Prognostic factors in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients treated by autologous stem cell transplantation: a single center experience.
OBJECTIVE
Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is increasingly used in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Various clinical parameters-were evaluated to obtain significant predictors of the outcome following ASCT in patients with NHL.


METHODS
Between April 1994 and December 2003, ASCT was performed on 80 patients with NHL at the Asan Medical Center.


RESULTS
Patients had various histological subtypes and disease status. The two year progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival for all patients were 34 and 31%, respectively. A univariate analysis showed the performance status, stage, modified extranodal involvement category, International Prognostic Index (IPI) at mobilization, disease status at mobilization, and history of radiation prior to mobilization as significant predictors of the outcome following ASCT. Four risk groups, with different 2 year PFS, were identified by the age adjusted IPI at mobilization (mAAIPI): low risk 44%; low intermediate risk 40%; high intermediate risk 19%; and high risk 0% (p=.0003). A multivariate analysis revealed 3 significant factors for the PFS: disease status, prior RT and mAAIPI.


CONCLUSIONS
The mAAIPI was found to be an independent predictor of the outcome of NHL patients undergoing ASCT. This powerful prognostic tool should be used to evaluate potential candidates for ASCT.
Suh
Cheolwon
C
Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. csuh@amc.seoul.kr
Kim
Sang Hee
SH
Kim
Hyo Jung
HJ
Jang
Geundoo
G
Kim
Eun Kyung
EK
Ko
Ok Bae
OB
Kim
Shin
S
Sohn
Hee Jung
HJ
Lee
Jung Shin
JS
Kim
M Wookun
MW
Huh
Jooryung
J