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  • Evidence of a graft-versus-...
    Schetelig, J; Thiede, C; Bornhauser, M; Schwerdtfeger, R; Kiehl, M; Beyer, J; Sayer, H G; Kroger, N; Hensel, M; Scheffold, C; Held, T K; Hoffken, K; Ho, A D; Kienast, J; Neubauer, A; Zander, A R; Fauser, A A; Ehninger, G; Siegert, W

    Journal of clinical oncology, 07/2003, Letnik: 21, Številka: 14
    Journal Article

    To study whether hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) after reduced-intensity conditioning is effective and tolerable in patients with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Thirty patients with advanced B-cell CLL were included into the study. After reduced-intensity conditioning with fludarabine, busulfan, and antithymocyte globulin, patients received a transplant from related (n = 15) or unrelated donors (n = 15). Minimal residual disease (MRD) was monitored with a clone-specific polymerase chain reaction. After a median follow-up of 2 years, 23 patients are alive (to date). Neutrophil and platelet engraftment occurred after a median of 17.5 and 15 days, respectively. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grade 2 to 4 was observed in 17 patients (56%), and chronic GVHD was observed in 21 patients (75%). Twelve patients (40%) achieved a complete remission (CR), and 16 patients (53%) achieved a partial remission. Late CR occurred up to 2 years after transplantation. MRD was monitored in eight patients with CR. All patients achieved a molecular CR. At last follow-up, six patients were in ongoing molecular CR. Causes of death were treatment-related complications in four patients and progressive disease in three patients. The probability of overall survival, progression-free survival, and nonrelapse mortality at 2 years was 72% (95% confidence interval CI, 54% to 90%), 67% (95% CI, 49% to 85%), and 15% (95% CI, 1% to 29%), respectively. Treatment-related mortality after reduced-intensity conditioning followed by allogeneic HSCT was low. The procedure induced molecular remissions in patients with advanced CLL. The observation of late remissions provided evidence of a graft-versus-leukemia effect.