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This Approach Could Cure Certain T-ALL Patients
Biol Blood Marrow Transplant; ePub 2017 Apr 7; Hamilton, et al
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has the potential to cure certain adults with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), according to a retrospective cohort study involving 208 individuals. However, relapse is a major reason for treatment failure.
Participants received transplants between 2000 and 2014 at a median age of 37. Most underwent total body irradiation (TBI)-based myeloablative conditioning regimens. One-fourth received alternative donor HCT using mismatched, umbilical cord blood, or haploidentical donors. Investigators evaluated outcomes. Among the results:
- 5-year overall survival was 34%.
- Non-relapse mortality rate was 26%; relapse rate was 41%.
- Use of TBI resulted in better overall survival.
- Age >35 and having relapsed/refractory disease predicted poorer overall survival.
- Relapse was the most common cause of death.
Hamilton B, Rybicki L, Abounader D, et al. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for adult t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). [Published online ahead of print April 7, 2017]. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. doi:10.1016/j.bbmt.2017.04.003.