Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology - Research Publications

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    Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of [18F]FDG-PET/CT for investigation of persistent or recurrent neutropenic fever in high-risk haematology patients
    Tew, M ; Douglas, AP ; Szer, J ; Bajel, A ; Harrison, SJ ; Tio, SY ; Worth, LJ ; Hicks, RJ ; Ritchie, D ; Slavin, MA ; Thursky, KA ; Dalziel, K (BMC, 2023-12-15)
    BACKGROUND: A recent randomised trial demonstrated [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography in combination with low-dose CT (FDG-PET/CT), compared to standard of care computed tomography (CT) imaging, positively impacted antimicrobial management and outcomes of acute leukaemia and haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with persistent and recurrent neutropenic fever. We conducted an economic evaluation from a healthcare perspective alongside the clinical trial. METHODS: Unit costs in Australian dollars were applied to all resources used (antimicrobials, diagnostic tests, ICU and hospital bed days). Effectiveness was measured as number of patients with antimicrobial rationalisation, 6-month mortality and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) derived from patient-reported trial-based health-related quality-of-life. Generalised linear models were used to analyse costs and outcomes. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for all outcomes and net monetary benefit (NMB) for QALYs were calculated. We performed bootstrapping with 1000 replications using the recycled predictions method. RESULTS: The adjusted healthcare costs were lower for FDG-PET/CT (mean $49,563; 95%CI 36,867, 65,133) compared to CT (mean $57,574; 95% CI 44,837, 73,347). The difference in QALYs between the two groups was small (0.001; 95% CI -0.001, 0.004). When simulated 1000 times, FDG-PET/CT was the dominant strategy as it was cheaper with better outcomes than the standard CT group in 74% of simulations. The estimated NMBs at willingness-to-pay thresholds of $50,000 and $100,000 per QALY were positive, thus FDG-PET/CT remained cost-effective at these thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET/CT is cost effective when compared to CT for investigation of persistent/recurrent neutropenic fever in high-risk patients, providing further support for incorporation of FDG-PET/CT into clinical guidelines and funding. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03429387.
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    Real-world utility of early measurable residual disease assessments by multi-parametric flow cytometry in adult patients with B-lymphoblastic leukemia receiving Hyper-CVAD induction chemotherapy
    Nedumannil, R ; Ritchie, D ; Bajel, A ; Ng, AP ; Harrison, SJ ; Westerman, D (WILEY, 2023-02)
    Multi-parametric flow cytometry (MFC) has a well-established role in measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring in patients with B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). However, the optimal time-point (TP) for early MRD testing and associated prognostic impact remain undefined in adult B-ALL patients receiving Hyper-CVAD induction chemotherapy. To evaluate the utility of MRD analysis after one cycle (TP1) in comparison to MRD analysis after two cycles (TP2) of induction treatment with Hyper-CVAD chemotherapy, we studied 49 adult B-ALL patients over a 10-year period (2010-2020) who had available bone marrow samples for morphological and MFC MRD assessments at the two separate TPs. Median times to TP1 and TP2 relative to start of treatment were 21 and 45 days, respectively. When censored at transplant, achievement of MRD negativity at TP1 was not associated with a statistically significant improvement in either event-free survival (EFS) (p = .426) or overall survival (OS) (p = .335) when compared to patients with MRD positivity. In contrast, achieving MRD negativity at TP2 was associated with a statistically significant improvement in both EFS (p = ·005) and OS (p = .047) over patients who remained MRD positive. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that KMT2A-rearrangement and MRD positivity at TP2 were the only significant predictors of outcome, correlating with worse EFS and OS. Therefore, in the absence of residual morphologic disease, MRD analysis after one cycle of Hyper-CVAD induction chemotherapy did not provide additional benefit with regard to risk stratification or correlation with survival outcomes when compared to MRD testing after two cycles of Hyper-CVAD in adult B-ALL patients.
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    [18F]FDG-PET-CT compared with CT for persistent or recurrent neutropenic fever in high-risk patients (PIPPIN): a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, randomised, controlled trial
    Douglas, A ; Thursky, K ; Spelman, T ; Szer, J ; Bajel, A ; Harrison, S ; Tio, SY ; Bupha-Intr, O ; Tew, M ; Worth, L ; Teh, B ; Chee, L ; Ng, A ; Carney, D ; Khot, A ; Haeusler, G ; Yong, M ; Trubiano, J ; Chen, S ; Hicks, R ; Ritchie, D ; Slavin, M (ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 2022-08)
    BACKGROUND: Management of neutropenic fever in high-risk haematology patients is challenging; there are often few localising clinical features, and diagnostic tests have poor sensitivity and specificity. We aimed to compare how [18F]flurodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG)-PET-CT scans and conventional CT scans affected the guidance of antimicrobial management and the outcomes of patients with persistent or recurrent neutropenic fever. METHODS: We did a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, randomised, controlled trial in two tertiary referral hospitals in Australia. We recruited adults aged 18 years or older who were receiving conditioning chemotherapy for haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation or chemotherapy for acute leukaemia and had persistent (>72 h) or recurrent (new fever beyond 72 h of initial onset interspersed with >48 h defervescence) neutropenic fever. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy, allergy to iodinated contrast, or estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 30 mL/min. Patients were randomly assigned by computer-generated randomisation chart (1:1) to [18F]FDG-PET-CT or conventional CT. Masking was not possible because of the nature of the investigation. Scans were done within 3 days of random assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of starting, stopping, or changing the spectrum (broadening or narrowing) of antimicrobial therapy-referred to here as antimicrobial rationalisation-within 96 h of the assigned scan, analysed per protocol. This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03429387, and is complete. FINDINGS: Between Jan 8, 2018, and July 23, 2020, we assessed 316 patients for eligibility. 169 patients were excluded and 147 patients were randomly assigned to either [18F]FDG-PET-CT (n=73) or CT (n=74). Nine patients did not receive a scan per protocol, and two participants in each group were excluded for repeat entry into the study. 65 patients received [18F]FDG-PET-CT (38 [58%] male; 53 [82%] White) and 69 patients received CT (50 [72%] male; 58 [84%] White) per protocol. Median follow up was 6 months (IQR 6-6). Antimicrobial rationalisation occurred in 53 (82%) of 65 patients in the [18F]FDG-PET-CT group and 45 (65%) of 69 patients in the CT group (OR 2·36, 95% CI 1·06-5·24; p=0·033). The most frequent component of antimicrobial rationalisation was narrowing spectrum of therapy, in 28 (43%) of 65 patients in the [18F]FDG-PET-CT group compared with 17 (25%) of 69 patients in the CT group (OR 2·31, 95% CI 1·11-4·83; p=0·024). INTERPRETATION: [18F]FDG-PET-CT was associated with more frequent antimicrobial rationalisation than conventional CT. [18F]FDG-PET-CT can support decision making regarding antimicrobial cessation or de-escalation and should be considered in the management of patients with haematological diseases and persistent or recurrent high-risk neutropenic fever after chemotherapy or transplant conditioning. FUNDING: National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (APP1116876), Melbourne Health foundation, Gilead Research Fellowship grants supported this study.
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    Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Cardiovascular Disease after Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
    Kirkpatrick, L ; Verma, K ; Prabahran, A ; Bajel, A ; Routledge, D ; Ritchie, DS ; Garcia, T ; Panek-Hudson, Y (Elsevier BV, 2021-03)
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    New advances in the management of cytomegalovirus in allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation
    Yong, MK ; Gottlieb, D ; Lindsay, J ; Kok, J ; Rawlinson, W ; Slavin, M ; Ritchie, D ; Bajel, A ; Grigg, A (WILEY, 2020-03)
    Cytomegalovirus (CMV) viraemia continues to be a frequent complication in the post-haemopoietic stem cell transplantation period despite a low incidence of CMV end-organ disease. Several significant advances in the understanding and management of CMV infection have occurred in the last few years including improved diagnostics, monitoring of CMV immunity, availability of novel anti-CMV drugs, and emerging use of immunotherapies including CMV-specific T-cell infusions. In addition to reviewing these advances we also explore some of the more practical prescribing issues of the older and newer CMV drugs including cost, toxicity and drug interactions to help clinicians navigate this new era of CMV management.
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    T-Cell Replete Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Is an Effective Treatment Option for Patients with TP53 mutated Mantle Cell Lymphoma
    Scheffer Cliff, ER ; Lew, TE ; Blombery, P ; Dickinson, M ; Tam, CS ; Seymour, JF ; Bajel, A ; Ritchie, DS ; Khot, A (Elsevier BV, 2021-03)
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    Bone Marrow Transplant Society of Australia and New Zealand COVID-19 consensus position statement
    Hamad, N ; Gottlieb, D ; Ritchie, D ; Kennedy, G ; Watson, AM ; Greenwood, M ; Doocey, R ; Perera, T ; Spencer, A ; Wong, E ; O'Brien, T ; Shaw, P ; Conyers, R ; Cole, T ; Milliken, S ; Bardy, P ; Larsen, S ; Lai, H ; Butler, A ; Fraser, C ; Bajel, A ; Butler, J ; Kerridge, I ; Purtill, D (WILEY, 2020-06)
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    Australia and New Zealand Transplant and Cellular Therapies COVID-19 vaccination consensus position statement
    Hamad, N ; Ananda-Rajah, M ; Gilroy, N ; MacIntyre, R ; Gottlieb, D ; Ritchie, D ; Harrison, S ; Kennedy, G ; Watson, AM ; Greenwood, M ; Doocey, R ; Perera, T ; Spencer, A ; Wong, E ; O'Brien, T ; Shaw, P ; Conyers, R ; Milliken, S ; Bardy, P ; Larsen, S ; Ho, PJ ; Lai, H ; Bajel, A ; Butler, J ; Tiley, C ; D'Rozario, J ; Johnston, A ; Cochrane, T ; Mills, T ; Irving, I ; Pullon, H ; Purtill, D (WILEY, 2021-08)
    Australia and New Zealand have achieved excellent community control of COVID-19 infection. In light of the imminent COVID-19 vaccination roll out in both countries, representatives of all adult and paediatric allogeneic bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy (TCT) centres as well as representatives from autologous transplant only centres in Australia and New Zealand collaborated with infectious diseases specialists with expertise in TCT on this consensus position statement regarding COVID-19 vaccination in TCT patients in Australia and New Zealand. It is our recommendation that TCT patients, should have expedited access to high-efficacy COVID-19 vaccines given that these patients are at high risk of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 infection. We also recommend prioritising vaccination of TCT healthcare workers and household members of TCT patients. Vaccination should not replace other public health measures in TCT patients given the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in TCT patients is unknown. Furthermore, given the limited available data, prospective collection of safety and efficacy data of COVID-19 vaccination in this patient group is a priority.
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    An atypical case of Epstein-Barr virus-positive plasma cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder successfully treated with adoptive cell therapy
    Elliott, J ; Avdic, S ; Selim, AG ; Clancy, L ; Atkins, E ; Blyth, E ; Ritchie, D ; Gottlieb, D ; Bajel, A (WILEY, 2021-10)