Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Can Modifying Microbial Diversity Change Outcomes Following Allogeneic HSCT?

Some studies have found a link between intestinal microbiota composition and development of acute graft-versus-host disease.

Allo-HSCT: Unrelated, Haploidentical Donations May Yield Similar Outcomes

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

No differences were noted in rates of grade 2 to 4 acute graft-versus-host disease, non-relapse mortality, or relapse risk.

Narsoplimab Under Review for Stem Cell Transplant-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy

By

Brian Park, PharmD

The FDA has accepted for filing and granted Priority Review to narsoplimab for hematopoietic stem cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy.

Assessing Variations in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Referral Patterns for Children With Sickle Cell Disease

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

Investigators noted the importance of improving educational efforts about the safety and efficacy of matched sibling donor HSCT for children with sickle cell disease.

Intestinal Microbiota Composition and Bloodstream Infection in Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

By

Infectious Disease Advisor Contributing Writer

Among recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), gram-negative intestinal colonization is highly predictive of bloodstream infections.

Comparing Costs of Alternative Donor Sources for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant

By

Megan Garlapow, PhD

Haploidentical related donor transplants may offer cost savings for patients in need of an alternative donor source for allogeneic transplant.

Novel Risk Factors for Veno-Occlusive Disease Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

By

Marielle Fares, PharmD

Busulfan usage, high ferritin levels prior to HSCT, and treatment with some antibody-drug conjugates were deemed to be risk facts for VOD/SOS.

New Indication of Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Treatment-Refractory Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

By

Megan Garlapow, PhD

The ASBMT released a position statement recommending autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation as treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis.

Updated Guidelines for Vaccination of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

By

John Schieszer, MA

The European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia conducted a thorough literature review to develop guidelines for safely vaccinating HSCT recipients.

High Mortality Rates in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients With Pulmonary Impairment

By

John Schieszer, MA

Screening for pulmonary impairment following respiratory viral infection may help identify patients at high risk for transplant-related mortality.

Augmented Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation-Specific Comorbidity/Age Index May Have Prognostic Value

By

John Schieszer, MA

There are currently limited data on recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation from alternative graft sources.

Empiric Linezolid May Be Ineffective for Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus After AlloHCT

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

Patients with fever and neutropenia who had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and experienced pre-engraftment bacteremia were assessed.

Robust Immune Reconstitution Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Pediatric Patients

By

Megan Garlapow, PhD

Patients received alemtuzumab as part of a reduced intensity condition regimen and demonstrated early immune recovery.

Phase 3 Trial of Brincidofovir for Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

Cytomegalovirus infection is a common complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Oral Vancomycin May Prevent Clostridioides Difficile Infection in Transplant Recipients

By

Roxanne Nelson, RN, BSN

Oral vancomycin is effective in preventing C difficile infection in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant patients and does not raise the risk for GVHD.

Vigilance Needed to Prevent Late-Stage Infections After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant

By

Megan Garlapow, PhD

A history of chronic graft-vs-host disease was a risk factor for the development of late-stage fatal infections.

Mortality Increases With Patient Age After Allogenic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

Mortality and relapse incidence were assessed in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT).

Transplant Status May Affect CAR-T Therapy Outcomes in CLL and B-ALL

By

Christina Bennett, MS

Transplant-naive patients were more likely to achieve an optimal drug response — but were also more prone to severe cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity.

Pre-HSCT Conditioning May Improve Physical Functioning in Hematologic Cancers

By

James Nam, PharmD

In this retrospective study, researchers assessed the outcomes of 88 patients with hematologic disease who underwent HSCT.

Nonmyeloablative/Reduced-Intensity Conditioning May Reduce Mucositis in HCT

Researchers sought to determine if NMA or reduced-intensity conditioning with busulfan improved severity/duration of oral mucositis compared with myeloablative conditioning in patients with hematologic cancer undergoing HCT.

Long-Term Azithromycin May Increase Risk of Relapse of Blood Cancers After HSCT

By

James Nam, PharmD

US FDA issues a recommendation on use of azithromycin in patients with hematologic malignancies who have undergone HSCT.

Effect of HSCT on HRQOL and Posttraumatic Stress in Young Adult Cancer Survivors

By

James Nam, PharmD

Study sought to determine the health-related QOL and posttraumatic stress symptoms in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors post-HSCT compared with their healthy peers.

Qualitative Analysis of Myeloma Patients’ Experience Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

By

James Nam, PharmD

In this study, researchers investigated the effects of exercise on physical and psychological recovery after autoHSCT for multiple myeloma.

Low Level Laser Therapy May Prevent Oral Mucositis During HSCT Conditioning

By

James Nam, PharmD

Researchers assessed the effectiveness of low level laser therapy in preventing or minimizing oral mucositis in patients with hematologic cancers preparing to undergo HSCT. Results were presented at the 2018 ONS Annual Congress.

Self-efficacy Measure May Be Used to Drive Interventions Post-SCT in Hematologic Cancers

By

James Nam, PharmD

Researchers present findings of a study assessing the value of SESM evaluations in patients with hematologic cancer prior to undergoing SCT at the NACNS 2018 Annual Conference.

Defibrotide an Effective Option for SOS/VOD in Patients Undergoing HSCT

By

James Nam, PharmD

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (or hepatic veno-occlusive disease), a complication observed in patients who undergo HSCT, is managed with defibrotide. In this study, investigators assessed its efficacy and patient response to therapy.

Virus-specific T cells Effective for Infection Post-HSCT

By

James Nam, PharmD

Patients who received a single infusion achieved a cumulative complete or partial response rate of 92%, with 100% for BKV, 100% for EBV, 94% for CMV, 71% for AdV, and 67% for HHV-6.

Vitamin D Deficiency May Increase Relapse Risk Among Patients With Myeloid Malignancies

By

James Nam, PharmD

Patients with vitamin D deficiency had a higher risk of relapse; deficiency was also associated with a trend towards inferior survival.

Lower-dose ATLG Effective for Preventing Pediatric GVHD

By

James Nam, PharmD

Pediatric patients with hematological malignancies who receive HSCT from an unrelated donor have greater benefit from a 15 mg/kg vs a 30 mg/kg dose of ATLG.

Stem Cell Transplant Patients Benefit From Inpatient Palliative Care

By

Jody A. Charnow

Palliative care added to transplant care improved relief from depression and PTSD symptoms following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Guideline-driven Initiative Improves Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates Among aHSCT Recipients

By

Joyce Pagan

A nurse-led team developed a tracking tool that created a vaccination schedule from transplant date forward for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Novel Approach Prevents GVHD After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

By

John Schieszer, MA

An international team developed an approach to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation that prevents GVHD while preserving the benefits of the therapy.

FDA Accepts for Review Ibrutinib’s sNDA for cGVHD

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

The FDA accepted for review a supplemental New Drug Application for ibrutinib as a treatment for chronic graft-versus-host-disease.

Leflunomide May Effectively Treat CMV After Allogeneic-HSCT

By

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

The findings of this study suggest that leflunomide may be an effective treatment of CMV infection among patients who have received allo-HSCT.

Letermovir Reduces CMV Infection, Improves Survival After Stem Cell Transplantation

By

Megan Garlapow, PhD

A novel agent, letermovir, reduced incidence of CMV in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies.

Pretransplant Depression Associated With Worse Overall Survival

By

Jason Hoffman, PharmD, RPh

An assessment of depression in patients before autologous or allogeneic HCT demonstrated that the condition impacts overall survival and risk of GVDH in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Allogeneic HSCT After PD-1 Blockade Appears Feasible in R/R Lymphoma

By

Jason Hoffman, PharmD, RPh

Allogeneic HSCT following treatment with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody appears feasible in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma.