Blood stem cell transplants come of age

In this report we review meeting highlights. Clearly there has been substantial progress in the laboratory and clinic with regard to blood stem cells. Having proven that these transplants work, it is now time to investigate biologic features in greater detail. Also needed are randomized trials evaluating several of the issues we raise such as whether the better results of blood cell autotransplants are due to more effective treatment or subject selection and whether in vitro removal of tumor cells is necessary or effective.