Laura Johnston, MD

All Publications

• Increased Foxp3(+)Helios(+) Regulatory T Cells and Decreased Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease after Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation in Patients Receiving Sirolimus and RGI-2001, an Activator of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Chen, Y., Efebera, Y. A., Johnston, L., Ball, E. D., Avigan, D., Lekakis, L. J., Bachier, C. R., Martin, P., Duramad, O., Ishii, Y., Han, S., Jung, Y., Lee, D., Kunkel, L., Negrin, R. S., Bui, J. D. 2017; 23 (4): 625-634

  Abstract

  Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a central role in immune tolerance and prevention of aberrant immune responses. Several studies have suggested that the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) can be ameliorated by increasing Tregs. We have developed an approach of in vivo expansion of Tregs with RGI-2001, a novel liposomal formulation of a synthetic derivative of alpha-galactosylceramide, a naturally occurring ligand that binds to CD1 and activates and expands invariant natural killer cells. In preclinical studies, a single intravenous infusion of RGI-2001 expanded Treg and could ameliorate GVHD in a mouse model of allogeneic HCT. To explore the role of RGI-2001 in clinical HCT, we initiated a phase 2A clinical trial (n = 29), testing 2 different doses of RGI-2001 administered as a single infusion on day 0 of allogeneic HCT. RGI-2001 was well tolerated and without infusion reactions or cytokine release syndrome. A subset of patients (8 of 29, 28%) responded to RGI-2001 by inducing a markedly increased number of cells with a Treg phenotype. The Treg had a high Ki-67 index and were almost exclusively Helios(+) and Foxp3(+), indicating that their accumulation was due to expansion of natural Treg. Notably, the incidence of grade 2 to 4 GVHD in the 8 patients who responded to RGI-2001 was 12.5%, compared with 52.4% in the 21 patients who did not respond. No grade 3 or 4 GVHD was observed in the responder group, compared with a 9.5% incidence among nonresponders. Immunosuppression with sirolimus was also associated with a low incidence of GVHD, suggesting that RGI-2001 may have synergized with sirolimus to promote Treg expansion.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2017.01.069

  View details for Web of Science ID 000397364300013

• Fluticasone, Azithromycin, and Montelukast Treatment for New-Onset Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Williams, K. M., Cheng, G., Pusic, I., Jagasia, M., Burns, L., Ho, V. T., Pidala, J., Palmer, J., Johnston, L., Mayer, S., Chien, J. W., Jacobsohn, D. A., Pavletic, S. Z., Martin, P. J., Storer, B. E., Inamoto, Y., Chai, X., Flowers, M. E., Lee, S. J. 2016; 22 (4): 710-716

  Abstract

  Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is associated with high mortality. We hypothesized that inhaled fluticasone, azithromycin, and montelukast (FAM) with a brief steroid pulse could avert progression of new-onset BOS. We tested this in a phase II, single-arm, open-label, multicenter study (NCT01307462). Thirty-six patients were enrolled within 6 months of BOS diagnosis. The primary endpoint was treatment failure, defined as 10% or greater forced expiratory volume in 1 second decline at 3 months. At 3 months, 6% (2 of 36, 95% confidence interval, 1% to 19%) had treatment failure (versus 40% in historical controls, P < .001). FAM was well tolerated. Steroid dose was reduced by 50% or more at 3 months in 48% of patients who could be evaluated (n = 27). Patient-reported outcomes at 3 months were statistically significantly improved for Short-Form 36 social functioning score and mental component score, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapies emotional well-being, and Lee symptom scores in lung, skin, mouth, and the overall summary score compared to enrollment (n = 24). At 6 months, 36% had treatment failure (95% confidence interval, 21% to 54%, n = 13 of 36, with 6 documented failures, 7 missing pulmonary function tests). Overall survival was 97% (95% confidence interval, 84% to 100%) at 6 months. These data suggest that FAM was well tolerated and that treatment with FAM and steroid pulse may halt pulmonary decline in new-onset BOS in the majority of patients and permit reductions in systemic steroid exposure, which collectively may improve quality of life. However, additional treatments are needed for progressive BOS despite FAM.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2015.10.009

  View details for Web of Science ID 000373093500017

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4801753

• Intensive Care Utilization for Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Jenkins, P., Johnston, L. J., Pickham, D., Chang, B., Rizk, N., Tierney, D. K. 2015; 21 (11): 2023-2027

  Abstract

  Blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) is a potentially curative therapy for a number of malignant and nonmalignant diseases. Multiple variables, including age, comorbid conditions, disease, disease stage, prior therapies, degree of donor-recipient matching, type of transplantation, and dose intensity of the preparative regimen, affect both morbidity and mortality. Despite tremendous gains in supportive care, BMT remains a high-risk medical therapy. A critically ill BMT recipient may require transfer to an intensive care unit (ICU) and the specialized medical and nursing care that can be provided, such as mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support. Mortality for BMT recipients requiring care in an ICU is high. This paper will describe the experience of the Stanford Blood and Marrow Transplant Program in developing and implementing guidelines to maximize the benefit of intensive care for critically ill BMT recipients.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2015.07.026

  View details for Web of Science ID 000363357200024

  View details for PubMedID 26238809

• Sexuality, Menopausal Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Premenopausal Women in the First Year Following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation ONCOLOGY NURSING FORUM Tierney, D. K., Palesh, O., Johnston, L. 2015; 42 (5): 488-497

  Abstract

  To describe sexuality, menopausal symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) in premenopausal women in the first year following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). .One-year prospective longitudinal study..Stanford University Medical Center in California..63 premenopausal female recipients of HCT with a mean age of 34.5 years..Three instruments were used.Sexuality, menopausal symptoms, and QOL..At one year post-HCT, women reported absent to low desire and arousal, adequate lubrication less than half of the time, absent or rare orgasm, pain during vaginal penetration more than half the time, and dissatisfaction with overall sex life. Women also reported moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and sweating. Twenty-one women were avoiding sexual activity, and 25 women were not sexually active. Mean QOL scores significantly increased (p = 0.028) in the first year, signifying an improvement in QOL. Variables predictive of improved QOL at one year post-HCT include decreased psychosocial and physical symptoms, sexual satisfaction, and pre-HCT QOL score..One year post-HCT, women reported sexual dysfunction, sexual dissatisfaction, and menopausal symptoms, which negatively affect QOL. .Nurses and other healthcare providers working with recipients of HCT can provide anticipatory guidance on potential changes in sexuality and menopausal symptoms to facilitate adaptation by reducing discordance between expectations and new realities. .

  View details for DOI 10.1188/15.ONF.488-497

  View details for Web of Science ID 000363892900010

  View details for PubMedID 26302277

• National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Project on Criteria for Clinical Trials in Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease: V. The 2014 Ancillary Therapy and Supportive Care Working Group Report BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Carpenter, P. A., Kitko, C. L., Elad, S., Flowers, M. E., Gea-Banacloche, J. C., Halter, J. P., Hoodin, F., Johnston, L., Lawitschka, A., McDonald, G. B., Opipari, A. W., Savani, B. N., Schultz, K. R., Smith, S. R., Syrjala, K. L., Treister, N., Vogelsang, G. B., Williams, K. M., Pavletic, S. Z., Martin, P. J., Lee, S. J., Couriel, D. R. 2015; 21 (7): 1167-1187

  Abstract

  The 2006 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus paper presented recommendations by the Ancillary Therapy and Supportive Care Working Group to support clinical research trials in chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Topics covered in that inaugural effort included the prevention and management of infections and common complications of chronic GVHD, as well as recommendations for patient education and appropriate follow-up. Given the new literature that has emerged during the past 8 years, we made further organ-specific refinements to these guidelines. Minimum frequencies are suggested for monitoring key parameters relevant to chronic GVHD during systemic immunosuppressive therapy and, thereafter, referral to existing late effects consensus guidelines is advised. Using the framework of the prior consensus, the 2014 NIH recommendations are organized by organ or other relevant systems and graded according to the strength and quality of supporting evidence.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2015.03.024

  View details for Web of Science ID 000356747200005

  View details for PubMedID 25838185

• Sleep Disruption in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients: Prevalence, Severity, and Clinical Management BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Jim, H. S., Evans, B., Jeong, J. M., Gonzalez, B. D., Johnston, L., Nelson, A. M., Kesler, S., Phillips, K. M., Barata, A., Pidala, J., Palesh, O. 2014; 20 (10): 1465-1484

  Abstract

  Sleep disruption is common among hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, with over 50% of recipients experiencing sleep disruption pre-transplant, with up to 82% of patients experiencing moderate to severe sleep disruption during hospitalization for transplant and up to 43% after transplant. These rates of sleep disruption are substantially higher than what we see in the general population. Although sleep disruption can be distressing to patients and contribute to diminished quality of life, it is rarely discussed during clinical visits. The goal of the current review is to draw attention to sleep disruption and disorders (ie, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome) as a clinical problem in HCT in order to facilitate patient education, intervention, and research. We identified 35 observational studies published in the past decade that examined sleep disruption or disorders in HCT. Most studies utilized a single item measure of sleep, had small sample size, and included heterogeneous samples of patients. Six studies of the effects of psychosocial and exercise interventions on sleep in HCT have reported no significant improvements. These results highlight the need for rigorous observational and interventional studies of sleep disruption and disorders in HCT recipients..

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2014.04.010

  View details for Web of Science ID 000342117100003

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4163090

• Tacrolimus/sirolimus vs tacrolimus/methotrexate as GVHD prophylaxis after matched, related donor allogeneic HCT BLOOD Cutler, C., Logan, B., Nakamura, R., Johnston, L., Choi, S., Porter, D., Hogan, W. J., Pasquini, M., MacMillan, M. L., Hsu, J. W., Waller, E. K., Grupp, S., McCarthy, P., Wu, J., Hu, Z., Carter, S. L., Horowitz, M. M., Antin, J. H. 2014; 124 (8): 1372-1377

  Abstract

  Grades 2-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurs in approximately 35% of matched, related donor (MRD) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients. We sought to determine if the combination of tacrolimus and sirolimus (Tac/Sir) was more effective than tacrolimus and methotrexate (Tac/Mtx) in preventing acute GVHD and early mortality after allogeneic MRD HCT in a phase 3, multicenter trial. The primary end point of the trial was to compare 114-day grades 2-4 acute GVHD-free survival using an intention-to-treat analysis of 304 randomized subjects. There was no difference in the probability of day 114 grades 2-4 acute GVHD-free survival (67% vs 62%, P = .38). Grades 2-4 GVHD was similar in the Tac/Sir and Tac/Mtx arms (26% vs 34%, P = .48). Neutrophil and platelet engraftment were more rapid in the Tac/Sir arm (14 vs 16 days, P < .001; 16 vs 19 days, P = .03). Oropharyngeal mucositis was less severe in the Tac/Sir arm (peak Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale score 0.70 vs 0.96, P < .001), but otherwise toxicity was similar. Chronic GVHD, relapse-free survival, and overall survival at 2 years were no different between study arms (53% vs 45%, P = .06; 53% vs 54%, P = .77; and 59% vs 63%, P = .36). Based on similar long-term outcomes, more rapid engraftment, and less oropharyngeal mucositis, the combination of Tac/Sir is an acceptable alternative to Tac/Mtx after MRD HCT. This study was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Cancer Institute; and the trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00406393.

  View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2014-04-567164

  View details for Web of Science ID 000342761900031

  View details for PubMedID 24982504

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4141519

• Total lymphoid irradiation-antithymocyte globulin conditioning and allogeneic transplantation for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms. Biology of blood and marrow transplantation Benjamin, J., Chhabra, S., Kohrt, H. E., Lavori, P., Laport, G. G., Arai, S., Johnston, L., Miklos, D. B., Shizuru, J. A., Weng, W., Negrin, R. S., Lowsky, R. 2014; 20 (6): 837-843

  Abstract

  Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo HCT) is the only curative therapy for the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), but treatment toxicity has been a barrier to its more widespread use. The nonmyeloablative regimen of total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) and antithymocyte globulin (ATG) permits the establishment of donor hematopoiesis necessary for the graft-versus-malignancy effect and is protective against acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), but it has minimal direct cytotoxicity against myeloid diseases. We explored the use of TLI-ATG conditioning to treat 61 patients with allo HCT for MDS (n = 32), therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (n = 15), MPN (n = 9), and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (n = 5). The median age of all patients was 63 years (range, 50 to 73). The cumulative incidence of aGVHD grades II to IV was 14% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4% to 23%) and for grades III to IV, 4% (95% CI, 0 to 9%), and it did not differ between patients who received allografts from related or unrelated donors. The cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) at 100 days, 12 months, and 36 months was 0%, 7%, and 11%. Overall survival and progression-free survival were 41% (95% CI, 29% to 53%) and 35% (95% CI, 23% to 48%), respectively. The safety and tolerability of TLI-ATG, as exemplified by its low NRM, provides a foundation for further risk-adapted or prophylactic interventions to prevent disease progression.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2014.02.023

  View details for PubMedID 24607552

• Long-term outcomes after high dose therapy and autologous haematopoietic cell rescue for refractory/relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY Minn, A. Y., Riedel, E., Halpern, J., Johnston, L. J., Horning, S. J., Hoppe, R. T., Goodman, K. A. 2012; 159 (3): 329-339

  Abstract

  The standard treatment for patients with refractory or relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation with autologous haematopoietic cell rescue (AHCR). In this study, we assessed quality of life and evaluated the risk of late morbidity and mortality for HL patients who underwent AHCR. One hundred and fifty-four patients who underwent AHCR at Stanford University from 1988 to 2002 and survived ≥2 years were evaluated. Median follow-up was 10·2 years. There were 54 deaths, 34 from HL, 20 from other causes. The 10-year cumulative incidence of death from HL or other causes was 21·7% and 12·7%, respectively. Thirteen deaths were from second malignancies. The risk ratio of second malignancies was 8·0 [95% confidence interval (CI), 4·7-12·6] compared with the general population, and 3·0 (95% CI, 1·8-4·8) compared with HL patients not undergoing AHCR. The risk ratio of second malignancies was 1·5 (95% CI, 0·9-2·4) compared with HL patients receiving non-AHCR therapy. Overall quality of life did not differ from the general population, but AHCR survivors did note reduced functioning and some worse symptoms. AHCR survivors may be at increased risk of death from HL and other causes compared with the general population, but not compared with the HL population as a whole.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/bjh.12038

  View details for Web of Science ID 000309717500009

  View details for PubMedID 22966754

• Peripheral-Blood Stem Cells versus Bone Marrow from Unrelated Donors NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Anasetti, C., Logan, B. R., Lee, S. J., Waller, E. K., Weisdorf, D. J., Wingard, J. R., Cutler, C. S., Westervelt, P., Woolfrey, A., Couban, S., Ehninger, G., Johnston, L., Maziarz, R. T., Pulsipher, M. A., Porter, D. L., Mineishi, S., McCarty, J. M., Khan, S. P., Anderlini, P., Bensinger, W. I., Leitman, S. F., Rowley, S. D., Bredeson, C., Carter, S. L., Horowitz, M. M., Confer, D. L. 2012; 367 (16): 1487-1496

  Abstract

  Randomized trials have shown that the transplantation of filgrastim-mobilized peripheral-blood stem cells from HLA-identical siblings accelerates engraftment but increases the risks of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), as compared with the transplantation of bone marrow. Some studies have also shown that peripheral-blood stem cells are associated with a decreased rate of relapse and improved survival among recipients with high-risk leukemia.We conducted a phase 3, multicenter, randomized trial of transplantation of peripheral-blood stem cells versus bone marrow from unrelated donors to compare 2-year survival probabilities with the use of an intention-to-treat analysis. Between March 2004 and September 2009, we enrolled 551 patients at 48 centers. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to peripheral-blood stem-cell or bone marrow transplantation, stratified according to transplantation center and disease risk. The median follow-up of surviving patients was 36 months (interquartile range, 30 to 37).The overall survival rate at 2 years in the peripheral-blood group was 51% (95% confidence interval [CI], 45 to 57), as compared with 46% (95% CI, 40 to 52) in the bone marrow group (P=0.29), with an absolute difference of 5 percentage points (95% CI, -3 to 14). The overall incidence of graft failure in the peripheral-blood group was 3% (95% CI, 1 to 5), versus 9% (95% CI, 6 to 13) in the bone marrow group (P=0.002). The incidence of chronic GVHD at 2 years in the peripheral-blood group was 53% (95% CI, 45 to 61), as compared with 41% (95% CI, 34 to 48) in the bone marrow group (P=0.01). There were no significant between-group differences in the incidence of acute GVHD or relapse.We did not detect significant survival differences between peripheral-blood stem-cell and bone marrow transplantation from unrelated donors. Exploratory analyses of secondary end points indicated that peripheral-blood stem cells may reduce the risk of graft failure, whereas bone marrow may reduce the risk of chronic GVHD. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-National Cancer Institute and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00075816.).

  View details for DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa1203517

  View details for Web of Science ID 000309904500006

  View details for PubMedID 23075175

• Prophylactic rituximab after allogeneic transplantation decreases B-cell alloimmunity with low chronic GVHD incidence BLOOD Arai, S., Sahaf, B., Narasimhan, B., Chen, G. L., Jones, C. D., Lowsky, R., Shizuru, J. A., Johnston, L. J., Laport, G. G., Weng, W., Benjamin, J. E., Schaenman, J., Brown, J., Ramirez, J., Zehnder, J. L., Negrin, R. S., Miklos, D. B. 2012; 119 (25): 6145-6154

  Abstract

  B cells are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic GVHD (cGVHD). We hypothesized that prophylactic anti-B-cell therapy delivered 2 months after transplantation would decrease allogeneic donor B-cell immunity and possibly the incidence of cGVHD. Therefore, in the present study, patients with high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n = 22) and mantle-cell lymphoma (n = 13) received a total lymphoid irradiation of 80 cGy for 10 days and antithymocyte globulin 1.5 mg/kg/d for 5 days. Rituximab (375 mg/m(2)) was infused weekly on days 56, 63, 70, and 77 after transplantation. The incidence of acute GVHD was 6%. The cumulative incidence of cGVHD was 20%. Nonrelapse mortality was 3%. Rituximab treatment after allogeneic transplantation significantly reduced B-cell allogeneic immunity, with complete prevention of alloreactive H-Y Ab development in male patients with female donors (P = .01). Overall survival and freedom from progression at 4 years for chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients were 73% and 47%, respectively; for mantle-cell lymphoma patients, they were 69% and 53%, respectively.

  View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2011-12-395970

  View details for Web of Science ID 000307398700030

  View details for PubMedID 22563089

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3383022

• Sirolimus and mycophenolate mofetil as GVHD prophylaxis in myeloablative, matched-related donor hematopoietic cell transplantation BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Johnston, L., Florek, M., Armstrong, R., McCune, J. S., Arai, S., Brown, J., Laport, G., Lowsky, R., Miklos, D., Shizuru, J., Sheehan, K., Lavori, P., Negrin, R. 2012; 47 (4): 581-588

  Abstract

  We investigated sirolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as GVHD prophylaxis in patients with advanced hematological malignancies receiving myeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from HLA-identical sibling donors. On the basis of pre-study stopping rules, the trial was closed to accrual after enrollment of 11 adult patients. In all, 7 of the 11 patients received BU-containing preparative regimens. Sirolimus was discontinued in three patients because of the toxicity-related events of severe sinusoidal obstructive syndrome, portal vein thrombosis, altered mental status and in one patient because of the risk of poor wound healing. In all, 6 of the 11 patients developed grade II-IV acute GVHD (AGVHD) a median of 15.5 days post HCT. Two of three patients with grade IV AGVHD had sirolimus discontinued by 9 days post HCT. All patients responded to AGVHD therapy without GVHD-related deaths. There were two non-relapse- and two relapse-related deaths. At a median follow-up of 38 months (2-47 months), 7 of 11 patients were alive without disease. MMF and sirolimus GVHD prophylaxis did not reduce the risk of AGVHD, however, there were no GVHD-related deaths. The severe toxicities in the patients receiving the BU-containing preparative regimens limited the continued use of sirolimus and MMF for the prevention of AGVHD.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/bmt.2011.104

  View details for Web of Science ID 000302576700018

  View details for PubMedID 21552302

• Long-Term Outcome of Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Treated with High-Dose Chemotherapy and Transplantation of Purified Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cells BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Mueller, A. M., Kohrt, H. E., Cha, S., Laport, G., Klein, J., Guardino, A. E., Johnston, L. J., Stockerl-Goldstein, K. E., Hanania, E., Juttner, C., Blume, K. G., Negrin, R. S., Weissman, I. L., Shizuru, J. A. 2012; 18 (1): 125-133

  Abstract

  Metastatic breast cancer remains a major treatment challenge. The use of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with rescue by autologous mobilized peripheral blood (MPB) is controversial, in part because of contamination of MPB by circulating tumor cells. CD34(+)Thy-1(+) selected hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) represent a graft source with a greater than 250,000-fold reduction in cancer cells. Here, we present the long-term outcome of a pilot study to determine feasibility and engraftment using HDCT and purified HSC in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Twenty-two patients who had been treated with standard chemotherapy were enrolled into a phase I/II trial between December 1996 and February 1998, and underwent HDCT followed by rescue with CD34(+)Thy-1(+) HSC isolated from autologous MPB. More than 12 years after the end of the study, 23% (5 of 22) of HSC recipients are alive, and 18% (4 of 22) are free of recurrence with normal hematopoietic function. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16 months, and median overall survival (OS) was 60 months. Retrospective comparison with 74 patients transplanted between February 1995 and June 1999 with the identical HDCT regimen but rescue with unmanipulated MPB indicated that 9% of patients are alive, and 7% are without disease. Median PFS was 10 months, and median OS was 28 months. In conclusion, cancer-depleted HSC following HDCT resulted in better than expected 12- to 14-year PFS and OS in a cohort of metastatic breast cancer patients. These data prompt us to look once again at purified HSC transplantation in a protocol powered to test for efficacy in advanced-stage breast cancer patients.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2011.07.009

  View details for Web of Science ID 000303140200015

  View details for PubMedID 21767515

• Adoptive Immunotherapy with Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells for Patients with Relapsed Hematologic Malignancies after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Laport, G. G., Sheehan, K., Baker, J., Armstrong, R., Wong, R. M., Lowsky, R., Johnston, L. J., Shizuru, J. A., Miklos, D., Arai, S., Benjamin, J. E., Weng, W., Negrin, R. S. 2011; 17 (11): 1679-1687

  Abstract

  Donor leukocyte infusions induce remissions in some patients with hematologic malignancies who relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT); however, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains the major complication of this strategy. Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are a unique population of cytotoxic T lymphocytes that express the CD3(+)CD56(+) phenotype and show marked up-regulation of the natural killer cell receptor NKG2D (CD314). CIK cells are non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted and NKG2D-dependent in target recognition and cytotoxicity. We explored the feasibility of ex vivo expansion of allogeneic CIK cells in patients with relapsed hematologic malignancies after allogeneic HCT. Eighteen patients (median age, 53 years; range, 20-69 years) received CIK cell infusions at escalating doses of 1 × 10(7) CD3(+) cells/kg (n = 4), 5 × 10(7) CD3(+) cells/kg (n = 6), and 1 × 10(8) CD3(+) cells/kg (n = 8). The median expansion of CD3(+) cells was 12-fold (range, 4- to 91-fold). CD3(+)CD56(+) cells represented a median of 11% (range, 4%-44%) of the harvested cells, with a median 31-fold (range, 7- to 515-fold) expansion. Median CD3(+)CD314(+) cell expression was 53% (range, 32%-78%) of harvested cells. Significant cytotoxicity was demonstrated in vitro against a panel of human tumor cell lines. Acute GVHD grade I-II was seen in 2 patients, and 1 patient had limited chronic GVHD. After a median follow-up of 20 months (range, 1-69 months) from CIK infusion, the median overall survival was 28 months, and the median event-free survival was 4 months. All deaths were due to relapsed disease; however, 5 patients had longer remissions after infusion of CIK cells than from allogeneic HCT to relapse. Our findings indicate that this form of adoptive immunotherapy is well tolerated and induces a low incidence of GVHD, supporting further investigation as an upfront modality to enhance graft-versus-tumor responses in high-risk patient populations.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2011.05.012

  View details for Web of Science ID 000296829000016

  View details for PubMedID 21664472

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3175285

• A phase 1 study of imatinib for corticosteroid-dependent/refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease: response does not correlate with anti-PDGFRA antibodies BLOOD Chen, G. L., Arai, S., Flowers, M. E., Otani, J. M., Qiu, J., Cheng, E. C., McMillan, A., Johnston, L. J., Shizuru, J. A., Miklos, D. B. 2011; 118 (15): 4070-4078

  Abstract

  Stimulatory antiplatelet derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRA) antibodies have been associated with extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). We performed a phase 1 dose escalation trial of imatinib in corticosteroid-dependent/refractory cGVHD to assess the safety of imatinib and test the hypothesis that abrogation of PDGFRA signaling can ameliorate the manifestations of cGVHD. Fifteen patients were enrolled. Mean follow-up time was 56.6 weeks (range, 18-82.4 weeks). Imatinib 400 mg daily was associated with more frequent moderate to life-threatening adverse events than 200 mg daily. The main adverse events were nausea, edema, confusion, diarrhea, liver function test elevation, fatigue, and myalgia. The overall response rate was 40% (6 of 15). The treatment failure rate was 40% (6 of 15). Twenty percent (3 of 15) of subjects had stable disease. Of 4 subjects with phospho-PDGFRA and phospho-PDGFRB immunohistochemistry studies before and after treatment, inhibition of phosphorylation was observed in 3 but correlated with response in one. Anti-PDGFRA antibodies were observed in 7 of 11 evaluable subjects but correlated with clinical activity in 4. We conclude that cGVHD responds to imatinib through multiple pathways that may include PDGFRA signal transduction. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00760981.

  View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2011-03-341693

  View details for Web of Science ID 000296282200013

  View details for PubMedID 21828142

• Early CMV Viremia Is Associated with Impaired Viral Control following Nonmyeloablative Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation with a Total Lymphoid Irradiation and Antithymocyte Globulin Preparative Regimen BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Schaenman, J. M., Shashidhar, S., Rhee, C., Wong, J., Navato, S., Wong, R. M., Ho, D. Y., Arai, S., Johnston, L., Brown, J. M. 2011; 17 (5): 693-702

  Abstract

  The reconstitution of immune function after hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) plays an important role in the control of viral infections. Both donor and recipient cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus has been shown to contribute to effective immune function; however, the influence of a nonmyeloablative preparative (NMA) regimen using total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) and antithymocyte globulin (ATG) on antiviral immune reconstitution has not yet been described. In 117 recipients of NMA HCT patients following ATG and TLI, not unexpectedly, CMV viremia was seen in approximately 60% of the seropositive patients regardless of donor serostatus, and recipient seropositivity significantly increased the odds of CMV viremia after transplant in a multivariate analysis. The administration of ATG and TLI resulted in a strikingly earlier viremia in the posttransplant period when compared to the previously reported timing of viremia following myeloablative preparative regimens, especially for transplant recipients who were seropositive for CMV with seronegative donors. Furthermore, early viremia in the setting of a CMV naïve donor was associated with a delay in functional antiviral control. These observations demonstrate the dynamic nature of immunity in relation to CMV antigen exposure in the complex environment resulting from NMA conditions where both donor and residual recipient immune response affect viral control.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2010.08.010

  View details for Web of Science ID 000290061500012

  View details for PubMedID 20736077

• Long-term Clinical Course of Dry Eye in Patients With Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease Referred for Eye Examination CORNEA Sales, C. S., Johnston, L. J., Ta, C. N. 2011; 30 (2): 143-149

  Abstract

  To assess the long-term clinical course of dry eye in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD).A prospective case series of 49 patients with cGVHD was conducted. Complete history and ophthalmic examination were performed at baseline and at 36 months (range, 26-53). All patients received treatment for dry eye.Of the 49 participants, 18 (37%) had expired at the time of the 3-year eye examination, 11 were lost to follow-up, 11 declined or were unable to attend the final examination, and 9 (18%) completed the study. There was a statistically insignificant improvement in symptoms of dry eye assessed by the ocular surface disease index [start vs. endpoint: 36 ± 22 (range, 4-72) vs. 30 ± 27 (range, 4-86); P = 0.51]. Visual acuity remained stable at approximately 20/20. Lissamine green staining improved and Schirmer test (with anesthetic) worsened, but neither trend was statistically or clinically significant.Stable visual acuity, tear production, and lissamine green staining and a statistically insignificant improvement in dry eye symptoms were observed in the 9 participants who completed this 3-year prospective case series of 49 patients with cGVHD. Insofar as these patients represent a minority (18%) of the original cohort, their clinical course may not be generalizable to all patients with cGVHD but may still suggest that this patient population's prognosis could be characterized by stability and excellent vision. Sufficiently powered prospective studies are required to validate these postulates.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/ICO.0b013e3181e9b3bf

  View details for Web of Science ID 000285914700006

  View details for PubMedID 20885310

• Long-term outcomes in patients with high-risk myeloid malignancies following matched related donor hematopoietic cell transplantation with myeloablative conditioning of BU, etoposide and CY BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Naik, S., Wong, R., Arai, S., Brown, J., Laport, G., Lowsky, R., Miklos, D., Shizuru, J., Blume, K., Negrin, R., Johnston, L. 2011; 46 (2): 192-199

  Abstract

  Patients with high-risk or advanced myeloid malignancies have limited effective treatment options. These include high-dose therapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We report a single-institution, long-term follow-up of 96 patients, median age 50 (range, 20-60) years, who received HLA-matched related HCT between 1992 and 2007. All patients were treated with a uniform preparatory regimen intended to enhance the widely used regimen of BU and CY that included: BU 16.0 mg/kg (days -8 to -5), etoposide 60 mg/kg (day -4), CY 60 mg/kg (day -2) with GVHD prophylaxis of CsA or FK506 and prednisone. Disease status at transplantation was high-risk AML (n=41), CML in second chronic phase or blast crisis (n=8), myelofibrosis and myeloproliferative disorders (n=8), and myelodysplasia (n=39). Thirty-six percent (n=35) of patients received BM whereas 64% (n=61) received G-CSF-mobilized PBPC. With a median follow-up of 5.6 years (range, 1.6-14.6 years) actuarial 5-year OS was 32% (95% CI 22-42) and 5-year EFS was 31% (95% CI 21-41). Relapse rate was 24% (95% CI 15-33) at 2 and 5 years. Nonrelapse mortality was 29% (95% CI 20-38) at day 100 and 38% (95% CI 29-47) at 1 year. Cumulative incidence of acute (grade II-IV) and extensive chronic GVHD was 27% (95% CI 18-36) and 29% (95% CI 18-40), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in OS (31 vs 32%, P=0.89) or relapse rates (17 vs 28%, P=0.22) for recipients of BM vs PBPC, respectively. These results confirm that patients with high-risk or advanced myeloid malignancies can achieve long-term survival following myeloablative allogeneic HCT with aggressive conditioning.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/bmt.2010.114

  View details for Web of Science ID 000287190700004

  View details for PubMedID 20498648

• Phase I/II Trial of GN-BVC, a Gemcitabine and Vinorelbine-Containing Conditioning Regimen for Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Recurrent and Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Arai, S., Letsinger, R., Wong, R. M., Johnston, L. J., Laport, G. G., Lowsky, R., Miklos, D. B., Shizuru, J. A., Weng, W., Lavori, P. W., Blume, K. G., Negrin, R. S., Horning, S. J. 2010; 16 (8): 1145-1154

  Abstract

  Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation with augmented BCNU regimens is effective treatment for recurrent or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL); however, BCNU-related toxicity and disease recurrence remain challenges. We designed a conditioning regimen with gemcitabine in combination with vinorelbine in an effort to reduce the BCNU dose and toxicity without compromising efficacy. In this phase I/II dose escalation study, the gemcitabine maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was determined at 1250 mg/m(2), and a total of 92 patients were treated at this dose to establish safety and efficacy. The primary endpoint was the incidence of BCNU-related toxicity. Secondary endpoints included 2-year freedom from progression (FFP), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS). Sixty-eight patients (74%) had 1 or more previously defined adverse risk factors for transplant (stage IV at relapse, B symptoms at relapse, greater than minimal disease pretransplant). The incidence of BCNU-related toxicity was 15% (95% confidence interval, 9%-24%). Only 2% of patients had a documented reduction in diffusing capacity of 20% or greater. With a median follow-up of 29 months, the FFP at 2 years was 71% and the OS at 2 years was 83%. Two-year FFP was 96%, 72%, 67%, and 14% for patients with 0 (n = 24), 1 (n = 37), 2 (n = 23), or 3 (n = 8) risk factors, respectively. Regression analysis identified PET status pretransplant and B symptoms at relapse as significant prognostic factors for FFP. This new transplant regimen for HL resulted in decreased BCNU toxicity with encouraging FFP and OS. A prospective, risk-modeled comparison of this new combination with other conditioning regimens is warranted.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2010.02.022

  View details for Web of Science ID 000280137800013

  View details for PubMedID 20197102

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2921221

• Long-term follow-up of patients with diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma receiving purged autografts after induction failure BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Benjamin, J. E., Chen, G. L., Cao, T. M., Cao, P. D., Wong, R. M., Sheehan, K., Shizuru, J. A., JOHNSTON, L. J., Negrin, R. S., Lowsky, R., Laport, G. G. 2010; 45 (2): 303-309

  Abstract

  Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who do not achieve a complete response to front-line combination chemotherapy are often offered high-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT). However, the efficacy of this therapy in this patient population has been addressed in only a few published reports. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of patients with a diagnosis of de novo DLBCL who underwent AHCT at our center between 1988 and 2002, and identified 43 consecutive patients who had not achieved a CR before AHCT, although most showed at least a partial response (PR) to either induction or subsequent salvage chemotherapy. A total of 15 patients received a conditioning regimen that included high-dose chemotherapy with fractionated TBI (FTBI), whereas 28 patients received high-dose chemotherapy only. All autografts were treated ex vivo with MoAbs and complement in an effort to remove any residual malignant B cells. A total of 33 (77%) patients achieved a CR after AHCT. With a median follow-up of 7.3 years, the 5-year OS was 69% and EFS was 59%. Four patients died from non-relapse mortality. By univariate analyses, the following characteristics did not significantly impact OS: disease stage at diagnosis, age-adjusted IPI (International Prognostic Index) score, age > or =40 years, earlier radiotherapy and the use of FTBI in the conditioning regimen. These results confirm the long-term efficacy of AHCT for patients with DLBCL after induction failure.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/bmt.2009.152

  View details for Web of Science ID 000274397400013

  View details for PubMedID 19597427

• TLI and ATG conditioning with low risk of graft-versus-host disease retains antitumor reactions after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation from related and unrelated donors BLOOD Kohrt, H. E., Turnbull, B. B., Heydari, K., Shizuru, J. A., Laport, G. G., Miklos, D. B., Johnston, L. J., Arai, S., Weng, W., Hoppe, R. T., Lavori, P. W., Blume, K. G., Negrin, R. S., Strober, S., Lowsky, R. 2009; 114 (5): 1099-1109

  Abstract

  A hematopoietic cell transplantation regimen was adapted from a preclinical model that used reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) and protected against graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) by skewing residual host T-cell subsets to favor regulatory natural killer T cells. One hundred eleven patients with lymphoid (64) and myeloid (47) malignancies received RIC using total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) and antithymocyte globulin (ATG) followed by the infusion of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized grafts. Included were 34 patients at least 60 years of age, 32 patients at high risk of lymphoma relapse after disease recurrence following prior autologous transplantation, and 51 patients at high risk of developing GVHD due to lack of a fully human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related donor. Durable chimerism was achieved in 97% of patients. Cumulative probabilities of acute GVHD (grades II-IV) were 2 and 10% of patients receiving related and unrelated donor grafts. Nonrelapse mortality (NRM) at 1 year was less than 4%. Cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 27%. The 36-month probability of overall and event-free survival was 60% and 40%, respectively. Disease status at start of conditioning and the level of chimerism achieved after transplantation significantly impacted clinical outcome. The high incidence of sustained remission among patients with active disease at time of transplantation suggests retained graft-versus-tumor reactions. Active trial registration currently at clinicaltrials.gov under IDs of NCT00185640 and NCT00186615.

  View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2009-03-211441

  View details for Web of Science ID 000268491100025

  View details for PubMedID 19423725

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2721787

• Evaluation of mycophenolate mofetil for initial treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease BLOOD Martin, P. J., Storer, B. E., Rowley, S. D., Flowers, M. E., Lee, S. J., Carpenter, P. A., Wingard, J. R., Shaughnessy, P. J., Devetten, M. P., Jagasia, M., Fay, J. W., Van Besien, K., Gupta, V., Kitko, C., Johnston, L. J., Maziarz, R. T., Arora, M., Jacobson, P. A., Weisdorf, D. 2009; 113 (21): 5074-5082

  Abstract

  We conducted a double-blind, randomized multicenter trial to determine whether the addition of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) improves the efficacy of initial systemic treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The primary endpoint was resolution of chronic GVHD and withdrawal of all systemic treatment within 2 years, without secondary treatment. Enrollment of 230 patients was planned, providing 90% power to observe a 20% difference in success rates between the 2 arms. The study was closed after 4 years because the interim estimated cumulative incidence of success for the primary endpoint was 23% among 74 patients in the MMF arm and 18% among 77 patients in the control arm, indicating a low probability of positive results for the primary endpoint after completing the study as originally planned. Analysis of secondary endpoints showed no evidence of benefit from adding MMF to the systemic regimen first used for treatment of chronic GVHD. The estimated hazard ratio of death was 1.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-4.3) among patients in the MMF arm compared with the control arm. MMF should not be added to the initial systemic treatment regimen for chronic GVHD. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00089141 on August 4, 2004.

  View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2009-02-202937

  View details for Web of Science ID 000266404500011

  View details for PubMedID 19270260

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2686178

• High-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell rescue for high-risk germ cell tumors: the Stanford experience BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Agarwal, R., Dvorak, C. C., Stockerl-Goldstein, K. E., Johnston, L., Srinivas, S. 2009; 43 (7): 547-552

  Abstract

  Germ cell tumors carry an excellent prognosis with platinum-based therapy upfront. The patients who either relapse or demonstrate refractoriness to platinum pose a challenge. There exist many reports in the literature on the use of high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell rescue improving the outcome in patients with relapsed germ cell tumors. However, the reports have great variability in the patient selection, prior treatments, the choice of the conditioning regimen and variability of the doses within the same regimen. In this report, we present 37 patients who underwent a uniform protocol of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue. Stem cell mobilization was performed with high-dose CY (4 g per m(2)) and we were able to collect adequate cells for marrow rescue in all patients. Patients received a high-dose regimen with etoposide (800 mg/m(2) per day) days -6, -5 and -4 as a continuous infusion, carboplatin (667 mg/m(2) per day) on days -6, -5 and -4 as a 1 h infusion, and CY (60 mg/kg per day) on days -3 and -2. In this high-risk group of patients, high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue led to a 3-year overall survival of 57% and a 3-year event-free survival of 49%. The results are reflective of a single procedure. No tandem transplants were performed. The treatment-related mortality was low at 3% in this heavily pretreated group.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/bmt.2008.364

  View details for Web of Science ID 000265005800005

  View details for PubMedID 18997833

• Acute graft-versus-host disease: differing risk with differing graft sources and conditioning intensity BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH CLINICAL HAEMATOLOGY Johnston, L. 2008; 21 (2): 177-192

  Abstract

  Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a constant component of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), with variations in incidence and severity affected by the graft source, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility, and the preparative regimen. The graft source - related versus unrelated donors, bone marrow (BM) versus peripheral blood (PB), umbilical cord blood (UCB) versus unrelated donor BM - are discussed in this review, as well as myeloablative versus reduced-intensity (RI) preparative regimens. Recent comparisons of matched related versus matched unrelated donor HCT support a minimal difference in aGVHD between these two donor sources. The use of BM versus mobilized PB in the matched related donor (MRD) setting has been compared in randomized as well as phase-II comparative clinical trials which support a slight increase in aGVHD in the adult population. Similar results have been seen in the unrelated donor (URD) setting, although based on minimal comparative data to date. Preliminary comparisons of UCB versus URD BM have shown a decreased incidence of aGVHD with UCB, despite increased HLA mismatching. Haploidentical HCT has continued to be explored, with limitations due to delayed immune reconstitution and disease relapse. Many reduced-intensity preparative regimens have been published, with a reduced or minimal difference in incidence of aGVHD when historically compared to myleoablative preparative regimens. More formal comparisons of the different graft sources as well as preparative regimen intensities will be required to determine a more accurate picture of the differences between these transplantation alternatives.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.beha.2008.02.006

  View details for Web of Science ID 000257005500008

  View details for PubMedID 18503985

• High-dose carmustine, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide followed by allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin lymphoma BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Law, L. Y., Horning, S. J., Wong, R. M., Johnston, L. J., Laport, G. G., Lowsky, R., Shizuru, J. A., Blume, K. G., Negrin, R. S., Stockerl-Goldstein, K. E. 2006; 12 (7): 703-711

  Abstract

  Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has been shown to be curative in a group of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). A previous study has demonstrated equivalent outcomes with a conditioning regimen based on total body irradiation and another not based on total body irradiation with preparative therapy using cyclophosphamide, carmustine, and etoposide (CBV) in autologous HCT. We investigated the safety and efficacy of using CBV in an allogeneic setting. Patients were required to have relapsed or be at high risk for subsequent relapse of NHL. All patients had a fully HLA-matched sibling donor. Patients received carmustine (15 mg/kg), etoposide (60 mg/kg), and cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg) on days -6, -4, and -2, respectively, followed by allogeneic HCT. All patients were treated with cyclosporine and methylprednisolone as prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Thirty-one patients (median age, 46 years) who were felt to be inappropriate candidates for autologous transplantation were enrolled. Each subject had a median of 3 previous chemotherapy regimens. All patients engrafted. Fifteen of 31 patients are alive. Median follow-up time was 11.5 months (range, .4-126). There were 8 deaths due to relapse. Nonrelapse mortality (n = 8) included infection (n = 3), GVHD (n = 2), diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (n = 1), veno-occlusive disease in the setting of concurrent acute GVHD of the liver (n = 1), and leukoencephalopathy (n = 1). Probabilities of event-free survival and overall survival were, respectively, 44% (95% confidence interval, 26%-62%) and 51% (33%-69%) at 1 year and 44% (26%-62%) and 47% (29%-65%) at 5 years. Probability of relapse was 33% (15%-51%) at 1 year and 5 years. Probability of nonrelapse mortality was 31% (13%-49%) at 1 year and 5 years. Incidences were 29% for acute GVHD and 39% for chronic GVHD. None of the 12 patients who developed chronic GVHD has disease recurrence. Patients who had required >3 previous chemotherapy regimens before HCT had an increased probability of relapse. CBV is an effective preparative regimen for patients with aggressive NHL who undergo allogeneic HCT.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2006.02.009

  View details for Web of Science ID 000238774800002

  View details for PubMedID 16785059

• Protective conditioning for acute graft-versus-host disease NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Lowsky, R., Takahashi, T., Liu, Y. P., Dejbakhsh-Jones, S., GRUMET, F. C., Shizuru, J. A., Laport, G. G., Stockerl-Goldstein, K. E., JOHNSTON, L. J., Hoppe, R. T., Bloch, D. A., Blume, K. G., Negrin, R. S., Strober, S. 2005; 353 (13): 1321-1331

  Abstract

  Conditioning with total lymphoid irradiation plus antithymocyte serum protects mice against acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after hematopoietic-cell transplantation. We tested this strategy in humans.Thirty-seven patients with lymphoid malignant diseases or acute leukemia underwent an experimental conditioning regimen with 10 doses of total lymphoid irradiation (80 cGy each) plus antithymocyte globulin, followed by an infusion of HLA-matched peripheral-blood mononuclear cells from related or unrelated donors who received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.Of the 37 transplant recipients, only 2 had acute GVHD after hematopoietic-cell transplantation. Potent antitumor effects in patients with lymphoid malignant diseases were shown by the change from partial to complete remission. In the transplant recipients who underwent conditioning with total lymphoid irradiation and antithymocyte globulin, the fraction of donor CD4+ T cells that produced interleukin-4 after in vitro stimulation increased by a factor of five, and the proliferative response to alloantigens in vitro was reduced, as compared with normal control subjects and control subjects who underwent conditioning with a single dose of total-body irradiation (200 cGy).A regimen of total lymphoid irradiation plus antithymocyte globulin decreases the incidence of acute GVHD and allows graft antitumor activity in patients with lymphoid malignant diseases or acute leukemia treated with hematopoietic-cell transplantation.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000232146200004

  View details for PubMedID 16192477

• Treatment of verruca vulgaris with topical cidofovir in an immunlocompromised patient: a case report and review of the literature TRANSPLANT INFECTIOUS DISEASE Cha, S., Johnston, L., Natkunam, Y., Brown, J. 2005; 7 (3-4): 158-161

  Abstract

  Lesions caused by verrucus vulgaris are commonly refractory to therapy and may become large, painful, or disfiguring in immunocompromised patients. Cidofovir is a potent nucleoside analog antiviral agent shown to have in vitro and in vivo activity against a broad spectrum of DNA viruses. We report a successful use of topical cidofovir to treat verruca vulgaris lesions in a highly immunocompromised patient, who was not considered a candidate for conventional therapy.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000236936200012

  View details for PubMedID 16390407

• Engraftment and survival following reduced-intensity allogeneic peripheral blood hematopoietic cell transplantation is affected by CD8(+) T-cell dose BLOOD Cao, T. M., Shizuru, J. A., Wong, R. M., Sheehan, K., Laport, G. G., Stockerl-Goldstein, K. E., JOHNSTON, L. J., Stuart, M. J., GRUMET, F. C., Negrin, R. S., Lowsky, R. 2005; 105 (6): 2300-2306

  Abstract

  The influence of graft composition on clinical outcomes after reduced-intensity conditioning is not well-characterized. In this report we prospectively enumerated CD34+, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cell doses in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cell (G-PBMC) allografts in 63 patients who received transplants following non-myeloablative conditioning with total body irradiation 200 cGy plus fludarabine as treatment for malignant diseases. Donors were HLA-identical siblings (n = 38) or HLA-matched unrelated individuals (n = 25). By univariate analyses G-PBMC CD8+ T-cell dose in at least the 50th percentile favorably correlated with full donor blood T-cell chimerism (P = .03), freedom from progression (P = .001), and overall survival (P = .01). No G-PBMC cell dose influenced grade II to IV acute or extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease. In multivariate analysis only G-PBMC CD8+ T-cell dose (P = .003; RR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1-0.6) was associated with improved freedom from progression. Infusion of low G-PBMC CD8+ T-cell dose for reduced-intensity allografting may adversely affect T-cell engraftment and survival outcome.

  View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2004-04-1473

  View details for Web of Science ID 000227630500020

  View details for PubMedID 15572597

• CD34, CD49 and CD8 cell doses do not influence engraftment, graft-versus-host disease, or survival following myeloablative human leukocyte antigen-identical peripheral blood allografting for hematologic malignancies EXPERIMENTAL HEMATOLOGY Cao, T. M., Wong, R. M., Sheehan, K., Laport, G. G., Stockerl-Goldstein, K. E., JOHNSTON, L. J., Shizuru, J. A., Negrin, R. S., Lowsky, R. 2005; 33 (3): 279-285

  Abstract

  Optimal granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cell (G-PBMC) graft compositions for myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) have not been identified. G-PBMC cell contents were analyzed for influence on outcomes.Human leukocyte antigen(HLA)-identical related donor AHCT was used to treat 101 patients with hematologic malignancies at a single institution between 1995 and 2002. CD34+, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cell doses were enumerated by flow cytometry and evaluated by univariate analysis.Categorized by the median of cell doses infused, no G-PBMC cell dose significantly correlated with neutrophil and platelet engraftment. Incidence of grade II to IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 24.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.9-33.3) and was not significantly influenced by evaluated G-PBMC cell doses. With a median follow-up time of 18 months for surviving patients, estimates for extensive chronic GVHD was 43.8% (95% CI: 31.4-56.2), for freedom from progression was 69.5% (95% CI: 58.1-80.9), and for overall survival was 46.9% (95% CI: 35.5-58.3). CD34+, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cell doses were not significantly predictive of extensive chronic GVHD, freedom from progression or overall survival. Additionally, comparing patients receiving the upper versus lower 33rd percentiles of CD34+ cell dose, associations with extensive chronic GVHD remained insignificant (p=0.21; relative risk (RR)=1.7; 95% CI: 0.7-3.9).G-PBMC graft content does not influence outcomes after myeloablative AHCT. In particular, no significant association between extensive chronic GVHD was identified with any G-PBMC cell dose, including CD34.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.exphem.2004.12.004

  View details for Web of Science ID 000227829300003

  View details for PubMedID 15730851

• Rapamycin (sirolimus) for treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Johnston, L. J., Brown, J., Shizuru, J. A., Stockerl-Goldstein, K. E., Stuart, M. J., Blume, K. G., Negrin, R. S., Chao, N. J. 2005; 11 (1): 47-55

  Abstract

  We conducted a phase II trial in 19 chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) patients with rapamycin, calcineurin inhibitors, and prednisone with the goals of controlling cGVHD, reducing prednisone use, and defining the safety of this regimen. Rapamycin was begun as second-line (n = 9) or more than second-line (n = 10) therapy. With a median follow-up of 42 months, 16 patients were evaluable for response. Nine patients discontinued rapamycin because of poor compliance/patient request (n = 2) or an adverse event (n = 7), 3 of whom were not evaluable because of withdrawal at < or =1 month or noncompliance. The adverse events included serum creatinine > or =2.4 mg/dL (n = 4), hemolytic uremic syndrome (n = 2), and relapse of malignancy (n = 1). Fifteen of 16 evaluable patients had a clinical response. Five of the 16 discontinued the drug, and 1 died of relapsed leukemia. Of the 10 patients who continued rapamycin, 2 discontinued and 1 successfully tapered all systemic immunosuppression. Three of the 10 developed progressive cGVHD with tapering immunosuppression; all responded to resumption of prior medications. Four of the 10 patients required alternate therapy for persistent or progressive cGVHD while receiving rapamycin; prednisone was discontinued (n = 2) or tapered at the time of progressive disease (n = 2). Seventeen of 19 original patients were alive. One death was due to relapsed malignancy, and 1 was due to congestive heart failure. In this report of rapamycin as cGVHD therapy, there is evidence of rapamycin's efficacy. Given the significant toxicities described, investigation of altered administration of rapamycin and calcineurin inhibitors should be pursued in future cGVHD trials.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2004.10.004

  View details for Web of Science ID 000226450300006

  View details for PubMedID 15625544

• Treatment of acute leukemia with idarubicin, etoposide and cytarabine (IDEA). A randomized study of etoposide schedule CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY AND PHARMACOLOGY Damon, L. E., JOHNSTON, L. J., Ries, C. A., Rugo, H. S., Case, D., Ault, K., Linker, C. A. 2004; 53 (6): 468-474

  Abstract

  The differences in toxicity of etoposide following continuous or bolus infusion are unknown.We studied the schedule-dependent toxicity of high-dose etoposide when combined with high-dose cytarabine and idarubicin (IDEA) in 138 patients with acute leukemia. Four groups of patients were studied: group I, relapse; group II, secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML); group III, de novo AML, age >60 years; and group IV, induction failure or blast crisis of myeloproliferative syndrome. Treatment for groups I-III was idarubicin 8 mg/m(2) per day days 1-3, cytarabine 2000 mg/m(2) once a day days 1-6, and etoposide 1600 mg/m(2) total dose. Group IV treatment differed by cytarabine given twice daily days 1-6. Patients were randomized to etoposide as a continuous infusion days 1-6 or as a bolus infusion over 10 h on day 7.Continuous infusion etoposide produced significantly more oral mucositis than bolus etoposide. In groups I-III, comparing continuous and bolus etoposide, there was a median of 3 vs 0 days of grade 2 or more oral mucositis (P<0.0001) and 13.5 vs 0 days of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (P=0.0003). Group IV patients had a median 7 vs 0 days of grade 2 or more oral mucositis (P<0.01) and 21 vs 7 days of TPN (P<0.003), respectively. There were no differences in hematologic recovery, length of hospital stay, complete remission rate or overall survival between the two etoposide schedules. Of groups I-III patients, 51% achieved complete remission, and 11% died from treatment-related complications.The toxicity profile of high-dose etoposide is schedule-dependent with prolonged exposure producing significantly more non-hematologic toxicity.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s00280-003-0758-x

  View details for Web of Science ID 000221344600002

  View details for PubMedID 15138711

• Rituximab as adjuvant to high-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; Blood Steven M Horwitz, Robert S Negrin, Karl G Blume, Sheila Breslin, Monic J Stuart, Keith E Stockerl-Goldstein, Laura J Johnston, Ruby M Wong, Judith A Shizuru, Sandra J Horning. 2003; 2003: 1257
• Comparison of chronic graft-versus-host disease after transplantation of peripheral blood stem cells versus bone marrow in allogeneic recipients: long-term follow-up of a randomized trial BLOOD Flowers, M. E., Parker, P. M., JOHNSTON, L. J., Matos, A. V., Storer, B., Bensinger, W. I., STORB, R., Appelbaum, F. R., Forman, S. J., Blume, K. G., Martin, P. J. 2002; 100 (2): 415-419

  Abstract

  In a previous multicenter phase III trial comparing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) to bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from HLA-matched related donors, we found no statistically significant difference in the cumulative incidence of clinical extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in the 2 groups. We have analyzed the results in more detail to determine whether the clinical characteristics of chronic GVHD after PBSCT might be distinct from those that occur after BMT. Clinical extensive chronic GVHD developed in 39 of 63 recipients of PBSCs and in 32 of 63 BM recipients who were alive and free of malignancy at day 100 after the transplantation. No significant differences were found in the time and type of onset of clinical extensive chronic GVHD or in the frequency of complications associated with severe morbidity. Involvement of skin and female genital tract was more frequent in PBSC recipients than in BM recipients. The cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD at 3 years was similar in the 2 groups, but the number of successive treatments needed to control chronic GVHD was higher after PBSCT than after BMT (P =.03), and the duration of glucocorticoid treatment was longer after PBSCT compared to BMT (P =.03). These results suggest that chronic GVHD after PBSCT may be more protracted and less responsive to current treatment than chronic GVHD after BMT. Assessment of the overall benefits of PBSCT compared to BMT will require continued long-term follow up of morbidity associated with chronic GVHD.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000176741200006

  View details for PubMedID 12091330

• High-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic-cell transplantation for follicular lymphoma beyond first remission: The Stanford University experience BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Cao, T. M., Horning, S. F., Negrin, R. S., Hu, W. W., Johnston, L. F., Taylor, T. L., Shizuru, J. A., Hoppe, R. T., Brown, B. W., Blume, K. G., Stockerl-Goldstein, K. 2001; 7 (5): 294-301

  Abstract

  A retrospective analysis was performed to investigate the outcome of high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with follicular lymphomas beyond first remission. Ninety-two patients with primary induction failure or relapsed follicular low-grade lymphoma (FLGL), follicular large cell lymphoma (FLCL), and transformed follicular lymphoma (TFL) were treated with myeloablative therapy consisting of etoposide (60 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg), and either carmustine (BCNU;15 mg/kg) or fractionated total body irradiation (FTBI; 1200 cGy) followed by transplantation of purged autologous bone marrow or peripheral blood hematopoietic cells. For the 49 patients with relapsed FLGL, the median age was 49 years and the median interval from diagnosis to HDT was 30 months. The 4-year estimate of overall survival (OS) was 60% (95% confidence interval [CI], 45%-75%) and of disease-free survival (DFS) was 44% (95% CI, 29%-59%). Treatment with the FTBI-containing HDT regimen was associated with significantly longer DFS (P = .04) and OS (P = .04) in our multivariate analysis. OS was also significantly longer among those treated with 3 or fewer chemotherapy regimens. For the 26 FLCL patients, the median age was 51 years and in 31% the indication for HDT was primary induction failure. For FLCL patients, the 4-year estimate of OS was 58% (95% CI, 37%-79%) and of DFS was 51% (95% CI, 30%-72%). Among the 17 patients with TFL, 13 (76%) transformed at first relapse, and only 6 patients (35%) achieved complete remission with salvage therapy prior to HDT. For TFL patients, the 4-year estimate of OS was 50% (95% CI, 24%-76%) and of DFS 49% (95% CI, 20%-78%). There were 3 occurrences of myelodysplasia (1 after treatment with TBI, 2 after BCNU treatment), yielding an estimated incidence of 7% (95% CI, 0%-16%) at 56 months. This analysis shows that relapsed FLGL patients treated with 3 or fewer different chemotherapy regimens show inferior survival. The HDT regimen containing FTBI appears to be superior to the BCNU-based regimen for relapsed FLGL, although longer follow-up is needed to evaluate late effects. Lastly, patients with TFL or induction failure and relapsed FLCL can achieve survival outcome comparable to those observed with the indolent follicular lymphomas.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000169118600007

  View details for PubMedID 11400952

• So you want to build a Web site + A blueprint for museum professionals MUSEUM NEWS Johnston, L., JONESGARMIL, K. 1997; 76 (1): 41-44

  View details for Web of Science ID A1997VZ21100006