HAEMOPOIETIC TRANSPLANTATION FOR THALASSEMIA IN GREECE 113

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Thalassemia

Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with defective synthesis of the α- or β-chain of hemoglobin. For β-thalassemia major patients, therapeutic options are either monthly red cell transfusions and chelation therapy or allogeneic stem cell transplant. Stem cell transplant is the only curative approach and success is inversely correlated with the degree of iron overload and h...

Bone Marrow Transplantation in Thalassemia (Part 2)

During the last two decades conventional therapy has improved the prognosis of thalassemia. However, despite such improvement it still remains a progressive disease with treatment-related complications such as hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and cardiac disease. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) can prevent or delay progression of the aforementioned complications. The importance of clinical research...

Bone Marrow Transplantation in Thalassemia (Part 1)

During the last two decades conventional therapy has improved the prognosis of thalassemia. However, despite such improvement it still remains a progressive disease with treatment-related complications such as hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and cardiac disease. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) can prevent or delay progression of the aforementioned complications. The importance of clinical research...

Autologous haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation for aggressive multiple sclerosis.

Bone marrow transplantation in thalassemia.

Since 1983, 350 patients aged 1 to 19 years with beta-homozygous thalassemia were given infusions of HLA-identical marrow after high doses of busulphan and cyclophosphamide. Survival and event-free survival leveled off about 1 year after bone marrow transplantation at 82% and 75%, respectively. In 172 consecutive patients who were treated with our current regimen since June 1985, a multivariate...