Immunoablation and Bone Marrow Transplantation

What is Immunoablation and Cancer, Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplantation

The therapeutic destruction of the body’s IMMUNE RESPONSE, typically to prepare for BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION or STEM CELL transplantation. Immunoablation is usually a step in the treatment process for certain cancers and AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS, such as severe MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. High-DOSE CHEMOTHERAPY and RADIATION THERAPY are the most common methods of immunoablation. The goal is to remove all T-cell lymphocytes from the BLOOD, which destroys the body’s CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY. Until the person’s IMMUNE SYSTEM restores immune functions, the person is extremely vulnerable to any INFECTION. A person who has undergone immunoablation stays in a hospital in strict isolation until immune function returns after bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.

See also CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS AND DECISIONS; LEUKEMIA; MULTIPLE MYELOMA; T-CELL LYMPHOCYTE.

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