Intensive treatment and stem cell transplantation in chronic myelogenous leukemia: long-term follow-up

In the present study we combined interferon (IFN) and hydroxyurea (HU) treatment, intensive chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) in newly diagnosed chronic myelogenous leukemia patients aged below 56 years, not eligible for allogeneic SCT. Patients who had an HLA-identical sibling donor and no contraindication went for an allogeneic SCT (related donor, RD). After diagnosis, patients not allotransplanted received HU and IFN to keep WBC and platelet counts low. After 6 months patients with Ph-positive cells still present in the bone marrow received 1-3 courses of intensive chemotherapy. Those who became Ph-negative after IFN + HU or after 1-3 chemotherapy courses underwent autologous SCT. Some patients with poor cytogenetic response were allotransplanted with an unrelated donor (URD). IFN + HU reduced the percentage of Ph-positive metaphases in 56% of patients, and 1 patient became Ph-negative. After one or two intensive cytotherapies 86 and 88% had a Ph reduction, and 34 and 40% became Ph-negative, respectively. In patients receiving a third intensive chemotherapy 92% achieved a Ph reduction and 8% became Ph-negative. The median survival after auto-SCT (n = 46) was 7.5 years. The chance of remaining Ph-negative for up to 10 years after autologous SCT was around 20%. The overall survival for allo-SCT RD (n = 91) and URD (n = 28) was almost the same, i.e. approximately 60% at 10 years. The median survival for all 251 patients registered was 8 years (historical controls 3.5 years). The role of the treatment schedule presented in the imatinib era is discussed.

Intensive treatment in order to minimize the Ph-positive clone in CML. Danish-Swedish CML Group

With the rationale that a significant reduction of the malignant clone in CML might prolong time to metamorphosis, intensive treatment was given to patients < or = 55 years. Six months of hydroxyurea and high dose interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) was followed by one to three courses of intensive chemotherapy. Patients who had a donor were allotransplanted and patients who became Ph-negative in bone marrow were autotransplanted. On 1 May 1995, 160 patients were registered in the study. Fifty-one percent of the patients who received six months IFN-alpha and hydroxyurea had a significant Ph-reduction and 5% became Ph-negative. The corresponding figures after two intensive chemotherapy courses were 47 and 28%, respectively. Twenty-seven of 30 autotransplanted patients have been analysed for Ph. Seventeen have relapsed cytogenetically, while ten are Ph-negative 1-64 + months after ABMT. BMT was performed in 59 patients. The actuarial 6-year survival from diagnosis of all 160 registered patients is 68%, which seems to be better than for age-matched historical controls.