Usefulness of the Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation-Specific Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI) in Predicting Outcomes for Adolescents and Young Adults With Hematologic Malignancies Undergoing Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant

Background. The HCT-CI helps to predict non-relapse mortality (NRM) and overall survival (OS) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients. The usefulness of this index in a younger, adolescent and young adult (AYA) population is unclear. Procedure. We tested the validity of the HCT-CI as a predictor of mortality in a retrospective cohort of 56 AYA recipients between the ages of 16 and 39, using chart abstraction followed by univariable and multivariate analysis. Results. Only pulmonary dysfunction (46%), hepatic dysfunction (27%), infection (20%), and psychiatric disturbance (11%) had frequencies greater than 5% in this population. HCT-CI scores of 0-2 were present in 54%, and scores of >3 in 46%. The cumulative incidence of NRM at 2 years was 32%, with an OS of 46%; the NRM and OS for patients with an HCT-CI of 0-2 were 24% and 62%, whereas the NRM and OS for patients with an HCT-CI >3 were 38% and 28%. Patients with pulmonary dysfunction prior to transplant had a 29% OS at 2 years, compared to a 61% OS among patients without (P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference for patients and a worse NRM (P = 0.08). In multivariable analysis, both an HCT-CI score of >3 and any pulmonary dysfunction remained associated with OS (P = 0.01, P = 0.03), but neither with NRM. Conclusions. The HCT-CI appears useful in predicting OS in AYAs, though higher scores may reflect prior treatment, with pulmonary dysfunction particularly prevalent. Prospective studies to further validate and explain these findings are warranted. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 499-505. (C) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.