Allogeneic Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

The field of allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and, increasingly the use of cellular therapy, have continued to evolve since its origins in the early 1900’s. Results are improving constantly mainly due to a combination of better understanding of the underlying biological background and major advances in supportive care. New diseases and indications have been developed and with the advent of reduced toxicity conditioning, this treatment modality has been extended to older patients and to patients who in previous times would have been considered ineligible for transplantation. The preferred source of progenitor cells for HSCT has changed over the years. Traditionally, cells were harvested from the iliac crests under general anaesthesia, but recently G-CSF mobilised peripheral blood (PBSC) have been increasingly used.