title: Outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with hematological malignancies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a potentially curative treatment modality for hematological malignancies. We evaluated the outcome of patients suffering from hematological malignancies, including acute leukemias, chronic myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome after allogeneic transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients having hematological malignancies with HLA identical sibling donors who underwent allogeneic transplantation were included. Pre-transplant workup consisted of complete blood counts, evaluation of liver, kidneys, lungs, infectious profile, chest X-ray, paranasal sinus roentgenograms and dental review. Donors were given G-CSF at a dose of 5-10 μg/kg/twice daily for five days prior to harvest. The conditioning regimens included cyclophosphamide, busulfan and total body irradiation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 41 allogeneic transplants were performed for hematological malignancies from April 2004 to December 2012. There were 31 males and 10 females. Median age ± SD was 28 ± 11.7 years (range 8 - 54 years). A mean of 7.7×108±1.5 mononuclear cells/kg were infused (range:6.2-9.2×108/kg). The median time to white cell recovery was 19±4 days (range:15-23 days). Transplant related mortality was 19.5%. The median overall survival was 53.6 months. Overall survival at a median follow up of 37 months was 67%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is an effective treatment option in patients with hematological malignancies. Our outcomes are comparable with results from neighboring countries as well as the western world.
authors.affiliation: Medical College, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mohammad Faizan
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Zahid
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pathology & Microbiology and Oncology, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pathology & Microbiology and Oncology, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mohammad Usman
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pathology & Microbiology and Oncology, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Salman Naseem
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Adil
keywords: Allogeneic transplantation; Hematological malignancies; Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Treatment Outcome