Long-term molecular remission induced by donor lymphocyte infusions for recurrent acute myeloblastic leukemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

A case of acute myelogenous leukemia with a t(8;21) translocation relapsed 5 months after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT), After chemotherapy-induced hematologic remission, the patient received donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI); 4.9 x 10(8)/kg T cells were infused. After DLI, she achieved molecular CR for the first time after allo-BMT, which lasted for 40 months. However, she suffered from grade III acute GVHD of the skin and the liver. Hepatic GVHD was sustained and resulted in fatal outcome. The case demonstrates that DLI is a double-edged sword. Further study is necessary before DLI can be considered to be a beneficial therapy for acute leukemia.