High-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with primary systemic amyloidosis: A Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of high-dose therapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with primary systemic amyloidosis reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 107 recipients of autologous HSCT for amyloidosis from 48 transplantation centers were reported to the CIBMTR between 1995 and 2001. Hematologic and organ responses were assessed at 100 days and 1 year. Transplantation-related mortality (TRM) was assessed at day 30 after HSCT. A multivariate analysis assessed factors that influenced overall survival. RESULTS: Improvement at day 100 was seen in 1 or more amyloidosis-affected sites (bone marrow, kidney, liver, and/or heart) in 28 (36%) of 77 patients; the 1-year responses included complete response (16%), partial response (16%), stable disease (31%), and disease progression (10%). With a median follow-up of 30 months, the 1- and 3-year survival rates were 66% (95% confidence interval [CI], 56%-75%) and 56% (95% CI, 45%-66%), respectively. The day 30 TRM was 13% (95% CI, 11%-26%). In the multivariate analysis, only the year of transplantation (patients who most recently underwent transplantation) was associated with past-HSCT survival (P=.02). CONCLUSION: In this multi-institutional CIBMTR study, the 3-year survival rate was comparable to single-center results, with patients who more recently underwent transplantation faring better. Of note, the TRM was higher than that reported by single centers, which may reflect differences in patient selection and/or experience in treating this challenging disease. We hope that a better understanding of the recently recognized prognostic factors and more stringent patient selection will result in lower TRM and improved survival.