A recent study looked at the differences between treatment outcomes for 35 children with myelofibrosis based on the type of allogeneic stem cell transplant they received. This is important because there is very little research about pediatric myelofibrosis. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between the transplant types and the data the researchers found.
An allogeneic stem cell transplant is a medical procedure in which stem cells (cells capable of forming all types of blood cells) are transferred from a healthy donor to a patient. The term "allogeneic" refers to the fact that the stem cells come from a donor who is genetically different from the recipient.
The types of allogeneic stem cell transplants (SCT) include:
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common complication of allogeneic stem cell transplants. It occurs when the donor's immune cells recognize the recipient's tissues as foreign and attack them. GVHD can affect various organs and tissues in the body, leading to symptoms ranging from skin rashes and diarrhea to more severe complications such as liver or lung damage. To prevent GVHD, patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplants often receive immunosuppressive medications and undergo careful monitoring after the procedure.
The children and adolescents included in this study were transplanted after a median time of 7.1 months since they were diagnosed, although, for some patients, it was years after.
For the patient group as a whole, at the check-in point of six years after undergoing the stem cell transplant:
The researchers noticed that the number of patients who were in remission and who continued to be alive was significantly higher after a bone marrow transplant compared to a peripheral blood stem cell transplant. At the check-in point of six years following the transplant, their data showed:
Results at Six Years Following a Bone Marrow Transplant
Results at Six Years Following a Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant
In summary, stem cells sourced from the bone marrow appear to be the most effective type of allogeneic stem cell transplant for children with myelofibrosis, leading to the highest remission and survival rates.
For the whole study, 100 days after transplant, 39.4% of patients experienced some grade of acute graft-vs-host-disease (GVHD). For 16.7%, this GVHD chronified and was still present 6 years after transplant.
Acute or chronic GVHD incidence did not differ significantly between stem cell source (bone marrow or peripheral blood).
We invite you to join the HealthTree for Myelofibrosis newsletter by clicking the button below to stay up to date on the latest advancements in myelofibrosis.
Join the HealthTree for Myelofibrosis Newsletter
A recent study looked at the differences between treatment outcomes for 35 children with myelofibrosis based on the type of allogeneic stem cell transplant they received. This is important because there is very little research about pediatric myelofibrosis. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between the transplant types and the data the researchers found.
An allogeneic stem cell transplant is a medical procedure in which stem cells (cells capable of forming all types of blood cells) are transferred from a healthy donor to a patient. The term "allogeneic" refers to the fact that the stem cells come from a donor who is genetically different from the recipient.
The types of allogeneic stem cell transplants (SCT) include:
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common complication of allogeneic stem cell transplants. It occurs when the donor's immune cells recognize the recipient's tissues as foreign and attack them. GVHD can affect various organs and tissues in the body, leading to symptoms ranging from skin rashes and diarrhea to more severe complications such as liver or lung damage. To prevent GVHD, patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplants often receive immunosuppressive medications and undergo careful monitoring after the procedure.
The children and adolescents included in this study were transplanted after a median time of 7.1 months since they were diagnosed, although, for some patients, it was years after.
For the patient group as a whole, at the check-in point of six years after undergoing the stem cell transplant:
The researchers noticed that the number of patients who were in remission and who continued to be alive was significantly higher after a bone marrow transplant compared to a peripheral blood stem cell transplant. At the check-in point of six years following the transplant, their data showed:
Results at Six Years Following a Bone Marrow Transplant
Results at Six Years Following a Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant
In summary, stem cells sourced from the bone marrow appear to be the most effective type of allogeneic stem cell transplant for children with myelofibrosis, leading to the highest remission and survival rates.
For the whole study, 100 days after transplant, 39.4% of patients experienced some grade of acute graft-vs-host-disease (GVHD). For 16.7%, this GVHD chronified and was still present 6 years after transplant.
Acute or chronic GVHD incidence did not differ significantly between stem cell source (bone marrow or peripheral blood).
We invite you to join the HealthTree for Myelofibrosis newsletter by clicking the button below to stay up to date on the latest advancements in myelofibrosis.
Join the HealthTree for Myelofibrosis Newsletter
about the author
Megan Heaps
Megan joined HealthTree in 2022. As a writer and the daughter of a blood cancer patient, she is dedicated to helping patients and their caregivers understand the various aspects of their disease. This understanding enables them to better advocate for themselves and improve their treatment outcomes. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, sewing, and cooking.
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