Stem cell transplants for treating CLL

This is an intensive treatment, and side effects can be severe, but it may result in a long period of remission and some people who have a donor (allogeneic) transplant may even be cured.

Stem cells are found inside our bone marrow|. They make all the red cells, white cells and platelets in the blood. When a stem cell transplant is planned, stem cells are collected from the bloodstream or bone marrow and stored until they are needed.

There are two types of stem cell transplant:

• autologous transplants (also known as high-dose treatment with stem cell support) when you are given your own stem cells
• allogeneic transplants when you are given stem cells from someone else (a donor).

Autologous transplants

Before a transplant using your own stem cells|, you’ll be treated with very high doses of chemotherapy and possibly radiotherapy|. This treatment destroys all the cells in your bone marrow, including the leukaemia cells. You are then given a drip (infusion) containing your stem cells, which are collected before the high-dose treatment begins, to replace your destroyed bone marrow so that your body can make the blood cells you need.

Allogeneic (donor) transplants

This type of transplant| uses matched stem cells from a brother or sister who is genetically similar to you, or stem cells from someone unknown to you (volunteer unrelated donor) who is a genetic match. Some types of allogeneic transplants use less chemotherapy and radiotherapy than an autologous transplant, and are known as reduced intensity or mini-transplants.

We have a section on stem cell and bone marrow transplants which contains detailed information about these types of treatment.