Autologous stem cell transplantation for nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma: a progress report on its value

Nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma is an Epstein-Barr virus-related, highly aggressive but localized disease in Orientals. The median survival is <1 year. Here, we update our experience on 18 patients treated with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Two patients died of mucositis and septicemia during ASCT. Relapse occurred in nine cases, including six local relapses. Compared with patients treated in remission, all patients treated in active or disseminated disease died of early relapse. Within this cohort, there was no significant survival difference between patients treated in first (CR1, n = 7) or second (CR2, n = 5) complete remissions. However, among consecutive cases analyzed, the patients receiving ASCT at CR1 showed a trend towards better overall survival compared with historical matched controls (P = 0.064). Disease relapse beyond 6 months was not seen after ASCT. Our retrospective data suggest that ASCT in CR1 is a viable consolidation therapy for local-stage NK/T lymphoma, but a randomized trial is needed to prove any definite survival benefit. For patients with relapsed, refractory or extranasal disease, early consideration for allogeneic transplantation and alternative therapy may be warranted.