[Adverse reactions to autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in patients over 65 years old].

We compared the outcomes of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) for two groups: one composed of 6 patients over 65 years of age, and the other, of 8 younger patients. Transfused CD34-positive cells and CFU-GM counts, days to achieve a neutrophil count of over 500/microliter after transplantation, days to achieve a platelet count of over 50,000/microliter, and blood transfusion times were similar in both groups. Organ toxicity also appeared similar in both groups, but no severe adverse reactions (WHO grade/4) were observed. Poor performance status due to advanced tumors improved in some patients after PBSCT. We concluded that PBSCT is tolerable in patients over 65 years of age and useful as salvage therapy.