Graft Versus Tumour Effect

Excerpt

The treatment of relapsed disease remains challenging, and it is well accepted that concept of allogeneic HSCT relies upon both the conditioning or preparative regimen used for the recipient and the graft versus malignancy (GvM) or leukaemia (GvL) effect provided by the donor T cells and NK cells. Strategies which involve harnessing this effect are crucial to success and need to be exploited and refined to improve outcome. Further research is required to identify new strategies and therapies to improve the outlook for patients who relapse post-HSCT.

The nursing challenges following relapse are immense; the psychological support required is complex and largely falls to the nurse to coordinate and deliver regardless of the selected treatment approach.