Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with reduced intensity conditioning in primary refractory prolymphocytic leukemia: graft-versus-leukemia effect without graft-versus-host disease

A patient with progressive prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL) received an allogeneic stem cell transplant using a reduced intensity conditioning regimen to avoid prohibitive toxicities. Early in the post-tranplant period, a high donor-derived CD8(+) count was observed. One year from transplantation, the patient was in complete remission, fully donor chimeric and with a normal performance status, suggesting that this approach may represent a useful treatment option in patients with refractory PLL.