αβ+/CD19+-depleted haploidentical stem cell transplantation for children with acute leukemia: Is there a protective effect of increased γδ+ T-cell content in the graft?
[Correction added on 18 May 2023, after first online publication: due to a technical error, the original number of patients was incorrect and has since been corrected.]
Abstract
Background
Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with depletion of αβ+ T cells and CD19+ B cells has emerged as a viable alternative to traditional donors for treating acute leukemia in children. As the use of this innovative approach continues to grow and more experience is gained, it is essential to identify and comprehend the key factors that contribute to successful transplantation and improved outcomes.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of single-center data from 27 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 11 children with acute myeloid leukemia who underwent haploidentical HSCT with depletion of αβ+ T cells and CD19+ B cells between the years 2013 and 2020.
Results
Engraftment was successful in 34 out of 38 patients (90%). The 5-year overall survival and event-free survival rates were 51% and 42%, respectively. There were no cases of grade III–IV acute graft-versus-host disease, and only two patients developed chronic graft-versus-host disease. Patients with a higher content of γδ+ T cells in the graft demonstrated a longer event-free survival.
Conclusions
αβ+/CD19+-depleted haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can offer long-term remission for children with acute leukemia with minimal graft-versus-host disease.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.
