High-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with primary systemic amyloidosis: a Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research Study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the outcome of high-dose therapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with primary systemic amyloidosis reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR).


METHODS
A total of 107 recipients of autologous HSCT for amyloidosis from 48 transplantation centers were reported to the CIBMTR between 1995 and 2001. Hematologic and organ responses were assessed at 100 days and 1 year. Transplantation-related mortality (TRM) was assessed at day 30 after HSCT. A multivariate analysis assessed factors that influenced overall survival.


RESULTS
Improvement at day 100 was seen in 1 or more amyloidosis-affected sites (bone marrow, kidney, liver, and/or heart) in 28 (36%) of 77 patients; the 1-year responses included complete response (16%), partial response (16%), stable disease (31%), and disease progression (10%). With a median follow-up of 30 months, the 1- and 3-year survival rates were 66% (95% confidence interval [CI], 56%-75%) and 56% (95% CI, 45%-66%), respectively. The day 30 TRM was 18% (95% CI, 11%-26%). In the multivariate analysis, only the year of transplantation (patients who most recently underwent transplantation) was associated with post-HSCT survival (P-.02).


CONCLUSIONS
In this multi-institutional CIBMTR study, the 3-year survival rate was comparable to single-center results, with patients who more recently underwent transplantation faring better. Of note, the TRM was higher than that reported by single centers, which may reflect differences in patient selection and/or experience in treating this challenging disease. We hope that a better understanding of the recently recognized prognostic factors and more stringent patient selection will result in lower TRM and improved survival.
Vesole
David H
DH
St. Vincent's Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
Pérez
Waleska S
WS
Akasheh
Marwan
M
Boudreau
Christian
C
Reece
Donna E
DE
Bredeson
Christopher N
CN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D008558:Melphalan