Donor Lymphocyte Infusion (DLI) post allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and High-Grade Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). A longitudinal retrospective study using peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ and CD3+ donor chimerism (DC) monitoring.

INTRODUCTION: This longitudinal study was based on the outcomes of Donor Lymphocyte Infusion (DLI) for falling peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ and CD3+ donor chimerism (DC). METHODS: From 2012 to 2018, data was collected from the BMT database and electronic medical records (EMR). The primary objective was to compare the indication for DLI based on falling PB CD34+ or CD3+ DC in patients post allo-SCT for AML and MDS and their overall survival (OS). RESULTS: 18/70 patients met the inclusion criteria. Indications for DLI were i) falling PB CD34+ DC ≤ 80 % with morphological relapse, ii) falling PB CD34+ DC ≤ 80 % without morphological relapse and iii) falling PB CD3+ DC ≤ 80 % without falling PB CD34+ DC. Log rank analysis showed falling PB CD34+ DC and morphological relapse had significantly lower OS. Linear regression demonstrated better OS post DLI if there was PB CD34+ and CD3+ chimerism response at 30 days (p = 0.029), GVHD (p = 0.032) and tapering immunosuppression at the time of falling DC (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: DLI for PB CD34+ DC values ≤ 80 % and morphological relapse had the lowest OS. In this study, full DC was achieved after DLI even with a PB CD3+DC value as low as 13 %, provided the PB CD34+ DC remained > 80 %. Further research is vital in CD34+ DC as a biomarker for disease relapse and loss of engraftment.

Upfront tandem autologous non-myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplant in high-risk multiple myeloma: a long-term single-centre experience.

The role of upfront non-myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation (NMA alloSCT) in high-risk multiple myeloma (HR-MM) is unclear. We evaluated outcomes of NMA alloSCT following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) compared with ASCT alone for newly diagnosed HR-MM. Two-year progression-free survival was improved in the ASCT-NMA alloSCT group (44% vs 16%; P = 0.035), with a trend for improved overall survival (P = 0.118). These results suggest that ASCT-NMA alloSCT can be considered as upfront therapy in HR-MM.

Evaluation of EuroFlow minimal residual disease measurement and donor chimerism monitoring following tandem auto-allogeneic transplantation for multiple myeloma.

Prognostic factors for multiple myeloma (MM) after allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) are poorly characterised. Two potential factors include minimal residual disease (MRD) and CD3+ donor-specific chimerism. We retrospectively examined 93 consecutive patients who received upfront or deferred tandem auto-alloHSCT. Bone marrow (Euroflow) MRD was assessed pre-alloHSCT and 3-monthly post-alloHSCT. CD3+ donor chimerism was assessed at D30, D60, D90, 6 m and 12 m post-alloHSCT. There was no statistical difference between upfront and deferred transplants in progression free survival (PFS) (34 m vs. 15 m respectively, p = 0.20) and overall survival (OS) (75.5 m vs. 62.7 m respectively, p = 0.56). Patients who were MRD-positive post-alloHSCT had inferior PFS to MRD-negative patients from 6 m (6 m HR 3.32, p = 0.02; 9 m HR 4.08, p = 0.003; 12 m HR 4.47, p = 0.008). Attainment or maintenance of MRD-negativity predicted reduced relapse risk (23.5% vs. 62.5%, p = 0.04). However, there was no significant difference in OS between the MRD-negative and positive groups. Full CD3+ donor chimerism at early time points (D30 and D90) was associated with increased risk of acute GVHD (D30 p < 0.001, D90 p = 0.006) and extensive chronic GVHD (D90 p = 0.04), but not PFS or OS. These data support the use of sequential MRD evaluation post-alloHSCT to inform intervention to eradicate persistent or emergent MRD-positive disease.

Attitudes, Perceptions, and Utilization of Evidence-Based Practices in Residential Care.

This study reports on results of a national survey conducted in the United States about the attitudes, perceptions and utilization of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in residential care settings. Seventy-five of 118 member agencies (63.6% response rate) of a voluntary national residential care association responded to a web-administered structured survey, which included the Evidence-Based Practices Attitude Scale (Aarons, 2004). Results show overwhelmingly positive attitudes toward EBPs. Concerns were reported mainly with regard to cost and impeding a client-driven practice approach. The study also showed a high degree of utilization of EBPs with over 88 percent of programs reporting the use of at least one practice they considered to be evidence-based. Altogether 53 different practices were reported although it is unknown at this point whether practices were delivered with fidelity. Behaviorally-based and trauma-focused interventions constituted the most common interventions used by residential care agencies. Practices were subsequently validated against four national clearinghouse sites, indicating that only slightly over half of all reported practices had been evaluated by at least one clearinghouse and rated as having some research evidence for effectiveness. Divergent views about what practices are evidence-based point to the need for continued discussion between the practice and research fields about conceptualizations of evidence.

Excellent outcomes for adolescents and adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma without allogeneic stem cell transplant: the FRALLE-93 pediatric protocol.

Adolescents and adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (ALL) have better outcomes when treated using pediatric protocols compared with treatment using adult protocols. We reviewed the progress and outcomes of 40 adolescents and adults up to 45 years of age, from three Australian centers, treated on the intensive French group for childhood ALL (FRALLE)-93 pediatric protocol. All except one patient achieved a morphologic complete remission following induction chemotherapy. Three-year overall survival for all-risk and standard-risk disease was 70% and 75%, respectively. The treatment protocol was generally well tolerated with no treatment related mortality. The FRALLE-93 pediatric protocol showed excellent overall survival for patients with standard-risk disease, without the need for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in first remission.

Fludarabine, cytarabine, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and amsacrine: an effective salvage therapy option for acute myeloid leukemia at first relapse.

Improved therapeutic options for relapsing patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are urgently needed. Poor outcomes following salvage therapy have been reported in those with short initial remission duration, adverse risk karyotype, prior allograft, older age, FLT3-internal tandem duplication (ITD) AML and prior high-dose cytarabine (HiDAC) induction therapy. We present a cohort of 58 patients (aged 18-70) treated with fludarabine, cytarabine, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and amsacrine (FLAG-amsacrine) as salvage chemotherapy for AML at first relapse. 83% had received prior HiDAC-based therapy. The overall complete remission (CR/CR with incomplete blood count recovery [CRi]) rate was 59%, with median event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) of 6.9 and 10.6 months, respectively. FLAG-amsacrine was an effective bridge to allogeneic transplant with 38% successfully transplanted with excellent outcomes (median OS not reached). FLAG-amsacrine was also effective in elderly patients (≥ 60 years), with 61% achieving second remission. The regimen was well tolerated, with 30- and 42-day treatment-related mortality of 3.4% and 13.8%, respectively. Outcomes remained poor in those with short initial remission duration (<6 months). We conclude that FLAG-amsacrine is a useful salvage option for AML at first relapse.