Sirolimus-based graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis promotes the in vivo expansion of regulatory T cells and permits peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from haploidentical donors

Leukemia. 2015 Feb;29(2):396-405. doi: 10.1038/leu.2014.180. Epub 2014 Jun 4.

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haploidentical family donors is a promising therapeutic option for high-risk hematologic malignancies. Here we explored in 121 patients, mostly with advanced stage diseases, a sirolimus-based, calcineurin-inhibitor-free prophylaxis of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) to allow the infusion of unmanipulated peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts from partially HLA-matched family donors (TrRaMM study, Eudract 2007-5477-54). Conditioning regimen was based on treosulfan and fludarabine, and GvHD prophylaxis on antithymocyte globulin Fresenius (ATG-F), rituximab and oral administration of sirolimus and mycophenolate. Neutrophil and platelet engraftment occurred in median at 17 and 19 days after HSCT, respectively, and full donor chimerism was documented in patients' bone marrow since the first post-transplant evaluation. T-cell immune reconstitution was rapid, and high frequencies of circulating functional T-regulatory cells (Treg) were documented during sirolimus prophylaxis. Incidence of acute GvHD grade II-IV was 35%, and occurrence and severity correlated negatively with Treg frequency. Chronic GvHD incidence was 47%. At 3 years after HSCT, transpant-related mortality was 31%, relapse incidence 48% and overall survival 25%. In conclusion, GvHD prophylaxis with sirolimus-mycophenolate-ATG-F-rituximab promotes a rapid immune reconstitution skewed toward Tregs, allowing the infusion of unmanipulated haploidentical PBSC grafts.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use
  • Antilymphocyte Serum / therapeutic use
  • Blood Platelets / cytology
  • Busulfan / analogs & derivatives
  • Busulfan / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control*
  • HLA Antigens / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycophenolic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Mycophenolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Neutrophils / cytology
  • Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Rituximab
  • Sirolimus / therapeutic use*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Tissue Donors
  • Transplantation Conditioning
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vidarabine / analogs & derivatives
  • Vidarabine / therapeutic use
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antilymphocyte Serum
  • HLA Antigens
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Rituximab
  • treosulfan
  • Vidarabine
  • Busulfan
  • Mycophenolic Acid
  • fludarabine
  • Sirolimus