What is autologous bone marrow transplant?

An autologous bone marrow transplant involves the transplantation of a patient's own bone marrow stem cells into their body after they have undergone high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Here's a step-by-step explanation of the process:

1. Mobilization:

- The first step is to mobilize stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. This is done through medications like granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).

2. Stem cell collection (Apheresis):

- Once a sufficient number of stem cells are in the bloodstream, they are collected through a process called apheresis. In this procedure, blood is drawn from the donor (the patient), passed through a machine that separates the stem cells, and then the remaining blood is returned to the donor.

3. Conditioning regimen:

- Before the stem cell transplant, the patient undergoes a conditioning regimen, which typically consists of high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. This is done to destroy cancer cells and create space in the bone marrow for the transplanted stem cells to grow.

4. Stem cell infusion:

- After the conditioning regimen, the patient receives the collected stem cells through an intravenous infusion. The stem cells travel to the bone marrow and start to repopulate it, producing new blood cells.

5. Engraftment:

- The process by which the transplanted stem cells start producing new blood cells is called engraftment. This usually takes around 2-4 weeks after the transplant.

6. Post-transplant monitoring and care:

- Following the transplant, the patient will be closely monitored for any complications or signs of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which can occur when the transplanted stem cells attack the patient's tissues. Medications may be given to prevent or treat GVHD.

An autologous bone marrow transplant aims to replace the damaged bone marrow and immune system with healthy stem cells, aiding in the treatment of various diseases, including certain cancers, genetic disorders, and autoimmune conditions.