[Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation as an effective treatment for recurrent Hodgkin's disease].

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) is a method used analogically to autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) to obtain hematological reconstitution following myeloablative therapy in patients with hematological malignancies. We have now applied this procedure in two patients with recurrent high risk Hodgkin's disease. Collection of circulating stem cells mobilised with cyclophosphamide/G-CSF was performed by several leukaphereses on Fenwal 3000, with access through inferior vena cava. Nucleated cells were separated by dextran sedimentation, cryopreserved, and stored at (-) 196 degrees C. Additional marrow collection was performed in one patient. Conditioning regimen consisted of BCNU, etoposide and cyclophosphamide delivered at days -3 and -2. Collected material containing on average 3.6 x 10(8)/kg nucleated cells and 8.0 x 10(6)/kg CD34(+) cells was transfused at day 0. G-CSF was administered following transplantation to one patient to hasten the recovery. Hematological recovery was relatively quick. Neither serious adverse events nor signs of relapse were observed following transplantation. Our results supported by other's reports indicate, that APBSCT enables hematological recovery similarly to ABMT in Hodgkin's disease. The advantage of APBSCT is a possibility to collect material in patients with marrow involvement, hypoplasia or fibrosis. Outcomes obtained following APBSCT are at least as good as following ABMT. High-dose chemotherapy followed by APBSCT or ABMT should be considered in all patients with recurrent Hodgkin's disease sensitive to chemotherapy.