Tolerance and efficacy of total body irradiation and cladribine prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cells transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes — synopsis of clinical study

Abstract

Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a standard of care for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and patients with intermediate and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Despite many years of experience. there is still no standard for conditioning regimen. The aim of this study is to analyse the efficacy and safety of a conditioning treatment with cladribine in combination with total body irradiation (TBI). Material and methods: A group of 40 adult patients referred for allo-HCT due to AML and MDS are to be enrolled in the study. The inclusion criteria are: informed consent, chemo-sensitivity for cladribine treatment regimens (when used in induction therapy), age 18–60, and performance status 0–2 according to World Health Organization. The conditioning regimen consists of cladribine and TBI at a total dose of 12 Gy in three fractions given over three consecutive days. The goal of the study is to assess the tolerability and efficacy of the regimen. Results: Our results may stimulate further investigation in this field i.e. phase III trials to compare this regimen to others. Conslusion: A myeloablative conditioning regimen consisting of total body irradiation in combination with cladribine may contribute to improved outcomes after allo-HCT for AML and MDS patients.