The effect of allogeneic stem cell transplantation on high risk chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a single centre...

In recent years, many studies have confirmed that allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) can provide long-term disease control and possible cure in selected patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), including those with a biologically highly unfavourable risk profile. A retrospective analysis of allo-SCT in 30 patients with CLL whose risk profile was unfavourable and who were treated in the years 2000-2009 was performed. The aim was to compare the results of allo-SCT by prognostic factors and conditioning type and evaluate the results of unrelated transplantation. The median age was 54 years. Donors were 8 HLA-matched siblings and 22 unrelated volunteers, 11 of whom were mismatched. Eighteen patients were treated with reduced intensity conditioning. Twelve patients received myeloablative conditioning. Estimated overall survival (OS) at 3 years was 78%, progression-free survival (PFS) 71%, relapse incidence 10% and non-relapse mortality (NRM) 16%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 35 months. According to molecular/cytogenetic characteristics, OS and PFS for the high risk group (17p- or 11q-) were 89 and 77%, respectively, not significantly different from those with standard risk. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was associated with greater toxicity; significantly higher NRM for patients with aGVHD (p = 0.04) and worse PFS for patients with cGVHD (p = 0.04). Our results for the refractory disease group (77% responses) indicate that chemoresistance may be overcome by the GVL effect. Transplants from unrelated donors may be considered comparable to those from related donors.