The Only Way to Cure Malignant Blood Diseases—Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) refers to the replacement of malignant, defective or deficient cells with normal hematopoietic and immunological activity of the recipient, so as to achieve the reconstruction of hematopoietic and immunological functions. With the continuous maturation of the theory and practice of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, it has become the most effective treatment and the only way to cure malignant blood diseases, as well as an important way to treat certain immune disorders, hereditary diseases and solid tumors. According to the difference between the genes of hematopoietic stem cell donors and recipients, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is divided into autologous transplantation (Allo-HSCT), allogeneic transplantation and allogeneic transplantation. Donors for allogeneic HSCT (Auto-HSCT) can be related donors, unrelated donors and umbilical cord blood. On the one hand, the anti-tumor effect of allogeneic HSCT kills tumor cells through high-dose radiotherapy, and on the other hand, the graft-versus-tumor effect (GVTR) plays an important role in removing small residual lesions in the recipient and reducing tumor recurrence. Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) refers to the collection of the patient’s own hematopoietic stem cells at a specific period of time, preserving them in vitro or special processing (such as purification, transgenesis, etc.), and infusing them back into the patient after he/she receives high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy, in order to promote hematopoietic restoration or hematopoietic reconstruction. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is now widely used in the treatment of hematopoietic malignant tumors and solid tumors after ultra-high-dose radiotherapy for bone marrow transplantation, as well as in the treatment of some other malignant diseases. With the development of medicine, progress in the field of molecular biology, and the continuous invention of new drugs for clinical use, more patients will be effectively treated or even cured.