Comparative analysis of the impact of cytomegalovirus viremia between fully matched and haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplants in acute leukemia patients

Abstract

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of risk factors and clinical impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation between patients undergoing fully matched sibling or haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplants in the context of acute leukemia. CMV viremia showed a significant difference, especially when comparing post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) recipients between the two groups, with a higher incidence in the haploidentical arm. Furthermore, among those experiencing post-transplant CMV reactivation, a statistically significant higher incidence of acute graft-versus- host disease (GvHD) was observed. However, no statistical significance was found correlating CMV reactivation with relapse. These insights highlight the nuanced differences and similarities between the two transplant types, emphasizing the need for tailored clinical strategies based on the unique challenges posed by each transplant type.