Older patients with high-risk fungal infections can be successfully allografted using non-myeloablative conditioning in combination with intensified supportive care regimens

Br J Haematol. 2001 May;113(2):446-54. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2001.02747.x.

Abstract

Leukaemic patients with advanced disease and severe fungal infections as well as older patients with substantial co-morbidity are usually excluded from conventional allotransplantation because of increased morbidity and mortality. We approached allogeneic transplantation in four patients with a median age of 62 years (one chronic myeloid leukaemia in blast crisis, one high-risk acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR1), one AML in 2nd relapse, one AML in CR2 with pre-existing fungal lung infections (two aspergillus, two mucor) and additional co-morbidity (diabetes n = 2, aortic aneurysm n = 1, arterial sclerosis n = 2) by combining non-myeloablative conditioning with an intensified supportive care regimen, including amphotericin B and 4-12 (median 9) prophylactic granulocyte transfusions from granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-stimulated volunteer donors. G-CSF was also given to patients until neutrophil recovery. All four patients recovered to a neutrophil count of 0.5 x 109/l after a median of 11.5 d (range 11-13 d). Prophylactic granulocyte transfusions also reduced the need for platelet transfusions and minimized mucositis. All patients were discharged at a median of 25 d (range 18-59 d) and are alive and well after a median follow-up of > 390 d (range 336-417 d) without evidence of leukaemia. Regression of the fungal lesions was documented in three patients, with a slight progression detected by computerized tomography scan of the chest in one patient. We conclude that pulmonary fungal infections are not a contraindication for allogeneic stem cell transplantation, if non-myeloablative conditioning regimens are used in combination with granulocyte transfusions, intravenous amphotericin B and G-CSF.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aortic Aneurysm / complications
  • Aortic Aneurysm / surgery
  • Arteriosclerosis / complications
  • Arteriosclerosis / surgery
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / complications
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / drug therapy
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / surgery
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation*
  • Cell Count
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus / surgery
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / drug therapy
  • Leukemia / microbiology*
  • Leukemia / surgery*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / microbiology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / surgery
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase / microbiology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase / surgery
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / complications*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutrophils / pathology
  • Platelet Count
  • Recurrence
  • Remission Induction
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Amphotericin B