title: Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Historical and Scientific Overview.
abstract: The field of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) has made ground-breaking progress in the treatment of many malignant and nonmalignant conditions. It has also pioneered the concepts of stem cell therapy and immunotherapy as a tool against cancer. The success of transplant for hematologic malignancies derives both from the ability to treat patients with intensive chemoradiotherapy and from potent graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects mediated by donor immunity. Additionally, HSCT has been a curative therapy for several nonmalignant hematologic disorders through the provision of donor-derived hematopoiesis and immunity. Preclinical and clinical research in the field has contributed to an advanced understanding of histocompatibility, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), GVL effect, and immune reconstitution after transplant. Improved donor selection, tailored conditioning regimens, and better supportive care have helped reduce transplant-related morbidity and mortality and expanded access. The development of unrelated donor registries and increased utilization of cord blood and partially matched related donor transplants have ensured a donor for essentially everyone who needs a transplant. However, significant barriers still remain in the form of disease relapse, GVHD infectious complications, and regimen-related toxicities. Recent developments in the field of cellular therapy are expected to further improve the efficacy of transplant. In this review, we discuss the current science of HSCT from a historical perspective, highlighting major discoveries. We also speculate on future directions in this field. Cancer Res; 76(22); 6445-51. ©2016 AACR.
authors: Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Westwood, Kansas. asingh3@kumc.edu.
authors: Anurag K
authors: AK
authors: Singh
authors: Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Westwood, Kansas.
authors: Joseph P
authors: JP
authors: McGuirk
mesh_terms: D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning / Q000379:methods*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000379:methods*