Indications for high dose chemothin malignant neoplasmserapy supported by autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation in malignant neoplasms

Abstract

High dose chemotherapy supported by autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) remains the accepted treatment option for lymphomas and some solid tumors, particularly in relapse, resistance to standard treatment and sometimes as a consolidation of first remission in case of unfavorable prognostic factors at diagnosis. The results of recently published clinical trials as well as introduction of new agents, such as monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD20) free or conjugated with radioisotopes in form of radioimmunotherapy (RIT), thalidomide and its analogs, and proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib) create a necessity to define again the role of auto-HCT in the treatment of these malignancies. The paper reviews a postulated curative mechanism of auto-HCT, transplant-related acute and late complications and discusses the current indications for auto-HCT in the treatment of lymphomas and solid tumors in adults.