[Clinical Efficacy of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma].

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of first-line and salvage autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) in the treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Methods: The clinical data of 30 patients with DLBCL aged≤60 years old were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into first-line auto-HSCT group (15 cases) and salvage auto-HSCT group (refractory relapsed patients, 15 cases) according to the timing of transplantation, and the efficacy was analyzed. Anyone of the factors must be followed in patients receiving first-line HSCT: aaIPI score≥2 points, Ann-Arbor stage III-IV, large mass (diameter≥10 cm) or double expression of c-myc/BCL-2.

Results: The median follow-up time for all patients after transplantation was 26 (3-103) months. Until the end of follow-up, 23 patients survived and 7 patients died. All the 7 dead patients with multiple organ failure due to the relapse and disease progression. The median survival time of 7 dead patients from transplantation to death was 6 (3-11) months. Among the 15 patients in the first-line auto-HSCT group, there were 2 patients relapsed (13.3%), 1 dead (6.7%), 14 patients survived [overall survival (OS) rate was 93.3%]. Among the 15 patients treated with salvage auto-HSCT, 6 patients died due to disease progression or relapse (40%), 9 cases survived (OS rate was 60%). There was a statistically significant difference in the mortality of patients between the two groups (6.7% vs 40%, P=0.006). The 3-year PFS and OS rates of patients in first-line auto-HSCT group were both 93.3%. The 3-year PFS and OS of patients in salvage auto-HSCT group were 58.7% and 59.2%. The 3-year OS and PFS of patients in the first-line auto-HSCT group were significantly higher than those in the salvage auto-HSCT group (P=0.03, P=0.04). The bone marrow suppression was the most common adverse complication and all patients showed grade III-IV granulocytopenia. Non-hematological adverse reactions were mainly gastrointestinal adverse reactions and oral mucositis. There was no statistically significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups.

Conclusion: First-line auto-HSCT can be used as a consolidation treatment for DLBCL patients with poor prognostic factors. Auto-HSCT can further improve the prognosis of salvage chemotherapy-sensitive patients with refractory relapsed DLBCL.