Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation for Leukemias and Hematologic Malignancies in Bologna

Abstract

Since Feb.’83 to Dec.’84 we performed 30 allogeneic bone marrow transplants (BTM) in hematologic malignancies. All the patients (pts) were HLA identical, MLR negative with the donor sibling. Conditioning followed the Seattle protocol; TBI was given from a single Co“ source at a low (3–5 rads/min) dose rate. Pts with Chronic Granulocytic Leukemia (CGL) were additionally given Daunomycin 1.5 mg/kg on day − 5; those with CGL in transformation also received Cytosine Arabinoside 200 mg/M²/day in continuous infusion in 4 days. The pt with myeloma was given also melphalan, 5 mg/kg in 5 days. GVHD prophylaxis was attempted with Cyclosporin-A, given i.v. from day − 1 to + 5, then p.o. for 4 months, if GVHD was absent; doses were gradually decreased after day 50. Details of the patients and results are shown in the table. All pts with CGL are in hematological and cytogenetic remission. The major problems of our BMT programme are a high relapse rate in acute myeloid leukemia and a high frequency of chronic GVHD in CGL.