Autologous marrow transplantation for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia--a preliminary report

Twelve consecutive adult patients with acute myelogenous leukemia have been entered on a treatment protocol which examines the role of "remission-intensification" during maintenance using high-dose chemoradiotherapy and autologous remission marrow transplantation. Nine patients have achieved complete remission: 5/9 patients have had remission marrow stored followed by high-dose chemoradiotherapy and autologous marrow transfusion; two patients were removed from study because of excessive toxicity during remission-induction precluding high-dose therapy; two patients are currently ready for marrow storage; and two patients are receiving remission-induction therapy. Of the five transplanted patients, four experienced excellent return of blood counts and one patient has had prolonged pancytopenia and continues to require red cell and platelet transfusions. There have been no serious infectious or hemorrhagic problems associated with post-transplant period in any of the patients. Autologous remission bone marrow transplantation following lethal high-dose chemoradiotherapy results in effective restoration of normal hemopoiesis, is associated with acceptable toxicity and may be an effective means of increasing the numbers of acute leukemia patients having long-term complete remission.