Treatment of CD40 ligand deficiency by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a survey of the European experience, 1993-2002

CD40 ligand (CD40L) deficiency causes recurrent sinopulmonary infection, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and Cryptosporidium parvum infection. Approximately 40% to 50% of patients survive to the third decade: long-term survival is unclear. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is curative. We present a retrospective analysis of 38 European patients undergoing HSCT for CD40L deficiency in 8 European countries between 1993 and 2002. Donor stem cell source included 14 HLA-identical siblings, 22 unrelated donors, and 2 phenotypically matched parental stem cells (12 T-cell depleted). Of the patients, 34 engrafted and 26 (68%) survived; 3 had autologous reconstitution, 22 (58%) were cured, and 1 engrafted but has poor T-cell immune reconstitution. There were 18 evaluated patients who responded to vaccination. Of the patients, 12 (32%) died from infection-related complications, with severe cryptosporidiosis in 6. Grades 2 to 4 graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) associated with infection occurred in 6 of 12 fatal cases. HSCT cured 58% of patients, 72% of those without hepatic disease. Early T-cell function following whole marrow HSCT may limit cryptosporidial disease, but survival was similar after T-cell-depleted HSCT. Preexisting lung damage was the most important adverse risk factor. Further studies will determine optimal timing and type of HSCT.