What the internist should know about stem cell transplant in the elderly patient
Michael Medinger1, Jakob Passweg2
1Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Most hematological malignancies are increasing in frequency with age. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a potentially curative therapeutic option for patients with malignant and non-malignant hematological diseases. The treatment of elderly patients with advanced hematological malignancies has expanded to include reduced intensity conditioning allo-HCT. Physicians increasingly refer older patients for allo-HCT due to more experience and improved supportive care in allo-HCT. This review article discusses the available data regarding the feasibility, tolerability, toxicity, and effectiveness of allo-HCT in different hematological diseases in the elderly. Over the past decade, utilization and survival after allo-HCT have increased in patients ≥70 years. Selected adults ≥70 years with hematological diseases should be evaluated for transplantation.
Related Concept Videos
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Somatic...
Adult Stem Cells
Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic Stem Cells
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...


