Autologous stem cell transplantation for acute lymphocytic leukemia in adults

Adults with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) often present with poor prognostic features, and few are cured with standard chemotherapy. High-dose chemoradiotherapy with bone marrow rescue offers potentially curable therapy for many adults with ALL. This article addresses the current role of autologous bone marrow transplantation in adults with ALL. Patient selection, preparative therapy, the timing of transplantation, and the role of purging are reviewed. Future strategies aimed at improving the results of autologous transplantation in ALL are also discussed.