Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for advanced acute promyelocytic leukemia in the ATRA and ATO era

Haematologica. 2012 Nov;97(11):1731-5. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2012.065714. Epub 2012 Jun 11.

Abstract

The role of allogeneic stem cell transplant in advanced acute promyelocytic leukemia patients who received standard first- and second-line therapy is still unknown. We report the outcome of 31 acute promyelocytic leukemia patients (median age 39 years) who underwent allogeneic transplant in second remission (n=15) or beyond (n=16). Sixteen patients were real-time polymerase chain reaction positive and 15 negative for PML/RARA pre-transplant. The 4-year overall survival was 62% and 31% for patients transplanted in second remission and beyond, respectively (P=0.05), and 64% and 27% for patients with pre-transplant negative and positive real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively (P=0.03). The 4-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 32% and 44% for patients transplanted in second remission and beyond, respectively (P=0.37), and 30% and 47% for patients transplanted with negative and positive real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively (P=0.30). Transplant-related mortality was 19.6%. In conclusion, allogeneic transplant is effective in advanced acute promyelocytic leukemia in the all-trans-retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide era, and should be considered once relapse is diagnosed.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Arsenicals / administration & dosage*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / genetics
  • Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / mortality*
  • Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / metabolism
  • Oxides / administration & dosage*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Survival Rate
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Tretinoin / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Arsenicals
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Oxides
  • promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor alpha fusion oncoprotein
  • Tretinoin
  • Arsenic Trioxide