Key Points CMML is a heterogeneous disorder with a highly variable prognosis that clearly requires a specific and widely accepted prognostic scoring system. CPSS is a powerful prognostic score that defines 4 risk groups for survival and AML evolution, developed and validated in the largest CMML series to date.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is still not well characterized. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and risk factors for the development of AIHA, as well as its prognosis and response to treatment in a series of patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT at a single institution. Between 1996 and 2004, 272 adult patients with a variety of malignant hematopoietic disorders underwent allogeneic HSCT. Direct antiglobulin testing was performed in routine pretransfusion compatibility testing or after clinical suspicion of AIHA. Twelve patients developed AIHA after HSCT at a median time of 147 days (range, 41-170). The 3-year cumulative incidence of AIHA was 4.44%. Eight cold antibodies and four warm antibodies were detected. Multivariate analysis shows that HSCT from unrelated donors (P ¼ 0.02) and the development of chronic extensive graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (P ¼ 0.0004) were the only independent factors associated with AIHA. Two patients are still alive. AIHA was never the primary cause of death but added morbidity in patients with other concomitant complications. Patients undergoing HSCT from unrelated donors and those who develop chronic extensive GVHD are especially predisposed for this complication.

BackgroundDespite the prophylactic use of allopurinol, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)-related morbidity and mortality still occur in a number of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The aim of this study was: (i) to analyze the incidence and outcome of TLS in a large series of patients with AML receiving hyperhydration and allopurinol, (ii) to identify risk factors for TLS, and (iii) to develop a prognostic scoring system for estimating individual risk of TLS.

We analyzed the incidence, clinicopathological features, risk factors and prognosis of patients with EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (EBV-PTLD) in 288 adults undergoing umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) at a single institution. Twelve patients developed proven EBV-PTLD at a median time of 73 days (range, 36-812). Three-year cumulative incidence (CI) of EBV-PTLD was 4.3% (95% CI: 1.9-6.7). All patients presented with extranodal involvement. Most frequently affected sites were the liver, spleen, central nervous system (CNS), Waldeyer's ring and BM in 7, 6, 4, 3 and 3 patients, respectively. One patient had polymorphic and 11 had monomorphic EBV-PTLD (7 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas not otherwise specified, 4 plasmablastic lymphomas). We confirmed donor origin and EBV infection in all histological samples. EBV-PTLD was the cause of death in 11 patients at a median time of 23 days (range, 1-84). The 3-year CI of EBV-PTLD was 12.9% (95% CI: 3.2-22.5) and 2.6% (95% CI: 0.5-4.7) for patients receiving reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) and myeloablative conditioning, respectively (Po0.0001). In conclusion, adults with EBV-PTLD after UCBT showed frequent visceral and CNS involvement. The prognosis was poor despite routine viral monitoring and early intervention. An increased risk of EBV-PTLD was noted among recipients of RIC regimens.

Clinical studies focused on disease-specific outcomes of cord blood transplant (CBT) from unrelated donors are limited. We analyzed the outcome and prognostic factors of 49 adults with high-risk acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) receiving single-unit CBT from unrelated donors after myeloablative (MA) conditioning at a single institution. Conditioning regimens were based on the combination of thiotepa, busulfan (Bu), cyclophospamide (Cy), or fludarabine (Flu), and antithymocyte globulin (ATG). Cumulative incidence of myeloid and platelet engraftment was 96% and 73% at a median time of 20 and 62 days, respectively. Engraftment was significantly faster for patients receiving higher doses of CD34(+) cells. Confidence Interval of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), acute GVHD (aGVHD) grade II-IV, III-IV, and extensive chronic GVHD (cGVHD) were 26%, 15%, and 30%, respectively. Leukemia-free survival (LFS), nonrelapse mortality (NRM), and relapse at 2 years were 42%, 39%, and 19%, respectively. Low number of total nucleated cells (TNC) had a negative impact on NRM and LFS. Patients transplanted in first complete remission (CR1) receiving TNC above 2 x 10(7)/kg had a 4-year LFS of 75%. These results show that CBT from unrelated donors is a curative treatment for a substantial number of patients with high-risk AML, particularly if transplant is performed with highly cellular units in patients in first CR.