Sirolimus and thrombotic microangiopathy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2005 Jul;11(7):551-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2005.04.007.

Abstract

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) may occur after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and is related in part to calcineurin inhibitor toxicity. We observed a higher-than-expected rate of TMA when calcineurin inhibitors were combined with sirolimus. To determine the incidence of and risk factors for TMA after HSCT, we performed a retrospective cohort analysis of myeloablative allogeneic HSCT recipients between 1997 and 2003. TMA diagnosis required the simultaneous occurrence of (1) creatinine increase >2 mg/dL or >50% above baseline, (2) schistocytosis, (3) increased lactate dehydrogenase, and (4) no evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. A total of 111 sirolimus-exposed subjects were compared with 216 nonexposed subjects after HSCT. TMA occurred in 10.8% of the sirolimus group and 4.2% in the nonsirolimus group (odds ratio, 2.79; P=.03). Sirolimus exposure was associated with TMA earlier than in nonsirolimus patients (25 versus 58 days; P=.04). Only the use of sirolimus (exact odds ratio, 3.49; P=.02) and grade II to IV acute graft-versus-host disease (exact odds ratio, 6.60; P=.0002) were associated with TMA in regression analyses. Treatment of TMA varied among affected individuals. Renal recovery was complete in 92% of sirolimus-treated patients. Overall survival after TMA diagnosis was better for sirolimus subjects than for nonsirolimus subjects (58.3% versus 11.1%; P=.02). Sirolimus seems to potentiate the effects of calcineurin inhibitors on TMA after HSCT. TMA associated with sirolimus seems reversible and has a favorable prognosis when compared with TMA associated with calcineurin inhibitors alone. A careful monitoring strategy for TMA should be used with a sirolimus-containing graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis regimen.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / blood
  • Graft vs Host Disease / complications
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / blood
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sirolimus / administration & dosage*
  • Sirolimus / adverse effects
  • Transplantation Conditioning / methods
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Sirolimus