Second allogeneic bone marrow transplants from unrelated donors for graft failure following initial unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation

Graft failure after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric patients with acute leukemia: autologous reconstitution or second transplant?

BACKGROUND

Graft failure (GF) is a rare but serious complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Prevention of graft failure remains the most advisable approach as there is no clear recommendation for the best strategies for reversing this complication. Administration of growth factor, additional hematopoietic progenitor boost, or a salvage HSCT are current modalities recommended for the treatment of GF. Autologous recovery without evidence of disease relapse occurs rarely in patients with GF, and in the absence of autologous recovery, further salvage transplantation following a second conditioning regimen is a potential treatment option that offers the best chances of long-term disease-free survival. The preconditioning regimens of second HSCT have a significant impact on engraftment and outcome, however, currently there is no consensus on optimal conditioning regimen for second HSCT in patients who have developed GF. Furthermore, a second transplant from a different donor or the same donor is still a matter of debate.

OBSERVATIONS

We present our experience in managing pediatric patients with acute leukemia who encountered graft failure following stem cell transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Although a second transplantation is almost the only salvage method, we illustrate that some pediatric patients with acute leukemia who experience graft failure after an allogeneic stem cell transplant using Myeloablative conditioning (MAC) regimen may achieve long-term disease-free survival through autologous hematopoiesis recovery.

Graft Failure in Patients With Hematological Malignancies: A Successful Salvage With a Second Transplantation From a Different Haploidentical Donor

Graft failure (GF) is a fatal complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, especially after haploidentical transplantation. The mortality of GF is nearly 100% without an effective salvage method. A second transplantation is usually necessary to save the patient's life. However, there is no standardized regimen, and the outcome is usually disappointing. We report on a prospective single-center study using a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen with different haploidentical donors (HIDs). Patients with GF after the first transplantation were enrolled in a prospective single-arm clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.Gov ID: NCT03717545) at the Peking University Institute of Hematology. The conditioning regimen consisted of fludarabine (30 mg/m²) (days-6 to-2) and cyclophosphamide (1,000 mg/m²/day) (days-5 to-4). Patients underwent a second transplant from a different HID using a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor primed bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells. The primary outcome was neutrophil engraftment at day 28. The secondary outcomes included platelet engraftment at day 100, transplant-related mortality (TRM) at day 30, TRM at day 100, and overall survival (OS) at 1 year. From March 2018 to June 2020, 13 patients were enrolled in this clinical trial. Of the 13 patients, five had acute myeloid leukemia, five had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, two had myelodysplastic syndromes, and one had a non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The median age at first transplantation was 38 years (range, 8-55 years). As for the first transplantation, 11 patients underwent haploidentical transplantations and two underwent unrelated donor transplantations. At the time of GF, three patients had complete donor chimerism, five had mixed chimerism, and five had complete recipient chimerism. The median time from the first transplantation to the second transplantation was 49 (range 35-120) days. The medians of infused cell doses were as follows: mononuclear cells 7.93 (5.95-12.51) × 10⁸/kg and CD34 + cells 2.28 (0.75-5.57) × 10⁶/kg. All 13 patients achieved neutrophil engraftment after the second transplantation, with a median engraftment time of 11 (range 10-20) days after transplantation. The platelet engraftment rate on day 100 after transplantation was 76.9%. The TRMs at day 30, day 100, and 1-year were 0, 0, and 23.1%, respectively. The OS and disease-free survival at 1-year were 56.6 and 48.4%, respectively. For patients with GF after first transplantation, a second transplantation using a fludarabine/cyclophosphamide regimen from a different HID was a promising salvage option. Further investigation is needed to confirm the suitability of this method.

Immunosuppressive Total Nodal Irradiation-Based Reconditioning Regimens After Graft Rejection or Graft Failure in Pediatric Patients Treated With Myeloablative Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

PURPOSE

This retrospective analysis aimed to address the efficacy of total nodal irradiation (TNI)-based reconditioning regimens in pediatric patients with graft failure/rejection after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Thirty-three pediatric patients with malignant (n = 25) and nonmalignant diseases (n = 8) were treated with a TNI-based reconditioning regimen. All patients received a 7-Gy single dose combined with anti-T lymphocyte antibody OKT3 (n = 16), anti-thymocyte globulin (n = 24), fludarabine (n = 31), and/or thiotepa (n = 28), followed by an infusion of peripheral blood stem cells (n = 31) or bone marrow transplant (n = 2). Twenty-eight of 33 patients had haploidentical family donors.

RESULTS

After a median of 11 days, engraftment was seen in 32 of 33 children. Two children died 34 days after retransplantation because of either disease relapse or treatment-related multiple organ failure. Severe acute toxicity was reported in only 1 child (systemic inflammatory response syndrome-like reaction; recovery after cortisone treatment). The average follow-up was 60.2 months (range, 1.1-162.5 months). Event-free and overall survival rates at 2/5 years follow-up were 62.0%/58.6% and 65.1%/61.7%, respectively. Despite sustained engraftment, 12 patients died from disease relapse (n = 3), Moschkowitz syndrome (n = 1), or multiple organ failure (n = 8). Follow-up data were available for 18 of 21 survivors, with a median follow-up of 92.8 months (range, 3.6-162.5 months). Hypothyroidism was present in 78.6% of patients, and sex/growth hormonal insufficiencies were reported for 37.5%. Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second after TNI was 84%; mean vital capacity was 79%. Severe growth failure (<3rd percentile) occurred in 28.6% (height) and 35.7% (weight) of patients. No secondary malignancies were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

In the high-risk group of patients with graft failure/rejection after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, the TNI-based reconditioning regimen seems to allow sustained engraftment combined with a favorable toxicity profile, leading to long-term event-free and overall survival. Late toxicity after a median follow-up of over 7.5 years includes growth failure, manageable hormonal deficiencies, and a low risk of decrease of lung function.

Successful outcomes of second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with total nodal irradiation and ATG conditioning for graft failure in adult patients with severe aplastic anemia

Data regarding the optimal approach for second allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after graft failure (GF) in acquired severe aplastic anemia (SAA) are still limited and heterogeneous. We examined 24 patients who underwent second HLA-matched sibling donor (MSD) peripheral blood HSCT for GF. The reconditioning regimen (TNI-750/ATG) consisted of a single dose of total nodal irradiation (TNI, 750 cGy) and antithymocyte globulin (ATG; Thymoglobulin^®, 1.25 mg/kg/day for 3 days). All but one patient achieved successful engraftment of neutrophils (median 12 days, range 5-21) and platelets (median 15 days, range 9-316). Two patients with subsequent secondary GF achieved successful engraftment after a third HSCT from the same MSD. After a median follow-up of 57.4 months (range, 11.2-155.2), the 5-year overall survival and failure-free survival were 95.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 87.7-100%) and 87.5% (95% CI 75.2-100%), respectively. One patient developed grade II acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and the 2-year cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 23.5% (95% CI 8.1-43.5%). This study demonstrated successful outcomes following a second MSD HSCT in SAA after GF, and the results suggest TNI-750/ATG is a feasible reconditioning option. Future studies with larger cohorts will validate our results.

Treatment of graft failure with TNI-based reconditioning and haploidentical stem cells in paediatric patients

Graft failure is a life‐threatening complication after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We report a cohort of 19 consecutive patients (median age: 8·5 years) with acute leukaemias (n = 14) and non‐malignant diseases (n = 5) who experienced graft failure after previous HSCT from matched (n = 3) or haploidentical donors (n = 16) between 2003 and 2012. After total nodal irradiation (TNI)‐based reconditioning combined with fludarabine, thiotepa and anti‐T cell serotherapy, all patients received T cell‐depleted peripheral blood stem cell grafts from a second, haploidentical donor. Median time between graft failure and retransplantation was 14 d (range 7–40). Sustained engraftment (median: 10 d, range 9–32) and complete donor chimerism was observed in all evaluable patients. 5 patients additionally received donor lymphocyte infusions. Graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) grade II and III occurred in 1 patient each (22%); no GvHD grade IV was observed. 2 patients had transient chronic GvHD. The regimen was well tolerated with transient interstitial pneumonitis in one patient. Treatment‐related mortality after one year was 11%. Event‐free survival and overall survival 3 years after retransplantation were 63% and 68%. Thus, a TNI‐based reconditioning regimen followed by transplantation of haploidentical stem cells is an option to rescue patients with graft failure within a short time span and with low toxicity.

Complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Infection, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and to a lesser extent sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS) represent the major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT). During the last decade, progress in prevention and treatment of these complications led to improvement in the outcome of these patients. Despite the fact that nonmyeloablative regimens have been increasingly used in elderly patients and in patients with co-morbidities, the nonrelapse related mortality remains a challenge and long-term follow-up is required. The objective of this manuscript is to provide an updated concise review of the complications of AHSCT and of the available treatment interventions.

Successful rescue of early graft failure in pediatric patients using T-cell-depleted haploidentical hematopoietic SCT

Graft failure (GF) is a significant complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) and is associated with a high mortality rate. We performed re-transplantation using haploidentical-related donors to rescue children with early GF. Between 2008 and 2013, 10 patients received re-transplantation from haploidentical family donors. The median age at HCT was 13.5 years and the median time between transplantations was 52.5 days. Conditioning regimen with fludarabine and CY was used in seven patients, and TBI was added in three patients. All 10 patients received T-cell-depleted grafts using CD3 or CD3/CD19 MoAb. The median numbers of CD34(+) and CD3(+) cells were 5.52 × 10(6)/kg and 1.08 × 10(6)/kg, respectively. For GVHD prophylaxis, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus or MMF and CYA were used. All 10 patients achieved a sustained neutrophil engraftment and maintained a complete donor chimerism at the time of analysis (median 23 months, range 6-62 months). Nine of 10 patients were alive, and one patient with moyamoya disease with AML died of encephalopathy 7 months post transplant. This study suggests that fludarabine- and CY-based conditioning with T-cell-depleted haploidentical HCT is a feasible option to rescue pediatric patients with primary GF.

Outcome of second allogenic stem cell transplantation in pediatric patients with non-malignant hematological and immune deficiency disorders

BACKGROUND

Second stem cell transplantation (SCT) is usually associated with high morbidity and mortality and the data on its outcome in pediatric patients with non-malignant disorders are scarce.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present 30 children with non-malignant conditions who underwent second SCT at our institution for graft failure after the first SCT; 20 had a non-malignant hematological disorder and 10 had an immune deficiency disorder. Median age at the second SCT was 6.1 years (range, 0.4-13 years) and median time from the first SCT to the second SCT was 6.2 months (range, 1.2-96 months).

RESULTS

Twenty patients (70%) engrafted; severe acute GVHD developed in four patients (13%), and chronic GVHD developed in two patients of those at risk (10%). Thirteen deaths occurred and nine were considered treatment related. The 5-year overall (OS) and event free survival (EFS) for all patients were 53% and 47% respectively. The interval between the two transplants seemed to affect the outcome; patients who had the second SCT ≥ 6 months from the first SCT had better survival; the 5-year OS for the two groups (<6 months and ≥ 6 months) respectively were 30% and 74% (P = 0.004), and the 5-year EFS were 27% and 66% (P = 0.004). The underlying disease did not affect the outcome nor did the use of radiation in the conditioning regimen for the second SCT.

CONCLUSIONS

Second SCT for graft failure should be considered for children with non-malignant hematological and immune deficiency disorders.

Feasibility of reduced-intensity cord blood transplantation as salvage therapy for graft failure: results of a nationwide survey of adult patients

To evaluate whether rescue with cord blood transplantation (CBT) could improve the poor survival after graft failure (GF), we surveyed the data of 80 adult patients (median age, 51 years) who received CBT within 3 months of GF (primary 64, secondary 16), with fludarabine-based reduced-intensity regimens with or without melphalan, busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and/or 2-4 Gy total-body irradiation (TBI). A median number of 2.4 × 10(7)/kg total nucleated cells (TNC) were infused, and among the 61 evaluable patients who survived for more than 28 days, 45 (74%) engrafted. The median follow-up of surviving patients was 325 days, and the 1-year overall survival rate was 33% despite poor performance status (2-4, 60%), carryover organ toxicities (grade 3/4, 14%), and infections (82%) prior to CBT. Day 100 transplantation-related mortality was 45%, with 60% related to infectious complications. Multivariate analysis showed that the infusion of TNC ≥2.5 × 10(7)/kg and an alkylating agent-containing regimen were associated with a higher probability of engraftment, and that high risk-status at the preceding transplantation and grade 3/4 organ toxicities before CBT were associated with an increased risk of mortality. In conclusion, in an older population of patients, our data support the feasibility of CBT with a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen for GF.

Haploidentical stem cell transplantation as a salvage therapy for cord blood engraftment failure in a patient with Fanconi anemia

A 7-year-old male with Fanconi Anemia who developed primary graft failure following one antigen-mismatched unrelated cord blood transplantation and a nonradiation-based conditioning, underwent a second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from his 2-loci mismatched haploidentical father, using a nonradiation-based regimen, 79 days after the first HSCT. A sustained hematological engraftment was achieved at 9 days post-second HSCT. At 15 months post-second HSCT; the patient demonstrated normal blood counts, sustained donor chimerism, and no evidence of GVHD. Haploidentical HSCTs as primary or secondary sources of stem cells, with appropriate T-cell depletion, may be a readily available option in the absence of HLA-matched related or unrelated donors.

Second unrelated donor hematopoietic cell transplantation for primary graft failure

Failure to engraft donor cells is a devastating complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We describe the results of 122 patients reported to the National Marrow Donor Program between 1990 and 2005, who received a second unrelated donor HCT after failing to achieve an absolute neutrophil count of >or=500/microL without recurrent disease. Patients were transplanted for leukemia (n = 83), myelodysplastic disorders (n = 16), severe aplastic anemia (n = 20), and other diseases (n = 3). The median age was 29 years. Twenty-four patients received second grafts from a different unrelated donor. Among 98 patients who received a second graft from the same donor, 28 received products that were previously collected and cryopreserved for the first transplantation. One-year overall survival (OS) after second transplant was 11%, with 10 patients alive at last follow-up. We observed no differences between patients who received grafts from the same or different donors, or in those who received fresh or cryopreserved product. The outcomes after a second allogeneic HCT for primary graft failure are dismal. Identifying risk factors for primary graft failure can decrease the incidence of this complication. Further studies are needed to test whether early recognition and hastened procurement of alternative grafts can improve transplant outcomes for primary graft failure.

Salvage allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with fludarabine and low-dose total body irradiation after rejection of first allografts

We summarized results in 38 consecutive patients (median age=56 years) with hematologic malignancies (n=35), aplastic anemia (n=2), or renal cell carcinoma (n=1), who underwent salvage hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for allograft rejection. In 14 patients, the original donors were used for salvage HCT, and, in 24 cases, different donors were used. Conditioning for salvage HCT consisted of fludarabine (Flu) and either 3 or 4 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). Sustained engraftment was achieved in 33 patients (87%). Grafts were rejected in 5 patients (13%), 4 of whom had myelofibrosis. With a median follow-up of 2 years (range: 0.3 to 7.8 years), the 2- and 4-year estimated survivals were 49% and 42%, respectively. The 2-year relapse rate and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) were 36% and 24%, respectively. The 2-year cumulative incidences of grades II-IV acute and moderate-severe chronic graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD, cGVHD) were 42% and 41%, respectively. In this cohort, TBI dose, grafts from original versus different donors, related versus unrelated donors, and HCT comorbidity scores did not have an impact on outcomes. We concluded that graft rejection after allogeneic HCT could be overcome by salvage transplantation using conditioning with Flu and low-dose TBI.

Salvage transplantation for allograft failure using fludarabine and alemtuzumab as conditioning regimen

Graft failure after allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation, although generally uncommon, can be a devastating complication. This report includes the outcome of nine patients who received a salvage transplant for failure to engraft after one (n=8) or 2 (n=1) prior transplants. Eight patients received allografts from the original donor. All received fludarabine 30 mg/m(2) i.v. and alemtuzumab 20 mg i.v. daily from days -6 to -2. Daily CYA was begun on day -2, and the allograft was infused on day 0. The therapy was well tolerated with low toxicity, and all nine patients engrafted, recovering neutrophils at a median of 12 days after transplant. Four patients died: two of relapse, one of a fungal infection in the setting of GVHD and one of multiple sclerosis. The combination of fludarabine and alemtuzumab is an effective and well-tolerated salvage conditioning regimen for patients who experience graft failure after blood or marrow transplants.

Long-term follow-up of patients who experienced graft failure postallogeneic progenitor cell transplantation. Results of a single institution analysis

The long-term outcome of graft failure after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) has not been well described. To fill this knowledge gap we performed a retrospective analysis of patients with graft failure over a 10-year time period in a single institution. Cases were included for analysis if they had failed to achieve an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 500/microL or more by 28 days post-SCT or 42 days after cord blood transplantation (primary graft failure); had a decrease in their ANC to <500/mL for 3 consecutive days after having achieved neutrophil engraftment (secondary graft failure); or failed to have evidence of at least 5% or more donor cell engraftment (primary graft failure with autologous reconstitution). Among 1726 patients who underwent allografts from January 1, 1990, through December 31, 2000, we identified 68 patients with graft failure. The 1-, 2-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) for all patients was 31%, 24%, and 15%. A diagnosis of acute leukemia was a significant predictor for poor survival on multivariate analysis. We conclude that graft failure is an uncommon complication postallogeneic SCT, and is associated with poor outcomes. Collection of autologous stem cells prior to high-risk allografting can salvage a fraction of patients and lead to prolonged survivals.

Second stem cell transplantation in patients with Fanconi anemia using antithymocyte globulin alone for conditioning

Despite the promising data on the outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in patients with Fanconi anemia (FA), a certain percentage of these patients still experience graft failure; some of these patients undergo second transplants, but the existing data on the outcome of the second SCT in FA patients are scarce, with no long-term follow-up provided in many of the publications addressing this issue. This is a review of our experience in 4 such patients who underwent second stem cell transplants using rabbit ATG only for conditioning. Three engrafted promptly and are alive and free of disease at 25, 23, and 21 months, respectively. We conclude, therefore, that the use of ATG alone for conditioning before a second SCT may offer a chance of long-term disease-free survival for FA patients who fail their first transplant.

Retransplantation with stem cells from mismatched related donors after graft rejection in pediatric patients

Graft failure is a life-threatening complication after transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells. We report a cohort of 11 pediatric patients with leukemias (n=8) and severe aplastic anemia (n=3) who experienced graft rejection after myeloablative transplantation from mismatched related donors (n=6) or after cord blood or matched unrelated donor transplantation (n=5). In the latter, the original donor was not available anymore. All patients were re-transplanted with CD34(+) selected or CD3/CD19 depleted stem cells from a second, haploidentical donor. Median time span from diagnosis of rejection to second transplant was 9 days. Reconditioning regimens comprised total lymphoid irradiation, thiotepa, fludarabine, ATG/OKT3 and were well tolerated. A median number of 23.5x10(6)/kg stem cells with 95,000/kg residual T-cells were infused. Sustained engraftment of neutrophiles/platelets and complete donor chimerism was achieved in all patients (ANC>500/microl: 9 (11-32) days). No GvHD>grade II was observed. 8/11 patients are disease free (median follow up 1.9 years; 1 year-EFS=72%). Causes of death were: pneumonitis, infection, relapse. Thus, haploidentical transplantation represents a realistic option to rescue patients with graft failure within a short time span, for whom a second donation from the original donor is not available. The use of different donors may contribute to avoid a second rejection.

Immunosuppressive total lymphoid irradiation-based reconditioning regimens enable engraftment after graft rejection or graft failure in patients treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

PURPOSE

To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of total lymphoid irradiation (TLI)-based reconditioning regimens in patients with graft failure or graft rejection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The results of 14 patients (7 adults and 7 children) with a variety of hematologic malignant diseases treated with a TLI-based reconditioning regimen with 7-Gy single-dose application plus anti-T-lymphocyte antibody OKT3 (n = 11) and/or antithymocyte globulin (n = 7)/fludarabine (n = 9), followed by an infusion of peripheral blood stem cells (n = 13) or bone marrow stem cells (n = 1) from related or unrelated donors, were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 14 recipients, the data from 11 were evaluable for engraftment after TLI-based reconditioning because 3 adults died early (at Day 2, 5, and 15) after the second transplantation of infectious complications. Engraftment in 4 adults was seen after a median of 12 days (range, 10-18) and occurred after a median of 10 days (range, 9-32) in the 7 children. TLI-based reconditioning was well-tolerated with no severe toxicity. The median overall survival and disease-free survival for the whole cohort was 140 days (range, 5-1,268). After a median follow-up of 681 days, the disease-free survival and overall survival rate was 85.7% and 85.7%, respectively, in the children. Despite engraftment in the 4 remaining adults, 1 died of fatal graft-vs.-host disease, 1 of infectious complications, 1 of disease relapse, and 1 of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with graft failure or graft rejection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, TLI-based reconditioning regimens allow sustained engraftment, paralleled by a favorable toxicity profile, potentially leading to long-term survival.

Treatment of donor graft failure with nonmyeloablative conditioning of fludarabine, antithymocyte globulin and a second allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation

Graft failure is a life-threatening complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). We assessed the feasibility of performing a second SCT after such failure when fludarabine and antithymocyte globulin (ATG) are used for non-myeloablative conditioning and tacrolimus for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Nine patients with SCTs for various hematologic malignancies were enrolled, eight with primary and one with secondary graft failure. The median time between the first and second SCT was 53 days. Eight patients had the same donor for their second SCT, and one had a cord blood transplant. Three patients were not evaluable because of early death; the other six had evidence of donor cell engraftment. Six of the nine patients developed acute grade II-IV GVHD, the main cause of death. Overall, we found that fludarabine and ATG conditioning before a second SCT allows engraftment of donor hematopoiesis. Future studies should include more intense GVHD prophylaxis.

Second transplant with two unrelated cord blood units for early graft failure after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Graft failure (GF) can be a fatal complication following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We report four patients who developed early GF after unrelated HSCT and who subsequently received a double unrelated cord blood transplant (dUCBT) after reduced-intensity conditioning, at a median 15 d after the decision to perform a second transplant. Neutrophil recovery was observed in all four patients between day +15 and +31 with full donor chimaerism of one unit. Acute GVHD grades II-IV was observed in three patients. Three are alive, between 12 and 25 months after dUCBT. In conclusion, dUCBT is a promising procedure to treat early GF.

Disease burden may identify patients more likely to benefit from second allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to treat relapsed acute myelogenous leukemia

The major cause of failure after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is disease relapse or progression. We analyzed the outcome of second HSCT for treatment of patients with relapsed, refractory AML/myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) at our institution. A total of 72 patients were eligible for this analysis. In all, 25 (35%) patients received salvage chemotherapy prior to the second transplant procedure and only two (3%) patients were in complete remission at the time of the second transplant. A total of 20 patients (28%) had low leukemia burden as measured by the absence of peripheral blood blasts and <or=5% blasts in the bone marrow at the time of the second transplant. Although, the overall median survival after the second transplant was 6 months, a subset of patients who had low leukemia burden at the time of the second transplant had a 5-year survival of 25 vs 12% in those with a high leukemia burden. Thus, a second transplant may offer the possibility of long-term disease control in a subset of patients who have a 'low bulk' disease at the time of transplantation.

Graft failure following allogeneic blood and marrow transplant: evidence-based nursing case study review

Despite the advances made since the earliest days of transplant therapy, graft failure following allogeneic blood and marrow transplant is still a life-threatening complication. This article reviews the science of graft failure and uses a case study presentation to address how an oncology nursing staff was motivated by a patient's experience of graft failure. An evidence-based literature review was undertaken to answer three relevant clinical questions: (a) What factors contribute to graft failure in patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants? (b) What interventions are appropriate for these patients? and (c) How can this information assist nursing staff in providing improved care for these patients? An example of the table of evidence is provided.

Failure of trilineage blood cell reconstitution after initial neutrophil engraftment in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation – frequency and outcomes

The outcomes of patients who experience the failure to reconstitute a trilineage of blood cells after initial neutrophil engraftment were evaluated in 178 patients with hematologic disorders, who underwent allogeneic HCT. Of 165 qualified patients (five with primary engraftment failure; eight deaths before day 60 of HCT), 43 (26%) satisfied the criteria for the initial (n=22; failure of platelet >20 000/microl or red blood cell transfusion independence/reticulocyte count >/=1.0% by day 60) or subsequent (n=21, ANC <500/microl for >/=3 days, platelet <20 000/microl for >/=7 days, or red blood cells transfusion/reticulocyte <1.0% after initial trilineage reconstitution) failure. GVHD was the most common clinical condition associated with cytopenia (n=24). In all, 20 patients (47%) recovered at least partially with a median of 52 days (range 8-323) later, with 12 of those 20 patients recovering completely. The eventual reconstitution failure rate was 14% (23/163 patients). The number of cell lineages involved in the cytopenia was the only independent variable that predicted partial recovery (1 lineage vs 2-3 lineages with odds ratio of 8.69 (95% CI 1.96-38.60), P=0.004). Five/20 patients with vs 20/23 patients without partial recovery died. Trilineage reconstitution failures after allogeneic HCT need systematic analysis in the future studies.

Second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of graft failure, graft rejection or relapse after allogeneic transplantation

Failure to engraft after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (graft dysfunction) or to sustain engraftment (graft rejection) is a formidable complication due to many possible factors. These include inadequate stem cell numbers, infections, graft-versus-host disease and immunological mediated processes. Fortunately, this complication is uncommon and can be overcome by additional hematopoietic stem cell infusions. Multiple treatment alternatives have been explored including hematopoietic growth factors, additional infusions of stem cells alone, with augmented immunosuppression or with additional cytotoxic therapy. Various sources of the additional stem cells are feasible including the original donor, using another donor, using stem cells collected from the marrow or after cytokine mobilization from the peripheral blood. This report will overview this complication and review the various studies that have attempted to define both cause and therapy. However, a lack of well-designed prospective studies has made definitive recommendations difficult although basic principles have been established.

Outcome of second hematopoietic cell transplantation in Hurler syndrome

Hurler syndrome (HS) is an autosomal recessive, inherited metabolic storage disorder due to deficiency of lysosomal alpha-L-iduronidase (IDU) enzyme activity. Untreated patients develop progressive mental retardation and multisystem morbidity with a median life expectancy of 5 years. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) can achieve stabilization and even improvement of intellect, with long-term survival. However, children with HS have an increased incidence of graft failure, usually with concomitant autologous marrow reconstitution. Between 1983 and 2000, 71 Hurler children underwent HCT at the University of Minnesota. Of these 71, 19 (27%) experienced graft failure. We report HCT outcomes in all 11 Hurler patients receiving a second HCT at the University of Minnesota. Median age at second HCT was 25 months (range, 16 to 45 months); median time from first HCT was 8 months (range, 4 to 18.5 months). The conditioning regimen consisted of cyclophosphamide/TBI/ATG (n = 8) or busulfan/cyclophosphamide/ATG (n = 3). The source of bone marrow was an unrelated donor in six, matched sibling in four, and mismatched related in one. Five of the 11 grafts were T cell depleted prior to infusion. Overall, 10 of 11 patients showed donor-derived engraftment, of whom three developed grade 3 to 4 acute GVHD. Five of 11 patients are surviving a median of 25 months (range, 2 months to 12 years) with an overall actuarial survival of 50% (95% CI, 27% to 93%) at 4 years. All five show sustained donor engraftment with normalization of IDU activity levels. Three of five evaluable patients demonstrated stabilization of neuropsychological function after second HCT. Currently, allogeneic donor-derived hematopoiesis provides the only chance for long-term survival and improved quality of life in Hurler patients. While graft failure in Hurler patients requires further investigation, a timely second HCT can be well-tolerated and beneficial.

Successful engraftment of a second transplant using non-myeloablative conditioning as treatment for graft failure following unrelated donor BMT

A 32-year-old man with CML in second chronic phase developed primary graft failure following matched unrelated donor transplantation using cryopreserved marrow cells. He was successfully regrafted within 60 days from a second fully matched donor using a non-myeloablative conditioning regimen, with minimal toxicity. He remains in complete haematological, cytogenetic and molecular remission 2 years after second transplant. We believe that reduced intensity or 'mini-transplants' may be preferable for patients requiring second allografts which are usually associated with a high transplant-related mortality.

Second early allogeneic stem cell transplantations for graft failure in acute leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia and aplastic anaemia. French Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation

In this retrospective multicentre study, we analysed the results of 82 consecutive second early allogeneic transplants for primary (n = 28) or secondary ([n = 54) graft failures performed between 1985 and 1997 in patients with acute leukaemia (n = 33), aplastic anaemia (n = 29) or chronic myeloid leukaemia (n = 20). HLA-matched siblings were used in 64 cases. The same donors were used for both transplants in 56 cases and the first transplant was T-cell depleted in 30 cases. The median age at transplant was 25 years and the median intertransplant time interval was 2 months. Estimates of the 3-year overall survival and day 100 transplant-related mortality were 30% and 53% respectively. A recipient age < 34 years at transplant, an intertransplant time interval > or = 80 d and a positive recipient cytomegalovirus serology were predictors of a better outcome. The use of cyclosporin A (CsA) after second transplant had a dramatic impact on outcome, the best results being observed with CsA alone. The day 40 probability of neutrophil recovery was 73%. The use of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) was associated with a higher and faster neutrophil recovery. Other factors associated with neutrophil recovery were an intertransplant time interval > or = 80 d and a positive recipient cytomegalovirus serology. Therefore, second early allogeneic transplantation for graft failure is an effective treatment, especially if patients can receive CsA for graft-versus-host disease prevention and are retransplanted more than 80 d from first transplant.