Autologous bone marrow transplantation for low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: the European Bone Marrow Transplant Group experience. EBMT Working Party for Lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
Influenced by successful results treating intermediate- and high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), high-dose therapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) is increasingly applied in low-grade NHL. However, the published data are limited.


METHODS
In the European Bone Marrow Transplant Group (EBMT) Registry 92 patients with low-grade NHL treated with ABMT could be identified.


RESULTS
The overall progression-free survival was 52% at 5 years with a median follow-up of 19 months. Patients with a complete remission or responsive disease at ABMT had a better outcome. There was no benefit for patients transplanted with either total body irradiation in the conditioning regimen or a purged autograft.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the median follow-up is short, the data are very promising and warrant a randomized trial analyzing the value of high-dose therapy and purging in low-grade NHL.
Schouten
H C
HC
Colombat
P
P
Verdonck
L F
LF
Gorin
N C
NC
Björkstrand
B
B
Taghipour
G
G
Goldstone
A H
AH
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D012074:Remission Induction; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation