Feasibility of autologous bone marrow transplantation for early consolidation of follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

In contrast to intermediate- and high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), patients with follicular lymphomas retain a poor prognosis in the long run. Several reports suggested that they are incurable by conventional chemotherapy. 10 patients with follicular NHL were autografted for consolidation of early remission. One of these patients treated in 1979 received the TACC regimen with unpurged marrow. The other 9 (8 in first, 1 in second remission) treated since July 1987 received the BEAM regimen followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) with marrow purged in vitro by mafosfamide at levels individually adjusted. There were no toxic deaths. 8 patients remain in unmaintained CR 15 to 43 months post-ABMT-2 are beyond 2 years. The patient autografted in 1979 has relapsed 9 yr later. ABMT is feasible with no indue toxicity for consolidation of follicular NHL early in first remission, as an alternative aggressive strategy. Further studies and a longer follow-up will be needed to evaluate its antitumor efficacy.