title: Algorithm for donor selection in 2011.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The timing represents a relevant prognostic factor of outcome for patients with hematological malignancies undergoing an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (ASCT). In this review, the most recent studies and own transplant center policy on the donor search will be summarized in order to design an algorithm of donor identification driving towards a timely ASCT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nowadays, volunteer-unrelated, umbilical cord blood and haploidentical-related donors represent the three alternative sources of hematopoietic stem cells for patients who lack a human leukocyte antigen identical sibling, so that an alternative donor can potentially be found for about all patients eligible for an ASCT. To date, all retrospective studies comparing transplants from these alternative donors have shown no substantial differences in terms of final outcome of patients grafted for hematological malignancies. The policy of a widespread search for an alternative donor has been progressively increasing in the past years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All patients with hematological malignancy for whom the intention to treatment includes an allogeneic transplant should proceed with a well timed ASCT, whatever the stem cell source. The therapeutic policy following the concept of 'donor versus no donor' should presently be changed according to the concept of 'transplant versus no transplant'.
authors.affiliation: Rome Transplant Network, Department of Haematology, Stem Cell Transplant Unit, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. william.arcese@ptvonline.it
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Arcese
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mangione
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Picardi
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D046148:Donor Selection / Q000379:methods*; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous