Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: up-date from ASH 2016

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo HSCT) offers a potentially curative approach for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with intermediate or adverse risk according to the recently published European Leukemia Network (ELN) guidelines. As outcome might be reduced by graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) or infectious complications, tools for early detection of GvHD are warranted. In contrast, autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) represents a relatively safe therapeutic approach. However, further improvement can be observed by the introduction of maintenance therapy after single ASCT, e. g., with lenalidomide or rituximab.