Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), represents one of the biggest challenges of 21st century, threatening public health around... Show moreCoronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), represents one of the biggest challenges of 21st century, threatening public health around the globe. Increasing age and presence of co-morbidities are reported risk factors for severe disease and mortality, along with autoimmune diseases (ADs) and immunosuppressive treatments such as haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which are also associated with adverse outcomes. We review the impact of the pandemic on specific groups of patients with neurological, rheumatological, and gastroenterological indications, along with the challenges delivering HSCT in adult and pediatric populations. Moving forward, we developed consensus-based guidelines and recommendations for best practice and quality of patient care in order to support clinicians, scientists, and their multidisciplinary teams, as well as patients and their carers. These guidelines aim to support national and international organizations related to autoimmune diseases and local clinical teams delivering HSCT. Areas of unmet need and future research questions are also highlighted. The waves of the COVID-19 pandemic are predicted to be followed by an "endemic" phase and therefore an ongoing risk within a "new normality". These recommendations reflect currently available evidence, coupled with expert opinion, and will be revised according to necessary modifications in practice. Show less
Henes, J.; Oliveira, M.C.; Labopin, M.; Badoglio, M.; Scherer, H.U.; Papa, N. del; ... ; NISSC1 Members 2021
Three randomized controlled trials in early severe systemic sclerosis demonstrated that autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was superior to standard cyclophosphamide therapy. This... Show moreThree randomized controlled trials in early severe systemic sclerosis demonstrated that autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was superior to standard cyclophosphamide therapy. This European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation multicenter, prospective, non-interventional study was designed to further decipher efficacy and safety of this procedure for severe systemic sclerosis patients in real-life practice and to search for prognostic factors. All consecutive adult patients with systemic sclerosis undergoing a first autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant between December 2012 and February 2016 were prospectively included in the study. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints were overall survival, non-relapse mortality, response and incidence of progression. Eighty patients with systemic sclerosis were included. The median duration of the follow-up was 24 (range, 6-57) months after stem cell transplantation using cyclophosphamide plus antithymocyte globulin conditioning for all, with CD34(+) selection in 35 patients. At 2 years, the progression-free survival rate was 81.8%, the overall survival rate was 90%, the response rate was 88.7% and the incidence of progression was 11.9%. The 100-day non-relapse mortality rate was 6.25% (n=5) with four deaths from cardiac events, including three due to cyclophosphamide toxicity. Modified Rodnan skin score and forced vital capacity improved with time (P<0.001). By multivariate analysis, baseline skin score >24 and older age at transplantation were associated with lower progression-free survival (hazard ratios 3.32 and 1.77, respectively). CD34(+)-cell selection was associated with better response (hazard ratio 0.46). This study confirms the efficacy of autologous stem cell transplantation, using non-myeloablative conditioning, in real-life practice for severe systemic sclerosis. Careful cardio-pulmonary assessment to identify organ involvement at the time of the patient's referral, reduced cyclophosphamide doses and CD34(+)-cell selection may improve outcomes. Show less
These updated EBMT guidelines review the clinical evidence, registry activity and mechanisms of action of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other immune... Show moreThese updated EBMT guidelines review the clinical evidence, registry activity and mechanisms of action of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other immune-mediated neurological diseases and provide recommendations for patient selection, transplant technique, follow-up and future development. The major focus is on autologous HSCT (aHSCT), used in MS for over two decades and currently the fastest growing indication for this treatment in Europe, with increasing evidence to support its use in highly active relapsing remitting MS failing to respond to disease modifying therapies. aHSCT may have a potential role in the treatment of the progressive forms of MS with a significant inflammatory component and other immune-mediated neurological diseases, including chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, neuromyelitis optica, myasthenia gravis and stiff person syndrome. Allogeneic HSCT should only be considered where potential risks are justified. Compared with other immunomodulatory treatments, HSCT is associated with greater short-term risks and requires close interspeciality collaboration between transplant physicians and neurologists with a special interest in these neurological conditions before, during and after treatment in accredited HSCT centres. Other experimental cell therapies are developmental for these diseases and patients should only be treated on clinical trials. Show less
Greco, R.; Labopin, M.; Badoglio, M.; Veys, P.; Silva, J.M.F.; Abinun, M.; ... ; Snowden, J.A. 2019
To specify the incidence and risk factors for secondary autoimmune diseases (ADs) after HSCT for a primary AD, we retrospectively analyzed AD patients treated by HSCT reported to EBMT from 1995 to... Show moreTo specify the incidence and risk factors for secondary autoimmune diseases (ADs) after HSCT for a primary AD, we retrospectively analyzed AD patients treated by HSCT reported to EBMT from 1995 to 2009 with at least 1 secondary AD (cases) and those without (controls). After autologous HSCT, 29 of 347 patients developed at least 1 secondary AD within 21.9 (0.6-49) months and after allogeneic HSCT, 3 of 16 patients. The observed secondary ADs included: autoimmune hemolytic anemia (n = 3), acquired hemo- philia (n = 3), autoimmune thrombocytopenia (n = 3), antiphospholipid syndrome (n = 2), thyroiditis (n = 12), blocking thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (n = 1), Graves disease (n = 2), myasthenia gravis (n = 1), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 2), sarcoidosis (n = 2), vasculitis (n = 1), psoriasis (n = 1), and psoriatic arthritis (n = 1). After autologous HSCT for primary AD, the cumulative incidence of secondary AD was 9.8% +/- 2% at 5 years. Lupus erythematosus as primary AD, and antithymocyte globulin use plus CD34(+) graft selection were important risk factors for secondary AD by multivariate analysis. With a median follow-up of 6.2 (0.54-11) years after autologous HSCT, 26 of 29 patients with secondary AD were alive, 2 died during their secondary AD (antiphospholipid syndrome, hemophilia), and 1 death was HSCT-related. This European multicenter study underlines the need for careful management and follow-up for secondary AD after HSCT. (Blood. 2011;118(6):1693-1698) Show less
Daikeler, T.; Labopin, M.; Gioia, M. di; Abinun, M.; Alexander, T.; Miniati, I.; ... ; Farge, D. 2010
