[ABO incompatibility and non myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation]

Abstract

ABO incompatibility is not a barrier for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation but is associated with specific complications. Major ABO incompatibility is associated with delayed erythroid engraftment, increased transfusion requirement and cases of pure red cell aplasia. Minor ABO incompatibility may be responsible for acute haemolytic reactions in the first months following transplantation. The widely used non myeloablative conditioning regimens might modify the management of ABO incompatibility. They could favour pure red cell aplasia development in the setting of major ABO mismatch since they are associated with a prolonged persistence of host anti-donor isohemagglutinins after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the setting of minor ABO incompatibility, the use of peripheral blood stem cells and the nature of graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis regimen may have an impact on the incidence of haemolytic reactions. In that review, the clinical and therapeutic aspects of ABO incompatibility are studied, especially regarding the impact of the conditioning regimen intensity.