What is the difference between an autologous and allogeneic bone marrow or cord blood transplant?
A transplant may use cells taken from the patient (autologous) or from a volunteer donor (allogeneic). • An autologous transplant uses the patient’s own blood-forming cells that are collected and used later for transplant. • An allogeneic transplant uses cells from a volunteer marrow donor or cord blood unit. The donor’s tissue type must closely match the patient’s tissue type. The donor or cord blood unit can be either related or unrelated to the patient. Related donors are usually a brother or sister. Patients who do not have a closely matched donor in their family may search for an unrelated marrow donor or donated cord blood unit through the registry of the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program (also called the Be The Match Registry®).
