Tweet
Prospective phase II clinical trial of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant for treatment refractory multiple sclerosis
John J Moore1, Jennifer C Massey2, Carole D Ford3, Melissa L Khoo3, John J Zaunders4, Kevin Hendrawan3, Yael Barnett5, Michael H Barnett6, Kain A Kyle6, Robert Zivadinov7, Kris C Ma, Sam T Milliken1, Ian J Sutton2, David D F Ma1
Abstract
Background
Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) has been explored as a therapeutic intervention in multiple sclerosis (MS) over the last two decades; however, prospective clinical trials of the most common myeloablative conditioning regimen, BEAM, are limited. Furthermore, patient selection, optimal chemotherapeutic regimen and immunological changes associated with disease response require ongoing exploration. We present the outcomes, safety and immune reconstitution (IR) of patients with active, treatment refractory MS.
Methods
This study was a single-centre, phase II clinical trial of AHSCT for patients with active relapsing remitting (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Patients underwent AHSCT using BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan)+antithymocyte globulin chemotherapeutic regimen.
Outcomes
The primary outcome was event-free survival (EFS); defined as no clinical or radiological relapses and no disability progression. Multiparameter flow cytometry was performed for evaluation of post-transplant IR in both MS and lymphoma patients receiving the same chemotherapy regimen.
Results
Thirty-five patients (20 RRMS, 15 SPMS) completed AHSCT, with a median follow-up of 36 months (range 12–66). The median Expanded Disability Status Scores (EDSS) was 6 (2–7) and patients had failed a median of 4 (2–7) disease modifying therapies. 66% failed treatment with natalizumab. EFS at 3 years was 60%, (70% RRMS). Sustained improvement in EDSS was seen in 15 (44%) of patients. There was no treatment-related mortality. A sustained rise in CD39+ T regulatory cells, immunosuppressive CD56hi natural killer cells and ablation of proinflammatory mucosal-associated invariant T cells was seen for 12 months following AHSCT in patients with MS. These changes did not occur in patients with lymphoma receiving the same chemotherapy for AHSCT.
Conclusions
The EFS in our MS cohort is significantly greater than other high-efficacy immunosuppressive therapies and similar to other AHSCT studies despite a more heavily pretreated cohort.
Trial registration number ACTRN12613000339752.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2018-319446
John J Moore1, Jennifer C Massey2, Carole D Ford3, Melissa L Khoo3, John J Zaunders4, Kevin Hendrawan3, Yael Barnett5, Michael H Barnett6, Kain A Kyle6, Robert Zivadinov7, Kris C Ma, Sam T Milliken1, Ian J Sutton2, David D F Ma1
Abstract
Background
Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) has been explored as a therapeutic intervention in multiple sclerosis (MS) over the last two decades; however, prospective clinical trials of the most common myeloablative conditioning regimen, BEAM, are limited. Furthermore, patient selection, optimal chemotherapeutic regimen and immunological changes associated with disease response require ongoing exploration. We present the outcomes, safety and immune reconstitution (IR) of patients with active, treatment refractory MS.
Methods
This study was a single-centre, phase II clinical trial of AHSCT for patients with active relapsing remitting (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Patients underwent AHSCT using BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan)+antithymocyte globulin chemotherapeutic regimen.
Outcomes
The primary outcome was event-free survival (EFS); defined as no clinical or radiological relapses and no disability progression. Multiparameter flow cytometry was performed for evaluation of post-transplant IR in both MS and lymphoma patients receiving the same chemotherapy regimen.
Results
Thirty-five patients (20 RRMS, 15 SPMS) completed AHSCT, with a median follow-up of 36 months (range 12–66). The median Expanded Disability Status Scores (EDSS) was 6 (2–7) and patients had failed a median of 4 (2–7) disease modifying therapies. 66% failed treatment with natalizumab. EFS at 3 years was 60%, (70% RRMS). Sustained improvement in EDSS was seen in 15 (44%) of patients. There was no treatment-related mortality. A sustained rise in CD39+ T regulatory cells, immunosuppressive CD56hi natural killer cells and ablation of proinflammatory mucosal-associated invariant T cells was seen for 12 months following AHSCT in patients with MS. These changes did not occur in patients with lymphoma receiving the same chemotherapy for AHSCT.
Conclusions
The EFS in our MS cohort is significantly greater than other high-efficacy immunosuppressive therapies and similar to other AHSCT studies despite a more heavily pretreated cohort.
Trial registration number ACTRN12613000339752.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2018-319446