Comparing stem cell transplant from an identical donor to a half-matched donor in patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma.

This study compared stem cell transplants (SCT) from identical donors to half-matched donors in patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL). The study found that patients who received a transplant from a half-matched donor had a better response and survival without cancer progression.

HL is a type of blood cancer. One treatment option for HL involves a transplant of stem cells from a healthy donor to the patient. Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are present in our blood and tissues. There are different types of HLAs. HLA matching checks if a donor is a good match with a patient. The more similar the HLAs are between the donor and the patient, the higher the chance of a successful transplant.

An identical HLA donor is the preferred option. This often comes from a family member such as a sibling. However, only a few patients can benefit from identical HLA donors. A half-matched donor has a 50% match of HLAs with the patient. These are called haploidentical (HAPLO) donors. It is not yet clear whether a HAPLO transplant would be effective compared to identical transplants in patients with HL who are sensitive to chemotherapy.  

This study included 198 patients with HL who responded to chemotherapy. Patients were in complete remission (CR; no tumor left), or partial remission (PR; tumor shrinkage). 133 patients received an HLA identical transplant. 65 patients received a HAPLO transplant. The average follow-up time was 29 months.

Patients in CR had a better response than those in PR for both types of transplants. Patients who had a HAPLO transplant had longer survival without worsening of the disease compared to identical transplants (63% vs 37%). Fewer relapses after 2 years were seen in patients with a HAPLO transplant (24%) compared to HLA identical transplant (44%).

This study showed that patients with HL sensitive to chemotherapy had a longer survival without the worsening of the disease when they were given a HAPLO transplant.

This study was based on medical records. Information might have been missing. Also, the conditioning therapy (treatment meant to kill cancer cells) before the transplant could not be controlled. The follow up time was short. The sample size was small, especially in the HAPLO group.