The Role of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in the Therapy of Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) is an effective post-remission therapy in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but is associated with significant toxicity, so the optimal timing and use of this modality remains an issue of debate. Increased advances in reduced-intensity transplant preparative regimens and alternative donors has increased the accessibility of allogeneic transplantation. A risk adapted paradigm, using minimal residual disease analysis, may help in the selection of patients at highest risk for relapse, who may benefit most from alloHSCT. In this review, we summarize the indications for allogeneic transplantation within the risk-oriented paradigm, and also explore the latest literature on reduced intensity transplant regimens, as well as alternative donor transplantation for patients with ALL.