Consolidation: Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Acute Leukemia

Abstract

The goal of complete remission (CR) in acute leukemias could be achieved with intensive induction chemotherapy however patients need post remission consolidation strategies such as high-dose chemotherapy, or autologous (ASCT) or allogeneic (allo-SCT) hematopoetic stem cell transplantation for durable response. However, Allo-SCT is getting more attention in last decades because of improvements of conditioning regimens and graft versus host disease (GVHD) prohylaxis strategies and alternatively available donor sources, it is not suitable for all leukemia patients. The patients who would benefit from Allo-SCT or ASCT could be defined more easily by using risk stratification systems and minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring. ASCT is considered a treatment option even if its use is declining in the world. Herein, we tried to summarize the studies that report the outcomes of ASCT in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute, lymphoblastic leukemia and describe the patients who would be good candidate for ASCT.