Article
Hematology
Elisa Gabanti, Oscar Borsani, Anna Amelia Colombo, Federica Zavaglio, Luana Binaschi, Daniela Caldera, Roberta Sciarra, Gabriela Cassinelli, Emilio Paolo Alessandrino, Paolo Bernasconi, Virginia Valeria Ferretti, Daniele Lilleri, Fausto Baldanti
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of Letermovir (LTV) prophylaxis on immune reconstitution and late-onset infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients. The results showed that LTV prophylaxis delayed HCMV infection and HCMV-specific immune reconstitution, but had no effect on transplantation outcomes or overall survival. The LTV group had a lower rate of chronic GVHD.
TRANSPLANTATION AND CELLULAR THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
M. O. N. I. K. A. RICHERT-PRZYGONSKA, K. A. M. I. L. A. JAREMEK, R. O. B. E. R. T. DEBSKI, J. O. A. N. N. A. KONIECZEK, M. O. N. I. K. A. LECKA, M. A. G. D. A. L. E. N. A. DZIEDZIC, T. O. M. A. S. Z. BOGIEL, J. A. N. STYCZYNSKI, K. R. Z. Y. S. Z. T. O. F. CZYZEWSKI
Summary: This retrospective study suggests that letermovir is effective and safe for prophylaxis against CMV infection in pediatric patients undergoing allo-HCT.
ANTICANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Chao-Neng Cheng, Sin-Syue Li, Yun-Hsuan Yeh, Ching-Fen Shen, Jiann-Shiuh Chen
Summary: This study reported the cases of 11 children who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Letermovir showed promising results in cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in these children, but some cases still experienced cytomegalovirus reactivation. Further studies are needed.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Huiru Wang, Huilan Liu, Li Zhou, Dongyao Wang, Shushu Wang, Qian Liu, Yun Wu, Meijuan Tu, Zimin Sun, Xiaohu Zheng, Binqing Fu, Baolong Wang, Haiming Wei
Summary: This study compared the immune cells of patients with controlled and uncontrolled CMV infection after allo-HSCT. It found that patients with uncontrolled infection had insufficient B-cells due to impaired B-cell reconstitution. In contrast, patients with controlled infection had reconstructed B-cells showing mature B-cell characteristics and enrichment of CMV-associated B-cell receptors. Additionally, the controlled infection group had higher levels of anti-CMV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) in their serum, which could effectively inhibit CMV infection. These findings highlight the importance of B-cells and anti-CMV-specific neutralizing IgGs in controlling CMV infection post-allo-HSCT and suggest their potential as a supplementary treatment for improved outcomes.
Article
Oncology
Teaghan T. Chen, Alexandria P. David, Erin K. Barthelmess, Christine E. MacBrayne
Summary: This retrospective study examined the use of Letermovir (LTV) as prophylaxis for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in pediatric stem cell transplant patients. The results showed that LTV prophylaxis was associated with reduced clinically significant CMV DNAemia within 6 months post transplant. Although off-label, the use of LTV in pediatric stem cell transplant patients showed promising results.
PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Joshua A. Hill, Danniel Zamora, Hu Xie, Laurel A. Thur, Colleen Delaney, Ann Dahlberg, Steven A. Pergam, Wendy M. Leisenring, Michael Boeckh, Filippo Milano
Summary: Letermovir is effective in preventing clinically significant CMV infection after CBT, but there is a higher incidence of delayed-onset infections after discontinuation, requiring close monitoring and consideration for extended prophylaxis.
Article
Oncology
Massimo Martino, Annalisa Pitino, Mercedes Gori, Benedetto Bruno, Alessandra Crescimanno, Vincenzo Federico, Alessandra Picardi, Stefania Tringali, Claudia Ingrosso, Paola Carluccio, Domenico Pastore, Gerardo Musuraca, Annalisa Paviglianiti, Adriana Vacca, Bianca Serio, Gabriella Storti, Nicola Mordini, Salvatore Leotta, Michele Cimminiello, Lucia Prezioso, Barbara Loteta, Anna Ferreri, Fabrizia Colasante, Emanuela Merla, Luisa Giaccone, Alessandro Busca, Maurizio Musso, Renato Scalone, Nicola Di Renzo, Serena Marotta, Patrizio Mazza, Pellegrino Musto, Immacolata Attolico, Carmine Selleri, Filippo Antonio Canale, Marta Pugliese, Giovanni Tripepi, Gaetana Porto, Giovanni Martinelli, Angelo Michele Carella, Claudio Cerchione
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of letermovir for CMV prophylaxis in a real-world setting, showing significant reduction in clinically important CMV infections and diseases.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jennifer L. Saullo, Arthur W. Baker, Laurie D. Snyder, John M. Reynolds, Lorenzo Zaffiri, Emily M. Eichenberger, Alana Ferrari, Julie M. Steinbrink, Eileen K. Maziarz, Melissa Bacchus, Holly Berry, Stylianos A. Kakoullis, Cameron R. Wolfe
Summary: A retrospective study on thoracic transplant recipients receiving Letermovir for CMV prophylaxis showed that Letermovir was well tolerated and effective during extended prophylactic courses, with minimal adverse effects and only rare breakthrough CMV infections observed.
JOURNAL OF HEART AND LUNG TRANSPLANTATION
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Ian Pang, Peggy Chen, Gertrude V. Trinh, Mats Remberger, Igor Novitzky-Basso, Armin Gerbitz, Dennis D. Kim, Rajat Kumar, Wilson Lam, Arjun D. Law, Jeffrey H. Lipton, Auro Viswabandya, Ivan Pasic, Jonas Mattsson, Fotios V. Michelis
Summary: Letermovir prophylaxis starting at day +21 post-alloHCT reduces CMV reactivation, with no impact on posttransplant outcomes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Eleftheria Kampouri, Danniel Zamora, Erika S. Kiem, Winnie Liu, Sarah Ibrahimi, Rachel L. Blazevic, Erika A. Lovas, Louise E. Kimball, Meei-Li Huang, Keith R. Jerome, Masumi Ueda Oshima, Marco Mielcarek, Danielle M. Zerr, Michael J. Boeckh, Elizabeth M. Krantz, Joshua A. Hill
Summary: The use of letermovir for cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis has led to a decrease in broad-spectrum anti-CMV therapy. However, the impact of letermovir on human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) epidemiology remains unknown. This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess changes in HHV-6 detection and disease after the routine use of prophylactic letermovir in CMV-seropositive allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Fatima Allaw, Sara F. Haddad, Johnny Zakhour, Souha S. Kanj
Summary: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common infection in immunocompromised patients, especially those undergoing allo-HSCT. Recent management strategies include pre-emptive treatment with frequent CMV PCR monitoring and the use of new drugs like letermovir. Treatment of CMV disease is challenging due to drug resistance, but promising results have been seen with maribavir and other alternative treatments such as immunotherapy, artesunate, and leflunomide.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marita Prohn, Carolyn R. Cho, Anders Viberg, Kevin Dykstra, Casey Davis, Philip Sabato, Julie Stone, Cyrus Badshah, Yoshihiko Murata, Randi Leavitt, Craig Fancourt, Sreeraj Macha
Summary: The study investigated the exposure-response relationships of letermovir in CMV prophylaxis, finding no significant impact of exposure on efficacy and onset time of clinically significant CMV infection. Adverse event incidence was also not found to be dependent on letermovir exposure. These results support the current dosing recommendations in various countries and regions.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Corinna La Rosa, Ibrahim Aldoss, Yoonsuh Park, Dongyun Yang, Qiao Zhou, Ketevan Gendzekhadze, Teodora Kaltcheva, Wasima Rida, Shannon Dempsey, Shukaib Arslan, Andrew Artz, Brian Ball, Liana Nikolaenko, Vinod A. A. Pullarkat, Ryotaro Nakamura, Don J. J. Diamond
Summary: To enhance protective cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T cells in immunosuppressed recipients of an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT), a viral vectored recombinant vaccine called Triplex was used to vaccinate healthy HCT donors. The vaccine demonstrated tolerability and immunogenicity in both healthy adults and HCT recipients, reducing CMV reactivation. A pilot phase 1 trial evaluated the safety and immunological outcomes of Triplex vaccination in CMV-seropositive HCT recipients, showing promising results in terms of increased CMV-specific T-cell responses.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yongsheng Ruan, Tingting Luo, Qiujun Liu, Xuan Liu, Libai Chen, Jianyun Wen, Yuhua Xiao, Danfeng Xie, Yuelin He, Xuedong Wu, Xiaoqin Feng
Summary: The study found that CMV infection following allo-HSCT correlated with increased mortality in children's patients, and haplo-HSCT was identified as an independent risk factor for CMV infection. Adoptive CMV-CTL cell therapy was safe and effective in pediatric patients with CMV infection.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Garrett A. Perchetti, Melinda A. Biernacki, Hu Xie, Jared Castor, Laurel Joncas-Schronce, Masumi Ueda Oshima, YoungJun Kim, Keith R. Jerome, Brenda M. Sandmaier, Paul J. Martin, Michael Boeckh, Alexander L. Greninger, Danniel Zamora
Summary: The authors evaluated letermovir resistance and breakthrough CMV reactivation in CMV-seropositive HCT recipients receiving letermovir prophylaxis. A rare C325Y resistance mutation was identified, and cumulative steroid exposure was the strongest risk factor for CMV at all viral thresholds. Graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide or calcineurin inhibitors plus mycophenolate were also associated with an increased risk of CMV reactivation.
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Lucie M. Turcotte, Jillian A. Whitton, Wendy M. Leisenring, Rebecca M. Howell, Joseph P. Neglia, Rachel Phelan, Kevin C. Oeffinger, Kirsten K. Ness, William G. Woods, E. Anders Kolb, Leslie L. Robison, Gregory T. Armstrong, Eric J. Chow
Summary: The five-year survival rate for childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has increased due to advancements in treatment and supportive care. However, the long-term health outcomes of AML survivors remain unclear. This study examined the incidence of late mortality and chronic health conditions (CHC) among 5-year AML survivors diagnosed between 1970 and 1999. The results showed that hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) was associated with higher late mortality, but the incidence of CHC has decreased over time for all treatment groups.
Article
Oncology
F. Lennie Wong, Janie M. Lee, Wendy M. Leisenring, Joseph P. Neglia, Rebecca M. Howell, Susan A. Smith, Kevin C. Oeffinger, Chaya S. Moskowitz, Tara O. Henderson, Ann Mertens, Paul C. Nathan, Yutaka Yasui, Wendy Landier, Gregory T. Armstrong, Leslie L. Robison, Smita Bhatia
Summary: This study evaluated the outcomes and cost-effectiveness of breast cancer screening using mammography and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in female chest-irradiated childhood Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. The results showed that annual mammography screening at age 30-74 years is effective and cost-effective in this population.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Paul C. Nathan, I-Chan Huang, Yan Chen, Tara O. Henderson, Elyse R. Park, Anne C. Kirchhoff, Leslie L. Robison, Kevin Krull, Wendy Leisenring, Gregory T. Armstrong, Rena M. Conti, Yutaka Yasui, K. Robin Yabroff
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of financial hardship among adult survivors of childhood cancer compared with siblings and identify the correlates of hardship. The results showed that survivors were more likely to experience financial hardship compared to siblings.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Danielle Novetsky Friedman, Pamela J. Goodman, Wendy M. Leisenring, Lisa R. Diller, Susan L. Cohn, Rebecca M. Howell, Susan A. Smith, Emily S. Tonorezos, Suzanne L. Wolden, Joseph P. Neglia, Kirsten K. Ness, Todd M. Gibson, Paul C. Nathan, Brent R. Weil, Leslie L. Robison, Kevin C. Oeffinger, Gregory T. Armstrong, Charles A. Sklar, Tara O. Henderson
Summary: This study examines the risk of late mortality, subsequent malignant neoplasms, and chronic health conditions in survivors of neuroblastoma diagnosed in infancy. The results show that the overall risk is relatively low, and there has been a decline in chronic health conditions with reduced exposure to radiation therapy in recent treatment eras.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Brent R. Weil, Andrew J. Murphy, Qi Liu, Rebecca M. Howell, Susan A. Smith, Christopher B. Weldon, Elizabeth A. Mullen, Arin L. Madenci, Wendy M. Leisenring, Joseph P. Neglia, Lucie M. Turcotte, Kevin C. Oeffinger, Amanda M. Termuhlen, Sogol Mostoufi-Moab, Jennifer M. Levine, Kevin R. Krull, Yutaka Yasui, Leslie L. Robison, Gregory T. Armstrong, Eric J. Chow, Saro H. Armenian
Summary: This study evaluated long-term morbidity and mortality rates among unilateral, nonsyndromic Wilms tumor (WT) survivors based on conventional treatment regimens. The results showed that survivors in different treatment groups were at risk for late mortality and chronic health conditions, especially an elevated risk for intestinal obstruction and kidney failure. The intensity of treatment was associated with an increased risk for severe chronic health conditions.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Masumi Ueda Oshima, Hu Xie, Danniel Zamora, Mary E. Flowers, Geoffrey R. Hill, Marco B. Mielcarek, Brenda M. Sandmaier, Ted A. Gooley, Michael J. Boeckh
Summary: The kinetics of CMV reactivation after hematopoietic cell transplantation with different methods of GVHD prophylaxis were studied. CMV reactivation and disease were compared among 780 patients given HLA-matched PBSC grafts and treated with PTCy, MMF, or MTX. Hazards of CMV reactivation and viral load AUC were assessed. MMF was associated with a higher risk of early CMV reactivation and higher viral load AUC compared to PTCy and MTX.
Article
Oncology
Caroline Hesko, Wei Liu, Deo K. K. Srivastava, Tara M. M. Brinkman, Lisa Diller, Todd M. M. Gibson, Kevin C. C. Oeffinger, Wendy M. M. Leisenring, Rebecca Howell, Gregory T. T. Armstrong, Kevin R. R. Krull, Tara O. O. Henderson
Summary: This study explores neurocognitive outcomes in survivors of neuroblastoma and finds that survivors have a higher risk of impairments in emotional regulation and task efficiency. Factors such as treatment exposures, era of diagnosis, and chronic conditions are associated with these impairments. The study highlights the importance of identifying and managing these factors to improve outcomes for neuroblastoma survivors.
Article
Oncology
Adam J. Esbenshade, Lu Lu, Debra L. Friedman, Kevin C. Oeffinger, Gregory T. Armstrong, Kevin R. Krull, Joseph P. Neglia, Wendy M. Leisenring, Rebecca Howell, Robyn Partin, Amy Sketch, Leslie L. Robison, Kirsten K. Ness
Summary: Using a geriatric rating scale, researchers found that childhood cancer survivors accumulate diseases at a faster rate compared to their siblings and the general population.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
James E. Bates, Suman Shrestha, Qi Liu, Susan A. Smith, Daniel A. Mulrooney, Wendy Leisenring, Todd Gibson, Leslie L. Robison, Eric J. Chow, Kevin C. Oeffinger, Gregory T. Armstrong, Louis S. Constine, Bradford S. Hoppe, Choonsik Lee, Yutaka Yasui, Rebecca M. Howell
Summary: Radiation-associated cardiac disease is a major concern for childhood cancer survivors, with potential risks to cardiac substructures from radiotherapy. There may be no threshold dose below which radiation to the cardiac substructures does not increase the risk of cardiac diseases, highlighting the need for careful treatment planning.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Hematology
Julian Lindsay, Carla S. Walti, Anna B. Halpern, Hu Xie, E. Lisa Chung, Kelda G. Schonhoff, Emily M. Huebner, Guang-Shing Cheng, Louise E. Kimball, Wendy M. Leisenring, Matthew Greenwood, Sharon C. -A. Chen, David C. M. Kong, Monica A. Slavin, Michael Boeckh, David N. Fredricks, Catherine Liu, Steven A. Pergam, Roland B. Walter, Joshua A. Hill
Article
Oncology
Fabien N. Belle, Christina Schindera, Marc Ansari, Gregory T. Armstrong, Maja Beck-Popovic, Rebecca Howell, Wendy M. Leisenring, Lillian R. Meacham, Jochen Rossler, Ben D. Spycher, Emily Tonorezos, Nicolas X. von der Weid, Yutaka Yasui, Kevin C. Oeffinger, Claudia E. Kuehni
Summary: The study compared the prevalence of overweight and obesity among childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors in North America and Switzerland, finding that survivors in North America had significantly higher rates of overweight and obesity compared to Swiss survivors and siblings. Risk factors for obesity among survivors included living in North America, being male, older age, non-Hispanic Black ethnicity, and younger age at diagnosis.
Article
Hematology
Chiara Wychera, Hannah N. Imlay, Elizabeth R. Duke, Anna Faino, Meei Li-Huang, Terry Stevens-Ayers, Chris Davis, Baerbel Lange-Sperandio, Kanwaldeep K. Mallhi, Joshua A. Hill, Michael Boeckh, Janet A. Englund, Sangeeta Hingorani
Summary: Kidney disease in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients is associated with increased mortality rates. BK virus (BKV) viremia is linked to kidney dysfunction in pediatric HCT recipients, especially with high viral loads. This study found that a high BK viral load (>10,000 copies/mL) during weeks 4 to 7 post-HCT was associated with a significant decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by 1 year post-HCT.
TRANSPLANTATION AND CELLULAR THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Laura Connelly-Smith, Ted Gooley, Laura Roberts, Marco Mielcarek, Michael Linenberger, Effie Petersdorf, Brenda M. Sandmaier, Filippo Milano
Summary: During the pandemic, cryopreservation of allogeneic donor stem cell products ensured availability for transplantation. Comparing cryopreserved and fresh grafts, the study found that cryopreservation of PBSC products is a reasonably safe alternative, although there may be some increased risks.
TRANSPLANTATION AND CELLULAR THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Nahid Rashid, Ted Gooley, Terry Furlong, Stephanie J. Lee, Paul J. Martin, Rainer Storb, Marco Mielcarek
Summary: Retrospective studies have suggested potential benefits of long-term donor statin use in protecting against GVHD, but conflicting results were seen in prospective studies with short-term donor statin treatment. Two consecutive prospective clinical trials did not show significant protection against severe GVHD with donor statin treatment, indicating a need for further research in this area.
TRANSPLANTATION AND CELLULAR THERAPY
(2023)