The optimal haploidentical haematopoietic cell transplant approach for Fanconi anaemia (FA) patients is not well established, given the rarity of the disease, the increased sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents and the high risk of severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The report by Xu et al. suggests that excellent engraftment and short-term survival can be achieved in FA patients without irradiation, but their retrospective cohort was plagued by a high rate of severe GVHD. Our commentary explores the outcomes in T-cell replete haploidentical haematopoietic cell transplant and ponders whether elimination of total body irradiation in FA patients is the best method if it limits the ability to safely administer post-transplant cyclophosphamide. Commentary on: Xu et al. Unmanipulated haploidentical haematopoietic cell transplantation with radiation-free conditioning in Fanconi anaemia: A retrospective analysis from the Chinese Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry Group. Br J Haematol. 2022;199:401-410.
Keywords: Fanconi anaemia; T-cell replete haploidentical transplant; irradiation-free.
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