Abstract
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) consists of transplantation by multiple aspiration of the marrow of a patient suffering from leukemia. Prior to BMT the patient is given high-dose chemotherapy and total body irradiation. The marrow which is to be transplanted contains hemopoietic stem cells which are responsible for the eventual reconstruction of a normal blood and immunological status. The most complete elimination possible of leukemic stem cells in the patient's own marrow is a prerequisite for the prevention of recurrence. BMT can be done with the patient's own marrow, marrow that has been removed during a remission phase, it can be done syngenically, i.e. with marrow from a twin, it can be done allogenically, i.e. with marrow from a relative whose HLA type is identical to that of the patient or it can be done with marrow from a relative whose HLA type does not differ very much from the patient's. Allogenic BMT can engender immune complications: the graft may be rejected as a foreign body or graft versus host reactions may develop. The most usual form of BMT is allogenic grafting from HLA identical relatives since autologous BMT is still problematic in terms of elimination of leukemic nuclei.
| Translated title of the contribution | Bone marrow transplantation as therapy for acute leukemia |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| Pages (from-to) | 21-27 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Medizinische Welt |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - 1981 |
| Externally published | Yes |