Retrospective study of allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation for myelofibrosis

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative treatment for myelofibrosis. We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT, 1994-2008, and the potential risk factors affecting non-relapse mortality (NRM), OS and relapse-free survival (RFS). A total of 39 patients, 15-65 (median 49) years old, diagnosed with primary (n = 27) or secondary (n = 12) myelofibrosis underwent HSCT (25 related and 14 unrelated). In ten patients, disease had transformed into acute leukaemia. Lille prognosis score was low for 9, intermediate for 16 and high for 14 patients. The conditioning regimen was myeloablative (MAC) for 15 and reduced-intensity (RIC) fludarabine-based for 24, with successful engraftment in 38 patients. A total of 31 patients developed grade I-IV GvHD; 19 developed chronic GvHD. The 3-year OS, RFS and NRM rates (95% confidence interval) were 60% (42-74), 54% (37-59) and 30% (30-45), respectively. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2011) 46, 557-561; doi:10.1038/bmt.2010.276; published online 1 November 2010