Predictors of outcome following myeloablative allo-SCT for therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome and AML

Administration of alkylating agents (Alk), topoisomerase II inhibitors (Topo II) and radiotherapy (RT) can result in therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myelogenous leukaemia (t-MDS/t-AML), the optimal treatment for which is allo-SCT. A retrospective review was performed of 24 patients who underwent related- or unrelated-donor SCT for t-MDS/t-AML at our institution. Eight patients remain alive and in continuous remission (median follow-up 54 months (range, 12–161)) with estimated 5-year EFS being 30% (95% confidence intervals 16–58%). Corresponding actuarial risks of relapse and non-relapse mortality (NRM) are 39% (19–60%) and 30% (13–50%), respectively. EFS was 40% in Alk/RT-related t-MDS/t-AML and 11% in Topo II-related t-MDS/t-AML ( P =0.05), with an increased risk of relapse in the latter (56 vs 29%, respectively ( P =0.05)). In multivariate analysis, development of acute GVHD ( P =0.009) and Topo II-related t-MDS/t-AML ( P =0.018) were associated with inferior EFS. Patients with acute GVHD had an increased risk of NRM ( P =0.03) whereas risk of relapse was higher for patients of advanced age ( P =0.046) and for patients who underwent bone marrow (vs blood) SCT ( P =0.032). Allo-SCT can result in long-term survival for individuals with t-MDS/t-AML although outcome in Topo II-related t-MDS/t-AML patients remains suboptimal.