Tacrolimus and Sirolimus without Methotrexate as Acute GVHD Prophylaxis after Matched Related Donor Reduced Intensity Conditioning (RIC) Stem Cell Transplantation (SCT).

Abstract We have previously shown that the combination of tacrolimus and sirolimus (TAC/SIR) without methotrexate (MTX) is a safe and effective regimen for GVHD prophylaxis after myeloablative SCT. However, TAC/SIR has not been investigated in the RIC setting. We hereby report a prospective phase II trial testing TAC/SIR as GVHD prophylaxis after RIC SCT from matched related donors (MRD). All patients received fludarabine (FLU) 30 mg/m2 IV and intravenous busulfan (BU) 0.8 mg/kg IV daily × 4 days (day -5 thru day -2) as conditioning, followed by transplantation of filgrastim mobilized peripheral blood stem cells. Filgrastim 5 mcg/kg SC QD was started on day +1 until neutrophil engraftment. Tacrolimus and sirolimus were started on day-3, and doses were adjusted to maintain target serum trough levels 5–10 ng/ml and 3–12 ng/ml, respectively. Twenty-six patients have been transplanted, with a median age of 52 years (range 29–64 yrs). Diagnoses include NHL (8), AML (6), HD (5), CLL/SLL (3), CML (2), MDS (1), MM (1). Median CD34+ cells infused was 8.06 × 106 cells/kg (range: 2.96–38.0 × 106 cells/kg). All patients had sustained hematologic engraftment. Only 4 (15%) patients developed neutropenia below ANC 500, and 6 (23%) had platelet counts below 20K. One patient had late graft failure at 7 months post transplant. Grade II-IV acute GVHD incidence was 20%, with grade III-IV incidence of 12%. No hepatic VOD or thrombotic microangiopathy was observed. Day +100 transplant related mortality (TRM) was 0%. The cumulative incidences of TRM and relapse at 1 year were 4% and 38%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD at 1 year was 74%. A high level (>90%) of donor-derived hematopoiesis was achieved in 68% by 1 month post transplant. Median donor chimerism at between day 20–50 post transplant was 93.5% (range 32%-99%), and 94% (range 22%-100%) at day 85–115. With a median follow-up of 13.5 months among survivors (range 5.5–19 months), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 1 year were 58% and 79%, respectively. Compared to a historical cohort of 47 MRD transplant recipients treated with the same FLU/BU conditioning regimen and using TAC/SIR ± mini-MTX (5 mg/m2 IV day +1,3,6) as GVHD prophylaxis, there was no statistical difference between TAC/SIR vs. TAC/SIR/MTX in the incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD (20% vs 11%, p= 0.48), cumulative incidence of relapse at year (38% vs. 57%, p= 0.25), 1-yr PFS (58% vs. 41%, p= 0.33), or 1-yr OS (79% vs. 73%, p= 0.79). These results demonstrate that omission of mini-MTX is permissible, and that the combination of TAC/SIR alone as GVHD prophylaxis following reduced intensity conditioning with FLU/BU is associated with low rates of acute GVHD, TRM, and high levels of donor chimerism after MRD SCT.

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No Influence of Peripheral Blood CD34+ and CD3+ Graft Cell Counts on Outcomes after Reduced-Intensity Conditioning Transplantation Using Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-112453 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 4577-4577

Author(s):

Alice Garnier ◽

Thierry Guillaume ◽

Pierre Peterlin ◽

Amandine Le Bourgeois ◽

Alix Duquesne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Reduced Intensity Conditioning ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Cell Content ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Gvhd Prophylaxis ◽

Reduced Intensity

Abstract Introduction Although associated with a higher incidence of acute GVHD, peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) are increasingly used for haploidentical allogeneic transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY). Data reporting whether or not the composition of the PBSC graft impacts outcomes of patients receiving PTCY are still scarce. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included all adults allografted in our department who received a PBSC allotransplant after reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) with PTCY. Grafts originated from a matched or haploidentical donor and recipients received a Baltimore-based or a Clo-Baltimore (where fludarabine is replaced by clofarabine)-based RIC regimen. All patients received cyclosporine + mycophenolate mofetyl and PTCY as GVHD prophylaxis. CD34+ and CD3+ graft cell contents were considered to study their potential impact on the following outcomes: OS, DFS, GRFS, acute grade 2-4 and 3-4 GHVD and chronic GVHD, early immune reconstitution (IR, lymphocytes and monocytes counts at days+30 and +100 post-transplant, CD4+, CD8+, NK and B cells at day+100 post-transplant). Results Between November 2013 and May 2017, 77 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were 48 males and 29 females with a median age of 58 years (range: 22-71) and a median follow-up for alive patients of 29.2 months (range: 8.4-53.2). Initial diagnoses were mainly acute myeloid (n=21) or lymphoid (n=6) leukemia, lymphoma (n=13), myelodysplastic syndrome (SMD, n=12), myelofibrosis (n=9). Thirty-eight patients were in complete remission at time of transplant (CR1 n=23; CR2 n=12, CR3 n=3) while 22 had active disease and 17 were in partial remission. Donors were sibling in 6 cases, matched unrelated (MUD) in 14, 9/10 mismatched unrelated in 1 and haploidentical in 56. Forty patients received a Baltimore RIC regimen and 37 a Clo-Baltimore RIC regimen. Analyses were performed in July 2018. Median infused CD34+ and CD3+ graft cell counts, based on recipients' weight, were 7.8 106/Kg (range: 1.45-14.24) and 22.23 107/kg (range: 1.95-66.75), respectively. All patients but three engrafted, the latter being 1 patient transplanted with a haplodonor, 1 with a MUD and 1 who died of infection during induction. Two-year OS, DFS and GRFS were 62.6% (52-74), 51.5% (40-63) and 36.6% (27-49), respectively. The incidences of grade 2-4 and 3-4 acute GVHD were 46.7% and 14.2%, respectively, while the incidence of moderate + severe chronic GVHD was 14%. Relapse occurred in 26 patients and non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 15.5%. Baltimore vs Clo-Baltimore patients shared similar median infused CD34+ and CD3+ graft cell counts and outcomes. The same was observed for patients allografted with a haplodonor or not, except for the incidence of grade 2-4 acute GVHD which was significantly higher for the haplo group at 57.1% vs 19% (p=0.006). This difference was first attributed to the higher CD3+ cell content infused in this group (median: 24.05 vs 18.85 107/kg, p=0.04). However, using the median of CD3+ cell graft content as threshold, the incidence of acute grade 2-4 GVHD was not different between low vs high groups when considering haplo patients. This suggests that it was rather the type of donor that did influence acute GVHD occurrence and that PTCY is of particular interest for GVHD prophylaxis when using matched donors. Partitioning the patients according to the median level of CD34+ cells, there was no difference in terms of 2-year OS (57.1% vs 60.7%, p=0.53), DFS (44.5% vs 55.6%, p=0.47) , GRFS (31.7% vs 44.3%, p=0.32), acute grade 2-4 (59% vs 39%, p=0.13) and 3-4 GVHD (17% vs 6.4%, p=0.29), and moderate + severe chronic GVHD (19.5% vs 20%, p=0.57). Similarly, partitioning patients according to median graft CD3+ cell content, outcomes were similar for 2-year OS (64.8% vs 55.8%,p=0.45), DFS (46.3% vs 55.8%, p=0.62), GRFS (36.3% vs 40.4%, p=0.63), acute grade 2-4 (44.7% vs 56.4%, p=0.42) and 3-4 GVHD (10.5% vs 15.3%, p=0.76), and moderate + severe chronic GVHD (14% vs 17.6%, p=0.91). Finally, early IR was not influenced by CD34+ and CD3+ graft cell contents. Conclusion: PBSC CD34+ and CD3+ graft cell contents have no impact on survivals, GVHD incidence nor early IR after a RIC allotransplant using PTCY as GVHD prophylaxis. As a consequence, there is no need to manipulate the graft nor cap the stem cells dose to be infused. These data have to be confirmed prospectively on a larger cohort of patients. Disclosures Gastinne: Millennium/Takeda: Honoraria. Moreau:Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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Randomized Phase II Trial Comparing Cyclosporine (CSP) and Tacrolimus (TAC) for Methotrexate (MTX)-Free Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD) Prophylaxis after Allogeneic Transplantation from a Matched Related Donor (MRD) with a Reduced-Intensity Regimen Containing Cladribine and Busulfan

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.1170.1170 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 1170-1170 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sung-Won Kim ◽

Takahiro Fukuda ◽

Shotaro Hagiwara ◽

Tsunehiko Komatsu ◽

Tetsuya Goto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Whole Blood ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Trough Level ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Gvhd Prophylaxis ◽

Starting Dose ◽

Grade Ii ◽

Reduced Intensity ◽

Grade Iii ◽

Neutrophil Engraftment

Abstract Background: Although GVHD prophylaxis without MTX might enhance a graft-versus-leukemia effect, no randomized controlled trial (RCT) of GVHD prophylaxis has investigated this possibility in a reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation (RIST) setting. Therefore, we conducted a prospective randomized trial to compare CSP and TAC without MTX as GVHD prophylaxis in RIST from a MRD. Methods: Patients with hematological malignancies in complete remission or with a chemosensitive status were eligible for this study if they were either older than 50 years or had significant medical contraindications for conventional transplantation. The primary endpoint was the incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD on day 100. Regimen-related toxicities (RRT) between day −8 and day 28 were assessed by NCI-CTC ver 2.0. The conditioning regimen consisted of cladribine (0.11 mg/kg × 6 days) and oral busulfan (4 mg/kg × 2 days). All patients received unmanipulated G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells from a MRD. CSP (starting dose 3 mg/kg/day, target whole blood conc. 250–350 ng/mL, target trough level 150–250 ng/mL) or TAC (starting dose 0.03 mg/kg/day, target whole blood conc. 10–20 ng/mL, target trough level 5–10 ng/mL) was given as GVHD prophylaxis from day −1. G-CSF was administered from day +6 until neutrophil engraftment. Results: Sixty-eight patients were enrolled between 2/2003 and 2/2008, but 3 were removed before transplant because of disease progression or infection. The diagnoses included lymphoma (n=27; 10 FL, 6 DLBCL, 6 PTCL and 5 HL), AML (n=14), MDS (n=12), MM (n=5), MPD (n=4) and ALL (n=3). The median age of the patients (56 y vs. 55 y) and the median number of CD34+ cells infused (3.7 ×106/kg vs. 3.1 ×106/kg) were similar in the CSP and TAC arms. The median day of neutrophil engraftment in both arms was day 11. The proportion of patients in the CSP or TAC arm who achieved complete chimerism in CD3+ cell fraction on days 28, 56 and 90 was, respectively, 61% vs. 48%, 80% vs. 76% and 80% vs. 97%. Grade 4 RRT was hepatic disease (n=1, CSP arm), and grade 3 RRT included cardiac (n=1, CSP), renal (n=1, CSP), hepatic (n=2, CSP), oral mucosal (n=1, TAC) and gastrointestinal disease (n=4, CSP vs. n=3, TAC). The incidence of grade II–IV acute GVHD in the TAC arm was significantly lower than that in the CSP arm (Table & Figure). The incidences of grade III–IV acute GVHD and extensive chronic GVHD were not significantly different between the two arms. The non-relapse mortality (NRM) in the TAC arm was significantly lower than that in the CSP arm. The causes of death that contributed to NRM were infection in 6 (CSP arm), GVHD in one (CSP), ARDS in one (TAC) and lung cancer in one (CSP). The relapse rate and relapse-related mortality were not significantly different between the two arms. The median follow-up for surviving patients was 1295 days (169–1954). The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates in the TAC arm tended to be higher than those in the CSP arm. Figure Figure Conclusions: A regimen with TAC alone without MTX as GVHD prophylaxis was associated with significantly lower rates of grade II–IV acute GVHD and NRM compared to a regimen with CSP alone after RIST from a MRD. OS and PFS with TAC alone tended to be higher than those with CSP alone. Nevertheless, these results must be considered with care due to the small number of patients, and the optimal use of both drugs is still under investigation. A large-scale RCT to identify suitable GVHD prophylaxis in the RIST setting is warranted. Table: Study Outcomes CSP arm (n=33) TAC arm (n=32) P P value was evaluated with logrank test or Wilcoxon test*. Grade II–IV acute GVHD 64% 39% 0.040 Grade III–IV acute GVHD 30% 23% N.S Extensive chronic GVHD 63% 61% N.S 1-year/3-year NRM 26%/38% 0%/5% 0.008 1-year/3-year relapse 35%/43% 25%/49% N.S 1-year/3-year relapse mortality 27%/33% 10%/42% N.S 1-year/3-year OS 57%/45% 90%/56% 0.135 (0.039*) 1-year/3-year PFS 48%/35% 75%/48% 0.120 (0.047*)

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Synergy of Unrelated Donor and Full Intensity Conditioning Breaks the Control of Graft Versus Host Disease By Alemtuzumab

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v124.21.1206.1206 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 124 (21) ◽

pp. 1206-1206

Author(s):

Olivia Laverick ◽

Amy Publicover ◽

Laura Jardine ◽

Kile Green ◽

Alan Potter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Cell Depletion ◽

Reduced Intensity Conditioning ◽

T Cell Depletion ◽

Gvhd Prophylaxis ◽

Full Intensity ◽

Conditioning Intensity ◽

Reduced Intensity

Abstract Many variables influence the risk of graft versus host disease following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Comparison between preparative regimens is hampered by the use of many different combinations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, varying intensity of conditioning, use of T cell depletion and donors who are either siblings or unrelated volunteers. Many reduced intensity regimens also incorporate enhanced GVHD prophylaxis with in vivo T cell depletion. Here we describe a cohort of patients prepared in a modular fashion with either reduced or full intensity conditioning combined with a uniform GVHD prophylaxis regimen for all transplants with sibling donors (alemtuzumab 30mg) and for all with unrelated donors (UD; alemtuzumab 60mg). Thus it was possible to dissect independently the effect of conditioning intensity and sibling or UD type upon GVHD risk in this settig of in vivo T cell depletion. Patients and analysis: the study was a retrospective analysis of 258 sequential transplants performed in adults with hematological malignancy between September 2005 and September 2013 at a single UK institution. Reduced intensity conditioning (n = 221) included fludarabine 150mg/m2 plus melphalan 140mg/m2 or fludarabine 150mg/m2 plus busulfan 9.6mg/kg. Full intensity transplants (n = 37) received 12Gy TBI plus melphalan 140mg/m2, 12Gy TBI plus cyclophosphamide 120mg/kg, or busulfan 16mg/kg plus cyclophosphamide 120mg/kg. All patients with sibling donors received 30mg alemtuzumab and those with UD received a 60mg of alemtuzumab. UD matching was similar in both reduced intensity and full intensity cohorts (92.2% and 86.5% 10/10 matches, respectively) but patients receiving reduced intensity were older than those receiving full intensity conditioning (median age 51 vs 31; p < 0.001). Outcome was analyzed according to EBMT guidelines. Relapse, non-relapse mortality and cGVHD were treated as competing risks and analysed as cumulative incidence. Outcome: the incidence of acute GVHD grades I-IV was comparable between reduced intensity and full intensity sibling transplants (45% vs 45%; p = NS) indicating a lack of effect of conditioning intensity upon GVHD risk in this setting. There was a slight increase in the risk of GVHD between reduced intensity UD compared with reduced intensity sibling donor transplants (57% vs 45%; p = NS) but a marked synergistic increase between UD transplants performed with full intensity compared with reduced intensity conditioning (100% vs 57%; p = < 0.001). The incidence of grades III-IV acute GVHD was also higher in full intensity UD transplants (16%) compared with reduced intensity UD transplants (5%). The incidence of chronic GVHD was also highest in full intensity UD transplants but both conditioning intensity and UD contributed in an additive manner: the rate of chronic GVHD progressed from 33% to 44% in reduced intensity and full intensity sibling transplants respectively and from 57% to 75% for reduced and full intensity UD transplants, respectively. Two year overall survival was comparable in all groups, ranging from 55% to 70%. In keeping with the higher rates of acute GVHD in full intensity transplants performed with UD, this group experienced the lowest relapse risk (15% vs 29% for all the other groups combined; p = 0.04) but the highest non-relapse mortality, reaching 41% at 2 years compared with 28% for all the other groups combined (p = 0.08). Conclusion: these results show that alemtuzumab provides good protection from acute GVHD in reduced intensity transplantation from sibling and UD. In sibling transplants given identical GVHD prophylaxis, full intensity conditioning does not increase the risk of GVHD. In contrast, a slight increase in GVHD risk with UD transplants seen with reduced intensity conditioning, is amplified in a synergistic manner by full intensity conditioning. This is associated with a high non-relapse mortality, even though the median age of full intensity patients is more than 20 years younger than those receiving reduced intensity conditioning. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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A Prospective Phase 2 Study Testing High Dose Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide As Sole Ghvd Prophylaxis after Matched Allotransplant Using Baltimore-Based Reduced-Intensity Conditioning Regimens and PBSC As Source of Graft

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-149534 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 1812-1812

Author(s):

Patrice Chevallier ◽

Amandine Le Bourgeois ◽

Alice Garnier ◽

Pierre Peterlin ◽

Yannick Le Bris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Gvhd ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

High Dose ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Reduced Intensity Conditioning ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Gvhd Prophylaxis ◽

Phase 2 Study ◽

High Incidence ◽

Grade 3

Abstract Introduction: The use of high-dose post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) has revolutionized graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis and allowed to successfully reconsider haplotransplant in recent years. As this strategy significantly reduces the incidence of both acute and chronic GVHD, PTCY has been thereafter considered not only in matched settings but also as sole GVHD prophylaxis, at least when considering myeloablative allotransplant using matched sibling (MSD) or unrelated (MUD) donors and bone marrow as source of graft. Here, PTCY, as a sole GVHD prophylaxis, was tested in a reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) setting, using peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) as source of graft considering that this platform is currently broadly used worldwide in adults. Methods: This prospective monocentric phase 2 study was designed with the main objective to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of using only PTCY (without cyclosporine A nor mycophenolate mofetyl after transplant) in adults (18-70 years old) eligible for a RIC PBSC transplant with MSD or MUD. The Baltimore platform with 2 days of PTCY 50mg/kg/day on days 3 and 4 post infusion was considered as conditioning regimen, using fludarabine for lymphoid disease or clofarabine for myeloid disease. The primary objective was to appreciate the incidence of corticosteroid-resistant acute grade 3-4 GVHD (CR 3-4 GVHD) within 100 days post-transplant. According to statistical rules, patients have to be included in a step by step fashion (3, 3, 6, 15, 15 and 17 patients) for a total of 59 evaluable patients (meaning having received PTCY), in order to stop the protocol soon enough in case of excessive rate of deleterious severe acute GVHD (graded according to Mount Sinai International Consortium). Thus, the trial had to be stopped in case of documentation of > 2 CR 3-4 GVHD for the first 3 patients, >3 CR 3-4 GVHD for the first 6 patients, > 4 CR 3-4 GVHD for the first 12 patients, > 6 3-4 CR GVHD for the first 27 patients, > 8 CR 3-4 GVHD for the first 42 patients and finally as soon as > 9 CR 3-4 GVHD for the last included patients. All patients gave informed consent. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03263767. Results: The results of the first 27 first patients (males n=17 and female n=10; median age: 59 years old (yo), range: 26-70) are reported here. They were included between February 2018 and November 2020. Diagnoses were AML (N=8), MDS (N=5), CMML (N=2), myelofibrosis (N=5), CML (N=1), DLBCL (N=1), T-cell lymphoma (N=1), Philadelphia positive B-ALL (N=1), CLL (N=1), lymphoblastic lymphoma (N=1) and mixed phenotype acute leukemia (N=1). Donors were MSD in 10 cases and MUD in 17. Only one primary graft failure was documented in a 61 yo MDS patient with active disease at transplant. He is however still alive in response after autologous reconstitution. With a median follow-up of 17.6 months (range: 10-42) for alive patients at the time of analysis (July 2021), 1-year and 2-year survivals were 80.9+7% and 74.7+9%, respectively, for both OS et DFS. GVHD-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS) at 1-year and 2-year was 58.7+9% and 52.2+10%, respectively. Three relapses (11%) and 6 deaths occurred. Deaths were due to acute GVHD in 4 patients (including 1 with sepsis and 1 with SARS-COVID 19 infection) and relapse in 2. Grade 2, 3 and 4 acute GVHD occurred in 11, 1 and 4 patients, respectively, for a total of 59% of grade 2-4 acute GVHD. CR 3-4 GVHD was observed in all of 5 patients with acute grade 3-4 GVHD and 4 died related to GVHD. Moderate/severe chronic GVHD occurred in 5/22 (22.7%) evaluable patients, including 4 still on immunosuppressive therapy at 40, 28, 25 and 16 months post-transplant. Overall non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 14.8% and related to acute GVHD. However, the number of cases conducting to stop the protocol was not reached. Conclusion: PTCY as a sole GVHD prophylaxis is here demonstrated as possible and relatively safe for adults receiving a matched PBSC Baltimore-based RIC allograft. The very good survivals reported here may be related to a strong GVL effect associated with the high incidence of acute GVHD. However, because of this high incidence and the fact that NRM was related to GVHD after this first analysis, we have now made an amendment to test the addition to PTCY of one day of anti-thymoglobulin (ATG) 2.5 mg/kg on day-2 for the next 32 patients to be included. This second cohort receiving PTCY+ATG as a sole prophylaxis is ongoing. Disclosures Moreau: Celgene BMS: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Oncopeptides: Honoraria.

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HLA-DP Mismatches Increase the Risk of Acute GVHD after Unrelated Donor Hematopoietic Transplantation (UDT).

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.3125.3125 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 3125-3125 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marcos de Lima ◽

Simrit Parmar ◽

Ping Liu ◽

Poliana A. Patah ◽

Pedro Cano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Gvhd ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Unrelated Donor ◽

Free Survival ◽

Gvhd Prophylaxis ◽

Grade Ii ◽

Reduced Intensity ◽

Grade Iii

Abstract The HLA class II DP locus encode for both subunits of DPB1 heterodimers, which have low levels of expression on the cell surface of antigen presenting cells. We hypothesized that donor-recipient HLA-DP mismatch would lead to an increased incidence of acute (a) graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and that 2 mismatches would likely be even more significant. Methods: We studied 84 consecutive patients (pts) with myeloid leukemias in complete remission (CR) transplanted from 01/02 to 02/06. Preparative regimens were ablative IV Busulfan-based (n=58) or Cy/TBI (n=2), and reduced intensity (Fludarabine (Flu)/Bu 130 mg/m2/2 doses plus Gleevec (n=8), and Flu/Melphalan 140 mg/m2 (n=16). Stem cell (SC) source was bone marrow (n=70) or peripheral blood (n=14). ATG was given in 78 cases. GVHD prophylaxis was tacrolimus and mini-methotrexate in all cases, with additional pentostatin in 31 pts. High-resolution typing was sequence-based for HLA-A, B, DRB1; SSP was used for DRB3/4/5, DQB1 and DPB1, and SBT/SSOP for HLA-C. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to study aGVHD-free and relapse-free (RFS) survival. Variables with a p-value <0.25 by univariate analysis were included in the multiple regression analysis (MV). Variables were age, gender, weight, conditioning regimen, GVHD prophylaxis, diagnosis, cytogenetics, SC source, ABO group, infused CD34 and CD3 cell dose, and HLA matching. AGVHD-free survival was calculated from transplant date to date of development of grade II–IV GVHD or completion of 100 days of follow-up. Results: Median age was 48 yrs (range, 14–72). Diagnoses were MDS (n=5), AML (n=58), and CML (n=21). 54 pts (64%) were beyond 1st CR; all CML pts were in >1st chronic phase (CP). Sixty-one pts were 10/10 HLA match (A, B, C, DRB1, DQB1), and 23 had one or more mismatches. All but one pt engrafted neutrophils at a median of 13 days. 33 pts (39%) and 13 pts (15%) developed grade II–IV and III–IV aGVHD, respectively. Chronic GVHD incidence was 51%. With a median follow-up of 18 mo. (range,1.3–52) 60 pts are alive; 40 pts have relapsed or died. Median survival has not been reached. Number of DP mismatches and incidence of aGVHD is shown in the table. The following covariates influenced aGVHD-free survival by MV analysis: Flu-based regimen (P=0.005; HR 0.25 (95%CI 0.1–0.66), reduced intensity regimens (p=0.02; HR 0.35 (95%CI 0.15–0.83) and presence of 2 DPB1 mismatches (p=0.02; HR 3.07 (95%CI 1.19–7.95). Presence of 1 DPB1 mismatch was not significantly associated with aGVHD. There was no statistically significant correlation between presence of 2 DP mismatches and RFS (P=0.17;HR 0.3 (95%CI 0.06–1.65);HR 0.75 for 1 mismatch) or with cGVHD. Actuarial 2-yr survival for 10/10 matched pts without DP mismatches (12/12) versus those with DP mismatches is 82% versus 71%(P=0.6). In the 10/10 matched group, GVHD was the cause of death only among recipients of 2 DP mismatches transplants (n=4). Conclusion: Mismatching at HLA-DPB1 may increase the risk of aGVHD following UDT. The role of DP in the development of GVHD and GVL effects merits future study. Incidence of acute GVHD 10 of 10 matches number of DP mismatches grade II–IV grade III–IV 0 8% 0% 1 23% 8% 2 45% 18% < 10 of 10 matches number of DP mismatches grade II–IV grade III–IV 0 45% 15% 1 82% 36% 2 80% 40%

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Low Incidence of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Myeloablative Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide Using Matched Related or Unrelated Donors: Phase II Study Interim Analysis

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-147569 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 1811-1811

Author(s):

Najla H El Jurdi ◽

Daniel O'Leary ◽

Fiona He ◽

Todd E. DeFor ◽

Armin Rashidi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Cumulative Incidence ◽

Research Funding ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Gvhd Prophylaxis ◽

Preparative Regimen

Abstract Introduction Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only potentially curative treatment for many high-risk hematologic malignancies. Myeloablative conditioning is currently the standard of care for young and fit patients; however, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) continues to be a major limitation to the success of HCT, increasing post-transplant morbidity and mortality. An ideal HCT is one combining strategies that reduce incidence and severity of GVHD, without compromising graft-versus-tumor effect. We hypothesized that GVHD prophylaxis regimen consisting of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy), tacrolimus (Tac) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) will reduce the incidence of chronic GVHD in patients receiving a standard hematopoietic myeloablative HCT without an increase in risk of malignant relapse. Methods This is an interim analysis of a phase II study using a myeloablative preparative regimen of either: 1. total body irradiation (TBI, total dose 1320 cGy administered twice a day from days -4 to -1) or 2. Busulfan 3.2mg/kg daily (cumulative AUC 19,000 - 21,000 µmol/min/L) plus fludarabine 160mg/m 2 days -5 to -2 for patients unable to receive further radiation, followed by a GVHD prophylaxis regimen of PTCy (50mg/kg days +3 and +4), Tac and MMF (beginning day +5). The primary endpoint is cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD requiring systemic immunosuppressive treatment at 1 year post-transplant. Patient and disease characteristics are detailed in Table 1. Eligibility included: age ≤ 60 years, malignant or non-malignant diagnosis, matched related (MRD) or unrelated (MUD) donor with either a bone marrow (BM) or filgrastim-mobilized peripheral blood (PB) graft. Results Through October 2020 we treated 63 patients with a median follow up of 502 days post-transplant. Of those, 48% were female and n=11 (17%) younger than 18 with median age at HCT of 36 years (range, 2-55; Interquartile range [IQR], 20-48). Donor source was 8/8 MRD in 44 patients (70%), 8/8 MUD in 18 (29%), and one with 7/8 MUD. Graft source was BM in n=28 (44%) and PB in n=35 (56%). Preparative regimen was TBI in 94% of patients. All patients achieved primary neutrophil engraftment by 42 days, median 16 days (range, 13-27). Overall, 94% achieved platelet engraftment by 6 months, median 25 days (range, 16-98). At day 100, 48 patients (86%) achieved full donor bone marrow chimerism (>95% donor DNA); 29 (52%) and 52 (95%) achieved full donor peripheral blood CD3 and CD33 chimerism (defined as >95% donor). 42 patients (66%) required total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for oral mucositis and regimen-related toxicities during their initial transplant admission. Cumulative incidence of Grade II-IV acute GVHD by 100 days post-transplant was 14% overall (95% confidence interval CI: 6-23%), 7% for MRD and 32% for the MUD group; Grade III-IV acute GVHD was 5% overall (CI: 0-10%), similar for both MRD and MUD group. At 1 year, only two patients receiving a PBSC graft developed chronic GVHD requiring immune suppression, for a cumulative incidence of 3% overall, one in the MRD group and one in the MUD group. Two-year cumulative incidence of relapse was estimated at 21% overall, 22% and 16% for the MRD and MUD groups, respectively. Two year cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality was 13% overall, 15% and 5% for MRD and MUD, respectively. Estimated 2-year overall survival was 79% overall (CI: 65-88%), 75% for the MRD group and 95% for MUD. Estimated 2-year GVHD-free relapse free survival (GRFS) was 57% overall (CI: 42-69%), 56% and 63% in the MRD and MUD groups, respectively. Discussion Myeloablative transplantation with a TBI preparative regimen, followed by a GVHD prophylaxis regimen of PTCy, Tac, and MMF results in very low incidence of chronic GVHD. Importantly, this regimen is feasible and effective for pediatric and adult patients. Further improvement in outcomes can be achieved by incorporating post-transplant relapse mitigating strategies as well as supportive care measures to decrease regimen-related toxicities. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Arora: Kadmom: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Syndax: Research Funding. Janakiram: Bristol Meyer Squibb, Kyowa Kirin, ADCT Therapeutics: Honoraria; FATE, Nektar Therapeutics: Research Funding. Smith: Astellas Gene Therapies: Current Employment. Bachanova: Incyte: Research Funding; KaryoPharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; FATE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gamida Cell: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Brunstein: BlueRock: Research Funding; AlloVir: Consultancy; FATE: Research Funding; NANT: Research Funding; GamidaCell: Research Funding. MacMillan: Equilium: Other: DSMB member; Incyte: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Miller: Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Magenta: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; ONK Therapeutics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Vycellix: Consultancy; GT Biopharma: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Fate Therapeutics, Inc: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Wugen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Betts: Patent Disclosures: Patents & Royalties: B.C.B. holds a patent (WO2015120436A2) related to CD4+ T cell pSTAT3 as a marker and therapeutic target of acute GVHD. B.C.B. additionally holds a provisional patent (WO2017058950A1) related to the use of JAK inhibitors for rejection and GVHD prevention. . Vercellotti: Mitobridge, an Astellas Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Research Funding. Weisdorf: Fate Therapeutics: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Holtan: Generon: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding.

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Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide and Sirolimus in Matched Related and Unrelated Allogeneic Transplant with a Treosulfan-Based Conditioning

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-111352 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 4662-4662

Author(s):

Jacopo Peccatori ◽

Serena Albanese ◽

Raffaella Greco ◽

Francesca Lorentino ◽

Fabio Giglio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Cumulative Incidence ◽

Research Funding ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Free Survival ◽

Allogeneic Hsct ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Gvhd Prophylaxis

Abstract Introduction: Post transplant cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) has recently emerged as a very promising pharmacological strategy to overcome human leukocyte antigen (HLA) barriers in the setting of haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). We recently reported a promising preliminary experience on the use of PT-Cy and sirolimus as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis in matched allo-HSCT (Greco R et al, Blood 2016). Herein we describe long-term outcomes of matched allogeneic HSCT, using treosulfan-based conditioning, and GVHD prophylaxis with PT-Cy and sirolimus. Methods: In our center, we collected 104 adult patients (pts) receiving matched HSCT for high-risk hematological malignancies, mainly acute myeloid leukemia (n=43). Donor was matched related (MRD) for 45 pts, 10/10 matched unrelated (MUD) for 39 pts and 9/10 MUD for 20 pts. Median age was 48 years (range 19-78). At HSCT, 51% of patients were not in complete remission (CR), 39% were in CR1 and 11% in subsequent CR. Graft source was mainly PBSCs (95%). All pts received a conditioning regimen based on treosulfan and fludarabine; 89% received an intensified conditioning with the addition of melphalan. All pts received PT-Cy (50 mg/kg/day) on days 3 and 4. Sirolimus was given from day 5, and withdrawn 3 months after HSCT. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was added from day 5 to day 30, only in MUD. All patients were treated according to current institutional programs upon written informed consent for transplant procedures. Results: Median follow up was over 16 months (range 3-51). Median CD34+ and CD3+ cell doses were 5.6x10^6/Kg (range, 1.5-10.9) and 2.0x10^8/Kg (range, 0.2-8.0), respectively. All the recipients of allo-HSCT experienced a sustained donor cell engraftment. The cumulative incidence of grades II-IV and III-IV acute GVHD at 100 days was 21% and 9%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 25% at 2 years; we observed severe chronic GVHD only in 4% of pts. The cumulative incidences of relapse and non-relapse mortality (NRM) were 33% and 8% at 2 years, respectively. Two-year overall survival (OS) was 67% and progression free survival (PFS) 59%. The composite end point of GVHD-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS) was 52% at 2 years, in which events include grade 3-4 acute GVHD, systemic therapy-requiring chronic GVHD, relapse, or death. There was a longer OS, 2-year OS was 77% (p = 0.05), and a trend towards higher PFS and GRFS, 63% (p=0.07) and 58% (p=0.06) respectively, for pts with CR status at HSCT. We did not found a significant effect of HLA-matching (9/10 versus 10/10) or donor type (related versus unrelated) on major transplant outcomes (NRM, PFS, GRFS, relapse, acute and chronic GvHD). Conclusion: These outcomes confirmed that matched allogeneic HSCT using treosulfan-based chemotherapy, PT-Cy and sirolimus, is associated with low NRM and acceptable severe GVHD, providing relevant long-term survival in high-risk diseases. A randomized trial comparing this strategy with other kind of in-vivo T-cell depletion (i.e. ATG) is warranted. Disclosures Vago: Moderna TX: Research Funding; GENDX: Research Funding.

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Megadose CD34-Selected Haplocompatible Donor Stem Cell Transplantation in Children.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.5417.5417 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 5417-5417

Author(s):

Barbara S. Sleight ◽

Morton J. Cowan ◽

Biljana Horn ◽

Jennifer Jaroscak ◽

Joseph McGuirk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Overlap Syndrome ◽

Malignant Diseases ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Gvhd Prophylaxis ◽

Grade Ii ◽

Grade Iii

Abstract We report a retrospective review of 18 children receiving haplocompatible related donor hematopoietic peripheral blood SCT and consecutively enrolled at four U.S. transplant centers. The median age was 8 yrs (range 1–20). Patients with malignancy (n=13) included: AML-CR1 (primary induction failure, failed cord blood transplant) [1], CR2 [3]; MDS-RA/RARS [2], RAEB [2]; AML and Fanconi anemia [1]; CML-CP2 [1]; ALL-CR3 [2]; NHL-CR2 [1]. Patients with non-malignant diseases included severe aplastic anemia [n=4] and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome [n=1]. Thirteen donors were a 3/6 HLA match and 5 were a 4/6 match. CD34 positive selection was used to select stem cells and deplete T lymphocytes. Conditioning for 13 of the patients consisted of TBI 12–14 Gy in 6 fractions, thiotepa, fludarabine and ATG. Fractionated TBI was replaced by single fraction TBI (n=2) or melphalan (n=3). Cyclophosphamide replaced thiotepa for 1 patient with FA. No post-transplant graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was given. Patients received a median of 18 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg (range 6–28) and 3 × 104 CD3+ cells/kg (range 0.3–11). Sustained primary engraftment occurred in 15/18 (83%) patients. Primary graft failure occurred in one patient. Two patients had immunological rejection following HHV-6 reactivation. Both engrafted after a second transplant; therefore the overall engraftment success was 94%. The median time to an ANC >0.5 × 109/L was 12 days (range 9–21). Platelet recovery occurred in 16/18 at a median of 17 days (range 9–22). Primary (occurring after SCT but prior to DLI) grade II acute GVHD was seen in 4/17 patients (24%). Grade III-IV GVHD was seen in 1 patient (6%) manifest as overlap syndrome in association with HHV-6 reactivation. One pt had primary extensive chronic GVHD. Of nine patients who received DLI and/or stem cell boosts, 4 had grade II GVHD (3/4 had prior acute GVHD), none had grade III-IV GVHD, 2 developed chronic GVHD and 1 developed overlap syndrome. Infections were common but manageable. All patients were at risk for CMV reactivation based on CMV serology: recipient/donor +/+ (9), +/− (3), −/+ (6). Seven patients (39%) reactivated CMV. All cases were responsive to anti-viral therapy and/or DLI. No CMV disease was seen. Seven patients had adenovirus reactivation and 6 had HHV-6 reactivation. EBV reactivation occurred in 5/18 (28%) patients. Rituximab (5) and DLI (2) yielded rapid resolution of EBV in all patients. Four of 13 (31%) at risk patients have relapsed: 1 pt with cytogenetic relapse remains in CR2 > 6 mo later and another who recently relapsed is undergoing salvage therapy. The 100 day and 1 year transplant-related mortality was 11% and 19%, respectively. The overall survival is 72% with a median follow-up of 31 months (range 7–89). Among patients transplanted for malignant diseases (13) and non-malignant diseases (5), overall survival is 69% and 80%, respectively. The K-M 2 year survival was 70% +/− 22%. All survivors were complete donor chimeras by DNA methods. The use of megadose CD34-selected PBSC without post-transplant GVHD prophylaxis yielded rapid engraftment, low 100-day mortality and incidence of severe GVHD, and excellent survival. The overall survival compares favorably with MSD and MUD HSCT.

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Double Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation with Reduced Intensity Conditioning and Sirolimus-Based GVHD Prophylaxis.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v110.11.2016.2016 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 110 (11) ◽

pp. 2016-2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Corey Cutler ◽

Rachel Mitrovich ◽

Grace Kao ◽

Vincent Ho ◽

Edwin Alyea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cord Blood ◽

Umbilical Cord ◽

Umbilical Cord Blood ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Cord Blood Transplantation ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Conditioning Regimen ◽

Reduced Intensity Conditioning ◽

Gvhd Prophylaxis ◽

Reduced Intensity

Abstract Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an alternative stem cell source for patients without related or unrelated donors. Single-unit UCB transplantation in adults is associated with high transplant-related mortality, largely due to delayed engraftment and infection. While double umbilical cord blood transplantation (DUCBT) is associated with faster engraftment, it is also associated with high rates of acute GVHD. We studied DUCBT using sirolimus and tacrolimus as GVHD prophylaxis to improve GVHD outcomes. Methods: Reduced-intensity conditioning consisted of fludarabine (30mg/m2×6 days), melphalan (100mg/m2× 1day), and rabbit ATG (1.5 mg/kg × 4 days). Cord blood units were ≥4/6 HLA-A, B, DR allele-matched with each other and the recipient, and contained a minimum combined dose of 3.7× 107 TNC/kg (pre-cryopreservation). GVHD prophylaxis consisted of tacrolimus (serum conc. 5–10 ng/ml) and sirolimus (serum conc. 3–12 ng/ml). Filgrastim was used routinely after transplantation, and subjects received prophylactic anti-fungal antibiotics as part of routine supportive care. Results: 27 patients (median age 49 years, range 19–67) with >100 day follow-up are reported. Diagnoses include AML(8), NHL(7), HD(4), MDS(3), CLL/PLL(2), ALL(1), MPD (1) and CML(1). The median total cell doses prior to cryopreservation were 5.25 ×107 TNC/kg (range 3.74–7.58 ×107) and 12.57 ×106 CD34+ cells (range 1.45–29.0 ×106). Neutrophil engraftment occurred at a median of 21 days (range 13–70) and platelet engraftment to 20 000/μL occurred at a median of 42 days (range 25–162) after DUCBT. Three subjects did not attain platelet transfusion independence by day 100 and there were 2 late graft failures. 3 patients developed Gr II–IV acute GVHD (2 Gr. II and 1 Gr. III). The rate of acute GVHD was lower when compared with a prior cohort that received the identical conditioning regimen, but with cyclosporine and MMF as GVHD prophylaxis (11.1% vs. 37.7%, p=0.05). 2 patients developed chronic GVHD at a median of 203 days from transplantation. The median follow up is 12 months (15 months among survivors, range 4–20 months). 100-day treatment-related mortality was 11.1%. There was no VOD or TMA. Relapse-free and overall survival at 1 year are 54.4% and 72.9% respectively. Causes of death include sepsis(4), relapse(2), and EBV-associated PTLD(2). Chimerism analysis at day 100 (n=22) revealed complete single cord chimerism in 13 subjects with mixed cord chimerism in 9. The first infused unit was the predominant unit at day 100 in 14/22 subjects. There was no correlation between cord dominance and HLA match, TNC/kg or CD34+ cell count prior to cryopreservation. Conclusions: This study demonstrates excellent engraftment after DUCBT in adult recipients after a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen. The risk of acute and chronic GVHD is low when sirolimus and tacrolimus are used as GVHD prophylaxis when compared with our prior experience with cyclosporine and MMF, and survival is comparable to historical unrelated donor cohorts.

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Prophylactic Rituximab after Reduced Intensity Conditioning Transplantation Results in Low Chronic Gvhd

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.466.466 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 466-466 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sally Arai ◽

Bita Sahaf ◽

Carol Jones ◽

James Zhender ◽

Robert Lowsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cell ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Influenza B ◽

Reduced Intensity Conditioning ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Infection Incidence ◽

Donor Chimerism ◽

Unrelated Donors ◽

Cmv Reactivation ◽

Reduced Intensity

Abstract Background: B cells are implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic GVHD. We hypothesize that prophylactic anti-B cell therapy delivered two months after reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) transplantation would prevent or reduce chronic GVHD incidence from the historical 50%. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) were the target diseases as they are B cell malignancies with clear allogeneic GVL benefit. Methods: CLL and MCL patients were conditioned with total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) 80 cGy in 10 fractions, d-11 to d-1 and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) 1.5mg/kg/day, d-11 to d-7 (total 7.5mg/kg). PBPC were infused on day 0. Primary GVHD prophylaxis was cyclosporine (CSA) on d-3 with taper by 6 months, and MMF from day 0 until d28 for related donors, d100 for unrelated donors. Rituximab (375 mg/m2/week ×4) was infused on days 56, 63, 70, and 77 post-transplant. Results: 36 patients accrued to the study (median age 57, range 31–66 yrs), with 34 patients completing the 4 rituximab infusions. All 22 CLL patients were high risk (fludarabinerefractory, unmutated VH-IgG, or P53 deletion). The 14 MCL patients included 4 patients in PR and 10 patients in CR status at transplant. Median follow-up is 20 months. Twenty patients had sibling donors; 16, unrelated donors. Median CD34 cell dose was 7.5 CD34/kg. All patients had donor cell engraftment except for one patient who had graft failure with stable autologous recovery. Full donor chimerism (PB CD3>95%) was achieved in 14 out of 31 patients (45%) by day 90. However, all but 5 patients had achieved full donor chimerism at 1 year. The incidence of grade 2–4 acute GVHD was 6%. The incidence of chronic GVHD was 18%. Day 100 NRM was 0% and 1-year NRM was 3%. Ten relapses have occurred (5 CLL, 5 MCL). Estimated FFP and OS at 2 years for CLL patients is 82%(CI +/−16%) and 73% (CI +/−33%), respectively; for MCL patients, 64% and 68%, respectively Full donor chimerism was associated with persistent disease remission. Twelve of 19 VHIg mutated CLL patients have achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) by quantitative allele-specific oligonucleotide-IgH PCR (ASO-Q-PCR). DLI was given to 5 CLL patients and 1 MCL who had relapsed and had not achieved full donor chimerism.. There were no infusional toxicities with rituximab. Transient rituximab related neutropenia occurred in 10 patients d100–150. Post-transplant infections included influenza B, RSV, fungal sinusitis, pseudomonas, klebsiella infection, VZV reactivation, and one PTLD before day 56 rituximab. All recovered Of 22 patients at risk for CMV reactivation, 10 reactivated ( range 4 to 56 days post-HCT). Therefore, rituximab did not contribute to the CMV reactivation or increase infection incidence. Conclusion: Prophylactic rituximab infusion post RIC transplantation is well tolerated, provides safe donor B cell depletion without detrimental effect on engraftment or infection incidence, and is associated with a low incidence of chronic GVHD while maintaining GVL. A randomized trial of rituximab prophylaxis after allogeneic HCT is warranted.

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