Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation from an unrelated donor

When an HLA-matched sibling is not available and nontransplant approaches have been ineffective, transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells from an unrelated donor can effect a cure in some patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Even when successful, however, transplantation is a rigorous and prolonged process whose complications include infection and graft-versus-host disease. Improvements in hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation as well as innovative nontransplant approaches may improve the outcome in these patients.