Allogeneic Cd56+ Cell-Based Immunotherapy in a Patient With Fanconi Anemia Developing Acute Myeloid Leukemia Publisher Pubmed



Dovvombaygi MB ; Ghasabeh AS ; Eskandarian S ; Izadpanah A ; Safdari SM ; Parkhideh S ; Sereshtahmadi M ; Hajifathali A ; Roshandel E
Source: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology Published:2026

Abstract

Background: Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by genomic instability, bone marrow failure, and a markedly increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The intrinsic hypersensitivity of FA cells to DNA-damaging agents renders conventional chemotherapy particularly toxic and often ineffective. Case Presentation: A 31-year-old woman with FA who progressed to AML and failed to achieve remission with standard induction therapy. Bone marrow blasts were initially 10%. Intervention: As part of a clinical trial, she received CD56+ cell-based immunotherapy after FLAG chemotherapy. She subsequently underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from a matched sibling donor using a CD3+/CD19-depleted graft. Post-transplant, she received additional infusions of CD56+ cells. Outcome: CD56+ immunotherapy reduced bone marrow blasts from 10 to 3%, enabling successful HSCT. Post-transplant, she remained in complete remission with no detectable minimal residual disease (MRD) at both day +30 and day +90. Conclusion: CD56+ cell-based immunotherapy can effectively decrease the leukemic burden in FA patients with AML, facilitating successful HSCT. This innovative approach may enhance outcomes for high-risk patients and merits further research. © The Author(s) 2026.