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Research Article: Matched comparison of therapeutic DLI and second allogeneic transplantation after relapse of acute leukemia or MDS

Date Published: 2026-06-11

Abstract:
Relapse is the main cause of treatment failure after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Therapeutic donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) and second allo-HCT are common post-relapse options, but comparative evidence from the time of relapse is limited. We retrospectively analyzed 85 adults with acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who received therapeutic DLI or a second allo-HCT after relapse (2010–2022). DLI required hematologic or clinical relapse. Overall survival (OS) was assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis, Cox regression, and propensity score matching (PSM). Competing risks models evaluated relapse-related mortality (RRM) and non-relapse mortality (NRM). 60 patients received DLI and 25 underwent a second allo-HCT. No significant difference in OS was observed between groups (median OS 0.92 vs. 0.61 years, p=0.295). DLI showed higher RRM, while second allo-HCT showed a trend toward higher NRM. In the matched cohort (n = 36), OS remained numerically longer after second allo-HCT without significance. OS did not differ between second allo-HCT and therapeutic DLI. Treatment should be individualized, and larger multicenter studies are needed to refine patient selection.

Introduction:
Relapse is the main cause of treatment failure after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Therapeutic donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) and second allo-HCT are common post-relapse options, but comparative evidence from the time of relapse is limited.

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