Update on current research into haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Haploidentical stem cell transplantation (Haplo-SCT) is currently a suitable alternative worldwide for patients with hematological diseases, who lack human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched siblings or unrelated donors.

Areas covered: This review summarizes the advancements in Haplo-SCT in recent years, primarily focusing on the global trends of haploidentical allograft, the comparison of outcomes between Haplo-SCT and other transplantation modalities, strategies for improving clinical outcomes, including donor selection, hematopoietic reconstitution promotion, and graft-versus-host disease, and relapse prevention/management, as well as the expanded indications of Haplo-SCT, such as severe aplastic anemia, myeloma and lymphoma.

Expert commentary: Haploidentical allografts, including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-based protocol and a post-transplant cyclophosphamide-based protocol, have been the mainstream strategy for Haplo-SCT. However, there are many unanswered questions in this field.

KEYWORDS:

• Baltimore protocol
• Beijing protocol
• graft-versus-host disease
• haploidentical stem cell transplantation
• poor graft function
• relapse
• severe aplastic anemia

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported in part by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81600103 and Grant No. 81400143).