BeEAM Conditioning for Autologous Transplant in Lymphoma: A Review of the Evidence, Safety and Efficacy

Abstract

High dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and subsequent autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has become an immensely valuable treatment option in both Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. In recent years, some stem cell transplant centres have begun implementing bendamustine, etoposide, cytarabine and melphalan (BeEAM) as a preferred HDCT regimen. This change mostly stemmed from economic concerns related to a scarcity of other chemotherapeutic agents and a need to improve upon current outcomes. Despite the common use of BeEAM chemotherapy, there is a paucity of data on the efficacy, tolerability and safety of the regimen. The following review article will discuss the current literature pertaining to BeEAM chemotherapy and compare the regimen to the formerly widely-used BCNU, etoposide, cytarabine and melphalan (BEAM) regimen.