Outcomes After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Adults With Myelodysplastic Syndrome With 65 Years or Older Compared to Youngers. A Retrospective Analysis of the Latin America Registry
Duarte FB, Garcia YDO, Funke VAM, João A, Hamerschlak N, Villela NC, de Almeida Macedo MCM, Vigorito AC, de Almeida Soares RD, Paz AA, Stevenazzi M, Diaz L, Neto AEH, Bettarello G, de Gusmão BM, Salvino MA, Calixto RF, Moreira MCR, Teixeira GM, da Si
This retrospective multicenter study aimed to compare outcomes and evaluate risks associated with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in myelodysplastic syndrome patients aged ≥ 65 versus < 65 years in Latin America, across 38 transplant centers (1988-2023). Of the 441 patients, 70 (16%) were ≥ 65 years (median age 68 ± 3.7). At 5 years, overall survival (OS) was 49.3% in patients ≥ 65 vs. 56.7% in those < 65 (p = 0.49), and progression-free survival (PFS) was 48.4% vs. 56.2% (p = 0.40). The cumulative incidence of relapse was 13.6%, and non-relapse mortality (NRM) 33.8%. After propensity score matching, no significant differences were observed between the age groups in OS (HR = 1.16; 95% CI: 0.76-1.77; p = 0.488), NRM (HR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.64-1.67; p = 0.90) or PFS (HR = 1.20; 95% CI: 0.779-1.83; p = 0.40). PFS in patients ≥ 65 years was associated with high-risk IPSS-R stratification (p = 0.0056). The age group ≥ 65 years conferred higher risk of relapse compared to patients aged < 65 years (HR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.07-7.15; p = 0.035). In patients ≥ 65 years, prevalence risk was associated to male sex, reduced-intensity conditioning, mobilized blood cells, and prior treatment, while in those < 65 years, to complications and chronic GVHD (p < 0.05). HCT is feasible in elderly patients. However, age may influence disease progression in very high-risk elderly patients and risk of relapse after transplantation.
© 2025 The Author(s). European Journal of Haematology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
European journal of haematology, 2025-06-28