Hepatitis C virus infection and bone marrow transplantation: a cohort study with 10-year follow-up

Rationale for Hepatitis C Virus Treatment During Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in the Era of Novel Direct-Acting Antivirals

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Untreated hepatitis C (HCV) infection in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can lead to worse outcomes. Traditionally, HSCT patients infected with HCV would wait until after immune reconstitution to receive HCV therapy, as the oncologic urgency of transplant would not allow time for a full preceding treatment course of HCV therapy. However, in the era of newer direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), we propose that concomitant treatment of HCV while undergoing HSCT is safe and feasible, while keeping in mind potential drug-drug interactions.

METHODS

A literature review was performed to summarize the available data on the impact of HCV on patients undergoing HSCT. Drug-drug interactions for DAA's and pertinent HSCT drugs were evaluated using Lexicomp online® and http://hep-druginteractions.org .

RESULTS

During HSCT, HCV appears to be a conditional risk factor for sinusoidal obstruction syndrome and a potential risk factor for graft versus host disease, both of which are associated with increased mortality. HCV reactivation and exacerbation may impact the use of chemotherapeutics, but available studies haven't shown impact specifically on HSCT. Limited case reports exist but demonstrate safe and effective use DAAs during HSCT. These, along with a drug-drug interaction review demonstrate agents such as sofosbuvir/velpatasvir and glecaprevir/pibrentasvir are promising DAAs for use in HSCT.

CONCLUSION

HCV infection may worsen outcomes for patients undergoing HSCT. Concomitant treatment of HCV during HSCT using newer DAAs appears feasible and may improve patient morbidity and mortality, however large-scale studies are needed to further support this practice.

Prevalence and clinical consequences of Hepatitis C virus infection in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients. In Brazil, its occurrence in HCT recipients remains undetermined. We now report on HCV prevalence in HCT recipients and its clinical consequences. The medical records of all HCT recipients seen at Hospital das Clinicas, Sao Paulo University Medical School, from January 2010 to January 2020 were reviewed to determine HCV serostatus. A retrospective analysis of medical charts was undertaken on all seropositive cases to determine HCV genotype, presence of liver fibrosis, co-infections with other viruses, previous treatments, and clinical evolution of liver pathology after HCT. Of the 1,293 HCT recipients included in the study, seven (0.54%) were HCV antibody-positive and five (0.39%) were also viremic for HCV-RNA. Four of these individuals had moderate to severe liver fibrosis (METAVIR F2/F3) and one was cirrhotic. Two of the viremic patients developed acute liver dysfunction following transplantation. All patients had their acute episode of liver dysfunction resolved with no further complications. Four of the viremic patients were treated for HCV infection with direct acting agents (DAA). Information regarding HCV treatment was lacking for one of the viremic HCV patients due to loss of follow up. Sustained anti-virologic responses were observed in three cases after the use of DAA. The detection of HCV in hematological adults undergoing HCT and its successful treatment with DAA highlight the necessity of testing for HCV both prior to and following transplantation.

Hepatobiliary disease after bone marrow transplant

INTRODUCTION

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is the standard treatment for several hematologic pathologies. Post-BMT patients may develop hepatobiliary complications that impact morbidity and mortality. The differential diagnosis may include drug-induced liver injury (DILI), sepsis-associated liver injury (SALI), sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), viral hepatitis, ischemic and fulminant hepatitis, among others.

AREA COVERED

Defining the etiology of hepatobiliary injury is challenging due to the overlapping symptoms. Thus, it is necessary to be aware of and understand the clinical characteristics of these hepatobiliary complications and provide adequate management with possible better outcomes. We reviewed the scientific literature focused on early hepatobiliary complications associated with BMT. We searched the PubMed database using the following descriptors: hepatic complications, drug-induced liver disease, graft-versus-host disease, cholestasis, sepsis, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, cytomegalovirus, viral hepatitis, bone marrow transplantation, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

EXPERT OPINION

Post-BMT hepatobiliary complications comprise several differential diagnoses and are challenges for the hepatologist's clinical practice. When evaluating these patients, it is necessary to consider the temporality between the use of certain medications, the increase in liver enzymes, and the presence of infection, in addition to applying diagnostic criteria and complementary tests for a specific diagnosis.

Chronic Hepatitis C: Acute Exacerbation and Alanine Aminotransferase Flare

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as extrahepatic manifestations such as malignant lymphoma. Currently, direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) against HCV infection can lead to a sustained virological response (SVR) in almost all HCV-infected patients. In this review article, we discuss acute exacerbation and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare in patients with chronic HCV infection. Although acute liver failure caused by HCV infection is rare, careful attention should be paid to the cases with ALT elevation during the natural course of chronic HCV infection. HCV genotype 2 infection, the use of rituximab, and a higher dose of corticosteroid are factors associated with HCV acute exacerbation and ALT flare. Treatment regimens for cancer have been interrupted or changed due to ALT flare due to HCV infection in some patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. The pathogenesis of HCV acute exacerbation and ALT flare could involve cellular as well as humoral immune responses. In the DAA era, the earlier introduction of DAAs may prevent chronic HCV-infected patients with acute exacerbation and ALT flare from developing into a more severe form, although DAAs may not be effective for all of them.

Selecting β-thalassemia Patients for Gene Therapy: A Decision-making Algorithm

This expert opinion originally developed by a panel of the Italian Society of Thalassemias and Hemoglobinopathies (SITE), reviewed and adopted by the European Hematology Association (EHA) through the EHA Scientific Working Group on Red Cells and Iron, has been developed as priority decision-making algorithm on evidence and consensus with the aim to identify which patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT) could benefit from a gene therapy (GT) approach. Even if the wide utilized and high successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation provides the possibility to cure several patients a new scenario has been opened by GT. Therefore, it is important to establish the patients setting for whom it is priority indicated, particularly in the early phase of the diffuse use outside experimental trials conducted in high selected centers. Moreover, actual price, limited availability, and resources disposal constitute a further indication to a rational and progressive approach to this innovative treatment. To elaborate this algorithm, the experience with allogeneic transplantation has been used has a predictive model. In this large worldwide experience, it has been clearly demonstrated that key for the optimal transplant outcome is optimal transfusion and chelation therapy in the years before the procedure and consequently optimal patient's clinical condition. In the document, different clinical scenarios have been considered and analyzed for the possible impact on treatment outcome. According to the European Medicine Agency (EMA) for the GT product, this expert opinion must be considered as a dynamic, updatable, priority-based indications for physicians taking care of TDT patients.

Treatment of hepatitis C in two paediatric patients using sofosbuvir during haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

We report the first two paediatric cases of sofosbuvir treatment during high-intensity myeloablative conditioning and engraftment phases of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These reports highlight the safety of sofosbuvir during all phases of transplantation and the lack of interaction between sofosbuvir and alkylating or immunosuppressive agents.

Long-term Follow-up of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Survivors: A Focus on Screening, Monitoring, and Therapeutics

Annually, ~50,000 patients undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) worldwide with almost 22,000 of these patients receiving HCT in the United States. HCT is a curative option for a wide range of hematologic malignancies, and advances in transplantation medicine have resulted in an increase in HCT survivors. It is anticipated that the number of HCT survivors will more than double from 242,000 in 2020 to ~500,000 in 2030. Survivors of HCT are at an increased risk of developing late complications due to exposure to chemotherapy and/or radiation in the pre-, peri-, and post-HCT phases and these cumulative exposures have the potential to damage normal tissue. This tissue damage leads to the early onset of chronic health conditions resulting in premature mortality in HCT survivors, who have a 15-year cumulative incidence of severe or life-threatening chronic health conditions exceeding 40%. Due to the significant burden of morbidity in HCT survivors and the delay in the development of long-term complications, this delicate patient population requires life-long monitoring due to the risk for neuropsychological, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, ocular, skeletal, cardiac, endocrine, fertility, and sexual health complications, as well as secondary neoplasms. This review will focus on recent advances in screening, monitoring, and therapeutics for late-occurring or long-term complications in HCT survivors.

Safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in beta-thalassemia patients with chronic hepatitis C infections treated at a pediatric center

The outcome of allogeneic HCT in patients previously infected with HCV is a widely debated topic and rarely reported in the pediatric and young adult age group given the small population of affected patients. New medications directly targeting HCV have induced virologic cures for over 90% of patients, and their use in the pretransplant setting may improve outcomes for patients infected with HCV. We describe two patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major who underwent matched sibling donor bone marrow transplantation, one with a myeloablative regimen and one with a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen. Allogeneic HCT appears feasible in patients with HCV infection that clear viremia prior to conditioning therapy and with a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen. Further investigation is warranted to better define transplant risks in this population.

Drop of Butyrylcholinesterase Activity after Cyclophosphamide Conditioning as a Predictive Marker of Liver Transplant-Related Complications and Its Correlation with Transplant-Related Mortality in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Recipients

Transplant-related liver complications are a potentially fatal condition of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric patients, actually representing one of the main factors involved in transplant-related mortality (TRM). The search for a specific marker capable of predicting the development of this condition is a relevant clinical issue. We have observed a variable reduction in serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity after a cyclophosphamide-containing conditioning regimen. This study aims to determine the cutoff of BChE activity reduction that might be a specific prognostic marker for liver complications after HSCT. Our results show that the reduction of BChE values below 2000 U/L the day before the transplantation is an indicator strongly associated with the transplant-related liver complications (p < 0.0001). The incidence of overall survival at 1 year was significantly higher in the BChE > 2000 U/L group compared to the BChE < 2000 U/L group (84.7% versus 58.5%, p < 0.001), while the TRM rate was significantly lower (8.1% versus 23.1%, p < 0.05). None of the patients undergoing prophylaxis with defibrotide developed severe liver complications. Starting defibrotide treatment at the first signs of hepatic dysfunction in patients with particularly low BChE activity levels reduces severe liver transplant-related complications.

Hepatic late adverse effects after antineoplastic treatment for childhood cancer

BACKGROUND

Survival rates have greatly improved as a result of more effective treatments for childhood cancer. Unfortunately, the improved prognosis has been accompanied by the occurrence of late, treatment-related complications. Liver complications are common during and soon after treatment for childhood cancer. However, among long-term childhood cancer survivors, the risk of hepatic late adverse effects is largely unknown. To make informed decisions about future cancer treatment and follow-up policies, it is important to know the risk of, and associated risk factors for, hepatic late adverse effects. This review is an update of a previously published Cochrane review.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate all the existing evidence on the association between antineoplastic treatment (that is, chemotherapy, radiotherapy involving the liver, surgery involving the liver and BMT) for childhood cancer and hepatic late adverse effects.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2018, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 to January 2018) and Embase (1980 to January 2018). In addition, we searched reference lists of relevant articles and scanned the conference proceedings of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) (from 2005 to 2017) and American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) (from 2013 to 2018) electronically.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All studies, except case reports, case series, and studies including fewer than 10 patients that examined the association between antineoplastic treatment for childhood cancer (aged 18 years or less at diagnosis) and hepatic late adverse effects (one year or more after the end of treatment).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently performed the study selection and 'risk of bias' assessment. The 'risk of bias' assessment was based on earlier checklists for observational studies. For the original version of the review, two review authors independently performed data extraction. For the update of the review, the data extraction was performed by one reviewer and checked by another reviewer.

MAIN RESULTS

Thirteen new studies were identified for the update of this review. In total, we included 33 cohort studies including 7876 participants investigating hepatic late adverse effects after antineoplastic treatment (especially chemotherapy and radiotherapy) for different types of childhood cancer, both haematological and solid malignancies. All studies had methodological limitations. The prevalence of hepatic late adverse effects, all defined in a biochemical way, varied widely, between 0% and 84.2%. Selecting studies where the outcome of hepatic late adverse effects was well-defined as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) above the upper limit of normal, indicating cellular liver injury, resulted in eight studies. In this subgroup, the prevalence of hepatic late adverse effects ranged from 5.8% to 52.8%, with median follow-up durations varying from three to 23 years since cancer diagnosis in studies that reported the median follow-up duration. A more stringent selection process using the outcome definition of ALT as above twice the upper limit of normal, resulted in five studies, with a prevalence ranging from 0.9% to 44.8%. One study investigated biliary tract injury, defined as gamma-glutamyltransferase (γGT) above the upper limit of normal and above twice the upper limit of normal and reported a prevalence of 5.3% and 0.9%, respectively. Three studies investigated disturbance in biliary function, defined as bilirubin above the upper limit of normal and reported prevalences ranging from 0% to 8.7%. Two studies showed that treatment with radiotherapy involving the liver (especially after a high percentage of the liver irradiated), higher BMI, and longer follow-up time or older age at evaluation increased the risk of cellular liver injury in multivariable analyses. In addition, there was some suggestion that busulfan, thioguanine, hepatic surgery, chronic viral hepatitis C, metabolic syndrome, use of statins, non-Hispanic white ethnicity, and higher alcohol intake (> 14 units per week) increase the risk of cellular liver injury in multivariable analyses. Chronic viral hepatitis was shown to increase the risk of cellular liver injury in six univariable analyses as well. Moreover, one study showed that treatment with radiotherapy involving the liver, higher BMI, higher alcohol intake (> 14 units per week), longer follow-up time, and older age at cancer diagnosis increased the risk of biliary tract injury in a multivariable analysis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of hepatic late adverse effects among studies with an adequate outcome definition varied considerably from 1% to 53%. Evidence suggests that radiotherapy involving the liver, higher BMI, chronic viral hepatitis and longer follow-up time or older age at follow-up increase the risk of hepatic late adverse effects. In addition, there may be a suggestion that busulfan, thioguanine, hepatic surgery, higher alcohol intake (>14 units per week), metabolic syndrome, use of statins, non-Hispanic white ethnicity, and older age at cancer diagnosis increase the risk of hepatic late adverse effects. High-quality studies are needed to evaluate the effects of different therapy doses, time trends, and associated risk factors after antineoplastic treatment for childhood cancer.

Severe aplastic anemia: allogeneic bone marrow transplantation as first-line treatment

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.

Acute Complications After High-Dose Chemotherapy and Stem-Cell Rescue in Pediatric Patients With High-Risk Neuroblastoma Treated in Countries With Different Resources

PURPOSE

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell rescue (SCR) is a key component of high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB) therapy. Carboplatin, etoposide, and melphalan (CEM) or busulfan and melphalan (Bu/Mel) are the most evaluated, effective high-dose chemotherapy for HRNB on the basis of results from major cooperative group studies. Toxicity profiles vary between these regimens, and practice variation exists regarding the preferred high-dose therapy (HDT). We sought to evaluate the safety of HDT and autologous SCR for HRNB in a resource-limited country (Egypt) compared with the resource-rich United States.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective comparative review of single CEM-based HDT/SCR outcomes through day 100 for HRNB at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FH) in the United States (2005 to 2015) versus Bu/Mel-based HDT at El-Sheikh Zayed Specialized Hospital (SZ) in Egypt (2009 to 2015).

RESULTS

Forty-four patients at FH and 77 patients at SZ were reviewed. Pretransplant hepatic comorbidities were significantly higher at SZ (29 of 77 v nine of 44; P = .05), with 19 of 77 patients at SZ having hepatitis infection. Engraftment was delayed after SZ-Bu/Mel therapy compared with FH-CEM therapy for neutrophils (median 12 days v 10 days, respectively; P < .001) and platelets (median 20 days v 18 days, respectively; P < .001). Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome occurred later, after SZ-Bu/Mel therapy (median 19 days v 7 days; P = .033), and four of eight cases were fatal (six of eight patients had underlying hepatitis infection), whereas three of three cases after FH-CEM therapy were moderately severe. Resource utilization associated with the number of days with fever, antibiotic use, and the number of transfusions administered was significantly higher after FH-CEM therapy than after SZ-Bu/Mel therapy.

CONCLUSION

Use of autologous stem-cell transplantation is feasible in the context of a resource-limited country.

Hepatic Dysfunction in a Child Post Bone Marrow Transplantation

A 10-year-old female child, a known case of Beta-Thalassemia major with superimposed chronic Hepatitis C Viral (HCV) infection, underwent bone marrow transplantation and presented, 7 months later, with worsening hepatic functions and skin rash. Considering the wide variety of possible etiologies, she was evaluated and later confirmed as a case of hepatic dysfunction secondary to HCV related hepatic injury with concomitant chronic graft versus host disease (dermatological involvement only).

The oncologic burden of hepatitis C virus infection: A clinical perspective

Answer questions and earn CME/CNE Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with cancer. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have changed HCV treatment paradigms, but little is known about the management of HCV infection in patients with cancer. The substantial burden of HCV infection and the inconclusive evidence regarding its detection and management in patients with cancer prompted the authors to review the literature and formulate recommendations. Patients for whom HCV screening is recommended included all patients with hematologic malignancies, hematopoietic cell transplantation candidates, and patients with liver cancer. There is a lack of consensus-based recommendations for the identification of HCV-infected patients with other types of cancer, but physicians may at least consider screening patients who belong to groups at heightened risk of HCV infection, including those born during 1945 through 1965 and those at high risk for infection. Patients with evidence of HCV infection should be assessed by an expert to evaluate liver disease severity, comorbidities associated with HCV infection, and treatment opportunities. DAA therapy should be tailored on the basis of patient prognosis, type of cancer, cancer treatment plan, and hepatic and virologic parameters. HCV-infected patients with cancer who have cirrhosis (or even advanced fibrosis) and those at risk for liver disease progression, especially patients with HCV-associated comorbidities, should have ongoing follow-up, regardless of whether there is a sustained virologic response, to ensure timely detection and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV infection and its treatment should not be considered contraindications to cancer treatment and should not delay the initiation of an urgent cancer therapy. CA Cancer J Clin 2017. © 2017 American Cancer Society. CA Cancer J Clin 2017;67:411-431. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Consensus Report by the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators and Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Consortium Joint Working Committees on Supportive Care Guidelines for Management of Veno-Occlusive Disease in Children and Adolescents, Part 3: Focus on Cardiorespiratory Dysfunction, Infections, Liver Dysfunction, and Delirium

Some patients with veno-occlusive disease (VOD) have multiorgan dysfunction, and multiple teams are involved in their daily care in the pediatric intensive care unit. Cardiorespiratory dysfunction is critical in these patients, requiring immediate action. The decision of whether to use a noninvasive or an invasive ventilation strategy may be difficult in the setting of mucositis or other comorbidities in patients with VOD. Similarly, monitoring of organ functions may be very challenging in these patients, who may have fulminant hepatic failure with or without hepatic encephalopathy complicated by delirium and/or infections. In this final guideline of our series on supportive care in patients with VOD, we address some of these questions and provide evidence-based recommendations on behalf of the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators and Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Consortium Joint Working Committees.

Late effects of blood and marrow transplantation

Hematopoietic cell transplantation is a curative treatment for a variety of hematologic diseases. Advances in transplantation technology have reduced early transplant-related mortality and expanded application of transplantation to older patients and to a wider variety of diseases. Management of late effects after transplantation is increasingly important for a growing number of long-term survivors that is estimated to be half a million worldwide. Many studies have shown that transplant survivors suffer from significant late effects that adversely affect morbidity, mortality, working status and quality of life. Late effects include diseases of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and endocrine systems, dysfunction of the thyroid gland, gonads, liver and kidneys, infertility, iron overload, bone diseases, infection, solid cancer, and neuropsychological effects. The leading causes of late mortality include recurrent malignancy, lung diseases, infection, secondary cancers and chronic graft-versus-host disease. The aim of this review is to facilitate better care of adult transplant survivors by summarizing accumulated evidence, new insights, and practical information about individual late effects. Further research is needed to understand the biology of late effects allowing better prevention and treatment strategies to be developed.

How I treat hepatitis C virus infection in patients with hematologic malignancies

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is not uncommon in cancer patients. Over the past 5 years, treatment of chronic HCV infection in patients with hematologic malignancies has evolved rapidly as safe and effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have become the standard-of-care treatment. Today, chronic HCV infection should not prevent a patient from receiving cancer therapy or participating in clinical trials of chemotherapy because most infected patients can achieve virologic cure. Elimination of HCV from infected cancer patients confers virologic, hepatic, and oncologic advantages. Similar to the optimal therapy for HCV-infected patients without cancer, the optimal therapy for HCV-infected patients with cancer is evolving rapidly. The choice of regimens with DAAs should be individualized after thorough assessment for potential hematologic toxic effects and drug-drug interactions. This study presents clinical scenarios of HCV-infected patients with hematologic malignancies, focusing on diagnosis, clinical and laboratory presentations, complications, and DAA therapy. An up-to-date treatment algorithm is presented.

Management of viral hepatitis in patients with haematological malignancy and in patients undergoing haemopoietic stem cell transplantation: recommendations of the 5th European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL-5)

Viral hepatitis affects millions of people worldwide, and host immunity is the key determinant of patient outcome. Viral hepatitis can be life threatening in patients with haematological malignancy, including haemopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, because of the virus itself, or through a need to decrease the dose of chemotherapy. A past or currently infected haemopoietic stem cell donor could also transmit viral hepatitis. The burden of viral hepatitis in patients with haematological malignancies and the weak evidence on which previous guidelines are based has prompted the European Conference on Infection in Leukaemia (ECIL-5) to convene a group of experts in the fields of viral hepatitis and of haematological malignancy to specifically address previously unconsidered issues and grade the available quality of evidence according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America grading system. The group recommends that all patients should be screened for hepatotropic viruses before haematological treatment and that patients or haemopoietic stem cell donors with markers of past or current viral hepatitis should be assessed by an expert. Screening, vaccination, and treatment rules are reported in this Review.

Successful treatment of hepatitis C virus infection with sofosbuvir and simeprevir in the early phase of an allogeneic stem cell transplant

Currently, a lack of consensus exists on how to manage a hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Ribavirin alone, or in combination with interferon, has been the mainstream therapy for HCV infection after transplantation. However, very few patients have been regularly treated owing to concerns about poor tolerability, frequent side effects, and limited efficacy. The present case illustrates the striking efficacy of the combination therapy of sofosbuvir with simeprevir, early after transplantation, as it was able to completely eliminate viral replication within 1 month of initiation of treatment. Moreover, tolerance was good, with only minor interactions between the immunosuppressive drugs. This case report supports the feasibility of using this combination therapy early after allo-HSCT for patients with HCV infection.

Terminal hepatic venule injury in liver biopsies of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell recipients-a study of 63 cases

AIMS

Subtle lesions of terminal hepatic venules (THVs) may be overlooked in liver biopsies from haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) receipients when graft-versus-host disease is the clinical concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of THV injury resembling sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sixty-three consecutive biopsies from allogeneic HSCT recipients were scored for injured THVs. Forty-nine (78%) biopsies had injured THVs, and 10 (16%) were diagnosed with SOS (mean ± standard deviation of injured THVs/biopsy: 90 ± 9%). Biopsies diagnosed with other diseases also had injured THVs (36 ± 33%). Biopsies from patients with cyclophosphamide plus fractionated total body irradiation conditioning and biopsies taken within 100 days post-HSCT had significantly more occluded THVs (respectively: 40 ± 38%, P = 0.0188; and 35 ± 35%, P = 0.0076) than those with other conditioning regimens or in biopsies taken >100 days post-HSCT. All biopsies taken at any time in the 6-year post-HSCT period had similar amounts of THV phlebosclerosis (23 ± 25%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate a high incidence of THV injuries resembling SOS in post-HSCT liver biopsies. THV injuries were detectable for several years post-HSCT, and were concurrent with other diagnoses. Our results also suggest that SOS may be underdiagnosed.

Risk factors and prognosis of hepatic acute GvHD after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Hepatic acute GvHD (aGvHD) is associated with high mortality owing to poor response to immunosuppressive therapy. The pathogenesis of hepatic aGvHD differs from that of other lesions, and specific risk factors related to pre-transplant liver conditions should be determined. We conducted a cohort study by using a Japanese transplant registry database (N=8378). Of these subjects, 1.5% had hepatitis C virus Ab (HCV-Ab) and 9.4% had liver dysfunction (elevated transaminase or bilirubin levels) before hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). After HCT, the cumulative incidence of hepatic aGvHD was 6.7%. On multivariate analyses, HCV-Ab positivity (hazard ratio (HR), 1.93; P=0.02) and pre-transplant liver dysfunction (HR, 1.85; P<0.01), as well as advanced HCT risk, unrelated donors, HLA mismatch and cyclosporine as GvHD prophylaxis, were significant risk factors for hepatic aGvHD, whereas hepatitis B virus surface Ag was not. Hepatic aGvHD was a significant risk factor for low overall survival and high transplant-related mortality in all aGvHD grades (P<0.01). This study is the first to show the relationship between pre-transplant liver conditions and hepatic aGvHD. A prospective study is awaited to validate the results of this study and establish a new strategy especially for high-risk patients.

Fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis C after hematopoietic cell transplantation: report of 3 fatal cases

Development of liver disease after hematopoietic cell transplantation is common and the causes diverse. Infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be seen in patients who are chronically infected before transplant or from passage of virus from an infected donor; the normal 10-year course of hepatitis C after transplant is one of waxing and waning of serum aminotransferase enzymes, with little morbidity. In the series of 3 patients reported here, the course of hepatitis C was rapidly fatal, with the onset of jaundice at day 60 to 80 after transplant and liver histology typical of fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (marked bile ductular proliferation, ballooned hepatocytes, and associated collagenous fibrosis centered around ductules). The bile ductular reaction pattern varied from elongated structures without a recognizable lumen to a pattern of cuboidal cells with a clear lumen. There was significant cholestasis with bile within hepatocytes and canalicular bile plugs. In situ HCV RNA hybridization studies from 1 patient showed a robust infection with high levels of HCV-infected hepatocytes and active viral replication. All 3 patients were on immunosuppressive drugs after transplant, including mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), which irreversibly inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, on which T and B lymphocytes are dependent. We speculate that fatal fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis C in these cases was related to the immunosuppressive effects of MMF, as we had not recognized this presentation of HCV infection before the introduction of MMF.

Hepatitis C transmission from viremic donors in hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) to recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) occurs frequently from HCV viremic donors and causes complications. Here, we report the outcomes of 3 cases from our 265 allogeneic HSCTs, whose donors had HCV infections. Successful prevention of HCV transmission was noted in 1 recipient by pretreatment of the donor with peginterferon/ribavirin to undetectable levels of HCV viremia before stem cell harvest. This case stressed the important role of effective antiviral therapy and HCV RNA seronegativity before cell harvest for prevention of HCV transmission in HSCT.

Liver disease after hematopoietic cell transplantation in adults

Liver-related complications constitute a large component of the overall morbidity and mortality associated with hematopoietic cell transplantation. Affecting up to 80% of allogeneic HCT recipients, prompt recognition and treatment are essential. The differential diagnosis is broad and is best categorized by time of onset after transplantation. Early complications include drug-induced liver injury, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, and graft-versus-host disease. Late complications include infectious sequelae, cirrhosis, and hepatic malignancies. Patients being considered for hematopoietic cell transplantation should be screened and evaluated for liver-related complications to help improve outcomes.

Consensus Statement of HCV Task Force of the Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL). Part II: INASL Recommendations for Management of HCV in India

The estimated prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in India is between 0.5 and 1.5% with hotspots showing much higher prevalence in some areas of northeast India, in some tribal populations and in certain parts of Punjab. Genotype 3 is the most prevalent type of infection. Recent years have seen development of a large number of new molecules that are revolutionizing the treatment of hepatitis C. Some of the new directly acting agents (DAAs) like sofosbuvir have been called game-changers because they offer the prospect of interferon-free regimens for the treatment of HCV infection. These new drugs have not yet been approved in India and their cost and availability is uncertain at present. Till these drugs become available at an affordable cost, the treatment that was standard of care for the whole world before these newer drugs were approved should continue to be recommended. For India, cheaper options, which are as effective as the standard-of-care (SOC) in carefully selected patients, are also explored to bring treatment within reach of poorer patients. It may be prudent to withhold treatment at present for selected patients with genotype 1 or 4 infection and low levels of fibrosis (F1 or F2), and for patients who are non-responders to initial therapy, interferon intolerant, those with decompensated liver disease, and patients in special populations such as stable patients after liver and kidney transplantation, HIV co-infected patients and those with cirrhosis of liver.

How I treat sinusoidal obstruction syndrome

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), previously called veno-occlusive disease (VOD) can be a difficult problem after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). The overall incidence has changed since the early days of allogeneic HCT. Prophylaxis and treatment remain important components of supportive care. As the indication and the comorbidities for HCT continue to change, especially with older and more infirm patients, SOS remains an important area for clinicians. I discuss how SOS could be addressed, from prophylaxis to diagnosis and potential therapy.

Diagnosis and treatment of viral diseases in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Viral infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic stem cell hematopoietic transplantation (allo-HSCT). Although most viral infections present with asymptomatic or subclinical manifestations, viruses may result in fatal complications in severe immunocompromised recipients. Reactivation of latent viruses, such as herpesviruses, is frequent during the immunosuppression that occurs with allo-HSCT. Viruses acquired from community, such as the respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses, are also important pathogens of post-transplant viral diseases. Currently, molecular diagnostic methods have replaced or supplemented traditional methods, such as viral culture and antigen detection, in diagnosis of viral infections. The utilization of polymerase chain reaction facilitates the early diagnosis. In view of lacking efficacious agents for treatment of viral diseases, prevention of viral infections is extremely valuable. Application of prophylactic strategies including preemptive therapy reduces viral infections and diseases. Adoptive cellular therapy for restoring virus-specific immunity is a promising method in the treatment of viral diseases.

Risk adopted allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using a reduced intensity regimen for children with thalassemia major

BACKGROUND

Patients with thalassemia in developing countries have limited access to safe transfusions, regular medical care and chelation therapy. Although allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can offer a curative approach, there are limited data on the use of this procedure in developing countries.

PROCEDURE

Forty-four patients underwent a risk adopted HSCT from matched related family donor in Jordan. Thirty-one patients (7 Class 1 and 24 Class 2) underwent myeloablative conditioning (MAC) with busulfan (16 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) and antithymocyte globulin (ATG). Thirteen patients all with Class 3, seven with hepatitis C received reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) with busulfan (8 mg/kg), fludarabine (175 mg/m(2)), total lymphoid irradiation (500 cGy) and ATG.

RESULTS

All patients had initial neutrophil and platelet engraftment. Secondary graft failure was observed in 2 (6%) patients receiving myeloablative HSCT and 3 (23%) patients receiving RIC. At a median follow up of 64 months (13-108), 43 of 44 patients are alive. The 5-year probability of overall survival (OS) was 97.8% for all patients, 96.8% for patients received MAC and 100% for patients received RIC. The 5-year probability of thalassemia-free survival was 86.4% for all patients, 90.3% and 77% for patients who received MAC and RIC, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Implementing a risk-adopted therapy in patient with thalassemia in Jordan can result in an excellent thalassemia free and OS, especially in those at highest risk.

Burden of morbidity in 10+ year survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation: report from the bone marrow transplantation survivor study

Long-term morbidity after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is unknown. The risk of physical and psychological health in 324 patients who had survived 10 or more years after HCT and a sibling comparison group (n = 309) was evaluated. Using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, the 15-year cumulative incidence of severe/life-threatening/fatal conditions was 41% (95% confidence interval, 34% to 48%). HCT survivors were 5.7 times as likely to develop a severe/life-threatening condition (P < .001) and 2.7 times as likely to report somatic distress (P < .001) compared with siblings. Compared with allogeneic HCT recipients with no chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), those with active chronic GVHD were at a 1.8-fold higher risk of severe/life-threatening health conditions (P = .006) and a 4.5-fold higher risk of somatic distress (P = .04); allogeneic HCT recipients with resolved chronic GVHD were not at increased risk of morbidity compared with those with no chronic GVHD. Only 27% of the HCT survivors returned to the transplantation center for their cancer-related care. The burden of long-term physical and emotional morbidity borne by survivors remains substantial, even beyond 10 years after HCT; however, specialized health care is underused. Patients, families, and healthcare providers need to be made aware of the high burden, so they can plan for post-HCT care, even many years after HCT.

Impact of hepatitis C virus infection on clinical outcome in recipients after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

The impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on outcomes following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains a matter of debate. We have retrospectively examined the significance of HCV infection among recipients who received allogeneic HCT, using a Japan transplant outcome registry database between 2006 and 2009. Among 7,831 recipients, 136 were HCV-positive. The rate of hematopoietic recovery was lower in the HCV-positive group (neutrophil recovery of 500 × 10(6) /L or higher: 79% vs. 87% at Day 30, P = 0.087; platelet recovery of 50 × 10(9) /L or higher: 57% vs. 65% at Day 60, P = 0.012). The HCV-positive group had a significantly higher incidence of nonrelapse mortality 38% vs. 25% at 2 years, P < 0.01) and inferior overall survival (41% vs. 51% at 2 years, P < 0.01). A multivariate analysis revealed that HCV seropositivity was associated with an independent risk for higher nonrelapse mortality (hazard ratio: 1.65, P < 0.01) and inferior overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.39, P < 0.01). The incidences of death due to hepatic problems (8% vs. 2%, P < 0.01), bacterial infection (10% vs. 4%, P < 0.01), or graft failure (5% vs. 2%, P = 0.084) tended to be higher in the HCV-positive group. HCV infection had an adverse impact on the clinical outcome following HCT, especially in the setting of unrelated transplantation. Careful evaluation before embarking on HCT and intensive assessment against complications are warranted in HCV-infected recipients.

Defibrotide for the treatment of hepatic veno-occlusive disease in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a serious complication of stem cell transplantation in children. VOD is characterized by rapid weight gain, hepatomegaly, hyperbilirubinemia and ascites. The pathogenesis of VOD is thought to involve chemotherapy and radiation-induced damage to the sinusoidal endothelium, resulting in endothelial injury, microthrombosis, subendothelial damage and cytokine activation. These processes lead to concomitant progressive hepatocellular dysfunction and subsequent fluid retention and renal impairment. Severe VOD is typically associated with multiorgan failure and high mortality. A number of possible strategies for the prevention and/or treatment of VOD in children have been investigated. The most promising agent to date is defibrotide, a novel polydeoxyribonucleotide with fibrinolytic properties but no major bleeding risk. Numerous studies, including Phase II/III trials, have shown clinical benefit in pediatric patients with the use of defibrotide treatment and prophylaxis. This review discusses VOD in children and focuses on therapeutic options, including defibrotide, in this patient population.

No increased mortality from donor or recipient hepatitis B- and/or hepatitis C-positive serostatus after related-donor allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Limited data exist on allogeneic transplant outcomes in recipients receiving hematopoietic cells from donors with prior or current hepatitis B (HBV) or C virus (HCV) infection (seropositive donors), or for recipients with prior or current HBV or HCV infection (seropositive recipients). Transplant outcomes are reported for 416 recipients from 121 centers, who received a human leukocyte antigen-identical related-donor allogeneic transplant for hematologic malignancies between 1995 and 2003. Of these, 33 seronegative recipients received grafts from seropositive donors and 128 recipients were seropositive. The remaining 256 patients served as controls. With comparable median follow-up (cases, 5.9 years; controls, 6.7 years), the incidence of treatment-related mortality, survival, graft-versus-host disease, and hepatic toxicity, appears similar in all cohorts. The frequencies of hepatic toxicities as well as causes of death between cases and controls were similar. Prior exposure to HBV or HCV in either the donor or the recipient should not be considered an absolute contraindication to transplant.

Gastrointestinal and hepatic complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Recognition and management of gastrointestinal and hepatic complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has gained increasing importance as indications and techniques of transplantation have expanded in the last few years. The transplant recipient is at risk for several complications including conditioning chemotherapy related toxicities, infections, bleeding, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) as well as other long-term problems. The severity and the incidence of many complications have improved in the past several years as the intensity of conditioning regimens has diminished and better supportive care and GVHD prevention strategies have been implemented. Transplant clinicians, however, continue to be challenged with problems arising from human leukocyte antigen-mismatched and unrelated donor transplants, expanding transplant indications and age-limit. This review describes the most commonly seen transplant related complications, focusing on their pathogenesis, differential diagnosis and management.

Success of allogeneic marrow transplantation for children with severe aplastic anaemia

Allogeneic marrow transplantation offers curative therapy for children with severe aplastic anaemia (SAA). We report the outcomes of 148 children with SAA who received human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related marrow grafts between 1971 and 2010. Patients were divided into three groups, reflecting changes in conditioning and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimens that occurred over time. Patients in Group 1 were conditioned with cyclophosphamide (CY; 200 mg/kg) followed by 'long' (102 d) methotrexate (MTX). Patients in Groups 2 and 3 received CY alone (Group 2) or combined with anti-thymocyte globulin (Group 3) followed by 'short' (days 1, 3, 6, and 11) MTX and ciclosporin (until day 180). With a median follow-up of 25 years, the 5-year survivals were 66%, 95%, and 100% for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (overall P < 0·0001). The 3-year estimates of graft rejection were 22%, 32%, and 7%, respectively. The probabilities of grades III-IV acute and 2-year chronic GVHD were 15%, 0%, and 3%, and 21%, 21%, and 10%, respectively. Advances in preparative and GVHD prophylaxis regimens, and supportive care during the past 40 years have led to improved outcomes for children with SAA. These results confirm the use of allogeneic marrow transplantation for children with SAA who have HLA-matched related donors.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Prophylaxis and treatment controversies

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, is a major complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and it carries a high mortality. Prophylaxis for hepatic VOD is commonly given to transplant recipients from the start of conditioning through the early weeks of transplant. However, high quality evidence from randomized controlled trials is scarce with small sample sizes and the trials yielded conflicting results. Although various treatment options for hepatic VOD are available, most have not undergone stringent evaluation with randomized controlled trial and therefore it remains uncertain which treatment offers real benefit. It remains controversial whether VOD prophylaxis should be given, which prophylactic therapy should be given, who should receive prophylaxis, and what treatment should be offered once VOD is established.

Infections in Leukemia and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Infections are one of the most common complications in patients diagnosed with leukemia and serve as a major obstacle to treatment. Through the early 1970s, infections were the most common cause of death in patients diagnosed with acute leukemia, but improvement in treatment and supportive care over the past few decades, coupled with expanded prophylaxis and prevention regimens, have led to reduction in both the frequency and severity of infections. Regardless, due in part to an aging cancer population and the diversity of cancer treatments and procedures, infectious diseases remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with leukemia.

Long-term follow-up of HCV-infected hematopoietic SCT patients and effects of antiviral therapy

This prospective study was initiated in 1993 with the aim to study late effects and responses to antiviral therapy in a cohort of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. A total of 195 patients were included from 12 centers. In all, 134 patients had undergone allogeneic and 61 autologous hematopoietic SCT (HSCT). The median follow-up from HSCT is currently 16.8 years and the maximum 27.2 years. Overall 33 of 195 patients have died of which 6 died from liver complications. The survival probability was 81.6% and the cumulative incidence for death in liver complications was 6.1% at 20 years after HSCT. The cumulative incidence of severe liver complications (death from liver failure, cirrhosis and liver transplantation) was 11.7% at 20 years after HSCT. In all, 85 patients have been treated with IFN; 42 in combination with ribavirin. The sustained response rate was 40%. The rates of severe side effects were comparable to other patient populations and no patient developed significant exacerbations of GVHD. Patients receiving antiviral therapy had a trend toward a decreased risk of severe liver complications (odds ratio=0.33; P=0.058). HCV infection is associated with morbidity and mortality in long-term survivors after HSCT. Antiviral therapy can be given safely and might reduce the risk for severe complications.