Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukaemia 2005-22

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the only curative treatment for various blood and bone marrow disorders. The purpose of this study is to describe Norway's use of allogeneic stem cell transplantation to treat acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and to investigate any potential differences between the four regional health authorities.

In the period 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2022, a total of 2979 people were diagnosed with AML in Norway. We identified age, remission status, donor characteristics, survival and transplant-related mortality among the patients who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

During the study period, 674 out of 2979 patients (22.6 %) diagnosed with AML underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation. This number increased over time, from 14 transplants in 2005 to 67 in 2020. Treatment outcomes progressively improved: five-year survival increased from 48 % in the period 2005-10 to 63 % in the period 2017-22. The median age of patients from the Central Norway Regional Health Authority (48 years) and Western Norway Regional Health Authority (50 years) was lower than that of patients from the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority (54 years) and Northern Norway Regional Health Authority (60 years). There were no differences between the regional health authorities in terms of gender, remission status or use of related and unrelated donors.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is now a central component of treatment for AML. A steadily increasing number of patients are undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation with no observed decline in treatment outcomes.