Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in primary central nervous system lymphoma: a review of the literature

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an uncommon variant of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with an aggressive course and worse outcomes compared with other lymphomas of similar tumor burden and histologic subtype. High-dose chemotherapy supported by autologous stem cell transplantation (HDC/ASCT) is an option for therapy for this disease in both the relapse setting and as post-remission consolidation. Data are currently limited to only several single-arm phase II trials with small sample sizes, but randomized trials are now ongoing. In this review, we discuss the efficacy, feasibility, and toxicity of HDC/ASCT for PCNSL and its role in the treatment of this aggressive malignancy, both in the first-line and relapse settings. We also bring to attention the current data on allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) in PCNSL.