Analysis of risk factors for relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acute leukemia

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an effective, and in many cases, the only treatment for curing malignant blood diseases. However, post-transplant relapse is the primary factor affecting survival rates.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 123 patients with acute leukemia undergoing allo-HSCT at Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital from August 2017 to June 2023 to discuss the risk factors for relapse in acute leukemia (AL) patients after allo-HSCT.

Among the 123 patients, 41experienced relapse, with 30 cases of relapse within one year. Multivariable analysis showed that pre-transplant MRD (+) and NR (HR 2.32, 95%CI 1.18-4.54, P = 0.014), post-transplant MRD (+) (HR 2.13, 95%CI 1.04-4.36, P = 0.016), cGVHD (-) (HR 0.48, 95%CI 0.23-0.97, P = 0.041) and age < 40 (HR 0.44, 95%CI 0.23-0.83, P = 0.011) were independent risk factors for relapse after allo-HSCT.

Data from our center indicated that pre-transplant MRD (+) and NR, post-transplant MRD (+), cGVHD (-) and age < 40 are independent risk factors affecting relapse after allo-HSCT.