CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA Allogeneic transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia

Over the last quarter century investigators have demonstrated that allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) can cure chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Early reports suggested the efficacy of related donor transplant after a myeloablative preparative regimen containing total body irradiation (TBI) [1 /3]. Subsequent studies have identified variables which improve outcome such as transplant in early chronic phase, younger recipient age, donor/ recipient compatibility at the major HLA loci and male donor gender [4,5]. Myeloablative regimens which do not contain TBI have also proven effective in transplant for CML [6]. The use of peripheral blood progenitor cells as a source of stem cells for transplant mobilized with G-CSF is comparable in most respects to non-mobilized related donor marrow, although long-term studies may uncover differences in the incidence of chronic GVHD and in the risk of relapse [7].