Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Volume 15, Issue 5 , Pages 597-609, May 2009

Cellular Immune Reconstitution and Its Impact on Clinical Outcome in Children with β Thalassemia Major Undergoing a Matched Related Myeloablative Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant

Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

Received 1 December 2008; accepted 26 January 2009.

Article Outline

Abstract 

We have prospectively analyzed cellular immune reconstitution (IR) in 63 consecutive pediatric patients with β thalassemia major who underwent an HLA matched related allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT). Samples from bone marrow graft and posttransplant peripheral blood samples from recipients at specified time points were assessed for IR of cellular subsets. The median age of the cohort was 7 years, and there were 37 (59%) males. A CD34 cell dose above the median value of 7.3 × 106/kg had a lower incidence of bacterial (P = .003) and fungal (P = .003) infections in the posttransplant period, and was not associated with an increased risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Among cases that did develop grade II-IV GVHD the absolute CD8 (116 versus 52 cells/μL, P = .012), CD8 naïve (74 versus 9 cells/μL, P = .005), and CD8 memory counts (44 versus 21 cells/μL, P = .010) were significantly higher on day 15. Fifteen patients (24%) rejected their graft (7 primary and 8 secondary). The day 28 natural killer (NK) cell count was significantly associated with secondary graft rejection, event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) (P = .044, .013, and .034, respectively). On a multivariate analysis, patients with a day 28 NK cell count below the median value of 142/μL had a significantly higher rejection rate (hazard ratio [HR] = 11.1, P = .038) and a lower EFS (HR = 16.3, P = .034).

Key Words: Immune reconstitution, Bone marrow transplantation, Thalassemia major, NK cell reconstitution, Graft rejection

 

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Introduction 

An allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) remains the only curative option for numerous malignant and inherited hematologic conditions. The clinical efficacy of an SCT is limited by regimen-related toxicity secondary to the conditioning regimen, immune response by donor cells to recipient antigens resulting in graft versus host disease (GVHD) and delayed or inadequate immune reconstitution leading to infections, recurrence of a malignancy, and occasionally rejection of the graft 1, 2.

Although immune reconstitution post-SCT has been extensively studied in adults, there is limited data in the pediatric population [1]. An early low plasmacytoid dendritic cell count has been reported by us and others to be associated with acute and chronic GVHD (aGVHD, cGVHD) 3, 4. Rapid lymphocyte and lymphocyte subset recovery have been reported to be associated with a favorable outcome 5, 6, 7. It is known that the ability to generate CD4+CD45RA+ (naïve T helper cells) decreases with age, because this is thymic dependent 8, 9. It is also recognized that there is earlier generation of helper T cells and B cells in children than in adults [1]. There is, however, limited data on the impact of these variations in the pattern of immune reconstitution on clinical outcomes post-SCT in a uniform cohort of children.

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells critical to host defense against invading pathogens and malignant transformation. NK cells have been extensively studied in the posttransplant period, as they are potentially associated with both rejection and a graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect 10, 11. Experimental data suggests that they have a number of potentially beneficial effects, including an NK cell-versus-leukemia effect reducing relapse, NK cell-versus-residual host T cell reducing graft rejection rate, and NK cell-versus-host dendritic cells, potentially reducing the risk of GVHD 10, 12, 13. In the pediatric population with high-risk thalassemia major, graft rejection is a major problem, and can occur in 20% to 50% of cases [14]. The impact of the pattern of NK cell reconstitution in this population has not been studied.

We prospectively analyzed the effect of immune reconstitution in a pediatric population of patients with β thalassemia major undergoing a myeloablative HLA matched related allogeneic SCT.

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Patients, Materials, and Methods 

This prospective study included all consecutive patients who underwent an allogeneic HLA matched related SCT for β thalassemia major at our center, between December 2003 and December 2006. All patients had 6 antigen HLA-matched sibling or family donors. A written informed consent was obtained from parents or legal guardians for all patients.

Pretransplant Evaluation 

All patients were evaluated with a complete blood count (CBC), biochemical profile, and serology for human immunodeficienty virus (HIV), hepatitus B virus (HBV), hepatitus C virus (HCV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). A liver biopsy was performed at the time of Hickman catheter insertion.

Conditioning 

Patients were conditioned using a conventional myeloablative regimen consisting of busulfan (Bu) from 16 mg/kg (1 mg/kg/dose 4 times daily × 4 days) administered orally (dose adjustment based on pharmacokinetic levels was not attempted), cyclophopsphamide (Cy) 200 mg/kg given over 4 days (50 mg/kg/day i.v over 1 hour), and antilymphocyte globulin (Pasteur Merieux, Lyon, France) or antithymocyte globulin (ATG; Pharmacia and Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI) 30 mg/kg/day for 3 days as previously reported [15]. In 25 patients, a new preparative regimen of fludarabine (Flu; 150 mg/m2 over 5 days), Bu (14-16 mg/kg over 4 days), and Cy (160 mg/kg over 4 days) was used.

Graft Source and Engraftment 

The stem cell source was bone marrow (BM) for all except 2 cases. BM was harvested under general anesthesia from the iliac crest and the target cell dose was 3 × 108 nucleated cells/kg body weight of the recipient. Unprimed BM was used in majority of the patients (59%). Twenty-four (38%) patients received granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) primed BM (G-CSF 10 μg/kg/day × 2 days prior to BM harvest).

GVHD Prophylaxis 

Cyclosporine (CsA) and a short course of methotrexate (MTX) was used as GVHD prophylaxis; CsA was administered at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg i.v. over 4 hours twice daily starting on day –4 and changed to oral administration at 5 mg/kg twice daily when mucositis had resolved. CsA levels were monitored and the dose adjusted to achieve a target level of 100-400 ng/mL. CsA was administered for 6 months, and over the next 6 months the dose was gradually tapered and stopped. If there was active GVHD, tapering and continuation of GVHD CsA beyond this period was left to the treating physician's discretion. The MTX dose was 10 mg/m2 on day −1 and 7 mg/m2 on days 3, 6, and 11. If mucositis was severe (grade IV) or bilirubin >20 mg/L, the day 6 and day 11 doses were omitted.

Supportive Care 

All patients were nursed in a positive pressure HEPA-filtered transplant unit. Prophylactic acyclovir was administered for the first 100 days; it was continued beyond day 100 if patient had GVHD and required additional immunosuppression. Quantitative CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was done from day 30 onward, once in 2 weeks up to day 100, more frequently if there was evidence of CMV reactivation. Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole and oral penicillin prophylaxis was initiated after stable engraftment and continued for a year.

Flow Cytometric Analysis 

Harvest samples from donors and peripheral blood samples from posttransplant recipients were assessed for stem cells, lymphocyte subsets, and dendritic cells subsets. Posttransplant peripheral blood samples were obtained from patients on day 15, day 28, day 45, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months for flow cytometry analysis. Briefly, cells were labeled using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to CD34, CD133, CD3, CD4, CD45RA, CD45RO, CD8, CD25, CD69, CD19, CD56, CD16, CD11c, CD123, HLA-DR, and lineage cocktail antibodies directly conjugated with either fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), phycoerythrin (PE) or peridinin chlorophyll protein (PerCP) (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, CA), followed by red cell lysis with ammonium chloride. The cells were then washed and analyzed using FACSCalibur (Becton Dickenson, Mansfield, MA). Data analysis was performed using CellQuestPro software (Becton Dickenson). Dead cells were gated out before the final analysis using forward versus side-scatter dot-plots. Lymphocyte subset percentages were calculated from the lymphocyte gate as appropriate. The absolute lymphocyte subset counts were then calculated from a routine automated leukocyte count (Beckmann Coulter LH 750, Fullerton, CA). A previously described method for identification and enumeration of dendritic cell subsets was used [16]. For stem cell enumeration (CD34) in the graft, ISHAGE gating strategy was performed as described previously [17].

Definitions and Definition of Outcomes 

Incidence and severity of GVHD was defined as per established criteria [18]. Time to engraftment for neutrophils was defined as the first of 3 consecutive days on which absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was >500/mm3. Time to engraftment for platelets was defined as the first of 3 consecutive days on which the unsupported platelet count was >20,000/mm3. Primary graft failure was defined by lack of neutrophil engraftment (ANC <0.5 × 109/L) measured for 3 consecutive days by 28 days posttransplant. Secondary graft rejection was defined when initial engraftment was followed by subsequent development of ANC <0.5 × 109/L for 3 consecutive measurements, recurrence of transfusion dependence, or pancytopenia with a hypocellular marrow [19]. Secondary graft rejection was further defined as early (graft rejection within 60 days after initial engraftment) or late (graft rejection occurring after 60 days from SCT and initial engraftment).

The data from pretransplant counts were used as reference range for each of cellular subsets analyzed. Achievement of the median pretransplant cellular subset value was considered an event on a Kaplan-Meier analysis. Patients who died before engraftment or had a graft rejection after transplantation were censored at that time point for immune reconstitution studies.

Conventional Lucarelli risk stratification for patients with β thalassemia major undergoing an allogeneic SCT was used [20]; additionally, a high-risk subset of class III cases as previously described was also utilized for analysis [21]. Event-free survival (EFS) was defined from the time of transplant to an event; an event was primary graft failure, death, or recurrence of transfusion dependence. Stable mixed chimerism with transfusion independence was not considered an event for this analysis. Overall survival (OS) was defined as the time from transplant to death from any cause.

Bacterial infection was defined as positive culture from blood and any other sites (urine, sputum, pus, abscess, and catheter). Bacterial pneumonia was also diagnosed when there were clinical and radiologic signs of pneumonia with or without positive sputum culture or a pneumonia that improved after antibacterial therapy [22]. CMV infection was defined as 2 consecutive positive PCR assays within 1 week or a CMV copy number >140 copies/mL whole blood performed using artus CMV PCR Kits (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). CMV disease was defined as the demonstration of CMV by biopsy specimen from visceral sites (by culture or histology) or the detection of CMV by culture in broncho-alveolar fluid in the presence of new or changing pulmonary infiltrates [23]. All fungal infections were documented as probable, possible, and proved fungal infections based upon the CDC criteria [24].

Statistical Analysis 

For comparison of dichotomous variables, a χ2 test was done while continuous variables were compared using either a Student's t-test or a Mann-Whitney U-test as was deemed appropriate. The probability of survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method for rejection, EFS, and OS, and compared by the log-rank test. Cox models were used to assess the proportional hazards of various subsets both in the graft and those engrafted after transplant on clinical outcomes such as rejection, GVHD, day 100 treatment-related mortality (TRM), EFS, and OS. To confirm outcomes and to adjust for potential confounding factors, multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were also performed. Kinetics of lymphocyte recovery was also evaluated by calculating area under curve (AUC) using trapezoidal method [25]. For all the tests, a value of P < .05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows 11.01 version (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).

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Results 

Demographic and Baseline Characteristics 

A total of 63 patients with β thalassemia major underwent an SCT between December 2003 and December 2006 at our center. The median age of this cohort was 7 years (range: 2-14 years). There were 37 (59%) males and 25 (41%) females. By conventional risk stratification [20], there were 7 (11%), 25 (40%), and 31 (49%) transplants in class I, II, and III, respectively. The baseline patient and graft characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The median pretransplant value of the total count and all the subsets analyzed except for dendritic cell count was significantly lower than age matched donors and that of age-matched children as reported previously (supplementary data) 26, 27. Achievement of the median pretransplant cellular subset value was considered an event on a Kaplan-Meier analysis. Patients who died before engraftment or had a graft rejection after transplantation were censored at that time point for immune reconstitution studies.

Table 1. Baseline Patient and Graft Characteristics
Characteristicsn (%)/Median (Range)
Patient—
Age (years)7 (2-14)
Males37 (59)
Donor—
Age (years)8 (2-39)
Males27 (43)
Sex mismatch transplant40 (64)
Lucarelli class III31 (49)
Splenectomy2 (3)
High risk (age ≥7 years and liver size ≥5 cm) [21]6 (10)
TNC (×108/kg)4.4 (1.7-22.7)
Conditioning regimen—
Bu/Cy/ATG33 (52)
Bu/Cy/ALG4 (6)
Bu/Cy1 (1)
Flu/Bu/Cy25 (39)
GVHD Prophylaxis—
CSA + MTX62 (98)
CSA + Methlyprednisolone1 (2)
Graft sourceBM = 37; GBM = 24; PBSC = 2

Bu indicates Busulfan; ATGAM, antithymocyte globulin (Pharmacia Upjohn); ALG, antilymphocyte globulin (Pasteur Merieux); Cy, Cyclophosphamide; Flu, Fludarabine; CSA, Cyclosporine; MTX, Methotrexate; BM, bone marrow; PBSC, peripheral blood stem cells.

The median BM cell dose was 4.4 × 108 (range: 1.7-22.7) total nucleated cells/kg and 7.3 × 106 CD34/kg (range: 1.2-23). The total WBC count in the harvested product was higher in G-CSF primed BM (BM = 19.7 × 109/L vs. G-BM = 37.75 × 109/L, P = .000), resulting in a lower volume of marrow harvested to achieve the target cell dose of 3 × 108 total nucleated cells/kg (BM = 430 mL versus G-BM = 280 mL, P = .000). The graft characteristics were similar in both BM and G-CSF-primed BM sources for stem cell content (CD34, CD133), but significantly differed in NK, CD19, CD8CD45RA, and plasmacytoid dendritic cell content (Table 2).

Table 2. Comparison of Graft Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes among Recipient's of Marrow Obtained from Unprimed and G-CSF Primed Bone Marrow
BM (n = 37)G-BM (n = 24)
Characteristicsn(%), Median (Range)P-Value
TNC ×108/kg3.9 (1.7-22.7)5.3 (1.7-10).028
Graft characteristics (cell ×106/kg)———
HSCCD34+7 (2.9-19.4)7.5 (1.2-17.7).647
HSCCD133+3.4 (1-14.2)5.1 (0.5-10.8).447
Natural killerCD56+16+CD3−3.4 (0.9-49.8)5.8 (0.1-15.2).039
Total B cellCD19+5.3 (0.3-52.5)22.8 (0.1-118.4).010
Total T cellCD3+45.6 (12.7-155.1)41.2 (8.9-119.2).425
Helper T cellCD4+22.2 (7.2-104.9)23.2 (4.6-66.3).941
Cytotoxic T cellCD8+21.5 (7-91)21.3 (4.2-43.6).194
Helper naïve cellCD4+CD45RA+12.2 (2.4-61.5)10.3 (0.9-53.5).813
Cytotoxic naïve cellCD8+CD45RA+14.2 (4.8-69.4)10.4 (2.2-30.8).029
Helper Memory cellCD4+CD45RO+6.9 (1.6-49.4)8.9 (2.8-20.3).061
Cytotoxic Memory cellCD8+CD45RO+6.0 (1.2-28.7)7.3 (0.1-16.5).871
MCCD11c+HLADR+Lin−0.3 (0.1-4.1)0.5 (0.1-2.5).234
PCCD123+HLADR+Lin−0.7 (0.1-2.8)1.3 (0.2-5.1).007
ANC >500/mm316 (10-23)16 (14-20).895
Platelet >20,000/mm328 (12-49)26 (20-46).763
Day 28 subsets (×106/Lt)———
CD3358 (47-1434)177 (41-779).120
CD199 (2-50)6 (1-87).130
CD4167 (27-545)97 (9-368).179
CD8254 (4-1134)103 (24-528).224
Natural killer142 (27-1718)136 (3-539).749
MC7 (1-50)11 (1-38).441
PC5 (1-25)8 (1-37).523
Acute GVHD (grade II-IV)5 (18)2 (9).444
Chronic GVHD2 (9)3 (14).658
Survival
Secondary graft rejection3 (8)5 (21).325
Death10 (27)4 (17).534
EFS at 3 years64% ± 8%71 ± 9%.385
OS at 3 years72% ± 8%79 ± 10%.244

MC indicates monocytoid dendritic cells; PC, plasmacytoid dendritic cells; EFS, event-free survival; OS, overall survival; GVHD, graft-versus-host disease; ANC, absolute neutrophil count; TNC, total nucleated cells; HSC, hematopoietic stem cell.

Clinical Outcomes 

Of the 63 transplants, 2 patients had peritransplant deaths related to regimen-related toxicity (RRT). Among the 61 patients who could be evaluated for engraftment, 54 (89%) achieved sustained engraftment. Seven patients (11%) had primary graft failure. Five of these patients died prior to day 28 (time point for the first chimerism analysis). Two patients’ had autologous reconstitution by day 20, and chimerism analysis on day 28 revealed a complete absence of a donor band; both are transfusion dependent and have remained alive on follow-up for more than a year. Of the 54 who had achieved sustained engraftment, 2 (4%) had early (>28 days and <60 days posttransplant) and 6 (11%) had late secondary graft rejections (>60 days posttransplant). On day 28, the time point when the first chimerism analysis was done, 7 of these patients had a mixed chimerism pattern with a median donor band of 79% (range: 26-91), whereas 1 patient had documented complete chimerism (100% donor band) at this time point. The median time to graft rejection among these patients was 77 days (range: 53-184 days).

Among the 54 who had engrafted, 2 died, 1 each on day 17 and day 23 secondary to RRT complicated by infections (prior to documentation of chimerism status). Of the remaining 52 patients who could be evaluated for aGVHD, 8 (15%) developed aGVHD grade (II-IV), whereas 5 of 45 (11%) patients surviving >100 days developed cGVHD. The Kaplan-Meier 3-year EFS and OS for the entire cohort was 67% ± 6% and 78% ± 5%, respectively, at a mean follow-up of 37 months. The EFS and OS according to risk stratification was, class I: 86% ± 13% and 86% ± 13%; class II: 75% ± 9% and 83% ± 8%; class III: 57% ± 9% and 66% ± 10%, respectively.

Immune Reconstitution Post-SCT 

The data from pretransplant counts were used as reference ranges for each of the cellular subsets analyzed. Achievement of the median pretransplant cellular subset value was considered an event on a Kaplan-Meier analysis. NK cells were the first cells to recover, within a month, in the early posttransplant period. Following immune reconstitution of NK cells, there was a transient increase in NK cell numbers above pretransplant baseline levels, and thereafter remained within the normal range throughout the rest of the posttransplant period (Figure 1). Dendritic cells (monocytoid and plasmacytoid) also recovered by day 30 posttransplant and thereafter remained within the normal range. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the mean time for CD3 recovery is 9.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.5-12). Recovery of CD4 cells to baseline levels is even further delayed with the mean Kaplan-Meier estimate not being achieved in the 1 year study period of this analysis. At the end of 1 year, IR analysis revealed that only 7 of 54 (13%) patients who had sustained engraftment achieved the pretransplant median CD4 levels. However, CD8 cells reconstitute fairly rapidly with a median Kaplan-Meier estimate of 2 months (95% CI: 0-4 months) resulting in an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio for a prolonged period following transplantation. CD4+CD45RA+ (helper naïve T cells) subset recovery is delayed more than a year, whereas CD8+CD45RA+ (cytotoxic naïve T cells) normalize within the first month post-SCT. There was a correlation with the donor age and speed of recovery of CD4+CD45RA+ T cells, with younger age of the donor being significantly associated with a faster recovery (r = .3; P = .032). Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that the median time for B cell (CD19) reconstitution was 4 months (95% CI: 1-7 months). There were too few and insignificant variations in immunosuppression withdrawal to comment on the impact this could have had on immune reconstitution. The immune reconstitution data of this cohort is summarized in Figure 1, Figure 2.

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  • Figure 1 

    Reconstitution kinetics of NK, B, T, and dendritic cell subsets in the first year post-SCT. Each line indicates corresponding cellular subsets at appropriate time points post-SCT. Error bars indicate the 25th to 75th percentiles values. Median pretransplant values are shown as a horizontal bar and the baseline error bars service as the reference range (highlighted area). MC, monocytoid dendritic cells; PC, plasmacytoid dendritic cells.

  • View full-size image.
  • Figure 2 

    Overview of reconstitution kinetics of lymphocyte subsets and immune cells in the first year post-SCT. Each bar represents total WBC count, whereas lines indicate the corresponding cellular subsets at appropriate time points post-SCT (N = 63). (A) Illustrates reconstitution of total T cells (CD3), helper T cells (CD4), cytotoxic T cells (CD8), and natural killer (NK, CD3−CD56+CD16+). Post-HSCT recovery pattern of B cells (CD19), helper naïve T (CD4CD45RA), helper memory T (CD4CD45RO), cytotoxic naïve T (CD8CD45RA), and cytotoxic memory T (CD8CD45RO) cells are shown in (B), whereas cytokine-induced killer (CIK, CD3+CD56+CD16+) and dendritic cell recovery for both monocytoid (MC, Lin−HLADR−CD11C+) and plasmacytoid cells (PC, Lin−HLADR−CD123+) are depicted in (C).

Factors Influencing Immune Reconstitution Post-SCT 

Stem cell source and conditioning regimen 

The Kaplan-Meier estimates of NK, cytokine induced killer cells (CIK−CD3+CD56+CD16+), B and T cells subsets (CD4, CD4D45RA, CD4CD45RO, CD4CD25, CD8, CD8CD45RA, CD8CD45RO, and CD8CD25), and plasmacytoid dendritic cells recovery were not significantly different between transplants utilizing either a BM or G-BM graft source. However, the AUC values of NK, B, T cell subsets (except for CD8, CD8CD45RO, and CD8CD25), and dendritic cells were all significantly higher in patients receiving G-BM compared with BM grafts, although this did not translate into a significant improvement in EFS, OS, or reduction in the incidence of infections (Table 2). These graft sources also differed in reconstitution of monocytoid dendritic cells. The day 30 Kaplan-Meier estimate for MC recovery was 32% ± 10% and 18% ± 9% for BM and G-BM, respectively (P = .029). There were no significant differences in the immune reconstitution patterns among patients who received antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) as part of the conditioning regimen versus those who did not (Table 3).

Table 3. Comparison of Graft Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes among Recipient's Who Received Antilymphocyte Globulin in Their Conditioning Regimen versus Those Who Did Not
ATG/ALG (n = 37)Without ATG/ALG (n = 26)
Characteristicsn(%), median (range)P-Value
TNC ×108/kg4.8 (1.7-10)3.9 (1.7-22.7).276
Graft characteristics (cell ×106/kg)———
HSCCD34+7.1 (1.2-17.7)7.6 (2.9-23).660
HSCCD133+3.9 (0.5-10.8)3.8 (1-16.6).785
Natural killerCD56+16+CD3−5.6 (0.1-49.8)3.4 (1.1-23.3).054
Total B cellCD19+21.6 (0.1-118.4)3.5 (0.3-52.5).001
Total T cellCD3+41.7 (8.9-120.1)47.1 (24-202).125
Helper T cellCD4+22.5 (4.6-66.3)22.8 (11-113.7).295
Cytotoxic T cellCD8+21.9 (4.2-91)21.9 (14.4-104.6).204
Helper naïve cellCD4+CD45RA+10.2 (0.9-53.5)10.3 (2.4-66.3).577
Cytotoxic naïve cellCD8+CD45RA+12.4 (2.2-50.1)13 (7.4-69.4).204
Helper memory cellCD4+CD45RO+8.8 (1.6-28.3)7.2 (3.3-66.5).219
Cytotoxic memory cellCD8+CD45RO+6.7 (0.1-28.7)7.4 (1.2-43.9).577
MCCD11c+HLADR+Lin−0.5 (0.1-4.1)0.3 (0.1-0.8).009
PCCD123+HLADR+Lin−1.3 (0.2-5.1)0.7 (0.1-2.8).003
ANC >500/mm316 (10-20)17 (13-23).155
Platelet >20,000/mm328 (18-46)26 (10-49).123
Day 28 subsets (×106/Lt)———
CD3224 (41-1230)486 (47-1434).065
CD198 (1-87)10 (3-39).256
CD4116 (9-388)155 (27-545).281
CD8140 (14-967)313 (4-1134).091
Natural killer141 (3-539)142 (27-1718).788
MC11 (1-38)6 (1-50).514
PC8 (1-37)5 (1-25).497
Acute GVHD (grade II-IV)4 (12)4 (21).443
Chronic GVHD4 (13)1 (8)1.000
Survival
Secondary graft rejection6 (16)2 (8).448
Death6 (16)8 (31).223
EFS at 3 years76% ± 3%60% ± 10%.145
OS at 3 years86% ± 5%63% ± 10%.066

MC indicates monocytoid dendritic cells; PC, plasmacytoid dendritic cells; EFS, event-free survival; OS, overall survival; GVHD, graft-versus-host disease; ANC, absolute neutrophil count; TNC, total nucleated cells; HSC, hematopoietic stem cell; ATG, antithymocyte globulin; ALG, antilymphocyte globulin.

Acute GVHD 

Patients with aGVHD grade (II-IV) had higher CD3 (P = .012), CD8 (P = .002), CD8CD45RA (P = .027), and CD8CD45RO (P = .005) AUC values compared with those who did not develop GVHD. Among cases that did develop grade II-IV GVHD the absolute counts were significantly higher on day 15 in the following cellular subsets; CD8: 116 versus 52 cells/μL, P = .012, CD8CD45RA: 74 versus 19 cells/μL, P = .005, and CD8CD45RO: 44 versus 21 cells/μL, P = .010. Only 1 of 8 patients who eventually developed aGVHD had evidence of aGVHD at this timepoint.

Infections 

Patients who had evidence of viral infections post transplant (within study time period of 1 year) had a significantly higher CD8CD45RA AUC value (P = .021) compared with those that did not. None of the other cellular subsets AUC or absolute values at any time point significantly differed in those who had and those who did not develop a viral infection. Similarly, there was no obvious correlation with cellular subset recovery kinetics and bacterial, fungal, or viral infections.

Impact of Graft Characteristics and Day 28 Lymphocyte Subset Counts on Clinical Outcomes 

After extensive immune reconstitution analysis and its impact on clinical outcomes, the only time point where differences in cellular subset levels had a significant impact on clinical outcome after engraftment was the day 28 subset values. Eleven of 63 patients were excluded for day 28 subset analysis. Nine died before day 28, whereas in 2 patients a blood sample was not available at this particular time point. Fifty-two patient's values were available for evaluation at this time point. The day 28 values represent an early period of measurable donor immune reconstitution and could also potentially be a clinically useful early predictor for outcomes after SCT. Hence, further detailed analysis of this time point along with graft characteristics on clinical outcomes was undertaken in this study.

Engraftment and rejection 

The median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 16 days (range: 10-23) and 26 days (range: 10-49), respectively. Patients with day 28 NK above the median value (>142/μL) had faster platelet engraftment compared with those below the median value (26 versus 30 days, P = .031) (Table 4). None of the other cellular subset had an impact on the time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment. Fifteen of 63 patients (24%) rejected their graft; 7 of 15 were primary graft failures and were excluded from day 28 analysis. Among the 7 cases with primary graft failure the median leukocyte counts on day 28 was 0.3 × 109/Lt (range: 0.2-0.8). At this time point and at an earlier (day 15) time point the leukocyte count was too low to make a meaningful assessment of subset cellular immune reconstitution. Of the remaining 8 patients, 2 (13%) had early and 6 (40%) had late secondary graft rejections post-SCT. After excluding primary graft failures (n = 7), the median day 28 NK count in patients who rejected their graft (n = 8) was significantly lower compared to those who did not reject (n = 42) (91/μL versus 150/μL; P = .013) as shown in Figure 3. None of the other cellular subsets at this time point was significantly associated with graft rejection. There was no evidence that graft rejection was preceded or directly related to any infective process. Posttransplant chimerism at day 28 was complete in 37 of 52 patients (71%) with only donor-specific bands. Among the patients with mixed chimera (15/52 = 29%), the donor band contributed a median of 87% (range: 26-98).

Table 4. Comparison of Low and High Day 28 NK Cell Count Patient Groups
Day 28 NK n (%)/Median (Range)
CharacteristicsLow (≤142/μL) n = 26High (>142/μL) n = 26P-Value
Patient———
Age (years)7 (2-14)8 (2-13).904
Males15 (58)16 (62)1.000
Sex mismatch transplant10 (39)9 (35)1.000
Lucarelli class III14 (54)11 (42).579
Splenectomy2 (8)—.490
High risk3 (12)2 (8)1.000
TNC (×108/kg)4.2 (1.7-10)4.6 (1.7-22.7).442
Graft (×106/kg)———
CD346.7 (1.2-16.9)8.5 (1.8-23).231
CD1333.8 (1.1-10.8)4.4 (0.5-16.6).191
CD343.4 (8.9-132)41.7 (20.8–202).534
CD195.1 (0.1-118.4)18.4 (0.7-61.6).044
CD422.1 (4.6-66.3)24.7 (8.7-113.7).360
CD821.5 (4.2-63)21.1 (9.5-104.6).297
NK4.2 (0.1-15.2)6.4 (1.1-23.3).076
MC0.3 (0.1-1.1)0.6 (0.1-4.1).023
PC0.8 (0.1-5.1)1.3 (0.2-4).164
Engraftment (days)———
ANC >500/mm317 (11-23)16 (13-20).358
Platelet >20,000/mm330 (15-49)26 (10-42).031
Day 28 subsets (×106/Lt)———
CD3155.4 (40.5-1210.9)232.1 (142.1-1718.1).002
CD197.5 (0.6-86.6)12.5 (0.8- 42.4).089
CD478.9 (8.9-433.4)200.6 (48.6- 544.5).000
CD875.2 (3.7-1041)269.3 (85.5-1134).002
MC5.5 (0.3-50)11.4 (1.3-38).027
PC6 (0.1-18.9)9.1 (0.7-37.2).070
Acute GVHD (grade II-IV)3 (12)4 (15)1.000
Chronic GVHD2 (9)3 (13)1.000
Survival———
Secondary graft rejection7 (35)1 (4).021
Death5 (19)—.051
EFS at 3 years64% ± 10%96% ± 4%.006
OS at 3 years70% ± 14%100% ± 0%.017

MC indicates monocytoid dendritic cells; PC, plasmacytoid dendritic cells; EFS, event-free survival; OS, overall survival; GVHD, graft-versus-host disease; ANC, absolute neutrophil count; TNC, total nucleated cells; NK, natural killer.

GVHD 

Eight of 52 (15%) patients who could be evaluated developed aGVHD grade (II-IV). Five of 45 patients (11%) surviving >100 days developed cGVHD. None of the subsets that were found to be a risk factor in univariate analysis retained significance for aGVHD (CD4CD45RO and CD4CD25 cell dose) and cGVHD (CD34 cell dose, day 28 activated NK and day 28 CD8CD25 cells) in a multivariate analysis. There was no association of day 28 dendritic cells with development of GVHD. Similarly, neither the graft source (BM or G-BM) or the use of ALG in the conditioning regimen had an influence on development of aGVHD and cGVHD (Table 2, Table 3).

Infections 

During the posttransplant study period 22% of patients had documented bacterial, 13% had viral, and 11% had fungal infections (proved, possible, and probable), which were microbiologically or clinically documented. Patients who received a higher than median CD34 cell dose (median = 7.3 × 106/kg) had lower incidence of bacterial (P = .003) and fungal infections (P = .005), whereas viral infections were not influenced by stem cell dose. The median time to neutrophil engraftment was not different between these groups (17 versus 16 days, P = .53). The protective effect of increasing CD34 cell dose was retained in a multivariate analysis (hazard rato [HR] = 0.3, P = .044) after adjusting for factors that had significance in univariate analysis such as patient age, high-risk group (age ≥7 and liver size ≥cm), and NK cell dose. Neither the graft source (BM versus G-BM) or the use of ALG in the conditioning regimen had an effect on post SCT infections.

Survival 

The 3-year Kaplan-Meier estimate of EFS and OS was 67% ± 6% and 78% ± 5%, respectively, at a mean follow-up of 37 months. Eleven of 63 patients (18%) died of TRM within day 100. Among the 11, 8 (73%) deaths were because of RRT, whereas 3 (27%) died of primary graft failure and secondary infections. None of the cellular subsets, either in the graft or those that reconstituted by day 28 influenced the day 100 TRM. However, the day 28 NK counts were found to be statistically significantly associated with EFS and OS when analyzed as continuous variables in a univariate analysis (P = .013 and .034, respectively). There was no significant difference in the OS and EFS between BM and G-BM stem cell source. Similarly, there was no correlation with OS and EFS among those receiving ALG versus those that did not (Table 2, Table 3).

Impact of Day 28 NK Counts on Clinical Outcomes 

The day 28 NK counts were found to be statistically significantly associated with secondary graft rejection, EFS, and OS when analyzed as continuous variables in univariate analysis (P = .044, .013, .034, respectively). None of the other lymphocyte subsets that reconstituted post-SCT at this timepoint had an impact on these clinical outcomes. Hence, a further detailed analysis was done based on the day 28 NK cell count. The median day 28 NK cell count for those who could be evaluated (52 patients) was 142 cells/μL (range: 3-718 cells/μL).

Patients were grouped based on median value for day 28 NK cells (≤142/μL) as low and the rest as high group (>142/μL) to calculate relative risk for transplantation outcomes. The low and high day 28 NK (N = 26 each) groups were comparable with regard to age, sex mismatch transplants, lucarelli class III, high risk class III, conditioning regimen, GVHD prophylaxis regimen, and graft characteristics (CD34, CD133, CD3, CD4, CD8, and NK cell dose) as shown in Table 4. However, the CD19, monocytoid cells (MC) in the graft and engraftment kinetics of CD3, CD4, CD8, and MC cells were significantly different between the 2 groups (Table 4).

Rejection 

The factors that influenced graft rejection in univariate analysis was low day 28 NK ≤142/μL (HR = 8.2, 95% CI: 1.0-66.7, P = .049) and splenectomy (HR = 46.5, 95% CI: 2.9-743, P = .007). Because only 2 patients had splenectomy, this variable was excluded for multivariate analysis. On a multivariate analysis adjusting for patient age, sex mismatch transplant, Lucarelli class, high-risk class III (age ≥ and liver size ≥5 cm), conditioning regimen, and graft sources only a low day 28 NK (≤142/μL) retained statistical significance for rejection (HR = 11.1, 95% CI: 1.14-106.81, P = .038) (Table 5).

Table 5. Multivariate Relative Risk Analysis for Secondary Graft Rejection
VariableHR (95% CI)P-Value
Patient age0.1 (0.79-1.00).108
Sex mismatch transplant1.8 (0.44-7.57).652
Graft source0.6 (0.06-6.72).713
Conditioning regimen1.3 (0.09-18.18).842
Lucarelli Class III3.2 (0.48-20.74).233
High risk (age ≥7 years and liver size ≥5 cm) [21]3.1 (0.23-43.16).396
Day 28 NK low ≤142/μL11.1 (1.14-106.81).038

HR indicates hazard ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Cumulative incidence of rejection compared by log rank test revealed that the low NK group had a significant risk for secondary graft rejections (P = .019) (Figure 4). The sensitivity and specificity for low day 28 NK count in predicting secondary rejection is 88% and 60%, respectively.

GVHD 

There was no association of day 28 NK cells with regard to development of aGVHD and cGVHD (P = .620 and .736, respectively).

Survival 

On a multivariate analysis with standard risk factors such as patient age, sex mismatch transplant, Lucarelli class, high risk class III (aged ≥7 years and liver size ≥5 cm), conditioning regimen and graft sources, only a low day 28 NK (≤142/μL) retained statistical significance for EFS (HR = 16.3, 95% CI: 1.6-161, P = .017) along with patient's age (HR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.6-1, p = .034). Survival curve analysis also showed that a low day 28 NK cell count (<142/μL) was a risk factor for EFS (P = 0.006) and OS (P = .017) as illustrated in Figure 4.

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Discussion 

The factors that influenced immune reconstitution in our analysis was similar to those that have been reported previously 28, 29, 30. Our analysis was consistent with previously reported data in which NK cells were noted to recover to normal levels within 1 to 2 months following SCT, and remained the predominant lymphoid subset in the peripheral blood regardless of transplant type, stem cell source and quantity, patient age, and occurrence of GVHD [1]. Similarly, consistent with reports in the literature, CD8+ levels recovered rapidly as their reconstitution is possibly favored by extra thymic origin, whereas CD4+ subset recovery (thymic dependent) is impaired [8]. CD45RO+ T cells are memory cells, which respond in vitro to recall antigens, whereas CD45RA+ T cells are naïve cells, recently issued from the thymus. It has been reported that children have faster recovery of CD45RA+ T cells than adults because of the potential for thymic rebound posttransplantation, and this in turn, could contribute to the reduced risk of infections in children in the posttransplant period 2, 31, 32. In this study recovery of CD4+CD45RA+ naïve T cells was slow, consistent with the pace of recovery that has been reported in the literature [1], and remained below normal levels for the period of this study (1 year), whereas CD8+CD45RA+ naïve cells normalize within the first month posttransplant. Previous reports had suggested that the younger the donor age the faster the recovery of CD4+ CD45RA+ T cells [31]. In this analysis we have also noted a similar correlation between donor age and CD4+CD45RA+ T cell recovery, with transplants involving younger donors having a faster recovery of this subset (r = .3, P = .032). Although we did notice a decreased risk for bacterial and fungal infections among patients who received a higher stem cell dose, we could not correlate this to faster CD4+CD45RA+ T cell recovery (data not shown).

Both dendritic subsets, namely, monocytoid and plasmacytoid cells, in our analysis recovered within a month following transplant, which is consistent with a previously reported data [33]. We and others have reported that in the setting of a peripheral blood SCT a low day 28 plasmacytoid dendritic cell count was associated with aGVHD and cGVHD 3, 4. In this study we were unable to demonstrate a similar effect. This could be because of the small numbers that actually developed GVHD, or it could be that low day 28 plasmacytoid DC count is not predictive of GVHD when the graft source is bone marrow. Larger studies will be required to clarify this further.

Data from this analysis suggests that in this cohort of patients, increasing the stem cell dose reduces the risk of posttransplant bacterial and fungal infections. We hypothesize that faster immunologic recovery occurs with higher CD34 cell doses, and consequently, diminishes the risk of bacterial and fungal infections as observed in a previous report [34]. However, we were not able to demonstrate a correlation in speed of recovery of any specific cellular subset in relationship to the stem cell dose. We also noted that patients in the highest quartile of the stem cell dose did not have an increased risk of aGVHD or cGVHD (data not shown). Although the number of events is few and the cohort studied small, it would still be reasonable in future to target a CD34 cell dose of 10 × 106/kg or an MNC dose of 6 × 108/kg in the graft (lower limit of the fourth quartile values of graft cell dose) in these patients. At these doses, our data would suggest that there should be a significant reduction in posttransplant bacterial and fungal infections without an increased risk of GVHD.

Studies in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mismatched transplants done in mice and humans have shown that donor NK cells target hematopoietic tissues of the host, eliminating host antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and exerting a GVL effect against leukemia [35]. A similar effect has been noted with the NK cell dose in the allograft, a higher dose of NK cell infusion being associated with a lower risk of GVHD even in matched sibling transplants [36]. Savani et al [13] have demonstrated that rapid NK cell recovery (NK >150/μL around day 30) as an independent determinant predicting less relapse and better survival after T cell-depleted matched SCT in patients with myeloid malignancies. Previously, the same group had shown that the day 30 NK cell count was a surrogate marker for rapid molecular remission in CML patients [37]. Matthes-Martin et al [38] highlighted the role of NK cells during the early posttransplant period. This group has showed a strong correlation of secondary graft rejection and detection of recipient NK cells on day 28. Our observations in this cohort of patients are consistent with some of the above reports.

Among the lymphocyte subsets at day 28, a prominent role for NK cell reconstitution was noted. Our data suggests for the first time that the absolute numbers of NK cells after allogeneic SCT for patients with β thalassemia major is a strong predictor of secondary rejection and EFS. We have noted that patients who had less than the median number of NK cells on day 28 had a higher incidence of rejection and an inferior EFS and OS. It is important to emphasize that our low and high day 28 NK patient groups (n = 26 each) were comparable with regard to recipient age, sex mismatch transplants, lucarelli Class III, and graft characteristics (CD34, CD133, CD3, CD4, CD8, and NK cell dose). However, there were differences between these 2 groups for the CD19 and monocytoid dendritic cell (MC) dose in the graft, and there were significant differences in the engraftment kinetics of CD3, CD4, CD8, and MC cells between the 2 groups; none of these differences except for a low day 28 NK cell count was associated with rejection in a multivariate analysis. Among patients who had a secondary graft rejection we attempted but failed to demonstrate a subset cellular immune reconstitution parameter beyond day 28, which could predict eventual graft rejection. A limitation of this study was that in the patients who did reject their grafts we did not have cellular subset chimerism data. Twenty-five of our patients were treated with a new Flu-based conditioning regimen that could have had an impact on rejection rates. On multivariate analysis even after adjusting for this variation in conditioning regimen low day 28 NK cell count was significantly associated with secondary graft rejection. On subset analysis a low day 28 NK cell count was significantly associated with reduced EFS and OS in patients who received either of these conditioning regimens (data not shown). Also, neither conditioning regimens were independently associated with secondary graft rejection (P = .69).

Identifying potential causes of low peripheral blood day 28 NK counts after SCT among those who reject their graft needs further investigation. We could not find any association between graft characteristics and the day 28 NK cell count nor could we identify any predictors of a low day 28 NK cell count.

Conventional risk stratification for patients with β thalassemia major is based on presence of hepatomegaly, evidence of portal fibrosis in the liver, and inadequate iron chelation therapy (Lucarelli class I, II, and III) [20]. This classification has been validated by different groups, and remains the most important prognosticator for patients with β thalassemia major undergoing an allogeneic SCT. In our study, besides the lucarelli class III status at transplantation the only other factor significantly affecting clinical outcome was the day 28 NK cell count. The day 28 NK cell count was noted to be independent of the Lucarelli risk stratification and would serve to complement it as a posttransplant parameter to stratify patient's risk of secondary rejection. Whether interventions based on the day 28 NK cell count would alter the rejection rates remains to be validated in prospective clinical trials.

In summary, this analysis confirms that immune recovery posttransplant in pediatric patients with β thalassaemia major under going a matched related myeloablative allogeneic SCT follows similar recovery kinetics as observed previously with different hematologic disorders [39]. The present study on graft and immune reconstitution characteristics has also helped better define the optimal stem cell dose that one should target, and could not find any clinically significant advantage of using G-CSF primed BM as a stem cell source. The results also suggest that a low day 28 NK cell count increases the risk for secondary graft rejection and might predict death in patients with β thalassaemia major undergoing a myeloablative matched-related allogeneic SCT. The day 28 NK cell count, a technically easy, highly reproducible and inexpensive assay, could serve as an important posttransplant prognosticator for these patients.

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Acknowledgments 

Financial disclosure: This work was supported by grants from the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, India. The authors do not have any commercial interest to declare.

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Appendix. Supplementary data 

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 Financial disclosure: See Acknowledgments on page 608.

PII: S1083-8791(09)00061-5

doi:10.1016/j.bbmt.2009.01.016

Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Volume 15, Issue 5 , Pages 597-609, May 2009

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