A single-center experience of haploidentical stem cell transplantation in hematological malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Since well-designed prospective comparative trials are lacking, haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantations approach should be based on the expertise of a particular center. In this study, we aimed to report the results and outcomes of patients who underwent haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS: : Thirty-nine patients who underwent transplantation in our clinic between 2015 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Primary end point of this study is to find out the survival rates of the patients. RESULTS: The overall survival of patients was 29.9 ± 4.9 months. The disease-free survival of the patients was 37.8 ± 5.7 months. The 3-year overall survival rate of the patients was %50 and the 3-year disease-free survival rate of the patients was %53. Nineteen patients were nonsurvivors among a total of 39 patients. Busulfan-fludarabine-thiotepa was the most frequently used conditioning regimen for transplantation. Busulfan-fludarabin-antithymocyte globulin regimen is the second preferred conditioning regimen. Cyclosporine- cyclophosphamide-mycophenolate mofetil was the most widely used graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis regimen. Sixteen patients had graft-versus-host disease, 28% of the patients had acute graft-versus-host disease, and 13% had chronic graft-versus-host disease. Gastrointestinal system consists of the most involved organs in graft-versus-host disease since 15% of the patients had gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease. First-degree relatives (parent/child) were the most frequent donor source for haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Sepsis was the most frequent reason of death among transplant patients. DISCUSSION: In our center, we prefer to use high dose posttransplantation cyclophosphamide after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. With this approach, our center's overall survival and disease-free survival rates are comparable and compatible with the literature findings.

Cardiac adverse events during stem cell transplantation for hematological malignancies: A single centre experience.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a highly successful treatment option for many hematological malignancies. Several adverse effects can be seen in HSCT due to the infusion and damage caused by the conditioning regimens. Cardiovascular adverse effects are relatively common during HSCT, and they have the potential to cause devastating complications. The aim of present study was to evaluate the transplantation-related cardiac adverse effects and determine the risk factors in patients undergoing HSCT at our institution. A retrospective analysis has been performed in 662 patients who was treated at Hacettepe University Stem Cell Transplantation Unit. Amongst the 622 patients, 318 (51.1 %) underwent autologous and 304 (48.9 %) underwent allogeneic HSCT. The frequency of the cardiac adverse effects was found to be 10.8 % in all the study population. The most common adverse effect was tachyarrhythmia, constituting 7.9 % of all population. These adverse effects were mostly occurred in lymphoma patients (14 %). Nineteen (3.0 %) of all patients developed atrial fibrillation mostly on the 4th day (range of 1-9 days) after transplantation. Life-threatening events are extremely rare. These adverse effects appear to be related to the type of transplantation rather than the underlying disease. Therefore, close follow-up of patients is important during the peri-transplantation period.

Predictive factors for stem cell mobilization failure in multiple myeloma patients: A single center experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been considered the standard of treatment care for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Insufficient mobilization and harvest of peripheral stem cells can be a major obstacle for performing ASCT. This is resulting in a lacking opportunity of cure in patients with MM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors which influence mobilization failure in patients with MM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study has been performed in a retrospective manner. Two hundred and thirty-four patients with diagnosed MM who underwent stem cell mobilization after induction chemotherapy at Hacettepe University Hospital between the years of 2003 and 2018 were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 234 patients were included in this study. The median age was 54 (32-76) years at the time of diagnosis. In 209 of 234 patients (89.3%) first mobilization trial was successful. At univariate analysis, among parameters identifiable before mobilization, male gender (p = 0.03), number of chemotherapy cycle before stem cell mobilization (p < 0.001), second ASCT (p < 0.001) and immunomodulatory treatment before stem cell mobilization (p < 0.001) predicted mobilization failure. At multivariate analysis, number of chemotherapy cycle before stem cell mobilization (p = 0.03), second ASCT (p < 0.001) and immunomodulatory treatment before stem cell mobilization (p = 0.02) retained independent predictive power. CONCLUSION: Detectable different clinical characteristics of MM patients before initiating mobilization may be predictors of poor mobilization. Therefore, the mobilization protocol should be evaluated on a patient basis. Minimization of exposure to chemotheraputic agents in MM patients, especially immunomodulatory agents, may increase CD34+ cell harvest yields.

Impact of ABO blood group incompatibility on the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: ABO and Rh compatibility are not required between the donor and recipient for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). Although ABO incompatibility is not considered a contraindication in alloHSCT, its clinical outcomes are still doubtful. In this study, we analyzed the neutrophil and platelet recovery, graft versus host disease (GVHD), relapse rate, mortality rate, non-relapse mortality and survival in patients who underwent alloHSCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and sixty four patients with hematological malignant diseases, aplastic anemia and inborn errors of metabolism or the immune system that received an alloHSCT in our HSC transplant center between the years of 2001 and 2018 were evaluated. RESULTS: Indications for alloHSCT included both hematological malignancies (n = 233), aplastic anemia (n = 25) and benign conditions (n = 6). Of these donor recipient pairs, there were 189 (71.6%) matches, 36 (13.6%) major, 29 (11%) minor and 10 (3.8%) bidirectional ABO mismatches. The seventy-four (41.6%) of the ABO match and 27 (38.6%) of the ABO mismatch patients developed GvHD. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was ABO match group and ABO mismatch group were 65% and 73%, respectively (p = 0.36). The 5-year diasease free survival (DFS) for ABO match group and ABO mismatch group were 60% and 69%, respectively (p = 0.17). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study showed that ABO mismatch did not seem to have a significant effect on major outcomes after alloHSCT, such as developing GVHD, relapse rate, mortality rate, DFS and OS. ABO incompatibility did not lead to delayed platelet and neutrophil engraftment after alloHSCT.

Mantle cell lymphoma: a Turkish Multi-Center Study.

PURPOSE: Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) is a B-cell neoplasm with CCND1 [t(11;14)(q13;q32), cyclin D1] translocation. The guidelines recommend various treatment options based on age, performance status and comorbidities. Our purpose was to analyze the clinical features and evaluate prognostic factors for survival of 78 MCL patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all MCL patients in two reference Hematology Departments between January 2001 and September 2018. RESULTS: The patient median age was 62 years (34-86) and 78.2% of them were male. The treatment regimens were RCHOP in 42.3%, RBendamustine in 26.9%, HyperCVAD in 9% and RCHOP/RDHAP alternating in 7.7%. Only 13 patients underwent autologous stem cell transplantation. Median overall survival (OS) was 77.8 months (53.8101.8) and median disease-free survival (DFS) was 20.6 months (14.226.9), all patients included. Univariate analysis showed that MCL International Prognostic Index and neutrophil count effected OS in all groups (p0.047 and p0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the neutrophil count at diagnosis was independent prognostic risk factor (HR=0.209, 95% confidence interval 0.069-0.629, p0.005) for OS. The median OS was 77.8 months in absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 7.5103/µL and 14.8 months in ANC more than 7.5103/µL (p0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Median OS is somewhat prolonged in the last years with new treatment approaches but MCL is still an incurable disease. The first choice of treatment in MCL patients was R-CHOP. Higher neutrophil count at the time of diagnosis has a detrimental effect on OS.

Comparison of Myeloablative Versus Reduced-Intensity Conditioning Regimens for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Cohort Study

Objective: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an effective treatment modality for a variety of malignant and non-malignant hematologic disorders. Myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens could have different clinical outcomes. This purpose of this study was to assess the long-term outcome of MAC versus RIC regimens in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing allogeneic HSCT. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively compared long-term outcomes with MAC and RIC regimens in patients with AML who underwent allo-HSCT at our tertiary transplantation center. Results: We analyzed survival outcomes after MAC-HSCT versus RICHSCT among 107 adult patients with AML diagnosed from 2001 through 2017. Of those, 44 patients underwent a MAC regimen, whereas 63 patients received a RIC regimen. The median follow-up time was 37 months (range: 6-210) for the entire group. The 3-year overall survival (OS) for RIC and MAC patients was 67% and 60%, respectively (p>0.05). The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) for RIC and MAC patients was 88% and 77%. In multivariate analysis, the type of conditioning regimen (RIC vs. MAC) did not influence PFS (p=0.24). Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was seen in five of the RIC patients and 9 of the MAC patients. Chronic GVHD was seen in 16 of the RIC patients and 6 of the MAC patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of acute GVHD (p=0.089), but there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of chronic GVHD (p=0.03). Conclusion: This retrospective analysis confirmed that MAC and RIC regimens had a consistently equivalent rate of OS and PFS in AML patients who underwent allo-HSCT. The choice of MAC versus RIC conditioning regimen might be decided on the basis of patient and disease characteristics.

Level of Perception of Individualized Care and Satisfaction With Nursing in Orthopaedic Surgery Patients.

Lately, individualized nursing care and patient satisfaction are important and current issues being discussed. But there is not enough information for patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the individualized care perception and satisfaction in nursing care levels in orthopaedic surgery patients. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 156 patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery. Data were collected using the personal information form, the Individualized Care Scale, and the Newcastle Satisfaction With Nursing Scale. The Spearman correlation analysis and descriptive statistics were performed. The mean individualized care and satisfaction with nursing care scores were found to be close to the preset maximum value, and it was determined that an increase in the level of awareness about nursing interventions and the level of perceived individualized care caused an increase in satisfaction levels regarding nursing care. Nurses should recognize the importance of performing individualized care in order to increase the level of satisfaction with nursing care in orthopaedic surgery patients.

Comparative outcome of reduced intensity and myeloablative conditioning regimen in HLA identical sibling allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute leukemia patients: a single center experience.

Due to the high transplant related morbidity and mortality (TRM), relatively younger acute leukemia patients that have a good performance status and no comorbidity are eligible for myeloablative conditioning (MAC) followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The outcomes of 84 consecutive adult patients with ALL (n=38) or AML (n=46) who underwent allo-HSCT from their HLA-identical siblings were evaluated retrospectively. The median age at transplantation was 34 (17-58 years) for the whole patient population. Of these, 24 patients received a MAC and 60 patients received a fludarabine-based reduced intensity conditioning regimen (RIC). After a median follow-up of 32 months (range, 1-119), for the entire group, the 3-year estimated overall survival (OS) was 57.5% and the disease-free survival (DFS) was 51.5%. The OS for ALL and AML patients were 53.9% vs 62.1%: and DFS were 50.5% and 53.4%, respectively. The 3-year estimated OS for RIC and MAC patients were 63.2% and 41.7%; and DFS were 57.1% and 34.7%, respectively. In ALL patients, conditioning regimens (RIC vs MAC) led to similar OS and DFS; however, in AML patients both OS (70.1% vs 21.4%) and DFS (59.3% vs 42.9%) were found to be higher in RIC patients compared to MAC recipients. Overall, the TRM at day 100 was 1.7% and has increased up to 5.1% at 1st year. In multivariate analysis, the diagnosis (p=0.03) and RIC regimen (p=0.027) were the prognostic variables for prolonged OS in all patients; and RIC regimen (p=0.031) was the only prognostic factor for prolonged OS in AML patients. The first complete remission (CR1) was correlated with a prolonged DFS as an independent variable for all patients (p=0.09). Eleven of the RIC patients (18.3%) and 6 of the MAC patients (25%) developed acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Seventeen of the RIC patients (33.3%) and 4 of the MAC patients (16.7%) developed chronic GvHD. In conclusion, RIC conditioning regimens may provide a longer OS and DFS, especially in patients with AML who are in first CR, not eligible for MAC conditioning.

Eculizumab before and after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is characterized by the triad of intravascular hemolysis, venous thrombosis, and cytopenia. Treatment of PNH is generally supportive. Bone marrow transplantation is the only curative therapy for PNH, but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Herein, we present a patient with PNH that received eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks activation of the terminal complement at C5, before and immediately following allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplantation. Prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation eculizumab treatment markedly reduced hemolysis and transfusion requirement; however, 1 d post transplantation a hemolytic episode occured, which was successfully stopped with eculizumab re-treatment. Afterwards the patient did not require additional transfusions. The results of this study indicate that early administration of eculizumab may be a safe and effective therapy for hemolytic episodes associated with allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplantation in patients with PNH.

IIVP salvage regimen induces high response rates in patients with relapsed lymphoma before autologous stem cell transplantation.

Patients with relapsed lymphoma can be cured with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). New therapeutic approaches with better cytoreductive capacity are needed for relapsed patients to keep their chance for cure with transplantation. We report 30 patients with relapsed lymphoma, median age 43 years, treated with IIVP salvage regimen consisting of ifosfamide, mesna, idarubicin, and etoposide for 2 or 3 cycles. Seventeen patients had non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 13 patients had Hodgkin disease (HD). Fourteen (47%) patients were at their first relapse. Overall response rate was 86.6% (n = 26) with 19 patients (63.3%) achieving complete response. Overall response rate was 92% in patients with HD and 82% in NHL. The most frequent side effects observed were grade III-IV neutropenia (87%) and thrombocytopenia (73%). IIVP regimen is a highly effective salvage therapy for patients with relapsed HD or NHL who are candidates for autologous HSCT. Close follow up is necessary because of the high incidence of grade III-IV hematologic toxicity.