Transplantation for myeloid neoplasms with antecedent solid tumor

Definitive treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) involves allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), either with myeloablative (MAC) or reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC). These diseases may arise in patients with a prior solid tumor. The impact of antecedent solid tumor on transplantation decision-making and outcomes is not well defined.

The authors performed a retrospective cohort study to address this question. A total of 1193 patients who underwent allo-HSCT for AML, MDS, or MPN between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018 were included, 102 of whom had a history of prior solid tumor.

Patients with prior solid tumor were older (median age, 62.5 vs. 54.9 years; p < .00001) and more frequently were conditioned with RIC (52.5% vs. 27.2%; p < .00001). A higher incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease was observed in patients with prior solid tumor (73.5% vs 66.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.65; p = .037), yet overall survival and relapse did not significantly differ. Cytogenetic risk was the dominant risk factor for survival.

Analysis by the authors suggests that patients with antecedent solid tumor and respective therapy can be transplanted successfully. Although selection bias is likely to be a factor, the results are encouraging for patients who come to transplantation after surviving a prior cancer.