The association of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (SCT) is well-established but was not confirmed in the modern era and following post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy). We assessed GVHD/ GVL association in AML patients following HLA-matched SCT with standard calcineurin-based (n = 12,653, 57% with additional in-vivo T-cell depletion) or PTCy-based (n = 508) GVHD prophylaxis. Following standard prophylaxis, acute GVHD grade II-IV and III-IV, chronic GVHD, and extensive chronic GVHD rates were 23.8%, 7.5%, 37.0%, and 16.3%, respectively. Acute GVHD grade II and III-IV were associated with lower relapse [hazard-ratio (HR) 0.85, P = 0.002; HR 0.76, P = 0.003, respectively)], higher non-relapse mortality (NRM) (HR 1.5, P < 0.001; HR 6.21, P < 0.001) and lower overall survival (OS) (HR 1.49, P < 0.001; HR 6.1, P < 0.001). Extensive chronic GVHD predicted lower relapse (HR 0.69, P < 0.001), higher NRM (HR 2.83, P < 0.001), and lower OS (HR 2.74, P < 0.001). Following PTCy, GVHD rates were 22.8%, 6.2%, 35.5%, and 17.7%, respectively. Acute GVHD was not associated with relapse (HR 1.37, P = 0.15) but predicted higher NRM (HR 3.34, P < 0.001) and lower OS (HR 1.92, P = 0.001). Chronic GVHD was not prognostic for these outcomes. In conclusion, GVHD and GVL are strongly associated with contemporary SCT. However, following PTCy, GVHD is not associated with reduced relapse.
- MeSH
- akutní myeloidní leukemie * terapie MeSH
- cyklofosfamid * terapeutické užití MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- HLA antigeny imunologie MeSH
- homologní transplantace MeSH
- imunosupresiva terapeutické užití MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- nemoc štěpu proti hostiteli * etiologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- reakce štěpu proti leukémii * MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- testování histokompatibility MeSH
- transplantace hematopoetických kmenových buněk * škodlivé účinky metody MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
With the incorporation of effective therapies for myelofibrosis (MF), accurately predicting outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is crucial for determining the optimal timing for this procedure. Using data from 5183 patients with MF who underwent first allo-HCT between 2005 and 2020 at European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation centers, we examined different machine learning (ML) models to predict overall survival after transplant. The cohort was divided into a training set (75%) and a test set (25%) for model validation. A random survival forests (RSF) model was developed based on 10 variables: patient age, comorbidity index, performance status, blood blasts, hemoglobin, leukocytes, platelets, donor type, conditioning intensity, and graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. Its performance was compared with a 4-level Cox regression-based score and other ML-based models derived from the same data set, and with the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research score. The RSF outperformed all comparators, achieving better concordance indices across both primary and postessential thrombocythemia/polycythemia vera MF subgroups. The robustness and generalizability of the RSF model was confirmed by Akaike information criterion and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic area under the curve metrics in both sets. Although all models were prognostic for nonrelapse mortality, the RSF provided better curve separation, effectively identifying a high-risk group comprising 25% of patients. In conclusion, ML enhances risk stratification in patients with MF undergoing allo-HCT, paving the way for personalized medicine. A web application (https://gemfin.click/ebmt) based on the RSF model offers a practical tool to identify patients at high risk for poor transplantation outcomes, supporting informed treatment decisions and advancing individualized care.
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- míra přežití MeSH
- primární myelofibróza * terapie mortalita MeSH
- prognóza MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- strojové učení * MeSH
- transplantace hematopoetických kmenových buněk * mortalita MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies represent a promising approach for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapse, yet their efficacy is hindered by immunosuppressive factors such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in the tumor microenvironment. This study investigated the effects of TGF-β on NK cell cytotoxicity and migration using 2D and 3D co-culture models that mimic the leukemic microenvironment. METHODS: TGF-β production was evaluated in AML-derived leukemic cell lines and mesenchymal stromal cells (hTERT-MSCs) using ELISA. Bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to analyze global gene expression changes in TGF-β-treated primary human NK cells. NK cell cytotoxicity and migration were assessed in 2D monolayer and 3D spheroid co-cultures containing hTERT-MSCs and leukemic cells using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Both leukemic cells and MSCs produced TGF-β, with increased levels observed in MSCs after co-culture with primary AML blasts. RNA sequencing revealed that TGF-β altered key gene pathways associated with NK cell cytotoxicity, adhesion, and migration, supporting its immunosuppressive role. In functional assays, TGF-β exposure significantly reduced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in a time-dependent manner and impaired NK cell infiltration into 3D spheroids, particularly in models incorporating MSCs. Additionally, MSCs themselves provided a protective environment for leukemic cells, further reducing NK cell effectiveness in 2D co-cultures. CONCLUSION: TGF-β suppresses both NK cell cytotoxicity and migration, limiting their ability to eliminate leukemic cells and infiltrate the bone marrow niche (BMN). These findings provide novel insights into TGF-β-mediated immune evasion mechanisms and provide important insights for the future design of NK-based immunotherapies and clinical trials.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
AIMS: This study aimed to examine changes in the repertoire of functional T-cells specific for six leukemia-associated antigens (LAA), including WT1, PRAME, MUC1, CCNA1, NPM1, and NPM1c, during immune reconstitution following allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCT) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. PATIENTS & METHODS: LAA-specific T cell response was measured by ELISPOT- IFNγ and intracellular cytokine staining in 47 patients before starting conditioning therapy (baseline) and 7 months after HSCT. RESULTS: The positive cumulative LAA-specific T cell response before HSCT was associated with a decreased risk of relapse after HSCT. The prevalent genetic aberration - an internal tandem duplication of Fms 3 - related receptor tyrosine kinase, which has been previously implicated in immune escape mechanisms, is presented here for the first time as a factor associated with the absence of an adaptive T cell response against multiple LAAs. T-cell specific responses against wild-type and mutated NPM1 antigens were less frequent in the study cohort and did not correlate with mutations in the NPM1 gene. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the T-cell response to LAA can be reconstituted after HSCT. Measurement of functional pre-transplant T-cell responses against multiple LAAs could help to find patients with an increased risk of relapse.
- MeSH
- akutní myeloidní leukemie * terapie imunologie genetika MeSH
- antigeny nádorové imunologie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- homologní transplantace MeSH
- jaderné proteiny genetika MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mucin 1 genetika imunologie MeSH
- mutace * MeSH
- nukleofosmin * MeSH
- proteiny WT1 imunologie genetika MeSH
- recidiva MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- T-lymfocyty * imunologie MeSH
- transplantace hematopoetických kmenových buněk * MeSH
- tyrosinkinasa 3 podobná fms * genetika MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Immune monitoring of cell therapies is a complex and evolving topic, particularly in the rapid expanding field of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell applications. Defining essential, recommended, and optional immune monitoring data post-CAR-T cell infusion is crucial to improve patient outcomes and inform post-treatment decisions. To address this gap, we conducted a survey-based study across centers affiliated with the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), focusing on patients treated with European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved CAR-T products. Building on a thorough review of the literature, we mapped the current landscape of immune monitoring practices and assessed their impact on clinical management. By defining the state of the art in the field, this work marks an initial step towards a structured harmonization process potentially able to enhance the management and outcomes of patients undergoing these immune cell therapies.
We retrospectively analyzed the impact of conditioning intensity on transplant outcomes according to their cytogenetic/molecular risk in a cohort of 1823 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and intermediate- or adverse-risk cytogenetics in first complete remission (CR1). These patients received their first hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy). The intermediate-risk cytogenetic group included 1386 (76%) patients, and 608 (34%) had mutated FLT3-ITD. Myeloablative conditioning was used in 930 patients (51%), while 1130 (62%) received an intensified conditioning (score ≥2.5) based on the transplant conditioning intensity (TCI) score. Conditioning intensity using the myeloablative/reduced intensity stratification did not impact transplant outcomes across the entire cohort. However, a higher TCI score was associated with a lower risk of relapse, with no effect on survival. In specific cytogenetic risk groups, a higher TCI score did not influence outcomes in the adverse-risk group. In the intermediate-risk group, the impact varied with FLT3-ITD status. Patients with FLT3-ITD mutation who received a higher TCI showed a beneficial effect on relapse, leukemia-free survival (LFS), and overall survival. Conversely, in FLT3-ITD wild-type patients, more intense conditioning had a detrimental effect on graft-versus-host disease-free, and relapse-free survival with no effect on other outcomes. In conclusion, for AML patients in CR1 undergoing HSCT with PTCy, it is crucial to consider cytogenetic risk and molecular status when selecting the conditioning regimen. Intensive conditioning should be considered for patients with intermediate-risk cytogenetics and mutated FLT3-ITD but should probably be avoided for those with wild-type FLT3-ITD.
- MeSH
- akutní myeloidní leukemie * terapie genetika mortalita MeSH
- cyklofosfamid * terapeutické užití aplikace a dávkování farmakologie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- příprava pacienta k transplantaci * metody MeSH
- retrospektivní studie MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- transplantace hematopoetických kmenových buněk * metody MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) is increasingly used as effective graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis in allogeneic hematopoietic-cell transplantation (allo-HCT). However, PTCY is associated with toxicities. Whether patients with specific comorbidities are more vulnerable to cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity is unclear. We retrospectively evaluated the impact of individual organ dysfunctions for non-relapse mortality (NRM) risk and overall survival (OS) among 5888 adults who underwent PTCY-based allo-HCT for acute myeloid leukemia between 2010 and 2023. In multivariable analyses 5 of the comorbidities (renal, moderate/severe hepatic, cardiac including arrhythmia/valvular disease, severe pulmonary, infection) were independently associated with adverse NRM and OS without influencing relapse rate. A simplified model using the absence (n = 4390), presence of 1 (n = 1229) or presence of 2 or 3 (n = 269) of the comorbidities which were determined individually to contribute to NRM stratified patients into 3 NRM risk (16.2% vs. 21.6% vs. 36%, retrospectively) and OS categories (64% vs. 56% vs. 36.4%, retrospectively). In Cox model, recipients with 2 or 3 comorbidities had an increased hazard ratio for NRM of 2.38 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89-3) and for OS of 1.96 (95% CI 1.64-2.33). Whether patients with concomitant diagnoses, as determined here, may benefit from a reduced PTCY dose remains to be evaluated in prospective clinical trials.
- MeSH
- akutní myeloidní leukemie * terapie mortalita MeSH
- cyklofosfamid * terapeutické užití škodlivé účinky farmakologie aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- komorbidita MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nemoc štěpu proti hostiteli prevence a kontrola mortalita MeSH
- příjemce transplantátu MeSH
- retrospektivní studie MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- transplantace hematopoetických kmenových buněk * metody MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: The rate of immune reconstitution after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) plays the principal role in the development of serious post-transplant complications. However, the post-transplantation course has a significant impact on shaping the immune system of the recipient, per se, thus representing risk factors for subsequent unfavorable outcomes. The predictive power of an interferon gamma (IFNγ) release assay (IGRA) on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or hematological relapse in recipients of allo-HSCT treated with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide and the impact of these complications on the restoration of cellular immune responsiveness was evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective observational study in which 62 adult patients with myeloid hematological malignancies who underwent allo-HSCT with a myeloablative conditioning regimen combined with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide were enrolled. Clinical data were collected and the IGRA was performed before commencement of the conditioning regimen and for 12 months post-allo-HSCT. Multivariate Cox regression and logistic regression models with backward stepwise analyses were used to calculate the predictive values for acute or chronic GVHD, or hematological relapse. RESULTS: Pre-transplantation and early post-transplantation IGRA values and other selected covariables (age, diagnosis, relapse risk, conditioning type, pre-T lymphocyte count, and donor sex), enabled prediction of the 12-month incidence of chronic GVHD with positive and negative predictive values of 75 % and 88 %, respectively. However, the IGRA did not improve the predictive value for acute GVHD or hematological relapse. Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) had a significantly lower pre-transplant IGRA value (p = 0.021) and a delayed IFNγ response in IGRA, post-HSCT, than patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (p = 0.015 and p = 0.0063 for 3 and 4 months post-HSCT, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The IGRA can be used to monitor the recovery of total cellular immunity, post-HSCT and it has shown potential for use in personalized post-transplantation care. In the multivariate backward stepwise logistic regression model, pre-and early post-transplantation IGRA values showed potential for predicting chronic GVHD. Patients with MDS had a significantly lower pre-transplantation IGRA value and delayed IFNγ response in IGRA, post-HSCT, than patients with AML.
- MeSH
- chronická nemoc MeSH
- cyklofosfamid * terapeutické užití MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- hematologické nádory terapie MeSH
- homologní transplantace MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- myeloablativní agonisté terapeutické užití MeSH
- nemoc štěpu proti hostiteli * diagnóza prevence a kontrola etiologie MeSH
- příprava pacienta k transplantaci * metody MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- test pomocí interferonu gama MeSH
- transplantace hematopoetických kmenových buněk * škodlivé účinky MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- pozorovací studie MeSH
Despite lower virulence, the omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) still poses a relevant threat for immunocompromised patients. A retrospective multicentric study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis with tixagevimab/cilgavimab (Evusheld) with a 6-month follow-up for preventing severe COVID-19 in adult patients with hematology malignancy. Among the 606 patients in the cohort, 96 (16%) contracted COVID-19 with a median of 98.5 days after Evusheld administration. A total of 75% of patients had asymptomatic or mild severity of COVID-19, while just 25% of patients with SARS-CoV-2 positivity had to be hospitalized. Two patients (2%) died directly, and one patient (1%) in association with COVID-19. Eight patients (1.3%) of every cohort experienced adverse events related to Evusheld, mostly grade 1 and of reversible character. It was found that complete vaccination status or positive seroconversion was not associated with lower risk of COVID-19 infection. Previous treatment with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody was associated with higher rates of COVID-19, while previous treatment with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody was not, as was the case for recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or CAR-T cell therapy. Presence of other comorbidities was not associated with more severe COVID-19. The results support the growing evidence for Evusheld's efficacy against severe COVID-19 in patients with hematology malignancies.
- MeSH
- COVID-19 * MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- hematologické nádory * komplikace farmakoterapie epidemiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- monoklonální protilátky MeSH
- preexpoziční profylaxe * MeSH
- retrospektivní studie MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- multicentrická studie MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
