Elevated plasma CXCL9 and CHI3L1 prior to HCT predict post-HCT lung complications in children

Walker, H; Gubbels, L; Haeusler, GM; Shanthikumar, S; Hanna, D; Cole, T; Neeland, MR

Author(s): Walker, H; Gubbels, L; Haeusler, GM; Shanthikumar, S; Hanna, D; Cole, T; Neeland, MR;
Details: Publication Year 2025,Volume 14,Issue #12,Page e70064
Journal Title: Clinical & Translational Immunology
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Lung complications occur commonly post-haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) in children and contribute significantly to mortality. The development of biomarkers predictive of post-HCT lung complications may improve outcomes for these children. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to identify pre-transplant plasma biomarkers predictive of lung complications in children undergoing HCT. METHODS: Plasma samples from 117 pre-HCT patients were used to measure 78 soluble immune analytes, and extensive clinical metadata were retrospectively collected from the electronic medical record, including clinical characteristics of the post-HCT lung complications. RESULTS: Firstly, we showed that the plasma cytokine signature of children undergoing HCT differed significantly between children depending on the indication for HCT (malignant vs non-malignant). Secondly, we found that the plasma cytokine signature changed with the age of the patient. Thirdly, we showed that elevated pre-HCT plasma levels of CXCL9 and Chitinase 3-like 1, both induced by IFN-γ, were predictive of post-HCT lung complications in patients with a malignant indication for HCT [area under the curve (AUC): 0.70, P = 0.0007 and AUC: 0.68, P = 0.0016, respectively]. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we have identified two potential biomarkers of post-HCT lung disease in paediatric patients and these require validation in future cohorts.
Publisher: Wiley
Keywords: Chi3l1; Cxcl9; biomarker; haematopoietic stem cell transplant; paediatric; pulmonary complications
Department(s): Infectious Diseases
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1002/cti2.70064
Open Access at Publisher's Site: https://doi.org/10.1002/cti2.70064
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2026-01-15 02:19:23

Last Modified: 2026-01-15 02:19:31