Outcome of autologous stem-cell transplantation in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma patients in a centre from Turkey

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the predictors of outcome in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) receiving autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) Materials and methods: Fifty-two consecutive patients who received ASCT at the Stem Cell Transplantation Unit of Gazi University Hospital from February 2005 through June 2011 for relapsed or refractory HL were analysed retrospectively Results: Fifty-one patients could be evaluated after transplantation, as one of the patients died in the early post-transplantation period. Complete remission was obtained in 36 (71%), partial remission in 9 (18%), stable disease in 4 (8%), and progressive disease in 2 (3%) patients. After a median follow-up of 22 (range, 0.5-75) months, 46 (88%) patients were alive. The probability of overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and transplantation related mortality at 5 years were 87, 53, and 2%, respectively. Chemosensitive relapse had a positive impact on both OS and PFS Conclusion: ASCT remains to be the standard treatment of relapsed or refractory HL patients. Chemosensitive relapse is the most important prognostic factor determining the outcome of the ASCT.