Long-Term Results of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT) for Adults with Blood Disorders- A Systematic Review

Both autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantations are widely used as a standard of care or significant clinical option in treating various malignant and non-malignant diseases of the hematopoietic system. The value of these treatment methods would be better assessed through the review of long-term progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS) rates, which are highly dependent on the primary diagnosis and stage of disease at the time of transplantation as well as on the specific type of used transplantation procedure. While the best (over 90%) 5-, 10- and 15-year survival rates are achieved in children with genetic errors after HLA-matched allogeneic transplantation, in adults these results are worse. Intermediate results (50-80%) of 5- and 10-year survival rates are obtained in malignancies transplanted in complete remission, and the worst (between 10 and 30%) 5- and 10-year survival rates are seen in malignancies transplanted without remission. However, none of the other treatment methods in these latter situations allows to obtain any long-term survival. In conclusion, transplantation of hematopoietic cells is a group of therapeutic methods with unprecedented effectiveness in reversing outcome of deadly disorders of the hematopoietic system. Moreover, its therapeutic effect is usually maintained for 10 years or more.