Reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic transplant for advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia

We report the preliminary results of 12 patients with advanced stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) transplanted following reduced intensity conditioning (RIC. With a median of 22 months of follow-up, 9 patients are alive and 3 have died of progressive disease, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or toxic hepatitis. Acute grade I-III GVHD occurred in 33% of patients and chronic GVHD in 50%. Eight of the 12 patients achieved a complete remission (CR) and 2 patients a partial remission (PR). Donor lymphocyte infusion was effective in 6 patients. Event-free survival, progression-free survival and non-relapse mortality at 3 years were 68%, 42% and 16%, respectively. Our results show successful immunomodulation and reduction in tumor burden in high risk CLL.