Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo SCT) in adult ALL: Does prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) improve survival?

Allogeneic immunotherapy to optimize the graft-versus-tumor effect: concepts and controversies

This article focuses on the recent evolution of novel conditioning regimens in combination with adoptive cellular therapy in the allogeneic transplant setting for hematologic malignancies. Building on data from animal models, the field of allogeneic transplantation is undergoing a paradigm shift toward immunosuppressive regimens with less toxicity that allow donor hematopoietic engraftment in order to provide a graft-versus-tumor effect as the primary goal of transplantation, rather than chemoablation. In addition, the strategies described in this article, including the use of T-cell subsets as adoptive therapy, will apply to a much broader pool of patients than traditional transplant approaches, thereby allowing more patients with life-limiting illnesses, previously deemed ineligible, to pursue therapy with curative intent.

Chemotherapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Adult T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma: Current Status and Controversies

Adult T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma is a relatively rare aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with frequent involvement of extranodal sites. Because of the rarity of this malignancy, it is treated variably and often suboptimally, using approaches similar to those used for other types of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas, with the consequence that outcome is often suboptimal. The collective experience in the management of adult T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma suggests a good outcome for patients with no adverse prognostic factors who are treated with an acute lymphocytic leukemia-like treatment strategy. Patients with adverse prognostic features should be considered for more aggressive therapy-specifically, high-dose chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This article will attempt to review the current status of chemotherapy treatment programs and the relative merits of the different hematopoietic stem cell transplantation programs in this disease, particularly in relation to the pathologic and clinical features that correlate with disease prognosis.