T Cell–Depleted Unrelated Donor Stem Cell Transplantation Provides Favorable Disease-Free Survival for Adults with Hematologic Malignancies

Ann A. Jakubowski, Trudy N. Small, Nancy A. Kernan, Hugo Castro‐Malaspina, Nancy Collins, Guenther Koehne, Katharine C. Hsu, Miguel‐Angel Perales, Genovefa A. Papanicolaou, Marcel R.M. van den Brink,

Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation · 2011 · 79 citations · 38 references

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Abstract

We report a prospective phase II clinical trial in 35 adult patients (median age 40.5 years) with hematologic malignancies who received T cell-depleted, hematopoietic stem cell transplants from HLA-compatible, unrelated donors. The cytoreductive regimen consisted of hyperfractionated total-body irradiation, thiotepa, and fludarabine. The preferred graft source was granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC). PBSC were CD34(+) selected, followed by sheep erythrocyte rosetting to deplete residual T cells. Anti-thymocyte globulin provided graft rejection prophylaxis. No additional graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was planned. Estimated disease-free survival at 4 years is 56.8% for the entire group and 75% in patients with standard-risk disease. The cumulative incidence of relapse is 6%. Acute GVHD grade II-III developed in 9% and chronic GVHD in 29% of patients. Fatal infections occurred in 5 of 35 (14%) patients. There was 1 late graft failure. This study demonstrates durable engraftment with a low overall incidence of GVHD. Its curative potential is reflected in the remarkably low relapse rate at 4 years.

References

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