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Elevated pretransplant ferritin is associated with a lower incidence of chronic graft‐ versus ‐host disease and inferior survival after myeloablative allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Author(s) -
Mahindra Anuj,
Bolwell Brian,
Sobecks Ronald,
Rybicki Lisa,
Pohlman Brad,
Dean Robert,
Andresen Steve,
Sweetenham John,
Kalaycio Matt,
Copelan Edward
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2009.07774.x
Subject(s) - ferritin , medicine , transplantation , gastroenterology , incidence (geometry) , hematopoietic stem cell transplantation , quartile , prospective cohort study , graft versus host disease , hematology , adverse effect , haematopoiesis , immunology , stem cell , confidence interval , biology , physics , optics , genetics
Summary Elevated pretransplant serum ferritin levels have been associated with an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). We studied 222 patients who underwent myeloablative allogeneic HCT in whom pretransplantation serum ferritin levels were available. Pretransplantation ferritin > 1910 μg/l was associated with lower overall survival ( P = 0·003), lower relapse‐free survival ( P = 0·003), decreased chronic graft‐ versus ‐host disease (GVHD) ( P = 0·019) and increased non‐relapse mortality (NRM) ( P = 0·042). Similar results were obtained when pretransplantation ferritin was analysed as a continuous variable and by quartiles. Our results indicate that an elevated pretransplant ferritin level adversely impacts transplantation outcomes. The adverse impact of elevated ferritin on NRM and survival was despite its association with lower incidences of acute and chronic GVHD, which are major causes of NRM. The association of ferritin with iron overload and its influence on HCT outcomes requires further prospective validation.