The Impact of Pre-Stem Cell Transplant Ferritin Level on Late Transplant Complications: An Analysis to Determine the Potential Role of Iron Overload on Late Transplant Outcomes.

BACKGROUND Iron overload has been associated with increased non-relapse mortality (NRM) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Elevated ferritin level pre-HSCT has been used as a marker for iron overload. It is unclear whether the negative effect of iron overload as measured by elevated ferritin level extends beyond the first three months post HSCT, as this would suggest a potential role for active management of iron overload post HSCT. PATIENTS Sixty-three patients with AML and MDS who underwent an allogeneic HSCT from a sibling or unrelated donor between January to December 2006, had a pre-HSCT ferritin level and were alive and disease free 90 days post HSCT. RESULTS Median age was 51. Patients with the lowest pre-HSCT ferritin level (Q1) had a trend towards improved overall survival and progression free survival when compared to patients with higher level (Q2-Q4) (P=0.06, and 0.125). Cumulative incidence of NRM at 2 years was 20 and 30% respectively (P=0.4). CONCLUSION Pre-HSCT ferritin level may still have an impact on HSCT events beyond 3 months post transplant, suggesting a role for research into active management of iron overload with either phlebotomy or chelation.