Autologous stem cell transplantation in favorable-risk acute myeloid leukemia: single-center experience and current challenges

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has gained growing consideration as a treatment option for favorable-risk acute myeloid leukemia (FR-AML) in first complete remission (CR1), compared with chemotherapy.

We report the long-term outcomes of 117 consecutive patients with FR-AML fit for intensive chemotherapy diagnosed in our center between 1999 and 2020, who underwent ASCT.

Sixty-five of the 117 were eligible for intensive post-remission treatment, and 42 of those 65 received ASCT. Median follow up was 132 months. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 75% and 76%. Higher doses of CD34 + stem cell infusions negatively impacted DFS in multivariate analysis. Core-binding factor (CBF) leukemia was an independent prognostic factor for improved DFS. No differences based on pre-transplant measurable residual disease (MRD) were observed. In CBF leukemia, 10-year DFS is 72% for MRD-positive patients versus 100% for MRD negative patients.

ASCT is effective and safe in FR-AML patients. In CBF leukemia, ASCT provides excellent results regardless of achievement of bone marrow MRD negativity. In NPM1-mutated/FLT3-wild type (mNPM1) AML, early molecular response seems to have more impact on prognosis. Prospective investigation of the role of gemtuzumab ozogamicin in this setting is ongoing.