Two Chemotherapy-Based Conditioning Regimens Compared To TBI-Based Conditioning Secure Consistent Engraftment Of T-Cell Depleted Allogeneic HSCT, Similarly Low Incidences Of Gvhd and Favorable Rates Of Disease-Free Survival (DFS)
Authors: Koehne Guenther , Boulad Farid , Klein Elizabeth G , Barker Juliet N , Castro-Malaspina H.R. , Curran Kevin J. , Giralt Sergio A , Goldberg Jenna D , Hasan Aisha N. , Heller Glenn , Hsu Katharine C. , Jakubowski Ann A. , Kernan Nancy A. , Kobos Rachel , Papadopoulos Esperanza B. , Perales Miguel-Angel , Ponce Doris M , Prockop Susan E. , Sauter Craig S. , Scaradavou Andromachi , van den Brink Marcel R.M. , Young James W. , O'Reilly Richard J. 
Published: October 2019

To ascertain the therapeutic potential of non-TBI-based conditioning for CD34+ HPC-selected , T cell-depleted allografts, we conducted a trial comparing our standard regimen, arm (A) 1375cGy HFTBI+ thiotepa,5 mg/kg/day x 2 days + cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg/day x 2 days vs. arm (B) Busulfex 0.8 mg/kg/6h x12 (dose adjusted) + melphalan 70 mg/kg/day x 2 + fludarabine 25 mg/m2/day x5 and arm (C) Clofarabine 20 mg/m2/day x 5 + melphalan 70 mg/m2/day x 2 + thiotepa 5 mg/kg/day x2, as preparation for T-cell depleted CD34+ PBSC transplants from GCSF-mobilized leukocytes fractionated with the CliniMACS device. Primary endpoints were engraftment, GVHD, transplant-related mortality (TRM) and 2 yr OS and DFS (Confer Table). Stratification of pts to arms A (standard), B or C was based on the patient’s disease, disease stage and clinical factors such as age, prior therapy or comorbidities enhancing risks of TBI. Arm B was the non-TBI arm predominantly used for myeloid and Arm C for lymphoid malignancies. Prior to transplant, recipients of HLA-matched or non-identical transplants received rabbit thymoglobulin at 2.5 mg/kg/day x2 or 3 days respectively, to prevent graft failure. No GVHD drug prophylaxis was given post transplant. A total of 181 consecutive patients, accrued between 5/13/2010 and 6/12/2013, were analyzed (81 in arm A, 78 in arm B, 22 in arm C). These pts have been followed for a median of 12.1 months. Donors were related or unrelated and HLA-matched for 74% of the patients and 1-2 HLA allele disparate for 26%. Median age for the entire group was 50.5 years, with older pts predominating in the non-TBI groups (medians arm A ,31.9 yrs; arm B , 61.9 yrs; arm C, 44.6 yrs). The CD34+ PBSC transplants provided a mean dose of 9.7x106 CD34+ progenitors/Kg (range 1.4-89.7) and 4.5x103 CD3+ T-cells/Kg (range 0.6-25.3). All pts engrafted; but 2 pts (2.5%) in arm B experienced late graft failure, one of whom was reconstituted after a secondary graft. Overall the incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD was 18%, and 14% for recipients of HLA-matched grafts. TRM at 1 year was 10% in Arm A, and 15% in Arms B and C. Two year OS and DFS for each arm are: arm A, 66.7% and 58.4%; arm B 62.3% and 59.5%; arm C 52% and 53%. For the 101 pts who received standard risk transplants (i.e., pts with high risk forms of AML, ALL or NHL in 1o CR, AML in 2o CR, MDS RA/RCMD, CML in 1o CP or MM in CR1, VGPR or first PR ), 2 year OS and DFS are: arm A 68% and 62%; arm B 67% and 66%; arm C 86% and 86%, with relapse rates at 2 yrs of: arm A 23%, arm B 15%, and arm C 14%. These results thus identify two non-TBI-based conditioning regimens that secure consistent engraftment of rigorously T-cell depleted allogeneic HSCT and can yield favorable long-term DFS and OS with low incidences of GVHD and relapse.

Table 1 Overall Results Graft 1 Year Acute GVHD II – IV 2 Year PTs ENG Failure TRM ALL HLA-Matched O.S. DFS ARM A 81 81 0 10% 23% 17% 66.7% 58.4% ARM B 78 78 2 15% 12.3% 13% 62.3% 59.5% ARM C 22 22 0 15% 27% 20% 52% 53%

Disclosures:

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.