg content may predict for risk of GVHD after SCT. Determining the Treg levels in the donor and manipulating Tregs early after transplantation may provide a new approach to controlling GVHD.

Eighty patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) underwent T cell-depleted stem cell transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling, with add-back of donor T cells on days 30 to 45 and days 60 to 100 in patients in whom grade 2 or greater acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) developed. The outcomes for 54 patients with chronic-phase (CP) and 26 with advanced-phase (AP) disease were as follows: overall survival, 85% +/- 5% versus 36% +/- 10%; transplantation-related mortality (TRM), 13% +/- 5% versus 43% +/- 11%; and current leukemia-free survival, 76% +/- 6% versus 34% +/- 9%. The day-30 lymphocyte count (LC30) was strongly associated with outcome. For patients in CP with counts greater than the median of 0.30 x 10(9)/L, survival was 100% versus 70% +/- 9% (P = .003); current LFS 100% versus 56% +/- 9% (P = .002); and TRM 0% versus 26% +/- 8% (P = .006). Higher-than-median LC30 correlated significantly with molecular remission (MR) at 3, 6, and 12 months and with higher CD34 doses. Lymphocyte subset analysis performed in 20 patients available for phenotyping showed that LC30 was highly correlated with absolute CD56+CD3- natural killer cell numbers (NK30), which also predicted for survival and MR. CD34 cell dose, LC30, and NK30, but not day-30 CD3+ cell count, were highly correlated and were significant predictors of transplantation outcome. These results suggest that transplanted CD34 cell doses greater than 5 x 10(6)/kg may improve outcomes by increasing the early recovery of NK cells.

We examined the effect of PGs, particularly PGF2alpha, on basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in the rat osteoblastic cell line Py1a and in fetal rat calvariae. Py1a cells expressed multiple FGF-2 mRNA transcripts. PGF2alpha dose-dependently increased the 6-kb transcript at 6 h. The selective PGF2alpha agonist, fluprostenol (Flup), was more potent than PGF2alpha. Phorbol myristate acetate (10(-6) M) also increased a 6-kb mRNA at 6 h. By immunofluorescence microscopy, Flup increased perinuclear staining for FGF-2 protein at 6 h and nuclear labeling at 24 h. Immunogold labeling of calvariae revealed that treatment with Flup for 3 h caused a transition of FGF expression from matrix to cells and an increase in cytoplasmic labeling for FGF-2 protein in periosteal cells and in osteoblasts. After treatment with Flup for 24 h, nuclear labeling was marked in periosteal cells and in osteoblasts, and a further increase in cytoplasmic labeling for FGF-2 was noted in osteocytes, periosteal cells, and osteoblasts. We conclude that PGs can increase FGF-2 mRNA and protein in bone cells. Because the effect of Flup was mimicked by phorbol myristate acetate, we hypothesize that PGs' regulation of FGF-2 is mediated by a PGF2alpha-selective receptor acting through protein kinase C. Hence, effects of PGs on bone remodeling may be mediated, in part, by endogenous FGF-2.

Treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has seen dramatic progress in recent years with the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). To take maximum advantage of therapy with TKIs, compliance and good understanding of monitoring response to therapy are essential. We established a team that included a hematologist, a physician assistant (PA), and a nurse who work closely with a social worker, a pharmacist, and a research coordinator to assist patients throughout their journey with CML. The patient and the referring community oncologist were incorporated into this team. This coordinated team care approach takes advantage of each member's specific skills to provide patients with education about CML, encourage patients' strong involvement in tracking/monitoring results/response to therapy, and support patients with issues that arise throughout the long course of the disease. A low rate of noncompliance with clinic visits (3%) was an indirect measure of the impact of this approach. The inclusion of the referring oncologist in the team extended the tracking of monitoring results to the community practice. We conclude that a coordinated team care approach is feasible in the management of patients with CML. This approach provided patients with education and a good understanding of response to therapy and improved relations with the health care team.

Several studies have shown that a higher lymphocyte count 3-4 weeks after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is associated with better transplant outcome. However, the factors determining early lymphocyte recovery are not defined. To further explore the relationship between lymphocyte recovery and outcome we analyzed lymphocyte counts and other engraftment parameters in 157 patients with leukemia (48 acute myelogenous leukemia, 80 chronic myelogenous leukemia, and 29 acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL]) receiving T cell-depleted myeloablative SCT from an HLA-identical sibling. In multivariate analysis the day 30 absolute lymphocyte count (LC30) above the median of 450/muL was associated with improved survival (71% +/- 5% versus 38% +/- 6%, P < .0001), less relapse (21% +/- 5% versus 44% +/- 7%, P = .009), less nonrelapse mortality (NRM; 9 +/- 3 versus 36% +/- 6%, P < .0001) and less acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) (34% +/- 5% versus 51% +/- 6%, P = .025). The beneficial effect of a higher LC30 influenced outcome in patients with both standard and high-risk disease but did not affect survival and relapse in ALL. We found that a higher LC30 correlated with higher lymphocyte counts at all time points between 30 and 90 days post-SCT and also with more rapid neutrophil and platelet engraftment. These results indicate that LC30 is a surrogate for robust engraftment and identifies an "at-risk" population of patients after T cell-depleted SCT.

Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) have been the mainstay of treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) relapsing after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Imatinib mesylate (IM) is also effective in these patients. However, advanced phase relapse (APRel) responds poorly with either treatment. To test the possibility that combinations of DLI and IM might be more effective, 37 patients with CML relapsing after allo-SCT between August 1994 and May 2004 were studied. Ten had molecular relapse (MRel), 14 hematological relapse (HRel) and 13 APRel. Thirteen received DLI, 9 IM and 11 DLI+IM. Four patients received DLI+IM but not concurrently. Thirty (81%) patients responded (actuarial survival and current leukemia-free survival of 80.6 +/- 6.7% and 69.1 +/- 7.7%). Of 30 patients, 26 are in molecular remission (MR), median follow-up of 1,226 days (range 249-3257) since relapse. Ten of 11 patients (including four with APRel) treated with DLI+IM achieved MR in 3 months and all are alive in MR. In contrast, only two of 22 treated with either modality (1/13 DLI and 1/9 IM) achieved MR at 3 months, 15 are alive, 11 in MR. Four patients receiving nonconcurrent DLI+IM are also alive in MR. In conclusion, DLI appears to synergize with IM to induce rapid and durable MR.

Sixty patients with haematological malignancies received a myeloablative regimen of total body irradiation, cyclophosphamide and fludarabine followed by a T-cell-depleted peripheral blood stem cell transplant from a human leucocyte antigen identical sibling. To improve donor immune function, 1 x 10(7) CD3+ cells/kg were added-back between d 45 and 100. T-cell and myeloid chimaerism were monitored regularly to evaluate the effect of T-cell chimaerism on outcome. The major factor affecting outcome was disease risk, with significantly lower relapse and higher survival in 29 standard risk (SR) patients compared with 31 patients at high risk (HR) for treatment failure (relapse 4.8 +/- 5% vs. 59 +/- 11%, P0.0001, and overall survival 93 +/- 5% vs. 39 +/- 10%, P0.0001, respectively). Donor myeloid chimaerism reachedor = 95% within 14 d of transplant, but in the first several months, donor T-cell chimaerism was frequently mixed. Full T-cell chimaerism was significantly more frequent in HR vs. SR patients. Landmark analysis at days 30 and 90 in HR patients with mixed versus full T-cell chimaerism, showed relapse probabilities of 50.5 +/- 14% vs. 70 +/- 16% (P = 0.62) and 34.4 +/- 20% vs. 58.8 +/- 15% (P = 0.32) respectively. Early full T-cell engraftment correlated with development of severe acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). However, mixed T-cell chimaerism was favourable for reducing GVHD, and did not affect relapse in this small series.

Stem cell transplantation for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is characterized by high transplant-related mortality (TRM), especially in older patients and those with more advanced disease. Outcome after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) may be superior to earlier results with bone marrow transplantation. Forty-three patients (aged 12-73 years; median, 49 years) received an HLA-identical sibling donor PBSCT. Twenty three patients aged ≤55 years without prohibitive comorbidity received myeloablative total body irradiation–based conditioning, followed by a T cell–depleted PBSCT and delayed add-back of donor lymphocytes. Older patients or those with comorbidities (n = 20) received reduced-intensity conditioning and an unmanipulated PBSCT. Thirty-seven (86%) had advanced disease (refractory anemia with excess blasts [n = 9], refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation [n = 6], acute myelogenous leukemia [n = 13], or treatment-related MDS [n = 9]); 6 had low-risk MDS (refractory anemia or refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts). The median follow-up was 18 months (range, 5-89 months). Actuarial probabilities of 3-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival, relapse, and TRM were 64%, 59%, 26%, and 23%, respectively, for 34 primary MDS patients. The best results were in 19 patients younger than 50 years of age undergoing myeloablative PBSCT (actuarial probabilities of OS, disease-free survival, relapse, and TRM were 81%, 72%, 22%, and 7%, respectively). Although outcomes for all stages of primary MDS were improved, that for therapy-related MDS remained dismal, with 11% OS, because of a high relapse rate (89%).

We have selectively depleted host-reactive donor T cells from peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplant allografts ex vivo using an anti-CD25 immunotoxin. We report a clinical trial to decrease graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in elderly patients receiving selectively depleted PBSC transplants from HLA-identical sibling donors. Sixteen patients (median age, 65 years [range, 51-73 years]), with advanced hematologic malignancies underwent transplantation following reduced-intensity conditioning with fludarabine and either cyclophosphamide (n = 5), melphalan (n = 5), or busulfan (n = 6). Cyclosporine was used as sole GVHD prophylaxis. The allograft contained a median of 4.5 × 106 CD34 cells/kg (range, 3.4-7.3 × 106 CD34 cells/kg) and 1.0 × 108/kg (range, 0.2-1.5 × 108/kg) selectively depleted T cells. Fifteen patients achieved sustained engraftment. The helper T-lymphocyte precursor (HTLp) frequency assay demonstrated successful (mean, 5-fold) depletion of host-reactive donor T cells, with conservation of third-party response in 9 of 11 cases tested. Actuarial rates of acute GVHD were 46% ± 13% for grades II to IV and 12% ± 8% for grades III to IV. These results suggest that allodepletion of donor cells ex vivo is clinically feasible in older patients and may reduce the rate of severe acute GVHD. Further studies with selectively depleted transplants to evaluate graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) and survival are warranted.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and parathyroid hormone (PTH) are potent inducers of osteoclast (OCL) formation, and PTH increases FGF-2 mRNA and protein expression in osteoblasts. To elucidate the role of endogenous FGF-2 in PTH responses, we examined PTH-induced OCL formation in bone marrow cultures from wild type and mice with a disruption of the Fgf2 gene. FGF-2-induced OCL formation was similar in marrow culture from both genotypes. In contrast, PTH-stimulated OCL formation in bone marrow cultures or co-cultures of osteoblast-spleen cells from Fgf2-/mice was significantly impaired. PTH increased RANKL mRNA expression in osteoblasts cultures from both genotypes. After 6 days of treatment, osteoprotegerin protein in cell supernatants was 40-fold higher in vehicle-treated and 30-fold higher in PTH-treated co-cultures of osteoblast and spleen cells from Fgf2-/mice compared with Fgf2+/+ mice. However, a neutralizing antibody to osteoprotegerin did not rescue reduced OCL formation in response to PTH. Injection of PTH caused hypercalcemia in Fgf2+/+ but not Fgf2-/mice. We conclude that PTH stimulates OCL formation and bone resorption in mice in part by endogenous FGF-2 synthesis by osteoblasts. Because RANKL- and interleukin-11-induced OCL formation was also reduced in bone marrow cultures from Fgf2-/mice, we further conclude that endogenous FGF-2 is necessary for maximal OCL formation by multiple bone resorbing factors.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), an important modulator of cartilage and bone growth and differentiation, is expressed and regulated in osteoblastic cells. To investigate the role of FGF-2 in bone, we examined mice with a disruption of the Fgf2 gene. Measurement of trabecular bone architecture of the femoral metaphysis of Fgf2(+/+) and Fgf2(-/-) adult mice by micro-CT revealed that the platelike trabecular structures were markedly reduced and many of the connecting rods of trabecular bone were lost in the Fgf2(-/-) mice. Dynamic histomorphometry confirmed a significant decrease in trabecular bone volume, mineral apposition, and bone formation rates. In addition, there was a profound decreased mineralization of bone marrow stromal cultures from Fgf2(-/-) mice. This study provides strong evidence that FGF-2 helps determine bone mass as well as bone formation.

Background Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) and moderate aplastic anemia (MAA) are all bone marrow failure syndromes that are immune-mediated or may respond to immunosuppressive therapies (IST). Anti-thymocyte globulin, cyclosporine and corticosteroids have been used with some success but have significant toxicities. The humanized monoclonal antibody to the interleukin-2 receptor on T cells, daclizumab, showed efficacy in MAA and PRCA patients with some patients achieving transfusion independence (Sloand et al, Haematologica 2010). However, this agent has since been withdrawn from the market. It is increasing recognized that the anti-CD20 chimeric monoclonal antibody, rituximab, may modulate T cell immunity in addition to its known depletion of B cells (Staci, Seminars in Hematology 2010). There are anecdotal case reports of rituximab, showing benefit in PRCA. Here, we summarize our experience using rituximab in PRCA, DBA and MAA. Design and Methods We enrolled 11 patients with PRCA (n = 7), DBA (n = 1), and MAA (n = 3) who had failed at least one prior immunosuppressive regimen to receive rituximab 375 mg/m2intravenous infusions weekly times 4 doses (NCT00229619). Responses were evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months. Patients with MAA, DBA or PRCA were eligible for trial participation. MAA was defined as a hypocellular marrow without evidence of an underlying disease process and depression of at least two of three cell lines (an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≤ 1200/µL, a platelet count ≤ 70,000/µL, and a hemoglobin ≤ 8.5 g/dL or absolute reticulocyte count (ARC) ≤ 60, 000/µL in transfusion-dependent patients) but who do not fulfill criteria for severe aplastic anemia (i.e. bone marrow cellularity < 30% and depression of two of the three peripheral counts: ANC < 500/µL, a platelet count < 20,000/µL and an ARC < 60,000/µL). DBA and PRCA were defined as anemia, reticulocytopenia (ARC ≤ 50, 000/µL) and absent or decreased marrow erythroid precursors. Patients with Fanconi’s anemia, other congenital bone marrow failure syndromes, cytologic abnormalities indicating myelodysplasia or recent/ongoing parvovirus infection were excluded. Complete response (CR) was defined as return of blood counts to normal. Partial response (PR) for MAA was defined as improvement in two of the three depressed blood counts that qualified patient for participation. PR for DBA/PRCA was defined as an increase in hemoglobin by 1.5 g/dl of blood and or ARC ≥ 50,000/µL but not meeting criteria for normal counts. Results Overall, 5/11 (45%) patients responded to rituximab, all achieving PR. At 3 months, one patient with PRCA had responded. At 6 months, two additional patients responded (one with PRCA, one with MAA). At 12 months, an additional two responses were confirmed (one PRCA, one MAA). One PRCA patient lost his response between the 6 and 12 month endpoint. Among the three responding PRCA patients, the mean reticulocyte count at study initiation was 4400/µL; this increased to 54,000/µL at 6 months and further increased to 61,000/µL at 12 months (including patient who lost his response). The study was terminated early for poor accrual; many eligible patients received alternate treatments at home. Due to early study termination, the duration of responses for majority of the patients is unknown. Given the reports of daclizumab efficacy in these diseases, 90% of our patients were previously treated with daclizumab. Notably, 3 of the patients responding to rituximab had previously not responded to daclizumab. Safety The most common toxicity of rituximab observed was an infusion related reaction affecting (8/11) 73% of patients with the first infusion of rituximab. One patient developed serum sickness after the third cycle which precluded the administration of the last dose. An expected decrease in quantitative immunoglobulin levels was observed; at the 6 month evaluation there was an 11% decrease in IgG and IgA; a greater decrease (48%) was observed in IgM. Conclusions Rituximab is a viable treatment option in the armamentarium for patients with PRCA and MAA. Rituximab is safe, effective, and easily administered. Responses can be delayed to beyond 6 months therefore we suggest observation for at least 6 months after rituximab administration. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Rituximab is not FDA approved for the treatment of Pure Red Cell Aplasia, Diamond-Blackfan Anemia or Moderate Aplastic Anemia.

Between 05/1994 and 07/2005, 78 patients with acute leukemia (AML=49; ALL=29) received a T cell depleted stem cell transplant from an HLA-identical sibling, with 1–2 infusions of donor T cells on days 30–100. The conditioning regimen included 12–13.5 Gy total body irradiation (TBI) and cyclophosphamide (Cy) with or without fludarabine. Cyclosporine (CSA) was given as the sole GVHD prophylaxis after transplant. The stem cell source was peripheral blood in 75 and bone marrow in 3. The T cell dose ranged between 0.2 to 2 × 105CD3+ cells/kg. AML and ALL patients were distributed equally among transplant regimen and T cell dose variations. The median CD34 cell dose was 5.4 × 106 cells/kg, (5.4 for AML, and 5.5 for ALL; p=0.50). Actuarial disease free survival (DFS), transplant related mortality (TRM) and relapse rate was 42±8, 20±6 and 40±9 % for AML and 22±10; 35±19 and 64±11% for ALL patients. The median day 30 post-transplantation lymphocyte count (LC30) for AML patients was 418/μl (31–2105) and 778/μl (265–3295) for ALL patients; p=0.063). In multivariate analysis, LC30 emerged as an independent risk factor for transplant outcome in AML but not ALL patients (see figure). In AML patients LC30 above median was associated with superior DFS, lower TRM and lower relapse. CD34 dose and LC30 were highly correlated for AML and ALL analyzed together or separately. Lymphocyte subset analysis of 20 post-transplant samples on day 30 identified a large proportion of CD56+16+ natural killer (NK) cells (median 44%, range 15–86%). Since early post-transplant NK cells are immature and unregulated by KIR-expression they may exert anti-host reactivity. The more favorable outcome for AML but not ALL patients achieving higher lymphocyte counts early post-transplant recapitulates the myeloid leukemia-restricted benefit from superior NK cell recovery observed in AML but not ALL recipients of mismatched T cell depleted stem cell transplants reported by Ruggeri et al (Blood.1999;94:333–9). Figure Figure

Between 1997 and 2004, 138 patients with hematological malignancies had an HLA-identical sibling peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT). Preparative regimen was TBI (12–13.6Gy), cyclophosphamide 120mg/kg +/− fludarabine 125mg/m2. T-cell dose was adjusted to 0.2-1 x 105 CD3+ cells/kg. CD34 dose was 2.7 – 15.9 x 106/kg (median 5.9). Patients without ≥ grade 2 acute GVHD received 1 or 2 donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) of 107 CD3+ cells/kg between days 45 and 100. For GVHD prophylaxis, all patients received cyclosporine (CSA) following the DLI for a minimum of 6 months. In addition 72 patients received CSA in the first 6 weeks post PBSCT and 66 received no CSA immediately post-transplant. Patients were aged between 10–56 (median 34 years). Seventy-seven patients with CML-CP (42), acute leukemia in first remission (22) or MDS RA (10) were designated as standard risk (SR) for transplant outcome. Sixty-one patients with more advance or refractory disease were designated as high risk (HR) for transplant outcome. Seven patients, distributed in both groups had CLL, NHL, MM and CMML. Overall survival, relapse and TRM were 58 ± 4.5%, 40.2 ± 5.5% and 18.4 ± 3.4% respectively after a median follow up of 4 years. Twenty-two patients did not receive DLI, 70 received one and 46 received two DLI. Twenty-three patients had TRM, 2 from graft failure, 5 from acute or chronic GVHD. Fifty two (37%) developed ≥ grade II, and 21 (15%) patients grade III-IV acute GVHD. Forty two (30%) had limited and 30 (22%) extensive chronic GVHD. In univariate Kaplan-Meier analyses standard risk disease, cGVHD, single DLI and day 30 lymphocyte count (LC30) above median, favorably affected overall survival (DLI p=0.002; LC30 p=0.0002, all other variables p In a Cox regression analysis, only cGVHD (RR, 4.268; p=0.001; 95% CI=1.77–10.25) and standard risk (RR, 0.146; p Aggressive T-cell depletion, combined with relatively high doses of CD34+ cells had proven to be a key strategy to minimize TRM and severe aGVHD. Similar to unmanipulated PBSCT this approach appears to provide a protective effect of chronic GVHD, but with low late mortality. Figure Figure

Pulmonary function was studied in sixty nine consecutive patients with hematological diseases (65 malignant; 4 benign) 5–12 (median 7.5) years following allogeneic stem cell transplantation from HLA-matched siblings. Fifty-six (81%) patients received total body irradiation-(TBI) based myeloablative bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (MST) for hematological malignancies and 13 (19%) received a fludarabine/cyclophosphamide non-myeloablative peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (NST) for malignant (9) or benign (4) hematological disease. Median age of cohort was 37 years (MST 37, range 10–55; NST 34, range 15–68 years). Thirty nine patients were male. Eleven were smokers. Baseline pulmonary function tests (PFT) showed a median DLCO of 90% predicted (range 59–156%) and FEV1 of 97% predicted (range 64 to132%). Significant pre-transplantation PFT abnormality occurred in 19 (27.5%) patients (DLCO and/or FEV1

Allogeneic marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is the only curative treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Historically, transplantation for MDS has produced long-term disease-free survival rates of 30–40%, partially due to high procedural mortality (~40%) in this patient population. Although transplant outcomes in younger patients with low-risk disease have been favorable, inferior results are seen in older patients and those with more advanced disease. Evidence suggests that the lower transplant-related mortality (TRM) and improved graft-versus-leukemia seen with PBSCT may translate into improved clinical outcomes for MDS patients. Forty-four patients, aged 12–73 years (median 50) received a PBSCT from a matched related sibling donor (MRD). Patients aged Figure Figure

Although T cell depleted stem cell transplantation can reduce risks from GVHD, it is associated with incomplete engraftment and higher relapse rates. To mitigate these negative effects we evaluated a T cell depleted PBSCT protocol followed by delayed add-back of donor T cells. Between 2001–2004, 56 patients with hematological malignancies received a preparative regimen of total body irradiation 12Gy, fludarabine 125mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide 120mg/kg followed by a T cell depleted PBSCT from an HLA identical sibling. The T cell dose was adjusted to 2 x 104/kg in all patients. Patients not developing grade 95% donor T cells) on day 14, rising to 50% of patients by day 90, with persistent mixed chimerism in some patients beyond 6 months. Predictably, acute GVHD grade I–IV by d60 was significantly correlated with full T cell chimerism (p< 0.0001). There was no significant difference in day 30 lymphocyte count, CMV reactivation or transplant CD34 dose between fully or partially T cell chimeric recipients at any time point. Full T cell chimerism was significantly more frequent in HR vs SR patients (on day 90: 82 vs 24%, p= 0.002). Kaplan-Meier outcome estimates for mixed vs full T cell chimerism were therefore analyzed separately for SR and HR patients. All outcomes (relapse, TRM and DFS) were more favorable (but not significantly so) for patients who had mixed chimerism at any time point between d14–90: of 13 evaluable HR patients fully chimeric at d30 there was a 74% probability of relapse vs a 58% relapse for15 mixed chimeric patients (p=NS). No patient with SR disease relapsed. There was a non-significant DFS advantage for d30 mixed vs full chimeric patients: 95% vs 85%, and 40% vs 20% for SR and HR patients respectively. These results indicate 1) full T cell chimerism is more frequent in HR patients (who have received large cumulative doses of prior chemotherapy) 2) T cell depleted PBSCT have a high frequency of prolonged mixed T cell chimerism. This does not predispose to late graft rejection, is favorable for reducing GVHD and does not negatively affect CMV reactivation, relapse, TRM and DFS.

Between 7/1997 and 8/2004, 146 consecutive patients with hematological malignancies received a T cell depleted peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT) from an HLA identical sibling using three successive conditioning regimens: (A): 13.6Gy total body irradiation (TBI) + cyclophosphamide 120mg/kg (Cy) (n=85) , (B) 12.0Gy TBI with lung shielding to 9.0 Gy + Cy + fludarabine 125mg/m2 (Flu) , n= 35, (C) 12.0Gy TBI with lung shielding to 6.0 Gy + Cy + Flu, n= 26. Ninety-four (65.4%) had standard risk disease (transplant in first complete remission of acute leukemia, CML in chronic phase, and MDS-RA); the remainder had more advanced disease or unfavorable diagnoses. Actuarial transplant related mortality (TRM) was 16.4 ± 3%, at a median time of 103 days (range 23–238). Of the 21 transplant related deaths 14 (67%) were from pulmonary causes (6, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IP), 4 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and pneumonia from CMV (2), RSV (1) and bacterial origin (1). Median time to death from IP and ARDS was 71 and 66 days post-transplant respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to study factors affecting pulmonary TRM. Pre-transplant characteristics predictive for pulmonary-related TRM are shown in the table. Patients with high risk disease and CML patients who had received busulfan for more than one month were at significantly greater risk of developing both pulmonary TRM and IP. Patients who smoked were significantly more at risk to develop ARDS and fatal pulmonary infection. Pre-transplant pulmonary function tests were highly predictive for pulmonary TRM. Diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), vital capacity and FEV-1 were highly correlated, but the most predictive parameter was DLCO: Of 48 patients with 85% of normal diffusion capacity, 6 vs 0 had IP, p

Pulmonary function (PF) was studied in 69 consecutive patients with hematologic diseases, with a minimum 5-year (range, 5-13 years) follow-up after allogeneic stem cell transplantation from an HLA-matched sibling. Fifty-six patients (81%) received total body irradiation based myeloablative stem cell transplantation (MT) and 13 (19%) underwent nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation (NST). Thirty-one patients (45%) developed a late decrease in PF from baseline, 25 with a restrictive and 6 with an obstructive pattern PF abnormality. Twelve patients (17%) were symptomatic, 8 with a severe restrictive PF defect, but none required supplemental oxygen. The incidence of developing a late PF abnormality was comparable in MT (24 of 56) and NST (5 of 13; P = .51). In multivariate analysis, chronic graft-versus-host disease (relative risk, 16) and pretransplantation diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide or forced expiratory volume in the first second

Between July 1997 and August 2004, 146 consecutive patients with hematologic malignancies received a T cell-depleted peripheral blood stem cell transplant from an HLA-identical sibling by using total body irradiation (TBI) and cyclophosphamide conditioning regimens. Eighty-five patients received 13.6 Gy of TBI with no lung shielding, and 61 received lung shielding (total lung dose, 6–12 Gy). Ninety-four patients (65.5%) had standard-risk disease; the remainder had more advanced disease or unfavorable diagnoses. Of the 21 transplant-related deaths, 14 were from pulmonary causes (10 idiopathic pulmonary syndromes and 4 from infection) that occurred at a median of 90 days (range, 23–238 days) after transplantation. Independent risk factors for pulmonary transplant-related mortality (PTRM) were pretransplantation diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (relative risk, 5.7 for diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide