Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma: One Center Experience of 86 Patients.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 3033-3033
Author(s):  
Liisa Volin ◽  
Heli Uotinen ◽  
Eeva Juvonen ◽  
Anne Nihtinen ◽  
Tapani Ruutu

Abstract The role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) is unclear. High transplant-related mortality has been regarded as a particular problem. At the Helsinki University Central Hospital 86 patients with MM have been treated with allogeneic SCT since 1995. The conditioning was at first myeloablative (MA). Since 1999 reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) after autologous SCT has been used in most cases, but a number of young patients with aggressive disease have been transplanted with MA conditioning. Of the patients 42 were male and 44 female. The median age at SCT was 50 (27–64) years. The median number of chemotherapy lines before allogeneic SCT was 1 (range 1–7). Prior autologous SCT had been performed to 55 patients. The median time from diagnosis to allogeneic SCT was 12 (4–168) months, and the time between autologous and allogeneic SCT 6 (2–146) months. At the time of allogeneic SCT 9 patients were in CR, 63 in PR, 4 had stable disease, and 10 progressive disease. 72 patients had a sibling donor: 68 were HLA-identical, one 1 antigen mismatch, 3 identical twins. 14 patients had an HLA-matched unrelated donor. The conditioning was MA in 32 and RIC in 54 patients. The MA conditioning consisted of Cy/TBI in 22, Mel/TBI in 3, and Treosulfan/Fld in 7 patients. RIC was the Seattle protocol (Fld/TBI 2 Gy) in 45, reduced Treosulfan/Fld in 8, and Fld/Cy in 1 patient. 26 patients received a BM graft and 60 patients a PB graft. As GVHD prophylaxis, 18 patients were given CsA/Mtx, 20 CsA/Mtx/MP, 45 CsA/MMF, and 3 nothing (identical twins). The median follow-up time from allogeneic SCT was 39 (2–136) months, 46 (7–136) months for the MA patients and 34 (2–92) months for the RIC patients, respectively. The OS was 50% at 61 months post SCT and there have been no deaths after this time-point. The median PFS was 31 months. After this time-point the disease has progressed in one case, at 90 months. Of the 32 MA patients 16 (50%) and of the 54 RIC patients 22 (41%) have achieved CR after SCT. The cumulative incidence of acute GVHD grade II-IV was 28%. The cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 72%, 58% in the MA and 83% in the RIC patients (p=0.074). The incidence of extensive chronic GVHD was significantly (p=0.012) higher in RIC than MA patients, 66% vs. 23%. There were no statistical differences in the incidence of acute or chronic GVHD by donor type (72 siblings/14 unrelated). The cumulative 100-day transplant related mortality was 4.5% and that of the whole follow-up time 14%. 26 patients have died. The cause of death was myeloma in 15, GVHD in 7, and infection in 4 patients. In conclusion, in the present material transplant-related mortality was low and the survival encouraging, supporting the use of allogeneic transplantation with curative aim in selected cases. Developing chemotherapy, given prior to transplantation, may improve the results.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 2135-2135
Author(s):  
Paolo Anderlini ◽  
Rima Saliba ◽  
Michele Donato ◽  
Sergio Giralt ◽  
Borje Andersson ◽  
...  

Abstract Forty patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin’s disease (HD) underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) following a fludarabine-based conditioning regimen from an HLA-identical sibling (n=20) or a matched unrelated donor (n=20). The median age was 31 years (range 18-58). The median number of chemotherapy regimens received prior to allo-SCT was five (range 2-9). Thirty (75%) and thirty (75%) patients had received prior radiotherapy or a prior autologous SCT, respectively. The median time to progression after autologous SCT was nine months (3–52). Disease status at SCT was refractory relapse (n=14) or sensitive relapse (n=26). The conditioning regimens employed were fludarabine (25 mg/m sq IV x 5 days)-cyclophosphamide (1 g/m sq IV x 3 days) ± antithymocyte globulin (30 mg/kg IV x 3 days) (FC±ATG) (n=14), a less intensive regimen, and fludarabine (25 mg/m sq IV x 5 days) -melphalan (70 mg/m sq IV x 2 days) (FM) (n=26), a more intensive one. The two groups had similar demographics and prognostic factors. Chimerism studies indicated 100% donor-derived engraftment in 26/26 (100%) FM patients and in 9/13 (69%) evaluable FC±ATG patients. Day 100 and cumulative (18-month) transplant-related mortality (TRM) were 5 % and 22%, respectively for the whole group. There was a nonsignificant trend towards a lower cumulative TRM in the FM group (18% vs. 30% at 18 months, p=0.2). The cumulative incidence of acute (grade II-IV) GVHD was 38%. The cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD at 18 months was 69%. There was a trend for a lower relapse rate after the occurrence of GVHD, however, this was not statistically significant (hazard ratio 0.8; p= 0.6). Progression rates were similar in the FM and FC patients (53% vs. 57% respectively at 18 months, p=0.4). However, disease progression occurred later in FM patients (range 2–34 months) than in FC patients (range 0.7–13 months). In addition, with comparable follow-up time after progression, the FM group experienced a lower death rate after progression. Twenty-four patients (60%) are alive (fourteen in complete remission) with a median follow-up of 13 months (4–78). Sixteen patients expired (TRM n=8, disease progression n=8). FM patients had significantly better overall survival (73% vs. 39% at 18 months; p=0.03), and a trend towards better progression-free survival (37% vs. 21% at 18 months; p=0.2). We conclude that allo-SCT with fludarabine-based, less intensive conditioning from matched related and unrelated donors are feasible in high-risk HD patients with a low TRM. The intensity of the preparative regimen affects survival.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2308-2308
Author(s):  
Nicolaus Kröger ◽  
Avichai Shimoni ◽  
Georgia Schilling ◽  
Rainer Schwerdtfeger ◽  
Martin Bornhäuser ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 2308 Poster Board II-285 Introduction: Dose-reduced conditioning followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation has become a treatment option for patients with multiple myeloma. However, the experience using unrelated donor is limited. Patients and Methods: From 2002 to 2007, 49 myeloma patients with relapse to a prior autologous SCT were included in a prospective multicenter trial to determine the efficacy of a reduced melphalan (140 mg/m2)/fludarabine regimen followed by allogeneic SCT from unrelated donors. GvHD prophylaxis consisted of anti-lymphocyte globulin (ATG-Fresenius®), cyclopsorin A and short course of MTX. Results: No primary or secondary graft failure was observed and all patients showed leukocyte and platelet engraftment after a median of 15 and 19 days, respectively. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) grade II to IV occurred in 25% and chronic GvHD in 35% of the patients. Limited GvHD was seen in 29 % and extensive GvHD was seen in 6 % of the patients. Overall response rate at day 100 was 95% including 46% complete remission (CR). Cumulative incidence (CI) of non-relapse mortality at one year was 25% (95% CI: 13-37%) and significantly lower for HLA matched compared to mismatched SCT (10% vs. 53%, p=0.001). During follow-up 22 patients experienced relapse (54 %) resulting in a cumulative incidence of relapse at 1, and 3 years of 27% (95% CI: 14-40%) and 55% (95% CI: 40-70%), respectively. The median time to relapse was 318 days (r: 56 – 861). After a median follow up of 43 months, the estimated 5-year progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 20% and 26%, respectively and were significantly better for matched in CR at day 100 (41 vs. 7%, p=0.04 and 56 vs. 16%, p=0.02). Conclusions: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation from unrelated donors after a reduced intensity regimen is feasible, but an optimal donor selection is mandatory for a low non-relapse mortality. The high relapse incidence remains a major concern should be improved by including posttransplant strategies to upgrade remission status. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 1300-1300
Author(s):  
Nicolaus Kröger ◽  
Evgeny Klyuchnikov ◽  
Daniel Wolff ◽  
Martin Bornhäuser ◽  
Guido Kobbe ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1300 Introduction: Around 20–30% patients (pts) with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) experience relapses within 3 years after dose-reduced conditioning followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The prognosis for those pts is unclear, and standard treatment recommendations have not yet been proposed. Early withdrawal of post-transplant immunosuppression, use of dose escalating donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs), and/or 2nd HSCT have been suggested as therapeutic options for pts relapsing after HSCT. Although DLIs were found to be effective in certain disease as salvage approach, the role of 2nd HSCT for non-responding patients remains controversial. Here we report on our multicenter experience on the use of a two-stage salvage strategy including DLIs and a 2nd RIC-HSCT in pts with post-transplant relapse of PMF. It was planned to start salvage therapy with DLI and only non-responding patients as well as patients with transformation to blast crisis and complete loss of donor chimerisms were assigned to receive a second allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Responses were evaluated using the International Working Group consensus criteria for treatment response in myelofibrosis. Additionally, the JAK2V617F mutation level (in 1 case, the MPLW515mut level) and donor chimerism were used to assess the molecular remission status. Patients/Methods: Thirty pts with morphologic (n=24) or molecular (n=6) relapse of PMF after 1st HSCT were proceeded to a salvage strategy, including DLIs and/or 2nd RIC-HSCT. Median time from transplantation to relapse was 9 months (range, 2–62). 26 pts received a median of 3 (range, 1–5) DLIs. The initial median dose was 1.2×106 (range, 0.3×104 – 8×107) consequently being increased up to 4×107 CD3+ cells/kg (range, 1×107 – 1.3×108). As a second stage, 13 non-responding pts as well as those who received no DLIs (transformation to blast phase, n=1; complete loss of donor chimerism, n=3) underwent a 2nd RIC-HSCT. The median interval between 1st and 2nd HSCTs was 17 months (range, 11–77). The majority of the patients received a reduced busulfan/fludarabine conditioning regimen for the 1st HSCT. Conditioning regimen at the 2nd RIC-HSCT for most pts (12/17, 71%) consisted of a combination of treosulfan (30-36 g/m2) with fludarabine (150-180 mg/m2), and anti-thymocyte globuline (Thymoglobulin®, 2.5–8 mg/kg). The majority of pts (15/17, 82%) received 2nd allografts from alternative unrelated (HLA-matched, n=8; mismatched, n=5), related (matched, n=1), and haploidentical donors (n=1). Results: After DLIs, responses were observed in 10/26 pts (39%; complete remission (CR): n=8; CRu (unconfirmed: no bone marrow histology: n=2). All pts maintain the response during a median follow-up of 31 months (range, 13–45). Acute (grade II-IV) and chronic GvHD occurred in 3/26 (12%) and 7/25 (28%) pts, respectively There were no cases of non-relapsed mortality (NRM), while 3/26 pts expired from progression. Seventeen pts received a 2nd RIC-HSCT and engraftment was documented in 16/17 pts (leukocytes: median, d +14; platelets: median, d +18). Responses were observed in 12/15 evaluable pts (80%; CR, n=8; CRu, n=1; partial remission (PR), n=3). Acute (II-IV) and chronic GvHD were observed in 8/17 (47%) and 6/14 pts (43%), respectively. The 1-year cumulative incidence of NRM was 6% (95% CI: 0%-18%). The cumulative incidence of relapse at 1 year was 24% (95% CI: 0%-50%). Overall for whole study population, after a median follow-up of 27 mo (range, 9 – 61), the 2-year probabilities of OS and PFS was 80% (95% CI: 62% - 98%) and 72% (95% CI: 52% - 92%), respectively. Conclusions: DLIs and/or 2nd HSCT are effective and well tolerated salvage approaches, which resulted in the majority of patients in long-term freedom from disease. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 980-980
Author(s):  
Nicolaus Kroeger ◽  
Brownen Shaw ◽  
Simona Iacobelli ◽  
Tatjana Zabelina ◽  
Karl Peggs ◽  
...  

Abstract We compared anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG-Fresenius median dose 60 mg/kg: n= 48) with alemtuzumab (Campath-1H 100mg: n=25) in 73 patients with multiple myeloma, who underwent dose-reduced conditioning with melphalan and fludarabine, followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation from matched (n=63) or mismatched (n=10) unrelated donors. Patients of the ATG group had higher age (median 50 vs 47 years, p=0.05), more prior high-dose chemotherapies (p<0.001), while in the Campath group more bone marrow as stem cell source was used (p<0.001). No primary graft failure occurred in both groups. Patients receiving alemtuzumab had a significant faster engraftment of leukocyte (p=0.03) and of platelets (p=0.02) and a lower incidence of acute GvHD grade II-IV (24 vs 47%, p=0.05). However, after treatment with donor lymphocyte infusion due to persistent disease or mixed hematopoietic chimerism the difference of acute GvHD grade II-IV between alemtuzumab and ATG treated patients did not reach statistical significance (32 vs 47%, p=0.2). No difference in incidence of chronic GvHD was observed (25 vs 33%, p=0.6) More CMV seropositive patients in the alemtuzumab group experienced CMV reactivation (100% vs 47%, p=0.001). The cumulative incidence of treatment related mortality at 2 years for ATG and Campath was 29.3% (CI=17–50%) vs 28.5% (CI=15–54%), p=0.7. No significant difference could be observed in the estimated 2 years OS and PFS between ATG and Campath: 53% (CI:38–75) vs 45% (CI:28–73) and 29% (CI:16–54) and 36% (CI: 20–62), respectively. For PFS, in a multivariate analysis relapse to prior high-dose chemotherapy was the strongest negative factor: HR 2.9, p= 0.001. Including only those patients who did not experienced any relapse at time of allogeneic stem cell transplantation the Campath-group had a 2.5 fold higher risk of progression in comparison to the ATG group, but without reaching statistical significance (HR: 2.5, p=0.15). Ten out of 73 patients had KIR-ligand mismatch in GvH direction. While in patients without KIR-ligand mismatch the cumulative incidence of relapse at two years was 50%, none of the KIR-ligand mismatched patients relapsed so far (p=0.02). The immunosuppressive effect from Campath is stronger than ATG resulting in less acute GvHD, but requires more DLI procedures to control diseases and resulted in a trend to a lower PFS in chemosensitive patients. This preliminary data further implicated a major role of KIR-ligand mismatch transplantation in multiple myeloma


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 4328-4328
Author(s):  
Saad Jamshed ◽  
Daniel Fowler ◽  
Sattva Neelapu ◽  
Robert M. Dean ◽  
Seth M Steinberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Variation in baseline host immune status contributes to inconsistent donor engraftment and may impede maximal graft-versus-myeloma effects after reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation (RI-alloSCT) for advanced multiple myeloma. We performed a phase II study to determine the efficacy of a novel salvage regimen, EPOCH-F, which was designed to provide immune depletion and disease control prior to RI-alloSCT, in 22 patients with advanced multiple myeloma. EPOCH is an infusional chemotherapeutic regimen consisting of etoposide, vincristine and adriamycin, with prednisone, cyclophosphamide and fludarabine and given in 21 day cycles prior to RI-alloSCT. Patients received at least 1 and no more than 5 cycles of EPOCH-F gudied by peripheral blood CD4+ T cell count. Pts achieving adequate lymphodepletion proceeded to RI-alloSCT; otherwise patients proceeded to RI-alloSCT after 5 cycles or if there was disease progression during EPOCH-F, regardless of CD4 count. Median age was 53 years (range, 36–65); median time from initial therapy to transplant was 12 months (range, 2–168). Median number of prior therapies was 2 (range, 1–8), while 63% had chemotherapy sensitive disease. 68% of patients had received a novel agent. Patients received a median of 3 cycles (range, 1–5) of EPOCH-F. Therapy was well tolerated with manageable toxicities, mostly hematologic. Neutropenia (grade IV) was the most common toxicity seen in 77% of the administered cycles with only 6 episodes of neutropenic fever. Median lymphocyte count decreased from 1423/μL (range, 335–2788) to 519/μL (range, 102–1420); CD4 count decreased from 320/μL (range, 130–1366) to 115/μL (range, 30–309). In 21 evaluable patients, the overall response rate to EPOCH-F was 22% and 68% had stable disease. 13% of patients achieved CR/nCR. Only 1 patient progressed while on therapy. 20 patients received allograft from HLA matched sibling donors and were evaluable for engraftment. Median Day 100 chimerism was 100% (range 60–100, mean 95). 70% of patients achieved ≥VGPR including CR/nCR, while CR/nCR was seen in 40% of the patients. Median overall survival was 46.1 months. 10 (50%) patients are currently alive. Acute GVHD (grade II–IV) was seen in 47% and chronic GVHD (grade III–IV) was seen in 52% of patients. Treatment-related mortality at 100 days was 5% and 30% at 60 months. EPOCH-F is an active regimen which facilitates consistent and rapid full donor engraftment following RI-alloHSCT from related donors in patients with advanced multiple myeloma.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 1180-1180
Author(s):  
Luca Castagna ◽  
Sabine Furst ◽  
Jean El Cheikh ◽  
Catherine Faucher ◽  
Mohamad Mohty ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1180 Poster Board I-202 Benjamin Esterni, Didier Blaise Background: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ALLO) is the only curative therapy for many hematological malignancies. For many of these diseases, the median age at diagnosis is around the sixth decade of life, precluding myeloablative ALLO (MAC-ALLO). RIC-ALLO is less toxic and it has been performed in elderly pts, mainly affected by acute leukemia. Finally, comorbidities index seem to predict treatment related mortality (TRM) and overall survival (OS). Patients and methods: From 2001 and 2008, 67 pts older than 60 years (median age 63 y, range 60-70) received RIC-ALLO. Diseases were: acute myeloid leukemia 45%, multiple myeloma 18%, chronic lymphocytic leukemia 12%, non-Hodgkin lymphoma 10%, myelodysplasia 6%, plasmacellular leukemia 3%, others 6%. Disease status at RIC-ALLO was: complete remission 54%, partial remission 16%, and active disease 30%. RIC consisted of fludarabine-based with thymoglobulin 64%, or low-dose TBI-based 36%. Donors were: HLAid sibling 73%, matched unrelated 21%, and cord blood 6%. Previous autologous transplant was performed in 59% of pts. The median number of CD34+ and CD3+ cells infused was 5 (range 1-9.4) and 296 (range 84-704), respectively. Karnofski score was 60-80% in 25% and 90-100% in 75%; HCT-CI was 0 in 33%, 1-2 in 33%, and more than 3 in 34%; PAM score was 8-16 in 9%, 17-33 in 65%, 24-30 in 22%, and more than 31 in 3%; EBMT score was 2 in 22%, 3 in 36%, 4 in 28%, more than 5 in 12%. Results: The median follow-up was 22 months. The 2-y OS and PFS were 66.8% (IC95 [55.5-80.4]) and 52.4% (IC95 [39.5-69.5]), respectively. Grade II-IV acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) and chronic GVHD (cGVHD) incidence were 49% and 43%, respectively. Early infections were fever of unknown origin in 42% of pts, bacterial infection in 6 cases, pneumonia in 8, and viral infections in 14. The early infection-related mortality was null. Late infections were bacterial in 3 cases, pneumonia in 1, viral infections in 6, and candidemia in 1. Seven pts died from late infective complications. Overall, the cause of death was toxicities in 18 pts and disease progression in 6 pts. The 100-d and 1-y TRM were 6.35% (IC95 [0.278-12.4]) and 24.2% (IC95 [12.9-35.4]), respectively. In univariate analysis, HCT-CI, EBMT score, and PAM score did not influence TRM or OS. Furthermore, age (60-65 vs 66-70) was not related to TRM. Conclusions: The aim of this retrospective study was to verify if TRM was excessively high in elderly pts, affected from several haematological diseases and receiving ALLO from different donors and after different RIC. A secondary objective was to evaluate if several comorbidities index could predict TRM and OS. This heterogeneity should be regarded as a more realistic view of general population. TRM was acceptable and not different when compared to younger pts as reported in literature. Furthermore, neither comorbidities index nor age help segregate a group of pts with different TRM. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 4297-4297
Author(s):  
Stefan Neuburger ◽  
Philipp Hemmati ◽  
Theis Terwey ◽  
Gero Massenkeil ◽  
Bernd Dörken ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a curative therapeutical option for patients (pts) with hematological diseases. As result of long term survival, late complications such as secondary malignancies are emerging. Methods: Here we present a retrospective analysis of 589 pts (median age at transplantation 41 years, range 16–75, male 339, female 250) who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation in our institution between 1995 and 2007 (siblings n= 285, unrelated donors n= 304). Pts suffered from acute leukemia (n= 257), chronic myeloproliferative disorders (n= 120), myelodysplastic syndrome (n= 39), non-hodgkin-lymphomas (n= 41) and others (n= 132). Pts received conditioning with (n= 436) or without (n=152) 12 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). Results: Up to 2007, 283 of 589 pts (48%) died of relapse or transplant related mortality (n=135 relapse, n= 84 infection, n= 36 graft-vs-host-disease (GVHD), n= 8 organ toxicity, n= 20 others or unknown). 305 out of 589 pts (52%) had survived with a median follow-up of 40 months (range 1–144 months). 21 out of 305 pts (6,9%) developed secondary malignancies at a mean of 5,1 years (range 1–10 years) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Localizations of secondary malignancies were skin (n= 11 basalioma, n= 2 melanoma), gut (n= 2 adenocarcinoma of the small intestine, n= 1 coloncarcinoma), oral cavity (n= 1 squamous cell cancer) and 3 lymphomas. 17/21 pts (81%) received a myeloablative conditioning with 12 Gy TBI, 4/21 pts (19%) a reduced intensity conditioning. Acute GVHD &gt; grade 2 and chronic GVHD extensive disease appeared in 48% and 67% respectively. Thus, these pts must be treated with prolonged immunosupressive therapy. 2/21 (9,5%) died of secondary malignancies (carcinoma of small intestine and colon) and one pts of accidential infection. Conclusion: Long term surviver of allogeneic stem cell transplantation are at increased risk of a secondary malignancies. Most of the pts received TBI-based conditioning and suffered from chronic GvHD extensive disease with consecutive immunosupressive therapy. Life-long follow-up will be needed to detect secondary malignancies in early stage of disease which might offer curative therapeutical options. Therefore, in our institution all pts undergo annual skin screening program and are sensitized for possibility of secondary malignancies late after transplantation.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3458-3458
Author(s):  
Yuki Kagoya ◽  
Sachiko Seo ◽  
Yasuhito Nannya ◽  
Mineo Kurokawa

Abstract Abstract 3458 Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is one of the late complications after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Although intrahepatic cholestasis caused by chronic graft-versus host disease (GVHD) or calcineurin inhibitors has been considered to be one of the etiologies, its prevalence, risk factors, and the impact on prognosis have not been investigated well. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 194 adult patients who underwent allogeneic SCT between 1995 and 2008 in our institute, and survived more than 100 days after SCT. Hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia was defined as more than 240 mg/dl or 200 mg/dl, respectively, at two successive tests at least one week apart after the first 100 days after SCT. Cumulative incidence of hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia was analyzed. The time to the development of hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia was calculated and the multivariate analysis of pre- and posttransplant variables was performed by a Cox proportional hazards model. Chonic GVHD, chronic liver dysfunction (CLD; defined as more than twice the upper limit of normal for aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, or alkaline phosphatase, or total bilirubin >3 mg/dl over 3 months) and administration of calcineurin inhibitors were studied as posttransplant factors, which were assessed as time-dependent variables. To analyze the prognosis of patients who developed persistent hyperlipidemia, the multivariate analysis of overall survival (OS), relapse rate, and non-relapse mortality (NRM) was carried out by a landmark approach. Persistent hyperlipidemia was defined as hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia continuing more than 3 months. Results: Overall, 83 (42.8%) and 98 (50.5%) patients developed hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, respectively. The median follow-up period of serum cholesterol and triglyceride values in surviving patients was 44 months. The cumulative incidence of each abnormality at 3 years after SCT was 38.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 31.0–45.1%), and 46.0% (95% CI: 38.8–52.9%), respectively. In a multivariate analysis, the development of chronic GVHD was independently associated with both hypercholesterolemia (hazard ratio [HR] 2.05, 95% CI: 1.23–3.43, P<0.01) and hypertriglyceridemia (HR 2.04, 95% CI: 1.30–3.18, P<0.01). Besides, CLD was significantly associated with hypercholesterolemia (HR 2.20, 95% CI: 1.39–2.50, P<0.01). Administration of calcineurin inhibitors was not an independent risk factor for the development of hypercholesterolemia (HR 1.23, 95% CI: 0.73–2.08, P=0.43) or hypertriglyceridemia (HR 1.03, 95% CI: 0.61–1.54, P=0.89). Among pretransplant factors, prior hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were associated with posttransplant hypercholesterolemia (HR 2.76, 95% CI: 1.07–7.17, P=0.04) and hypertriglyceridemia (HR 2.04, 95% CI: 1.27–3.27, P<0.01), respectively. Persistent hyperlipidemia was found in 49 patients (25.3%), of which 35 patients (71.4%) developed hyperlipidemia within one year. The median interval to the occurrence of hyperlipidemia of the patients was 180 days after SCT. In univariate analysis, patients with persistent hyperlipidemia had a tendency of better 3-year OS (77.3% vs 64.7%, P=0.23). Multivariate analysis showed that the development of persistent hyperlipidemia was independently associated with better OS (HR: 0.49, P=0.049). Further, although not statistically significant, patients with persistent hyperlipidemia had a tendency of lower 3-year cumulative relapse rate (15.7% vs 20.3%). There were no significant differences in 3-year NRM between patients with or without hyperlipidemia (12.3% vs 13.9%). Conclusions: Both hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia are very common complications after SCT. Patients with persistent hyperlipidemia, however, have significantly better OS. Considering a strong association between the development of hyperlipidemia and chronic GVHD, and a tendency of lower relapse rate in patients with persistent hyperlipidemia, hyperlipidemia is regarded as one of the symptoms accompanied with chronic GVHD. Unless severe, its incidence indicates a better control of the primary disease and an improved prognosis. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Hematology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 (1) ◽  
pp. 610-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koen van Besien

Abstract Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo HCT) is a curative treatment for follicular lymphoma, but is hampered by a relatively high treatment-related mortality and by difficulties in identifying high-risk groups for whom transplant is warranted. Results with myeloablative conditioning have improved, but the field has shifted largely to reduced-intensity conditioning and non-myeloablative transplantation, though morbidity and mortality are also substantial. Some groups have investigated T cell–depleted transplantation, which results in a low rate of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and, in most studies, excellent rates of disease control. Overall, outcome after alloHCT for follicular lymphoma correlates more with disease status, with performance status and with comorbidities than with any particular conditioning regimen used. For patients with chemotherapy-sensitive disease, the treatment-related mortality has stabilized in the 15% to 20% range and, depending on the method of GVHD prophylaxis and the donor type, there is an additional 20% to 60% incidence of chronic GVHD. For patients with chemotherapy-refractory disease, both treatment-related mortality and recurrence rates are much higher, but their prognosis is dismal with other treatments and some may be cured, particularly with myeloablative transplants. Ongoing studies focus on improving conditioning regimens, on prevention of disease recurrence and on decreasing chronic GVHD.


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