A long-term study of pediatric allogeneic transplants found that outcomes improved over time, with significantly improved overall survival (OS) in transplants performed in the 2003-2013 time period (P2) compared to those performed in 1992-2002 (P1). Researchers at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, retrospectively analyzed 188 transplant recipients, and found that 3-year OS increased significantly from 58% in P1 to 78% in P2 (p<0.001). A multivariate analysis showed that HCT during P2 was associated with reduced mortality (HR: 0.57; p=0.005), reduced transplant-related mortality (HR: 0.57; p=0.03), and less chronic GVHD (HR: 0.49; p=0.01). However, there was significantly more acute GVHD (HR: 1.77, p=0.007), and rates of relapse and graft failure remained unchanged. The researchers attributed the survival improvements to a reduction in conditioning regimen intensity and improvements in transplant practices.
Svenberg P, et al. Ped Transplant