Donor lymphocyte infusion in the treatment of first hematological relapse after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation in adults with acute myeloid leukemia: A retrospective risk factors analysis and comparison with other strategies by the EBMT acute leukemia working party
Journal of Clinical Oncology, vol.25, no.31, pp.4938-4945, 2007 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 25 Issue: 31
- Publication Date: 2007
- Doi Number: 10.1200/jco.2007.11.6053
- Journal Name: Journal of Clinical Oncology
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.4938-4945
- Yozgat Bozok University Affiliated: No
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the role of donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) in the treatment of relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 399 patients with AML in first hematological relapse after HSCT whose treatment did (n = 171) or did not (n = 228) include DLI. After correction for imbalances and established risk factors, the two groups were compared with respect to overall survival. Further, a detailed analysis of risk factors for survival among DLI recipients was performed. Results: Median follow-up was 27 and 40 months, respectively. Estimated survival at 2 years (± standard deviation) was 21% ± 3% for patients receiving DLI and 9% ± 2% for patients not receiving DLI. After adjustment for differences between the groups, better outcome was associated with age younger than 37 years (P = .008), relapse occurring more than 5 months after HSCT (P = .0001), and use of DLI (P = .04). Among DLI recipients, a lower tumor burden at relapse (< 35% of bone marrow blasts; P = .006), female sex (P = .02), favorable cytogenetics (P = .004), and remission at time of DLI (P < .0001) were predictive for survival in a multivariate analysis. Two-year survival was 56% ± 10%, if DLI was performed in remission or with favorable karyotype, and 15% ± 3% if DLI was given in aplasia or with active disease. Conclusion: Although further evidence for a graft-versus-leukemia effect by DLI is provided, our results confirm, that the clinical benefit is limited to a minority of patients. Strategies to reduce tumor burden before DLI, as well as alternative treatment options should be investigated in adults with relapsed AML after HSCT. © 2007 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.