Introduction: The use of a Myeloablative (MA) regimen followed bypost-transplantation high dose Cyclophosphamide (PT-CY) has been adopted to overcome the increased relapse risk following nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen and unmanipulated Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplantation, in patients with high-risk hematological malignancies, with acceptable TRM and risk of GVHD. We added ATG to our Myeloablative regimen with PT-CY after noticing significant incidence of grade II-IV aGVHD with the first few cases. Here we compare the outcomes of the 12 patients who received ATG to the outcomes of the first 11 patients who were transplanted without ATG. Patients and Methods: our haploidentical program was started in 2013 as a phase I/II prospective clinical trial. After reviewing the first 11 cases enrolled on the trial (MA regimen with PT-CY, without ATG), we noticed significant incidence of high grade aGVHD (54.55%). We amended our protocol in early 2015. Rabbit ATG was added at a dose of 3 mg/kg (1.5 mg/kg day -3 and day -2) to our conditioning regimen [thiotepa (5mg/kg/day on day -8 and -7), busulfan (3.2mg/kg/day IV day-6, -5 and -4), fludarabine (50mg/m2/day on day -6, -5 and -4 )] or [TBI 1000 cGy (200cGy twice a day on days -10, -9 and one dose on day -8), fludarabine (30mg/m2/day on Days -7, -6, -5 and -4)]. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of PT-CY (50mg/kg/day) on days +3 and +5, cyclosporine (starting day +4), and mycophenolate mofetil (starting day +1). Table 1 summarizes the disease-type and disease-status at transplant. Patient characteristics were comparable at baseline between the 2 groups. Results (Table 2): We enrolled patients with high risk hematologic malignancies in need for SCT but have no matched donor (MSD, MUD). Despite the small sample size, our results showed a statistically significant difference in the rate of acute GVHD between the 2 groups (p= 0.0161) in favor of the ATG group, chronic GVHD was more frequent in the non-ATG group however the difference did not reach statistical significance probably due to the small sample size. There was no statistically-significant difference in the risk of relapse, CMV reactivation or Hemorrhagic cystitis between the 2 groups. However, there was a trend of higher relapse rate (33.3% vs 18.18%), a higher rate of Hemorrhagic cystitis (50% vs 18.18%) and a higher rate of CMV reactivation (100% vs 81.82%) in the ATG group. The cumulative incidence of TRM at day 100 was in favor of the ATG group (figure 1), with a trend toward a better DFS in these patients 6 months post-transplant (figure 2). To be noted the follow up period was shorter for the ATG group because ATG was added later on. Figure 3 shows the survival for ATG vs non ATG group. Conclusion: The use of ATG with myeloablative Haplo conditioning can significantly reduce the risk of acute GVHD and early TRM. We have seen more relapses, higher rate of CMV reactivation, and hemorrhagic cystitis with the addition of ATG but these did not reach statistical significance probably due to the small sample size. A lower dose of ATG might be the way to go to strike a careful balance and improve the outcomes of myeloablative haploidentical transplant. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Introduction: Induction with 3+7 has been standard practice in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for over 40 years. Addition of a 3rd agent or use of high dose Ara-C has been reported to show better CR rates, but this has not demonstrated a consistent improvement in overall survival. We have consistently used induction with idarubicin, cytarabine 100mg/m2 /day for 7 days and etoposide at 100mg/m2 in young patients, omitting etoposide for suspected secondary AML or AML with myelodysplasia related features, or in those in whom excess toxicity is suspected. Methods: All patients wholly treated for newly diagnosed AML were identified from the prospective institutional AML database. Patients were treated with either ICE (Idarubicin 12mg/m2 day 1-3, Ara-C 100mg/m2 day 1-7, Etoposide 100mg/m2 d1-3) or the same doses of idarubicin and Ara-C without etoposide (3+7). The latter was given in patients with dysplastic features or secondary AML or where there were concerns of toxicity. Results: We Identified 116 patients who received one of the 2 induction regimen between 2005 and 2013. 90 patients received ICE and 26 patients received 3+7. Median ages in the groups were 29y (14-56) and 37y (15-58), respectively. Cytogenetics by ELN classification were similarly distributed between the ICE and 3+7 groups, with favourable/intermediate/adverse cytogenetics comprising 22%/46%/26% and 23% / 38% / 26%, respectively. 21/90 (23%) in the ICE group had >5% blasts in a day 14 bone marrow vs 7/26 (27%) in the 3+7 cohort. There was no significant difference in the CR/CRi rate between ICE (82%) and 3 + 7 (77%) groups. The death in aplasia rate was similar at 3.3% and 3.8%, respectively. 65/90 (72%) and 14/26 (54%) of patients received a transplant in CR1 or beyond in the ICE and 3+7 groups, respectively. Leukemia free survival was 40% (SE 10%) and 40% (SE 5%) in both cohorts (Fig.1). Overall survival at 5 years for ICE and 3+7 were 57% (SE 6%) and 49 % (SE 13%), p=0.69 (Fig.2). Conclusion: Our experience in young adults, albeit retrospective, confirms findings of larger studies that demonstrate that addition of etoposide to induction does not appear to improve remission rates significantly or improve survival. In order to improve remission rates in younger adults, FLAG-Ida or other regimens consisting of high dose Ara-C and/or novel agents may provide more tangible improvements in remission rates, although strategies that translate these into better overall survival remain elusive and this should be the target of further prospective trials. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

BACKGROUND: Red cell transfusion remains the gold standard in managing sickle cell disease (SCD) with severe complications. Offering red blood cell exchange (RBCX) either manual exchange transfusion (MET) or automated RBCX (aRBCX) can reduce the complications of chronic transfusion and maintain target Hb thresholds. This study audits the hospital experience of overseeing adult SCD patients treated with RBCX, both automated and manual, and compares the safety and efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted as an audit for chronic RBCX for adult patients with SCD in 2015–2019 at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: A total of 344 RBCX for 20 adult SCD patients who were enrolled in regular RBCX, (11/20) patients had regular aRBCX with a total of (157) sessions, and (9/20) patients had MET with a total of (187) sessions. The median level of HbS% post-aRBCX was significantly lower than MET (24.5.9% vs. 47.3%, P < 0.010). Patients on aRBCX had fewer sessions (5 vs. 7.5, P < 0.067) with better disease control. Although the median yearly pRBC units per patient for aRBCX was more than the double needed for MET (28.64 vs. 13.39, P < 0.010), the median ferritin level was 42 μg/L in aRBCX versus 983.7 μg/L in MET, P < 0.012. CONCLUSION: Compared to MET, aRBCX was more effective in reducing HbS, with fewer hospital visits and better disease control. Although more pRBCs were transfused, the ferritin level was better controlled in the aRBCX group without increasing alloimmunization risk.

Lenalidomide is a second-generation immunomodulatory agent and a potent analogue of thalidomide that is FDA approved mainly for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) and transfusion-dependent anaemia due to low or intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with 5q deletion among other indications. Through its action on the immune system, lenalidomide alters the production of different cytokines ultimately resulting in immune activation against tumours. This immune activation may lead to collateral immune toxicities like fever, angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, tumour flare and others. Here we report a case of lenalidomide-induced high grade fever in a patient with MM and we summarize the literature about the physiology of such reaction and how to mitigate this adverse event.