Long-term follow-up results after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for severe systemic sclerosis

M C Vonk, Z Marjanovic, F H J van den Hoogen, S Zohar, A V M B Schattenberg, W E Fibbe, J Larghero, E Gluckman, F W M B Preijers, A P J van Dijk, J J Bax, P Roblot, P L C M van Riel, J M van Laar, D Farge

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a generalised autoimmune disease, causing morbidity and a reduced life expectancy, especially in patients with rapidly progressive diffuse cutaneous SSc. As no proven treatment exists, autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is employed as a new therapeutic strategy in patients with a poor prognosis. This study reports the effects on survival, skin and major organ function of HSCT in patients with severe diffuse cutaneous SSc.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 26 patients were evaluated. Peripheral blood stem cells were collected using cyclophosphamide (4 g/m2) and rHu G-CSF (5 to 10 microg/kg/day) and were reinfused after positive CD34+ selection. For conditioning, cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg was used.

RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 5.3 (1-7.5) years, 81% (n = 21/26) of the patients demonstrated a clinically beneficial response. The Kaplan-Meier estimated survival at 5 years was 96.2% (95% CI 89-100%) and at 7 years 84.8% (95% CI 70.2-100%) and event-free survival, defined as survival without mortality, relapse or progression of SSc, resulting in major organ dysfunction was 64.3% (95% CI 47.9-86%) at 5 years and 57.1% (95% CI 39.3-83%) at 7 years.

CONCLUSION: This study confirms that autologous HSCT in selected patients with severe diffuse cutaneous SSc results in sustained improvement of skin thickening and stabilisation of organ function up to 7 years after transplantation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)98-104
Number of pages7
JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Volume67
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Morbidity
  • Myeloablative Agonists
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Scleroderma, Systemic
  • Survival Rate
  • Transplantation Conditioning
  • Transplantation, Autologous
  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Journal Article
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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