Immune cytopenia after allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation: challenges, approaches, and future directions

Lancet Haematol. 2021 Mar;8(3):e229-e239. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3026(20)30404-X.

Abstract

Immune-mediated cytopenia after allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is rare. The pathophysiology of immune-mediated anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia, which occur alone or in combination with other cytopenias, is unclear and most probably a consequence of immune dysregulation. Risk factors for this complication have been identified in retrospective studies but these should be interpreted with caution and should not be generalised to this heterogeneous patient population. Diagnosis is challenging, requires awareness of such complications, and has to be differentiated from a multitude of other, and sometimes overlapping, possible complications. The clinical course of immune-mediated cytopenia is highly variable. Treatment requires an interdisciplinary approach and ranges from observation to symptomatic measures and directed therapies. Intensive immunosuppression is associated with an increased risk of infections and relapse, and current treatments are based on approaches in patients who have not undergone transplantation. Plasma cell-directed therapies, immunomodulation, and receptor-stimulating agents can be used to treat immune-mediated cytopenia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use
  • Graft vs Host Disease / diagnosis
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Neutropenia / drug therapy
  • Neutropenia / etiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Thrombocytopenia / drug therapy
  • Thrombocytopenia / etiology*
  • Transplantation, Homologous / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous