Reduced intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation for low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Treatment options for patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) are many and varied. For those with relapsed or refractory disease, outcome following conventional and high dose chemotherapy remains poor. Conventional allogeneic stem cell transplantation has been shown to have curative potential in the management of indolent NHL, but due to the high transplant-related mortality improvement in overall survival has been insignificant. Recent reports have confirmed the feasibility of reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation as a treatment option for many older patients with NHL. Here we will discuss the rationale behind reduced intensity transplantation (RIT), the development of the regimens currently adopted in clinical practice and review the published literature on RIT for indolent NHL.