Haploidentical stem cell transplant: Established treatment, expanding horizons

Abstract

Haploidentical stem cell transplantation offers an oppurtunity for transplant for almost all patients for whom transplant is indicated. Traditionally, it is associated with higher incidence of graft failure, graft vs host disease and non relapse mortality as compared to matched donor transplant. However, recent advances in the field have tried to mitigate these issues and offer haploidentical transplant as a safe and viable option. In this review, we shall discuss the basics of haploidentical transplantation, how to choose the best donor amongst various haploidentical donors available and understand the various recent advances in the field of haploidentical transplantation and how they addressed the problems associated with it and make it a feasible alternative to matched sibling or unrelated transplant in various diseases.

Keywords

• graft versus host disease
• haploidentical stem cell transplantation
• hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
• posttransplant cyclophosphamide