Encouraging preliminary results in 12 patients with high-risk haematological malignancies by omitting graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis after allogeneic transplantation.

Immunosuppressive therapy, routinely given after allogeneic transplantation to modulate graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) may have an adverse effect on the graft-versus-tumour (GVT) effect. Twelve patients with high-risk haematological malignancies were given cyclophosphamide, total body irradiation and antithymocyte globulin followed by peripheral blood stem cell grafts from HLA-identical siblings without prophylactic immunosuppression. At the earliest clinical evidence of GVHD, patients were treated with high-dose solumedrol and tacrolimus. Prompt haematological recovery [absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 1.0 x 109/l] was observed (median time 9 d). All patients developed grade III-IV GVHD (median onset 9 d), involving the skin (11), intestine (five) and liver (three). Of nine evaluable patients, seven developed chronic GVHD [extensive (six), limited (one)]. Six patients died 1-6.5 months after transplantation. Three patients died from treatment-related complications, two from acute GVHD and one from relapsing disease. The remaining six patients are alive 5-26 months after transplantation, five in complete remission and one myeloma patient in very good partial remission. In conclusion, omission of post-transplantation GVHD prophylaxis is feasible, does not lead to graft failure or a high incidence of uncontrollable GVHD and appears to be associated with encouraging clinical responses in a group of patients with high-risk disease features.