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Reduced intensity versus non-myeloablative conditioning regimen for haploidentical transplantation and post-transplantation cyclophosphamide in complete remission acute myeloid leukemia: a study from the ALWP of the EBMT

Abstract

The optimal conditioning regimen prior haploidentical stem cell transplantation (Haplo-SCT) with post transplantation cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unknown. A non-myeloablative conditioning (NMAC) regimen (cyclophosphamide + fludarabine + TBI 2 Gy [CyFluTBI]) is a safe approach, but relapse incidence remains high in this setting. Alternatively, a reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen combining thiotepa and reduced-dose busulfan with fludarabine (TBF) may decrease AML relapse. However, an excess of toxicity may counterbalance this potential benefit. We retrospectively compared CyFluTBI vs. TBF in CR AML patients who underwent Haplo-SCT with PT-Cy, in two different populations based on age. We analyzed 490 patients. In patients aged <60 years (n = 203), we observed a higher RI (HR = 3.59, 95% CI = 1.75–7.37, p < 0.01), lower LFS (HR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.22–3.22, p < 0.01) and lower OS (HR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.04–2.88, p = 0.04) in the CyFluTBI group, without significant difference in NRM. In older patients (n = 287), we observed that conditioning regimen did not significantly influence LFS (HR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.56–1.44, p = 0.65), OS (HR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.49–1.32, p = 0.39) and RI (HR = 1.78, 95% CI = 0.90–3.50, p = 0.10), but showed that CyFluTBI was associated with a significantly lower risk of NRM (HR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.25–0.92, p = 0.03). Thus, younger patients seem to benefit from conditioning intensification from CyFluTBI to TBF regimens prior PT-Cy Haplo-SCT for CR AML, while older ones do not.

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Fig. 1: Outcome after Haplo-SCT in patients aged <60 years according to conditioning regimen.
Fig. 2: Outcome after Haplo-SCT in patients aged ≥60 years according to conditioning regimen.

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Data availability

Data is available on a specific request to the ALWP of EBMT.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Emmanuelle Polge and Irma Khvedelidze from the EBMT Paris Study Unit. The list of participating centers is provided in the Supplementary Appendix 1.

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RD designed the study. RD, JEG and MM interpreted the data, and wrote the manuscript draft and final version. JEG and ML performed the statistical analysis. RD, DB, AMR, JP, LC, GS, YC, MM, FS, GB, BB, RV, AC, AO, JOB, HA, IYA, DA, AN, SN, EF, EB, BS, AN, and MM provided patient data. All authors contributed to the manuscript and critically reviewed the final version.

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Correspondence to Raynier Devillier.

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Devillier, R., Galimard, JE., Labopin, M. et al. Reduced intensity versus non-myeloablative conditioning regimen for haploidentical transplantation and post-transplantation cyclophosphamide in complete remission acute myeloid leukemia: a study from the ALWP of the EBMT. Bone Marrow Transplant 57, 1421–1427 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-022-01674-x

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