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Biomedical subjects

David G Maloney

Publications and source records attributed to David G Maloney.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Phase II trial of CHOP chemotherapy followed by tositumomab/iodine I-131 tositumomab for previously untreated follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: five-year follow-up of Southwest Oncology Group Protocol S9911.

PURPOSE: Advanced follicular lymphoma (FL) is incurable with conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and optimal front-line management is controversial. This study was performed to determine the efficacy of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy followed by tositumomab/iodine I-131 tositumomab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1999 to 2000, the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) conducted a phase II trial (S9911) to test a novel new regimen consisting of six cycles of CHOP chemotherapy followed 4 to 8 weeks later by tositumomab/iodine I-131 tositumomab in 90 eligible patients with previously untreated, advanced-stage FL. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 91%, including a 69% complete remission (CR) rate. After a median follow-up time of 5.1 years, the estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 87%, and the progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 67%. The 5-year estimates of OS and PFS were each 23% better (absolute difference) than the corresponding figures for patients treated on previous SWOG protocols with CHOP alone. An analysis according to the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index showed that 21% of patients had high-risk features, 44% had intermediate-risk features, and 34% had low-risk features. High-risk patients had worse OS than lower risk patients (P = .05), but differences in PFS were not statistically significant (P = .21). Serial monitoring of the t(14;18) translocation in bone marrow by polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that 32 of 38 informative patients obtained molecular CRs, including seven patients (18%) after CHOP and 24 additional patients (63%) after tositumomab/iodine I-131 tositumomab. (The timing of conversion of one patient was unclear.) CONCLUSION: A prospective, phase III, randomized Intergroup Trial is currently underway comparing the efficacy of the promising CHOP + tositumomab/iodine I-131 tositumomab regimen with the efficacy of CHOP + rituximab.

Adult↗

Factors associated with outcomes in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with nonmyeloablative conditioning after failed myeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation.

PURPOSE: Several studies have investigated the feasibility of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantations (HCTs) after reduced-intensity conditioning in patients who experienced relapse after myeloablative HCT. Although most studies showed relatively low nonrelapse mortality (NRM) rates and encouraging short-term results, it has yet to be defined which patients would benefit most from these approaches. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from 147 patients with hematologic malignancies who experienced treatment failure with conventional autologous (n = 135), allogeneic (n = 10), or syngeneic (n = 2) HCT and were treated with HLA-matched related (n = 62) or unrelated (n = 85) grafts after conditioning with 2 Gy of total-body irradiation with or without fludarabine. RESULTS: Three-year probabilities of NRM, relapse, and overall survival were 32%, 48%, and 27%, respectively, for related recipients, and 28%, 44%, and 44%, respectively, for unrelated recipients. The best outcomes were observed in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, whereas patients with multiple myeloma and Hodgkin's disease had worse outcomes as a result of high incidences of relapse and progression. Being in partial remission (PR) or complete remission (CR) at HCT (P = .002) and developing chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD; P = .03) resulted in lower risks of relapse and progression. Factors associated with better overall survival were PR or CR (P = .01) and lack of comorbidity (P = .03) at HCT and absence of acute GVHD after HCT (P = .06). CONCLUSION: Encouraging outcomes were seen with allogeneic HCT after nonmyeloablative conditioning in selected patients who had experienced relapse after a high-dose HCT, particularly in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Results with unrelated grafts were comparable with results with related grafts.

Adolescent↗

Extending postgrafting cyclosporine decreases the risk of severe graft-versus-host disease after nonmyeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether the duration of systemic immunosuppressive treatment after allogeneic nonmyeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) might influence the incidence, severity, timing, and/or corticosteroid-responsiveness of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed outcomes among 185 patients with hematologic malignancies who were given grafts from HLA-matched related donors following conditioning with 2 Gy total body irradiation alone or in combination with fludarabine between December 1998 and March 2003. Postgrafting immunosuppression consisted of mycophenolate mofetil (days 0-27) in combination with 3 different cyclosporine (CSP) regimens: taper from (A) days 35 to 56 (n=107), (B) days 56 to 77 (n=35), and (C) days 56 to 180 (n=43). RESULTS: The overall incidences of grades II-IV and III-IV acute GVHD, and extensive chronic GVHD were 52%, 13%, and 56%, respectively. The duration of CSP prophylaxis did not significantly influence the overall rate of acute GVHD (grade II-IV), extensive chronic GVHD, or non-relapse mortality. However, prolonged administration of CSP (group C) was associated with a significantly decreased hazard of grades III-IV acute GVHD (HR 0.2, 95% CI [0.04, 0.9]) and with an increased likelihood of discontinuing all systemic immunosuppression (HR 2.4, 95% CI [1.1, 5.2]) when compared to the shortest course of CSP (group A). CONCLUSION: Longer CSP duration decreased the risk of severe GVHD and increased the likelihood of discontinuing all systemic immunosuppression after nonmyeloablative HCT with HLA-matched related grafts.

Adolescent↗

Update on treatment recommendations from the Third International Workshop on Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a B-cell disorder characterized by the infiltration of lymphoplasmacytic cells into bone marrow and the presence of an IgM monoclonal gammopathy. As part of the Third International Workshop on WM, held October 7 to 10, 2004 in Paris, France, a consensus panel charged with providing treatment recommendations for WM updated its recommendations on both frontline and salvage therapies. The panel considered encouraging results from recent studies that addressed the use of extended-dose rituximab as well as other treatment options: therapy with either nucleoside analogs and alkylator agents, rituximab in combination with nucleoside analogs, nucleoside analogs plus alkylator agents, or combination chemotherapies, such as CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) or cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone. The panel determined that these were reasonable treatment options for WM patients and such therapeutic approaches were likely to yield results that are at least as good as if not better than the currently recommended use of single-agent alkylator, nucleoside analog, or standard-dose rituximab therapy. Such approaches were deemed to be reasonable treatment for WM patients in both the upfront and salvage settings, though randomized studies addressing the efficacy and toxicity of such novel approaches over previously established standard of care options are needed.

Alkylating Agents↗

Unrelated donor granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cell transplantation after nonmyeloablative conditioning: the effect of postgrafting mycophenolate mofetil dosing.

We previously reported results in 71 patients with advanced hematologic malignancies given HLA-matched unrelated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cell (G-PBMC) grafts after fludarabine 90 mg/m(2), 2 Gy of total body irradiation, and postgrafting mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) 15 mg/kg twice daily and cyclosporine 6.25 mg/kg twice daily orally. Graft rejection was 15%; the cumulative probability of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 52%. According to MMF pharmacokinetic studies, which showed a short half-life of its active metabolite, mycophenolic acid, we increased MMF dosing from 15 mg/kg twice daily to 15 mg/kg 3 times daily to increase immunosuppression and reduce the incidence of both graft rejection and acute GVHD. Among 103 patients so treated, graft rejection occurred in 5%, whereas acute GVHD remained at 53%. Outcomes were compared with results of previous G-PBMC recipients given MMF twice daily. Infection rates were slightly higher with MMF 3 times daily than with MMF twice daily. Nevertheless, 2-year nonrelapse mortality and overall and progression-free survivals were similar for MMF 3-times-daily and twice-daily patients (19%, 58%, and 49% versus 20%, 48%, and 37%, respectively). Nonmyeloablative conditioning with postgrafting cyclosporine and MMF given 3 times daily allowed 95% durable engraftment of unrelated donor G-PBMC grafts.

Adolescent↗

Improving the efficacy of reduced intensity allogeneic transplantation for lymphoma using radioimmunotherapy.

Nonmyeloablative allogeneic transplantation provides a valuable therapeutic option for patients with relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphomas, particularly those that have recurred after autologous transplantation. However, the absence of an intensive conditioning regimen renders this approach less effective for patients with aggressive or bulky lymphoma because rapid tumor growth may outpace the evolution of the graft-versus-lymphoma effect. Radioimmunotherapy provides an attractive, minimally toxic modality to safely prevent early progression of B-cell lymphomas and induce remissions without incurring the risks of traditional intensive therapy. This approach provides a time window during which a robust graft-versus-lymphoma effect may be established before tumor progression, thereby providing more effective long-term disease control. The rationale for incorporation of radioimmunotherapy into reduced intensity allogeneic transplantation regimens for non-Hodgkin lymphoma is discussed, as are current study designs, preliminary results, and future directions.

Animals↗

Unrelated donor status and high donor age independently affect immunologic recovery after nonmyeloablative conditioning.

The risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is higher after HLA-matched unrelated donor (URD) than after HLA-matched related donor (MRD) nonmyeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We therefore investigated factors affecting immune recovery in 94 patients given HCT from MRDs (n = 51) and URDs (n = 43) after 2-Gy total body irradiation with or without fludarabine and postgrafting immunosuppression with mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine. CD4 T cells counts remained below normal values during the first year after HCT in both patient groups. This included abnormally low counts each of naive CD4 T cells and memory CD4 T cells. Conversely, CD8 T cell counts reached the 10th percentile of normal 6 months after HCT in MRD and URD recipients. On day 30 after HCT, URD recipients had lower counts of B cells (P = .02), naive CD4 T cells (P = .04), memory CD4 T cells (P = .005), memory CD8 T cells (P = .005), and CMV-specific T helper cells (P = .007) than had MRD recipients. This delay in CMV-specific immune reconstitution translated into increased frequency of CMV antigenemia among URD recipients during the first 100 days after HCT. Older donor age was associated with low counts of naive CD4 T cells on days 180-365 after HCT (P = .003). Further, low numbers of T cells and CD34(+) cells in the graft and development of acute graft-versus-host disease were associated with impaired immune recovery of naive CD4 T cells and B cells. In summary, immunologic recovery was poor the first year after nonmyeloablative conditioning and was delayed among URD recipients in comparison with MRD recipients. Other factors significantly associated with delayed immune recovery were advanced donor age, low numbers of CD34 and T cells in the graft, and development of graft-versus-host disease.

Adolescent↗

Update on recommendations for assessing response from the Third International Workshop on Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia.

This report by an international consensus panel updates current recommendations for defining clinical response in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM). The previously published response criteria incorporated parameters for monoclonal protein reduction and/or improvement of marrow and nodal involvement, and included definitions of complete and partial remissions. The criteria have been updated to include minor response and stable disease categories. In addition, the criteria now recognize that delayed responses after treatment with nucleoside analogues and biologic agents and the time point for assessing response in patients with WM should be considered so as to not miss or miscategorize a response. The new criteria should therefore help in better delineating responses to therapy in patients with WM, particularly with the wide use of nucleoside analogues and biologically based agents for this disease.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

New treatment options have changed the survival of patients with follicular lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of follicular lymphoma is believed not to have changed over the last 30 years. Median survivals have ranged from 7 to 10 years, and the disease is considered incurable. However, multiple new treatment options have been developed in the last decade, and their impact on survival of follicular lymphoma remains unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the current analysis, we identified all previously untreated, advanced-stage, follicular lymphoma patients treated with the following three sequential treatment approaches: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy +/- nonspecific immunostimulants (Southwest Oncology Group [SWOG] 7426 and 7713: 1974 to 1983); prednisone, methotrexate, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide (ProMACE) plus mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) +/- interferon (SWOG 8809: 1988 to 1994); and CHOP followed by monoclonal antibody (MoAb) therapy (SWOG 9800 and 9911: 1998 to 2000). We assessed the patients' progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The MoAb trials included CHOP followed by rituximab (SWOG 9800) and CHOP followed by (131)I-tositumomab (SWOG 9911). RESULTS: The PFS curves for the CHOP and ProMACE-MOPP studies are overlapping, with 4-year PFS estimates of 46% and 48%, respectively. However, the PFS rate of the CHOP + MoAb studies is significantly improved at 61% (P = .005). The OS curves show improvement with each succeeding study. The 4-year estimate of OS is 69% for the CHOP regimens, 79% for the ProMACE-MOPP study, and 91% for the CHOP + MoAb regimens (P < .001). These conclusions were retained after adjusting for differences in prognostic factors between the study groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that OS for patients with follicular lymphoma has improved over time and that the choice of initial therapy may matter.

Adolescent↗

Modified total body irradiation as a planned second high-dose therapy with stem cell infusion for patients with bone-based malignancies.

PURPOSE: To estimate the maximum tolerated dose of hyperfractionated total marrow irradiation (TMI) as a second consolidation after high-dose chemotherapy with autologous or syngeneic blood stem cell transfusion for patients with bone/bone marrow-based malignant disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients aged 3-65 years (median, 45 years), including 21 with multiple myeloma, 24 with breast cancer, 10 with sarcoma, and 2 with lymphoma, were treated with 1.5 Gy administered twice daily to a total dose of 12 Gy (n = 27), 13.5 Gy (n = 12), and 15 Gy (n = 18). Median time between the 2 transplants was 105 days (range, 63-162 days). RESULTS: All patients engrafted neutrophils (median, Day 11; range, Day 9-23) and became platelet independent (median, Day 9; range, Day 7-36). There were 5 cases of Grade 3-4 regimen-related pulmonary toxicity, 1 at 12 Gy, and 4 at 15 Gy. Complete responses, partial responses, and stabilizations were achieved in 33%, 26%, and 41% of patients, respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates of 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival for 56 evaluable patients are 24% and 36%, respectively. Median time of follow-up among survivors was 96 months (range, 77-136 months). CONCLUSION: Total marrow irradiation as a second myeloablative therapy is feasible. The estimated maximum tolerated dose for TMI in a tandem transplant setting was 13.5 Gy. Because 20% of patients are surviving at 8 years free of disease, further studies of TMI are warranted.

Adolescent↗

Immunotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: monoclonal antibodies and vaccines.

Advances in the development of monoclonal antibodies have led to new agents rapidly incorporated into standard lymphoma therapy. The characteristics of the target antigen and the properties of the antibody including interaction with the host immune system have been found to correlate with outcome. Antibodies targeting the CD20 antigen on B cells have been most widely used, led by the chimeric antibody rituximab, now used in nearly all types of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). New antibodies targeting CD20 with augmented complement or Fc receptor binding are now being evaluated and will eventually have to be compared with rituximab. Challenges to these new antibodies include the nearly universal use of rituximab early in NHL therapy, and its increasing use as maintenance therapy. It is not clear what the activity of these antibodies will be in rituximab-refractory patients. New antibodies targeting antigens such as CD40 and CD80 are also being tested alone and in combination with rituximab. Vaccine trials using patient-specific immunization with immunoglobulin idiotype (Ig-Id present on the surface of most B-cell NHL) isolated by molecular rescue or by cell hybridization techniques are also nearing completion. These approaches attempt to actively induce specific humoral or cellular immune responses to the Ig-Id by attaching the protein to a carrier protein and the use of an immunologic adjuvant such as granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Prior rituximab appears to delay humoral responses to the idiotype but may still allow cellular responses. The incorporation of all these approaches into optimal NHL therapy remains a challenge.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT)-specific comorbidity index: a new tool for risk assessment before allogeneic HCT.

We previously reported that the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was useful for predicting outcomes in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). However, the sample size of patients with scores of 1 or more, captured by the CCI, did not exceed 35%. Further, some comorbidities were rarely found among patients who underwent HCT. Therefore, the current study was designed to (1) better define previously identified comorbidities using pretransplant laboratory data, (2) investigate additional HCT-related comorbidities, and (3) establish comorbidity scores that were suited for HCT. Data were collected from 1055 patients, and then randomly divided into training and validation sets. Weights were assigned to individual comorbidities according to their prognostic significance in Cox proportional hazard models. The new index was then validated. The new index proved to be more sensitive than the CCI since it captured 62% of patients with scores more than 0 compared with 12%, respectively. Further, the new index showed better survival prediction than the CCI (likelihood ratio of 23.7 versus 7.1 and c statistics of 0.661 versus 0.561, respectively, P < .001). In conclusion, the new simple index provided valid and reliable scoring of pretransplant comorbidities that predicted nonrelapse mortality and survival. This index will be useful for clinical trials and patient counseling before HCT.

Adolescent↗

Hematopoietic cell transplantation after nonmyeloablative conditioning for advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

PURPOSE: Patients with chemotherapy-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have a short life expectancy. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of patients with advanced CLL when treated with nonmyeloablative conditioning and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients diagnosed with advanced CLL were treated with nonmyeloablative conditioning (2 Gy total-body irradiation with [n = 53] or without [n = 11] fludarabine) and HCT from related (n = 44) or unrelated (n = 20) donors. An adapted form of the Charlson comorbidity index was used to assess pretransplantation comorbidities. RESULTS: Sixty-one of 64 patients had sustained engraftment, whereas three patients rejected their grafts. The incidences of grades 2, 3, and 4 acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease were 39%, 14%, 2%, and 50%, respectively. Three patients who underwent transplantation in complete remission (CR) remained in CR. The overall response rate among 61 patients with measurable disease was 67% (50% CR), whereas 5% had stable disease. All patients with morphologic CR who were tested by polymerase chain reaction (n = 11) achieved negative molecular results, and one of these patients subsequently experienced disease relapse. The 2-year incidence of relapse/progression was 26%, whereas the 2-year relapse and nonrelapse mortalities were 18% and 22%, respectively. Two-year rates of overall and disease-free survivals were 60% and 52%, respectively. Unrelated HCT resulted in higher CR and lower relapse rates than related HCT, suggesting more effective graft-versus-leukemia activity. CONCLUSION: CLL is susceptible to graft-versus-leukemia effects, and allogeneic HCT after nonmyeloablative conditioning might prolong median survival for patients with advanced CLL.

Adult↗

Graft-versus-tumor effects after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with nonmyeloablative conditioning.

PURPOSE: We have used a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen consisting of total-body irradiation (2 Gy) with or without fludarabine (30 mg/m(2)/d for 3 days) for related and unrelated hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients with hematologic malignancies who were not candidates for conventional HCT because of age, medical comorbidities, or preceding high-dose HCT. This approach relied on graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effects for control of malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed GVT effects in 322 patients given grafts from HLA-matched related (n = 192) or unrelated donors (n = 130). RESULTS: Of the 221 patients with measurable disease at HCT, 126 (57%) achieved complete (n = 98) or partial (n = 28) remissions. In multivariate analysis, there was a higher probability trend of achieving complete remissions in patients with chronic extensive graft-versus-host disease (GVHD; P = .07). One hundred eight patients (34%) relapsed or progressed. In multivariate analysis, achievement of full donor chimerism was associated with a decreased risk of relapse or progression (P = .002). Grade 2 to 4 acute GVHD had no significant impact on the risk of relapse or progression but was associated with increased risk of nonrelapse mortality and decreased probability of progression-free survival (PFS). Conversely, extensive chronic GVHD was associated with decreased risk of relapse or progression (P = .006) and increased probability of PFS (P = .003). CONCLUSION: New approaches aimed at reducing the incidence of grade 2 to 4 acute GVHD might improve survival after allogeneic HCT after nonmyeloablative conditioning.

Adolescent↗

Polymorphisms in FcgammaRIIIA (CD16) receptor expression are associated with clinical response to rituximab in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

PURPOSE: Rituximab is an important therapeutic for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM). Polymorphisms in FcgammaRIIIA (CD16) receptor expression modulate human immunoglobulin G1 binding and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and may therefore influence responses to rituximab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sequence analysis of the entire coding region of FcgammaRIIIA was undertaken in 58 patients with WM whose outcomes after rituximab were known. RESULTS: Variations in five codons of FcgammaRIIIA were identified. Two were commonly observed (FcgammaRIIIA-48 and FcgammaRIIIA-158) and predicted for amino acid polymorphisms at FcgammaRIIIA-48: leucine/leucine (L/L), leucine/arginine (L/R), and leucine/histidine (L/H). Polymorphisms at FcgammaRIIIA-158 were phenylalanine/phenylalanine (F/F), phenylalanine/valine (F/V), and valine/valine (V/V). A clear linkage between these polymorphisms was detected and all patients with FcgammaRIIIA-158F/F were always FcgammaRIIIA-48L/L, and patients with either FcgammaRIIIA-L/R or -L/H always expressed at least one valine at FcgammaRIIIA-158 (P < or = .001). The response trend was higher for patients with FcgammaRIIIA-48L/H (38.5%) versus -48L/R (25.0%) and LL (22.0%), and was significantly higher for patients with FcgammaRIIIA-158V/V (40.0%) and -V/F (35%) versus -158F/F (9.0%; P = .030). Responses for patients with FcgammaRIIIA-48L/L were higher when at least one valine was present at FcgammaRIIIA-158 (P = .057), thereby supporting a primary role for FcgammaRIIIA-158 polymorphisms in predicting rituximab responses. With a median follow-up of 13 months, no significant differences in the median time to progression and progression-free survival were observed when patients were grouped according to their FcgammaRIIIA-48 and -158 polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: The results of these studies therefore support a predictive role for FcgammaRIIIA-158 polymorphisms and responses to rituximab in WM.

Adult↗

Treatment of follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) represents the most common indolent lymphoma with a median survival of 10 years. A new prognostic index (FLIPI) provides prognostic information at diagnosis and at relapse. Initial treatments combining monoclonal antibody therapy using rituximab with chemotherapy appear to increase the response rate and decrease the risk of relapse with little increase in toxicity. Promising phase III trial results demonstrating improvements in outcome using rituximab have recently been reported. A number of phase II trials have also demonstrated encouraging activity combining radiolabeled antibodies in sequence with chemotherapy. The role of high-dose therapy and autologous transplantation is becoming more defined, with improvements in progression-free survival observed in the upfront and relapsed setting. The application of allogeneic transplantation, once restricted to young otherwise healthy patients has shown encouraging activity in older, relapsed, and refractory patients using nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens. These new treatment options make the management of newly diagnosed patients both exciting and a challenge.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

HLA-matched unrelated donor hematopoietic cell transplantation after nonmyeloablative conditioning for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

We evaluated 10/10 HLA antigen-matched unrelated hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) after nonmyeloablative conditioning with fludarabine 3 x 30 mg/m2 and 2 Gy of total body irradiation as treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who were ineligible for conventional HCT. Data from 21 consecutive patients in first chronic phase (CP1; n = 12), accelerated phase (AP; n = 5), second CP (CP2; n = 3), and blast crisis (n = 1) were analyzed. Stem cell sources were bone marrow (n = 4) or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells (G-PBMCs; n = 17). The patient who underwent transplantation in blast crisis died on day 21 (too early to be evaluated for engraftment) from progressive disease. Sustained engraftment was achieved in 5 of 12 patients who underwent transplantation in CP1, 4 of 5 patients who underwent transplantation in AP, and 2 of 3 patients who underwent transplantation in CP2, whereas 9 patients rejected their grafts between 28 and 400 days after HCT. Specifically, 1 of 4 marrow recipients and 10 of 17 G-PBMC recipients achieved sustained engraftment. Graft rejections were nonfatal in all cases and were followed by autologous reconstitution with persistence or recurrence of chronic myeloid leukemia. Seven of 11 patients with sustained engraftment--including all 5 patients in CP1, 2 of 4 patients in AP, and neither of the 2 patients in CP2--were alive in complete cytogenetic remissions 118 to 1205 days (median, 867 days) after HCT. Two of the remaining 4 patients died of nonrelapse causes in complete (n = 1) or major (n = 1) cytogenetic remissions, and 2 died of progressive disease. Further efforts are directed at reducing the risk of graft rejection by exclusive use of G-PBMC and increasing the degree of pretransplantation immunosuppression.

Adult↗