In a nutshell
This study examined the outcomes of allogenic (donor) stem cell transplantation in two different time periods. The authors found that those treated in the later time period, 2009-2013, had better overall survival and fewer relapses, largely due to improvements in treatment options.
Some background
Hodgkin lymphoma is widely considered a curable disease. However, a significant number of patients relapse or do not respond to first- or second-line treatment. These patients may be treated with allogenic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT).
Allo-SCT has been used for quite some time. Patients are generally treated with chemotherapy (known as conditioning) before transplant. Higher doses of chemotherapy can lead to many negative effects. Reduced intensity-conditioning (RIC) uses lower doses of chemotherapy agents, and is now often used. Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is an antibody that targets a particular protein (CD30) present on Hodgkin lymphoma cells. It has been effective in patients undergoing a type of stem cell transplant that uses their own harvested stem cells. It is not clear whether BV is as effective in allo-SCT. Updated information on survival rates and effects of new medications such as BV is needed.
Methods & findings
The medical records of 72 patients were reviewed. 52 were treated between 2000 and 2008, and 20 were treated between 2009 and 2013. All patients received reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) before allo-SCT. The average length of follow-up was 4.4 years.
In the 2009-2013 group, 60% of patients received BV. Only 2% of patients in the 2000-2008 group were treated with BV.
In both patient groups, BV was associated with better patient outcomes. 54% of patients treated with BV had no signs of cancer after allo-SCT, compared to 33% of patients who were not treated with BV.
The 3-year survival rate for patients in the 2009-2013 group was significantly higher (83%) than the rate in the 2000-2008 group (50%). Patients treated more recently also had lower rates of relapse, but the difference was not significant.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that allogenic stem cell transplantation for patients with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma is more effective now than ever before, largely because of brentuximab vedotin.
What’s next?
If you are considering allogenic stem cell transplantation, talk to your doctor about brentuximab vedotin.
Published By :
Bone Marrow Transplantation
Date :
Jan 30, 2017
