ALBERT

Description: There were 26 patients enrolled in a pilot study of high-dose immunosuppressive therapy (HDIT) for severe multiple sclerosis (MS). Median baseline expanded disability status scale (EDSS) was 7.0 (range, 5.0-8.0). HDIT consisted of total body irradiation, cyclophosphamide, and antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and was followed by transplantation of autologous, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized CD34-selected stem cells. Regimen-related toxicities were mild. Because of bladder dysfunction, there were 8 infectious events of the lower urinary tract. One patient died from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) associated with a change from horse-derived to rabbit-derived ATG in the HDIT regimen. An engraftment syndrome characterized by noninfectious fever with or without rash developed in 13 of the first 18 patients and was associated in some cases with transient worsening of neurologic symptoms. There were 2 significant adverse neurologic events that occurred, including a flare of MS during mobilization and an episode of irreversible neurologic deterioration after HDIT associated with fever. With a median follow-up of 24 (range, 3-36) months, the Kaplan-Meier estimate of progression (≥ 1.0 point EDSS) at 3 years was 27%. Of 12 patients who had oligoclonal bands in the cerebrospinal fluid at baseline, 9 had persistence after HDIT. After HDIT, 4 patients developed new enhancing lesions on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. The estimate of survival at 3 years was 91%. Important clinical issues in the use of HDIT and stem cell transplantation for MS were identified; however, modifications of the initial approaches appear to reduce treatment risks. This was a heterogeneous high-risk group, and a phase 3 study is planned to fully assess efficacy. (Blood. 2003;102:2364-2372)

Description: Abstract 3075 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease which in most patients presents as defined relapses followed by remissions (relapsing-remitting (RR)). Over time the clinical course evolves to a gradual but irreversible loss of neurological function to which a neurodegenerative process likely contributes. Previous studies of high-dose immunosuppressive therapy (HDIT) and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) were done in patients with advanced progressive MS and many patients continued to lose neurological function. To investigate the potential benefit of HDIT/HCT to halt the evolution of MS and prevent the development of the neurodegenerative processes, HDIT/HCT was studied in RRMS. A phase II clinical trial of HDIT (BCNU, etoposide, ara-C and melphalan (BEAM) and antithymocyte globulin (ATG)) and autologous HCT was conducted in patients with highly active RRMS who had failed conventional therapy to determine if sustained remissions could be induced. Eligibility criteria required Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 3.0 (moderate disability, fully ambulatory) -5.5 (severe disability, ambulatory only 100 meters without aids) and ≥2 relapses on MS treatment with EDSS worsening over the previous 18 months. Hematopoietic progenitor cells were mobilized with G-CSF and a 10-day course of prednisone. The graft was CD34-selected (Baxter, Isolex). The primary endpoint was treatment-failure defined as a composite endpoint of 1) mortality 2) relapse 3) new lesions on MRI or 4) progression in disability ≥1.0 EDSS point. Adverse events (AE) were recorded according to NCI-CTCAE v3.0. Twenty-five patients at a median age of 38(27–53) years had autologous hematopoietic stem cells collected. There were 7 Grade 3 non-hematopoietic AEs during mobilization; mostly line-associated thromboses and infections. There was 1 Grade 4 AE with pretransplant withdrawal from study; a pulmonary embolus associated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and pre-existing arteriovenous malformation in the brain. During mobilization, a MS flare occurred in one patient who was non-compliant with the prednisone prophylaxis. Twenty-four patients proceeded to transplant. Median follow-up is 80(52–232) weeks. Patients were infused with a median of 4.58(2.95–9.73) × 106 CD34+ cells/kg. Neutrophil recovery occurred at a median of +11(9–15) days. In the 1st year after transplant, there were 17 Grade 3 and 4 Grade 4 non-hematopoietic, non-GI AEs. The Grade 4 AEs were suicide attempt (recorded as 2 separate events), hypokalemia and increase in ALT. At baseline (n=24), one (n=23) and two (n=8) years after HDIT/HCT, the mean EDSS (SD) was 4.42(+/−0.637), 3.78(+/−0.951) and 4.13(+/−0.916) respectively. There was only one case with gadolinium-enhancing lesions after 6 months (at Year 3) (Table 1). T2 lesion volume decreased and T1 lesion volume increased from baseline to Month 12. Despite the decrease in T2 lesion volume, there was early posttransplant loss in brain volume. Four patients failed by the composite endpoint (relapses at +22 and +96 weeks; new MRI brain lesions at +197 weeks and progression of disability/death at +82/138 weeks). Event-free survival at 1 and 2 years was 95.8(90% CI :73.9, 99.4)% and 76.7(90% CI :41.1, 92.4)% respectively. 22/24 patients were without progression of disability at last follow-up.Table 1:Brain MRI: Changes in first year after transplant.Baseline n=24Month 2 n=24Month 6 n=24Month 12 n=23Total Gd+ lesions [n (%)]014 (58%)19 (90%)22 (96%)22 (100%)14 (17%)0 (0%)1 (4%)0 (0%)2+6 (25%)2 (10%)0 (0%)0 (0%)T2 lesion volume change (cc)*n202320Median(min, max)-0.13 (-6.51,1.26)-0.60 (-6.46,1.73)-0.58 (-5.14,0.97)1T1 lesion volume change (cc)*n202320Median (min, max)-0.002 (-1.10, 0.87)0.02 (-0.87, 0.99)0.11 (-0.40,1.74)2Brain volume change (%)*n202419Mean (SD)-0.91 (0.73)3-1.19 (0.86)-1.28 (1.01)*Change from baselineWilcoxon signed rank test: 1) p=0.0014; 2) p=0.0186 3) t-test: p

Description: Abstract 962 Most patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) do not achieve a sustained remission after disease-modifying therapy. A phase II clinical trial of high-dose immunochemotherapy (HDIT; BCNU, etoposide, ara-C, melphalan and antithymocyte globulin) and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) was conducted in patients with highly active RRMS who had failed conventional therapy to assess if a high rate of sustained remission could be induced. Eligibility required an EDSS of 3.0 (moderate disability, fully ambulatory) to 5.5(severe disability, ambulatory only 100 meters without aids) and 〉2 relapses on treatment in previous 18 months. Treatment-failure was defined as a composite endpoint including 1) mortality 2) relapse 3) new MRI lesions or 4) disability increase 〉0.5 EDSS points. Adverse events (AE) were recorded according to NCI-CTCAE v3.0. 25 patients at a median age of 38(27-53) years were treated with G-CSF to mobilize the autograft; prednisone was given at the same time to prevent MS flares. The autograft was CD34-selected (Baxter, Isolex). One patient withdrew after mobilization secondary to HIT/pulmonary embolus. 24 patients had HDIT/HCT according to protocol. Median follow-up was 131 (52, 282) weeks. After initially stabilizing, one patient died from progressive loss of neurological function at 32 months. No patient had delayed recovery of blood counts. In the 1st year after HDIT, there were 42 grade 3 and 6 grade 4 non-hematopoietic AE. Grade 4 AE included: one suicide attempt (with 3 grade 4 AE); hyperuricemia; hypokalemia; and elevated ALT. In the 2ndyear, there were 13 grade 3 and 1 grade 4 non-hematopoietic AE. The 1-year and 2-year probabilities of event-free survival (i.e. without treatment-failure) were 95.8% (90% CI: 80.2%-99.2%) and 82.8% (90% CI: 65.0%-92.0%), respectively. Progression-free and relapse-free survival at 1 year were 100% (90% CI: 100%-100%) and 95.8% (90% CI: 80.2%-99.2%) and at 2 years were 91.7% (90% CI: 75.7%-97.3%) and 91.7% (90% CI: 75.7%-97.3%), respectively. The probability of freedom from disease activity detected by brain MRI was 95.8% (90% CI: 80.2%-99.2%) at both year 1 and 2. In comparison, a randomized clinical trial of placebo vs natalizumab (Havrdova E et al, Lancet Neurology, 2009) showed that 7% and 37% of RRMS patients were free of disease activity (i.e. progression, relapse and MRI) at 2 years, respectively. T2-weighted MRI scans measure disease burden from MS. T2 lesion volume was significantly reduced by 6 months and was sustained at 2 years (Table 1). T1 lesion volume was increased at 1 year. There was a significant loss of brain volume at 6 months but stabilized after this time point. Flow cytometry of peripheral blood was done at baseline and at 1, 2, 6 and 12 months. There was near complete depletion of naïve CD4 and CD8 T cells (CD45RA+) at 1 month. Memory CD4 and CD8 T cells (CD45RO+) were not completely eliminated from the blood after in vivo depletion from HDIT. Within 2 months of transplant, there was rapid expansion of memory CD8 T cells. The numbers of CD4 naïve and memory T cells were not recovered at 1 year. CD4 and CD8 recent thymic emigrants (CD45RA+, CD31+) were increased at 1 year compared to the nadir at 1 month but did not completely recover. Recovery of naïve and memory B cells was complete between months 6 and 12. HDIT/HCT for highly active RRMS resulted in profound immunosuppression and induced a high rate of sustained remissions at 2 years. The small increase in T1-weighted lesion volume in the absence of persistent brain inflammation may have resulted from damage due to previous brain injury. No further loss in brain volume was observed after 6 months. Follow-up is planned through 5 years. Table 1: Brain MRI: Changes after HDIT/HCT as compared to baseline* or screening**. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.