Malignancies and infections cause late nonrelapse mortality after stem cell transplantation

09-22-2006

"Data on the incidence and causes of late (>100 days) nonrelapse mortality (NRM) in autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) recipients is limited. We have analyzed NRM in a cohort of 1482 adult patients who received ASCT in 1990-2003 in six Finnish transplant centres," researchers in Finland report.

According to E. Jantunen and colleagues at Kuopio University, "The most common diagnoses included non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (n=542), multiple myeloma (MM) (n=528), breast cancer (n=132); Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) (n=86) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) (n=63).

"Until September 2005, 646 patients (44%) have died. Late NRM was observed in 68 patients (4.6% of ASCT recipients; 11% of all deaths). There were 38 males and 30 females with a median age of 58 years (20-69) at the time of ASCT. The median time to NRM was 27 months from ASCT (3-112)."

"The risk of NRM was highest in patients with CLL (9.5%) and those with HL (8.1%) followed by MM and NHL (4.9 and 4.8%, respectively). The risk of late NRM was comparable in patients who received total body irradiation (TBI) and those who received chemotherapy-only regimens (6.7 vs. 4.3%).

"Another malignancy was the most common cause of late NRM (24 patients, 35% of late NRM). Twelve patients (0.8% of ASCT recipients) have died due to secondary hematological malignancy. Altogether 22 patients (32% of late NRM) died from infectious causes," reported the authors.

Jantunen concluded, "Malignancies and late infections are important causes of NRM after ASCT. These facts point out the importance of prolonged follow-up in ASCT recipients."

Jantunen and colleagues published their study in European Journal of Haematology (Late nonrelapse mortality among adult autologous stem cell transplant recipients: a nation-wide analysis of 1482 patients transplanted in 1990-2003. Eur J Haematol, 2006;77(2):114-119).

For additional information, contact E. Jantunen, Kuopio University, Dept. of Medical, POB 1777, Kuopio 70211, Finland.

Publisher contact information for the European Journal of Haematology is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.

Keywords: Kuopio, Finland, Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation, Late Nonrelapse Mortality.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.