75 patients with hematological malignancies, categorized by disease phase as early (18 % ), intermediate (20 % ) and advanced (62 % ), were transplanted. The median cell dose (TNC) infused was: 2.6 (1.35–5.4) × 107/kg; the HLA disparity was: 12 cases = 5/6, 62 cases = 4/6 and 1 case = 3/6 matched antigens. 72/75 patients engrafted (96 % ); median day of recovery of neutrophils (PMN) >500 × 109/L and platelets (PLT) >20 000 × 109/L was: 23 (14–44) and 35 (16–70) days respectively.
The outcomes at 2 years according to Kaplan–Meier are: OS = 46 % ± 5; RI = 18 % ± 2; NRM = 39 % ± 5. Acute GVHD incidence/severity was: grade 0–I = 64 % , II = 14 % , III–IV = 0 % . The incidence of Chronic GVHD was globally low but in 3 cases was very severe.
Intra-bone CBT is associated with high rate of engraftment, early and robust platelet recovery, low incidence of acute GVHD. A very promising aspect is that the relapse rate is low considering the advanced phase of the disease in two/thirds of patients. A suitable CBU was found for nearly every patient searching for a CBU. Therefore, IB CBT extends the possibility to transplant any patient for whom this approach represents the sole possibility of long-term survival.