New medicine combo makes blood or marrow transplant (BMT) safer for older adults
Cyclophosphamide after BMT works better than other medicines to improve survival and prevent Chronic GVHD.
Age70 years and older
Number of Participants91
Research GoalIncrease AccessImprove Quality of LifeImprove Survival
Allogeneic blood or marrow transplant (BMT) is not always used for patients aged 70 and older, even though this age group is most likely to get a blood cancer compared to younger people. This is partly because of complications that can happen after BMT, like graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
Another clinical trial, BMT CTN 1703, studied a medicine called cyclophosphamide in a new way. The study found that taking this medicine after transplant works better than other medicines to prevent GVHD and keep blood cancer from coming back.
This new study wanted to look closer at the survival and quality of life of older adults in BMT CTN 1703.
Nearly 100 patients over the age of 70 participated in this study. All patients had received reduced-intensity conditioning before transplant. Then, they were randomly assigned to one of two groups. These groups compared the new treatment approach to the standard of care.
- New approach (cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus)
- Standard of care (tacrolimus and methotrexate)
Results
One year after transplant, people in the cyclophosphamide group were more likely to:
- Be alive
- Avoid relapse (the cancer coming back)
- Be off of immunosuppressants (medicines that weaken the immune system)
Impact
Using cyclophosphamide after transplant works well to prevent GVHD in people aged 70 and older. It helps control GVHD and improve survival without needing to weaken the immune system for as long. This research offers more transplant options to people in this age group.
Keep in mind
Research is making transplant safer for people of all ages. If you’ve been diagnosed with a blood cancer, ask to see a transplant doctor. A transplant doctor can tell you what the risks and benefits of transplant are for you, no matter your age.
Learn more about
- GVHD at NMDP.org
- Clinical trials for GVHD at CTsearchsupport.org