Most bone marrow transplants (BMT) for multiple myeloma are autologous due to the following reasons:
### Autologous Stem Cell Transplants
- Source of Stem Cells: Stem cells are harvested from the person's own body, reducing the risk of immune system reactions.
- Lower Risk of Complications: Since the cells are from the Show Full Answer
Most bone marrow transplants (BMT) for multiple myeloma are autologous due to the following reasons:
### Autologous Stem Cell Transplants:
- Source of Stem Cells: Stem cells are harvested from the person's own body, reducing the risk of immune system reactions.
- Lower Risk of Complications: Since the cells are from the same person, there is no risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), where the immune cells from the donor attack the recipient's body.
- Effectiveness: Autologous transplants can make myeloma go away for several years, although they cannot cure it.
- Common Practice: The majority of people with multiple myeloma receive autologous transplants because they are generally safer and have fewer severe side effects.
### Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplants:
- Source of Stem Cells: Stem cells are harvested from a donor, which can be a sibling, other close blood relative, or an unrelated person who is a good genetic match.
- Higher Risk of Complications: There is a significant risk of life-threatening side effects, including GVHD, where the donated immune cells attack the recipient's body.
- Potential Benefits: Allogeneic transplants may provide a graft-versus-myeloma effect, where the donated immune cells help attack cancer cells.
- Limited Use: Due to the high risk of severe side effects, allogeneic transplants are usually considered for younger people with relapsed myeloma that is high-risk based on genetic characteristics or after an autologous transplant has failed.
In summary, autologous transplants are preferred because they are safer and have fewer complications, while allogeneic transplants are reserved for specific high-risk cases due to their potential for severe side effects.
June 23
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