The HSCT procedure (II): Conditioning, hematopoietic stem cell infusion, supportive care, and monitoring

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) is a complex process, designed to replace the blood and lymphoid systems of a patient with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that have been previously collected and cryopreserved, derived from the same patient. The rationale of aHSCT in neurologic diseases is to eliminate self-reacting cell clones and induce self-tolerance through a profound renewal of the immune system. The steps analyzed in this chapter are conditioning, HSCs infusion, supportive care, and monitoring. Before transplantation, ablation of the hemato-lymphopoietic system is achieved with chemotherapy; this stage is known as the conditioning regimen. The EBMT guidelines support the use of "intermediate intensity" regimens, either cyclophosphamide 200mg/kg or BEAM (bis-chloroethyl-nitrosourea, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan), in combination with serotherapy that consists of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (ATG) in most protocols. The infusion of HSC is performed through a central intravenous line, after being thawed at 37°C using either a water bath or a heat bath; in this phase, the prevention and management of infusion-related adverse events are crucial. The supportive care consists mainly of infection prophylaxis and treatment, administration of blood product transfusions, and nutritional and electrolyte support. The monitoring phase is focused on hematologic recovery and monitoring for early and late complications of aHSCT.