Role of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD): a Report of the United States Immunodeficiency Network

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency for which allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) offers potential cure. Direct comparison of HSCT to non-HSCT management in the North American population was performed to identify clinical factors associated with overall survival (OS) and transplant-related survival (TRS).

Retrospective review of CGD subjects enrolled in the United States Immunodeficiency Network. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and modeled by proportional hazards regression.

We identified 507 patients (66% CYBB mutants) diagnosed in 1953–2016. Fifty underwent allogeneic HSCT. Median follow-up was 9.1 years after diagnosis (0–45.8 years). OS was negatively associated with CYBB mutation (HR = 6.25; p = 0.034) and not associated with HSCT (88% v. 85% ± HCT) (HR = 1.26; p = 0.65). Transplant at ≤ 14 years old was associated with improved TRS (93% v. 82% at T + 60 months) (HR = − 4.51; p = 0.035). Patients transplanted before 15 years old had fewer severe infections pre-HSCT (mean 0.95 v. 2.13; p = 0.047). No mortality was reported in patients receiving stem cells from matched siblings. Infection incidence declined post-HSCT in subjects with greater than or equal to four infections pre-HSCT (p = 0.0010). Compared to non-HSCT patients ≥ 15 years old, post-transplant survivors had higher mean performance score (93.2 v. 85.9; p = 0.0039) and lower frequency of disability (11% v. 52%; p = 0.014).

Allogeneic HSCT was associated with reduced infection incidence and improved functional performance, but not with a change in overall survival. Transplant-related survival was elevated in patients undergoing HSCT before 15 years old. Consider HSCT prior to late adolescence in patients with severely diminished reactive oxygen intermediate synthesis, particularly if a matched sibling is available.