Comparison of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, high-dose cytarabine, and autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation as postremission treatment in patients with de novo acute myelogenous leukemia

Long-term outcomes of patients with intermediate-risk acute myeloid leukemia treated with autologous hematopoietic cell transplant in first complete remission

In 2014, autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (autoHCT) was removed from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines as a recommended treatment for patients with intermediate-risk AML in first complete remission (CR1). We reviewed the outcomes of all patients with intermediate-risk AML treated with autoHCT in CR1 at our institution. Of 334 patients who underwent autoHCT for AML between 1988 and 2013, 133 patients with intermediate-risk AML in CR1 were identified. Cytogenetics were diploid in 97 (73%). With a median follow-up of 4.1 years (range 0.1-17), median overall survival (OS) is 6.7 years; at 5 years post-transplant, 59% of patients remain alive and 43% remain relapse-free. Forty-eight percent of relapsing patients proceeded to salvage alloHCT. Our findings demonstrate that nearly half of patients with intermediate-risk AML in CR1 achieve sustained remissions, and that salvage alloHCT is feasible in those who relapse. AutoHCT therefore remains a reasonable option for intermediate-risk patients with AML in CR1.

Efficacy of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Intermediate-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia Adult Patients in First Complete Remission: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and consolidation chemotherapy have been used to treat intermediate-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in first complete remission (CR1). However, it is still unclear which treatments are most effective for these patients. The aim of our study was to analyze the relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) benefit of allogeneic HSCT (alloHSCT) for intermediate-risk AML patients in CR1. A meta-analysis of prospective trials comparing alloHSCT to non-alloHSCT (autologous HSCT [autoHSCT] and/or chemotherapy) was undertaken. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library though October 2014, using keywords and relative MeSH or Emtree terms, 'allogeneic'; 'acut*' and 'leukem*/aml/leukaem*/leucem*/leucaem*'; and 'nonlympho*' or 'myelo*'. A total of 7053 articles were accessed. The primary outcomes were RFS and OS, while the secondary outcomes were treatment-related mortality (TRM) and relapse rate (RR). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each outcome. The primary outcomes were RFS and OS, while the secondary outcomes were TRM and RR. We included 9 prospective controlled studies including 1950 adult patients. Patients with intermediate-risk AML in CR1 who received either alloHSCT or non-alloHSCT were considered eligible. AlloHSCT was found to be associated with significantly better RFS, OS, and RR than non-alloHSCT (HR, 0.684 [95% CI: 0.48, 0.95]; HR, 0.76 [95% CI: 0.61, 0.95]; and HR, 0.58 [95% CI: 0.45, 0.75], respectively). TRM was significantly higher following alloHSCT than non-alloHSCT (HR, 3.09 [95% CI: 1.38, 6.92]). However, subgroup analysis showed no OS benefit for alloHSCT over autoHSCT (HR, 0.99 [95% CI: 0.70, 1.39]). In conclusion, alloHSCT is associated with more favorable RFS, OS, and RR benefits (but not TRM outcomes) than non-alloHSCT generally, but does not have an OS advantage over autoHSCT specifically, in patients with intermediate-risk AML in CR1.

High-dose cytarabine in acute myeloid leukemia treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The optimal dose, scheme, and clinical setting for Ara-C in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment remain uncertain. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to systematically assess the impact of high-dose cytarabine (HDAC) on AML therapy during the induction and consolidation stages. Twenty-two trials with a total of 5,945 de novo AML patients were included in the meta-analysis. Only patients less than 60 year-old were included in the study. Using HDAC in induction therapy was beneficial for RFS (HR = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.35-0.93; P = 0.02) but not so for CR rate (HR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.93-1.09; P = 0.88) and OS (HR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.66-1.03; P = 0.1). In consolidation therapy, HDAC showed significant RFS benefits (HR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.49-0.9; P = 0.008) especially for the favorable-risk group (HR = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.21-0.69; P = 0.001) compared with SDAC (standard dose cytarabine), although no OS advantage was observed (HR = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.55-1.27; P = 0.41). HDAC treatment seemed less effective than auto-BMT/allo-BMT treatment (HR = 1.66, 95% CI, 1.3-2.14; P<0.0001) with similar OS. HDAC treatment led to lower relapse rate in induction and consolidation therapy than SDAC treatment, especially for the favorable-risk group. Auto-BMT/allo-BMT was more beneficial in prolonging RFS than HDAC.

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor combined conditioning regimen as a postremission therapy for acute myelogenous leukemia in first complete remission

We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 81 patients with non-M3 acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR1) who were treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (Auto-PBSCT) by the Fukuoka Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group between 1989 and 2005. Cytogenetically, 16 patients were defined as good risk, 56 as intermediate risk, and nine as poor risk, following the Southwest Oncology Group criteria. The pre-transplant conditioning regimen consisted of high-dose busulfan, etoposide, and cytarabine (BEA regimen), combined with priming by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival at 5 years were 64.0 % (95 % CI 52.5-73.4) and 66.4 % (95 % CI 54.9-75.6) after Auto-PBSCT at a median follow-up time of 103 months (range 3-240 months), respectively. Two patients died of transplant-related pulmonary complications 6 months after Auto-PBSCT without relapse. The 5-year DFS rates of patients in the genetically good-, intermediate-, and poor-risk groups were 80.8, 64.3, and 33.3 %, respectively, but there was no significant difference statistically among the risk groups (log-rank p = 0.0579). These observations suggest that HDCT supported by Auto-PBSCT with the BEA regimen combined with G-CSF priming is a therapeutic option for postremission therapy of AML in CR1.

Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in elderly Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Treatment outcome in elderly Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is still very disappointing. Although complete remission rate is around 50–60% the 2 years survival is only in the magnitude of 10–20%. This is mainly due to an overrepresentation of adverse prognostic factors present in elderly AML. As relapses emerge from residual disease present after chemotherapy, intensification of treatment could emerge as a rational strategy. Intensification of chemotherapy by increasing the dose of anthracyclines or addition of gemtuzumab ozogamycin (Mylotarg) to standard chemotherapy indeed has proved to be of advantage in elderly AML. In younger AML autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (AuPBSCT) as post remission treatment in comparison to intensive consolidation chemotherapy has been investigated in a few randomized studies. AuPBSCT showed reduced relapse rates with low non-relapse mortality rates. In elderly AML intensification by AuPBSCT also have been performed although randomized studies are lacking. Nevertheless, in the previous years various reports have suggested the potential utility of AuHSCT in AML of the elderly with encouraging results, albeit mostly in highly selected patients. Acceptable toxicity and a relatively low rate of transplant-related mortality has been notified. However relapses occurred which, irrespective of age, still remains the major cause of treatment failure of AuHSCT in AML. In this review we summarize the experience of AuPBSCT in elderly AML.

Efficacy of allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic SCT in patients with AML after first complete remission

The most effective post-first CR1 treatment for patients with AML, allogenic hematopoietic SCT (allo-HSCT) or autologous hematopoietic SCT (HSCT), remains to be conclusively determined. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of treatment with allo-HSCT or auto-HSCT in patients with AML after CR1. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 127 patients with AML who received allo- (n=52) or auto-HSCT (n=75) after achieving CR1 at a single medical center. The disease-free and overall survival rates and complications were analyzed. During a median follow-up of 1215 days, all patients (100%) in allo-HSCT group and 94.7% of patients in the auto-HSCT group had successful outcomes. The disease-free survival rates were 65.3% and 50.6% for allo- and auto-HSCT groups, respectively (P=0.158), while the overall survival rates were 65.3% and 54.9%, respectively (P=0.486). The recurrence rate was higher with auto-HSCT, whereas the GVHD only happened with allo-HSCT. In conclusion, auto-HSCT was as effective as allo-HSCT for the treatment of patients with AML after CR1. This is encouraging given that allo-HSCT is not always feasible in China because of a lack of matching donors.

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia

We report the results of a prospective, randomized phase 3 trial evaluating autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (ASCT) versus intensive consolidation chemotherapy in newly diagnosed AML patients in complete remission (CR1). Patients with AML (16-60 years) in CR1 after 2 cycles of intensive chemotherapy and not eligible for allogeneic SCT were randomized between intensive chemotherapy with etoposide and mitoxantrone or ASCT ater high-dose cyclophosphamide and busulfan. Of patients randomized (chemotherapy, n = 259; ASCT, n = 258), more than 90% received their assigned treatment. The 2 groups were comparable with regard to prognostic factors. The ASCT group showed a markedly reduced relapse rate (58% vs 70%, P = .02) and better relapse-free survival at 5 years (38% vs 29%, P = .065, hazard ratio = 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.1) with nonrelapse mortality of 4% versus 1% in the chemotherapy arm (P = .02). Overall survival was similar (44% vs 41% at 5 years, P = .86) because of more opportunities for salvage with second-line chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation in patients relapsing on the chemotherapy arm. This large study shows a relapse advantage for ASCT as postremission therapy but similar survival because more relapsing patients on the chemotherapy arm were salvaged with a late transplantation for relapse. This trial is registered at www.trialregister.nl as #NTR230 and #NTR291.

Is there a role for autologous stem cell transplantation for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia? A retrospective analysis

For patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) who are unable to secure an acceptable HLA donor, the role of autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT) has remained controversial. Its effectiveness remains unclear as, when analyzed on intention-to-treat strategies, a significant number do not undergo the procedure, whereas others seem to fail therapy from pretransplant recurrences. To improve our counseling to our patients on these 2 therapeutic options, we compared the outcome of patients in first remission of AML who actually underwent autologous or allogeneic transplantation. The choice for the type of graft was based on availability of HLA identical siblings. Patients received myeloablative conditioning followed by allogeneic or autologous cytokine mobilized peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. For prophylaxis of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), grafts were incubated ex vivo with anti-CD52 antibodies and patients were prescribed cyclosporin until day 90. Patients were stratified by clinical and laboratory factors as well as cytogenetic risk. The endpoints were treatment-related mortality (TRM), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). The median presentation age for both transplant groups was 35 (14-60) years. Of the 112 consecutive patients achieving remission, autologous or allogeneic grafts were transplanted to 43 and 32 patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in the presentation clinical features, laboratory parameters, marrow morphology, or proportion of low and intermediate cytogenetic risk for both transplant options. Treatment mortality as well as relapse rate was similar (14% and 15%; 39% and 27%, respectively). At a median of 1609 and 1819 posttransplant days, 56% and 63% in each group survived. In univariate analysis performance status, cytogenetic risk, morphologic features of dysplasia, blast count, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significant factors for survival. Although for the entire group there was no difference in survival between both modalities, all patients with unfavorable cytogenetics receiving an autologous graft died of disease recurrence (3-year survival 35% versus 0%; P = .05). We conclude that patients with AML who have low or intermediate cytogenetic risk undergoing myeloablative conditioning followed by autologous or allogeneic T cell-depleted stem cell transplantation appeared to have similar outcome. However, those with unfavorable karyotype are unlikely to be cured with autologous grafts and are candidates for experimental modalities.

Acute myelogenous leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with outcomes dependent upon several factors, including patient age, karyotype, mutational status, and comorbid conditions. For younger patients, approximately 60% to 80% achieve complete remission with standard therapy involving cytarabine and an anthracycline. However, only 20% to 30% have long-term disease-free survival. For adults older than 60 years of age, only 40% to 55% achieve a complete remission, with dismal long-term survival rates. Unfortunately, the median age at diagnosis for AML is 70 years. Significant advances in our understanding of the molecular biology of AML have led to newer therapies that specifically target molecular abnormalities. Examples of such therapies include the immunoconjugate gemtuzumab ozogamicin, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 inhibitors, farnesyl transferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, DNA hypomethylating agents, multidrug-resistance inhibitors, BCL-2 inhibitors, antiangiogenesis agents, and various nucleoside analogs. This review summarizes the standard treatments for AML and discusses the role of novel therapies.

Intensive induction chemotherapy with regimen containing intermediate dose cytarabine in the treatment of de novo acute myeloid leukemia

To improve long-term outcome of de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients by intermediate dose of cytarabine integrated in induction therapy and to explore the impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on the prognosis. Eighty-seven AML patients were treated with HAD regimen containing intermediate dose cytarabine (IDAra-C) as induction therapy, 83 from which with karyotype results were divided into three cytogenetic groups according to SWOG criteria. Complete remission (CR) rate, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) among different groups were evaluated. The CR rate of the 87 cases was 80/87 (92%). Median DFS and OS have not reached (NR). DFS rates at 1 and 3 years were 76.3% and 63.4%, respectively. OS rates at 1 and 3 years were 86.0% and 58.7%, respectively. According to SWOG criteria, CR rate, median DFS, and OS were 100%, NR and NR for the favorable group; 88.9%, NR, and 16 months for the intermediate group; 83.3%, 4.5 months, and 7.5 months for the adverse group. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant excepting for CR rate between adverse and intermediate groups. HAD regimen containing IDAra-C as induction chemotherapy regimen is effective in de novo AML of adult patients and can achieve higher CR rate and longer survival than standard dose of cytarabine (SDAra-C) regimen. Most of the patients were able to endure the therapy. Cytogenetics is still an important prognostic factor despite of the incorporation of IDAra-C in induction chemotherapy. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Is there a role for autotransplants in AML in first remission?

Over the past decade autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation has fallen out of favor as consolidation therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first remission (CR1). This, in part, can be attributed to the results of a number of prospective trials, many of which compared outcomes of myeloablative HLA-matched sibling allotransplants with autotransplants using bone marrow-derived autografts. More recent studies, including one from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, explore how peripheral blood autotransplants, influence outcomes. In this brief review, a rationale for a reexamination of the use of autotransplants for de novo AML in CR1 is explored.

Clinical management of primary non-acute promyelocytic leukemia acute myeloid leukemia: Practice Guidelines by the Italian Society of Hematology, the Italian Society of Experimental Hematology, and the Italian Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation

As many options are now available to treat patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia, the Italian Society of Hematology and two affiliated societies (SIES and GITMO) commissioned project to an Expert Panel aimed at developing clinical practice guidelines for acute myeloid leukemia treatment. After systematic comprehensive literature review, the Expert Panel formulated recommendations for the management of primary acute myeloid leukemia (with the exception of acute promyelocytic leukemia) and graded them according to the supporting evidence. When evidence was lacking, consensus-based statements have been added. First-line therapy for all newly diagnosed patients eligible for intensive treatment should include one cycle of induction with standard dose cytarabine and an anthracycline. After achieving complete remission, patients aged less than 60 years should receive consolidation therapy including high-dose cytarabine. Myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation from an HLA-compatible sibling should be performed in first complete remission: 1) in children with intermediate-high risk cytogenetics or who achieved first complete remission after the second course of therapy; 2) in adults less than 40 years with an intermediate-risk; in those aged less than 55 years with either high-risk cytogenetics or who achieved first complete remission after the second course of therapy. Stem cell transplantation from an unrelated donor is recommended to be performed in first complete remission in adults 30 years old or younger, and in children with very high-risk disease lacking a sibling donor. Alternative donor stem cell transplantation is an option in high-risk patients without a matched donor who urgently need transplantation. Patients aged less than 60 years, who either are not candidate for allogeneic stem cell transplantation or lack a donor, are candidates for autologous stem cell transplantation. We describe the results of a systematic literature review and an explicit approach to consensus techniques, which resulted in recommendations for the management of primary non-APL acute myeloid leukemia.

Hematopoietic transplantation from adult unrelated donors as treatment for acute myeloid leukemia

Transplantation from unrelated donors (URD) is increasingly being used as treatment for hematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This increase is the consequence of the availability of more than 11 million URD volunteers and the more efficient donor search process in the recent years. Median time to identify a suitable URD is now 2 months. More than 50% of Caucasian patients have an human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-allele donor match and a one-antigen or allele HLA-mismatched donor may also be acceptable. Complications of URD transplants are particularly frequent and severe, with long-term OS in the registries being 10-20% inferior to HLA-identical sibling transplantation. High resolution DNA techniques for donor and recipient HLA matching have contributed to the survival in experienced centres after unrelated donor SCT approaching that achieved with sibling donors. The introduction of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) has extended URD transplants to elderly and/or debilitated patients with AML. With this approach, TRM decreases, although graft-versus-host disease-related morbidity and mortality remain a problem. Despite this complication, results after URD transplantation in this age group seem better than those achieved with chemotherapy and/or autologous transplantation. To confirm this possibility, prospective multicenter comparisons of URD transplants after RIC with other treatment options for elderly AML patients have recently been started.

Consolidation therapy for adult acute myeloid leukemia: a systematic analysis according to evidence based medicine

Post-remission therapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains problematic. It has been demonstrated that younger patients can maintain longer complete remissions (CR) with aggressive post-remission therapies after induction treatment: allogeneic (allo), autologous (auto) stem cell transplantation (SCT), or intensive chemotherapy (ICC). The purpose of our study was to identify the most important randomized and controlled studies comparing these three therapeutic options, in order to draw conclusions and possible suggestions for post-remission therapy of AML, according to the evidence based medicine (EBM) rules. We performed an exhaustive analysis of the literature, searching either in electronic databases or among the references of the identified articles (hand searching). We searched the MEDLINE computer database for reports from 1985 through January 2005 and selected for analysis the clinical trials conducted over adults affected by newly diagnosed AML aged less than 65 years. The study design had to satisfy strict methodological criteria and must consider global mortality and/or disease free survival as primary outcomes. Overall we found 7750 papers; by using the limits "clinical trial" as publication type, "all adults 19+ years", we were able to select 344 papers. Among these, a further selection was made, based on two main clinical queries: 1) is auto-SCT superior to ICC/no other therapy in improving DFS and/or OS in adult AML patients in first CR? 2) is allo-SCT superior to auto-SCT/other therapeutic options in improving DFS and/or OS in adult AML patients in first CR? Concerning the first query, a possible advantage of auto-SCT over ICC was not clearly supported by data from clinical trials; there is no evidence that auto-SCT is superior in terms of OS to chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the reported TRM has been significantly reduced within the past years. Thus, the percentage of patients suitable for auto-SCT in CR has increased. Moreover, the scarce data concerning the comparison between auto-SCT and chemotherapy in different subsets of patients are unable to suggest a differentiated approach in patients with high-risk, standard-risk or low-risk AML. Data from the literature show that patients with unfavorable risk disease are more often addressed to allo-SCT and patients with low-risk disease receive more often intensive consolidation chemotherapy. Concerning the second query, interpretation of data from the main prospective studies about the role of allo-SCT in previously untreated AML is not easy. The first problem is the lack of real randomized clinical trials; in fact, according to the reported studies, AML patients generally receive allo-SCT on the basis of donor availability (the so called "genetic randomization"). The second problem is the frequent absence of intention to treat analysis. Despite methodological limitations, it was possible to compare allo-SCT with auto-SCT on a donor versus no-donor analysis and within risk groups. No overall benefit of allo-grafting on survival was demonstrated by any trial. In conclusion, the EBM approach highlighted the limitations observed in the published studies concerning consolidation therapy in AML; some suggestions, emerging from non-randomized, as well as randomized studies, are adequate, but not conclusive. This point, coupled with the intrinsic complexity to study AML biological heterogeneity, is probably a major obstacle to draw conclusive evidences for consolidation therapy in AML. These observations should plan to address new randomized studies on AML therapy; however, due to the emergence of genetic subgroups and new drugs targeting specific abnormalities, these trials should probably be designed directly focusing on the single entities. In this way, the cure of AML could eventually become the cure of each specific AML subset with its peculiar biological, molecular and prognostic features.

Aclarubicin and low-dose Cytosine arabinoside in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in treating acute myeloid leukemia patients with relapsed or refractory disease and myelodysplastic syndrome: a multicenter study of 112 Chinese patients

One hundred twelve patients with geriatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML), refractory or relapsed AML, or myelodysplastic syndrome and refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation (MDS-RAEBt) were entered into this study to receive CAG (aclarubicin and low-dose cytosine arabinoside [Ara-C]in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF]) with the objective of evaluating the efficacy and tolerance of this regimen. Low-dose Ara-C was given subcutaneously at a dosage of 10 mg/m2 every 12 hours on days 1 to 14. Aclarubicin was administered intravenously at a dosage of 14 mg/m2 per day on days 1 to 4 (CAG regimen A) or 7 mg/m2 on days 1 to 8 (CAG regimen B). Recombinant G-CSF was given subcutaneously at a dosage of 200 3g/m2 per day on days 1 to 14. We demonstrated comparable overall complete remission rates for the 4 groups of patients: 30.8% (8/26) in the elderly patients, 48.4% (30/62) in the refractory AML patients, 44.4% (8/18) in the relapsed AML patients, and 38.5% (5/13) in the MDS-RAEBt patients. Of the 52 patients followed up, the 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method were 40.73% 3 8.15% and 42.85% 3 8.23%, respectively. The median PFS and OS times were 9.0 3 2.2 months and 11.0 3 1.6 months, respectively. Toxic effects were very rare and mainly consisted of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia due to myelosuppression; approximately 70% to 80% of patients had neutropenia or thrombocytopenia that exceeded National Cancer Institute grade II. Nonhematologic toxicities were not observed in this study. The CAG regimen seems promising, with acceptable toxicity, for the treatment of various categories of poor-prognosis AML and MDS-RAEBt.

Autologous stem cell transplantation in the treatment of adults with acute myeloid leukaemia

Most adult patients under 60 years with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who achieve a complete remission after induction chemotherapy will relapse if they do not receive further therapy. Consolidation treatment with autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) is one option that has been studied extensively. High-dose cytotoxic therapy followed by autologous SCT or intensive cycles of chemotherapy furnish overall approximately similar probabilities of survival when applied in first remission. Here, we present a concise update regarding the place of autologous SCT in the treatment of AML. Particular issues discussed are the value of autologous SCT in different prognostic subsets of AML and the value of autologous mobilised peripheral blood stem cell transplants, which offer a much faster haematopoietic recovery.

Extramedullary Leukemic Relapses following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with Nonmyeloablative Conditioning

Of a group of 149 patients who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation using the "Mexican approach", a nonablative preparative regimen, 49 individuals developed bone marrow relapse, and 8 patients developed extramedullary relapse (EMR). All EMR cases presented in patients who received allografts for myeloid malignancies. In contrast, bone marrow relapses presented in patients with myeloid or lymphoid malignancies. EMR presented 60 to 1010 days after the allograft and appeared in 3 cases as subcutaneous nodules in different parts of the body, in the vertebrae in 3 cases, and in the kidney and the breast in 1 case each. One patient had both subcutaneous nodules and epididymis EMR. When EMR was noted, acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) had presented in 4 patients, and limited forms of chronic GVHD were present in 3 patients. All but 1 of the patients were full chimeras when the EMR ensued, and the EMR preceded an overt hematologic relapse in all but 1 of the patients. Patients who experienced an overt hematologic relapse died 20 to 180 days (median, 40 days) after the EMR. The only individual alive 240 days after relapse shows no evidence of a full-blown hematologic relapse. An EMR after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation usually has a bad prognosis and presents mainly in individuals with high-risk malignancies.

High dose intermittent ARA-C (HiDAC) for consolidation of patients with de novo AML: a single center experience

High dose intermittent ARA-C (2x3 g/m(2) i.v., days 1, 3, 5)=HiDAC was introduced as consolidation in AML by the CALGB-group in 1994. We treated 44 de novo AML patients in CR with up to four cycles of HiDAC (four cycles: 56.8%; three cycles: 22.7%; two cycles: 6.8%; one cycle: 13.7%). Median duration of aplasia (ANC<0.5x10(9)/l) was 12 days. Neutropenic fever occurred in 38.6% of the patients during the first, 52.6% during the second, 45.7% during the third, and in 40% during the fourth cycle. Non-hematologic toxicity was tolerable. The median overall- and disease-free survival were 19.3 and 11.3 months, respectively. The best outcome was seen in patients aged <40 years. These results confirm that HiDAC is a safe and effective consolidation in AML.

Efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation depends on cytogenetic risk for acute myeloid leukemia in first disease remission: a metaanalysis

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from a human leukocyte antigen-identical sibling donor remains controversial for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first complete disease remission (CR1). Because the karyotype identified at diagnosis is the most relevant prognostic factor for AML, it should be possible to assess the efficacy more accurately on the basis of cytogenetic risk.

METHODS

The authors performed a metaanalysis of five studies, which employed both natural randomization based on donor availability and intention-to-treat analysis, with overall survival as an outcome of interest. Metaregression analysis was then performed to identify the efficacy for patients stratified into the favorable, intermediate, and poor cytogenetic risk groups.

RESULTS

For the entire cohort, there was a statistically significant advantage with allo-HSCT in terms of overall survival with a summary hazard ratio of 1.15 (95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.32, P = 0.037) for the random-effect model. Metaregression analysis showed a significant coefficient of +0.24 for the poor cytogenetic risk group, and -0.25 for the favorable cytogenetic risk group, indicating that the benefit of allo-HSCT was further increased for the former, and lost for the latter. The coefficient for the intermediate cytogenetic risk group was +0.09, and was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested that the efficacy of allo-HSCT for patients with AML in CR1 depended on cytogenetic risk. The beneficial effect of allo-HSCT was yielded for the poor risk group, and probably for the intermediate risk groups, but was absent for the favorable risk group.

Significance of one human leukocyte antigen mismatch on outcome of nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation from related donors using the Mexican schedule

Using the Mexican approach to conduct nonablative stem cell transplantation (NST), we have prospectively performed 58 allografts in individuals with various malignant and nonmalignant hematological diseases using sibling donors, either HLA identical (6/6) or compatible, with one mismatch (5/6). When comparing allografts obtained from HLA identical (n=40) or compatible (n=18) siblings, respectively, the overall median survival was found to be 33 vs 8 months (P<0.01), the 52-month survival was 47 vs 38% (P>0.2), the prevalence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) 57 vs 38%, that of chronic GVHD 25 vs 11% and the relapse rate 45 vs 55%. The two patients who failed to engraft were both 5/6 matches. Probably stemming from the low number of patients, and despite a trend toward worse results in patients allografted from HLA compatible (5/6) siblings, most differences in outcome were not significant. It seems that NST can be offered to individuals with either an HLA identical or a compatible sibling donor.

Autologous stem cell transplantation using modified TAM or combination of triple-alkylating agents conditioning regimens as one of the post-remission treatments in patients with adult acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission

A total of 174 newly diagnosed adult acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients were treated in first complete remission (CR1) using modified TAM or a combination of triple-alkylating agents followed by autologous transplantation (AT). Cytogenetic risk groups were classified and most patients received mobilized peripheral blood stem/progenitor cells (PBSCs). The infused cell dose consisted of a median of 4.1+/-2 (range, 1.2-17.1)x 10(6)/kg CD34+ cells. With a median follow-up of 51 months (range, 5-131 months) after CR1, the estimated 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 68 (95% confidence interval (CI), 63-73%) and the event-free survival rate at 5 years was 59 (95% CI, 54-64%). AML patients other than M3 subtype, the long-term DFS rate was 76, 33% for favourable and unfavourable risk groups, respectively. In all, 40 patients had relapses (40/174, 23%) at the median 15 months after CR1 (range, 8-66 months). Overall, seven patients (4%) died in connection with AT. The infused CD34+ cell dose (P=0.0389) was associated with survival by multivariate analysis. In conclusion, two novel conditioning regimens in AT are feasible for adults with variable risk AML followed for over a 10-year period.