The timing of autologous stem cell transplantation and the prognostic factors affecting the prognosis in children with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma.

Although ASCT is used as a standard treatment following second remission for adults in oncology practice, data are lacking for relapsed childhood HL. Therefore, we evaluated the exact timing of the ASCT treatment, as well as factors affecting the prognosis in children with relapsed HL who underwent ASCT. Patients were divided into two groups (Group 1: ASCT after second remission [n = 6], Group 2: ASCT after >2 remissions [n = 3]). Overall, DFS rate was 64.8% at 24 months after ASCT. In Group 1, post-transplant DFS and OS were 83.3% and 75%, respectively, and the post-transplant response without event rate was 5/6 (83.3%). However, in Group 2 this was 1/3 (33.3%). Nonetheless, the timing of ASCT was not a significant prognostic factor for DFS and OS in univariate analyses (p = 0.21 and p = 0.73, respectively). Median follow-up time was 21 months after transplant, and DFS and OS were 62.5% and 75% in early relapse group (n = 6) at 24 months. DFS and OS were both 66.7% in late relapse (n = 3). In addition, response rates of ASCT without event were 66.7% for both early and late relapse groups. Relapse types (early: 3-12 months, late: >12 months) was not a significant prognostic factor for DFS and OS in univariate analyses (p = 0.96 and p = 0.92). While we found ASCT to be a useful treatment following second remission, it does not demonstrate better success in early relapse cases, when compared to late relapse cases. Therefore, after second remission for relapsed HL, ASCT is advisable regardless of the time of relapse.