Allogeneic stem cell transplantation as a curative option in relapse/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma: Spanish multicenter GETH/GELTAMO study

We performed a retrospective multicenter study including 140 patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) from March 1995 to November 2018. Our objective was to analyze long term outcomes. Seventy-four percent had received a previous auto-SCT (ASCT) and the median number of lines pre-allo-SCT was 3 (range 1–9). Three year-event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 38% and 44%, respectively. Non-relapse mortality (NRM) at day 100 was 19%. Cumulative incidence of grade III–IV acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) at day 100 was 16% and moderate/severe chronic GVHD at 3 years 34%. Active disease at allo-SCT (HR 1.95, p = 0.039) (HR 2.19, p = 0.019), HCT-CI ≥ 2 (2.45, p = 0.002) (HR 2.33, p = 0.006) and donor age >37 years (HR 2.75, p = 0.014) (HR 1.98, p = 0.043) were the only independent variables both for PFS and OS, respectively. NRM was significantly modified by HCT-CI ≥ 2 (HR 4.8, p = 0.008), previous ASCT (HR 4.4, p = 0.048) and grade III–IV acute GVHD on day 100 (HR 6.13, p = 0.016). Our data confirmed that allo-SCT is a curative option for patients with R/R DLBCL, displaying adequate results for fit patients with chemosensitive disease receiving an allo-SCT from a young donor.