title: Marrow transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: factors affecting relapse and survival.
abstract: Transplant outcome was analyzed in 690 recipients of bone marrow transplants (BMTs) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first (n = 299) or second remission (n = 391). Actuarial 5-year leukemia-free survival was 42% +/- 9% (95% confidence interval) and 26% +/- 6%, respectively; relapse rates were 29% +/- 9% and 52% +/- 8%, respectively. Five-year leukemia-free survival was 56% +/- 18% in children and 39% +/- 10% in adults (P less than .02) transplanted in first remission. In first-remission adults, non-T-cell phenotype, male to female donor-recipient sex-match and graft-v-host disease (GVHD) were associated with decreased leukemia-free survival; inclusion of corticosteroids in the regimen to prevent GVHD was associated with increased leukemia-free survival. Variables associated with decreased leukemia-free survival after second-remission transplants were age greater than or equal to 16 years and relapse occurring while on therapy. Variables associated with increased probability of relapse were similar for first- and second-remission transplants and included GVHD prophylaxis without methotrexate and absence of GVHD. In first-remission transplants, leukocyte count greater than or equal to 50 x 10(9)/L at diagnosis was also associated with increased relapse; in second remission, relapse while receiving chemotherapy was also associated with increased posttransplant relapse. These data emphasize the importance of both disease- and transplant-related variables in predicting outcome after BMT. They may be used to explain differences between studies, design future trials, and identify persons most likely to benefit from BMT.
authors.affiliation: International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Gale
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Biggs
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Camitta
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Dicke
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gluckman
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Good
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Herzig
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D012307:Risk Factors