Does ferritin level affect the outcomes of autologous stem cell transplantation equally in all diseases?

Abstract

BackgroundIn this retrospective study, we evaluated the effect of ferritin levels on the outcomes of autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with MM or lymphoma. MethodsIn this study, 170 patients with measured ferritin levels within one month before transplantation who underwent ASCT with the diagnosis of MM or lymphoma were evaluated. The cut-off value of ferritin was determined as 500 ng/mL to evaluate the transplant outcomes in both groups. The hematological recovery status/duration, febrile neutropenia rate, hospitalization time, transplant-related mortality (TRM) in the first 100 days, and OS were evaluated according to the ferritin level ResultsOf all patients, 105 (61,8%) were diagnosed with MM and 65 (38.2%) with lymphoma. Ferritin levels had no statistically significant effect on the engraftment status/times, the febrile neutropenia rates, and hospitalization times of both lymphoma and myeloma patients (p > .05). Ferritin level was not significantly associated with TRM in MM (p = .224). However, in lymphoma, ferritin level was significantly associated with TRM (33.3% for ferritin level ≥500 ng/L vs. 5.3% for ferritin level ng/mL, p = .005). There was no statistically significant correlation between ferritin value and OS in MM group [ferritin level ≥ 500 ng/L: 39.9 months (95% CI: 33.7–46.1) and ferritin level 500 ng/mL: 39.4 months (95% CI: 36.5–42.2), p = .446]. Ferritin level was significantly associated with OS in patients with lymphoma [ferritin level ≥ 500 ng/L: 22.1 months 95% CI: 14.7–29.5), ferritin level 500 ng/mL: 27.3 months (95% CI: 22.4–32.2), p = .038] ConclusionHigh ferritin level is important prognostic factor on survival after ASCT in patients with lymphoma.