Improved outcome with T-cell-depleted bone marrow transplantation for acute leukemia.

Purpose: To eliminate the risk of rejection and lower the risk of relapse after T-cell-depleted bone marrow transplants in acute leukemia patients, we enhanced pretransplant immunosuppression and myeloablation.

Patients And Methods: Antithymocyte globulin and thiotepa were added to standard total-body irradiation/cyclophosphamide conditioning. Donor bone marrows were depleted ex vivo of T lymphocytes by soybean agglutination and E-rosetting.