Long-term follow-up of high-risk allogeneic peripheral-blood stem-cell transplant recipients: Graft-versus-host disease and transplant-related mortality

Purpose: To determine the risks of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and transplant-related mortality after allogeneic peripheral-blood stem-cell (PBSC) transplantation. Patients and Methods: Between December 1994 and July 1996, 50 consecutive patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies in first remission or relapse received high-dose therapy followed by transplantation of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized, allogeneic PBSCs collected from HLA-identical siblings. GVHD prophylaxis included cyclosporine and corticosteroids. Results: As of April 1, 1998, 18 patients (36% ± 13%) survived with a median follow-up period of 767 days (range, 602 to 1,127 days). The actuarial probability of grades 2-4 acute GVHD was 0.37 ± 0.14 (95% confidence interval). Of 36 assessable patients, 26 (72% ± 15%) developed chronic GVHD. The actuarial probability of chronic GVHD 2 years after transplantation was 0.87 ± 0.15. Of 14 progression-free survivors, 11 (79% ± 22%) have active, chronic GVHD. All 11 patients require ongoing immunosuppression, and nearly two thirds have extensive disease. Thirteen patients died as a result of transplant-related mortality (26% ± 12%), six (12%) before and seven (14%) after day + 100. Conclusion: We observed a high risk of chronic GVHD after allogeneic PBSC transplantation, which compromised the performance status of most long-term survivors and resulted in a relatively high risk of late transplant-related mortality. Approximately 75% of transplant-related deaths were associated with GVHD; thus, reduction in transplant-related mortality after allogeneic PBSC transplantation will require more effective strategies for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of GVHD.