title: Reduced-intensity rituximab-BEAM-CAMPATH allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for follicular lymphoma is feasible and induces durable molecular remissions.
abstract: The indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are theoretically curable through allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The applicability of standard conditioning allo-HSCT is, however, restricted by its toxicity. Recently, reduced-intensity conditioning regimens have demonstrated efficacy with significantly reduced early morbidity and mortality. We examined the safety and efficacy of rituximab-BEAM-CAMPATH as reduced-intensity conditioning for allo-HSCT in follicular lymphomas. Minimal residual disease was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for bcl-2/IgH translocations, and chimerism by X,Y-FISH or PCR amplification of short tandem repeat sequences. At a median follow-up of 521 days (371-719), four of five patients were alive and three were in complete molecular remission. Three patients required pre-emptive treatment for CMV reactivation. One succumbed to a perforated viscus and one had slowly progressive disease. A graft-versus-lymphoma effect was demonstrable and quantitative PCR for bcl-2/IgH may allow better accuracy in scheduling post-allograft rituximab and/or donor lymphocyte infusions. Although follow-up is short, reduced-intensity allo-HSCT with BEAM-CAMPATH conditioning appears to be safe, effective in inducing a molecular remission and is potentially curative. Further recruitment and much longer follow-up will be necessary to determine if this impacts favourably upon disease-free and overall survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematological Medicine, Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK.
authors.forename: A Y L
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Devereux
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Mufti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pagliuca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics; D012074:Remission Induction; D000069283:Rituximab; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences; D014178:Translocation, Genetic; D018183:Transplantation Chimera; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D000069283:Rituximab