Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TK-II) combined with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the treatment of high-risk Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph⁺) leukemia.
Methods: The clinical data of 17 cases of high-risk Ph⁺ leukemia patients underwent allo-HSCT were retrospectively analyzed, including 1 case in accelerated phase and 7 cases in blast crises of chronic myeloid leukemia, and 9 cases of Ph⁺ acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Nilotinib or Dasatinib were administered before and (or) after allo-HSCT in all patients.
Results: All patients successfully engrafted. Median times to neutrophil and platelet recovery were 12 days (range 10-14) and 15 days (range 11- 23), respectively. Acute GVHD developed in 7 patients: 6 patients had grade 1 to 2 and 1 patient grade 3. Chronic GVHD developed in 6 patients, all were limited and no lethal GVHD occurred. At a median follow-up of 17(range 3-60) months, 11(64.7%) patients survived disease free, 6 patients relapsed and 5 died.
Conclusion: TK-II combined with allo-HSCT effectively improved the remission rate of high-risk Ph⁺ leukemia and reduced recurrence after allo-HSCT, which represented an important improvement in the treatment of patients with high-risk Ph+ leukemia.