Stem cell transplant for chronic myeloid leukemia in the imatinib era

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy has revolutionized the therapy of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Thus, while in the near past allogeneic transplantation was the curative option for CML, imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib have pushed transplantation to the role of salvage therapy in CML. Still, TKI therapy still fails some patients, and so the clinical challenge is to integrate transplantation in a safe and sane manner. This article reviews the data on the variables that influence outcome following transplantation, and discusses the variables to consider in determining which patients should receive transplantation and when.