Favorable preliminary results using TLI/ATG-based immunomodulatory conditioning for matched unrelated donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric severe aplastic anemia

To assess whether a tolerance-induction regimen could be applied for unrelated (MUD) HCT in SAA, we retrospectively reviewed our HCT experience using unmanipulated 10/10 HLA-matched bone marrow grafts from MSD vs. MUD donors. Conditioning was CTX 200 mg/kg (CTX) + rabbit ATG 10 mg/kg (ATG) for MSD (n = 9) and TLI (800 cGy) + CTX/ATG for MUD HCT (n = 5). Immuno-prophylaxis was CSA and short-course MTX. Median patient age was 14.7 yr, median time to HCT 1.5 yr, and median follow-up 3 yr. Outcome measures included EFS, time to engraftment, and cumulative incidence of GVHD (CIN of GVHD) for MSD and MUD cohorts. EFS and stable engraftment rate were 100%. CIN of acute GVHD was: MSD, Grade I-II: 1 (11%), Grade III-IV: 0%; MUD, Grade I-II: 1 (20%), Grade III-IV: 1 (20%). CIN of chronic GVHD was: MSD, limited: 1 (11%), extensive: 0%; MUD, limited: 0%, extensive: 0%. All immunosuppressive-compliant patients successfully weaned immunosuppression. Although in limited patients, our results suggest that immunomodulatory TLI added to backbone CTX/ATG conditioning is a promising option for MUD HCT in SAA patients, which we will examine in a prospective clinical trial.