scholarly journals Transplantation and Cellular Therapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 121-133
Author(s):  
Navneet S. Majhail ◽  
Marcos De Lima

AbstractComprehensive cancer services include provision of care to patients with advanced hematologic malignancies, among whom some patients are candidates for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). HCT is a complex and resource-intense medical procedure and optimal transplant outcomes require a high-functioning, multidisciplinary, and cohesive team. The presence of a successful HCT program reflects the commitment from a cancer center to provide comprehensive cancer care services. The program can also serve as a platform for performing cellular therapy procedures such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies. This chapter reviews the potential pathways to establish an HCT and cellular therapy program along with recommendations on the required infrastructure and personnel. In addition, the chapter provides the foundation for establishing a robust quality program and the resources required for data and research.

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joumana Kmeid ◽  
Prathit A. Kulkarni ◽  
Marjorie V. Batista ◽  
Firas El Chaer ◽  
Amrita Prayag ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Morbidity and mortality from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection remain significant in cancer patients. We evaluated clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes in patients with active Mtb infection at our institution who had cancer or suspicion of cancer. Methods We retrospectively examined medical records of all patients with laboratory-confirmed active Mtb infection diagnosed between 2006 and 2014. Results A total of 52 patients with laboratory-confirmed active Mtb infection were identified during the study period, resulting in an average rate of 6 new cases per year. Thirty-two (62%) patients had underlying cancer, while 20 (38%) patients did not have cancer but were referred to the institution because of suspicion of underlying malignancy. Among patients with cancer, 18 (56%) had solid tumors; 8 (25%) had active hematologic malignancies; and 6 (19%) had undergone hematopoietic-cell transplantation (HCT). Patients with and without cancer were overall similar with the exception of median age (61 years in cancer patients compared to 53 years in noncancer patients). Pulmonary disease was identified in 32 (62%) patients, extrapulmonary disease in 10 (19%) patients, and disseminated disease in 10 (19%) patients. Chemotherapy was delayed in 53% of patients who were to receive such treatment. Eleven patients (all of whom had cancer) died; 3 of these deaths were attributable to Mtb infection. Conclusions Although not common, tuberculosis remains an important infection in patients with cancer. Approximately one-third of patients were referred to our institution for suspicion of cancer but were ultimately diagnosed with active Mtb infection rather than malignancy.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (13) ◽  
pp. 4606-4613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed L. Sorror ◽  
Sergio Giralt ◽  
Brenda M. Sandmaier ◽  
Marcos De Lima ◽  
Munir Shahjahan ◽  
...  

A new hematopoietic cell transplantation–specific comorbidity index (HCT-CI) was effective in predicting outcomes among patients with hematologic malignancies who underwent HCT at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC). Here, we compared the performance of the HCT-CI to 2 other indices and then tested its capacity to predict outcomes among 2 cohorts of patients diagnosed with a single disease entity, acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission, who underwent transplantation at either FHCRC or M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC). FHCRC patients less frequently had unfavorable cytogenetics (15% versus 36%) and HCT-CI scores of 3 or more (21% versus 58%) compared with MDACC patients. We found that the HCT-CI had higher sensitivity and outcome predictability compared with the other indices among both cohorts. HCT-CI scores of 0, 1 to 2, and 3 or more predicted comparable nonrelapse mortality (NRM) among FHCRC and MDACC patients. In multivariate models, HCT-CI scores were associated with the highest hazard ratios (HRS) for NRM and survival among each cohort. The 2-year survival rates among FHCRC and MDACC patients were 71% versus 56%, respectively. After adjustment for risk factors, including HCT-CI scores, no difference in survival was detected (HR: 0.98, P = .94). The HCT-CI is a sensitive and informative tool for comparing trial results at different institutions. Inclusion of comorbidity data in HCT trials provides valuable, independent information.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joumana Kmeid ◽  
Prathit A. Kulkarni ◽  
Marjorie V. Batista ◽  
Firas El Chaer ◽  
Amrita Prayag ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Morbidity and mortality from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection remain significant in cancer patients. We evaluated clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes in patients with active Mtb infection at our institution who had cancer or suspicion of cancer. Methods: We retrospectively examined medical records of all patients with laboratory-confirmed active Mtb infection diagnosed between 2006 and 2014. Results: A total of 52 patients with laboratory-confirmed active Mtb infection were identified during the study period, resulting in an average rate of 6 new cases per year. Thirty-two (62%) patients had underlying cancer, while 20 (38%) patients did not have cancer but were referred to the institution because of suspicion of underlying malignancy. Among patients with cancer, 18 (56%) had solid tumors; 8 (25%) had active hematologic malignancies; and 6 (19%) had undergone hematopoietic-cell transplantation (HCT). Patients with and without cancer were overall similar with the exception of median age (61 years in cancer patients compared to 53 years in noncancer patients). Pulmonary disease was identified in 32 (62%) patients, extrapulmonary disease in 10 (19%) patients, and disseminated disease in 10 (19%) patients. Chemotherapy was delayed in 53% of patients who were to receive such treatment. Eleven patients (all of whom had cancer) died; 3 of these deaths were attributable to Mtb infection. Conclusions: Although not common, tuberculosis remains an important infection in patients with cancer. Approximately one-third of patients were referred to our institution for suspicion of cancer but were ultimately diagnosed with active Mtb infection rather than malignancy.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joumana Kmeid ◽  
Prathit A. Kulkarni ◽  
Marjorie V. Batista ◽  
Firas El Chaer ◽  
Amrita Prayag ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Morbidity and mortality from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection remain significant in cancer patients. We evaluated clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes in patients with active Mtb infection at our institution who had cancer or suspicion of cancer. Methods: We retrospectively examined medical records of all patients with laboratory-confirmed active Mtb infection diagnosed between 2006 and 2014. Results: A total of 52 patients with laboratory-confirmed active Mtb infection were identified during the study period, resulting in an average rate of 6 new cases per year. Thirty-two (62%) patients had underlying cancer, while 20 (38%) patients did not have cancer but were referred to the institution because of suspicion of underlying malignancy. Among patients with cancer, 18 (56%) had solid tumors; 8 (25%) had active hematologic malignancies; and 6 (19%) had undergone hematopoietic-cell transplantation (HCT). Patients with and without cancer were overall similar with the exception of median age (61 years in cancer patients compared to 53 years in noncancer patients). Pulmonary disease was identified in 32 (62%) patients, extrapulmonary disease in 10 (19%) patients, and disseminated disease in 10 (19%) patients. Chemotherapy was delayed in 53% of patients who were to receive such treatment. Eleven patients (all of whom had cancer) died; 3 of these deaths were attributable to Mtb infection. Conclusions: Although not common, tuberculosis remains an important infection in patients with cancer. Approximately one-third of patients were referred to our institution for suspicion of cancer but were ultimately diagnosed with active Mtb infection rather than malignancy.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joumana Kmeid ◽  
Prathit A. Kulkarni ◽  
Marjorie V. Batista ◽  
Firas El Chaer ◽  
Amrita Prayag ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Morbidity and mortality from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection remain significant in cancer patients. We evaluated clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes in patients with active Mtb infection at our institution who had cancer or suspicion of cancer. Methods: We retrospectively examined medical records of all patients with laboratory-confirmed active Mtb infection diagnosed between 2006 and 2014. Results: A total of 52 patients with laboratory-confirmed active Mtb infection were identified during the study period, resulting in an average rate of 6 new cases per year. Thirty-two (62%) patients had underlying cancer, while 20 (38%) patients did not have cancer but were referred to the institution because of suspicion of underlying malignancy. Among patients with cancer, 18 (56%) had solid tumors; 8 (25%) had active hematologic malignancies; and 6 (19%) had undergone hematopoietic-cell transplantation (HCT). Patients with and without cancer were overall similar with the exception of median age (61 years in cancer patients compared to 53 years in noncancer patients). Pulmonary disease was identified in 32 (62%) patients, extrapulmonary disease in 10 (19%) patients, and disseminated disease in 10 (19%) patients. Chemotherapy was delayed in 53% of patients who were to receive such treatment. Eleven patients (all of whom had cancer) died; 3 of these deaths were attributable to Mtb infection. Conclusions: Although not common, tuberculosis remains an important infection in patients with cancer. Approximately one-third of patients were referred to our institution for suspicion of cancer but were ultimately diagnosed with active Mtb infection rather than malignancy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 1604-1613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakob R. Passweg ◽  
◽  
Helen Baldomero ◽  
Christian Chabannon ◽  
Grzegorz W. Basak ◽  
...  

Abstract Hematopoietic-cell transplantation (HCT) is widely used for acquired and congenital disorders of the hematopoietic system. Number of transplants performed in Europe and associated countries continues to rise with 47,468 HCT in 42,901 patients [19,630 allogeneic (41%) and 27,838 autologous (59%)] reported by 701 centers in 50 countries in 2018. Main indications were myeloid malignancies 10,679 (25%; 97% allogeneic), lymphoid malignancies 27,318 (64%; 20% allogeneic), solid tumors 1625 (4%; 2.9% allogeneic), and nonmalignant disorders 3063 (7%; 81% allogeneic). This year’s analysis focuses on cellular therapies with the marked growth in CAR T-cell therapies from 151 in 2017 to 301 patients reported in 2018. Other cellular therapy numbers show less significant changes. Important trends in HCT include a 49% increase in allogeneic HCT for chronic phase CML (although transplant numbers remain low) and a 24% increase in aplastic anemia. In autologous HCT, there is an ongoing increase in autoimmune diseases (by 19%), predominantly due to activity in multiple sclerosis. This annual report reflects current activity and highlights important trends, useful for health care planning.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-21
Author(s):  
Jan Styczynski

Following primary infection, herpesviruses establish latency in infected individuals in the host cells and may reactivate upon external stimuli and during periods of immunosuppression. The objective of this paper was to the present current strategies on preventive and therapeutic management of infections with herpesviruses in recipients of hematopoietic cell transplantation. Strategies of antiviral management include prophylaxis, pre-emptive treatment and targeted treatment. Empirical therapy is not used in antiviral strategies. Prophylaxis can be done at universal (preventive strategy) and specific level. Universal prophylaxis includes non-pharmacologic methods of prevention of infection or reactivation. Risk-adapted specific prophylaxis includes use of specific antivirals or cellular therapy or other specific methods in order to prevent specific infection, in high-risk groups. Pre-emptive therapy means use of therapeutic approaches in asymptomatic infection, detected by a screening assay. Targeted therapy is used in established specific viral end-organ infections. The following sections of the paper refer to prophylaxis and treatment strategies, respectively, against CMV, EBV, HSV, VZV, HHV-6, HHV-7, and HHV-8 after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.


Antibodies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Violet Y. Tu ◽  
Asma Ayari ◽  
Roddy S. O’Connor

T cell therapies, including CAR T cells, have proven more effective in hematologic malignancies than solid tumors, where the local metabolic environment is distinctly immunosuppressive. In particular, the acidic and hypoxic features of the tumor microenvironment (TME) present a unique challenge for T cells. Local metabolism is an important consideration for activated T cells as they undergo bursts of migration, proliferation and differentiation in hostile soil. Tumor cells and activated T cells both produce lactic acid at high rates. The role of lactic acid in T cell biology is complex, as lactate is an often-neglected carbon source that can fuel TCA anaplerosis. Circulating lactate is also an important means to regulate redox balance. In hypoxic tumors, lactate is immune-suppressive. Here, we discuss how intrinsic- (T cells) as well as extrinsic (tumor cells and micro-environmental)-derived metabolic factors, including lactate, suppress the ability of antigen-specific T cells to eradicate tumors. Finally, we introduce recent discoveries that target the TME in order to potentiate T cell-based therapies against cancer.


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