Stem cell transplantation

Stem cell transplantation (SCT), also referred to as bone marrow transplantation or hematopoietic SCT, is a treatment in which hematopoietic stem cells are administered to a patient, usually as treatment for hematologic cancer or bone marrow failure. Prior to infusion of stem cells, patients receive fully myeloablative or reduced-intensity chemotherapy both to reduce tumor burden and to allow engraftment of the stem cells. There are several potential sources of the hematopoietic stem cells in clinical use. In autologous SCT, hematopoietic stem cells are collected from the patient prior to chemotherapy and infused after treatment to rescue the hematopoietic system. In allogeneic SCT, hematopoietic stem cells are donated by a close relative or genetically matched unrelated individual and infused after conditioning chemotherapy. Availability of suitably matched donors remains a major limitation to SCT and new advances now allow for more flexibility in matching human leukocyte antigens (HLA) between donors and recipients. Alternative stem cell sources include the use of partially matched relatives, partially matched unrelated donors, and umbilical cord fetal blood.