Evolution of bone marrow transplantation--the original immunotherapy

Abstract

Allogeneic bone-marrow transplantation (BMT) has provided a curative treatment option for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) over the past 20-30 years. New drugs - signal transduction inhibitors - that target the bcr-abl oncogene have the potential to render such transplantation procedures obsolete and provide hope for those without a suitable donor ( approximately 60% of patients). Here, we discuss how new drug and immune-based approaches could be combined to enhance treatment of this already 'curable' malignancy.