Autologous transplantation for relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma using intravenous busulfan and cyclophosphamide as conditioning regimen: A single center experience

Abstract

18508 Background: High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplanatation has become standard of care for patients with relapsed, chemosensitive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). In an effort to improve safety and efficacy of this therapeutic approach, new conditioning regimens are being developed. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 44 consecutive patients with relapsed NHL who had been treated with intravenous Busulfan and Cyclophosphamide (BU/CY) as conditioning regimen for autologous stem cell transplantation between January 2000 and April 2005. Busulfan was administered at a total dose of 3.2 mg/kg on days -7 to -4 (given in two or four divided doses), followed by Cyclophosphamide at a dose of 120 mg/kg intravenously on days -3 and -2. We determined treatment-related morbidity and mortality, event-free survival (EFS, defined as time period between transplantation and occurrence of serious morbidity, disease relapse, disease progression, or death), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: The distribution by histologic type of the 44 patients was as follows: 29 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 8 follicular lymphoma, 4 mantle cell lymphoma, and 3 peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Median age was 50 (range 20 to 68 years). At the time of transplantation, 27 patients had attained a complete response (CR or CRu) to salvage chemotherapy, 13 had achieved a partial response, and 4 had stable disease. Median time to neutrophil recovery post transplantation was 11 days. Treatment-related toxicities included nausea/vomiting (77%), diarrhea (43%), and mucositis (66%), which were mild in the majority of cases. Neutropenic fever occurred in 82% of patients. The 100-day mortality rate was 4 (9%) of patients: sepsis (n=1), pneumonia (n=1), and hepatic veno-occlusive disease (n=2). After a median follow-up of 52 months, 3-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of EFS, DFS, and OS were 35%, 41% and 44% respectively. Conclusions: Intravenous BU/CY is a safe and effective conditioning regimen as part of autologous transplantation for relapsed NHL. Our outcomes are comparable to those of other published regimens. Further investigation of this treatment approach is warranted. No significant financial relationships to disclose.