Increased risk of subsequent neoplasm after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 5-year survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors are at risk for developing subsequent neoplasms, but there is limited information on long-term risks and risk factors for both subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs) and subsequent non-malignant neoplasms (SNMNs). We analyzed long-term risk and risk factors for SMNs and SNMNs among 3291 5-year ALL survivors from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study-LATER cohort (1963–2014). We calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and cumulative incidences and used multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses for analyzing risk factors. A total of 97 survivors developed SMNs and 266 SNMNs. The 30-year cumulative incidence was 4.1% (95%CI: 3.5–5.3) for SMNs and 10.4%(95%CI: 8.9–12.1) for SNMNs. Risk of SMNs was elevated compared to the general population (SIR: 2.6, 95%CI: 2.1–3.1). Survivors treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with total body irradiation (TBI) (HR:4.2, 95%CI: 2.3–7.9), and without TBI (HR:4.0,95%CI: 1.2–13.7) showed increased SMN risk versus non-transplanted survivors. Cranial radiotherapy (CRT) was also a risk factor for SMNs (HR:2.1, 95%CI: 1.4–4.0). In conclusion, childhood ALL survivors have an increased SMN risk, especially after HSCT and CRT. A key finding is that even HSCT-treated survivors without TBI treatment showed an increased SMN risk, possibly due to accompanied chemotherapy treatment. This emphasizes the need for careful follow-up of HSCT and/or CRT-treated survivors.