Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for refractory and recurrent low-grade lymphoma: the case for aggressive management.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in recurrent low-grade lymphoma.


METHODS
Between 1989 and 1994, 10 patients with chemotherapy-refractory and recurrent low-grade lymphoma were treated with myeloablative therapy and allogeneic BMT. All patients had poor prognostic features and had been extensively pretreated.


RESULTS
Eight patients achieved a complete remission and none have relapsed at a median follow-up time of 816 days (range, 346 to 1,865). Two patients died of early complications. The actuarial survival and failure-free survival rates are both 80% +/- 12.6%. For surviving patients, the duration of the current remission exceeds that of any previous remission achieved.


CONCLUSIONS
These results compare favorably with those for autologous BMT. Allogeneic BMT offers considerable promise for the treatment of patients with poor-prognosis low-grade lymphoma. Its role should be further defined in prospective studies.
van Besien
K W
KW
Department of Hematology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Khouri
I F
IF
Giralt
S A
SA
McCarthy
P
P
Mehra
R
R
Andersson
B S
BS
Przepiorka
D
D
Gajewski
J L
JL
Bellare
N
N
Nath
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002066:Busulfan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013852:Thiotepa / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D013852:Thiotepa; D002066:Busulfan; D002945:Cisplatin; D008727:Methotrexate