Abstract
The optimal conditioning for patients with higher risk MDS receiving potentially curative allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant(allo-HCT) remains to be defined. This is particularly the case for patients with excess of blasts at time of allo-HCT. Sequential (Seq) conditioning, whereby chemotherapy is followed rapidly by transplant conditioning, offers an opportunity to decrease disease burden, potentially improving outcomes allo-HCT outcomes. Herein we present the only analysis comparing Seq to myeloablative (MAC) and reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) specifically focussed on MDS patients with excess of blasts at allo-HCT. 303 patients were identified in the EBMT registry, receiving RIC (n = 158), Seq (n = 105), and MAC (n = 40). Median follow-up was 67.2 months and median age at allo-HCT was 59.5 years (IQR 53.5–65.6). For the entire cohort, 3 y overall survival (OS) was 50% (95% CI 45–56%) and relapse free survival (RFS) 45% (95% CI 40–51%). No significant differences in OS (log-rank p = 0.13) and RFS (log-rank p = 0.18) were observed between conditioning protocols. On multivariable analysis, lower performance status, worse IPSS-R cytogenetics, sibling donor (compared to 8/8 MUD) and ≥20% blasts at allo-HCT were associated with worse outcomes. In conclusion, the Seq protocol did little to influence the outcome in this high-risk group of patients, with outcomes mostly determined by baseline disease risk and patient characteristics such as performance status.
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The final analysis dataset will be available upon specific request to the working party chair.
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VP conceived and designed the study proposal, acquired data, interpreted results, drafted and revised manuscript, and approved final version. MR, DM, IYA conceived and designed the study proposal, interpreted results, revised manuscript, and approved final version. LG, LK, LdW acquired data, completed statistical analysis, interpreted results and approved final version. NK, KS, AG, JF, HLW, RPdL, YK, US, LSF, PJ, TS, JT, MA, MPC, PH, KR, JDS, CS acquired data, interpreted results and approved final version.
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Potter, V., Gras, L., Koster, L. et al. Sequential vs myeloablative vs reduced intensity conditioning for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes with an excess of blasts at time of allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation: a retrospective study by the chronic malignancies working party of the EBMT. Bone Marrow Transplant 59, 224–231 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-023-02111-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-023-02111-3