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Ballen, Karen K.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1706-3975

Mayo Clinic

University of Virginia Health System

Citations 16

Obesity Does Not Preclude Safe and Effective Myeloablative Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT) for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Adults
Navarro, Willis H. , Logan, Brent R. , Bacigalupo, Andrea , Ballen, Karen K. , Bolwell, Brian J., Frangoul, Haydar , Hahn, Theresa , Litzow, Mark R. , Moreb, Jan S. , Marks, David I. , Rizzo, J. Douglas , Agovi, Afiba Manza‐A. , Gupta, Vikas , Juckett, Mark , Lazarus, Hillard M. , Liesveld, Jane L. , McCarthy, Philip L.

Blood | April 18, 2020 | Volume: 112 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 51-51

10.1182/blood.v112.11.51.51 Get It

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Obesity is increasingly common in the US and is frequently associated with co-morbid medical conditions that may increase the risk of HCT, often the optimal treatment for AML. HCT risk and outcomes for AML on the basis of body mass index (BMI) have not been well-characterized. Using data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), we have previously shown no significant difference in outcomes for autologous HCT for lymphoma among normal weight, overweight, and obese patients (pts) but worse outcomes for underweight pts (Navarro et al, BBMT 2006, 12(5): 541–51). Here, we compare outcomes by weight groups for AML patients who underwent autologous, related, or unrelated HCT. METHODS: Our final population included patients age ≥ 18 who underwent myeloablative unpurged autologous or allogeneic HCT for AML in 1st or 2nd complete remission, primary induction failure, or 1st relapse reported to the CIBMTR from 1995 to 2004. Cord blood HCTs were excluded. Four weight groups were defined based on BMI (BMI=weight (kg)/ height (m2)): underweight <18; normal=18–25; overweight >25–30; and obese >30. Treatment-related mortality (TRM), relapse, leukemia-free survival (LFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared using multivariable proportional hazards regression analysis accounting for patient, disease and HCT-related variables. RESULTS: We included 373 autologous, 2041 related, and 1801 unrelated transplant recipients. Patient-, disease-, and transplant characteristics were well-matched across weight groups and transplant types. Multivariable analysis examining risks (95% confidence intervals) relative to the normal weight group are: HCT Type Normal Underweight Overweight Obese -- =not done due to insufficient number of pts; NS=not significant; treatment failure = death or recurrence of disease. Autologous n=164 n=5 n=112 n=81 Death -- NS NS Treatment failure -- NS NS Relapse -- NS NS TRM -- NS NS Related Allogeneic n=1161 n=31 n=543 n=268 Death 1.86 (1.24–2.78) NS 1.23 (1.04–1.47) Treatment failure 2.08 (1.37–3.15) NS 1.19 (1.00–1.42) Relapse 2.02 (1.18–3.47) NS NS TRM 2.22 (1.17–4.22) NS 1.32 (1.02–1.70) Unrelated Allogeneic n=846 n=31 n=523 n=368 Death NS NS NS Treatment failure NS NS NS Relapse NS 0.82 (0.68–0.99) 0.76 (0.60–0.96) TRM NS NS NS CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in risk of TRM, LFS, relapse or OS for normal weight, overweight or obese patient groups who received autologous HCT. Obese recipients of related HCT for AML had increased risk of death, treatment failure, and TRM, though the magnitude was small, an effect was not seen in the unrelated HCT group. Underweight patients who received a related, but not unrelated HCT, fared substantially worse than normal weight patients for all outcomes. It may be that the higher risk of the unrelated HCT procedure masks important but less obvious risks associated with being underweight whereas in the related donor HCT setting, such risks become manifest. Small numbers of patients limit the ability to better characterize this finding in underweight patients. Disproportionately, fewer transplants have been reported in underweight patients which suggest they experience disease and patient-related factors that preclude transplantation. No differences were observed for incidence of acute or chronic GVHD for any weight group. Overweight and obesity should not be a barrier to HCT; however, caution should be exercised in selecting underweight patients for HCT.
Survival Advantage to Allogeneic Transplant in Patients with Myelofibrosis with Intermediate-1 or Higher DIPSS Score
Gowin, Krisstina , Ballen, Karen K. , Ahn, Kwang Woo , Hu, Zhen‐Huan , Liu, Ying , Coakley, Maria , Jain, Tania , Wadleigh, Martha , Patches, Sarah, Arcasoy, Murat O. , Kandarpa, Malathi , Ali, Haris , Devlin, Rebecca, Michaelis, Laura C. , Stein, Brady L. , Pariser, Ashley, Kuber, Kierstin, Rampal, Raajit K. , Alyea, Edwin P. , Sobecks, Ronald , Scott, Bart L. , Saber, Wael , Jain, Tania , Masárová, Lucia , Verstovšek, Srđan , Kuykendall, Andrew , Komrokji, Rami S. , Green, Michael, Talpaz, Moshe , Gupta, Vikas , Hobbs, Gabriela , Gerds, Aaron T. , Popat, Uday R , Mesa, Ruben A.

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 132 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4288-4288

10.1182/blood-2018-99-119002 Get It

Abstract Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is the only curative therapy for myelofibrosis (MF). Consideration of HCT is recommended by international working groups and national guidelines for MF patients (pts) age <70 with intermediate-1 with adverse indicators, intermediate-2 or high-risk disease by the Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS) for MF- a recommendation made in the absence of clear data indicating the optimal timing of HCT for MF. In this large multicenter retrospective study, we analyze overall survival in MF pts treated with and without HCT. Methods: Disease characteristics, treatments, and outcome data from MF pts receiving non-transplant therapy at 14 US academic medical centers between 2000-2014 were retrospectively collected. MF pts who underwent HCT were identified from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR). The Cox proportional hazards model was used. The reference time point (time zero) was time of referral for the non-transplant (non-HCT) arm and the time of transplant for the HCT arm. The main effect variable (HCT vs. non-HCT) violated the proportionality assumption where comparing to non-HCT, mortality was higher with HCT in early time period from time zero but then was lower in late time period; therefore, the comparison is presented as early time period and late time period. The Cox model identified 14 months from time zero as the ideal cut point to define early and late time periods. The proportionality assumption is satisfied within each of these two periods. Results: A total of 1377 and 551 pts were included in the non-HCT and HCT arms, respectively (Table 1). In the overall cohort, survival was higher with non-HCT vs. HCT in early time period (relative risk [RR]: 0.34, P< .0001, Figure 1D), but in late time period survival was lower with non-HCT vs. HCT (RR: 2.37, P< 0.001) (Table 2). In the DIPSS low-risk MF group, while survival was higher with non-HCT vs. HCT in the early time period (RR: 0.19, P=0.007, Figure 1A), survival was lower with non-HCT in the late time period, but the latter did not reach statistical significance (RR: 1.45, P=0.39). In the DIPSS intermediate-1 risk group, a survival advantage was present with non-HCT treatments vs. HCT in the early time period (RR: 0.27, P < .0001, Figure 1B), however survival was lower with non-HCT in the late time period (RR: 3.13, P < .0001). Similarly, in those with DIPSS intermediate-2 and high-risk MF, survival advantage was observed with non-HCT in the early time period (RR: 0.41, P< .0001, Figure IC), but survival was lower with non-HCT in the late time period (RR: 2.82, P < .0001). Conclusion: A long-term survival advantage with transplant was observed for pts with intermediate-1 or higher risk MF, but at the cost of potential early mortality. The magnitude of benefit increased as DIPSS risk score increased. Although this retrospective study has limitations, the results have an impact on clinical practice by suggesting that transplantation could be considered earlier in the disease course and supports the recommendation for consideration of HCT in the setting of intermediate-1 risk MF. Disclosures Gowin: Incyte: Consultancy, Other: Scientific Advisory Board, Speakers Bureau. Verstovsek:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ali:Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Gupta:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Gerds:Celgene: Consultancy; Apexx Oncology: Consultancy; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy.
Lost to Follow-up Rates Are Higher in Pediatric Than Adult Survivors, but Not By Transplant Type: A Report from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research
Buchbinder, David , Brazauskas, Ruta , Bo-Subait, Khalid, Ballen, Karen K. , Hahn, Theresa , John, Tami , Hashmi, Shahrukh K. , Khera, Nandita , Saber, Wael , Parsons, Susan K. , Wood, William A.

Blood | October 14, 2019 | Volume: 132 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2260-2260

10.1182/blood-2018-99-116531 Get It

Abstract Introduction Follow-up is an integral part of hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) care which ensures accurate characterization of HCT-related outcomes as well as surveillance and intervention for complications. Despite the importance of follow-up of all HCT recipients at transplant centers, they may be lost to follow-up (LTFU). HCT recipients who are LTFU may be demographically or clinically distinct from HCT recipients who maintain regular center follow-up. Using population-based data from 17,550 adult and 4,279 pediatric HCT recipients from United States centers reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), we characterize the incidence of, and predictors for, becoming LTFU. Methods The study included 2-year (yr) survivors of first allogeneic (10,367 adults and 3,865 children) or autologous (7,183 adults and 414 children) HCT for malignant and non-malignant disorders in the United States from 2002-2013 reported to the CIBMTR. LTFU was defined as a patient having missed 2 consecutive follow-up reporting periods. CIBMTR follow-up forms are collected annually for the first 6 yrs post-HCT and bi-annually thereafter. The cumulative incidence of LTFU HCT recipients was calculated. Marginal Cox models allowing adjustment for center effect were fit to evaluate risk factors for becoming LTFU among adults and pediatric allogeneic and autologous HCT survivors. Risk factors evaluated included: sociodemographic (age at HCT, sex, performance status, race, distance to center, income, health insurance, marital status) and disease/HCT-related (disease type, yr of HCT) factors. Results Among 2-yr allogeneic HCT survivors, the median age at the time of HCT was 49 yrs (range, 18-81) and 7 yrs (range, <1-18) for adult and pediatric recipients, respectively. Corresponding median follow-up was 75 months (mos) (range, 12-173) and 74 mos (range, 3-173). Health insurance coverage was public (23%) or private (64%) for adult recipients, and public (40%) or private (43%) for pediatric recipients. For 2-yr autologous HCT survivors, the median age at the time of HCT was 58 yrs (range, 18-82) and 4 yrs (range, <1-18) for the adult and pediatric recipients, respectively. Corresponding median follow-up was 76 mos (range, 3-174) and 73 mos (range, 6-173). Health insurance coverage was public (27%) or private (57%) for adult recipients, and public (48%) or private (39%) for pediatric recipients. The 10-year cumulative incidence of becoming LTFU among adult and pediatric allogeneic HCT recipients was 13% (95% CI, 12-14) and 25% (95% CI, 24-27), respectively. Among autologous HCT recipients, the 10-year cumulative incidence of becoming LTFU among adults and children was 15% (95% CI, 14-16) and 23% (95% CI, 19-28), respectively. (Figure 1) Among pediatric allogeneic HCT survivors, older age, non-white race, public or no insurance (referent: private), and earlier yr of HCT were significantly associated with increased LTFU risk. However, in adult allogeneic HCT survivors, younger age, non-malignant disease, public or no insurance (referent: private), living farther from the HCT center, and unmarried were significantly associated with higher risk of LTFU (Table 1). In pediatric autologous HCT survivors, males and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)/Hodgkin lymphoma patients (referent: central nervous system tumors) were significantly associated with higher risk of becoming LTFU (Table 1), whereas for adult autologous HCT survivors, older age and multiple myeloma (referent: NHL) were significantly associated with decreased risk of LTFU. Conclusions The incidence of LTFU is significantly higher in pediatric than adult patients, with no difference between autologous and allogeneic HCT patients, regardless of age. We identified risk factors for LTFU that differed by age and HCT donor type. A national, comprehensive, risk-based approach to long-term follow-up focusing on minimizing the attrition in high-risk groups such as adolescent and young adult-aged HCT survivors and HCT survivors with non-private health insurance is needed. Future studies incorporating patient reported outcomes may help describe reasons for lack of long-term follow-up. Collection of accurate and meaningful epidemiologic and clinical data from all survivors can help develop and refine strategies to improve long-term outcomes of this population. Disclosures Parsons: Seattle Genetics: Research Funding.
Second Unrelated Donor (URD) Transplant as a Rescue Strategy for 122 Patients with Primary Non Engraftment: Results from the CIBMTR
Schriber, Jeffrey, Agovi, Manza- A, Ballen, Karen K. , Bacigalupo, Andrea , Hale, Gregory A., Litzow, Mark R. , Marks, David I. , Giller, Roger , Isola, Luis , Bredeson, Christopher , Rizzo, J. Douglas , Gupta, Vikas , Lazarus, Hillard M. , Maziarz, Richard Thomas , Bornhäuser, Martin

Blood | October 13, 2019 | Volume: 112 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 794-794

10.1182/blood.v112.11.794.794 Get It

Abstract Few data are available on the outcomes of patients who fail to engraft following URD transplantation. We describe the results of 122 patients reported to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) between 1990 and 2005, who received a second bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB) URD transplant after failing to achieve an absolute neutrophil count of ≥ 500/mm3 without evidence of recurrent disease. Patients were transplanted for leukemia (n=83), myelodysplastic disorders (n=16), severe aplastic anemia (n=20) and other disease (n=3). The median age at first transplant was 29 years. Approximately one third were in each age range, < 20 (33%), 20–40 (37%) and >40 (29%). The initial transplant was BM in 84% of patients while 51% received BM for the subsequent transplant. One hundred ten of these patients received two transplants, 11 received three and one received 4 transplants. Twenty four used a different donor whereas 98 used the original donor for the second transplant; 28 of these used cells that had been cryopreserved at the initial transplant date. Nearly two thirds of the patients received reduced intensity conditioning or no conditioning for the second transplant. Sixty one percent had ATG as a component of their second transplant. The median interval from first transplant to second transplant was 48 (range, 18–126) days. The median nucleated cell dose was 2 × 108/kg (range, <1–23) for the first transplant and 2 × 108/kg (range, <1–50) for the second. The median follow up of survivors after second transplant was 77 (range, 2–144) months. Univariate probabilities of outcomes for these patients after second transplant were: Outcome N eval Probability (95% CI) *cumulative incidence Neutrophil engraftment* 122 @ 28 days 43 (34–52) % @100 days 48 (39–57) % 30 day mortality 122 39 (31–48) % 100 day mortality 122 75 (67–82) % Overall survival (OS) @ 1 year 122 11 (6–17) % Treatment related mortality (TRM) @ 1 year* 99 86 (79–92) % Disease free survival (DFS) @ 1 year 99 7 (2–12) % Of the 122 patients analyzed, only 10 remain alive. The most common causes of death were graft failure or rejection (33%), organ failure/interstitial pnuemoniatis (22%), infection (15%), GVHD (14%) and recurrent disease (6%). Of the 37 patients who had persistent graft failure 21 (57%) died from infectious causes. We observed no differences between patients who received a graft from the same donor vs. different donor, fresh vs. cryopreserved cells, or small initial graft size vs. large initial graft size. Patients who received a T-cell depleted graft at the time of their first transplant had significantly worse survival at 1 year after their second transplant, 4% (95% CI, 0–11) compared to those patients who had a non T-cell depleted initial graft, 16% (95 % CI, 8–25)(P = 0.02). It appears that a second salvage transplant strategy may be effective in a small group of patients, although the overall DFS at 1 year of only 7% is disappointing. To improve these results, efforts might focus on early identification and treatment of those at highest risk for non engraftment to determine whether such a strategy can alter the natural history we have described.
Increasing use of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients aged 70 years and older in the United States
Muffly, Lori , Pasquini, Marcelo C. , Martens, Michael J. , Brazauskas, Ruta , Zhu, Xiaochun , Adekola, Kehinde , Aljurf, Mahmoud , Ballen, Karen K. , Baron, Frédéric , Beitinjaneh, Amer , Cahn, Jean‐Yves, Carabasi, Mathew, Chen, Yi‐Bin , Ciurea, Stefan O. , Copelan, Edward A. , D’Souza, Anita , Edwards, John , Foran, James M. , Freytes, César O. , Fung, Henry C., Hashmi, Shahrukh K. , Hildebrandt, Gerhard , Ho, Vincent T. , Jakubowski, Ann A. , Luskin, Marlise R. , Martino, Rodrigo , Olin, Rebecca L. , Olsson, Richard F. , Pawarode, Attaphol , Peres, Edward, Rezvani, Andrew R. , Rizzieri, David A. , Schouten, Harry C. , Sabloff, Mitchell , Seftel, Matthew D. , Seo, Sachiko , Sorror, Mohamed L. , Wirk, Baldeep , Wood, William A. , Bajel, Ashish R. , Battiwalla, Minoo , Cahn, Jean‐Yves , Chhabra, Saurabh , Gale, Robert Peter , Giralt, Sergio , Lazarus, Hillard M. , Luskin, Marlise R , Maziarz, Richard Thomas , McCarthy, Philip L. , Nishihori, Taiga , Savani, Bipin N. , Szer, Jeff , Artz, Andrew , D'Souza, Anita , Olsson, Richard F , Martino, Rodrigo , Muffly, Lori , Sabloff, Mitchell , Martens, Michael J , Sorror, Mohamed , Wood, William A

Blood | July 3, 2017 | Volume: 130 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 1156-1164

10.1182/blood-2017-03-772368 Get It

Key Points Over the last decade, allogeneic HCT has been increasingly administered in the United States to adults aged 70 and older with hematologic malignancies. Allogeneic transplant outcomes were reasonable; high comorbidity and ablative conditioning regimens were associated with inferior outcomes.
Unrelated Donor Marrow Transplantation for B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia After Using Myeloablative Conditioning: Results From the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research
Pavletic, Steven Z. , Khouri, Issa F. , Haagenson, Michael , King, Roberta, Bierman, Philip J., Bishop, Michael R. , Carston, Michael J., Molina, Arturo , Copelan, Edward A. , Ringdén, Olle , Ballen, Karen K. , Weisdorf, Daniel J. , Montserrat, Emili , Anasetti, Claudio , Bishop, Michael Russell , Giralt, Sergio , Roy, Vivek , Adkins, Douglas R. , McCarthy, Philip L. , Ringden, Olov , Weisdorf, Dan

Journal of Clinical Oncology | July 26, 2005 | Volume: 23 | Issue: 24 | Pages: 5788-5794

10.1200/jco.2005.03.962 Get It

Purpose To determine the role of myeloablative conditioning and unrelated donor (URD) bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of patients with advanced B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Patients and Methods A total of 38 CLL patients received a matched URD transplant using bone marrow procured by the National Marrow Donor Program. The median age was 45 years (range, 26 to 57 years), the median time from diagnosis was 51 months, and the median number of prior chemotherapy regimens was three. Fifty-five percent of patients were chemotherapy refractory and 89% had received fludarabine. Conditioning included total-body irradiation in 92% of patients. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of methotrexate with cyclosporine or tacrolimus for 82% of patients. Results Twenty-one patients (58%) achieved complete response and six (17%) achieved partial response. Incidences of grades 2 to 4 acute GVHD were 45% at 100 days and incidences of chronic GVHD were 85% at 5 years. Eleven patients are alive and disease free at a median of 6 years (range, 3.0 to 9.0 years). Five-year overall survival, failure-free survival, disease progression rates, and treatment-related mortality (TRM) were 33%, 30%, 32%, and 38% respectively. Conclusion These data demonstrate that lasting remissions can be achieved after URD transplantation in patients with advanced CLL. High TRM suggest that myeloablative conditioning and HLA-mismatched donors should be avoided in future protocols, and it is mandatory to investigate transplant strategies with a lower morbidity and mortality, including the use of nonmyeloablative regimens.