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LymphomaDecember 2017Summary reviewed May 2026

Bone Marrow Transplant from Mismatched Donors Kept 75% of Lymphoma Patients Alive at 1 Year

This 23-patient study tested partially HLA-mismatched unrelated donor bone marrow transplant with high-dose post-transplant cyclophosphamide for blood cancers. There were no graft failures or severe acute graft-versus-host disease, and 1-year survival was 75%.

What the trial was testing

The trial enrolled 87 patients with lymphoma. The study was sponsored by Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.

It was an early-stage trial — researchers are still confirming safety and getting an early look at how well the treatment works. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.

What the results showed

75% alive at 1 year — and no severe acute graft-vs-host disease.

Blood Advances · 2017 · NCT01203722

These findings — that at 1 year after mismatched unrelated donor bone marrow transplant with PTCy — were published in the Blood Advances and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 87 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.

What this means for patients

For patients with lymphoma, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.

What you can do now

Mismatched unrelated donor transplant with post-transplant cyclophosphamide is now offered at major bone marrow transplant centers as an option for patients who lack a matched donor. Ask a transplant hematologist about donor search and transplant options.

Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.