Hematology Times
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TransplantationT cells may not be ‘necessary evil’ in BMT
Bone marrow harvest
A new study has called into question the belief that transplanting mature, donor T cells with purified stem cells is the best way to ensure a successful transplant. The Stanford University study found that mice given pure stem cells were better at forming new blood cells and regenerating lymphoid tissue than mice that received stem cells along with mature T cells. The study was published online, August 2, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. ... [Read Article] UCB transplant is viable option for adult acute leukemia
Cord blood extraction
A recent study published online in The Lancet Oncology is the first analysis to show similar leukemia-free survival in adult acute leukemia patients who receive unrelated donor umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplants mismatched for 1 or 2 human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) and patients who receive allele-matched bone marrow or peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplants. The use of UCB could provide a viable option for patients who urgently need a transplant or cannot find a PBPC or bone marrow donor. ... [Read Article] Rituximab beneficial for maintenance, not purging in FL
Follicular lymphoma cells
The European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)-LYM-1 study showed that purging for stem cell harvest with rituximab was of no benefit, but that rituximab maintenance therapy improved progression-free survival (PFS) in rituximab-naïve patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) undergoing stem cell transplantation. Experts said this study does not address whether these results would be similar in patients with follicular lymphoma treated up front with rituximab. ... [Read Article] Encouraging results for SCT in myelofibrosis
Stem cells
An interim analysis of the first prospective study of fludarabine-based reduced intensity conditioning for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for patients with myelofibrosis confirms that transplantation can now be considered a treatment for this disorder, which until now did not have any good treatment. “Ours is the first study of this type of transplant in the US. There has been one in Europe as well. I think these results will consolidate that transplant should be offered to all patients with myelofibrosis and a related donor,” said Damiano Rondelli, MD, of University of Illinois in Chicago. ... [Read Article] Study examines worldwide use of HSCT
Stem cells
A recent study looked at the worldwide usage of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and found significant differences in transplant rates among countries and continental regions by indication and donor type. They also found that HSCT is used most frequently in countries with higher gross national incomes and government healthcare expenditures. The study, carried out by Alois Gratwohl, MD, of the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, and colleagues, is published in the April 28 issue of JAMA. ... [Read Article] |
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