Allogeneic transplantation using either unrelated donor or cord blood grafts "can produce extended and even curative long-term survival" in patients over age 50 with AML in first complete remission, according to a study of 740 transplants reported to CIBMTR (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research) and Eurocord. Three-year survival of 8/8 unrelated donor, 7/8 unrelated donor, and cord blood transplant recipients were 43%, 37%, and 30%, respectively, and the difference in survival between 8/8 unrelated donor and cord blood was statistically significant (p=0.002). The researchers concluded that "allogeneic transplantation need not be withheld from older patients and for clinically suitable AML patients."
Weisdorf DJ, et al. Biol Blood Marrow TransplantUnrelated Donor, Cord Blood Grafts Yield Extended Survival in Older AML Patients
Feb 2014