Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common leukemia in adults.To Describe our population of patients with AML and report the outcomes of our treatments.Review of electronic clinical records of 114 patients with AML with a median age of 57 years (59% men).Seventeen percent of patients were classified as low risk, 38% as intermediate risk and 33% as high risk. Seventy-six percent of patients were treated with intensive chemotherapy. Five years overall survival according to cytogenetic risk was 59, 41, and 12% in low, intermediate, and high-risk patients, respectively. The outcomes were better in patients under 60 years. The median survival of patients treated with intensive chemotherapy aged less than 60 years and 60 years and above was 3.4 and 1 year, respectively.Our results are comparable to those reported in developed countries. Improving the survival of patients 60 years and older is our main challenge.

BACKGROUND:Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common leukemia in adults.AIM:To Describe our population of patients with AML and report the outcomes of our treatments.MATERIAL AND METHODS:Review of electronic clinical records of 114 patients with AML with a median age of 57 years (59% men).RESULTS:Seventeen percent of patients were classified as low risk, 38% as intermediate risk and 33% as high risk. Seventy-six percent of patients were treated with intensive chemotherapy. Five years overall survival according to cytogenetic risk was 59, 41, and 12% in low, intermediate, and high-risk patients, respectively. The outcomes were better in patients under 60 years. The median survival of patients treated with intensive chemotherapy aged less than 60 years and 60 years and above was 3.4 and 1 year, respectively.CONCLUSIONS:Our results are comparable to those reported in developed countries. Improving the survival of patients 60 years and older is our main challenge.

BACKGROUND:In our country, transplantation centers differ in the age limit for allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation (ALOHT). In our program, transplants with age- adjusted conditioning are performed in patients until 70 years old. Currently more than 60% of ALOHT reported to the Center for International Bone Marrow Transplantation Research (CIBMTR) are performed in patients older than 40 years.AIM:To report our experience with ALOHT in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), analyzing patient age at transplantation in different periods and transplant results in different age groups.MATERIAL AND METHODS:A retrospective analysis of the database of adult hematopoietic transplants in AML patients was performed. Demographic data, disease characteristics, transplant data, survival and relapse times, and mortality were collected.RESULTS:In our program, 1030 transplants were performed in adults and 119 ALOHT were performed in AML patients, between 1990 and 2020. The median age of patients in all periods was 41 years, (range 16-69). The median age was 33 and 45 years, in the periods 1990-2000 and 2000-2020 respectively (p < 0.01). Seventy-eight patients received myeloablative conditioning (median age 44 years) and 41 reduced intensity conditioning (median age 53 years). Five-year overall survival was 44.6% (confidence intervals (CI) 41-48). Non relapse mortality of all periods was 19% (CI 17 - 40%) and relapse rate was 17 % (CI 16-22). No difference in five years overall survival among patients younger than 40, 41 to 50 and over 51 years was observed.CONCLUSIONS:Overall Survival, non-relapse mortality and relapse rate were similar in younger and older patients in our program and similar to those previously reported in other centers.

Introduction: Currently, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a major public health problem worldwide. Although most patients present a mild infection, effective strategies are required for patients who develop the severe disease. Anti-inflammatory treatment with JAK inhibitors has been considered in SARS-CoV-2. Methods: In this study, we presented our experience in a group of severe SARS-CoV-2 Chilean patients. This prospective study was performed on consecutive patients presenting severe respiratory failure owing to COVID-19 or high-risk clinical condition associated with SARS-CoV-2, and who were treated with ruxolitinib for management of associated inflammation. Overall, 18 patients presenting SARS-CoV-2 viral-induced hyperinflammation were treated with ruxolitinib, with 16 patients previously treated with steroids, 4 with tocilizumab, and 3 with both treatments. Results: Ten patients evolved with favorable response, including 7 patients admitted with severe respiratory failure (PaFi less than 200 mm Hg in high-flow nasal cannula), presenting complete regression of hyperinflammation, regression of the lung lesions, and subsequent discharge. In the remaining 8 patients, 25% showed reduced inflammation, but early discharge was not achieved owing to the slow evolution of respiratory failure. Unfortunately, 3 patients demonstrated a severe respiratory failure. The early initiation of ruxolitinib was found to be associated with better clinical evolution (p < 0.005). Conclusion: In this study, ruxolitinib resolved hyperinflammatory state in 55% of the patients, regardless of the previous steroid or tocilizumab therapy. Unfortunately, few patients demonstrated severe evolution despite ruxolitinib therapy. Notably, the treatment starting time appears to play an important role in achieving good outcomes. Further validation in randomized controlled trials is crucial.

Background: In our country, transplantation centers differ in the age limit for allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation (ALOHT). In our program, transplants with age- adjusted conditioning are performed in patients until 70 years old. Currently more than 60% of ALOHT reported to the Center for International Bone Marrow Transplantation Research (CIBMTR) are performed in patients older than 40 years.

Introduction: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication in allogeneic transplantation. The first-line treatment is high doses of corticosteroids. In the absence of response to corticosteroids, several immunosuppressive drugs can be used, but they entail an elevated risk of severe infections. Added to this, there are patients who do not improve on any immunosuppressive treatment, with subsequent deteriorated quality of life and high mortality. Ruxolitinib has been shown to induce responses in refractory patients. In this study we have presented our real-life experience. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with severe GVHD refractory to corticosteroids. Demographic, previous treatment, response and mortality data were collected. Results: Since 2014, seventeen patients with GVHD were treated with ruxolitinib due to refractoriness to corticosteroids and immunosuppressants and a few to extracorporeal photopheresis, 8 with acute GVHD (1 pulmonary, 4 cutaneous grade IV and 3 digestive grade IV) and 9 with chronic GHVD (5 cutaneous sclerodermiform, 2 pulmonary and 1 multisystemic). The overall response to ruxolitinib treatment for acute GVHD was 80%, 40% with partial response and 40% with complete remission. Global response in chronic GVHD was 79%. The GVHD mortality was only seen in acute disease and was 40%. Causes of mortality in those patients were severe viral pneumonia, post-transplantation hemophagocytic syndrome and meningeal GVHD refractory to ruxolitinib. Conclusions: In our series, the use of ruxolitinib as a rescue strategy in acute or chronic GVHD was satisfactory. Ruxolitinib treatment in patients with a very poor prognosis showed encouraging results. However, the GVHD mortality remains high in refractory patients, showing that better therapeutic strategies are needed.

Introduction Steroids refractory (SR) acute (a) or chronic (c) graft versus host disease (GVHD) carries morbidity and lethality. Treatment algorithms varies widely among institutions meaning that the most effective treatment is not yet established. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ExP) and Ruxolitinib have shown in retrospective studies a hopeful efficacy in the treatment of this disease. Moreover, prolonged corticoid or immunosuppressant drugs are associated with opportunistic infection and mortality. Consequently our GVHD algorithm consider 7 days of high dose steroids before moving on to the second line treatments mentioned above to avoid prolonged infectious risk. Because of quick availability and reported benefit, without adding more immunosuppression, we have prefered ExP over other treatments. However this apparent advantages are contrasted with its great cost, as each session exceeds $US 2000. Ruxolitinib in the other hand, is less expensive, but since it is only administered orally, doubts regarding its absorption frequently appear in situations of intestinal GVHD. Hence we used Ruxolitinib as third line therapy after ExP. To know real outcomes of our patients we analyzed all patients with SR-GVHD of our adult hematopoietic transplantation program. Methodology Since 1993 we prospectively performed a registry of all transplanted patients. For this analysis we reviewed all allogeneic transplantated patients and data of those who developed SR-GVHD was extracted. In 2013, ExP was available in our center and was included in our algorithm. SR-GVHD was defined as patients that did not respond despite 5-7 of high dose steroids. As some patients suffer from aGVHD and cGVHD we analyse them separately for global response purpose. Considering that some events can affect more than one organ, when less than 3 organs were affected, we also analyse responses to each one of them separately. When 3 or more organs were affected we consider it as multisystemic affectation Results Until 2013 150 allogeneic transplants were performed; of those, 14 patients (9%) developed SR-GVHD, with 90% mortality. Unsuccessful treatmens included ATG, high doses of methylprednisolone, etanercept, and cyclosporine adjustment. Since 2013 we performed 135 allogeneic transplants and 20 patients (14,8%) developed SR-GVHD. Twelve patients presented with SR-aGVHD, 5 patients with SR-cGVHD and 4 patients with acute and chronic SR-GVHD in different time. For analysis of global response, then, we consider 16 SR-aGVHD patients and 9 SR-cGVHD patients (patients characteristics are shown in table 1). All 16 SR-aGVHD patients were treated with ExP with a median of 5,3 sessions. Among SR-aGVHD patients 37% responded to ExP, all being complete responses. When including ruxolitinib addition, final responses reached 56,3%. Mortality was high in this group (56,3% died, 66% of them because of aGVHD). In patients with no response to ExP and Ruxolitinib, mortality rate was 85,7%. Most affected organs were small intestine and skin, affecting 43,7% of patients each. Responses to therapy by organ affectation are shown in table 2. In SR-cGVHD, ExP was used in 7/9 patients, and 85,7% responded. In this case most patients only achieved partial response (71,4%) and ruxolitinib did not improved response any further. Among SR-cGVHD, skin affectation was the most common, 66% of SR-cGVHD patients presented with skin affectation either exclusively or combine with other organ affectation. Conclusions SR-GVHD remains a challenging disease, and no standard treatment exist. Beyond the high mortality rate, cost associated with treatment, procedures and hospitalization makes this patients even more difficult to manage. Therefore it is imperative that every center analyse their own data and treatment pathways to optimize both, GVHD treatment results and hospital resources. As a matter of fact, after reviewing our own data, we switched to a combined modality of ExP and Ruxolitinib for affectation other than skin, in SR- aGVHD. We hope this new algorithm overcomes, specially, the bad results of monotherapy in intestinal SR-aGVHD seen in our center, as these patients are exposed to high risk of malnutrition, dehydration, prolonged hospitalization and death. In SR-cGVHD we found a consistent tendency of partial responses with ExP. Keywords: Steroids refractory graft versus host disease, Extracorporeal Photopheresis, Ruxolitinib. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction Autologous hematopoietic transplantation (autoHT) is an effective treatment in myeloma and lymphoma patients. To perform it, an adequate harvest of stem cells is required. Collection of stem cells can be challenging in some patients, because they do not achieve satisfactory CD34 cell counts with GCSF + - chemotherapy. Plerixafor is a potent drug that promotes the release of stem cells from medullar niche to peripheral blood and allows satisfactory harvests but at a high cost. Different criteria of use have been applied in several countries to select patients eligible for treatment with plerixafor, with a high variability of prescription modalities. Even more, there are difficulties in precise the optimal schedule and dosification mainly by differences in the number defined as optimal collection, because some centers use the minimum tolerated collection cellularity of 2.0 x106 CD34/ kg and others use more stringent cells recounts. Development of our own algorithm for stem cell harvest is mandatory. Methodology We performed a retrospective analysis of the harvests performed in patients treated with autoHT in our institution since 1993. In 2013 plerixafor was available in our country and was included in our transplantation program. Satisfactory harvest was defined with total cellularity obtained of 2.5 x106 CD34/ kg. Results During the last 26 years, 273 patients with myeloma and lymphoma were treated with autoHT. Before 2013, all patients (n=112) were mobilized with GCSF +- chemotherapy. In this period, 75% of patients had successful harvests, requiring more than 2 apheresis procedures in 30% of them. Median cellularity obtained was 2.7 x106 CD34/ kg (range 1.2-15). Since 2013, 161 patients were treated with autoHT and we found that 80% of patients obtained satisfactory harvests with 1 apheresis and satisfactory harvests were obtained in 97% using plerixafor in 50% of them (p < 0.001). Median cellularity obtained was 4.8 x106 CD34/ kg (range 2-14) (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, after 2013 the only factor that predicted the need for plerixafor was the presence of less than 30,000 CD34 / ul at the day of the apheresis (OR 0,3 p <0.001). Other variables such as previous pelvic irradiation, use of IMID's, gender and advanced aged were no associated with harvest failure. Conclusions Historically, we have observed an improvement of the quality of cellularity for autoTH. Since the avaibility of plerixafor, more patients could be transplanted, better cellularity was obtained and less apheresis procedures were required. The rational and standardized use of plerixafor favors satisfactory harvests in patients of our country who require autologous transplantation. Using a simplified algorithm using exclusively the CD34 counts before apheresis allows us satisfactory harvests and efficient use of plerixafor, establishing the appropriate harvest and apheresis schema for our population allowing optimization of transplantation costs. Keywords: autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, plerixafor, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, GCSF. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

INTRODUCTION:Patients with benign or malignant blood disorders, who require allogeneic stem cell transplantation and lack an identical human leukocyte antigen HLA identicalHL sibling donor, could be transplanted with hematopoietic stem cells from unrelated adult or umbilical cord donors. However, in our country, both approaches are costly and time-consuming options. METHODS:Over the last few years, haploidentical modalities have been investigated as an alternative donor source, showing similar results to those obtained with identical HLA donors. We started using T-cell-replete haploidentical with post-transplant cyclophosphamide in 2012 and we presented our experience with patients undergoing haploidentical ransplantation compared to SIB. RESULTS:Since January 2012 to date, 91 allogeneic transplants have been performed, of which 49 were haploidentical and 42 were HLA identical. The mean age of the patients was 35 years (range: 17-62). The mean CD34/kg×106 infused per group was 5.93 and 5.89, respectively. Time to granulocyte and platelet engraftment was 11 and 15 days, respectively, for haploidentical, and 12 and 14 days, respectively, for HLA identical (p=0.10). The 100-day cumulative incidence of global acute GVHD was 34% for haploidentical and 29% for SIHLA identical (p=0.9). The 2-year overall global graft-versus-host disease was 43% for haploidentical and 41% for HLA identical (p=0.8). Overall survival, relapse, and transplant and relapse-related mortality were similar between both groups. CONCLUSION:Our experience showed that haploidentical has similar outcomes to those obtained with HLA idential and can be performed in our country safely.

Abstract Introduction. The use of cryopreservation of hematopoietic precursors for autologous or allogeneic transplantation with DMSO is a procedure commonly used in many countries, but it is expensive and is not exempt of risks, since serious adverse events have been described. Our group recently published a comparative study between two centers and showed that avoiding DMSO cryopreservation favors better transplantation tolerance, significantly shorter hospitalizations, fewer episodes of febrile neutropenia and mucositis. In this report we show the financial analysis of both modalities of CRYO and Non CRYO preserved transplants. Methodology Database of the adult hematopoietic transplant program of our institution was retrospectively analyzed. Since Non CRYO modality was initiated in our institution on 2015, we compared 3 years before and after that date, assigning two groups (CRYO and Non CRYO). Costs data of mobilization, apheresis, hospitalization, freezing and blood banking were analyzed. Results Between 2013 and 2018, 90 autologous hematopoietic transplants were performed, 41 CRYO and 49 Non CRYO. The average cost of mobilization therapy with filgrastim and the use of plerixafor did not differ between groups (p = 0.26). The number of apheresis needed to achieve a satisfactory count was higher in CRYO (median 1.5 vs 1.2 p = 0.001) with 55% higher cost on average. The cost of transplant hospitalization including antibiotics costs, blood banking costs, analgesics requirements and nutritional parenteral support was lower in Non CRYO (minimum cost USD 8000, maximum USD 160000 average value USD 20.000) than in CRYO (minimum cost USD 11.000, maximum USD 200.000, average value USD 32000) (p = 0.001). Conclusions In addition to promoting better patient tolerance, Non CRYO modality in our country has lower cost. This information has important relevance for health systems of developing countries and can promote better access to transplant. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

T-cell-replete Haplo with PT-Cy is increasingly used in middle-income countries over UCBT due to its more affordable cost. There is no data regarding the safety and efficacy of this approach in developing nations.

Abstract Introduction Autologous hematopoietic transplantation (AHT) is an established therapy in multiple myeloma (MM) and lymphoma. Standard mode (CRYO) consists on collection of autologous precursors, freezing with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and subsequent thawing and reinfusion. However, this process is toxic and increases transplantation costs. Non-Cryopreserved (Non-CRYO) mode is a less expensive mode of AHT that has shown same transplantation outcomes in several single-center experiences. The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile transplant program began Non-CRYO AHT in 2015. In this study, we have compared patients who had Non-CRYO AHT in Chile with patients who had standard CRYO AHT in Spain at the same period of time. Aims: Our main objective was to compare short-term complications between both modes of AHT in terms of severe mucositis measured by use of morphine, total parenteral nutrition requirements, febrile neutropenia, engraftment and length of hospitalization. Other objectives were overall response, non-relapse mortality and overall survival. Methods. This is a prospective analysis of all consecutive adult patients treated with AHT in both centers from January 2015 to May 2016. CRYO mode procedure consisted of the stimulation of hematopoietic progenitors with filgrastim +/- plerixafor in both MM and lymphoma patients, CD34-apheresis on day 5, freezing of product with DMSO, subsequent thawing and reinfusion post conditioning. In Non-CRYO mode, once patients achieved the best response, they received the same filgrastim +/- plerixafor treatment followed by CD34-apheresis without DMSO freezing. Apheresis product was kept at 5°C during conditioning and then re-infused. Conditioning regimen for MM patients was high dose melphalan and for lymphoma patients BEC or BEAM protocols. All patients were hospitalized during the period of pancytopenia and received transfusions, antibiotics and symptomatic measures as usual. Patients were discharged when they reached >500 neutrophils/uL and 25.000 platelets/uL without the need of transfusions, and did not have active infections. Results. Since 2015, 29 Non-CRYO and 58 CRYO AHT were performed in both centers. General characteristics are detailed in table 1. No significant differences were observed regarding demographic characteristics, basal disease and status, and CD34 cellularity. 7AAD FACS viability at infusion day was greater than 92% in Non-CRYO and all patients engrafted in both groups. As we show in table 2, neutrophil and platelet engraftments were significantly earlier in Non-CRYO group vs CRYO group (p = 0.003). Less gastrointestinal toxicity was seen in Non-CRYO group in terms of morphine use (11% vs 55%, p= 0.001) and total parenteral nutrition requirements (11% vs 14%, p= 0.06). The incidence of febrile neutropenia was lower in Non-CRYO group (28% vs 85% respectively, p=0.0001). Finally, lengh of hospitalization was shorter in Non-CRYO (p=0.008). Overall response obtained after transplant was similar in both groups. Non relapse mortality was low and similar in both groups (0 vs 0.5%). We found no differences in relapse nor overall survival. Conclusions. This analysis demonstrates a clear advantage of Non-CRYO AHT over CRYO AHT in terms of short term complications, in particular, faster engraftment, shorter hospital stay and lower incidence of febrile neutropenia and severe pain manifested by morphine use. These data are especially relevant to transplant centers with high flow of patients or limited resources. The savings in costs of freezing process and shorter hospitalizations should be evaluated in further investigations. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

BACKGROUND:Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults, emphasizing its high recurrence rate despite hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).AIM:To report the results of AML treatment at the Catholic University of Chile Clinical Hospital.PATIENTS AND METHODS:Review of medical records of patients with AML.RESULTS:63 patients, median age 55.4 years (range:16-89), treated between 2010 and 2014. Admission laboratory values showed (median values): leukocytes 45.989/mm³, hemoglobin 9.1 g/dl, platelets 75.548/mm³, peripheral blood blasts 38% and bone marrow blasts 74%. According to cytogenetic risk classification we observed the following groups: favorable 8% (n = 5), intermediate 51% (n = 32), unfavorable 13% (n = 8) and unknown 28% (n = 17). Seventy five percent of patients received induction chemotherapy and 25% palliative care. Median survival of treated and palliative care patients was 27.3 and 1 month respectively. Induction chemotherapy (IC) mortality (ICM) was 4.2%. Seventy percent (n = 33) of patients who received IC had complete response (CR) with a 3-year relapse free survival (RFS) of 25% and overall survival (OS) of 31%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that achievement of CR, cytogenetic risk group and receiving consolidation chemotherapy were significantly associated with better RFS and OS.CONCLUSIONS:AML treatment with standard chemotherapy in our center achieves similar results to what has been described in international series regarding induction rates and ICM, however RFS and OS are still very low, especially in intermediate and high cytogenetic risk groups.

Patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) have an increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CD). Literature reports CD infection in nearly 20% of transplanted patients. No information about this infection in HCT patients has been reported in Chile.

Haploidential hematopoietic cell transplantation (haplo HCT) with post transplant cyclophosphamide is a treatment option for hematologic cancers. Higher accessibility and lower costs compared to other alternative donors are just two advantages. Studies have shown benefits in survival, toxicity and acute and chronic graft vs host disease (GVHD) risks. Since our population is underrepresented in international registries, haplo HCT will significantly increase the possibility of transplanting patients in need.

INTRODUCTION:Hodgkin's lymphoma is a highly curable disease. Autologous and reduced intensity allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantations are alternatives to treat relapsed patients. Here, we report on the results of one service using these procedures.METHODS:All patients who underwent transplantations in our institution between 1996 and 2014 were retrospectively studied and demographics, toxicities and survival rate were analyzed.RESULTS:This study evaluated 24 autologous and five reduced intensity allogeneic transplantations: the median ages of the patients were 29 and 32 years, respectively. At the time of autologous transplantation, ten patients were in complete remission, nine had chemosensitive disease but were not in complete remission, three had refractory disease and the status of two is unknown. In the allogeneic group, two were in complete remission and three had chemosensitive disease. The 5-year overall survival after autologous transplantation was 42% (66% patients were in complete remission, 37% had chemosensitive disease with incomplete remission and 0% had refractory disease) and 1-year overall survival after allogeneic transplantation was 80%. Transplant-related mortality was 0% in patients conditioned with the ifosfamide/carboplatin/etoposide (ICE), carmustine/etoposide/cyclophosphamide (BEC) and carmustine/etoposide/cytarabine/melphalan (BEAM) regimens, 37% in patients conditioned with busulfan-based regimens and 20% in allogeneic transplantations.CONCLUSIONS:Hematopoietic cell transplantation for relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma is a potentially curative procedure especially in patients in complete remission at the time of autologous transplantations, and possibly after allogeneic transplantations. Further studies are necessary to clarify the role of allogeneic transplantations in the treatment of relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma.

INTRODUCTION:Patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have an increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection and multiple risk factors have been identified. Published reports have indicated an incidence from 9% to 30% of transplant patients however to date there is no information about infection in these patients in Chile.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed of patients who developed C. difficile infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantations from 2000 to 2013. Statistical analysis used the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.RESULTS:Two hundred and fifty patients were studied (mean age: 39 years; range: 17-69), with 147 (59%) receiving allogeneic transplants and 103 (41%) receiving autologous transplants. One hundred and ninety-two (77%) patients had diarrhea, with 25 (10%) cases of C. difficile infection being confirmed. Twenty infected patients had undergone allogeneic transplants, of which ten had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, three had acute myeloid leukemia and seven had other diseases (myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic myeloid leukemia, severe aplastic anemia). In the autologous transplant group, five patients had C. difficile infection; two had multiple myeloma, one had amyloidosis, one had acute myeloid leukemia and one had germinal carcinoma. The overall incidence of C. difficile infection was 4% within the first week, 6.4% in the first month and 10% in one year, with no difference in overall survival between infected and non-infected groups (72.0% vs. 67.6%, respectively; p-value=0.56). Patients infected after allogeneic transplants had a slower time to neutrophil engraftment compared to non-infected patients (17.5 vs. 14.9 days, respectively; p-value=0.008). In the autologous transplant group there was no significant difference in the neutrophil engraftment time between infected and non-infected patients (12.5 days vs. 11.8 days, respectively; p-value=0.71). In the allogeneic transplant group, the median time to acute graft-versus-host disease was similar between the two groups (p-value=0.08), as was the incidence of grades 1-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (40% vs. 48%; p-value >0.05).CONCLUSION:The incidence of C. difficile infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was low, with a significant number of cases occurring shortly after transplantation. Allogeneic transplants had a three-time higher risk of infection compared to autologous transplants, but this was not associated with increased mortality, decreased overall survival or higher risk of acute graft-versus-host disease.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults, emphasizing its high recurrence rate despite hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).To report the results of AML treatment at the Catholic University of Chile Clinical Hospital.Review of medical records of patients with AML.63 patients, median age 55.4 years (range:16-89), treated between 2010 and 2014. Admission laboratory values showed (median values): leukocytes 45.989/mm³, hemoglobin 9.1 g/dl, platelets 75.548/mm³, peripheral blood blasts 38% and bone marrow blasts 74%. According to cytogenetic risk classification we observed the following groups: favorable 8% (n = 5), intermediate 51% (n = 32), unfavorable 13% (n = 8) and unknown 28% (n = 17). Seventy five percent of patients received induction chemotherapy and 25% palliative care. Median survival of treated and palliative care patients was 27.3 and 1 month respectively. Induction chemotherapy (IC) mortality (ICM) was 4.2%. Seventy percent (n = 33) of patients who received IC had complete response (CR) with a 3-year relapse free survival (RFS) of 25% and overall survival (OS) of 31%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that achievement of CR, cytogenetic risk group and receiving consolidation chemotherapy were significantly associated with better RFS and OS.AML treatment with standard chemotherapy in our center achieves similar results to what has been described in international series regarding induction rates and ICM, however RFS and OS are still very low, especially in intermediate and high cytogenetic risk groups.

Patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) can have complications that require management in the intensive care unit (ICU). We conducted a retrospective study of patients undergoing HCT between 2007 and 2011 with admission to the ICU. We analyzed 97 patients, with an average age of 37 (range, 15 to 68). The main indications for HCT were hematologic malignancies (84%, n = 82). Ninety percent (n = 87) received myeloablative conditioning. Thirty-one percent were admitted (autologous transplant recipients 15%, allogeneic transplant recipients 34%, and umbilical cord blood [UCB] transplant recipients 48%) with an average length of stay of 19 days (range, 1 to 73 days). The average time between transplantation and transfer was 15 days. The main causes of admission were acute respiratory failure (63%) and septic shock (20%). ICU mortality was 20% for autologous transplantations and 64% for allogeneic transplantations (adult donor and UCB combined). On average, patients died 108 days after the transplantation (range, 4 to 320 days). One-year overall survival, comparing patients entering the ICU with those never admitted, was 16% versus 82% (P < .0001) for allogeneic transplantations (adult donor and UCB combined) and 80% versus 89% (P = not significant) for autologous transplantations. Acute graft-versus-host disease was significantly associated with death in ICU after UCB HCT. ICU support is satisfactory in about one half of patients admitted, characterized by a short and medium term prognosis not as unfavorable as has been previously reported.