Peripheral blood stem cell autografts in CML

The treatment of patients with CML in chronic phase by high dose chemotherapy followed by transfusion of autologous haemopoietic stem cells collected and cryopreserved previously may theoretically prolong survival. This benefit could result from reducing the number of leukaemia stem cells at risk for transformation or by partial re-establishment of Ph-negative haematopoiesis. In practice some patients achieve partial Ph-negative haematopoiesis after autografting but most patients have entirely Ph-positive haematopoiesis by one year after autografting. Results may be improved if methods to favour reconstitution with Ph-negative haematopoiesis can be perfected.