T-cell depletion versus methotrexate as GvHD-prophylaxis in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for leukaemia.

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis using methotrexate (23 patients) and T-cell depletion of the graft (40 patients) was compared in 63 allogeneic bone marrow transplantations (BMT) for leukaemia. T-cell depletion significantly reduced (p = 0.001) the incidence of GvHD from 68% to 11% and the GvHD-associated mortality from 79% to 5%. Actuarial disease-free survival for low-risk patients (57% with T-cell depletion and 47% with MTX) was not significantly improved, due to graft failure and possibly due to a higher leukaemic relapse rate after T-cell depletion. Prevention of graft failure after T cell-depleted BMT is essential and could also reduce the risk of leukaemic relapse by improved engraftment.