Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia: a pilot study

The objective of the current study, initiated in 1976, was to improve upon the high relapse rate and subsequent mortality in children and young adults with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). Seventeen patients, ages 6--28, with ANLL in first bone marrow remission, received cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation using a radiation scheme of 750 rad (7.5 Gy) total dose, delivered at a dose rate of 26 rad (26 cGy) per minute. Allogeneic marrow from HLA-matched sibling donors was followed by prophylactic therapy or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Median follow-up of the entire group is 20+ mo; survivors have been followed for a minimum of 14+ mo. Interstitial pneumonitis was observed in 6% of patients, and GVHD was observed in 29%. Seventy percent of patients are alive and in complete continuous remission. Two patients have relapsed (at 7 and 24 mo). Actuarial relapse-free survival is 76% at 1 yr and 64% at 5 yr. Quality of life in this disease-free survivors is excellent; all patients are free of active GVHD, receive no maintenance chemotherapy, and have high Karnofsky performances scores. High dose rate total body irradiation plus cyclophosphamide followed by allogeneic BMT may provide an opportunity for long-term complication-free survival in a substantial proportion of children and young adults with ANLL.