Allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors: lessons learned to date

Abstract

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with an human leukocyte antigen-matched related or unrelated donor has been the curative treatment of choice for young patients with chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia. The introduction of imatinib, a selective inhibitor of the Bcr-Abl protein kinase, as well as a new generation of other tyrosine kinase inhibitors that are effective in obtaining major and complete cytogenetic responses with minimal toxicity, has resulted in significant changes in the standard approach for newly diagnosed patients. In this article, we will address the role of allogeneic transplantation in the context of imatinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors.