scholarly journals First-line treatment for severe aplastic anemia in children: bone marrow transplantation from a matched family donor versus immunosuppressive therapy

Haematologica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 99 (12) ◽  
pp. 1784-1791 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Yoshida ◽  
R. Kobayashi ◽  
H. Yabe ◽  
Y. Kosaka ◽  
H. Yagasaki ◽  
...  
Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3421-3421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nao Yoshida ◽  
Akira Kikuchi ◽  
Ryoji Kobayashi ◽  
Hiromasa Yabe ◽  
Yoshiyuki Kosaka ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3421 Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from an HLA-matched family donor (MFD) is the treatment of choice for severe aplastic anemia (SAA) in children. For children without an MFD, immunosuppressive therapy (IST) with a combination of antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporine has been successful. However, this treatment approach is based on the results of comparative studies between these therapies conducted in the 1980s, and the outcomes of both BMT and IST have improved markedly over the past three decades. Therefore, updated evidence for treatment decisions in pediatric SAA is required. In the present study, we compared the outcomes of children with SAA who received IST (subjects enrolled in the prospective multicenter trials of IST conducted by the Japan Childhood Aplastic Anemia Study Group) or BMT from an MFD (subjects registered in the Transplant Registry Unified Management Program conducted by the Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation). The influence of potential risk factors on overall survival (OS) and failure-free survival (FFS) was assessed according to first-line treatment, time period of treatment (1992–1999 and 2000–2009), age and other variables related to each treatment. FFS was defined as survival with treatment response. Death, primary or secondary graft failure, relapse and secondary malignancy were considered treatment failures in patients who received BMT. Death, relapse, disease progression requiring stem cell transplantation from an alternative donor or 2nd IST, clonal evolution and evolution to paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria were considered treatment failures in patients who received IST. Between 1992 and 2009, 599 children with SAA younger than 17 years received BMT from an MFD (n=213) or IST (n=386) as first-line treatment. While the OS did not differ between patients receiving IST and BMT (88±2% vs. 90±2% at 15 years), FFS was significantly inferior in patients receiving IST as compared to those receiving BMT (54±3% vs. 84±3% at 15 years, P<0.0001). There was no significant improvement in outcomes over the two time periods; OS and FFS at 10 years in 1992–1999 vs. 2000–2009 were 87±2% vs. 93±2% and 66±3% vs. 67±3%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, age <10 years was identified as a favorable factor for OS (P=0.007) and choice of first-line IST was the only unfavorable factor for FFS (P<0.0001). These updated data support the current algorithm for treatment decisions, which recommends BMT when an MFD is available. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (15) ◽  
pp. 2020-2028 ◽  
Author(s):  
George E. Georges ◽  
Kris Doney ◽  
Rainer Storb

Abstract Treatment of severe aplastic anemia has improved significantly over the past 4 decades. This review will summarize the key areas of progress in the use of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and nontransplant immunosuppressive therapy (IST) for the treatment of aplastic anemia and then summarize the recommendations for first-line treatment. Based on recent data, we argue that guidelines for the initial treatment of patients with newly diagnosed severe aplastic anemia require revision. At the time of diagnosis, before beginning treatment, HLA typing should be done to identify a marrow donor among family members or in the unrelated donor registries, and a marrow transplant should be considered first-line therapy. The priority order of donor source for bone marrow transplantation is: (1) HLA-identical sibling, (2) HLA-matched unrelated donor, and (3) HLA-haploidentical donor if an HLA-matched unrelated donor is not rapidly available. Each of these donor marrow sources may be preferable to nontransplant IST. We make this recommendation because of the long-term persistent risk for disease relapse and secondary myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia with the use of nontransplant IST for patients with aplastic anemia. In contrast, marrow transplantation is associated with high cure rates of aplastic anemia and a relatively low risk for graft-versus-host disease, with many patients now living for decades without the risk for disease recurrence or the development of clonal disorders. Implementation of this first-line treatment strategy will provide patients with severe aplastic anemia the best chance of long-term disease-free survival.


1996 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1164-1174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Colby ◽  
Cheryl A. Stoukides ◽  
Thomas R. Spitzer

OBJECTIVE: To review antithymocyte immunoglobulin (ATG) and its current role in the treatment of severe aplastic anemia (SAA), focusing on ATG in immunosuppressive therapy compared with bone marrow transplantation (BMT). DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (1966 to 1996) of English-language literature and human subjects pertaining to ATG and BMT therapy in SAA was performed. Additional literature was obtained from reference lists of pertinent articles identified through the search. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All articles were considered for possible inclusion in the review. Pertinent information, as judged by the authors, was selected for discussion. DATA SYNTHESIS: The hallmark of SAA is pancytopenia and bone marrow hypoplasia. Although the etiology in a majority of cases remains unknown, current data implicate an immune-mediated destruction of stem cells. ATG is a potent immunosuppressive agent and has emerged as an important therapy for patients with SAA. The exact mechanism of immunosuppressive action is not fully understood, although ATG appears to disrupt cell-mediated immune responses resulting in inhibition or altered T-cell function. Numerous trials have evaluated the use of ATG both as monotherapy and in combination with other immunosuppressive agents. Treatment with ATG in SAA has demonstrated a 40–70% response rate. Data suggest that intensive immunosuppressive therapy with ATG in combination with cyclosporine may provide the optimal immunosuppressive treatment. Questions still remain concerning complications and long-term survival of the patients. Although more than a 2-year follow-up shows a decline in mortality, a plateau in the survival curve was not achieved. BMT is a potential treatment for SAA. Although there is a high initial mortality due to treatment-related toxicities, successful marrow engraftment provides a cure for SAA. Many patients (75–90%) experience long-term survival after allogenic BMT. Age, donor availability, and severity of disease limit the number of eligible patients. CONCLUSIONS: Due to excellent results with BMT, it has become the therapy of choice for selected patients with SAA. For patients who are not eligible for BMT, intensive immunosuppressive therapy with ATG and cyclosporine is recommended. Further study to better understand the pathogenesis of SAA and prevent treatment-related complications is essential to provide the best care to all patients.


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