FACTORS INFLUENCING HEMATOLOGICAL RECOVERY IN 53 PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYELOID-LEUKEMIA IN 1ST REMISSION AFTER AUTOLOGOUS BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

The kinetics of haematological recovery were retrospectively analysed in 53 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia in first remission after myeloablative chemoradiotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation. The median time to achieve a neutrophil count of 1 x 10(9)/l was 46 d (22-196 d) and median time to achieve unsupported platelet counts of 20 x 10(9)/l and 50 x 10(9)/l was 70 d (24-310 d) and 126 d (29-497 d) respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed two factors that were significantly associated with delayed neutrophil and platelet recovery: (1) use of high dose fractionated TBI and mononuclear cell cryopreservation, and (2) low platelet count at the time of bone marrow harvest. There was no correlation with: number of courses of chemotherapy, remission to ABMT interval, CMV status, indices of autograft quality or the development of elevated platelet associated immunoglobulin. Delayed haematological recovery did not predict for relapse or death. Delayed platelet recovery did, however, present significant problems with increased blood and platelet requirements and lengthening of hospital stay.