The Efficacy and Safety of Busulfan-Etoposide-Melphalan Regimen in Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Relapsed/ Refractory Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients: “A Single-Center Experience”

Abstract

Introduction:High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard treatment for relapsed and refractory lymphoma patients. The difficulties in accessing and high cost of carmustine have led to the increased use of alternative regimen before ASCT for the treatment of lymphoma, including busulfan-based busulfan-etoposidemelphalan (BuEM) regimens.Methods:Data of 16 Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients who underwent ASCT following BuEM conditioning regimen were retrospectively analyzed within the scope of the study.Results:The median overall survival and progression-free survival during the 188 day follow-up period were found to be 93.8% and 87.1%, respectively. Neutrophil and platelet engraftment times were found to be 11 and 17 days, respectively, and the median duration of hospitalization was determined to be at 22.5 days. The prevalence of grade 3-4 mucositis was found to be at 37.6% (81.3% in total), whereas that of grade 1-4 infection was 87.5%, and grade 1-3 gastrointestinal system toxicity was found to be at 68.3%. No obvious liver and kidney toxicity were observed. Transplantation-related mortality was detected in 1 (6.25%) patient.Conclusion:Our results suggest that a prospective study on the BuEM regimen involving a large number of cases is required.

Keywords

• autologous stem cell transplantation
• hodgkin’s lymphoma
• non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
• conditioning regimens
• buem