Does Total Body Irradiation Have a Favorable Impact on Thrombocyte Engraftment as per Neutrophil Engraftment in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation?

Introduction: In this study, we aim to analyze the effect of total body irradiation (TBI) on neutrophil and thrombocyte engraftment durations in acute leukemia (AL) patients who achieved allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT) at our center. Methods: The data of 193 acute leukemia patients who were performed Allo-SCT from matched-related donors were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Thrombocyte engraftment duration was statistically shorter (12 days) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients who received TBI-based conditioning when compared to ALL patients who received non-TBI-based conditioning (14 days; p=0.037). On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was observed between acute leukemia patients who received TBI or non-TBI-based conditioning regarding neutrophil engraftment duration. Conclusion: We found that TBI had a favorable impact on thrombocyte engraftment (TE) rather than neutrophil engraftment (NE) in Allo-SCT in patients with acute leukemia. TBI might have an impact on the engraftment of thrombocytes as per than neutrophils may be attributed to immune mechanisms and microenvironment in the patient’s bone marrow (BM).