Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Salvage Treatment for Relapsed or Refractory Lymphoma

To analyze the efficacy and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma, the therapeutic efficacy, safety, and survival of 23 patients were evaluated. There were 18 (78.3 %) patients with relapsed lymphoma and 5 (21.7 %) patients with refractory lymphoma. Patients were grafted from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched (10) or mismatched (7) related donors, or matched unrelated donors (6). The responses after Allo-HSCT included 13 (56.5 %) cases of complete remission, 5 (21.7 %) cases of partial remission, and 5 (21.7 %) cases of progressive disease. Overall, 16 of 23 patients were alive at a median follow up of 1,035 days (range 60–2,613), five patients died because of non-relapsed mortality, and two patients died of progressive disease. Progression-free survival rates were 64.6 and 48.4 % at 12 and 24 months, respectively, and overall survival rates were 68.6 and 59.5 % at 12 and 24 months, respectively. Allo-HSCT may be a salvage treatment for relapsed or refractory lymphoma. Myeloablative conditioning regimens may be effective and safe.