The role of allogeneic-cell transplantation in leukemia

JH Kersey - New England Journal of Medicine, 2010 - Mass Medical Soc
JH Kersey
New England Journal of Medicine, 2010Mass Medical Soc
In the early 1970s, patients with high-risk hematologic cancers had a small chance of long-
term survival. This chance began to increase with allogeneic blood or bone marrow
transplantation, which combines high-dose chemotherapy, total-body irradiation, and graft-
versus-leukemia effects. 1, 2 In subsequent years, many patients with high-risk leukemia
and lymphoma have had long-term remissions. However, toxicity from myeloablative
conditioning, infections, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) resulted in a significant risk …
In the early 1970s, patients with high-risk hematologic cancers had a small chance of long-term survival. This chance began to increase with allogeneic blood or bone marrow transplantation, which combines high-dose chemotherapy, total-body irradiation, and graft-versus-leukemia effects.1,2 In subsequent years, many patients with high-risk leukemia and lymphoma have had long-term remissions. However, toxicity from myeloablative conditioning, infections, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) resulted in a significant risk of death that prevented older patients or those with coexisting conditions from undergoing transplantation.1,2
In recent years, studies have been designed to improve the outcomes of transplantation. Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson . . .
The New England Journal Of Medicine