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CancerQuest > Introduction to Patient Information > An Introduction to Cancer Treatments > Introduction to Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) > BMT: Types of Stem Cell Transplant

BMT: Types of Stem Cell Transplant

There are three types of stem cell transplant that differ in the source of the donor cells:

Autologous
Donor and recipient is the same individual⁽¹⁾. Treatment for blood and marrow cancers can include large amounts of chemotherapy and radiation. These types of therapy can damage the marrow, resulting in very low blood cell production. Autologous transplant is used to restore the damaged marrow. During remission; stem cells are harvested after intensive therapy when very few cancerous cells remain. The stem cells are frozen for later use. This type of transplant will not result in rejection or graft versus host disease⁽²⁾.

Syngenic Transplantation
Donor and recipient are identical twins. Donor cells are not rejected and recipient tissue is not attacked by donor cells (no GVHD)⁽³⁾.

Allogenic Transplantation
Donor and recipient are two different individuals. There are two types of allogenic transplant; related allogenic and unrelated allogenic⁽¹⁾. Related allogenic is usually a sibling. Unrelated allogenic is usually a closely matched individual from a donor list; this is often referred to as a 'matched unrelated donor' or MUD transplant⁽³⁾.

Both unrelated and related allogenic transplant recipients face immune rejection of the donated cells and/or the possibility that the donated cells will attack recipient tissue (GVHD). To prevent these from occurring, allogenic transplant recipients must undergo a preparatory regimen called 'conditioning'⁽¹⁾ (discussed below).

References for this page:

1. Gratwohl A. "Risk assessment in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation."Best Pract Res Clin Haematol. 2007 Jun;20(2):119-24. [PUBMED]
2. Holler E. "Risk assessment in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: GvHD prevention and treatment."Best Pract Res Clin Haematol. 2007 Jun;20(2):281-94. [PUBMED]
3. Dickinson AM. "Risk assessment in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: pre-transplant patient and donor factors: non-HLA genetics."Best Pract Res Clin Haematol. 2007 Jun;20(2):189-207. [PUBMED]