[Allogenic bone marrow transplant in Italy]

On July 7h, 1988 all Italian groups practicing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (AlloBMT) convened with the objectives of performing an analysis of their clinical material and designing some cooperative retrospective and prospective studies. It was felt that, although the great majority of the Institutions performing AlloBMT contribute data to the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry (IBMTR) and to the European Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), it might still be of interest to pursue specific regional studies, establish a National Registry, and program workshops and educational meetings. The Italian Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation (GITMO) was accordingly founded. It has been determined that by December 31st, 1988, 1390 AlloBMTs have been performed in Italy by 19 Centres. Fourteen have been involved in BMT for adults and children, and 5 exclusively for children. The chief indication for AlloBMT in this clinical material was chronic myelogenous leukaemia, followed by homozygous beta thalassaemia and by the acute leukaemias; severe aplastic anaemia, malignant lymphomas and multiple myeloma have also been important indications. Overall crude survival was 58.3%; this was reduced to 50% for patients over 20, while it reached 62.5% for those under 20. Other studies are in preparation, and a similar survey for Auto BMT has been presented at the GITMO Meeting of June 28, 1989, which is currently in press.