Outcomes of Patients Treated at First Transplant Center in Dubai, UAE
Authors: Rana Shabeeha K 
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is a well-known treatment modality for decades with curative potential in the field of hematological malignancies such as lymphoma (Relapsed Hodgkin's Lymphoma) and multiple myeloma (MM), but access in the Middle East, specifically in the metropolitan city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been limited. This is despite the fact that UAE is a high-income country according to the Gross national income (GNI) and has a population of approximately 9.5 million.

In 2021, we developed the first and only ASCT unit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This was a milestone achievement to offer ASCT to residents.

This service was available since approval by Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in September 2021 and capacity for 2 ASCT at a time. The unit comprises 2 positive pressure isolation rooms, with in-house apheresis, stem cell storage facilities.

This is the first report of the safety and efficacy outcomes of patients (pts) who were transplanted to date at our center. Despite the modest volume, this data will serve as a resource for policymakers, healthcare professionals and is important for the ASCT community as we advance care of ASCT recipients in regions with previously limited access.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study performed at American Hospital Dubai, UAE. We identified and included pts who received ASCT for lymphoma and MM between September 2021-June 2023. Per institutional protocols, mobilization was done with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF). The stem cells were collected via Optia®spectra apharesis system. MM pts collected for 2 ASCT while those with relapsed HL collected for 1 ASCT. Conditioning chemotherapy administration was outpatient for melphalan (for MM) and inpatient for rHL with BEAM. Monitoring was per institutional standards. Descriptive analysis is reported.

Results: There have been 17 ASCTs performed with at least one month follow-up. The most common indication was MM (9) followed by Relapsed lymphoma (8) and 1 case of multiply relapsed Ewing's Sarcoma. (Table 1)

Mobilization:100% pts received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) mobilization with one patient required plerixafor in addition. The median days of collection was 1 (Range 1-2 days). All pts collected successfully.

Neutropenic Events: Almost all patients (95%) had expected neutropenic fever by day +8.Median time to onset of Grade 4 neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count &lt;500) was 6 days (3-8); Median time to onset of neutropenic fever was 7 days (3-10). Causative organisms were identified in 2 (11%) (Both bacterial infections). Antibiotic of choice was meropenem.

ICU Admissions: Only one (6%) patient was admitted in ICU for neutropenic typhilitis on Day +3. That pt spent 20 days in ICU and total of 45 days in hospital with recovery to baseline.

Resource Utilization: ASCT for MM was 100% outpatient chemotherapy and cell infusions. The patients were admitted on Day 6 post-transplant for neutropenic care, except 1 patient who presented at the emergency department with febrile neutropenia and diarrhea on day +3. The patients planned for ASCT for rHL were admitted for conditioning chemotherapy, stem cell infusion and neutropenic care until count recovery. Median duration of hospital stay was 17 days (8-45 days). The median days of GCSF post-cell infusion per patient was 8 days (6-15).

Efficacy Outcomes: Of the 9 MM pts, all achieved complete response (CR). With a median follow up of 21 months, 100% continued to be on maintenance. For the rHL cohort, response rate was 100%, all CR, and continue to have ongoing responses. The patient with relapsed refractory Ewing's sarcoma has progression-free survival (PFS) of 5 months after ASCT. Overall survival (OS) was 100% for all diseases post-transplant.

Conclusion:

Our study describes promising outcomes of pts treated at our center, which is the first and only center offering ASCT in Dubai, UAE. This demonstrates that with available infrastructure and expertise, ASCT programs in countries similar to UAE are feasible and increase access to this therapy. Continued efforts at monitoring outcomes, education of the local population, and outreach partnerships with colleagues are essential to increase access to patients in the region.