Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: 100 month follow-up

Pre-and Post-Transplant Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase Levels as a Predictive Marker for Patient Survival and Engraftment in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Background

The discovery of biomarkers to predict the development of complications associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers a potential avenue for the early identification and treatment of these life-threatening consequences. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (sLDH) has been identified as a potential biomarker for determining the outcome of allogenic HSCT (allo-HSCT).

Methods

A retrospective study was performed using data collected from 204 allo-HSCT recipient patients to examine the predictive value of sLDH levels pre- and post-allo-HSCT on patient survival, graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) incidence, and time to platelet/white blood cells (WBC) engraftment.

Results

Our findings show that neither pre- (p= 0.61) nor post-transplantation (p= 0.55) sLDH levels were associated with GVHD incidence. However, elevated sLDH levels pre- and post-transplantation (≥ 386 and ≥ 409 IU/mL, respectively) were found to be adverse risk factors for patient survival (p= 0.16, p= 0.20, respectively). Furthermore, a median sLDH level ≥ 400 IU/mL from day +5 to day +15 post-transplantation had a significant positive association with enhanced time to platelet and white blood cell (WBC) engraftment, compared to patients with sLDH levels < 400 IU/mL (p< 0.001).

Conclusion

Our data suggests that high sLDH levels pre- and post-allo-HSCT could be considered a predictor of poor patient survival. Furthermore, high levels of sLDH days 5-15 post-allo-HSCT could be associated with improved time to platelet and WBC engraftment; however, this appears to come at the cost of increased mortality risk.

Disease characteristics of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma predicting relapse and survival after autologous stem cell transplantation: A single institution experience

While various tools such as the International Prognostic Index (IPI) and its derivatives exist for risk-stratification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) at diagnosis, patient and disease characteristics capable of predicting outcome after high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (HDC/ASCT) are not clearly defined. We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 111 DLBCL patients (78 relapsed and 33 refractory) who underwent HDC/ASCT at our institution from 2010-2015. After a median follow-up time of 4.6 years (interquartile range [IQR] 2.2-8.1), the likelihood of 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 62.2% (95% CI, 53.4%-72.4%) and the likelihood of 5-year overall survival (OS) was 68.9% (95% CI, 60.7%-78.2%). More than three chemotherapy regimens prior to ASCT was the only variable associated with lower likelihood of PFS (P = .004) and OS (P = 0.026). Male gender and high IPI score at time of ASCT were also associated with lower likelihood of PFS (P = .043; P = .013). NCCN IPI and age-adjusted IPI at time of ASCT were not predictive of outcome following ASCT. Patients with refractory and relapsed disease had similar outcomes post-ASCT (P = .207 for PFS, P = .073 for OS).

Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation-10 Years of Data From a Developing Country

Intensive chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients with hematological malignancies. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with mainly lymphoma and multiple myeloma after autologous stem cell transplant. The pretransplant workup consisted of the complete blood count, an evaluation of the liver, kidney, lung, and infectious profile, chest radiographs, and a dental review. For lymphoma, all patients who achieved at least a 25% reduction in the disease after salvage therapy were included in the study. Mobilization was done with cyclophosphamide, followed by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, 300 µg twice daily. The conditioning regimens included BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) and high-dose melphalan. A total of 206 transplants were performed from April 2004 to December 2014. Of these, 137 were allogeneic transplants and 69 were autologous. Of the patients receiving an autologous transplant, 49 were male and 20 were female. Of the 69 patients, 26 underwent transplantation for Hodgkin's lymphoma, 23 for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 15 for multiple myeloma and 4 and 1 for Ewing's sarcoma and neuroblastoma, respectively. The median age ± SD was 34 ± 13.1 years (range, 4-64). A mean of 4.7 × 10⁸ ± 1.7 mononuclear cells per kilogram were infused. The median time to white blood cell recovery was 18.2 ± 5.34 days. Transplant-related mortality occurred in 10 patients. After a median follow-up period of 104 months, the overall survival rate was 86%. High-dose chemotherapy, followed by autologous stem cell transplant, is an effective treatment option for patients with hematological malignancies, allowing further consolidation of response.

Fludarabine as a risk factor for poor stem cell harvest, treatment-related MDS and AML in follicular lymphoma patients after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation

Fludarabine is an effective treatment for follicular lymphoma (FL), but exposure to it negatively impacts stem cell mobilization and may increase the risk of subsequent myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia (t-MDS/AML). We hypothesized that the risk that fludarabine imparts to stem cell mobilization and t-MDS/AML would be affected by dose or timing. All patients with FL treated at Cleveland Clinic from 1991 to 2007 with autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation were evaluated. Recursive partitioning analysis was used to explore associations of fludarabine and mitoxantrone dose and timing with poor stem cell harvest and t-MDS/AML. We identified 171 patients, of whom 52 previously received fludarabine. Patients exposed to fludarabine prior to auto-HCT were more likely to require >5 days of leukapheresis (P<0.001) and second stem cell mobilization (P<0.001), especially at a cumulative dose >150 mg/m(2). Univariable risk factors for t-MDS/AML included the number of chemotherapy regimens before auto-HCT, the need for >5 days of leukapheresis to collect CD34+ cells and fludarabine exposure in a dose-dependent manner, particularly when >500 mg/m(2). A cumulative dose of fludarabine >150 mg/m(2) increases the risk for poor stem cell harvests and any exposure increases the risk of t-MDS/AML, with the greatest risk being at doses >500 mg/m(2).

Phase II study of autologous stem cell transplant using busulfan-melphalan chemotherapy-only conditioning followed by interferon for relapsed poor prognosis follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Alpha interferon has proven efficacy in prolonging remissions in patients with follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) when given concurrently with or after conventional-dose anthracycline-based chemotherapy, but there are limited data on its use after myeloablative conditioning. We prospectively evaluated the toxicity and efficacy of interferon given thrice weekly for up to 5 years post-engraftment in patients with relapsed follicular NHL undergoing autologous stem cell transplant using busulfan-melphalan conditioning. Thirty-seven patients were enrolled in this Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group study and transplanted between 1995 and 1999. Only one patient had received prior rituximab. Two patients died of transplant-related toxicity; 28 of the remainder commenced interferon, but it was discontinued prematurely in most patients due to toxicity (mainly fatigue and depression) or relapse. While the majority of patients (29/36 evaluable: 81%) achieved a complete remission based on clinical and CT scan criteria post-transplant, most relapsed relatively early, with a median progression-free survival of 2.4 years. The overall survival at 7 years was 49%. Eight patients (22%), however, remain alive a median of 9.3 years post-transplant, having never relapsed, and another six patients (16%) remain alive in durable remission after salvage therapy. These results demonstrate that interferon is poorly tolerated post-autograft and hence is unlikely to positively contribute to patient outcome. Long-term follow-up demonstrates that autografting may result in durable remissions in a meaningful minority of patients with relapsed follicular NHL.

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in children with refractory or relapsed lymphoma: results of Children's Oncology Group study A5962

This prospective study was designed to determine the safety and efficacy of cyclophosphamide, BCNU, and etoposide (CBV) conditioning and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT) in children with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HL and NHL). Patients achieving complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) after 2 to 4 courses of reinduction underwent a granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized PBSC apheresis with a target collection dose of 5 × 10⁶ CD34(+)/kg. Those eligible to proceed received autologous PBSCT after CBV (7200 mg/m², 450-300 mg/m², 2400 mg/m²). Forty-three of 69 patients (30/39 HL, 13/30 NHL) achieved a CR/PR after reinduction. Thirty-eight patients (28 HL, 10 NHL) underwent PBSCT. All initial 6 patients who received BCNU at 450 mg/m² experienced grade III or IV pulmonary toxicity compared to none of the subsequent 32 receiving 300 mg/m² (P < .0001). The probability of overall survival (OS) at 3 years for all patients is 51% and for transplanted patients is 64%. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) is 38% (45% for HL; 30% NHL). The 3-year EFS in transplanted patients is 66% (65% HL; 70% NHL). Initial duration of remission of ≥12 versus <12 months was associated with a significant increase in OS (3 years OS 70% versus 34%) (P = .003). BCNU at 300 mg/m(2) in a CBV regimen prior to PBSCT is well tolerated in relapsed or refractory pediatric lymphoma patients. A short duration (<12 months) of initial remission is associated with a poorer prognosis. Last, a high percentage of patients achieving a CR/PR after reinduction therapy can be salvaged with CBV and autologlous PBSCT.

Augmented high-dose regimen of cyclophosphamide, carmustine, and etoposide with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for relapsed and refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Progressive disease is the major cause of treatment failure after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. An augmented high-dose regimen of cyclophosphamide 7,200 mg/m2, carmustine 300 - 400 mg/m2, and etoposide 2,400 mg/m2 (CBV) was developed in an attempt to improve disease control post-transplant. Sixty-seven adult patients received augmented CBV followed by infusion of unpurged autologous peripheral blood stem cells. Thirty seven patients had relapsed after standard chemotherapy, 28 patients had primary refractory disease, and 2 patients had transformed lymphoma in first partial response. Treatment-related mortality was 4%. Actuarial four year overall survival and progression-free survival were 46+/-8% and 36+/-6%, respectively. Risk factors for disease progression were histologic involvement of marrow by lymphoma and infusion of increased numbers of CD34 + cells per kg in the stem cell autograft. The outcome for patients with relatively chemorefractory disease (defined as 25 - 49% reduction in tumor volume after salvage chemotherapy) was no different than that for patients with chemosensitive disease. Compared to standard high-dose CBV regimens, augmented CBV does not appear to have substantially improved disease control. Prospective study of the association between inferior progression-free survival and infusion of higher CD34 + cell doses in stem cell autografts is warranted.

Long-term survival and late relapse in 2-year survivors of autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation for Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma

This study described long-term outcomes of autologous haematopoietic-cell transplantation (HCT) for advanced Hodgkin (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The study included recipients of autologous HCT for HL (N = 407) and NHL (N = 960) from 1990-98 who were in continuous complete remission for at least 2 years post-HCT. Median follow-up was 104 months for HL and 107 months for NHL. Overall survival at 10-years was 77% (72-82%) for HL, 78% (73-82%) for diffuse large-cell NHL, 77% (71-83%) for follicular NHL, 85% (75-93%) for lymphoblastic/Burkitt NHL, 52% (37-67%) for mantle-cell NHL and 77% (67-85%) for other NHL. On multivariate analysis, mantle-cell NHL had the highest relative-risk for late mortality [2.87 (1.70-4.87)], while the risks of death for other histologies were comparable. Relapse was the most common cause of death. Relative mortality compared to age, race and gender adjusted normal population remained significantly elevated and was 14.8 (6.3-23.3) for HL and 5.9 (3.6-8.2) for NHL at 10-years post-HCT. Recipients of autologous HCT for HL and NHL who remain in remission for at least 2-years have favourable subsequent long-term survival but remain at risk for late relapse. Compared to the general population, mortality rates continue to remain elevated at 10-years post-transplantation.

Elevated lactate dehydrogenase is an adverse predictor of outcome in HLA-matched sibling bone marrow transplant for acute myelogenous leukemia

Prognostic factors for survival following allogeneic BMT for AML include age, disease status and cytogenetic risk classification. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels have not been studied as a potential risk factor. We reviewed our experience with BMT for AML and included LDH at the time of admission in an analysis of prognostic factors for survival. We found that LDH >330 U/l (1.5 times the upper limit of normal at our institution), older age, active disease, peripheral stem cell graft and male-to-male transplant were significant adverse predictors of survival. After accounting for LDH, other factors such as disease status and cytogenetics were not significantly associated with the outcome of BMT. All but one patient with an LDH >330 U/l had active disease. However, when patients in CR were excluded, LDH >330 U/l remained a significant adverse predictor of overall survival (hazard ratio 2.70, 95% confidence interval 1.41-5.16, P=0.003). We conclude that LDH is an important adverse risk factor for survival and should be included in future studies of risk performed on larger patient cohorts.

Risk Factors Before Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation for Lymphoma Predict for Secondary Myelodysplasia and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Purpose

The risk factors for treatment-related myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) after autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) are similar to those that increase the risk of difficult stem-cell harvests. We reviewed our experience in 526 patients with lymphoma treated by ASCT to determine whether difficult stem-cell harvests predict for an increased risk of t-MDS/AML.

Patients and Methods

Autologous peripheral stem cells were initially mobilized with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) alone (n = 334), etoposide and G-CSF (n = 166), or cyclophosphamide and G-CSF with or without etoposide (n = 26). Difficult harvests were those that required more than 5 days to collect enough stem cells and those that required additional attempts with etoposide and/or cyclophosphamide plus G-CSF (n = 52). All patients were then treated with high-dose chemotherapy alone and observed for outcome.

Results

With a median follow-up time for surviving patients of 69 months, 20 patients developed t-MDS/AML, for an actuarial incidence of 6.8% at 10 years. Pretransplantation characteristics, including age, diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease, bone marrow involvement, prior radiation therapy, prior exposure to chemotherapy, lactate dehydrogenase at the time of ASCT, disease status, and method of stem-cell mobilization, were then analyzed with respect to the subsequent development of t-MDS/AML. By multivariable analysis, prior exposure to radiation therapy, four or more chemotherapy regimens, and more than 5 days of apheresis needed to harvest enough stem cells were identified as independent risk factors for t-MDS/AML. Bootstrap analysis confirmed these results.

Conclusion

These results suggest that identifiable pretransplantation factors predict for t-MDS/AML after ASCT.

Location, movement and survival: the role of chemokines in haematopoiesis and malignancy

Chemokines are a family of over 40 small (8 kDa) related proteins with the function of moving cells along a chemotactic gradient, either to organise cells within an organ or to facilitate the movement of leucocytes around the body. Mouse models have implicated the importance of the chemokine CXCL12 in haematopoiesis and this has lead to the use of the inhibitor AMD3100 for autologous transplantation. This review will briefly discuss the biology of chemokines and their role in haematopoiesis and haematological malignancy together with the possible benefits and hazards of therapeutic modification of the chemokine system.

Factors predicting success or failure associated with common types of transplants

The ability to predict clinical outcomes is essential to accurate medical decision analysis. Many accepted bone marrow transplant related prognostic variables are derived from data that is over 20-years old and may or may not be applicable to current medical practice. This report reviews both older data concerning bone marrow transplantation prognostic factors as well as more current reports. In addition to pretransplant variables, this review examines easily measured post-transplant variables that may affect prognosis, as well as data concerning the cellular component of the infused graft in both allogeneic and autologous transplantation.