A comparison of two different types of transplant therapy to treat acute myeloid leukemia

This study compared two different transplant therapies used to treat acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), unmanipulated haploidentical stem cell treatment (Haplo-SCT) and HLA-matched unrelated donor stem cell transplantation (MUD). The study found that both options are useful in treating AML but MUD may have increased risk of graft versus host disease (when the transplanted cells attack healthy tissue).

Acute myeloid leukemia is often treated with stem cell transplantation. This is commonly with donor stem cells that can replace abnormal cells with healthy cells in the immune system. Haplo-SCT treatment are cells which come from a close family member such as a parent or sibling. MUD uses cells that are genetically matched so that they are not attacked by the body’s own immunity. It is not clear which is more effective in elderly AML patients.

250 patients aged 60 or older who received Haplo-SCT and 2589 who received MUD were compared. Patients were followed up 2 years after treatment. Anti-thymocyte globulin (a protein used in targeted therapy treatment) was given to MUD patients and cyclophosphamide (a cancer chemotherapy drug) was given to 62% of Haplo-SCT patients.

There were no differences found in overall survival and relapse (disease recurrence) rates when comparing the two treatments. Extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease (a severe form of organ rejection) was significantly higher in MUD when compared to Haplo.

The study concluded that Haplo-SCT and MUD are both valid options when treating AML in patients aged 60 and older, but Haplo may have less risk of chronic graft versus host disease.

The number of patients among the two treatment groups differed greatly which may have affected results.

Talk to your doctor about Haplo-SCT and MUD in treating acute myeloid leukemia.