Molecular remission induced by fractionated dose-escalating donor leukocyte infusion without graft-versus-host disease in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia relapsed after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

A 39-year-old male with CML who relapsed 5 years and 8 months after allogen eic bone marrow transplantation achieved complete molecular remission follo wing fractionated dose-escalating donor leukocyte infusions. Acute or chron ic graft-versus-host host (GVHD) did not occur and the patient remained asy mptomatic throughout treatment. Since no prophylaxis against GVHD was admin istered this case indicated that the graft-versus-leukemia effect is entire ly separate from GVHD in certain conditions.