Sustained complete cytologic and molecular remission induced by donor leucocyte infusions alone in an acute myeloblastic leukaemia in relapse after bone marrow transplantation

Abstract

Therapeutic options for treatment of recurrence of leukaemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) are limited. A beneficial effect of donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) has not previously been described in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) relapse. We report a case of AML with t(8;21), relapsing 3 months after BMT, who received DLI without adjuvant chemotherapy or growth factors. The patient developed acute GVHD and achieved a rapid complete remission of his AML by both cytologic and molecular criteria of at least 14 months duration, thereby showing that DLI for AML in relapse after BMT is an alternative therapeutic option.