Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for myelodysplastic syndrome

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the only curative option for myelodysplastic syndrome, but patients with this disease are often older and frail, and treatment-related mortality and morbidity is a major obstacle to be overcome. Treatment of MDS is likely to benefit from the major lines of investigation in the field of allogeneic transplantation, especially interventions postulated to decrease the morbidity of the procedure, such as less toxic preparative regimens. In this review we summarize current recommendations and controversies surrounding HSCT as well as integration of the novel therapeutic agents in the peritransplant period.