Efficacy of Basiliximab in the Prevention of Acute Graft-versus-host Disease in Unrelated Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Therapy for Thalassemia Major

Efficacy of Basiliximab in the Prevention of Acute Graft-versus-host Disease in Unrelated Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Therapy for Thalassemia Major

Efficacy of Basiliximab in the Prevention of Acute Graft-versus-host Disease in Unrelated Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Therapy for Thalassemia Major Treatment: a Multi-center, Open, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study

Union hospital of Fujian Medical University, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, The Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Kunming general Hospital of Chengdu Military Region

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the basiliximab for prevention of graft-versus-host disease in unrelated allo-genetic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for thalassemia major. The objective was to evaluate the effect and safety of basiliximab for acute graft-versus-host disease.

Allo-geneic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT) cure thalassemia major by destroying the original hematopoietic and immune systems with a large dose of chemotherapy, rebuilding a new system to correct the abnormal hematopoietic globin chain synthesis which leads to hemolysis. Currently, it is the only curative means. According to donors, allo-HSCT could be sibling allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and unrelated allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(URD-HSCT). URD-HSCT could expand the range of treatment among β-thalassemia major patients. As recently reported , 68 cases of thalassemia patients at the median age of 15 (2 to 37 ) received unrelated donor BMT. According to Pesaro rating classification, 14 patients were attributed to type Ⅰ, 16 cases Ⅱ type , 38 cases type III, overall survival and thalassemia free survival rates were 79.3% and 65.8%. A survey among 59 evaluable patients indicated that grade Ⅱ ~ Ⅳ aGVHD occurred in 24 cases (40%) , in which 10 cases (17%) were grade Ⅲ ~ Ⅳ aGVHD. Similar results were seen in other reports, 21 patients received unrelated donor BMT, with a 2-year thalassemia free survival rate of 71%. GVHD happened in 3 cases, and 3 patients died. Our institution has conducted a total of 10 cases of URD-HSCT to treat severe thalassemia, using methotrexate + cyclosporine A+ mycophenolate mofetil to prevent graft-versus-host disease, 9 cases of disease-free survival, 1 case with graft rejection. Incidence of Ⅲ-Ⅳ severe acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) was 20%. Severe aGVHD incidence was 20%. Our research group has found there is a high risk to develop aGVHD, especially severe aGVHD for heavy thalassemia patients who receive URD-HSCT, which seriously affects the prognosis and survival, while increasing medical costs and the financial burden on the patients' families. The key factor affecting URD-HSCT's success is GVHD. Thus effective prevention and treatment of GVHD is a prerequisite to ensure a successful transplant. CD25 is a humanized monoclonal IgG1,with murine anti-human IL-2RA chain complement determining region retained. IL-2RA chain expressed only on the surface of activated cytotoxic T cells, which could convert the IL-2R complexes into a higher affinity. The feature that IL-2RA distributes only on the surface of activated lymphocytes indicates it's a ideal target when designing the policy to scavenge antigen-specific allogeneic reactive T cells. In vitro experiments, CD25 monoclonal antibody binds specifically with IL-2RA+ cells by inhibiting IL-2 binding to its receptor competitively. Basiliximab has now been used as first-line medication for aGVHD treatment, as well as the combined prevention of hematologic malignancies URD-HSCT treatment . However as for thalassemia major URD-HSCT, few cases have been reported. This study was aimed at the high incidence of aGVHD, especially severe aGVHD in thalassemia major URD-HSCT. Basiliximab was added to the original prevention program. The aGVHD incidence, implantation rate, transplant-related mortality, infection incidence would be observed. It is hopeful to reduce the aGVHD incidence after URD-HSCT and promote curative effect.

The patients were used cycloaporine A:2mg/kg combined with methotrexate 15mg/m2 +1d，10mg/m2 +3,+6,+11d,mycophenolate mofetil: 0.25g/d, -1d to 90d and basiliximab: 10mg each time, 0d and +4 d for prevention of graft-versus-host-disease.

The patients were used cyclosporine A 2mg/kg,methotrexate,15mg/m2 +1d，10mg/m2 +3,+6,+11d,mycophenolate mofetil: 0.25g/d, -1d to 90d for prevention of graft-versus-host-disease.

Specifically cyclosporine A was used by intravenous drip infusion on 2mg/kg dosage from -1d and change to 5mg/kg twice oral when gastrointestinal function recovers. The blood concentrations of cyclosporine A was maintained 150-250ng/ml.

Methotrexate was used 15mg/m2 on +1d and 10mg/m2 on +3,+6,+11d by intravenous for prevention of graft-versus-host-disease.

Mycophenolate mofetil was used 0.25g qd from 0d to 3 months for prevention of graft-versus-host-disease.

Inclusion Criteria: Age: 2 to 18 years old Gender: Male or female Thalassemia major Donor and recipient sides 10/10 consistency Unrelated allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation In good general condition , ECOG score ≤ 1 Normal heart function: ejection fraction ≥ 50% Normal liver and renal function: Serum bilirubin ≤ 35μmol / L, AST / ALT less than 2 times the upper limit , serum creatinine under 2 times the upper limit Enrolled subjects or their families signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria: severe infection uncontrolled before transplantation severe allergic on Basiliximab (anaphylactic shock or laryngeal edema) sibling allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation Cardiac dysfunction (ejection fraction <50%) Renal insufficiency (serum creatinine> 130umol / L) Hepatic dysfunction (total bilirubin> 34umol / L, ALT, AST> 2 times the upper limit of normal) Previously history of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation Other circumstances which do not meet the inclusion criteria

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