Allogeneic transplantation for patients ≥40 years of age with Ph-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first remission is linked with a lower incidence of relapse. However, this benefit is offset by considerable non-relapse mortality, compared with a chemotherapy-only approach, according to a retrospective analysis involving 80 individuals.

Investigators looked at outcomes in those treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation or chemotherapy alone (n=40 in each cohort). Among the results:

• 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival were not significantly different between the groups.

• 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 61% in the chemotherapy-only group and 28% in transplant patients.

• Non-relapse mortality rate was 9% in those who had chemotherapy-only and 32% in the transplant contingent.

Citation: Wolach O, Stevenson K, Wadleigh M, et al. Allogeneic transplantation is not superior to chemotherapy in most patients over 40 years of age with Philadelphia-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first remission. [Published online ahead of print June 3, 2016]. Am J Hematol. doi:10.1002/ajh.24410.