Stem Cell Transplants

Question 1

What is an autologous transplant?

What is an allogenic transplant?

Answer 1

Autologous - patient’s own haemopoietic stem cells

Allogenic - stem cells from a donor

Question 2

List 3 indications for autologous stem cell transplants.

Answer 2

Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Myeloma

Question 3

How are autologous stem cell transplants carried out? (3)

Answer 3

Give G-CSF to stimulate cells moving from bone marrow into blood

Collect cells from peripheral blood

Re-transplant cells back into patient

Question 4

List 4 indications for allogenic stem cell transplants.

Answer 4

Acute/chronic leukaemia
Relapsed lymphoma
Aplastic anaemia
Hereditary disorders

Question 5

What are the 4 types of allogenic stem cell transplant?

Answer 5

Myeloablative (i.e. chemo first, then transplant)
Non-myelablative (no chemo; for less fit patients)
Cord blood transplant (adults often need a double transplant)
Donor lymphocyte infusion after transplant

Question 6

Describe the clinical features of graft vs host disease. (3)

Answer 6

Skin rash
Jaundice
Diarrhoea