Role of autologous bone marrow transplantation for patients with acute and chronic leukemias.

Autologous bone marrow transplantation has been increasingly used as effective curative therapy for patients with acute myelocytic leukemia or acute lymphoblastic leukemia who are not candidates for allografting. Its potential role for patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia is considered investigational; however, recent advancements in stem cell separation may make autologous transplantation an attractive alternative for this disease as well. The timing of the autologous transplant and the role of marrow purging are discussed in depth. In addition, post-transplant immune modulation and the use of growth factors and other cytokines following autologous reinfusion are currently being investigated.