Reduced-intensity versus conventional myeloablative conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a retrospective study from the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Blood. 2010 Nov 25;116(22):4439-43. doi: 10.1182/blood-2010-02-266551. Epub 2010 Aug 17.

Abstract

This retrospective study assessed the outcome of 576 adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients aged ≥ 45 years, and who received a reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC; n = 127) or myeloablative conditioning (MAC; n = 449) allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) from a human leukocyte antigen-identical sibling while in complete remission. With a median follow-up of 16 months, at 2 years, the cumulative incidences of nonrelapse mortality and relapse incidence were 29% ± 2% (MAC) versus 21% ± 5% (RIC; P = .03), and 31% ± 2% (MAC) versus 47% ± 5% (RIC; P < .001), respectively. In a multivariate analysis, nonrelapse mortality was decreased in RIC recipients (P = .0001, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.98) whereas it was associated with higher relapse rate (P = .03, HR = 0.59). At 2 years, LFS was 38% ± 3% (MAC) versus 32% ± 6% (RIC; P = .07). In multivariate analysis, the type of conditioning regimen (RIC vs. MAC) was not significantly associated with leukemia-free survival (P = .23, HR = 0.84). Despite the need for randomized trials, we conclude that RIC allo-SCT from a human leukocyte antigen-identical donor is a potential therapeutic option for acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients aged ≥ 45 years in complete remission and not eligible for MAC allo-SCT.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Europe
  • Female
  • HLA Antigens / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / surgery*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy*
  • Remission Induction
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Siblings
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Transplantation Conditioning / methods*
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • HLA Antigens