Immunological aspects of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies and some immunological peculiarities of cancer radioimmunotherapy

Abstract

This literature review provides basic information about the role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes, acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The recommendations for the use of stem cell transplantation are indicated. Conditioning regimens (myeloablative, non-myeloablative, reduced intensity), their advantages and disadvantages are considered. The issues of prevention and treatment of graft-versus-host disease, including graft preparation (T-cell depletion), extracorporeal photopheresis and mechanisms of graft-versus-tumor (-leukemia) reaction are highlighted. The historical milestones of theimmunotherapy development, the creation of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, the development of targeted therapy, for example, conjugates of monoclonal antibodies with cytostatic drugs and radionuclides (targeted radionuclide therapy) are reported. Information about radioimmunotherapy as a method used for treatment of solid tumors and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and information on the use of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment and prevention of the graft-versus-host reaction are presented.