CLINICAL NEWS
at a median of 18 months post-transplant
(range not provided). However, three
patients had extensive chronic GVHD.
“These results justify using a minimal
anti-thymocyte globulin dose of 5 mg/kg,
… which may also lower non-engraftment
rates,” the authors wrote.
A limitation of this analysis is the
relatively small cohort of predominantly
young patients, which reduces generaliz-
ability of the findings across the broader
SAA population. The use of cord blood
transplantation is another limitation,
according to the researchers, as it can
increase the rate of severe or potentially
fatal infections.
“Longer-term follow-up is still recom-
mended in these patients to identify possible
complications that may require specific
management,” Dr. de Latour noted. “Un-
fortunately, not all patients with SAA have
eligible cord blood units available, justifying
new prospective clinical trials evaluating
transplant with mismatched unrelated do-
nor or haploidentical donor to all pediatric
and young [patients with] SAA.” ●
The authors report no financial conflicts.
REFERENCE
Peffault de Latour R, Chevret S, Jubert C, et al. Unrelated cord blood
transplantation in patients with acquired refractory aplastic anemia: a
nationwide phase II study. Blood. 2018 May 14. [Epub ahead of print]
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