We evaluated the outcomes and associated prognostic factors in 233 patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for primary myelofibrosis (MF) using reduced intensity conditioning (RIC). Median age at HCT was 55 years. Donors were: matched sibling donor (MSD), 34%; HLA-well-matched unrelated donors (URD), 45%; and partially/mismatched URD, 21%. Risk stratification according to Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS): low, 12%; intermediate-1, 49%; intermediate-2, 37%; and high, 1%. The probability of survival at 5-years was 47% (95% CI 40–53). In a multivariate analysis, donor type was the only independent factor associated with survival. Adjusted probabilities of survival at 5-years for MSD, well matched URD and partially matched/mismatched URD were 56% (95% CI 44–67), 48% (95% CI 37–58), and 34% (95% CI 21–47), respectively (p=0.002). Relative risks (RR) for NRM for well-matched URD and partially matched/mismatched URD were 3.92 (p=0.006) and 9.37 (p<0.0001), respectively. A trend towards increased NRM (RR 1.7, p=0.07) and inferior survival (RR 1.37, p=0.10) was observed in DIPSS-intermediate-2/high-risk patients compared to DIPSS-low/intermediate-1 risk patients. RIC HCT is a potentially curative option for patients with MF, and donor type is the most important factor influencing survival in these patients.

High-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation should be considered for patients with diffuse aggressive NHL who never achieve a complete remission but who are still chemotherapy-sensitive and are otherwise transplant candidates.

Background Several interventions can cure posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD); a sequential approach is usual, starting with reduction in immunosuppressives (RI). The efficacy of RI remains poorly defined, particularly in adults. We assessed an algorithm starting with a defined course of RI in all patients, escalating to interferon (IFN) alpha2b, and finally to chemotherapy, in a prospective multicenter phase II study of adult solid organ transplant recipients. The design predated rituximab. Methods Reduction in immunosuppressives: cyclosporine or tacrolimus reduction by 50% for 2 weeks; a further 50% reduction for 1 week if not in complete remission (CR). Intravenous acyclovir was given for the duration of all RI. Patients with less than CR, or any rejection, resumed immunosuppressives and proceeded to IFN 3 MIU/m2/day for up to 3 months; if less than CR, ProMACE-CytaBOM chemotherapy. Results Twenty patients were registered over 60 months; 16 patients with biopsy-proven PTLD were eligible (13 heart, 3 kidney recipients). Median age was 47 (24–75) years. Reduction in immunosuppressives resulted in only 1 of 16 partial responses (12.5%), no CR. Progressive disease occurred in 8 of 16 (50%) and 6 of 16 (38%) experienced rejection. Only 1 of 13 (7%) patients achieved durable CR with IFN. Seven eligible patients received ProMACE-CytaBOM chemotherapy, five of seven (67%) achieving CR, four of five durable beyond 2 years. Conclusions Reduction in immunosuppressives produced no CR, progressive disease and rejection were frequent; response to IFN was rare. A strong case can be made for adding rituximab to RI as initial therapy. Chemotherapy resulted in 57% durable CR, data that are relevant for the up to two thirds of PTLD patients who are refractory to rituximab.

The efficacy of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is uncertain. We analyzed 197 adults with Ph+ ALL in first complete remission; 67 patients receiving RIC were matched with 130 receiving myeloablative conditioning (MAC) for age, donor type, and HCT year. Over 75% received pre-HCT tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), mostly imatinib; 39% (RIC) and 49% (MAC) were MRDneg pre-HCT. At a median 4.5 years follow-up, 1-year transplant-related mortality (TRM) was lower in RIC (13%) than MAC (36%;p=0.001) while the 3-year relapse rate was 49% in RIC and 28% in MAC (p=0.058). Overall survival was similar (RIC 39% [95% CI:27–52] vs. 35% [95% CI:270–44];p=0.62). Patients MRDpos pre-HCT had higher risk of relapse with RIC versus MAC (HR 1.97;p=0.026). However, patients receiving pre-HCT TKI in combination with MRD negativity pre-RIC HCT had superior OS (55%) compared to a similar MRDneg population after MAC (33%; p=0.0042). In multivariate analysis, RIC lowered TRM (HR 0.6; p=0.057), but absence of pre-HCT TKI (HR 1.88;p=0.018), RIC (HR 1.891;p=0.054) and pre-HCT MRDpos (HR 1.6; p=0.070) increased relapse risk. RIC is a valid alternative strategy for Ph+ ALL patients ineligible for MAC and MRDneg status is preferred pre-HCT.

We describe outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome (MF/ SS). Outcomes of 129 subjects with MF/SS reported to the Center for the International Blood and Marrow Transplant from 2000-2009. Median time from diagnosis to transplant was 30 (4-206) months and most subjects were with multiply relapsed/ refractory disease. The majority (64%) received non-myeloablative conditioning (NST) or reduced intensity conditioning (RIC). NST/ RIC recipients were older in age compared with myeloablative recipients (median age 51 vs 44 years, P = 0.005) and transplanted in recent years. Non-relapse mortality (NRM) at 1 and 5 years was 19% (95% confidence interval (CI) 12-27%) and 22% (95% CI 15-31%), respectively. Risk of disease progression was 50% (95% CI 41-60%) at 1 year and 61% (95% CI 50-71%) at 5 years. PFS at 1 and 5 years was 31% (95% CI 22-40%) and 17% (95% CI 9-26%), respectively. OS at 1 and 5 years was 54% (95% CI 45-63%) and 32% (95% CI 22-44%), respectively. Allogeneic HCT in MF/SS results in 5-year survival in approximately one-third of patients and of those, half remain disease-free.