The 2016 APBMT Activity Survey Report: Trends in haploidentical and cord blood transplantation in the Asia-Pacific region

This report describes the results of the Asia-Pacific Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group (APBMT) Activity Survey 2016, focusing on the trends of haploidentical and cord blood (CB) transplants in the Asia-Pacific region. Mongolia and Nepal submitted their first activity data in this survey, and the number of countries/regions participating in the activity survey grew to 20. The annual number of transplants exceeded 20,000 for the first time in 2016, and the total number of centers increased to 686. About 87.9% of all hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCTs) were performed in China, Japan, Korea, India, and Australia with China performing the highest number. Beginning with the 2016 survey, APBMT modified the survey forms and initiated the collection of the exact number of haploidentical transplants. The total number of such transplants was 3,871, and 66.0% of those were performed in China. Meanwhile, cord blood transplants in this region remained high (1,612), and 81.8% of them (1,319) were performed in Japan. The number of facilities and transplants, the ratio of haploidentical transplants to related transplants, the ratio of CB transplants to unrelated transplants, and proportions of haploidentical and CB transplants per capita significantly differed among countries/regions in the Asia-Pacific region. Data collection and analysis revealed the transition and diversity of transplants in this region. This report also shows a dramatic increase in haploidentical transplants as seen in other parts of the world, while revealing uniquely that the activity of cord blood transplant remains high in this region.