A Step Forward Towards Cytomegalovirus Free Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation remains one of the most serious complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) occurring in up to 30-50% of HSCT recipients. CMV reactivation can lead to adverse outcomes including end-organ damage and graft failure. Prevention of CMV infection may improve outcomes of HSCT recipients; however, CMV reactivation can still occur in HSCT recipients despite receiving prophylactic acyclovir. In this study, we used prophylactic ganciclovir pre-transplant to reduce the incidence of CMV reactivation and CMV disease. Methods: To reduce the incidence of CMV reactivation and disease, ganciclovir was administered before transplantation (5 mg/kg twice daily intravenously from day −8 to day −2) for all donor and recipient seropositive allogeneic HSCT. This was followed by high dose valacyclovir or acyclovir starting day 0 until one year post-transplant. Patients were monitored weekly with serum CMV PCR through Day 100 post transplantation. Preemptive therapy was started for an elevated CMV viral load. CMV reactivation was defined as a CMV viral load of more than 135 IU/ml. Over the course of the analysis period, two different PCR methods were used for CMV viral load; since 2015 Roche Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan CMV test was implicated. CMV disease was defined as detection of CMV by one of the following diagnostic tests including: culture, immunohistochemistry staining, or histopathology examination accompanied by documentation of disease signs and symptoms of the affected organ. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS version 9.4. Logistic regression models were explored to assess the association of age, graft source, and disease type on CMV reactivation. We performed a retrospective analysis of all recipient or donor CMV seropositive patients who received their first allogeneic HSCT at the University of Virginia between 2012 and 2017. Results: Seventy-nine consecutive patients were treated. The median age was 58 years (range 20 to 72). The most common diagnoses were acute myeloid leukemia (n=39, 49%) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (n=11, 14% ). Graft sources were matched related donor, (n=24, 30%), matched unrelated donor, (n=28, 35%), haploidentical (n=4, 5%) and cord blood (n=23, 29%). 43 patients (55%) received myeloablative (CyTBI, BuCy and FluBu) conditioning. 36 patients (45%) received reduced intensity/nonmyeloablative conditioning (Flu/Cy/TBI+/- ATG, Flu/Cy/ATG ,Flu Mel, Flu Bu and Cy ATG). All patients received calcineurin inhibitor based prophylactic immunosuppressive therapy for GVHD prevention. 24 patients (30%) had CMV reactivation with median time of reactivation of 47 days post-transplant (range 27 to 229). 22 out of the 24 (88%) patients required treatment for CMV reactivation with a median treatment duration of 37 days (range 14 to 315). Patients were treated with either ganciclovir or foscarnet, as clinically indicated. The cumulative incidence of CMV reactivation at day 100 post-transplant was 27% with a 95% CI (18%-37%). The median highest viral load was 2130 copies/ml (range 151 to 3,250,000 copies/ml). There were no patients with biopsy proven CMV disease. There were no deaths attributed to CMV reactivation or disease. The median time-to neutrophil recovery (ANC > 500 k/uL) was 18 days and the median time to platelet count greater than 20,000 k/ul unsupported was 19 days. The incidence of acute GVHD (Grades II-IV) was 25 %. The incidence of significant acute kidney injury defined by serum creatinine of more than 2.5 mg/dL was 2.4 %. 1 year overall survival estimate was 54% with 95% CI (42-65%). In multivariate analysis, patients who received cord blood transplants, were approximately 4 times more likely to have a CMV reactivation (Odds Ratio 3.9 with a 95% CI(1.4-10.9)), p= 0.01, than those who did not. Conclusions:The incidence of CMV reactivation by day 100 of 27% with pre-transplant ganciclovir may be improved compared to historical controls of 30-50%.The use of pre-transplant ganciclovir was associated with no CMV disease, in this single center study.The use of pre-transplant ganciclovir is safe, with low incidence of kidney damage. These data suggest that pre-transplant ganciclovir with Preemptive therapy for viral reactivation should be considered regardless of graft source. Future prospective randomized trials are needed to evaluate strategies for CMV prophylactic regimens. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Oral Valganciclovir As Preemptive Therapy for Cytomegalovirus Infection in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v124.21.5855.5855 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 124 (21) ◽

pp. 5855-5855 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vildan Ozkocaman ◽

Fahir Ozkalemkas ◽

Ridvan Ali ◽

Yasemin Karacan ◽

Tuba Ersal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Viral Load ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Preemptive Therapy ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Cmv Infection ◽

Intravenous Ganciclovir ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Cmv Disease ◽

Cmv Reactivation

Abstract Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains one of the most important complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AlloHSCT). Preemptive therapy with oral VGC or intravenous ganciclovir has replaced universal prophylaxis. We investigated the effect of oral VGC as preemptive therapy on CMV reactivation or infection in AlloHSCT. Patient & Methods: We retrospectively studied 30 consecutive adult recipients of HLA-identical sibling allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant from June 2011 through June 2014 to analyze the safety and efficacy of preemptive therapy for the treatment of CMV infection. Among 30 patients we studied the results of 13 patients with CMV DNA positivity. All 13 recipients and their donors were seropositive for CMV Ig G status. Their diagnosis of pretransplantation were as 8 acute myeloid leukemia (61 %) and 5 acute lymphocytic leukemia (39 %). Median age was 39 years (range 21-54). There were 9 men and 4 women (Table-1). The patients received no prophylaxis against CMV. Blood/serum samples from all patients were routinely monitored for CMV-DNA using PCR twice weekly. We iniciated pre-emptive therapy for CMV as the viral load was above and equal to 500 copies/ml in two consecutive samples. VGC was given twice daily 900 mg for 2 weeks, and maintened at a dose daily 900 mg until viral load is undetectable. Results: The PCR test was persistently negative in 17 patients (57 %) and positive at least once in 13 (43%)patients. All patients with CMV reactivations were on immunsupressive treatment. CMV infection was cleared in most patients within 2 weeks, but for those with stable or increasing CMV levels, the induction period was continued. Twelve patients were treated with oral VGC on an outpatient basis and they all became CMV negative after the first week of treatment. Only one patient received intravenous ganciclovir and he was also CMV negative after the first week of treatment. While no positivity was identified in any of the patients who received VGC on day 21, clinically unimportant low titer CMV positivity was noted in three of these patients. VGC was continued at same dose and no positivity was detected after 2-3 weeks. We were obligated interrupt VGC in only four patients for serious side effects namely neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. We did not observe CMV-related mortality. Conclusions: We concluded that VGC therapy could be safely used at outpatient clinics, with frequent monitorization to prevent severe myelotoxicity. In conclusion, based on our findings, oral VGC is effective and safe in the pre-emptive treatment of CMV disease following allo-HSCT. Therefore, preemptive strategy by oral VGC appears preferable to the prevention of CMV disease in alloHSCT with its advantage of effectiveness and usage in outpatient clinic condition. Table- 1: Management and outcome of the patient characteristics with CMV-reactivation Patients with CMV reactivation/Total number of patient 13/30 Median age, years (range) 39 (21-54) Gender Male Female 9 4 Diagnosis AML ALL 8 5 CMV serologic status Donor+/Recipient + 13 Preperative regimen Bu-Cy CY-TBI Flu/Amsc(FLAMSA) 8 4 1 GVHD propylaxis CSA+MTX CSA+MTX+MM 12 1 GVHD prior to CMV reactivation Acute chronic without GVHD 7 1 5 Prednisolone treatment at the time of starting VCG Yes No 8 5 IST at the time of starting VGC Yes No 13 0 Median duration of CMV reactivation (day) 44 (8-330) Viral load before antivial treament (copies/ml) 1153 (78-12800) Treatment VGC (900 mg, twice daily for induction) GC (5 mg/kg, twice daily for induction) VGC+GC 9 (70 %) 1 (7 %) 3 (23 %) Total treatment duration (day) 24 (10-51) CMV DNA at the end of the treatment Conversion to negative Persistently positive (low titer < 50 copies/ml) 10 (77 %) 3 (23 %) Serious side effects Interruption of therapy due to neutropenia Interruption of therapy due to thrombocytopenia Reactivation 3 (23 %) 1 (7 %) 2 (15 %) Abbreviations: AML: acute myeloid leukemia, ALL: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, CMV: cytomegalovirus,GVHD: graft-versus host disease, CSA: cylosporine, MTX: methotrexate, MMF: mycophenolate mofetil, PDN:prednizolone, IST: Immunosupressive treatment, VGC: valganciclovir, GC: ganciclovir, Bu: Busulfan, Cy: cylophosphamide, TBI: total body irradiation Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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How I treat CMV reactivation after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.2019000956 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 135 (19) ◽

pp. 1619-1629 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Hermann Einsele ◽

Per Ljungman ◽

Michael Boeckh

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Viral Load ◽

T Cell ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Cell Transplantation ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Cmv Disease ◽

Cmv Reactivation

Abstract Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation remains one of the most common and life-threatening infectious complications following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, despite novel diagnostic technologies, several novel prophylactic agents, and further improvements in preemptive therapy and treatment of established CMV disease. Treatment decisions for CMV reactivation are becoming increasingly difficult and must take into account whether the patient has received antiviral prophylaxis, the patient’s individual risk profile for CMV disease, CMV-specific T-cell reconstitution, CMV viral load, and the potential drug resistance detected at the time of initiation of antiviral therapy. Thus, we increasingly use personalized treatment strategies for the recipient of an allograft with CMV reactivation based on prior use of anti-CMV prophylaxis, viral load, the assessment of CMV-specific T-cell immunity, and the molecular assessment of resistance to antiviral drugs.

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Cytomegalovirus Reactivation in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients in High Endemic Population

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-143204 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 23-24

Author(s):

Muhammad Farhan ◽

Qamar Un Nisa Chaudhry ◽

Syed Kamran Mahmood ◽

Tariq Ghafoor ◽

Raheel Iftikhar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Viral Load ◽

High Viral Load ◽

Transplant Recipients ◽

Cmv Infection ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Endemic Population ◽

Cmv Reactivation

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). It causes end-organ disease, multi-organ dysfunction syndrome, graft failure, increased susceptibility to infections and GVHD. According to the published western data greatest risk of CMV infection is the seropositivity of the recipient, however, in a high endemic population where seropositivity is up to 100%, risk factors for CMV reactivation are different and are analyzed in this study. Methods: It is a prospective descriptive study performed at Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Center, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from January 2017 to March 2020. Consecutive patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT during this period were enrolled. All patients were prospectively monitored for CMV reactivation by weekly or two weekly CMV DNA quantitative PCR, from engraftment till day 100 post-transplant. CMV infection was diagnosed on detection of more than 200 copies/ml on PCR. Threshold for starting preemptive antiviral therapy was kept at 2000 copies/ml. Patients with past history of CMV infection, those who expired before day 14 post-transplant or those with less than 70% of required CMV tests were not included in the study. Factors associated with CMV reactivation, outcome of antiviral therapy and effect of CMV on post-transplant survival were studied. Results: Out of 319 transplants during this period, 230 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these, 197 were HLA matched sibling, 18 were matched family donor and 15 were haploidentical transplants. There were 163 males and 67 females. Median age at transplant was 9.5 years (0.5-53). Eighty-three transplants were done in thalassemia, 55 in aplastic anemia, 14 in Fanconi anemia, 27 in acute leukemias, 8 in CML, 9 in MDS, 12 in HLH and 22 in other hematological disorders. All the patients and donor were CMV IgG seropositive when tested before transplantation. CMV reactivation was seen in 152 out of 230 patients (66.1%). Of 152, 95 patients had CMV viral load more than 2000 copies/ml and required antiviral treatment. Median time to reactivation since transplant was 35 days (13-90). In multivariate analysis using binary regression, risk factors for high viral load CMV reactivation included steroid administration (p=0.009), recipient age less than 10 years (p=0.003) and haploidentical transplant (p=0.048). No statistically significant association was found with the use of ATG, GVHD, underlying disease, ABO blood group or gender mismatch. Survival analysis using cox regression showed significant impact of high viral load CMV reactivation on post-transplant survival. Event-free survival (EFS) with and without CMV reactivation was 70.5 % and 89.7% respectively (p=0.004) and overall survival (OS) was 80.0 % and 97.4 % with and without CMV reactivation respectively (p=0.002). Valganciclovir was given in 89 patients and 6patients were treated with ganciclovir. Mean time to clear viremia was 19.8±9 days. Myelosuppression was seen in 41% of patients treated with valganciclovir. Renal impairment was seen in 25% of patients treated with valganciclovir. One patient had resistant disease. One patient had CMV pneumonia and she recovered. One patient died of suspected CMV pneumonia Conclusion: CMV reactivation was seen in 66.1% of the transplant recipients, this is higher compared to the western world due to high CMV seropositivity is this region. Steroids administration in post-transplant period significantly increase the risk of CMV reactivation. Preemptive therapy with valganciclovir effectively treats CMV reactivation. Viral threshold for treatment should be decided considering the regional endemicity. CMV adversely effects the transplant outcome in terms of EFS and OS. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Human Herpes Virus-6 and Clinical Manifestations After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.1960.1960 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 1960-1960

Author(s):

Raffaella Greco ◽

Francesca Lorentino ◽

Daniela Clerici ◽

Francesca Matteazzi ◽

Alessandra Forcina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Viral Load ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Median Viral Load ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Allogeneic Hsct ◽

Clinical Complications

Abstract Abstract 1960 BACKGROUND: Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is increasingly recognized as an opportunistic and potentially life-threatening pathogen in recipients of allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT). Reported clinical manifestations of HHV-6 infection in transplanted patients are skin rash, interstitial pneumonia, bone marrow suppression and encephalitis. Moreover, an increasing number of clinical reports suggest that HHV-6 can facilitate the occurrence of other severe clinical complications of allogeneic HSCT, including Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD), ultimately increasining transplant-related mortality. Still, the actual incidence of HHV-6 infection in recipients of HSCT and the causative link between infection and clinical complications remain elusive, mostly due to the small and heterogeneous patient cohorts analyzed to date. METHODS: From January 2009 to July 2011, we retrospectively evaluated 43 consecutive adult patients (median age 51 years) who developed positivity to HHV-6 after allogeneic HSCT for high-risk hematological malignancies. Stem cell donor was for 30 patients family haploidentical, for 5 an HLA identical sibling, and for 8 an unrelated volunteer (1 of which cord blood). The viral load was determined by quantitative PCR in cell-free body fluids such as plasma, bronchoalveolar lavage, cerebrospinal fluid, bone marrow aspirates or in gastrointestinal biopsies. At the time of positivity all patients were receiving acyclovir as viral prophylaxis except 5. Sixteen patients had clinical acute GvHD at time of HHV-6 positivity (grade III-IV in 14), and 33 were profoundly immunosuppressed with variable association of 2–4 immunosuppressive drugs (steroids included). Moreover concomitant CMV positivity was detected in 11 patients, while a severe neutropenia in 12. RESULTS: Median time from allogeneic HSCT to HHV-6 reactivation was 36 days (range: 7–625). In 19 patients HHV-6 was detected in plasma, with a median viral load of 19,454 cp/mL (34-4,524,600); 15 had concomitant fever, 5 skin rash of new onset, 4 impaired liver function, and 5 developed cytopenia subsequently to the infection. In 7 patients HHV-6 was detected in the bone marrow: the median viral load was 163'800 cp/mL (568-1'552'982). In 8 patients, all febrile, HHV-6 was observed in bronchoalveolar lavage samples with a median of 4'149 cp/mL (85–39250). In 16 patients, 10 with documented gut aGvHD, 11 with diarrhoea, HHV-6 was detected in gastrointestinal biopsies with a median of 7'510 cp/mL (120-4'524'600). HHV-6 was found in cerebrospinal fluid in 4 cases (all within 30 days after HSCT); the median viral load was 29'352 cp/mL (4'508-1'552'982); all these patients experienced encephalitis with confusion and anxiety, 2 suffered seizures and 3 showed abnormal findings on brain MRI. Amongst patients with organ localizations of HHV-6 only 28% had concomitant plasma positivity. HHV-6 positivity led to antiviral pharmacological treatment only when associated with clinical manifestations (n=21), using as first choice therapy foscarnet. Amongst the total 43 patients with documented HHV-6 positivity 11 completely solved the clinical event, whereas 19 (44%) died. CONCLUSIONS: HHV-6 infection/reactivation is associated with high morbidity and mortality in patients who undergo allogeneic HSCT. HHV-6 infection typically occurred close to the time of neutrophil engraftment. HSCT from an HLA-mismatched donor and steroid administration were associated with increased risk of active HHV-6 infection. Development of encephalitis was associated with high HHV-6 viral load. The regular monitoring of HHV-6 DNA in allogeneic HSCT recipients, using a real-time PCR assay, may be useful for identifying active HHV-6 infection and for the introduction of a pre-emptive treatment, possibly reducing the incidence of the most severe clinical complications. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Incidence, Risks, and Outcomes of Relapse Following Reduced-Intensity Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v116.21.3451.3451 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (21) ◽

pp. 3451-3451

Author(s):

Michael R. Bishop ◽

Seth Steinberg ◽

Nancy M. Hardy ◽

Steven Z. Pavletic ◽

Ronald E. Gress ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Cell Transplantation ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Disease Status ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Allogeneic Hsct ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Reduced Intensity

Abstract Abstract 3451 Relapse is the major cause of treatment failure and death following reduced-intensity (RI) allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), yet there are no reports that focus specifically on the natural history of relapse in this patient population. We assessed relapse risks and outcomes on 120 consecutive patients (median age = 52 years; range, 28–71 years) with NHL (indolent = 43; aggressive = 77) who all received a T-cell replete allograft from HLA-matched siblings following a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen (fludarabine/cyclophosphamide). All patients were assessed for disease status at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months post-transplant, and annually thereafter or as clinically indicated. Median event-free survival (EFS) from transplant date for all 120 patients was 11.3 months (range, 0.5–105.5+ months) with a 5-year EFS = 35%. Median EFS (months) was assessed for the following pre-transplant characteristics: chemo-resistant vs. chemo-sensitive = 3.3 vs. 39.1, p = 0.0001; pre-transplant disease status - CR vs. PR vs. SD vs. PD = not reached (NR) vs. NR vs. 11.2 vs. 1.7, p <0.0001; aggressive vs. indolent histology = 6.6 vs. 15.8, p = 0.13; number of disease sites: 0–1 vs. 2 vs. 3 vs. 4+ = 4.8 vs. 7.4 vs. 18.4 vs. 7.1, p = 0.85. Median overall survival (OS) from transplant date for all 120 patients was 71.1 months (range, 0.5–120+ months). We identified 55 patients (46%) who either relapsed or progressed post-transplant. Among those who have progressed/relapsed to date, median time to progression/relapse was 3 months (range, 0.5–46 months) with 72% of progressions/relapses occurring prior to 6 months post-transplant. The overall cumulative incidence (CI) probabilities for relapse/progression, adjusted for competing non-relapse mortality, at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months were 0.169, 0.329, 0.394, 0.447, and 0.460, respectively. The association of 3-year relapse CI probabilities with pre-transplant characteristics were as follows: aggressive vs. indolent histology = 0.530 vs. 0.315; chemo-resistant vs. chemo-sensitive = 0.571 vs. 0.316; disease status prior to transplant – CR vs. PR vs. SD vs. PD = 0.210 vs. 0.217 vs. 0.597 and 0.627; number of prior treatments: 1–2 vs. 3 vs. 4 vs. 5+ = 0.375 vs. 0.418 vs. 0.613 vs. 0.450; sites of disease: 0–1 vs. 2 vs. 3 vs. 4+ = 0.458 vs. 0.516 vs. 0.331 vs. 0.579. Median OS from date of progression was 8.3 months (0.5 - 94+ months) with a 5-year OS = 32%. No patient who progressed/relapsed within 3 months post-transplant has survived beyond 12 months, with one patient still alive at 6 months. Median OS (months) from date of progression was assessed for the following characteristics: progression < 3 months vs. ≥ 3 months post-transplant = 2.6 vs. NR, p <0.0001; progression < 6 months vs. ≥ 6 months post-transplant = 5.3 vs. NR, p = 0.0002; aggressive vs. indolent histology = 7.8 vs. 18.3, p = 0.53; number of disease sites: 0–1 vs. 2 vs. 3 vs. 4+ = 5.8 vs. 13.8 vs. 4.9 vs. 12.9, p = 0.75; number of prior treatments: 1–2 vs. 3 vs. 4 vs. 5+ = 8.4 vs. NR vs. 11 vs. 5.6, p = 0.27; response vs. no response to relapse/progression treatment = NR vs. 4.7, p = 0.0087 (determined by a landmark method, beginning 30 days after progression to allow time for determination of response to relapse treatment). These data demonstrate that a significant minority of NHL patients, who relapse after RI allogeneic HSCT, can achieve long-term survival, including patients with aggressive histology. These analyses, which utilized standard clinical characteristics, identified NHL patients at higher risk for relapse and poorer outcomes once relapse occurred. In particular, disease progression/relapse occurring less than 3 months post-transplant was associated with an extremely poor prognosis; novel strategies and trials are needed for such patients. These results need to be confirmed by other groups, and these analyses need to be performed in other transplant settings (e.g. unrelated donors and myeloablative conditioning). The use of these patient characteristics, alone or in combination, may ultimately lead to a method of estimating the risk for relapse and the subsequent prognosis, if relapse should occur, in NHL patients undergoing RI allogeneic HSCT. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Delayed NK Cell Reconstitution and Reduced NK Activity Increased the Risks of CMV Disease in Allogeneic-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21103663 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (10) ◽

pp. 3663

Author(s):

Ki Hyun Park ◽

Ji Hyeong Ryu ◽

Hyunjoo Bae ◽

Sojeong Yun ◽

Joo Hee Jang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Disease Group ◽

Cmv Infection ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Delayed Recovery ◽

Cmv Disease ◽

Cmv Reactivation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has a significant impact in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We investigated natural killer (NK) cell reconstitution and cytotoxic/cytokine production in controlling CMV infection, especially severe CMV disease in HSCT patients. Fifty-eight patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who received allo-HSCT were included. We monitored NK reconstitution and NK function at baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days after HSCT, and compared the results in recipients stratified on post-HSCT CMV reactivation (n = 23), non-reactivation (n = 24) versus CMV disease (n = 11) groups. The CMV disease group had a significantly delayed recovery of CD56dim NK cells and expansion of FcRγ-CD3ζ+NK cells started post-HSCT 150 days. Sequential results of NK cytotoxicity, NK cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (NK-ADCC), and NK-Interferon-gamma (NK-IFNγ) production for 180 days demonstrated delayed recovery and decreased levels in the CMV disease group compared with the other groups. The results within 1 month after CMV viremia also showed a significant decrease in NK function in the CMV disease group compared to the CMV reactivation group. It suggests that NK cells’ maturation and cytotoxic/IFNγ production contributes to CMV protection, thereby revealing the NK phenotype and functional NK monitoring as a biomarker for CMV risk prediction, especially CMV disease.

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Successful High-Dose Ribavirin Treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Induced Tracheobronchitis and Pneumonia Occuring Pre-Engraftment in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.1163.1163 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 1163-1163

Author(s):

Saskia Gueller ◽

Ulrich Duenzinger ◽

Timo Wolf ◽

Sabine Mousset ◽

Hans Martin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Median Time ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant ◽

Stem Cell Transplant ◽

High Dose ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Allogeneic Hsct ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Rsv Infection

Abstract Abstract 1163 Poster Board I-185 Introduction Respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) frequently cause severe respiratory disease in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Within the first post-transplant month, progression of upper respiratory tract infection to life-threatening bronchiolitis and pneumonia is common and mortality rates of up to 80% have been reported if left untreated. Aerosolized ribavirin plus/minus immunoglobulins is considered the treatment of choice for RSV pneumonia. With this regimen, the 30-day all cause mortality is still 40% in immunosuppressed HSCT patients. In addition, nebulizing ribavirin may induce toxic side effects on patients and staff. Patients and treatment Concurrent with an outbreak in the community, RSV infection was diagnosed in 10 out of 29 patients (34%) undergoing allogeneic HSCT in the winter season 2008. Diagnosis was based on RSV-specific PCR of routinely collected throat swaps. Intravenous ribavirin was dosed according to Schleuning et al., 2003 (day 1: 33 mg/kg, day 2-5: 4×16 mg/kg, day 6-10: 3×8 mg/kg) for 8-10 days, followed by oral ribavirin (1800 mg per day) until recovery from symptoms. Airflow obstruction (AFO) was defined as a FEV1/FVC ratio <0.7 or a drop in FEV1 >20% from baseline. All RSV-infected patients (median age 60 years) had undergone reduced-intensity conditioning HSCT for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (1st CR: n=2; subsequent CR: n=3; untreated or refractory relapse: n=5). GvHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine A and mycophenolate mofetil with (n=8) or without (n=2) antithymocyte globulin. Donors were HLA-idential siblings (n=1), matched (n=8) or mismatched unrelated donors (n=1). Results Median time from HSCT to detection of RSV was 15 (range, 1-40) days. In 7 out of 10 patients, RSV infection was diagnosed pre-engraftment during neutropenia. Four patients had bronchiolitis or pneumonia and 6 patients suffered from tracheobronchitis. High-dose intravenous ribavirin was administered to all patients with pneumonia and/or diagnosis of RSV infection within 7 days after transplantation (n=5). These patients had hypoxia and required oxygen supplementation. Treatment with oral ribavirin was initiated in the other five patients with tracheobronchitis diagnosed on days 12-40 after HSCT. With a median follow up of 6 months, 9 out of 10 patients are alive and in complete remission of their AML. All 9 patients became RSV-negative in throat swabs after a median time of 22 days from start of therapy. Severe AFO caused by RSV pneumonia occurred in 2 patients and improved after treatment. Despite severe lymphopenia, no patient treated for tracheobronchitis progressed to RSV pneumonia. Neutrophil recovery was delayed in the three patients diagnosed with RSV pneumonia pre-engraftment until days 26, 28+ and 111 after HSCT, due to high-dose intravenous ribavirin and/or RSV infection itself. One of these patients died of septic shock associated with pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced pneumonia on day 28 after HSCT in prolonged neutropenia. No other ribavirin-associated toxicity such as hepatotoxicity or clinically relevant hemolysis was observed. Three patients developed acute intestinal GvHD, 2 of them recovering upon steroid treatment and one proceeding to chronic disease despite salvage therapy. One additional patient had steroid-responsive acute GvHD of the skin. Conclusions High-dose intravenous or oral ribavirin therapy appears to be safe and effective even if administered to neutropenic allogeneic HSCT recipients. None of these patients with RSV infection in the early post-transplant period developed bronchiolitis obliterans or persistent AFO. Based on our favourable results, further studies are required. Meanwhile, we suggest to treat all patients with symptomatic RSV infections in the early post-transplant phase with oral or intravenous ribavirin. Disclosures Off Label Use: Ribavirin is approved for inhalative treatment of RSV infections but not for systemic therapy..

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Cytomegalovirus Reactivation Prophylaxis With Low Dose Valgancyclovir After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v122.21.4578.4578 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 122 (21) ◽

pp. 4578-4578

Author(s):

Bianca Serio ◽

Luca Pezzullo ◽

Raffaele Fontana ◽

Silvana Annunziata ◽

Rosa Rosamilio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

High Risk ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Low Dose ◽

Preemptive Therapy ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Cmv Reactivation ◽

Related Mortality

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation is one of the most frequent complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Pre-transplant CMV-positive recipient serostatus is the most significant independent variable for viral reactivation. Oral valgancyclovir (VGCV) is a prodrug of intravenous gancyclovir (GCV) and is an effective and safety alternative for the management of CMV reactivation prophylaxis and preemptive therapy. However, VGCV at standard dose (900 mg twice a day) increases risk of myelosuppression in HSCT recipients. The efficacy of low dose (LD, 450 mg daily) oral VGCV was retrospectively evaluated in 30 allogeneic HLA-matched related patients and 2 unrelated, with a median age of 40 years (range, 18-59) and a median follow-up of 30 months (range, 3-56). Primary diseases were acute myeloid leukemia (AML, n=19), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=4), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (n=3), multiple myeloma (n=3) and myelodysplastic syndrome (n=3). Seventeen of twenty-three acute leukemia (AL) patients were transplanted in first complete remission (CR), while the remaining (n=6) were transplanted in 2nd CR. Five patients suffered from AML secondary to long-lasting MDS (n=3) or Hodgkin disease and breast cancer (n=2). Based upon CMV serostatus (D/R, donor/recipient), thirty (94%) of HSCT recipients were classified as high risk (D-/R+ = 3 and D+/R+ = 27) for CMV reactivation and only 6% as low risk (D-/R- = 2); none of the patients was in the intermediate risk group (D+/R-). Fifteen and 17 patients received a myeloablative and RIC regimens, respectively. Twenty-one patients received GvHD prophylaxis with cyclosporin A (CsA, 1 mg/kg intravenously from day -1 to +21, then 8 mg/kg orally for at least 6 months) and short-course methotrexate (MTX, 10 mg/kg on days +1, +3, +6 and +11). The others (n=11) received CsA with MTX and antithymocyte globulin (ATG, as a part of the conditioning regimen at 10 mg/kg at days -3, -2 and -1). According to the Glucksberg scoring system, thirteen patients experienced grade I-II and two grade III-IV acute GvHD, while 7 patients developed limited (n=6, 18%) and extensive (n=3, 10%) chronic GvHD. Starting from time of engraftment, LD oral VGCV was given prophylactically for at least 6 months. CMV infection was monitored weekly using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in high risk seropositive recipients and we started preemptive therapy when the peak viral load exceeding 1000 copies/mL in two consecutive plasma samples. Six patients (4 early and 2 late) developed a positive PCR after a mean of 59 days post-HSCT successfully treated with 900 mg of VGCV twice a day for at least when PCR negative (in a median of 12 days). Only one patient developed late fatal gastrointestinal CMV disease. Indeed, asymptomatic early and late CMV-DNA PCR reactivation occurred only in 17% (n=5) of high risk seropositive HSCT recipients, in contrast to 37% and 18% of early and late CMV reactivation observed in matched gender, disease phase, graft source and CMV serostatus cohort of 32 HSCT recipients treated prophylactically with oral acyclovir (ACV, 15 mg/kg daily) and high dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG, 0.4 gr/kg weekly for at least 6 months) . Seven patients presented hematological toxicity do not requiring drug discontinuation. The rate of non CMV-related infections was 25% and was similar in both groups with and without CMV reactivation. At the end of the follow-up, 18 of 32 (56%) patients were alive with a median follow-up of 31 months (range, 2-56). Relapsed-related mortality was 20%, transplant-related mortality was 9% and did not differ between group with and without CMV reactivation. Our data provide evidence that LD-VGCV is safe and effective as CMV reactivation prophylaxis in allogeneic HSCT recipients. These results require further validation in randomized studies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2006.24.18_suppl.7540 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽

pp. 7540-7540

Author(s):

C. Hosing ◽

M. Donato ◽

I. F. Khouri ◽

D. T. Chu ◽

D. L. Bethancourt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Cell Transplantation ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Conditioning Regimen ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Allogeneic Hsct ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Treatment Regimens

7540 Background: Patients (pts.) with advanced CTCL have a poor prognosis. There has been limited experience with the use of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in these pts. We report the results of 11 pts. with advanced CTCL/Sezary syndrome who underwent allogeneic HSCT at our institution. Patients and Methods: All pts. signed informed consent. Median age at the time of HSCT was 50.5 years (range, 22–63). There were 8 F/3M. All were diagnosed with stage IV disease. The median number of prior treatment regimens was 5.5 (range, 3–11). Treatment regimens included PUVA, TSEB, ECP, topical therapy, retinoids, bexarotene, denileukin diftitox, and multiagent chemotherapy. Seven pts. had a PR to treatment administered prior to transplantation, 2 pts. were in CRu and 2 pts. had SD. The conditioning regimen was fludarabine (125 mg/m2), melphalan 140 mg/m2 in 8 pts., fludarabine (125 mg/m2), cyclophosphamide (3 g/m2) ± rituximab in 2 pts., and fludarabine (120 mg/m2), busulfan (11.2 mg/m2) in 1 pt. Patients who received unrelated or mismatched related stem cells also received ATG. GVHD prophylaxis was with tacrolimus/methotrexate in all patients. Results: Ten of 11 pts. engrafted with a median time to ANC >500 mm3 of 12 days (range, 8–14). One pt. died at 17 days post transplant without engraftment due to sepsis. One pt. developed autologous reconstitution and underwent a 2nd allogeneic HSCT procedure and remains in CR at 3 years post transplant. Of the remaining 9 pts., 7 achieved full donor chimerism and 2 pts. were mixed chimera. At the time of this report 4 of 11 pts. have died. Cause of death was sepsis in 2, fungal pneumonia in 1, and PD in 1 pt. Three pts. relapsed post transplant, all 3 were induced back in to a CR by tapering of immunosuppression (2) or DLI (1). Overall 7 pts. continue to be alive and remission with a median follow up of 2.9 years (range, 3 months to 4.4 years). Four of 7 pts. have cGVHD requiring treatment (Table). Conclusions: Allogeneic HSCT is an effective therapy for refractory CTCL/SS and merits further evaluation. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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