Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation for Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Second or Subsequent Remission: Results of Bone Marrow Treated With Monoclonal Antibodies BA-i, BA-2, and BA-3 Plus Complement

Autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was utilized as therapy for 23 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (All) in second or greater remission. Bone marrow was treated in vitro with a combination of monoclonal antibodies, consisting of BA-i . BA-2. BA-3, and baby rabbit complement (BRC’). All patients were prepared for transplantation with cyclosphosphamide and fractionated total body irradiation. Engraftment occurred in all 23 patients. Seven of 23 patients remain relapse-free from six to 32 T HE LONG-TERM survival for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) following relapse has not improved over the past several years by use of various chemotherapeutic regimens.’ For patients with matched sibling donors, however, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) offers improved survival.2 As only 30% to 40% of patients have a matched donor, alternative methods of transplantation of eligible patients are currently being explored. One approach involves the use of less than fully matched family donors or unrelated donors.’’ A second approach has been to reinfuse the patient’s bone marrow after purging of any residual leukemic cells with drugs or monoclonal antibodies.8” This article describes the experience of autologous BMT for patients with relapsed ALL at the University of Minnesota using autologous remission bone marrow treated in vitro with the monoclonal antibodies, BA-I,’2 BA-2,’3 BA-3,’4 and rabbit complement.