Current status of allogeneic stem cell transplantation for treatment of hematologic malignancies.

Bone marrow transplantation has evolved significantly over the past 40 years. The initial rationale of using donor bone marrow to guarantee a supply of hematopoietic stem cells uncontaminated by tumor remains a relevant principle today. However, the donor hematopoietic cells also exert an important immunological, therapeutic effect in the recipient. This synopsis will consider the balance of conditioning therapy intensity and immunological effect of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, informing the positioning of these approaches in current treatment algorithms.