Purpose: We analyzed the impact of allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (alloSCT) as an early consolidation for young patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia in first complete remission (CR1) through four successive protocols.
Patients and methods: Of the 472 patients who achieved CR1, 182 (38%) had an HLA-identical sibling (donor group), and alloSCT was performed in 171 patients (94%). Of the 290 patients without donor (no-donor group), 62% received an autologous SCT.
Results: In an intent-to-treat analysis based on donor availability, the overall 10-year survival probability was 51% v 43% (P = .11) for the donor and no-donor groups, respectively. A Cox analysis determined that four factors had independent prognostic significance for survival (initial WBC count, French-American-British subtypes, cytogenetic risk, and number of induction courses). This permitted constitution of a simple index that reclassified 21% of the patients compared with usual cytogenetic classification and identified three subpopulations with different outcome and different impact of alloSCT.
Conclusion: AlloSCT was associated with a survival advantage for an intermediate-risk group. In other groups, numbers are limited for definitive conclusion. However, early performed alloSCT does not seem to be the optimal treatment of high-risk patients or offer any advantage over intensive chemotherapy in low-risk patients.