Would you explain the process of having a allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT)?

Topic Tags:  
Topic Tags:  
Done
Emailz
1
Expert Answers

PaulODonnellMDPhD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified) ) - 07 / 20 / 2012

Allogeneic transplantation requires treatment of the patient also called conditioning therapy to accept the transplanted blood or marrow cells (the “graft”). Traditionally, conditioning therapy included high-dose chemotherapy and sometimes radiation intended to eliminate any cancer cells remaining after conventional therapy and to suppress the patient’s own immune system from rejecting the graft. However, the intensity of the conditioning therapy could be harmful to normal organs and especially normal bone marrow which was destroyed or ablated in the conditioning process. Normally, destruction of the normal bone marrow was not a problem since the donor’s stem cells in the graft would substitute and replace the patient’s marrow. Therefore, the donor’s stem cells would re- generate all the normal cells in the blood. However, if the grafted stem cells did not “take” also called graft rejection, the patient would be without any ability to make their own blood cells and could die as a result. Because of the toxicity of ablative conditioning to normal organs such as liver, lungs and kidneys, this type of transplant conditioning was usually reserved for younger, healthier patients usually under the age of 60 years. Over the past 15-20 years, an alternative type of conditioning called non-ablative conditioning has been developed which can prevent graft rejection and so can be used with older and less physically fit patients but is not so organ-toxic. In non-ablative conditioning, there is not the therapeutic advantage of the anti-cancer effect of high-dose chemo-radiation but it is now felt that the most important therapeutic effect of allogeneic transplantation is the anti-cancer effect of the donor’s immune response which is the same after either ablative or non-ablative conditioning.
Join Now to ask a follow-up question or share your experience!
We'll help guide and support you through treatments.
Similar Questions
Would you describe the process of having non-ablative conditioning prior to having a bone marrow transplant?
Would you describe the signaling process that activates RhoC in cells to begin changing the cell shape and other attributes?
Would you describe the process of having a biopsy for head and neck cancer? What can I expect?
Would you describe the process of having a skin sparing mastectomy and how it is different from a regular mastectomy?
What is a hematopoietic stem cell and how do they help treat cancer?
Note: All content on this site is informational and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with questions regarding your health.
Note: Usernames have been made anonymous and profile images are not shown to protect the privacy of our members.
Flag Content
Please explain why you are flagging this content. Thank you.
Cancel
Thank you for flagging this content. We will look into it right away.
Ok
Give a 'Thank you' to
Cancel
Close
Talk About Health
Add Answer

Close
1) Question:
2) Background Info (optional): What context or background information is relevant to this request?
Notes:
The more clear and thorough your request, the more likely you will receive support.
Many of our members are learning from this information or english might not be their first language. Please use standard english and spell out all words. For example, use 'you' instead of 'u'.
Newsletters
Close
Subscribe to our free updates for the latest news, best answers and featured experts!
Your Email:
Q&A Workshop Announcements
(Featured experts, answers, tips, & latest news.)
Q&A Workshop Summaries
(Answer summaries from our expert Q&A workshops.)
Best of TalkAboutHealth (weekly)
(The week's best answers, news & support.)
TalkAboutHealth Benefits
(Custom health, wellness & medical promotions from our partners including clinical trials, market research opportunities, & new programs.)

Partners become a partner

© Copyright 2013 - Talk About Health - Privacy Policy | Terms of Service