Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation procedures.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been utilized for the treatment of severe autoimmune diseases following the results of experimental studies and of coincidental diseases. While allogeneic transplantation is still being explored, autologous transplantation is the procedure most frequently utilized worldwide. The rationale for its utilization consists in its powerful immunosuppressive effect, but immune modulation polarized towards tolerance is also postulated. The mobilization of stem and progenitor cells from the marrow and the various conditioning regimens derive from the experience with hematologic malignancies. The greatest possible reduction of transplant-related-mortality and of the autoimmune aggression are being actively pursued. Here, the main procedural modalities will be analyzed and discussed.