High incidence of chronic graft versus host disease after allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation. The Spanish Group of Allo-PBPCT.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The incidence of acute GVHD (aGVHD) in allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation (allo-PBPCT) seems to be similar to that seen in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT). In contrast, some preliminary results suggest that the incidence of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) might be higher. The aim of the present study was to analyze the actuarial probability of developing cGVHD in allo-PBPCT, its clinical manifestations and response to treatment. METHODS We have retrospectively analyzed clinical results from 21 allo-PBPCT recipients that had been transplanted at least 18 months before this study and that fulfilled the following criteria: HLA identical sibling donor, non T-cell depleted apheresis and more than 90 days of survival with sustained engraftment. The median follow-up was 12 months (range 4.5-22). RESULTS Twelve out of the 21 (57%) patients presented cGVHD, 1 limited and 11 extensive. The actuarial probability of cGVHD was 72.7% (95% CI, 49-96%). The median interval from transplant to onset was 180 days (range 95-270). Nine of the 12 cases (75%) presented combined skin and liver involvement. Of the other three, the liver was involved in one case; skin, mouth, and nail cGVHD was observed in another case; and skin and mouth involvement together with an obstructive pulmonary disease was observed in the remaining case. Under therapy, a complete resolution of cGVHD manifestations was achieved in five cases, and a partial improvement was attained in three other cases. In two responsive patients, cGVHD reappeared after stopping treatment. Four patients were refractory to the treatment. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS It would appear from this retrospective and multicenter study that, after a median follow-up of 12 months, cGVHD after allo-PBPCT could be more frequent than after allo-BMT. A randomized trial with a large number of patients and a sufficient follow-up will be necessary to answer this question definitively.