Background In haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the duration of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis after modified donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) was the only risk factor o...Background In haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the duration of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis after modified donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) was the only risk factor of DLI-associated grades 3-4 acute GVHD. However, the successful application of modified DLI depended not only on the reduction of severe GVHD, but also on the preservation of graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. Therefore, this study was performed to compare the impact of prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks and prophylaxis for 〈6 weeks on GVL effect after modified DLI in haploidentical HSCT. Methods A total of 103 consecutive patients developing hematological relapse or minimal residual disease (MRD)-positive status after haploidentical HSCT and receiving modified DLI were investigated retrospectively. Fifty-two patients received prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks after modified DLI; the remaining 51 patients received prophylaxis for 〈6 weeks. Results First, compared with prophylaxis for 〈6 weeks, prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks reduced incidence of relapse in total patients (26.6% vs. 69.0%, P 〈0.001). Besides, prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks also reduced incidence of relapse in 54 patients developing hematological relapse post-transplant (P=0.018) and in 49 patients developing MRD-positive status post-transplant (P 〈0.001). Second, prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks reduced incidence of acute GVHD (P 〈0.05), reduced the therapeutic application of immunosuppressive agents (P=0.019), but increased the incidence of chronic GVHD (P〈0.05). Third, prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks improved overall survival and disease-free survival in total patients, as well as in patients developing hematological relapse post-transplant and in patients developing MRD-positive status post-transplant (P 〈0.05). Conclusions In haploidentical HSCT, prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks after modified DLI does not reduce GVL effect, but reduces the incidence of DLI-associated acute GVHD compared with prophylaxis for 〈6 weeks. This strategy will probably improve the safety and efficacy of modified DLI further.展开更多
文摘Background In haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the duration of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis after modified donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) was the only risk factor of DLI-associated grades 3-4 acute GVHD. However, the successful application of modified DLI depended not only on the reduction of severe GVHD, but also on the preservation of graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. Therefore, this study was performed to compare the impact of prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks and prophylaxis for 〈6 weeks on GVL effect after modified DLI in haploidentical HSCT. Methods A total of 103 consecutive patients developing hematological relapse or minimal residual disease (MRD)-positive status after haploidentical HSCT and receiving modified DLI were investigated retrospectively. Fifty-two patients received prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks after modified DLI; the remaining 51 patients received prophylaxis for 〈6 weeks. Results First, compared with prophylaxis for 〈6 weeks, prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks reduced incidence of relapse in total patients (26.6% vs. 69.0%, P 〈0.001). Besides, prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks also reduced incidence of relapse in 54 patients developing hematological relapse post-transplant (P=0.018) and in 49 patients developing MRD-positive status post-transplant (P 〈0.001). Second, prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks reduced incidence of acute GVHD (P 〈0.05), reduced the therapeutic application of immunosuppressive agents (P=0.019), but increased the incidence of chronic GVHD (P〈0.05). Third, prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks improved overall survival and disease-free survival in total patients, as well as in patients developing hematological relapse post-transplant and in patients developing MRD-positive status post-transplant (P 〈0.05). Conclusions In haploidentical HSCT, prophylaxis for 6-8 weeks after modified DLI does not reduce GVL effect, but reduces the incidence of DLI-associated acute GVHD compared with prophylaxis for 〈6 weeks. This strategy will probably improve the safety and efficacy of modified DLI further.