Hematopoietic cell transplantation: progress and obstacles

Devetten, M.
Armitage, J. O.

University of Nebraska Medical Center, 987680 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-7680, USA

Received 27 December 2006; revised 23 January 2007; accepted 24 January 2007

^*Correspondence to: Dr M. Devetten, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 987680 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-7680, USA. Tel: +1-402-559-5166; Fax: +1-401-559-6520; E-mail: [email protected]

Annals of Oncology 18(9):p 1450-1456, September 2007.

The use of hematopoietic cell transplantation has expanded and evolved substantially in the last decade. New stem cell sources and stem cell mobilizing agents have been introduced in clinical practice. The incidence of life-threatening complications following autologous stem cell transplant procedures has decreased dramatically. Understanding the immune mediated effect of allogeneic stem cell transplantation has resulted in the development of reduced intensity and non-myeloablative conditioning regimens, allowing transplantation of elderly patients. Long-term complications are starting to emerge, and will gain in importance in the near future.