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We examined risk of second solid cancers after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) using reduced intensity/non-myeloablative conditioning (RIC/NMC). RIC/NMC recipients with leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (n=2833) and lymphoma (n=1436) between 1995–2006 were included. In addition, RIC/NMC recipients 40–60 years of age (n=2138) were compared with patients of the same age receiving myeloablative conditioning (MAC, n=6428). The cumulative incidence of solid cancers was 3.35% at 10-years. There was no increase in overall cancer risk compared to the general population (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] 0.99, P=1.00 for leukemia/MDS and 0.92, P=0.75 for lymphoma). However, risks were significantly increased in leukemia/MDS patients for cancers of lip (SIR 14.28), tonsil (SIR 8.66), oropharynx (SIR 46.70), bone (SIR 23.53), soft tissue (SIR 12.92), and vulva (SIR 18.55) and skin melanoma (SIR 3.04). Lymphoma patients had significantly higher risks of oropharyngeal cancer (SIR 67.35) and skin melanoma (SIR 3.52). Among RIC/NMC recipients, age >50 years was the only independent risk factor for solid cancers (hazard ratio [HR] 3.02, P<0.001). Among patients age 40–60 years, when adjusted for other factors, there was no difference in cancer risks between RIC/NMC and MAC in leukemia/MDS patients (HR 0.98, P=0.905). In lymphoma patients, risks were lower after RIC/NMC (HR 0.51, P=0.047). In conclusion, the overall risks of second solid cancers in RIC/NMC recipients are similar to the general population, although there is an increased risk of cancer at some sites. Studies with longer follow-up are needed to realize the complete risks of solid cancers after RIC/NMC AHCT.

We analyzed the outcomes of patients who survived disease-free for 1-year or more following second allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for relapsed acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes between 1980 and 2009. A total of 1285 patients received a second allogeneic transplant following disease relapse; among these 325 survived relapse-free at 1-year after the second HCT. The median time from first to second HCT was 17 and 24 months for children and adults, respectively. A myeloablative preparative regimen was used in the second transplant in 62% of children and 45% of adult patients. The overall 10-year conditional survival rates after second transplantation in this cohort of patients who had survived disease-free for at least one year were 55% in children and 39% in adults. Relapse was the leading cause of mortality (77% and 54% of deaths in children and adults, respectively). In multivariate analyses, only disease status prior to second HCT was significantly associated with higher risk for overall mortality (HR 1.71 for patients with disease not in complete remission prior to second HCT, P<0.01). Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) developed in 43% and 75% of children and adults following second transplant. Chronic GVHD was the leading cause of non-relapse mortality followed by organ failure and infection. The cumulative incidence of developing at least one of the studied late effects at 10-years after second HCT was 63% in children and 55% in adults. The most frequent late effects in children were growth disturbance (10-year cumulative incidence 22%) and cataracts (20%), and in adults were cataracts (20%) and avascular necrosis (13%). Among patients with acute leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes who receive a second allogeneic HCT for relapse and survive disease-free for at least 1-year, many can be expected to survive long term. However, they continue to be at risk for relapse and non-relapse morbidity and mortality. Novel approaches are needed to minimize relapse risk and long-term transplant morbidity in this population.

Background To evaluate the impact of depression prior to autologous and allogeneic HCT on clinical outcomes post-transplant. Methods We analyzed data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research to compare outcomes after autologous (n=3786) or allogeneic (n=7433) HCT for adult patients with hematologic malignancies with an existing diagnosis of pre-HCT depression requiring treatment vs. those without pre-HCT depression. Using Cox regression models, we compared OS between patients with or without depression. We compared the number of days-alive-and-out-of-the-hospital in the first 100 days post-HCT using Poisson models. We also compared the incidence of grade II-IV acute and chronic GVHD in allogeneic HCT. Results 1116 (15%) patients with pre-transplant depression and 6317 (85%) without depression underwent allogeneic HCT in 2008-2012 were included. Pre-transplant depression was associated with lower OS (HR=1.13, 95%CI1.04-1.23, P=0.004) and higher incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD (HR=1.25, 95%CI 1.14-1.37, P<0.0001), but similar incidence of chronic GVHD. Pre-transplant depression was associated with fewer days alive and out-of-the hospital (Means-Ratio (MR)=0.97, 95%CI0.95-0.99, P=0.004). There were 512 (13.5%) patients with pre-transplant depression and 3274 (86.5%) without depression who underwent autologous HCT. Pre-transplant depression in autologous HCT was not associated with OS (HR=1.15, 95%CI0.98-1.34, P=0.096), but was associated with fewer days-alive-and-out-of-the-hospital (MR=0.98, 95%CI0.97-0.99, P=0.002). Conclusions Pre-transplant depression was associated with lower OS and higher risk of acute GVHD among allogeneic HCT recipients, and fewer days-alive-and-out-of-the-hospital during the first 100 days after autologous and allogeneic HCT. Patients with pre-transplant depression represent a vulnerable population at risk for post-transplant complications.

Very young children undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are a unique and vulnerable population. We analyzed outcomes of 717 patients from 117 centers who survived relapse-free for ≥1 year following allogeneic myeloablative HCT for hematologic malignancy at <3 years-of-age, between 1987–2012. Median follow-up was 8.3 years (range 1.0–26.4 years); median age at follow-up was 9 years (range 2–29 years). Ten-year overall and relapse-free survival were 87% (95% CI 85–90%) and 84% (95% CI 81–87%). Ten-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 11% (95% CI 9–13%). Of 84 deaths, relapse was the leading cause (43%). Chronic graft-versus-host-disease 1 year after HCT was associated with increased risk of mortality (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3–3.3, p=0.0018). Thirty percent of patients experienced ≥1 organ toxicity/late-effect >1 year after HCT. The most frequent late-effects included growth hormone deficiency/growth disturbance (10-year cumulative incidence 23%, 95% CI 19–28%), cataracts (18%, 95% CI 15–22%), hypothyroidism (13%, 95% CI 10–16%), gonadal dysfunction/infertility requiring hormone replacement (3%, 95% CI 2–5%), and stroke/seizure (3%, 95% CI 2–5%). Subsequent malignancy was reported in 3.6%. In multivariable analysis, TBI was predictive of increased risk of cataracts (HR 17.2, 95% CI 7.4–39.8, p<0.001), growth deficiency (HR 3.5, 95% CI 2.2–5.5, p<0.001), and hypothyroidism (HR 5.3, 95% CI 3.0–9.4, p<0.001). In summary, those who survived relapse-free ≥1 year after HCT for hematologic malignancy at <3 years-of-age had favorable overall survival. Chronic graft-versus-host-disease and TBI were associated with adverse outcomes. Future efforts should focus on reducing the risk of relapse and late-effects after HCT at early age.