Allogeneic transplantation for ALL in adults

Allogeneic transplantation is an effective treatment for adult patients with high-risk ALL, including patients in first or second remission. Although only a few studies have evaluated the optimal transplant regimens, the data would suggest that a TBI-based regimen results in better disease control. Although not as potent as it is in other hematologic malignancies, the GVL effect is an important component of achieving cure of ALL. Because of the toxicity of the fully ablative regimen, reduced-intensity transplants are being explored in older patients with ALL when the prognosis is especially poor with standard chemotherapy.