Little is known regarding the outcome of lymphoma patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) using inadequate hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) doses. Fifty-six patients were enrolled in the study, and the cohort was subdivided into two groups according to the infusion dose: < 1 × 106/kg (poor HSC group) and 1-2 × 106/kg (unfavorable HSC group). Compared with the unfavorable group, the poor HSC group had a longer median time to neutrophil (13 vs. 11 days, p = .007) and platelet engraftment (17 vs. 13 days, p = .024). CD34+ cell infusion dose of < 1 × 106/kg was the only risk factor for neutrophil and platelet engraftment. The expected 3-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates for the whole cohort were 53% and 66%, and no statistical difference was observed between two groups. In conclusion, inadequate HSC infusion dose did not negatively impact AHSCT patient survival but significantly prolonged the time to hematopoietic engraftment.
Keywords: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Non-Hodgkin’s; lymphoma; safety; survival.