Successful cell-mediated cytokine-activated immunotherapy for relapsed acute myeloid leukemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Am J Hematol. 2009 Mar;84(3):188-90. doi: 10.1002/ajh.21346.

Abstract

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an extremely aggressive disease with a high relapse rate even after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We report the successful outcome of cell-mediated cytokine-activated immunotherapy in a high-risk pediatric AML patient who relapsed shortly after allogeneic HSCT. Donor lymphocyte infusion along with interferon induced a graft-versus-leukemia effect, presenting as a reversible episode of graft-versus-host disease, which led to stable complete donor chimerism and total eradication of AML for over 24 months, at the time of this report. The curative potential of immunotherapy in hematological malignancies is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Graft vs Host Disease
  • Graft vs Leukemia Effect
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunotherapy
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / immunology*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy*
  • Lymphocyte Transfusion*
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / immunology*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / therapy*
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins