Importance of Early Absolute Lymphocyte Count After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Retrospective Study

IntroductionEarly lymphocyte recovery after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is related to the prevention of serious infections and the clearing of residual tumor cells.MethodsWe analyzed the absolute lymphocyte count at 20 (D+20) and 30 (D+30) days after HSCT in 100 patients with malignant hematologic diseases and correlated with the risk of transplant-related mortality, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), nonrelapsed mortality (NRM), and risk of infection.ResultsPatients presenting with lymphocyte counts of <300 × 103/μL on D+30 have a 3.76 times greater risk of death in <100 days. Over a medium follow-up of 20 months OS, DFS, and NRM were similar between the groups.ConclusionIn our group of patients delayed lymphocyte recovery after HSCT was a predictor of early death post-HSCT.