Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant — High-Dose Therapy With Your Own Cells

Who is considered

Eligibility depends on the disease, response to prior therapy, age, organ function and performance status. Autologous transplant is not a treatment for active marrow disease in all cases; the timing and indication are disease-specific. Pre-transplant work-up includes cardiac, pulmonary, renal, hepatic and infection assessment, plus fertility counselling.

• Disease-specific indication and response assessment
• Age, performance status and organ function review
• Cardiac, pulmonary, renal and hepatic work-up
• Infection screening and vaccination review
• Fertility counselling before conditioning

What happens during transplant

Stem cells are mobilised with growth factors, sometimes with chemotherapy, and collected by apheresis. High-dose conditioning is given, followed by reinfusion of the collected cells. Engraftment is monitored with blood counts. Supportive care includes transfusion, infection prevention, mucosal care and nutrition. Most patients need close follow-up for months after discharge.

• Mobilisation and peripheral blood stem cell collection
• High-dose conditioning
• Stem cell reinfusion and engraftment monitoring
• Transfusion, infection and mucosal supportive care
• Post-transplant response assessment and follow-up

Guidelines referenced:

• EBMT/ESH handbook on haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
• NCCN Guidelines — Multiple Myeloma and Lymphoma
• American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy guidance