Analysis of efficacy and prognostic factors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Objective To explore the efficacy and prognostic factors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods The clinical data of 35 patients with relapsed/refractory AML treated with allo-HSCT in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2011 to October 2018 was retrospectively analyzed. The overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), graft versus host disease (GVHD) incidence, transplantation related mortality and recurrence rate were calculated, and the risk factors affecting prognosis were analyzed. Results Hematopoietic reconstitution was obtained in all patients after transplantation. The 100 d incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute GVHD was (22.9±7.7)%, and the 3-year incidence of chronic GVHD was (49.5±10.60)%. The median follow-up time after transplantation was 14.1 months (4.2-89.4 months). In all cases, 18 cases survived (including 16 cases of DFS), and 17 cases died. Fourteen cases relapsed, and the median recurrence time was 4.7 months (2.9-32.4 months). The 3-year OS rate and DFS rate were (44.4±9.3)% and (43.0±9.5)%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the non-remission disease before transplantation, poor genetic risk grade before transplantation and recurrence after transplantation were the risk factors for OS (all P < 0.05). The 3-year OS rates in complete remission before transplantation group and non-remission before transplantation group were (63.2±12.0)% and (15.7±12.8)% (P = 0.025), the 3-year DFS rates were (62.2±12.3)% and (15.3±12.7)% (P = 0.028), and the 3-year recurrence rates were (28.2±10.7)% and (80.6±15.7)% (P = 0.057). The 3-year recurrence rate in genetic high-risk group was higher than that in middle-risk group and low-risk group [100.0%, (45.0±12.1)% and (14.3±13.2)%, P = 0.045]. The 3-year tansplantation related mortality was (18.7±7.7)%. Conclusions Allo-HSCT is an effective method for salvage treatment of relapsed/refractory AML, and recurrence is the main factor affecting survival. Reducing tumor load before transplantation is very important for reducing recurrence and improving curative effect. Key words: Leukemia, myeloid, acute; Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Refractory; Recurrence; Prognosis