Practical aspects of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for patients with poor-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation has become a viable option for younger patients with poor-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The results obtained with either conventional or reduced-intensity conditioning regimens have been recently evaluated and compared with alternative nontransplant strategies. This manuscript deals with practical aspects of the procedure, including patient and donor selection, conditioning regimen, GVHD prophylaxis, disease monitoring, infectious and noninfectious complications, and timing of the procedure. Finally, we speculate on how we could improve the results obtained with the procedure and new advances currently in clinical trials.