Purpose: To identify risk factors for induction success and overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) and to evaluate the impact of allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (alloSCT) in adult patients up to 60 years old with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and reciprocal translocations involving chromosome band 11q23 [t(11q23)].
Patients and methods: An individual patient data-based meta-analysis was performed on 180 adult patients with AML and t(11q23). These patients were identified by cytogenetics and/or molecular techniques and treated within eight prospective multicenter trials of the German AML Intergroup. The median follow-up time was 53 months.
Results: Complete remission rate was 71%. Favorable factors for induction success were the presence of a t(9;11), t(11q23) as a sole aberration, and de novo leukemia. OS rate at 4 years was 29%. Translocations other than t(9;11), platelets less than the median, secondary leukemia, and peripheral blasts greater than the median were adverse risk factors for OS. RFS rate at 4 years was 29%. The presence of a t(6;11) and peripheral blasts greater than the median had a negative impact on RFS. Three risk groups for OS and RFS could be defined by the combination of these factors with 4-year OS rates of 50%, 28%, and 5% and 4-year RFS rates of 37%, 26%, and 5%. An alloSCT from matched related or unrelated donors in first complete remission was beneficial, especially in t(6;11)-negative patients.
Conclusion: Risk stratification of AML patients with reciprocal translocations of chromosome band 11q23 is feasible based on the translocation partner and clinical parameters.