Allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation for patients with Richter transformation: a retrospective study on behalf of the Chronic Malignancies Working Party of the EBMT.

Management of Richter transformation (RT) is particularly challenging, with survival estimates <1 year. We report on outcomes of 66 RT patients undergoing allogeneic-HCT (allo-HCT) between 2008 and 2018 registered with the EBMT. Median age at allo-HCT was 56.2 years (interquartile range (IQR), 51.3-63.1). Median time from RT to allo-HCT was 6.9 months (IQR, 4.9-11) and 28 (42.4%) were in complete remission (CR). The majority underwent reduced intensity conditioning (66.2%) using peripheral blood derived stem cells. Eighteen (27.3%) patients had a matched sibling donor, 24 (36.4%) a matched unrelated donor and the remaining were mismatched. Median follow-up was 6.6 years; 1- and 3- year overall and progression free survival (PFS) (95% CI) was 65% (54-77) and 39% (27-51) and 53% (41-65) and 29% (18-40), respectively. Patients in CR at time of allo-HCT had significantly better 3-year PFS (39% vs. 21%, p = 0.032). Cumulative incidences of grade II-IV acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) at day +100 was 41% (95% CI 29-53) and chronic GVHD at 3 years was 53% (95% CI 41-65). High rates of non-relapse mortality (NRM) were observed; 38% (95% CI, 26-50) at 3 years. Although potentially curative, approaches to reduce considerable NRM and chronic GVHD rates are required.

Prognosis of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia relapsing after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

The outcomes of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) presenting relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) are poor, with few data available in this setting. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with ALL presenting relapsed after allo-SCT, we performed a retrospective study including 132 from 11 centres in Spain. RESULTS: Therapeutic strategies consisted of palliative treatment (n = 22), chemotherapy (n = 82), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (n = 26), immunotherapy with inotuzumab and/or blinatumumab (n = 19), donor lymphocyte infusions (n = 29 pts), second allo-SCT (n = 37) and CAR T therapy (n = 14). The probability of overall survival (OS) at 1 and 5 years after relapse was 44% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 36%; 52%) and 19% (95% CI: 11%; 27%). In the 37 patients undergoing a second allo-SCT, the 5-year estimated OS probability was 40% [22%; 58%]. Younger age, recent allo-SCT, late relapse, 1st complete remission at 1st allo-SCT and chronic graft-versus-host disease confirmed their positive impact on survival in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Despite the poor prognosis of patients with ALL presenting relapse after a first allo-SCT, some can be satisfactorily rescued and a second allo-SCT still remains a valid option for selected patients. Moreover, emerging therapies really might improve ALL patients outcome when relapsing after an allo-SCT.

Impact of risk scores in outcome of patients with myeloid neoplasms after allogeneic stem cell transplant / Impacto de las puntaciones del riesgo en los resultados de los pacientes con neoplasias mieloides tras el trasplante alogénico de células madre

Background:The main causes of failure of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-transplant) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are relapse and transplant-related mortality. Different scores have been designed to predict the prognosis of these patients. The objective of this study was to assess which score or combination has better outcome predictive capacity.Methods:Retrospective analysis of patients with AML and MDS who received a first peripheral blood allo-transplant in a single center, between December 2001 and October 2019. Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI), European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and Disease Risk Index (DRI) scores were calculated. For each score and for the HCT-CI/DRI and HCT-CI/EBMT combinations, overall survival (OS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), non-relapse-related mortality (NRM), and graft versus host disease-free relapse-free survival (GRFS) were analyzed.Results:175 patients were evaluated. With a median (range) follow-up of 3.96 (0.32–17.22) years, the 5-year probabilities (95% CI) of OS, CIR, NRM, and GRFS were 36% (28%–44%), 28% (21%–35%), 38% (30%–46%) and 24% (17%–31%), respectively. For OS, only the DRI score selected two groups with statistically significant differences (DRI 0–1: 41% vs. DRI ≥2: 24%; p=0.011). The combination of DRI 0–1 and HCT-CI 0–2 showed OS probabilities of 45% vs. 26% for those with DRI 0–1 and HCT-CI ≥3; p=0.041.Conclusions:In patients with AML and MDS submitted to allo-transplant, the combination of HCT-CI and DRI scores provided the best stratification for OS. (AU)

Antecedentes:Las principales causas de fallo del trasplante alogénico de células madre hematopoyéticas (alotrasplante) en pacientes con leucemia mieloide aguda (LMA) y síndromes mielodisplásicos (SMD) son las recaídas y la mortalidad debida al trasplante. Se han diseñado diferentes puntuaciones para predecir el pronóstico de dichos pacientes. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar qué puntuación o combinación tiene la mejor capacidad predictiva del resultado.Métodos:Análisis retrospectivo de pacientes con LMA y SMD que recibieron un primer alotrasplante de sangre periférica en un único centro, entre diciembre de 2001 y octubre de 2019. Se calcularon las puntuaciones del Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI), del European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) y del Disease Risk Index (DRI). Para cada puntuación y para las combinaciones HCT-CI/DRI y HCT-CI/EBMT se analizaron la supervivencia global (SG), la incidencia acumulada de recaídas (CIR), la mortalidad no relativa a las recaídas (NRM) y la supervivencia libre de recaídas y libre de enfermedad de injerto versus huésped (GRFS).Resultados:Se evaluaron 175 pacientes. Con un seguimiento medio (rango) de 3,96 (0,32-17,22) años, las probabilidades a 5años (IC95%) de SG, CIR, NRM y GRFS fueron del 36% (28-44), del 28% (21-35), del 38% (30-46) y del 24% (17-31), respectivamente. Para la SG, solo la puntuación DRI seleccionó dos grupos con diferencias estadísticamente significativas (DRI 0-1: 41% vs. DRI≥2: 24%; p=0,011). La combinación de DRI 0-1 y HCT-CI 0-2 reflejó probabilidades de SG del 45% vs. 26% para los pacientes con DRI 0-1 y HCT-CI≥3 (p=0,041).Conclusiones:En los pacientes con LMA y SMD sometidos a alotrasplante la combinación de las puntuaciones HCT-CI y DRI proporcionó la mejor estratificación para la SG. (AU)

Impact of risk scores in outcome of patients with myeloid neoplasms after allogeneic stem cell transplant.

BACKGROUND: The main causes of failure of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-transplant) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are relapse and transplant-related mortality. Different scores have been designed to predict the prognosis of these patients. The objective of this study was to assess which score or combination has better outcome predictive capacity. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients with AML and MDS who received a first peripheral blood allo-transplant in a single center, between December 2001 and October 2019. Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI), European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and Disease Risk Index (DRI) scores were calculated. For each score and for the HCT-CI/DRI and HCT-CI/EBMT combinations, overall survival (OS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), non-relapse-related mortality (NRM), and graft versus host disease-free relapse-free survival (GRFS) were analyzed. RESULTS: 175 patients were evaluated. With a median (range) follow-up of 3.96 (0.32-17.22) years, the 5-year probabilities (95% CI) of OS, CIR, NRM, and GRFS were 36% (28%-44%), 28% (21%-35%), 38% (30%-46%) and 24% (17%-31%), respectively. For OS, only the DRI score selected two groups with statistically significant differences (DRI 0-1: 41% vs. DRI ≥2: 24%; p=0.011). The combination of DRI 0-1 and HCT-CI 0-2 showed OS probabilities of 45% vs. 26% for those with DRI 0-1 and HCT-CI ≥3; p=0.041. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AML and MDS submitted to allo-transplant, the combination of HCT-CI and DRI scores provided the best stratification for OS.

Aumento de la gravedad de las hemopatías malignas agudas diagnosticadas durante la pandemia COVID-19 / Increase in the severity of acute malignant hemopathies during the COVID-19 pandemia

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Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Tisagenlecleucel in the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in Children and Young Adults in Spain.

PURPOSE: Tisagenlecleucel, a chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, is a promising alternative for the management of children and young adults with relapsed and refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r ALL). The aim of this study was to determine whether treatment with tisagenlecleucel is a cost-effective intervention compared with salvage chemotherapy in paediatric and young adult patients with r/r ALL in Spain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A partitioned survival model of monthly cycles with three health states was used (event-free survival, progressive/relapsed disease and death). A lifetime time horizon and the Spanish National Health System perspective were adopted. During the first 5 years, permanence in the different health states was determined according to the results in the clinical studies. In successive years, mortality tables of the Spanish general population adjusted by standardized mortality rate for survivors of childhood cancer were used. Clinical, economic, and quality of life parameters were drawn from clinical trials and the literature. Only direct health costs (pharmacological costs and the costs derived from health resource use) were included. The robustness of the results was evaluated in a sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: This cost-effectiveness analysis showed a greater benefit (10.10 and 8.97 life-years gained [LYGs] and quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs] gained, respectively) and a higher cost (€ 258,378.40) for tisagenlecleucel compared to salvage chemotherapy. The resulting incremental cost-effectiveness and cost-utility ratios were € 25,576.80 per LYG and € 28,818.52 per QALY gained, respectively. In the sensitivity analysis, all the results were below € 50,000/QALY. CONCLUSION: Tisagenlecleucel would represent a cost-effective intervention for the treatment of children and young adults with r/r ALL in Spain.

Leucemia aguda linfoblástica: de la aminopterina a las células CAR T / Acute lymphoblastic leukemia: From aminopterin to CAR T cells

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Estudio comparativo sobre la utilidad de la profilaxis antibacteriana con levofloxacino en pacientes receptores de un trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos / Comparative study on the usefulness of antibacterial prophylaxis with levofloxacin in patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Fundamento: La infección bacteriana continúa siendo una complicación frecuente en pacientes receptores de un trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos (TPH). No obstante, el impacto de la profilaxis antibacteriana en la mortalidad de estos pacientes es controvertido. Pacientes y métodos: Comparación retrospectiva de 2 grupos consecutivos de receptores de TPH según recibieran (n = 132) o no (n = 107) profilaxis antibacteriana con levofloxacino. Resultados: En el 41% de los procedimientos de TPH en los que se administró profilaxis con levofloxacino se constató infección microbiológicamente documentada (IMD) con bacteriemia, frente a un 40% de los que no recibieron levofloxacino. La frecuencia de bacteriemia por bacilos gramnegativos fue del 11 y del 38%, la resistencia a levofloxacino fue del 39 y del 14%, y hubo un 8 y 7% de muertes, respectivamente. Conclusiones: En nuestra experiencia, el uso de levofloxacino se asoció a una menor frecuencia de bacteriemia por microorganismos gramnegativos, pero no se asoció a disminución en la tasa de IMD ni influyó en su evolución. En cambio, hubo un aumento de la resistencia a quinolonas en los pacientes tratados con levofloxacino (AU)

Background: Bacterial infection remains a frequent complication in patients receiving a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, the impact of the antibacterial prophylaxis mortality in these patients is controversial. Patients and methods: Retrospective comparison of 2 consecutive groups of patients undergoing HSCT receiving (n = 132) or not (n = 107) antibacterial prophylaxis with levofloxacin. Results: 41% of patients receiving prophylaxis with levofloxacin had microbiologically documented infection (MDI) with bacteremia, compared with 40% of those not receiving levofloxacin. The frequency of gram-negative bacteremia was 11 and 38%, the resistance to levofloxacin was 39 and 14%, and the mortality was 8 and 7%, respectively. Conclusions; In our experience, the use of levofloxacin as prophylaxis in HSCT was associated with a lower frequency of gram-negative bacteremia but was not associated with a decreased rate of MDI and did not influence their outcome. In contrast, there was an increase in quinolone resistance in patients treated with levofloxacin (AU

[Comparative study on the usefulness of antibacterial prophylaxis with levofloxacin in patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]. / Estudio comparativo sobre la utilidad de la profilaxis antibacteriana con levofloxacino en pacientes receptores de un trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial infection remains a frequent complication in patients receiving a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, the impact of the antibacterial prophylaxis mortality in these patients is controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective comparison of 2 consecutive groups of patients undergoing HSCT receiving (n=132) or not (n=107) antibacterial prophylaxis with levofloxacin. RESULTS: 41% of patients receiving prophylaxis with levofloxacin had microbiologically documented infection (MDI) with bacteremia, compared with 40% of those not receiving levofloxacin. The frequency of gram-negative bacteremia was 11 and 38%, the resistance to levofloxacin was 39 and 14%, and the mortality was 8 and 7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the use of levofloxacin as prophylaxis in HSCT was associated with a lower frequency of gram-negative bacteremia but was not associated with a decreased rate of MDI and did not influence their outcome. In contrast, there was an increase in quinolone resistance in patients treated with levofloxacin.