Decitabine and Umbilical Cord Blood for Poor Graft Function Post Allogenic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Poor graft function (PGF), defined by the presence of multilineage cytopenias in the presence of 100% donor chimerism, is a serious complication of allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT). Emerging evidence demonstrates that the inadequate stem cells infusion, bone marrow microenvironment and immune dysregulation play a crucial role in maintaining and regulating hematopoiesis. Current therapies remain debatable, including selected CD34+ cells infusion, mesenchymal stromal cells infusion, prophylactic N-acetyl cysteine administration, etc. Thereafter, the investigators conduct a randomized trial aiming at validating the efficacy and safety of low-dose decitabine, together with umbilical cord blood in PGF post allo-HSCT patients.

Patients were eligible if they were diagnosed as PGF at day 28 post-HSCT or later. PGF was defined as two or three cytopenias, absolute neutrophil count ≤ 1.5 × 109/L, platelet count ≤ 30 × 109/L, hemoglobin ≤ 85g/L, lasting for more than 14 consecutive weeks, in the presence of full donor chimerism and primary disease in remission without severe graft-versus- host disease (GVHD) and relapse.

Patients with the following conditions or diagnoses were excluded: allergic to decitabine or any components of frozen preservation of umbilical cord blood; active infections; uncontrolled GVHD; severe organ dysfunction; relapse of underlying malignancies; graft failure. Patients were also excluded if they had received decitabine or participated in other clinical trials within one month before screening.

Hematological improvement is defined as recovery of two or three blood lineages: absolute neutrophil count>1.5 × 109/L, platelet count>30 × 109/L, hemoglobin>85g/L, without G-CSF, red blood cell or platelet infusion.

Hematological response is defined as recovery of three blood lineages: absolute neutrophil count>2.5 × 109/L, platelet count>60 × 109/L, hemoglobin>100g/L, without G-CSF, red blood cell or platelet infusion.