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Item does not contain fulltext We assessed the incidence and outcome of early candidemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The analysis included all first HSCTs performed from 2000 to 2015 in adult and pediatric patients with a non-leukemic disease and recorded in the EBMT registry. Overall survival (OS), non-relapse mortality (NRM), and relapse mortality (RM) were evaluated. Candidemia was diagnosed in 420 of 49,852 patients at a median time of 17 days post HSCT (range 0-100), the cumulative incidence being 0.85%. In 65.5% of episodes, candidemia occurred by day 30 after HSCT. The mortality rate by day 7 was 6.2%, whereas 100-day NRM was higher (HR 3.47, p

We aimed to evaluate the determinants of survival in myelofibrosis patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) and to describe factors predicting the main post-HCT complications. This retrospective study by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation included 2916 myelofibrosis patients who underwent first allo-HCT from an HLA-identical sibling or unrelated donor between 2000 and 2016. After a median follow-up of 4.7 years from transplant, projected median survival of the series was 5.3 years. Factors independently associated with increased mortality were age ≥ 60 years and Karnofsky Performance Status

BackgroundIn patients with acute leukemia, lymphoma and chronic malignancies, donor and/or recipient Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) seropositive status increases the risk of development of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after allo-hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), while it has no influence on other transplant outcomes. No data are available on the impact of EBV serostatus on transplant outcomes in patients with nonmalignant hematological disorders.ObjectiveWe analyzed the influence of the recipient's (R) and donor's (D) EBV serostatus on transplant outcomes (overall survival (OS); relapse-free survival (RFS); relapse incidence (RI); nonrelapse mortality (NRM); acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD); cGVHD) in patients with nonmalignant hematological disorders undergoing allo-HCT.Patients and MethodsA total of 2,355 allo-HCTs performed between 1997 and 2016 for acquired bone marrow failure or hemoglobinopathies were included in this retrospective Registry megafile Infectious Diseases Working Party of the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (IDWP-EBMT) study.ResultsDemographics: The median age of recipient was 17.7 years (range: 0–77), and 50.8% were children. 79.0% of recipients and 75.4% of donors were EBV-seropositive. 67.8% had HCT from a matched family donor, 4.6% from a mismatched family donor, and 27.6% from an unrelated donor (UD). T-cell depletion was performed in vivo and ex vivo in 82.2% and 6.6% of patients, respectively. Conditioning regimen was myeloablative in 63.7% and reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) in 36.3% of patients. The median follow-up was 4.7 years. Transplant outcomes: EBV-seropositive recipients in comparison with EBV-seronegative recipients had lower OS (85.4% vs. 88.4%, p = 0.035) and higher NRM (10.0% vs. 6.4%, p = 0.018). No other significant differences were found for: RI, RFS, and aGVHD or cGVHD with respect to EBV pretransplant serostatus donor and/or recipient. Multivariate analysis: A trend toward higher risk of development of cGVHD (HR = 1.31; p = 0.081) and better survival (HR = 0.78; p = 0.087) in allo-HCT from EBV-seropositive donors was found. Allo-HCT in EBV-seropositive recipients had a trend toward lower risk of development of cGVHD (HR = 0.75; p = 0.065). When four subgroups (R−/D−, R−/D+, R+/D−, R+/D+ EBV serology) were analyzed, the EBV serostatus had no significant impact on OS, RFS, RI, NRM and development of aGVHD or cGVHD.ConclusionsAllo-HCT from EBV-seropositive versus EBV-seronegative donors are at 31% higher risk of cGVHD in patients with nonmalignant hematological disorders undergoing allo-HCT; however this difference is nonsignificant in multivariate analysis.

Contains fulltext : 249566.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) BACKGROUND: Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) survivors treated with abdominal radiotherapy and/or procarbazine have an increased risk of developing colorectal neoplasia. AIMS: We evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics and risk factors for developing (advanced) neoplasia (AN) in HL survivors. METHODS: In all, 101 HL survivors (median age 51 years, median age of HL diagnosis 25 years) underwent colonoscopy and 350 neoplasia and 44 AN (classified as advanced adenomas/serrated lesions or colorectal cancer), mostly right-sided, were detected, as published previously. An average-risk asymptomatic cohort who underwent screening colonoscopy were controls (median age 60 years). Clinicopathological characteristics of AN were evaluated in both groups. Mismatch repair (MMR) status was assessed using immunohistochemistry (MLH1/MSH2/MSH6/PMS2). Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors for AN in HL survivors, including age at HL diagnosis and interval between HL and colonoscopy. RESULTS: In 101 colonoscopies in HL survivors, AN was primarily classified based on polyp size ≥10 mm, whereas (high-grade)dysplasia was more often seen in AN in controls. An interval between HL diagnosis and colonoscopy >26 years was associated with more AN compared with an interval of

Outcomes for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with leukemia differ from other age groups and are still under-represented in clinical research. The aim of this study was to analyze outcomes of umbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT) in AYAs with acute leukemia reported to Eurocord/European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Patients (N = 504) had acute lymphoblastic (59%) or myeloid leukemia (41%), were aged 15 to 25 years, and received UCBT after myeloablative conditioning regimens between 2004 and 2016. The primary endpoint was 3-year overall survival (OS). Median follow-up was 3.9 years. Transplant was single in 58% and double UCBT in 42%. Three-year OS was 45% and leukemia free survival (LFS) was 41%. Cumulative incidence functions (CIFs) of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) and relapse were 31% and 28%, respectively. CIF of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grades II to IV at day 100 was 28%. Three-year CIF of chronic GVHD was 25%. In adjusted analysis, better disease status at UCBT (hazard ratio [HR], 2.74; P.001) and more recent UCBT (HR, 1.43; P = .01) were associated with increased OS, and a similar effect of these factors was observed on LFS. Contrastingly, the use of antithymocyte globulin had a negative effect in LFS. The risk of acute GVHD grades II to IV increased with the use of double UCBT (HR, 1.65; P = .02) and decreased with more recent transplant period (HR, .65; P = .02) and antithymocyte globulin use (HR, .55; P = .01). Outcomes of AYA UCBT improved in more recent years, becoming comparable with pediatric results. Demonstrating the feasibility of UCBT in AYAs facilitates stem cell source selection and provides the basis for future prospective studies.

Background: The success of unrelated haemopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is limited by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is the main post-transplantation challenge when HLA-matched donors are unavailable. A sequence dimorphism in exon 1 of HLA-B gives rise to leader peptides containing methionine (Met; M) or threonine (Thr; T), which differentially influence natural killer and T-cell alloresponses. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the role of the leader dimorphism in GVHD after HLA-B-mismatched unrelated HCT. Methods: We did a retrospective cohort study of 33 982 patients who received an unrelated HCT done in Australia, Europe, Japan, North America, and the UK between Jan 1, 1988, and Dec 31, 2016. Data were contributed by participants of the International Histocompatibility Working Group in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. All cases were included and there were no exclusion criteria. Multivariate regression models were used to assess risks associated with HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DQB1 mismatching. Among the 33 982 transplantations, the risks of GVHD associated with HLA-B M and T leaders were established in 17 100 (50·3%) HLA-matched and 1457 (4·3%) single HLA-B-mismatched transplantations using multivariate regression models. Leader frequencies were defined in 2 004 742 BeTheMatch US registry donors. Findings: Between Jan 20, 2017, and March 11, 2019, we assessed 33 982 HCTs using multivariate regression models for the role of HLA mismatching on outcome. Median follow-up was 1841 days (IQR 909–2963). Mortality and GVHD increased with increasing numbers of HLA mismatches. A single HLA-B mismatch increased grade 3–4 acute GVHD (odds ratio [OR] 1·89, 95% CI 1·53–2·33; p

Background Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors treated with abdominal radiotherapy and/or alkylating chemotherapy have an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia in HL survivors. Methods This multicenter cohort study assessed the diagnostic yield of advanced colorectal neoplasia detected by a first surveillance colonoscopy among HL survivors treated with abdominal radiotherapy and/or procarbazine. Advanced colorectal neoplasia included advanced adenomas (high‐grade dysplasia, ≥25% villous component, or ≥10‐mm diameter), advanced serrated lesions (dysplasia or ≥10‐mm diameter), and CRC. The results were compared with those for a Dutch general population cohort that underwent a primary screening colonoscopy (1426 asymptomatic individuals 50‐75 years old). This study demonstrated the results of a predefined interim analysis. Results A colonoscopy was performed in 101 HL survivors, who were significantly younger (median, 51 years; interquartile range [IQR], 45‐57 years) than the general population controls (median, 60 years; IQR, 55‐65 years; P, Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated with abdominal radiotherapy and/or procarbazine have a high prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasia. The implementation of a colonoscopy surveillance program should be considered.

Background Plerixafor (PFX) mobilizes CD34+ cells into circulation by disrupting the CXCR4 binding of the hematopoietic stem cell in its bone marrow niche. Study design and Methods in the prospective HOVON‐107 study (www.hovon.nl) 23 allogeneic HLA–identical sibling donors received one or two subcutaneous (sc) injections of plerixafor 0.320 mg/kg.The primary endpoint, was defined as feasibility to mobilize a minimum of 2.0 x106 CD34+ cells/kg recipient weight obtained by leukopheresis in at least 90% of the donors. Results median 3.3 x 106 CD34+ cells/kg (1.9‐6.5) were collected after 1 (n=12) or 2 (n=10) sc injections of PFX. Side effects occurred in 15/23 (65%) donors: most were grade 1‐2; in 5 donors grade 3 and all resolved. All grafts were directly transplanted. Compared to 10 grafts obtained with G‐CSF the number of CD34+ cells was 2.4 fold lower but the percentage of phenotypically most immature CD34+ subset was higher (31% vs 15%). The total number of CD3+ cells in the graft seemed higher after PFX‐mobilization, but CD4/CD 8 ratios, and frequencies of Th2, Th17 and regulatory T‐cells or NK cells were comparable. All patients engrafted and no increase in incidence or severity of acute or chronic graft versus host disease was observed. Conclusion stem cell mobilization with sc PFX 0.320 mg/kg in allogeneic sibling donors is feasible with limited toxicity for donors. 14 allogeneic donors were mobilized with PFX 0.320 mg intravenously according to the same protocol. Due to the limited numbers, these results are in the supplementary section.

The influence of the donor (D) and recipient (R) pre-transplant Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) serostatus on transplant outcomes (overall survival, relapse-free survival, relapse incidence, non-relapse mortality, acute and chronic GVHD) in 12,931 patients with lymphomas or chronic malignancies undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) between 1997- 2016 was analyzed. In multivariate analysis, the risk of development of chronic GVHD was increased for EBV R+/ D+ (HR = 1.26; p = 0.003), R+/D- (HR = 1.21; p = 0.044), and R-/D + (HR = 1.21; p = 0.048) in comparison to R-/D- transplants. No significance was shown for other transplant outcomes; however, in univariate analysis, EBV-seropositive patients receiving grafts from EBV-seropositive donors (EBV R+/D+ transplants) had inferior transplant outcomes in comparison to EBV-seronegative recipients of grafts from EBV-seronegative donors (EBV R-/D-): inferior overall survival ( 59.6% vs 65.9%), inferior relapse-free survival (51.1% vs 57.5%), increased incidence of chronic GVHD (49.5% vs 41.8%), and increased incidence of de novo chronic GVHD (30.5% vs 24.0%). In conclusion, an EBV-negative recipient with lymphoma or chronic malignancy can benefit from selection of an EBV-negative donor in context of chronic GVHD, while there are no preferences in donor EBV serostatus for EBV-seropositive recipient.

We conducted a multicenter prospective single-arm phase 1/2 study that assesses the outcome of αβ T-cell depleted allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) of peripheral blood derived stem cells from matched related, or unrelated donors (10/10 and 9/10) in adults, with the incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) as the primary end point at day 100. Thirty-five adults (median age, 59; range, 19-69 years) were enrolled. Conditioning consisted of antithymocyte globulin, busulfan, and fludarabine, followed by 28 days of mycophenolic acid after allo-HSCT. The minimal follow-up time was 24 months. The median number of infused CD34+ cells and αβ T cells were 6.1 × 106 and 16.3 × 103 cells per kg, respectively. The cumulative incidence (CI) of aGVHD grades 2-4 and 3-4 at day 100 was 26% and 14%. One secondary graft failure was observed. A prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) (1 × 105 CD3+ T cells per kg) was administered to 54% of the subjects, resulting in a CI of aGVHD grades 2-4 and 3-4 to 37% and 17% at 2 years. Immune monitoring revealed an early reconstitution of natural killer (NK) and γδ T cells. Cytomegalovirus reactivation associated with expansion of memory-like NK cells. The CI of relapse was 29%, and the nonrelapse mortality 32% at 2 years. The 2-year CI of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was 23%, of which 17% was moderate. We conclude that only 26% of patients developed aGVHD 2-4 after αβ T-cell–depleted allo-HSCT within 100 days and was associated with a low incidence of cGVHD after 2 years. This trial was registered at www.trialregister.nl as #NL4767.

Acute myeloid leukemia with runt-related transcription factor 1 gene mutation (RUNX1+ AML) is associated with inferior response rates and outcome after conventional chemotherapy. We performed a retrospective, registry-based analysis to elucidate the prognostic value of RUNX1 mutation after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). All consecutive adults undergoing alloSCT for AML in first complete remission (CR1) between 2013 and 2019 with complete information on conventional cytogenetics and RUNX1 mutational status were included. Endpoints of interest were cumulative relapse incidence, non-relapse mortality, overall and leukemia-free survival (OS/LFS), and GvHD-free/relapse-free survival. A total of 674 patients (183 RUNX1+, 491 RUNX1−) were identified, with >85% presenting as de novo AML. Median follow-up was 16.4 (RUNX1+) and 21.9 (RUNX1−) months. Survival rates showed no difference between RUNX1+ and RUNX1− patients either in univariate or multivariate analysis (2-year OS: 67.7 vs. 66.1%, p = 0.7; 2-year LFS: 61.1 vs. 60.8%, p = 0.62). Multivariate analysis identified age, donor type and poor cytogenetics as risk factors for inferior outcome. Among patients with RUNX+ AML, older age, reduced intensity conditioning and minimal residual disease at alloSCT predicted inferior outcome. Our data provide evidence that the negative influence of RUNX1 mutations in patients with AML can be overcome by transplantation in CR1.

Background Few studies have examined the impact of treatment-related morbidity on long-term, cause-specific mortality in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Methods This multicenter cohort included 4919 HL patients, treated before age 51 years between 1965 and 2000, with a median follow-up of 20.2 years. Standardized mortality ratios, absolute excess mortality (AEM) per 10 000 person-years, and cause-specific cumulative mortality by stage and primary treatment, accounting for competing risks, were calculated. Results HL patients experienced a 5.1-fold (AEM = 123 excess deaths per 10 000 person-years) higher risk of death due to causes other than HL. This risk remained increased in 40-year survivors (standardized mortality ratio = 5.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.2 to 6.5, AEM = 619). At age 54 years, HL survivors experienced similar cumulative mortality (20.0%) from causes other than HL to 71-year-old individuals from the general population. Whereas HL mortality statistically significantly decreased over the calendar period (P Conclusions Compared with the general population, HL survivors have a substantially reduced life expectancy. Optimal selection of patients for primary CT is crucial, weighing risks of HL relapse and long-term toxicity.

Background: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors have an increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. Diagnostic accuracy of quantitative fecal immunochemical testing (FIT, OC Sensor) and/or a multi-target stool DNA test (mt-sDNA, Cologuard&reg, ) for advanced neoplasia (AN) was evaluated. Methods: 101 HL survivors underwent a surveillance colonoscopy and were asked to perform two stool tests (FIT and mt-sDNA). Advanced adenoma (AA), advanced serrated lesion (ASL), and AN (AA, ASL, CRC) were evaluated. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) for AN were calculated for different FIT cut-offs and mt-sDNA with colonoscopy as reference. Results: FIT and mt-sDNA were analyzed in 73 (72%) and 82 (81%) participants, respectively. AN was detected in 19 (26%) and 22 (27%), respectively. AN sensitivities for FIT cut-off of 10 ug Hb/g feces (FIT10) and mt-sDNA were 37% (95% confidence interval (CI): 16&ndash, 62) and 68% (95% CI: 45&ndash, 86), with corresponding specificities of 91% (95% CI: 80&ndash, 97) and 70% (95% CI: 57&ndash, 86), respectively. AUC for FIT was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.54&ndash, 0.82) and for mt-sDNA 0.76 (95% CI: 0.63&ndash, 0.89). Conclusions: In HL survivors, mt-sDNA showed highest sensitivity but with relatively low specificity for AN. Cost-effectiveness analyses is necessary to determine the optimal surveillance strategy.

Introduction Acute myeloid leukemia bearing a RUNX1 gene mutation (RUNX1+ AML) has been proposed as a provisional entity in the 2016 WHO classification. Clinically, it has been associated with inferior response rates and outcome after conventional chemotherapy. Accordingly, RUNX1+ AML is allocated in the unfavorable prognostic category of the 2017 European Leukemia Net classification. Following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT), RUNX1 was an unfavorable factor in one study in MDS/secondary AML, while data in de novo AML are scarce. Objectives Here, we present a retrospective study by the EBMT Acute Leukemia Working Party, aiming to elucidate the prognostic value of RUNX1 mutation in patients undergoing alloSCT for AML in first complete remission (CR1). Methods Adults undergoing alloSCT for AML in CR1 from matched related or unrelated donors between 2013 and 2018 with complete information on conventional cytogenetics and RUNX1 mutational status were selected from the EBMT registry. Variables of interest were overall and leukemia-free survival (OS/LFS), GvHD/relapse free survival (GRFS), cumulative relapse incidence (RI), non-relapse mortality (NRM) and GvHD. Log rank test, Gray test and Cox regression models were used. Results 128 RUNX+ and 388 RUNX- patients were identified, >80% of both subgroups presenting as de novo AML. As expected, RUNX1+ patients rarely had co-mutations in NPM1 (6% vs. 26%, p=10−3), and showed a positive correlation with ASXL1 mutations (50% vs. 16%, p=10−4). Cytogenetic categories and other mutations (FLT3-ITD, CEBPA) were equally distributed between the two groups, as were age, donor and graft type, CMV, conditioning and T cell depletion (TCD). Median follow-up was 16.4 (RUNX+) and 19.8 (RUNX-) months. 2y OS/LFS of the entire cohort were 64% [59-69]/57% [52-62], with no difference between RUNX1+ and RUNX1- patients either in univariate or multivariate analysis (2y OS: 67.9% [57.3-78.5] vs. 63.1%v[57.4-68.7]p=0.15; 2y LFS: 57.6% [46.4-68.7] vs. 57% [51.4-62.6], p=0.38], figure 1). RUNX1 mutation neither had any impact among patients with normal karyotype (figure 2). Similarly, no other outcome parameter was influenced by RUNX1 mutational status. Instead, multivariate analysis revealed age and donor type as risk factors for OS, LFS and NRM. Poor cytogenetic was associated with higher RI and inferior LFS/GRFS, in vivo TCD with a lower rate of aGvHD II-IV, cGvHD, and better GRFS. Among patients with available information, FLT3-ITD was an independent risk factor for relapse, LFS and GRFS. RUNX1 did not modify the role of FLT3-ITD. Conclusion Within the limits of a retrospective registry analysis, we could not find a negative influence of RUNX1 mutation on outcome after allogeneic SCT in CR1. Hence, transplantation in CR1 might overcome the unfavorable prognostic value of RUNX1 mutation and can be recommended as consolidation treatment in this entity.

We observed a possible concentration effect relationship for nilotinib on resolution of chronic Graft versus Host disease.These data suggest therapeutic drug monitoring might be useful for patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors for chronic GVHD.

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 × 109/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.

Introduction: We report the first analysis of a multicenter prospective single-arm phase I/II study that assesses the safety and feasibility of transplantation of TCRalpha/beta depleted stem cells from matched related or unrelated donors using the CliniMACS plus System (Miltenyi Biotec, Germany) in combination with a non-myeloablative conditioning in adult patients (trial nr NL48606.000.14). The conditioning regimen consisted of ATG (Thymoglobulin®) 1.5mg/kg i.v. days -12 to -9; fludarabine i.v. 40 mg/m2 days -5 to -2 and busulfan i.v. (Busivex®) days -5 to -2 (cumulative AUC of 80-90mg*h/L), followed by 28 days of mycophenolic acid. All 35 subjects were eligible to address the primary endpoint which is the incidence of acute GVHD at day 100. Results: 2 centers enrolled 10 female and 25 male patients (median age 59 years, range 19 - 69 years), including 9 AML, 4 ALL, 2 CML, 5 MM, 1 NHL, 10 MDS, 4 MPN. Diseases were in CR (n=17), VGPR (n=1), PR (n=5) or non-remission (n=12). 4 subjects had one or more previous allogeneic SCTs. Donors included 4 MRD, 24 10/10 matched MUD and 7 9/10 matched MUD. 8 male patients received stem cells of female donors. The median number of CD34+ cells and αβ TCR cells/kg was 6.1x 10^6 (range, 1.9-10) and 14.5x10^3 (range, 0-136), respectively. One primary graft failure was observed. Primary engraftment of ANCs > 500 cells/μL was reached at a median of 14 days (range 9 - 48 days) and of platelets > 20 at a median of 17 days (range 10 - 99) days. The median time of follow-up of this first analysis was 190 days (range 110-400 days). 3/35 patients developed acute GVHD grade III-IV during the first 100 days, 9/35 patients developed acute GVHD grade II-IV and 16/35 patients grade I-IV at day 100. At day 100 the cumulative incidence (CI) of CMV was 31%, of EBV 36% and of BK cystitis 20%. The combined CI of CMV/EBV/BK infections with a CTC-AE grade III-V was 53% at day 100. Immune reconstitution was rapid with a median of 227 (range 34 - 1626) CD3+ cells/µl on day 100 but varied substantially between patients. The median numbers of CD3/CD4+ and CD3/CD8+ at day 100 post transplant were 60 (range 30 - 120) and 124 (range 5 - 1450) cells/µl. The median numbers of NK were 289 (range 32-1140) at day 30 and 128 (range 24 - 1228) cells/µl at day 100 post transplant. The median numbers of γδ T cells were 38 (range 4-143) at day 30 and 50 (range 8-556) cells/µl at day 100 post transplant. 26 out of 35 patients were alive, 2 patients died of a relapse, 2 of GVHD and 5 of infectious complications. Kaplan Meier estimates of the OS are 88% (+/- 6%) at day 100 and 68% (+/- 9%) at 1Y. Kaplan Meier estimates of the EFS are 77% (+/- 7%) at day 100 and 52% (+/- 10%) at 1Y. 2 patients developed a relapse before day 100 and 5 patients before 1Y. It is noted that the outcome of 5 patients with MM was very poor in this cohort (3 patients developed a relapse and 2 patients died of complications). Conclusion: Allo-SCT of αβ T cell depleted PBMCs form matched related or unrelated donors, in combination with early ATG and a non-myeloablative conditioning regimen, resulted in favorable rates of primary engraftment (34/35), a CI of aGVHD II-IV of 26% with only minimal immuno-suppression and an encouraging early disease control (Fig 1). OS survival was mainly impacted by NRM (Fig 1), by which the majority of complications were of infectious nature. While all patients with MM suffered from NRM or relapse, all other disease categories had a rather favorable outcome. Reducing inter-individual variations in immune reconstitution early after transplantation will be key to further improve outcomes. Disclosures Minnema: Amgen: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Servier: Consultancy. Kuball:Novartis: Research Funding; Miltenyi Biotec: Research Funding; Gadeta (www.gadeta.nl): Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties: on gd T cells and receptors and isolation strategies, Research Funding.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) remains the only curative option for CLL patients. Whereas active disease at the time of alloSCT predicts poor outcome, no standard remission-induction regimen exists. We prospectively assessed outcome after cisplatin-containing immune-chemotherapy (R-DHAP) followed by alloSCT in 46 patients (median age 58 years) fulfilling modified European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) CLL Transplant Consensus criteria being refractory to or relapsed (R/R)

Sclerotic chronic graft vs. host disease (cGVHD) still has a large impact on morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We performed the first prospective study to test whether sequential therapy of the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab followed by 6 months treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor nilotinib is a favorable treatment strategy for patients with sclerotic cGVHD. Twenty-nine patients were included, 24 were available for analysis. We observed objective responses in 71% of patients (two patients CR, 15 patients PR). Moreover, two out of five patients suffering from severe ulcerations showed complete resolution of ulcers. Observed responses lasted until the end of study follow-up. The majority of responding patients could reduce daily corticosteroid dose with more than 50%. Furthermore, CD5+ B-cells are significantly lower (p = 0.007) in responding patients at baseline, proposing a new biomarker predictive for response. In conclusion, sequential treatment of rituximab followed by nilotinib associates with a very high response rate in this difficult to treat patient population. CD5+ B-cells could assist in guiding treatment choices and might be a first step toward more personalized cGVHD treatment. This trial was registered at the Dutch clinical trial registry as NTR1222.

TO THE EDITOR: Age is known to be a strong negative predictor of survival in patients undergoing an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for severe acquired aplastic anemia (SAA), with higher mortality in patients >40 years of age,[1][1] and this has been confirmed in several

International audience; Usually, after double umbilical cord blood transplantation (DUCBT), only 1 of the transplanted units persists in the long term. The characteristics of the winning cord blood unit (W-CBU) that determine unit dominance and how they influence the outcomes of DUCBT remain unclear. We retrospectively analyzed 347 patients with acute leukemia transplanted with a DUCBT (694 CBU) from 2005 to 2013 who had documented neutrophil engraftment and a W-CBU identified by chimerism analysis, to identify unit characteristics impacting on dominance. Median age at DUCBT was 40 years and median follow-up was 35 months. Among W-CBUs, 41% were ≥5/6 HLA matched to the recipient and 59% were ≤4/6. Multivariate analysis indicated that ≤4/6 HLA-matched W-CBUs led to lower leukemia-free survival (44% versus 56%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.5; P = .032) and overall survival (49% versus 62%; HR, 1.5; P = .028), increased nonrelapse mortality (26% versus 18%; HR, 1.9; P = .027), and acute graft-versus-host disease (46% versus 35%; HR, 1.7; P = .013). We were unable to predict unit dominance, but we demonstrated that outcomes were strongly influenced by the degree of HLA mismatch between W-CBU and recipient. Therefore, selection of both units with the lower number of HLA mismatches with the recipient is indicated.

We analyzed 661 adult patients who underwent single-unit (n = 226) or double-unit (n = 435) unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) following a reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) consisting of low-dose total body irradiation (TBI), cyclophosphamide, and fludarabine (Cy/Flu/TBI200). Eighty-two patients received rabbit antithymocyte globulin (ATG) as part of the conditioning regimen (ATG group), whereas 579 did not (non-ATG group). Median age at UCBT was 54 years, and diagnoses were acute leukemias (51%), myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm (19%), and lymphoproliferative diseases (30%). Forty-four percent of patients were transplanted with advanced disease. All patients received ≥4 antigens HLA-matched UCBT. Median number of collected total nucleated cells was 4.4 × 10(7)/kg. In the ATG group, on 64 evaluable patients, ATG was discontinued 1 (n = 27), 2 (n = 20), or > 2 days before the graft infusion (n = 17). In multivariate analyses, the use of ATG was associated with decreased incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (hazard ratio [HR], 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.55; P < .0001), higher incidence of nonrelapse mortality (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.16-2.43; P = .0009), and decreased overall survival (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.19-2.415; P = .003). Collectively, our results suggest that the use of ATG could be detrimental, especially if given too close to graft infusion in adults undergoing UCBT following Cy/Flu/TBI200 regimen.

Allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation is increasingly used in patients aged 55 years or more with AML. The question of whether outcomes can be improved with an allele-level 8/8 HLA-matched unrelated donor (MUD) rather than an older HLA-matched sibling (MSD, more than 55 years) is still unanswered. We thus analyzed outcomes in 714 patients aged 55 years and older with AML in first CR (CR1) who received PBSCs after a reduced-intensity conditioning hematopoietic cell transplant from a MUD (n=310) or a MSD (n=404) in a recent period (2005-2010). The 3-year cumulative incidences (CIs) of non-relapse mortality were 17% and 23% with MSD and MUD, respectively (P=0.17). The 3-year CIs of relapse were 37% and 30%, respectively (P=0.12), resulting in a 3-year CI of leukemia-free survival of 46% and 47%, respectively (P=0.51). The 3-year overall survival was 49% with both MSD and MUD. In conclusion, HLA-identical sibling donors aged 55 years or more should not be excluded because of age for patients aged 55 years and older with AML in CR1.

Background This study was performed to assess the incidence of and risk factors for Candida infection in the first 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and the impact on long-term survival. Methods We performed an outcome analysis of 28542 acute leukemia patients who underwent HSCT from 2000 to 2012. There were 347 patients with candidemia by day 100 and 28195 without candidemia or any other type of Candida infection. Results The incidence of candidemia by day 100 was 1.2% and occurred at a median of 22 days after HSCT. Higher 100-day nonrelapse mortality (NRM; hazards ratio [HR], 3.0, P < .0001) and lower 100-day overall survival (OS; HR, 2.5, P < .0001) were observed in patients with candidemia. The case fatality rate by day 100 in patients with candidemia was 22% (76/347). Factors associated with candidemia occurrence were female gender, bone marrow or cord blood stem cell source, T-cell depletion, use of total body irradiation, and acute graft vs host disease. Among the patients alive at day 100, the 5-year NRM and OS after a median follow-up of 5.6 years (95% confidence interval, 5.5 - 5.7) for patients with and without candidemia were 22.5% vs 13.5%, P < .0001 and 45.6% vs. 53.4%, P = .0003, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the occurrence of a candidemia episode by day 100 was an independent risk factor for higher NRM (HR, 1.7, P = .001) and lower OS (HR, 1.4, P = .001). Conclusions The early occurrence of candidemia after HSCT is still associated with higher NRM and lower short- and-long-term OS.

Despite major improvements in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), the majority of patients will eventually relapse.[1][1] Those patients may benefit most from the potentially curative effect of graft versus myeloma effect of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and its

Background The feasibility of cord blood transplantation (CBT) in adults is limited by the relatively low number of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells contained in one single CB unit. The infusion of two CB units from different partially HLA-matched donors (double CBT) is frequently performed in patients who lack a sufficiently rich single CB unit. Methods We compared CBT outcomes in patients given single or double CBT following reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) in a retrospective multicenter registry-based study. Inclusion criteria included adult (≥18 years) patients, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), complete remission (CR) at the time of transplantation, first single (with a cryopreserved TNC ≥ 2.5 × 107/kg) or double CBT between 2004 and 2014, and RIC conditioning. Results Data from 534 patients with AML (n = 408) or ALL (n = 126) receiving a first single (n = 172) or double (n = 362) CBT were included in the analyses. In univariate analysis, in comparison to patients transplanted with a single CB, double CB recipients had a similar incidence of neutrophil engraftment but a suggestion for a higher incidence of grade II–IV acute GVHD (36 versus 28%, P = 0.08). In multivariate analyses, in comparison to single CBT recipients, double CBT patients had a comparable incidence of relapse (HR = 0.9, P = 0.5) and of nonrelapse mortality (HR = 0.8, P = 0.3), as well as comparable overall (HR = 0.8, P = 0.17), leukemia-free (HR = 0.8, P = 0.2) and GVHD-free, relapse-free (HR = 1.0, P = 0.3) survival. Conclusions These data failed to demonstrate better transplantation outcomes in adult patients receiving double CBT in comparison to those receiving single CBT with adequate TNC after RIC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13045-017-0497-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Follicular lymphoma with progression to a high-grade lymphoma bears a poor prognosis. We describe a case of a 60-year-old man who presented in 2012 with an epidural mass, diagnosed as a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with concurrent low-grade follicular lymphoma. Three years later, the patient presented with a cervical mass, diagnosed as a lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL). Both the DLBCL and LBL contained a "triple hit" with BCL2, BCL6, and cMYC translocations demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis and a complex karyotype by single-nucleotide polymorphism array analysis. Furthermore, the 2 lymphomas were shown to be clonally related by clonality analysis and single-nucleotide polymorphism array analysis. This case report presents a highly unusual case of an LBL with a triple hit, originating from a DLBCL, which has rarely been described in the literature and deserves further exploration.

The International Prognostic Scoring System has been revised (IPSS-R) to predict prognosis of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes at diagnosis. To validate the use of the IPSS-R assessed before transplant rather than at diagnosis we performed a retrospective analysis of the EBMT database. A total of 579 patients had sufficient information available to calculate IPSS-R at transplant. Median overall survival (OS) from transplant was significantly different according to IPSS-R: very low 23.6 months, low 55.0 months, intermediate 19.7 months, high 13.5 months, very high 7.8 months (P

Contains fulltext : 169927.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) BACKGROUND: Second primary malignancies are a major cause of excess morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors. Hodgkin lymphoma survivors who were treated with infradiaphragmatic radiotherapy and/or high-dose procarbazine have an increased risk to develop colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy surveillance plays an important role in colorectal cancer prevention by removal of the precursor lesions (adenomas) and early detection of cancer, resulting in improved survival rates. Therefore, Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated with infradiaphragmatic radiotherapy and/or high-dose procarbazine could benefit from colonoscopy, or other surveillance modalities, which are expected to reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. Current knowledge on clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of therapy-related colorectal cancer is limited. The pathogenesis of such colorectal cancers might be different from the pathogenesis in the general population and therefore these patients might require a different clinical approach. We designed a study with the primary aim to assess the diagnostic yield of a first surveillance colonoscopy among Hodgkin lymphoma survivors at increased risk of colorectal cancer and to compare these results with different screening modalities in the general population. Secondary aims include assessment of the test characteristics of stool tests and evaluation of burden, acceptance and satisfaction of CRC surveillance through two questionnaires. METHODS/DESIGN: This prospective multicenter cohort study will include Hodgkin lymphoma survivors who survived >/=8 years after treatment with infradiaphragmatic radiotherapy and/or procarbazine (planned inclusion of 259 participants). Study procedures will consist of a surveillance colonoscopy with removal of precursor lesions (adenomas) and 6-8 normal colonic tissue biopsies, a fecal immunochemical test and a stool DNA test. All neoplastic lesions encountered will be classified using relevant histomorphological, immunohistochemical and molecular analyses in order to obtain more insight into colorectal carcinogenesis in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. The Miscan-model will be used for cost-effectiveness analyses. DISCUSSION: Evaluation of the diagnostic performance, patient acceptance and burden of colorectal cancer surveillance is necessary for future implementation of an individualized colorectal cancer surveillance program for Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. In addition, more insight into treatment-induced colorectal carcinogenesis will provide the first step towards prevention and personalized treatment. This information may be extrapolated to other groups of cancer survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at the Dutch Trial Registry (NTR): NTR4961 .

The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), has largely replaced curative strategies based on allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Allogeneic HSCT continue to be recommended for patients progressing to a more advanced phase of the disease and those in first chronic phase (CP1) failing second and third generation TKIs. Although the role of allogeneic HSCT using matched related or unrelated donor remains well established in the post-TKI era, controversies exist in transplant using alternative donors, and data in this setting is scarce. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) can be used as an alternative stem cell source for patients in whom allogeneic HSCT is indicated, but lack an appropriate human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-matched adult donor. The advantages of UCBT include rapid availability, absence of donor risk, and the relatively lower risk of GVHD with preserved graft versus leukemia effect. Because of the lack of large studies on the outcome of UCBT for CML patients in the TKI era, we performed a retrospective analysis to identify risk factors for outcomes after unrelated cord blood transplants in adults with CML. Through the EBMT database, 150 CML patients were identified as UCBT recipients. Median year of UCBT was 2008 (range, 2000 to 2015) with a median follow up of 62.2 months (range, 3 to 203.1 months). Median age at the time of transplant was 40.4 years (range, 18.8 to 66.5) with a male to female ratio of 92/58. The median time from CML diagnosis to UCBT was 29.9 months (range, 3.4 to 273.6) with first (Q1) and third (Q3) quartile at 12.4 and 57.3 months respectively. Eleven patients received an UCBT as a second allogeneic HSCT. Conditioning regimen was of reduced intensity (RIC) in 44 patients while 92 received a myeloablative conditioning (MAC), and 61 out of 128 evaluable patients received T-cell depletion. Disease status at the time of transplant was first chronic phase (CP1, n=45), second or third chronic phase (CP2 and CP3, n=48) or advanced phase (accelerated phase or blastic phase, AP/BP, n=55). Overall survival (OS) at 12, 24 and 36 months were 52.1% (95% CI 44.0 to 60.1%), 44.5% (95% CI 36.3 to 52.6 %) and 41.2% (95% CI 33.0% to 49.4%) respectively. Median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were 23 and 47 days respectively in 119 patients who engrafted, while 24 and 7 patients experienced primary (16%) or secondary (4.6%) graft failure respectively. At 24 months, the cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM) and relapse were 38.9% (95% CI 31.0 to 46.9%) and 25.3% (95% CI 18.2% to 32.3%), while cumulative incidence of grade 2-4 acute GvHD was 34.3% (95% CI 26.1 to 42.5%) and 24 months cumulative incidence of chronic GvHD was 24.8% (95% CI 15.6 to 34.0%). OS and disease-free survival (DFS) were significantly reduced for patients in AP/BP at the time of transplant compared to patients in CP1 or CP2/CP3 (24 months OS, 27.1% vs 55.3% and 53.7%, p=0.0026; 24 months DFS, 21.5% vs 39.4% and 47.1% respectively, p=0.0059, Figure 1). Cumulative incidence of relapse was significantly increased in patients in AP/BP at the time of HSCT compared to patient in CP1 or CP2/3 (24 months relapse incidence of 37.6% vs 20.6% and 17.1% respectively, p=0.0178). There was no significant difference in OS and DFS in patients receiving RIC compared to MAC (24 months OS 47.1 and 48.1% respectively, p=0.8; 24 months DFS 33% vs 40.6%, p=0.36). Cumulative incidence of relapse at 24 months was 34.7% in RIC and 24.6% in MAC, although this was not statistically significant (p=0.14). In conclusion, UCBT is more effective in CML patients who are in first CP but also in those who are in second or third CP at the time of transplant. NRM remains high, possibly related to differences in practices of UCBT over time and between centers. Comparison with alternative graft source such as haploidentical HSCT is needed, although little data is available in this setting. Patients who are in advanced phase disease at the time of transplant have a dismal prognosis comparable to those who receive an allogeneic HSCT from HLA-matched adult donors, although pre and post-transplant intervention with 3rd generation TKI may help improve outcome of these patients. Finally the use of RIC regimen for UCBT is an alternative for patients who cannot tolerate a MAC regimen; further analysis will help identify patients who would benefit from this approach. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures De Lavallade: Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding. Angelucci:Jazz Pharmaceuticals Italy: Other: Local ( national) advisory board; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MA) and CRISPR CAS9 Therapeutics AG (CH): Other: Chair DMC; Roche Italy: Other: Local (national) advisory board; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Chair DMC; Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Chair Steering Comiittee TELESTO Protocol. Chalandon:Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel costs.

Outcomes for adolescents and young adults (AYA) might be considerably different from children and older adults with acute leukemia (AL). Patients in this transitory period tend to be considered at higher risk for poorer outcomes. However, AYA is still underrepresented in most hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) studies. Recent evidence shows superior outcomes for AYA with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) using pediatric rather than adult first line chemotherapy regimens. The aim of this study is to analyze outcomes of umbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT) in AYA patients with ALL or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after myeloablative conditioning regimen (MAC). Eligibility criteria included patients with AL aged 15-25 (median 19) years, transplanted between 2004 and 2016 in EBMT centers, with single or double UCBT as first allogenic transplantation after MAC regimen and reported to Eurocord. A total of 504 patients were included. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Median follow-up for survivors was 38 months (1 month-11 years). Median time from diagnosis to UCBT was 11 months (1 month-17 years) (interquartile range 5-29 months). Diagnosis was ALL in 59% (n=297) and AML in 41% (n=207); 64% of patients were male. Disease status at UCBT were 42% in 1st complete remission (CR) (n=203), 2nd CR in 38% (n=183), and advanced disease in 20% (n=96). Fifty eight percent of patients (n=293) received single and 42% (n=211) double UCBT. Cyclophosphamide + TBI ± fludarabine (45%) was the most frequently used conditioning regimen. Anti-thymoglobulin (ATG) was used in 54% and GVHD prophylaxis was cyclosporine A + mycophenolate mofetil in 44% of patients. Median nucleated cell dose at collection was 3.63 (range 0.9-9.0) X107/Kg for single and 5.25 (range 2.3-10.6) X107/Kg for double UCBT. The 3-year OS was 45±2%; 3-year leukemia free survival (LFS) was 41±2% and refined GVHD free/relapse free survival (rGRFS) was 32±2%. OS was similar in ALL and AML (45±3% vs 45±4%, p-value=0.69). According to disease status at UCBT, 3-year OS was 54±4% for patients in CR1, 48±4% for CR2 and 20±4% for advanced disease (p-value Cumulative incidence function (CIF) for neutrophil engraftment at day-60 was 88% [95% confidential interval (CI) 85-90] in a median time of 24 days. CIF of acute GVHD grade II-IV at day-100 was 28% (95%CI 24-32) and out of the 233 patients with aGVHD, 73 (21%) had grade III-IV. The 1-year CIF of chronic GVHD was also 28% (95%CI 24-33) and out of the 124 patients with cGVHD, 52 (42%) had the extensive form. The 3-year CIF of transplant related mortality (TRM) was 31% (95%CI 24-33). The 3-year CIF of relapse was 28% (95%CI 24-32), and according to disease status at UCBT, relapse was 28% (95%CI 21-34) for patients in CR1, 24% (95%CI 18-31) for those in CR2 and 37% (95%CI 27-47) for advanced disease. Main causes of death were relapse (41%) and TRM (57%, mainly infections and GVHD). In multivariate analysis, disease remission at UCBT (HR 0.46, 95%CI 0.32-0.66, p-value This large series of AYA patients with AL provides detailed information on UCBT for this particular cohort with results comparable with other sources of HSCT. Due to the lack of information on pre-transplant chemotherapy (pediatric versus adult protocols), we were unable to evaluate its effect on outcomes. Nevertheless, this study contributes to a better understanding of HSCT for an age group that is not thoroughly described in most publications. Demonstrating the feasibility of UCBT in AYA patients is important to facilitate the decision of stem cell source selection when a more standard donor is not available. Disclosures Hough: University College London Hospital's NHS Foundation Trust: Employment. Angelucci:Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MA) and CRISPR CAS9 Therapeutics AG (CH): Other: Chair DMC; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Chair DMC; Jazz Pharmaceuticals Italy: Other: Local ( national) advisory board; Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Chair Steering Comiittee TELESTO Protocol; Roche Italy: Other: Local (national) advisory board. Bader:Medac: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Neovii: Research Funding; Riemser: Research Funding; Cellgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau.

Background Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AlloSCT) for treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) is controversial mainly due to high non-relapse mortality (NRM) with myeloablative conditioning. However, AlloSCT is probably the only treatment that result in cure of a small fraction of patients. Treosulfan is a prodrug of a bifunctional alkylating agent which has both myelotoxic and immunosuppressive properties. Conditioning regimes with treosulfan have been tried in various hematologic neoplasia such as AML and MDS indicating low NRM and increased progression free survival (PFS). Previous studies on use of treosulfan condition in AlloSCT for MM indicated feasibility, stable engraftment and low NRM. In the present study we have analysed the results of low and high dose treosulfan respectively on OS, RFS, relapse incidence and NRM as well as results of Treosulfan conditioning compared to non-Treosulfan reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and non-Treosulfan myeloablative conditioning (MAC). Patients and Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 4544 patients with MM undergoing AlloSCT 2008-2016 reported to the EBMT data registry. Out of 537 patients receiving Treosulfan based conditioning the impact of dose could be analysed in 441. Three hundred and twenty-seven patients received a total dose of >36g/m2 and 114 Results The 5-year OS in upfront Treosulfan conditioned patients was 62%, which was significantly superior to both non-Treo RIC and MAC patients respectively, apparently due to a tendency for lower NRM (10%) albeit a higher relapse rate (Table 2). Patients in later lines of conditioning had either low NRM (3rd line) or no significant difference (2nd line) (Table 2). Heterogeneity in the material makes it difficult to interpret results in the patients transplanted late in the course of the disease. A higher total treosulfan dose, >36g/m2, showed a tendency for improved OS and RFS compared to the lower dose treosulfan as well as RIC and MAC (table 2) respectively. In multivariate analysis of upfront transplanted patients, with a model adjusted for ISS score at diagnosis, age, Karnofsky score, response at AlloSCT, interval between diagnosis and transplant, donor type and donor - patient sex match, treosulfan and RIC retained significance for OS, HR 0.57 (P=0.006) and RFS, HR 0.65 (P= In multivariate analysis of treosulfan based conditioning regimes, upfront line of conditioning was superior for OS, PFS and relapse as expected (Table 3). Notably was an increased hazard ratio for donor-patient sex match other than female to male in OS, PFS as well as relapse, HR 1.64 (P=0.02), HR 1.66 (P=0.004) and HR 1.83 (P=0.003) respectively (Table 3). Conclusions Conditioning upfront with Treosulfan containing regimens for AlloSCT in multiple myeloma, is associated with a superior overall survival and a low NRM, however with a slightly higher relapse rate compared to other regimens. A higher dose > 36g/m2 tends to further improve OS, RFS and relapse rate without increasing NRM. The better results of Treo conditioning in female to male transplants as compared to other sex combinations and in contrast to MAC transplants may be due to the overall lower NRM with treosulfan, thus utilizing the GVM more effectively as indicated by the trend for lower relapse rate. In conclusion, Treosulfan containing regimens appear to be of value in upfront AlloSCT. Prospective studies on Treosulfan conditioning are warranted to further define the best dosing in MM AlloSCT. Disclosures Niederwieser: Miltenyi: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Research Funding. Beelen:Medac: Consultancy, Other: Travel Support. Stelljes:Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; MSD: Consultancy; JAZZ: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Finke:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Medac: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Neovii: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel grants, Research Funding; Riemser: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Garderet:Amgen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy. Kroeger:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Riemser: Honoraria, Research Funding; JAZZ: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; Neovii: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Children with acute leukemia (AL) in need of an allograft and lacking an HLA-identical sibling and an HLA-matched unrelated donor, could benefit either from unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) or T-cell depleted haploidentical (haplo) stem cell transplantation (SCT). Different techniques of T-cell depletion have been developed for improving immune reconstitution and for enhancing the graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect. Locatelli et al. (Blood 2017) reported remarkable results for children with AL given haplo-SCT after a novel method of graft manipulation based on selective, negative depletion of alfa-beta T and B cells. On behalf of Eurocord, CTIWP, and PDWP of EBMT, we compared outcomes of patients < 18 years with AL undergoing either single-UCBT (n=444) or haplo-SCT after alfa-beta T-cell and B-cell-depletion (n=99) from 2012 to 2016 using a myeloablative conditioning regimen (MAC). Median age at SCT was 6 (range 0.3-18) and 8 (range 0.6-18) years, and median follow-up was 36 and 14 months (p Conditioning regimen varied according to the type of transplant: for haplo-SCT recipients Fludarabine+TBI (28%) and Thiotepa+Busulfan+fludarabine (TBF) (24%) were the most frequent MAC. In UCBT, Busulfan+Cyclophosphamide (Cy), or Cy+Fludarabine+TBI or TBF were used in 19%, 15% and 13% of patients, respectively. Haplo-SCT recipients did not receive any additional pharmacological post-transplant graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis, while CyclosporineA (CSA)+ steroids and CSA+mycophenolate mofetil were used in 38% and 32% of UCBT recipients. The 60-day probability of neutrophil engraftment was 91% vs 93% (p According to donor type, no differences were found in overall survival (OS) (65% vs 68%, p=0.17) and leukemia-free survival (LFS) (61% vs 65%, p=0.24), while a lower GvHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) was observed in UCBT compared to haplo-SCT (49% vs 60%, p In multivariate analysis, UCBT was associated with higher risk of NRM (HR 2.36, p Our results showed that RI, LFS, OS and cGVHD were comparable between UCBT and haplo-SCT recipients, while better NRM, aGVHD and GRFS were observed in patients transplanted from a family donor. These data confirm that alfa-beta T-cell and B-cell depleted haplo-SCT is a valid alternative for patients in need of an urgent allograft. Costs of manipulation in the haplo-SCT setting and costs of cord blood procurement should be further investigated. Technical expertise with this refined approach of graft manipulation and center experience are important to optimize patient's outcome. Disclosures Locatelli: Miltenyi: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bellicum: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; bluebird bio: Consultancy; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Zecca:Chimerix: Honoraria. Bader:Medac: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Cellgene: Consultancy; Neovii: Research Funding; Riemser: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau.

Item does not contain fulltext We describe the use and outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for multiple myeloma (MM) in Europe between January 1990 and December 2012. We identified 7333 patients, median age at allo-HSCT was 51 years (range: 18-78), of whom 4539 (62%) were males. We distinguished three groups: (1) allo-HSCT upfront (n=1924), (2) tandem auto-allo-HSCT (n=2004) and (3) allo-HSCT as a second line treatment and beyond (n=3405). Overall, there is a steady increase in numbers of allo-HSCT over the years. Upfront allo-HSCT use increased up to year 2000, followed by a decrease thereafter and represented 12% of allo-HSCTs performed in 2012. Tandem auto-allo-HSCT peaked around year 2004 and contributed to 19% of allo-HSCTs in 2012. Allo-HSCT as salvage after one or two or three autografts was steadily increasing over the last years and represented 69% of allo-HSCTs in 2012. Remarkable heterogeneity in using allo-HSCT was observed among the different European countries. The 5-year survival probabilities from time of allo-HSCT for the three groups after year 2004 were 42%, 54% and 32%, respectively. These results show that the use of allo-HSCT is increasing in Europe, especially as second line treatment and beyond. There is an unmet need for well-designed prospective studies investigating allo-HSCT as salvage therapy for MM.

This report investigated the impact of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) on transplantation outcomes in 1859 acute myeloid leukemia patients given allogeneic peripheral blood stem cells after reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC allo-SCT). Grade I acute GVHD was associated with a lower risk of relapse (hazards ratio (HR) 0.7, P = 0.02) translating into a trend for better overall survival (OS; HR 1.3; P = 0.07). Grade II acute GVHD had no net impact on OS, while grade III-IV acute GVHD was associated with a worse OS (HR 0.4, P < 0.0.001) owing to high risk of nonrelapse mortality (NRM; HR 5.2, P < 0.0001). In time-dependent multivariate Cox analyses, limited chronic GVHD tended to be associated with a lower risk of relapse (HR 0.72; P = 0.07) translating into a better OS (HR 1.8; P < 0.001), while extensive chronic GVHD was associated with a lower risk of relapse (HR 0.65; P = 0.02) but also with higher NRM (HR 3.5; P < 0.001) and thus had no net impact on OS. In-vivo T-cell depletion with antithymocyte globulin (ATG) or alemtuzumab was successful at preventing extensive chronic GVHD (P < 0.001), but without improving OS for ATG and even with worsening OS for alemtuzumab (HR 0.65; P = 0.001). These results highlight the role of the immune-mediated graft-versus-leukemia effect in the RIC allo-SCT setting, but also the need for improving the prevention and treatment of severe GVHD. Leukemia (2012) 26, 2462-2468; doi: 10.1038/leu.2012.135

Umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) from unrelated donor is a valid alternative for patients (pts) with acute leukemia (AL) who lack an HLA matched donor. Double UCBT (dUCBT) has extended the use of UCBT to adults. In the majority of the cases, chimerism analysis shows that one unit emerges as the sole source of long term hematopoiesis in the recipient (rcp) following dUCBT. However, no clear factor has yet been identified to reliably predict which unit will emerge as the predominant one. With the aim of analyzing factors that may predict cord blood unit (CBU) predominance and the impact of the winning CBU characteristics on outcomes after dUCBT, we studied adults with AL who underwent dUCBT as first transplant between 2004 and 2013 at EBMT centres. We selected pts who achieved engraftment and who had available chimerism data assessed within day 130 after dUCBT, with one of the CBUs representing at least 50% of the rcp hematopoiesis (winCBU). According to these criteria, 347 pts were included: 323 had full donor (18 being dual chimera) and 24 had mixed chimerism (>5% of donor cells). At diagnosis, 35% had ALL and 65% AML. At dUCBT 45% were in first complete remission (CR), 44% in second CR and 11% had more advanced disease. Overall, 33% had high risk cytogenetic features. Median time from diagnosis to dUCBT was 12 months (range, 2-202), median age was 40 years (y) (18-76). Conditioning regimen (CT) was reduced intensity (RIC) in 52%. Cyclophosphamide+fludarabine+total body irradiation was the most frequent CT (63%). Anti-thymoglobulin (ATG) was administrated in 25% of the transplants. Median number of total nucleated cells (TNC) and CD34+ cells at cryopreservation were 5.1x107/Kg (range, 2.3-13.7) and 1.3x105/Kg (range, 0.4-10.7), respectively. Considering the unit with the highest number of HLA mismatches (MMs) with the rcp, 73% of the donors were matched at 4 or less loci (≤4/6). For winCBUs, median number of TNC and CD34 cells at cryopreservation were 2.5x107/Kg (range, 0.95-6) and 1x105/Kg (range, 0.06-10), respectively. Only 4% of the winCBUs were 6/6 HLA-matched to the rcp, while 37% were 5/6, 55% were 4/6 and 4% were 3/6 HLA-matched. Overall, 54% of the winCBUs were gender matched and 38% were ABO compatible with the rcp. WinCBUs median age was 3.4 years (range, 0.2-14). As for inter unit characteristics, 50% of the pts received gender matched units. Units were ABO compatible in 40% of the cases, while 30% had minor and 30% had major ABO incompatibility. In our study population, median follow-up for survivors was 35 months (range, 3-99). All pts engrafted with neutrophil >0.5x109/L in a median time of 25 days (range, 6-66) post DCBT. No secondary graft failure was reported. The cumulative incidence (CI) of acute GvHD grade II-IV at 100 days was 41% with a median time of onset of 29 days (range, 7-106). The 3y-CI of chronic GvHD was 41% (50% of the pts had extensive). The 3y-CI of relapse (RI) and transplant related mortality (TRM) were 27% and 24%, respectively. At 3y, leukemia free survival (LFS) was 49% and overall survival (OS) was 54%. In multivariate analysis (MVA) including unit characteristics (HLA and gender matching, type of HLA MMs, number of TNC and CD34 cells at cryopreservation, ABO compatibility and unit age) and inter unit features (gender match, ABO compatibility), no significant factor predicting the winCBU was identified. Analyzing the impact of winCBU on dUCBT outcomes, the HLA matching between CBU and the rcp was the only characteristic related to the winCBU significantly affecting results. The 3y-LFS for pts with 6/6 or 5/6 HLA-matched winCBUs was 56% as compared to 44% for those with 4/6 (p=0.03), while OS was 62% versus 49% (p=0.01), respectively. Acute GvHD was increased in pts receiving a 4/6 HLA-matched winCBU (46% versus 35% for those 6/6 or 5/6, p=0.04). In MVA, 4/6 HLA-matched winCBU was associated with decreased LFS (HR 1.5, p=0.03) and OS (HR 1.5, p=0.03), and with increased TRM (HR 1.9, p=0.03) and acute GvHD (HR 1.7, p=0.01). Notably, older winCBUs (>3.4y) were associated with higher acute GvHD (48% versus 35%; HR 1.6, p=0.02). Other factors associated with poor outcomes were advanced disease status and the use of ATG. Although we failed to identified any factor predicting CBU predominance, we were able to demonstrate that a 4/6 HLA matched winCBU is associated with poor outcomes. Therefore, selecting units with lower number of HLA MMs for dUCBT may improve final outcomes. Disclosures Russell: Therakos: Other: shares. Mohty:Riemser: Honoraria, Research Funding. Nagler:Biokine LTD: Consultancy.

Many parameters predict for outcome after unrelated donor (URD) allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). High-resolution HLA-matching significantly impacts outcome and also the European Group of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) risk score, based on patient age, disease stage, donor type, time from diagnosis to SCT and gender combination, may predict for non-relapse mortality and overall survival (OS). We evaluated the individual and combined effects of allele-matching and the EBMT risk score in 327 patients with poor-risk acute leukemia or myelodysplasia, who received a T-cell depleted URD alloSCT. Matching for HLA-A, -B, -C and -DRB1 alleles (8/8 match) was associated with a 5-year OS of 40% compared with 30% for mismatched (

Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) protocols are increasingly used for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in elderly patients. We analyzed the outcome of RIC HSCT in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients over the age of 40 years. Forty-three AML or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients were treated with a fludarabine and low-dose total-body irradiation (TBI)-based pretransplantation regimen. Donors were HLA-compatible sibling (68%) or unrelated volunteers (34%). All but 2 AML patients were in complete remission (CR) at the time of transplantation. Seventy-six percent of patients had a poor risk profile. Hematologic recovery was fast, and primary graft failure occurred in 1 patient. Two patients with active disease at the time of HSCT experienced ongoing relapse. Infections were diagnosed in 9 patients (21%), and 6 patients (14%) were treated for cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation. Sixty percent of patients developed acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), which was grade II in 40% and grade III in 12%. The cumulative incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) was 33% at 1 and at 2 years. Treatment-related mortality (TRM) was low (9%), total nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was 19%. After a median follow-up of 571 days, 16 patients (37%) experienced relapse. Median disease-free and overall survival (DFS; OS) were 24 and 31 months, respectively. There were no differences in complications and outcome between recipients of sibling and unrelated grafts. In conclusion, fludarabine plus low-dose TBI-based RIC HSCT is effective in AML patients over the age of 40 years without active disease at the time of transplant and is associated with low TRM.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) expressed on donor natural killer (NK) cells are important for induction of NK cell alloreactivity in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Current criteria in the selection procedure of an unrelated donor do not account for this potential NK alloresponse. In this study the KIR gene repertoire of 21 HSCT patients and all their potential, unrelated donors (N = 64) has been identified by the sequence-specific priming (SSP) procedure. KIR genotype characteristics are correlated with HLA and clinical data. These data show that for 16 cases an HLA compatible alternative donor was available. Among those 16 were 8 donors with a favourable predicted NK alloreactivity directed against the leukaemic cells. In conclusion, it is feasible and clinically relevant to add the KIR repertoire to the unrelated donor selection procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Ocular adnexal lymphomas (OAL) belong to the most common malignancies of the orbit and eyelids and are now classified according to the WHO classification system. MALT lymphoma appears to be the most frequent OAL. Histology type and stage of OAL have been found predictors of patient survival. PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of a cohort of patients with OAL using the WHO classification and to compare outcome predictors with those of other studies using the WHO classification. DESIGN: Retrospective, cohort study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical profile at presentation, initial complaints and findings, classification and stage, treatment and outcome of 54 patients with biopsy proven and re-analyzed OAL seen between 1 January 1992 and 1 January 2002 at the UMC Utrecht, NL, were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariate Cox-regression survival analysis were applied to assess predictors of outcome. Results: Forty nine patients were found to have primary and five secondary lymphomas. Of those with primary OAL, 27 had MALT, eight diffuse large B-cell, six mantle cell and eight follicular cell lymphoma. Histology and stage showed a significant association with survival (Log-rank test: p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). A multivariate Cox-regression survival analysis showed histological type to be the only significant predictor for outcome. Looking at the dichotomy full remission versus not completely cured, gender was found to be a significant predictor (Log-rank test: p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: This study showed that not only histology type and stage, but also gender is a predictor of outcome

We have recently reported on the outcome of autologous transplantation in the rare myelomas (IgD, IgE, IgM, and nonsecretory [NS]) but there is no real information on the outcome of these conditions after allogeneic transplantation. We used the European Group, for Blood and Marrow Transplantation myeloma database to compare the outcomes after allogeneic transplantation of 1354 common myelomas (IgG, IgA, and light chain myeloma) with the outcome in 26 IgD myelomas and 52 NS myelomas. There was little difference between common and the IgD and NS myeloma patients with respect to prognostic factors although the IgD group had a higher beta 2 microglobulin at diagnosis, shorter time to transplantation, and more T cell depletion. IgD and NS patients had a significantly greater achievement of complete remission at conditioning but this did not translate into equivalent progression-free survival and overall survival for the IgD patients although the NS outcome was very similar to that of common myeloma. The PFS and OS of IgD, common, and NS myelomas appear similar after allogeneic transplantation, despite a tendency for higher early relapse rate in IgD myeloma. Allogeneic transplantation may, therefore, be an option to investigate in prospective observational studies. (C) 2015 American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.