[Recent progress in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for leukemia]

Abstract

The method and way of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have been expanded and become complex recently. We discussed recent progress in this field, mainly in the treatment of leukemia. The first topic is the new arrival of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib. Imatinib dramatically changed the treatment strategies for chronic myeloid leukemia. The same drug is now changing the treatment options and indications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Efforts have also been made to expand the cell source for transplantation to cord blood and haploidentical donors. Almost 5,000 patients have undergone cord blood transplantation in Japan. Finally, the results of reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation may well expand the patient population eligible for transplantation.