Allogeneic fetal liver transplantation in acute leukemia

Three patients with acute leukemia in first complete remission were transplanted with fetal liver cells from May 1983 to June 1984. A conditioning regimen of cyclophosphamide (60-80 mg/kg) and TBI 600-700 rads (a dose rate of 5-7r per minute) was taken. The hemopoietic and immunological recovery was rapid and complete in every patient. There was proof of chimerism in case 1 as demonstrated by the existance of the XX karyotype of donor fetus in 68.7% and 75% of marrow metaphases, in 25% of peripheral blood metaphases, by the appearance of new HLA-antigens and RBC blood type antigens of donor origin. The serum alpha-fetoprotein level increased and maintained for 40 days in case 2, but definite evidence of engraftment was not observed. The allogeneic marker, the donor's HLA-antigens and RBC isoenzyme, were detected in case 3.