Status of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in childhood in the GDR

Of 25 HLA-identical, MLC negative transplants 10 patients had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), 8 acute nonlymphoblastic leukaemia (ANLL), 3 severe aplastic anaemia, 2 malignant histiocytosis, 1 patients neuroblastoma and 1 Fanconi anaemia. 3 HLA nonidentical, MLC positive transplants were performed, two children had malignant infantile osteopetrosis and 1 child had a severe combined immunodeficiency disease. Patients with ALL and ANLL received cyclophosphamide and single dose total body irradiation. 3 patients received fractionated TBI. The results for the allogeneic group overall indicate that the actuarial disease free survival rate is 0.62. 16 of 25 patients are in continuous complete remission (CCR) periods of 3-78 months posttransplant. All three transplanted children with severe aplastic anaemia alive disease-free for periods of 21-81 months. 10 patients with ALL were transplanted (2 in first remission for high risk ALL, 8 in second remission). 7 of 10 patients are alive and disease-free (CCR rate 0.67). 8 patients underwent BMT for ANNL while in first remission in 7 patients and in third partial remission in 1 patient. 4 of 8 patients are alive and disease-free for periods of 25-56 months (CCR rate 0.50). 1 patient with neuroblastoma stage IV survives 24 months, 1 child with Fanconi anemia died on day +25 of GVHD and septicaemia. 1 of the 2 patients transplanted for malignant histiocytosis relapsed 3 months posttransplant, 1 patient is alive and disease-free 5 months posttransplant. In none of the HLA-nonidentical and MLC positive transplantations T-cell depleted marrow engrafted.