Cytomegalovirus Infection after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation under 100-Day Letermovir Prophylaxis: A Real-World 1-Year Follow-Up Study
Dukhee Nho, Raeseok Lee, Sung‐Yeon Cho, Dong‐Gun Lee, Eun‐jin Kim, Silvia Park, Sung‐Eun Lee, Byung‐Sik Cho, Yoo‐Jin Kim, Seok Lee, Hee‐Je Kim
Abstract
The prevention and management of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation is important to improve the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) recipients. The aim of this study was to analyze real-world data regarding the incidence and characteristics of CMV infections until 1 year after allo-HCT under 100-day letermovir prophylaxis. A single-center retrospective study was conducted between November 2020 and October 2021. During the study period, 358 patients underwent allo-HCT, 306 of whom received letermovir prophylaxis. Cumulative incidence of clinically significant CMV infection (CS-CMVi) was 11.4%, 31.7%, and 36.9% at 14 weeks, 24 weeks, and 1 year post-HCT, respectively. Through multivariate analysis, the risk of CS-CMVi increased with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) ≥ grade 2 (adjusted odds ratio 3.640 [2.036–6.510]; p < 0.001). One-year non-relapse mortality was significantly higher in letermovir breakthrough CS-CMVi patients than those with subclinical CMV reactivation who continued receiving letermovir (p = 0.002). There were 18 (15.9%) refractory CMV infection cases in this study population. In summary, letermovir prophylaxis is effective at preventing CS-CMVi until day 100, which increased after the cessation of letermovir. GVHD is still a significant risk factor in the era of letermovir prophylaxis. Further research is needed to establish individualized management strategies, especially in patients with significant GVHD or letermovir breakthrough CS-CMVi.