Current status of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in acquired aplastic anemia

Semin Hematol. 2000 Jan;37(1):30-42. doi: 10.1016/s0037-1963(00)90028-3.

Abstract

Bone marrow transplantation is an effective therapy for aplastic anemia. Infusion of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells after high-dose immune suppression restores normal hematopoiesis in most patients and long-term follow-up has confirmed the durability of donor hematopoiesis. However, success of this approach is limited by transplant-related complications, such as graft failure, graft-versus-host disease, and various organ toxicities. Long-term survival rates range from less than 40% to more than 90% in reported series. These rates have improved over the past 20 years due to significant reductions in graft-versus-host disease, interstitial pneumonitis, and early transplant-related mortality. Most long-term survivors have excellent performance status. Late effects such as cataracts, thyroid disorders, joint problems, and therapy-related cancers are observed, especially in patients who received radiation for pretransplant conditioning. Results are best in young patients transplanted with bone marrow from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling; early transplantation is appropriate in this group. For older patients or those without an HLA-identical related donor, transplants are better reserved for those who fail to respond to immunosuppressive therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Aplastic / surgery*
  • Anemia, Aplastic / therapy
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Graft Rejection
  • Graft vs Host Disease
  • Histocompatibility
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Survival Rate
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Twins, Monozygotic