Francesco Arcioni, Marta Bonetti, Antonella Sau, Marco Zecca, Mohsen Alzahrani, Bader Alahmari, Husam Alsadi, Ayman Almozaini, Mazen Ahmed, Mohammed Essa, Cesare Perotti, Claudia Del Fante, Cecilia Passeri, Ornella Iuliani, Anna C. Russo, Mauro Di Ianni, Mauro Marchesi, Barbara Luciani Pasqua, Marina Onorato, Laura Berchicci, Antonio Pierini, Tiziana Zei, Roberta Iacucci, Carla Cerri, Grazia Gurdo, Alessandra Innocente, Ilaria Capolsini, Paolo Gorello, Raffaella Colombatti, Raffaella Origa, Maurizio Caniglia
<p>Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy caused by a point mutation in the β-globin gene, with production of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) [<span>1, 2</span>], chronic hemolytic anemia, recurrent vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), and progressive end-organ damage [<span>1</span>]. Although hydroxyurea and chronic transfusion therapy have improved clinical outcomes, these therapies are not curative [<span>3</span>]. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents the only established curative approach, but its application is limited by donor availability [<span>3</span>].</p><p>Recently, gene-editing strategies, including CRISPR/Cas9 or conventional gene addition therapies, have been developed. CRISPR/Cas9 technology to disrupt the BCL11A erythroid enhancer and increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression has emerged as a promising treatment [<span>4</span>]. This therapeutic approach has been validated in pivotal Phase 3 trials of exagamglogene autotemcel (exa-cel), which demonstrated near complete elimination of vaso-occlusive crises in patients with SCD and transfusion independence in most of those with β-thalassemia [<span>4, 5</span>].</p><p>However, these protocols require the collection of large numbers of autologous CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), with a minimum target of 20 × 10<sup>6</sup> CD34+ cells/kg to enable successful ex vivo manipulation and engraftment [<span>6, 7</span>]. Standard granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)-based mobilization is generally contraindicated due to the risk of triggering VOCs, ACS, multi-organ failure, and even death, particularly in the presence of high HbS levels [<span>8, 9</span>].</p><p>We report a case series of five patients with SCD who underwent multiple mobilization attempts in preparation for CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing therapy. 4/5 patients were being treated with hydroxyurea, discontinued 8 weeks before the mobilization, without reintroduction between cycles. All patients received intensive red blood cell exchange transfusion to reduce HbS to < 20% and prophylactic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. Initial collection with plerixafor alone failed to achieve the CD34+ cell target in all patients. The addition of filgrastim resulted in a marked increase in CD34+ yield, without triggering VOCs or other complications. In patients who fail mobilization and manufacturing with single-agent plerixafor, no alternative mobilization strategies are available other than the combination of G-CSF and plerixafor.</p><p>Before mobilization, all patients were informed about the use of G-CSF and the associated risks (VOCs, ACS, multi-organ failure, and even death, particularly in the presence of high HbS levels). They provided both oral and written informed consent.</p><p>A 29-year-old male with compound heterozygous SCD (HbS/β<sup>+</sup> genotype) was treated at the Pediatric Oncohematology Department in Pescara and considered for CRISPR/Cas9-based
{"title":"A Combination of Plerixafor and Filgrasting Promotes Successful CD34+ Cell Collection for CRISPR/Cas9 Therapy in Sickle Cell Disease Patients With Insufficient Response to Plerixafor Alone","authors":"Francesco Arcioni, Marta Bonetti, Antonella Sau, Marco Zecca, Mohsen Alzahrani, Bader Alahmari, Husam Alsadi, Ayman Almozaini, Mazen Ahmed, Mohammed Essa, Cesare Perotti, Claudia Del Fante, Cecilia Passeri, Ornella Iuliani, Anna C. Russo, Mauro Di Ianni, Mauro Marchesi, Barbara Luciani Pasqua, Marina Onorato, Laura Berchicci, Antonio Pierini, Tiziana Zei, Roberta Iacucci, Carla Cerri, Grazia Gurdo, Alessandra Innocente, Ilaria Capolsini, Paolo Gorello, Raffaella Colombatti, Raffaella Origa, Maurizio Caniglia","doi":"10.1002/ajh.70167","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajh.70167","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy caused by a point mutation in the β-globin gene, with production of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) [<span>1, 2</span>], chronic hemolytic anemia, recurrent vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), and progressive end-organ damage [<span>1</span>]. Although hydroxyurea and chronic transfusion therapy have improved clinical outcomes, these therapies are not curative [<span>3</span>]. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents the only established curative approach, but its application is limited by donor availability [<span>3</span>].</p><p>Recently, gene-editing strategies, including CRISPR/Cas9 or conventional gene addition therapies, have been developed. CRISPR/Cas9 technology to disrupt the BCL11A erythroid enhancer and increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression has emerged as a promising treatment [<span>4</span>]. This therapeutic approach has been validated in pivotal Phase 3 trials of exagamglogene autotemcel (exa-cel), which demonstrated near complete elimination of vaso-occlusive crises in patients with SCD and transfusion independence in most of those with β-thalassemia [<span>4, 5</span>].</p><p>However, these protocols require the collection of large numbers of autologous CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), with a minimum target of 20 × 10<sup>6</sup> CD34+ cells/kg to enable successful ex vivo manipulation and engraftment [<span>6, 7</span>]. Standard granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)-based mobilization is generally contraindicated due to the risk of triggering VOCs, ACS, multi-organ failure, and even death, particularly in the presence of high HbS levels [<span>8, 9</span>].</p><p>We report a case series of five patients with SCD who underwent multiple mobilization attempts in preparation for CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing therapy. 4/5 patients were being treated with hydroxyurea, discontinued 8 weeks before the mobilization, without reintroduction between cycles. All patients received intensive red blood cell exchange transfusion to reduce HbS to < 20% and prophylactic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. Initial collection with plerixafor alone failed to achieve the CD34+ cell target in all patients. The addition of filgrastim resulted in a marked increase in CD34+ yield, without triggering VOCs or other complications. In patients who fail mobilization and manufacturing with single-agent plerixafor, no alternative mobilization strategies are available other than the combination of G-CSF and plerixafor.</p><p>Before mobilization, all patients were informed about the use of G-CSF and the associated risks (VOCs, ACS, multi-organ failure, and even death, particularly in the presence of high HbS levels). They provided both oral and written informed consent.</p><p>A 29-year-old male with compound heterozygous SCD (HbS/β<sup>+</sup> genotype) was treated at the Pediatric Oncohematology Department in Pescara and considered for CRISPR/Cas9-based","PeriodicalId":7724,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Hematology","volume":"101 2","pages":"394-401"},"PeriodicalIF":9.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajh.70167","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145777391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aude Mausoleo, Pascale Chretien, Astrid Laurent‐Bellue, Laurence Rocher, Lisa Fredeau, Catherine Guettier, Paul‐Albert Domnariu, Olivier Lambotte, Stephanie El Hajj, Chahinez Hani Dekimeche, Salima Hacein‐Bey‐Abina, Jean‐Charles Duclos‐Vallée, Christelle Chantalat‐Auger, Eleonora De Martin, Nicolas Noel
{"title":"Autoimmune Features in Sickle Cell Patients: A New Explanation for Liver Damage?","authors":"Aude Mausoleo, Pascale Chretien, Astrid Laurent‐Bellue, Laurence Rocher, Lisa Fredeau, Catherine Guettier, Paul‐Albert Domnariu, Olivier Lambotte, Stephanie El Hajj, Chahinez Hani Dekimeche, Salima Hacein‐Bey‐Abina, Jean‐Charles Duclos‐Vallée, Christelle Chantalat‐Auger, Eleonora De Martin, Nicolas Noel","doi":"10.1002/ajh.70168","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.70168","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7724,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Hematology","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145759726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rebecca Bystrom, Laura L. Fernandes, Joseph Wynne, Dianne Pulte, Eric Hansen, Andrew J. Belli, Anna Barcellos, Christina M. Zettler, Jonathon Vallejo, Wenjuan Gu, Angelo DeClaro, Catherine C. Lerro, Ching‐Kun Wang, Donna R. Rivera, Kelly J. Norsworthy
{"title":"Real‐World Outcomes and Treatment Patterns in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia and TP53 Gene Mutation or 17p Deletion","authors":"Rebecca Bystrom, Laura L. Fernandes, Joseph Wynne, Dianne Pulte, Eric Hansen, Andrew J. Belli, Anna Barcellos, Christina M. Zettler, Jonathon Vallejo, Wenjuan Gu, Angelo DeClaro, Catherine C. Lerro, Ching‐Kun Wang, Donna R. Rivera, Kelly J. Norsworthy","doi":"10.1002/ajh.70165","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.70165","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7724,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Hematology","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145731047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}