title: Reduced-intensity conditioning in allogeneic stem cell transplantation for hematological malignancies: a historical perspective.
abstract: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation represents a curative treatment approach for a large range of hematologic malignancies. Traditionally, high-dose radiochemotherapy as preparative regimen has been thought to be necessary for successful allogeneic stem cell transplantation. However, high-dose conditioning often results in considerable medullary and extramedullary toxicity, contributing to high rates of treatment-related mortality. This limits the use of this procedure to patients below 60 years of age without significant comorbidities. Since the peak incidence of most hematological malignancies is beyond the 5th decade of life, the majority of patients are not eligible for high-dose treatment. During the last 15 years, several dose-reduced or even non-myeloablative conditioning regimens have been developed, offering a curative treatment option for these patients. This review summarizes the history of reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) transplantations, depicts the differences among regimens, highlights significant patient factors, and describes the impact on selected hematological malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Klinik I für Innere Medizin, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cremer
authors.forename: Brenda M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Sandmaier
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bethge
authors.forename: Thoralf
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: Valentin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Goede
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Holtick
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallek
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hübel
mesh_terms: D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000266:history*; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000266:history*; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000266:history*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation