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Prognosis and treatment for pediatric patients who relapse following first allo-HSCT

By Joshua Reid

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May 10, 2021


Relapse following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains a major concern when treating high-risk leukemias or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The consensus for adults is that a second allo-HSCT is the most beneficial intervention for survival following relapse; however, data are lacking for pediatric age groups.1 Additionally, there is uncertainty on which prognostic factors best predict eligibility for, and survival following, a second transplant. Such data could provide physicians with more accurate patient stratification to better guide treatment.1

Akshay Sharma and colleagues aimed to provide clarity for pediatric patients, recently publishing their retrospective analysis in Bone Marrow Transplantation. The primary objective was to assess the association of prognostic factors and treatment options with post-relapse survival following allo-HSCT, in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and MDS. The authors also investigated the association of prognostic factors with receiving a second transplant.1 We summarize key findings below.

Study design

  • A single-center retrospective analysis performed at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with data collected between 1990 and 2018, within a pediatric cohort (≤21 years old).
  • 703 patients met the inclusion criteria, and 221 patients relapsed following their first allo-HSCT and were included in the primary cohort for analysis.
  • Median follow-up for the entire cohort was 1.6 years (range, 0–27.6) and for the survivors this was 10.1 years (range, 1–27.6).
  • Patient characteristics that may affect survival or likelihood of receiving a second allo-HSCT are summarized in Table 1. 

Table 1. Patient characteristics for primary cohort*

ALL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia; allo-HSCT, allogeneic stem cell transplant; AML, acute myeloid leukemia; CR1, first complete remission; CR2+, second or subsequent complete remission; GvHD, graft-versus-host disease; MDS, myelodysplastic syndromes.
*Data from Sharma et al.1

Characteristic

N = 221

≤10 years old, %

63.3

Sex, %
              Female


43.0

Diagnosis, %
              ALL
              AML
              MDS


37.6
55.7
6.8

CR status at first allo-HSCT, %
              CR1
              CR2+


28.1
29.4

Haploidentical donor, %

33.0

GvHD status, %
              Acute GvHD (Grade 3–4)
              Chronic GvHD


10.4
13.6

≤6 months to relapse, %

61.1

Year of relapse, %
              1990–2000
              2001–2010
              2011–2018


29.0
40.3
30.7

Key findings

Prognostic factors and receiving a second allo-HSCT

Following univariate analysis, it was reported that being in complete remission at first allo-HSCT, relapse after 6 months, history of GvHD following first allo-HSCT, and relapse within 2011–2018, were all factors associated with increased likelihood of receiving a second transplant (Table 2).

Table 2. Association of prognostic factors and receiving a second allo-HSCT*

allo-HSCT, allogeneic stem cell transplantation; CI, confidence interval; CR1, first complete remission; CR2+, second or subsequent complete remission; GvHD, graft-versus-host disease; OR, odds ratio.
*Data from Sharma et al.1

Prognostic factors

Univariate

Multivariable

N = 221, n

2nd HSCT, %

p value

OR

95 % CI

p value

CR at first allo-HSCT
              CR1
              CR2+


62
65


41.9
23.1

0.02


1
0.5



0.2–1.3

0.26

Relapse-free duration
              Relapse ≤6 months
              Relapse >6 months


135
86


12.6
51.2

< 0.001


0.2
1


0.1–0.4

< 0.001

Chronic GvHD
              Yes
              No


30
191


46.7
24.6

0.01


1.7
1


0.6–4.5

0.33

Year of first relapse
              1990–2000
              2001–2010
              2011–2018


61
87
73


9.8
27.6
42.5

< 0.001


0.1
0.5
1


0.02–0.3
0.2–1.0

< 0.001

As highlighted in Table 2, following multivariable analysis, only a longer duration of remission (>6 months) after allo-HSCT, and undergoing first allo-HSCT in a more recent time period (2011–2018), were significantly associated with receiving a second allo-HSCT.

Prognosis and treatment association with survival outcomes

Following univariate analysis, it was found that being female, in first complete remission, having relapse after 6 months of first allo-HSCT and/or relapse in a recent time period were factors significantly associated with improved post-relapse survival. In terms of treatment, receiving a second allo-HSCT or donor lymphocyte infusion were also associated with improved survival (Table 3).

Table 3. Association of prognostic factors and treatment options with 3-year overall survival*

HR, hazard ratio; DLI, donor lymphocyte infusion.
*Data from Sharma et al.1

Prognostic factors

Post-relapse survival

Univariate

Multivariable

N = 221

Alive, %

p value

HR

95% CI

p value

Sex
              Male
              Female


126
95


7.1
16.8

0.04


0.8
1


0.6–1.1

0.22

CR at first allo-HSCT
              CR1
              CR2+


62
65


16.1
12.3

0.01


1
1.2



0.8–1.7

0.07

Relapse-free duration
              Relapse ≤6 months
              Relapse >6 months


135
86


5.2
20.9

< 0.001


4.6
1


3.2–6.7

< 0.001

Year of first relapse
              1990–2000
              2001–2010
              2011–2018


61
87
73


3.3
8.0
21.9

< 0.001


2.6
1.6
1


1.7–3.9
1.1–2.2

< 0.001

Treatment post-relapse
              2nd allo-HSCT
              DLI
              Chemotherapy/ supportive care


61
28
132


29.5
7.1
3.8

< 0.001



0.4
0.6
1


0.3–0.6
0.4–0.9

< 0.001

Following a multivariable analysis, the only factors significantly associated with improved post-relapse survival were duration from first allo-HSCT to relapse, receiving a second allo-HSCT or DLI, and relapse in a more recent time period (Table 3).

  • Of these factors, duration of remission and receiving a second allo-HSCT were the strongest predictors of survival (p < 0.001).
  • Sub-analysis combining these predictors revealed a second allo-HSCT led to improved OS regardless of time to relapse.

Conclusion

Overall, this study demonstrated the survival benefit of a second allo-HSCT following relapse for patients of pediatric age with AML, ALL, and MDS. However, it was observed that duration of post-transplant remission was associated with likelihood of a second transplant, thus reducing the number of patients eligible for this treatment benefit.

Importantly, the authors reported patients who relapsed less than 6 months after allo-HSCT but received a second transplant had comparable overall survival with those who relapsed after 6 months. As such, it may be beneficial to include patients for a second allo-HSCT irrespective of their remission status.

References

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