Economic and Clinical Burden of Virus-Associated Hemorrhagic Cystitis in Patients Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in the United States

Hemorrhagic cystitis in pediatric severe aplastic anemia undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: incidence, risk factors and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a common complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and may adversely affect the prognosis of patients. However, the risk factors associated with HC and its influence on prognosis remain unclear in pediatric Severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients who underwent haploidentical HSCT (haplo-HSCT).

METHODS

Clinical data from 116 SAA patients who received haplo-HSCT based on the 'Beijing Protocol' at the Children's Hospital of Soochow University between 2018 and 2023 were examined retrospectively. Potential risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression, and the effect of HC on overall survival (OS) was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests.

RESULTS

32 out of 116 patients (27.6%) developed HC and the median time to onset of HC was 12 days (range: 1-157 days) after HSCT. In multivariate analysis, Very SAA (VSAA) (OR = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.15-10.44), II-IV acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) (OR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.05-7.18) and pre-transplant iron overload (OR = 3.90, 95% CI: 1.27-11.94) were regarded as risk factors. Compared to the non-HC group and mild HC group, the severe HC group had the worst 2-year OS rates (non-HC: 94.0% ± 2.6%; mild HC: 96.0% ± 3.9%; severe HC: 71.4% ± 1.7%, P = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

For pediatric SAA patients, VSAA, II-IV aGVHD, and pre-transplant iron overload elevate the risk of HC following haplo-HSCT. The development of severe HC can affect the clinical outcomes of patients.

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of BK Hemorrhagic Cystitis in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation From HLA-Matched and Haploidentical Donors With Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide

BK hemorrhagic cystitis (BK-HC) is a common complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly when posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is used as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. However, comparative studies of BK-HC incidence in matched sibling donors (MSD) and unrelated donors (MUD) often include small haploidentical (HAPLO) donor cohorts and usually lack detailed information on disease evolution, coinfections, management and impact on outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing HSCT from MSD, MUD, HAPLO donors using PTCy as GVHD prophylaxis. Furthermore, we analyze risk factors for BK-HC and its impact on renal function and transplant outcomes. Retrospective analysis of BK-HC episodes in patients undergoing HSCT from 167 MSD, 129 MUD and 103 HAPLO from a single institution. Uniform GVHD prophylaxis with PTCy, sirolimus and mycophenolate mofetil was given, irrespective of donor type or conditioning intensity, and mesna was used prophylactically with PTCy. The incidence of grade 2-4 BK-HC was 23%, with a higher prevalence of grades 3-4 in HAPLO (19%), compared to MSD (11%) and MUD (8%) recipients (P = .02). BK-HC was diagnosed at a median of 29 days after HSCT and symp toms persisted for a median of 27 days, with longer duration in grade 3-4 cases (P = .02). Additionally, higher grades were associated with a greater transfusion burden (P < .001). JC virus coinfection was detected in 24%, and cytomegalovirus viruria in 17%, which was not treated. BK antiviral treatment beyond supportive care was used in only two patients, while antibacterial treatments were prescribed in 28% for urinary symptoms and in 57% for concomitant infections in other sites. Younger age and HAPLO donors were significant risk factors for developing higher-grade BK-HC. No interaction was seen between age and conditioning intensity. Importantly, BK-HC did not significantly impact overall survival or graft-versus-host disease-free relapse-free survival as a time-dependent variable, as well as non-relapse mortality. Furthermore, BK-HC patients maintained stable creatinine renal clearance at 1-year post-transplant. BK-HC is a relatively early frequent complication in allogeneic HSCT with PTCy, especially in HAPLO recipients, with symptoms typically lasting a median of three weeks. Supportive care remains the mainstay of treatment, while specific antiviral treatments are rarely needed. The role of cidofovir and concomitant CMV viruria treatment are yet to be established. Our findings suggest that BK-HC does not significantly impact transplant outcomes and renal function.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Patients With Viral or Radiation-Induced Hemorrhagic Cystitis

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is characterized by diffuse inflammation and bleeding of the lining of the urinary bladder. This study investigated hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients with viral or radiation-induced HC.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed involving 33 patients diagnosed with HC who received HBOT. Data analysis involved the Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's correlation coefficients to determine the strength of correlations between variables.

RESULTS

Of the 33 patients, nine (27.3%) had radiation-induced HC, and 24 (72.7%) had viral HC. Among those with viral HC, 12 (50%) tested positive for BK virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HBOT was performed in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber at 2.5 absolute atmospheres (ATA) for 90 to 120 minutes, and the median number of sessions was 11. The median duration of treatment was 14 days, with 81.8% (n = 27) obtaining an improvement in macroscopic hematuria, 12.1% (n = 4) interrupting treatment, and 6.1% (n = 2) dying. HC did not recur in 57.6% of the sample (n = 19) in three years of follow-up. A significant correlation was found between the degree of hematuria and the number of sessions required (p = 0.0025). Radiation-induced HC was associated with higher degrees of hematuria (p = 0.007). A correlation was found between etiology and recurrence after the conclusion of treatment (p = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

Identifying the cause of HC and classifying the degree of hematuria are important to planning the number of HBOT sessions needed for an improvement in symptoms and a reduction in the rate of recurrence after treatment. The present findings suggest clinical benefits from HBOT in the treatment of HC.

CD7 CART Therapy Bridging Allo-HSCT Remarkably Improves Long-Term DFS in Refractory/Relapsed T-ALL/LBL

T-ALL is caused by abnormal proliferation of T cells. It comprises 25%-50% of ALL cases in children and adults. Outlook for R/R T-ALL/LBL and patients over 60 is even dimmer. The treatment is challenging due to its biological and genetic diversity, limiting the development of effective targeted and immunotherapeutic strategies. Salvaged allo-HSCT offers only 20% to 30% DFS. This current study retrospectively analyzed 90 patients with R/R T-ALL (40, 44.4%) or T-LBL (50, 55.6%) treated at Beijing Gobroad Boren Hospital from February 2018 to January 2023. The median age was 14 (range: 2-65) y old. Somatic and germline gene mutations were detected by sequencing pretransplant. Thirty-two (35.6%) patients were sensitive to chemotherapy and achieved CR before transplant (CR group), and 58 (64.4%) cases were resistant to chemotherapy and in non-remission (NR) pre-HSCT. Forty-one of 58 patients in NR received CD7 CAR-T before allo-HSCT (CART group) and the rest 17 patients in NR underwent salvaged transplant (NR group). The results indicate that CD7 CAR-T group have OS (p = .029; 2-y OS rates: 54.4% [95% CI: 38.9% to 76%]) and DFS (p = .00032; 2-y DFS: 51.0% (95% CI: 36.9% to 70.7%)) similar to those in the CR group, but better than those in the NR group. The CIR for CD7 CAR-T group and CR group was significantly lower than NR group after 1 y (p = .0016; CAR-T group 2-y CIR: 31.67% (95% CI: 19.3% to 49.2%)). Our study examined the somatic and germline gene mutations in R/R T-ALL/LBL and evaluated the prognosis after transplantation. Based on our limited study, we found that using CD7 CAR T cells followed by allo-HSCT greatly enhanced the long-term DFS of chemo resistant T-ALL/LBL patients.

Final outcomes from a phase 2 trial of posoleucel in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients

ABSTRACT

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) recipients are susceptible to viral infections. We conducted a phase 2 trial evaluating the safety and rate of clinically significant infections (CSIs; viremia requiring treatment or end-organ disease) after infusion of posoleucel, a partially HLA-matched, allogeneic, off-the-shelf, multivirus-specific T-cell investigational product for preventing CSIs with adenovirus, BK virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus-6, or JC virus. This open-label trial enrolled allo-HCT recipients at high risk based on receiving grafts from umbilical cord blood, haploidentical, mismatched, or matched unrelated donors; post-HCT lymphocytes of <180/mm3; or use of T-cell depletion. Posoleucel dosing was initiated within 15 to 49 days of allo-HCT and subsequently every 14 days for up to 7 doses. The primary end point was the number of CSIs due to the 6 target viruses by week 14. Of the 26 patients enrolled, only 3 (12%) had a CSI by week 14, each with a single target virus. In vivo expansion of functional virus-specific T cells detected via interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay was associated with viral control. Persistence of posoleucel-derived T-cell clones for up to 14 weeks after the last infusion was confirmed by T-cell-receptor deep sequencing. Five patients (19%) had acute graft-versus-host disease grade 2 to 4. No patient experienced cytokine release syndrome. All 6 deaths were due to relapse or disease progression. allo-HCT recipients at high risk who received posoleucel had low rates of CSIs from 6 targeted viruses. Repeat posoleucel dosing was generally safe and well tolerated and associated with functional immune reconstitution. This trial was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT04693637.

Virus-Specific T Cells for the Treatment of Systemic Infections Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell and Solid Organ Transplantation

Viral infections are a major source of morbidity and mortality in the context of immune deficiency and immunosuppression following allogeneic hematopoietic cell (allo-HCT) and solid organ transplantation (SOT). The pharmacological treatment of viral infections is challenging and often complicated by limited efficacy, the development of resistance, and intolerable side effects. A promising strategy to rapidly restore antiviral immunity is the adoptive transfer of virus-specific T cells (VST). This therapy involves the isolation and ex vivo expansion or direct selection of antigen-specific T cells from healthy seropositive donors, followed by infusion into the patient. This article provides a practical guide to VST therapy by reviewing manufacturing techniques, donor selection, and treatment indications. The safety and efficacy data of VSTs gathered in clinical trials over nearly 30 years is summarized. Current challenges and limitations are discussed, as well as opportunities for further research and development.

BK virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis in pediatric stem cell transplantation: a case report and scoping review

Introduction

BK virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis (BK-HC) is a debilitating and poorly understood complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Hematuria, dysuria, and other symptoms associated with BK-HC are common in the immediate post-SCT period, making BK-HC difficult to distinguish from other conditions presenting with these symptoms. Despite published criteria for diagnosis, the degree to which these criteria are consistently applied to either clinical diagnosis or to studies informing BK-HC management is unclear. We present a case of BK-HC in a pediatric SCT recipient, and discuss the challenges associated with treatment in the absence of rigorous data to inform clinical management.

Methods

We reviewed all cases of BK viruria at our center in patients undergoing SCT between January 2015 and December 2019. We then performed a scoping review of publications in PubMed addressing BK-HC, specifically focusing on how BK-HC was defined. Publications using the keywords "BK polyomavirus" and "hemorrhagic cystitis" were included if they involved a clinical study of SCT recipients and a full-text article was available in English. Case reports were excluded. Analysis focused on whether BK-HC was explicitly defined and whether the definition incorporated elements of diagnostic criteria published by European Conference on Infections in Leukemia (ECIL).

Results

A total of 30 studies published between January 2018 and 30 June 2021 met criteria for review, including 4 clinical trials, 7 prospective observational studies, and 19 retrospective observational studies. Fifteen of these studies included pediatric patients (7 pediatric only, 8 combined adult and pediatric). Of the 30 publications, 19 included a definition of either BK-HC or BK cystitis, with only five using ECIL criteria, all of which were observational studies. Multiple interventions are described for treatment of BK-HC, including cidofovir, leflunomide, quinolones, hyperbaric oxygen, keratinocyte growth factor, and BK-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. However, evidence to support efficacy for any of these interventions is lacking.

Discussion

Although BK-HC is a well-known complication of SCT, evidence to support available treatment options is limited. Well-controlled studies that incorporate clear diagnostic criteria are needed to better define the risk factors, natural history, and ideal interventions.

[Haemorrhagic cystitis following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment. Guidelines from the SFGM-TC]

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a common complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Its manifestations range from microscopic hematuria without urinary symptoms to extensive and prolonged macroscopic hemorrhage requiring invasive interventions that can often prolong the duration of hospitalization and result in significant morbidity. The early onset of HC is related to allo-HCT conditioning regimen, whereas the late onset form is secondary to viral infection, most commonly due to BK virus. In the framework of the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC) practice harmonization workshops held in Lille in September 2021, the prophylaxis, the diagnostic approach and the treatments of HC following allografting were reviewed after analysis of published studies.

Posoleucel, an Allogeneic, Off-the-Shelf Multivirus-Specific T-Cell Therapy, for the Treatment of Refractory Viral Infections in the Post-HCT Setting

PURPOSE

Viral infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). In the absence of safe and effective antiviral treatments, virus-specific T cells have emerged as a promising therapeutic option. Posoleucel is a multivirus-specific T-cell therapy for off-the-shelf use against six viral infections that commonly occur in allo-HCT recipients: adenovirus, BK virus (BKV), cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus-6, and JC virus.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted an open-label, phase II trial to determine the feasibility and safety of posoleucel in allo-HCT recipients infected with one or more of these viruses. Infections were either unresponsive to or patients were unable to tolerate standard antiviral therapies. Fifty-eight adult and pediatric patients were enrolled and treated.

RESULTS

Posoleucel was well tolerated, with no cytokine release syndrome or other infusion-related toxicities; two patients (3.4%) developed Grade 2 and one patient (1.7%) Grade 3 GvHD during the trial. The overall response rate 6 weeks after the first posoleucel infusion was 95%, with a median plasma viral load reduction of 97%. Of the 12 patients who had two or more target viral infections identified at study entry, 10 (83%) had a clinical response for all evaluable viruses. Of the 23 patients treated for refractory BKV-associated hemorrhagic cystitis, 74% had resolution of symptoms and macroscopic hematuria by 6 weeks post-infusion.

CONCLUSIONS

In this open-label trial, treatment of refractory viral infections/disease in allo-HCT recipients with posoleucel was feasible, safe, and effective.

Endovesical instillation of Cidofovir in the treatment of BK polyomavirus hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) with BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is a common complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) that may lead to severe discomfort for the patient and significant morbidity (urinary obstruction, increased transfusion requirements and prolonged hospitalization). So far, there is no clear consensus on how to manage this complication.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Here, we report a single-center case series of 9 patients (4 children and 5 adults) treated with cidofovir endovesical (EV) instillation(s) for BKPyV-HC after alloHCT. EV Cidofovir was administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg, for 1 to 3 instillations (with a minimum delay between 2 successive doses of 5 days).

RESULTS

Eight out of the 9 treated patients with EV Cidofovir achieved a complete resolution of HC after 1-3 instillation(s), without recurrence of symptomatic infection within the next 3 months. Only 1 adult patient did not improve after treatment and developed severe morbidity (emphysematous cystitis).

CONCLUSION

Although this single-center case series of EV cidofovir for BKPyV HC after alloHCT shows encouraging results, only large prospective studies will definitively establish the effectiveness of this therapy.