title: Low mortality of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from 7 to 8/10 human leukocyte antigen allele-matched unrelated donors with the use of antithymocyte globulin.
abstract: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is available for only approximately 30% patients needing HSCT. Use of alternative donors is associated with a high incidence and severity of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Here we report our experience with GVHD prophylaxis using pre-transplant rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG), in addition to post transplant cyclosporin A and methotrexate. Seventy-five children received unmanipulated grafts from 7 to 10/10 HLA allele-matched unrelated donors. Median follow-up was 25 months (range, 6-65 months). Only 2/75 patients (2.5%) developed acute GVHD grades III-IV, and 17/75 (25%) developed extensive chronic GVHD. Overall survival was 79%. It was similar in patients receiving grafts from 7 or 8/10 to 9 or 10/10 allele-matched donors, and similar in patients receiving peripheral blood stem cells and marrow. Six (11%) patients died owing to relapse, and 10 (13%) due to transplant-related complications. The addition of rATG appears to result in a low incidence of severe GVHD and overall mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Motol, Charles University Prague, Prague, Czech Republic. petr.sedlacek@lfmotol.cuni.cz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sedlácek
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Formánková
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Keslová
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Srámková
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hubácek
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Król
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kulich
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Starý
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011817:Rabbits; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000401:mortality*
chemical_list: D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D006680:HLA Antigens; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D008727:Methotrexate