Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Helps Leukemia
Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Helps Leukemia
French researchers have reported that 76% of the 33 subjects in a trial were still leukemia-free two years after being treated with allogeneic stem cells. (In allogeneic stem cell transplants, the cells come from a donor’s blood marrow and not from the patient.) In this study, the transplant took place after the patients were in remission, not while they were in a relapse.
The study concludes, "These data suggest that immunotherapy in the form of a reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplant can be used to eradicate minimal residual disease in patients with AML with acceptable toxicity. Further studies focusing on patients with a high risk of relapse will be necessary to determine the full impact of this approach."
Graft versus host disease is also a factor in relapse; none of the patients with chronic GVHD relapsed, while 44% of the patients without it did.
The study is reported on the Cancer Consultants website and will appear in the November issue of the journal Cancer.
1 Comments:
My husband is 37y/o and has just undergone an allogenic stem cell transplant. He had acute AML & was given only 4 weeks to live without treatment when they found it. He had 46% blast or leukemia showing in his blood on diagnosis. He is lucky to be with today. Time will tell as he is only DAY 38 post transplant, but he is home and doing well so far. His doctors want to reduce his meds to ensure chronic GVHD. In reading your statement above, this gives me long term hope for the future of our family.
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