Myeloablative conditioning in myelofibrosis using i.v. treosulfan and autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation with high doses of CD34+ cells results in hematologic responses - follow-up of three patients.

Autologous transplantation after myeloablation for myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia provides a palliative therapy with a long term relief of symptoms. We have transplanted three patients with more than 5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg body weight after myeloablation with treosulfan (total dose 42 g/m(2)) with a 18 months follow-up. Two of the patients had symptomatic splenomegaly and severe anemia. One patient had symptomatic splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia (< 100x10(9)/L). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-supported peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilization and collection was not associated with increased toxicity. Following transplantation we observed a prolonged reconstitution period of 28-38 days without fever or severe mucositis. All patients became free of erythrocyte transfusions or recovered to normal thrombocyte counts. There was a significant reduction of max. spleen size in one patient. We conclude that myeloablation with treosulfan and autologous PBPCT in these three patients with myelofibrosis was safe and useful.