Late effects after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation in children and adolescents with non-malignant disorders: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Continued advances in haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for children with non-malignant diseases (NMDs) have led to a growing population of survivors in whom late occurring toxic effects remain a challenge. We investigated the incidence of and risk factors for post-transplant toxicities in a contemporary cohort of children and adolescents undergoing HCT for NMDs.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we extracted data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplantation Research (CIBMTR) database to analyse timing and incidence of effects and risk factors associated with late effects of HCT for treatment of NMDs at age 21 years or younger. Late effects of interest were avascular necrosis, cataracts, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, diabetes, gonadal dysfunction, growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, renal failure requiring dialysis, and neurological events (stroke and seizure). Cumulative incidence of each late effect was calculated at 5 years and 7 years after HCT. Risk factors were evaluated in Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Main exposures were primary NMD, age, sex, ethnicity and race, insurance, donor and graft type, myoablative conditioning, total-body irradiation exposure, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and transplant year. Primary outcomes were rates, cumulative incidence probability (95% CI), and risk-factors for organ-specific late effects.

Findings

Between Jan 1, 2000, and Dec 31, 2017, 7785 patients aged 21 years or younger underwent HCT. 1995 patients were ineligible or did not consent to be included. 5790 patients from 171 centres were included in the analysis. 3505 (60·5%) of 5790 patients were male and 2285 (39·5%) were female. 2106 (36·4%) patients were White, 771 (13·3%) were Hispanic, and 773 (12·7%) were Black. 1790 (30·9%) patients were non-USA residents. Median age at HCT was 5·5 years (range 0·0–21·0). 1127 (19%) of 5790 patients had one late effect, and 381 (7%) had at least two. At 7 years post-HCT, the cumulative incidence probability was 1·9 (95% CI 1·5–2·3) for cataracts, 4·9 (4·3–5·6) for diabetes, 2·6 (2·1–3·1) for gonadal dysfunction, 3·2 (2·7–3·8) for hypothyroidism, 5·0 (4·4–5·7) for growth disturbance, 8·1 (7·4–8·9) for renal failure, 1·6 (1·3–2·0) for avascular necrosis, 0·6 (0·4–0·8) for congestive heart failure, 0·2 (0·1–0·3) for myocardial infarction, and 9·4 (8·6–10·2) for neurological effects. Age 10 years or older at HCT, unrelated donor source, total-body irradiation, and GVHD were identified as risk factors for long-term effects.

Interpretation

The findings highlight the need for, and access to, multidisciplinary and lifelong follow-up for children undergoing HCT for NMDs. As more children undergo treatment with cellular therapies for non-malignant conditions, further analyses of post-transplant data could increasingly guide treatment decisions and subsequent long-term surveillance.

Funding

National Cancer Institute, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Health Resources and Services Administration, and Office of Naval Research.