History of hematopoietic cell transplantation

Abstract

Every year, thousands of people around the country are diagnosed with a blood cancer. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is a potentially lifesaving treatment for more than 70 different diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, inherited immune deficiency disorders, and others. The history of HSCT began in the wake of the first atomic bomb explosions and led to landmark observations about mice being protected from the lethal effects of ionizing radiation on the bone marrow by shielding their spleens with lead. Subsequent experiments allowed for further development of this revolutionary treatment modality and ultimate success in efforts to treat patients with hematological diseases which have previously been inevitably lethal. The history of HSCT is a timeline of many groundbreaking discoveries, and numerous scientific lessons learned in the early days of HSCT are still relevant today. Although much has been learned over the last decades, use of old and new insights in HSCT will continue to be combined to identify the most effective treatment options.