title: T-cell depletion versus methotrexate as GvHD-prophylaxis in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for leukaemia.
abstract: Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis using methotrexate (23 patients) and T-cell depletion of the graft (40 patients) was compared in 63 allogeneic bone marrow transplantations (BMT) for leukaemia. T-cell depletion significantly reduced (p = 0.001) the incidence of GvHD from 68% to 11% and the GvHD-associated mortality from 79% to 5%. Actuarial disease-free survival for low-risk patients (57% with T-cell depletion and 47% with MTX) was not significantly improved, due to graft failure and possibly due to a higher leukaemic relapse rate after T-cell depletion. Prevention of graft failure after T cell-depleted BMT is essential and could also reduce the risk of leukaemic relapse by improved engraftment.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000187:drug effects; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D013601:T-Lymphocytes
chemical_list: D008727:Methotrexate