Hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapeutics in the treatment of childhood malignancies

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2015 Feb;62(1):257-73. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2014.10.001.

Abstract

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) represents the most common and effective form of immunotherapy for childhood malignancies. The role of the graft-versus-leukemia effect in allogeneic HCT has been well established in childhood malignancies, but is also associated with short-term and long-term morbidity. HCT may be ineffective in some settings at obtaining control of the malignancy, and as such, cannot be used as a universal cancer immunotherapy. Novel therapies using dendritic cell vaccinations, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and chimeric antigen receptor T cells are being evaluated as potential adjuvants to HCT.

Keywords: Adolescents; Cancer; Cellular therapy; Children; Hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / adverse effects
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / methods*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology
  • Graft vs Tumor Effect / immunology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome