Non-myeloablative Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

Nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation (NST) have been developed over the past several years. NST is designed to reduce intensity of preparative myeloablation, and to induce graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect by engraftment of donor T cells. Compared with conventional allogeneic stem cell transplantation, NST provides lower treatment-related mortality. The degree of GVT effect is generally correlated with the degree of the graft-versus-host disease. Through this novel procedure, allogeneic stem cell transplantation can be applied to elderly or clinically ill patients having variable hematologic disorders or solid tumors. Disease-specific studies with longer follow-up are needed to evaluate this potentially promising therapy. Here we review the preliminary clinical results of NST as immunotherapy for hematologic disorders and solid tumors.