Is there still a role for autologous stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia?

BACKGROUND: the role of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unsettled. AIMS: retrospective analysis to evaluate the role of ASCT in patients with AML without HLA-matched donor. METHODS: between December 19, 1994 and August 1, 2012, a total of 63 patients with AML without HLA-matched donor in the department of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital, Bratislava, received an ASCT. Median age was 41 years (20-61 years). There were 35 (56%) males and 28 (44%) females. At the time of ASCT, 50 (79%) patients were in first complete remission (CR), 11 (18%) patients were in second CR and 2 (3%) patients were in relapse. RESULTS: with a median follow-up of 115 months (34-214 months), the 10 year overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) of all patients was 55% and 51%, respectively. Transplant-related mortality was 6%. The relapse rate was 38% and 9 years probability of relapse was 44%. CONCLUSION: ASCT is still an effective post-remission treatment in AML patients without HLA-matched donor; with the possibility of long-term survival or even cure in remarkable proportion of patients with AML, particularly in patients with favorable and intermediate cytogenetic risk. .

The feasibility of an early hospital discharge following chemotherapy for the acute myeloid leukemia.

OBJECTIVE: The hospitalization of the patient during the critical myelosuppressive period after chemotherapy is often complicated by infections caused by nosocomial pathogens, what is associated with a high antibiotics consumption and with prolongation of the period of hospitalization. These findings have led many centres to change their policy from "in-hospital" to "out-hospital care". In this retrospective study we tried, on the basis of our experiences, to identify the feasibility and safety of this approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 56 patients with the acute myeloid leukemia treated in our clinic with the consolidation chemotherapy. We compared two groups of patients. In the first group, the patients were discharged upon completion of chemotherapy, consequently followed up as outpatients. Patients in the second group were observed in hospital during the entire nadir. Following 41 courses, patients were discharged and instructed to return immediately if fever or any other change of their clinical status occurred. RESULTS: In 24 cases after chemotherapy, the patients returned to the hospital after a discharge (in 23 cases because of fever), in 17 cases of nadir periods the hospitalisation was not necessary at all. Seven patients were readmitted in septic shock, but rapidly recovered. Two other patients died, one due to an irreversible shock within 12 hours of readmission and one due to bacterial meningitis within 48 hours after readmission. In 10 cases of rehospitalization, patients responded to the first line of antibiotics. In the second group of the patients, only 2 courses of consolidation from a total of 15 were not complicated. In contrast to the first group, we detected only poor effectiveness of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the group of inpatients. CONCLUSIONS: For AML patients in a good clinical status without any complicating medical conditions, the early discharge is feasible, safe and cost saving option (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 7).

Treatment of newly diagnosed patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia with modified spanish treatment protocol.

The results of treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia, when combination ATRA + chemotherapy is used in induction and maintainance therapy and risk adapted strategy applied in consolidation, improved at present time. Enhanced supportive therapy also contribute to improved outcome of APL patients. 3 - year relapse free, overall survival and clinical and biological presenting features of APL patients were evaluated. Since January, 2001 till March, 2009, 32 patients treated with modified spanish treatment scheme were assessed. After june 2003 risk adapted strategy in protocol therapy according to spanish treatment group with ATRA and anthracyclines in consolidation therapy in high and intermediate risk patients was used. Cytoreduction therapy in patients with initially high leukocyte count was the modification of spanish treatment scheme. 29 (90.6%) patients achieved complete hematologic remission, 2 (6.3 %) molecular relapses were observed, death was observed in 4 patients (12.5%). The estimated 3-year OS was 90.6%; 95% CI (80.5%-100.0%), and estimated 3-year RFS was 95.5 %; 95 % CI (86.8%-100.0%). Survival results correspond with other published clinical studies. The number of relapses was slightly lower and the incidence of ATRA syndrome (50%) was higher when compare with the results of other study groups. Current recommendations for treatment with risk-adapted strategy for patients with newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia resulted in our patients group to comparable outcome and good compliance like in other published studies.

Isolated extra-medullary relapse of acute leukemia following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Isolated extramedullary relapse (IEMR) of acute leukemia (AL) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a rare occurrence. It is seen more commonly after BMT than after conventional chemotherapy (CHT) alone. We describe the natural history and response to treatment in four patients with IEMR following allogeneic BMT. The results indicate a stronger graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect in the marrow than in the peripheral tissues (Fig. 4, Ref. 13). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Leukemia in pregnancy.

Pregnancy complicated with leukemia is rare. Validated data, out of which conclusions may be drawn regarding the management of pregnancy with leukemia are sparse. We report 5 cases of leukemia diagnosed during pregnancy with an overview of published literature (Ref. 19). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Allogeneic BMT for haematological disorders: single centre experience of University Hospital Bratislava.

Data on 65 sibling bone marrow transplantations (BMT) for various hematological disorders are reported. 51 patients had leukemia, 8 severe aplastic anemia, 4 myelodysplastic syndrome, one suffered from non-Hodgkin lymphoma and one from myeloid metaplasia. All but two patients have engrafted. Overall, 43 (66%) of 65 patients were alive 0,03-7,2 years (median not reached) as of June 23, 1997. Median time of observation was 13 months. Outcome of standard risk patients was significantly better than that of high risk patients (p=0,006). Our data confirm, that sibling BMT is an effective treatment modality with acceptable toxicity for younger patients with an early stage of serious hematological disorders.