Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant in Hematological Disorders: A Decade of Experience

Salman Arif1, Natasha Ali2, Usman Shaikh2

  • 1Department of Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a complex procedure with the potential to provide curative treatment for various hematological disorders. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of allo-HCT in hematological diseases and identify significant complications in a single-center setting. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 180 patients with hematological diseases who underwent allo-HCT between January 2011 and December 2021. Key outcomes, including indications for transplantation, overall survival, engraftment time, relapse rates, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and transplant-related mortality (TRM) were assessed. Results: The most common indications for allo-HCT were benign hematological diseases, particularly aplastic anemia, and thalassemia major. Despite the majority of patients receiving fully matched transplants, acute GVHD was observed in 30% of the cohort. Graft failure occurred in 13 patients, with primary and secondary graft failure rates of 1.6% and 5.5%, respectively. Sepsis emerged as the primary cause of non-relapsed mortality at day 100 and beyond. The overall survival rate in this study was 62%, with 79% of patients disease-free on their last visit. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the treatment strategies and patient care of allo-HCT for hematological disorders by offering a comprehensive overview of multiple relevant outcomes. The findings underscore the significance of addressing complications and risk factors associated with allogeneic transplantation, including GVHD and infections. Future research should focus on further optimizing transplantation techniques to minimize complications and enhance patient survival.

Related Concept Videos

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants01:22

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants

Bone marrow transplant is a potential cure for several diseases, including cancer and specific genetic disorders. Notably, this procedure is applicable for patients suffering from aplastic anemia, certain types of leukemia, severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassemia, sickle-cell disease, and certain cancers.
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
282
Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration01:21

Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration

Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell...
4.0K
Tissue Transplantation01:24

Tissue Transplantation

Tissue transplantation is a significant medical procedure involving the transfer of cells, tissues, or organs from a donor to a recipient, with the primary aim of restoring lost functions. This procedure is crucial in treating a broad spectrum of diseases, including kidney diseases, liver failure, heart disease, and certain types of cancers.
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...
338
Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:19

Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

The hematopoietic stem cells or HSCs are multipotent, meaning they can differentiate and give rise to all blood and immune cells. HSCs are maintained in the quiescent stage until an external stimulus initiates their differentiation. The multipotent HSCs exist as two heterogeneous populations, long-term repopulating cells (LTRC) and short-term repopulating cells (STRC). The two HSC populations have different surface markers or receptors and are classified based on quiescence and long-term...
3.0K
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:01

Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
3.1K