Work

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for relapsed and refractory Hodgkin lymphoma after treatment with checkpoint inhibitors: Real-world experience of a single center

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) is a current treatment option for patients with refractory/relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R HL), including those whose disease has failed to respond to checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) treatment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes of alloHSCT after CPI therapy in R/R HL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-center analysis of 8 patients (median age: 30.9 years (range: 21.6-50.1 years); 62.5% male) with R/R HL who had undergone alloHSCT after CPI therapy in Poland. RESULTS: At the time of alloHSCT, 2 patients (25%) were in complete remission (CR), 4 (50%) were in partial remission (PR), and 2 (25%) had stable disease. Haploidentical related donors were used in 6 patients (75%) and matched unrelated donors in 2 patients (25%). Reduced-intensity conditioning based on the Baltimore platform was applied in 6 patients (75%), and busulfan/fludarabine conditioning was used in 2 patients (25%). Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurred in 2 patients (25%), including 1 case of grade III disease (12.5%), while chronic GVHD developed in 4 patients (50%), with moderate-to-severe disease in 2 patients (25%). Two patients (25%) died from transplant-related causes. At a median follow-up of 13.4 months, 5 patients (62.5%) remained in CR. Median progression-free survival was 22.6 months, and median overall survival (OS) was not reached. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the largest Polish single-center analysis published to date. In our cohort, alloHSCT after CPI therapy was feasible with acceptable safety. However, because of the small sample size, retrospective design, and relatively short follow-up, no definitive conclusions regarding long-term efficacy or safety can be drawn. Additional prospective studies are needed for further clarification.

Source: Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

DOI: 10.17219/acem/231321

Authors: Kościelny Kacper, Oliwia Cecelska, Gabriela Ragan, Joanna Góra-Tybor, Magdalena Witkowska

Institutions: Medical University of Lodz, Copernicus Memorial Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Subfield: Hematology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $754