Why An Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant?
Many factors are considered when selecting an autologous or an allogeneic stem cell transplant. In general, autologous stem cell transplants are safer and simpler than allogeneic (donor) stem cell transplants. Autologous transplants rely completely on the ability of the chemotherapy and radiation (“preparative regimen”) to kill the cancer cells, and require the collection of your healthy stem cells. Allogeneic stem cells come from healthy donors, and thus have not been exposed to chemotherapy and are never contaminated with cancer cells. Since the donor and the recipient are different (allo = other), immunological differences exist. The new stem cells may attack the your tissues (graft-versus-host disease), but they may also attack the cancer (graft-versus-tumor effect). Therefore, while more difficult, allogeneic transplants are potentially able to attack your cancer more effectively than autologous transplants.
