Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia--the Singapore experience

Eleven patients with acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia (ANNL) underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) from the period, September 1985 to June 1989 in the Singapore General Hospital. Five of the six patients (83%) transplanted in the first remission are presently alive; three greater than 2.5 years after the transplant. Two of these three patients are enjoying disease free survival; the other had chronic graft versus host disease but well controlled with treatment. One of the six patients relapsed from his disease at Day 252 post-transplanted and died 8 months later. Four patients who were transplanted in the first untreated relapse and one in second remission have died; three from early post-transplant complications and two from relapse. The results of allogenic BMT in patients with ANNL in first remission in this study appear encouraging and are superior to conventional chemotherapy. Allogeneic BMT should be considered as the treatment of choice in selected groups of individuals with ANNL. (Abbrev.: BMT = Bone marrow transplant; ANNL = Acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia; GVHD = Graft vs Host Disease; VOD = Veno-occlusive disease)