Advances in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

This book documents the increased number of stem cell related research, basic and clinical applications as well as views for the future. The book covers a wide range of issues related to new developments and innovations in cell-based therapies containing basic and clinical chapters from the respected authors involved in stem cell studies and research around the world.

This book deals with the rapid progress in the area of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

This book reviews the standard diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and examines ongoing research developments in the field. The importance of appropriate prognostic stratification, taking into account recent advances in understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of MDS, is explained, and both established and novel treatment approaches are discussed in depth. The coverage includes, for example, the use of erythropoietic stimulating agents, iron chelation therapy, the immunomodulator lenalidomide, hypomethylating agents such as azacitidine, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Hemoglobin defects, specifically sickle cell disease & thalassemia, combined, constitute the most common monogenic disorders in the world. In fact, nearly 2% of the world’s population carries a globin gene mutation. The transfer of the corrective globin gene through the HSC compartment by allogeneic HSC transplantation (HSCT) has already proven curative in both SCD and thalassemia patients, and provides the proof of concept that genetic manipulation of the defective organ might be equally therapeutic.