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Abstract Abstract 3009FN2 Objective: To determine toxicity and efficacy of adding fludarabine (FLU) to a regimen of total body irradiation (TBI), anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclophosphamide (CY), with de-escalation of the CY dose. The goal is to minimize CY-related toxicities while preserving (or improving) engraftment and survival in patients with SAA receiving an unrelated donor marrow transplant. Patients and Methods: Since May 2006, the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN), sponsored by the NHLBI and NCI, has conducted a prospective Phase I/II clinical trial of unrelated donor marrow transplantation in SAA (BMT CTN 0301). Patients with SAA are eligible if they are < 65 years, have adequate organ function, and have an available unrelated marrow donor matched 7 of 8 HLA-A, B, C, DRB1 loci. Patients with Fanconi anemia and other marrow failure syndromes are excluded. All patients receive TBI 200 cGy, ATG (either thymoglobulin: 3 mg/kg IV or ATGAM 30 mg/kg IV daily × 3, days –4 to –2), FLU (30 mg/m2 IV daily × 4, days –5 to –2). The Phase I portion of the trial sequentially tested four CY dose levels: 150 mg/kg (administered days –4 to –2); 100 mg/kg (days –3 to –2); 50 mg/kg (day –2); and, 0 mg/kg, and allowed enrollment of up to six patients at each CY dose level unless toxicity or graft failure boundaries were crossed. In the Phase II portion of the trial, patients enroll onto the optimal CY dose level, which is chosen using adaptive Bayesian criteria to rank desirability of the CY doses. All patients are followed for two years after transplantation. Early stopping guidelines are used to monitor for graft failure and early transplant-related mortality through day 100. Results: Twenty-one patients accrued to the Phase I portion of the trial. CY dose level 0 mg/kg was closed after all three enrolled patients developed secondary graft failure. All received a second allograft. One patient remains alive at 23 months after the first transplantation. The other two died from adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) at 114 days after the first transplant and idiopathic pneumonia at 200 days after the first transplant. Review of Phase I results for the other three dose levels suggested CY dose 150 mg/kg as the optimal dose level for Phase II testing. However, after an additional eight patients were treated at this dose, the level was closed to further accrual because of excess toxicity. Seven of the 14 patients receiving 150 mg/kg of CY (and 7 of the last 8 enrolled) died. Causes of death were cardiac/pulmonary/multi-organ failure (n=4), ARDS (n=2), and parainfluenza virus type 3 pneumonia (n=1). Bayesian evaluation of the two remaining dose levels indicates very similar desirability scores and accrual continues at both the CY 100 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg levels. As of July 15, 2011, a total of 61 patients have been enrolled, 17 on the two closed levels, 33 on the 100 mg/kg level and 11 on the 50 mg/kg level. Conclusions: Early analysis of this trial, made necessary by these unexpected severe adverse events, revealed two important findings among patients receiving low-dose TBI, ATG, and FLU at the doses outlined: 1) CY dose 0 mg/kg is associated with higher than expected graft failure; and, 2) CY dose 150 mg/kg is associated with excess transplant-related toxicity. Neither CY dose level should be tested further in the context of the regimen used in this trial. To date, the two intermediate CY dose levels (100 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) have not crossed the graft failure or fatality stopping boundaries and accrual is in progress. Disclosures: Pulsipher: Genzyme: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Abstract Abstract 4332 Background: Hemolytic anemia caused by the passive transfer of isoagglutinins, typically anti-A or anti-B antibodies, is a rare and likely under-recognized complication of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. The Immunohematology Reference Laboratory at Mayo Clinic Rochester has detected 12 cases of passively acquired isoagglutinins following IVIG administration during the first seven months of this calendar year (January-July 2011). This frequency of detection is much higher than that seen over the three prior calendar years, when only two cases were detected. Given this “cluster” of isoagglutinin detection, we analyzed these 12 cases to determine the clinical significance of this finding as well as characteristics of resulting cases of hemolytic anemia. Materials/Methods: Charts of patients identified as having passively acquired isoagglutinins following IVIG therapy were analyzed for evidence of a significant drop in hemoglobin (defined as >1 g/dL) as well as evidence of hemolysis (elevated lactate dehydrogenase, reticulocytosis, spherocytosis, decreased haptoglobin, indirect hyperbilirubinemia, hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria). Cases with a >1 g/dL drop in hemoglobin and two or more of the above findings consistent with hemolysis were considered “confirmed” cases. Those with passively acquired isoagglutinins but without evidence of hemolysis or with an alternative explanation for anemia were considered “asymptomatic”, and cases without a full hemolytic evaluation but still clinically suspicious were categorized as “suspected” cases. Results: Passively acquired isoagglutinins were detected in 11 patients following 12 separate treatments with IVIG (one patient had antibodies noted after two separate treatment episodes >3 weeks apart). Four of these 12 cases were categorized as “confirmed” cases, five as “suspected” and three as “asymptomatic”. The indication for IVIG use was a neurologic disorder in three of the four confirmed cases, with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) being the indication in the other case. In suspected cases, ITP was the indication in four of the five cases, with the fifth patient carrying a diagnosis of Kawasaki’s disease. During the 7 month period reviewed, 250 unique patients were treated with IVIG, meaning 1.6% of patients (4/250) had confirmed IVIG-associated hemolytic anemia and another 1.6% (4 patients; 5 events) had suspected hemolytic anemia during this period. The mean decrease in hemoglobin was 4.1 g/dL in confirmed cases (range 1.3–7.1 g/dL) and 2.7 g/dL in suspected cases (range 1.7–4.2 g/dL). Eight of nine patients reviewed had blood type A positive; the other was B positive. The median time from initiation of therapy to hemoglobin nadir was eight days in confirmed and three days in suspected cases. The mean dose of IVIG administered in confirmed cases was 300 g (range 180–400 g) and was 162 g (range 50–300 g) in suspected cases. Red cell transfusion was required in three of the four confirmed cases. Privigen™ was the IVIG product utilized in all four confirmed and the first three suspected cases. After removal of Privigen™ from the Mayo Clinic formulary given concerns regarding these cases, two suspected cases of IVIG-associated hemolytic anemia occurred with Gamunex-C™, including one in a patient who previously suffered confirmed hemolysis after receipt of Privigen™. Conclusions: Hemolytic anemia is a rare complication of therapy with IVIG. The rate of hemolytic anemia following IVIG administration over the evaluated period is consistent with previous reports, but it should be noted that these cases were detected without the aid of an active surveillance policy, indicating the actual rate of hemolytic anemia associated with IVIG use was likely greater than that detected by this review. Our series suggests that those with blood type A may be at increased risk for this complication; further work is ongoing to better define risk factors for development of this potentially significant complication of IVIG therapy. Disclosures: Off Label Use: IVIG use in various off-label indications.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Non-hereditary hemolytic anemia of unknown etiology after an exhaustive work-up is commonly known as direct antiglobulin test (DAT)-negative hemolytic anemia. Due to its rarity, limited data are available regarding this condition. We performed this retrospective study to determine the frequency, associated medical conditions, treatments used, and clinical outcome of patients with DAT- negative hemolytic anemia. METHODS: We included adult (age >18 years) patients with DAT-negative hemolytic anemia seen at Mayo Clinic from 1997-2015 who met all of the following criteria: a) hemoglobin (Hb)< 12 g/dL; b) presence of hemolysis (reticulocytosis, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, decreased haptoglobin, and/or elevated indirect bilirubin); c) DAT-negative; and d) unknown etiology of hemolytic anemia after extensive work-up appropriate for clinical context. Remission status after appropriate therapy for perceived hemolysis was defined as follows: a) complete remission (CR; Hb ≥12g/dL and normalization of at least one previously abnormal hemolytic marker); b) partial remission (PR; Hb: 10-11.9 g/dL with evidence of ongoing hemolysis); c) no remission (NR; neither CR nor PR). In order to calculate the relative frequency of DAT-negative hemolytic anemia, we also determined the number of DAT-positive hemolytic anemia cases during the same time period using the above criteria for hemolytic anemia. RESULTS: During the 19-year study period, 24 and 484 patients were diagnosed with DAT- negative and DAT-positive hemolytic anemia, respectively, a ratio of 1:20. Among those with DAT-negative hemolytic anemia, the majority were males (67%) and the median age at diagnosis was 70 years (range, 22-87). Six patients (25%) had pre-existing autoimmune conditions including immune thrombocytopenia (n=3), Crohn's disease (n=2), and Grave's disease (n=1). All patients had negative DAT by conventional method with one patient turning positive at 104 days after initial diagnosis. Enhanced DAT technique using 4°C low-ionic strength saline wash was performed in one case and was negative. In general, peripheral blood smear showed polychromasia, occasional spherocytes, and no schistocytes or bite cells. Additional work-ups performed based on clinical context and proportion of patients tested (all results negative or normal) were as follows: hemoglobin electrophoresis (54%), flow cytometry for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (92%), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase level (67%), osmotic fragility test/eosin-5'-maleimide stain for hereditary spherocytosis (54%), other red blood cell enzymes (46%), computed tomographic scan of the body to look for occult malignancy (46%), and bone marrow biopsy (50%). The median hemoglobin at diagnosis was 8.5 g/dL (range, 4.5-11.8). Fourteen patients (58.3%) required blood transfusion during the course of their disease. Sixteen patients (67%) received prednisone as initial therapy with 19% CR and 38% PR response rates. Subsequent therapies included: rituximab (n=6; 40% PR), cyclophosphamide (n=2; 100% NR), mycophenolate mofetil (n=1; 100% NR), intravenous immunoglobulin (n=2; 100% NR), and splenectomy (n=6; 50% CR and 33.3% PR), respectively. The median follow-up for all cases was 32.9 months (range, 2-433). Six patients (25%) developed hematologic malignancies after a median follow-up of 8.7 months (range, 0.7-29.3), which included primary myelofibrosis (n=2), myelodysplastic syndrome (n=1), mantle cell lymphoma (n=1), non-Hodgkin lymphoma-not otherwise specified (n=1), and T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (n=1). At last follow-up, 9 patients (38%) were in CR and 8 (33%) in PR. Relapses occurred in 67% and 0% of patients who received prednisone and splenectomy, respectively. CONCLUSION: At our institution, DAT-negative hemolytic anemia was approximately 20 times less common than DAT-positive hemolytic anemia. Most patients were treated with either immunosuppressive agents with or without splenectomy. Splenectomy was the most effective treatment. At least a quarter of the patients were eventually diagnosed with hematologic malignancies mostly within a year of DAT-negative hemolytic anemia diagnosis. Routine upfront evaluation for hematologic malignancies might be necessary for these patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Background: Little data exists on the incidence rate of transfusion reactions and red cell antibody formation following allogeneic (allo) hematopoietic progenitor cell transplant (HPCT) recipients. Study Design and Methods: Consecutive related and unrelated Allogeneic HPCTs from 2006 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed regardless of graft source. Allo HPCT recipients were analyzed as a whole as well as divided into ABO compatibility groups of identical, minor mismatch, and major/bidirectional mismatch. Transfusions, transfusion reactions and antibodies were analyzed for the first year post-transplant while survival was recorded throughout the available follow-up period. Results: During the study period, 573 patients ranging in age from 0.6 to 72 years underwent first allo HPCT for various malignant and non-malignant etiologies: 278 acute leukemias, 89 lymphomas, 40 multiple myelomas, 134 other hematologic malignancies, 32 non-neoplastic etiologies. Of these, 52% underwent myeloablative conditioning and 48% reduced intensity conditioning. Transfusion reactions were reported in 93 of the 573 allo HPCT recipients. The incidence rate of transfusion reactions per 10,000 transfusion episodes was 45.54 in the ABO identical, 61.28 in the minor mismatch, and 29.95 in the major mismatch groups (p=0.04). The most common reaction type reported in all groups was allergic followed by febrile non-hemolytic, transfusion associated circulatory overload, and delayed hemolytic or serologic reactions. No acute hemolytic, transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI), post transfusion purpura, transfusion associated graft-versus-host disease, or transfusion associated sepsis reactions were reported. A total of 43 unique patients(7.5%) developed new antibodies post-transplant: 16 allo HPCT recipients developed clinically significant antibodies, 17 developed clinically insignificant antibodies, and 17 developed auto antibodies post-transplant. Including those patients with pre-transplant antibodies the overall prevalence of red blood cell antibodies was 14.5%. See Table 1 for incidence rate for forming new rbc antibodies post-transplant. Table 1. New RBC Antibody Formation Incidence Rate Post-Transplant ABO Compatibility Group Clinically Significant Antibody Incidence /10,000 RBC Transfusions Clinically Insignificant Antibody Incidence/ 10,000 RBC Transfusions, Auto Antibody Incidence/10,000 RBC Transfusions Total Antibody Incidence/10,000 RBC Transfusions Identical 39.33 16.85 39.33 95.51 Minor Mismatch 35.87 57.39 43.04 136.30 Major Mismatch 8.34 16.67 8.34 33.35 A statistically significant difference (p=0.001) was seen in total antibody incidence when comparing the ABO compatibility groups. The most common, clinically significant allo antibodies formed were Anti-E, Anti-Jka, Anti-A1, Anti-K, Anti-D, and Anti-C. Survival of allo HPCT recipients as a whole was not statistically different for those who formed new rbc antibodies post-transplant following adjustment for ABO compatibility, age at transplant, diagnosis, graft source, and pre-transplant rbc infusions (p=0.068). Allo HPCT recipients that formed new rbc antibodies were not shown to have prolonged engraftment. Engraftment, neutrophils (ANC) and platelets (PLT), were not statistically different (p=0.34 ANC; p=0.20 PLT) when comparing all allo HPCT recipients to those who formed a new rbc antibody. Conclusion: Transfusion reaction and rbc antibody incidence rates were higher in the ABO minor mismatch when compared to the ABO identical and ABO major mismatch groups. The reaction etiology (predominantly antibody mediated) and the formation of new antibodies indicates a surprisingly active humoral immune system. The overall prevalence of antibody formation is likely affected by high exposure to transfusions. Development of a new rbc antibody did not affect engraftment or survival outcomes. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

BACKGROUNDRecipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are among the highest consumers of allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) components. The impact of patient blood management (PBM) efforts on HSCT recipients is poorly understood.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThis observational study assessed changes in blood product use and patient‐centered outcomes before and after implementing a multidisciplinary PBM program for patients undergoing HSCT at a large academic medical center. The pre‐PBM cohort was treated from January 1 through September 31, 2013; the post‐PBM cohort was treated from January 1 through September 31, 2015.RESULTSWe identified 708 patients; 284 of 352 (80.7%) in the pre‐PBM group and 225 of 356 (63.2%) in the post‐PBM group received allogeneic RBCs (p < 0.001). Median (interquartile range [IQR]) RBC volumes were higher before PBM than after PBM (3 [2‐4] units vs. 2 [1‐4] units; p = 0.004). A total of 259 of 284 pre‐PBM patients (91.2%) and 57 of 225 (25.3%) post‐PBM patients received RBC transfusions when hemoglobin levels were more than 7 g/dL (p < 0.001). The median (IQR) PLT transfusion quantities was 3 (2‐5) units for pre‐PBM patients and 2 (1‐4) units for post‐PBM patients (p < 0.001). For patients with PLT counts of more than 10 × 109/L, a total of 1219 PLT units (73.4%) were transfused before PBM and 691 units (48.8%) were transfused after PBM (p < 0.001). Estimated transfusion expenditures were reduced by $617,152 (18.3%). We noted no differences in clinical outcomes or transfusion‐related adverse events.CONCLUSIONPatient blood management implementation for HSCT recipients was associated with marked reductions in allogeneic RBC and PLT transfusions and decreased transfusion‐related costs with no detrimental impact on clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUNDABO‐incompatible platelet transfusions are common, and transfusions with ABO‐incompatible plasma are increasing with the use of group A plasma and group O whole blood (WB) in emergencies. Many centers screen blood products for anti‐A and/or anti‐B titers to help prevent hemolysis from ABO‐incompatible transfusions, yet titer methods and definition of high titers are not standardized.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThis international multicenter study collected data on anti‐A and anti‐B titer practices for plasma, apheresis platelet (AP), and WB units from January 2015 through December 2017 to determine the prevalence of high‐titer units using local definitions.RESULTSA total of 87,701 plasma, AP and WB units were screened for high‐titer anti‐A and/or anti‐B. High‐titer detection rates for group A plasma ranged 0%–13.6%; group A AP 2.7%–9.3%; group O AP 2.3%–65.7%; and group O WB 6.4%–20.7%. At the one center that collected group B AP, the high‐titer rate was 10.9%. High‐titer rates varied from month to month, as well as between years for a given month. There was no clear pattern of when high‐titer units were donated.CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of high‐titer plasma, AP, and WB units varies by titer method and local definition of high titer. Even at the lowest titer threshold of 50, a significant proportion of units had a high‐titer antibody, although the clinical relevance of this finding needs further investigation.

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveThe main purpose of treatment in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is symptom palliation. Currently, patients undergo repeat thoracenteses prior to receiving a definitive procedure as clinicians are not aware of the risk factors associated with fluid recurrence. The primary objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with recurrent symptomatic MPE.MethodsRetrospective multicentre cohort study of patients who underwent first thoracentesis was performed. The primary outcome was time to fluid recurrence requiring intervention in patients with evidence of metastatic disease. We used a cause‐specific hazard model to identify risk factors associated with fluid recurrence. We also developed a predictive model, utilizing Fine–Gray subdistribution hazard model, and externally validated the model.ResultsA total of 988 patients with diagnosed metastatic disease were included. Cumulative incidence of recurrence was high with 30% of patients recurring by day 15. On multivariate analysis, size of the effusion on chest X‐ray (up to the top of the cardiac silhouette (hazard ratio (HR): 1.84, 95% CI: 1.21–2.80, P = 0.004) and above the cardiac silhouette (HR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.43–3.46, P = 0.0004)), larger amount of pleural fluid drained (HR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04–1.07, P < 0.0001) and higher pleural fluid LDH (HR: 1.008, 95% CI: 1.004–1.011, P < 0.0001) were associated with increased hazard of recurrence. Negative cytology (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.43–0.64, P < 0.0001) was associated with decreased hazard of recurrence. The model had low prediction accuracy.ConclusionPleural effusion size, amount of pleural fluid drained, LDH and pleural fluid cytology were found to be risk factors for recurrence.

AbstractObjectiveHLA‐DPB1 matching may impact allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) outcomes; however, this locus is not in linkage disequilibrium with the remainder of the HLA genes. After classifying HLA‐DPB1 mismatches based on T‐cell epitope, avoiding non‐permissive mismatches may impact survival. We tested this hypothesis at a single academic institution.MethodsRetrospective HLA‐DPB1 genotyping was performed on 153 adult patients who underwent ASCT and unrelated donors matched for HLA‐A, B, C, DRB1, and DQB1 loci (10/10). Using the ImMunoGeneTics/HLA T‐cell epitope matching algorithm, mismatch status was classified as permissive or non‐permissive.ResultsOf 153 donor‐recipient pairs, 22 (14.4%) were HLA‐DPB1 matches, 64 (42.8%) permissive mismatches, and 67 (43.8%) non‐permissive mismatches. DPB1 mismatch increased risk of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGVHD; RR 2.89 [1.19‐9.53], P=.016) compared with DPB1‐matched transplants, but there were no differences in overall mortality, risk of relapse, or acute GVHD (aGVHD). Combining matches and permissive mismatches and comparing to non‐permissive mismatches, there was no significant difference in overall survival or relapse; however, patients receiving non‐permissive mismatched transplants experienced greater risk of aGVHD overall and severe aGVHD (RR 1.66 [1.13‐2.44], P=.010 and RR 1.97 [1.10‐3.59], P=.024, respectively).ConclusionIn this single‐center study, HLA‐DPB1 matching influenced outcomes of patients undergoing ASCT for hematologic malignancy.

BACKGROUNDABO incompatibility is not a contraindication to hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), but it has been associated with additional risks including delayed engraftment, pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), and higher transfusion needs. Data on these events and on patient survival after reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) HCT are limited.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSA total of 127 consecutive patients, 86 with acute myeloid leukemia and 41 with myelodysplastic syndromes, who underwent HLA‐matched peripheral blood RIC allogenic HCT between 2005 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTSEighty ABO‐compatible, 26 major/bidirectional, and 21 minor‐ABO‐mismatch HCT were identified. Compared to the ABO‐compatible group, major/bidirectional mismatches had increased red blood cell (RBC) transfusion requirement during the first 100 days (p = 0.009), delayed RBC and PLT engraftment (p = 0.0011 and p = 0.005, respectively), and higher incidence of grade II to IV acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD; p = 0.037). In multivariable analysis, major/bidirectional mismatches had significantly higher non‐relapse mortality (NRM) and inferior disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with ABO‐compatible patients (p = 0.01, p = 0.04, and p = 0.035, respectively). Minor ABO mismatch had no impact on survival (p = 0.99). Four (15%) of 26 major/bidirectional mismatches developed PRCA. There was a significant association between fludarabine plus busulfan conditioning and PRCA (p = 0.0046).CONCLUSIONMajor/bidirectional ABO mismatch is associated with higher NRM and shortened DFS and OS in the setting of RIC HCT. Increased transfusion need, delayed RBC and platelet engraftment, PRCA, and increased severity of aGVHD are additional complications contributing to the morbidity.