The Combination of Anti-Thymocyte Globulin and Basiliximab for Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

Objectives: Identical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) is associated with a higher risk of graft rejection when compared to matched sibling donor transplantations. Methods: The study included 34 patients who were treated with a novel regimen combining basiliximab, Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and conventional immunosuppressive in the recipients of haplo-HSCT. Results: The cumulative incidence of grade II–IV and grade III–IV aGVHD was 38.2% and 11.8%, while the rates of limited and extensive cGVHD were 17.6% and 23.5%, respectively. Laboratory evidence of CMV and EBV reactivation were found in 9 patients (26.5%) and 6 patients (18.8%), respectively. The relapse rate of haplo-HSCT was 14.7% at 1 year; and 1-year OS and DFS were achieved in 58.8% and 55.9% of the patients, respectively. Conclusions: The results suggested that basiliximab combined with low-dose ATG could be a promising treatment strategy in haplo-HSCT.