The impact of social vulnerability index on survival following autologous stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard of care for eligible patients with multiple myeloma (MM) to prolong progression-free survival (PFS). While several factors affect survival following ASCT, the impact of social determinants of health such as the CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is not well documented. This single-center retrospective analysis evaluated the impact of SVI on PFS following ASCT in MM patients.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: a CIBMTR analysis.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematological malignancy with a poor prognosis and considered incurable with conventional chemotherapy. Small observational studies reported allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) offers durable remissions in patients with BPDCN. We report an analysis of patients with BPDCN who received an allo-HCT, using data reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR).

Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Long-Term Outcomes in ≥1 Year Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Survivors: A CIBMTR Analysis.

Racial/ethnic minorities have demonstrated worse survival after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) compared to whites. Whether the racial disparity in HCT outcomes persists in long-term survivors and possibly may be even exacerbated in this population, which frequently transitions back from the transplant center to their local healthcare providers, is unknown. In the current study, we compared long-term outcomes among 1-year allogeneic HCT survivors by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES).

Effective treatment with the selective cytokine inhibitor BNZ-1 reveals the cytokine dependency of T-LGL leukemia.

T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL) is a clonal proliferation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes that can result in severe neutropenia, anemia, and bone marrow failure. Strong evidence from patients and mouse models demonstrate the critical role of interleukin-15 (IL-15) in T-LGLL pathogenesis. BNZ-1 is a pegylated peptide that selectively inhibits the binding of IL-15 and other γc cytokines to their cellular receptor complex, which has demonstrated efficacy in ex vivo T-LGLL cells and transgenic mice in preclinical studies.

Association between the choice of the conditioning regimen and outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for myelofibrosis.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) remains the only curative treatment for myelofibrosis. However, the optimal conditioning regimen either with reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) or myeloablative conditioning (MAC) is not well known. Using the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research database, we identified adults aged ≥18 years with myelofibrosis undergoing allo-HCT between 2008-2019 and analyzed the outcomes separately in the RIC and MAC cohorts based on the conditioning regimens used.

Prophylactic Pretransplant Ganciclovir to Reduce Cytomegalovirus Infection After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Objective/background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation remains a serious complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) occurring in approximately 60-70% of CMV-seropositive HCT recipients. CMV reactivation leads to adverse outcomes including end-organ damage, graft-versus-host disease, and graft failure.

Methods: Ganciclovir was administered pretransplant at 5 mg/kg twice daily intravenously from the start of conditioning to Day T-2 to CMV-seropositive patients receiving their first allogeneic HCT.

Advances in Cellular Therapy for T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia.

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare, aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis. Alemtuzumab (Campath) remains the cornerstone for treatment, with an 80% complete response (CR). Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is considered the standard of care as consolidative therapy in eligible patients.

Lymphocyte subset abnormalities in early severe scleroderma favor a Th2 phenotype and are not altered by prior immunosuppressive therapy.

Objectives: The Scleroderma: Cyclophosphamide or Transplantation (SCOT) trial compared hematopoietic stem cell transplant to CYC treatment in patients with early SSc with progressive skin and lung or kidney involvement. Here we describe lymphocyte phenotype abnormalities at study entry and the relation to prior DMARD therapy.

Methods: Lymphocyte subsets (n = 26) measured by flow cytometry were compared in 123 heathy controls and 71 SCOT participants, including those given (n = 57) or not given (n = 14) DMARDs within 12 months of randomization.

Ixazomib in addition to chemotherapy for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in older adults.

We sought to assess the safety of adding ixazomib, an oral proteasome inhibitor, to a multi-agent treatment regimen for older adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients 51 to 75 years of age with newly diagnosed ALL were screened. Induction consisted of prednisone (P), vincristine (V), and doxorubicin (D).

Comparison of haploidentical and umbilical cord blood transplantation after myeloablative conditioning.

Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) has emerged as an important treatment modality. Most reports comparing haplo-HSCT with posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and other donor sources have focused on outcomes in older adults treated with reduced intensity conditioning. Therefore, in the current study, we evaluated outcomes in patients with hematological malignancy treated with myeloablative conditioning prior to haplo- (n = 375) or umbilical cord blood (UCB; n = 333) HSCT.

Barriers to Access to Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation among Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Virginia.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a standard therapy for patients with intermediate to high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is associated with improved long-term disease-free survival. Disparity exists in access to HCT among different patient populations and requires further study. In this study, we compared HCT rates for AML among different regions in the state of Virginia and identified geographic and socioeconomic factors associated with the likelihood of receiving HCT.

A Prospective Cohort Study Comparing Long-Term Outcomes with and without Palifermin in Patients Receiving Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Hematologic Malignancies.

The incidence of debilitating oral mucositis (OM) can be as high as 99% after myeloablative conditioning regimens preparing patients with hematologic malignancies for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Palifermin (KGF) is a recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor that reduces the incidence and duration of severe OM. The long-term safety of KGF has not been well established, however.

Guidelines for Adult Patient Selection and Conditioning Regimens in Cord Blood Transplant Recipients with Hematologic Malignancies and Aplastic Anemia.

For cord blood transplantation (CBT), appropriate patient and conditioning regimen selection is necessary to achieve long-term disease-free survival. This review aims to provide comprehensive guidelines on these issues using evidence from the literature and experience at dedicated CBT centers. Topics include patient and disease characteristics that make CBT a good or poor choice and a review of outcomes in commonly used conditioning regimens in CBT.

Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT) Recommendations Regarding Essential Medications Required To Establish An Early Stage Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Program.

Establishing a hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) program is complex. Planning is essential while establishing such a program to overcome the expected challenges. Authorities involved in HCT program establishment will need to coordinate the efforts between the different departments required to start up the program.

Epidemiology of acute myeloid leukemia in Virginia: Excellent survival outcomes for patients in rural Appalachia.

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia, the most common acute leukemia in adults, has a poor overall survival. Studies have suggested that certain socioeconomic factors such as living in a rural or farming area are associated with worse outcomes. Since 42% of acute myeloid leukemia patients seen in our academic center reside in a rural area, we have a unique opportunity to study outcomes of patients in rural versus urban settings.