Relationship between certain HLA alleles and the risk of cytomegalovirus reactivation following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Introduction: Evidence is emerging to support an association between certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and the risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT). The primary aim of this study was to identify HLA alleles associated with resistance or susceptibility to CMV reactivation.

Methods: We studied 586 adults who underwent allo-HSCT for high-risk hematological malignancies.

Effect of pre-transplant JAK1/2 inhibitors and CD34 dose on transplant outcomes in myelofibrosis.

Allogeneic hematopoeitic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is the only curative treatment for myelofibrosis (MF). We evaluate the impact of various factors on survival outcomes post-transplant in MF. Data of 89 consecutive MF patients (primary 47%) who underwent allo-HCT between 2005 and 2018 was evaluated.

Fresh vs. frozen allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell grafts: A successful timely option.

Cryopreservation of grafts has been established in autologous and cord blood transplantation, yet there is little experience regarding the effect of cryopreservation with sibling and unrelated grafts. We evaluated the effect of cryopreservation of grafts on allogeneic transplant outcomes using related, unrelated and haploidentical donors, including 958 patients, age 18-74 years (median 55) and using PBSC for various hematologic malignancies. Fresh grafts were received by 648 (68%) patients, 310 (32%) received cryopreserved.

High incidence but low mortality of EBV-reactivation and PTLD after alloHCT using ATG and PTCy for GVHD prophylaxis.

We explore risk factors and impacts of post-transplant EBV-Reactivation (EBV-R) and PTLD in 270 patients that underwent RIC alloHCT using ATG-PTCy and cyclosporine for GVHD prophylaxis. Twenty-five (12%) patients had probable ( = 7) or proven ( = 18) PTLD. Patients were managed with reduction of immunosuppression and 22 with weekly rituximab (375 mg/m IV).

Dual T-cell depletion with ATG and PTCy for peripheral blood reduced intensity conditioning allo-HSCT results in very low rates of GVHD.

The efficacy of posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and antithymocyte globulin (ATG) in controlling GVHD has been previously reported. We aim to study the safety and efficacy of the use of dual T-cell depletion with ATG and PTCy for peripheral blood reduced intensity conditioning regimen allo-HSCT in 270 patients with hematological malignancies. Median follow-up was 12.

Allogeneic stem cell transplant in myelodysplastic syndrome-factors impacting survival.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate survival outcomes following allo-HCT in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and the secondary aim was to study variables impacting survival.

Methods: This analysis describes patient characteristics, treatment, and outcomes in 125 consecutive adult patients with MDS transplanted from 2005 to 2018.

Results: The median age was 61 years, and median follow-up in patients alive at last follow-up was 29 months.

Impact of CD34+ cell dose on reduced intensity conditioning regimen haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Objectives: Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant (haplo-SCT) has been associated with higher rates of graft rejection, and a higher dose of CD34+ cell dose is frequently requested. We aim to explore the impact of CD34+ cell dose in peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts using reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) in haplo-SCT.

Methods: Sixty-eight consecutive haplo-SCT in adult patients were included.

Reduced intensity allogeneic stem cell transplant with anti-thymocyte globulin and post-transplant cyclophosphamide in acute myeloid leukemia.

Objectives: We aimed to study the efficacy of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) allo-HSCT combined with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis in AML.

Methods: One hundred forty-seven patients were included. All patients underwent unmanipulated peripheral blood stem cell RIC allo-HSCT.

Impact of central nervous system involvement in AML on outcomes after allotransplant and utility of pretransplant cerebrospinal fluid assessment.

Objective: The primary objective was to assess the effect of central nervous system involvement in acute myeloid leukemia (CNS-AML) on outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HCT). The secondary objective was to assess the utility of pretransplant cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assessment in AML.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed survival outcomes in 338 adult AML patients (with and without CNS-AML) after allo-HCT.

Epstein-Barr virus associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder mimicking acute graft versus host disease.

We present a case series of 3 patients to highlight the fact that PTLD post-transplant can mimic GVHD, and should be part of the differential diagnosis for diarrhea post allo-HCT. Awareness of this presentation has important therapeutic implications, as increased immune suppression for the management of GVHD, can worsen clinical features of PTLD. Diagnostic imaging and tissue biopsies should be undertaken early in post-transplant patients presenting with diarrhea or hepatic abnormalities, especially with atypical presentations like fever, and EBV PCR monitoring can expedite clinical decision-making in such complicated scenarios while awaiting results of gut biopsies.

Low rates of acute and chronic GVHD with ATG and PTCy in matched and mismatched unrelated donor peripheral blood stem cell transplants.

Introduction: We evaluated the combination of ATG and PTCy for GVHD prophylaxis in matched and mismatched unrelated PBSCTs for high-risk hematological malignancies.

Methods: We treated 102 patients with reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) with fludarabine, busulfan, and TBI 200 cGy. GVHD prophylaxis included rabbit ATG (thymoglobulin at total dose of 4.

Mediastinal Mass with Hyper-eosinophilia in a Young Boy -A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Mediastinal masses in children comprises of a heterogeneous group of tumours. In such cases, biopsy and histological analysis are mandatory for planning of treatment. We have reported an unusual aetiology for a mediastinal mass in a young boy presenting with features of Superior Vena Caval Obstruction (SVCO) who also had marked blood and marrow eosinophilia mimicking Chronic Eosinophilic Leukaemia (CEL).

A Case Report of Concurrent IDH1 and NPM1 Mutations in a Novel t(X;2)(q28;p22) Translocation in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia without Maturation (AML-M1).

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is one of the fatal haematological malignancies as a consequence of its genetic heterogeneity. At present, the prediction of the clinical response to treatment for AML is based not only on detection of cytogenetic aberrations but also by analysing certain molecular genetic alterations. There are limited in sights into the contribution, disease progression, treatment outcome, and characterisation with respect to the uncommon chromosomal abnormalities leading to AML.

Hypercalcaemia with disseminated osteolytic lesions: a rare presentation of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) presenting with hypercalcaemia and lytic bone lesions is a rare event in children unlike adults. We report a 15-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and hypercalcaemia. He had normal peripheral blood count and the peripheral smear did not show blast.

A colonization of a different kind.

An unusual morphological pattern in the lymph node can at times, pose a diagnostic problem. We report a case of a 55 year old male whose cervical lymph node biopsy showed an unusual pattern of follicular colonization by T-lymphoblasts. The interfollicular area showed a diffuse infiltrate of Langerhans cells.

Visceral leishmaniasis with aplastic bonemarrow: coincidental or causal.

Acquired aplastic anaemia (AAA) is caused by aetiologies ranging from infectious agents, chemical toxins, drugs, and autoimmune disorders. Few reports exist which establish a causal association of parasites in AAA. Causal association of Leishmania donavani infection in AAA has not been reported to date.