Using your own cells
Autologous Stem Cell Transplant
This process of autologous stem cell transplantation is one of the types of HSCT (hematopoietic stem cell transplantation), in which the patient’s stem cells which can create healthy blood cells are harvested, saved, and transplanted back into the body after such procedures as high dose chemotherapy. As the patient uses own cells, there will be no need to think about compatibility.
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Collect · protect · return
This process of autologous stem cell transplantation is one of the types of HSCT (hematopoietic stem cell transplantation), in which the patient’s stem cells which can create healthy blood cells are harvested, saved, and transplanted back into the body after such procedures as high dose chemotherapy. As the patient uses own cells, there will be no need to think about compatibility.
Such a type of transplantation has already become quite an effective treatment for different types of cancer when it comes to such diseases as multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma and some forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In fact, the objective of this procedure is not to treat the disease using stem cells, but restore their function in the body.
In Malaysia, autologous stem cell transplantation is conducted at specialized haematology and transplantation centres. The patients are subjected to various procedures, which include medical evaluation, stem cell harvesting, pre-transplantation conditioning, the transplantation procedure itself, and follow up afterwards.
01 · Candidate assessment
Who May Be a Candidate for an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant?
If it happens that the healthy stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow are harvested prior to commencing treatment, autologous stem cell transplantation could be the option. Autologous transplantation is typically carried out following high dose chemotherapy as a means to regenerate bone marrow to enable the formation of healthy blood cells.
In Malaysia, the criteria for autologous transplant will depend on a full medical evaluation conducted by haematology specialists. Diagnosis, staging of disease, previous treatment response, general health and organ function will all be considered in the recommendation for transplantation.
Conditions Commonly Treated with Autologous Transplantation
Autologous stem cell transplantation may be considered for selected patients with:
- Multiple myeloma.
- Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Certain relapsed or treatment-resistant blood cancers where clinical guidelines support transplantation.
How Patients Are Evaluated
Before proceeding with an autologous transplant, the transplant team assesses:
- Whether sufficient healthy stem cells can be collected.
- The patient's response to previous chemotherapy or other treatments.
- General physical health and organ function.
- The potential benefits of transplantation compared with alternative treatment options.
- The patient's ability to tolerate intensive conditioning therapy.
Patient evaluation factors
0 of 5 reviewed
02 · The cells return to the patient
How an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Is Performed
Before transplantation, medication is given in order to stimulate the hematopoietic stem cells to exit from the bone marrow into the blood. Once there is an appropriate number of stem…
Autologous stem cell transplant is a carefully planned process whereby the body’s healthy stem cells can be harvested prior to the initiation of a treatment plan and then transplanted back into the body in order to restore its ability to produce blood cells. This process is done in Malaysia at transplant centres.
Stem Cell Mobilisation and Collection
Before transplantation, medication is given in order to stimulate the hematopoietic stem cells to exit from the bone marrow into the blood. Once there is an appropriate number of stem cells, they are collected by a procedure called apheresis, where the stem cells are separated from the blood while other blood cells are returned to the body. These stem cells are stored in liquid nitrogen tanks.
Conditioning Therapy
Following the process of stem cell harvesting, the patient will undergo chemotherapy in high doses, meant to kill the remaining cancer cells or diseased bone marrow cells. The therapy works well to combat the condition but is capable of halting natural production of blood cells.
Stem Cell Infusion
After conditioning, the previously frozen stem cells are thawed and injected back into the body through an intravenous route. The process is much like a blood transfusion and does not involve any surgical procedures.
Recovery and Engraftment
The recovery period is characterized by continuous medical care as the transplanted stem cells become integrated into the bone marrow, a process referred to as engraftment and that normally takes place within the ensuing few weeks. Medical staff constantly monitor such factors as blood count, susceptibility to infection, diet, and recovery generally.
03 · Benefits and risks
Benefits and Risks of an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant
Autologous stem cell transplantation has been an effective therapy in treating some blood cancer patients. This treatment involves the use of the patient’s own stem cells; therefore, it does not have some of the donor related problems seen in allogenic transplantation. Nevertheless, this is still a serious treatment modality with its inherent dangers.
Potential Benefits
- Restore healthy bone marrow function after high-dose chemotherapy.
- Support the recovery of normal blood cell production.
- Allow higher doses of chemotherapy to be safely administered when clinically appropriate.
- Improve disease control for selected blood cancers.
- Eliminate the need for a compatible stem cell donor.
Potential Risks
- Infection while the immune system is temporarily weakened.
- Bleeding due to low platelet counts.
- Side effects from high-dose chemotherapy.
- Delayed recovery of blood cell production.
- Fatigue and weakness during the recovery period.
Conclusion
Autologous stem cell transplantation is a standard procedure for certain individuals with blood cancer and other diseases within the haematology spectrum. By utilizing stem cells from the individual's body, it aids in the regeneration of bone marrow after aggressive chemotherapy without the risk of rejection by the recipient's body. It still plays a major role in contemporary haematology and is recommended according to international medical guidelines.
The process of autologous stem cell transplantation in Malaysia takes place in special transplant centres, where a team of specialists is involved in the whole process of transplantation from initial evaluation to post-transplantation follow-up. Since the condition of each person is unique, suitability for transplantation needs to be assessed medically.
Autologous transplant questions
Frequently Asked Questions
An autologous stem cell transplant is a procedure where the stem cells of the same patient are collected, stored through cryopreservation, and then infused after the individual has received high-dose chemotherapy.
Autologous stem cell transplants are usually performed on individuals suffering from conditions such as multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other types of blood cancers where transplantation is recommended.
The use of one’s own stem cells means no need for a donor as well as no issues concerning donor-recipient immunological incompatibility such as Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD).
Yes. Autologous stem cell transplants can be done at selected specialist hospitals in Malaysia.
Not really. The stem cells are delivered through the bloodstream via an IV line, in a process much like a blood transfusion. The transplant procedure is not a surgical one.
Recovery time depends on the patient and the reaction they have to the treatment. Blood count recovery takes about several weeks, but the overall recovery takes several months.
Autologous transplant
Understand collection, conditioning, reinfusion, and recovery.
Autologous transplantation uses the patient's own collected cells and follows a carefully controlled pathway.
Compare allogeneic transplant