Autologous unpurged bone marrow transplantation for acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia in first complete remission
Carella, A.M.; Gaozza, E.; Santini, G.; Martinengo, M.; Pungolino, E.; Piatti, G.; Congiu, A.; Nati, S.; Carlier, P.; Giordano, D.
Bone Marrow Transplantation 3(6): 537-541
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0268-3369 PMID: 3063322 Document Number: 306834
Twenty-five patients with acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) in first complete remission underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) between March 1984 and March 1988. The high-dose therapy employed included cyclophosphamide followed by total body irradiation (10 Gy), administered as a single dose. The median time from complete remission to ABMT was 5 months (range 2-9 months). Thirteen (52%) patients remain in complete remission 10-51 months (median 25 months) after ABMT and 14-60 months (median 32 months) after achieving complete remission. Causes of death were recurrent leukemia (five patients), parenchymal toxicities (acute respiratory distress syndrome, veno-occlusive disease) (three patients), cerebral haemorrhage (one patient), cerebral aspergillosis (one patient) and viral hepatitis (one patient). Six patients relapsed at a median of 5 months after ABMT (range 4-10 months). In conclusion, this study has resulted in survival data comparable to those of other institutions and the best reported outcomes of conventional chemotherapy.