| Abstract: | Treatment of nonlymphoblastic transformation of chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CGL) by marrow ablative chemotherapy, followed by autologous stem cell reinfusion, induced a 2nd chronic phase with a median duration of 5.5 months at the cost of high morbidity and mortality. One course of intensive cytoreductive chemotherapy, similar to a remission induction course in acute nonlymphoblastic leukaemia (ANLL), followed by a buffy coat reinfusion, induced a short-lived 2nd chronic phase in 4 out of 9 patients. Two successive courses, each followed by an autologous stem cell reinfusion, induced a new chronic phase in 4 out of 5 consecutive patients. Multiple intensive chemotherapy courses, followed by autologous stem cell rescue, offer an effective palliative treatment of nonlymphoblastic transformation of CGL with a relatively low morbidity due to the treatment itself. |
