At the Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO) 2026 Annual Meeting, Mary Jo Lechowicz, MD, described the specific T-cell lymphoma subtypes where allogeneic, rather than autologous, transplant consolidation is preferred.
In an interview with CancerNetwork® at SOHO in Houston, Texas, Lechowicz, a professor of hematology and medical oncology at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, discussed how disease biology and histopathologic subtype should guide the autologous vs allogeneic transplant decision in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Lechowicz offered her remarks in the context of her session on autologous vs allogeneic stem cell transplantation in T-cell lymphomas, emphasizing that while several newer molecular markers are under investigation, 2 subtypes carry a particularly clear rationale for upfront allogeneic consolidation when transplant is feasible.
Transcript:
CancerNetwork: Given the biological heterogeneity of peripheral T-cell lymphomas, what clinical, histopathologic, or molecular biomarkers should multidisciplinary teams use to identify patients who should proceed directly to allogeneic stem cell transplantation in first complete remission vs those who are adequately served by autologous consolidation?
Lechowicz: In the current day and age of T-cell lymphomas, we have a number of newer molecular markers. Some of them are not currently translating into clinical therapy, but that is where we are.
From the point of view of subtypes where autologous transplantation does not work incredibly well, we heard from one of my colleagues about adult T-cell lymphoma and leukemia because it is driven by a virus—you want an immune system, so you want an allogeneic transplant instead, if one is able. Unfortunately, only about 30% to 40% of patients are able to actually get to an allogeneic transplant because of how the virus is transmitted.
I also spoke about a rare subtype known as hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma, typically seen in 30-year-olds and men, which had a very poor prognosis in the past. Again, if one is able, that is another subtype where we go automatically to a first consolidative allogeneic transplant.
Reference
Lechowicz MJ. Auto versus allo transplant for T-cell lymphomas. Presented at: Society of Hematologic Oncology Annual Meeting; September 9–12, 2026; Houston, TX.
