Bone Marrow Transplant Activity - A Country Report from Pakistan.

Abstract Bone Marrow transplant activity started in 1999 in Pakistan when Bismillah Taqee Institute of Health Sciences & Blood Diseases Centre started functioning in the southern port city of Karachi, Pakistan. Two years later in year 2001 Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Centre started functioning in the northern part of country, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. In 2004 another transplant centre, started in Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Since the establishment of these transplant centers a total of 349 allogeneic transplants have been carried out for various hematological disorders. The major indications included aplastic anaemia (n=166), β-Thalassaemia major (n=76), chronic myeloid leukaemia (n=57), acute leukaemias (n=37) and misc disorders including MDS, Fanconi anaemia and others (n=13). A total of 22 autologous transplants in lymphomas and multiple myeloma have also been carried out. Since this number is very small, only data of allogeneic transplants is being presented here. Major post transplant complications encountered were neutropenic fever in 92.6% patients with 27% culture positivity (412/1571). Infective complications included bacterial infections (both gram+ive and gram-ive) in 194 patients (56%), fungal infection in 32 patients (10%), CMV infection in 15 patients (5%), herpes infection in 16 patients (5%), tuberculosis in 9 patients (3%) and PCP in 1 patient (0.28%) and malaria in 1 patient (0.28%). So post transplant infections were confirmed in 76.6% (268/349) patients on the basis of clinical assessment, microbiological, virological and histopathological analysis. Non infective post transplant complication included aGvHD (grade II-IV) in 80 patients (23%), cGvHD 46 patients (13.1%), VOD liver in 25 patients (7.2%), haemorrhagic cystitis in 27 patients (7.7%), ARF in 13 patients (3.7%), primary graft failure in 5 patients(1.4%), graft rejection in 17 patients (4.9%) and relapse in 14 patients (4%). Transplant related mortality was observed in 93 patients (26.6%). Infective & non infective causes of mortality included septicemia in 15 patients (4.3%), CMV in 8 patients (2.3%), fungal infections in 8 patients (2.3%), tuberculosis in 2 patient (0.6%). herpes encephalitis in 1 patient (0.3%) VOD in 8 patients (2.3%), aGvHD in 12 patients (3.4%), cGvHD in 7 patients (2.0%), ARF in 8 patients (2.3%) and intracranial haemorrhage in 3 patients (0.9%). Graft related mortality due to graft failure and relapse was observed in 6 patients (1.7%) and 14 patients (4%) respectively. Unrelated accidental death in 1 patient (0.3%). Overall survival was observed in 256 patients (73.3%) and DFS in 250 patients (71.6%). The OS and DFS was 72.7% and 70.9% in BTIHS & BDC patients, whereas OS & DFS was 72.8% and 70.7% respectively in AFBMTC patients. The OS & DFS was 82.6% at AKUH. Disease wise overall survival in aplastic anemia, β-Thalassaemia, CML and acute leukemia was 78.3%, 76.3%, 63.1% and 59.5% respectively.

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A Novel TBI Free Conditioning Protocol for Haploidentical Transplant in Acquired Aplastic Anemia: (FluCAB-Prime)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-142753 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 12-13

Author(s):

Raheel Iftikhar ◽

Qamar Un Nisa Chaudhry ◽

Syed Kamran Mahmood ◽

Tariq Ghafoor ◽

Nighat Shahbaz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Overall Survival ◽

Aplastic Anemia ◽

Graft Failure ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Conditioning Regimen ◽

Marrow Transplant ◽

Free Survival ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Primary Graft Failure

Introduction Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the standard treatment for patients younger than 40 years with Severe and Very Severe Aplastic Anemia (AA) who have a Matched Related Donor (MRD). For patients lacking a MRD, treatment options include immunosuppressive therapy (IST), matched unrelated donor (MUD) or alternate donor (haploidentical/cord blood) transplant. Pakistan has a population of around 23 million but there is no donor registry for MUD transplants and horse antithyomcyte globulin (hATG) is not available. Over past decade, results of haploidentical transplants have improved remarkably with use of post-transplant cyclophosphamide. However, most of these protocols incorporate total body irradiation (TBI) to improve engraftment and reduce graft failure. TBI is not available in most of the transplant centres across Pakistan. We have developed a novel TBI free conditioning regimen (NCT03955601) for haploidentical HSCT in acquired AA patients lacking a MRD. Materials and Methods We conducted a prospective, single centre, interventional trial (NCT03955601) using novel TBI free conditioning at AF bone marrow transplant centre (AFBMTC)/ National institute of blood and marrow transplant (NIBMT) for patients with acquired severe and very severe AA. Between July 2018 and March 2020, a total of 10 patients received related haploidentical transplant.Study inclusion criteria was diagnosis of severe and very severe AA, patients of both genders, age 2-60 years, Karnofsky performance status>70%. Exclusion criteria was presence of donor specific antibodies (DSA), inherited bone marrow failure syndrome, prior HSCT and severe sepsis. Conditioning regimen used was Fludarabine (Flu) 30 mg/m2 IV daily from day -7 to -3, Cyclophosphamide (Cy) 14.5 mg/kg IV daily on day -6 and -5 , rabbit Antithymocyte globulin (rATG) 5 mg /kg/day from day -6 to day-3; Busulphan (Bu) IV 3.2 mg per kg/day in 04 divided doses on day -3 and day-2, Granulocyte Colony Stimulating factor (GCSF) primed Bone marrow harvest (BMH) and/or PBSC graft on day 0 and day +1 respectively. Graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis used was post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) administered at a dose of 50mg/kg/day given daily on days +3 and +5 post-transplant, cyclosporine (CsA) from day +5 and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) from day+5 to +35. Primary outcome measure was overall survival (OS) while secondary outcome measures included graft failure, treatment related mortality (TRM), disease free survival (DFS), GVHD free relapse free survival (GRFS), acute and chronic GVHD. Results: Ten patients were transplanted, 5 (50%) female and 5 (50%) male (table 1). Median age was 15.5 years (range 5-41 years). Median duration from diagnosis to transplant was 14 months (range 4-51 months). One patient received ATG prior to transplant. Median number of red cell concentrate (RCC) transfusions before transplant were 27 (8-90) and platelet transfusions 100(6-150). Median donor age was 23 years (10-41 years). Donor-recipient major ABO mismatch was present in 2(20%) while four (40%) had minor ABO mismatch. Primed bone marrow harvest (BMH) was used in 3(30%) while primed BM+PBSC was given in 7(70%) patients. Median CD34 dose given was 8 x 106/kg (range 5.1-16). Seven patients (70%) achieved sustained neutrophil engraftment. One patient had primary graft failure, one patient secondary graft failure at day 35 due to Cytomegalovirus infection and one patient (currently day +118) is having poor graft function. Acute skin GVHD stage-2 developed in 1 patient which settled with topical steroids. None of the patient developed chronic GVHD. Cytomegalovirus reactivation was documented in 8 (80%) patients. All donors and recipients were CMV seropositive pre-transplant. One patient (female, 20 years) had primary graft failure and died on day +31 with sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS). One patient (female, 14 years) had secondary graft failure due to CMV infection and died on day +44 with intracranial hemorrhage. Conditioning regimen was well tolerated without any treatment related morbidly and mortality. Median follow-up of study was 13 months (range 4-22 months). Overall survival of study cohort is 80%, DFS 70% and GRFS 70%. Conclusion: Our study shows that for countries lacking TBI, use of FluCAB-Prime protocol is feasible and is associated with low rates of acute and chronic GVHD. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide Following a Myeloablative Conditioning For Hematologic Malignancies Receiving An Unmanipulated Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplant

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v122.21.2103.2103 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 122 (21) ◽

pp. 2103-2103

Author(s):

Anna Maria Raiola ◽

Anna Ghiso ◽

Alida Dominietto ◽

Carmen Di Grazia ◽

Francesca Gualandi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Bone Marrow Transplant ◽

Cumulative Incidence ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Marrow Transplant ◽

High Dose ◽

Myeloablative Conditioning ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Active Disease ◽

Related Mortality

Abstract Background Unmanipulated family haploidentical transplants are becoming increasingly used in patients lacking an HLA identical family donor, or a well matched unrelated donor. Aim of the study This is an updated analysis of our program of haploidentical bone marrow transplant (hBMT) , followed by post-transplant high dose cyclophosphamide (PT-CY) in 95 patients with hematoloigic malignancies receiving a myeloablative conditioning. Methods The conditioning regimen consisted of thiotepa, busulfan, fludarabine (TBF) (n=47) , thiotepa melphalan fludarabine (n=5) , or 9.9-12 Gy TBI + fludarabine (n=43). The patients’ median age was 49 years (17-74); the disease status at the time of transplant, was first complete remission (CR1, n=29) , CR2 (n=23), or active disease (n=38,40%). The diagnosis was AML (35%), ALL (24%), MDS (12%) myeloproliferative disorders (12%), other malignancies (17%). The total nucleated cell dose infused was 3.37 (1.4-9.17). The median follow up for surviving patients is 440 days (90-930). Graft versus host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis consisted in PT-CY on day+3 and +5 , cyclosporine (from day 0) , and mycophenolate (from day +1). Results The cumulative incidence of neutrophil (PMN) engraftment was (90%) and all surviving patients on day +30 had full donor chimerism. The median day for neutrophil engraftment was day +17 (11-32). The cumulative incidence (CI) of grade II-III acute GvHD was 14%, and of moderate chronic GvHD 8%, severe cGvHD 9%. The CI of transplant related mortality (TRM) is respectively 7%, 17%, 26% for patients in CR1, CR2, or with active disease. The CI of relapse is respectively 17%, 30%, 37% for patients in CR1, CR2, or with active disease. The overall actuarial survival is respectively 75%, 44%, 32% for patients in CR1, CR2, or with active disease (p=0.002) (Fig.1). The most frequent cause of death was leukemia (26%) followed by infections (9%). Conclusions These data confirm our first report on 50 patients and support the use of myeloablative conditioning regimens, followed by h-BMT with PT-CY. The risk of acute and chronic GvHD seems relatively low , as well as the overall transplant related mortality. We have not seen the excess relapse rate reported when patients are given a non myeloablative regimen, and disease control has been satisfactorily both for patients in remission, as well as for patients with active disease at the time of transplants. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Early viral reactivation despite excellent immune reconstitution following haploidentical Bone marrow transplant with post‐transplant cytoxan for sickle cell disease

Transplant Infectious Disease ◽

10.1111/tid.13222 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dilan A. Patel ◽

Nathalie Dhedin ◽

Heidi Chen ◽

Leena Karnik ◽

Katie Gatwood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Bone Marrow Transplant ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Immune Reconstitution ◽

Marrow Transplant ◽

Viral Reactivation ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Post Transplant

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Utility of WT1 as a Reliable Tool for the Detection of Minimal Residual Disease in Children with Leukemia

Pediatric and Developmental Pathology ◽

10.1007/s10024-001-0208-x ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 269-275 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Morris Kletzel ◽

Marie Olzewski ◽

Wei Huang ◽

Pauline M. Chou

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Minimal Residual Disease ◽

Bone Marrow Transplant ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Blast Crisis ◽

Marrow Transplant ◽

Post Transplant ◽

High Level ◽

Minimal Residual

WT1 encodes a transcription factor involved in the pathogenesis of Wilms' tumor. A high level of expression has been reported in blasts from patients with various hematological malignancies. The study was performed to evaluate the utility of monitoring WT1 expression in children with leukemia at diagnosis, during therapy, and following bone marrow transplant. We tested a total of 204 samples prospectively. These included samples from patients with the following diagnoses: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at diagnosis ( n = 45), at relapse ( n = 14), and in remission ( n = 45); acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) at diagnosis ( n = 14), at relapse ( n = 5), and in remission ( n = 12); and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in blast crisis ( n = 1) and in chronic phase ( n = 1). A total of 33 of these patients were transplanted: 19 ALL, 12 ANLL, and 2 CML. In addition, samples from 5 patients with aplastic anemia and 28 controls were obtained from peripheral blood ( n = 17), cord blood ( n = 3), and bone marrow ( n = 8). Primer pairs were designed to locate specific nucleotide sequences for mRNA of WT1. RT-PCR was performed in all samples and compared with K562 cells from ATCC (defined as 1.0) as positive control. A positive test was arbitrarily defined as WT1/K562 > 0.5. Samples at diagnosis and relapse, including 56 out of 59 ALL (95%), 26 ANLL (100%), and 1 CML in blast crisis, demonstrated high levels of WT1 expression. In contrast, only 5 of 90 samples obtained in remission or post-transplant showed high levels of WT1 expression ( P < 0.0001; 95% CI = 0.66–0.94). The five patients with high WT1 expression during follow-up relapsed within 2 to 6 months. In conclusion, we have found that WT1 is consistently elevated in children with leukemia. Significant differences in the level of WT1 expression were noted between these patients during diagnosis and at relapse, and those during remission. More importantly, following bone marrow transplant, a significant high level of WT1 expression preceded clinical relapse by 2 to 6 months. Therefore, WT1 is a reliable marker for monitoring minimal residual disease during therapy as well as in the post-transplant period.

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