Allografting for chronic myeloid leukemia

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the only curative therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia. There have been several recent advances in this field. Early data suggest that blood-derived stem cells are an effective substitute for bone marrow. Allografting can be performed using progenitor cells from other family members, unrelated donors, and umbilical cord blood. Evidence of early relapse can be detected by assays for the fusion gene, BCR-ABL, using the polymerase chain reaction. Most patients who relapse following allogeneic stem cell transplantation can be treated effectively by transfusion of lymphocytes from their original donors.