40 years of transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells: from the methodological origin to clinical practice.

Abstract

Purpose: This review aimed to explore transplantation of hematopoietic stem cell in contemporary clinical practice with a multidisciplinary approach as to each medical specialty. Method: Review included books from the collection of Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul library and research on the Medline database using the keywords: bone marrow transplantation, hematopoietic stem cells, leukemia, lymphoma, graft versus host disease, antileukemic effect, total body irradiation, histocompatibility antigens. Conclusion: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a well-established practice in Medicine for decades, although there are yet many challenges that may compromise the success of such therapy - which involves the understanding to the indication, technical procedure and post- transplantation follow-up as well as to encourage the donation. Among complex issues including bioethics, immunologic and clinical, it demands knowledge from physician on the subject regardless their expertise.