Key Points The best survival benefit of HSCT is observed in patients with FA who are transplanted before 10 years with bone marrow after a fludarabine-based regimen. Long-term outcome of patients with FA after transplantation is mainly affected by secondary malignancies and chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Key Points• Germ-line CEBPA mutations are highly penetrant, causing early-onset de novo AML associated with favorable survival outcomes.• Familial CEBPA-mutated AML displays a unique model of disease progression, with recurrence caused by novel, independent leukemic episodes.In-depth molecular investigation of familial leukemia has been limited by the rarity of recognized cases. This study examines the genetic events initiating leukemia and details the clinical progression of disease across multiple families harboring germ-line CEBPA mutations. Clinical data were collected from 10 CEBPA-mutated families, representing 24 members with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Whole-exome (WES) and deep sequencing were performed to genetically profile tumors and define patterns of clonal evolution. Germline CEBPA mutations clustered within the N-terminal and were highly penetrant, with AML presenting at a median age of 24.5 years (range, 1.75-46 years). In all diagnostic tumors tested (n 5 18), double CEBPA mutations (CEBPAdm) were detected, with acquired (somatic) mutations preferentially targeting the C-terminal. Somatic CEBPA mutations were unstable throughout the disease course, with different mutations identified at recurrence. Deep sequencing of diagnostic and relapse paired samples confirmed that relapse-associated CEBPA mutations were absent at diagnosis, suggesting recurrence was triggered by novel, independent clones. Integrated WES and deep sequencing subsequently revealed an entirely new complement of mutations at relapse, verifying the presentation of a de novo leukemic episode. The cumulative incidence of relapse in familial AML was 56% at 10 years (n 5 11), and 3 patients experienced ‡3 disease episodes over a period of 17 to 20 years. Durable responses to secondary therapies were observed, with prolonged median survival after relapse (8 years) and long-term overall survival (10-year overall survival, 67%). Our data reveal that familial CEBPA-mutated AML exhibits a unique model of disease progression, associated with favorable long-term outcomes. (Blood. 2015;126(10)

The online version of this article has a Supplementary Appendix. BackgroundBone marrow has been shown to be superior to peripheral blood, as a stem cell source, in young patients (<20 years of age) with acquired aplastic anemia undergoing a matched sibling transplant. The aim of this study was to test whether this currently also holds true for older patients with acquired aplastic anemia. Design and MethodsWe analyzed 1886 patients with acquired aplastic anemia who received a first transplant from a human leukocyte antigen identical sibling between 1999 and 2009, with either bone marrow (n=1163) or peripheral blood (n=723) as the source of stem cells. ResultsIn multivariate Cox analysis negative predictors for survival were: patient's age over 20 years (RR 2.0, P<0.0001), an interval between diagnosis and transplantation of more than 114 days (RR 1.3, P=0.006), no anti-thymocyte globulin in the conditioning (RR 1.6, P=0.0001), a conditioning regimen other than cyclophosphamide (RR=1.3, P=0.008) and the use of peripheral blood as the source of stem cells (RR 1.6, P<0.00001). The survival advantage for recipients of bone marrow rather than peripheral blood was statistically significant in patients aged 1-19 years (90% versus 76% P<0.00001) as well as in patients aged over 20 years (74% versus 64%, P=0.001). The advantage for recipients of bone marrow over peripheral blood was maintained above the age of 50 years (69% versus 39%, P=0.01). Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease were more frequent in peripheral blood transplants. Major causes of death were graft-versus-host disease (2% versus 6% in bone marrow and peripheral blood recipients, respectively), infections (6% versus 13%), and graft rejection (1.5% versus 2.5%). ConclusionsThis study shows that bone marrow should be the preferred stem cell source for matched sibling transplants in acquired aplastic anemia, in patients of all age groups.

The online version of this article has a Supplementary Appendix. BackgroundPatients with the Shwachman-Diamond syndrome often develop hematologic complications. No risk factors for these complications have so far been identified. The aim of this study was to classify the hematologic complications occurring in patients with Shwachman-Diamond syndrome and to investigate the risk factors for these complications. Design and MethodsOne hundred and two patients with Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, with a median followup of 11.6 years, were studied. Major hematologic complications were considered in the case of definitive severe cytopenia (i.e. anemia <7 g/dL or thrombocytopenia <20×10 9 /L), classified as malignant (myelodysplasia/leukemia) according to the 2008 World Health Organization classification or as non-malignant. ResultsSevere cytopenia was observed in 21 patients and classified as malignant severe cytopenia (n=9), non-malignant severe cytopenia (n=9) and malignant severe cytopenia preceded by nonmalignant severe cytopenia (n=3). The 20-year cumulative risk of severe cytopenia was 24.3% (95% confidence interval: 15.3%-38.5%). Young age at first symptoms (<3 months) and low hematologic parameters both at diagnosis of the disease and during the follow-up were associated with severe hematologic complications (P<0.001). Fifteen novel SBDS mutations were identified. Genotype analysis showed no discernible prognostic value. ConclusionsPatients with Shwachman-Diamond syndrome with very early symptoms or cytopenia at diagnosis (even mild anemia or thrombocytopenia) should be considered at a high risk of severe hematologic complications, malignant or non-malignant. Transient severe cytopenia or an indolent cytogenetic clone had no deleterious value.Key words: Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, genotype, aplastic anemia, secondary leukemia, cytopenia, myelodysplasia, monosomy 7.Citation: Donadieu J, Fenneteau O, Beaupain B, Beaufils S, Bellanger F, Mahlaoui N, Lambilliotte A, Aladjidi N, Bertrand Y, Mialou V, Perot C, Michel G, Fouyssac F, Paillard C, Gandemer V, Boutard P, Schmitz J, Morali A, Leblanc T, Bellanné-Chantelot C, and Classification of and risk factors for hematologic complications in a French national cohort of 102 patients with Shwachman-Diamond syndrome

Key Points• Autoimmune diseases do occur after CBT in approximately 5% of patients.• Of these, AIHA or ITP were observed the most often and were treated with prednisone, CSA, and RTX.To describe the incidence, risk factors, and treatment of autoimmune diseases (ADs) occurring after cord blood transplantation (CBT), we analyzed both CBT recipients reported to EUROCORD who had developed at least 1 new AD and those who had not. Fifty-two of 726 reported patients developed at least 1 AD within 212 days (range, 27-4267) after CBT. Cumulative incidence of ADs after CBT was 5.0% ؎ 1% at 1 year and 6.6% ؎ 1% at 5 years. Patients developing ADs were younger and had more nonmalignant diseases (P < .001). ADs target hematopoietic (autoimmune hemolytic anemia, n ‫؍‬ 20; Evans syndrome, n ‫؍‬ 9; autoimmune thrombocytopenia, n ‫؍‬ 11; and immune neutropenia, n ‫؍‬ 1) and other tissues (thyroiditis, n ‫؍‬ 3; psoriasis, n ‫؍‬ 2; Graves disease, n ‫؍‬ 1; membranous glomerulonephritis, n ‫؍‬ 2; rheumatoid arthritis, n ‫؍‬ 1; ulcerative colitis, n ‫؍‬ 1; and systemic lupus erythematosus, n ‫؍‬ 1). Four patients developed 2 ADs (3 cases of immune thrombocytopenia followed by autoimmune hemolytic anemia and 1 Evans syndrome with rheumatoid arthritis). By multivariate analysis, the main risk factor for developing an AD was nonmalignant disease as an indication for CBT (P ‫؍‬ .0001). Hematologic ADs were most often treated with steroids, rituximab, and cyclosporine. With a median follow-up of 26 months (range, 2-91), 6 of 52 patients died as a consequence of ADs. We conclude that CBT may be followed by potentially life-threatening, mainly hematologic ADs. (Blood. 2013;121(6):1059-1064)