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Impact of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy)-based prophylaxis in matched sibling donor allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome: a retrospective study on behalf of the Chronic Malignancies Working Party of the EBMT

Abstract

We retrospectively compared outcomes of 404 MDS patients undergoing 1st matched sibling donor allo-HCT receiving either PTCy-based (n = 66) or other “conventional prophylaxis” (n = 338; mostly calcineurin inhibitor + methotrexate or MMF). Baseline characteristics were balanced, except for higher use of myeloablative regimens in the PTCy group (52.3% vs. 38.2%, p = 0.047). Incidences of neutrophil (Day +28: 89% vs. 97%, p = 0.011) and platelet (Day +100: 89% vs. 97%, p < 0.001) engraftment were lower for PTCy-based. Day +100 cumulative incidences of grade II–IV and III–IV aGVHD, and 5-year CI of extensive cGVHD were 32%, 18% and 18% for PTCy-based and 25% (p = 0.3), 13% (p = 0.4) and 31% (p = 0.09) for the conventional cohort. Five-year OS (51% vs. 52%, p = 0.6) and GRFS (33% vs. 25%, p = 0.6) were similar between groups. Patients receiving PTCy had a trend to a lower cumulative incidence of relapse (20% vs. 33%, p = 0.06), not confirmed on multivariable analysis (p = 0.3). Although higher NRM rates were observed in patients receiving PTCy (32% vs. 21%, p = 0.02) on univariate analysis, this was not confirmed on multivariate analysis (HR 1.46, p = 0.18), and there was no resultant effect on OS (HR 1.20, p = 0.5). Based on these data, PTCy prophylaxis appears to be an attractive option for patients with MDS undergoing MSD allo-HCT.

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Fig. 1: Incidences of GVHD according to GVHD prophylaxis.
Fig. 2: Post-transplant outcomes according to GVHD prophylaxis.

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Contributions

DM, MR, RK, DJE, and MQS designed the study. DJE did the statistical analysis. DM, DJE, and MQS interpreted the results and wrote the manuscript. MR and RF provided valuable support for interpreting the results and statement of the conclusions. LK, JM, JP, FF, AECB, JK, NK, ZNO, MJPC, UP, GVG, TM, TLLP, MM, SS, MK, FO, CG, CS, and JDS LGRL provided valuable input into the study and reviewed and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Donal P. McLornan.

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Salas, M.Q., Eikema, DJ., Koster, L. et al. Impact of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy)-based prophylaxis in matched sibling donor allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome: a retrospective study on behalf of the Chronic Malignancies Working Party of the EBMT. Bone Marrow Transplant 59, 479–488 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-023-02159-1

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