Abstract Presenter: Masumi Ueda Oshima, MD, associate professor in the Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and associate professor, University of Washington School of Medicine

Abstract Title: A Randomized Phase II Study Comparing Cyclosporine and Sirolimus Combined with MMF or Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide As Gvhd Prophylaxis after HLA-Matched or -Mismatched Unrelated Mobilized Blood Cell Transplantation Using Nonmyeloablative or Reduced-Intensity Conditioning

Session: Welcome, Awards & Best Abstracts, 8:15 – 10 a.m. on Feb. 14, Ballroom B

Presentation Time: 9:45 – 10 a.m.

What is your presentation/abstract about?

“We are presenting the results of a randomized phase 2 study that enrolled 145 patients and compared the graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimen of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy), cyclosporine, and sirolimus to the standard triple immunosuppressive regimen of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), cyclosporine, and sirolimus after nonmyeloablative and reduced intensity human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched and -mismatched unrelated mobilized blood cell transplantation.”

How did you first become interested in this topic?

“A prior multi-center phase 3 study led by Brenda Sandmaier, MD, showed that the combination of MMF, cyclosporine, and sirolimus (triple immunosuppression) was superior to cyclosporine and MMF after nonmyeloablative HLA-matched and -mismatched unrelated mobilized blood cell transplantation in preventing acute GVHD. This led to a significant improvement in non-relapse mortality and overall survival, but chronic GVHD rates were similar between the arms. With the current trial, we were interested in improving chronic GVHD rates with the incorporation of PTCy into the regimen along with cyclosporine and sirolimus. We also wanted to study whether this approach would increase toxicities or disease relapse.”

What are you working on next related to this topic?

“The results of our study warrant further investigation of the combination of PTCy/cyclosporine/sirolimus in a multi-institutional trial, and we are in the process of proposing this regimen for study on a national level.” 

How do you hope your work influences the field?

“I hope our work influences our field to continue to conduct prospective, randomized studies to determine the most optimal method of GVHD prevention. There are many exciting frontiers in GVHD prophylaxis currently, and prospective randomized studies are necessary to understand which approach results in the best outcomes for our patients.” 

What excites you most about transplantation and cellular and gene therapy today?

“I think the pace of new discoveries and new treatment approaches for patients is what excites me the most. I know I will never get bored in this field because things are always new and changing. I am also excited about the opportunity to collaborate and connect with investigators and clinicians from across the U.S. and the globe who all share the same goal of improving outcomes for patients.” 

Is there anything else you would like Tandem Meetings attendees to know about your abstract?

“This work would not have been possible without the many generous patients who were willing to enroll in this randomized study and who trusted us with their care. In addition, I am grateful for the support and guidance of my mentor, Dr. Brenda Sandmaier, as well as all of my colleagues at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center who supported this trial over the years.”