Revisiting the role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

Since the advent of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation more than 40 years ago, numerous methods of transplantation have been developed, modified and improved upon. Although hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been used in a variety of malignant diseases since then, its use in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia has recently started to gain interest. Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia are generally elderly, and because of its relatively benign course, they were not considered suitable candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Nonetheless, there have been marked improvements in transplantation techniques, including better conditioning regimens that have decreased treatment-related morbidity and mortality. In this article, the authors review the most recent data on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia as well as the change in risk stratification based on newer prognostic factors and its impact on treatment decisions in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Keywords::

• allogeneic stem cell transplant
• autologous stem cell transplant
• CD38 expression
• chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• hematopoeitic stem cell transplant
• immunoglobulinVH gene mutation
• nonmyeloablative stem cell transplant
• reduced intensity conditioning
• syngeneic stem cell transplant
• zeta-chain-associated protein 70